The Finish Line is Just Another Beginning

'The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start' ~John Bingham, a.k.a. The Penguin

I LOVE John the Penguin Bingham! Recommended reading for all new runners!
I just finished the last class of a beginner's run program this past weekend. It was an amazing 10 week journey! The class went from panting through a 30 second jog to running a 5k course (3.1 miles). It feels great to have accomplished so much personally, to have crossed that first finish line. I will miss the camaraderie of the group, as we all learned what it means to become a runner. To quite a few of us this was a BIG deal. Some had run before and it was easier for them, but they still seemed to have their own demons to conquer. It was wonderful to be around a group of people all trying to do something that will make a difference in their lives. It has made a huge impact on my life and has found it's way into every thought and action, running is beginning to run my life. :) I look forward to setting my own training goals and meeting new challenges and hopefully will see my fellow runners out running from time to time.

One of the coolest side effects of running is not only the great chemical kamikaze that makes you feel so good, but the family anxious to follow your lead. My kids have been begging to run with me! I can only hope this ripples into generations of healthy Adams. That would make every footfall mean even more. One of the women in the run club that volunteered to help pace the newbie runners got me through some tough moments. I will always be grateful for her enthusiasm and positive encouragement. Her 6 year old granddaughter was also an inspiration to me, as she made every class but one (she had an important date with the dentist). She ran with us, never stopping to walk, waving her hands around as she chatted away to whomever she was running with. She reminded me that running is natural and we should find joy in moving and breathing. Her grandmother wanted her to understand what it means to finish something, to keep the commitment she had made to run and it was exciting to see this little girl cross the finish line with the 2nd best time in the mock 5k, 29 minutes!

'The more I run, the more I want to run and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become the person I am.' ~George Sheehan, M.D., former  Runners World columnist.

So game on! The real run starts here and I'm looking forward to many finish lines. Nothing is more wonderful than the look on someones face when they finish the race, whatever race it may be, to never quit. I am thankful to those who are willing to give their time to help others improve and achieve without compensation. Just to see others live a healthier lifestyle, grow a sport, and give back to their community.

Just a couple more quotes and I've gotta run!

'Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, are you going to be a wimp, or are you going to be strong today?' ~Peter Maher, two-time Olympic marathoner from Canada

'The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.' ~Juma Ikangaa, Tanzanian marathoner

Fearless Forty

I recently had my fabulous 40th birthday! I say this with no sarcasm whatsoever. I thought a lot about becoming 40 and decided it wasn't going to be a big deal. I set a goal to achieve before the day of greatness arrived and I did it! I started running and it has become a vital element in my life. On the morning of my birthday I ran longer than I have ever run in my life, 24 minutes! (up to 2 1/2 miles now!) Don't laugh, this is serious. It was amazing! I have running friends who are training for the spring half marathons coming up and my time is but a moment in the shadow of their long training runs, but monumental in my own journey. 9 weeks ago, heavy breathing was my companion on a 90 second jog. I will keep running along and soon will lose the nagging baby weight and earn the coveted body of a runner. And just watch out year 41!

A lot happens in 40 years. I gave birth to my 1st son when I was 20 years old, he has been with me half my life. 5 wonderful children have filled our lives with love. They have given all meaning to my life, I can't imagine not being a mother. When my foxy rock-star man and I met, I didn't want children. I was afraid of what the world would do to them. Then G came along and was just so perfect that I knew that I, the mama bear, could conquer the world and raise him. Then came J, W, S, and T. Life is never 'easy', but I have been married to my best friend for going on 22 years, have a bunch of kiddos, experienced success and failure, lived in the sun and the snow, played hard, laughed hard, and loved lots.

'Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed'. ~Charles Schultz

Time does pass quickly, though I believe that Mr. Schultz is not referring to time, but to the enjoyment of life. I have lots of life left to live and the beautiful almost 3 year old that just pitter-pattered out in footed jammies reminds me of this everyday! 

One of the things I have learned over the years is to never fill yourself up with the 'can't' of others. I found that when I would hear someone else say something was difficult or couldn't be done, I would fear trying or put it off. Most of these things I would eventually accomplish and think, what was the big deal! I do believe you can do anything and I don't let the voices whispering 'can't' stay in my head. The first really big personal experience I have of this came with childbirth. I decided it was important for me to bring my children into the world drug free. You hear a lot about how difficult birth is or how badly it 'hurts' and this gets into the heads of young mothers-to-be and we worry how we will ever be able to get through it. With the thought that they can't, c-sections and epidurals are scheduled. I focused, visualized the birth, thought positively about it, and made sure my doctor knew what I wanted. Through the power of positive thinking, prayer, and determination I successfully gave birth to all 5, naturally. Even S who was 9.6oz! My awesome husband had to bend me in half to help push him out, but we did it together! He supported my decision and understood how important it was to me, and stood firm by my side when it got tough. It helps to have positive support. I know that not every mother is able to have the kind of birth experiences I had, medicine is necessary at times. But so is knowing you have the power within to do anything you choose and not allow life to be pre-decided by all those negative voices. I should have written about making lasagna for the first time...wow...thought that was going to be hard!

So, at 40, I'm making my own rules and am excited to be a fearless forty years young! Just before my birthday I spontaneously wrote a list of everything that makes me happy. It was incredible how full my heart felt and happy...happy that my list was long. Maybe I'll share that, too.