Allowing the miracle to happen

"Whoever said winning isn't everything never had to fight CANCER!" That is the back of mom's t-shirt she has on in the picture to the left. In two days she will be having colon surgery for her cancer, but today we celebrated life. We celebrated her ability to persevere and endure. She has been a real trooper. Twenty-five rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and now surgery. One step at a time, continuing to do what she has always done and refusing to let it control her life.

We went this morning to run in a local race Run for One - World Missions 5k just as another reminder of how good God has been in this whole process. Mom took 1st place in her age group (60+) and inspired a few along the way. After the race many said.."Thank you for wearing that shirt! It helped push me and motivate me through the race." Allowing mom to have the opportunity to share her story and God's miracle in this whole process today at the race was amazing. Telling her story gives her the reminder and confidence she needs to know that God is in control. It reminds others that trusting in God allows the miracle to happen. It's hard to trust the miracle when you are living in the midst of the storm and while mom has had days she has struggled, she maintains the spirit to push through and endure... just like she did today in the cross country race.

Unless you have lived this race yourself, you can never even imagine the fight... the struggle, mental and physical. I constantly remind myself that I have never walked in these shoes, but I can only hope should I ever have to I can have the trust  and willpower to go the distance like mom.

Today I ran the race knowing that mom was close behind, pushing me harder to not give up when I was breathing hard and thinking I needed to stop. Trail running is hard for me! I did better than I had hoped for in  a 5k. I have been training for a marathon slowing my pace and learning to run in negative splits. I have never been super fast and to run 26.2 miles again means I have to slow it down to endure for four and half hours, my goal. My 5k marathon split should be 30:53 to reach my goal of 4:29 marathon, today I did 29:01. That was pretty on target since my GPS ran out. I was guessing  my pace based on my breathing. I was happy with it. If you run long enough and pay attention you can just about guess what your pace is based on how you are breathing. Today I was able to do that, but I will remember to charge my GARMIN next time! The end result was the pace was a little faster than I need to do by about a minute and the course was harder than the road, but I felt good the entire run:)

Once I was finished, I waited for mom knowing it wouldn't be much longer before that lime green shirt would come in sight... she is a beast. Time passed and I became panicked a little thinking maybe she fell, trail has lots of opportunity to bite the dust. I knew she had her port in and I began to have a little anxiety wondering if I should go look for her. I glanced at the timer and could see five minutes had passed since I had finished. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that she was tough and God was in control. Watching someone go through the fight of their life is hard. You are helpless and all you can do is sit and really do nothing... kind of like today.

I am use to being in control. I am a principal. I make things happen. It is my job to do what others can't. It is expected of me and I hold myself to meeting that standard... do whatever it takes for the kid. It doesn't matter if it is hard or it's never been done.. just make it happen. Nothing more important than a student's future and I don't take my responsibility lightly. But with mom, there is nothing I can do, but watch the fight, the struggle, trusting that I know she has overcome many things and this too will pass. Trusting that God decided a long time ago. But... in the moment the fear is real and life is not fair. I want to make it be over and make it happen for her , make it be easy... but I can't so I wait and I watch like today in the race.

Sometimes...time seems like forever. Today nine minutes seemed like a life time as I waited for mom. Thousands of thoughts came in and out of my mind and I quickly pushed them away. I felt my breath release when I saw that lime green shirt coming around the tree line. I could breathe easy now. "Go Mo-ma, you are almost there!" I screamed as loud as I could. She pressed through and I could tell it was hard. She was pushing hard up hill to get to that finish line. I ran beside her watching  her every step. Feeling a huge amount of relief when she stepped over that timing line. I watched as people surrounded her to tell her their success stories of cancer or to tell her that she was an inspiration today to them and I was grateful. Grateful for a day to be with my mom. Grateful for her courage. Grateful for her trust in God. Grateful that she is who she is and I wouldn't have her any other way. Tough as nails!

Mom and I are like every other mom and daughter. We have good days and days where we drive each other crazy, but we love each other despite our differences and it's unconditional. Today was a great day and now as I sit and hang out to have dinner with her, I know that mom is half way through her race. Surgery in two days is the second portion of her battle, but just like today, I know she will persevere and endure. She will cross the finish line. She will win the battle. She will be victorious. God has given her this miracle to overcome.

Playing with Cross Country Team

My running partners this morning... Boys Cross Country Team. If you want a little push in your running... run up! This morning I ran up... up with better runners than me and up the mountain. I took off down to Camp Thunder, the Boy Scout Camp, about 20 minutes from my house to meet up and run with the guys this morning. I figured it surely couldn't hurt and running with faster people makes you faster. As you can probably tell from the photo, these boys are lean and guess what... fast. It didn't help much that the trail was tough in places and straight up the mountain, being part billy goat would have probably helped me out.

The trooper that I am said go for it and I did. It started out well accept for the directions for the loop made me a little nervous, didn't want to get lost not being able to keep up with the guys. About two miles in we started up the mountain. Guess what? I missed the trail marker even though I could here the boys yelling.. "Come on Ms. Pruitt!"  Lucky for me (God's Provision for the weak) I ran into my son's best friend riding his mountain bike. He got me back on course. I ran about a mile past where I should have turned off, but it was relatively flat so that was good. Back on course was all that mattered.

Up, up, up, the mountain I went. Switchback, after switchback slowly climbing to the top of the mountain. The trail is named Switchback... wonder why:/ It was pretty brutal for an old principal and a little over a mile with all the switching back and forth, but I made it to the top. Next on my radar... searching out Heart Attack Trail. Didn't sound like much fun and I was thinking I had just neared the heart attack point coming up Swithcback. It didn't sound promising. At the top, I saw the make shift aid station the coach had setup for the guys.. thank goodness for the coach! A few gummy worms and some water and I was off running again certain that I could take on the world. Reminding myself to pay attention to the trail markers!

As I ran along, I could hear war whoops and hollering across the valley. I knew the boys were having fun. I was enjoying hearing the playful cheers as the boys made their way quickly around the loop and I down into the valley. Watching my watch, I knew I was behind the boys due to missing the trail marker earlier... so once in the valley, I decided to turn around and head back up from where I had just come from. I hoped to head off the boys as they looped back around to the aid station before heading back down the mountain. I am not sure what the rest of Heart Attack Trail was like, but heading back up what I had just run was bad enough. I will get the whole loop next time and I am certain a heart attack like run with it.

Trail running is so different from the road, and hard. I have to say that even though it is much harder physically, I love it. It was so beautiful and I was so distracted by the scenery around me that five miles was up fast. Before I knew it, I was back on Switchback Trail. 

Jolted back to reality, I heard this God awful noise. My hearing is bad anyway, but the closer I got back near the aid station, the more I realized that it was a person. JEEZ.. it was the coach. His ear plugs in singing to the top of his lungs... "Jaded" by Aerosmith. I realized he was in his zone and obviously oblivious to me or anything else in the world, I cracked up laughing. Funny to see other runners doing the same thing you do and I instantly wondered how many folks I had made laugh with my crazy singing of "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama. Thank Goodness the Coach is a great teacher and Coach because his singing along with mine would not be worthy of a career. He saw me and we both laughed at the realization that this is what old people do when they run---regress back to their youth and sing songs that make them reminisce and get pumped up! You do what you have to do. 

Unaware of us, the boys were all waiting at the make shift aid station chattering about whatever high school cross country boys chat about... I try not to listen. The less you know the better.

Aid station cleaned up, loaded all in the back pack, slung on the Coach's back and off we went. I have to say the run down the mountain was fast and crazy.. slipping and sliding... making my eye and feet coordination get it together. Good for the over forty eyes to have to work on depth perception to prevent a major face plant. To be honest I was going way faster than I would have by myself, working hard to keep up with the boys. It was funny. I could tell they were worried about me. All the way down the mountain..."be careful, switchback, sharp turn, lots of rocks..You all right Ms. Pruitt?" I smiled to despite the fact that I was somewhat tense, but finally relaxed and enjoyed the play of running down the mountain. Before I knew it we were back at the car. The guys were giving one of the boys a hard time... he had to wear my extra pair of running shoes as he had left out of his house with his flip flops on. Kids do the craziest things.

Running with the team this morning did lots of things for me. It reminded me why I love kids and do what I do. It pushed me harder in my running to stay up with the boys, knowing that in reality I couldn't. I ran a hard trail pace for me and I needed that. A little over seven miles, I didn't do too bad. I was pleased. I had the opportunity to run a new trail that I had never been on and it was gorgeous, by the river and up and over the mountain. It doesn't get much better than that. The Fall down on that mountain must be beautiful. I will find out soon:)

 I was reminded that running can be play as I smile to myself thinking of all the hooping, hollering and singing that went on this morning on that mountain and across the valley. Play is good no matter how old you are. It is good for the heart, soul and mind. It was a good running this morning:)

Sticking with it

Yesterday my run was pretty decent after a week of struggling to stick with it. The older I get the more I have to remind myself to listen to my body. Friday I was tired so I skipped my running and went home straight from work. I was totally asleep by 9:00 pm and didn't move until the sun was peaking through my window Saturday morning.

I started a little late for a morning run, but I felt like running so I went anyway. The heat was brutal about an hour into the run, but I figured it was good training physically and mentally. I pressed on through the run enjoying the countryside and very little traffic to hinder me. Completely distracted, which was good, I ran. Before I knew it I ran 12 miles and my run was over. More miles than I had scheduled to run for a Saturday, but I figured I would back off a little on the miles Sunday (today). It was interesting to see that I was only about seven minutes off  my marathon goal time (based on the marathon pace calculator) and considering I walked the first half mile for warm up that is not too bad. I checked out mile times when I got home and as normal I get faster with distance, until I hit my threshold and I bottom out.

My biggest struggle with my training plan for each week is sticking to it, not because I don't want to, but often times my work gets me off track. Parents come in, buses break down or another last minute meeting is called. It gets frustrating, but I roll with it. I try not to make excuses and look for ways to get the miles in somewhere else on another day. Sometimes physically exhausted other times mentally exhausted. Life can consume me , If I am not careful, I won't make time for me. Sticking to it is one of my goals, pressing on when I get off track. I try to apply that to my running, eating habits and life in general. Life happens sometimes and things don't go as I plan.

Each week I start new and let go of what I did or didn't do the previous week. I have come to realize that I can't change it no matter how much I analyze it and look for solutions, "it is what it is." One strategy I try to use is to schedule "me time" into my calendar. This helps when someone calls and wants to meet, its on my calendar. I try to schedule around these times. Sometimes that works and other times it doesn't. If the boss calls, I gotta go.

This week is a new week, a new schedule, a new attempt so I move into the new week with an early morning run on track and believing I can get it right and hit my targeted miles:)

Today was the day

I love it when things all come together!. The stars all lined up and everything worked. Today was that day. First day of school and everything went as planned. I have been doing this a long time and I can honestly say that does not always happen, but today it did. I have watched my faculty, teachers, counselors, clerks and custodians, work hard to get everything ready, schedules, the classrooms,and the building and today it worked.

That energy was contagious. It carried over to me today and kept me pumped and moving throughout the day to stay in the classrooms, hallways and lunchroom with kids. It rolled over to this afternoon when I had to do intervals and I hate intervals. My normal day for intervals is Tuesday, but I had a change in my work calendar so I had to move intervals up to today, not excited about that at all this morning. But this afternoon I did them and did them well. Much faster than I would normally do it... about 30 seconds  faster. Now 30 seconds doesn't sound like a lot, but in the world of running that is a huge amount of difference for a short segment of running. I don't even know how I did it, but my Garmin shows it and my Run Keeper app on the phone lined up with it too. I figure both can't be wrong. Even the girls running with me today commented on my speed. I am never fast and that is why I hate intervals. But today I was on it. I was fast.

 Today had an energy and as tired as I thought I was, I was caught up in the overflow of positive energy from school. Some days this just happens and I realize how much a positive state of mind has on what I do and how it affects others. If I think back on my best moments, Pr's, in running or even in Crossfit there was a certain energy then that pushed me to the point of breaking my own personal record. Attitude is everything. whether it's at work or in play, how we approach it , the energy we carry into it is what can make the difference. I read a simple book a couple years back called the Energy Bus with my faculty and I am reminded again that positive energy is a key ingredient to success and moving beyond what we think we can do. The only thing stopping me is my mindset, believing I can't do more or be faster in this case...fixed mindset. Believing that with practice and the right approach, I can get better...growth mindset.

The goal is to learn how to tap into that energy purposefully and use it to drive change in school and change in me. Stay positive; focus on the good.. that is the goal this year, Do more than I believe I can do.
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Today I learned another lesson at school... never to old to learn right?

Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer... the time of year between July and August where all the dogs lie around cause it's too hot to do anything else. That's what my Grandmother use to say when we were kids. During the hot, hot afternoons, she would make us go in and take a nap, too hot to do anything else. This July has not disappointed. The dogs have done nothing but sit and pant. It's hot in the shade and even in the house. Add living in Georgia and misery is the name of the game here. Trying to train for a fall marathon can be difficult at best. 

I try to anticipate and be smart as my weekly mileage increases and my long runs get longer. I focus on two areas: the physical and the mental. 

Physical:

• Run in the mornings or late evening/night runs. If I am not too tired from work or want to sleep late on weekends this works. Temperatures are much cooler.
• Stay hydrated.I always make sure that I am putting electrolytes in my water. Critical before I run. Also I include it in my water bottle during my run.
• Use Glide. Lots of sweat makes for lots of chafing. For me the normal places for chafing I remember: shorts, under arms where sleeves rub and bra areas, but I have to remember to glide my feet. This morning I forgot and I have some serious blistering around the ankles:/
• Wear the right type of clothes. Dry-wicking, never cotton (causes blistering like with socks or gets to heavy with tops) and I never wear loose clothing! It makes chafing worse. I wear triathlon bra/bathing suit top. These dry out quicker. I run without socks. This became a habit when doing triathlons and I think it is better or maybe I am just use to it. My friends all get blisters from socks and friction heats up their feet. I am good as long as I Glide:) 
• Wear a visor, never a hat. Hats hold in heat. 
• Sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses.
• Throw out extra bottles of water in cool shaded areas along my route before I run, especially on long runs over an hour.
• Make sure somebody knows my route and approximate time I will be back.
• Take my phone just in case.(Spiebelt)
• Pick a shaded route if possible. If I can't run early or late I pick a trail as long as it's not too dark and the sun is up. It is much cooler in the shade, about 8 degrees:)

Mental:

• Go ahead and prepare to be slower when the temperature is up. Some of my early morning runs I didn't start early enough and it was well into the 80's when I started and close to 90's when I finished.
• Remember it's okay to walk. I go ahead and tell myself that so if it happens I don't get disgusted. Heat is hard to run in!
• I have spots along my routes that I call my "safe spots." These are areas I have already selected and know that I will use if I get to feeling bad or need to step off my route for a minute to make sure I can continue onward.
• A mantra is critical sometimes to get me through the heat or even a long run. My go to mantra is "You got this." 
• Make a Music list that has phrases that will motivate or that get me hyped up. I have a crazy mix of 70's, 80's and 90's music that gets me all into the music. I don't listen to music most times because I like the peace, but when things get hard, I am struggling or the mantra is not working... music can sometimes distract me to push through the mileage.
• I always have bubble gum with me. It's a distraction. Crazy I know, but I love bubble gum and smacking on some grape Hubba Bubba or juicy Watermelon Bubblicious gets me not focused on the heat or pain.

Running in the heat can be crazy dangerous so be smart. Preparation is the key to ensuring that I get through the Dog Days of Summer without incident. These things work for me and so far I have been okay. I knocked out 10 miles this morning before temperature hit 98 degrees. Then I came back from the run ready to eat my Sunday morning breakfast and lie around and pant with the dogs.

Rest, Run, Restore

It has been one of those weeks. In preparation for 1400 high school students returning (now just three days away) we have worked literally from sun up till the late, late night hours. Tired and exhausted, my running and sanity have gone out the window. After a week of mostly 12-15 hour days, I wonder if it is all worth it. I know it is better for the students when they return and things are right, but I really have missed running, not to mention my eating habits have been off. I have eaten whatever I could scrounge up during those late nights  and crazy days and most of what I was eating was not healthy. I feel like a slug.


(As you can see, my counselors and crew needed and deserved a small treat, Hot Fudge Sundaes. I had one too:)

Lethargy and swelling set in thanks to all the sitting and working on a computer (eating ice cream too) just made me feel yuck. It reminded me again of why consistent exercise and healthy eating are critical for a fit mind and a fit body. I am not sure why or even how people have jobs that don't allow them to get up and move, but it also explains why so many people are in the condition they are physically and mentally. I could not sit behind a desk all day. My job keeps me moving and on the go all of the time. I easily get 10,000 steps most days before I run or exercise (love my fitbit) and after my run or exercise I am usually hitting 20,000 steps most days of the week. When I don't eat right and run, the impact on how I look and feel is detrimental.

Weeks like this happen. I have missed two of my scheduled running days because I couldn't get out of the bed early enough to conquer the running before work or I was too far gone in the evening to even attempt a run. So I have nine miles to make up in my running schedule to hit my weekly mileage. I probably won't get those nine made up, but I will get some extra in and guess what I can live with it if I don't get them all. I don't want to get injured so I will add in what I can or feel like I can on Saturday, but only if I feel good. My training plan got off, but it's okay. I had to prioritize... kids first always! Now I do what I can, get back on track and move on. Water under the bridge.

I am actually looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow (Saturday morning) past 4:30 am and then getting up to go for a nice long, slow run and let all the stuff in me drain out... the toxins, the exhaustion, the brain clutter, the tension, the stress, the yuck!

 The rest and the run will restore me.

Just some more photos of my school buddies...

Principal Pals...  My best friend Laura, Principal of a middle school in the gray shirt and  me in the white shirt. We take a photo every year at the beginning of the school year. We started together as teachers in the same year, 19 years ago:) She texted me at about 9:00 pm one night this week and all the text said was..."Go Home!" I ask her the next day how she knew I was still at work? She just laughed and said "I know you!"

This is my friend and one of my four Assistant Principals. She has been with me for three years,. She is my "Partner in Crime." We are starting to complete each others sentences, dress alike and know what the other is thinking without saying a word. She works hard everyday for all kids and she makes me look good as a Principal. I love all my Assistant Principals, but we are known as "C&C"  thanks to my BFF for naming us this, which is a whole different story within itself.:) Notice I have bags under my eyes and she is beautiful. I am old and she is young... long hours don't affect her like they do me! That's all I have to say about that!

A crazy week, but I am forever grateful for a great group of people that do what needs to be done for kids. It is still a joy to go to work everyday. I love what I do and I love the people I work with  each day.

Work Hard Play Hard

With the completion of the Crossfit Games for 2015, I am still hooked on Crossfit! I started Crossfit five years ago and  I am still doing it. Even when there have been moments that I backed off for whatever reason, time, life, kids, work, it was never  for very long. There is no fitness program around like Crossfit... Never a dull moment, always a new twist on something familiar and the completely unexpected are all the things that make Crossfit intriguing. I guess the other appeal for folks is that once people try it they realize that Crossfit really is for everyone regardless of age, capabilities, injuries or limitations. They only thing stopping people from doing Crossfit is their mind. Believing that they can't do it (fixed mindset) when the reality is they can with help from a coach (growth mindset).

There is always negative talk about injuries from Crossfit, but the people that get hurt 99% of the time are the over zealous, pumped up folks who don't listen to their coach. I am a level 1 trainer for Crossfit and one of the most difficult things for many is to take it slow in the beginning, let it be a progression in improving. Let your coach move you up gradually. Listen. It's hard not to get overly enthusiastic when you give it a whirl because it is contagious. It gets on you and you can't shake it. It's everything about Crossfit... the program, the results, the culture, the competitiveness, the inspiration, the motivation.... it's just different.

Watching the games this year was even better than before for several reasons: the athletes are getting better, stronger and they added the teenage group. I work with high school kids all day and I loved watching these kids excel at the sport of Crossfit.  I was inspired. It was awesome. Then of course watching the Masters division is always one of my favorites as I am a "Master" now. It happens to us all eventually:)

I am reminded once again of what aging can be based on my choices. I am not saying Crossfit is for anybody, but some sort of daily exercise should be for everyone. People don't have to be old at the age of 50 or even 60. Age is a mindset and no matter your age you should work hard and play hard that is the "Fountain of Youth" that makes the difference in the quality of life we lead as time marches forward.

Not all of us are Crossfit game worthy and using common sense is critical in Crossfit. Many of the athletes that make it to the Games have been some type of competitive athlete most of their lives.  I am not. I am just a middle aged gal trying to keep it real... so I do what I can to push myself to be better than I was, to enjoy the spirit of the sport and  engage with the people and culture in it. Crossfit can be for everyone! It is the only sport that spans the generations... you don't see a 60 year old playing football or baseball or soccer. But, Crossfit is different and I believe it is here to stay. I want to encourage other people to do something for themselves and try Crossfit... you won't regret it.
You may not compete at the Games, but I bet you end up better off than you were before you tried it and end up hooked too.

You never know what works until you try.

I am training for my third marathon. When I actually stop to think about it, I am surprised. My first marathon was a bucket list kind of thing. I signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC mainly because it was the "people's marathon," as identified by Runner's World Magazine. I figured, "Hey I am only doing this once so make it a great memory!"  I did. It was awesome. A friend and I did it together a few years back when the hurricane hit Washington DC. We ran the marathon, then ran back to the hotel and then ran to the airport to try and get out before the hurricane hit. Probably got in 35 miles that day. Everybody else did the same thing too! Got stuck in DC, but that's another story for another time just suffice it to know we made it back.

Fast forward a year and my best friend says to me, "I think I wanna do a marathon," Really? Well all right so we trained on the Jeff Galloway Plan, the run/walk method for newbies. Five minute run, one minute walk... it worked. I stuck with her knowing that she would struggle with the mind thing starting around mile 15. I was right she did, but she crossed the finish line, got the medal, drank a beer and swore she would kill me if I ever let her do something that insane again. I walked away thinking well, I never have to do that again. But still there was something there saying maybe though, but I mostly ignored it.

Fast forward six months. I need something to train for I am bored. How about another marathon? Really? It wasn't that hard to talk myself into it, but I didn't want to do the same plan again. Both times prior had been Galloway.. great plan, great guy... I met him years back when I first started running. So I started to look at the various plans and analyze how they were different. Galloway and many others do several mini runs, three maybe four during the week, and long runs on the weekend. Basically distance remains the same during week with several days off, but long runs progressively get longer over three weeks time then it drops back and gives you a rest. Then you're back on long runs progressing back up for three weeks gradually getting you up to 22-24 miles on a long run weekend... preparing you for the dreaded "wall." Depending on the plan and your level some incorporate speed, tempo, interval running and maybe hills.

I continued to look . I came across the Hanson Method. Actually, a co-worker mentioned it and I looked it up. Now here is a whole different approach. The idea behind this method is that you increase your total weekly miles throughout the training, not just on weekends, so that you fatigue the muscles and have to learn to run on tired legs... like you do in a marathon.  The longest run being 16 miles. The Hanson Method incorporates speed, strength, tempo, long and easy runs building miles from 21 miles in the first weeks up to 57 miles a few weeks out from the marathon. So I went for it. Not sure how this will work, but you never know till you try it so here I am in week 6 of training. The marathon is the end of October.

My long run yesterday and today was 8 miles each day giving me a total of 31 miles running this week. Today was the day where my legs felt really tired, but I pushed through and I was only 3 minutes and 30 seconds off my "normal" time. Not too bad considering my legs  felt so tired running, Everything else was good. I worry about the "wall" because I know it's real and I will still have 10 miles to go after mile 16... make that 10.2 miles. Well, I am trusting the plan and I guess I will find out how it works and let you know, but right now I am excited, on track with training and ready to go! Registered and ready:)

I run...again... to discover me

Back to sharing what is happening in the world of Lindy the runner. A lot has happened while I have been away. My youngest son graduated high school (some empty nest stuff). Now he is being educated at the University of Alabama... Roll Tide. I became principal of a high school (love it, but busy). Tragedy hit the family, cancer and death, and all of sudden life was tough. Time was short. Pressure was mounting. The answers were missing.

Pushing through became something I had learned to do in the past years and running taught me how to do it well. Through it all, I ran. Sometimes less than I had before, sometimes slower than before and sometimes shorter distances, but still I ran.There were even days when all I could muster up was a walk. The strain was almost more than I could bear. Though I am not sure if it was physical or mental. Even when I thought I would just drop the running, something drew me back to it. When you love something, it is hard to let it go... near impossible to let it go... right? I know now that I not only love running, I need running.

I read a book during this time called Running and Being by Dr. George Sheehan... picked it up because it was "the book that made the world start running in the 80's." Reading this book, I started to discover and understand why I too needed running like so many others. My passion for running ignited again because I realized it didn't matter if anyone else could understand me or why I loved running as long as I understood me, it was all that mattered. Dr Sheehan wrote, "My fitness program was never a fitness program. It was a campaign, a revolution, a conversion. I  was determined to find myself. And, in the process found my body and the soul that went with it."

 No longer is my running a fitness program, but rather a place that helps me discover me. The good , the bad and the ugly.


And while discovering me is not over, and never will be for that matter, it is a process that has evolved, layer upon layer taking me to new levels... showing me potential that I didn't know existed. I am driven and competitive by nature, results are what I do, in work and in play. But now that is different in many ways. The results still matter, but not in the same way. Now I enjoy and appreciate what running does for my soul, my mind, my heart. It gives me peace and clarity. It takes my stress, pulls it off my back and chunks it. It reminds me that my mind is capable and that the body is eager. It is my therapy. Running helps me find the best that is within me. It shows me the stuff I am made of and reveals portions of me that I am not always prepared to deal with. It gives me.....me... raw, desperate and longing. It teaches me that God has given me all I need to overcome and persevere... to endure. It shows me the magnificence of what he has created within me. It teaches me self discipline, but reminds me that I can't do it alone.  It brings an awareness that I can only discover somewhere running down a long, lonely road when it is just me and the sound of my foot steps, the pounding of my heart and the rhythmical wisps of my breath that takes me to another place deep within the recesses of my mind and soul and that is where I am found. And so I run again ...



Good Memories...
My mom and I at my last half marathon and her first half marathon in 20 years. She ran it with Colon Cancer  in 2:40 and didn't even know it!