Inspiration

The hard work paid off!  I ran my most recent half marathon in Washington, DC last weekend, and I was delighted that my time was the best yet!  I have to credit some of my success to the inspiration all around me on the run.  Cherry blossoms blooming, the White House sitting in the background, and Lincoln Memorial standing before me, all pushed me to work hard...just like the famous historians and military members honored throughout the city. 

I have decided that DC is one of my favorite places!  It has it all.  Public transportation, green areas to play and relax in, history, museums (FOR FREE), and really nice people.  My only regret is that we had to slam so much into two days.  I guess that means we will just have to return!  When we do go back, I will need some insider information on where to EAT!   Surprisingly we had the hardest time finding restaurants.  I mean, it's vacation.  What is more important than FOOD???  Especially after you run 13.1 miles :)

Inspired.  That is what I felt after leaving Washington, DC.  Inspired by the respect for history.  Arlington Cemetary where the respect and graditude hung in the air.  Inspired by the runners in the race, including one man who was running near me with only one leg.  The next time I even think about complaining about pain, I will remember him and all he endured to finish the race.  Inspired by the monuments making sure Americans remember the history of the US and how we got to where we are today.  Inspired.

Love

One of my greatest loves in life is my daughter, Dakota.  She is an incredible person...so caring, loves life, and sees the good in people.  D has brought so much happiness to my life in the past 11 years, that today, I want to celebrate her.  Her birthday is this week, and she is worth celebrating.  I don't know where life would have taken me without her in it.  Her smiles and giggles make all the bad go away.  The sweet notes she leaves out for me at just the right moment.  Hugs from nowhere.  Her love of learning.  11 years filled with greatness because of my one, big success-having a daughter that fits so perfectly into our family.

Happy birthday my beautiful, happy, sweet girl!

Support...

After being out of commission for a couple weeks, I have been back to running.  The past two weeks my long run has been good up until mile 8/9.  Then comes the burning, rock hard pain in the front of my calf.  Yesterday I was able to push through it with a run, walk, stretch, routine for the last few miles...and of course the support of a good friend.  (Even though her support was telling me her butt was going to be hotter than mine because she ran up that last hill!)  LOL!

Felt a little better after a hot shower and lounging on the couch for an hour watching 90210 reruns.  But, that little voice in the back of my head kept filling my brain with doubt about my upcoming race next weekend.  My goal has gone from being my best half marathon to just finishing the race before the dreaded time limit.  Grrr.

While out with the family yesterday, we went on a search for compression STUFF.  Of course, the white compression socks were, well, blah!  The bright pink sleeves were not long enough.  So, tried on the compression WET SUIT.  So, it's really not a wet suit, but by golly it sure felt like it going on!  Boy, did they feel good once they were on.  I almost needed an ambulance when I saw the price, but as my dear, sweet husband said, "Consider it an early birthday present to yourself."  Gotta love the family support.  (And, I must say I did want to kiss my salesman when he guessed my weight at 25 pounds lighter than I am! How's that for support?)

So, the theme of today's entry is SUPPORT.  Most of the time I mention support is that loving hand, supportive words, or a comment about HOT BUTTS.  But, this time, I must say, I am looking forward to the support of my EXPENSIVE, squeezing, compression pants that better make my DC run next weekend a piece of cake!  I'm just sayin.

I'm late...

So, I am a late starter.  All my life I HATED running.  I did everything I could to avoid it.  I could've come up with 82 excuses in high school why I shouldn't have to do the mile run.

What changed?  Not sure.  I could blame it on my friends...you know...the ones that RUN!  I could blame it on the fact that my weight was going in only one direction-UP.  I could blame it on the desire to finish a race, do something for a good cause, or even get outside more.  But, I guess, I must blame myself.  (But, honestly, when the outcome is good, I'll take the blame!)

I wanted a change in my life.  I NEEDED a change.  Yes, many of my friends had jumped on the running bandwagon.  I noticed the fun they had together.  The change in their bodies.  I wanted some of that.  I started hanging out at my gym more often, took new classes, and even signed up for a race.  Weight began to come off.  I felt better.  I enjoyed, somewhat, getting up at 4:30 in the morning to run with friends.  I could eat some of those bad things that taste so good and not see 5 pounds add to my weight the next morning.  That was it, and I was hooked.

So, yes, I was LATE.  I was in my LATE 30's when running became a part of my life.  But, I guess, it's better late than NEVER.

It's not too late...so what's your next excuse?

Note to Self

It's amazing how it is easier to break ourselves down instead of building ourselves up.  I guess we are afraid of bragging or seeming self absorbed. 

I have caught myself many times over looking something positive I have done, or become, or simply not even being able to accept a compliment.  Why have we allowed society to do this to us? 

We need to feel good about ourselves, our accomplishments, our successes, learning from our failures, etc.  We should smile when we look in the mirror in the mornings. 

I've decided I want to smile at my reflection every morning for the next week, AND MEAN IT!  The picture below is my inspiration.  How simple this would be...use those sticky notes, create something inspirational for you...about you, and post it on your mirror.  Let this be what you need to start your day with a smile both on your face and in your heart.

Love who you are!