Just Because

It’s snowing here today. Yes, I said snowing. Yesterday it was 80 degrees. If it snows on marathon day I’m going to bring a noose to the start line, find a tree and…

Snow is not out of the realm of possibility for the race. After all, it’s only 9 days out and the race starts at 6,108 feet. I’m no meteorologist (I can’t even spell it), but sometimes it snows up that high. If I understand correctly, we board busses at 4:30 a.m. at 4,981 feet and take a long and windy ride on up to 6,000 ft. I love it when you get to ride the course you are going to run so you can witness first hand how long it takes to drive 26.2 miles as well as every hill, twist and turn. It’s good for the psyche.

The race starts promptly at 6:00 a.m., which seems a tad early, but being Mother’s Day this should give me ample time to go out to brunch afterwards with the family and spend the whole time in the bathroom.

Yesterday was a damn good day around here. I had a 7.5 mile run in 30 mph winds. Lucky, (three legged Cocker) licked his balls a good part of the afternoon. My son’s baseball team got clobbered so much so that the good old slaughter rule was enacted and the game ended early. Aunt Flow came to visit in all her glory. I’m trying to stop drinking wine during the week, ‘nuf said. The Hills Season premier was on and despite her efforts, Heidi did not look anything like my daughter’s Barbie doll. Dammit. I was so going to have 90 plastic surgeries (and make sure Ken had them too)  if we could look like this:

Despite my sarcasm, let me tell you why it really was a good day. I had one of those “just because moments.” You know the ones. Where someone, stranger or otherwise, does something exceptional  for you with no ulterior motive, no hope for anything in return. Out of pure kindness. These moments stand out because they don’t happen that often. It’s the stranger who holds your hand on the airplane when you’re afraid (pervert!), or the friend who shows up unexpectedly at your door with a bottle of wine just because she knew your dog died (he licked his balls off).

What was my just because moment? Let me back up here. Tara from Loves Life in Colorado and I became blogger friends many months ago when we both realized we lived in the Denver area and that we were both running the Rock ‘n Roll San Antonio Marathon in November ‘09. Our friendship and commonalities further expanded when we both had to drop out of the race (me with a stress fracture, Tara with a pulmonary embolism – yeah, she always has to one-up me). We commiserated through recovery and both were able to start training again at about the same time. We discovered we had yet again both signed up for the same race: the Colorado Marathon. We met for one long run in Denver (with blogger Jill) and continued to keep in touch regarding training, etc.

Fast forward to yesterday when I got this in the mail from Tara:

 

She has one too. This is seriously one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It holds obvious sentimental value, is incredibly unique and was given just because. This necklace comes from a new company called Silver Maple. All jewelry is made with sterling silver and copper and can honor any occasion: a race, the birth of a child, or a special sentiment. Gorgeous stuff. Thanks Tara! Here’s hoping 5.9.10 is a good one for us with no nooses or snow.

What’s a just because moment you’ve had lately (or one you’ve given someone else)?

Best Gifts Ever and Then Some

Running tip (sort of): Don't wash your iPod in the washing machine after you forgot to take it out of your pocket, but if you do, immerse it in a bowl of dry rice. The rice will soak up the water and your device might just work again. Mine did!

I am spoiled. I'll admit it. Not the kind of spoiled where you ask daddy for a pony and he runs out and gets it for you and if he doesn't you make everyone's life miserable around you, but the kind of spoiled where you have the most amazing people in your life who show you they care about you all the time, in the coolest of ways. Maybe I should say I'm blessed instead of spoiled,but I don't use the word blessed like ever. I feel like that's saying that Jesus is involved and maybe he is, but he might have been dealing with other things like Haiti and Iraq and hospitals and car accidents instead of me.

Let me start this post off by saying you guys are amazing. 108 birthday wishes and 108 weird and unique facts about yourselves.

Everything from Jenn w/2 n's who said she has coulophobia, a fear of clowns, to Fit in the city who was held up at gunpoint at a bank and locked in the vault, to Runnernic who has a birthmark on her butt in the shape of the number 12. I could not have asked for more interesting and bizarre readers if I tried. The dog (see to the right ->) was even impressed. It's takes a lot to impress him since he has three legs and a chronically erect penis.

Okay, the gifts. Reading this, you just might get some gift ideas for that special person in your life who is female, turning 43, a pants crapper and a runner.

First, there were the books:

Don't know a thing about this, but want to give it a whirl? Anyone read it?

And this one from Joie, which I have read before, but LOVED about ultra marathoner, Pam Reed.

Then there was the jewelry:

This awesome one from J. Jill from my dear friend, Jenn:


And this agate bracelet that is supposed to attract miracles from best buddy and fellow blogger, Clair:

Next, Ken ordered these Chia sports drink mixes from some Native American, Wingfoot, in California (btw, if I were a Native American I would be called Wind Breaker or Turd Maker). Apparently, if I drink this I will be able to run barefoot over many mountains tomorrow. Flavors are orange, lemon and lime. I wonder what this will do to my colon?:

Of course you have to have entertainment, so Ken get us tickets to see Chelsea Handler in Denver. I just hope she brings her midget friend, Chuy, along. I've always had a secret crush on Chuy. I am wondering if everything including is penis is just shorter. I don't know how that works (don't even think about reserving seat 5 in row 1).

Anyone who knows me, knows I love my Dots. I eat them in bed at night. I know what you're thinking: she complains about turd issues when she eats Dots at night in bed? She deserves what she gets. Well, the Easter edition of Dots are out, so all is well with my world.These came from my kids, who longingly watch me eat them. I don't share. Mostly because the kids both have braces and Dots are on the shit list. The ortho would have my ass if I fed these to my kids.

Then there was the Fit Foam Roller from Carolyn. I know this will come in handy for my many post running aches and pains. I am 43, remember?

And, anyone who knows me knows I'm a coffee FREAK, so I got this ceramic/silicone to-go cup. Seriously, one of my most favorite gifts.

Then, the token Road ID (in purple) because I want people to know who to call when I am in the ditch. It even says, "Shut up and run." Notice I am not posting a photo because I do not want any modelling companies or talent searches to be contacting me.

Lastly, but not leastly, Ken who is the most thoughtful and creative dude, had this tech shirt made for me:

See what I mean about being spoiled??? To me, there is nothing better than receiving a gift that speaks to who you are as a person. This means the giver had to take time out to think about you, your likes, your passions, how you spend your time. This = love in my book. What's the best gift you've gotten this year?

Drinking: Kirkland coffee roasted by Starbucks