One's Measure of Success

A friend and colleague of mine told me today that he knew he had an enviable life. He is an attorney and works hard. If one's measure of success is money or travel then maybe he is right.

But in my head (not out loud) I was thinking, "you're kidding, right?" My face turned to my car which contains my three car seats that hold the three loves of my life. I can't imagine thinking of a complete version of my life without them. I realized too late that my colleague was telling me in an awkward way how envious he is of my life. Being a grown-up is strange.


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Wild Ride

We raced as a family last week and had such fun we did it again this week. Except this time Mom came in last place because she missed the turnaround. Oops! Great day. Sunshine. Mowing. Kids playing outside.

Planning to go again next weekend. It is one of those things were everyone complains until we get there. After the race, they are all as happy as clams. I think my youngest goes because they always have donuts.

My oldest won the children's race and then ran the adults
race with us. Several friends asked me why she isn't playing softball or lacrosse. I am not sure when we would fit it in. We are too busy running races.

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Determination

I spent last week pouting about my bad news. I decided to start this week off with a bang. I rode the bike at the gym yesterday for 45 minutes. A cross country coach I spoke to last week told me to bike 10 minutes for every mile I wasn't pounding the pavement. Therefore I logged 4.5 miles yesterday without touching the ground.

I also queried friends for advice on foods and supplements that might help. Fish oil and Glucosamine Chondroitin appear to be contenders in the fight.

After ten days of not running. I gave up. And went back to running. Sorry doctor but I can't heed your advice.


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Revision

Isn't that what life is? We make a goal. Start moving towards the goal. Really feel like we are making progress. The end is within our sights. Wham! Change of course. The unexpected happens. We have to be flexible to deal with it. We have to keep moving forward and making adjustments.

Quoted from the New London Day this weekend Rev. Jill Harvey said, "You can make plans, you can set goals, but sometimes you have to move. Sometimes you have to move out of your house, sometimes you have to move out of your job, sometimes you have to move out of your comfort zone."

So because I published my goal of beating my half marathon time this year it feels even more like quitting because my doctor has advised me against the amount of my life I am spending pounding down the mileage. I have been working hard towards this goal since Thanksgiving even before I announced it as my New Year's Resolution.

So since my doctor's cautionary statements yesterday I have considered two paths. The first being to keep running and lie to the doctor. The second to change tracks, change tactics and log my time in non-impact activities.

I feel very guilty even complaining about this issue to anyone. I know I am lucky to have the opportunity to accomplish the things in my life that I have, athletically speaking. My best friend has been struggling with her serious health issues and has been hospitalized three times in the past year. So the person I do my complaining to has something real to worry about as opposed to the whining she hears from me.

And yet she still listened and empathized about my plight. What a good friend.

So here's where I am supposed to tell what I am going to do. But I still don't know what that is.

For now I'll think of what Nemo
says, "Just keep swimming."

Promises, promises

This is to third year I have given up meat for Lent. It is a personal promise. I do not ask anyone to sacrifice with me. The 46 days give me a chance to pay greater attention to what I am eating, be more grateful for my blessings and it makes me try new things.



This year I was surprised when my husband and all of my children announced to me that they would make the promise too.

It hasn't been easy for them. I have given several of my pep talks. They go by familiar titles such as, "Quitters never win, winners never quit" and "We keep our promises." To me it is important that all of them follow through on what they set out to do.

This is how I am teaching consistency and responsibility in my home.

I am excited that this year they all know how many days it is until Easter comes. And it is not because of a bunny.


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Love at First Flight - Part III

Six months after I had moved. I sent him an email. He sent one back. We talked on the phone. He said he was traveling to Arkansas for business and he would come and visit me. I didn't believe him.

I wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to visit me two thousand miles away because we went out on two great dates.

But he did. I remember being so nervous going to the airport to pick him up. To this day I can tell you exactly what I wore, what he did and how he smiled. We had a great weekend.

Two weeks later he came to visit again. And two weeks after that I flew to his home. And met his family.

He asked me to marry me three times. I remember walking out of the church and wondering how I had gotten there. It was as if time had passed in a dream. I threw my flowers to my friends from the church steps.

Love at First Flight - Part II

Fast forward to four weeks later. I'm walking through the airport again. I was flying out for a second interview. Truly torn about what direction my life was taking me. As I approached my gate, I heard my name. I turned. It was him. And he remembered my name. Wow. I couldn't believe it.

We went to the airport bar and had a beer. This was hysterical to me because not only do I drink very little but it was 10:30 in the morning. It was an absolute excuse to get to talk with him. He walked me to the gate. I asked him for his phone number this time. And I got on the plane and took off.

When I returned from the interview I went out with him twice. Two crazy dates. The first was in downtown Boston at Legal Seafood. Lunch. It was pouring rain. We walked for hours. It was marvelous. The second was in downtown Providence and then in Newport. We laughed and joked and I didn't want it to end. I still remember sitting next to him in the bar in Newport. Not wanting to be anywhere else. I know it is a cliche but it was magic.

Then the ultimate twist. I moved. To Oklahoma. Two thousand miles away. My life was waiting for me. The job I wanted. Nice office. Nice people. Good money. Good benefits. It was everything I had been hoping for flying all over the country looking for the perfect job.