Picking up from last time –
As far as what I thought about, well, I thought about the same stuff I think about during marathons.
Running is how I analyze and deal with problems. It’s how I work out any anger or confusion toward myself or anyone else. It’s the time when if I have problems with anyone in my life, I try to think about what I could’ve done (or what I could do) to be better in any way – a better friend, worker, whatever.
If I’m mad at anybody or myself or even just a situation, I put on a mean song and run to it. That’s the way I try to vent any negative emotions.
In this race, I also kind of thought about the future. What kinds of things do I want next? How will I get them? (I had lots of time. Might as well reflect and plan.) It can be stressful, but also good to think about the future…
I also just enjoyed music for part of it.
I heard some songs I hadn’t heard in a while and thought, “oh yeah, I love this song!” (“Obsessed” by Mariah Carey gave me a total jolt when I was tired. I really do just adore that song.)
I also paid attention to some of the genius engineering on some Michael Jackson tracks – seeing how many different instruments/parts I could pick out. (Bruce Swedien is a freaking mastermind. I would love to work with that man.)
I even thought silly thoughts at some point.
I know Christina Yang is a fictional character. She’s totally not real and not working that awesome job. And yet, somewhere almost 40 miles in, I thought, “I really hope she’s happy at that dream job. Goodness, I love her.”
Basically, the day was lovely.
There was also a point in my last couple of laps where I looked up at the stars.
Someone who’d done the race in years past gave me a heads up that at night (especially for people coming from the city) the stars out in nature were really beautiful, and you should make sure to look up at them and enjoy them.
Those words echoed in my brain in my final laps. Since I was almost done, I made sure to look up and enjoy every bit that I could.
And this is where I’ll pick up next time