let's roll

In 2014 this awesome group of people braved the crowded subways and streets to cheer me on as I ran the NYC Marathon for the very first time.  I had written on my hand the miles that I was going to see them because I knew nerves would set in and I would forget.  I remember starting the race and thinking .... 'I hope they made it, I hope they made it, I hope they made it".  Then from a distance at mile three I saw an orange pom pom shaking and I knew that was them.  My heart exploded with happiness.  

As I trekked 26.2 miles I kept looking down at my wrist to see when I was going to see them next. When I felt like I couldn't go on I just kept telling myself ... "just make it to that next mile where they will be, just make it there".  And I did and it was an instant energy boost!

Not only did I have them following me along on my route, I also had other family members at mile 17 right outside of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital; the charity I was running for.  Seeing them outside of the hospital and knowing that they were there all day just to cheer me on when I passed by was an incredible feeling.  

Because of each of them I made it 26.2 miles!  There cheers and encouragement helped carry me to the finish line.

I remember the first time I watched the marathon.  I was in awe by the individuals running.  Inspiration set in and I wanted to run it myself.  However when I got home reality set in and I gave up on the idea.  It took me a couple of years to get up the courage and actually say YES!  Once I committed I was in, all in.  

I remember how proud my mom was telling everyone she knew that I was training for the marathon.  She believed in me more than I believed in myself and she knew that I was going to be able to do it.  Her encouragement helped push me forward. 

This year I am stepping back up to the starting line and running in memory of my mom who we lost to cancer last year.  I will also be running for my Aunts Liz, Patricia, Grace, and Kathy who have won the fight.  I will be running again for Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and raising money for cancer research.  Like so many families cancer has touched my families life in deep ways.

I run to honor my friends and family touched by cancer. 
I run to advance cancer research and care. 
I run because I can imagine a world without cancer and I know the research matters.

Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating today.  No donation is to small and every dollar goes towards cancer research.  Together let's roll and fight the fight.  

Click here to donate

love letter to my bicycle

Dear Bicycle,

I remember when I was small and I first learned how to ride you without any assistance from training wheels.  I had gotten my cousins hand me down and couldn't wait to jump on.  I taught myself, or so my mom has told me and my instant connection to you began.  

Do you remember riding up and down Williams street.  That one small street provided endless hours of exploration.  Up and down driveways, to the end of the block and back, and that famous Pee Wee Herman fall off of you that I practiced for a countless number of hours on my neighbors lawn.... "I meant to do that"

As a kid you gave me freedom.  My goodness, how many times did we ride to the library together?  

As I grew older my affliction with your remained but do you remember the days when I was a bit intimidated by you.  My then boyfriend would go out for 10, 15, 20 mile rides and I thought him crazy.  How could somebody spend that much time on a bicycle?  I did not understand it.   

And then I signed up for a weekend bicycle race and my love affair with you began.  Day one we rode 20 miles through the cold and the rain.  I felt so accomplished after riding that many miles that a took a lea and jumped into the 50 miler the following day.  I had no idea what I was in for and figured if I couldn't make the little car would pick me up and that would be that. 

I had no idea that I would fall in love with the steady rotation of pedaling and the way you took me down road after road opening me up to sites I never did see.  Brilliant green lawns, big bales of hay, nature at it's finest.  You also challenged me by pushing me to ride up incredible hills.  But remember the little old man we passed.  He was steadily pedaling along and encouraged me to just do the same.  "Just keep pedaling he said.  Put your head down and keep going.  Before you know it you will be at the top"  His cheers lifted my spirits and encourage me to make it to the top.  That 50 mile race was really 60 and I couldn't have been more proud of myself as I stepped with legs shaking off of you.  

You dear bicycle encourage me to explore.  With you I travel down new roads, see sights I have never seen, and even stumble across the property where I am soon to be building a house.  When I am on you I feel at peace.  There are even times when I pedal with no destination in mind just an open heart to exploration. It is freedom, pure freedom.  

You find strength in me that I didn't know I had.  You give me time and space to think.  Moments to dream and an opportunity to soak in the beauty that this world has to offer.  You have brought me stunning sunsets and incredible feathers found.  You never cease to amaze and surprise me.  

Thank you for being YOU!  For setting me free and encouraging me to keep on going.  I look forward to many more adventures together.  

xo
Jennifer

love letter to running

Dear Running,

I feel like I could write a novel about how much I adore you!  There are so many stories, memories, and lessons learned from you.  My heart is full and I am glad that we have become friends again.  

Remember when we broke up, twice?  

The first time was when I was in high school.  I had fallen in love with you after joining the cross country team.  Being able to leave the circular motion of the track and go out onto the streets was thrilling.  Yet my senior year during outdoor track my mind became bored with you.  Going around in circles just wasn't for me.  My coach was great about it offering me up shorter distances and even a try at throwing the javelin.  But here's the thing; Belthoff's don't have speed and when I tried to throw the javelin I hit myself in the head.  That should have been the sign for me to stick with running distance but I just didn't get it and so I left you.  

The second time we broke up was because I was afraid of you.  I had joined the cross country team in college and was excited to get back out onto the road.  At one of the practices we ventured off into the streets.  I was struggling to keep up with the others and was terrified that I wasn't going to be able to find my way back.  I did find my way back but ended up giving up on you.  Funny how those very roads are now my stomping ground and I know them like the back of hand.  

Somewhere along the way we got back together.  I don't remember when or why, but I am so grateful we found our way back.  I am in love with you again and I do not see that love affair ever ending.  I am sure we will have our ups and downs like all relationships do.  There will be moments when I won't speak to you but then I will give you a great big hug and together we will hit the pavement.  

this is how you make me feel

these are the sites you let me see

Oh dear running, you have brought so much to my life.  I love that I do not need much to spend time with you.  All that is required are my sneakers, and even then on the beach I just need my feet.  

You give me the opportunity to clear my head, think through my struggles, and have some time to just be with my thoughts.  You challenge me with hills and push me to travel far from home.  You have shown me beautiful sights and brought me unexpected feathers and sunsets.

The biggest lesson that you have taught me is that I am so much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for and that if I keep showing up day after day I can accomplish what I set out to do.  Every run doesn't have to be perfect.  All I need to do is show up consistently and put one foot in front of the other.  When I do this I become stronger, am able to run further, and accomplish goals I never thought I could accomplish.  

The biggest challenge you ever brought me was training for the NYC Marathon.  I know you were as surprised as I was when I signed up.  It took years for me to get up the courage to say yes but once I did there was no turning back.  My parents taught me I must always see things through to the end and so I did.  It was during this training that I realized how grateful I am for you and how I am never going to let you go.  

Thank you for pushing me to my edge.  For giving me hills that made me stronger.  For allowing me moments to run terribly slow and never once judging me.  It was in those moments that you cheered hard for me and reminded me that what mattered most was that I showed up, especially when I didn't want to.

You have brought me closer to family and friends.  Given me the opportunity to share something that meant so much to me.  You also inspired other family members to lace up their shoes and give it a try.  How divine!  

One of my favorite memories with you was on an ordinary run.  The air was perfect.  It was one of those days where I felt great.  I headed out onto one of my normal routes through the country club.  As I turned down the street near the lake the most beautiful sunset filled the sky.  This stunning site filled my heart with so much joy.  Had I not set off to spend that time with you I wouldn't have experienced that moment.  It is these simple things that fill my heart with so much joy.  

my NYC Marathon cheering squad.  for them I am so grateful!

Another incredible moment that we got to spend together was on November 2, 2014.  The day I ran the NYC Marathon.  That is definitely the best day of my life so far for so many reasons.  It was the moment I had been training for.  There is only one first time for everything we do and this was that moment for me, I was prepared to be fearless and feel it all.  I ran through the city with the biggest smile on my face.  It felt like the city was mine.  The cheers from the crowd and support from family and friends helped take me through to the finish line.  

I remember so clearly the first time I saw my family and friends on the side of the street.  I spotted the orange pom pom and my heart lit up.  They made it, they were here, and they were cheering for me.  It was an incredible feeling.  Without them there I am not sure I would have made it to the end.  

Because of you dear running I was able to feel and see how proud my parents were of me.  There were many times they said it throughout the years but it was in this moment that I could truly feel it deeply.  This feeling will live with me forever.  

Thank you running for helping me find my way back to myself.  For infusing confidence into me.  Helping me find my voice.  And encouraging me to keep showing up and chase after my dreams.  I am grateful for the love you have given me.  The support you have shown.  The challenges you tested me with and the strength you helped me find in myself.  

Our love affair is just beginning and I know our journey together will be long.  I look forward to all the time we are going to spend together and what may unfold.  Sending you so much love as we continue to find our way together.  

xo
Jennifer

Join me in 14 days of love notes and write your very own love note to play.  How do you show up in the world and play?  What way do you integrate play into your everyday?  I will be writing one love letter a day for fourteen days.  For it is love that makes the world go round.  

it takes a village

I had stood on the sidelines of the NYC Marathon for five years cheering on my aunt Kelly and uncle Chris as either both of them or one of them ran the marathon year after year.  They ran on Fred’s Team which supports cancer research for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and ran in honor of Kelly’s father who passed away from the horrific disease. 

2010 NYC Marathon, Kelly & Chris approaching the finish line!

Each year my mom and I along with other family members stood on the sidewalk cheering.  Being a spectator at this event is amazing and as I stood there I was overcome with emotion.  I remember looking over at my mom and both of us had tears in our eyes.  You see people from all walks of life embarking on an epic 26.2 mile journey and it is truly incredible. 

2010 NYC Marathon with Chris & Kelly after they finished!

As I stood on the sidelines a spark was ignited inside me and I knew that one day I wanted to embark on this epic journey myself.  But saying yes to 26.2 miles isn’t easy.  It took me five years to work up the courage and when I hit the submit button and signed up with Fred’s Team I knew there was no turning back. 

Before I began training for the marathon three miles was my normal routine. How in the world did I ever think that I was going to be able to run 26.2?  But here is the thing . . . you are so much stronger than you think you are.  You can do incredible things when you put your mind to it and just take it step by step. 

And that is exactly what I did.  I had a training schedule that slowly increased my miles and soon 3 miles became 10, 10 miles became 15, 15 became 22!  At the end of my training runs I stood there exhausted but also incredibly proud of myself.  I was doing something I never thought I could do and it all happened because I decided to show up. 

For some of my runs you may have passed me on the street and thought that I was running in slow motion . . . but even in slow motion I was running.  During those incredibly challenging moments I pictured my family and friends cheering me on.  I replayed in my head the encouraging words they left on my donations page for Fred’s Team and it motivated me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Come race day I was filled with a bit of nervousness but it was overpowered by excitement.  This was the day I had been working towards.  All my hard work and effort was for this moment and I wanted to enjoy it.  It was one of the most epic days of my life.  Family and friends traveled around the city to cheer me on.  I had written on my wrist each mile I was going to see them at and it was those moments when I saw their smiling faces and heard there cheers that kept me moving forward.  When I began to struggle I would look at my wrist and think that I just needed to make it to that next mile and everything was going to be ok, and it was. 

2014 NYC Marathon after I finished!

In life we aren’t meant to do things alone.  I may have been running the marathon by myself but I was never truly alone.  The encouragement from my family and friends throughout my training and on race day is what got me through. They were with me every step of the way.  The pushed me along, cheered my name, and were a constant reminder to me that I could actually do this. 

As I look back on the marathon one of the things I am most grateful for is that my mom was there to see me run.  My mom loved the marathon and looked forward every year to cheering on my aunt and uncle.  Having her be there for me meant the world to me.  She was so proud.  Her face beaming with a smile each time I ran past her.  It reminded me of the days I ran cross country; she was always there on the sidelines cheering me on. 

This year I will be going back to the marathon as a spectator to cheer on my uncle Chris who is running once again for Fred’s Team.  He is running in honor Kelly’s dad but also in honor of my mom.  Even though my mom won’t be on the sidelines with us cheering him on I know she will be there in spirit and looking down with pride.    

Chris - who will be running the marathon this year in honor of Kelly's dad and my mom

Running with Fred’s Team is an incredible way to run the marathon.  Not only do you raise money for cancer research but the team is there for you every step of the way.  Chris has set a lofty goal of raising $6,000 this year and every dollar raised makes a difference.  Cancer is an all too common disease that affects to many lives and families.  Please join in the fight and donate to Fred’s Team through Chris’s fundraising page.  No donation is too small.  Click HERE to donate.  If you are interested in learning more about Chris’s story click here to see the very personal page he has created. 

Running the marathon was epic!  The entire 26.2 miles I had a smile on my face.  

When we come together we are so much stronger than when we stand alone.  I learned this while training for the marathon and that lesson has stuck deeply within my heart.  Together let’s fight the fight and imagine a world without cancer.      

Donate to Fred's Team Today!

so you are thinking of running a marathon

Last year at this time I said yes to running my first marathon.  I  had been toying with the idea for years but never actually got up the courage to say yes.  For some reason last year was different and without even thinking much about it I committed.  Once I hit the submit button on my registration form I knew there was no turning back.  I had to take this running thing seriously and I had to train.  

If you are thinking about saying yes to your first marathon below are some things you may want to know about training.  There is whole other list for race day, but I 'll save that for another time.  

1 :: Get yourself two pairs of the exact same shoe

You can go with two different colors, but find the shoe that you love and buy two of them.  You are going to be putting in a lot of miles and just like you your shoes are going to need to rest.  There will also be days when it is raining and you will be stomping your way through puddles.  Your shoes are going to need some time to dry out.  So get two pairs.  As you train alternate between each pair.  Don't save up one for when the other is all worn out.  

2 :: There are two types of belts that will become your favorite running gear {I wish I had bought mine sooner}

Number One :: A belt for shorter runs.
For this you just need something to hold your keys and cell phone.  My all time favorite item I ever bought for running was the Flip Belt.  It is amazing!  You don't even realize it is there and all of your stuff stays neatly in place

Number Two :: A hydration belt
On your longer runs the last thing you want to do is carry around bottle of water, but believe me you are going to need water.  For some silly reason I put off this purchase for to long and was trying to carry my water with me.  Half filled water bottles in your hand will drive you nuts for seven miles.  I even tried to use a camelback that I had which ended in a call to Dustin to pick me up because the straps of the bag were rubbing my on my shoulders and I started to bleed.  

A good hydration belt will get you through your long runs.  Look for is a hydration belt with a pocket to hold you other fuel - such as gels or gummy bears.  On your long runs those are going to be your go to!  I love the Nathan Trail Mix Hydration belt because there is a zipper pocket which can hold your phone and also rubber chords along the side to hold your gels.  

3 :: Be prepared to say no, a lot 

Running is going to consume many of your hours.  Friends and family are going to ask you to hang out on Friday night but you have a long run the next morning and will need your rest.  Don't feel bad about saying no even when they tease you {and they will tease you}.  Just know that it is only temporary and you will be so glad the next say when you are out there running with clarity and not exhausted from the previous nights shenanigans.  

4 :: Find some good music to keep you going, but also run without the tunes

With out tunes?!? Did I just say that?  Yes indeed because a time may come when you are seven miles from home and your phone dies.  There you will be in silence and you will have to navigate your way back by the sound of your breathe and the thoughts in your head.  Before you get to that moment take some runs without your music and soak in the silence.  You will be surprised that you can actually run without music.  

However, stack up your playlist with some songs to keep you going.  You are inevitably going to encounter hills and that song may be the only thing that helps you get to the top.  Find what works for you and turn it up.  

5 :: Add hills into your training  

They will feel torturous as you try to climb them but you will be thanking those hills on race day for the strength they have given you.  Me and Airmount {the hill I usually climb} are not friends at all but it is that beast who has made me strong, even when I first running up it at a snails pace.  

6 :: Running is a practice and your only job is to keep showing up

There are no perfect runs or a strict recipe to have the best run ever.  Some days you will feel amazing and other days just two miles will feel like torture.  All you need to do is keep showing up and putting one foot in front of the other.  Do not let the rough times get you down and celebrate the ones that feel great.  

7 :: Find a schedule and stick to it, you will be glad you did

Having a schedule will help you stay on track.  Unless you have ran a marathon before you will most likely be like me and have no idea where to even start.  So seek out a schedule, pin it to your wall, and make sure it fits the days that work for you.  You want to set yourself up for success.  On the weekends you will be doing one long run . . . if Saturday isn't a good day for you to do that then shift the entire schedule so that it lands on Sunday.  It will be so much easier for you to stick to when it works for you.  

8 :: You are so much stronger than you think you are

As you begin to train you will start to rack up miles that you didn't ever think you could run.  When I first started training running three miles was tough.  Then somehow I was running five, seven, ten.  It was incredible.  The training schedule helps you ease into it and you begin to see that you are so much stronger than you ever thought you were.  Be proud of yourself and celebrate the milestones when you hit them.  

9 :: Visualize the cheers, it will help get you through

There are going to be times when you are dragging and you won't even want to take one more step.  Visualize your friends and family cheering for you up ahead and you will be amazed how much motivation it brings you.  

Another thing I do, that I can't actually recommend because it is dangerous ... is close my eyes.  When I am running up a hill and struggling I close my eyes for a moment.  For some reason it helps me make it up.  But please, do this with extreme caution!

10 :: It's going to be challenging, but enjoy it

Training for a marathon is going to test you in ways that you didn't even realize.  There will days when it is freezing or down pouring and you have to get out there and put in those miles.  The hardest part is going to come in lacing up your sneakers and stepping out the door.  Once you are out there you will be so glad that you got off the couch. Remember each mile you put in will make it easier for you come race day.  

When I watched my first marathon in person I was blown away by the courage and dedication that each individual had.  It inspired me to want to run, but I never thought that I could actually do it.  But I did, and you can to.  It takes a lot of work and an incredible amount of dedication.  My biggest struggle was overcoming my mind.  When the little voice in my head kept repeating ... stop ... stop ... stop, I had to keep going.  And each time I kept going my mind became a little bit stronger.  And some how, some way I ran the NYC Marathon.  It was glorious and the memories from that day will live in my heart forever.  

Are you thinking about running a marathon?  Do you have a million questions about it?  Are you feeling a little scared and timid about saying yes?  Drop me a note at jbelthoff@gmail.com and we can chat.  It is life changing for sure! 

getting back in the groove

Being in the warm sunshine inspired me to get moving again.  Each morning I showed up on the beach, barefoot and ran for as long as the beach allowed.  It was divine.  There was no watch to tell me how fast I was going and no mile marker to tell me how far I ran.  I just listened to the sound of my breathe, splashed my feet in the ocean, and moved my body.  It felt so good!  

Back in NJ the weather is chilly but the sun is shining after work.  That alone is motivation enough to lace up my sneakers and move my body.  On Monday I tackled Airmount for the first time this year.  While training for the NYC Marathon Airmount and I met often and never truly became friends.  It wasn't until during the marathon that I grew an incredible appreciation for my time spent running up that monstrous hill.  

I realized that all the time I spent on that hill made me stronger.  It pushed me to my edge and made me realize that I can do things I never thought I could.  It also prepared me for the challenges I faced during the marathon.  

So here I am getting back in the groove.  Showing up again and again even though it feels challenging.  I am pushing myself forward even when my breathe is labored and I am struggling.  It feels good to be back!