Marshall Ramsey

I REALLY did not want to get out of bed this morning. I slept in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (until 5:15 a.m.) I HAD to run this morning.  I HAD to get out of bed. I HAD to keep writing HAD in all-caps.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: The hardest part of my early morning run is from the bed to the floor.

But I got up.  I took the dog out and got my shoes on.  I started running up the steep hill on my street.  Since my legs were fresh, I ran faster than normal.  And then I ran a little faster.   It felt so good. The air was crisp and my lungs felt great.  Miles ticked by.  One, two, three, four and five.  I was almost at a full sprint.  When I made it up the hill and back to my house, my watch said 5.33 miles.  I stopped, took a deep breath and looked at the stars hanging like lanterns over my house. I felt a blanket of peace around my shoulders.

I took off my shirt and my skin was beet red from my blood circulating in my skin.  I felt euphoric.  Joy crashed over me like a giant wave; I was hit by one of the strongest “runner’s highs” I’ve ever experienced.  Life was nothing but good at that moment.  I wanted to go back out and run another 10 miles.

Today was one of those days that keeps me running. It was a reward for all the crappy runs, cramps, blisters, side-stitches, dizzy spells and moments of exhaustion.  I almost forgot the sweat and pain. Today was why I love to run.

I have a very busy day today. It’s a day that includes travel and hard work.  But it has already started off on the right foot.

I went to bed at 11 p.m. last night.  So I decided to sleep until 5:15.  It was heavenly.  Sometimes you just need to rest. This morning was one of them.

Some goals are bigger than yourself.  You have to have buy-in and the support of those around you.  I’ve struggled with this for years — my ambition can be like a bull in a China shop, breaking valuables and people in its path.

Yesterday I laid out my latest challenge.  I said I was going to train with Paul Lacoste for four mornings a week (one of the best programs I’ve ever seen) and then run the Mississippi Blues Marathon. This, of course, is adding to two jobs and me starting up a book tour.  Sure, it would be tough on me physically.  But I’m tough. I can overcome anything.

But I completely lacked consideration for one very important person: My wife.

Amy Ramsey is an amazing person. She has the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, is rock-solid dependable and fiery.  And right now, she’s tired. For the past two years, she has picked up the pieces that I’ve dropped due to me working up to 80 hours a week.  The last four months, I’ve completed three books.  That meant that while I was working every single minute I was home (other than when I was exercising, eating or sleeping), Amy was keeping our three sons on track and our family whole.

This fall she began a new job.  I’m proud of her — she’s a teacher and a darn good one. But yesterday morning made me realize I was dumping another thing on her already crowded plate.  It was very difficult for her to get out of the house (I leave early for work, but still help get the boys ready to go).

So I’m putting off my Paul Lacoste training until the winter.  I’ll still continue to run at 4 a.m. and will work on my core — I’m not about to face Clark Bruce’s core routine without being ready for it.  But I need flexibility in my routine. I need to give back to my very giving wife.  I need to show some consideration.

My success depends on my team. And the best way I can be successful is for my team to know they can depend on me.