Aim big miss small, thinking about parables about talents

Sitting here doing non-running 'things' waiting on the plumber to install a hot water heater wondering, what in the thump did we do before we could take a hot bath/shower? Especially with this freakish cold snap (39 this morning); most mornings I dream of Starbucks or a cheeseburger or something for the last half of the run. On cold mornings I dream of the hot tub at the Mt. Brook YMCA, and I think just to mess with me half of the time they put up an 'Out of Order' sign....it's really not funny. Stupid thing never breaks down in the summer when I a) don't need it and b) can't use it, because I won't quit sweating till noon. Those who know me will vouch for the fact that I retired as international 'sweat' champion a few years ago. Had a private coaching session this morning working with a person that wants to improve their 10K time. We're in the 3rd week and after 2 weeks of increasing intensity so the body doesn't go into 'shock' at the first hard run, I planned a timed mile for the workout. This is so we'll know how fast to plan the subsequent workouts. Many 'runners' head out and just try to get fast by running around a track willy nilly and have no idea what pace their workouts should be. I forgot who said it, it's very insightful so I think I'll claim it , "Most people do their speedwork too fast and their long runs too slow." During the warm up mile I was explaining what we were going to do and using an 8 minute mile as an example simply because I can easily divide that into quarters and halves and what not. My student/pupil/trainee/underling/coachee said, "Oh Danny, there's no way I'll do an 8 minute mile." Realizing how what I said was taken, I corrected myself, explaining, "No, no I'm just using that for an example; I could have used a 10 minute or 12 minute mile or I guess bought a running calculator so I don't have to use my head." This person explains to me how they've always been slow, never run 5K's just 10K's and half marathons because 5K's are for fast people, excuse/justification/excuse...I'm listening and taking note - so I set my watch and start them on a timed mile....whoosh lap one! A little less 'whoosh' lap 2, settling in lap 3, lap 4 finds a bit of a kick and final time? 7:48. Couldn't say "I told you so" cause I had no idea - here's the point...Don't fear success. Too many people actually are more afraid of being GOOD at something than failing. So they don't start, they don't take that first step, or they wish and hope, but never try. What happens when you do try? Well the sister of Susan Komen has turned one 5K in memory of Susan G. Komen into a hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research. Bruce Cleland of New York formed a team to run the NYC Marathon in honor of his daughter a Leukemia survivor and spawned Team in Training which has raised and is still raising hundreds of millions of dollars for research. Locally a few years back, The Bell Center for Early Intervention (go ahead 'Google' it) put together a training team to run the Mercedes hoping to raise $10,000.00.This year ALONE they raised over $300,000.00. The power of a dream. You don't have to dream big, in 'The Patriot' there's a line about shooting that says, "Aim small miss small", but that's not true in running, you Aim BIG miss small - what do you have to lose? You tried, you're healthier, leaner, and took a chance. Plus, and it'll happen every time you 'race' or run hard, I guarantee it - you LEARNED something, something about yourself and about your running. Aim BIG, miss small - and don't fear success, fear not living up to God's hope, God's promise for you. When we were in Jerusalem (told you I was waiting on a plumber) we had the privilege, honor really, of studying under a Priest and great teacher, Father Kamal. He taught us each Bible verse should be looked at historically, spiritually, and metaphorically....take the Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25: 14-30) and (metaphorically)apply it to (in this case) your running dreams and goals (life too - but this is a running blog...today a long running blog) and think about it. Don't fear success - embrace it! Aim big, miss small.....