“I can’t believe I left my costume in the car,” my daughter said between sobs as we speed walked across the bridge that leads to the main land and a bus stop.

“It will be OK,” I said trying to reassure the 9-year-old who was adjusting to life at a new school.

“No it won’t,” she said with venom and sadness. “This is my first year at the school and I messed up. I’ll never get it back.”

When we got to the bus stop, we hugged a lot as her brother, still wearing his Darth Vader costume, rummaged through his backpack for something to snack on while we waited.

***

My daughter’s wisdom goes beyond her 9 years. 

I’ve often cried, pouted, screamed after making bad first impression. I’ve also cried after the second and 100th one. I have spent a long time dwelling on negativity and how I think people see me.

Her statement also echoes true when it comes to running. You have one shot to run a race, then it’s done. I can’t take back my lackluster first run of the Odgen Newspaper Classic Half Marathon. My “redemption” run wasn’t redemption at all. It was an attempt to prove I learned a smarter runner. I kind of failed.

I can’t take back the feeling of not giving everything I had to my first marathon. But I can either sulk about my performance or getting ready to do better at the next one.

***

My daughter had a chance to do it over. That night after the “disaster” at school, the city held trick or treat. We hoped dad would get home in time to drop off her witch costume.

But things don’t always go as planned, and costumes for 2015 was one of them. My daughter wanted to sulk at home and just pass out candy. I didn’t want  her to be alone, so her brothers and I convinced her to trick or treat with us. I was a marathon runner, while the youngest was a Ninja turtle and Darth Vader was still in costume.

After the first stop, our neighbor’s house, my daughter started grinning. She had an idea.

“I’m wearing running clothes like you mom, except my shoes,” she said, excitedly. “Can I go as a runner?”

“Sure,” I said giving her my Marine Corps Marathon medal to make her costume more official. And off we went to what everyone agreed was one of the best Halloweens ever.

***

My daughter was able to turn the situation around. While she had planned all she could, somethings just didn’t work out.

So she adapted and improvised, making a negative situation a positive one.

There are/will be times when you don’t want to go workout. When the stack of to-dos are higher than your did-that pile. 

You can pout and sulk or find a way to have the best fun ever.

For me, I found my happy spot in long distance running. I plan on doing spring and fall marathons in 2016. I find the focus of training and the hours of me-time, a good release for me. It gives me a little extra push to be and do better in other aspects of my life.

So, I better start working on my training plan. Spring will be here before we know it.