3 things I learned

3 more things I have learned {so far} while training for the NYC Marathon:

1. Stay away from the white lines on the side of the road when the are wet.  They become extremely slippery and dangerous
2. Be prepared to run through branches and bushes to avoid cars.  You will get scratched, but that is ok.  Scratches heal. 
3. There are going to be days that you will feel amazing!  But then there will also be days where you feel terrible.  There will be no rhyme or reason to this.  On the days when you feel awful keeping taking that next step, even if it takes you twice as long.  One foot in front of the other until you make it back home.  

Running is a lot like life.  There are going to be good days and bad days.  Upon waking up we never know what is going to be around the corner.  The road provides different obstacles and things to avoid.  You have to constantly be on the look out.  Being willing to jump out of the way.  And roll with what ever comes your way, even if it is a large uphill climb.   

why I race

It begins the night before
I check my alarm to ensure it is set
I try to fall asleep, but I struggle
I check my alarm again, is the sound all the way up?
Once I finally doze off I dream of the next day
Even though I have no idea what is going to unfold

The moments before I stand on the starting line
I panic
"Why did I say yes to this?"
"I am not going to be able to make it"
"How can I get out of this, right now"
All of these are thoughts that run through my head

But there is no turning back
And so I begin
Settling into a groove
My mind shifts
My body accepts the challenge
And I push myself further than I ever thought I could go

What I love most about these events are
The camaraderie between those competing
And the cheers from the volunteers and spectators
Each word of encouragement helps me take that next step
Each high five sends a surge of energy into my blood stream
I realize I am not alone

I push myself up the hills
I climb over obstacles
Get covered in mud
And I am smiling
Cheering loudly
And wondering where the finish line is

Before I began I was filled with fear
Looking for any way to run the other direction
But as I jump over the fire, and cross the finish line
I am so glad I showed up
I realize I am stronger than I thought I was
And I can do anything I put my mind to 

This is why I race
To feel the gamut of emotions
To show up with fear, and finish with pride
To push myself past my edges
Take myself further than I ever thought I could go
And for the camaraderie with others

For me it was never about time
It was about finishing
And I did just that, with a big smile on my face
 

running in the rain

running in the rain looks nothing like this

It was pouring
But that didn't keep me inside
I laced up my shoes
And I went anyway 

Stepping through the door I was free
Free of music
Free of worry about my clothes
Or my hair
Free to jump into any puddle I wanted

I felt like a kid again
Filled with reckless abandon
Wide grin on my face
Enjoying the raindrops as they fell down my cheek

With no music to distract me
My mind wandered
Thoughts flowed in and out with ease
And even the occasional singing occurred 
Of the tune I was writing in my head

Who knew that running in the rain could be so fun

what i have learned

Three things I have learned {so far} while training for the NYC Marathon

1. Sleep is really important {and I don’t get enough of it}
2. If I do not eat regularly throughout the day I will be ravenous {and you do not want to see me when I’m hungry.  Just ask Dustin}
3. I will never regret pushing yourself out the door to run {although I will fight with myself hardcore until I take that first step}

Training is a journey.  I will not be able to wake up tomorrow and run 26.2 miles.  I will need to work up it.  I show up, day after day pushing myself a little bit further each time.  I have gotten stronger mentally and physically.  

I am learning how take care of my body and listen to what it needs.  I am treating it kindly with more sleep.  Eating more veggies and eating more often.  I am not giving up, even when I may want to.  

The best part is, I can see and feel the pay off.  I believe in myself.  I am willing to taking the risk.  I know what I want, and I am going after it.  It feels so good!

and so it begins

Yesterday I officially began training for the NYC Marathon.  For some reason I thought my training began in the end May.  In fact, that is what I have been telling everyone.  It felt safe to say that.  Almost as if running the marathon was a distant dream and I actually hadn't really committed to it.  But alas it is not a dream.  In 181 days I will show up at the starting line, bright and early, and trudge off to complete 26.2 miles.  

Leading up to that day in November I will spend a countless number of hours preparing.  Physically, I will get my body into shape,  however, the largest obstacle I will need overcome is my mind.  There will be moments during training when  I know my mind will say "Hey lady, what are you doing?  Stop running already."  There will also be the mantra of "I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this" playing on repeat in my head when things get tough.  

I will need to train my mind to push through barriers I thought I couldn't get past.  Small victories will need to be celebrated.  A new mantra will have to be learned.  

Although this is a race to the finish, the journey is long.  What matters most is showing up each day and putting one foot in front of the other.  This is most important on days when I do not want to take a single step.  

I run for those who cannot 
I run for friends I have lost
And for those who are currently fighting
I run to bring hope
I run to support cancer research
And I run with love in my heart
 

Please help me reach my goal of raising $3,000 for the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital as I run with Fred's Team on November 2nd.   

it is time

I know these roads well
I have traveled them often
I could close my eyes and still navigate the uneven terrain
My body has come accustom to the twist and turns
It prepares for the steep uphill, even before I round the corner

Each day I show up
Ready or not I begin
One step in front of the other
The comfort of knowing the path makes each step a little bit easier
My mind settles and I find my pace

As I breathe in and out, so much comes to mind
The things I want to do
The adventures I want to take
The things I wish I would just begin already
And the deeper desire to live more boldly

I find comfort on these roads
But know I must break free from them
Before I traveled down them, I wasn't sure I would make it to the end
But I have, and I did
And in my soul I can feel that I am ready for a new challenge

These roads have infused me with confidence
They have taught me that I can make it
My mind and legs are strong
They are ready to run father
Ready to run faster

There comes a moment in everything
Where we have learned from it what we will
Tucking into our pockets the strength that has been built
We are ready for the next adventure
And with confidence we take that step forward

It is time to find a new path
To chart roads I have yet to  navigate
It is time to find my way, again
To see what is out there just over the horizon
To deepen that passion that has been ignited