Month: August 2023

Maly, Elise and I maintain a group text. Maly named the group text “People I Know” many years ago. At first I thought it was cute, and maybe one day she, or one of us, would change the group text to something more appropriate, like “family.” But it hasn’t changed. And as I’ve thought about it more, and thought that I might wish the name of the group text would change, the more I think it’s right. We are the people that we know, probably taken for granted. But the three of us know.

Maly sent this poem to us on the first day of school. It was something she’d found on TikTok.

The First Day of School

I’m 5 years old
I wake up early for my first day of kindergarten
“I don’t want to go to school mommy, I’ll miss you”
And I don’t know anyone
And I don’t leave the house often
And I’m scared
But I go anyway
And I cry walking into the classroom away from my mommy
My only friend
But I make friends quickly
And I like learning.

I’m 12 year old
I wake up early for my first day of 7th grade
“I don’t want to go to school, it’s boring”
And the girls are mean
And I have too many classes for one day
And I don’t like my teachers
But I go anyway
And I linger in the car next to my mom
But I get out and walk away And run to my friends And they protect me.

I’m 15 years old
I wake up early for my first day of sophomore year
“I don’t want to go to school, I’m tired.”
Everything’s heavy
And I can barely stand anymore
And it’s all too loud
But I go anyway
And I look up at my huge school And I sit with my friends
And they carry me through my year.

I’m 17 years old
Tomorrow I will wake up early for my first day of senior year
“I don’t want to go to school, I don’t want to grow up.
Time is moving too fast
And I’m not ready for it to be over
And I’m scared
But I’ll go anyway.
And I’ll linger in the passenger seat
Because I don’t want it to be the last time my mommy drives me to school
And I’ll cry the night before thinking about it And I’ll find my friends and they’ll comfort me
But they’re all ready to grow up
And I’m still getting ready for my first day of kindergarten.

First day of 12th Grade today:

First day of 11th Grade last year:

First day of 10th Grade two years ago:

First day of 9th Grade three years ago:

First day of 8th Grade four years ago:

First day of 7th Grade five years ago:

First day of 6th Grade six years ago:

First day of 5th Grade seven years ago:

First day of 4th Grade eight years ago:

First day of 3rd Grade nine years ago

First day of 2nd Grade 10 years ago

First day of 1st Grade 11 years ago:

First day of Kindergarten 12 years ago:

First day of school 13 years ago:

First day of school 14 years ago:

First day of school 15 years ago:

First day of 6th Grade today:

First day of 5th Grade last year:

First day of 4th Grade two years ago:

First day of 3rd Grade three years ago:

First day of 2nd Grade four years ago:

First day of 1st Grade five years ago:

First day of Kindergarten six years ago:

First day of preschool seven years ago:

First day of preschool eight years ago:

“Today, Janicek, 47, is one of Austin’s top masters runners”

https://www.readytoruntexas.com/josh-janicek-is-a-lifelong-student-of-running/

Here is the PDF version of the article should the link above ever go away.
https://www.janicek.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Josh-Janicek-is-a-Lifelong-Student-of-Running-_-Ready-to-Run-Texas.pdf

Wow. I don’t know what to say. I’m honored. That’s one thing.

However, I know there are so many more runners (masters or otherwise) that are stronger, better, and faster than me. And that’s a huge reason why I’ll always consider myself a student of running. Before I became a runner, I thought running was pretty basic and, well, boring. I mean, you put one foot in front of the other in rapid succession, right? It’s often the most basic of endeavors that can provide a lifetime of learning and exploration.

For years I was a student of Tae Kwon Do. I used to love to fight and I loved to win even more. Losing wasn’t an option in my mind. I remember very vividly one day when I got my ass handed to me and I lost. I was mad and frustrated with myself. My instructor and mentor Gus Pennison looked me square in the eye and told me, “you’ll never learn by winning all the time.” That was 30 years ago and I’ve held dearly to that advice.

My friend Brom wrote this piece about me. A few hours before he’d called me, I was having one of those very introspective moments.

See, I still have big goals and dreams for myself in running. And I think I still have a lot left in me. But I’m at this point now where there’s this immeasurable amount of me that just wants to give it away. To share it as far and wide as I can. And not even running. Just getting outside and moving your body through time and space. That’s a big reason why I started a walk/run group in my neighborhood. That’s why I bought a book that I’m reading right now that teaches the walk-run-walk methodology. To learn more and to give it away.

While I was in that introspective moment I had this vision of myself. It was one of those out-of-body moments, like I was watching myself from above. I was holding the sun in my right hand. My arm was extended from the side of my body and I was looking out, far into the horizon, while casting this thought that was louder than anything that any animal could register.

“I have THIS thing. It is light and life. And you can have it for free.”

Whatever that thing is that you love and that brings you joy, nurture it and work on it and grow and learn to love it more than you’d ever imagined. And then give it away.

I took on a pretty cool new job recently. My previous three jobs in the last two and a half years ended as a result of layoffs (by no fault of yours truly). After something like 15 years in account management and sales in the tech world, and tiresomeness, constant feelings of non-fulfillment, and hinging on straight-up depression, Elise and I had many long and honest conversations. We both knew that I was burnt out and no longer capable of being miserable and faking it for the sake of a paycheck. I really wanted to do something with running. That’s where my heart is. I talked to so many people, strangers and friends and family alike who’ve been absolute blessings to me and have helped in guiding and encouraging me. And I’ve just stayed patient, confident, and hopeful. Exactly like I do in all of my pursuits in running.

As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, and as I continue to learn about myself, and trudge down this endless path as a student of running, I’m constantly reminded that life often imitates running. It can be damn hard. It’s frustrating. It requires thoughtfulness and planning and grit. And despite all of the work that you often have to put into it, you need to pause sometimes and remember to stop trying to make it happen and just let it happen.