"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." -- Erma Bombeck
Today, I am thankful for my family, specifically, my cousins. I have taken a couple of vacation days from work. My husband and I will be taking a ride down to East Longmeadow, MA today to see my cousin, Scott. His sister, Laurie, is coming up from Toms River, NJ this afternoon and we'll all be rendezvousing there.
My grandmother had two sets of fraternal twins, the first being my aunt and my mother, Elaine and Eileen respectively. Elaine went on to have a son four months younger than my brother and a daughter 16 months younger than me. As a result, we grew up playing together since we were all so close in age. Through the years, we have stayed close, even when they both lived in New Jersey and my brother and I were both up in New England. Now, we are all adults (all in our 40's, except for Laurie, but her time is coming in 2013) and have built a friendship that is lasting and strong.
We share DNA, history and so much more. It's a lot of fun and I appreciate having them in my life.
Off to play!
"Cousins by blood – friends by choice." -- Darlene Shaw
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Day 105-Following Your Own Path
"Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness." -- Shakti Gawain
Today, I am thankful that I have the ability to be calm, still and be tuned in to my inner self. I am appreciating the awareness that I already possess the guidance necessary to live a full and happy existence, all day every day. My only job is to go by how I feel. If I think a thought that gives me an optimistic, happy feeling, then I know that I am on the right path. Conversely, if I think a thought that does not feel good, I can simply choose another one. I don't try to STOP thinking about what doesn't feel good. Instead, I redirect my focus on to something else. In other words, I am learning how to make peace with the thoughts that I think and the circumstances in my life, knowing that I can choose my attitudes and beliefs about them. I can motivate myself and be happy, or I can blame others and be miserable. I am learning to let things be as they are. I do not try to eradicate or eliminate what isn't pleasing. I acknowledge, accept and release what doesn't suit me.
Both choices are mine and mine alone.
I love knowing that.
All I need to do, is pay attention to how I feel.
All I need to do is listen.
"People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them." -- Epictetus
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Day 104-Love
Today, I am thankful for love. I am thankful for all the people in my life who have shown me what love is and continue to bless me with their affection, compassion and kindness.
In particular, on this day, I am very thankful for my husband, Michael. We have been together for over 16 years now and have literally grown up together, having met when we were both in our 20's. Now, I am 40 and he is 44 years young. Our relationship has become richer and stronger in ways I couldn't possibly imagine. We have merged our families, friends, hopes and dreams, thus becoming this giant entity of companionship. Sometimes, I am not quite sure where I end and he begins and it's such a fun thing to experience. We have been able to strike a balance between maintaining our own independent individuality while sharing a life as husband and wife. I don't know how it works. I am just glad it DOES.
I woke up this morning, deciding I wanted to make him french toast for breakfast. Well, to make a long story short, it didn't come out quite the way I had hoped. Being a bit of a "recovering perfectionist", I adopted an "all or nothing mentality" and threw my hands up in the air, declaring the meal, and the day, to be ruined. My husband, God bless him, gently chided me, with love, of course, and then took it upon himself to make the french toast for us again. I pouted and sulked a bit, but, eventually, worked my way out of my funk. After breakfast, we sat near the tree, put on some holiday music and opened our presents.
Truly, I confess, I was a bit overwhelmed with the day. We had a little bit of housekeeping and preparations to attend to before my brother, his girlfriend, her mother and my father arrive to celebrate Christmas with us later on today. Michael is much more relaxed and gracious "at being gracious" than I am. I put too much pressure on myself to be the "hostess with the mostest". Once I recognized what was creating my anxiety, I was able to take a couple of deep breaths and move forward, vowing to cut myself some slack and not make such a big hairy deal out of it.
The sky didn't fall. The day wasn't ruined. That's what love does. It's very resilient. It just bounces back.
On Christmas, in particular, I am reminded of the gift that I am living all day every day. Yes, there are presents under the tree and it's fun to get "stuff", but it's just frosting on the cake.
My life IS THE CAKE.
I really am the girl who has everything: friendship, happiness, health, and love.
"It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves." -- John Bulwer
In particular, on this day, I am very thankful for my husband, Michael. We have been together for over 16 years now and have literally grown up together, having met when we were both in our 20's. Now, I am 40 and he is 44 years young. Our relationship has become richer and stronger in ways I couldn't possibly imagine. We have merged our families, friends, hopes and dreams, thus becoming this giant entity of companionship. Sometimes, I am not quite sure where I end and he begins and it's such a fun thing to experience. We have been able to strike a balance between maintaining our own independent individuality while sharing a life as husband and wife. I don't know how it works. I am just glad it DOES.
I woke up this morning, deciding I wanted to make him french toast for breakfast. Well, to make a long story short, it didn't come out quite the way I had hoped. Being a bit of a "recovering perfectionist", I adopted an "all or nothing mentality" and threw my hands up in the air, declaring the meal, and the day, to be ruined. My husband, God bless him, gently chided me, with love, of course, and then took it upon himself to make the french toast for us again. I pouted and sulked a bit, but, eventually, worked my way out of my funk. After breakfast, we sat near the tree, put on some holiday music and opened our presents.
Truly, I confess, I was a bit overwhelmed with the day. We had a little bit of housekeeping and preparations to attend to before my brother, his girlfriend, her mother and my father arrive to celebrate Christmas with us later on today. Michael is much more relaxed and gracious "at being gracious" than I am. I put too much pressure on myself to be the "hostess with the mostest". Once I recognized what was creating my anxiety, I was able to take a couple of deep breaths and move forward, vowing to cut myself some slack and not make such a big hairy deal out of it.
The sky didn't fall. The day wasn't ruined. That's what love does. It's very resilient. It just bounces back.
On Christmas, in particular, I am reminded of the gift that I am living all day every day. Yes, there are presents under the tree and it's fun to get "stuff", but it's just frosting on the cake.
My life IS THE CAKE.
I really am the girl who has everything: friendship, happiness, health, and love.
"It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves." -- John Bulwer
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Day 103-My brother
Today, I am thankful for my brother, who is my only biological sibling, and was born 43 years ago today.
Growing up with an older brother always made life interesting. He is about three years my senior so, of course, he was the one I looked to for approval and ideas on how to behave. I remember elevating him to an almost "mythical kind of status" at times when we were younger (I'm sure he thought more of me as a lost puppy who relentlessly followed him around). Of course, there were plenty of moments where I aggravated the @#%* out of him and vice versa (who doesn't try to put their younger sister in the sleeper hold or figure four leglock, after all), but there is one particular memory that stands out in my mind.
Towards the end of my parents marriage, we had a family incident that necessitated my father going into the hospital. It was a very long and emotionally draining day. We were out and about all morning and afternoon, making sure he got settled. When we arrived home, he and I went in his room to watch television. All of a sudden, I started to cry. I couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 years old at that point. He just leaned over and gave me a hug. I hugged him back, feeling safe and thinking how fortunate I was that I had him in my life.
Fast forward 30ish years and I still feel that way.
Today, I give thanks for my brother, James Michael. A great man and a great friend, too.
Happy birthday, Bro Man... xoxo
Growing up with an older brother always made life interesting. He is about three years my senior so, of course, he was the one I looked to for approval and ideas on how to behave. I remember elevating him to an almost "mythical kind of status" at times when we were younger (I'm sure he thought more of me as a lost puppy who relentlessly followed him around). Of course, there were plenty of moments where I aggravated the @#%* out of him and vice versa (who doesn't try to put their younger sister in the sleeper hold or figure four leglock, after all), but there is one particular memory that stands out in my mind.
Towards the end of my parents marriage, we had a family incident that necessitated my father going into the hospital. It was a very long and emotionally draining day. We were out and about all morning and afternoon, making sure he got settled. When we arrived home, he and I went in his room to watch television. All of a sudden, I started to cry. I couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 years old at that point. He just leaned over and gave me a hug. I hugged him back, feeling safe and thinking how fortunate I was that I had him in my life.
Fast forward 30ish years and I still feel that way.
Today, I give thanks for my brother, James Michael. A great man and a great friend, too.
Happy birthday, Bro Man... xoxo
"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." -- Clara Ortega
Friday, December 23, 2011
Day 102-The Universe and the Red Car
Today, I am thankful for The Universe for being with me yesterday.
I started my car Tuesday night to go home from work (I have a 37 mile drive). It started up a bit rough, but it had been sitting for 9 hours and it was cold out, so I didn't think too much of it. I was also pretty low on gas, so I drove to the nearest gas station and filled the tank. Once I finished, I got back in the car and started her up. The tachometer was bouncing around a bit and the dashboard lights dimmed and brightened.
I thought, "hmmm. This is interesting." But, after putting it in gear and getting on the highway, it seemed to be running okay, so I decided that, perhaps, it may have been a fluke.
Since Wednesday was my birthday, and I took the day off from work, the red car sat. I enjoyed kicking back and relaxing for the good part of the day. When the time came to go out, we went in my husband's car.
Yesterday, I fired up the red car to go to work. It started, but roughly. Like Tuesday night, the red car got me to my destination, but, upon pulling into my designated parking space, the tachometer started bugging out again and, this time, the oil light AND battery light came on.
And then, the engine just...stalled out.
I only had a four hour shift to work and wasn't sure what would happen with the car. I called my husband and he thought it might be either the alternator or the battery. He said that if I was able to get it started, just throw it in gear and GO...do not pass go, do not collect $200. I turned the key and pleaded. It started, but it took a little while. I talked to her all the way home, coaxing, cajoling and probably begging a little bit, that she keep on running and get us home safely.
My wish was her command. I pulled into my street and she died.
Right there.
Stalled out.
Less than a tenth of a mile from my driveway.
We got her started again just long enough to drive her up the hill and into 6 May Ray. Michael did some investigating under the hood, added a little oil, and decided it would be best, if she would start just one more time, to get her to our local garage which, thankfully,was less than two miles away. I followed him as he drove my car. She coughed and sputtered a bit, but we got her there where she can get the TLC she needs.
I didn't need a ride. I didn't need to call AAA. I had the Universe guiding me along.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!
And thank you, Red Car. She has over 189,000 miles and has been very, very good to me. :-)
I am blessed.
I started my car Tuesday night to go home from work (I have a 37 mile drive). It started up a bit rough, but it had been sitting for 9 hours and it was cold out, so I didn't think too much of it. I was also pretty low on gas, so I drove to the nearest gas station and filled the tank. Once I finished, I got back in the car and started her up. The tachometer was bouncing around a bit and the dashboard lights dimmed and brightened.
I thought, "hmmm. This is interesting." But, after putting it in gear and getting on the highway, it seemed to be running okay, so I decided that, perhaps, it may have been a fluke.
Since Wednesday was my birthday, and I took the day off from work, the red car sat. I enjoyed kicking back and relaxing for the good part of the day. When the time came to go out, we went in my husband's car.
Yesterday, I fired up the red car to go to work. It started, but roughly. Like Tuesday night, the red car got me to my destination, but, upon pulling into my designated parking space, the tachometer started bugging out again and, this time, the oil light AND battery light came on.
And then, the engine just...stalled out.
I only had a four hour shift to work and wasn't sure what would happen with the car. I called my husband and he thought it might be either the alternator or the battery. He said that if I was able to get it started, just throw it in gear and GO...do not pass go, do not collect $200. I turned the key and pleaded. It started, but it took a little while. I talked to her all the way home, coaxing, cajoling and probably begging a little bit, that she keep on running and get us home safely.
My wish was her command. I pulled into my street and she died.
Right there.
Stalled out.
Less than a tenth of a mile from my driveway.
We got her started again just long enough to drive her up the hill and into 6 May Ray. Michael did some investigating under the hood, added a little oil, and decided it would be best, if she would start just one more time, to get her to our local garage which, thankfully,was less than two miles away. I followed him as he drove my car. She coughed and sputtered a bit, but we got her there where she can get the TLC she needs.
I didn't need a ride. I didn't need to call AAA. I had the Universe guiding me along.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!
And thank you, Red Car. She has over 189,000 miles and has been very, very good to me. :-)
I am blessed.
"May you have warm words on a cool evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door." -- Irish Toast
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Day 101-Friends
Today, I am thankful for Friends and Loved Ones. My birthday yesterday was 24 hours of sheer AWESOMENESS. My Droid 3 almost blew up from all the calls, text messages and facebook messages/wall posts from all that wanted to acknowledge my special day. It really made me feel good to be thought of and wished well by so many. It was the next best thing to seeing everyone in person (which, logistically, would have been QUITE a challenge).
Please accept my heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks for being a part of my 40th.
"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." -- C.S. Lewis
Please accept my heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks for being a part of my 40th.
"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." -- C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Day 100-Birthday Shout Out
Today, I am thankful for my parents. Obviously, without either one of them, this blog wouldn't be here, nor would I, for that matter. As I celebrate the anniversary of my birth, I also want to celebrate the man and woman who gave me life. I'm blessed to still have both of my parents here in physical form. If I want to pick up the phone on a whim and call them, I can. Not everyone can say that. It's easy to lose sight of the things that we have when we're in pursuit of the things we think we SHOULD have.
So, even though it's technically "my day", I choose to dedicate it to Robert J. Keough, Jr. and Eileen Kay Garval Keough Cunningham, my parents. Through the years, there were moments where I didn't see eye to eye with them as I struggled to find out who I was. I fought to be independent of both of them and thought "I knew everything and they knew nothing". Perhaps, the biggest benefit to collecting more years is you also collect more wisdom. The older I get, the more I realize just how much my parents knew, and how much they loved me, even if I didn't quite understand it then.
Thanks, mom and dad, for everything. I think I get it now.
So, even though it's technically "my day", I choose to dedicate it to Robert J. Keough, Jr. and Eileen Kay Garval Keough Cunningham, my parents. Through the years, there were moments where I didn't see eye to eye with them as I struggled to find out who I was. I fought to be independent of both of them and thought "I knew everything and they knew nothing". Perhaps, the biggest benefit to collecting more years is you also collect more wisdom. The older I get, the more I realize just how much my parents knew, and how much they loved me, even if I didn't quite understand it then.
Thanks, mom and dad, for everything. I think I get it now.
"A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided." -- Robert Brault
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Day 99-Holidays
Day 99 of Thanksgiving
Today, I am thankful for the December holiday season. Since I was born so close to Christmas, and my brother's birthday falls on Christmas Eve, this has been, well, a "sketchy" subject for me over the years. I joke about it now, but I always felt robbed this time of year. But, the older I get, the happier this time of year gets for me. It's almost like a week long festival, with two birthdays and Christmas all happening in a five day span I don't think it would feel the same if I was born in March, June, or September.
I am also thankful for all the paid holidays MIT is giving us this year. We have back to back four day weekends for Christmas and New Years. That makes it so much easier to kick back, relax and truly enjoy.
Happy Merry!
"Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest." -- Larry Lorenzoni"
Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." -- Eric Sevareid
Monday, December 19, 2011
98 Days and Counting: I'm Still Thankful
"Who does not thank for little will not thank for much." -- Estonian Proverb
On September 13th, I decided to make a new healthy habit: I would give thanks for something every single day for an entire year. Here is a link to the original post in case you missed it: http://cyndilourunning.blogspot.com/2011/09/365-days-of-thanksgiving.html. I'm happy to report that it has been going well. For 95 consecutive days, I have made my facebook status update a declaration of something that I'm thankful for, focusing on finding new things to appreciate.
Then, on Friday, December 16th, after posting my daily "thankful", I decided I wanted to take a break from facebook for a while. Don't get me wrong; I love social networking. This site has been responsible for helping me to reconnect with some great people from my past, as well as formulate new relationships. However, it's not without it's drama from time to time. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say, it has temporarily lost its "feel good factor" with me. I'm sure it'll pass and I'll feel the urge to go back to my interactive fb experience, but for now, I'm good with putting it on the shelf.
However, that does NOT mean that I have abandoned my experiment of thanksgiving. In fact, one of my nearest and dearest friends, upon seeing my post about taking some time away, asked that I text her my daily "giving of thanks" (I guess I'm not the only one who is being inspired by this new positive habit). For the past three days of being "facebook free", I have sent her my "Today, I am thankful for..."
Then, it occurred to me: I don't NEED facebook to share my daily thankfuls; I have a blog, for heaven's sake. Why not do it here?
Below are my daily thankful posts that I have shared with my friend, Tracy, since my facebook break:
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Today, I am thankful for all the hamburger that led me to the "steak" I have at home. I love my husband. :-)
Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Today, I am thankful for blue skies and brilliant sunshine.
Monday, December 19th, 2011
Today, I am thankful to be getting a break from early morning shifts. This is my last 6 a.m. start for 2011. I enjoy waking up when my body says it's time and, believe me, that is NOT always at 4:45 a.m. :-)
I'll be posting everyday in the blog what I'm thankful for. It may only be a couple of sentences, which is woefully short for a rambling girl like myself, but I can always add a second entry that day if I am inspired to share a story with those that have been following the 4R's.
Finally, I will share this on facebook everyday via the widget that I have on the blog so those who have been enjoying and/or commenting on the daily thankfuls can still take part in the process. Plus, it will help keep me accountable to continue my daily devotional of appreciation while hoping to continue spreading love, joy and good karma to all I come in contact with.
May you have a blessed day and it's my profound hope that, you too, find something to be thankful for.
"Of course I look at the glass half full. The only time I would look at it half empty is when I think about how good the first half tasted." -- Drew Deyoung
On September 13th, I decided to make a new healthy habit: I would give thanks for something every single day for an entire year. Here is a link to the original post in case you missed it: http://cyndilourunning.blogspot.com/2011/09/365-days-of-thanksgiving.html. I'm happy to report that it has been going well. For 95 consecutive days, I have made my facebook status update a declaration of something that I'm thankful for, focusing on finding new things to appreciate.
Then, on Friday, December 16th, after posting my daily "thankful", I decided I wanted to take a break from facebook for a while. Don't get me wrong; I love social networking. This site has been responsible for helping me to reconnect with some great people from my past, as well as formulate new relationships. However, it's not without it's drama from time to time. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say, it has temporarily lost its "feel good factor" with me. I'm sure it'll pass and I'll feel the urge to go back to my interactive fb experience, but for now, I'm good with putting it on the shelf.
However, that does NOT mean that I have abandoned my experiment of thanksgiving. In fact, one of my nearest and dearest friends, upon seeing my post about taking some time away, asked that I text her my daily "giving of thanks" (I guess I'm not the only one who is being inspired by this new positive habit). For the past three days of being "facebook free", I have sent her my "Today, I am thankful for..."
Then, it occurred to me: I don't NEED facebook to share my daily thankfuls; I have a blog, for heaven's sake. Why not do it here?
Below are my daily thankful posts that I have shared with my friend, Tracy, since my facebook break:
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Today, I am thankful for all the hamburger that led me to the "steak" I have at home. I love my husband. :-)
Sunday, December 18th, 2011
Today, I am thankful for blue skies and brilliant sunshine.
Monday, December 19th, 2011
Today, I am thankful to be getting a break from early morning shifts. This is my last 6 a.m. start for 2011. I enjoy waking up when my body says it's time and, believe me, that is NOT always at 4:45 a.m. :-)
I'll be posting everyday in the blog what I'm thankful for. It may only be a couple of sentences, which is woefully short for a rambling girl like myself, but I can always add a second entry that day if I am inspired to share a story with those that have been following the 4R's.
Finally, I will share this on facebook everyday via the widget that I have on the blog so those who have been enjoying and/or commenting on the daily thankfuls can still take part in the process. Plus, it will help keep me accountable to continue my daily devotional of appreciation while hoping to continue spreading love, joy and good karma to all I come in contact with.
May you have a blessed day and it's my profound hope that, you too, find something to be thankful for.
"Of course I look at the glass half full. The only time I would look at it half empty is when I think about how good the first half tasted." -- Drew Deyoung
Thursday, December 8, 2011
How to Stay Sane (Relatively Speaking) While Enjoying the Holidays
"No man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions." -- Henry Ward Beecher
1) Don't worry about your diet. Yeah, you heard me. Stop caring for just a few weeks. Pay attention to your body. If you're hungry, and you want that cookie or hors d'oeuvre, then have it. Hell, have two. Tell yourself you can eat as much of it as you want because it's just food. That's all it is. Just food. Eat when you're hungry. Stop when you're full. However, if you reaching for that delectable item because you're bored, depressed or lonely, that's another story. If that's the case, recognize that and find another way to nurture yourself: call a friend, hug your significant other, meditate or do yoga. All the food in the world won't fix that and you know it.
2) Do something nice for yourself EVERY SINGLE DAY from now until Christmas (or the last day of Chanukah, if that's your poison). It could be something small, like buying yourself flowers, getting a pedicure or watching a marathon of your favorite TV show on a Saturday afternoon. Often times, people go on holiday overload because they're not tending to themselves. They're expending so much energy trying to please the world at large by buying the best (and sometimes, most expensive) gifts for their loved ones. No wonder you are on fumes (and giving that 85 year old lady in the Crown Vic who stole your parking space the finger). So, when you wake up tomorrow, begin the daily tradition of giving yourself a gift. Think of it as your own personal advent calendar.
3) Exercise because it's fun, not because you want to strap a feedbag on to your face. As you know, I like to run. I also like to lift weights. I just like to work out, period. However, I do it because it makes me feel good, not because I'm trying to make up for what I just sucked down at the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet down the street. If you engage in physical activity for the good it brings you, instead of doing it as a punishment for overindulging, it'll be much more effective and pleasurable. Now, this may seem like it contradicts with my first "tip". It doesn't. Go back and read it again. Get it? Good.
4) Be kind. Refer to the second tip I listed and this will be much easier to do. It would be nice if we all remembered that life is too short and it's pointless to sweat the small stuff. But, we're human. And we sometimes forget what's really important. Resist the urge to fall prey to the stressful hustle and bustle of this time of year. Remember what the whole point of the season is. Regardless of what your religious inclination may or may not be, the spirit of giving is nondenominational. Whenever you sense some anxiety coming on, stop for a moment and just breathe. Count to ten. Heck, count to fifty if you have to. It. Will. Pass.
5) Let go of expectations. Nothing has to be perfect. Besides, what IS perfect, anyway??? It's a relative term, don't you think? What may be perfect for you, is probably not good enough for someone else anyway. So what? It's not about what other people think. Let them have their ideas and opinions and you can have yours. You don't have to agree, nor do you have to prove yourself to anyone; family, friend or otherwise. You might get a little grief from the peanut gallery. Let it go. Turn the other cheek and love them anyway. Don't engage in a pissing contest (pardon my French). You'll just make yourself miserable.
6) Have fun. This is probably the most important one and it applies to all the other tips I mentioned. Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy the chaos and craziness that is the holiday season. Take a deep breath, exhale and go have the time of your life already! Make everything you do from now until the New Year an adventure of sorts. This is your chance to create some pretty special memories. Don't squander this opportunity. I know a woman who just experienced the unexpected death of her husband two days ago. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. But we have RIGHT NOW. Make it matter. Make it AMAZING.
In closing, I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays. I celebrate Christmas (even though my mom's Jewish and my dad's Protestant...but that's a story for another day), so I'll leave you with this quote:
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." -- Roy L. Smith
Tis the season to be jolly.
Tis also the season for mall, parking lot or road rage.
In this day and age, we are busier than we have ever been before. Most of us are juggling full-time jobs, spouses, friends, children, and other social commitments. Throw a little "Deck the Halls" in there and it's enough to make your brain do a little more than "Fa la la la laaaaaaa", know what I'm sayin'?
So, I figured I'd take a moment to indulge in R #1 (that's the rambling, in case you didn't know) to share with you "tips" (for lack of a better word) to help you enjoy this time of year. Of course, these are not listed in order of importance. I just type 'em as they come to mind.
2) Do something nice for yourself EVERY SINGLE DAY from now until Christmas (or the last day of Chanukah, if that's your poison). It could be something small, like buying yourself flowers, getting a pedicure or watching a marathon of your favorite TV show on a Saturday afternoon. Often times, people go on holiday overload because they're not tending to themselves. They're expending so much energy trying to please the world at large by buying the best (and sometimes, most expensive) gifts for their loved ones. No wonder you are on fumes (and giving that 85 year old lady in the Crown Vic who stole your parking space the finger). So, when you wake up tomorrow, begin the daily tradition of giving yourself a gift. Think of it as your own personal advent calendar.
3) Exercise because it's fun, not because you want to strap a feedbag on to your face. As you know, I like to run. I also like to lift weights. I just like to work out, period. However, I do it because it makes me feel good, not because I'm trying to make up for what I just sucked down at the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet down the street. If you engage in physical activity for the good it brings you, instead of doing it as a punishment for overindulging, it'll be much more effective and pleasurable. Now, this may seem like it contradicts with my first "tip". It doesn't. Go back and read it again. Get it? Good.
4) Be kind. Refer to the second tip I listed and this will be much easier to do. It would be nice if we all remembered that life is too short and it's pointless to sweat the small stuff. But, we're human. And we sometimes forget what's really important. Resist the urge to fall prey to the stressful hustle and bustle of this time of year. Remember what the whole point of the season is. Regardless of what your religious inclination may or may not be, the spirit of giving is nondenominational. Whenever you sense some anxiety coming on, stop for a moment and just breathe. Count to ten. Heck, count to fifty if you have to. It. Will. Pass.
5) Let go of expectations. Nothing has to be perfect. Besides, what IS perfect, anyway??? It's a relative term, don't you think? What may be perfect for you, is probably not good enough for someone else anyway. So what? It's not about what other people think. Let them have their ideas and opinions and you can have yours. You don't have to agree, nor do you have to prove yourself to anyone; family, friend or otherwise. You might get a little grief from the peanut gallery. Let it go. Turn the other cheek and love them anyway. Don't engage in a pissing contest (pardon my French). You'll just make yourself miserable.
6) Have fun. This is probably the most important one and it applies to all the other tips I mentioned. Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy the chaos and craziness that is the holiday season. Take a deep breath, exhale and go have the time of your life already! Make everything you do from now until the New Year an adventure of sorts. This is your chance to create some pretty special memories. Don't squander this opportunity. I know a woman who just experienced the unexpected death of her husband two days ago. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. But we have RIGHT NOW. Make it matter. Make it AMAZING.
In closing, I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays. I celebrate Christmas (even though my mom's Jewish and my dad's Protestant...but that's a story for another day), so I'll leave you with this quote:
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." -- Roy L. Smith
Monday, November 28, 2011
Race Not, Want Not
"Indecision becomes decision with time." -- Author Unknown
After I crossed the finish line of the 2011 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, I figuratively patted myself on the back for completing another 26.2 mile race and was excited about recovering, resting and rebuilding for the next challenge that was sure to come my way.
A few weeks passed. I was back to running 5-6 days per week and feeling pretty good. Some folks would ask, "so what's next on the agenda for you?" I would hold my finger to my lips and make the universal "shhhhh" symbol and told them it was double top secret. In reality, I was leaning toward squeezing a third marathon in this calendar year and doing the Honolulu Marathon on December 11. A friend of mine lives there and invited me to stay with her. I even had a ride to and from the airport! I did my "reverse" taper and began my ramp. About three and a half weeks ago, after a 16 mile run, I started coughing a bit. The coughing gave way to chest congestion, which introduced me to some body aches that culminated in "OMG, I cannot get warm for the life of me".
After taking a sick day and riding the couch, it became clear to me that I COULD have done another marathon, but perhaps I SHOULD decline. Yes, it was Hawaii, yes, it's "paradise", but I wasn't going there to lay on the beach and drink mai tais. As much as I love running, and I do, marathons aren't easy, no matter where you do them.
So, I decided to pass on Honolulu's 26.2. And my friend totally understood, which I knew she would.
Ever since then, it's been a whole lot of nothing. Don't misunderstand me, here: I'm running. The week after I bounced back from my cold/cough/flu, I logged 48 miles. Last week, I ran 44 miles on a holiday/travel week, no less. I'm SO running.
I'm just...not..."training for anything". Technically.
For the first time in, omigosh FOREVER, I don't have a race planned, whether it be a 5K or a marathon.
And...I'm not...really...interested right now.
AH! There, I said it!!! I don't feel like being obligated to a race or a training schedule. This is a very unfamiliar feeling to me because I ALWAYS have something pending, it seems. I almost feel like a woman without a country.
But, you know what? F**k it. I'm going to ride the wave and see where it takes me.
I'm learning that life is all about "going with your gut". If it feels good and you have a strong desire, then go full force into it. However, if you have to make a pros and cons list in order to decide about something, then perhaps you have already decided. That's what makes that first quote I listed so great. We make big hairy deals about things sometimes, not because we don't know what to do, but because we don't want to accept our answer.
Well, this girl is taking her indecision as a decision. I'm going to ramble, rant, rebuild and run because that is my desire. As much as I love the "R" words, Racing just isn't on my radar right now.
And, I'm okay with that. :-)
"Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do." -- Denis Waitley
After I crossed the finish line of the 2011 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, I figuratively patted myself on the back for completing another 26.2 mile race and was excited about recovering, resting and rebuilding for the next challenge that was sure to come my way.
A few weeks passed. I was back to running 5-6 days per week and feeling pretty good. Some folks would ask, "so what's next on the agenda for you?" I would hold my finger to my lips and make the universal "shhhhh" symbol and told them it was double top secret. In reality, I was leaning toward squeezing a third marathon in this calendar year and doing the Honolulu Marathon on December 11. A friend of mine lives there and invited me to stay with her. I even had a ride to and from the airport! I did my "reverse" taper and began my ramp. About three and a half weeks ago, after a 16 mile run, I started coughing a bit. The coughing gave way to chest congestion, which introduced me to some body aches that culminated in "OMG, I cannot get warm for the life of me".
After taking a sick day and riding the couch, it became clear to me that I COULD have done another marathon, but perhaps I SHOULD decline. Yes, it was Hawaii, yes, it's "paradise", but I wasn't going there to lay on the beach and drink mai tais. As much as I love running, and I do, marathons aren't easy, no matter where you do them.
So, I decided to pass on Honolulu's 26.2. And my friend totally understood, which I knew she would.
Ever since then, it's been a whole lot of nothing. Don't misunderstand me, here: I'm running. The week after I bounced back from my cold/cough/flu, I logged 48 miles. Last week, I ran 44 miles on a holiday/travel week, no less. I'm SO running.
I'm just...not..."training for anything". Technically.
For the first time in, omigosh FOREVER, I don't have a race planned, whether it be a 5K or a marathon.
And...I'm not...really...interested right now.
AH! There, I said it!!! I don't feel like being obligated to a race or a training schedule. This is a very unfamiliar feeling to me because I ALWAYS have something pending, it seems. I almost feel like a woman without a country.
But, you know what? F**k it. I'm going to ride the wave and see where it takes me.
I'm learning that life is all about "going with your gut". If it feels good and you have a strong desire, then go full force into it. However, if you have to make a pros and cons list in order to decide about something, then perhaps you have already decided. That's what makes that first quote I listed so great. We make big hairy deals about things sometimes, not because we don't know what to do, but because we don't want to accept our answer.
Well, this girl is taking her indecision as a decision. I'm going to ramble, rant, rebuild and run because that is my desire. As much as I love the "R" words, Racing just isn't on my radar right now.
And, I'm okay with that. :-)
"Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do." -- Denis Waitley
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wanted: Boston Marathon Finishers/Spectators/Volunteers With Really Good Stories
My blog is pretty promiscuous; that is to say, it gets around.
And that is a good thing, particularly when someone needs to get the word out about something important. Friends of mine who are involved with the Danvers 5K Fun Run and Wicked Running Club told me about a man who was getting ready to write a book. After swapping some emails back and forth, I offered to give him a plug:
"My name is Joel Richardson and you can reach me at JoelRichardson@verizon.net. I am writing a book on the Boston Marathon from the perspective of those who have experienced it firsthand, especially runners, but also possibly officials and even spectators. If you have an anecdote or story you would like to tell, please contact me and either send it along or we can do an interview, either online or by phone. Thanks!"
Would you like to share YOUR story??? Come on now, who doesn't want their 15 minutes of fame???
Drop Joel a line. Tell him Cyndi Lou sent you. :-)
And that is a good thing, particularly when someone needs to get the word out about something important. Friends of mine who are involved with the Danvers 5K Fun Run and Wicked Running Club told me about a man who was getting ready to write a book. After swapping some emails back and forth, I offered to give him a plug:
"My name is Joel Richardson and you can reach me at JoelRichardson@verizon.net. I am writing a book on the Boston Marathon from the perspective of those who have experienced it firsthand, especially runners, but also possibly officials and even spectators. If you have an anecdote or story you would like to tell, please contact me and either send it along or we can do an interview, either online or by phone. Thanks!"
Would you like to share YOUR story??? Come on now, who doesn't want their 15 minutes of fame???
Drop Joel a line. Tell him Cyndi Lou sent you. :-)
Monday, November 7, 2011
My 24 Day Challenge Story
Over the summer, I started to notice posts on facebook from my friend, Alison, about a company called AdvoCare. Along with the posts, she had before and after pictures. Now, I'll say this: Alison looked great before. She's always been into fitness. But, her great got even greater in the after shots.
I was...intrigued. I work hard, and I played just as hard. I wondered if this was something I could use to help me feel better and run better. Honestly, the whole "looking better thing" wasn't really on my radar.
So, I reached out to her and she phoned me a couple of days later. She and her sponsor, Laura, spent a good 20 minutes talking to me about AdvoCare and how I could use the products to improve my running which, was truly my top priority. I started with three products: Spark, Arginine Extreme and Catalyst. I went for a run with Arginine and Catalyst on Friday, July 1st and felt pretty good. Then, the next day, I took Spark for the first time before my 5 miler. Holy speed, Batman. If you don't believe me, see for yourself:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96246681
The funny thing about it was, I didn't really feel like I was working much harder than usual. I had the same basic level of effort output, however, my results were much faster. Prior to trying the Spark, I had been running 5-6 miles @ 9:10-9:20/mi. I averaged 8:34/mi for this run which was around marathon pace. I was starting to really believe this stuff.
As the weeks went on, I purchased more product and tried new things: Meal Replacement Shakes, O2 Gold Caplets, Nighttime Recovery Caplets, Post Workout Sports Drink, Rehydrate, etc. The list goes on. The more I tried, the more I liked and the better I felt about this company and the quality of their supplements.
I decided to take the plunge and become an Advisor, the highest distributor discount level, after I ran the Chicago Marathon last month. I figured I'd be ordering a ton of stuff anyway, so might as well maximize my investment by getting the most for my money. People were starting to ask me what I was taking, based on how I looked and how my running had improved. Now, I was getting into recommending product and distributing samples of Spark and Slam (which is a 2 oz. energy shot). Since I was already committed and pretty serious about this, I thought it would be smart if I tried their big, potentially "life changing" seller: The 24 Day Challenge.
Their tagline is lose up to 10 lbs./10 inches in 24 days. Again, I wasn't in this for weight loss, necessarily, however, I needed to try it to see if it worked. I couldn't, in good conscience, recommend this to someone who was looking for a weight management program unless I tried it myself. On October 11, 2011, I began my 24 Day Challenge. I took my starting weight and measurements which, I'll share with you here:
Weight: 146
Right Arm: 11.75"
Shoulders: 19" from left to right
Chest: 36.75"
Waist: 29.75"
Hips: 35.75"
Right Thigh: 22"
Right Calf: 15"
And now, gasp, here are my before and after pictures. First, here is me from the front:
And now, here I am from the back:
(Personally, I always thought this was my better side anyway).
I did the 10 Day Cleanse first, followed by the 14 Day Max Pack. At first, I hopped on the scale every day. About halfway through, it seemed to be a little obsessive and I was beginning to allow the daily up/down normal fluctuations in weight to affect my motivation. So, I decided to table the weigh-ins until my challenge was complete. I'd say I was 80-90% compliant with the recommendations and guidelines set forth, so I was pretty proud of myself. The last day of my challenge was Thursday, November 3rd. On Friday, November 4th, I took my "after" weight and measurements:
Weight: 138
Right Arm: 11.75"
Shoulders: 19" from left to right
Chest: 34.50"
Waist: 29"
Hips: 34.50"
Right Thigh: 21"
Right Calf: 15"
I lost 8 lbs. and about 5.25" from my frame. I was under 140 lbs. for the first time in several years. Here I am "after".
First, from the front:
And now, my better side, made even better:
Can you see the difference???
I am not a big fan of getting my picture taken, nor do I particularly enjoy donning a bikini. But, I did it anyway, because I knew how important it was to be real about this whole experience. Seeing a nameless personality on tv or the internet before and after because of some xyz product is all well and fine, but chances are, you won't really identify with them because you don't know them. In order for this to seem credible to my friends, family and others, I had to go into this all the way or not at all.
Needless to say, I feel great and the feedback that I've received from all kinds of people has been super positive. I've sold about a half dozen of 24 Day Challenges so far and fully expect to match that number in the next couple of weeks. I went into this venture, almost four and a half months ago, just hoping to find one or two products that could help me run better. What I found instead, was a healthier body, a fun, profitable business opportunity and a vehicle that can help me improve the health and wellbeing of the people with whom I live, work and spend time.
I'd say that's a win/win, wouldn't you?
Please let me know if I can help you or someone you know and love feel better: https://www.advocare.com/110613152/default.aspx.
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." -- Benjamin Disraeli
I was...intrigued. I work hard, and I played just as hard. I wondered if this was something I could use to help me feel better and run better. Honestly, the whole "looking better thing" wasn't really on my radar.
So, I reached out to her and she phoned me a couple of days later. She and her sponsor, Laura, spent a good 20 minutes talking to me about AdvoCare and how I could use the products to improve my running which, was truly my top priority. I started with three products: Spark, Arginine Extreme and Catalyst. I went for a run with Arginine and Catalyst on Friday, July 1st and felt pretty good. Then, the next day, I took Spark for the first time before my 5 miler. Holy speed, Batman. If you don't believe me, see for yourself:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96246681
The funny thing about it was, I didn't really feel like I was working much harder than usual. I had the same basic level of effort output, however, my results were much faster. Prior to trying the Spark, I had been running 5-6 miles @ 9:10-9:20/mi. I averaged 8:34/mi for this run which was around marathon pace. I was starting to really believe this stuff.
As the weeks went on, I purchased more product and tried new things: Meal Replacement Shakes, O2 Gold Caplets, Nighttime Recovery Caplets, Post Workout Sports Drink, Rehydrate, etc. The list goes on. The more I tried, the more I liked and the better I felt about this company and the quality of their supplements.
I decided to take the plunge and become an Advisor, the highest distributor discount level, after I ran the Chicago Marathon last month. I figured I'd be ordering a ton of stuff anyway, so might as well maximize my investment by getting the most for my money. People were starting to ask me what I was taking, based on how I looked and how my running had improved. Now, I was getting into recommending product and distributing samples of Spark and Slam (which is a 2 oz. energy shot). Since I was already committed and pretty serious about this, I thought it would be smart if I tried their big, potentially "life changing" seller: The 24 Day Challenge.
Their tagline is lose up to 10 lbs./10 inches in 24 days. Again, I wasn't in this for weight loss, necessarily, however, I needed to try it to see if it worked. I couldn't, in good conscience, recommend this to someone who was looking for a weight management program unless I tried it myself. On October 11, 2011, I began my 24 Day Challenge. I took my starting weight and measurements which, I'll share with you here:
Weight: 146
Right Arm: 11.75"
Shoulders: 19" from left to right
Chest: 36.75"
Waist: 29.75"
Hips: 35.75"
Right Thigh: 22"
Right Calf: 15"
And now, gasp, here are my before and after pictures. First, here is me from the front:
And now, here I am from the back:
I did the 10 Day Cleanse first, followed by the 14 Day Max Pack. At first, I hopped on the scale every day. About halfway through, it seemed to be a little obsessive and I was beginning to allow the daily up/down normal fluctuations in weight to affect my motivation. So, I decided to table the weigh-ins until my challenge was complete. I'd say I was 80-90% compliant with the recommendations and guidelines set forth, so I was pretty proud of myself. The last day of my challenge was Thursday, November 3rd. On Friday, November 4th, I took my "after" weight and measurements:
Weight: 138
Right Arm: 11.75"
Shoulders: 19" from left to right
Chest: 34.50"
Waist: 29"
Hips: 34.50"
Right Thigh: 21"
Right Calf: 15"
I lost 8 lbs. and about 5.25" from my frame. I was under 140 lbs. for the first time in several years. Here I am "after".
First, from the front:
And now, my better side, made even better:
Can you see the difference???
I am not a big fan of getting my picture taken, nor do I particularly enjoy donning a bikini. But, I did it anyway, because I knew how important it was to be real about this whole experience. Seeing a nameless personality on tv or the internet before and after because of some xyz product is all well and fine, but chances are, you won't really identify with them because you don't know them. In order for this to seem credible to my friends, family and others, I had to go into this all the way or not at all.
Needless to say, I feel great and the feedback that I've received from all kinds of people has been super positive. I've sold about a half dozen of 24 Day Challenges so far and fully expect to match that number in the next couple of weeks. I went into this venture, almost four and a half months ago, just hoping to find one or two products that could help me run better. What I found instead, was a healthier body, a fun, profitable business opportunity and a vehicle that can help me improve the health and wellbeing of the people with whom I live, work and spend time.
I'd say that's a win/win, wouldn't you?
Please let me know if I can help you or someone you know and love feel better: https://www.advocare.com/110613152/default.aspx.
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." -- Benjamin Disraeli
Monday, October 17, 2011
Chicago, Chicago, that Toddling Town-Pt. 2
After an intermittent, albeit fairly satisfying, night of sleep, I got out of bed around 5:30 a.m. to get ready for the race. Ted was still sleeping, at least he appeared to be. I went about my morning ablutions as quietly as I could so as not to disturb him, but the likelihood of that happening seemed slim. If there's one thing I've learned about sharing a hotel room with Ted, having done it three times, that boy can pretty much sleep through anything. I marveled at his ability to slip into slumber quickly, not to mention staying there. And I was probably just a little bit jealous.
But only a little.
Eventually, Sleeping Beauty did rise. We had decided the night before that we'd leave around 6:45 a.m. That gave us 45 minutes to get to the start, which was only 3/4ths of a mile away from our hotel. I completely relied on Ted's sense of direction to get us to where we needed to be. I have a habit of not paying attention to my surroundings, and this happened to be one of those times. As we walked, Ted remarked that he's never seen me this quiet pre-race before. I told him that there wasn't really anything to say. I was minutes away from starting this race. I wasn't going to ask for reassurance on how I would do or voice concern about the unseasonably high temperatures (it was in the upper 50's at the start, but it was expected to reach the mid to upper 70's during the race which is not optimal for long distance running). In the past, I would do that, but not this time. I just didn't think it was a constructive thing to do.
All the work was already done. And, contrary to what the engineers at the fitness center think, I do NOT control the weather.
We were both in different corrals so, ever being the gentlemen, Ted saw me to mine before he went off to his. We exchanged hugs and good wishes and then, he went off. I waded through the crowd, looking for "the perfect place to stand". Once I realized there really wasn't any, I powered up the Garmin and waited as we all got funneled into our corral, like cattle. Did I mention that 45,000 people had registered for this marathon?? Since John didn't make the trip with us, let's call it 44,999. I have never been at a race that big in my LIFE.
May I remind you that I am not a detail person? If you read my Atlantic City Marathon race report last year, you already knew that. For the benefit of new readers, if you are expecting a play-by-play of the race, with lengthy, graphic descriptions about the scenery, you may be disappointed. I just put my head down and run. I'm not on a sight seeing tour; I'm on a 26.2 mile mission.
Just wanted to...clear that up.
The gun went off about five minutes after the scheduled race start. I got myself in a pretty good rhythm and told myself that I was going to do my best, whatever that ended up being, and that it would be enough. I did have a goal time in mind and, having heard how fast and flat Chicago was, I figured this would be the race to shoot towards it. As the miles went by, it became clear that I wasn't going to meet that goal. There were lots of people to get around and I didn't want to expend exorbitant amounts of energy weaving around them. The water stops got jammed up with people walking (when all the blood is in your legs, you tend not to think clearly and forget that you have thousands of people trying like hell not to run into you). Perhaps I was a tad bit conservative due to the unknown of how the warm temperature would affect me, but hindsight is 20/20. The good news is, I felt like I COULD have run that time. I felt very strong and fit this time around. When I ran Boston in April 2011, I pretty much ran out of steam at the 30K mark.
But, not here. Not this time. That was not the issue.
I ran the whole thing, no walk breaks. And, when Mile 25 came around, I found I finally had some room to run. So, I poured it on and did the best I could. My GPS showed me crossing the line in 3:50:49, but I probably lost signal a few times due to the abundance of tall buildings. Here is the link containing my Garmin data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/120413434.
After crossing the finish line, I continued to walk. I received a heat sheet blanket that I took more out of politeness than sincerity (um, hello, it was 75 degrees by then). The volunteers at the finish line were FANTASTIC. They all smiled and gave you a hearty, "congratulations!" when they handed over the medal. It seemed to be totally genuine too, which reinforced my belief that folks in the Midwest are super duper nice. I got gatorade, water and food. Happily, the streets in Chicago seemed wide enough to accommodate a large group of finishers at one time, at least when I came through (Boston's finish line mimics it's rush hour traffic: stop and go, stop and go, stop and go). I continued to eat and drink while walking. Once I found out where the fountain was, I went in search of Ted. Lo and behold, he was exactly where he said he'd be. We shared our individual marathon experiences with each other. Neither one of us ran our fastest times that day, but we were okay with that. Besides, the bling looks the same:
My recorded finish time was 3:52:08 and I placed 6801 out of 35,628 finishers. Out of the eight marathons I have completed, this was my fourth fastest time.
So, what did I learn from this experience? That you can be satisfied with being dissatisfied. I didn't get a PR at this race, nor did I match my marathon PR from May 2010. But, I'm at peace with that. I am thankful I went into this with a positive mental attitude, a solid training base and, most of all, dear friends like John and Ted that make this journey even more fun, not to mention meaningful.
However, that doesn't mean I don't want more. My desire to run "that time" is even stronger than it was before. But, it's coming from a pure place. We are all meant to grow and expand beyond where we are now. And that is exactly what I plan to do when I train for my next marathon...and the next...and the next.
Thanks a bunch, Chicago. It was a real pleasure. Next time, I'll be sure to try your famous pizza.
"My kind of town, Chicago is...My kind of town, Chicago is...My kind of razzmatazz...And it has all that jazz."
But only a little.
Eventually, Sleeping Beauty did rise. We had decided the night before that we'd leave around 6:45 a.m. That gave us 45 minutes to get to the start, which was only 3/4ths of a mile away from our hotel. I completely relied on Ted's sense of direction to get us to where we needed to be. I have a habit of not paying attention to my surroundings, and this happened to be one of those times. As we walked, Ted remarked that he's never seen me this quiet pre-race before. I told him that there wasn't really anything to say. I was minutes away from starting this race. I wasn't going to ask for reassurance on how I would do or voice concern about the unseasonably high temperatures (it was in the upper 50's at the start, but it was expected to reach the mid to upper 70's during the race which is not optimal for long distance running). In the past, I would do that, but not this time. I just didn't think it was a constructive thing to do.
All the work was already done. And, contrary to what the engineers at the fitness center think, I do NOT control the weather.
We were both in different corrals so, ever being the gentlemen, Ted saw me to mine before he went off to his. We exchanged hugs and good wishes and then, he went off. I waded through the crowd, looking for "the perfect place to stand". Once I realized there really wasn't any, I powered up the Garmin and waited as we all got funneled into our corral, like cattle. Did I mention that 45,000 people had registered for this marathon?? Since John didn't make the trip with us, let's call it 44,999. I have never been at a race that big in my LIFE.
May I remind you that I am not a detail person? If you read my Atlantic City Marathon race report last year, you already knew that. For the benefit of new readers, if you are expecting a play-by-play of the race, with lengthy, graphic descriptions about the scenery, you may be disappointed. I just put my head down and run. I'm not on a sight seeing tour; I'm on a 26.2 mile mission.
Just wanted to...clear that up.
The gun went off about five minutes after the scheduled race start. I got myself in a pretty good rhythm and told myself that I was going to do my best, whatever that ended up being, and that it would be enough. I did have a goal time in mind and, having heard how fast and flat Chicago was, I figured this would be the race to shoot towards it. As the miles went by, it became clear that I wasn't going to meet that goal. There were lots of people to get around and I didn't want to expend exorbitant amounts of energy weaving around them. The water stops got jammed up with people walking (when all the blood is in your legs, you tend not to think clearly and forget that you have thousands of people trying like hell not to run into you). Perhaps I was a tad bit conservative due to the unknown of how the warm temperature would affect me, but hindsight is 20/20. The good news is, I felt like I COULD have run that time. I felt very strong and fit this time around. When I ran Boston in April 2011, I pretty much ran out of steam at the 30K mark.
But, not here. Not this time. That was not the issue.
I ran the whole thing, no walk breaks. And, when Mile 25 came around, I found I finally had some room to run. So, I poured it on and did the best I could. My GPS showed me crossing the line in 3:50:49, but I probably lost signal a few times due to the abundance of tall buildings. Here is the link containing my Garmin data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/120413434.
After crossing the finish line, I continued to walk. I received a heat sheet blanket that I took more out of politeness than sincerity (um, hello, it was 75 degrees by then). The volunteers at the finish line were FANTASTIC. They all smiled and gave you a hearty, "congratulations!" when they handed over the medal. It seemed to be totally genuine too, which reinforced my belief that folks in the Midwest are super duper nice. I got gatorade, water and food. Happily, the streets in Chicago seemed wide enough to accommodate a large group of finishers at one time, at least when I came through (Boston's finish line mimics it's rush hour traffic: stop and go, stop and go, stop and go). I continued to eat and drink while walking. Once I found out where the fountain was, I went in search of Ted. Lo and behold, he was exactly where he said he'd be. We shared our individual marathon experiences with each other. Neither one of us ran our fastest times that day, but we were okay with that. Besides, the bling looks the same:
My recorded finish time was 3:52:08 and I placed 6801 out of 35,628 finishers. Out of the eight marathons I have completed, this was my fourth fastest time.
So, what did I learn from this experience? That you can be satisfied with being dissatisfied. I didn't get a PR at this race, nor did I match my marathon PR from May 2010. But, I'm at peace with that. I am thankful I went into this with a positive mental attitude, a solid training base and, most of all, dear friends like John and Ted that make this journey even more fun, not to mention meaningful.
However, that doesn't mean I don't want more. My desire to run "that time" is even stronger than it was before. But, it's coming from a pure place. We are all meant to grow and expand beyond where we are now. And that is exactly what I plan to do when I train for my next marathon...and the next...and the next.
Thanks a bunch, Chicago. It was a real pleasure. Next time, I'll be sure to try your famous pizza.
"My kind of town, Chicago is...My kind of town, Chicago is...My kind of razzmatazz...And it has all that jazz."
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