Little Crushes

Along with the obvious, such as my friends, family, and fiance...

Right now, I am loving these~

I am making such better food choices thanks to this book.

I am addicted to this stuff...does wonders!


My running musts... shoe pocket, Addidas Glides (on my 4th pair), & Roadrunner's capris.



Pita Jungle's Grilled Vegetable Salad...Lance ordered this on our first date and now I am hooked!

I love this show! How can anything with Sally Field be less than wonderful?

Green smoothies...I blend up almond milk, protein powder, bananas, berries, pineapple, and a handful of spinach...Delicious!!

I get so excited when this arrives each month!

My post-run treat.

I've stocked up on this lotion. The scent is perfection.

J.D. Salinger 1919-2010

Today, J.D. Salinger died.

The Catcher In The Rye was a novel that my mom handed me one day and urged me to read.

The coming of age book was a right of passage that, as a teen, I had to experience.

It was the most censored book for more than thirty years- a fact that my mom found abhorrent.

I think I was drawn to The Catcher In The Rye because it's protagonist, Holden Caulfield, was everything I wasn't- an angst ridden, rebellious, foul-mouthed, drinking and smoking, school-flunking teen.

I was fascinated.

In honor of J.D. Salinger and of course, my mother, I think I will have to dig out my copy, curl up on the sofa, and spend some time with Mr. Caulfield once again.

Rain-Soaked and Happy About It

Who knows when we'll see rain like this again.

I am loving you, dark clouds over head.

Keep it coming.

My Bicycle Man

It's the beginning of his racing season again and I got to watch Lance ride today in the 12 Hours of Pain and Purpose Mountain Bike Race out at Papago Park.

I still get excited watching him race...he is sooo good.

Dang, I love this guy.

He makes me so proud!

Uncle Eddie's Cookies

I just have to say...

These are the most amazing cookies I've tasted in a long time.

Lance introduced them to me and I was VERY skeptical.

After all, they are vegan.

How can you make a cookie without butter and eggs?

I still can't figure it out, but you've got to give them a try!

Find them at Whole Foods.

Reflection

Last night, I pitifully whined, "I think I have the post-marathon blues."

After considering this a real possibility, I Googled it.

Sure enough, this is real and very common...
and

I've got it. It is also call "runner's depression."

For months, we runners are consumed with training, nutrition, rest, and recovery-all in preparation for race day. We have been focused on one goal and the moment we cross the finish line,

it is over.

I've been walking around feeling a bit lost the last few days- unusually tired and down.

After further reading, I understand more of what I am feeling, but I have also came to a decision...

No More Wallowing.

I dug into my closet, pulled out the medals I have earned, and layed them out.

I started running distance less than a year ago and in that time have completed 3 half-marathons and 2 full marathons.

As I thought about how much I have accomplished in this short year, my mood began to shift.

I realize that I tend to set high goals for myself.

Qualifying for Boston in my second marathon is no easy feat and, NO, I didn't get there.

Was it for nothing?

No way.

I love running.
I love pushing my body and learning what it can do.
I love the running community...so supportive and inspiring.
I love having a goal and planning everyday to reach it.

After some positive reflection today, I am feeling a bit lighter.

It took me 4 months to train, 4 hours to finish, and 48 hours to decide try again.

After all, Boston is the greatest marathon the world has ever known and how can I just give up on that?

Just Not My Day

I've heard about "The Wall" and up until yesterday, have managed to avoid it.

But, at mile 18, "The Wall" and I became very well acquainted!

The race started out great. I placed myself right in front of the 3:40 pacer from the start. My plan was to stay in front of him as long as possible. I knew I had to give myself a little room to slow down the last 6 miles. I had a goal time of 3:45 (my Boston Qualifying time). The first half of the race went just as planned and I finished 13.1 in 1:48 (my best). I saw my family and gave them a thumbs up, thinking, "I've got this." But, somewhere between mile 17 and 18 something went awry and my body announced, "I'M DONE!"

And... then... bam, I hit it...The Wall!

I don't know what happened and I don't know where it came from, but my legs tensed up and it suddenly felt like I was pulling a truck behind me.

Then, the 3:40 pacer passed me.

Then, the 3:45 pacer passed me.

I tried to hang with her, but it wasn't gonna happen.

I wasn't going to qualify for Boston...just wasn't my day.

I painfully pulled myself through the last several miles and finished in 3:54.

As soon as I crossed the finish line, tears welled up.

I saw Lance and fell into him crying.

I knew my time was good, just not the goal I'd set for myself.

It's just the way running goes~ some days everything falls into place and some days one foot can barely make it in front of the other.

I haven't yet decided if I'll try again. Right now, the memory of last 6 miles (which felt like back labor) is still too fresh in my mind.

Yet, I realize, like it does with labor, my mind will eventually only remember the euphoria and excitement racing brings and I will be on to planning my next marathon.

The Countdown

At 7:40am tomorrow, I will be on my way to finishing my second marathon.

I'll be spending today hydrating, resting, and trying to calm my nerves.

Wish me luck!

Oh, yes, and while I'm running, I'll try not to keep looking down at this...

Saturday

Look what I got for dessert...

Bye,Bye 2009

Happy New Year.

As you can see, I have been buried in to-do lists and after-Christmas clean up and my poor little blog has taken a backseat.

But, I'm back...and reflective.

Along with the end of 2009, came the close of a decade- a decade which brought great joy and great sadness to my life.

I was blessed with three beautiful babies.
I also endured the difficult end to a marriage.
And, I lost my mother.

So...am I ready for 2010, to move on, to look to the future?
Absolutely.

I am going to spend the next ten worrying less and laughing more. I'm going to say "yes" to my kids more often. I'm not going to waste away my days cleaning and organizing, but instead get out, have lunch with friends, swim with my kids, and take lots and lots of pictures...

and...I'm gonna eat more cupcakes and listen to more Bob Dylan.

Happy 2010!