i wanted to share this a while ago, but i wasn't sure if i should (i'm not sure why). back in early april i got an email (and a donation) from someone who had found me through Hunter's caringbridge site.
april 5
hi Laurie, I 'know' of Hunter and her family through a close friend here in Franklin, from time to time I see Katie with the girls out around town. Quick story: During summers in Franklin, the school system holds little classes in fun subjects for the young children. I was rushing to 'Creative Chef's' on day one, my 5 yr old decides to tell me he has to pee - NOW. My 7 yr old yells at him, I yell at both of them - no parking spots of course. Drag everyone across the stupid parking lot to the stupid school for stupid summer class. Ugh. I am really needing Starbucks and a break. Then I spot Katie. She was walking in with one daughter and carrying a sleeping, bald Hunter. Calm and content, all of them. I felt one inch high. I look down at my fighting children and despite biting my tongue, the tears start. How could I be so selfish and foolish all at once. Lump in my throat, I kiss my girl goodbye, and off I go with the boy. I never held his hand so tight. I never wanted to get back for pickup so quick. I KNOW all the things about being grateful and thankful and not sweating small stuff. To get caught off guard by a moment like that -Took my breath away. I thank God for those moments, and I have carried that one around since. In the midst of her illness, Hunter teaches all of us who barely know her. In the midst of being her mother, Katie teaches those of us who look at her with awe and wonder and unending hope. So thank you for doing what you will do on that Monday. Please accept my donation and all the thoughts and energy that go along with it. I will be working at the marathon that morning while you are stepping off in Hopkinton, (I'm a police officer in a nearby town). I will think of you all and again, like every year, I will ponder ... 'hmm. maybe next year I will actually DO this thing!!!". So take good care of yourself, and rock it hard!!
amazing, right...
after the marathon i got this one.
april 23
Best of luck to you in your life, your job, your world! What you do is wonderful for those affected by that horrid disease. I know all that good karma you give will be coming back to you over the year!
i responded back for ALL of us and told her we would continue doing this until we can't, but what i should have said was that we will continue to do it until we don't have to. thank you CMR, please keep in touch!
april 20, 2009 isn't that far away friends.
hmmm, maybe i'll go for a run tomorrow.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
me oh my oh...
so a week has gone by... gosh already... what now.... why does it seem like the afterglow is dimming by the second? first timers (and veterans alike) when you're going about your training you never stop to think about how you're going to feel when it's over. the difference between us vets and the rookies is that while you are clueless, we choose to avoid the thought of IT... that IT... post-marathon blues. it's real friends, and i would venture to guess that most of you are feeling it right about now. whether you PRed or not, your result last monday has nothing to do with it, there's a weird emptiness that just won't go away.
how many time have you looked yourself (your friends, neighbor, co-worker, and that guy you met at crossroads 4 thursdays ago) up on the baa.org website? cross reference the last name and bib number and check out all of the pictures on marathonfoto.com and smugmug.com. how many conversations did you have last week about "your" marathon? how often have you shared the good, the bad and the ugly parts of those 26.2 miles with anyone who asked? might you be smiling as you are reading this, perhaps reliving the glory day again in your own head? now let me ask, have people stopped asking you how it went,or how you did? have you made the attempt to run yet? do you even want to? what part sucks more, not wanting to run or the thought that no one cares anymore about your running? up until a week ago that's all people wanted to talk to you about, right? "how many miles did you get in today?" "did you really run 21 miles this weekend?" "tapering, what's tapering?" and my favorite (the week before the race), "are you ready?" now here we are, a week has passed, and no one seems to give a crap. giving a crap right about now is hard but that funk feeling is temporary. the desire to get back on the road will come as soon as you regain the excitement you had before the marathon and the exhilaration you felt when you crossed the finish line. even if you're not ready to start logging the miles again, call up your running friends, make a date, meet for coffee, grab a drink. keep talking about it, because we do still care. for us running geeks it never get old.
in november 1998, i ran my first marathon. when it was over, i was in the dumper, big time. i couldn't for the life of me figure it out, after all i had just run my first marathon. a few days later after reading something i knew i wouldn't be the same...
YOU ARE NOW A MARATHONER.
that is my congratulatory gift to you, live it, love it, celebrate it and above all, be proud of it.
cheers.
how many time have you looked yourself (your friends, neighbor, co-worker, and that guy you met at crossroads 4 thursdays ago) up on the baa.org website? cross reference the last name and bib number and check out all of the pictures on marathonfoto.com and smugmug.com. how many conversations did you have last week about "your" marathon? how often have you shared the good, the bad and the ugly parts of those 26.2 miles with anyone who asked? might you be smiling as you are reading this, perhaps reliving the glory day again in your own head? now let me ask, have people stopped asking you how it went,or how you did? have you made the attempt to run yet? do you even want to? what part sucks more, not wanting to run or the thought that no one cares anymore about your running? up until a week ago that's all people wanted to talk to you about, right? "how many miles did you get in today?" "did you really run 21 miles this weekend?" "tapering, what's tapering?" and my favorite (the week before the race), "are you ready?" now here we are, a week has passed, and no one seems to give a crap. giving a crap right about now is hard but that funk feeling is temporary. the desire to get back on the road will come as soon as you regain the excitement you had before the marathon and the exhilaration you felt when you crossed the finish line. even if you're not ready to start logging the miles again, call up your running friends, make a date, meet for coffee, grab a drink. keep talking about it, because we do still care. for us running geeks it never get old.
in november 1998, i ran my first marathon. when it was over, i was in the dumper, big time. i couldn't for the life of me figure it out, after all i had just run my first marathon. a few days later after reading something i knew i wouldn't be the same...
YOU ARE NOW A MARATHONER.
that is my congratulatory gift to you, live it, love it, celebrate it and above all, be proud of it.
cheers.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
24 hours
funny, it's sunday. our plan was to go to the charles and see the women run the olympic trials, get up early, get coffee, get inspired. thinking about the week before, the "right" decision was made, sleep in. yeah, that worked out awesome, my eyes sprung open at 645A. so here is am watching it on the computer and thinking about all of the things i have to do today, and of course tomorrow. i've done this enough so one might think it would be old hat, but it's not, i promise you that. it does not get easier, more manageable, or less nerve-wracking. in preparation for tomorrow, my bag is packed, so since i had time i decided to looked at my self-proclaimed "things to do" (and not to do).
pedicure - yesterday... risky i know, but i came out alright, with of course lincoln park after dark.
H2O - i've become obsessed with coconut water (vita coco, found in your grocers refrigerator) the "natural rehydrator" with 660 grams of potassium. the only weird thing is it has the asparagus effect, you know what i mean right?
carbing - sure. i can't say i'm pounding pasta, but i am eating like it is my job and with that getting much exercise with all of the trips to the bathroom.
boozing - 3 drinks at red bones, that's it.
massage - visited michaela on thursday, calves are feeling fine, head is feeling better.
s*cky people - yeah, i tried, i'll leave it at that.
good people - every year the most incredible people come out of the wood works with amazing pre-race words. between the emails, cards, phone calls & of course text messages, i'm blowing up (i think that's what the kids these days say).
journal - 1 day of blogging doesn't really count i guess.
JFC - unfortunately i did not make it there this week, but i am looking SO forward to seeing Hunter and the rest of the kids tonight and tomorrow on the bridge!
shaved my legs this AM (TMI).
jock - na
chocolate - ate it.
shoes - stayed off the high ones, but i have to say walking around the house barefoot isn't less dangerous... stubbed my toe twice on the same darn thing this morning. OUCH!
phantom pains - knee twinges... oh jeez.
contrast bath - how about a hot shower, "the stick," and bio-freeze.
fundraising letter-went out on friday. my goal was to hit $10K my monday, it's looking good!
lube - if i started now that would just be weird and something i would not be talking about on this blogsite.
hugs-i have, and have, and have, and the day just started.
JACK-nothing major yet, but i'm coming for ya mister!
with all of that said, thank you for reading. the trials just finished deena castor had a come from behind effort to win. although it would have been nice to be there to cheer on our american ladies making a bid for the 2008 olympics in beijing, quite honestly i don't need them to inspire me. i get all of the inspiration i need from a 6 year old cancer patient.
on last tip or word of advice - the pasta party will give you far more than the carbs you will need to get through monday. stop-look-listen and take it all in. in 24 hours you will be running! don't be in a rush enjoy every second of it. you are about to experience something most people never will.
godspeed my running friends, see you at the finish line!
laurie
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