2 days until a terrific time

Today was a rest day with no running. Though my body wasn't running, my emotions certainly were. It's all good, but a lot to absorb. I still had way too much to do with work and family, so the actual total resting didn't much happen.

This moment, however, is to be appreciated. I am sitting on the couch with my dog. I am watching the Food Network. I am blogging on my laptop, while listening to songs on iTunes that I just downloaded from Starbucks song of the week cards. I have my feet up. I'm sipping my new comfort drink of vanilla chai latte that I discovered through Amazon. This works for me....

Tomorrow the fun starts with an easy 3 mile run, and getting my things collected. Then I'm off to the race events. If I thought today's emotions were a bit overwhelming, then I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring.

3 days until the thrill - mind murmurs

As scheduled, I ran 8 miles tonight. It was too tough. I am glad that I did it, but it took a bit out of me.

Now it's time to rest. I have an easy 3 scheduled for Saturday, but nothing else until the race.

I am ready for this culmination. The whole weekend will be amazing. I will enjoy every minute of it.

The details are many, but I am ready for them.

My right now is here, and I am prepared to make it mine for all that it's worth, which is so much!

4 days to fulfillment -- daily dose of mind murmurs

Today was tough. However, I will focus on the positive, and not the negative. During this last week, molding the mind is critical. Getting into the get it done mode is all that matters.

Reading the race weekend details brought tears to my eyes, though I am not completely sure why. Quite simply, this is awesome in so many ways.

I was scheduled for strength training, and to run 5 miles. However, I was so tired and full of aches all day. Neither session happened. Finally, I decided to forego the weights. The run had to happen and did -- at about 8:00 this evening. After a slow start, I got into my groove. I finished fast and strong. The first mile was over 10 minutes, and the last mile was about nine minutes. In all, I ran at about a 9:43/mile pace. Most importantly, I actually feel better now than before I ran. What's up with that?

My 1/2 marathon will be monumental, though I probably will not break 2 hours as I had hoped. It doesn't matter -- crossing the finish line will be my sweet success! Enjoying the entire experience is extremely essential, and I am ready for that!

5 days to fabulous

Today was a rest day, which was welcomed. I began it with some aches from the past few days, and I am ending it with less aches and ready to run again tomorrow.

I am very busy with other than my remaking, but I need to relish this. I have worked hard to arrive at this location. I need to get things done for work and for my family, but I must focus on me so that the final lap of this adventure is as rewarding as the journey has been.

6 days to success -- mind murmurs

Less than 1 week until I successfully complete my 1/2 marathon. Based on my training, I know that I will succeed.

Today, I got through my strength training and my scheduled 3 miles. Both were a bit of a challenge, but the goal of completion was conquered. I ate and drank rather well. Sleep will not yet fully be mine because there's still much else to do. It's okay, though.

Currently, I am feeling fine. I am fortunate to find myself here.

7 days and counting....

I ran 3 miles today during the heat of the day, with an average of approximately 9:40/mile. I felt great, and had fun! I did not eat or drink properly today, but I have time to make up for that.

Tomorrow is the first day of the last week of my training and remaking. My energy is so positive. I am not concerned at all about getting to race day. I have properly prepared, and I am ready to realize the rewards.

I have so much to do, and am a bit concerned about fitting everything in. All I have learned to date in this remaking will stay with me. I will succeed.

Sharing

With my race just 8 days away, it's time to share this Blog by adding a link to Facebook. The final lap of this journey will present itself to me and to others if they decide to join me....

8 more days - mind murmurs

Last team run was today. I am so glad that Jen and I went. The run itself was awesome. It was in South Boston along Carson Beach and then around Castle Island. My life list included a run around Castle Island, so this was perfect. I was scheduled to run 8 miles, and the team said that we were going to run about 6 miles. I have to think that I ended up running somewhere in between, which was just fine. The weather was great, though rather hot.

Being with the team was terrific. It is a diverse group brought together by one cause, to find a cure. So many people are so interesting.

After the run, I got my race shirt. The team spirit, inspiration, and emotion were huge. Knowing that so many people there deal each day with Crohn's and colitis was a bit overwhelming for me. Knowing a bit more about what these courageous people deal with puts my issues into perspective. I must each day recognize and appreciate how fortunate I am.

Tonight I am tired, and a bit drained, which is just fine given the source of my depletion.

9 days remaining -- Race Day Countdown

It's single-digit countdown. My race is 9 days away. Daily doses of mind murmurs through race day will record this awesome time, and will provide a coherent continuum.

Race day will be the culmination of this Remaking which has progressed perfectly. I feel so much better mentally, emotionally, and physically. I am better able to balance the many aspects of my life. I am in control of my emotions. I am more fit and have more energy. I am making a difference in my life, and in the lives of others. I have learned that I can focus on myself while still providing for others. My thoughts are so abundant and consuming. However, my actions are many and productive. Having both thoughts and actions is critical.

I am blessed to have arrived at this location, and I believe that more marvelous moments are to come. What a ride, or run as here is the case, this will continue to be....

Voided Vice

In January, I wrote about vice voiding. Today, I write about the voiced vice -- it's been 1 year since I smoked my last cigarette. I do so miss this vice, and often think about having a cigarette. Once, I even had a dream (actually a nightmare) that I smoked a cigarette. Often, I think about words of dear Cousin Tricia. Paraphrasing, I recall that after she quit, she told me that she could not have even one because it would lead to more. I thought that was a silly statement until this past year. I know that if I had even one cigarette then the vice would still be mine. I don't want that vice, and, therefore, I refrain from even one puff.

No doubt, I will write more about this vice. For now, I have to go live my life as a mother because it's Saturday and my Son has baseball and a birthday party. Also, I need to run 12 miles because my 1/2 marathon is 2 weeks from tomorrow.

Tough Training

Again, it's been too long since my last post. My mind murmurs, weekly wanderings, and monthly monitor have to wait. Included in this remaking is learning to focus on what matters at the moment. I am doing well in that regard. The past month has been a time of adjusting. For the first time is a long time, my work required a great deal of my attention. It was difficult, but so worth it.

I now am back to a better balance. Training has been tough, but it's almost over -- my race is three weeks from tomorrow. I am back to my scheduled miles. Over the past few weeks, I have been better about fitting in my strength training - still not 100% as scheduled, but better than before. I will take credit for that increase. Last week, I fit in a 10 mile run before 8:00 in the morning. It was absolutely awesome!

Today I ran my first long run with Team Challenge. I was scheduled to run 6 today, and 4 tomorrow. However, the Team was running 10.5 miles. I wanted to participate because the race is near, and because the course was part of the race route. The run was one of my hardest, almost ever. It was hot and hilly. Now it is done, though, and my sense of accomplishment is sensational.