Far, A long long way to run

"Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try."

After I ran a half marathon in October, I wondered, could I do it? Could I run a marathon? So, I decided to try.

For the half marathon, I ran varying distances each week, depending on how I felt. About 5 days before the half marathon, I ran 13 miles to see if I could accomplish it. I ran the half marathon without problems. But, I was aware that I was pretty fortunate. I had no idea what I needed to do to train. I just ran and then ran some more. When I decided that I wanted to work toward a marathon, I decided to join a running club with a marathon training program.

I am in week 10 of a 16 week marathon training program.
The amazing part? I'm loving it. I'm under no illusions that it will be easy. It is going to be one of the most difficult things I've done. However, I'm loving getting ready for it. Even when I am exhausted after a run or after a few days of running, I am still looking forward to the next run. Each run leaves me with a myriad of feelings. Inspired. Accomplished. Strong.  Tired. Sore. Determined.

Each Saturday, I run a longer run on trails. This past Saturday, I ran 14 miles. I felt fantastic afterwards. I also went home and took a nice long nap.

I've never attempted to take pictures during a run before. I took a few pictures on Saturday.

The sun was just coming up, as I was doing a little warm up in my neighborhood.

Steamboat Ditch Trail

Shadow shot

Nevada landscape

Snow capped mountains on the horizon

The city off in the distance

What would it take?

People infuriate me sometimes. Usually, I can just let people be who they are even when I disagree with their actions. I believe everyone has a right to be who they want to be. But, I get angry sometimes. It's usually when someone I love is hurt by the purposeful actions of someone else. Hurtful people make me sad- sad and even angry.
It's so very hard to understand.

My heart is breaking right now.  I wonder what it would take for a change to occur. I'm starting to believe that this pattern isn't going to change. Maybe I am next in line. I wonder if I am strong enough to bear the burden. I pray that the low that my loved ones are feeling isn't as low as is seems. They are so down, I am not sure they can fall anymore.
 

"Change" by Tracy Chapman

If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and Love
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heart
When you're down so low you cannot fall
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change

If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right being wrong
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truth
That brings a pain that can't be soothed
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change

Are you so upright you can't be bent
if it comes to blows
Are you so sure you won't be crawling
If not for the good why risk falling
Why risk falling

If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you'd broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and Love
Would you change?
Would you change?

Thursday Thanks Tank #201

What a weird day!

This morning I ran 5 miles. That was the most productive part of my day.
I am not sure who was happier to make it through the afternoon- my kids or me.
It was just that kind of afternoon- the kind where each kid needed my undivided, constant attention. And, if they weren't getting it, they were fighting with each other or just crying or whining.
At dinner, I commended my son for hitting another kid at school.
What? Yes, really. My son got up to go to the bathroom at lunch and returned to half his lunch -the good part of the lunch was gone. In the last class of the day, another kid told him that he ate his lunch. Soooo, my son kicked him. Then, he punched my son. My son punched him back. I've never been prouder. I can't believe I am at this place. But, honestly, my son's been a target for years. He is just easy to pick on. He stood up for himself. It was probably the best outcome for the situation. Neither kid got in trouble. In fact, I wonder if the teacher knew what was going on and just let it play out. (Incidentally, it was a male teacher, and I just wonder if he understood.) It doesn't matter. My son felt strong today. Of course, after this surprising dinner conversation, I was quick to point out that I don't miss much. I noticed his little shiner (it's just a little red, probably won't even visibly bruise). I told him that moms notice everything. I'm thankful I noticed. If not, he wouldn't have voluntarily told us about the altercation.
Tonight, my 12 year old's friend went missing.
He left the house after getting reprimanded by his parents. His parents called my son to see if he was at our house. An hour or so later, they stopped by to ask my son if he had any idea where their son might go. They had called the police to report him missing. It was alarming. He was found safe. His step-mom texted me to say he is okay. Okay -but in a lot of trouble.

It was a weird day.

I am thankful for-
Running.
My kids.
Being available for my kids. That includes being there for the fights. Taking my son back to school after school to follow up on something he missed. Noticing the little things... and on and on.
My son being confident.
My son's friend sleeping safely at home tonight- with parents that care.
My husband who encourages me when I feel grumpy. That happened today, too.


Take time to be thankful - On the great days. And, even on the weird days.

I love it when...

Quite often the little things in life are frustrating. Sometimes sarcasm helps...


I love it when I make muffins and the kids say they don't taste right. I insist that they are fine. And, after breakfast, I find the butter in the microwave.
I guess muffins that call for melted butter in the recipe don't taste the same without the butter.

I love it when I recognize someone when I am out but I only recognize them because they are a friend of a friend of mine on Facebook. I'm guessing it would really freak them out if I started talking to them. Most definitely, they would think I am strange.  It is kind of fun to imagine talking to them like I know them. Maybe I am strange.

I love it when I go out to the garage at 11 p.m only to discover the car door didn't shut correctly and the lights that go off automatically when the door shuts are just barely dim. It's best when the car battery is dead when my spouse is out of town. I guess I can call myself spontaneous. My reaction is certainly unpremeditated.

I love it when I realize that a person that I thought was quite a bit older than me is only 2 years older me. This has been happening more and more. I guess I am not as young as I think I am.

I love it when teachers do art projects with glitter. It's oh-so-pretty when the glitter is all over the counter and floor. It's extra special when it's a Christmas gift because you get to enjoy that glitter for a long, long time. I guess it is just the gift that keeps on giving.

I love it when people plan birthday parties during the Super Bowl. It's best when it's a kindergarten age party because those kids really don't understand why parents would want to watch the game instead of go to a place to play arcade games. With tears running down her beautiful face, my daughter said, "But, but, friends are more important than a show...friends are more important than a game." I keep checking the invitation and reconfirming that the party is in the middle of the game, at a local arcade. I guess I am not going to get a 'you're the best mom in the planet' compliment for a while.