Two perfect running mantras in 30 minutes. Who could ask for more?

OK, maybe a Medium Chocolate Frosty. But still.

I’m talking with Mo before the Abilene deadline. It’s a slow news day. We’re sharing gripes about stuff we can’t control. Then she says: “Not my circus. Not my monkeys.”

I am stunned. It’s perfect. Apparently an old Polish saying about dealing with things that are out of your control. This isn’t your problem, so why worry about it. How many times have I needed this on a long run? I declare it The Greatest Saying Ever.

Then I’m taking with Jami before the Redding deadline. Did I mention it’s a slow news day? We’re agreeing that our lives are pretty good. Then she says: “No complaining on the yacht.”

I am stunned. It’s perfect. Apparently an old Anna saying about how you should always keep in mind how great things are and throw the negatives overboard. It’s on the blackboard by the fridge, where all great mantras should live. How many times have I needed this on a long run? I declare it The Greatest Saying Ever.

I spend the rest of my shift cutting off the pope’s right ear (oh, well, not my monkeys) before coming home to an Alaskan Amber Ale (not my favorite, but who am I to complain on the yacht?)

I will keep both of these in my running fanny pack. The cure to any problem that could ever come up on the trail. And all it took was blowing a Redding deadline and defiling the pope. A small price indeed.

One shift, two mantras. And that was The Best MLK Day Ever.

Except for that Alaska Amber Ale …