tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40456550998150419042024-03-05T02:33:06.156-05:00Getting it done on the run!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-38835762155856372232023-02-26T15:08:00.005-05:002023-02-26T19:23:57.435-05:00Top or bottom? (and a PSA)<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">OK, get your
mind out of the gutter…we’re talking blood pressure numbers!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The last week and a half was one I’m happy to
soon forget regarding this topic.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here’s the cliff note
version:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My normally
regular blood pressure and resting pulse skyrocketed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Spoiler:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fine!!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I wasn’t
feeling so fine during this rollercoaster week or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For anyone who knows Blood Pressure 101, we
typically strive for 120’s/80’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
since everyone is different, I have typically recorded lower numbers (the runner in
me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when my numbers suddenly spiked and hung out at 150’s and 160’s (top number) with 90’s and 100’s (bottom number) and a
resting pulse of double (peaked at 101), I paid attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFv-VsjBQJQswDn3L6sbUdg5YvMBuPt3VT46a2RoxpbshNck1xkptCH4eRPn1lXPHxBXnVUPeN4X4f9LJzaXyHsDNJ2dzYBFTsqgU56uMo51OYqkJN29HSx3DE7W014D5W2IFaP_m-PFELxCBEnl9rSTTakN_8L30JXQ7pI7ur5bTuDqjadEIH3mOew/s3551/324EA51D-9454-4004-818B-BFCCD3141C06.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="3551" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFv-VsjBQJQswDn3L6sbUdg5YvMBuPt3VT46a2RoxpbshNck1xkptCH4eRPn1lXPHxBXnVUPeN4X4f9LJzaXyHsDNJ2dzYBFTsqgU56uMo51OYqkJN29HSx3DE7W014D5W2IFaP_m-PFELxCBEnl9rSTTakN_8L30JXQ7pI7ur5bTuDqjadEIH3mOew/s320/324EA51D-9454-4004-818B-BFCCD3141C06.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My new BFF</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I also paid
attention when last Saturday, the spike reached 166/108 and included a headache
and some nagging pain/cramp-feeling in my left shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now entered panic-mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought for sure my next breath would send
me into a heart attack or stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A call
to Mom calmed me down and a prompt trip to the ER ensued.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCFOuFQToXo1l6sPfbYycmQEMCouK8Zi_5dhRveXMcDa85KtA0CMXvUJqa91rPkHfdLhhPEZh1O5ACz48BvCRl2iCmp9pZrFpqtiDGYp3TrTgnfvcpaAtK1Jjv6NKg-pCYlMAFodXth2IzmCCETfKOQgizYxZZTNtuBfLBxwfQTrPyPc5-PGLbb8C_Q/s4032/7D7FF124-A5AB-4D75-9CEA-A0998A4D596B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCFOuFQToXo1l6sPfbYycmQEMCouK8Zi_5dhRveXMcDa85KtA0CMXvUJqa91rPkHfdLhhPEZh1O5ACz48BvCRl2iCmp9pZrFpqtiDGYp3TrTgnfvcpaAtK1Jjv6NKg-pCYlMAFodXth2IzmCCETfKOQgizYxZZTNtuBfLBxwfQTrPyPc5-PGLbb8C_Q/s320/7D7FF124-A5AB-4D75-9CEA-A0998A4D596B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My bodyguard Scott's ER hall pass</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After
several hours of monitoring, an EKG, and extensive bloodwork, the ER medical team
was left scratching their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
tell them as part of my intake ‘interview’ that my doctor had prescribed a
medication for me just 2 weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone had the same reaction:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve
never heard of that impacting blood pressure”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
consistently acceptable blood pressure readings and, according to the ER supervising
physician, a “boring” EKG, they sprung me.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I chewed on a handful of aspirin….just in case.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyH77Sro97w8JprvtL7ewLOTeGqceImS4mUCOuGPGzckHeLv4KZ2QF2wqn_G_RJuZ5jBbreTCZV7IaHsdcl8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Held my breath each time the DART departed or arrived</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Nothing is
more frustrating than feeling unwell and being told you’re “fine”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I am eternally grateful to be "fine", for the medical team, and have a new appreciation for what goes on there on a Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
now what?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s where
I decided to trust my gut -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I took myself off the new prescription.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> W</span>ithin a
day or two, I watched my numbers plummet to normal territory again and have watched them stay where they belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh, and the blog title?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 108
number of last Saturday was on the <b><i>bottom</i></b>; my 108 number one week post-ER was on the
<b><i>top</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exactly where it should be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Things I
learned from this scary experience:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Don’t </i></b>ever ignore
or allow your brain to explain/rationalize symptoms that throw a warning flag
off in you.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Don’t </i></b>ever
be so desperate for relief (of whatever ailment you’re experiencing) that you
don’t research all of the medication’s potential side effects.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Do </i></b>trust
your gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may not be an MD, but you
know your body better than anyone.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Do</i></b>
familiarize yourself (women) - symptoms of heart attack can present very
differently than how they present with men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Do</i></b> ask for
help/support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never felt so afraid
in my life and I had family & friends calm me down and help me not feel
like a crybaby.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And
now?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I think I’ll keep the blood pressure
cuff out just a little bit longer.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
sense another blood pressure spike coming…as soon as the insurance deductible, ER, and
aspirin bills start rolling in!!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stay well friends!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-34176858326654516952022-12-25T19:27:00.001-05:002022-12-25T19:29:19.112-05:00I don't miss FaceTime Christmas!<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It occurred to me that this Christmas of 2022 is the first
one since 2017 that I’ve been able to participate in family reindeer
games. 2018 found us in Florida, 2019
landed us in Oklahoma, 2020 was the Christmas Scott was already in Vermont,
while I wrapped things up with work in Oklahoma, and 2021 was the year that
wasn’t, with weather and Covid ganging up on us big time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This year wasn’t perfect, as Covid once again came
knocking. So while I didn’t get to spend
time with Mom, I was able to put together a care package/Christmas present
combination and performed the handoff with masks donned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reflecting on this four-year Christmas hiatus, I once again
felt so happy to be home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With two
little ones running around now, the noise decibel was at its highest.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The food and drink was bottomless.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The laughter and thoughtful gift giving was
priceless.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin6o2hPX-e1fUesDocAMEPs3mEnGqYytQN-9kStTPqq3ounvVm3adG42S7jH5F2q129Q3gMyHO2dstcXTY82EpzKTY9EIdJs9A2SHKuOhFXtw7kG8YPrDfib83TFqKv3qA4BYq-DyOFpYpTBjJIidt1CxpIQEXO4tCz9dQ4OV8MjBKPx8KQfhwuuYHg/s640/Xmas3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin6o2hPX-e1fUesDocAMEPs3mEnGqYytQN-9kStTPqq3ounvVm3adG42S7jH5F2q129Q3gMyHO2dstcXTY82EpzKTY9EIdJs9A2SHKuOhFXtw7kG8YPrDfib83TFqKv3qA4BYq-DyOFpYpTBjJIidt1CxpIQEXO4tCz9dQ4OV8MjBKPx8KQfhwuuYHg/s320/Xmas3.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin's amazing baking</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">FaceTime only goes so far.
You can’t taste the treats from a distance. You also can’t mug for a family picture. When you’re the coolest Uncle ever, enjoying
the surprise (from both the kids and the parents) of giving matching
skateboards really can’t happen fully via FaceTime.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Ln0dLnXB09AJpcGRhCbZErKKceU8W7-jO5hwpM-yaw2f-sVBHBJoDSIg7RaUo8j2wuLwBAt_qGmq6RAzOuP5mUYq4__8ZiH2Rou0I27LJi0OCPu-Rz4j-U2TOUVCAHOnqOK2ee5wo0JrDhEW64IeWRQBQTF2aQdBTIzpsOdXc2BB69gmEbwh-Qcqw/s640/Xmas11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="636" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Ln0dLnXB09AJpcGRhCbZErKKceU8W7-jO5hwpM-yaw2f-sVBHBJoDSIg7RaUo8j2wuLwBAt_qGmq6RAzOuP5mUYq4__8ZiH2Rou0I27LJi0OCPu-Rz4j-U2TOUVCAHOnqOK2ee5wo0JrDhEW64IeWRQBQTF2aQdBTIzpsOdXc2BB69gmEbwh-Qcqw/w293-h295/Xmas11.jpg" width="293" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcLS7YN78gJkWhSF3IEpOukWdUF-mBeFItcM5kn6pG1YeMmB2fknEa-QiPABpTi7StXh6EocyQNnF_w6MIH3-P992cZoKLVHegXbN0_2QZc18vlcvSMUNJcN7tiwu5UswOr38aqWfi-zejpNaO3n7UEUn1AXKqrntNgaIjRHtLOYNd94-jdWed71RYA/s639/Xmas5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="324" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcLS7YN78gJkWhSF3IEpOukWdUF-mBeFItcM5kn6pG1YeMmB2fknEa-QiPABpTi7StXh6EocyQNnF_w6MIH3-P992cZoKLVHegXbN0_2QZc18vlcvSMUNJcN7tiwu5UswOr38aqWfi-zejpNaO3n7UEUn1AXKqrntNgaIjRHtLOYNd94-jdWed71RYA/w149-h294/Xmas5.jpg" width="149" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We were rewarded with a gorgeous sunset during our Christmas Eve
travels.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ8goQ2zqkco2ecZoBhn2MGZOHoj52ntHAAnfNd-br3nBGXMUZD_X98EwL33IZWqknzhXY3zeDOEvvd3tqztXFlgRLrKW_36vOp9ko-QWE15oG35EUf-TI5uX6R0bnT0GJcOKlF-BOXZMDq7QDm9cnRvSfTT0fEVYDvn41iCEbe4fdTLwT525FYi3rg/s640/Xmas1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="640" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ8goQ2zqkco2ecZoBhn2MGZOHoj52ntHAAnfNd-br3nBGXMUZD_X98EwL33IZWqknzhXY3zeDOEvvd3tqztXFlgRLrKW_36vOp9ko-QWE15oG35EUf-TI5uX6R0bnT0GJcOKlF-BOXZMDq7QDm9cnRvSfTT0fEVYDvn41iCEbe4fdTLwT525FYi3rg/s320/Xmas1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Four years is a long time, yet it also feels like it passed in
a blink of an eye. Time stops for no one
and I’m happy to have replaced FaceTime with real life FamilyTime.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Merry Christmas All!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p><br /> </p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-46230028824579434162022-10-22T12:30:00.002-04:002022-10-22T12:32:44.680-04:00Really, it's just a number<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Since Covid hit and cancelled
races in 2020 and part of 2021, I like many watched my marathon and ultra plans
slip away.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I wasn’t a fan of the virtual
race, so I just tried to keep some flicker of motivation lit during that
time.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Each race I planned for was to be
my 30</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> race of marathon distance or greater.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Numbers like this can motivating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it’s just a
number.</span></i></b><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fast forward to 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I registered to run <a href="https://clarencedemar.com/" target="_blank">Clarence Demar Marathon</a>
(one of my favorites!), excited to return to an in-person race and march
towards that race with a solid training cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alas, my training fell flat and at the last minute, I dropped down to
the half marathon distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a
beautiful September day, I ran happily alongside many of my Keene friends and
finished feeling good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took a 2:08 finishing
time for my effort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2:08…not my best time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it’s just a number.</span></i></b><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This past weekend, I punched
my ultra ticket once again at <a href="https://www.runreg.com/ghost-train-race" target="_blank">Ghost Train</a> (another one of my favorites!) with a goal of completing two out
and back laps – 30 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lucky to
have Scott, Meaghan, and Caitlyn there to support me. And even a surprise
appearance by Sue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the span of 6
hours, 44 minutes, I ran alongside new friend Ali (who went on to run 60 miles!)
and we chatted, sang, and ate our way through the miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was perfect, my legs felt good,
and my mind felt prepared for the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Half-way through my race, we chatted with a woman who was part of a
larger group running and supporting their friend who was also tackling the 30
miles distance – for her 70<sup>th</sup> birthday!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">70?!?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it’s just a number.</span></i></b><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Our journeys are so much more
than numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numbers do help motivate
at times, and other times they can become disqualifiers (<i>“I’m too old….it’s
too late…I’m too slow”</i>). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to look
at my numbers as motivators to remind me more of my successes and less of my
short comings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not perfect at it, as
I often look back to my Ghost Train 100 race and get caught up in lamenting
over “what I used to be able to do”, but then I remember running happy, friends who go
out of their way to support you, a healthy body and mind, and 70-year-old
inspirations...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>R</i></b><i><b>eally, no numbers can match that!</b></i></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOs62XxzTkApPB1exIdv9gAlm1O2lUoSP9iaKGvZ944of9OkTs-HLqepfhsuIkPRrjwAJXF8Jua9sy2Kq0-uKM-JVc6-Q7UGqSwiuY9FijTCZ_nz3osXXlK2zMMJaeQXfwfkbZ_QYijNGKZKwgQCHMzSZfgii0hj27g-3cDadUMIFeqE3HjG-G3CmKg/s640/GT3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="640" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOs62XxzTkApPB1exIdv9gAlm1O2lUoSP9iaKGvZ944of9OkTs-HLqepfhsuIkPRrjwAJXF8Jua9sy2Kq0-uKM-JVc6-Q7UGqSwiuY9FijTCZ_nz3osXXlK2zMMJaeQXfwfkbZ_QYijNGKZKwgQCHMzSZfgii0hj27g-3cDadUMIFeqE3HjG-G3CmKg/w248-h242/GT3.jpg" width="248" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtxjAsOqKxZG2Q3tVzk0nXueavoLZU_SLl8O3g6rjgbl8yWbgofQai1fwgOl481shS_W9ihQ7Ij3vvezhyXdwqsGVT0LROBGWRIcRMnO8jUqaz8hxEAsuMYonCwGFGuV5KLeTzIw6AX84or_9HSc1mI4_vsoflMiLufJY9X1WGVHRVkAvgx3dyyb5vg/s555/GT2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="555" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtxjAsOqKxZG2Q3tVzk0nXueavoLZU_SLl8O3g6rjgbl8yWbgofQai1fwgOl481shS_W9ihQ7Ij3vvezhyXdwqsGVT0LROBGWRIcRMnO8jUqaz8hxEAsuMYonCwGFGuV5KLeTzIw6AX84or_9HSc1mI4_vsoflMiLufJY9X1WGVHRVkAvgx3dyyb5vg/w272-h241/GT2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7K1QXWxYLvNVEiwdIsQsCUEeXaN_ejqgsQHE-CgJRFj1gCPKkisovPQgF368P_jnKR5oNTsgNBnmi1NbrSiI8D2_auzZof7Kbu-7pShhA-DyI3spSH_xgBGeTwSpLGgY0Q87FIPZkGaXbTM4t9y-A-2o1uHcnhlCsQTydTVXyDvenAhOdPuTg4qDhg/s640/GT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7K1QXWxYLvNVEiwdIsQsCUEeXaN_ejqgsQHE-CgJRFj1gCPKkisovPQgF368P_jnKR5oNTsgNBnmi1NbrSiI8D2_auzZof7Kbu-7pShhA-DyI3spSH_xgBGeTwSpLGgY0Q87FIPZkGaXbTM4t9y-A-2o1uHcnhlCsQTydTVXyDvenAhOdPuTg4qDhg/s320/GT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-77139406014741976602022-09-12T21:14:00.002-04:002022-09-12T21:19:31.949-04:00A special summit<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Twenty one years have passed since September 11, 2001. As the day approaches each year, I feel
reflective and solemn remembering the tragedy, the loss, and the
helplessness. What I was never aware of
until this past weekend is that four months after that fateful day, a small group
hiked Mt. Liberty in the White Mountains and raised an American flag on its
peak. In solidarity, in memorial, and in
peace. This event is called <a href="https://www.flagsonthe48.org/" target="_blank">Flags on the 48</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A friend texted me to ask if I’d like to accompany her to Mt. Lincoln to raise a flag. Ready for an
adventure, I was all in. After an early
wake-up call and a drive to the trail head, we started meeting the others in
our group and preparing for our hike. We
had a great group who clicked right away.
We shared the job of transporting the flag pole, the base, the flag, and
various supplies. We shared snacks along
the way. We shared stories. And we shared laughter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The summit offered us unexpectedly clear and long range
views. We passed the binoculars around,
so we could enjoy the endless White Mountain ranges, a slight haze due to CA
wildfires, and the other flags also flying on the other 47 peaks. The binoculars also came in handy to watch a
bear grazing peacefully below us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUDQn-AT6m-kW-RXEnr9yGidzO9QTv4lg3jnyNOeGbQbQCTu1rjCdm1ikXj_bBQzb8NtNXCnkAWCd5X7B4ialw5pOnsZrlP2D9hJzkFj-I9ahhLIzIuhN8AyswK1ZbgsXd8j7qYGIo0to73ZmyxmVUsXy_1YBv5-GPUfB9m2u4XbmCDR7UUpVCrE3UA/s640/view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUDQn-AT6m-kW-RXEnr9yGidzO9QTv4lg3jnyNOeGbQbQCTu1rjCdm1ikXj_bBQzb8NtNXCnkAWCd5X7B4ialw5pOnsZrlP2D9hJzkFj-I9ahhLIzIuhN8AyswK1ZbgsXd8j7qYGIo0to73ZmyxmVUsXy_1YBv5-GPUfB9m2u4XbmCDR7UUpVCrE3UA/s320/view.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha0nGPln3MyOmZY0rMMJHI8Bw73nDcuGkmHvw75BdCjXowR-cfOq3oiVuGDMK_OnwfXlF3jt6ZEsIT7siFpJSRLvzw3VQHCzTmP1vdSyiDShIJVRewxZ2v-sNdj1-3PZeoDAmus8Txs2Rog9mWmfEkRvNzsBuLwwKFSHy2mjh9f3dUqxmv2oueZ_fsQ/s640/bear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha0nGPln3MyOmZY0rMMJHI8Bw73nDcuGkmHvw75BdCjXowR-cfOq3oiVuGDMK_OnwfXlF3jt6ZEsIT7siFpJSRLvzw3VQHCzTmP1vdSyiDShIJVRewxZ2v-sNdj1-3PZeoDAmus8Txs2Rog9mWmfEkRvNzsBuLwwKFSHy2mjh9f3dUqxmv2oueZ_fsQ/w182-h243/bear.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each flag waved from 12-2pm, until the time came to dissemble our flag and start our descent.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The day
was long and we were all a </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">good</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> tired as we approached the trail head after a
full day on the mountain.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our descent
group traded information to enable us to connect on social media and we each
headed home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But not before a trip
through McDonald’s drive-thru!</span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We can’t erase the sadness or tragedy or loss of life from September
11</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, but by taking part in events like Flags on the 48, we can
replace the feelings of helplessness with purpose and pride.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hikers summiting Mt. Lincoln showed such gratitude
for our efforts.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We shared why we were
there to other hikers who didn’t know about Flags on the 48.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Regardless of how much or how little hikers knew
about it, everyone knew this was something special.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I felt so proud to do something bigger than
me, to remember all who were lost and all who are still suffering today.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I hope this also helps others continue to remember
back to 4 months post-September 11, 2001, when the first group hiked Mt.
Liberty – in solidarity, in memorial, and in peace.</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtjH44bL5QVIZqlP9vonmtPe6rsrkG9EJf2zKKn7hyz3unJUWH6S-LZyIwveXSx1u4ZePGLIf2uFY_c1zBM6EW3YPUH4yx6gtXioSxCtgn0cB_SP2rcLNS7CNl2rxPsxibOEyti_oOT9K7g7VXU_61aLDFZRMjg_cuK9JGl51gmKk_Q21R4B1QD0ZHA/s1440/group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtjH44bL5QVIZqlP9vonmtPe6rsrkG9EJf2zKKn7hyz3unJUWH6S-LZyIwveXSx1u4ZePGLIf2uFY_c1zBM6EW3YPUH4yx6gtXioSxCtgn0cB_SP2rcLNS7CNl2rxPsxibOEyti_oOT9K7g7VXU_61aLDFZRMjg_cuK9JGl51gmKk_Q21R4B1QD0ZHA/s320/group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-23654998020367230402022-09-09T15:47:00.003-04:002022-09-09T16:10:24.059-04:00Getting back on the horse<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
last time I ran was last Sunday.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When,
in my last few miles, I came upon a small pick-up truck parked on the side of
the road.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My internal flag went up, heart rate increased, grasp on my pepper spray tightened, and I increased the space between us as I
approached a m</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">an sitting in the driver seat
with the window open.</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Man:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You must be tired!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw you going up that big hill and around
the block!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>[ W A R N I N G – why has he noticed me in
two very different areas and why is he sitting here? ]</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maybe
2 minutes later, he passed me (same direction) and gave a normal wave with no
further obvious ‘creepiness’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the damage was
done with his replaying having seen me go up the hill, around the block, and
now, sitting parked for no obvious reason in the one area of the road where
there are no houses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he meant no
harm and just has no self-awareness, but I’m going to continue to assume he
(and others) might be up to no good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Similar to living in Florida; assume every body of water contains an
alligator and you can’t go wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
assume anyone/any vehicle has the potential to be bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sucks to think that way, but the
alternative could be that I don’t return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
haven’t run since then because I’ve felt afraid.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Afraid and incredibly angry.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Afraid of evil people who terrorize women who
(god forbid) try to exercise to stay healthy and fit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Angry that we women are literally risking our
lives to go out for a run.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So today
I ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I ran with a bodyguard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, my husband insisted on driving around my
route to make sure I felt comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly, I didn’t argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stepped out in the light of day, knowing my husband was always close by, and
still armed with my pepper spray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
while I was relieved to get back out, I felt so heavy – like when you try to
run when you have a lump in your throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You just can’t cry and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how today’s run
felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t get Eliza Fletcher and so
many other women who have met the same fate out of my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The terror, the pain, and the sorrow whenever
she knew she might not make it home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just can’t.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
don’t want to be so afraid that I don’t live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I also want to stay alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
I got back on the horse, albeit with a safety net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will work on getting back and staying
on the horse safely and being even more vigilant than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read a comment a running insta-friend
posted on this topic that really resonated with me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“…I shifted my focus from the ‘<i>it
shouldn’t have to be this way</i>’ to ‘<i>this is the way today’s world is…</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As much as I want to stick my fingers in my ears and block it all out, I know I'm going to have to put on my big-girl running shorts and run. Run for Eliza...run for myself....run for us all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-83270893660656989022022-08-17T18:04:00.003-04:002022-08-17T18:51:20.064-04:00Fueled by friends, fun, and Fritos<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">This
past weekend, Scott and I packed our ultra bins and headed to run <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=94466">6 Hours on Lover’s Lane</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event sounded perfect
for where I am with running:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trails,
flexible distance, and no pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
since recently coming off of the <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/ghosttrainrailtrailrace/">Ghost Train</a> waitlist, this event served as a great
training run to remind myself what distance feels like as I look ahead to a 30
mile goal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">After
way too many days of heavy, soupy, humid weather, we caught a break!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that it didn’t get warm, but it was much
more comfortable to run than it had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had several friends we knew were running that day, so it really felt
like home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got closer to the
starting time though, I noticed Ali was nowhere to be found!</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just met Ali as a fellow volunteer at Vermont 100 in July and was
looking forward to sharing some miles with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With maybe 5 minutes to spare, she whipped into the parking lot and was
racing to get her bib# as we started the race.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMny5Mv6t41dy7Mzq0DLd5uiVhNvHoo9PZL4UwGEP4Onh7_g1SohlYJ0JVZNUKPlqXPuz7XWsDDfkpngISx8zvCciuPHyjqRCKfOBGV6VvXXmcti-Zq8pHXCQskCr6qcqrOzIAuNZrXYf-aSp4-eaSMIM1vj1CCsJ5zY9MF5BeoOn-euXnVxz78fkylw/s640/LL_bib.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="640" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMny5Mv6t41dy7Mzq0DLd5uiVhNvHoo9PZL4UwGEP4Onh7_g1SohlYJ0JVZNUKPlqXPuz7XWsDDfkpngISx8zvCciuPHyjqRCKfOBGV6VvXXmcti-Zq8pHXCQskCr6qcqrOzIAuNZrXYf-aSp4-eaSMIM1vj1CCsJ5zY9MF5BeoOn-euXnVxz78fkylw/s320/LL_bib.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">No chip timing needed! A quick sharpie mark and off for another loop!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Very
soon, Ali caught up to me and we chatted through a couple loops.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The loops were a bit under 2 miles in length
and we “got to” run as many as we wanted within the six hour timeframe.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Soon into the run, I knew my time with Ali wouldn’t
last, as she was ready to lay down some strong miles that day.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The loops enabled us to see each other throughout
the day, which made it fun and encouraging for us all.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">I also got to see Amanda, Rob, Ashley, and even Scott several
times. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"></p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Although
I packed my usual ultra food/snacks, I quickly realized that Fritos were going
to be my fuel of choice.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">I stuffed a
handful in my vest pocket at almost every loop.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">A side of Fritos with my sandwich?</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Yes please.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">A side of Fritos with
my watermelon?</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sure, why not.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">A side of Fritos with my Fritos?</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Don’t mind if I do….</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegaT09wZE5z097FBpruCl9n_L_roVHydLfp7E0dJTL_7fR520XxeMPxNh6myK-7IY4Fk_q8CO7Bgz38-RUD8sISYZaGB7-cip7-JbXU3IkJMdX1fvhdIZs74g9hPEssOHSxN9cGmXZCfmlr5iSryP8A6Six7MxECq_HIiHnHA1uojeh-xjRt14bJqjg/s445/fritos.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegaT09wZE5z097FBpruCl9n_L_roVHydLfp7E0dJTL_7fR520XxeMPxNh6myK-7IY4Fk_q8CO7Bgz38-RUD8sISYZaGB7-cip7-JbXU3IkJMdX1fvhdIZs74g9hPEssOHSxN9cGmXZCfmlr5iSryP8A6Six7MxECq_HIiHnHA1uojeh-xjRt14bJqjg/s320/fritos.png" width="313" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;">This
was my first experience running a short loop course repetitively. I wasn’t sure if it would feel monotonous
after a few loops, but I was pleasantly surprised that it really never got
boring. Each loop presented decent elevation (~300
ft), so after 14 laps, I sure did feel it.
By the end of my time at Lover’s Lane, my watch said I completed 25.2
miles. Although briefly tempted to bring
my mileage to 26.2 to reach the marathon distance, I couldn’t fathom running
another step once I stopped. </p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Today
I feel good and a lot better than I have after other non-trail, flatter races
of that distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thrilled with
how I managed my run and fuel, my final mileage total, and the fact that I ran
the full 6 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly recommend
this event if you enjoy a low-key, friendly, encouraging atmosphere with great
food and great people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stickers, trucker
hats, and maple syrup (for top 3) were fun swag as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">If you're looking for me, you can find me where the friends, fun, and Fritos are!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDymQJB3mVmGpccfFA2x1_qX3_AvM672sq607ahudGqqSqHpGEEi0Al__pzRY-xyLbYUtLXCpMN-DzmgruB824XcX9yMsqwtYSXBhfA_COhYbWXLWmzZPx2basrsZf1GiHdavfGTRaRZJU7hYWdEpkqG5tte-vLyfUU_wb_Lk2S7CZiAqrQcdyD61wDQ/s515/LL_lisa%20and%20ali.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDymQJB3mVmGpccfFA2x1_qX3_AvM672sq607ahudGqqSqHpGEEi0Al__pzRY-xyLbYUtLXCpMN-DzmgruB824XcX9yMsqwtYSXBhfA_COhYbWXLWmzZPx2basrsZf1GiHdavfGTRaRZJU7hYWdEpkqG5tte-vLyfUU_wb_Lk2S7CZiAqrQcdyD61wDQ/s320/LL_lisa%20and%20ali.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Ali and I celebrating after a fun day in the woods!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-82091307208041598432021-02-15T12:34:00.002-05:002021-02-15T12:45:27.499-05:00Shit Happens<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Four and half months ago, Scott and I made a plan.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">A big plan.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">We found our dream home!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Actually,
our dream </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">property</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The dream </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">home</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">
part is a work in a progress.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
challenge was that I was still in Oklahoma for work.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With a portion of our home goods and necessities in tow,
Scott drove from Oklahoma to Vermont to close on our new house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making the decision to live separately for a
period wasn’t made lightly, but it was made with a longer-term goal in
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve “visited” each other since
his drive North, but with COVID, we didn’t want to be recklessly traveling
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we each hunkered down and
did our jobs that would bring us together soon enough; Scott single-handedly demolishing
the entire first floor of our home (he’s now in construction phase) and me
taking on a new, bigger role at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
post more about the demolition/construction later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I felt confident going into this temporary arrangement that
we would each be so busy that any loneliness would be tempered by the thrill of
moving towards our goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was
mostly right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We've had great stretches
and we’ve had challenging stretches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FaceTime has been a godsend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Early on, I felt like the universe was plotting against our
new arrangement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the same one-week
period back in October, Oklahoma had a historic ice storm that left trees in a
shamble (they’re still cleaning up in February!), Bella got sprayed for the
first time by a skunk, and the garbage disposal backed up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">TRAGIC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALL OF IT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or so it
felt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I initially became pretty overwhelmed by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried at the universe, “<i>How is all of this happening
right now when Scott’s not here?!</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full
out pity party of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One challenge at
a time, I peeled away the overwhelm and the frustration I was feeling and
addressed each challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ice storm?</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott had most of our tools, so I drove to
the local hardware store and bought a small hand saw before everyone else
snatched them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day provided
a perfect weather day to get outside and cut up the branches in the front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSCKmS75TOWE3lLKIkTnuz27GhYnpvFTAabmeujdG5Y0V9D1zRr7DGcDA_2q3vZU6Yur0CnAuPpsdPnIfZp1hF8ht4mu1KHsk57HUUYedQr9jXp6OAq7pfgWC5yWC6xku2Rk7hXlVVJrq/s640/ice+storm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSCKmS75TOWE3lLKIkTnuz27GhYnpvFTAabmeujdG5Y0V9D1zRr7DGcDA_2q3vZU6Yur0CnAuPpsdPnIfZp1hF8ht4mu1KHsk57HUUYedQr9jXp6OAq7pfgWC5yWC6xku2Rk7hXlVVJrq/s320/ice+storm.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Skunk-gate? </i></b>Faced with a frozen spicket, I couldn't bathe Bella outside. I brought her inside and whisked her over to our amazing boarding place for a professional de-skunking. Best $25 I've ever spent.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy6z_qCIhQ_zhDP02-hqto3_LDSCVim7HeG74OCTbG8GLFSgycqziRrEzexYCIwdlfOWcYGVQt85OcMCFAfxU9gCouu2B18aw8dAs8g1K2JEK15VFdwvIs6RnlxKv69MSRVKnb5vLn_pi/s640/skunk.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy6z_qCIhQ_zhDP02-hqto3_LDSCVim7HeG74OCTbG8GLFSgycqziRrEzexYCIwdlfOWcYGVQt85OcMCFAfxU9gCouu2B18aw8dAs8g1K2JEK15VFdwvIs6RnlxKv69MSRVKnb5vLn_pi/s320/skunk.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Backed-up garbage disposal?</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After cursing my landlord who basically said
this was a “me” problem (she was right), I ran out to the store for some Drano.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best
$7 I’ve spent since Skunk-gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worked
like a charm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96orfokB2wawHQ9q2GqgcCV30rSuKnBhzfbVTbENgcnGqEscfPngQF-uq-FN50dEHXYmYBASFon7diyOPQDadq0Ri6XckjcImJ4lNzHz5gvZx6l1mV0xnkCPVtIgDYdaGe4CM_yu2fdkX/s538/DRAINO.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="339" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96orfokB2wawHQ9q2GqgcCV30rSuKnBhzfbVTbENgcnGqEscfPngQF-uq-FN50dEHXYmYBASFon7diyOPQDadq0Ri6XckjcImJ4lNzHz5gvZx6l1mV0xnkCPVtIgDYdaGe4CM_yu2fdkX/w144-h228/DRAINO.JPG" width="144" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, I’m faced with shoveling 8” of snow with more coming,
hoping the negative 27 degree wind chills don’t freeze the pipes or force a
power outage, strongly <s>encouraging</s> pushing Bella to go outside to do her
business, starting vehicles periodically to prevent battery drain, and just now
wrestling with a garage door that decided to stay in the “open” position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I GOT THIS.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">None of what I’ve shared here has been tragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of this has been as dramatic as it felt
in the initial moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of now, I
still have power and heat and working pipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I won the garage door fight. Go me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Somewhere over the last four months, I’ve added a new, thicker
layer of skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I’ve always
been gutsy/adventurous, but admittedly have grown soft when I knew Scott would
just take care of the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We have partners for a reason, and I can’t wait to be back
with mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m grateful for this reminder
of how important it is to be able to take care of myself and to not panic or get
overwhelmed when shit happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because shit
will happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except when I want Bella to go outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That shit ain’t happening anytime soon!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUy6hCjLNKRu3bUG427JMFVGIZIWIcSW_d_6ioOT_Ij6sOTAYX-0fjGdAooYU8Myvnvq44p7gHwV-cWKXuloaQ3fSoXrf9pRridLM2ShojDVwlfvoCp-2GuHGlhCkO9npENJ9NjtwUpod/s640/bella.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUy6hCjLNKRu3bUG427JMFVGIZIWIcSW_d_6ioOT_Ij6sOTAYX-0fjGdAooYU8Myvnvq44p7gHwV-cWKXuloaQ3fSoXrf9pRridLM2ShojDVwlfvoCp-2GuHGlhCkO9npENJ9NjtwUpod/s320/bella.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-77779053873491879012021-02-13T13:53:00.002-05:002021-02-13T13:59:52.209-05:00Five States in Five Years<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIt6Rmf5FeYqHrAiEcKlexqjn6GXiQQX1IywoJHnqAFmchiwe0bKiqFkofQzohR1Ie0YQvjRfo6xtOIOiD7YytcQGOG2QnQRSbzTJSajUEpCqc2umbKthPTdSfdDIOG-2EAGUgcOn3-CT/s488/moving+announcement2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="488" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIt6Rmf5FeYqHrAiEcKlexqjn6GXiQQX1IywoJHnqAFmchiwe0bKiqFkofQzohR1Ie0YQvjRfo6xtOIOiD7YytcQGOG2QnQRSbzTJSajUEpCqc2umbKthPTdSfdDIOG-2EAGUgcOn3-CT/w240-h172/moving+announcement2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p>The last five
years have seen our little family call home in five very different states.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">As we prepare to make our next move to our final state
number six, I found myself reflecting on the last five years/moves/states….</span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">We lived in </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Massachusetts</b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">
all our lives.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Until we didn’t!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Snowy backyard, countless fun running memories, big 50 mile and 100 mile race accomplishments, family
and friends. Too many pictures to represent all the decades.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYNedGieQYGUMQhiQYIybSAznD_NDrjEBDN2xdRljZjCKofJeab7cHV7KO-qNdlskEVuy3hYeJp8hwjjj6-kHLhhZtupj-hhvxVjtL1ed4uSRrYyrUDlta1pGUo3NmJtxHQ5Xcm9S-Hy/s682/MA+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="682" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYNedGieQYGUMQhiQYIybSAznD_NDrjEBDN2xdRljZjCKofJeab7cHV7KO-qNdlskEVuy3hYeJp8hwjjj6-kHLhhZtupj-hhvxVjtL1ed4uSRrYyrUDlta1pGUo3NmJtxHQ5Xcm9S-Hy/w533-h347/MA+pic.png" width="533" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">We lived in <b>North
Carolina</b> next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we blinked and
moved on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there, we ran some
races, did some sightseeing/touring, took a trip in a hot air balloon, and hiked some mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7KIQJSJ2aIc2Fvsd6ooem-y5WzBtGeXEwnxyE4s4Lzs3aXCdaEWU74YDRb9ICQhEbwU64B_ZL143SHKj8prmwinftaW57QyvTIj-3gA21PdUMJBVAbRGQD5kfY9TjZ6T76_EBmVddmGG/s701/NC+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="701" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7KIQJSJ2aIc2Fvsd6ooem-y5WzBtGeXEwnxyE4s4Lzs3aXCdaEWU74YDRb9ICQhEbwU64B_ZL143SHKj8prmwinftaW57QyvTIj-3gA21PdUMJBVAbRGQD5kfY9TjZ6T76_EBmVddmGG/w529-h301/NC+pic.png" width="529" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal">We lived in the
Monadnock Region of <b>New Hampshire </b>next.
Made some life-long new friends, shared hot cocoa at the top of Mt. Monadnock
during a super moon, discovered Scores Running Club family, reconnected with our families, and ran lots of races, notably Vermont 100 (Scott). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJxpe6QZd67aaihxe8LEgj5mplhofc6Bqax3wnCqS0KtEp_k5-3kP6eek4tW4pkosH_cpIgiT8HoP12pur74eehXfdeREdF4bKu5cCEsf9i5zQuQeBQ9Z44cqMHj5iQTt2Z6X3stGcMiK/s664/NH+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="664" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJxpe6QZd67aaihxe8LEgj5mplhofc6Bqax3wnCqS0KtEp_k5-3kP6eek4tW4pkosH_cpIgiT8HoP12pur74eehXfdeREdF4bKu5cCEsf9i5zQuQeBQ9Z44cqMHj5iQTt2Z6X3stGcMiK/w511-h341/NH+pic.png" width="511" /></a></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">After decades
of complaining about the cold, it was time to explore life in Southwest <b>Florida</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made instant great friends (who express
themselves via birthday cake), learned how to avoid new critters (<i>heyyyy
gator!</i>), survived a brutally humid 50K with our northern friends, and experienced
and captured some of the most amazing sunsets!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZveIrZhibnpqQ66ip0Hng2D1xZ2vU4tofxMZl9nbNimgrBVqnk4jQKqou8VAjbuUTJk28KGYvUKDC0-6fciQ4KzPLThaWuADYBTkoYak4GqSW1h9ZsH8vw9EfK-mQ909ULcjvuqwyFVuJ/s678/FL+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="678" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZveIrZhibnpqQ66ip0Hng2D1xZ2vU4tofxMZl9nbNimgrBVqnk4jQKqou8VAjbuUTJk28KGYvUKDC0-6fciQ4KzPLThaWuADYBTkoYak4GqSW1h9ZsH8vw9EfK-mQ909ULcjvuqwyFVuJ/w531-h305/FL+pic.png" width="531" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Although
planned as a temporary stay (for work), our stay in <b>Oklahoma</b> has lasted
almost two years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it’s fallen partially
during the pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, we did
get some explorations in before lock-down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The weather nerd in me got to visit National Weather Center, experience
a distant-enough tornado from the safety of our storm shelter, experience the coldest weather in 116 years, visit the Oklahoma
State Fair, run several races, and make an instant friend at those races!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvmL1v-Nka3VSwX8ZUpzcH2ty-v3S0kwfqUE9e4OBj6TlRzoEh59TP94CtqufMy_8KYcnM3KwR5FiWKJ1hRN5Uh2X0YuCUCUFdzeouPqLNRgq8VeYpURVSW4_PqcilD-gVXPvLtC1ONme/s686/OK+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="686" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvmL1v-Nka3VSwX8ZUpzcH2ty-v3S0kwfqUE9e4OBj6TlRzoEh59TP94CtqufMy_8KYcnM3KwR5FiWKJ1hRN5Uh2X0YuCUCUFdzeouPqLNRgq8VeYpURVSW4_PqcilD-gVXPvLtC1ONme/w549-h366/OK+pic.png" width="549" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Next
Stop:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home Sweet Home, VT USA</span></i></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">…We are now preparing for our trek home
to <b>Vermont</b>!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl9scezG2_215N1zsxriVod_n7rmHSotV1dP9-xttU6EPce2jQCh5ZkVq8ySop1xOReB8hNeVqdyIuV1R6s5AY3KJVm_989-hwP8dEf5B5R2c0rMWeo8laXeraF0mtHozd-CtNPWCh5KS/s518/VT+pic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl9scezG2_215N1zsxriVod_n7rmHSotV1dP9-xttU6EPce2jQCh5ZkVq8ySop1xOReB8hNeVqdyIuV1R6s5AY3KJVm_989-hwP8dEf5B5R2c0rMWeo8laXeraF0mtHozd-CtNPWCh5KS/s320/VT+pic.png" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">What this five year
adventure has taught is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be
closer to our families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be
closer to the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need space
and land and peacefulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need our
four seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are farmers at heart
(even Scott who grew up in the city!). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is what is important to us. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">None of these five states were necessarily "wrong". We consider ourselves so incredibly lucky to have been able to experience this adventure. It reminded us of what we need, what/who we missed, and what we don't need as part of our future. We wouldn’t trade the friends and the memories we made for anything and are excited to build new memories.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b><i>Vermont, we're coming for you!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-52144775987088553352020-11-21T16:13:00.000-05:002020-11-21T16:13:21.830-05:00Take care of your own oxygen mask before helping others….<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With all the debates about masks these days, the airlines
have got it right; <b><i>take care of
your own oxygen mask before helping others….<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwTjrlhmti3PH-touGnolkegpSdP1DlPE-_B49dRZS_Xi__8mYAbdBXvu6WA2HYPEQNf-HX-6U_Qx5mnEw6zRA0HR7fPRQFuKJ35UYys7ODAKmxHd4w18N7qMRJk1O9yskOhdxgGhhINV/s274/oxygen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="265" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwTjrlhmti3PH-touGnolkegpSdP1DlPE-_B49dRZS_Xi__8mYAbdBXvu6WA2HYPEQNf-HX-6U_Qx5mnEw6zRA0HR7fPRQFuKJ35UYys7ODAKmxHd4w18N7qMRJk1O9yskOhdxgGhhINV/w193-h200/oxygen.png" width="193" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This year has been a struggle in so many ways. Finding ourselves navigating a pandemic was not something any of us saw coming. But even without COVID-19, life is a series of balancing acts. Work presents challenges,
relationships require work, and personal self-care often finds its place at the
very bottom of our everyday life lists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyone nodding? Yep,
me too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve noticed I’m falling very short in the self-care category
and have been for some time now. I’ve
always struggled with balancing work life with my personal life, but the past
five months or so have taken that struggle to a new level. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not my choice. Or is it?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With so few things we can do, visit, and engage in this
year, I, like many, have spent a lot of time at home; so, I work. It's my default. Starting running regularly in my 30’s helped my balance immensely. I met
new friends, joined in on running dates, joined a running club, and ran
countless races. When I chose to return
to school for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I met more new friends and
immersed myself in learning and applying my learning. I’ve been doing very little of what energizes or inspires me. And I miss it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Worse, all this non-stop working is distracting me from
other self-care opportunities: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Getting enough sleep</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Practicing good nutrition</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Connecting with friends & family regularly</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Remembering and participating in important dates/events</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Puzzling</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reading</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Writing in my blog</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I expect to be a good/happy/balanced person, wife, daughter, friend, and coworker, I need to take better care of myself.
I have people to care for and take that very seriously. So why not take self-care seriously? Why do we so often give up or leave for last
the very thing we need most to get through our good days and our bad days?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This day, Saturday, I choose to put self-care back up at
the top of my list. So, I am applying my
oxygen mask before helping others; a walk with Bella, a run outside, a healthy lunch, and...a page in my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do <b>YOU</b>
self-care?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-36922732706148390032020-09-12T14:27:00.000-04:002020-09-12T14:27:03.173-04:0011,692 steps to a new attitude<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">A week and a half have passed since my last run. I walk daily, sometimes multiples times, driven
by Bella’s needs. But run? Meh.
These days of COVID, of work stress, and insomnia have left me dreaming
of being a runner again (when I do actually sleep). That would entail running though. Hence, my dilemma.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">I could tell immediately that my life-force was off this
morning. I had no good reason for
feeling this way; it’s Saturday, it’s not 400 degrees out, and I actually slept
OK last night. Scott was already out for
a run, so I grabbed Bella and took her for her “long walk”, hoping the act of
moving would change my attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">So, since <b><i>that</i></b> didn’t work…..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Scott, doubling as a cheerleader and coach today, had a
great idea to drive to Acadia and run some trails. Nothing takes the pressure off a runner who
hasn’t been running than trails. No
pressure to run fast, ability to get lost in the run, no external distractions….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And 11,692 steps later, I had a firm grasp of a new
attitude!</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl4BI25e0NhvgSXzYCHTZiH2lWUEb9aak9DRPv69TXbL9HTTCdkBYeUaXAlgK17pnwwu1vJuZ4htdEWcgOppJaR92H5c9DokSwauS_uJOyiwW8nY7odbpjLw3UsFkyGKTxegJBeh6qakO/s329/6+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="329" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl4BI25e0NhvgSXzYCHTZiH2lWUEb9aak9DRPv69TXbL9HTTCdkBYeUaXAlgK17pnwwu1vJuZ4htdEWcgOppJaR92H5c9DokSwauS_uJOyiwW8nY7odbpjLw3UsFkyGKTxegJBeh6qakO/w205-h181/6+miles.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes you need a combination of things: a husband who gets you, who leads the
cheering squad for you, who is willing to run additional miles at a slower pace
just to get me out there moving, and of course, cooler air is always a plus. But ultimately, you still need to want to
run.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">I’ve been stuck for some time now with where running sits
in my priorities, what I expect out of a run, and frankly, why I run at
all. So many years of building my miles,
my pace, and my goals have left me questioning my “why”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">While I contemplate my “why”, I’m celebrating a glorious 6 miles
on trails, a clear head, a hint at a level of energy I’ve been missing, and
even a desire to go back out for more tomorrow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Why??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>Why not.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-26673646814719797032020-05-10T11:28:00.001-04:002020-05-10T11:28:18.668-04:00I was watching...and still am Mom!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be kind, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw how you sewed masks for
healthcare workers, made care packages for people in need, and quietly left pieces of art to brighten a stranger's day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be confident, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw your confidence in everything you did/do, and even
when it wasn’t truly there, I saw you be confident for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Work hard, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you work so, so hard for
years to feed and clothe three kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Get an education, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you nail your RN degree
at an age when most were winding down their careers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t be afraid to try new things, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you reinvent yourself so
many times, all to be your best self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be patient, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you patient with…<i>everyone.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be generous, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you give up so much to
make sure we had what we needed and sometimes wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t quit, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you push through some of
the toughest experiences and come out stronger on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be grateful, you said;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I saw you always look for the
silver lining, seek ways to turn negative into positive, see the best in people and situations, and turn what you had into enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Words are nothing without action behind them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am who I am today because of
you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because you showed me...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">right vs. wrong</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">kind vs. evil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">strong vs. weak</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">love vs. hate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What a gift to have you as my Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dn5jRAxfsG2weH8yTCnRXH28iSiS1gptQf2zC7Zp3E-jKeHo9HryZqJ1lScoJw7SDdvoPyRiyvnYl0vfRnMEtkME94W55hfgWkE2ZJ23Xt7VcmVkeA4lMZQ_NO46sdU6Nga3dm7FnXqp/s1600/mom+and+daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dn5jRAxfsG2weH8yTCnRXH28iSiS1gptQf2zC7Zp3E-jKeHo9HryZqJ1lScoJw7SDdvoPyRiyvnYl0vfRnMEtkME94W55hfgWkE2ZJ23Xt7VcmVkeA4lMZQ_NO46sdU6Nga3dm7FnXqp/s1600/mom+and+daughter.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-23260157686000227462020-04-26T13:08:00.001-04:002020-04-26T17:22:35.855-04:004.44<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today should have been the 20</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> running of the <a href="https://okcmarathon.com/" target="_blank">OKCMemorial Marathon</a>, but like many other races, it was postponed.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Instead, we headed to the local park to run
as many loops (~2.75 miles) as we needed.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not wanted…..</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>needed</i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4.44 miles was the moment during my run this morning when everything
clicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I intentionally ignored my
watch this morning, because my goal was to crash through the 4-mile barrier I’ve
slowly built up the last couple of months and find that feeling you only get
when you run long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mission accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today’s 9-mile run was the longest I’ve run since March 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, I’ve been hanging out way too
long in 4 mile-ville; at that, the frequency has been sporadic at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKe-_1OuA8d2Q-QljToJOPsk99H6XXsA654tfs_OHGZaCE2GTeO_D_EZT02AdOreexz0NUcwPYcqQdZHf57zTMKUmUjBCmFKmW061RBCTYzXwave2PjGVFnvxk6N5KKbAe1jE_ay5bNVMF/s1600/4+miles.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="442" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKe-_1OuA8d2Q-QljToJOPsk99H6XXsA654tfs_OHGZaCE2GTeO_D_EZT02AdOreexz0NUcwPYcqQdZHf57zTMKUmUjBCmFKmW061RBCTYzXwave2PjGVFnvxk6N5KKbAe1jE_ay5bNVMF/s320/4+miles.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here’s what I re-discovered by breaking through the 4-mile
barrier:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I haven’t felt this calm in months.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work has been insane, and although I’m
grateful to have a job, I’ve allowed running/fitness/health to take a back
seat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I realized I was smiling only after a passerby commented on
it.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t even aware that I was
smiling, but yes, there it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
deep inside.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>The result of the usual insomnia really doesn’t take much
toll on my run.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentally, it’s harder to
get out of bed, but once moving, I’d forgotten about the sleep deficit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>By not focusing on my pace (always easier said than done),
I was able to run farther.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And feel more
positive about it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>It can be powerful when you head out with intention.</b><b> </b> Sometimes you run just to move and feel
alive. But most times, if you head out
with intention, it’s a lot easier to feel successful at the end of it.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The final thing I re-discovered is that I need to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Plain and simple. </span>Running continues to provide me with the
feeling of belonging in a community that embraces each other (from a distance
of course!), with goals to strive for and crush that feed my confidence, and with the endorphins that
bring with a sense of peace that makes everything feel more achievable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And because I love junk food. There's also that.</span></div>
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<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-75637881497338208712020-04-04T21:42:00.000-04:002020-04-04T21:44:21.287-04:00What will be the new normal?<span style="font-family: "segoe ui", sans-serif;">I hear we’re not even at peak
yet with this awful Coronavirus. With most of us following social distancing
guidelines for several weeks now, I can’t help but wonder what post-Coronavirus
world will look like?</span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Here are a few
things I hope will continue post-Coronavirus crisis:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif;">Cute puppy pictures, memes,
and videos.</span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif;">I mean, how can you not feel
good when you see those!</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCfl6aLY3AKgjbhHRIylkhpc8zQqqQgedsGE2Y99xD6EThyphenhyphen3kELrWko_ne-9cNMX-H_0jZtg2e5SYhj0acV2s_UuBxSnVnZFexk0bq3Z6Pyee67UGZHsMklqEYN_dKGIV8rgue2so9azj/s1600/puppies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="640" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCfl6aLY3AKgjbhHRIylkhpc8zQqqQgedsGE2Y99xD6EThyphenhyphen3kELrWko_ne-9cNMX-H_0jZtg2e5SYhj0acV2s_UuBxSnVnZFexk0bq3Z6Pyee67UGZHsMklqEYN_dKGIV8rgue2so9azj/s320/puppies.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Uptick in dog fostering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need us; we need them.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZMdf38b07LgYMrmrMzAyAYcCKClkcsTIn2b08geI3JvwajSJ5E5TShk7MNeVkOSgWM8m74Sepu3idV9Vp787eGGpUbBIwvzehisGyWUjaG11eEoSy6-R4cDKdxusNtoDgNit2RS4OUJD/s1600/dog+foster.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="335" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZMdf38b07LgYMrmrMzAyAYcCKClkcsTIn2b08geI3JvwajSJ5E5TShk7MNeVkOSgWM8m74Sepu3idV9Vp787eGGpUbBIwvzehisGyWUjaG11eEoSy6-R4cDKdxusNtoDgNit2RS4OUJD/s320/dog+foster.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The new population of people
who are walking and playing outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no doubt there are a lot more people getting outdoors.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr83pr81lMCMBFqq4yhAo2-FKVagZJwLpAcih9atOUrsBhOkHNw2jEybfwEe8yuupwT1KtQMpGZbYAImP2ZxR_WmR8EL9ed8A7lVnAkVOaMZhedz5q26mJESWoWdBxF-80d6US1BGOA_x/s1600/family+walk.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr83pr81lMCMBFqq4yhAo2-FKVagZJwLpAcih9atOUrsBhOkHNw2jEybfwEe8yuupwT1KtQMpGZbYAImP2ZxR_WmR8EL9ed8A7lVnAkVOaMZhedz5q26mJESWoWdBxF-80d6US1BGOA_x/s1600/family+walk.PNG" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A much more collaborative
spirit at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any of us can be one
step away from unemployment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing we’re each picking up slack for the
other makes the job feel less daunting and less stressful.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryVRDm7pmW4kTvYAk67k5L2gXw5x3UEsvuvBseUyaj4FF7HlMuhStc1Xz1mn2RRmLSoiCPpSChpKEO46WPnpmYNhzi7hywKzMaO1f1Vv8bMnBqW6MMxz4JW5zEVjePgozxDmEM6JOD9cj/s1600/collaborate.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryVRDm7pmW4kTvYAk67k5L2gXw5x3UEsvuvBseUyaj4FF7HlMuhStc1Xz1mn2RRmLSoiCPpSChpKEO46WPnpmYNhzi7hywKzMaO1f1Vv8bMnBqW6MMxz4JW5zEVjePgozxDmEM6JOD9cj/s1600/collaborate.PNG" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Check ins by friends, family,
and coworkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve checked in on many; I’ve
been touched when someone checks on me.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoXuw64kJCRtMvWzTtxsT4ML7DHXhDF8xcmocnEeeWswHZTjb4tfePAwG7S0uusNghseeal2xj9uh4yvBjg7YEHl2NVQnfk_faKQqElGHiufBekjfs_d7bd9lKqNkiHNoPvESPrtxk2Ul/s1600/checkon.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoXuw64kJCRtMvWzTtxsT4ML7DHXhDF8xcmocnEeeWswHZTjb4tfePAwG7S0uusNghseeal2xj9uh4yvBjg7YEHl2NVQnfk_faKQqElGHiufBekjfs_d7bd9lKqNkiHNoPvESPrtxk2Ul/s320/checkon.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Continued care for our
elderly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creative ways people have “visited”
their elders in nursing homes has been heartwarming.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig__5uey0S1p-UPRV8_0sYzKvMDDT44ZWd4OVHAWnPtFjU01Bz9Xccw8TpiJs_UMp7O8doYGBJc8AhzUqh_1s86oDy3C4qDKt9FfPFx-za4SHKFS5mLGi7DmRRlwAW24ZjDQ50bv6GY8gB/s1600/visit+elderly.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="325" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig__5uey0S1p-UPRV8_0sYzKvMDDT44ZWd4OVHAWnPtFjU01Bz9Xccw8TpiJs_UMp7O8doYGBJc8AhzUqh_1s86oDy3C4qDKt9FfPFx-za4SHKFS5mLGi7DmRRlwAW24ZjDQ50bv6GY8gB/s320/visit+elderly.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Continued acts of
philanthropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, we won’t always
have to worry about masks and PPEs, but there will always be something.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG4doT5HYPxXbcLOZD6cPDlAc8znMA7zncVz1f-q13oZIyhVCbfFhX4sbSezjXRqoFnDWDYYq03HikbYnm0F7FvDoisarktRc_OBnAM-xVFjf5-23C6hQJ4l_81heHHVVZBueeizQJFcn/s1600/patriots+masks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="464" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG4doT5HYPxXbcLOZD6cPDlAc8znMA7zncVz1f-q13oZIyhVCbfFhX4sbSezjXRqoFnDWDYYq03HikbYnm0F7FvDoisarktRc_OBnAM-xVFjf5-23C6hQJ4l_81heHHVVZBueeizQJFcn/s320/patriots+masks.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Openly grateful acts towards
healthcare workers and frankly all workers who are able and willing to continue
serving us.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBh1hNZQbsJfde_MJWMpWuz1-1io1BukPe0WpdVsjLONQiRh0hRTydVs1h_vizsR1Be2lq6vdCb_MueYvhZjmtPwp429VGKh7fQ0VKpVFrUcopZvp-ml_RvAM9CYJpMUT9ra_G_RxdJFI/s1600/thank+you.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="482" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBh1hNZQbsJfde_MJWMpWuz1-1io1BukPe0WpdVsjLONQiRh0hRTydVs1h_vizsR1Be2lq6vdCb_MueYvhZjmtPwp429VGKh7fQ0VKpVFrUcopZvp-ml_RvAM9CYJpMUT9ra_G_RxdJFI/s320/thank+you.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Realization that we do need
each other.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFzentQn769vsZfTG8bm0NKfvfY1q3gKMiVbjuYwFpS-s74JqEYDiBTwMWP-BueEPqZ-SRk83fKgSN5wra2aff0-rjCRuU3ell1zmxgXBFs0x8lwsJvMifNnBpoKmFAZi4Mo-jAj4KWs/s1600/need+each+other.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFzentQn769vsZfTG8bm0NKfvfY1q3gKMiVbjuYwFpS-s74JqEYDiBTwMWP-BueEPqZ-SRk83fKgSN5wra2aff0-rjCRuU3ell1zmxgXBFs0x8lwsJvMifNnBpoKmFAZi4Mo-jAj4KWs/s1600/need+each+other.PNG" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The power of a hug.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyVFLZw0bcrbc4CSyt8jNHGeXt5MO7rPLHcz3TWKNwMm6BoW7NgKkcVmtYBWCXjCXRlZonCq7JiGEnforVpdVXa5WbbTaeAjsH_1fNdk7NGXMRjHTngyglo7I5MqfmPI4OUCKfQ0cWdTO/s1600/hug.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="240" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyVFLZw0bcrbc4CSyt8jNHGeXt5MO7rPLHcz3TWKNwMm6BoW7NgKkcVmtYBWCXjCXRlZonCq7JiGEnforVpdVXa5WbbTaeAjsH_1fNdk7NGXMRjHTngyglo7I5MqfmPI4OUCKfQ0cWdTO/s400/hug.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-84842032298693545462020-03-22T17:15:00.000-04:002020-03-22T17:17:22.392-04:00Control<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We all crave control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Control what we eat, what we purchase, what we do for work, and so
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens when we lose
control?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This coronavirus and subsequent economic crash combined are
testing every bit of control we ever thought we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But is it really that different from
pre-crisis time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Every day, we live our lives like it’s our last day on
earth, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us do, but most of us try really hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take things and people for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until that thing or person is suddenly gone. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today, a lot of that control is indeed gone or severely
limited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But here’s another way to think about it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>living through coronavirus and economic crash
is still living each day as if it could be our last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may require even more effort, but this
hasn’t changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I head to the food store pre-crisis, I expect to buy all
the food and product I desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I see
a product out of stock, I’m surprised, but I move on and either find a
replacement or do without for that day/week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I head to the food store now, I don’t know what I will
encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store could have empty
shelves or people fighting over toilet paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, the control is severely challenged right down to the most granular
level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But there are things we can still control –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control our thoughts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control our words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control our behaviors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control how we treat ourselves and others.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control being creative with what we do have.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control what we do while contributing to social
distancing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control the amount of news we watch.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can control our expectations.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever my last day is on this Earth, I don’t want to be stressed
or rude or angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to waste
the time or energy upset of what’s happening around me or to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to listen to good music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to enjoy a glass of wine (and if I run
out and can’t get any when I want to, a glass of Gatorade – in a wine glass). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to enjoy writing in my blog. I want to
celebrate friends’ birthdays – even if over Facebook. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to FaceTime with friends and family. I
want to look forward to our nephew’s wedding. I want to look forward to times with the
new-ish babies in our family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
enjoy walks with Bella. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to enjoy
another Oklahoma sunset while I live here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to be silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This does not discount or minimize the
harsh realities people are facing, but realizing I have control of <i>some</i>
things is good enough for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU7hHIJ6pojfwK_0_mVRNe1GRf2wuAqoJJJzitt62Y5EBR8lQWQs04HcAzPDaruRL3ohKnVUJNt80aBzman5h6dHxjT3cDrbuhP-pM4EYfPix8sfo8u5CNeg0yf92W9xUhZMfZ2SyIc5d/s1600/beach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU7hHIJ6pojfwK_0_mVRNe1GRf2wuAqoJJJzitt62Y5EBR8lQWQs04HcAzPDaruRL3ohKnVUJNt80aBzman5h6dHxjT3cDrbuhP-pM4EYfPix8sfo8u5CNeg0yf92W9xUhZMfZ2SyIc5d/s400/beach.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bonita Springs, FL</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-36037516415073031832020-03-21T22:17:00.000-04:002020-03-21T22:17:24.317-04:00Some Positives from Social Distancing <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The world is scary right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are sick, dying, isolated,
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many are losing their jobs,
so add ‘desperate’ to that list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>COVID-19 is a beast that is
changing the way we live, work, and socialize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Social distancing is likely to become the phrase of the
year – maybe even the decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
personally don’t mind it too much; my job can easily be done at home and I
always have a puzzle going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#homebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This social distancing isn’t so easy for many
of you with children or with jobs that can’t be done from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for most, it’s only been a week or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will get old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I expect that most of us will get annoyed eventually, argue
with our spouses, yell at our kids or dogs, BUT for now, here’s what I’ve been
seeing either in my own neighborhood or via Facebook/Insta posts –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More people are out walking or playing with their kids in
their driveways or yards</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Couples dancing in their kitchens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Families out walking in the woods</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Runners out running – solo or in groups, notably distant
from one another</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Family members continuing to “visit” their elders in
nursing homes through the window</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends checking in on one another</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends posting cute/funny/light posts (we all need
distraction!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends spring cleaning, getting organized, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Everyone’s rediscovering games, puzzles, and just going
outdoors</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope people continue to #stayTFhome so we can flatten the
curve and start the healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then,
I hope this “old fashioned” way of life continues for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate the reason for it, but it’s a good
look for us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-40121114815042080042020-02-08T17:18:00.000-05:002020-02-08T17:20:58.179-05:00Making Good Decisions<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From all accounts, today’s long run should’ve been an epic
fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I skipped every run this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that means my long run today
was going to be my first run of the entire week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t move much at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lazy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, insomnia and I had a hot date last
night, watching back-to-back reruns of “The Nanny”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnEc9Giy56yj3ewgvE8-n5AsGT6T296GsomHoocZBptkFP7gHyC9czL3-zIluAM6uu_OLmZxwxIqfKGQo9LOV2AGbybIJ7ZpANocr7U5sNWxe5h4CjBGim48CSvh-XOLWcV__v7_8Pkbb/s1600/miles.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="629" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnEc9Giy56yj3ewgvE8-n5AsGT6T296GsomHoocZBptkFP7gHyC9czL3-zIluAM6uu_OLmZxwxIqfKGQo9LOV2AGbybIJ7ZpANocr7U5sNWxe5h4CjBGim48CSvh-XOLWcV__v7_8Pkbb/s320/miles.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then something miraculous happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It wasn’t an epic fail.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At some point last night while I was wide awake, I decided
I wouldn’t stress over the long run I had on my training calendar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I decided I wouldn't waste my energy on creating excuses to lessen the mileage. </span>I decided I wouldn’t awaken with a feeling of
dread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I would run the right
pace for the distance for the right reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I would
run happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And it was beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The scenery was beautiful too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I couldn’t stop taking
pictures!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gorgeous blue sky, the
comfortable temperature, the bright shining sun, the expressive clouds, and the
shimmering lake created a colorful pallet of beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk_mFP1GNeGJwIF7pKx0YJIZ_rcju6AjSw7ZWtoOdY27TS3Ht0eUI_urWPvFuCF_VwjqIRfAobE9fYM-MZUxtjJzHMUZc9T9C4GwpIPi0BF2i7dB-O8P_j_T1yMD6beuy2khyphenhyphenY7UWnNJq/s1600/Hefner+run2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1004" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk_mFP1GNeGJwIF7pKx0YJIZ_rcju6AjSw7ZWtoOdY27TS3Ht0eUI_urWPvFuCF_VwjqIRfAobE9fYM-MZUxtjJzHMUZc9T9C4GwpIPi0BF2i7dB-O8P_j_T1yMD6beuy2khyphenhyphenY7UWnNJq/s400/Hefner+run2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uNeHS3NDgCDqMKEN7YpTS-t1WHaIfYuLhWVkE7b7y2M1bH5ne2iEzk6RK_Ks2ppgMByp5S1wkYZje5HBcjiC24Hai2eMvyuyV_XRCbDX09jIPlzIZuecgcal-eUfQq867wWrMirVqv2P/s1600/Hefner+run3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="995" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uNeHS3NDgCDqMKEN7YpTS-t1WHaIfYuLhWVkE7b7y2M1bH5ne2iEzk6RK_Ks2ppgMByp5S1wkYZje5HBcjiC24Hai2eMvyuyV_XRCbDX09jIPlzIZuecgcal-eUfQq867wWrMirVqv2P/s400/Hefner+run3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To add to my great experience this morning, every runner or
walker I came upon was super smiley and friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two runners acknowledged my Boston Marathon
jacket with a thumbs up and one other encouraged me, “<i>You're doing great!</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if they decided that they would
be the reason someone smiles today, that they would run happy, and that they
would be sure to look around and marvel at what a gorgeous day it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My decisions each day this past week may not have been my best,
but this morning’s decisions more than made up for the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, I’m not all that interested in what’s reflected in
my rear view mirror, since running requires me to move in a forward direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Good decisions….keep’em coming!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-13939002825161397912020-02-02T19:07:00.000-05:002020-02-02T19:18:46.537-05:00My SuperBowl Half Marathon<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoYw8czSEMLW1ZHxxyZTY7praadX_2MjgzULoOoKrmNk4idLj04qoh3lgAwpDss_isr1xjqvK5v2MLjGDQyRwAlqz0_SbGUGMY7vHz_G4DKlg9uInclQakzVBMYPpoNX-MmB4v1OuSK_-/s1600/weather.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="435" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoYw8czSEMLW1ZHxxyZTY7praadX_2MjgzULoOoKrmNk4idLj04qoh3lgAwpDss_isr1xjqvK5v2MLjGDQyRwAlqz0_SbGUGMY7vHz_G4DKlg9uInclQakzVBMYPpoNX-MmB4v1OuSK_-/s200/weather.PNG" width="155" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today’s
running schedule called for 12 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today’s weather called for anything outside, because… 70+ degrees
in February!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be too jealous,
because there is snow in the forecast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>WHATTT?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even
though I had all the time in the world (no deadlines of any kind today), I had
the most perfect weather possible, and I’ve strung a few nights of good, normal sleep, I procrastinated. And I did it in
a big way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
watched TV</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
puzzled</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
scrolled mindlessly on social media</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
took Bella for a walk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
made the bed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
(eventually) got dressed to run</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
changed twice (finally landed on shorts and a light long sleeved shirt)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
whined to Scott about my run</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
whined some more to Scott about my run</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So
the moral of this story?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7NxeD_s3jvDyXUqoPuYrf2tL6CfqcOqGT7uIV0mv3AXe3WQ4-YIifc_mxX5iPKlLzoS5rrigOZBhMCk2h_tghwuiKCI4hMHG203sG7V8k4VmgUESv6z3TknTzimlmnj92waCaC2HLhPG/s1600/mileage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="640" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7NxeD_s3jvDyXUqoPuYrf2tL6CfqcOqGT7uIV0mv3AXe3WQ4-YIifc_mxX5iPKlLzoS5rrigOZBhMCk2h_tghwuiKCI4hMHG203sG7V8k4VmgUESv6z3TknTzimlmnj92waCaC2HLhPG/s400/mileage.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
spent more time procrastinating, complaining, and whining about my long run
this morning, than the time it took me to actually run the long run!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
many years and miles behind me, I still struggle with getting out the door at
times. But once I do, I feel so much
better and can’t even remember the reasons I procrastinated in the first
place. The sun, the saltiness, the tired
legs, the feeling of having worked hard, and the post-run smile that tells the
story of a good run all keep me heading back out for the next run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now,
about that snow forecast….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-47195427905574736422020-01-25T21:38:00.000-05:002020-01-25T21:38:56.192-05:00Groovy Race - Bling, Breakfast Burritos, and Beer!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/OK/Tulsa/GoShortGoLongGoVeryLong?remMeAttempt=" target="_blank">Go Short, Go Long, Go Longer</a> proved
to be a great race with some fun (and funky) highlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race brand’s logo of an old 1960’s/1970’s
orange Volkswagen bus should give you the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID1R1gbaMu5LABTAUsr-woml6WyKGPaRiF_EqkMN8GBKI_faGF75YMMnQqqs4Q9X_AahCYKkhDukeuTVYU1XyQx9E1AfRn7TM5aLhmfv2MPmFe02L8tA3ciF2OJ4-aEiGx8FA4ruRgIOd/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="307" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID1R1gbaMu5LABTAUsr-woml6WyKGPaRiF_EqkMN8GBKI_faGF75YMMnQqqs4Q9X_AahCYKkhDukeuTVYU1XyQx9E1AfRn7TM5aLhmfv2MPmFe02L8tA3ciF2OJ4-aEiGx8FA4ruRgIOd/s200/logo.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So because this logo put me
into a <b><i>psychedelic</i></b>, 1960's/1970’s mood, I’m going to bring back some of
the great slang from those days to describe the day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I posted recently on
Instagram that I just haven’t been </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>diggin’</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> my runs lately.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although I’ve gotten the long runs done, my
attitude’s been </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>heavy</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and I’ve been feeling lazy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the good thing about a race is, sometimes it sparks the competition in you and reignites your spark. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So we packed our </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>kicks</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and headed to Tulsa!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Arriving at River West Festival
Park, the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>shagadelic</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Volkswagen van seemed to jump off the logo and was parked at
the race start.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Lookin’ good</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUv2MKWwSurZCCk2hBL8xJE6X5khLCCgqLPL2O0WbI4CEQzTNve1bUPwgwTMZ2UNzFzqw3pR3vnliWRyh4jNRYoP7qmeyzd4Y6ONo7bDfogqikUGakvhAsuGFbMqVtfXXY7WtyLY4q1_L/s1600/Scott+VW+Bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUv2MKWwSurZCCk2hBL8xJE6X5khLCCgqLPL2O0WbI4CEQzTNve1bUPwgwTMZ2UNzFzqw3pR3vnliWRyh4jNRYoP7qmeyzd4Y6ONo7bDfogqikUGakvhAsuGFbMqVtfXXY7WtyLY4q1_L/s400/Scott+VW+Bug.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The race started on time, so we
<b><i>boogied</i></b>
our way along the bike path, starting at River West Festival Park, following
and then crossing the Arkansas river, cutting through Turkey Mountain, and back
to the start. Did I mention the sunrise was <b><i>far
out</i></b>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I paid for some of my laziness over the last couple of weeks, as the latter miles started to wear me
down. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I needed to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>keep
on keepin’ on</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and reminded myself that this was a great opportunity to work
on mental toughness. Keep.Moving.Forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scott had a </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>rad</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> post-race combination of a breakfast burrito and a beer.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That’s a first!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We also collected some </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>groovy</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
bling today!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As an extra bonus, we both
won our age groups – so now have more of that </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>psychedelic</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> orange Volkswagen
bus on coffee mugs!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnexzhAiMqDKDObv0uNjiG4a2aJviA9nSKXLSLQFmsTGlMiyAV6KuEuXvc-Q7M_WbDehOR8DXjUn1xXLTkGCfGBP_FiYholflPk9ZjcbgRXAooxaZ-nQUo5ApXK8XFKr2wzCNIuo6S2ko9/s1600/bling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnexzhAiMqDKDObv0uNjiG4a2aJviA9nSKXLSLQFmsTGlMiyAV6KuEuXvc-Q7M_WbDehOR8DXjUn1xXLTkGCfGBP_FiYholflPk9ZjcbgRXAooxaZ-nQUo5ApXK8XFKr2wzCNIuo6S2ko9/s400/bling.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This race was </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>right
on</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, do you </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>catch my drift</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While I
surprised myself with a solid run (splits were solid and mostly consistent),
heading into a 25K feeling under-trained was a </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>drag</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’d highly recommend this
race:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">good course (I heard it had previously
been an out-and-back due to construction, but today was a nice loop), bling,
food, beer, and music.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For next year, to
all the </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>cool cat</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> runners out there who haven’t done this race yet, </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>be
there or be square</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">!</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Peace out!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-61076381729596603452020-01-16T17:58:00.003-05:002020-01-16T17:58:42.796-05:00Food vs. Medicine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Genes are a peculiar thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joke about “getting the funny genes” or
the “he/she got the smart genes”, but what we don’t joke about is the fact that
sometimes we get the “unhealthy genes”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two decades ago, Scott lost
his mom to cancer, was shocked at his older brother’s heart condition, and
helped care for his dad after quintuple bypass surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to that, he lost one of his uncles to a
massive heart attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His uncle was 50.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And then he lost his brother
to a massive heart attack in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Buster was 62.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But this post is about the
positive, I promise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">These family events could’ve
left Scott with an attitude of “why bother, it’s hereditary” or “live it up now
since I might die young”, but instead he got moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started running – to the mailbox and
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeling over at times, he
continued improving his speed and stamina as that run to the mailbox and back
became easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Extremely goal oriented, Scott
signed up for a half marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One half
marathon lead to another, which ultimately lead to his first marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 3</span>0+ marathons later, Scott discovered the ultrarunning
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skipping the 50K distance, he went
straight for the 50-mile distance at <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonecattrailraces/" target="_blank">StoneCat </a>Trail Race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several 50K and 50M distances, he
brought his training to a new level and nailed a 24:37 finish at his first 100-mile
race at <a href="https://vermont100.com/" target="_blank">Vermont 100</a> in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With all that running, one
would think Scott can eat whatever he wants, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember those genes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, they
continue to work against him, no matter how hard he trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So recently, after a routine checkup that
left him with some challenging results, Scott took his nutrition to a new
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fad diets, no pills, and
definitely no cholesterol regimen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqy9olbHC7N8YaU-wx_-NXu8HA5O4en-M3DI8amCxMIiZlT4xvoC9Nwizfv3grq7O25Sbzw7dxRo9MgU3oecpA1AqV-aX46V__pFOmvX-1NPZxYUgaeMDJOYJx6KYGSxP5XnLu7xqW6GD/s1600/cookbook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="285" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqy9olbHC7N8YaU-wx_-NXu8HA5O4en-M3DI8amCxMIiZlT4xvoC9Nwizfv3grq7O25Sbzw7dxRo9MgU3oecpA1AqV-aX46V__pFOmvX-1NPZxYUgaeMDJOYJx6KYGSxP5XnLu7xqW6GD/s200/cookbook.PNG" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He bought a couple of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mediterranean-Diet-Cookbook-Healthiest/dp/1592336485" target="_blank">cookbooks</a> and has been focusing on a more Mediterranean diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has said more than once how quickly spices
and olive oil disappear from the cabinet when you actually use them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one of the items that has NOT been disappearing
fast from the cabinet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Table salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of you grab the salt shaker and
apply to your meal, even before tasting the food?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have made a conscious effort to stop that behavior and to make
ourselves more aware of hidden salt in foods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today, three months after that
checkup, the doctor was pleasantly surprised at his results.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Scott wasn’t over weight to begin with, but
the change in what he’s been eating, how he’s been preparing it, and of course,
proper portion control, has resulted in a significant weight loss and in a management
of his cholesterol without medication.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t worry, he looks good, feels good, and most importantly, is reaping
the reward of mindful cooking and consumption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m so grateful for Scott’s
tenacity and drive to self-correct via more natural methods around food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew cholesterol medication could be in
his future if he didn’t try something and he wasn’t going to give in without a
fight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staving off maintenance drugs is
something we’re both happy to have been able to do so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope we both remain healthy for a very long
time and, like ultrarunning, keep moving forward, be selective at aid stations, and celebrate in moderation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The moral of this story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really are what you eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Cheers!</span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-74954493635320160442019-11-03T19:05:00.000-05:002019-11-04T21:40:33.684-05:00Awesome Opossum Hollow Run<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Scott and I continued our exploration of Arcadia Lake area today,
knowing we had previously only run a small area of this pretty area.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We headed once again towards the multi-use trail
(paved; with a lane for pedestrians and a separate lane for cyclists) in search
of approximately 15 miles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We quickly ran out of trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no way to cross Spring Creek – today anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s evidence of construction that will
hopefully create a way to cross the creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had no choice to turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My watch reflected only 7 miles; not the 15 we were hoping for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Silly me, I thought we were done!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We jumped in our car and drove to one of the many entrances to
this great area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the Overlook
entrance, we parked for free, but did have to cough up $2 each to use the
trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so worth it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now I just had to switch my brain from “oh, I guess we’re done at
7 miles” to “OK, let’s go run another 10!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The weather was gorgeous, and t</span>he trails were well maintained, well-marked, and oh so peaceful. It
didn’t take me too long to adjust to a Part II of our run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m so grateful Scott faces a challenge and responds with, “Oh
yeah?” and usually figures out a way around/over/under/through it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, we discovered the trail system
and not only got our 15 miles, but nabbed ourselves 17 miles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My confidence continues to grow and I’m
looking forward to strengthening and testing it out at upcoming races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that means a yearly pass to Arcadia
Lake is in our future!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-83504141409472703952019-10-21T22:23:00.001-04:002019-10-21T22:43:11.148-04:00Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We headed
to Tahlequah, OK this past weekend to run the <a href="https://www.ph100.run/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A multi-distance race (10M, 25K, 50K, 100K,
and 100M), we listened to our heads (not our hearts) and both signed up for the
25K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Camping
at the same place as race headquarters was a bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was it a gorgeous site alongside the
Illinois River, the logistics of everything being right there gave it a great
vibe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a campfire….it’s been awhile
since we’ve had one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Saturday
morning, we meandered over to the race start/finish area to watch the 50K/100K/100M
start. We were greeted by this peaceful sight...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Got
chatting with Karen, who was dressed in a super hero type of outfit (red cape
included!).</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">She was preparing to cycle
out on the course as a volunteer and gave us some intel about the course.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">She headed off to volunteer; we headed off to
get ready for our race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 25K included
an out and back on a dirt/gravelly road, boasting of farms, cows, beautiful
rock formations, and the most beautiful aqua-colored Illinois River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And some legit hills…..(for my New England
friends, these were Derry 16 Miler type of hills!).</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">We were both pleased with how we ran, but know we’ve still got some work to do to get back to solid ultra fitness.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The best
part wasn’t the shirt, the medal, or the placement; it was more about being
outside and around “our people”. As I
was rounding the turn into the finish area, I heard “<i>Let’s go New England!!</i>” It was Karen; super-hero-on-the-bike Karen </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Back in July at Dark & Dirty trail race,
I met Sheila. We were camping neighbors;
she was running the 25K and I the 10K. Another
out and back race, we cheered each other on each time we passed each other. When she finished, we congratulated each
other as if we’d known each other forever.
I mean, that’s how running friends <i>friend</i>. So
who did we bump into at <a href="https://www.ph100.run/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd</a>?
Sheila…who rocked her first 50K! </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Judging
from our shared hunger for the distance, I suspect we’ll see a lot of each
other on the trails. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So many great things about the race, but the best part is meeting new friends who share the love of running. Oh, and finishing....finishing is pretty great too!</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-74265481892927965992019-10-12T23:14:00.000-04:002019-10-12T23:14:22.320-04:00Be Still My Heart – Lake McMurtry | Stillwater, OK<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
a gem! After signing up for <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=67845" target="_blank">Lake McMurtry Run</a> (50K in April), we decided
to check it out by planning a long run on some of its trails. We dropped
Bella off at daycare and headed out of town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">An
hour later, we found ourselves in our element. A lake, several long
trails, camping, nature, fresh air….all the things we crave. The drive was beautiful as
well, as we quickly traded busy Oklahoma City area for Stillwater, where the cow population appeared greater than the human population! Again, totally up our alley.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
chose the Orange Trail and, depending on how we felt, decided we might add
another trail after. Spoiler alert: 1) we felt great and followed
the Orange Trail with the Blue Trail, and 2) we didn’t know when we were
running it, but now know the 50K race will take place on the Orange Trail...<i>score!</i> Gathered up 13.26 miles between the two trails, and LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
my friends and family back in New England, these trails reminded us of
home! Some areas thrust us back in time to running <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=65347" target="_blank">StoneCat</a>. Lots
of single track, some ankle grabbers, rocks, and switchbacks. There was
even an abandoned car (just like the StoneCat course)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other parts of the trail felt like we were running through the fields of
<a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/NewGloucester/PinelandTrails?remMeAttempt=" target="_blank">Pineland Farms</a>. My calf sleeves show a collection of dagger-like prickers from some
of the overgrown areas, and possibly from the bushwhacking we did to get back on trail at one point -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Can’t
wait to go back! They do charge $6 for a day pass, but they also offer
bathrooms, trash receptacles and a manned gate. The park is pretty and
feels undisturbed. The trails were clear and passable at all times.
So $6? Totally worth it. We loved it so much, we may even buy a
year pass. Totally worth the money and the drive. I mean, how do
you put a value on peacefulness, solitude, and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-9743223024419162622019-08-25T21:42:00.001-04:002019-08-25T21:42:59.716-04:00Weekend ramblings...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh social
media, you are flooded with wonderful stories of 18 mile training runs this
weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl3EtXsEFkijtzJealgFSfUx-Y0SVNL9m_DEC3dUigQmWStetfYwDwBUHZlHbmYdKlST8p-Y3xpb9A2Sw4hAzgoPALStqWeid3FSRnjJaMXaoa1UHIkcwctpYF4gRE1y6TX-jRFuBcDz4/s1600/jealous.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl3EtXsEFkijtzJealgFSfUx-Y0SVNL9m_DEC3dUigQmWStetfYwDwBUHZlHbmYdKlST8p-Y3xpb9A2Sw4hAzgoPALStqWeid3FSRnjJaMXaoa1UHIkcwctpYF4gRE1y6TX-jRFuBcDz4/s1600/jealous.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m rooting for all of you, but
I’ll admit I wish I was in marathon shape and icing some twitchy muscles right about
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, I am far from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s ok!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a half marathon on the horizon and my training is, well, all mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead of others' 18 miles, I ran my 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s hard to remain focused on our
own goal and get distracted by others’ goals, but I stayed focused, completed
my 8 (with the help of an avocado), and celebrated with an afternoon exploring my most recent new city, Oklahoma City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This avocado
literally SAVED.MY.RUN!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At mile 3, I planned to run
by the house (water stop – super hot and humid) and felt ‘off’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost pushed through it and then thought
better of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I filled my water
bottle, Scott cut this gem up and I threw down a few chunks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8 miles…done and done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saved by the avocado!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4kpNaOgm1woP-qmni5Zuu5fuh3Z2fDOu0my8QXPIK_ihGsKvW8yFbl1YF-UvjhCzLCKr7kv52BUcw-xke-TekhWwvOEzq2qY5crrSB70TcgIPFZ7D0VITMMJgdV34BT2LtrHvRKXKeFZ/s1600/avocado.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4kpNaOgm1woP-qmni5Zuu5fuh3Z2fDOu0my8QXPIK_ihGsKvW8yFbl1YF-UvjhCzLCKr7kv52BUcw-xke-TekhWwvOEzq2qY5crrSB70TcgIPFZ7D0VITMMJgdV34BT2LtrHvRKXKeFZ/s320/avocado.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Later in the afternoon, we headed into Bricktown, which is a
cool downtown area built up around a canal system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Restaurants, mini-golf, gondola rides, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, and other activities
surround the canal. We ended up at Bricktown
Brewery. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZV7F0IaRYrBBYhc5MGUPYbwJy21hjSLaAuPYSA9hmX-c9e6dUhmJUICVL9Tm7MJVkFMBTF9H51qLXM27Jr5zpwe-LhRLvdT5U0NTzywTYlw4M6uaFT-Pqnt99GnfF_zkpJvjRsuFLCRY/s1600/beer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="783" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZV7F0IaRYrBBYhc5MGUPYbwJy21hjSLaAuPYSA9hmX-c9e6dUhmJUICVL9Tm7MJVkFMBTF9H51qLXM27Jr5zpwe-LhRLvdT5U0NTzywTYlw4M6uaFT-Pqnt99GnfF_zkpJvjRsuFLCRY/s400/beer.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Burgers and beers (for Scott, I’ll take a pinot!) and a walk
around Bricktown was a great way to close out the afternoon/evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now back to our latest project:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Project Scan Family Photos!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, we’re doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So watch out family and friends, I’ve already
plucked a few gems I’ll be sharing with you soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-87047398953058437842019-03-04T09:10:00.000-05:002019-03-04T20:40:02.671-05:00Humble Half<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This
weekend was the inaugural </span><a href="http://www.cityofpalmshalf.com/" style="font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">City of the Palms Half Marathon</a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Scott and I were looking for a race to keep
us motivated, and this distance and the location felt right.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Running almost anytime in this southwest
region of Florida is hot and usually humid</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This blog post is
not to complain about those “captain obvious” facts.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This blog post reflects how humbling this
race was for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Back
to the “captain obvious” facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I
was under trained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, I had
high hopes, created a training calendar, and then peetered out when it came to the actual training part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly and related to the first, I was beaten by the heat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half way through the
race, my melt-fest was in high gear and I began to feel like I was running
through molasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combination of
lackluster training and full sun and heat found me grappling with rare mid-race calf and toe
cramps from mile 10 through the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vcvVQl1HYSxkDRPW3Sqb1bMLBiC3t5Ad5M7j8j5MQJSmlKotdR8xXjzritXMge65XWwToAiEhcRDJYOH60ZJZoz6eUX712rH-vGh1dfp9dLRWQupa5ZWR47hUAOU4Dyn5ATDPHPrpr1a/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vcvVQl1HYSxkDRPW3Sqb1bMLBiC3t5Ad5M7j8j5MQJSmlKotdR8xXjzritXMge65XWwToAiEhcRDJYOH60ZJZoz6eUX712rH-vGh1dfp9dLRWQupa5ZWR47hUAOU4Dyn5ATDPHPrpr1a/s320/IMG_6470.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">I
finished with Scott screaming my name and catching my finish on video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Scott (who won his age group!!) and
we cheered friend Erin’s finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
mountain dew and a bag of chips helped me quickly feel more like myself, and a
bee sting at the finish made me forget about the calf pain!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Also
at the finish was <a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a23742988/70-year-old-woman-sets-marathon-record/" target="_blank">Jeannie Rice</a>, a local 70 year old runner who a) kicked my
butt, and b) continues to kick butts all over the place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She set an age group world record at 2018
Chicago Marathon as part of her amazing repertoire of running accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKQw8gi_0evXEt5B-HItt2c9mw849f4YMfqH49WWA69QYiyu2kYqKvdv6QVgPw18OzoU9aNU86PmpIYy4Y7erya0KKQYmVz9Kfs608NvtaO4MkX60frrIact3X2B7Db0ipwhE17ruLbYr/s1600/IMG_6467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKQw8gi_0evXEt5B-HItt2c9mw849f4YMfqH49WWA69QYiyu2kYqKvdv6QVgPw18OzoU9aNU86PmpIYy4Y7erya0KKQYmVz9Kfs608NvtaO4MkX60frrIact3X2B7Db0ipwhE17ruLbYr/s320/IMG_6467.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Once
reunited with Erin, we cheesed for the camera with our over-sized medals and
waited for Scott to collect his age group award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As we started the trek to our cars, we noticed a runner finishing - dressed in full firefighter equipment!</span> Several of us stopped to cheer her
finish and awarding of her finisher’s medal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">I
was humbled the fact that after more than 30 years, Scott is still my biggest
cheerleader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was humbled by the woman
who ran 13.1 miles in full firefighter equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was humbled by witnessing Jeannie Rice’s
continued success as a runner – and breaking age barriers one race at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I was humbled by the runners around me who were battling the same miles and heat I was. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">So as hot as I felt, the firefighter runner's layers of clothing and equipment had me beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 52 years old, I got my
butt handed to me by a woman twenty years my senior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I was humbled by my own body and mind, that even though I gave less than I asked for, both showed up and got me through the race. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And
the bee sting? I'll survive.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045655099815041904.post-63822819470270890692019-02-16T15:08:00.003-05:002019-02-16T15:26:03.095-05:00Power of Kindness<br />
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today, I found myself in that in-between space of
wanting to crush a run and wanting to curl up on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got myself moving by way of walking Bella
and, out of the blue, received a text message from a friend up North:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Friend:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About to go for my first run since
November and thought of you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Me:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>[ immediately inspired to choose the
run over the couch ]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The text conversation went further, but that
was the crux of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone ready to go
out for a run (in the cold NH weather) thought of me and took a minute to tell
me so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shucks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heading out for my <i>suddenly-a-great-idea</i> run, Scott
offered up, “Hey just take it slow if you have to”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I overdosed on Valentine’s Day homemade fudge
the night before, so was definitely feeling it today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied, “Definitely” as I hit start on my
watch and left the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
expectations; just getting out to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Almost immediately, my run felt easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glanced at my watch a couple times and
noticed it was hanging in the 8:20/8:30’s range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My negative talk shouted, “Your watch is
always screwed up; that can’t be right”; my positive talk whispered strongly, “Let
the run come to you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I respond better
to the strong whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Running within the confines of my gated
community, I end up running several loops – albeit changing up the direction at
times to keep it somewhat interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of this, I passed the same couple people walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time, the man with the salt & pepper
beard smiled and cheered, “Nice work young lady, keep it up!” and “Great job!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I passed them four times in total.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the last time I saw them, he cheered harder,
“Wow, doing great….keep it up young lady!” while clapping and making quite a
big deal of my running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made me
smile so hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m big on telling people I appreciate them or
something they did.</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I also strongly
believe in building people up.</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I find myself on the recipient end of that, it really makes my moment/day/run.</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kindness is
awesome. It takes nothing to deliver and BOTH sides reap the reward.</span></div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956724450988998624noreply@blogger.com1