Where have I been?

Oh my goodness! I’m not really certain!!

It has been 45 days since my last “race.”

Recall – I don’t actually “race.”

I “finish”!!!!

45. Wow. That’s a lot of days. Now I really don’t know where I’ve been.

Where ever I was, I was in sandals… not running shoes.

I’m not sure what happened.

My first half-marathon was HUGE. I didn’t know if I’d finish.

My second. Well, it was hard. It was hilly. The well trained athletes had a few words for that course. I finished it though. That was my goal. Just finish what I started. I knew I would, because I had finished one half marathon, I could finish them all. No question.

After that, something happened. Motivation left me. Desire left me.

I almost completely stopped running.

I got sad. Very sad. I smiled at everyone. It was an act. I shared with just one friend that I was struggling. I didn’t understand why. A lot had changed in my world. Family-wise mostly. I wasn’t really me.

Then the headaches came. Headaches have been my partner in crime since I was 18. The shoulder started to hurt. Then the leg. I was becoming weak. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

I went 13 days without touching my running shoes. Those were very dark days.

Throughout my month’s hap-hazard training, I stood proud that I had only missed one long run and that was because I was sick! Dressed and ready to run, but not healthy enough to do so.

So here I was. “In training” for a half-marathon and I’d missed another long run (13 days without running = 1 long run and numerous vital training runs).

Something struck me.

I could not, I would not, miss my 10 mile run. Did I know it was stoopid to attempt such a run after two weeks of laziness? Yes. Was I willing (or stubborn) enough to do it anyway? Yes!

The night before my run was crazy! I was excited. Like, race day excited. I jumped out of bed when I realised my Garmin had sat dormant for two weeks! What if it needed to be charged?!?! Oh, and my ipod too! I honestly think I slept better the night before my “race,” than I before this long run!

Two things happened on my 10 mile run. One – My run was fantastic. Two – My run sucked! Yes, I suffered tiredness and aches from not training properly, but more I suffered from the heat. It was 70 when I started and 80 when I finished. I am a Fenway runner (aka – fair weather runner). See Fenway is a dog. With fur. Lots of fur. She doesn’t handle the heat well. She’s sneaky though… acts like she’s gonna sniff something… for a really loooooonnnggg time. Oh hey, look, shade, let’s lay down for a few!!

Okay, I’m not quite that bad. I don’t stop and nap, but I do walk. So the first 4 miles of my run were wonderful! I needed them! After that, well, I needed a scooter. Or a cab. Alas, silly me. I took the Centennial trail – where there are no scooters or cabs – so I walked what I had to, but I finished those 10 miles!

Within 30 minutes of completing my run, I felt refreshed and new! I didn’t smell so fresh and new, but I didn’t care. I felt accomplished! I felt excited!

That night I registered for Iron Girl Seattle, a 10k, and the Sandpoint Scenic Half. As I do with all things that excite me, I blabbed about it on Facebook. Oh my goodness! The people that “liked” my status… People I never heard from. People I forgot were there. Wow the support! Feed my excitement, why don’t ya’?!?!

Then this morning (well, technically yesterday morning, as it is nearly 5 am and I’ve been up 22+ hours, but that’s another story)… So, the next morning I got an email from the Sandpoint Half Marathon Committee and my heart skipped a beat with excitement. I had forgotten all the encouragement and reminders that are forced upon you when you make such a commitment.

I was unbelievably excited!

A dear friend of mine woke to a text about how excited I was over this email.

I’m glad my friends love me for being easily amused!!

Tonight I updated my calendar, which shows all my scheduled runs through September. I have THREE half marathons in the next 3 months. Did I mention that? I can’t wait. 3-for-3. Crazy fun!

Then, I got to watch a friend update her calendar - runs and all! She’s about to begin training for a FULL marathon! I’m SO excited!!! The great news is, she’s such a faster runner than I am, we’ll be on different plans but finish at the same time! Did someone say beer? ;)

So. I still don’t really know where I’ve been.

But…

I’m back.

And…

I ‘m headed to Sandpoint. Spokane. Seattle.

3-for-3.

I. Cannot. Wait.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Too the one person out there that I know will read this, who is having a baby on Friday – well, that is FAR cooler than anything I’ve blithered on about here. Congratulations! I’m very excited for you and your family! Thank you for ALL of your encouragement :)

Life, Thoughts, and a Terrier!

I’ve had A LOT of time to think lately. Scary, right?!?! I realised that I have not had this much ME time in over 10 years. Some days the silence is startling! See, I am a busy body! Years ago one job wasn’t enough, so I had two! Then I decided on one job plus school. Then one job plus two schools – yes, at the same time! Then came the nieces… but you know that story!

I’d been busy.

Now… not so much!

It’s weird.

I’ve allowed my brain to venture out of its comfort zone. I’ve allowed it to consider such things as moving… you know, away… My subconscious has paid me back ten-fold for some of these thoughts! I mean, how many times in one week can you wake from a nightmare that you left your best friend’s two year old daughter unattended… again?!?!? Okay, okay, I get it. Move, I will not!

Until I figure out what’s next. I’ll make the most of each day.

Today – TGIF!!!

You see, we have a tradition at work of reading our horrorscopes. I’ve been rather concerned that the author of said horrorscopes is going thru some type of crisis, because everyone’s outlook has been quite bleak for months! (Seriously, how can everyone be having a two star day, ever y day?) Dear author redeemed themselves today with a GREAT horrorscope!!

CANCER (June 21-July 22) • • • • • Your creativity and energy mark your decisions. You seem to have an answer for nearly any problem. A group of friends is already in weekend mode.

I’ve been on the fence about some things… some ideas… they’d require a lot of creativity and energy! I’m gonna take this as a sign that I should move forward… give my ideas a go! Wish me luck!!!

I’m not sure I have any answers, but YES all my friends are in weekend mode! The weather is PHENOMENAL and there is a very important birthday this weekend! A birthday of which I might have procrastinated in preparing for… might… have… but no one will ever know… except anyone reading this…

Did I mention how PHENOMENAL the weather has been? I wanted to make the most of this warm summer evening, so I took dumb & dumber for a walk. They were horrible! Luke pulled and pulled and pulled on the leash and Miyo tried to roll on everything in an effort to rub the Halti off her head. It’s never worked before, but she’s determined some day it will come right off!

About half a mile from the house I hear someone scream ‘STOP’!

Okay! Okay! We stopped!

Then I saw it. At speeds of at least 100 mph, came the most fierce three pound terrier… until she realised she had just charged upon 125 pounds of black lab and came to a screeching halt!

Right.

In the middle.

Of Atlas Road.

Atlas is a busy road. No one does the speed limit. EVER!

Pocket dog’s child is now standing on the other side of the street staring at her dog. I grab dumb & dumber and pull them further away from the road, trying to lure the dog to come attack us… you know, over here, in the weeds, away from the cars.

Yes, I’m pretty sure I told the little pocket dog to attack us. “Come here little one, attack the big dogs. Come on. You can do it. Come on.”

Yep. Tonight dumb & dumber met dumbest! I’m just not certain that the little dog with big dreams and possibly poor vision is the one that earned that title…

Oh… if you’re wondering… yes, the little dog finally came within reach and the child’s father came to retrieve it…

Then my day went from successful to magical!!

I went to see my best friend and her girls… you know the two year old that I keep abandoning in my dreams… Guess what happened when I walked in??

Lil’ Miss said “Dee”!!!!!!!!!

I know. I know. It’s an easy name. Children learn to talk. Life goes on.

With Lil’ Miss, every new milestone is monumental! TSC is an unpredictable disease. We never know what to expect each day. We delight in the little things, because we are beyond grateful that she gets to experience them!

To wrap the night… on my way home… I saw the brightest shooting star ever! I watched in amazement. I was so captivated; I forgot to make a wish! I figured “better late than never” and tossed a wish out there anyway!

It’d share it with you, but then it won’t come true.

It was a really good one!

Just like this day was… and tomorrow will be :)