This morning on our weekly Saturday run with a few guys in my neighborhood, there was much to discuss. Two of us had run a 1/2 marathon the week before, and the other had been camping in the snowy mountains of Utah with his 12 year old son earning "Who Really Camps in the Snow Anyway" Merit Badge.
The relationship I have with my running partners has really been strengthened over the past year as we have been running each week together (Take note lady readers.... Relationships, feelings, and Twighlight will not be talked about beyond this point). We have spent a lot of time together waking up early each weekend to spend an hour or two together, sharing, laughing, crying..... okay not crying. We run together, we laugh at each other, and we provide lots of "teaching material" to the one who is our church's Sunday School Teacher. Luckily he doesn't take any of our "suggestions", although if he would he could get released.... but that's another blog for another day.
For 3 years my two running partners have participated in the Wasatch Back Relay race. This is a 178 mile relay run through the mountains of Utah beginning in Logan and ending outside of Park City. 12 runners participate and run 3 sections of up to 7 miles. To complete this course it takes a team somewhere around 24 hours to finish. Spending this much time together further unifies the bond that runners share.
Each year this race falls on the 3rd weekend in June. The 3rd weekend in June is a significant date for the Bryant Family. For the last 15 years, this has been the date chosen by our elders as the time to work on our mountain property. We work together falling trees with chainsaws, road and fence maintenance, ATV riding, and eating an amazing meal. This is the only time of the year that most of the Bryant's will be together.
Two years ago I ran the race and had a terrific time. Last year I felt it more important to attend the Bryant reunion, and also had a terrific time.
This morning on the run, after much chiding, I was again invited to run with my band of brothers in the Wasatch Back Relay. This is significant because others before me have dropped out for scheduling conflicts and have never been invited back into the fold. Receiving this invitation a second time is like getting a second chance at buying Red Sox season tickets. It just doesn't happen.
This brings me to my vexing dilemma. Should I go to the family reunion and see extended family that I haven't seen in exactly 1 year, or run the race that we train for all year long with "my boys"?
Where is my magic 8 ball?
All signs point to yes? What am I supposed to take from that?
Go be with your family. Friends will never replace them. If they are a Band of Brothers they will not ask you to sacrifice your values. If they do, they aren't as close as they say.
ReplyDeleteMatt
Run the race. You obviously get real satisfaction from doing things with your Brothers by Choice. It is a rare gift to get a second chance at something you have passed by already. Your family will love you no matter what you choose.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help.
ReplyDeleteI agree with El Jefe - run the race. Let me know if you guys need an extra runner.
ReplyDeleteAaron
RUN THE RACE! Your were the glue that held our family together, and you were the only one that went from our family so you were obligated to go so that you represented us. But now there is alot of us that go so for once we can take over and represent. And go to the cabin another time.
ReplyDeleteWait until your mother posts, then do what she says.
ReplyDeletewait, what family reunion? On Jill's side?
ReplyDeleteI think Matt is pretty stinkin' funny.
And I think you're seriously amazing that you do this. I need to send Alfer to your blog!!