s&m

Today's topics: Sneakers and Mountains

Sneakers

I purchased a new pair! I was due for a some new kicks, and decided to have myself actually fitted for a pair, instead of just picking blindly. It was pretty painless and I'm glad I did it! Now that I know I need a "stability" shoe, I can actually get into the Runner's World shoe guides...exhilarating, I know! Anyway, I didn't really think ahead before heading out on today's run (weather/course wise), so when I got home, my shoes looked a bit like those "Spot the Difference" picture games in the magazines...everything is the same from one (shoe) to the next, except a few small changes.

(I would've written this part upside down if I could: 1. Big spot of dirt)

Mountains

When I was little, the thought of the slow and deliberate climb to the top of a roller coaster made me want to hurl. That slow, steady clicking of the car inching its way up...ugh. At Dorney Park, I remember watching the cars become tiny dots (okay, maybe not tiny dots...) as we climbed higher and higher. The anticipation, the sloooowww moving of it all..it killed me.

And that's exactly what running such (or any, really) inclines are like for me. I let the anticipation get to me and it makes me crazy. I ran on some new roads last week and didn't realize how many bumps in the road there'd be. Not knowing, I was unable to dread them for the minutes leading up to them. Nevertheless, once I saw it up ahead, I'd start to panic. There was one that I almost had to laugh to when I got to it though. It was nothing. Even though it had looked like the car on the street were driving up a 90 degree angle, it appeared as though the sidewalk was doing its own thing. All that worry for nothing! I realized I need to stop psyching myself out and stop panicking about it beforehand. Most of the time, I blow it up so big in my head that the mountain in my mind is not even a close relative of the minor hill that lays before me. ESPECIALLY in anticipation for Hope Express EXTREME team (all will be revealed: next post!), I've decided to (slowly) start embracing these challenges, and have stopped completely rerouting runs when they fall before me. It's good. This is good.

Ahhhhhh!

Ordinary people doing EXTRAORDINARY things

"My goal has always been to introduce other people to running. They might accomplish something they never thought they could." - Grete Waitz

The arrival of this quote in my inbox was so appropriate (as always, since the person who sends them out stalks me/my life/this blog apparently...always perfectly timing them). In the past two days, I have had two fellow runners (who I look up to and admire for their passion for running and dedication to achieve once unfathomable goals) paid me the biggest compliment by telling me that I inspire them to run, encourage them to push themselves. It is really the best feeling, especially as I begin to start mapping out my next training plan (re: HOPE EXPRESS EXTREME 2012! More to come! Donations being accepted now!). It's what I love so much about running. Everyone can do it...really. It's just having enough courage to believe in yourself.

As part of a surprise trip home to the East this weekend, I spent a few hours at the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton to cheer Ryan's dad, Rege, on in his first marathon (at which he did AWESOME!!) and one of the SICKEST runners I know, Rachel Wise. It was neat to be at a different kind of marathon, since my only other marathon experiences were in (much!) bigger cities. It was really nice to be able to travel with ease throughout the course and really great to be able to get up close and personal to finish line, watching the wide range of ways people handled approaching the end of 26.2 miles. It was pretty awesome.

Congratulations to Rege and Rachel on kicking butt yesterday. It was a lot of fun cheering you on and seeing all of your hard work pay off!

Hello Scranton!

Congrats on your first marathon!

(This is pretty much what Rachel looked like yesterday)

Gallup Park

So today I decided to check out a run a little further from home (a 5 minute drive down the street...) and I LOVED IT! I really enjoyed this run, and just like in Philly, there are so many little runs along a longer path/trail that can be connected to make new and different runs. I like that. I can work with that.

It's really neat to map a route in a place I have never been and then to run it out...it's so nice to be able to see my new home this way. What's super cool about this run was that it looped around not one, but TWO (itty bitty) bodies of water! Lots of bridges. A few islands. Many, many benches (not too significant to running, but worth noting..right?).

I liked this tree a lot (mostly because it reminded me of Fern Gully)!

Philadelphia LOVE

One year ago today, I ran my FIRST HALF-MARATHON!!!! I think above all, it makes me nostalgic for Philly and so thrilled that I chose to run my first big race there. Philadelphia will always possess a large piece of my heart and the half-marathon being today along with Penn State playing at the Linc yesterday/ESPN's beautiful shots of the city...sigh. Melts my heart.

On this afternoon's run, I thought a lot about all the running I did in Philadelphia and the different perspective it gave me. I certainly fell in love with a different part of the city when I explored it on foot. The first time Ryan and I ran here together, we ran alongside of a river we live right next by and he commented on how it smelled just like running on the Schuylkill did. It was such a small thing, but was a nice reminder of hours spent on the Tow Path. Most of my runs in Manayunk were over the same streets and paths, again and again, and now, given the distance, what was once almost too familiar, I realize now was so nice to have. Runs in the overwhelming heat and through the snow, in the morning before the sun lit the day and in the black of the night. Alone with my thoughts and almost needing to stop to catch my breath from laughing so hard with friends. Until now, I didn't realize what an impact running had on my time living in Philadelphia, but I am so thankful to have that. Looking back now, it's so nice to have so many wonderful memories, made almost accidentally on my path to the half.

Along the path in Nichols Arboretum

the power of kindness

Ten years later, it's incredible how the tragedies of September 11, 2001 can feel just as close as they did that day. Every year on the anniversary, I feel so overwhelmed with sadness, confusion, and helplessness. I wonder how things could ever continue to go on and how life will resume, and then, just like it did in 2001, it slowly does.

It's said often, but the kindness and sense of community that was displayed in the weeks following that historic day give me such a feeling a purpose and truly rekindled my spirit. The same way the anniversary so clearly brings back the feelings of loss, it also reminds me of the incredible power of humankind to reach out to one another and to be kind (perhaps that's why it's humankind...right?). There are so many stories of bravery and courage shared from that day (and other tragedies), but it is still never mundane or simple. If watching the footage of 9/11 evokes a level of sadness, the anniversary and sharing and celebration of lives lost provides me with an even greater feeling of hope.

Ryan and I went to a memorial service this morning and while he was speaking, the Police Chief asked everyone to join hands, just as we so easily did in the days following 9/11. It was such a powerful moment. When life gets busy, we all too often get consumed with the little details that make up our days, too busy to pause for a complete stranger. Holding the hand of someone I had never seen before and quite possible never will again reminded me that each moment, each interaction still has such great value.

A little while later, we were walking through a book festival and I saw the perfect magnet that read, "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." I had to laugh, but appreciated the creative approach to making the point. Each day, we have the ability to impact the lives of all those we encounter, and even if we are just running errands or walking down the street, that's still a lot of people. Someone chased me down the street the other day to give me my sweater that had fallen out of my bag and I was so grateful, and even surprised that he took the time to do that. These things put it into perspective for me and help to remind me that these little moments or touches make all the difference in the world. This kindness should be the norm.

When I think about the way running has made me feel about myself, I recognize that there is no greater gift I could give than to pay it forward and help others to feel that same success and the same wonderful way about themselves and their ability to reach their goals and dreams. Of course this isn't exclusive to running, but it's something I want to do in this next year of running, to help others in that way. I think about the way people, even complete strangers, can lift one another up. It shouldn't take immense tragedy for this to happen. It should be happening every day.

Lots of Water!

There are so many new things here to see, and strategically planning my runs is an excellent way to explore! I had wanted to start taking more mid-run pictures (an idea I thought of AFTER running throughout all of New Orleans...argh!). The first isn't a run, but it was a big day, because I finally mustered up enough courage to try out the lap lanes at the pool..and it was awesome! I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to something else to mix it up! It's also worth noting that these pictures were taking days apart, but it was 90 degrees in the first and low 60's in the last....burrrr!

Public pool near our apartment

Taken on a little bridge (that looked like I shouldn't be crossing) over the Huron River, right across from our apartment

Summer 2011 in Review

ek! I hate that I have been MIA, but I'd like to think it has been with good reason. I haven't been able to write in a little while since I haven't written in a little while, so I want to cut to the chase and break the dry spell! Here it goes (A LOT happened...so I'll try to stick to what's relevant, as dictated by my iPhoto account):

Over 4th of July weekend, I enjoyed some wonderful group runs, including a visit to Central Park.

(I think this was: Gold star to you for running! Sindy is a marathoner, so she was not as excited/didn't feel as impressed with herself as we were...)

Penn State Roommate Weekend = Lots of dancing and running in place to up Amanda's step-counter numbers.

In honor of becoming a Master, Lani and I went to celebrate Christmas in July (as well as in 100 degrees) with the Phillies and I FINALLY met the man of my dreams, the Philly Phanatic. Dreams DO come true!

Trips to Whirled Peace required some walking...and lots of spoon lifting.

I don't have any pictures of my AM runs with LB, but they were the glue to my summer. Oh...and we accomplished our long-time dream of running to Conshohocken!

And I moved to Michigan....

Pictures from one of my first runs in Ann Arbor with Ryan's dad, Rege. Ann Arbor is FILLED with parks (157 to be exact), so it makes for beautiful runs...and hopefully more frequent posts.