That's a whole lotta running

I spent all day Friday and Saturday in a van with 6 other people, running occasionally. For those of you who have never done a 200-mile overnight relay, it's one of the greatest, craziest, most exhausting things ever. And those are only some of the positives. I participated in my third such event for the last two days. This one was the "easy one" because it wasn't the first and I wasn't doing the longest legs. I still lost it before the third leg for a few minutes but then went out and ran it faster than most would. Thank god for caffeine. I helped us be organized and enthusiastic and still managed to get the requisite hour and a half sleep. And, I may do it again next year, if something better doesn't come along ... like the 2014 Boston Marathon. Can't believe I haven't posted since Marathon Monday, the day that truly changed my world on so many levels. I was 3 blocks away from the second bomb that went off on Boylston Street, where they stopped the runners. Though I am lucky that my running family and friends and I are all safe and sound, every day I find out something new about it and it still makes me angry, frustrated and sad. And that order changes depending on what I learn. What all of this means of course is that I want to run next year. My qualifying time from Chicago 2012 still counts, but I am only 3 1/2 minutes ahead of the required 3:55 so it's possible that too many faster-qualified runners will register before I get a chance. The TIRs have a lottery for the 2 bibs we get and I will try that if I don't get registered on my own. Otherwise, I will work the mile 4 water stop and zoom to the city after and stand right where I did on April 15, 2013 and cheer and shout and take pictures of all those that get to run. And I will be proud to be a runner and a Bostonian. And what do I do with these? I pulled them out of the drawers and cabinets that they have been stashed in since I started seriously running in 2008 and want to do something purposeful with them. Though I am certainly proud of all the accomplishments (some age group winners I had totally forgotten about), the hardware isn't that important to me. If anyone has a suggestion about what I can do with them besides displaying them or making them ornaments, please let me know. And now, it's time to bike. I need to train for the MS Ride which is now just over 6 weeks away ... very scary. No intense running for me between now and then. I am going to try to ride and hour a day minimum 3 days a week, and go hard core on weekends. I am so afraid of getting on the bike on day 2, I don't know how to get over that except get on the bike a lot between now and then. And then, get back to running. Training for Dublin starts in July with the Boilermaker. Boom!

Friends

Busy day on the brain so I am going to get it out. 7 years ago, I started my weight-loss journey which continues today, because keeping the weight off is much harder than losing it. Every day I make conscious choices about what to eat, what to do for activity, and how much rest to get, though the rest part is some times out of my control since the brain takes over in the middle of the night and prevents me from sleeping, so that I can stay healthy and enjoy the best life possible. I am so lucky and I know that, but there are still those days that I don't know how to appreciate it and today is one of those days. I ran this morning with a friend and it was a good run despite the 18" of snow that fell yesterday. Then I came home and actually spent a minute or two on my foam roller while I baked chocolate chip cookies that will be dropped with groceries at another friend's house. When I think about why I am doing this today, it makes me sad. My little friend Sally is fighting for her life every day and she's not even 13 yet and I am just doing something to help her and her family get through today and maybe have some snacks for the next few days. I wish I could do more. Last week, I raised $2000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - another great thing. It was a great party and I had fun and I think everyone who was there did as well. So why isn't it enough today to make me feel good and important and worthy? My 13-year-old is awesome and her teachers and her friends' parents all tell me all the time that she is, and I have to have something to do with that, right? I don't want to take any credit for that though, because it is all her. I think the key to good parenting is letting the kid be the kid. And now it's time to pick up a birthday cake for another friend.

I am the mother of a teenager

As my daughter left for a movie date with a friend who was wearing more makeup than I did last night on my "big night out", I realized I am a lucky, lucky woman. I don't remember most of my childhood for one reason or another, but I know it wasn't "a happy one" for the most part, and 7th grade especially conjures up all kinds of bad snippets of memory. My girl, on the other hand, has been having a great 7th grade. She brought home her 2nd near perfect report card. She has many friends, often spending no time at home on weekends. I guess I am lucky she is at my house mostly during the week when there is homework to be done and Dance Moms and Switched at Birth to be watched. We have funny conversations sometimes when she is taking a bath ... they are the best. I learn so much about her then. All that said, I know there will be a moment in the not-too-distant future that she can't or won't talk to me and I will want to metaphorically throttle her. It's the nature of mothers and daughters and I don't imagine that I am so special that I will not be tortured by her at some point. I tortured my mother and my daughter will torture me, but then I hope, like I did, later on, when she's old enough, she'll realize how much I love her, how much I respect her, and how proud I am to be her mom.

Happy New Year

I have been reading so many blogs of late and realized it was time to commit to the fact that in less than 8 hours it will be 2013. So crazy in so many ways. Highlights of 2012: 1. Captaining not one, but two running teams to really great success. The Shock Top Shufflers dominated the TIR Grand Prix series from the beginning ... and it had very little to do with me. So proud of the team showing up more than everyone else's and for those of us who earned extra points doing marathons, wahoo!! My friend Nick is a rockstar runner. And for Reach the Beach in May, D's Divas rocked it out. Van 1 was so fast and furious, those of us in Van 2 had to get up earlier than expected! What an amazing 30+ hours with all of you.

2. The Chicago Marathon - loved every minute of it except when I wanted to die. PR and BQ of 3:51:03 ... who would have thought. Marathon #5 will be Dublin, Ireland. Wahoo. 3. Seattle and the Couv with the girls, their guys, the best travel companion in the world, miss Emma Jane, to see our friend Katie arrive after RIDING HER BIKE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I am in awe - and will be forever.

4. Lots of fun times in NYC, St. Thomas and just hanging around Dedham with a guy who made me feel special. 5. Oh, and I had the SAME JOB all year! That's a first in a while. And what for 2013? Running races every weekend in February ... why?!?? Because I can. The MS Cape Cod Getaway. Just me and Fisher on the roads from Quincy to Provincetown in June ... oh yeah and the 100's of other bikers riding to cure MS. A cruise to Halifax with Emma and the cousins. And a trip to Dublin with the TIRs and hopefully some of the girls as well. So fun. And now to change into that cute outfit I have planned in my head to eat sushi and see some comedy and ring in 2013. I am a lucky girl.

Post Event Stress Syndrome

I don't know, but it is so weird to me that 9 days ago I accomplished something that most people will never do in their entire lives and yet, here I sit, in my cube, doing my day job and trying to figure out what's next. 3:51:03 baby ... I rocked Chicago and Chicago rocked me. It was a great race despite the death moments between miles 17 and 22 ish ... but that's the fun of marathoning. Truth be told, I had too much fun during miles 1 through 16. My pace group wasn't that well organized and we were all going faster than the 8:35 miles we needed to do to be consistent for 26.2. I ran with a 42 year old lawyer named Ro for the better part of the first 18 miles. She has 2 kids, an active boyfriend and a professional athlete for an ex husband. We hit the 1/2 way point right around her office and she said she had told people to look out for her but of course we were early!!!!! The man friend made it to the start which was AWESOME and a first for me to have someone there who is there just for me. He also was at 2 other points but foiled by traffic to be at the end, but considering how little I remember of the finish, I probably wouldn't have seen him. Thanks CB!!! It was AMAZING to see you right before mile 20 and definitely a reason to keep moving. I have felt great since the 7th. The training/recovery/sleep/eat combo I followed really worked for me and that is another great success. I still want to run and do boot camp and keep a "regular schedule" rather than a training one. That's going to the tough part ... staying motivated but not getting psycho. What's that like? Another new experience for me :D Thank you to all my blog supporters ... I will attempt to be more regular and more interesting from now on.

5 : 19 : 32 : 35

Countdown continues ... Chicago here I come. It's been quite the year so far and since I decided to do this marathon somewhere around February 1st, I have been training, mentally as well as physically for 9 months or so which is crazy. I feel ready and that's the scary part. How can you ever be ready for something like this? Because I have worked hard ... trained hard ... behaved myself and taken care of myself. Eaten pretty well, exercised a lot, despite the fact that my Activelink only says 91% effort. It's going to be great and I can't wait.

Just wow

So I am on the Acela on the way to the big Apple reading all these food and running blogs that I follow and I realize it's been almost 4 months since I posted. WHAT?!?!?! How is that possible? So much has happened but not seemed blog worthy? No, that's not possible. I actually thought last night as I was buying 4 bags of ice at Terri's Market for my inaugural ice bath - and I needed it because I had been shooting a bat mitzvah in heels all day, not because I had put on serious mileage, just want to be clear about that. Anyway, I digress. I thought to myself, "I may have taken on too much." Now, for those of you who know me, that doesn't happen very often. Actually, I can't remember if I have ever actually articulated the thought. So here it goes ... my list. This is what I have done in the last month which, though busy, probably wasn't the busiest of the year, but maybe it was. I have lost track in my old age. Today is September 9, 10 days from Emma's 13th birthday which may or may not turn out to be one of the scariest days of my life, so since August 9th, I have done the following: August 10th: rode my bike 50 miles along the Cape Cod bike path with TIRs August 12th: ran Falmouth Road Race finishing as the top woman from Dedham - WTF? August 24th - August 31: took Emma to Seattle and Vancouver with my great friends Jess and LC and their great men, Nick and Jason, to meet our great friend Katie, who HAD BIKED ACROSS the country - see, really I am a slacker :)

Oh, and while in Seattle I ran 18 miles in the glorious, not humid, 70 degree weather at 8:32 pace average. You know what that means? In Chicago, I can actually hit 3 hours and 45 minutes. A nice feeling. We flew back on the red eye for Saturday morning, September 1st. Seriously, September, already? How is that possible. Katie left Portsmouth, NH on June 23rd, the day I was in NYC watching Camille's friend Nial swim around Manhattan - all 28.5 miles of it. HOW CAN IT BE SEPTEMBER? How can Emma be in 7th grade? How is it possible that I will be done with Chicago Marathon 4 weeks from today when I signed up for it in February. This morning I got out of bed when my alarm went off at 4:44. I know weird time to se it for, but it seemed right. I did my morning ablutions and then went for a 10+ mile run in the drizzle. Oh yeah, side note: on Labor Day, I did my 20-miler running from my house in Dedham through Hyde Park and JP and to Berkeley Street behind Back Bay station and back. It WAS NOT pretty. Well, the first 10 were. Back 10, not so much. But the good news is, I am TAPERING. For those of you who have trained for a big event, this is the greatest and scariest word in any plan, but I am going to do it and do it well. Then, because I knew I would be in town to shoot Caroline's bat mitzvah, I had signed up to host the TIR fun run. I had diligently plotted 5K, 5M, and 10M runs. I was so psyched when I only had to accomplish the 5 miler. Great to run with others ... and the coffee and bagels after helped. And now, a week in NYC, seeing the "man friend", working out of the NY office, and running ... 3 days. And some yoga with friends. WOW. Just wow.

So much to do, so little time

Every few hours, I am reorganizing my schedule to fit everything in. It usually starts with me going to the bootcamp schedule on line to determine when I can get in my three classes a week. Conflicts usually arise when Emma has a game or a performance, or this week, it's a recognition ceremony because she is just generally awesome - well in math. And then of course there's work, and sleep. Oh and did I mention, food? I seriously wish I had enough money to eat sushi every day. Life is good. I try not to complain, but of course, sometimes I just can't help myself. But let me make a list of the good things today: 1. Reach the Beach 2012 is going to be over this time next week, which is actually kind of sad, though I am looking forward to having accomplished it. The training with these unbelievably fabulous people has changed my life. The extras, including a trip to Foxwoods and watching D run a phenomenal marathon, have been sooo fun that I laugh still just thinking about it. Can't wait to spend 36 hours in a van running and stinking up the joint. 2. Physically I am in better shape than I ever have been at the ripe old age of 46 (soon to be 47). I actually noticed definition in my arms this morning which I have to acknowledge is pretty freaking cool. My running is strong because my body is strong. I wonder what I will take on next. 3. Emma is a rock star and so her mother's daughter, which I can say without feeling like she will be in therapy for the rest of her life. She's a busy girl right now ... soccer, softball, track, chorus, band, and a social life that certainly beats mine. She's also an excellent student as well as one of the popular kids but not in a bad way. 4. The girls ... had a great dinner with them this week and laughed and laughed and played Heidi Klum ... so fun. 5. Mother's Day. I will try to be a better daughter though I think I have been doing pretty well given all the circumstances : )

Another month bites the dust

So many things have happened since I last posted, but most of it has been about running. Just 2 days ago, I manned the Mile 4 hydration station for the 2012 Boston Marathon. Since it was almost 80 degrees at starting time, even for the wheelchairs at 9, I was so happy to be on the volunteer side instead of the participant side. Got to see so many people I know though as I shouted Gatorade, water further down, to 25,000 people who ran by me for a couple of hours. It was a great experience for so many reasons, especially since hanging with the TIRs is always a good time.

The day before, Camille, Gwyn and I had run a 14-miler together. I love the conversations that happen during a long run ... you never know where it's going to go. We started with kids, both human and canine. Moved on to bikini waxes which we all had various opinions about. During the last 3 miles, when it was really hot, we were quieter, but still managed to get through it and finished up in Dedham Square together.

Yesteraday, I ran 8.6 with only my Ipod. I do enjoy the music as well, though it does go faster when other people are with me. Then last night, I deadlifted at 75# barbell 125 times in 15 minutes. Kind of crazy.

This morning, Emma and I ran a mile and a half together. We chatted ... or at least I talked while she pounded along. I think Reebok Zig Techs are very heavy though she always says they aren't. They aren't Nike Free's are they?

Life is good ... racing the next 2 Sundays and the goal is to beat pace: 7:58 miles. I think I can since I hit a 7:03 mile in traffic the other night during boot camp (probably could have broken 7 if I had been on the track). Who would have thought?

A really great run

It's amazing how good a run can feel when sometimes they feel so bad.

Yesterday I did hill sprints with another Diva and it was tough and when I reached the top of the hill, I could barely breathe and I felt like I would barf at one point, but I suppose that's the goal. My trainer, and yes, I realized this morning that I can actually say that because I do pay someone to tell me what to do regarding activity, has set up this scary but amazing plan to get us ready for Reach the Beach in May. Though I feel confident about the running part, despite the fact that I have the toughest leg, I appreciate that I will feel even more so having completed a plan.

But even more importantly, I feel the confidence in one way or another every single day. This morning it was that I worked the up hills because I knew no matter what they weren't as long as the Sprague Street hill we sprinted up 6 times yesterday. Last week, it was being told I looked "thin" by someone who hadn't seen me in 6 months. I am actually heavier than I had been by a couple of pounds, but I look and feel different because of boot camp.

And lately, when I lie down to read and relax before going to sleep, I nod off in mere minutes because both my body and my mind are tired. Though there are still the work stressors, as there always will be, it's nothing like I felt just 6 months ago at the last place.

As I was running along this morning, I was thinking about my last few bosses. In my last 4 jobs (in the last 6 years), my bosses have been women. They have all had their strengths and weaknesses (and yes, in some cases, I am being very kind) but I have learned something about myself from each one. Since I have moved around so much, I haven't had a formal review in 3 years, but the good news is, I am very self-reflective as we know. Unfortunately, my essential flaw is still present, though tempered for sure since 2009. I have a strong personality and some times it just pisses people off. I try to stop myself, and I am much more successful now (thank God for DRAFT folders) than I was in the past, but I am not at work to be liked. I am here to do my job. I think I have said that before though ; )

Time sure flies

War wound. For the March challenge, the task is to front squat with 1/2 your own body weight, then jump on an 18" box amrap, as many times as you can starting at 1 and counting up for 10 minutes. God it was hard but it was something I never even contemplated doing so I am proud to have actually done it. The only thing I really have to show for it though is the giant bruise on my collar bone from where I rested the 65# of barbell for the total of 28 squats (7 rounds). And the burning in my quads : )

Tomorrow is the 9-mile run with the Divas. Looking forward to running with the girls again. It's been 3 weeks since I have been with the group between TIR events and the weekend in Florida. March is the month of running. 9, 10, then An Ras 5K with Divas and Seagull Six with TIR.

Here I come Chicago

It's amazing how a short conversation can turn into a Marathon ... literally. Was talking to someone at boot camp about her first marathon last week. Then, D said Chicago was more fun than Boston. Then Camille talked about it at the banquet on Saturday night and by Sunday, I was in.

This will be fun. No time goals (though I am sure I will go in with something in mind). No fundraising. And it's in Chicago where I know people and can get excited.

So this year includes so far and it's only February: Daytona 500, Reach the Beach, Vancouver, Chicago ... I am getting around :)

2011 Rookie of the Year

The Thirsty Irish Runners last night awarded me the 2011 Rookie of the Year with my name engraved on the plate and everything.

What a great weekend it's been ... lots of runs with lots of people. A great party. Some good sleep.

And should I or shouldn't I? That is the question.

Happy New Year

Just posted to Facebook: "has a simple resolution ... to make every day in 2012 count"

1. Loose 5 pounds ... seriously.
2. Slow down and enjoy things more.
3. Engage.
4. Run more, bike more, work out better.
5. Keep my day job.

Spoke to Siri today

So it has finally happened. I got the iPhone. I thought I wasn't due for an early upgrade until March 2012 but when my Berry, which I truly loved started eating batteries, I decided it was time.

So here I am. Typing on a tiny keyboard while my work computer reboots. To be honest, I could probably do most of my job right here on my phone. That's how cool the phone is and how easy my job is. Funny really.

Siri helped me get to Staples today to buy one last gift. She had helped me get to Walpole for a run on Sunday too but I hadn't asked her. Mapquest just started talking to me which was nice. I am trying not to be a junkie about it but it's hard because its so fun. I am a little obsessive about cleaning the screen though. This too shall pass.

Best.Work.Day.Ever

So I was 3/4 of the way to work this morning when I realized I had left my compute at home. Turned off of 128 and decided to work remotely again today. AWESOME sauce.

Last night I bumped my head while doing a handstand! It really hurts today but I am proud of myself for attempting it and then I did what I thought was impossible last week. The December challenge at Fitness by D is a crazy one, but I did it in 14:33. 10x 20# ball drop, 10x 35# KBS, and then 10x burpees 10x. So that's 100 of each if you just count like the rest of us. It was hard - especially the KBS which I usually like, but don't think I have done 35# before. I wasn't going to do it at all because the current winner had done it in 11:07 but I spoke with her at a party on Saturday and she said, "just don't stop" and I didn't, but it was hard.

Visited UNO land yesterday and it was a great visit, but I am so glad I didn't have to stick around. Miss the people (well most of them), no question, but not the stress. Love the flexibility of my new gig ... working at home is great. My boss is great. And the people I work with are all very nice and supportive even if I don't ever see them face-to-face.

Oh, and did I mention I pick up my Iphone today?

Attitude of Gratitude

I am thankful for the following things:

• My awesome 12-year-old daughter who is smarter and funnier than I ever imagined
• My crazy old dog and not-so-old cat who make every day more entertaining than it is when they are not around
• My good relationship with my ex husband because without him, life would be a lot more difficult
• My boring but well-paying job that affords me the ability to clean up after myself, literally and figuratively
• My health that continues to improve daily because I am working harder physically than ever before
• My friends—near and far, real and virtual—who provide support without always knowing it

And now, to enjoy the holiday season ... 6 weeks until 2012

Day Job

It is amazing to me that people get paid a lot of money to do what I do. Not that I am not good at it mind you, but a lot of the time, it's not that hard. I have no formal education for it, I keep getting paid more and more each time I make a move, and yet, it's never enough to make me feel like I am accomplishing anything.

What am I, you ask? Currently my title is Account Manager. In the past it has been Senior Manager, Account Executive, Project Manager, Packaging Specialist, and so on. I am a project manager. I try to help others help themselves and do their jobs. My ability to multi-task and schedule and remember more than one thing at a time makes me able to help clients, restaurant managers, creative folks and production people all get the information they need in a timely enough fashion that they can do their jobs. I am the one who is responsible for everything and nothing simultaneously.

I like what I do. I am good at it. I have learned over time that it's not personal (though some of you know I don't always practice what I preach). And truth be told, at the end of the day, most people like working with me because I help them get what they need ... even though most of the time, they don't know it : )

And today at work, I am just bored ... it always happens when I am new to a place because I just don't know what I don't know. I am trying to enjoy it because soon there will be days with no breaks from calls and no way to leave my desk. The best part about this new gig though, is that tomorrow, I work from home.

My friend Walter

He died a week ago today and his memorial service was yesterday. We were friends in the sense that when we saw each other we were happy to fall into a comfortable conversation about anything, but usually books and movies when we were on our own. He was older than me ... almost 20 years but still too young to die so soon though I do believe he is in a better place because I know he hadn't been himself for a while. Though I had known him almost 10 years, looking at the pictures that were around the room, I realized I barely knew him at all. When he first met his current wife, #3, (I met #1 yesterday and know #2 from Dedham), he looked like the Marlboro man! For the last few years, I mostly saw Walter walking his dog since I drive by his house

I think my biggest fear is that no one will come to my memorial service. And not because I don't believe I have friends and that I have affected their lives in one way or the other, but as the consumate project manager that I am, I fear that no one will find out the details and mostly because I don't know who will share the information ... whatever it may be. Looking at Walter's photos, I know that no one has that many photos of me, mostly because I never let my photo be taken in the old days, and often was the only photographer in the group, but also because my family, mostly my Mom, doesn't hold on to stuff that way.

I went to Legalzoom on Monday and started a will ... and haven't been back since. What makes it so difficult to make these arrangements? I am not worried I am dying tomorrow (though you never know about the big red bus) but I want to make sure that the details don't torture anyone else. Having been through it when my Dad died, I don't want Emma to have to deal with all that, but no one else either.

Don't know why I am even worried since I won't be here ...

Pumpkin Beer Addiction

It's really crazy how much I am enjoying the various types of pumpkin beers that are out right now. I am drinking a Shipyard Pumpkinhead right now which is delicious which could only be improved by being sipped out a chilled glass with a cinnamon-sugar rim, but that just seems excessive to do for one's self at home.

On the eve of yet another first day of a new job, I look back to the last week of vacation between jobs. What can I say? It was awesome. Packed a lot of fun and rest and all that good stuff. House is clean. Grocery shopping and laundry done and all I have to do is get up and go tomorrow.

Had a fun run with the TIR's today. It felt really good while I was doing it ... why don't I do it more on my own? I am hoping that the lack of soul-sucking from my day job will help me be more motivated about everything else I do. It's that busy time of year ... Emma's schedule and mine are conflicting but we'll figure it out.

Need to lose 5 pounds by Sunday morning ... MUST FOCUS and track! Practice what I preach and all that. PointsPlus2012 has a lot to offer. Glad I got a preview today. Try something new this week with the new job, the new commute and all that other new stuff.

Happy fall!