When is it time to let go?

There are 2 things I know I am good at...keeping stuff and throwing stuff away, unfortunately they do not work in tandem on a consistent basis. I have learned this about myself over the last few weeks because we are putting our house on the market officially come January 1st.
This means all closets, drawers, nooks and crannies, cupboards, counters, etc. have to be cleaned up or cleaned out. What I have always known about me is that I tend to "hold onto certain things"...needed or not, by tucking them away somewhere, maybe so they won't be obvious to the Man of the house or maybe even myself.
It started when the realtor came over a few weeks ago and wanted to take pictures for the on line flyer. He was able to do that just fine because on the surface, pretty much the house stays spic n span all the time except for the occassional pile on the island that gets shuffled away each Sunday night before a new start to the week.
Then, that day he was here taking pictures, he did the worst..the most horrible thing...before I could stop him ...he opened the door to my walk in closet!  As he did, almost in slo-mo, I dove towards the door yelling "it's nooooooot reeeeeeeeeeeady..." but since I was too late and the door was open, he only response was "well, atleast you are honest." I was horrified. My closet has always been a source of mess in my life, and I have always believed it has been because it was a place I could have my own private mess, close the door and know it was there and it was okay. Of course, over the years, I'd tidy it up so it "appears" clean but really it was still a private little chaos, all mine.
So after that day I decided it was time to face the demon closet and other areas I had used to keep private messes or hidden treasures I couldn't let go of.
I made a plan for the closet 'o crap...2 hours, 3 piles - keep, donate, throw away...one touch and no turning back. I have to say it was quite liberating and at the end, when I could see every wall, the entire floor and had all clothes hanging and color coordinated, I was amazed. Maybe my private chaos could now be my private heaven. I had cleaned out 6 stuffed lawn bags of clothes and shoes, and was amazed I could actually put a lounge chair in there. So inspired by the new space, I decided to lay out a plan to tackle every place in the house that had drawers or a door.  The coat closets - 2 more bags of donated goods and a visible back wall and floor! The guest room closet of formals and the clothes I will "wear again so can't get rid of"...another 2 bags to donate. 47 purses, seriously??? Who needs 47 purses, another bag to donate.
Under the bathroom sinks, old makeup, curling irons, lotions, hair accessories...how is this so easy? It really was a relief.
Then today I found the road block, the difficult decision, the only cleaning out task that actually got to me even though I had made it so far...
I decided to clean out my dresser. The dresser is typically tshirts and sweatshirts but I realized I was hardly ever in it except one drawer, mostly because I could not find a thing in the drawers when I did open them because they were so cram packed.
Today was the day - I opened the top of six drawers and startied - opening each shirt, reading it, folding it and placing it on the bed...
As I got to the second drawer, I noticed a pattern - on the bed there were piles forming...5k, 10k, mud runs, half marathons, duathlons, triathlons, etc...as I went through all six drawers, I was at over 55+ race tees since I started racing in June 2005. And then I remembered a drawer in the spare room dresser, where the first year in this house with Bob, I had placed some race shirts...they were some of my favs from my first two years racing that I had weeded out and hid...another 27+ shirts. So I sat there for a minute, looking at my 82+ shirts. I found the Susan Komen 5k tshirt - my first race ever! Turket Trot 05, the first race I ran with Bob (and beat him) when we were dating, first marathon, first triathlon, the "I walked backwards the last 4 miles marathon shirt when I blew my hamstrings and missed my BQ time...lots of good memories.
I sat there among the sea of cotton and wicking material for about an hour, just remembering...
So today I decided, not always is "cleaning out" a good idea and it's okay not to have hide or toss be the only choice for me. I picked out all the shirts I would never wear...found a lovely storage box and neatly folded them and put each one away. I allowed myself a few shirts from each type of race I enjoy, my favs, and placed them neatly by category in the dresser.
It started out today for me to clean out old junk, instead I found a nice way to save some "valuable stuff" that some may think is junk...to me they are all pieces of who I am today, so I am just going to tuck them away for now, it may seem silly to some but it makes me feel good.
The next item on my list - race bibs and medals. I have saved everyone...
Run safe, run happy!
-d

Time to start thinking "Race Calendar"...

Okay, so it's not even 2010 yet, but the wheels in my head are spinning. What is this race year going to look like for me? What I do know - January 16th I start as Head Coach at the James Center YMCA for the Ukrop's 10K Training Team. Joined my M and J as my assistant coaches, and my sister, niece and nephew as part of the team. I coach thru race day, then have a break from coaching until June, when...Pink Nation rises again...SportsBackers Marathon Training Team and coaching novice marathoners right into November.
Races...hmm, well I know APRIL 17TH, 2010 - 8th Annual "The Ocho" Charlottesville Marathon will be my "spring marathon" - running with M and J and E and J2 will be doing the Half the same day. What else I know is (and this is awesome) The American Odyssey Relay Run Adventure begins in Gettysburg PA and ends in Washington, DC...the week after Charlottesville, 12 girls, 200 miles, 36 hours - Wow! And we have a super group of gals running together! I am really stoked for this...more later on this!
After these, I haven't a clue. I will be starting swim lessons, yes, real swim lessons because I can barely do the breast stroke, in January. Mr. D will be my awesome coach and I WILL learn to swim. I need this because I will continue in the Triathlon series again this year. After the 70.3 IronMan this September, I have to admit the bug to have more fun and be a better competitor is alive and kicking! So I know a few local tri's are a definite, and a Half Iron distance as a race somewhere is a must.  All the way knowing that is because I am aiming to be good enough for a full 140.6 IronMan in 2011...a reminder is continually given to me by the Witch Doctor from the DarkSide when I visit him each week.
So past this, I haven't planned but the wheels are spinning. More as I plan.
For now, see you on the roads...
Run safe, run happy!
-D

My Christmas present to me...

My Christmas present to me...
I decided to try to become a "blogger". I am not particularly witty or funny, but I wanted a place to start saving and sharing thoughts, stories, running adventures, recipes and whatever else comes to mind.
No promises of anything overly exciting or even interesting, but I guess we'll see as it comes together.
I am RunHapi13 and this is my blog!