Sunday, April 18, 2010

Work week

Today marks 5 days left. That's a normal work week or school week. It's hard to think about the fact that I only have that long until I have finished crossing a country on foot.

I've taken things "one day at a time" pretty religiously for the past 3 or so months because the mere thought of having thousands or even hundreds of miles left to go was enough to pull me down to the point where running was impossible and simply moving in the general eastward direction was all I could manage. This day to day mental management of the whole big picture is the way to tackle big situations.

The fact is, I don't have to think like this anymore. I have tomorrows run, Tuesday, Wednesday, I'm off Thursday, and the last run on Friday.

A total of 102 miles left. I've run more in a 24 hour time span; and believe me, the thought has crossed my mind more than once to just finish the distance in one shot. But I'll behave.

I'm close. And it hit me today that I don't have to take it one day at a time. I can think about the end and not picture it as a distant future event where uncertainty rules its outcome. I'll be there on Friday at 2 pm.

Today was the last day Dave ran with me. We ran to Vidalia. Home of the Vidalia onions and they won't let you forget it.

It was great running with Dave this week. He's a tough guy who kept up with no problems (at least none he told me about). I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about him picking up day after day of longer distances but he did great.


Thanks Dave.

Today I ran for Shea Sullivan from California and Kimberly Crowe from Alabama. Both have JRA.


-- Patrick

5 comments:

  1. Hey Patrick!! THANKS! i really appreciate all you have done, running for me and all the other children/young adults who suffer from JRA, your compassion is overwhelming. I wish i could be there for the finish, like we were there from the start. good luck. friday will be here quick! :) ~Shea Sullivan

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  3. There are many people, much older than you, who haven't grasp the concept you have on managing large task. Keep up the good work, your a inspiration to others

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  4. Patrick... When you mentioned that now you don't have to take it one day at a time anymore... there are only 5 days left until the end of your journey - that struck a chord and spoke VOLUMES about life with JRA. Because it's an endless one day at a time journey for so many kids, until better treatments and a cure are found. Thank you SO MUCH for your efforts and all you are doing to raise awareness... to bring a better future for all our kids!!!!!
    Colleen - mom to Caitlin, 12, systemic JRA

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  5. thanks for outting my name on your blog.

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