If Not For You

This one is for you - I'm running the race for you.  It's for you.  And in case you didn't know it, I will detail it here (and on race day, I'll ink it on my arm, too)...I'm a shameless copycat, stealing this idea from Kate.

Here goes:

Mile 1 -  My parents get the first mile since they got me going in life - I'll be most excited and it should be the easiest.  Doesn't that just make sense the tribute should be theirs when I'm still happy and hopeful?

Mile 2 - For Scott, I'll think about our lakeside run and how you keep it steady during life's highs and lows (and that you and me are Kate's go-to people when things get tough).

Mile 3 - For Austin, who was born to run; you provided our training program and lots of advice when we were hurting and not once did you laugh at our little complaints about distance or pace.

Mile 4 - For Kelly, we are in it for the long haul, the long run; you'll be waiting at the finish line without a hint of impatience, even though you crossed an hour earlier.  Thanks for the carb-loading dinner last night!

Mile 5 - For my sibs.  I've chased after you my entire life...you got me ready for today's challenge and like this mile, you've always reminded me I've got a good long way to go before I have arrived.

Mile 6 -  For my friends - Karen and Liz and Lisa and Virginia and Lynnette  - like this run, I will never forget you and what you've taught me about going the distance.

Mile 7 - For Joe, who would remind me that I'm over half way finished and then provide socio-statistical analysis to make me feel my best.

Mile 8 - For my Godchildren, Stepchildren and Sibs-in-Law - I could've been more and done more but I'm simultaneously proud and hurting - this mile reflects that.

Mile 9 - You've warned me the tough stuff is coming, Kate.  We always, always give each other the heads up on anything ugly and then just plow through the pain.  I know what's coming because of you.

Mile 10 - This is purportedly the toughest mile.  You get the tough one, Shawn.  You always have and you always will.  But just remember that I'm by your side and trying, too (maybe not smiling, but I'm trying).

Mile 11 - For Laurie, you are watching my progress and cheering me on...virtually but very much on time, just like you've always done, never missing a step with me.

Mile 12 - For Matt, you gave me a lot of great running tips and got me here (and you're waiting for me by the fountain, I hope).  And you told me we get extra calories today.  You set high goals and today I did, too!

Mile 13 -  This one is for me, babe.  It's almost the finish line.  I've got it.  It's all mine.

Rock 'n Roll

Rock 'n Roll...it conjures up all kinds of images, doesn't it?  I think of lots of bands and late nights and even my Bobsession - his switch to electric guitar was radical and courageous.

Speaking of radical and courageous - my best friend and I are preparing for the run of our lives, the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in July.  (His bucket list, by the way...NOT mine.)

We're starting slow and building...under the auspicious direction of Austin.  The rules state that you must finish in 3:30, and that is my goal:  to finish.  And to finish by 3:29.

Here's the training plan Austin designed for us:

date	week	long run/miles	# med runs	med run/miles	weekly mileage
1/5/2014	1	0.5	any	N/A	N/A
1/12/2014	2	1	any	N/A	N/A
1/19/2014	3	1.5	any	N/A	N/A
1/26/2014	4	2	2	2	6
2/2/2014	5	2	2	2	6
2/9/2014	6	3	2	2	7
2/16/2014	7	4	2	2	8
2/23/2014	8	4	2	2	8
3/2/2014	9	4	2	3	10
3/9/2014	10	5	2	3	11
3/16/2014	11	5	2	3	11
3/23/2014	12	5	3	3	14
3/30/2014	13	6	3	3	15
4/6/2014	14	6	3	4	18
4/13/2014	15	7	3	4	19
4/20/2014	16	7	3	4	19
4/27/2014	17	8	3	4	20
5/4/2014	18	8	4	3	20
5/11/2014	19	8	4	4	24
5/18/2014	20	9	4	4	25
5/25/2014	21	9	4	5	29
6/1/2014	22	10	4	5	30
6/8/2014	23	10	4	5	30
6/15/2014	24	11	5	4	31
6/22/2014	25	11	5	5	36
6/29/2014	26	11	5	6	41
7/6/2014	27	12	5	6	42
7/13/2014	28	10	5	5	35
7/20/2014	29	RACE (13.1!)	5	4	33.1

It's our new "Rock and Roll".  And we're getting ready.  Putting one step in front of the other.  Not sure where this journey will really take us, but I'm guessing to more places than just the finish line.

And yes, in between Katy Perry and Alanis and Eminem, I'll have Bob on my playlist, probably crooning something like this:  "Don't criticize what you don't understand..."

The Wholeness of the Half

At Chicago's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon yesterday, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched Kate, Matt, Austin, Scott, Kelly, Anne, Bryan, Kyle, Jeff and so many others...running with so much conviction to the finish line.  Why didn't I have this compassion in my twenties?  The value I hold for my own health has only happened in recent years and it is accompanied by my sore joints and a few health scares; these kids are out there, in front of their aging, regulating their diets and exercise regimens, trying to beat their own best times, and seemingly having a lot of collective fun along the way.   It was a very impressive experience and I enjoyed sharing it up close.  I didn't even think about eating or drinking or sitting or watching Homeland while I was out there cheering and running after them.

And the people who watch marathons seem nearly as dedicated and invested as those who run.  The ones who carried signs got the high-fives:  "Go total stranger!  Go" and "It's not the first 100 meters that is impressive, it's the last!"

The carb-loading at the Maloneys on Saturday night as well as a late lunch at Benelux with JFM after, made this tri-state tour weekend one of the best ever!

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."  - John Bingham aka "The Penguin"

5:40 am!  Time to go!

Waiting for the runners!

Kate's arm - listing the people she was thinking about

Austin

The end of Austin's cross-country days are here and, while he is gearing up for one more track season, he is starting to realize that there are other things to chase - like dent school.  He spent a lot of his day today on the UI campus, interviewing at the College of Dentistry for a chance to be one of the lucky 70 (out of 400 chosen to interview from the pool of 900 applicants).  Fingers crossed for this 3-time All American standout, who has logged more than 12,000 miles in college.  We love you, Aust!  On to new challenges and new victories - no matter what path you choose!  Cheering from the cheap seats, I will be betting on you forever...xoxo, mom




This is typical Austin - when I asked who
 "them" was - he told me it was the team.



Proud fan.





Goodbye, season, er, career.
 



After today's interview, I just had to treat him
to a Gatorade at the Den.