The Wake Up Call of Life

I arrive by plane into the “Earthquake Capitol” of the country.  Safely.

My brain is filled with images like this:

Arastradero Open Space Preserve, Palo Alto, CA  (February 2010)

I look forward to basking in the sunshine that I have had so little of this winter.

I wake up to the Headline of the Day. 

8.9 Magnitude Earthquake in Japan (later revised to 9.0) 

Worst quake EVER for that area.

I suddenly have trouble writing the post that was planned for today.

That post will have to wait for another day.

My brain is void of words.

My brain is now filled with images like this:

The videos of the ensuing tsunami obliterating what used to be modern, developed civilization in SECONDS make my jaw drop to the ground and leave me speechless.

In the emotion of the moment, thoughts of running and feeling glum over having to change distances in tomorrow’s trail run seem selfish and trivial.

I see the images of the destruction in Japan again.

My heart goes out to the people there who were in the wrong place at the wrong time (and their families).

It could have been me.

But it wasn’t me.

R.r.r.r.i.n.g!?!?!

Hellooooo???

It’s the “wake up call” of life.

I am reminded of how lucky I am to have the opportunity to still make a difference in the world.

It doesn’t really matter what I do; I just need to do it.

So…..tomorrow morning I will run, walk, or crawl my way over the [ it doesn’t matter how many ] miles of trail and celebrate the opportunity that I have been graced with.

And I will go out and make a difference in the world.

Huge shout out and well-wishes to my friends, RON, and KATIE, who are running the Way Too Cool 50K tomorrow.  It’s a first ultra for both Ron and Katie—you’re both going to rock this race! Also well-wishes go out to Carol who is doing the unofficial "Uncool" 50K in Marin.  Carol has done too many ultras to count, always at or in the top of her age group and can do these “in her sleep.”  Carol, you will shine as you always do!
[Addendum:  just learned that Katie won't be running tomorrow :(--at W2C anyway (she undoubtedly will be running somewhere!).  She will be going for a sub 1:30 Half-Marathon PR in Sacramento on Sunday (yeah, she's THAT FAST).  Good luck Katie!
And, good luck Ron...you'll still have Katie & me as angels over each shoulder :).]

Carol (right) and me after finishing PCTR Big Basin 25k (May 2009)

Carol, at age 64, must be close to or beyond doing her age in the number of marathon and ultra trail runs over the past few years.  Carol, you are truly amazing.

Ron, me, and Katie at Brazen Racing Summit Rock 10k/HM, Sanborn Park (Dec 2010)
Ron is a running maniac and an Ironman.  Katie is a fast learner of Ron's insanity and is on her way to a Guinness Record for consecutive running days.

And, finally, to Stacey (RBR) who sadly gave up her place at Way Too Cool this year because “life” and her incredible dedication to teaching got in the way, I send a big “HANG IN THERE”- your day will come.

Stacey and me after finishing the Summit Rock 10k (Dec 2010)
Stacey is a riot, a great teacher, and a walking (running) encyclopedia of Biology

Remember to Celebrate Life Each Day!  Ann