When she was 50 years old, one of my workout buddies underwent a total hip replacement. Within 9 months, she was competing in a 5k run. “Competing” and “run” don’t mean what you might think, though. Her running was more often like walking for many of the other participants in the event, and her competition wasn’t with the others (some half her age, who hadn’t had a hip replacement less than a year ago), it was with herself. She’s faster than I am, but I can go at a steady pace for a very long time, without having to stop (I haven’t had a hip replacement, either). If we ever became competitive toward each other, we likely wouldn’t enjoy our workout in the same way. When there’s competition with another person, after all, someone wins and someone loses. Kim and I only compete against ourselves. Hence, we both feel like winners. Continuing effort over time makes for winners. It is deliberate pursuit of excellence over the course of a lifetime that is success. There will certainly be various peaks and valleys, just like on many journeys; mountains to climb, detours over difficult, broken roads and some downhill slopes. As you journey, remember these words: “Good timber does not grow with ease, The stronger wind, the stronger trees, The further sky, the greater length, The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, In trees and men good timbers grow.” (from the poem Good Timber by Douglas Malloch). We begin each journey with the end in mind, as well we should. Consider, however: Though long and uncertain it may sometimes be, any destination worth reaching involves a journey worth appreciating. Hear the beauty in the songs of birds. Recognize the power in feeling sunlight on your face and sometimes in your eyes. There’s excitement in the howling wind and pouring rain. Even the shifting sand beneath your feet is sometimes part of life. Kim and I have achieved many sweaty hours trotting around Blanco. We haven’t been the fastest runners, but we’ve spent countless days appreciating a warm breeze, the sounds of nature and waving hands of passers-by. We’ve exercised in the warmth and light, and in the cold and rain. We’ve come close to our goals and have slipped farther away, at times. One thing has been constant: We love life and see exercise as part of enjoying and making the best of living this one life we have to live. We don’t hold comparisons that engender feelings of failure. Living is better without constant competition as we race toward its end. Embrace the wind, cold and storms. Enjoy the journey. Be well.

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