The Best Gift Ever

I found this piece of paper on my desk yesterday, made by my 9 year daughter.

Clearly she is not a teenager yet because she still thinks I’m cool.

I have often wanted to ask my kids, “How could I be a better mom?” But, then I am too scared. Will they have a laundry list that highlights all of my inadequacies? Will I find out what I have feared – that I have failed them?

The reason her gift means the world to me is not because it pictures things I love. Not because she hit the nail on the head regarding Boston (love how she calls it “the Boston.”) Not because she said nice things about me.

Because it shows her heart. Kind, compassionate, outwardly focused, creative, intuitive, selfless, beautiful.

I am so not the perfect mother. I can cringe thinking of things I have habitually done wrong or have not done at all. However, I do believe I have taught and modeled one thing really well.

When you love someone, you support them in their passions. You care about what they do, who they spend time with, how they feel. You are around. A lot. Just in case they need you. You give them space to be who they are, yet check back frequently to see how their journey is going. You can be counted on.You do what you say you are going to do.

I have never told my daughter I was nervous about Boston.  And, no, she does not read the blog. But, she obviously knows about my injury (crutches are a decent giveaway). How she knew yesterday, the day of my first run in three months, I would so need to read her words, I’ll never know. But, she knew.

Loving someone sometimes means showing up in the most unexpected of ways.

You bet I’ll be carrying this gift with me on April 18.

SUAR

Remember Lorena Bobbitt?

I admit it. I read Women’s Running magazine. To me, it is a cross between Runner’s World and Cosmo. You get articles on the “Summer’s Hottest Swimwear” and “The Jerusalem Half Marathon” (which would be amazing, by the way) all wedged into the same periodical. There is variety. There is fluff. And there is also some good reading.

In the July/August edition, you can find a really inspiring article about Shalane Flanagan, U.S. record holder in  the 3K, 5K and 10K and Olympic bronze medalist.  Having only run middle distances, she decided to train for first half, then full marathon. She ran the 2010 Houston Half Marathon and set a course record of 1:09:41 (I could so do that if I wanted. Except that 1:09 was about my first 10K time).

Shalane (we’re on a first name basis) then started marathon training. Of course she doesn’t just want to run a marathon. That would be too easy and too human-like. She wants to win the whole race. Still contemplating which race to run, she’s thinking about London in 2012.

 

Certainly her sustained 5:15 and 5:30 minute miles throughout the half marathon were impressive. What really caught my attention, however, is what she had to say about marathon training. Her words resonate with all of us non-elites:

“Flanagan was surprised by the total commitment the marathon demanded. ‘It’s a lifestyle,’ she says. After her first 20-miler she spent the rest of the day on the couch.

But she loved it. She loved that she was transforming her bodying into something new, strengthening areas that had played supporting roles for so long (slow twitch muscle fibers), and going places she’d never been before (21 miles?). The process fascinated her, the idea that you can train the body to do more, take more, and it would hurt and you’d curse it, but then a miracle could happen: what felt hard a month ago felt good now.

‘My coach constantly reminds me that marathoners are not born, they are made,’ Flanagan says.  ‘And every time he asked me to go longer it became a bit easier.’”

So, if you are struggling in your training, hurting, cursing, nursing tired legs and psyches - remember her words: you can train the body to do more, take more but then what felt hard a month ago might feel good soon. Hang in there. Enjoy watching and feeling your body and mind get stronger. Because it will happen.

Quote of the day:

My son is taking a photography class. It meets at a local senior center (which he thought would smell like urine but it doesn’t). Yesterday, as part of the class, he had to take a portrait of someone. He chose the old lady at the front desk. She refused to smile for the picture saying that “she doesn’t smile because her husband told her her smile was ugly.”

 Who is this husband and why has no one done a Lorena Bobbitt on him yet?

PS: Win a Champion running shirt. Check out my giveaway HERE.

What's On Your List?

First off, Rachel is doing a great giveaway - A signed copy of Rules for Runners! So check it out.


Do you ever wonder if running is taking over your life? It might be if you:

• Plan your poops around your runs (to avoid a mess in the drawers or a roadside crap)
• See or hear the word "marathon" anywhere and perk right up even if it's referring to a series of shows in a row on TV (ergo - a "Christmas Story " marathon)
• Disappear when your new issue or Runner's World comes (maybe you're in the crapper pretending to poop or maybe you're combining the pre-run poop with some good reading)
• Gravitate towards and feel a kinship with anyone who runs. Even if they are five years old.

Me? This is how I know running has taken over my life. Without even trying or thinking about it, my Christmas list turned into this (yes, I still have a Christmas list. Ken and I still buy gobs of stuff for each other on Christmas and birthdays. There is nothing like saying "I love you" by spending tons of money on crap):

1. Subscription to Women's Running Magazine

I am a woman and I run, so seemed appropriate

2. Book: Brain Training for Runner's


So I can get my brain on board with my upcoming marathon training and marathon running. In case you didn't know, the mind is a powerful thing.

3. Capri Running Tights


I only have one pair. They smell.

4. Cheetah Running Skirt from RunningSkirts with matching headband

My new thing is this: just like how you wear crap clothes all day everyday, but then you go to a party and dress up? I am going to wear crap running clothes every time I run, but when it comes to races I am going to KILL IT with my outfits. Yes, I'm going to dress up. NEVER in a costume, mind you, but just in cute running clothes. Why? I don't know. It's just something to do and maybe it will make me faster. And we all know cheetahs are fast. To go with this sweet outfit I might also get a cheetah on my Betty. (JK).

5. Stability Ball

Everyone needs a big orange ball. Okay, we all know that the only thing I have going for me is my abs. Boobs? I'm a barely "A" cup. Butt? Saggy at best. Legs? Stumpy and short. So I figure I'll continue to pimp those abs with this stability ball and I will also, hopefully be strengthening my core for better running. Apparently there is some correlation.

Do you see a common theme here? It's all about the running. All of it.

What's on your list?

Drinking: Starbucks Christmas Blend

Number of times I used the word "crap" in this post: 6