I’ve been lamenting about how my new job has me travelling ALL the time and how it’s hard to fit in running. But this past week while I was spending three days in Rochester, NY, I tried to focus about what this job has added to (inspired) my running and this book came to mind:

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy runner who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too…

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang pack and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly run, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when they you don’ t
Because, sometimes, they you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you…

And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done…

But you’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy you’ll get that runner high!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points finish lines to be scored crossed.
There are games medals to be won…

Except when they you don’t.
Because, sometimes, they you won’t.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you…

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies injuries may prowl
Onward up over many a frightening creek,
though your arms legs may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike run
and I know you’ll hike run far
and face up to your problems challenges
whatever they are…

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID RUNNER, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain The road is waiting.
So…get on your way!

So next week, I’m off to Buffalo.  You bet I’ll be looking for a new place to run….

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It’s also Friday so, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for today is: Five Ways Work Travel Has Inspired My Running:

1. New Places

2. New Faces

3. New Challenges

4. New Post Race Fuel

5. Prioritizing Running

Happy Running! What has recently inspired your running?