Commenting to a person about INKnBURN: "I've been told that 'they are just clothes'... Coming from a person who didn't have much growing up-- the 'clothes' are LIBERATING! I used to only wear black & men's baggy stuff. I was too shy to wear something so bold & colorful like InB..."

I'm finding a BOLD, confident person, I didn't know existed! - Sounds weird but I am really just putting on the "outside" what I feel on the inside. I am introverted, self-reflecting & "follow the rules". I am a hard worker... but WAY DOWN, deep inside, am a B.A. (I can't bring myself to cuss.)

I run a business, volunteer at our daughters' schools & in the community, am raising a family, etc.

Like every person, we have different moods, feelings, obligations... -Running & exercise is my solo time. NOW: instead of always being modest & following the rules-- I'm wearing skulls? Like I said, it's liberating! I can be that "person" during a work out & "take it off", too, with a simple tank top. I can be the Wildflower, peaceful lady when I run... the Healing Mandala lady for yoga stretching... or the Robot when I weightlift. (--I cannot tell you how HAPPY, nerdy & strong I felt wearing those Robot capris, yesterday.)

My first InB purchase was the Flutter long sleeve. It was so bright, I couldn't bring myself to wear it for a year! It just sat there. When I saw new designs I choked, again. -I thought the Robot tights were "too bold" for me when I saw them... but on the flip side, I couldn't stop thinking about them & "wishing". I just couldn't bring myself to get them. -I missed out & am now on the hunt. I found the pants; but, I am still looking for the t-shirt. I was so happy wearing the Robot capris yesterday-- more so because I wouldn't have a year ago.

I come from a very religious background. I wouldn't wear ANYTHING with skulls! I didn't see the appeal to such deadly symbolism. Of course, leave it to INKnBURN to "spin it" & leave me with mouth agape! Their new Run or Die design, with such bright colors, artistically drew me. I bought them & they "sat" there. I couldn't bring myself to wear them. It was a very "naughty" mood that got me to wear them on a trail run! The shirt represented the mentality that I needed to get me out that day!

 

So WHY do I wear INKnBURN? Why do I PREACH INKnBURN? --Because we're each complex creatures... We go "back and forth" often during the day and our lifetime. We often restrict ourselves to being "responsible"... but we are MORE than responsible. We're kind; but, we party! We're responsible but sometimes we need a jolt. We're quiet but maybe we're loud "inside". We're "breaking out" after years of repressing... or maybe we've always been a free spirit! We're discovering who we are-- what we are... We are ALL of these... and there is a HUMAN need to express ourselves... For some of us that take care of others and are "bound" to being responsible, clothing may be our only form of self-expression. INKnBURN is the closest thing to a tattoo I, personally, would ever dare to do... but it's nice to have a temporary tattoo, option...

 

 

 

I am not sure why I'm being such a baby... My running has gone to ZERO miles & I'm getting pretty bummed. I broke my little toe & there is an ache across the bottom & side of my foot. There is pain at my pinky toe. I am working "okay" & I can get around; so, I am trying to remain positive; but, it is a struggle. -I can get SOME shoes on, easily; but, there is constant discomfort. It is not the worst pain I have ever felt so I go from being optimistic, to realistic, to panicked, to optimistic...

I took Lucy for a walk at Oak Openings- even that hurt. I have my toes taped & I just "did" it. I wish it would have been enjoyable. I jogged down small inclines- not wise...

Time to drown my sorrows with a bit of retail therapy & running clothes...

Glass City Marathon has partnered with Racejoy to provide tracking information for runners & their progress on race day. The app picks up runner information as they cross timing mats along the race route & sends alerts to family or friends. You can even set your app to post automatically to Facebook or Twitter! The app works with a chip attached to your bib & is free to download. Please note: it is not necessary to carry your phone for friends to receive these updates.

There is a nice tutorial explaining: the app on race day, training days, how to set your phone so others can track your progress in "real time", how to shut this feature off when finished, how to personalize your screen, etc. Please note: the "actual time" feature requires the runner to carry their phone & has a minor charge for athlete as well as spectator. There is an option to send audio cheer clips, as well.

The app seems pretty straight forward & helpful. You can customize the basic/free application to incorporate other helpful features.

It is a great free provision, brought to you by the Glass City Marathon.


DOWNLOAD RACEJOY APP

I've been struggling to come up with encouraging words... something inspirational... something motivational... to blog about... It's all been said...

As I sit & contemplate everything about to happen this weekend, I reflect on the ups & downs of training. I reflect on the emotions & outcomes of past races- the good & bad.

Running is learning- about yourself & what your body is capable of...

Racing is the culmination of miles & experience. It's been compared to the victory lap of training...

If you've made it to race day, uninjured & healthy, then trust your training, relax & enjoy everything that race day has to offer- competition, adrenaline, community support & enthusiasm from fellow runners. Enjoy the feeling of crossing the finish line & earning that medal.

I wish you all a good race.  I will cheer for you; &, if I don't see you, I will track as many of you as I can...

DOWNLOAD THE RACEJOY APP, HERE

 

This is Desi Davila Linden at the 2015 Boston Marathon. Why am I writing about her?

She was a bit of a dark horse for awhile. At the London Olympics, she participated injured. I read many "telling" her to give up her spot on the Olympic Team that year. She earned the experience... & judging by her performance, Monday, at the Boston Marathon, she has gained a lot of experience!

Injury plagues every runner at one point. It is heartbreaking but inevitable. We cry. We pout. We yell... but we heal & regroup.

2015 Boston Marathon: Shalane Flanagan was the showboat- Boston's sweetheart & hometown hero. At the end of the race, the channel I was watching, aired an interview with Shalane, NOT with Desi-- but Desi beat Shalane! --I am not lightly dismissing anything these elites can do; &, I do not downplay Shalane's performance... However, I connected with Desi. Perhaps it's her olive skin or short stature that connects with my Hispanic background- yeah probably.

In a culture that judges on first impressions & outward appearances, I was upset that Shalane got all of the attention. I did believe the hype & expected Shalane to win overall female, this year. As I watched Desi- this small woman from Detroit (LOCAL)- take the lead for the majority of the race, I was ecstatic! Here was my hero! She lead the pack & never let them lose her. She ran strong & gave the elites a race!

I can't imagine what she felt coming in 4th place when she lead for so long & came in seconds behind the leader.

Such is the love-hate of racing. Knowing you did, or didn't do, your best within the parameters of the day. Driving yourself crazy considering what you could have done differently-- better... Believing in yourself & your training while considering the outcome & questioning everything you're doing... -Been there -Done that...

As, I contemplate my race calendar. I believe in the dark horse. I don't want to be the show boat. I couldn't. I want to be a force & I would love to be an elite... but I'll settle for a strong-injury-free-mid-packer, for now.

Desi is a person to be watched & respected. She's a small package with strong desire that isn't intimidated by the game. Looking forward to following her tiny footsteps...

Sadly-- I am off running for 6 weeks, now.

I tried running a week after I broke my foot. I had heard of die-hards running through broken toes, etc. How much could it hurt?

I found out. Broken toe or broken metatarsals... the healing time would be the same. I decided to bail out of the Martian Festival of races & Glass City 1/2. This decision was not made lightly; but, now that it's made, I feel devastated & relieved at the same time. I have to NOT think about it because I start to cry...

As I scan Facebook, I see others in the hospital, facing treatments & procedures, dealing with stress of life & family- physical & emotional... & I realize my little bones have a healing "deadline". I KNOW my little trauma will be finished, soon... & I feel foolish for even crying.

THEN I see prep for Boston. I read preparations & results of local friends... & my heart LONGS to be at the start line, too.

It's all self reflection. I think of the person that thought she "couldn't" run. I was TOLD I couldn't & shouldn't-- I believed it. Then there was the struggle to try- emotionally & physically.

I came so far... but swore I would never race. "Why PAY for something I could do for free?" I learned to hate & LOVE the speed of the race! I saw friendship & encouragement... which didn't make sense to me. Why would someone CHEER for you if they wanted to PASS you? -I learned about PR- PERSONAL records.

In the past, I was the one that only wore BLACK running clothes... & baggy men's running clothes... then I discovered running skirts, color & INKnBURN. It was as if I could wear on the outside what mood I was feeling on the inside!

I started writing down my improvements & encouraging others to change, too. I was asked to write about it & promote our local Glass City Marathon. I was SO HONORED. For the first time, I felt confident to call myself a runner. My times were improving. I felt confident. I was learning to embrace the race & I was TALKING to people about running. It was all so perfect...

A small crack & I'm on the sidelines... *BOO!*

Sooo... I signed up to volunteer on race day. I will be blasting music, directing traffic, high 5-ing, cheering & being genuinely happy for everyone I can make smile...

Life goes on. I'm looking forward to race day...

There are socially unacceptable things that runners do when no one is looking. I always ran with a handkerchief. I knew about the "farmer's blow" but was too grossed out to do it! Jim started running with me a couple of years ago & "encouraged" me to let go of my inhibitions. I've perfected it in private. After we ran this morning, I walked in the parking lot to cool down. I checked that no one was around & "cleared". I turned to the parked cars & saw an older lady looking at me in horror! I raised my hand in apology & quickly made it to the truck. Jim: "Don't worry about it! She probably wishes she could do it, too..." Her face did not denote that...

Sharing the "truth" about running.