Maryland Day

What a gorgeous day to pack up the family and head over to College Park for Maryland Day. Every year on the last Saturday in April, the University holds a mega open house with tons of booths, activities, performances, etc. We try to go each year.

I have a special fondness for College Park and for the University. I was clueless when I arrived at UM in the fall of 1985. I was a small town girl from Aberdeen, Maryland (although Aberdeen has grown to be a Baltimore suburb over the past 25 years). I had never eaten a bagel or Chinese food. My fashion sense was a mess. I was socially awkward. And I thought I was a Republican.

I am a smart gal but you would never know it by looking at my undergrad transcripts. I was a mediocre student at UM. During my time at Maryland, I felt like the world opened up. I spent a lot of time breaking out of my shell. I met people from other countries and a wide array of religious beliefs. I was exposed to college radio, frat boys, sorority rush, socials, the Vous, Spring Break, art, sports, alternative lifestyles, alternative thoughts, political debate, booze, drugs, love, betrayal, happy hours, late nights, great friends. It was an expensive place to learn lessons but the payoff was confidence, leadership skills, networking abilities, an open mind to opposing views. I also did end up with a degree in English Language and Literature.

I count the time spent at UM as some of the best in my life. I have a cadre of friends I am still close to. I fell in love for the first time. I got my heart broken. I met my husband. I learned to think, feel, and understand.

So today, I took myself on a trip down memory lane. It was grand.

Peace - and GO Terps!
Tee

Cross Country Kids

So I decided that I would volunteer as a parent coach for the Cross Country Kids group at my children's school. I figure it would be a great way for me to do some running in support of my training for Chicago. Yesterday was the first day. Remember the episode of Friends where Phoebe asks Rachel to go running with her? And then Rachel is embarassed because Phoebe goes full out and runs like a crazy person? That was yesterday. Those kids were flying around the course - arms and legs flying. They didn't give a hoot about form, breathing techniques, twisting their ankle running down the hill. They just ran. It was magical.

Adults take all of the fun out of some of the most simple things. We rarely dive in and play all out like kids do. It's a shame. Yesterday was pure joy.

I am already looking forward to the next session. The kids remind me to just run - and do it for fun.

Peace.
Tee

The Doc Says

So I went in for my once over with the chiropractor. Her words to me when I told her I wanted her help in staying healthy while I train for this marathon - "Bless Your Heart." If you are from the south or gre up with southern relatives, then you know that "Bless Your Heart" is code for a lot of things - one of them - she's sweet but boy is she nuts.

But, I adore my chiropractor and she has agreed to help me get going and stay going on ths training plan. Even though, one leg is a tad shorter than the other, I have arthritis in my lower back and my knees and ankles need special attention. Which I am sure makes people wonder, what the hell are you doing this for.

First and foremost for me. I love running and I do better when I have something I am training for. I started running seriously in college in 1989 to work through the grief of a relationship that had ended and to deal with the craziness of the "rebound" relationship. Running not only helped me get my head clear but I was in the best shape of my life - 6 miles a day will do that for you. Over the years I have drifted away from running for periods of time but I always end up lacing up the shoes again. It feels good to be back out there.

So, twice weekly visits to Dr. G. will help keep me tuned up and logging the miles. Right now I am sticking to three and four miles pre-training runs and cross training. The longer runs start in June. So far, I feel good.

Peace.

Tee

The Road to Chicago - Pre-training Day One

Okay - so the official training program for the Chicago Marathon starts on June 1st. So, I figured I would use the next two months to get my butt back out on the road and get used to moving again. Today was day one of the pre-training period. The hysterical thing is that I almost talked myself out of going. I left work, ran Cate to the doctor's, picked up a pizza, and by the time I got home it was 6:00pm. I could hear the gremlin in the back of my head saying - "start tomorrow". But how many tomorrows will there be before there is today?

So, I laced up my shoes, put the dog on the leash (Clover could stand to lose a pound or two) and headed out the door. I wanted to log as many miles as I could before it got too dark and the park trails became too creepy. Happy to say I put in three miles.

I decided to walk the miles today because I haven't had the prerequisite "don't start an exercise program without consulting your doctor" visit to the doctor yet. That happens Wednesday. It's funny they say 40 is the new 20. Maybe in attitude - but the chassis still has 42 years of wear and tear. I plan to work very closely with my chiropractor and my ortho guy to keep this old girl running strong.

Peace.
Tee

Lace up the Shoes

Running is the only sport I ever really embraced. In running there is the wonderful opportunity to not only get your body in shape, but your mind as well. I love runners. The running community is welcoming, they don't care what you look like or if you are fast or slow. If you've got your shoes on, and you're out there logging the miles, then that is all that matters.

I have completed two marathons, a few 10 milers and a bunch of 5ks. I haven't run or raced in awhile because I have let myself get out of shape - weight, motivation, etc. But now that I have lost almost 20 pounds, I feel like I want to get my shoes on again and work at getting in shape. So, to give me a goal to work towards, I have registered for the Chicago Marathon. I love Chicago and their marathon is one that I have always wanted to run. So I have six and a half months to get ready for 26.2 miles. I have to say, I am excited to get started.

I have not been active in my blog in the past months. So, I think as part of my training plan, I will blog my training highs and lows here from now until the big day (with a smattering of other ramblings thrown in).

So, keep this creaky old body in your prayers as I start racking up the miles. Better yet, come to Chicago and cheer me on. Sunday, October 11, 2009.

Peace, love, and miles.
Tee

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is not usually a big deal in our house. I always make sure the kids have the valentines for their parties at school and I appreciate their hand made cards each year. But my husband and I have always been low key.

Recently I have been thinking a lot about love. I am not very traditional in my views about love. I figure you love who you love and in most cases it is bigger than you are. I have my own take on the phenomena of Love of Your Life. I think there is another level to the discussion. I think people have a Love OF Their Life and a Love FOR Their Life. And for many people they are not always the same person.

I am one of those people. I am happily married to the Love FOR My Life and can't imagine life without him. The Love FOR My Life is in it for the long haul - all of the bumps, detours, stretch marks, mortgages, kids, dreams, fears, and crazy that life generally hands out. This is a love that is steady, sustainable, sweet, strong...

I have a Love OF My Life. He was instrumental in helping me grow into the woman I am today. He shaped my political and social beliefs, he challenged me intellectually. Our relationship was based on heat, passion. We burned the candle at both ends. It was a relationship that couldn't sustain itself in that moment. I have no doubt that he loved me and I loved him - I always will. But, he ended up leaving for California. I stayed in Maryland. As it is wont to do, life went on. He found his path and I found mine.

Both of our paths have given us a lot - love, family, children, career fulfillment, happiness.

I recently saw my Of My Life man. In many ways it was as if no time had passed. It was easy talk and to catch up. In that moment twenty odd years ago, it was painful to lose the Love OF My Life but that loss led me to all that I am blessed with today. I think we both appreciated what time had done for both of us.

Peace and Love.

Politics

I have refrained from being political on my blog. Not sure why. It is, after all, my blog. But tonight I feel like I have something to say.

I welcome and respect the fact that my friends and family do not always share my political beliefs. I love a good, thoughtful debate. Your political beliefs do not dictate whether I love you or not.

Barack vs Hillary. I thought that I would go for Hillary 20 months ago when all of this madness began. After all, I love Bill and I respect Hillary and what she stands for. But then I started to pay attention to Barack Obama. His speeches sounded fresh to me. His point of view was interesting. He said some things that needed to be said within the African American community. He said some things that white people needed to hear. He is close to my age. He is a parent of two children close to the ages of my children. He is happily married to a successful, strong woman. Hillary's ideas felt like I had heard them before. I was and am proud of the run she made to the White House and I think she would have been a great President. But when it came to making a choice, I felt like Obama was the man who could bring people together and inspire change.

It is not lost on me that Barack Obama is a black man. The historical impact of a win for Obama is huge. I grew up in an environment where the use of the "N" word was liberal. It always disgusted me. My oldest friend in the world is an African American man called Maurice. We have known each other since the first grade. How could he be my friend when the message at home was so negative? It was hard to understand as a child. I fought against that influence and it is something I still fight today. I am proud that in my lifetime I could see a black man elected president. Dr. King is my personal hero. I did my senior leadership thesis on him. Dr. King dreamed of a day when we would all be judged by the content of our character and not by the color of our skin. Today could be that day.

John McCain. I have a ton of respect for John McCain and the service he has given to our country. I even was intrigued by him as a candidate eight years ago. But his voting record with President Bush (whose leadership I believe has been less than stellar) bothers me a lot. When he declared that the fundamentals of our economy are strong back in September as all hell was breaking loose, I felt like he was out of touch.

Sarah Palin. I have nothing against Sarah Palin. I think if our kids went to school together I might even be friendly with her. But I am not going to vote for her just because she is a woman. I didn't choose Hillary because she was a woman. In addition, Sarah Palin and I are on the opposite end of every issue. Why would I overlook that and vote for her because she is a woman?

I am an issues voter. I have certain things that are non-negotiable to me and frankly, I don't think the Republicans will field a candidate who is pro-choice, pro-gay, more dove than hawk, and so on. To do so would alienate their core. But if they ever do, I'd give them an honest look.

So, I am rooting tonight for Barack Obama because he aligns with who I am.

Republican or Democrat, they key is to vote. You are not allowed to complain about the way things are (or aren't) if you don't vote.

So, regardless of your affiliation, as long as you have a thoughtful opinion, we'll be cool. Peace.