I'm a member of our local running club, Toledo Roadrunners Club. Every month we receive a newsletter. It's a small magazine, really. Included are race stats, stories, profiles or experiences from local people in the group. Also included are fliers for upcoming races. -I swore I would NEVER pay to run... & now, here I am, pouring over numerous, multi-colored papers advertising races in different locations, different charities and different post race goodies. I am comparing dates, prices, distances, etc. -Decisions, decisions... :) -At one time, I physically couldn't run two days in a row. Now I have to fit work around race schedules all in one weekend. -Life is improving. My muscular imbalances are being addressed. While still early with the new doctor & YOGA, I feel SOOOO much relief. I am so grateful I toughed it out past the "suck" of running. I reflect on all of the tears & my stubbornness that helped me past the pain of injury. -I am optimistic of advancement, this year. I believe I will surpass anything I have ever done in the past. -One new experience this year, will be to represent the Glass City Marathon as an ambassador. -Being asked to be an Ambassador may not seem like a big deal to some... but to me... it means someone has recognized a passion. Passion doesn't always mean you're the most talented person in the field. It may simply mean you are enjoying yourself and are having way too much fun to quit... & you BLAB about it, all of the time. :) I've been pretty stubborn along the way. Too stubborn to quit...

I know I annoyed my mom as a kid. I tell people that a strong minded young girl isn't a bad thing. If you can CHANNEL that strength... she can help others, lead or inspire... or surprise HERSELF. I am surprised how much passion I have for my family: my girls & husband & for running. I used to be passionate about art... & somewhere along the way... I became a jock. -That's not a bad thing. I am REALLY enjoying it! I am surprised how much tenacity I have to protect my family & my running. I am surprised how much I encourage others to try! I find running mirrors passion OF living. It reminds me passion can still be experienced! Passionate that your muscles & legs are strong and fleeting. Passionate for the mechanics & expansion of your lungs... Passion for the strength & loyalty of your heart... Passion that your brain anticipates, reasons, distorts & embellishes... Passion to see the sights along the route... Passion to be alone... Passion to share with others...

I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful to have my family. I am grateful we are healthy... I am grateful to celebrate my life with a run. "CHEERS!"

Well-- I started my new blog. I feel kind of self-centered about it. On fb, I'm one person of many sharing experiences. On a blog, I feel like I'm in the limelight (even if no one ever reads it)... & I HATE the limelight. I was always the one that liked artistically making the stage... NOT BEING ON THE STAGE! It's the reason I usually don't join group runs. It's the reason I had such a hard time participating in races. It's the reason I couldn't playfully dress up in a tutu for a fun run race. The idea that I would be scrutinized, not accepted or not perform as I had hoped was debilitating at times.

I've received a lot of positive feedback, however, since I started posting my failures & achievements... my crash & burn stories & my age group award accomplishments. -Sharing the good, the bad & the ugly of running shows that even a "late bloomer" can have some success & advancement. En route, a person come out of their shell a bit, too. It has ALWAYS been a goal of mine: to find people & encourage them to "try".

Culturally & racially: a female is expected to become a matriarch... but at the expense sometimes of her own preferences. I felt I was being selfish doing anything for myself & not just for my husband & kids. There needs to be a balance... but if you've been SO far leaning to the right or left... how do you emotionally bring yourself into the equation, fairly? How can you benefit yourself, too? -My posts have been to "stir" people that didn't think they "could"...

"What if I 'can('t)...?'" -How do you know what you are capable of, if you're too afraid to try? I was immobilized. I had to be "pushed" by a fellow runner & mom. She planted a seed of "can" that I had secretly coveted for a long time... but didn't believe I could cultivate. So I cultivated it in the woods. I knew I "wasn't" a gifted runner but there was something about being in the woods that was beyond running. It was calming...

So... I will work out a few glitches... but I am starting a blog in hopes that I can encourage other introverts to step out of their own head... put down our fears for awhile... tip toe out of your comfort zone... go for a run (or any dream you've secretly wanted to try). Your comfort zone will expand. You may fall on your face... but as any introvert reflects... no one REALLY saw me in the woods... I'll try, again...

"It’s been said that at 20, we worry about what others think of us and at 40, we don’t care what others think of us. As someone who has passed 60, my friends and I now realize that nobody was thinking about us to begin with. They were running their own run while we were busy trying to run theirs."

http://blog.rockmyrun.com/2014/11/28/whos-run-is-it/

Cold 5 miler with the hubby & Lucy, our dog. I wanted to go 6 or 7... he wanted less miles at a faster pace. *ok, then* He kicked my hiney! In my defense: I had the pee-pee-poo-poo "handicap", Lucy. Then I would have to catch up to Jim. --This is going to be a great investment & arrangement... I'm pushing his distance. He's pushing my pace. Could I be any more in love?!?!?! **sigh**

Maybe all you need is a gentle reminder of what not to do if you want to be successful:

http://runhaven.com/2014/10/02/5-things-successful-runners-never/

It's official! I've been asked to be an ambassador for the Glass City marathon! I asked what that would entail. I'm supposed to "share information about my training, running stories & talk about the Glass City Marathon." Me: "So basically do what I'm doing, now...?" I'll be offering race registrations & sharing information as it becomes available. For now, I have to work on a bio that will be on the marathon webpage. Pretty cool! The green light to talk about running... <3