• A slight shift in expectations •
[1 MIN READ]
The plan since Philly full Marathon 2025 was to do 2026 with Ironette (It would be her 2nd). One minor lament was that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to run with another friend, Helen (whom I learned late would be doing her first marathon with Philly). As with so much more of life, though, shift happens.
Shift 1: Ironette would end up having to abort her 2nd Philadelphia this year. That would leave me running solo, something I’ve done many times, but don’t love. Shift 2: Helen was willing for me to run with her. I had been training to run with Ironette. Helen paces differently. So… Shift 3: How to strategize pacing together with her. Naturally, the burden is on me as the experienced marathoner.
Here’s the thing about change. You can complain or you can adapt. I choose the latter.
There is one final shift, this one on Helen’s part; she has to put up with my talking. She seems to be fine with the idea, as long as long as I’m fine with her not responding much. That’s the thing about running in community, though; communication is a part of it. (Note that the 2 words are etymologically related.)
Wish us both well. Philadelphia Marathon is in 3 weeks: 11/22.
–CtCloser (Calvinthe), “Negative split or positive splat” #dothedue
FINE PRINT ¶Text and photos (unless otherwise stated): Calvin Wang (Wäng), CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (CreativeCommons.org). ¶Cross-posted: (1) Facebook JRC Growlers Group Run (2026’11’04’W Run Message), (2) GGR email list, (3) Cerebruns by CtCloser. ¶This website posting: Cerebrun with added caption and enumeration.
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