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food, goals, Uncategorized

Day 3…I got this…

Movin' it with Michelle

I sat at work most of the day in a fog. My head was/is stuffy, and I just wasn’t feeling myself. I know I have a decent job, and will never complain for being gainfully employed. But I have dreams, hopes, and aspirations. And working in a lab just isn’t one of them.
This brings me back, to over 22 years ago when I joined the Air Force under “open general” status. I wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller….something that was on the flight line, in the deeps, trenches, and you name it. ANYTHING but medical I said…

Here I am, 22 years later, almost 23, wishing I had been given another path. Wait. I may work in a lab…BUT…

But our paths in life, lead us to our destinations.

And my goal as a writer and a Chef are just around the corner.

I felt it today, and found myself nearly giddy with ideas.

So in the crazy winds of the Chicagoland weather path, I found myself shopping for photo books, scissors, and accessories to make my vision REAL.

What a perfect way, to spend a cold and ill feeling weekend, than to cut and paste my future into a vision.

I’m ready. me and Graham

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My first post….

Movin' it with Michelle

Sitting near my fire, nestled quietly in my ‘corner’ (yes, they do put baby in the corner from time to time, but guess what, she may like being in her corner sometimes) I find myself looking back on 2013 with a great peaceful feeling. 

I have attacked my love for running full force, and despite injury at the end of the year I can still say I tackled my goals and gave it my all. 

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I have re-discovered my love for cooking, and plan on continuing to learn, grow, and flourish as a ‘home cook’ Chef. 

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Lastly, I have learned that not everyone will understand, or support our goals and dreams.  And that’s ok…For our number one fan must always be US first. 

With that, I say…find your passion…your ‘thing’…your ‘people’ and focus on what matters most. 

Family…fitness…and forward motion. 

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2013 year in review!

Movin' it with Michelle

I’m looking back on the year 2013 with smiles, nostalgia, and remembrance of so many great moments. 

In 2013 I ran eight official races, and one virtual half marathon. 

I ran/biked/walked 766 miles, which is just a couple hundred miles shy of my goal of 1000 miles for 2013.  Injury kicked my tail from October on, but I managed to keep moving.  I am still over 100 miles further than I moved in 2012, so I am pleased to say the least. 

My eating and habits weren’t stellar this year, and I plan on next year focusing more on less wine, and more veggies.  I seemed to go in waves of eating great, yet I have still not found a happy balance in caloric intake/workouts to maximize weight loss/lean building. 

Let the research begin. 

With that, I have to recognize all I DID accomplish in 2013.

I PR’d my half marathon at the Trailbreaker half with a time of 2:02. 
 

I placed second in my age group for the Dewey Dash 5K with a time of 27:24.  My first, and only age placing medal!
 

I PR’d my FULL marathon at the happiest place EVER for me at the Fox Valley marathon with a 4:25, finishing 49th in my age group!
 

I started a new career/step down in career as the Histology Coordinator at St. Joe’s Hospital in Elgin, IL.  But more time with my family was needed, so the step down, was really a step up.  I’m still trying to find that job, that doesn’t feel like a job.  Lol

I made more time to cook, write, and take pictures because it’s what I LOVE to do. 

Goals for 2014 are….

Run and Bike…MORE. 

Cross train…MORE.

Weight train…MORE.

Lost 10 lbs.

Take more pictures…write more….work on my e-book…sleep more…drink less wine…smile more…laugh more…pray more…focus on the positive….MORE. 

#keepbeingmore
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The Stand alone Chef

Movin' it with Michelle

As a girl, growing up in a busy household with two working parents, I used to wonder about a few things.

My Mom worked, cooked meals, and maintained a household with little help from us.  My sister and I had our chores of course, and my Dad was an amazing supporter/fixer upper as well.  But Mom did most of the meals minus times when she worked late, and we were left to fend for ourselves. 

But dinner time was 95% of the time spent with my sister, Dad, and me sitting at the dinner table while Mom ate off to the side, or scarfed down her food and starting cleaning up while we still enjoyed our meal. 

We would often recount our days, or simply quietly eat.  I don’t truly recall specific details of dinner time other than we were always well fed, and more times than not we had some sort of desert that consisted commonly of pudding in pretty little custard dishes. 

Why did my Mother rarely sit with us?  I simply did not understand. 

Yet tonight, after cooking a pretty amazing meal that I put my heart and soul into-as I usually do, I finally ‘got it.’

I caveat this post with the fact that I always serve my youngest first (she’s 7 years old, and well, gets distracted easily so takes a few more minutes to finish her dinner), my oldest second, and my husband thirdly before making my plate.  It isn’t uncommon for them to start eating without me, and I am ok with that fact. 

But tonight, my husband texted me saying he was running late, so I went ahead and served dinner to the three of us girls and had his plate on standby in the microwave. 

I sat down to eat, and instead of being welcomed and possibly thanked for a nice meal, I was instead given 14 year old attitude and open disdain with true to form eye rolling and head shaking. 

Did she not know I just spend an hour caramelizing onions to serve atop our carne asada seasoned steak?  Really?  Was my freshly prepared guacamole not enough to cut the chip on her shoulder off at least a touch? 

Apparently not…

So with the last head shake, I picked up my plate as calmly as possible and placed it near the sink so I could start cleaning up.  I knit picked at my plate while cleaning, trying to choke back the tears. 

I work so hard at WORK…after which I spend time getting my youngest from the bus, and helping her with homework to turn around and start dinner. 

Yet tonight, I felt as if I was slapped in the face, and wanted to be anywhere but at the dinner table. 

So I ate quietly…alone, at the counter.  Just as my Mom did, for so many years.   And I have to wonder…was this what she felt?  Did I cause her this heartache more times than she could count? 

I am guessing the answer to this question is YES.  And I can’t help but to have a nagging ache in my chest for the pain I caused her…a woman who has worked her tail off for her entire life.  And I bet my eye rolls and head shakes hurt her just as much as they hurt me. 

With that, I say…appreciate those that put time and effort into making your life a little better.  Be it with a meal, a phone call, a text, or a simple gesture. 

Keep Movin’ forward…xoxo
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My spectating Naperville marathon recap!

Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t been blogging as much lately…why?  Well, I suppose because I primarily write about running, and I haven’t BEEN running so…yeah.   

Well, this past weekend was a bit different.  I had been feeling low, suffering from terrible PMD (post marathon depression), especially without being able to actually ‘run it off.’

So instead of continuing my month long pity party, I hung up my sloppy party dress which consisted of worn out jammies and fuzzy slippers that have seen better days. 

Instead, I spent this past Saturday evening with my running friends, where we celebrated one of our very own, Pam, which qualified for BOSTON!  WOW!  She is a rock star, and such an awesome person.   We gathered, ate, had a few drinks (some more than others, lol), and I called it an early night knowing I had an early wake up on Sunday. 
 

Early wake up you ask?  Why, on a Sunday?  I’m not racing?  Nope…but I had SOOO many friends running the inaugural Naperville Marathon and I was NOT going to miss it.  Would it be hard to see my friends running while I stood on the sidelines?  I thought so, briefly…

But it wasn’t hard at all. 

I set my running clothes out before going to bed.  Just in case someone might need me…you never know!  My awesome sign was made, bags were packed, and thanks to Carolyn I had a map in hand.  I could navigate this on my own, right?  This coming from the most directionally challenged person I know….yup…ME. 
 

I woke up on Sunday just before 5, dressed, washed, and packed up to drive the hour to Naperville.  This drive brought back memories of my once LONG commute-yet now I am at peace with the year and a half I worked at Edward Hospital.  Stepping stones, right?

I found parking easily, and met up with Andrea who was waiting inside as it was CHILLY out.  I can’t remember the temp…COLD.  LOL. 
 

I was able to see the other 2 of my 3 musketeers, Janel and Melissa, and there were a lot of hugs, and tears. 
 
 

Off to their corrals they went, and I was able to catch up with my sister who was also there spectating!  I only saw her briefly, but was great to get a quick hug, and cheer all the runners on together as they took off. 

I ran to my Jeep, knowing I needed to navigate to the 4 mile marker.  I did so with ease despite the traffic and road closures, and got to see so many of my friends pass by!  I was holding my sign like a crazy woman, and having a blast. 

The 9 mile marker was a bit more strategic as SOOOO many roads were blocked off.  Yet I made it, talked to a wonderful neighborhood gentleman who offered me hot tea (really, who does that anymore?  I was so touched!) and saw Jim first, then Kim and Char, as well as Andrea!  Time to head to the next stop! 

CRAP my gas light came on, and I had to pee…so I quickly gassed up, and peed and picked up coffee and a candy bar.  Breakfast of champions?  Heck yeah…I was on a mission.  This next stop was the 14.5 mile mark, where the runners were headed into a pretty desolate part of the forest preserve so I didn’t want to miss them.  I had to park nearly a mile away, but thankfully I had my running shoes on so I quickly (relatively speaking with a torn Achilles) arrived with my sign in hand.  I saw JJ at this point, as well as all my friends except Andrea.  My heart sank…I had missed her.  She texted saying she had already hit 15, so I knew it was time to move on. 

I will say, that the high fives, thanks from the crowd, and excitement for my sign made my heart sing.  I have truly fallen in love with spectating marathons. 

Off to the 20 mile or so marker I went…thankfully one of Andrea’s friends was already there, and helped me navigate my way there.  I parked, walked over to a good spot, and met up with Greg who kept me company for the next hour.  We started to worry after having seen all of our other runners…but where was Andrea?  Was she ok? 

She was ok…but she was hurting.  I told Greg he’d more than likely have to hold my sign, because I wasn’t going to let her to the last leg alone.  I knew she needed her friends.  So as I saw her come up the incline, I pitched my sign, and we took off running.  We ran/walked the last 6 miles…

The first few miles, Derek was with us on his bike, after just pacing a friend, and running his own race.  Tom met up with us around mile 22, and we settled in.  There were several bouts of cussing, back talk, jokes, and ‘that’s what she said” banter. 

I may, or may have not busted out in song, singing, “I like big butts and I cannot lie” after hearing Andrea’s complaints of butt pain. 
 

We kept moving, the entire time, and I even offered to massage her foot…who does that?  Massaging a sweaty, just ran a marathon foot?  Yeah… I offered.  I love this girl.  She rode her bike, with an ice pack on her foot during my marathon this year…mile 22?  She was there…telling me how damn strong I looked, when I felt otherwise.  I was NOT going to leave her struggling.  Ever. 

Mile 24 put us back in the trails near her home, where it was just so darn gorgeous I couldn’t even put words to it…beautiful homes, trees, paths.  I was so elated to just be running with my friends at this point, despite seeing her struggle.  We ran…we walked…and then we ran some more.  Mile 25 was headed back into downtown, and I knew it was hard….hell it was hard for me and I only ran 6 miles.  But she kept going…SHE didn’t quit. 

The last .2, Tom and I held back, and let her GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO….we pushed up the final hill together, and then let her finish HER race strong.  I had to stop and capture THIS moment…this moment that I know she will never forget. 
 

This woman has told me more times than I can count over the last year that she is a “broken runner.”  She didn’t believe in herself…yet I didn’t quit encouraging her….just like she did for me. 

I swore I wouldn’t finish my marathon this summer.  I was “broken” with knee/ITB issues.  Yet she continued to believe in me. 

And I.  In her. 

This DO EPIC SHIT lady, with her exterior of steel, yet a heart of gold, has moved me in more ways that I can express. 
finish line hugs.  the best. 
 

And tonight, when she called to play the song, “I like big butts,” I couldn’t help but to laugh out loud. 

In the end, I am so proud of all my friends, for setting their goals high, and never quitting. 

I am truly blessed. 
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Prairie State half marathon recap, and Chicago marathon spectating!

Movin' it with Michelle

10-20-13

Gosh, I just realized I had posted a race recap from the Prairie State half marathon last weekend, nor did I share my adventures from spectating the Chicago Marathon-so here goes!!!

I signed up for this race, just coming off the Fox Valley Marathon in mere hopes that it would keep me moving.  I knew this probably wouldn’t be my PR, but heard the course was beautiful and was excited to run a new race. 

I initially planned on running it alone…driving up that morning alone, and just using this race as a head clearing mechanism.  But I was blessed that a couple runners from my run club were also running it, as well as a few others who wanted to spectate.  Since spectating this serene and quiet course is advertised as a low point, I was excited to have the support. 

Back up, to one week post FVM, where I headed out for my 10 mile run.  I thought, easy peasy, right?  WRONG. 

I felt great, until the 8 mile mark when my Achilles tendon in my right leg (bad leg mind you) seized up…CRAP.  NOT NOW.  Not after hundreds of miles of running this summer do I NOW injure myself?

Yup, you guessed it…I was hurting pretty bad.  After 2 weeks of mostly rest and LOTS of ice, I decided I would run the Prairie state half and use it as a training run.  If I hurt, I would stop…I would take lots of pictures, and just have fun with it.  I’ve never DNS’d, nor DNF’d, and this wasn’t going to be my first.   

My friend Seth and Don picked me up bright and early, and we met the girls (Kelly, Deb and Christi) at Dick Pond at 5:45.  We all piled into Christi’s SUV and were on our way to Libertyville, IL. 

We got to the race, picked up our packets, and I anxiously asked about a dozen times, “what time is it?”  LOL….

It was time to line up-and I felt very nervous…usually half marathons don’t make me nervous, but with my injured Achilles I wondered truly, “Can I run 13.1 miles?”

Here we gooooooooooooooooo!

 

 

The course was beautiful…and it was such a blessing to have my friends out there with me, even if I only saw them a couple times.  I knew early on this would NOT be a PR, and hit the turnaround point at 1:02. 

The beauty of this race was amazing!

 

For the second half, I decided stopping when needing to stretch, take pics, and cheer other runners on would be how I finished strong.  I was hurting, and I couldn’t mentally get into this race because my leg just simply hurt, from hip to toe. 

yes, I am applying biofreeze at the half way point, LOL. 

 

But…I had fun, and finished with a fairly decent time of 2:13, so I won’t complain.  My friends did amazing, and I was SOOOOO proud of them for their PR’s!

Best, friends, ever!!
My bloody Mary, to celebrate half Mary number 8!

 

The next day, we got up bright and early again to go spectate the Chicago Marathon.  Let me tell you, I am still in awe of the enormity of this race, and how important both spectators, volunteers and runners are to make this race happen. 

Here are a few highlights, for words can’t express the emotion I had today-reliving my very first full marathon!

Us being goofy!

Kenyans….need I say more!

Best post marathon hug, EVER!

Spectators in action!  SOOO MUCH FUN!

me and Christi at the half way point

All in all, a wonderful weekend, and I would do it all again!!!

#keepmovinforward
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First double digit miles post marathon and snarkyness. Yup.

Movin' it with Michelle

This week was a bit of a blur for me.  I started my teaching job again just yesterday, so much of the week was spent concentrating on lesson plans, preparation, and of course much needed rest after my marathon.

I didn’t run last week.  I walked twice, a 2 mile and 3 mile jaunt around my neighborhood. 

Yet I don’t think it was quite enough. 

I woke up this morning feeling ‘off.’  Not ready for any sort of mileage, but needing to get at least 8-10 miles under my feet.  I dressed, ate, and used the rest room more times than I care to admit.  My poor tummy was NOT happy. 

I decided the smartest move I could make, was to head out to my favorite trails. I hopped in my jeep and set out for Geneva where I have parked countless times for SOOOOO many runs.  After I parked, I got a message from Karen over at Tradingingmyheels.com asking if I found someone to run with!  I was elated. 

I told her I was in Geneva, and bless her heart she ran towards me to catch me on the trail. 
love this girl!
 

I tell you what, seeing her smiling face did my soul wonders.  I had NO clue how my legs would get me through ten miles, yet great conversation and laughter made it SO much easier. 

We got on the topic of “snarky” people.  Yup…those that speak without filter, and how it affects us…

I used to NOT have a filter.  I’ll admit it…it’s taken me years to work on NOT always saying what I feel, because I know in the end it may hurt feelings, and that is the last thing I want to do…

Do you have snarky people in your life?  The ones who say things that seem to stab your heart with pain?

If so, how do you handle it?

Ultimately, my morning went off with only minor setbacks.  My Achilles tendon in my right leg is still screaming after ice, and bio freeze, so I just took some Tylenol and put on a compression sleeve.  Foam rolling didn’t add any relief. 

But this post, will end on a hugely positive note. 

I have lived in my current location for 2 ½ years now, and have the very best of friends. Some I see often, others I see only rarely.  But they share my joys, heartaches, and passions.  Some I have only ran with, and never spent time with ‘socially’ yet they KNOW me, love me, and more so BELIEVE in me. 
My happy place
 

Life is good. 
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New 6 month goal map

Movin' it with Michelle

 

Time for new goals…

I swore I’d never run another full marathon after the Chicago marathon last year.  But after running the first training run as a half marathon pacer this past summer, the bug bit me hard, and I was thankful I signed up for the flex option.  This option allows you to decide on packet pick up day which race you want to run…13.1, 20 miler, or 26.2.  As you all know, I grabbed that 26.2 bib with a vengeance, and will never look back. 

So now, with my second full marathon on my belt, I have to decide what my new goals are going to be…Sub 4 marathon?  HAHAHA…just joking.  No, I plan on concentrating on a few other things.  I was blessed this past Sunday that the running Gods were with me, and I don’t plan on testing the full marathon waters again, any time soon.

So my 6 month goal plan is this for the winter:

1.    Stick with my limited/no gluten eating.  I have dropped 5 lbs, and have 5 to go…I see that wheat belly fading after just 4 weeks of limiting wheat/gluten. 

2.    Work on my form…I notice the farther I run, the more ‘hunched’ I get, and I know it isn’t proper form.  The pictures my family took this past Sunday were amazing, but truly showed me that as the miles tacked on, my form SUCKED more and more. 

3.    Build up my quads to help strengthen my knee.  (Yes a squat challenge WILL be happening).

4.    Kick my sub 2 hour ½ marathon goal in the tail.  This will truly be my focus over the fall/winter/spring months.  I am so close at a 2:02. 

5.    Remain positive in life, be it work, family, or running.  

6.    Focus on what I HAVE, WHO I have in my life, and the blessings I see daily.  Not everyone will be our cheerleader in life…but man I sure have some great support.

7.    Keep dreaming BIG, and working hard.  I know ‘it’ will happen eventually. 

Not sure how many half marathons I will sign up for this season, but I do know the half is my favorite ‘distance’ race, and I plan to kill it.  Repeatedly.

I need to keep moving forward, and leave the rest behind me. 
THIS is pure joy
 

So tonight I signed up for my 8th half marathon which is in 2 weeks, in a venue I have never traveled. 

I know one person running this race via facebook, but have no close friends running it.  So this race will mark my place in the running world, as a solo racer.  That is my one, possible ‘downfall’ of being a runner.  I don’t race well with others.  (Except my sister, LOL)

I LOVE to train with others, but my race has always been mine, and mine alone.  It’s MY time, my race, and my effort all wrapped into a few hours of my life that I know I will never forget.  For each race is a journey…and this is why I love RACING.  

So with my new goals laid out, I leave you with this…you can keep moving forward, or you can let others squash your joy.  What will you choose?  Do you race with friends or prefer solo?

 

#keepmovinforward
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Fox Valley Marathon, 2013 recap

Movin' it with Michelle
Fox Valley Marathon

I will start this post with the fact that I have the most amazing family.  Well.  Ever. 

My folks drove all the way from Minnesota to see my race, as well as my sister driving over an hour this morning just to spectate me running.  My oldest daughter’s birthday is TODAY, but she gave me the blessing to sign up, in turn I said it was totally ok for her to sleep in this morning and miss the race.  LOL. 

I spent last night chatting with my husband and folks while getting my gear ready.  They understood that I needed to get to bed early, so after several hugs and kisses, I turned in by 10 pm last night, with a wake up of 5 am set. 

My alarm went off, and I had my ‘assembly line’ set from the night before.  Pee…Vaseline toes, put on sox, biofreeze knee, put on calf sleeves and knee brace, dress, and wash face and brush teeth.  It’s almost like clockwork now it seems…I donned my visor and glasses, and grabbed my bag and set it by the door.  I had just enough time to drink 2 bottles of water, eat my granola bar and peanut butter just before Janel arrived. 

We piled into Katy’s SUV, and hit the road to Dick Pond to park and use the facilities.   We got to the gear check with 20 minutes to spare, and saw my dear friend Andrea.  Hugs, near tears, and laughter ensued.  What an awesome morning with near perfect weather. 

We decided before the start, that we would each run our own race, while trying to stay together as long as we could.  The first few miles, Melissa, Janel, Amy, Carina, and Katy stuck together.  We started to spread out, but we knew this would happen eventually and were all ok with that fact. 

I saw my family at several stops…and my sister was at the Fabyan Forest preserve which just totally made my morning, as I nearly clocked her in the face with high fives and hugs.  It seemed as soon as I needed them, there they were…and I got teary each time I saw them. 

By mile 7 there was quite a spread between us, but I was still able to see everyone, and Janel was still with me.  We stopped to pee around the 9 mile mark, and again around the 12 mile mark to fuel.  And then, well, magic happened. 

The elite runners were headed back, so we were forced to run nearly single file.  I found myself alone, yet knowing my friends were near.  They were in my heart, every single one of them, and I took the greatest advice of all, and ran with my heart. 

I started running a bit faster…not a ton, but was holding steady at a pace I knew I couldn’t ‘talk’ at…and it was just me, the trail, and my music.  For the first time in so very long I felt at one with the trail, the run, the race. 

High fives to many of my fellow runners along the turn back, each with a high five in which I found myself being stronger, faster, more at ease.  I settled in to a 9:30-10:00 pace, and I found myself just running. 

Not looking at my Garmin, not messing with my crap….just running. 

I was smart, and fueled at each water station, having beans every 4 or so miles. 

I ran ¾ of this RACE solo.  I raced…ran, and found myself flying more miles than I can count.  I caveat this with the fact I have been spoiled in my training and previous long distance races to have my friends and sister running with me. 

Yet here I was…with over half a marathon to run, and I was solo running, and was able to run the strongest run of my life. 

I may have been running solo…yet an Angel drove up beside me on her bike around mile 23…telling I looked strong.  This was NO Chicago Marathon dammit.  I was not shuffling, stumbling, or crying tears of pain.

No.

I hurt.  Yes…the balls of my feet felt as if they were on fire.  My right IT band was literally screaming at me to stop.

I said NO WAY.  I only had 3 miles to go. 

I wasn’t stopping now.  So I did what I could…I ran with my heart.  And I finished with my youngest daughter in tow, and my heart and eyes filled with joy and tears. 

I sobbed at the finish line. 

Sobbed. 

Tears of joy, happiness, and partial pain/release. 

I took my sub 5 hour goal, and smashed it to pieces. 

 

So now, as I listen to my favorite music coupled with a nice glass of wine, I am beyond words. 

My eyes are full of tears, because just three weeks ago I had doubts I would finish. 

I am a broken runner.

I said it…but I am a woman that has learned that the only limitations in my life are the ones I give myself. 

I will not falter…and no, I will not fail. 

Mile times are as follows:

10:24, 954, 10:06, 10:05, 10:03, 10:52, 10:01, 10:15, 10:51, 10:17, 9:48, 11:07 (pee), 9:45, 9:28, 9:43, 9:23, 9:30, 9:53, 9:51, 10:13, 9:32, 10:29, 10:18, 10:31, 9:37 respectively. 

 

#keepmovinforward
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Race week, WHA!!!!! T-7 days!

Movin' it with Michelle

9-15

Today marked the triumphant ‘last long run’ before my marathon.   I woke up at 3 am in a panic thinking I was late for work…crap, no, I didn’t have to get up until 6:45 am…dammit, took me another hour to fall back asleep.  LOL. 

I got up, a little out of sorts as it was pouring rain out…really?  My last few runs I haven’t been able to catch a break with Mother Nature, so this was no different. 

I had spent the better part of yesterday in massage therapy, with bruises resulting in the ‘working out’ of my pour IT band and knee/calf issues.  I pulled on my compression capri pants, tank, and long sleeve jacket.  It was a balmy 55 degrees, with rain, and the worst thing that could happen right now is me getting sick.  Over dressing was key. 

I met up with Janel and Melissa and we took off pretty quickly.  We only needed 8 miles, so we would do a 4 mile out and back.  We chatted, felt ok, yet I felt a pottie stop needed early on.  As we got to the Fabyan windmill who did we see?  Bob and Diane Miller….two of my favorite people.  After my quick pottie break and hugs we kept moving towards our 4 mile mark/turn around point. 
photo via FVM
 

It was raining, we were getting soaked, yet the feeling of being with these two ladies who have ran with me more times than I can count swept over me…and I suddenly didn’t ‘hurt’ anymore.  As we were running past Geneva back towards St. Charles, who did we see?  All of the other committee members who met up to do their 3-6 miles.  Goosebumps and laughter along with smiles and slight tears, and I knew I could do this…

We ran…laughed…talked…vented…and envisioned the finish line. 

And then, we grouped up, as one huge team of race committee members, and we ran the finish line.
photo via FVM
 

Yes, I only just ran 8 miles…but I cried…I couldn’t help it.  I have come so far, seen so much, and embraced so many friendships that I just couldn’t hold it in any longer. 

We had coffee afterwards, and the volunteers not running the race got their tee-shirts and medals.  I felt so honored to be with all of these amazing people. 

It was time to say goodbye and head home, and one of the race CREATORS hugged me, thanking me, and told me that I am an inspiration to all…I cried again, yup.  What an amazing morning. 
two very amazing men…photo via FVM
 

This has been the most emotional ‘race’ I have ever trained for…maybe because I am helping behind the scenes this year, maybe because I have several friends training for their first full…and maybe, because I know in my heart this will be my last 26.2 mile race.  I think mostly, because inspiring and helping others has always been my dream, and I finally feel like I am doing just that!

I don’t know…I only know I have literally changed into a woman I can now say I love.  I haven’t said that in 40 years. 

My advice to a friend (you know who you are, Andrea) in regards to the pain of training for a marathon, was this tonight:

“You aren’t breaking.  Your body is pushing you. You will not quit.  I won’t hear of it.  No. No. No.  Overcome and adapt.  You got this.  No one said it would be a walk in the park.  That’s why so few run this distance.  It isn’t easy.  It wasn’t meant to be.  But that feeling you have crossing that finish line can’t be matched.  Remember that always.  Now wipe the tears, sweat, and exhaustion away.  Brush off any negative feeling and envision the starting line.  The run.  And the finish line.”

I didn’t make it where I am, without an amazing support system.  I once doubted that ‘system’ yet realized I was looking in the wrong places. 

Support comes from within first…given second, and received lastly…

Remember always, to keep Movin’ forward