I changed the name of this blog post a few times before I started, and one time before I published. I knew what I wanted to write about, but I wasn’t sure how to make it more than just a run. Then I realized I didn’t have to make it more than it was. I realized the monotony of what is everyday can be enough. It’s enough to repeat yesterday, as long as yesterday is worth repeating.
On Friday the 20th the base hosted a half marathon and 5k To Give Cancer the Boot. I live on a postage stamp, and as I mentioned last week one lap around is less than a mile. I miss racing and really just running with people. I do enjoy the Life Fitness treadmills and my booty shaking music, but to be outside and to run with friends is just more fun. I registered for the half marathon and so did a friend of mine who started this journey with me. Matt is also a Navy reservist and we went through Fort Jackson together and then flew out to Afghanistan. Matt is an Ironman and I’m hoping in a year I will be one as well.
Unfortunately I don’t have one screen shot from my Garmin showing the full half marathon. For the first 0.6 miles my GPS would not connect. Then I connected it and ran the 21 laps we were told would equate to a half marathon. The 21 laps were about one mile too short and only added up to 12 miles. I stopped my watch then and proceeded to hold back vomit for a few minutes. I felt awful and not from overexertion, but from the air. I do not normally run outside here and when I have it was for less than 4 miles. There is a reason I’ve only run outside a few times. I need to take a minute to explain the air quality here in Kabul. Kabul is one of the most polluted cities in the World and as the weather gets colder the air quality gets worse. Due to the expense and availability of fuel the local nationals burn whatever they can get their hands on to stay warm. What I’m learning is, tires burn hot for a long time. When I finished I was experiencing what we call the Kabul Lung. I even lost my voice for the morning. (I know that was tough for me!)
Once I settled my stomach I waited at the finish for Matt to run by. I joined him for his last 5K. By joining him for the 5K I was able to finish my half marathon, since I was only at 12 miles (I did end at 15 something). I also had the opportunity to chat and enjoy a few more miles outside with friends. Matt improved his half marathon from his last one by over 45 minutes. It certainly wasn’t my day to race, but he showed up and proved he is capable of running much quicker than last time. Also let me remind you he did it in pollution at 6000 ft. I did forget earlier to mention the altitude.
So my half marathon, and I use those words loosely, was nothing to write home about or put in the records book. The big thick circle you see on my Garmin is me running over the same spot 21 times. Monotonous to be sure. I did break down and buy Pandora off-line so I could listen to my booty shaking music without WiFi. I enjoyed the run, I enjoyed the company, and I enjoyed the familiarity of the monotony of running in many, many circles.
Don’t forget there can still be something awesome in the monotony of life. There is nothing wrong with doing something over and over again as long as it is worth repeating. Embrace your monotony and make it great! I heard somewhere once that practice makes perfect and that means repeating the monotony!
Darchelle's Vacation with Uncle Sam 