Fadó, fadó in preparation for Confirmation we were taught the seven deadly sins. These were the most serious ones a person could commit. One of the seven is one I have been committing over the past few weeks: envy. Envy of the enthusiasm of the Saturday morning runners who are preparing for Limerick or Portumna. And I am sure that other Crusaders are preparing for challenges that I have not heard about. This past Saturday epitomises the spirit of those who are running in Limerick, marathon or half marathon. A wonderful comraderie has developed between these runners. No wonder the non participant feels cut adrift by talk of protein-intake- increase or the tapering down process or ambitions to break the five or the four. Admittedly I heard no word of breaking the three but that may be as a result of the company I keep. I am certain that Colm Daly had breaking the three on his mind but the very fact of being in London would be adequate consolation. But Colm’s achievements would not cause envy anyway.
Mention of the company I keep brings to mind meeting three of the 50k group running up the Circular Road hill, against the wind and rain, like gazelles on Saturday morning while the common mortals ran down that hill. It’s Portumna in June, the Antarctic the next mild winter for them. Of course I felt proud that we all wear the orange. So we have that in common. We have the welfare of the Crusaders Clinic in common also. A worthy motive and fair play to Pat for reminding us of the bag packing in Dunnes in Shannon next Friday and Saturday and of our aspirations and efforts to assist the Clinic. But I have to admit to a tinge of envy which I try to control but still committ the sin.
Is it not only natural that one would feel envious of these people, people who are on a mission? Like, the varying levels of ambition within the group show that there is a place for the tortoise as well as the gazelle in the Clare Crusaders. Is it fair that one is committing such a whopper of a mortal sin that one has to wonder if it is wise to take the bike to town in case of being knocked down by a car, the driver of which is totally unaware of the state of the victim’s immortal soul? That horrid state results from feeling envious of a fellow fun runner who is intent on being in bed before ten o’clock every night this week or who will have turkey three times during the week in the belief that those few ounces of the Christmas bird will help ‘break’ into a new hour bracket. As long, of course, as the turkey is not followed by trifle.
Dear reader, there is not a begrudging bone in my body. I wish every runner on Sunday a wonderful day out and the fulfilment of their ambitions. The orange top you wear maintains the profile of the needs of the Clinic in the public mind. You are an advertisement for the Clinic even if the only thing you break is your heart. In fact the longer you are on the course the greater the likelihood that the orange top will be noticed. I will not be present to cheer you on. Not because of my envy for you. I will be running in a humble 10k in Drogheda, in the orange top. Naturally.
But a word of warning. Did I mention that pride is another one of the seven deadly sins? Yes indeed. So no boasting when we meet on Saturday May 9th. For the sake of your immortal soul.