long may you run.

There is a fair amount of fear and trepidation leading up to running a marathon. Almost every Saturday for the past five months I would find myself at the outset of a "long run," nervous and uneasy as I took the first steps towards completing a distance further than I had ever run before. Towards the end of training, when long runs would be upwards of 18 miles the anxious feeling would begin in the middle of the week. Doubts and fears and dread would start to creep into my mind -- "can I really run that far?" or "what if I can't run 18 miles? i signed up for a race where I'll have to run for more than hour after I complete 18 miles..." and yet, each week in the midst of the uneasiness I would run (and walk) and cover the necessary distance. I really loved the process.
I attended a dinner the night before the marathon where John Bingham, a well known 'back of the pack' runner and columnist for Runner's World magazine, spoke. He warned that the 2 questions that marathoners would be asked after the race would be 1. did you win? and 2. how fast did you run? This invoked a bit more anxiety as I knew my time would not be anything particularly stellar. Interestingly enough I haven't been asked either of those questions. Instead, the most common inquiry has been: What do you think about when you are running for that long? Perhaps my friends and family know me well enough to skip the first two questions.
I'm not sure that I've really adequately answered that question. I think I've said "Oh, I think about this and that" and then explained that you get to a point where all you can think about is putting one foot in front of the other and finishing. This past week I've been really processing the marathon -- there is so much to think about, certainly one of the life experiences that I will not soon forget or fully appreciate. I read a blog post on Runner's World today that I think puts some words and thoughts to the answer I've been trying to come up with. What do I think about when I run? Well, sometimes I think about how much I love the place where I live and the sights and sounds and smells that surround me, about how much I enjoy being outside, about how much I love stomping through mud puddles on a trail run after it has rained and about how grateful I am to have a day where I can be outdoors. Sometimes when long runs seems particularly difficult and painful, I'm reminded of others who are going through tough times, I think about those facing sickness or those who have been hit hard by the economic downturn, about faces I've seen in other countries who represent hunger and being voiceless and being marginalized. I pray for strength to keep going. Every once in a while though, late into a run the pain will dissolve and I feel strong and able to finish. During those moments I think of hope and strength and how beautiful both of those things are. I think of the people I love and how grateful I am that they are cheering me on as I run and in life. I cherish those moments and try to dwell in them.

This may sound outrageously cheesy to the non-runner (6 months ago i would have scoffed at this), but a group of women running the marathon had on shirts that said "The woman who begins the race is not the same woman that finishes the race." There is strength and courage to be discovered, there is ground to cover and others to cheer on. As Joanie Benoit Samuelson, the first olympic gold medalist in the women's marathon, said at the dinner the night before the race -- "God bless you and long may you run."

shamrock

"Don't worry honey, it will all be better tomorrow."

A kind middle aged man watching me hobble up stairs at the oceanfront

We did it! Erin and I ran a fairly eventful 13.1 miles and Ryan completed his first marathon! Here is a picture of when running Shamrock seemed like a good idea: "Oh how fun, let's get our race gear ready!"

Now picture this: You have just run further than you have ever run in your entire life. You are in a significant amount of pain, digging through your race goodie bag looking for a beer ticket while hobbling towards the after party tent. You question whether you can make it all the way to the finish line festivities, but you trudge onward. At this moment, what is one thing that could make you incredibly happy in the most unexpected sort of way?

What's that? Did you say Bryan Hodges as the beer guy, smiling by the keg of Yeungling?

Yes, that's it. I couldn't have been happier to see Mr. B.

We really did have a great run yesterday. And I can't believe Ryan ran a marathon! I knew he would be able to do it, but good gracious 26.2 miles is a long way.

Ryan and the Hatcher men were on their yearly March madness trip last week, so we had an episode of 30 Rock on the dvr and of course the season finale of John and Kate plus 8 was tonight. We have been parked on the couch, triaging blisters and popping Advil (and hoping the best for the bone scan in the morning). Also, discussing what marathon is next. New York or San Francisco, who's in?


Holy cow that is one for the record books. (Just to be clear, that is Ryan's foot.)

garden

I've been reading Square Foot Gardening for weeks and am so excited that the little garden has come together. Dad gathered the boards and mulch and dirt and compost and the whole family came over Sunday afternoon to make it happen. I made friends with two older gentlemen that work at a little garden shop near my office. Lately it's been my favorite lunchtime adventure. I go and buy the weirdest seeds that they have. I feel I may be setting myself up for disaster - first of all, I have no idea what I'm doing so there is only like a 50% chance something will actually grow and second if they do grow, who is actually going to eat a white beauty eggplant?

This sounds suspiciously similar to the pumpkin soup disaster. I like making unusual foods, really enjoy it. The only problem is that the finished product is often inedible. Now I'm just taking it back a step further.

Tonight we planted our first little transplants, a few weeks behind the curve, but nevertheless they are in the ground.

I am excited to experience the way gardening punctuates seasons in a tangible, productive, connected way. Unless a rabbit comes and eats all of my baby lettuces tonight. I keep peeking out the window making sure they are all still there. So far so good.

friday goodness.

enough said.

Thanks Meg for sending this gem my way.

ryan's first day of work

Today is Ryan's first day of work in his new job! This is his first job where he has to head to the office each morning and last night he mentioned how this is really his first day of work ever. I felt that we should document this momentous occasion. So in the vein of first day of kindergarden photos, here is Ryan's first day of work:




Go get 'em tiger.



We are so incredibly grateful for this job. Ryan has been job hunting for several months and we really are thankful that this opportunity has come along!

Anyone want to do a marathon?

return to ramen

After a delightful run around Mount Trashmore last night Ryan and I headed to Bottom Dollar to pick up some cheese for our taco dinner. Now, Bottom Dollar is not exactly the most immaculate grocery store I've ever been in, but man do they have some good deals. Last night I found myself with childlike glee when I discovered that Ramen noodles were on sale for 9 cents. Nine cents! Less than a dime! I've had the appropriate period of separation from Ramen -- during finals one semester of college I basically only ate Ramen and Moon Pies (courtesy of an exams care package from Mom) and I haven't been able to tolerate the noodles chocked full of sodium ever since. But last night the prospect of two weeks of lunch costing less than a dollar just seemed too good to pass up. We we bought our Ramen and went on our merry way. Day 1 Ramen lunch here I come.

I am still perplexed, however, as to how they are able to get 7 grams of saturated fat into a package of dried carbohydrates and sodium. Oh, the mysteries of processed food.

(photo via thisnext.com)

snow day

But where are the snows of yester year?

Francois Billon, Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis

After a conference finished at work last week, it was time for a snow day. The Weather Channel was actually calling for snow (100% chance), but in true Virginia Beach style the snow never came. The children of the 757 rejoiced anyways since school was cancelled at the chance of snow. Classic.



Ryan and I had already made plans to head out of town to see some real snow. And by real snow I mean man made snow. Nevertheless, it was white and frozen and it did the trick. I can't remember the last time I went skiing. Probably with Club Snow in high school when I had a crush on Ryan. Please take note of our one picture from the mountain, thank you Ryan for closing your eyes.