Gratitude

It's the time of year when Gratitude is in fashion.  I don't mean that in a bad way.  It's refreshing to hear/read about the things that people are grateful for as they make their lists and post their 30 Days of Gratitude Facebook statuses.

I think we, as a society are far less grateful than we should be, and I am one of the worst offenders.  If I focused on only a portion of the things I have to be grateful for, I would have zero room in my life for self pity, frustration, annoyance or crankiness.

As it is, I whine, I get frustrated, I am often annoyed, and I definitely get cranky.

Even still, that being said, I am also grateful.  Today, in particular.

Today is Andrew's birthday.  He's 14 now.  If I had no other thing in life to inspire gratitude, that would be enough.  We still have Andrew.  Our own, perfect miracle.  Andrew beat cancer.  How can there be room for anything but gratitude?!?!

Then I sit back and think about some of the other challenges life has brought.  For all of the joy and peace that Andrew's miracle has brought, there is sadness and pain as we watch our mom fight a different form of the same monster.  Cancer is a vicious adversary, and it's showing its teeth as it steals moments, days and years from her.

I say as "we watch", but I'm sheltered from the daily reminder that life is so fragile.  She's 2500 miles away, being gently cared for by my amazing siblings.  I get to be removed from the reality, experiencing it through text updates and occasional phone calls.  For that reason, I find another thing to be grateful for.

I am grateful for an amazing family who loves big.  Their love makes life's challenges a little less daunting and a whole lot less painful.

Life is good, because I have love.

I sat down to write a bit about my training progress.  To tell you all about how difficult it is for me to break the 3 mile barrier, and how I'm starting to get nervous about adding distance to my runs in enough time to make 13.1 by January...but now I'm thinking...that's a piece of cake!

So, I will run.  I will run for Andrew.  I will run for my mom.  I will run for my family, and I will run for love.

How could I ask for better inspiration?

That being said, I still need your help to support LLS in my journey! :)  Feel free to check out my fundraising page if you're so inclined!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

Thanks for reading, and much LOVE!
Amy

Apparently I DO Love Pain!

For those of you who are unaware, foam rollers are voluntary torture devices. (I'd go so far as to say evil, but since you have to inflict them on yourself, I'll spare that particular label.)

I know this because we had a strength and stretch clinic tonight with Team in Training, and we got to use one.  I say "got" to use one, but really it was more of a "everybody's doing it" kind of peer pressure, mixed with a desire to please the teacher, which of course means I HAD to do it!

They say if you do it often enough it actually feels good, and it's supposed to be great for keeping your muscles loose and injury free...but HOLY MOLY!  I can still feel it!

Clearly I need to buy one.

Don't forget to check out my fundraising page!  Every little bit helps!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

Things I Don't Love

You may be wondering why in the world I'd post about what I don't love...since it's so much more pleasant to focus on what I do.  Well, in an effort to continue focusing one what I do love, I need to admit to what I don't.

I'll connect the dots later, but let me tell you about what I don't love.

I don't love mornings.  Ever.  Even when I get a good night's sleep.  I don't know what my problem is, but even if I'm wide awake, I stay in bed until the last possible minute!  I play a little game in my head, doing the math to see how little time I can leave and still get where I need to be.  Consequently, that means I'm late...or at least rushing out the door at the last possible minute...a lot.

Training for the 1/2 marathon means that I have to run in the morning on occasion...like this morning.  I'm pretty sure you can see the problem in this scenario.

Suddenly I'm negotiating with myself...I can run a mile less and sleep a few more minutes...I can run after work and sleep in even longer...I ran last night, and my legs are kinda sore, so maybe I really SHOULDN'T run this morning.  Yeah.  That's it.  I'm being responsible and listening to my body!

Also - I don't love treadmills.  Wait.  That's not entirely accurate.  I hate treadmills.  It's torture. Particularly now...when I'm so slow.  My one mile mark feels like an hour on the treadmill!!  Running outside is SO much better.

Sadly, it's Autumn.  That means late sunrise and early sunset.  I think I will need to get acquainted with my reflective running vest and little, red, flashy light.  People will think I'm hardcore!  Even still, treadmill runs are going to be a reality in my training, particularly as it starts to get colder.

Anyway...my reason for declaring my distaste for all things morning and treadmill...I figure that a public proclamation will help keep me honest.  All of you folks can provide just the right balance of guilt and inspiration to keep me on my training schedule.  That's the theory, anyway.

We'll see how it goes.

Oh, and don't forget to visit my fundraising page!  I really need all the help I can get!!  You can use this link, or the gadget up in the top right margin of my blog.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

Thanks, and have a fantastic night!  I'm off to Kickboxing...because I love pain. (not sure that's true, but this post isn't about what I love, anyway)

Kicking Cancer's Booty by Kicking My Own!

Cancers of all kinds have wreaked havoc on my friends and family. As I watch their pain, suffering, courage and faith, I am forced to stand idly by feeling helpless and hoping for the best. It's hard to know what to say or do, or how to help. That's why I've committed to raise money as a part of Team In Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

My mission is to help LLS find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers by raising money to support their efforts, while challenging myself to push limits and improve myself and my health and fitness.

I'm training to run my first 1/2 Marathon in January, 2014. That's over 13 miles! The idea of running that distance is intimidating, but the opportunity to challenge myself and support such an amazing cause at the same time is something I am excited to be a part of.

Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.  You can click on the gadget in the upper right margin of this page, or visit follow this link:  http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

What is wrong with people?!?

Some days I'm inspired by the actions of others.  Yesterday wasn't one of them.

I took a 1/2 day off of work to enjoy the afternoon and hang out with some friends.  While sitting in a left turn lane, waiting to get on the highway, I looked to my right and saw a beat up Ford Taurus with a handicap tag hanging in the window, stopped in the far right lane with several cars backed up behind it, and cars whizzing by in the left lane.

A few seconds later, an elderly man (looked to be in his 80's) got out and, while holding on to the car to  keep him upright, shuffled his way to the front of the car to open the hood.  His car was so far to the left of the right lane that he was actually slightly into the left lane, and he was in danger of being hit by the many cars in the left lane that, not only did not stop to help, but didn't even slow down.

There was a young man, maybe 25, in the car behind him, and I thought to myself, "he'll get out and help...I'm sure he'll get out and help."  He didn't get out and help.  His biggest concern was finding a break in the traffic to get around the Taurus and go on his way.

Meanwhile, I could see the man stooped over the engine compartment, clearly not knowing what to do, and breaking my heart as I began to feel a measure of how helpless he must feel.  He left the hood up and made his way back around the car, getting in to the driver seat and sitting there, defeated.

I decided to cross traffic and try and help him, just as my light turned green to turn onto the highway.  I got honked at and flipped off in my attempt to get across the lane of people in such a hurry that they couldn't even slow down to safely pass someone stranded in the middle of the road, or wait 30 seconds to complete their turn onto the highway.

I pulled my car up about 50 feet in front of the Taurus and then took my own life into my hands by walking up to the driver's door to ask if I could help...waving traffic around and away as best I could.

The man had difficulty communicating, but handed me a piece of paper with a tow company's name and phone number on it.  From what I could make out, they had just helped him jump the battery shortly before the car died.  I told him I would call them to come back, but that we needed to get his car over to the curb where it would be safer.  I could hear the panic in his voice as he told me that he could not push his car.

I assured him that I would take care of the pushing, all he needed to do was put the car in neutral and steer.  He nodded and I moved to the back of the car.  Once again, I was greeted by honking horns and annoyed drivers, all in a hurry to get around us and get on their way.  It wasn't that difficult to push the car, but it took some effort to get it moving, particularly in my flip flops.  I pushed the car about 40 feet, and again, no one stopped.

I called the tow company and he said he'd send the tow truck back.  It was loud and difficult to communicate in the traffic, so I did my best to let the man know that help was on the way and went back to my car.  Since the battery was dead, his car had no flashers, and my car was in front of his, so all I could do was put my flashers on and wait for the tow truck to return.  While we waited, we endured more honking, dirty looks and indifference.  Even when backed up at the red light, not a single person bothered to ask if we needed anything, or give any slight indication that they were concerned for anything other than getting where they were going.

After about 15 minutes, I called the tow company again, who explained that they couldn't get ahold of the tow driver, so I should probably call the police, which I did.  In another 5-10 minutes a Cumberland Police officer showed up and relieved me of my post.

I'm not sure what happened after that...I went on to meet my friends and enjoy the afternoon.  I don't deserve any accolades for my actions, and I'm not writing this because I want a pat on the back.  I didn't do anything difficult, or even noteworthy.  My only sacrifice was a few minutes of time.

What's noteworthy is what I didn't do.  I didn't drive by in indifference.  I didn't ignore a fellow human being in need.  I'm disappointed and saddened that so many did.

WALK ON THE LEFT!!

How lucky is it that I have a blog to go to when I have a rant to share with the world?!?! How lucky are you that you decided to check it out and read my babbling rant?!?! Yes. We are LUCKY!

You know who else is lucky? The plethora of individuals that do not know the rules of the bike path. Hey...you...the dude walking on the right...in front of me...with your back to me...I'm talking to YOU!! This rant is for you. I'm here to inform and educate. No need to thank me. I'm happy to help.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, inexperienced or even slightly curious, here are a few things to keep in mind if you venture out to a bike path for a bit of fresh air. For those of you who really couldn't care less...if you fail to read this and are walking on the right in front of me...I reserve the right to run you over!!

1) If you are a pedestrian (walking, skipping, hopping, running or standing) you should be on the LEFT side of the bike path. I realize that this is contrary to our conditioning here in the US to stay right, but learn it, live it, love it! Why, you may ask, should you walk on the left? It's a safety issue. A bicyclist can be riding anywhere from 10-35 MPH. An unexpected stop is not a pretty thing for a cyclist like me! I'm clipped into my pedals, so any sudden stop will likely end with me on the ground with my bike on top of me. Entertaining to watch, I'm sure, but not overly comfortable.

If you walk on the right, that lightening fast bicyclist approaches from behind you...where you don't have eyes...thus cannot see them coming. This means the cyclist has to anticipate where you may move, pick a path, and hope that you don't make any sudden moves as they pass you...moves that may force them to swerve, or stop...and in my case, most likely fall. If you're WALKING ON THE LEFT you see them coming! They are still going to move to avoid/go around you, but it's more like a team effort. You see them, they see you, and if something unexpected happens, you can take evasive action much easier than the bike.

For those of you with difficulty remembering such complicated rules, there are convenient reminders to help boost your memory. There are the pretty pictures painted on the path at every entrance (a walker on the left, a bike on the right), a nice dotted yellow line to help you tell which side you're on, instructions posted on signs at the path entrances...and SIGNS every 1/4 of a mile along the path that say "Walkers Keep Left Facing Bicyclists".

Incidentally, this is the same rule for running or walking on the side of any road. Stay to the left, left, left!!

2) If you are walking a dog, keep them a) on a leash (yes...there was a dude walking a dog without a leash on the bike path tonight...moron!!); and b) on the outside of the path. I take some little bit of comfort in the fact that when your dog decides to give in to it's natural instincts and chase the person on two wheels, perhaps getting tangled in the spokes or getting a grip on an appendage, that said K-9 will have to cross in front of you first.

3) Consider the bike path like you do the road and look before crossing!! Stopping on the side of the path to rest, look at flowers, pee in the bushes or pick up the dog poo may be necessary, but should you decide to jump back out onto the path without looking, you may very well jump into the path of an oncoming cyclist. (please see note about speed and stopping issues, above)

4) Fellow bikers...stay to the RIGHT! If you're riding in pairs or groups, you don't automatically get control of the entire path. You have to yield to oncoming riders and anyone who may need/want to pass you.

SIDE NOTE: NEVER wear headphones. You need your ears!! Specifically, you need to hear other riders...like me...when I'm yelling at you that I'm trying to pass...

If you need to pass another cyclist, pass on the left, and call out to them to let them know you're coming ("Passing on your left")! If you're being passed, please move as far to the right as possible...I promise that no one will place a black mark on your masculinity card if you get passed by a girl.

Oh...and if you're under the age of 18, wearing a sideways baseball cap, pants that miraculously stay up by synching the waste at the top of your thighs, and riding with 12 other similarly clad chaps, you should consider NOT running down the pedestrians...or riding in a serpentine pattern so that you cut off the passing cyclist that has yelled at LEAST 8 times "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT". It tends to make the passing cyclists cranky.

Ok. I'm done with this rant. I'm sure I'll have another one about squirrels later in the season, but they were good to me today, so I'll leave them alone for the time being.

Slow and steady...

My first 5K is in the books! I decided to start adding weekend 5K's to my training to help me get used to the distance and the feel of a race. This one was a fundraising event for the local Goodwill Industries. Ringling Brother's was the main event sponsor, and there was a clown theme to the "Red Nose Run". (luckily, very few creepy clowns involved)

It was cold enough for all of us to have a red nose without any help from the plastic ones they provided, and it was misty/rainy, but that just makes it more fun to be able to say "I did it!" As my friend Joan loves to remind me, we're hard core!

They had only scheduled 30 minutes between the opening of registration and the beginning of the race, which I thought was a tight window...until we got there. There were only 22 people pre-registered for the race, and I think they said a total of 27 by the time the race started. I have to admit, this made me nervous! The more people you have in a race, the more likely there are others with my lightening speed. (aka...I won't be LAST)

Joan generously stayed with me for the whole race (she's MUCH faster than me), and I was bringing up the rear for much of the race, but I'm proud to say that I did not stop to walk at any point. It was a pretty challenging course, lots of hills to conquer, but it was a nice route through Roger Williams Park. Beautiful park! I'll have to go back there for some training runs. Toward the end, my slow and steady approach paid off a bit, and I think we ended up finishing ahead of 3 others.

I've been running with a Nike Plus running monitor, and it's kinda fun to see my distance, pace, calories and time at the end of each run. Yesterday's run cut 30 seconds off of my mile pace and clocked me at a personal best. Hopefully, that's a scenario that I continue to experience.

My training schedule calls for a 4 mile run this week. I just ran 3.5 for the first time last Sunday, so I'm a little nervous to add that half mile, but I'm surprised how much I'm actually enjoying this process.

Got my bike back after it's tune up, and I'll start rides to the training mix now. Much more fun than spinning wheels indoors!

Whether or not my body is going to keep up with my goals remains to be seen, but so far I'm learning a lot about myself and having fun. Hard to ask for more than that.

On a more somber note, my grandmother (who we called Tutu) passed away this week. She's had a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, and the last few years have not been an easy road for her. She is finally free of pain, and reunited with Grandfather and it's hard not to be happy when those two things are taken into account. Despite the sadness of loss, this is a time to celebrate the life she had, the love she shared, the family she created and the memories she left us. Rest in Peace Tutu.