A good decade

Emma turned 10 yesterday ... can you believe it? It was a great day starting with the first travel soccer game ... the Dedham Dragons lost dramatically 11-0. Then we all met at the Verizon store to purchase the cell phone ... she picked one out that has a slide keyboard "Perfect for texting" and a red button "because red is my favorite color". After picking out a very special telephone number, we hit the road. Before we were even out of the store, she called me. So exciting to be talking to each other on our phones. And then, after she'd gotten into her Dad's car, I texted her and she responded "K" ... ridiculously cute coming from my 10 year old, even though I do it all the time.

10 years ago I gave birth to my darling daughter. She was 9 pounds and 6 ounces and weighs in now at a whopping 52 pounds! She's talented (was an Oompa Loompa last year in Willy Wonka), smart (highly proficient on her MCAS) and funny like you wouldn't believe and I take very little credit for all that. Since she was born, a lot has happened: got a divorce; said goodbye to my Dad; got a tattoo; got a job; lost 60 pounds; ran a marathon; got a boyfriend or two; lost a boyfriend or two; watched as my Mom got a new kidney; traveled for work; traveled for fun; gained friends; lost friends and generally just lived life.

Right now I am celebrating Happy September. Came back from the Bahamas on the 1st and decided I was sick of being cranky. I certainly have moments still, but generally as some of my co-workers can attest, my attitude has changed. I am now torturing people with smiles and laughter and saying yes instead of frowns, bitching and saying no automatically. I look forward to "Outrageous October".

Another Movie, another barf session

Fortunately, unlike when we went to see the Hannah Montana movie, this was on the way home and I was able to stop the car for Emma to get out and get sick on the side of the road. Unfortunately for both of us, she had drunk a blue slushee during Night of the Museum II, Battle at the Smithsonian, so we left some very green stuff by the side of Route 1 today.

It's Memorial Day, gorgeous and I have had a delightful 4 day weekend as summer Fridays started on the 22nd. One of the few perks left at work these days, but a good one none-the-less. I was planning on golfing to prep for the Handikids fundraiser in July, but we decided to sit on the deck, drink beers, and watch other people golf. It was very entertaining and a lot less work which is what a day off should be. Saturday I organized a reprint job from a wedding I shot almost 5 years ago, but also received the $500 check which made it all worth while. Yesterday, I ran the Boston Run to Remember 1/2 Marathon. Now that I have sworn off marathons, ha ha, I think the half is a great distance. I set my PR of 1:46:12 beating my time in February by 10 seconds. Wahoo! I was surprised to have done so well since it got hot out on Memorial Drive.

So much to say ... so little time. The story of my life.

The best day

Yesterday was a great day. I ran the freaking Boston Marathon and I did in 4:07:32! I finished 17003 out of 23162 overall entrants and 6239 out of 9432 women. Not too shabby. 

I ran with Juliette and Rachel again. When we turned into the Newton Hills, Rachel ran ahead and finished at 4:02—and you remember of course that she is 18 and 6 feet tall. Kathleen, Juliette's friend has joined us in Wellesley and she and Juliette finished about 10 minutes behind me. The best part of the whole thing was when anyone, but of course especially people I knew, yelled my name, I got to smile. That neon yellow fabric paint that Emma and Leo suggested really worked. It was amazing when I came around the corner from Hereford to Boylston and Emma was there yelling my name and waving a sign. I went up and hugged her, squeezed her really, and told her how much I love her. It was great. And the texts, and calls, and friends along the route ... I am so lucky.

And the better news is, I never have to do it again, not because I can't, and yes, I can walk forward down stairs today, but because there is no reason to. It was a great experience, something I will never forget and I accomplished something that I never thought possible, but there's no need to top it. There are so many other challenges out there: I can't wait to find one as interesting and fabulous as this one was.

20 Miles BAM!

I ran from the start line in Hopkinton to mile 20 in Newton today with my new running friend Juliette. About 35 or 40 of us covered the distance today for MGH, but there were 100's out there from all kinds of charities and I am sure, just runners who like to run.

I ran the 20 miles in exactly 3 hours which was my personal goal. Unfortunately, Juliette fell behind at mile 17 from blisters, but finished about 10 minutes after me anyway. We're going to run together on the big day ... at least start together because we've been keeping each other going on the long runs since the 16 in Arlington.

The other night, my friend Adam told me that it was amazing that I am doing this. I think I am jaded—well I know I am—but in this case, because so many of my friends have already done the marathon, some fast, some slow, some many times, that I feel like it's just one of those things that you do. But then, when I realize what I did today, let alone what I have been doing for the last 4 months, it is actually quite impressive. I am proud of myself and I am proud that I am actually doing something. My good friend Beth reminded me just this morning when I was going to meet the team that not only am I doing this amazing physical thing, but I have also raised over $3800 to help MGH care for pediatric cancer patients. Wow, who knew that I would grow up to be such a responsible human being?

Spring Has Sprung!

Emma just counted and 6 weeks has passed since Puxatawny Phil saw his shadow. We are sitting on the front stoop enjoying the sun as I type—gotta love wireless. As weekends go, this has been an excellent one. Friday after work, a colleague and I went and got birthday burritos at Boloco for only $4. YUMMY. After a short trip home, I stopped by Joe's to visit the crew. A beer and a half later, I was ready to sleep.

Saturday morning, I got up, drove into Boston, and took the commuter train out to West Natick, which is exactly 18 miles from the finish line for the marathon. At 9 am, Juliette, a 25 year old from Dedham, and I set off down Route 135. We chatted about food, work, facials, anything. Somewhere before Wellesley, a delightful young woman who's name I can't remember, but is 18, goes to Dickinson College in PA, but was home in Groton for Spring Break, joined us and we kept on trucking. After Wellesley Center, Jo, an Englishwoman who has run the Geneva marathon, started running along as well. The perfect weather ... a good pace ... good conversation ... made it possible for us all to get through Newton, up Heartbreak, and down to BC. Three of us stopped for a water break, but Jo kept on going. As we went down Comm. Ave, and turned right and then a quick left onto Beacon.

It was an amazing feeling running down Beacon because I know it so well. I've been in Boston now 22 years!!! As we ran down closer to the Citgo sign which my young college friend kept mentioning, I pointed out some of the bars and restaurants I have spent time in over the years - 2 decades! The girls laughed because there are many of them. At one point though, I did think, hey, I've run 17 miles, why don't I just stop? And then I thought about 5 weeks from tomorrow when stopping won't be an option.

2 hours and 32 minutes after I left the commuter rail station in West Natick, I stopped in front of the library in Copley Square. I had run the entire time, averaging 8:50 minute miles with women, or should I really say girls, decades younger than me. It was an amazing experience, and I can only imagine what it's going to be like on race day since there will be 1000s of people along the route. As I keep telling myself, it will either be the greatest day of my life or the scariest day, or both ; )

After the run and a hot shower, I got to spend time with 5 women I have known for the last 22 years. It was crazy fun. Laughing, shopping, eating. It's been a long time since I've hung out with people my age and it was great. I only lasted until 9 pm ... had to drive back to Dedham and get up early to prep for my WW meeting about "Feeding the Soul".

Today, I can walk. I led a pretty good meeting with 24 members—my biggest showing yet. I made them laugh and think, and celebrated some great successes. I even got a nice email from another leader who told me one of her members had come to my meeting and really enjoyed herself which to me is the best praise. And then, Emma and I climbed up the Blue Hills, which although not a vigorous hike with a 9 year old recovering from a cold, was an excellent source of cross-training. My thigh muscles did yell a bit on the way down, but I am still able to walk. 

It's 58 degrees right now and Emma is sweeping the winter sand off the stoop. It doesn't get much better than this. 

Heartbreak Hill

I ran with Michael and Cara yesterday for the 12 miles through the Newton Hills. Being a marathon novice, I followed along, knowing the streets from TV as well as driving myself around there back in the day when I lived out there, enjoying the beautiful sunny day. As we were almost at mile 11, I asked "Which one is Heartbreak?" Michael and Cara both pointed to the hill directly in front of us ... still there to climb.

They went up ahead of me and I took it, one step at a time. I thought about what it will be like in 6 weeks after 17 miles  before it, and then I reached the top. The good thing about going up hills, is that more often than not, you get to run down on the other side and enjoy the ride. Who knows what it will be like on April 20th? Certainly not me. 

Time is flying - only 47 days left

So I ran 16 miles with the MGH team on Saturday and then got the stomach flu ... so not fun. Today was a good day though. A donation from a woman I haven't spoken to in years but am Linked In with donated $50 to my page which means I have surpassed the $3000 commitment to fundraising for MGH. I am really proud. 

The physical commitment is of course huge, but having to raise funds has been more daunting given the current economy. I think I did a good job of reaching out, without being harassing and email is a life saver. 

I am paying attention to a lot of quotes I see these days ... helping me keep focused:

"There's nothing quite like your first marathon. The adrenaline just flows." ~ Sister Marion Irvine