Minnesota is ON

So, what do you do when you get when you add a healed stress fracture, renewed love for running, and a non-refundable registration for the Twin Cities Marathon? 

You get a marathon runner. My plane ticket has long been purchased, hotel arranged, family planning to be there, the whole 9. So, when this last weekend I was on my run and feeling awesome, I thought, "why not?" Then I said,"No...seriously. Why NOT?" 

And that, my friends, is how I decided to try to run this race. Although I am extremely undertrained, I don't mind crawling the last few miles. Or walking intermittently. I just want to do it. My very dear friend Kelly and I planned to do it, and although she will now finish before me (as she should!) -- I want us to start this together, as planned. I don't know what I would have done last year without my sweet sweet friend, and for that reason doing something this epic with her just feels right. :) I'm excited for our families to meet and celebrate this crazy event.

There's nothing better than this spontaneity -- this is something I rarely do. Spontaniety is not a word ANYONE would EVER use to describe me (sad, but true). 

I may have to drop out. I'm ok with that. I may not be able to walk right for a week, or do yoga as I do, or sit. Or bend over. I mean..let's not think about that any longer...but the point I was trying to make is...

I may not finish.
And that. is. ok.
I will be surrounded by the love of my parents, partner, and friends. That will be enough. Trying is what I am promising to do.



For those of you that know me, and know me well, this self-kindness is not something that comes easily, but I have really been humbled by this stress-fracture and I know that everything happens for a reason. And maybe the reason for it to happen this way was for me to be able to ENJOY this race. ENJOY the process, finish or not. PRACTICE self kindness. TRUST in myself, my feet, my faith, my determination, maybe even my pure stubbornness -- because lets face it, I've got plenty of that.


Twin Cities Marathon -- 2013. That's what I'll be doing this weekend :) 

Boston Marathon

(taken from RunJunkees Facebook page)

Since Monday, I've not been able to run the same. I have tried so very hard to appreciate every run, even when tired or not "feeling it." After the devastation and the photos, and gluing myself to CNN for about two days, I decided to take a different approach...I've kept my TV time to a minimal, and just tried to be mindful in prayer and sending warm wishes towards the runners/their family/the huge community affected by this tragedy. 

Tuesday AM quick run before class. 

One of my FAVORITE quotes about disaster. Great for kiddos, too. 

Tragedy happens. Unfortunately, that is inevitable. The world that we live in is not immune to heartbreak, as much as I wish it was. However, I believe that there is more good than bad, and this is another example of that. The warmth of strangers to other strangers amazes me. Strangers staying with injured victims because they were simply standing beside them...I saw a photo of a girl and a runner applying pressure to a bleeding wound of another...strangers. Another photo of something similar...three runners hugging each other and crying...strangers until that moment. The heroism of all the EMTs, physicians, nurses...people in "civilian" running clothes that could have ran away but just...didn't. Instinctively went towards the chaos. That is what I choose to focus on today.

Strangers providing aid and support.

This man got up and ran across the finish line after the first explosion. 

I've read some awesome quotes, but one struck me from a running group here, Mid Michigan track Club. A runner said this and it was emailed to us, "The only thing I could do yesterday besides pray for all those in Boston was to go for a run. I refuse to let the cowards who did this stop me from running. Today I proudly wore my 2007 Boston jacket to work, to stand in solidarity with those who will never again view a finish line to a race in the same way, and to symbolize the brother and sisterhood of runners. As 9/11 was to firefighters, police, and first responders, the horribleness of yesterday is to runners--we all run stride for stride with anyone who was involved in the marathon." - Sue Strouse

And this:

"Running is a sport of goodwill. It's the only sport in the world where if a competitor falls, the others around will pick him or her up. It's the only sport in the world open to absolutely everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or any other division you can think of. It's the only occasion when thousands of people assemble, often in a major city, for a reason that is totally peaceful, healthy and well-meaning. It's the only sport in the world where no one ever boos anybody."-Roger Robinson, Runner's World, April 15th, 2013

I loved both of these. Running has helped my life in SO many ways. I never thought of it as a risk or dangerous sport, and I refuse to. This was a horrible horrible act. The Boston Marathon will forever be changed. But it will survive, prevail, and thrive. Next year will be huge. The thing about runners is...we are pretty persistent. 

Ok, my last touching story is here, detailing a runner's experience 1/2 mile before the finish line.

Some cool things going on in support: 

- Playmakers in EL is selling $20 Run for Boston tee's starting this Saturday, April 20th with ALL  proceeds going to http://onefundboston.org/

- many races and events have had moments of silence, many groups have had organized/impromptu runs all over the country. 

- People have been sporting running race tees all week in support

- etc etc etc. 

- RunJunkees is heading a virtual run via Facebook until May 5th. Check it out!

Also -- I'm just learning more about the West, Tx plant explosion. Waco, Tx is all out of blood -- my Texas readers (all two of you, I assume :) ) -- PLEASE go donate blood if you can!

One of the *few* nice days we've had here in Michigan lately. Had to document it! 

My next post will be more positive with running updates, new music finds, etc. I have to get through finals first! :) Adios!