Guts and Goals

My 5th grade teacher was a runner. If memory serves, he was a marathoner.

Right after the holidays that year, he invited anyone in our class who would like to run the upcoming St. Patrick's Day 5K with him to gather so he could give us the details and forms to take home to our parents. I was one of the first to sit on the floor in front of him because this sounded fun!

And, by "lived in the world for a while," I mean, "Had class
with a chump."


The only thing I remember about that group meeting, though, was when Keith G. -- who was a total, smart-mouthed turd all the time  but thought he was hilarious all the time -- looked at me and laughed at the fact that I wanted to do it. I was bigger than most every kid in my class (seeing as I was full grown by the next year, that makes physiological sense, but it does not make kid sense. Oh, and kids are mean.), so I did not present the expected lean, mean, running machine physique. And, Keith G. let me know it in that circle surrounding our teacher. And, I did not attend any more 5K meetings much less participate in the run.

I'm pretty certain that's what sealed the deal for me for a few decades that running was not for me.

I'm also pretty certain that the only reason I kept at it once I put it into my life -- once the novelty of it keeping Elly's toenails trimmed passed -- was because I set very specific goals. Mine happened to be distance goals. And, while I'd once been told and believed I didn't belong in the running world, I got old enough to let my own determination trump someone else's meaningless opinion.

I will be the first to admit when I started running at age 39 -- which is the age when it actually stuck after a few previous failed/bailed upon attempts -- that Keith G.'s nasty voice and squinty-eyed grin were in my brain. I'm not sure if it was his voice or the negative opinions I'd adopted myself that were louder, but, I'm happy to say I had a goal on which to focus that pushed Keith G.'s voice out of my head pretty early on. My own took a little longer to quiet down and turn positive, but it finally did.

The beauty of the music that comes out of this moment
does not happen by accident ...

Do you ever stop and think of the things you never tried or quit doing or muddled through in a substandard manner because of something someone else said? And, if it isn't bad enough that we ascribe to these outside opinions as a kid, so many of us carry and bring them front and center as adults.

What a bunch of crap.

I thought about this moment of my world -- the one where I quietly walked away from the 5K meeting hoping no one would notice I was no longer in attendance -- as Aaron and I recently interviewed a music teacher for one of our kids. Thread throughout her words was the importance of the student having a goal, any goal, as long as there is something to work toward to make the effort matter.

Guts + Goals = THIS.

And, that made me think of both of my kids and the many successes they have had in their young lives. Every success, every one of them, happened when there was a goal in mind. Something measurable that matters to them. Something they can define and articulate as succeeding. Something at which they worked and didn't just happen upon. That's when I see the twinkle in their eyes ... and, their hunger for what's next ...

I've always known the goals they set always have to be theirs. So, that makes my job with Aaron to be the ones to support their efforts and not decide for them what they could, should or can't do. That part's up to them. We are there to keep theirs doors open so they can experience and decide for themselves which to keep open and which to close. And, we love them through every door they experience no matter what they do with it.

Keith G. didn't need to love me through anything. But, it would have been nice if he had kept his damned mouth shut.

Today's lesson is brought to you by the following sentiments:

• Be your own best friend. Cheesy but true.
• Make sure you are always saying nice things to yourself. You can be honest with yourself without being mean.
• Surround yourself with people who support you even if they don't get or want to participate in what it is you take on (most of my friends think distance running sucks, but, man, can they cheer!).
• Set a goal. A measurable goal. That helps the focus.
• Did I mention be your own best friend? There are too many Keith G.'s in the world. You don't need them.

With that, I go forth with a very busy day, and I'll check in from tomorrow's Rest Day!

Take that to anyone who thought I could
not do this ... especially used-to-be me!

Prep For Now; Register For Future!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 69 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 295.1 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 146.8 Money Found For Food Bank: $27.30

Wow, that was not just a chilly run, but we just finished before the rain started spitting at us!! *Whew!!* I do appreciate that kind of luck even though I'm really not down with the major fluctuations in weather!! I should probably just be thankful it's not sub-zero right now while I keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't turn into a tropical paradise the very weekend of the upcoming Half!!

No matter the weather, we get on out there, though! As I threw my running schedule off this week, I was surprised the run felt so good. I felt quite ready to go, and the run itself was remarkably strong (as opposed to dragging my butt through the streets and pretending I'm running). I think I have to credit both the continuous training/effort and my new shoes. Not one part of my feet feels the least bit taxed, which they have after almost every run since January, so I'm very thankful for the new kicks. But, I simply must get some new laces soon. Aaron even mistook my shoes as Pit Crew #3's the other day. That's just not right.

What is right though is that this morning's coinoscopic vision was in full focus:

Do you see what I saw? Most people wouldn't because they're
paying attention to what's in front of them like normal people.
'Under the car directly below the license plate.

Check it out closer ...

Boo.Yah.

That made for 30 cents for The Bank today!

In other running news, I just registered for my next Half in October!! It's called the MO'Cowbell ... you even get a cow bell as part of your swag!!! Okay, I think it's funny, but PC#2 is pretty stoked (and, I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm giving it to her ...). She has a clapper that she takes to races, but, evidently, she slaps it too hard or too much or both or something ... anyway, apparently, it often needs readjusting. When she saw the registration info, she said, "I've always wanted a cow bell !!" To be honest, I enjoy hearing them from the crowds, so it's a win for all of us!

Tomorrow is power packed with all sorts of things going on, but the schedule completely squeezed out the normal run. So, I either will or won't make that up on Thursday. Either way, I'll check in tomorrow ... keep on keepin' on on your end, and I'll see you as we climb over hump day!

Ready, Set, GLOW!

It would feel more strange to be writing about Saturday's Glow Run if not for the fact that my necklaces from the run are still glowing. I know this because I saw them at 3 a.m. which is a weird thing to find at that hour, just sayin' ...

Let me give you the word that summarizes our Glow Run experience:

FANTASTIC!!

This wasn't just a run; it was an event, and those putting it on did it up right complete with pre-run face painting and Zumba warm-ups and a post-run dance party! We didn't necessarily know what to expect even with all of the event information, but we were excited to do it!

Our excitement escalated when we arrived almost 2 hours before the run. We got there so early because the face painting was free, and I wanted to make sure we were in line in time to have it done (priorities, people!). My excitement waned a bit once in line because that's when I realized I had my camera but no memory card. What was I going to do without my cam-er-aaaaaaaaa?! *sigh* Aaron offered to buzz back home to get it as we had plenty of time before the run began. But, I feared he would return to a face painting line so long that he wouldn't get through it. And, prior to the event, I had already been thinking that most pictures in the dark would be grainy at best -- cool with the glow, but grainy nonetheless -- so, perhaps this was a sign that I could just skip this one ... maybe ... maybe not ... maybe ... maybe not ... seriously, this was hard! But, with quite a bit of self talk to restrategize my experience, we concluded face painting trumps camera in for this event.

Aren't we supposed to be running?

Ha! That specific topic was another awesome vibe for this event -- Publicity and pre-run information very specifically outlined that this was not a timed event, and all forms of forward movement were encouraged including running, jogging, walking and dancing. Indeed: Dancing! The whole point was to have fun!

We arrived to a sea of hot, hot, hot pink shirts with a smattering of black dots throughout the crowd. There were as many patterns of day-glo sock patterns as you could imagine, day-glo tutus worn by women, men and children (one would have been on Pit Crew #3 had they not been $10), and there was even a Mohawk wig that, as I recall, had blinking lights. It was a feast of color making standing in the face painting line very entertaining!

As slow as the line was going, Aaron probably could have just made it home and back with a memory card, but, if he just missed our turns, he wouldn't have gotten to do it as the line had double the number of people in it as they had time to paint by the time we got to the front. And, it was more important to me that we all get to participate in this, so I decided a photo shoot when we got home would do the trick!

Besides, without Aaron, we couldn't have been partners in totally confusing the make-up artists! We didn't mean to ... For whatever reason, his request for a fish seemed a bit confusing to his artist, but that was nothing compared to the degree to which I completely confounded mine when I said, "Picture a ball made of rainbow colors, now picture that ball hitting me in the face and exploding." My artist literally took a step back like, "Whuuuuuuut ?" So, I said it again, but I used my hand to demonstrate colors radiating outward moving my fist toward my face then opening up on impact. No dice. She was so mystified that she passed me over to a different artist whom she said would be much better at what I was asking.

Given the art I'd seen on others, I honestly thought my idea would be easy and, perhaps, a little boring to such artists. So, I changed chairs, and I repeated my request. In response to her clear confusion, I said, "Think 'firework exploding.' " Again: Nothing. So, I said, "Here's the thing. If there is a lot of color on my face, then you did it right." At that, my artist was completely relieved, and she went on to do her thing. While it was nothing of what I described or expected, it was very cool and most definitely met the 'color on my face' criteria ... complete with glitter!!

We still had about 40 minutes after face painting for the run to start. Zumba started, but I wanted to walk the parking lot to look for money instead (scored, too, by the way!). We also scoped the post-run goods including super-awesome finisher medals that GLOW. I don't tend to look for a medal after a 5K, but the kids were totally stoked knowing they'd earn one. And, seeing their excitement made this mama happy!!

At line-up time, as at all races, the runners were asked to go in the first wave, then the joggers, then the walkers. There were hardly any participants in the running corral which made me realize that our collective family pace was going to be more than enough to start closer to the front. What I didn't expect was that my family would take off like a shot out of the gates! I mean, they were OFF to the point I had to tell myself to kick it up a notch! Both kids were full of adrenaline, and Aaron's fast-walk pace rivals many joggers (especially when he gets his arms going because his big ol' elbows could knock someone out behind him. I was almost a victim to such a moment.). He specifically told me that if was going to be in the first wave of those expecting to run, then he wanted to make sure he was moving.

even our collective family pace was probably considered running in this crowd. What I didn't expect was that my family would

Do you want to know I was hoping to go at a pretty chill pace so our make-up wouldn't come off before we got home for pictures? That's also why I'd thrust my face into an open area when gusts of wind would come -- to keep my face dry. Oh, and I coached anyone along the course, it was, "Don't wipe your face if you get sweaty so your make-up doesn't come off. True story. All of it.

The route was a nice out and back that did seem to keep its glow on with all of the participants. There were two "glow zones" with black lights, but (a) my family was not about to stop and admire their glow factors because they were totally into this running thing, and (b) there were a number of cars parked along the street in the second which kind of defeated its purpose. It was fun décor either way!

Once we were near the finish line, we decided to follow the suggestion to dance. So, once in the black light zones that preceded the finish line, that's what we did. All four of us got our own groove on to cross! I have to say it was almost impossible to actually see the finish line, but it was a fun way to wrap up our route!

From there, we got our medals and granola bars before heading to the Glow Zone for a picture that, evidently, will be on their website for viewing and downloading. I have no idea when that will happen, but with the pics we got at home, I'm not that concerned about it. I mean, who could beat this?!

It was a totally different kind of experience, and it was totally worth it!!! We all had such a great time that I'm keeping my eye out for the 2015 date! I'll be better prepared at that one. You know, with a camera and a memory card!

There's lots of running still going on well before then, though, and it resumes tomorrow! Have a great rest of your Monday, and thanks for coming along the Glow Run tales with me! I'll check in tomorrow!

Celebration Break!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 68 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 291.1 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 142.8 Money Found For Food Bank: $27.00

The Glow Run recap has to wait 'til tomorrow because there is some super important business to attend to!!

It's Elly's Birthday!!!!!

"It's my what?! I don't know what that is,
but everyone seems really excited about
it, so let's do it! Or, eat it! Or ... what is
it you do with it? I don't care, everyone is
really happy!! What are we doing again?"

Today, our sweet dog turns 7!!! I had no plans to run this morning, but, seeing as it's her birthday, I had to get up and take her out for even a short run! She was very pleased!

We have been blessed with her for almost 6 of her years ... check her out on the day she came to our family!

Perhaps you should avert your eyes ... she's naked!

I love these ...

August 2008

April 2014!!

It was love at first site for all of us!!

But, I tell secretly profess to loving her the most! Then ...

... and, just a couple of days ago!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest puppy soul we know!!!

Yay, me!

It's back to regular biz tomorrow! I'll see you then!

Time To Glow

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 67 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 290 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 141.7 Money Found For Food Bank: $27.00

We went, we glowed, we did it!! Great event!! Recap tomorrow ...

It's Like a Nature Hike

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 66 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 287 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 141.7 Money Found For Food Bank: $26.17

Unlike last week's long run -- when I could still feel almost every part of the previous week's Half, I just didn't complain about it -- today's felt really, really good. I dare say it felt strong, but let's not go nuts. For real, it was really good all the way around! Check out the scenes; they were pretty awesome today!

The kitties were there! Two to the left, one to the right who is
pretending to be a dandelion. I missed getting one that I'd not
before seen ... looked like a Siamese, but charcoal fur. It had
the same, piercing blue eyes -- truly a beautiful creature.

I'd just passed a guy who smelled really good. I don't even care
if that sounds weird because it's just true. The really good smell?
Clean. And, given the warm morning, it took no time for me to
not smell April fresh. So, stopping to take a whiff of these was
a nice nasal relief!

When you come to a stretch of sidewalk that's
actually closed due to construction, you smile
and say, "WALK BREAK!" Oh, and that's not
just dirt; it's mud. Good thing I already liked my
new shoes, because there was no taking them
back now!

There were lots of Spring lovelies along the way!

I couldn't get a fabulous picture of this flower without stepping
in someone's bed. So, I got the best I could!

It was there all by itself ...

And, then, for the grand finale:

I've often wanted to take a pic of a squirrel, but I can never do
that with Elly along! This little dude probably would have
bolted had she been with me, but he most definitely was not
scared of me ...

See? He's totally ready to box!

Eventually, he decided to scurry off with the self-proclaimed
knowledge that he had the ability to take me down had
circumstances required it.

I'm pleased to report my shoes were quite good for the duration, and that's saying something considering their first outing was a long run! I could feel my toes fishing around trying to figure out where to live. They're a bit sore, but my feet as a whole (as wholes?) felt great. These will do ... until I find new one!! They do, however, need to be jazzed up immediately if not sooner!

So, the 9-miler is in the books, and onward training goes! While a Rest Day would normally follow today, there are other plans to tend to because tomorrow, we Glow ...

It Sure Worked For Me That My Kid Needed New Shoes

When it was Tuesday, I thought about just how slow the week was going (and, for once, I liked it!). Now that it's Thursday, I can't believe the week's almost over!! Friday is sneaking up on me like one, huge surprise!!

Speaking of surprises, I was unexpectedly at the shoe store with Pit Crew #3 the other day (because, sometimes when you're a kid, your foot suddenly busts through your shoes ...). While he looked for a pair to his liking, I perused the aisles for myself. Ever since the shoe styles changed to having a wider toe mesh -- the very one that does not hold my big toe inside the shoe -- my choices have been wildly limited. This has been quite discouraging especially when the ones I've settled to buy are okay, but they're not great in the comfort zone. They feel harder, and they are heavier than I'd like especially on long runs. But, I have total confidence that they're not going to spring a leak in the middle of a run.

Have I mentioned a few thousand times how much I still miss my Asics? *very, longing sigh ...*

The more I've talked around about this toe-busting-out issue, the more I've found it's not really that uncommon. Therefore, I've held out hope that at some point, someone in the shoe making biz will put a few options out there that actually give some toe support. And, as I was investigating the men's shoes, I stumbled upon a pair of Asics that seemed to be built for we with the hard core toes. I even liked the look of them. Unfortunately, the smallest size for men is still huge on my foot.

Fortunately, though, I can wear a boy's size shoe. Double fortunately, there was a pair in the boy's section with similar toe reinforcement. And, wait ... for ... it ... THEY. WERE. ASICS.

Those babies are gonna look smokin' awesome when I find a
pair of shoe laces that SPARKLES ...

Do you want to hear the craziest part of this whole thing? When I bought new shoes at the end of January, I bought two pairs of the same shoe because I didn't want to go on another treasure hunt any time soon (a little distance between shoe angst, please). I had yet to wear the second pair, I still had the receipt and the box, and the store TOOK THEM BACK no questions asked! FOR REAL.

I'm pretty excited to try these out especially when just putting them on at the store made my feet feel like I was walking on air. That's what I've always liked about Asics!! So, really, if they somehow suck for running, I have a new pair of walking around shoes. My current pair of Nikes will hold up for quite a while longer if need be. Win! Win! Wait ... that would be more like Drat! Oh well. Win! Win!

So, I'm going to give these a whirl ... a long whirl ... tomorrow! I know taking them out for the first time for 9 miles isn't ideal, but I have no time to waste with the next Half in 5 weeks! Let's break these babies in! I'll see you tomorrow so we can say hellooooooo, weekend  together!! See you then!

No Lions Or Tigers, But ...

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 65 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 278 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 141.7 Money Found For Food Bank: $26.17

I have two favorite moments from this morning's 3-miler. The first was this:

"Hey, mommy, look! Bears!!"

Aren't they something?! I wish I could have caught their faces!

They approached a lady sitting on one of
the benches where they could look at her
eye-to-eye!

Hats off to the owner, by the way. Even when Elly and I ran by them (in the street on the other side of the cars ... we're not stupid) to pass, he had them totally under control.

And, the second favorite was this:

Today's mission was to go out, get it done, and move on!

And, so, we did! Tomorrow we rest, so I'll check in then!

Imperfection

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 64 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 274.7 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 138.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $26.24

The event for which I am training right now will be my 10th Half Marathon. TENTH. I'd say I'm not sure how that happened, but, just like I'm never shocked when one of my kids turns a year older because I've been right there in it with them, I've lived and experienced every, single step that has gotten me here. I finish very few runs where I think, "Huh. What just happened?" Nope. It's way more fun for me to really get in there and experience it. Easier-than-other days, fun days, painful days: I've felt them all!

For as invested as I am in my time out there, I'd like someone to explain how I managed to get home to only then discover a whole piece of gum stuck between two pennies in my 70-cent Food Bank stash. Yeah ... I did some money washing and extra hand sanitizing today ...

Oh, and for such attention to detail as I claim, I also recently learned that all of my 3-mile training runs have actually been 3.3 miles. Over the course of the last training schedule, that was an additional 6 miles to my total. Yay! But, really ?

Fortunately, perfection isn't required to run. Especially the way I do it.

No need for perfection when we have each
other, amiright ?! That's pretty perfect to me!

Tomorrow's the week's short run! I'll check in after and let you know what that brings!

I Love the Human Spirit

Way to take the race back, Boston!! And, for the first time since 1983, an American won! What a great day!

I love the spirit of anyone who pours everything they have into something they love and/or are working toward. Running ... academics ... music ... art ... the human spirit is an amazing thing to witness!

My run tomorrow is no Boston Marathon, but it'll still get everything I have (likely including a healthy dose of patience for the pup ...)! I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how it goes as I run my way toward my next finish line!

Perfect

Happy Easter!! I hope yours is exactly the kind of celebration you want today!! Ours most definitely was! Come along!

It took me a while to actually do some decorating for Easter
this year ...

... , but, when I did, awesome things
like this happened!

Our bunny, Roger, says he's always ready for Easter. (He looks
like the Cadbury bunny, doesn't he?!)

Our morning always starts off with a fantastic egg hunt! But,
this year, Pit Crew #2 got a little squirrely as she took off with
her little brother's basket!

They took over the running for me this morning!!

Elly, who is always left out of the egg hunt
festivities, was hopeful on the deck as eggs
were opened and baskets were investigated!

I tried something new with our breakfast eggs ... three separate
measuring cups held the beaten eggs that I colored to ultimately
look like ...

... this!! WAHOO if I do say so myself!

We often have breakfast for dinner on Easter, too, for the soul purpose of making colored pancakes:

Complete with another round of colored eggs ... mmmm ...

I know none of this had a thing to do with running (especially not having pancakes for dinner ... HA!). But, it had everything to do with family, and there's nothing more important to me than that!

Take some time today to tend to what's most important to you, and I'll check in tomorrow! It's time to watch, "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown," around here, so I gotta split!

Nice Timing!

Happy Weekend!! It's been a super-busy Rest Day, but it's been a rest from running nonetheless. And, I have to admit, my body has thanked me for it!! I got up at 12:15 a.m. (because some stupid cat decided to hurl herself against a door trying to open it), and my legs felt like they were made of cement. Yes. That tired. It kind of sealed the deal that I will, indeed, indulge myself in a 3-day rest stretch. I should be ready-as-I'll-ever-be by Tuesday!

Resting right now is a must in order to spin it around to feel strong and have fun at the Go Girl event approaching in May!! I saw in my Facebook feed their first event of the season was today in another city, and it just made me giddy! They've done such a great job building and promoting this run that I'm seriously stoked to do it again! And, let's not forget -- one of the finish line goodies is a wine glass!! Booyah!!

They'll fill your glass with a super-yummy smoothie at the finish soiree, but as soon as mine gets home, it gets washed and ready for the Hungry Girl Magical Low-Cal Margarita!! (Want one? Click here!!) And, the combination of seeing the updates in my feed and today's beeee-autiful  weather made me crave the margarita wave, so Aaron's out right now filling the gaps we have of the necessary ingredients!! Nicely timed with two more Rest Days to go, don'tcha think?!

Take a little time to indulge yourself today, and I'll check in tomorrow from the Peter Cottontail Trail!! See you then!