a few pictures...

10 fingers for 10 laps (finished - happy smile). 

coming and going at the turnaround...

Maria on the Trail - out and back was fun to see people.

note the Marathon Maniacs Diva top!

Vogue!

bucket of cheer!

I got my own finish line!

quotes to keep you moving

"To dream anything that you want to dream, 
that is the beauty of the human mind. 


To do anything that you want to do, 
that is the strength of the human will. 


To trust yourself, to test your limits, that is the
courage to succeed." 
                                          - Bernard Edmonds



"Nobody cares if you’re not a good dancer. 
Just get up and dance. 
The same holds true for racing. 
Whether first or last, we all cross that same finish line. 
Just get out there and run." 
                                                              - Karno

history

strange as it may seem to many - I still identify myself as the girl picked last more than I do as an athlete or anything else.

I did terribly in all those presidential physical fitness tests, and they left a bit of a scar on my psyche (they were all about sprint speeds and things I wasn't built for...)  

...and I am terribly uncoordinated - I stay away from throwing and catching for my own safety....thus, not a hot commodity for the schoolyard games.  I have a strong memory of myself and a fat black girl named Karen being the last two to choose from and still feel some pain.

it took distance running for me to find the athlete within.  I remember the day - I was running a trail in baltimore and decided that it was so nice out, I'd run 10-12 miles instead of my planned 6.  It suddenly hit me that this was nearly a half marathon distance which I was doing for fun.  

I think the Orioles were in the midst of a playoff run in baseball, and all anyone in Baltimore talked about...and the thought came into my head...."I could probably outrun every member of that professional baseball team right now"  - overall distance and time....and I suddenly realized that I am an athlete. 

I'll never win a marathon, but I can start the same race and run the same course as the elite athletes.  

I can finish as many as I want.  

I can have as much fun as I want.  

and I will.

revenge of the girl picked last.

my 50th marathon - donations of a different color

Revenge of the Girl Picked Last

In celebration of my 50^th marathon, which will take place in about two weeks, I have decided to ask for donations.  I plan to run at least 50k and possibly as much as 50 miles.

Before you stop reading – this is not a typical “send me money” request…not even close.

In reflecting on the impact running marathons has had on my life, I realize that this “habit” of mine is one of the most positive things that could have happened to the girl picked last (yes, that was me).

I want to spread the positive.

Instead of monetary donations, I am asking you to help me celebrate (and honor the person who started this for me with his running/walking/eating/volunteering club)

by performing a “mitzvah” or a “random act of kindness”…

“pay it forward”… “do unto others”… spread the positive energy in the world….

Whatever you want to call it.

Here are some ideas:

Think of someone who had had a positive impact on your life.  Do something that you know they would like.

Volunteer somewhere, plant a tree, help an old lady cross the street, there are plenty of possibilities…

Or send them a thank you note just to let them know that they were significant.

Do something positive for yourself (you can be the trigger to have a positive impact on your own life too) – set a new challenge… to run a 5k, 10k, or marathon… step outside your comfort zone – take a dance class, do karaoke, learn a new language.

If you want to do an old-fashioned donation of money, feel free to do so.  Give it to a charity or group that you personally believe in…or, again, to honor someone important to you.

I’d be thrilled if you’d drop me a note to let me know you’ll participate, and even happier if you let me know what you are doing, so I can carry that positive energy with me while running.

And, if you are so inclined….pass this on…post on your FB page, email to a few more people, print it out and hand it out…

If you’re in the area and want to come out, it’s the 24 Hour Ultra Run and Relay at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, in Hampton, VA.  April 16-17^th 2011.