WHY COACHING IS AWESOME

This past Monday w/ my captains after our 

Middlesex League meet in Woburn, MA.

As most of you know, I coach the high school school girls cross country team in Lexington, MA.  There are about 70 girls on my squad.  Each one has their own unique personality and together they make up quite an eclectic bunch.  Even on the most difficult days, I look forward to going to work.  I can be totally exhausted, stressed out, or in a terrible mood and I know it will all change the minute I join them at practice.  I basically have to put my own issues aside when I show up as each one of them needs me for one reason or another and when I am with them I do everything I can to focus on them and only them.  Just two days ago I wrote about the difficult time I was having in the parenting department.  I went to bed frustrated and annoyed.  I woke up feeling the same way, just a little less.  But, by the time I got to practice, I had different fish to fry.  My seniors are beyond exhausted and many of them are sick due to their intense academic schedules.  One of my top runners can feel a a nagging injury in her foot every time she takes a step.  Another one of my runners is pissed at me and I have no idea why.  And the list goes on.  So, you see, there is no room for anything else during these 2 hours of practice.  My issues with my own kids have to take a back seat for a while.  And this is not a bad thing.  In fact, while I'm focusing less on Rosie and Grace and more on the team, I am constantly banking the knowledge I am gaining as it almost always applies to my personal life and I will most likely be bringing it home and applying it again.  And that is awesome.  As I write this post, I am smiling as I know that my runners are wearing their Halloween costumes to school today and at least two of them will be dressing up as bananas.  I am 100% positive that they will be laughing throughout the entire day and that they will be bringing that positive energy with them to practice.  I can not wait.  For that, and all the rest that goes along with it, the good the bad and everything in between.

With Lucy, sporting her banana costume

(oh, and Hanna's in there, too)

TOP 10 REASONS WHY COACHING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES IS AWESOME
1. They remind me not only why I love to run, but how important it is for running to be fun.
2. No matter what kind of mood I'm in, they can always make me laugh.
3. They're energy is boundless and contagious.  
4. They inspire me to work harder.
5. They teach me to be more patient and to slow down.
6. They prepare me for what's coming down the pipeline with my own girls (oh Lordy).
7. They push me out of my comfort zone.
8. They remind how insanely important and valuable it is to have friends.
9. They always keep me guessing, not always easy to deal with, but a good challenge nonetheless.
10. They make me want to try to be a better runner/mom/person every single day.

Listen to this:
I Bet My Life - Imagine Dragons

A LITTLE BIT OF CRAZY

As a runner I struggle all the time.  Every day I question myself in some way.  Are you good enough? Are you strong enough?  Is this what you really want?  Is it worth it?  Can you do it any differently?  Can you do it better?  Do you need a break?  Are you having fun?  The list goes on and on.  And, I suppose, in a way, the questions....having them, asking them, answering them....are what help me keep at it day in and day out.  This week I am struggling a little bit with parenting.  And I find myself asking the same exact questions.  Sure, they are more specific to my role as a mom, but the information I am seeking is very similar.  It's almost spooky.  (sorry, Halloween is on the brain).  My girls are amazing.  I love them more than anything.  They make me laugh, a lot.  They keep me guessing all the time.  And most importantly, they force me to push myself to be a better person every single day.  Sometimes, this is hard.  REALLY hard.  They continuously challenge me in these crazy 7 and 9 year old ways.  They're savvy without even realizing it.  Well, actually, my 7 year old probably does realize it.  Sometimes, I find, I don't really want to be a better person.  I really just want to sit in the corner and fume.  In a nutshell, my older daughter struggles academically but could make friends with a tree.  My younger daughter is smart as a whip but won't go anywhere without me and has a really hard time with change.  I won't go into the details here.  If you are a mom, you already know.  If you work with kids, you get it.  If you don't have kids but you've seen a mom in full deal mode, you likely understand.  If you are a kid yourself, well, you're living it.  Last night, I was trying to help my older daughter with her homework, never a good thing, and we were both almost driven to tears.  Meanwhile, my younger daughter was bouncing around the kitchen, begging for my attention which I couldn't give her because I was focusing on her sister.  My husband was out of town.  I was slowly unraveling.  We all kind of were.  We sat down to eat and my older daughter could sense that something was up with me.   Here's how our conversation played out:

Rosie: Mom, are you okay?
Me: Yea, Rosie.  Thanks for asking.
Rosie: Why aren't you talking?
Me: I just have a lot on my mind.
Grace: But you're just eating.  Isn't that all you have to think about?  (what did I tell you?)
----> No response from me here, though I might have rolled my eyes at Grace.  I could tell that Rosie wasn't ready to be done with the conversation.
Rosie: What's on your mind?
Me: To be honest, Rose. I'm just frustrated.  I want to be able to help you with your work and I can tell that it's making you upset and I don't really know what to do.  
Rosie: Me neither.
----> Insert AHA! moment when I realize that she might actually be feeling the same way I do.
Grace: Mom, if I eat half of my cucumber and half of my pepper then I've eaten one whole veg.  So, I'm good to go, right?
Me: Really, Grace?
Rosie: Mom?
Me: Yea, Rose?
Rosie: What's for dessert?

In the end, we all moved on to dessert.  We needed a shift and we were all craving something sweet.  I went out to walk the dogs in an attempt to unwind a bit.  My mind was on overdrive.  And I found myself asking - in Rosie's case - what can I do differently, how can I make learning more fun for her and less painful for both of us, how can I find the patience to help her, and in Grace's case - WTH??  Yes, these are my mom issues at the moment, and I am fully aware that they are not big ones.  It's all relative.  But, lately I've felt as though I'm kind of treading water.  I'm trying to work through it, but I'm never really making it up to the surface.  As a mom, I'm wondering if you ever really do break through.  Or maybe, we just have a lot of little mini breakthroughs but the pool is just so damn big.  In reality, it's probably not supposed to be easy.  What would be the fun in that?  Maybe the challenge is the whole point.  Much like running.  At least for me.  And as a mom, and a runner, I'm learning that a little bit of crazy is not such a bad thing.

Listen to this:

Baby Don't Lie - Gwen Stefani  

RWR: Meet Tyler (drummer, runner & cool cat)

"Today, I’m just so purely happy to be living, period.  I’m also totally ready for
the next curveball that life has in store for me.  Bring it on, world!"

~ Tyler Silva

Earlier this year, my husband began to forward me emails from one of his co-workers entitled Song pick of the week.  Naturally, my interest was piqued.  In each one he would introduce the band, often and up and comer, describe their sound, and discuss any other relevant pieces of info that he felt were worth sharing.  After receiving a couple of these gems, I asked my husband to let this guy, Tyler, know that I was really digging his picks and to please keep them coming my way.  So, Jeff relayed my message and then told him a little bit about me, my love for running and music and this blog.  Well, wouldn't you know it.  Tyler is a runner, too.  Of course he is.  Over the months, the songs kept coming and my funk band knowledge continued to rapidly expand.  Awesome.  Then, in June, Jeff send me this one:

Song pick of the week 
----> show this to your wife.  EXCELLENT music to run to.
EMEFE is from Brooklyn.  One of the only afro-beat horn bands in the world right now.  All kids in their mid-20s with unbelievable musical skills.   I haven't been able to stop listening to them.  This has been my running/ workout song of the week.  Bad ass music video too.

Well, that was it.  I needed to know more about this kid, hear what else he had to say, and then to share it with you.  Fortunately, he was fired up to oblige.  Clearly, he is a runner who rocks.  Here's his story.

RWR: TYLER SILVA

Name: Tyler Silva
Where you're from: Springfield, MA
Where you reside now: Ludlow, MA
Age: 23
Occupation: Business Analyst During the day.  Studio/Live Drummer at night.  
Blog/website: facebook.com/fatbradley  (my original funk band, Fat Bradley. AKA: my pride and joy)

RUNNING & MUSIC
What do you love most about running?  
My answer to this might be more obscure than most. I mean It’s exercise, it’s a way to kill time, it’s a way to challenge one’s self with new goals every day, and of course, there are endless therapeutic values.   My main reason however is simply…  I like to get lost!  Nothing excites me more than traveling to a new city on a vacation or for a gig with a band, not knowing what the hell is around me, and just going out to discover the world.  I’ve found some of my favorite places on Earth this way, along with some not-so-great (or safe) areas.  It’s a way for me to get in touch with not only myself, but also my surroundings.  I find that in the daily grind of work, deadlines, and responsibilities… it’s way too easy to forget about the beautiful world that surrounds us.  Being out of touch with my surroundings as a human is really a (sort-of) fear that lingers in the back of my mind.  Luckily, I’m constantly a victim of severe Wanderlust, and I love it!  Running is kind of my tool to discovery.

What do you love most about music?  
Almost everyone in the world is born with a sense of sound.  Mom’s heartbeat is where it all starts, for all of us.  The first sound that we hear is that of “life”.  As Frank Zappa said in one of his last-ever living interviews, all that music really is is the organization of sounds. I like that fact that music is a type of phenomenon that ALL people can familiarize with and interpret in their own unique way.  For us musicians, I love the fact that we are the “organizers of sound” in the world.  We are responsible for shaping and tailoring the sounds around us to interpret an idea, a belief, or how we feel on the deepest of levels.  Whether you’re a musician or just a listener, music is almost like an “ultimate network” that keeps all of us intertwined as one being.   Am I getting to “hippie” for you?

THE SIMPLE ANSWER: What I love most about music is that more than anything… its one of the few truly organic things in life that keep people truly human. It’s hard to find that kind of phenomena in today’s world of “artificial sweeteners”.

Tyler on drums

TYLER'S FAVORITES
Band (current, all time or both): 
I think its safe to say that my all-time favorite is Nine Inch Nails.  However, don’t let that be the describer of my taste.  Currently I’m obsessed with Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, and more recently, a funk orchestra from Brooklyn called Snarky Puppy… just to name a few.

Album (current, all time or both):
My current favorite has got to be Like Clockwork, the newest release by Queens of the Stone Age.  Favorite album of all time is tied between The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails  &  Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd.

Northfield Mountain

(fun fact: this is where my XC team ran for their state meet in 2012)

Race venue: Northfield Mountain, Northfield, MA (extremely intense 5k course. see photo)
Music venue: Royale in Boston (new favorite), and The Roxy in Los Angeles
Race distance: 5k
Show you've seen live? Another honest tie between the Lights in the Sky Tour by Nine Inch Nails, and The Wall by Roger Waters
Ice cream flavor?  Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food



THIS OR THAT:
Sweet or salty?  Sweet. No, Salty… Wait, How do you classify salted pretzels?
Live or recorded? LIVE! My main musical moral is: It’s all about how a band presents themselves to other humans in a room.
Coffee or tea?  Java!
Summer or winter? Summer (minus the mosquitos)




MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? 
Definitely Rush! As a drummer, I am embarrassed to say I’ve never seen them live.  I also heard that Mastodon is kicking some serious A$$ on the road right now, Id love to see them again. 

The one and only, Freddy Mercury

Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? 
Queen, or any living form of Freddie Mercury on a stage.


Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? 
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.  

Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? 
For some reason, when I think about this question, the first image that pops into my mind is Weezer, on a flatbed truck, performing the Blue Album in its entirety along side me.  I’ll stick to that.

Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both?
Stutter - EMEFE
Us v. Them – LCD Soundsystem
Running – Nine Inch Nails
Bent Nails – Snarky Puppy
High Road - Mastodon

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
Paris (Aeroplane Remix) – Friendly Fires
Deesh – Mogwai
Warm Ways – Fleetwood Mac
Out of the Black – Royal Blood
Strings and Attractors – How to Destroy Angels

A DAY OF FIRSTS

"I stay swaggerific you don’t need to ask why"

~ Will.I.Am, 'Check It Out'

This past Monday was a day of many firsts.  Want to know what they were?  Of course you do.

It was the first day of the week.  I know, lame.  But I had to throw it in there.
It was my first run since the marathon.  An easy 4 mile cruiser.  Awesome.
It was the first time it dipped below 40℉ this fall.
It was the first time I've had a legitimate reason to sport my new Oiselle 'Off the Grid' knickers.
It was the first time I've run without tracking my pace and/or mileage since the summer.
It was the first time I've broken out in dance mid-run simply because I was so fired up to be on the road again.
It was the first time I went to Target for a shower curtain and ended up buying the majority of my groceries.  Man, they sell a LOT of stuff.
It was the first time I have stared down stared down multiple bags of candy corn (literally, like, everywhere I turned, there they were) and not purchased them.  
It was the first time I've listened to the Caribou's new album 'Our Love' from start to finish.  Just, wow.
And, last but certainly not least, it was the first time I've heard this song 'Echo' by VÉRITÉ.  Double wow.

Not a bad Monday.  Not bad at all.

Listen to this:
Echo - VÉRITÉ 

THE SAME, JUST BETTER

"And the world spins madly on."

~ The Weepies

It's Monday morning at 6:53am.  I have been up since 5:52 with our puppy who has more energy than a 3 year old at a birthday party.  I am enjoying my second cup of coffee while also making sure that she doesn't eat the legs of the dining room table or an entire roll of toilet paper.  A week ago, yesterday, I ran my marathon PR at the Mohawk Hudson marathon in Albany, NY.  It was a freakin' incredible day.  But since then, not much has changed.  My "to-do" list for last week looked something like this:

• take Rosie to the doctor for new allergy meds
• grocery shop
• prep for board meeting at school
• prep for away XC meet on Tuesday
• get car washed and serviced
• pick up a new trash can at the hardware store
• refill ink cartridges at Costco
• cancel gym membership
• call plumber

I know, super exciting, right?  Some people cook, some paint, some watch football.  Me?  I run.  It's not on my "to-do" list.  It's just a given.  And, if I didn't do it, I can only guess how painfully tedious these tasks might feel as I trudged through them each week.  I haven't run at all since the marathon. One week off sounds minimal if you're not a runner, but to me it's huge.  When I'm training, particularly for a marathon, I can be out on the road for up to 3 hours a day.  Tack on some time to cool down, shower and eat a meal and there is not much time left to get stuff done before I have to head off to my job.  Last week I had a lot of extra time to do all the other things on my list.  And due to my lasting elation from my race, when I woke up on Monday morning, I was borderline thrilled to get crackin'.  I floated through that grocery store like a superhero on a mission.  I high-fived the guys at the car wash before I went through.  I chatted with Mike down at the hardware store for a solid 10 minutes about nothing in particular before I headed out with my new trash can which I was stupidly excited about.  When I race, life doesn't change much.  But do I change?  You bet I do.  I tend to feel stronger, happier, more alive, more badass and more ready to deal with anything; even if it's calling the plumber.  If this isn't reason to keep at it, I don't know what is.  My life as a mom/wife/coach is great.  Running makes it better.  Racing makes it awesome.  Enough said.

Listen to this:
Heavy Metal Heart - Sky Ferreira  

RACE REVIEW: MOHAWK HUDSON

I am a marathon runner

And my legs are sore

And I'm anxious to see

What I'm running for

~ Yellow Ostrich, 'Marathon Runner'

Back in 2007 I ran the Baystate Marathon, my first, in Lowell, MA.  My goal was to qualify for Boston and then, assuming I could do this, run it right afterwords so I could cross it off of my bucket list.  And then, I would be done with marathons.  Ah ha ha ha.  Go ahead, you can laugh along with me here.  After successfully qualifying for Boston, by a hair (I needed a 3:40 and I ran a 3:39:55), I did end up running it a year later.  I was happy with my time, 3:31 and a solid PR, but I felt I could do better.  So, I ran it again.  Unfortunately, I crashed and burned, which really pissed me off.  So, I definitely wasn't done.  And, then, yes, I ran it a 3rd time because I had something to prove to myself.  I came in at 3:29 and as you can imagine, I was overjoyed.  As you can also imagine, I wasn't done.  Enough Boston, I decided.  It was time for something new.  Fast forward to my 6th marathon down in Albany, GA.  I had ramped up my training, using a plan designed for me by coach Greg McMillan.  I was going for broke.  And I nailed it.  I ran a 3:16 which was above and beyond what I thought I could do.  I remember thinking on the flight home that I just might be done with marathons all together.  But, I had a bad taste in my mouth after Albany, because while I did well, I didn't feel truly happy about it.  Many months and several bad races later, I came to the realization that I was just going through the motions and that, somewhere along the way, I had lost the simple joy in running.  So, after much thought and a reevaluation of my agenda, I hired a coach to help me re-set my goals with the understanding that I would be running and racing, first and foremost, for fun and whatever else happened along the way would just be icing on the cake.  I ran 4 marathons after Albany and they were all pretty good.  Not awesome, not terrible.  No PRs but no disasters.  Times aside, though, I had some really rewarding experiences.  And I was loving the whole training process from day one through the race itself.  So, I knew I was doing it for the right reasons again.  After my 9th, I sent my coach a note asking him to be honest with me as to whether he thought besting my 3:16 was ever realistically doable.  I wanted the straight up truth and if he thought it was too big of a pipedream, I would accept it and move on.  But, he seemed to think I still had it in me if I really focused and put the time in.  Fast forward to 2014.  I am 39 years old and I'm getting ready to run my 10th marathon.  I'm going for the PR one last time and hoping for the best while also reminding myself to be okay with it if my best was behind me.  Here we go.

On Saturday, I headed out to Albany, NY to run the Mohawk Hudson Marathon which I'd heard through the running grapevine was fast, flat and beautiful.  A few weeks prior to the race, I reached out to a couple of my Oiselle teammates who I knew would also be racing and asked if I could tag along with them the night before so I didn't have to dine alone.  They graciously took me under their wings (pun intended) and we met at the expo before heading off to dinner together.

w/ Steph Viloria & Mollie Turner 

#birdfamily

I was really fired up to hang with these gals.  I'd met them the previous spring down in VA at the Shamrock races with the Oiselle crew, but had not gotten to spend much time with them there.  Dinner was great.  We just had to deal with a few minor issues along the way including a major spill on Steph (my fault), some antsyness and a few tears from Steph and Mollie's little girls (ages 1 and 3) who were beyond tired and wanted to go home (which I totally understood) and a falling window frame (not our fault).  Needless to say, Steph will probably wait a while before she goes back there again as we made a lasting impression on the staff.  I headed back to the hotel and settled in for the night, turning my light off at 9:00.  At 5:45am, I rolled out of bed and headed downstairs for a coffee (bless you, Starbucks).  I had to drive to the race finish in order to catch a bus to the start as it was a point to point race.  I had a lovely chat with a runner from Washington state on the way over which was so nice because it pleasantly distracted me for the entire 30 minute ride.  We arrived at 7:30 and we all bee-lined it for the port-o-pottys, which I visited about 5 times because it was 35 degrees out and there was nothing else to do between then and 8:30 when the race would begin.  Longest.  Hour.  Ever.  We started right on time and headed out in maybe the most perfect race conditions possible.  Sunny, clear, crisp, cool with the added bonus of peak foliage to admire along the way.  The route was along a bike path the entire way and the views were stunning.  I settled into a 7:30 pace, keeping the 3:15 pace group in front of me, but doing my best not to go out too fast.  About halfway in, I started to feel tired and felt the group sliding ahead of me.  So, I pulled out a GU (new root beer flavor - awesome) and gave myself a talking to.  It was time to dig in.  I had trained for four months on tired legs.  I could handle this.  I turned up the volume on my iPod and tried to zone out for the next few miles.  At around mile 15, I caught up with the 3:15 group again which was being led by a spritely young colt named Jamie, who could run a 7:25 pace while chatting comfortably, non-stop.  WTF??  I stuck with him for a few miles and then I let go.  Literally.  My mind was up for the challenge and my legs were going along with it so I switched gears and picked it up.  With each mile I felt confident that I could hold on as long as I just stopped thinking about it.  Ha!

High-five?  Anyone?  Hello?

For miles 23 and 24 I was solo on the bike path (see above) which was both strange and tricky.  I was dog tired and I had no one pushing or pulling me along so I could have easily dropped off.  But, then I started to see people up ahead and I knew the end was near.  I had no idea what pace I was running because I had stopped looking at my watch, but I knew it was going to be a PR and I was fired up.  As I turned onto the final strip, I saw my husband and kids cheering for me at the finish line.  Oh my Lord, what a feeling.  I high-fived my daughter (she later told me that I forgot to let go and pulled her a long with me for a bit) and then fist pumped my way through the finish line rolling in at 3:11:05 with a huge smile on my face.  

Wiped and hurting. But smiling.

I was tired.  I was weak.  I was kind of nauseous.  But I was so freakin' happy and that was all that mattered.  I had done it.  And done it well.  And I could not have asked for anything more.  I found my family and cried as I hugged them all.  And then I let my kids eat Doritos, lollipops, Gatorade and granola bars (don't judge) as I tried to gather enough strength to walk back to the hotel.

I have had a lot of amazing days in my life and this one was definitely up there.  Not because I PR'd.  That was fantastic.  But, because I had finished the race with so much joy and with such a love for this sport and all that it offers me.  It was a welcome and gentle reminder to never take it for granted.  What's next?  Who knows.  It doesn't matter right now.  All that matters is that I am still smiling.

Listen to this:

Tidal Wave - Snowmine  

THANKS & TBT

It is usually about now, a couple days before my marathon, that I tend to get sentimental and feel the overwhelming desire to hug anyone I see.  It happens every time.  And this is my 10th marathon.  So, that's a lot of hugging.  Maybe it's the taper messing with my head.  Maybe it's due to the fact that I have poured so much time and effort into the months leading up to the race itself that I am craving the emotional release.  Or maybe, it's just that I like to hug people.  And that's okay, too.  It is also usually about this time when I want to thank those who have supported me on my latest running journey.  As you all know, marathon training is a beast, and anyone who is willingly along for the ride, a very long ride, mind you, should get a shout out for their total awesomeness.  This Sunday, I'll be heading to Albany, NY to do it, yet again.  Since I started RWM, I have written several "Thank You" posts.  Rather than go into detail again, I will save us all some time and keep it short and sweet.  The list is pretty much the same as it was last time.  And the time before that.  And, well, you know.  To my family (especially my husband), my friends, my coach, my running partner, the companies who support me and my crazy running habits (Oiselle, NUUN, Runnerbox, Feetures, & Yurbuds) and you, the readers, for listening to me talk/complain/worry about it non-stop for another four months - THANK YOU.  I am a really lucky duck to have such an incredible support network.  And I'm 100% positive that none of it would be worth a dime or anywhere near as fun without it; without you.  People say 3 times a charm.  I say, why stop there?

Now, in honor of THROWBACK THURSDAY (we seriously have a name for everything these days) I'm gonna take you back in the music department.  Okay, fine, the truth is, I am purposely starving myself of my favorite songs so that I get that much more fired up when I hear them this Sunday.  Whatever works, right?  I have been going back, way back, to my oldies but goodies this week.  Timeless gems that may not always be on my current list but nonetheless put a smile on my face and a skip in my step.  Back in college, a mere 17 years ago, I ran cross country.  These songs were on my pre-race playlist.  And in my opinion, they are still awesome.  Not as awesome as this photo of me running in my briefs with a really strange expression on my face, but close.  Yes, it's a terrible shot.  I had to dig deep to find it.  And then dig a little deeper to find the courage to post it.  Happy Thursday.  Rock on.

TBT: COLGATE XC 1997

I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred 

Impression That I Get - Mighty Mighty Bosstones 

Like a Prayer - Madonna

Whip Smart - Liz Phair 

Grace - Jeff Buckley 

You're So Cool - Hans Zimmer

Cry Love - John Hiatt 

Walking On Broken Glass - Annie Lenox 

She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals

Deeper Shade Of Soul - Urban Dance Squad

LIVING THE DREAM

Last year my husband and I were having dinner over at another couple's house.  We hadn't seen them in a while so after our initial 'hellos' we jumped right in by catching each other up on all of our recent goings on.  We got through the standard stuff (ie. work, kids, vacations) pretty quickly.  Everyone was good, healthy, happy, no major complaints, yada yada.  Eventually, the subject got around to running.  Both of them know I run a lot, but neither of them are very into it and my husband only runs when chased, so when the topic came up I did my best to keep it short and sweet.  Don't get me wrong, I love talking about running, but only when the person on the other end of the conversation feels the same way.  Otherwise, I am fully aware that it can be a real drag, much like any other topic, if I go into too much detail.  In so many words, I told her that I was in the process of training for my 7th marathon and still really enjoying it.  "Oh, Really?" she said.  You're still doing that?  Still living the dream?" This was followed by a smile and a little chuckle.  As you can imagine, I wasn't sure how to respond to this comment.  I think I said something like, "um, yea. I guess I am."  But, what I was thinking was what the hell?  Did she think that I should be hanging up my running shoes now that I'm getting older and slowing down?  Or was it that I clearly have no chance at getting anywhere as a runner so why am I still out there pounding the pavement?  By her expression alone I could sense that what she really wanted to ask was, "don't you have better things to do with your time?"  I could have dove in and given her the 50 some odd reasons that I continue to run and race.  But what was the point, really?  I let her know that I did sometimes feel a bit crazy for continuously chasing the dream, but that said I was still having a grand old time and until that came to an end, I was going to keep at it.  And then I changed the subject.  I have thought about that conversation many times since then.  And every time I approach, yet another marathon, I tend to replay it in my mind.  From the outside, I guess it may seem a bit strange to keep at it as a 39 year old mom of 2 with a shit ton of other stuff going on.  The training takes up a lot of time.  I'm tired a lot.  And I don't always get the results I'm hoping for after 4-5 months of training.  Which is a long freakin' time.  So, yes, I'm still crazy, obsessed, bonkers, whatever you may call it.  But, I'm also driven, passionate and hungry for more.  Put them together and you never know what might happen.  I guess I'm still hoping to find out.  So, yeah.  I am livin' the dream, dammit.  Me and all the other mad hatters out there who are doing the same thing.  Hats off.  To all of us!

Ready to run.  Again.

Listen to this:
10,000 Emerald Pools - BØRNS

OCTOBER 'TO-DO's & NEW MUSIC

Oh yeah.  It's on.  According my kids, this is by far the best holiday of the year.  Unless you ask them in November, then it's Thanksgiving or December because then it's Christmas or, of course, April and then it's.....you get the point.  This, so-called, holiday train leaves the station in October and Rosie & Grace are fired up and ready to ride.  Oh, to be a kid!  First stop, Halloween.  The costumes have been decided (Rosie - the Mad Hatter & Grace - Thing 1 from Cat in the Hat), the candy corn has been purchased (okay, fine, I bought it for myself) and the house decorations have been pulled out.  Let the chaos begin.  There's a few other things happening this month but none of them hold a candle to Halloween and all that is involved.  As always, I will do my best to embrace the madness.  Just have to go run a marathon first.  No biggie.  Hell, maybe I'll even dress up this year.  Happy October, everyone.  Hope it's Spooktacular!

OCTOBER 'TO-DO' LIST

~ Taper.  FINALLY.
~ Read, write, meet friends for coffee, organize closets and do whatever else I can to fill the time when I'm usually running.  Tick tock.
~ Mentally prepare myself for Halloween and the obscene amount of candy that is involved.  Can one every really prepare for this?
~ Run the Mohawk Hudson Marathon in Albany, NY on October 12th.
~ Do a little leaf peeping with the family the next day.  No need to walk for that, right? 
~ Relax and enjoy some hard earned time off from training for a few weeks afterwards.
~ Figure out my next move in regards to running and racing.  I can feel my husband's eyes rolling from afar.
~ Take my high school XC team to the Twilight Invitational in Falmouth.  GO LEX!
~ Eat too much candy corn.  Always a problem.  Happens every year.
~ Purchase and carve our pumpkins.

Grace holding Fred, our skeleton.

~ Decorate house with as much Halloween garb as possible (think spider webs, gravestones, skeletons, etc.)
~ Sit back, chill out and enjoy some new music.

OCTOBER MUSIC OF THE MONTH

ALBUM:
You Haunt Me - Sir Sly



SONG:
L.A.F. - Broods