Progress, satisfaction, determination, enough… In a string of verbs, I am comfortably the adjective. I have run, swam, ridden, and walked enough miles, during races and training, for more than half of my life, mostly believing it was never enough, that I needed to do more, always, more miles, more races, more goals, but now, I know that the world will keep spinning whether I cover another step, and although I don’t need to, I still want to, no matter the outcome, it’s fun, and satisfying to try.

Last week, during week eight of twelve of the Boston build, I ran a meaty eighteen mile long run, covering the second half faster than the first, achieving a negative split, which was cool, and a definitive sign that fitness is building, but what I care about most, is that I felt good; my toes, feet, ankles, legs, lungs, and mind endured and enjoyed each step more than the long run the week before, and that is all that I could ask for.

After decades of building and dismantling fitness, speed and strength ebbing up and down along the way, now I simply want to be curious and grateful to absorb every bead of sweat, strain of muscle, heave of breath, and desire to keep going.

In astonishing, yet not surprising news, my brother Tim has reached his initial fundraising goal for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, but the quest for cancer cures continues, so please click here if you would like to donate to his ongoing effort for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The book I read last week was the raw and riveting, grammy winning memoir from Viola Davis, Finding Me. Davis is an exceptional actor, and an apparent good hang, but her story is teeming with grit, determination, love for her family and belief in herself, I highly recommend it.

Another quality recommendation is taking in Rich Roll’s podcast episode with Bill Burnett and Dave Evans about finding meaning.