One Foot In Front of the Other.

I guess I should start where I left off, the Marathon. 

I still can't think about it without feeling sick to my stomach or getting teary eyed but I have found some creative and active outlets which have helped.  Its really interesting to see what events like this drive people to do.  For me it was running and sewing.

I quickly signed up with several friends to run 3 different races, all of which benefited either the victims of the Marathon or their families.  Most of the races I run are for the benefit of some charity but these felt so much more important, the first one I ran also marked the first time I have ever cried at a finish line.  I was not the only one.  Runners really do make up a pretty incredible community.  These runs brought me one step closer to loving running again, I feel like I bellong there again.

In August a few friends and I are taking a trip over to Ireland, at first I was just going with them for fun knowing that they were going over with the intent of running a 1/2 marathon.  Distance running has never been something I considered mine but this time it just felt right so come August 5th I will be running my first 1/2 marathon.  I can't wait!

One of the hardest parts of this whole thing is finding a training plan that actually works with life! ha! I feel like I am constantly juggling things these days and longer days at work are not helping.  Sometimes I find myself trying to justify my 2 hour runs on the weekends but then I look down at my feet and remember why I'm there in the first place.

My 2013 Limited Edition Saucony Kinvara 4s 

I had picked up these little gems at the Running Expo on Saturday April 13th, snagging the last pair in my size.  They are a brand I don't normally wear, colors that really aren't me and more than I normally spend on sneakers but I couldn't walk away without them. And now I am so glad I didn't.  When my training runs get really hard all I have to do is look down.

They help me feel Boston Strong.

As always thanks for stopping by and happy running!!!

~Leah

Look For the Helpers.

This morning I woke up excited for the day. Marathon Monday has for a long time been one of my favorite days of the year. I have posted in the past about my love of the Marathon, how I love the history and the excitement. I love watching the elite runners just glide along the course with beautiful grace and a composure that makes it seem effortless. I love seeing how many put their bodies through the grueling task to support so many different charities and I cheer them on from start to finish. This year was no exception but in the midst of that triumph and that joy a coward stepped out of the crowd and took the breath out of my chest and the jubilation out of my heart.

I am deeply saddened and absolutely heartbroken over what happened on Boylston Street this afternoon. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were caught in the horror and confusion of the day. My heart aches for the runners who had their dreams crushed and I felt the panic and uncertainty of those that spent hours trying to connect with loved ones during the aftermath (thankfully I found out pretty quickly that those I knew watching, volunteering and running we're all safe and unharmed). I wish those injured a speedy recovery and peace. Most importantly my deepest sympathies and condolences go out to those who lost a loved one.

What I would also like to say is thank you to those who ran towards the danger in order to help, the volunteers, the medical staff, the first responders, the officers of the Boston Police Department, the National Guardsmen, the spectators in the crowd, the runners (especially those that veered off course straight to the hospitals in order to give blood - that really is an act that can save a life and make a difference). It reminds me of a quote that I stumbled over a long while ago that has always stuck with me...“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."― Fred Rogers (I loved Mr Rogers as a kid). With so much ugliness and hate in the world today it is nice to know that there will always be people who are helping.

~Leah

I'm Calling it a Come Back!

One of the goals I have listed on my 101 in 1001 is to start running once a week to try and love it again.  There was a point a little over a year ago where I just completely lost my love of putting my feet to the pavement and at the time I was at a loss as to why.  Prior to that I have always looked forward to the end of my work day knowing that my next half hour would be spent in the comfort of my own headspace where I could retreat and think of nothing but my breathing and the sound of my own heartbeat. I would occasionally sprinkle in a road race or two just for fun and to interact with other runners but I never took my running as anything but a fun hobby.  It was never a question of having to log miles or run faster it was simply what I did to unwind and de-clutter my brain.  For obvious reasons my consistent exercise had a positive impact on my body and my energy level and people noticed and asked.  I never had any problem talking about what I was doing and when asked I didn’t mind helping others get started. 

It’s only now in looking back that I realized what the something was that changed; it was like by sharing what I was doing I left my inner sanctum unprotected and all this negativity came rushing in.  All of a sudden there was this pressure and these expectations and I let what other people thought of my hobby take the joy out of it.  I started getting questioned on why my times weren’t better and why did I only run 5 and 10k’s – where were my half marathons and marathons, and how could I possible be satisfied finishing in the lower to middle part of the pack – didn’t I want to be better?  These are questions I had never thought of; to me the satisfaction of running came simply through the act running. I had never thought to grade the quality or quantity of my runs but for some reason everyone else did and made sure that I was aware of just how disappointing my running was to them. 

I let them get under my skin. 

I stopped running. 

In late February I got an email from the directors of a race I have run several times in the past.  It had previously been my season opener and it was always dicey.  Running in mid-March in New England is always a crap shoot.  I signed up.  The last time I ran any kind of distance was April 16, 2012 and it was a 5-miler.  I can’t believe I signed up.  I pulled my running shoes out of my closet the Thursday before the race and went running.  It was an ugly run but I’m glad I did it. 

The race was the Sunday before St Patrick's day and I’m glad I signed up for it.
I hit the two mile mark and remembered why I started running in the first place. 

I think I can fall in love again and I now know that I will not let anyone else’s ideas or opinions take love out of my life again.

Here's to all the comebacks in your life!

~Leah