Today I ran a road race. The race was a disaster because, thanks to crowds, I couldn't make it to the start line in time, so my time was awful, and I was utterly humiliated. Worse still, I was part of a team, and I feel I let them down.
So I'm feeling pretty awful and mad at myself, and then as I'm walking after the race, I come across a girl I knew a few years back. She was with a mutual friend, and so of course I had to smile at them. But god it was awkward. The girl is an alum of my school, and we met a few years ago at another race. We hit if off, and for the next two weeks we ran together almost every day. Then things culminated with dinner and a movie, and we kissed at the end. Then she quit returning my calls and emails, until finally I emailed point blank why I wasn't hearing from her. She said we weren't right for each other. There were so many reasons, I guess. I was still in school at the time, but only had a few months left. We could've done long distance, and I came back to town fairly often. She was Catholic, and I'm not, and maybe that was it. Her catholicism didn't bother me, but maybe it was an issue for her that I wasn't. Then again, I don't really remember telling her my faith (or lack thereof).
What it came down to is I liked this girl so, so much, and she evidently didn't think much of me. It drives me nuts. I wasn't good enough for her. I wasn't right for her. I just don't get it. On the one hand it is so hard for me to accept change, and to not have control of things, yet I was so willing to go the extra mile for this person. That is a huge thing for me.
I cannot resolve the gulf, how a person can matter so much to me, and I be so inconsequential to that person. She just walks by and goes on with her life, and I can't forget her, or forget my failure to convince her of my worth. I desperately want redemption, to make contact with her, but there is no second chance, because I'd be a stalker. I already tried once, a year ago, to resume contact, and she deleted her facebook account. I didn't say anything, apart from wishing her a happy thanksgiving, and asking her about the last episode of a TV show we both liked. Totally innocuous, and then, her account is gone. I've found her email through LinkedIn, but I know I can't write. I'd be a stalker.
What made this day even worse was there was ANOTHER girl, I met a week ago on a run, and we got to talking, and we said we'd meet each other at the race that was today. I didn't realize how huge the race was, and I couldn't find her. I only know her first name. How the hell can I find her without being a total stalker? There once was a day where going the extra mile to find someone was romantic. Now it's weird.
I really am beginning to believe there is no hope for me. Everyone I come to like and, yes, love, doesn't care at all for me. Or I find someone, and then lose them as quickly. Something always happens. I've tried so so many times, and failed every single time. I really do think I'm damaged goods, undeserving of love, and it makes me alternately angry and wanting to hurt myself.