The Marathon: 26.2 miles

Well folks, let’s just say that I finished the Shamrock Marathon with most of my body parts NOT HURTING.

The good news: I ran my fastest six miles EVER, I beat my half-marathon time from last year, and yes, I did finish. The not-so-good news is that I injured both my IT Bands (Illiotibial Bands) at approximately mile 15. I had to speed walk the remaining 11.2 miles. I was disappointed because I still had a lot of energy. Definitely enough for more running, but my body was not cooperating.

IT band injuries are very common running injuries, so here’s a link to help you avoid these painful missteps: http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sportsmedicine/a/itbs.htm

I feel proud, tired, humbled, blissful, joyous, incredulous, happy, in-pain, stiff, confident, disappointed that I didn’t run the whole way, and just grateful that I am able to run in the first place. Remember gals, if I can do it, ANYBODY CAN DO IT! I’m the couch potato who set a goal (even if it seemed crazy) and who completed it. Run, gals, run!

Thank you to all my fabulous friends and precious family members who helped to support me during my training. You know who you are and I am truly blessed to have you all in my life.

p.s. I never trained without my iPod Shuffle, so I was planning to run the 26.2 miles with the Shuffle. Strangely enough, I found the Shuffle very distracting. I wanted to listen to the rhythms of my body, to the shuffle of my gait, to the whispers of the wind, the rustling of the trees, the moans and groans of pain emanating from my fellow runners. I switched off my Shuffle at around mile 14. Without music, I was able to really remain in the moment; I didn’t count down the miles, but focused instead on the mile markers. One mile to the next, one mile to the next. I wasn’t paying attention to the actual mile marker #.

p.p.s. I want to reach out to the universe and pray that my Shamrock Marathon guardian angel receives all the happiness and wonderment that she deserves. Brenda and I paced each other for the remaining 11 or so miles. We speed walked together and we kept each other afloat. Many thanks and blessings to you!

there ain’t nothing better, i think, for now, um,

ok i am going to put it out there and be honest.  ok, here goes, wow i feel light headed, sort of feel silly even but i gots to come clean.  i just got done painting my toenails.  #380, Breaking Curfew (that is the # and name of the color i used).  And WOW what a rush, no really, honestly, trust me!  Are you with me gals?  Anyone, any LADIES agree?  (insert clapping, Arsino Hall whooping fists, amens…or is it crickets? Never mind).  There is nothing that confirms more of how fantastic is to be a gal, a chick, a woman, a broad as the process of painting one’s toenails.  It is a life changer and mood enhancer.  I suppose it is more of a mood changer first and then as the polish dries then more of a life changer.  Something shifts, moons evolve, and stars align.  Ok maybe not that dramatic, but technically or rather literally your life is then different.  I cannot help it!  I feel great!  I walk down the hallway to the kitchen and I cannot take my eyes off of my toes.  They are lovely, elegant and just damn right out terrific.  Of course now i have a brilliant brownish red bruise on my shoulder – interesting how when one is walking, looking down at one’s toes, one then inevitably crashes into the right side of the doorway, dead on.  Actually it is not so much interesting as so much just, ugh, there is not a word for it even.  Ok so i walk back to the livingroom, still watching my glimmering toes – up down up down ah they are so cute, so complete and together.  It is odd i suppose, but mostly simplistic, or small and of no real relevance in the bigger landscape of this thang called life and yet inspite of those facts, it calms me.  Or maybe due to those facts, a calmness covers me as a result of this uncomplicated action just performed.   A remedy so easily obtained, fulfilled.  No need for a presecription, an injection, service attended, book read, and no hangover to come later – for one super duper chick i think is swell the particular remedy, the talk that gets her off the ledge, is exercise, for me, to get me back through the window off the balcony?  It is #380, Breaking Curfew.  Whatever it be for you gals out there on the shore, out there all over be sure to search for it and when you find it, do it, rejoice in it!  Because remember bruises always heal, muscles will recoop every time and nail polish dries quickly.  (mam)

The Tortoise

I could have come up with a more tantalizing category but “Being Active” resonates with me today.

To be (ACT)ive means that you have to “act” in multiple ways and dimensions.  

To be (ACT)ive is to: 

Make a conscious commitment to move beyond the couch and to engage in physical ACTivity, a.k.a exercise.

Devise your own exercise persona or character.  I am a couch potato.  Always have been and always will be.  The person you see running up and down the streets of Cape Charles is my alter ego.  I have a costume (pinkish purple running ensemble), a script (What is my goal?  To complete the distance.  Is time my goal?  NO!), and an audience (Thank you to all those folks who see me trudging along and who wish me well).  I even have a built-in cliffhanger:  Will she complete the marathon?

Sometimes, I almost believe that I am that athelete, clad in pinkish purple, and trying to run my guts out.  If I can train and (hopefully) complete a marathon (my first), then ANYONE CAN DO IT!

Don’t let fear or insecurity or a belief that you have to be a fast runner stop you from becoming an athlete.  I am not a fast runner.  I am not an elegant runner.   I am not even a 10 minute-per mile-pace runner. I am (proudly) a run / walk runner.  I am a determined runner.  I am a hopeful runner.If nothing else, I want to encourage others out there to just try.  

Silence all those negative voices in your head.  Sign up for a sprint triathlon or a 5 k race or even a marathon.  Like I said, if I, a confirmed, life-long couch potato, can do it, so can you.

Onward and forward!  (ssh)

Microchip Your Man

Okay, a little explanation may be required here.  Certainly we don’t suggest surgically inserting a microchip in your man for the purpose of tracking his whereabouts in the hopes of busting his ass for indiscretions, betrayals and/or flat out lies.  If you are considering Micro-managing your man for these purposes, then this is not the forum for you.  Perhaps you may want to consider therapy, medication, or simply kicking his sorry arse out the house. 

No, we merely are suggesting that in certain circumstances, especially if you are “blessed” with the adventurous, watchless, perhaps jobless man, knowing his general location may be in everyones best interest.  For example:  Its Sunday and your man has left earlier in the day to mountain bike, kite board, or drink cold brews.  You happily kiss him on the cheek and wish him well, knowing that you will thoroughly enjoy your time in the bath tub, knitting, or paying the bills he forgot to pay last week.  Ahhhh….Sunday, isn’t it grand.  Four o’clock turns into five o’clock, turns into 6 o’clock.  Where could your man be?  Were you supposed to pick him up at the end of the trail head?  Or on the beach?  Certainly he realizes that dinner hour is approaching and that he promised to pick up a few groceries on the way home?  Hmmm.  Now. Heres where I offer you an option.  An option you’ve never had before.  Calm down ladies- I know this is exciting, progressive & well, maybe a little controling (but really, who cares about that).  Do you want to ruin the next 2 hours of your Sunday wondering whether your man is at the bottom of the Chesapeake or stuck with a compound fracture on the trail or even slouched over a barstool  at the local pub?  Or do you want to simply log on to the MicroChipYourMan command center.  Enter your password and get instant GPS coordinates on his whereabouts?  You can monitor his heart rate if you like, check his BAC and even, under certain conditions, read his mind. (These applications for advanced users only.)  So, you decide.  If your man is hopelessly driven to live his life freely without thought to things like- clocks, meals, prior commitments and the like, MicroChipYourMan could change your life- and save his.  Stay  tuned for more updates from the Command Center as we continue to explore this exciting new technology.

Who is Lobster Baby?

I look at Lobster Baby and I am intrigued.  Aren’t you?  Was Lobster Baby born in China?  How did Lobster Baby become an intrepid world traveller? How many siblings does Lobster Baby have? Hundreds? Thousands?  Were Lobster Baby’s parents American citizens? Or is Lobster Baby a naturalized American citizen?  Can Lobster Baby, a charming cherub, even vote?

Upcoming installments of the Lobster Baby Chronicles seek to answer such pressing questions and concerns (snort, snort).  Stay tuned.  

In the meantime, Lobster Baby wishes all of you an excellent Valentine’s Day!

Hooping

This is how I feel when I hoop: Impish Dervish, Swishing Wishing, Twirling Whirling, Bliss.

This is what hooping means to me: Freedom, being in the moment, unafraid of my body, embracing mistakes, letting go of perfection, finding my voice, laughing, playing with my inner child,  a connection with the universe, an elemental bond with my spirit.

www.spiralhoopdance.com

Revolution is my divine right!

Here’s my hooping manifesto: Let’s spin ladies!  Let’s throw caution to the wind!  Don’t cling to inhibition, let the hoop be your guide and let the hoop help you to embrace your spirit and soul!

Ladies, what does hooping mean to you?  

Lobster Baby

I fell in love with Lobster Baby last year at the Epiphany Party charity auction.  Who wouldn’t have a crush on this luscious chimera? Touch that to-die-for porcelain skin. Gaze into those mesmerizing blue eyes.  Be embraced by Lobster Baby’s orange pinchers. Once you see these images, I think you’ll understand the allure of Lobster Baby.

Lobster Baby eating collard greens and drinking beer  

Angelic Lobster Baby