Three Things Thursday - Support!

Well, I had some many things to tell so it was tough to pick just 3!
So I will tell you about 3 important things to me and some of their recent developments.

SUPPORTing my HUSBAND- Within the last few weeks my husband has started a new routine. After about 3 months off from working out, he decided he wasn't happy. When he was combat-wounded in the Marine Corps, he was in the best shape of his life. 165 pounds, 4% body fat, if you know him (right now he is hanging onto 140 with dear life) back then, he was, well, a rock.
So he decided that cardio workouts weren't what he needed. We made him an appointment with the YMCA to be setup on their new ActiveTrax system, where he would warm up with cardio and then do weights, with the goal of adding some bulk back to his frame.
So, now, as I get up at 4am daily, I brew his coffee, prep his protein shakes, pack his lunch and wake him up before I head out. I am a morning person and he...well...ISN'T. I want to make this process as easy for him as possible. We are in the middle of week 3 and he's going strong. He takes one weekday am off and makes it up on Saturday. I am so proud of him and I want to support his goals as much as he has supported all of mine.

Being SUPPORTed by FRIENDS- I am so fortunate for my friends. I have made some major changes in my workout routines and running lately and having their support has meant the world to me. I don't know if they know how much sanity and peace they bring me, but I am thankful for each and every minute I spend with them. They make me stronger, they keep me honest and they are all in my heart. Some of them I see and/or talk to every day, others I do not get the time with that I would like...but let me say this - they know who they are, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.

SUPPORTing of myself - It's tough. I am my own worst critic. I expect the best of myself. Lately I have seen so many things so much clearer. I have seen my value, my goals and my spirit. I have realized that I am worthy of the good things in my life and that I need not waste time on the bad and the negative. Sometimes "cleaning" out the closets, so to speak, is difficult to start but immensely cleansing once it's done. I have decided to stop struggling over the worries I cannot control and focus that energy on positives and the future. It's been an amazing wake up call.

Run safe, run happy.
-d

Wordless Wednesday! (ok, ALMOST wordless...)

Pictures from ACAC Napier Sprint Tri 10-10-10

Look at me! I told Dr. G (my sponsor) I "look" fast! Whoo hoo!

Total action shot turned pose and poster model for AC!

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Sometimes Crying is a Good Thing....

I knew Saturday morning was going to be a challenge.
I had some demons to deal with and I would be dealing with them on a 20 mile run...alone...
Not "alone" because I was with 300+ other people, but alone.
I was running on Saturday instead of Sunday; I didn't have my usual running partners; and I was worried.
I have had some issues with this distance, I wasn't confident and frankly I felt this was a make or break run for me.
I went out not intending to run anything other than a pace where I was comfortable...
4 miles in and I was the front of the pack for the Novice running route.
When the Intermediates stayed straight on Grove and Novice's route turned on Maple, I was all alone.
Not. Another. Runner. In. Sight.
I had one pass me while running thru U of R, but that didn't matter.
I was smiling, I felt GREAT!
I rounded the ramp onto Riverside Drive, blew thru the SAG and soaked in some beautiful scenery.
Here I am around mile 9...

I was in my "zone" and I felt amazing.
12, 14, and 16 came easy and I knew - I knew I was doing well.
The Lee Bridge wasn't even bad, and that is a great sign.
As I glided thru Monroe Park I had a suspicion about was what happening...but I decided to wait to look.
As I turned the corner onto Boulevard for the final mile, all I could do was smile.
I hit the Sportsbackers Hill and started to slow down BUT I quickly served up a few choice curse words and hit it.
As I rolled into the stadium, a Plum coach approached me to ask if I was okay...
WTH?
Apparently I was crying...
Yep...
Then I tried to answer and couldn't speak - except in one word sentences - it went like this...
"Most - Prefect - Run - Ever..."
Yep, 20 miles...3 hours 5 minutes...PR and euphoric moment!!!
I did it. I ran in a pocket all alone, I ran well, I succeeded.
Worth every second!

Run safe, run happy!
-d