"Music is the weapon of the future"

I am actually *borrowing* this quote from one of Emily's old-school, vintage t-shirts. But I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly!

Sometimes, music IS all it takes...at least in running and Craig's life, I have found that it is!

Craig's love of music began when he was a baby when Mom and Dad bought him a "tape deck" on which to play their tapes for him. Even though he was blind, they knew he could enjoy using his other senses, especially his hearing. Their idea was worth more than anything in this world because nothing energizes and revives Craig's spirit more than music. No matter if it's Whitney Houston or Barney singing, Craig becomes extremely verbal with a lot of "hey"s, and "yeah-yeah-yeah"s! Music simply makes Craig happy!
---
I once was a runner that never laced-up without also having an i-Pod in hand. But in the past year or so, I've left the music at home on runs. I found that by not listening to music while I was training, I was able to "feel" my effort and cadence, and be more in-tune with my body and what it was telling me.

Most post-marathon plans prescribe no running at all for at least 5-7 days, and then a return to racing 6 weeks later, at the very earliest (I'm certainly cutting it close with the next Marathon about 5 weeks away now). And even though during recovery it is crucial to listen to your body just like in training, it's also a time to return to relaxed running for a bit...to take the serious-ness out.
Recovery from Chicago has been somewhat of an up-and-down journey. After taking 5 complete days of rest, I began with a run that was broken down into two parts, each around 2.5 miles. Overall it went well, even though it was hard to run any faster than about a 9:45-10:10 mile...but that was expected on the first day back. In fact, that Saturday was actually the first day I had wanted to run again because I had felt so wiped out. But over this last week, my runs haven't really felt a whole better. The effort that it takes to run 4 miles, now feels like the effort that was required for a long run a few weeks ago. Recovery has just been tough...mentally and emotionally. My physical self isn't quite ready to turn on all the engines yet for more training, yet my heart wants it to. I'm pretty sure all this adds up to a little "post-marathon-blues" because I've felt a loss of motivation, too. So, my prescription is still the same...continue to run easy, not pushing my pace, not pushing the distance build-up too soon, etc.
BUT, enter music...

On my 5th day back to running, I decided to take my i-Pod out with me...and what a difference music makes! I'm convinced that's all it takes sometimes! This particular run was my first 6-miler since the marathon. I was (honestly--and I know this is negative) not very hopeful that it would turn out to be a "good" run, just like the others up to this point. But 52 minutes later, I came back feeling like a different person...energized...refreshed...renewed...re-acquainted with my previous runner-self! From the moment I pressed play, to rounding the corner back to my house, the music was my weapon!

Craig had it figured out already!

*CHICAGO*

Mural on the wall outside Niketown on Miracle Mile in Chicago
Every single Chicago Marathon runner's name is listed
too cool

From the minute I arrived in Chicago, I was taken in by all that I could see...tall buildings, the busy-ness of passers-by, and taxi-packed streets. It was, by far, the biggest, prettiest city I've ever been to. I think I walked around with my mouth wide open. Chicago is what New York must be like on a smaller, much smaller scale.
Arriving midday Saturday afforded me and Emily just enough time to go to the Expo to pick up our race numbers and timing chips for our shoes. The Expo is like a fair for runners...seriously... free samples of granola bars, Oikos yogurt, Muscle Milk, Clif Shot Blocks, and Luna Moons. There was also a designated area for every major running shoe and apparel company, hydration product, nutrition supplements, etc...again, a fair!

Here's the stash along with the race shirt!

After the expo, the main priority was eating dinner to ensure an early bedtime, so we made our way to a (too fancy-for-our-style!--they sat us downstairs and in the back by the kitchen-ha!) seafood restaurant called Devon--best Salmon I've ever had. And honey biscuit. And rissotto. And asparagus. Period.
By 8:00pm that night, we were fueled-up with a nutrient-packed dinner and ready to wind down and save all our energy. Sleep came easier to me than I thought it would, because I anticipated being too excited to get any shut-eye. The night before a marathon (or any race, really) is like Christmas Eve for a kid!
The morning alarm sounded at 6:00am. The first thing I did was check the weather: I think the forecast said it was 30 degrees at that point...the decision on shorts or not was an easy one at that point! Em and I sat up and looked at each other with what had to be sparkles in our eyes because of the anticipation of what was to come!

Race-ready for a 32 degrees-RIGHT before we walked down to the Marathon start!

This marathon provided a lesson in having confidence in yourself! My official time was 3:44:42, and was the best race I've ever run! Crowd support was absolutely unreal...not one stretch of the 26.2 mile route wasn't covered with cheering moms, dads, friends, husbands, wives, daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers. But even more encouraging than cowbells and whoops, was a man racing on crutches and only one leg. My eyes started to swell with tears because I was so moved. How courageous, tenacious, dauntless. What determination, commitment, and guts. A winner. A champion. One word: "in-freaking-spiring!"

We finished!

A goal that was in the back of my mind was crossing the finish line in 3:40 or faster, which would have earned me a ticket to the prestigious Boston Marathon. I was bummed that I didn't accomplish this, but was more than happy with how I had ultimately performed.
Em and I were able to start the race together and hugged-it-out in Grant Park when we saw each other after the finish. We will have this memory forever and I will treasure it.

Next up is the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa Beach on November 29th!

T-46 hours and counting...

Trusting the taper, topping off the glycogen stores, and hunker-ing down!

In less than 24 hours I will be arriving in Chicago for my second marathon ever! I am almost too excited to sleep because it feels just like the first.

Today I spent time packing everything from Accel-Gel (gotta go with what works-"never try anything new on race week/day") to arm warmers; planning my trip from the El Train to the hotel so that I know it by heart, and making myself relax (I went to a movie). The best part about it is that my best friend Emily will be waiting for me when I get there...along with the opposite-of-sub-tropical-weather that I am so accustomed to now.

Repeat after me: cold weather good, hot weather bad..."cool weather is a marathoner's dream, and the ideal temperature for running is 48-52 degrees", says Coach Jenny Hatfield of Runner's World Magazine. From the weather reports (which I have compulsively checked all week), it looks like our conditions are going to be perfect as we'll toe the starting line at a crisp 40 degrees and finish at a comfortable 50 degrees.

Actually, the best, best part is that running this marathon is more than the sum of 26.2 individual miles...it's knowing that I've been able to make a difference and ease a burden in the lives of the kids and their families that attend E.S.P.
Thanks to everyone for support along the way. I look forward to continuing to share this marathon journey with you as I press on.

..........................................................

Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon gold medalist:

"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming."

Misadventures in yoga

This is not me :)

"If one could run without getting tired I don't think one would often want to do anything else."
- C.S. Lewis

If I could get up and run every single day, I would. But at some point a body needs recovery. Mom says that I am my father's daughter, and that statement couldn't be more true...

Coming off of the 15K on Saturday, my legs were hoping for a break, and while my heart wanted to be on the roads, my head said "no." I listened to my head this time, though and conceded it was the right thing to do...Sunday should be a day of rest anyway, right?

That afternoon, I was going stir-crazy (there's my Dad in me), but my spirit leapt when I saw that there was a yoga class at the "Y" later. Let me just say that I might actually be the last person on Earth to try yoga, but, again...I needed something, anything, so that I could feel I exercised.

I'm guessing that you've already figured out by the title of this post, that it wasn't a mind-blowing experience. I was definitely the only newbie in the class, too...the instructor asked us to raise our hand if it was our first time, but nobody did...and then I completely chickened out. I was already going to look funny doing the poses, why in the world would I call MORE attention to myself?!

The anti-climactic hour wasn't because of the instructor (who, by the way, was really cool), or the people, or even the poses. In fact, we were encouraged to do only what was comfortable to our bodies. I think the problem is I'm just not yoga-ish. I find it really hard to close my eyes and not look around, "focus" in on a pose, and be "in it." I felt like I was totally missing the point-that everyone else was getting-and wondering why we couldn't just stretch :)

Monday morning, my legs felt fresh and *rested* and I was thankful I didn't run Sunday...and that I went to yoga! It was a lesson in always giving something a shot once, and that resting and doing yoga really does help!

Records...made to be broken; Goals...made to be surpassed!

This morning I ran in the Miracle Miles 15K. This race is extra special because it benefits the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Winnie Palmer Hospital, where I'm a nurse. Our tiny babies can't run, so we do!

Today was another milestone in my training program *yay*! I finished the 9.3 miles faster than last year (which was my first goal), and even set a Personal Record! Another wise runner once told me that every race should have three time goals: the best-case scenario, the realistic scenario, and the worst-case scenario. I'm excited to report that I nailed my time goal for the best-case scenario @ 1:14. I began the race really cautious and conservative because of the high temperature and humidity (shocker, I know). But once I hit the first 3 miles in about 23 minutes, and knew I felt comfortable, I kept it steady all the way in. Here are my splits for each mile:
8:02, 7:47, 7:46, 8:03, 8:04, 8:08, 8:11, 7:56 (after the Power Bar Gel--so glad I brought it along!), 7:55 (now it really kicked in!), and 2:27 (for the last .3mi).

The best part...seeing Marshall at mile 5! I had no idea he was going to be cheering for me on the course, and it made me feel so special--thanks, Babydoll! THEN he showed up again at mile 9 to light my fire on my way in to the finish.

My original plan was to run 3 miles after today's race to log the 12 miles required as the long run this week in preparation for Chicago, but I gave 110% effort this morning, and I know those extra 3 would not be functional. SO, I'm going to run 12 easy on Monday, which I feel is a better game plan.

Tomorrow we will be 2 weeks out from the marathon...stay tuned for these last days of training as the final preparation is upon me!

Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. --C. Morgenstern

...Where red and black go together (Go Dawgs!), the dirt looks like rust, and the rolling hills are populated with green pines and a few cows. And, to me...the place where you can say things like "y'all", and no one looks at you funny!

A trip "home" to Athens, Georgia was long overdue--we had not been to visit in over 6 months! The drive is around 7-8 hours (depending on how many times I need to stop--sorry, Love) and because we usually can't wait to get there, we typically take off after work and arrive some time in the middle of the night.

We began our first morning in Athens slightly sleep deprived, though. We made it there around 3am, and because my BFF and I had planned a run together that next morning, I had just enough time to essentially power-nap! 13 miles on my favorite roads like Milledge and Prince provided enough excitement that I forgot how little I had slept...the coffee and powerbar didn't hurt either! Our bagels and Diet Cokes at Marti's were the perfect recovery.

The trip home also included my first trips around town in my sister's car-she is *16* and a new driver...but a pretty good one (keep driving with both hands on the wheel, Sarah); a high school reunion of sorts at Clarke Central's football game where my Grandaddy Billy was honored by past players; a Georgia football game Between the Hedges; a movie with mom; lunch and never-ending-hard-as-you-can-squeeze-hugs with my Nana; and a trip to the North Georgia town of Dahlonega for some old fashioned picnic-ing.

Before we knew it, the time had come to leave. Time at home always passes so quickly!

Thank you Mom, Dad, Sarah, Craig, Nana and Grandaddy, and Pop and T (and Nicholas) for such a fun trip back in Athens, and being the place where we're always understood.

20 or bust!

We've peaked!
Emily and me after the 20!

Almost 4 months ago, Emily (the BFF) and I, made a commitment to run the Chicago Marathon together. This will be Emily's first 26.2, and I can't wait for her to love it as much as I do (that is, after she forgets how she feels afterward!)

Even though we are both runners, we have never been able to run together in years because we have always been in different cities. But back in Athens we got the chance to run together twice! Our first was a 13-miler that came on the heels of a "cut-back" week at the beginning of our visit. The second was the infamous-peak-of-marathon-training-20 miler. Funny enough, during our 3+ hour run we talked about everything BUT running... But when we weren't running, ALL we talked about was running! Those two runs have been my favorite of all during these past few months. I've always been a loner when it comes to logging miles, but running alongside Em beats any day on my own.

For the next three weeks we taper and rest as we decrease our mileage from about 50 miles per week to about 30. Our job is to make sure our glycogen stores are topped off and that we remember sleep is precious (and time well spent)! The hard training is over and on October 11th we will be ready!

visiting memory lane...and holland

Saturday is my mom's birthday, but I already sent her a special surprise box full of all things yellow-her favorite color ever. To me, she is yellow. She is inherently giving and unselfish and...just shines. She was the one who first taught me to let my light shine-to pay it forward and shine on others. This is her essence.

Mom received her box early and called me as soon as it graced the front steps of the house. She thanked me and told how much she liked each yellow gift! It was later in the evening and we were both done with the day, so we took advantage of our time "together". The conversation hopped from one thing to the next, but I was especially touched with a story she shared that is close to her heart. It illustrates how finding the joy and promise in unexpected, unsettling situations is the shine factor, if you will. It's exactly the way my mom has lived and taught me to live...and now, I'm going to pay it forward.

Welcome to Holland

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

Remembering Eunice Kennedy Shriver...and Martha Wylie

When Martha Wylie created ESP, she followed in Eunice Kennedy Shriver's footsteps by advocating for those with special needs.

No one more than Eunice Kennedy Shriver understood better the power held by the most vulnerable in our society.
Source: Renew America

"I suppose the fact that I had seen my sister swim like a deer in swimming races and do very, very well just always made me think that they could do everything."....Eunice Kennedy Shriver on the Special Olympics

Unwilling to let her so-called "retarded" sister and others with mental and physical disabilities be treated as inferior, Eunice Kennedy Shriver changed the world with her message of hope and inclusion by creating the Special Olympics in 1968. Mrs. Shriver is the reason there is a place called ESP; that Craig can go swimming in UGA'a Legion Pool each and every hot summer day; that he was able to go to public school; that worldwide, people learned, even me, that people with special needs are just that – people...with wants, needs and desires, just like everybody else.

"If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits." Don Ward

Right now I'm running with my heart and my guts! Chicago is 8 weeks away, and training is almost at it's peak, as the week began with a long run of 18 miles, the longest so far. I admit I began the run with a hint of doubt that, for some reason, I wouldn't be able to complete the distance, or that something would go wrong. After all, the last time I ran this far was last year at the Atlanta Marathon. But like the quote says, if you are doubting anything, let it be your limits...what a lesson...I not only covered all 18 miles, but shaved some time off my pace! Yay for little victories! And the reward? Recovery and refueling in the form of a delicious breakfast over bagels with a dear friend!

The rest of this week will include two relaxed/recovery runs of 7 miles, a moderate long run of 9-10 miles at an easy pace, and a track workout for the purpose of recruiting those fast-twitch muscle fibers that come in handy at the end of the marathon.


By far, my most favorite post-run meal!

"If you're going to be passionate about something, be passionate about learning. If you're going to fight something, fight for those in need. If you're going to question something, question authority. If you're going to lose something lose your inhibitions. If you're going to gain something , gain respect and confidence. And if you're going to hate something, hate the false idea that you are not capable of your dreams.” - Daniel Golston

Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. --Lou Holtz

Today I resumed my normal training schedule, running 16 miles. The distance is a compromise for my week's long run--18 is scheduled, but I hesitated jumping up to that distance coming off the injury, however minor. This 16 miler, the 2nd I've completed so far, felt downright automatic and really comfortable.
The remainder of the week includes 2 easy hour-long runs, a mid-distance 8 miler, and a local 5K on Saturday with about 3-4 miles beforehand as a long warm-up to make sure I get in my needed mileage (total for the week will be around 41-43 miles).

easy does it...

"Poneytail" holders: $2.99

Dri-fit socks: $13.99
Tempo shorts: $30
Running shoes: $100
Marathon entry: $125
Running with no pain: PRICELESS

One week ago, last Sunday, I challenged myself to a mid-distance "hill" run in Clermont (about 30 minutes outside of Orlando). Usually going it alone for all my runs, I also decided to mix it up and run with a local running group for some company.

Driving over the rolling hills of Clermont on my way to the National Training Center, I knew this was not going to be your a traditional run with hills on the side...I would describe the run as quite the opposite...perhaps hills, with jogging on the side!

Marathon Training Lesson #463...go easy on the way down...

After 5 miles of hard running up and down hills, I had to stop due to a deep, dull pain in the soft tissue around my shin bone...having had shin splints before, this pain felt different, and I wanted to have an x-ray just to make sure it wasn't a stress fracture. (Stress fractures rarely reveal themselves on film so soon after injury, but I still thought it a wise idea to shoot one.)

I held my breath, but the x-ray DID come back normal, which is what I half-way expected anyway, right? But a certain relief accompanied the fact that I was going to be okay. I had not significantly damaged my leg, even though the pain indicated otherwise. With that pain came prescribed rest for a few days and then a "conservative" return to running.
Two days of rest, 220mg of Aleve every 8-12 hours, Arnica supplements twice per day, and icing in the morning and at night did the trick.

Remaining flexible I did not run the scheduled 18-miler this weekend, and instead, ran several 30 minute jogs at a comfortable cadence, along with two hour-long runs this past week...ALL with NO PAIN. It was the step-back in training that I needed and now I am assured that, somehow, the injury is healed. Tomorrow, I will resume my "normal" training and pick back up where I left off on the schedule.

Chicago...here I come!

it's official...

6 MARATHONS IN 6 MONTHS

So... I have decided to make it 6 marathons in 6 months!
This is an effort to increase the fundraising potential for ESP. It will serve as a personal challenge in faith and endurance as well.

I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ... then that is how you run a straight race...I believe God made me for a purpose, and when I run I feel His pleasure...
--Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire

by endurance you gain rewards and comfort for your pains...

Gu. Power Bar. Hammer Gel. Clif Bar. Jelly Belly sport beans. Luna Moons. Gatorade...the list goes on for products promising the gift of endurance...

Yes, I can be counted among those who use these various products, but putting in the training is really the only way to be sure your body even knows how to run efficiently, no matter if it is the uber-fave PB & J or Vanilla Crisp Power Bar that you choose to fuel up with.

Frank Shorter, American distance runner and winner of the 1972 Summer Olympics Marathon once said "The marathon is all about energy management..it’s the perfect distance to truly test the human physiology basically because of the amount of sugar we can have in our tanks."

Thursday was my long run of 14, and I was humbled by my struggle late in the run, when my glycogen stores were probably less than desirable. I don't carry a fuel belt for my runs under 15 miles, simply because I've grown accustomed to the mileage without taking solid food, just fluids with electrolytes and a sugar source. But on this day I needed more...lesson learned. Luckily, my recovery for the remainder of the day did not yield any soreness or fatigue. I took a day off of running on Friday as usual after a long run, and was back in my Asics on Saturday for an awesome 8-miler.

'Seas'ing the day and hitting the beach!

...leaving more than footprints on Fernandina Beach!

A trip to Fernandina Beach, Florida this weekend was exactly what I needed. Seeing my two best friends coupled with an hour-long run that included only me and the beach, was nourishment for the soul.

Running on the beach is not an easy feeling to put into words. Every sense is tapped. I know for sure my eyes were graced with every shade of yellow, red, orange, green, and blue as the sun was still making its grand appearance over the water, at the point where my eyes can't take me any further.

I had on my running shoes, but sand will settle anywhere regardless if its invited or not...the tiniest grains with their notorious grit somehow still made their way in between my toes.

Even though I was not alone on the beach, all I could hear was the subtle, soothing sound of waves that gradually and courteously folded themselves onto the shore.

And for comparison's sake...I had to dip my finger in the Atlantic for my tongue. Because my sweat is really salty, and I know that this particular electrolyte plays a crucial role in keeping the body well hydrated, I regularly lick the salt off the tops of my hands and scraped from my forehead and cheeks while I'm running. Call me defensive, but this is not gross. There are worse things, and I think it's actually kind of smart!
My taste test actually revealed that the ocean water and my sweat are indistinguishable.

What amazes me the most is that every trip to the beach feels like the first. Few things have quite the novelty.

Craig has always loved the beach and I even remember when he first put his own set of footprints in the sand.
Though Craig doesn't have the vocabulary to describe how the waves sound when they rush in, or how rough the grainy sand feels when he puts his hands in it, I am certain the wonder is no less. And anyway, words will never suffice.

Craig learning how to walk on the beach
Jekyll Island, Georgia

In my dreams, I am a Kenyan

Free. Trials. Are. Awesome.

Thank. You. Netflix!
One. Movie. No Question.


A little over two years ago, I signed up for my first marathon. I never made it to that race. I didn't even make it past 15 miles in the mileage buildup in my training schedule. Mostly, over- training delivered the injury to my foot. I was exposing my body to physical demands it had never been asked to withstand. The solution was to stop training and give my foot the rest as ordered. A year or so later, with adequate rest, a sound training plan, and loads of determination I finally completed a marathon. And that's when I knew I was hooked!

I was inspired by the movie, Spirit of the Marathon, about a year and a half year ago, while I was recovering from the failed attempt at my 1st. Spirit of the Marathon illustrates the appeal of the marathon, highlighting various amateurs and marathon's stars as they prepare for the Chicago Marathon. In the six separate stories, each runner shares their inspirations and reasons for taking the challenge. Running a marathon is completely different than any other athletic endeavor if you think about it. There are only a handful, the top elites, that are concerned with winning or can hope for a top 3 finish. These are the ones with a running cadence faster than the fastest mph setting on your average treadmill. Seriously. Everyone else donning a race bib is completing the distance for personal motivations. This "race" is about setting your own goals and not being the best, and being okay with that. Still, though, in my dreams, I am a Kenyan and go on to win lots of marathons.

In the 'spirit' of training for Chicago, it's no surprise I didn't hesitate when prompted to choose the one movie for my queue. My free trial yielded free inspiration!

Again. Thank. You. Netflix.

Some days you gotta dance...

ESP Summer Camp 2009 Prom!

My best friend, Emily (hey Em!), lives in Watkinsville, and sent me these clippings from the local paper covering the ESP Prom on June 26th. Outfitted in tuxes and formal dresses, campers were cuttin'-a-rug all night! These kids really live it up whenever they get a chance!

If craig could talk...

If Craig could talk, he'd say, "Just Do It"...

Actually, my mom claims that in 1986, she became the original author of this familiar expression. Mom was a runner from the time she was an undergrad at Georgia Southern University and made laps around campus in blue jeans and Phi Mu T-shirts before there were such things as "running shorts" and dry-fit tanks, and, needless to say, she drew some weird looks. She believed that running, like laughing (as Jimmy Buffett knew), kept you from going insane, especially in the most stressful of times in life, so, it's no surprise that she continued to run while Craig was sickest. Craig's surgeon asked her how and why she could still run with such emotional and physical stress weighing on her heart and body, and in between the exhaustive visits at Craig's bedside. Mom's reply was, "I just do it." Nike birthed the slogan in 1988. Mom had 2 years on them and, looking at this picture, Craig could have been their poster child!

I broke a cardinal rule of running this past week by running the day after my long run in the spirit of continuing tradition. In years past, on the 4th of July, I'm usually running the Peachtree, but wasn't in Atlanta for the festivities this year. Anyways, you should ALWAYS take a day of rest after a long run. Because of this, I can tell I haven't fully recovered physically or mentally, and today's scheduled easy 5 miler is looking like 26.2 to me...then I saw the above picture on my refrigerator, and heard Craig say, "Just Do It".
I'm sold!

let freedom ring!

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

As we celebrate our freedom, which comes at a dear cost, let us not forget the value of one another. Are we not all created for the same purpose? And was freedom not created by that same One?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

"In the long run, we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving" -Sheldon Kopp

Long runs are my favorite. Long runs require your all. Long runs paradoxically exhaust, and invigorate long before the glycogen is replaced. Long runs are also a time for reflection, and during the 12 miles I completed today, I was saturated with thoughts of still, "how can I do more?" I guess I didn't know myself real well when I said that I would first focus on this initial 16-week effort (exact words, I believe) before committing to additional marathons for ESP fundraising...because I already want to raise the challenge! Here's what I'm "goal-ing": 6 marathons in 6 months, beginning, of course, with Chicago. Here are the considerations and possiblities: November would keep me local for the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa Beach on the 29th; December's could possibly be in West Palm Beach, Clermont, or even Jacksonville with the Marathon of the Palm Beaches, Florida Marathon, and Jacksonville Bank Marathon, respectively. To kick of the new year, the Disney Marathon (already 65% full--eek!) seems the perfect choice...and it's a nice option, being only 30 minutes down the road! For February, I am eyeing the 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville Beach, the Fort Lauderdale AIA, and Tampa Gasparilla Marathons. March rounds out the 6 months, and there are 2 from which to choose: the Snickers Marathon in Albany, GA or the (one I would most like to complete) ING Georgia Marathon in Atlanta.

So...there's my pitch! My goal is to extend the length of time for fundraising and also raise the challenge for myself as evidence of my commitment to ESP! Please continue to tell everybody you know about ESP and how it positively impacts and increases the quality of life of these special-needs children!

Risk more than others think is safe.

Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.
--Claude T Bissell

"some people walk in the rain...others just get wet..." roger miller

Thunderstorms have quite a raging personality here in Central Florida...this morning I was awakened by one of the loudest I've experienced so far, and anticipated a rather soggy run! I used to be a wimp about running in the rain, but a few years ago, discovered I really didn't mind it so much. I was actually forced to yield to this, what I had determined to be, less-than-ideal kind of weather, when it poured during an entire 1/2 Marathon...but I became acquainted with the conditions and had fun to my surprise!

SO...back to this morning...reminded myself of how much I really do enjoy a good run in the cool rain (especially with it being 85 degrees with 75% humidity before 7:00am)...laced up my Brooks, donned my favorite Nike hat, and headed out the door. An hour later, I was soaked, but stimulated...and refreshed by the challenge of the storm...sometimes that at which we once balked becomes our strengthening factor...

I am floored with the amount of response to this mission thus far! My heart is so glad when I think about how much these kids will benefit from the donations! Thank you to those who have shown their support and offered such sweet words of encouragement. It means the world to me.

T minus 16 weeks

Day one is TODAY, and it began successfully because we have already raised $75 for ESP!

HIP HIP HOORAY!

(This is actually the cheer that is shouted many, many times during the day at
ESP Summer Camp)

SOOO, in true ESP fashion...
HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY!

I also recorded a faster-than-usual 10K run today, clocking in @ 51 minutes! To summarize how my training will unfold here is a breakdown: the first 3 running days of each week include easy runs mixed with quicker-paced efforts, ranging anywhere from 3-10 miles as we gradually increase mileage every few weeks. The 4th and final running day of every week is the long run, which starts at 10 miles and increases to 20 miles. The long run teaches the body endurance, how to use fuel efficiently, and forces the legs to recruit and train more muscles as some inevitably tire. It can be the most taxing of the workouts, but can be the most fulfilling.
Even when I'm not sure that I have anything left at the end of one of these long runs, the effort and stress is no match to what raising a child with special needs requires...while these families are blessed because of their children, it is still hard, and it is for a lifetime...all I have to do is run a marathon.

By supporting ESP, you can be sure that (at least) one life has
breathed easier because you have lived.

The Reason

For those of you who don’t know my brother, Craig, it is my pleasure to introduce you!

For those of you who don’t know Craig, it is my pleasure to introduce you. Craig was born with many special needs, but I’ve always said that he is more than the sum of these “disabilities and handicaps” to me. Most of his medical difficulties were due to the abnormal development of his esophagus, trachea, and eyes; more specifically, a Tracheal Fistula, Esophageal Atresia and Anopthalmia. All that medical mumbo-jumbo to everybody just basically means that his esophagus and trachea abnormally connected and his esophagus didn’t finish forming or attach to his stomach. He was also born without eyes. This sounds really weird, but it just looks like anyone else who has his or her eyes closed. These medical issues, from the beginning, have implicated daily, specialized care and attention, along with Craig’s unique developmental needs. Although Craig is unable to talk, walk, or even eat normally, he has no idea he’s any different than you or me.

Craig motivates me to never give anything less than my utmost, stirs my resolve to endure uncomfortable life circumstances and “hard” days, and convicts me that I am to serve and continue to love in every sense of the verb. He is, and always has been happy, felt loved, lived loved, and given love in return. He gives me hope and illustrates limitless-living. His heart is pure and made of all that is good…he’s the reason…

I hope these pictures touch your heart as they touch mine every time I look at them.


Mom and Dad with Craig in the NICU
-1986-
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA

LOVE his BIG smile!

Look at me, I'm covered in OREOS!

Last School Picture
-2008-


I'm 23 now!
-2009-
Home in Athens, GA

For my first marathon, I devoted mile 22 to Craig because that’s how old he was; but this time, Craig has fueled the inspiration behind EVERY one of the 26.2 that I will run in Chicago.

LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US.
-Hebrews 12:1-2-