highs and lows

"If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough." - Gretchen Rubin (author of my guide to living)

I had a troublesome run last week and realized afterwards that it was hard to assess how the run actually went when I subtracted my attitude/personal feelings from the picture. No surprises here. When I told a friend about the run, I realized that while I struggled through parts of it, I accomplished what I set out to do and completed the run. Later in the week, I came across the above quote and it really stood out to me. When I decided to start running, I didn't do it because it was easy. I did it, because it was something new and challenging for me, and I knew it would teach me a lot about patience, hard work, and growth. The same way I celebrate my successes, I need to remember the purpose of these more challenging runs as well. Aside from making me just about cry, they should be reminders to me of the overall journey. They're just as crucial as the successful runs.

All that being said, the runs that followed later in the week were all really awesome. I had the lucky fortunate of visiting and touring the Beaumont Children's Hospital, a hospital about 45 minutes from Ann Arbor, that is a Children's Miracle Network facility. The hospital was wonderful, so kid-friendly and attentive to all of the needs of children, not just medically. I thought about the money THON/Hope Express raises for the 7th floor of Hershey Medical Center and the support the Four Diamonds Fund provides for these families during their fight against cancer. I am so blessed in my life, and I don't take that for granted. It's so important to help others who are dealt unlucky hands in life, to lessen their burdens and bring hope and love into their lives. Seeing the Children's Hospital here, seeing what supports are in place for these families made me feel so good and so lucky to be involved with supporting the children being treated at Hershey and their families. You too can help - donate now!

On that note, I'm super excited, because the team of runners that will travel from the 7th floor at Hershey Medical to Penn State/THON will be picked THIS WEEK!! Lots of emotions, excitement and crossed fingers, but regardless of what happens, I'm thrilled to be part of something I care so much about. Stay tuned!

Too good for a title!

Two things I love this week:

1. I am so incredibly grateful for the love and support from my family and friends as I train for Hope Express...wow wow wow!

2. This picture:

Hope Express EXTREME Team 2012!

Family and Friends,

As many of you may know, I had the incredible privilege of running in last year’s Hope Express 2011. The 135-mile, 24-hour journey from Hershey to Penn State was truly magical. We

conquered mountains and miles to bring letters of hope and encouragement from the children at Hershey Medical Center to the an annual Dance MaraTHON. Each year this 46-hour event – known affectionately to most as “THON” - raises millions of

dollars to support the families of the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that helps families who have children with pediatric cancer. This year I’m challenging myself to be a part of Hope Express’s Extreme Team - half the runners covering the same distance. If selected to be a runner, I will run three 6-mile legs up grueling hills and through whatever unpredictable February weather central Pennsylvania may bring! Running is not something that comes easily to me, but it would be an honor to bring hope to those who have no choice but to stand tall in their fight against cancer.

The Four Diamonds Fund provides both financial and medical support to its families during their battle with cancer. Families’ involvement in THON provides them with a renewed sense of hope, and a reminder to not give up, no matter how hard times may get. Hank and Connie Angus, parents of Gabe, a Four Diamonds child, began Hope Express in 2007 as a way to bridge the gap between THON and the children on the 7th floor at Hershey Medical Center. Families whose children are too sick to attend THON weekend are now able to have some of the magic brought to them, and their words and letters are given to the Hope Express runners to carry on their backs during the 24-hour relay all the way to Penn State.

Please consider supporting me this year as part of Hope Express in honor and support of the Four Diamonds families. Every donation, regardless of the amount, brings us one step closer to conquering childhood cancer. Personally, I have set a goal to raise $1,800, and I can only achieve it with your support. Donations can be easily made online. If you prefer, however, you may opt to mail a check - email me and I will send my address. Even though the run is not until February, I would greatly appreciate it if donations are made by November 1, as this is when runners will be officially selected for the Extreme Team.

As I train for the relay, I am able to explore my new home in Michigan in a new and unique way, and it helps me to feel connected to the things that matter to me most, even if I’m far from home. I am so grateful for all of your help, love, and support, which inspire me to give to this incredible cause. As always, please feel free to follow my journey by visiting here often, as I will continue to write about running and my experiences training for the big event.

For the Kids,

Darian

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