Thankful…

I’m not quite ready to wrap up 2011 in a neat little package, still I can’t help but think how much I feel as though so many wonderful things have happened this year.

I don’t know whether more wonderfulness has actually happened in the past 364 days or I’ve just taken the time to acknowledge it.

Moot point, because I’m so very, VERY Thankful…

Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for

It’s A Start…

… for several reasons.

One, I wanted to try out my new techno hat [with built-in headphones] as well as my new SX UNIVERSAL COMBO HEART RATE MONITOR WATCH.

Yeah.  I’m not sure exactly how to ‘monitor’ my heart yet – but I’m guessing I’ll figure it out.  This being an ATHLETE is hard.  No wonder the professionals need coaches, handlers and personal assistants.

The weather was sunny today, with not much wind, but it was just above freezing.  Since I’m still getting over this CHEST COLD, I decided it would be best if I just walked it today.

1.72 MILE WALK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD seemed to do the trick.  Although I had to backtrack because I had low-blood sugar and needed to eat a protein bar.*

I probably could’ve walked further – I know it was in me to do it – I just need to remember that I don’t have to accomplish it all in ONE DAY. 

Overachievement.  I haz it.

My plan is to begin HALF MARATHON TRAINING this coming Friday, December 30th.  I realize this program is 12 weeks long and has me doing a work out 5 days per week and as a 50 year-old, I need more rest days in between – so I know I’ll be modifying.  It was offered for free and I decided to take advantage of the program.  Simple as that – a way to motivate, share and stay on track.

Look.  If nothing else, I’ve made the commitment to be public about this – it wouldn’t be fair to me or anyone else to make it seem like this all happened magically.  It won’t.  I’m aware of that – but I’m also willing to say up front that I’m making an initial commitment.  Not a vague New Year’s Resolution…

Speaking of resolutions, where are YOU – any at all?

How about a little share-fest??

*I’m not only DIABETIC [no medication – managed with diet/exercise], I’m HYPOGLYCEMIC. I supplement with protein when I’m able and that works fine for me.  I don’t always recognize the symptoms in myself – but I always try to carry a protein bar with me.  Once I ate the protein bar, I was good to go this morning!

There Will Be…

This week.

I have a horrible chest cold and am miserable… and when Mama’s miserable, ain’t NO BODY happy.

It’s okay – it’s where I am that counts.

Let’s just get’er healthy, mkay?

It was…

… just a wee bit damp.

I didn’t care – it wasn’t going to stop me this morning.  Believe me, there’s plenty to distract me with the Choir Cantata coming up this Sunday and decorating, wrapping, baking and shopping to finish?

I figured I’d feel a whole lot better if I just got out there – and I do!

It was 53 degrees and by the time I was finished, pouring rain.  But for December 15th – I CAN STILL GET OUTSIDE AND RUN WITHOUT WINTER GEAR?

Oh yeah.

Count me in…

I’ll be honest, I’m scared.  I know there was more mileage in me today – but I’d planned to pick up just another mile since the last run of 2.12 miles the other morning.  I haven’t run over 3 miles since OCTOBER 24th, but I just kept thinking while I was out there – I have to be able to run 13.1 miles!

I know I have time, but I’m trying to wrap my head around it – I think part of my doubt is because I haven’t committed to a training schedule.  I need to have another LIPOMA removed from my calf.  It actually bounces when I run and is painful.  I was originally to have the surgery in early October, but that didn’t work out.

Can I run with it?  Yes.

Should I begin a training schedule and then have to take a break for surgery?? I don’t know.

Can I walk 13.1 miles?

Damned Right.

I’m a little banged up…

… and physically exhausted from MY LAST SHOW.  In fact, as I was pulling on my running gear this morning, I found a fresh bruise on my right leg that I didn’t know was there!

And before I go any further – I want to thank my Facebook Posse for helping to keep me accountable this morning.  I put out a call asking to give me reasons WHY I should get up and run this morning – let me tell you – each and every one of the folks who responded gave me excellent reasons.

AND I proudly lived up to that responsibility.  NOT FAST OR FUN RUNNING IN CIRCLES BUT 2 MILES DONE.

That’s how we get back on the horse.  Believe me – I’ll be calling on you again in the future.

Nuncrackers closed after Sunday’s Matinee.  What a hoot.  I love me some of the Nunsense Franchise.  This was my 6th production and I’d do it all over again for as long as I’m able to keep getting up from the pratfalls.  [NUN DOWN! Again?] I bruised my left arm/elbow every time!

I chose not to run during the production of the show because it IS such a physical show with all the choreography.  As much as I enjoy running on a regular basis for stress relief – I needed to stay focused and physically fresh for the show.

Now – back to our regularly scheduled stress relief for the Holidays!

Of course, there is that little incentive of: 144 days till the Pittsburgh HALF MARATHON!!

Gulp.

I believe.

Do you?

There Are Times…

… and performances when epiphanies just sneak up on you.

Actually, that pretty much defines: EPIPHANY.

But last night’s OPENING SHOW was so unusual for me.  I was a bit nervous.  Wanted to be sure that I got all my lines, choreography and didn’t hurt myself when I fell over on stage.  From a kneeling position, yes – ON PURPOSE [NUN DOWN!] and completely my choice.

But I remember thinking when I walked out center stage the first time I was introduced: THIS is why I do this – not the applause or the accolades.  Because it feels NORMAL.  It feels like home and what I’ve been waiting to do my whole life!

All those years of dreams and ‘living room dancing*’ just come together and you absolutely know without a doubt that you were meant to be in that exact spot at that exact moment in your life.  I never imagined all the training, rehearsing, the youth spent baton-twirling for whatever reason because I never wanted to be a majorette** – that those skills would be useful at some other point in my life.

AND who knew it would be on-stage in front of a live, over-appreciative audience with your fifty-year-old self dressed in a nun’s habit?

*Living Room Dancing: made up choreography in the comfort of your living room that you’d never thought would see the spotlight on a stage!

**I spent hours as a kid practicing in our yard, mostly because I broke stuff practicing in the house.