Monday Motivation

All over my Facebook news feed yesterday were proclamations of prs and flashy medals...people who had put in the training...pushed their limits...and made themselves proud.  For me yesterday it was a beautiful day...an awesome BRF...and my limits pushed.  There were miles that made me start to remember the runner I was before having Aub...like she's still in there...like I shouldn't lose hope!  Pushing my limits like that and seeing what I'm made of made me proud.  Yes I still have a ways to go but it felt AWESOME!!  This week it's back to pushing those limits again!  This week it's back to making myself proud! 

What are you going to do this week to make yourself proud?  What did you do last week?  Brag away!

TTT

Yes folks it's Thursday....the day I allow myself to dump whatever randomness is on my mind and allow you to play along!  Enjoy!

Rising from Ashes...One thing that I don't talk much about on this blog is what I do for work...and even more so WHY I do it.  Long story short, I feel like I was one of those people who were born knowing what they wanted to do.  I am a teacher...but added to that, I am an ESL teacher.  For the first 11 years of my career I was my students' first American school experience.  Many had just arrived to the country a week before entering my class.  I have been so blessed by my students and learning so much about their cultures ranging from numerous Central and South American countries to Africa and Asia.  There certainly was never a dull moment!  The last 6 years before we moved, I was able to have a class comprised of about 80% refugee from Somalia, Sudan, and Burundi.  These children had struggled through so much and yet had such a light in their eyes that was infectious!  Yesterday a man came to our high school who had worked in Rwanda during the 90s.  He shared with us a movie clip about the Rwandan cycling team and I just needed to share!

Rising From Ashes from T.C. Johnstone on Vimeo.

Cue Happy Dance...Today I am proud to say that I have slipped on a pair of pre-pregnancy pants that are ALMOST the size I was before stretching my body out to a crazy size!!!  And....wearing them isn't offensive to anyone who sees me.  You know like the pants can button without me laying flat on the bed and I can sit down and breathe at the same time!  Now this isn't where I want to be and yes I still have a long way to go but I most certainly took a minute and did the happy dance in my bathroom this morning!!

Newport 10 Miler...This weekend I am headed to my hometown with my BRF Jill to run the inaugural

 

The race is to benefit the fort which I have a lot of great memories of!  We used to go there swimming and jumping off the cliffs (sorry mom) as well as enjoyed many years of festivals watching Indigo Girls and James Taylor!  Its a historic and sentimental site!  Plus the scenery of the route is not too shabby!

I'm excited to see Jill and give her a big hug since I haven't seen her since the bombings!  She was there at the finish and it took me several hours to hear from her that she was ok!  It should be a great day for a great run!!

Words for Wednesday

Today's verse for me this morning was very fitting...

"Be still, and know that I am God" Proverbs 46:10

This was fitting for today because yesterday we got some not so great news about our little nugget...

That we may be making the trek back to Boston for another surgery.  News that immediately sent me into planning mode...as if planning everything out perfectly would keep reality from scaring the pants off me.  I was promptly reminded that in the scheme of things yes we are blessed to have this be small, but she is my baby and of course I have fear.  Today I am going to try to be still...to cease the planning and just know that it is under control.  Easier said than done but I am going to try my best!

Monday Motivation

It is hard to wrap my head around that just a short week ago today, we saw evil show its ugly face on the streets of Boston.  What has been motivating for me is the love and support that has flowed out of this situation.  From runners running united across the world to athletic teams holding ceremonies to honor those who have been affected by this event, we have shown that two brothers will NOT tear us down!  After the stress of the week culminating with the search for the last brother, I am determined this week to not only return to life, but to celebrate it....to embrace my lovies, spend more time just being, and to cherish the feel of the pavement under my feet. 

We are Boston and We are STRONG!!!

Running United...Running Boston Strong

I'm still struggling to find words during this time.  Fortunately I have been on school vacation and thus have been able to spend my days away from the TV and computer.  Away from the images and buzz and focusing on my lovies!  Their innocence and ignorance of the events that have gone on is a comfort and blessing.

Yesterday the local fire and police department organized a running event to honor the families and victims in Boston.  The crowd was a mix of military veterans and marathon runners, families and friends, those who have run Boston in the past and those who had either finished Monday or were stopped short.  The man who organized it spoke about those who had the courage to rush in when help was needed and how one day the men who did this horrific act would meet justice.  In his words, "Southie Justice".  If you know Boston at all...this is the kind of justice you don't want to meet!  We ran down the beach as the sun was rising and the tide was coming in...running and healing with each step. 

Running is what we do and running is what we will continue to do.  We are runners and we will run Boston Strong!

If you live in the South Shore or on the Cape and want to be part of a memorial run, Bayside Runner is holding two runs.  The first is today at 6:15 out of their Plymouth store and the second is next Friday at 6:15 out of their new Yarmouth store. 

Try It Tuesday...BAMR Bands Review

This post was scheduled for Tuesday but due to the events of Marathon Monday I pushed it back.

With crazy, curly hair I am always looking for something to tame the tresses when I'm running, working out, or just out and about.  I was excited to hear when a fellow mother runner started her business

Katie Heddleston is an awesome Mother Runner and she is now owner of an incredible band company!  BAMR bands are 7/8 inch bands that are completely stay put..meaning there isn't an inch of slip with these bad boys!  Even better....$1 of each band sold goes to the charity Every Mother Counts!

They come in the cutest patterns and colors!  You can order these bands right off Katie's website and they are a flat rate of $10 including shipping unless noted!  Do yourself a favor and treat your self to a BAMR band!!

Triumph Over Evil

I sit trying to write this post, trying to put together my thoughts on how this day unfolded....and it is difficult to do just that. The day began with cheering for the wheelchair division runners....

We sat perched at mile 7 waiting and cheering for all of those making their dreams come true.  Having put in the months of work, they were finally running Boston...THE Boston Marathon!  It is difficult to think that these people...

were just 19 miles from a horrific scene...I really am without words and do not want to write just to write.  So for that reason I am signing off for the day.  Thankful that my friends who were at the site are all OK and that my family and I made a decision Monday morning to head to mile 7 instead of spend a sunny day in Boston.  My thoughts and prayers are with all those effected.

Today I am wearing a race shirt...a sign of camaraderie to say that evil will NOT be victorious.  Joining hands with brothers and sisters far and wide so show that good WILL triumph!

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21