First Trail Race. 30k Cradle to the Grave. Wow!

So happy to cross this finish line.  Slowest race I've ever run/hiked/walked in my life.  But an incredible experience unlike anything I've ever done!  

A few weeks ago, I decided to do something a little crazy.  Well CRAZY is all relative.  But it felt a little crazy then and it surely feels a little crazy now.  A good crazy.  An exhilarating crazy.  The kind of crazy that makes you feel like you're really LIVING life!  I signed up for my very first trail race. Not just a little one either.  A 30k. The Cradle to the Grave 30k here in North Carolina.  I didn't know anything about the race course.  In fact, I didn't know much about trail racing period.  I've done very little of it in comparison to someone that would call themselves a "trail runner".  After today, I've realized a few things....about trail racing, myself, my day, and about these Appalachian runner mountain folk in Asheville, North Carolina:

1. Never trust an elevation map unless you really know how to read one.  Understanding the numbers on the side of the chart and not just going by how flat or hilly it looks on the screen is quite important.   Scale means something on those things!  
2. Never trust these crazy (good crazy) Asheville runners when they talk about things being "fairly flat".  They lie.  Ha!  Or they are so warped from running here for so long that they don't understand what their hills are really like...BRUTAL! They are some tough tough runners! 
3. If a runner from Asheville tells you that a course "Isn't that bad with elevation", expect VERY HILLY.  If they tell you that a course has "Big Hills", trust them.  Be very afraid.  Run the other way.  
4. I have a completely new respect and understanding of what it means to be a trail runner.  Wow!  
5. Going down steep hills with technical trails is an art in itself.  I don't know how these people did it so fast.  I was almost as slow going down the mountain (literally a hike for 2 miles up) as I was going up.  
6. These trail running women that passed me at the end are amazing!  
7. Running this trail race is like nothing I've EVER done with running before in my life.  It was EXTREME running and would surely fall in the category of extreme sports in my opinion (but that's coming from someone that isn't into extreme sports AT ALL).  
8. Running a road marathon and PRing is a completely different kind of racing than it is to run 18 plus miles that involves shin deep mud, knee deep rushing water, fallen trees, roots, rocks, streams, etc. etc.  
9. I have never been so hungry in my life while in a race.  Towards the end I walked a lot...or hiked.  I was dreaming of a cold beer and a burger.  Anything really.  And then I found a quarter of a peanut butter sandwich in my fuel belt...HOLY MOLY!  I have never been so excited to eat a piece of food in my LIFE!!  Ever. I walked and ate my sandwich and soaked up all that was around me.  
10. Something so FREEING about not being a slave to the GARMIN and knowing that time is not what this race experience was about.  At All! Time on the Garmin is of NO Concern!  At least it wasn't for me.  There were a few stretches of wider trail where I picked up the pace to a sub 8 mile but most of the race was single track and technical.  No way that I was going to run any decent splits. 
11. Trail runners at this event know how to celebrate after a race...The first thing I got was a cold beer and then warm BBQ. 
12. Something about running through rivers, crossing logs, having your feet covered in mud, and running through pouring rain that makes you feel AMAZING and TOUGH!  
13. I worked muscles today that I'm pretty sure I didn't know I had....or at least I'll be certain of this tomorrow.  
14. Today was a humbling experience but it was also an experience that has made me feel so STRONG and ALIVE and PROUD of Myself.  I'm so so glad I took this challenge and that I keep taking these opportunities to try new things in life.  They are stretching me in so many new ways.  YES YES YES to LIVING FULLY!  
15. When I woke up this morning and it was raining so incredibly hard (Um, I'm talking torrential downpour), I almost laughed at the idea of racing a trail race.  But I'm so glad I did it anyway...despite the way less than idea conditions that made this already DIFFICULT course, absolutely CRAZY! There's that good crazy again. 
16. Thankful for a friend that I met here that has become such a good person to have in my life.  Amazing how we can connect so quickly with certain people and then feel like we've had them there all along.  She's the kind of friend that inspires me to be MORE of MYSELF.  Especially with trying new things with running....like how she sent me up a mountain the other day for my training run.  ha! 
17. If I do this again, I will bring more fuel and definitely take my water and Nuun again!  I found that my body craved REAL food today and I will for sure pack at least another half peanut butter sandwich...it was a piece of heaven to have on the course today.  

I wish that I could have taken pictures of this course today so I could share what it was like.  Well, not really because that would have taken away from my experience (and my phone would have been ruined from the rain) but it really would have helped in explaining just how intense this was.

Rushing water

Cold Puddles

Thick mud

Pouring rain

Fallen Trees

Steep inclines and declines

Jutting rocks

Root covered ground

Lush Forest

Vibrant Green

Sounds of nature

Logs for bridges

Heavy breathing, slow climb

Digging Deep 

Slow doesn't matter

Soul Alive

New Limits

Many Moments of Solitude

Alone with Thoughts

Conversations with Myself

So happy to have done my first ever trail race!  An Amazing one to have as a first!  And this Brooks Tank is officially my racing tank after wearing it for the past 4 or 5 races.  I LOVE it!  

So glad for this girl in my life!  She placed second in the 5k!  It was so nice to have her to celebrate and carpool with today.  

My brand new Brooks PureGrits will never be the same again!  :)

I'm not sure when I will do another trail race but I do know that I found something NEW today (within myself and in the experience) that I'm richer for finding.  Truly a LIFE moment that has made an impact.  So glad that I decided to try something I've never done before...it's these things that make life extraordinary.

Amanda 

How Will You Give Something Beautiful?

I'm always thankful for the mornings that I allow myself to be still enough to write.  So often it is almost as if someone else is writing for me and then the words that end up on the page are meant just for me to read.  This is why I love my journal so much.  For example, yesterday I wrote something to myself right as I was waking up and having coffee.  I reread it today and honestly, I don't really even remember writing much of it but it is just what I needed to read.  It is one of those pieces that is very private...something I probably wouldn't share with many but I'm so glad it is there for me.  A beautiful message just for me from me.  

This morning has been one of those quiet mornings where things have just fallen into place in a way that I found myself sitting down at my desk with my coffee and journal.  I started making a list of goals or things that I want to live by in order to be my best self.  When I was finished with my writing, I looked up and saw a little notebook that I've had for awhile.  On the notebooks are the words : 

"How will you give something beautiful to the world?"  

I think the biggest way we can give something beautiful to the world is by BEING US.  By telling our story as it comes.  By being REAL, talking to ourselves as we go, valuing what we have to give and most importantly, SHARING ourselves with the world or just with those we love the most.  We all have something to give.  Something beautiful.  Our Story is unique and wonderful.  

Some of my Life Goals from today:

• Listen to your inner voice. She's wiser than you know.

• Stop putting limits on yourself.  Things aren't as HARD as they seem.  All it takes is Believing.  The first step starts it all...TAKE IT!

• Enjoy the process.  Life is too short not to.

• Continue to LOVE and be vulnerable by sharing yourself.  When you give YOU, others feel a freedom to give THEM.

• Tell your story as it comes and has been but don't stop believing in your role in WRITING YOUR STORY as you want it to be.  

• Learn from mistakes, awkward moments, heartache, and the times you fall.  These things are part of what makes us who we are.  They add layers to our wisdom. 

• Surround yourself with positive people that uplift, support, and love you and others.  The REAL DEAL kind of people.  

• Don't be afraid to be REAL...even if it feels scary at times.  You are where you are and chances are that you're not alone.  

• Keep dreaming and setting new goals...this is what keeps us feeling ALIVE.

• Support others with love, encouragement and validation.  

Happy Wednesday!  What are some of your Life Goals to live by?  

Amanda 

Ramble Run 12k Run and Where I'm at with Running and Fitness

Mother's Day weekend is off to a great start!  And I must say...I LOVE this running for fun gig!  I'm so happy not to be training for something specific right now.  Running for the pure joy of running is just what I need right now in this season of my life.  And that's just it, it's a season.  It won't be long before I'll be craving another goal race and I'll be printing off my training plans, visualizing goals, being conscious of bedtimes and race nutrition, etc.  Until then, bring on the fun running.  And it has been just that.  Fun.  Wonderful.  Freeing.  My focus has shifted from tempos, marathon pace runs, and endurance work to...
whatever
my
body and spirit
tell me that I
need.

I don't really log my mileage when I'm not training but if I really think about it, I'd say I've run a total of 50 miles since Boston.  Not per week.  Total.  How many weeks has that been?  Four?  Well, I took the first 2 weeks off completely and then I've worked my way back into running very very slowly.  My longest run has been a 10 miler just a few days ago but I'm mostly running between 4 to 6ish miles when I run.  I've been spending my time focusing on:

• Seeing a Chiropractor to get some things figured out with my spine/hips/feet
• Going to a Physical Therapist to strengthen my hips, glutes and get this quad healed up.  
• Running slow and easy (no speed)
• Strength...nothing too focused but definitely hip and glute work in addition to push ups, pull ups (I'm up to about 5 or 6 again...hope to do 8 to 10 by end of summer...10 proper pull ups), lunges, squats, dips, etc. etc.  
• Loving my body with where its at. I think women get better at this with age perhaps. I'm definitely up in weight compared to a year ago but I'm really embracing my fuller legs/buns that come with more hills and strength.  My jeans are tighter in the legs but I feel STRONG.  And my husband likes the extra curves so I'm hoping that some of that stays on as I increase mileage.  Unfortunately, the boobs are the FIRST to go as I increase my fitness level.  Oh well, I've come to find myself really embracing the small boobs these days too.  It goes with the whole package...strong, lean, fit, and flat.  Ha!  
• Being positive with myself and being open to trying new things....Like my first Trail Race next weekend.  I'm in no condition to seriously race a 30k trail race but I'm going to have fun and be prepared to run strong and happy and slow...oh, and I'll fully prepared to die!  Ha!  It's called the Cradle to the Grave 30k.  Excited!  It looks beautiful.  And I'll be able to wear my new Brooks PureGrit2s!  
• Running Hills.  I have no choice if I'm going to run outside in Asheville, NC. So much hillier than where I came from.  And I don't mind...I think these hills are going to help so much.  Beats the Treadmill (which I haven't trained on in what feels like FOREVER).  

Today was my first fun Asheville race.  My husband and I ran the Ramble Run 12k together.  Oh what a course!  Holy Hills.  Glad we weren't out to race race.  Considering my lack of training right now, I would have killed myself on those hills instead of have had fun on them like I did today!  

What a beautiful run!  Not only did I get to run with my best friend, but we had fun doing it.  The race offered free child care through the YMCA and then we picked the kids up to run their Kid Run.  So, the whole family raced.

I was pleasantly surprised to win 1st place in my AG.  I'll take it.  Glad most of the people ran the 5k.  I'm perfectly happy with a 7:48 average on a very hilly 12k course considering we were running close to 9:45 pace on those up hills.  It felt great to finish with a smile and talk a bit with my husband during the race.  Such a different feeling to run for fun as opposed to a time goal.  Gosh, I've missed running with him!

I raced in my Brooks PureCadence2s and my Brooks D'lite Micro Mesh Racerback Tank.  It has become my favorite tank to race in.  Super thin and light.  Perfect for warm weather when you don't want to just wear a sports bra.

Then I came home to find a box of more Mother's Day love!  My new pair of Brooks PureGrits2 and PureFlows for my 8 year old daughter.  Love sharing what I love with my kids.

It's a good day!  Happy Mother's Day Mamas!

Amanda 

On Conquering Fears. Lessons from Trail Running.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” 

--Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm not quite sure why the formatting on this post is so goofy.  Really annoying but no time to figure it out so embrace the goofy (different spacing, size, font...):  

I've heard it said that one should try something that scares you every day.  This is supposed to help us live more fully?  Face our fears?  Feel liberated?  Not hold ourselves back?  Break free from monotony.  Honestly, my first reaction to this statement has always been that I'm not sure that every day brings with it something scary to try. But the older I get, the more I see things differently. I think if we look, there are little things everywhere in our day that we might avoid because they scare us in some way.   I suppose it doesn't have to be a BIG thing.  Or even something that would be defined as SCARY in the traditional sense. Maybe it is a simple as talking to a stranger or inviting someone new to dinner.  Or running in a new place.  Trying a foreign food.  Talking to your kids about a topic that you've been avoiding.  Taking on a new challenge.  It makes me think that it would be a fun challenge or writing project to live a year or a few months at a time where I'm conscious and active about doing one thing every day that scares me.  I imagine this would serve as a great personal growth opportunity.  If anything, it would make my days quite interesting and make for some good writing material.  Hmmm, maybe I'll try that one of these days...A Year of Facing Fear Every Day.

I have plenty of fear surrounding me lately.  Trust me.  This move across the country, as exciting as it is, has been one big adventure of facing fears and living in new ways.  Sometimes the fear seems a little too much for me...almost stifling.  But with each new fear that I conquer with this move (or really just this move itself), I find more freedom.  As with any big change, it takes time to find my ground.  My feet are a tad wobbly as I get settled.  I'm trying to keep all my plates spinning during a time that I feel like I'm spinning myself.  So far so good.  We are thriving, kids are happy, there's so much that we love here, we're making friends and so much more.  Everything around us is NEW.  And this can be a bit scary.

One new thing for us recently is having all three kids in school for a longer stretch of time.  This means that I have up to four hours to myself on some days.  My husband and I have decided that on one of these days we will take an hour or so to go on a trail run lunch date.  Running together (especially on trails) is our favorite date so this is really exciting for both of us.

Yesterday's first trail run date proved to be just as much a lesson in conquering fear as it was a moment of embracing beauty and love.  I'm almost embarrassed to even tell this story because of how small it seems to anyone looking in but it was actually a big deal to me yesterday for some reason.  At one point in the run, we came to a wide stream. Wide is all relative.  There was no way of crossing it unless we wanted to walk through deep water.  Since we were at the start of our run, we didn't want sopping wet feet. I know, such a small thing to worry about when on a trail run.  Ha! But I had many other errands to make and no change of shoes. Our options were to find another way around or go back another way (much less beautiful).  My husband found a place through some trees where the stream was much easier to leap across. In fact, most of you would laugh that I was even scared of it. Something so easy seemed like such a leap to me at the time.  But I was SCARED.  Like little girl-like scared.  On a different day, I might have not even have thought twice about this jump. In fact, today I'd look at it and laugh myself.  But I stood there for a good 5 to 10 minutes trying to muster up enough courage to just jump.  I felt so much fear over this silly jump.  It seemed to parallel so much of what I've been feeling about life on some days lately.  It just seemed too much for me even though it was obvious that the leap wasn't beyond my capabilities.  I finally demanded that we turn around and go back.  I cried like a little baby at my annoyance over my husband trying to get me to do something I didn't want to do and made some excuse about life being scary enough right now.

My husband, my best friend, has always been there for me.  He knows when to push me and encourage me.  He knows when to wrap me up and let me be.  He knows me.  We are good for each other in that we challenge each other to keep being the best we can be.  We're there to support, push, and catch the other if they fall.  Some days he would just let this go.  But yesterday he didn't.  He was gently persistent about me making this leap.  Maybe it was just that he desperately wanted this trail run that he took his lunch break for.  But a big part of it was because he wanted to see me face this small fear and he knew that I'd feel so much better for it.  As we were running away, he stopped me and asked me to just leap on dry ground to see that I could in fact cover the distance that it would be to get over that stream.  I did just that, still annoyed at his persistence.  And then I headed back to just get it over with.  I'm not sure it was out of being irritated that he wouldn't drop it or my desire to conquer this fear and knowing the feeling that would follow it.  Probably a bit of both but I knew I NEEDED to make that jump.

As soon as I got to the place I needed to jump from, I remembered the above quote and I pushed myself to just GO.  What's the worst that would happen?  I'd fall on my ass?  I'd get wet? I mean good grief...this is what trail running is all about!  Why so much fear over this stupid little jump?  I took a deep breath and let go.  I stopped letting that fear control me.  I took the leap.  With it came a huge feeling of freedom and relief.  It was so much more than a jump over a itty bitty stream (that felt HUGE).  It was an exercise for me.  It was a metaphor of facing life fears and realizing that fear is a liar...I mean most the things we are scared of really aren't even deserving of the energy it takes to worry.  Fear holds us back from so much.

Even if we only got four miles of actually running in before having to head back, the drive there was worth every moment of time.  The greatest gift of the run besides the beauty and time with my husband was that LEAP.  Or little jump.  Ha! It was a "Life Reinforcement"...it made me stronger.  And I'm certain that it will carry over to many other things in my life.

Freedom

What a gift that running is.  It is one of the greatest teachers in life and I'm so thankful for the lessons I've learned on the run.  Here's to facing fears!

Amanda

New Home, New TRADITION, and Lots of LOVE

The sunshine is coming through my windows.  My music is playing.  I have several hours to myself while my youngest is in preschool.  We are finally in our new home!  Life. Feels. Good.  Everything seems to be falling into place so perfectly.  And with that comes peace and a feeling of normal.  As much as I love adventure, I also love routine.  I love feeling settled and in control.  Being in our home and having this space to make my own is so exciting.  We still have so much organizing, unpacking and cleaning to do but this is all part of the FUN in making a new home OURS.  I'm just trying to remind myself that I don't have to do it all at once.

One room down.  The rest of the house to go.  But I can see the FLOOR!

Every day here brings with it a feeling of gratitude and happiness. The more that things come together and fall into place, the more the fear and worries fade away. Everywhere I look I see beauty... the mountains, trees, our neighborhood, my view from my office, the lake where I run, my kids running around and loving their new home... just feels RIGHT.  It could be that this is just something new and that it will all wear off but right now, this place just feels so perfect.  Feels like the place we've been dreaming about all along.  The only thing missing is our family and close friends back in Oregon.

With a new home and the craving of routine, comes starting some new traditions with my family.  As I unpacked box after box, I found all sorts of things that sparked inspiration.  I would pull out a favorite book and remember the feelings that the story evoked in me.  An old journal that reminded me of that time in my life.  Books about things to do with kids. Colorful paintings that put a smile on my heart.  And then I found a Gratitude Journal that my mom had given me back in 1998.  I've always loved this book but I never really did use it much.  I tried but it never really worked for me.  I've just tucked it away knowing that I'd use it someday.  Seems as if I must have known all along that it wasn't meant to be used until now.

I'm big on creating family traditions to help instil values and make memories.  There are many healthy habits and traits I want to help my kids learn and one of the most important things to me as a mother is to raise GRATEFUL kids.  I'm excited to make our new family tradition in our new home to keep a family gratitude journal.  Simple.  Quick.  Meaningful.  Every morning at breakfast we will have a new page with the date at the top and we will each take a moment to write down one or two specific things that we are thankful for. Or more.  We are only on day three but it seems to be a tradition that will so easily stick!  And what a treasure to have this book to look back on as the years go by.  It is already fun to see the things the kids come up with that are significant to their present moment.  The thing I love about it the most is that it doesn't take much time at all.  In fact, I wrote my quick bullets down as I was putting breakfast on the table and my husband wrote his after I called him back in the house before letting him leave for work. The ease of this routine is important in a busy house with three kids going all different directions.  I especially love that the kids see us doing this too.

This journal will sometimes be left out for when we pass through the dining room to the kitchen.  When I see a pen and an open journal, I will surely stop for a moment to write something.  Maybe the rest of the family will pick up on this too.  

In the process of creating new space, family traditions, and a happy new lifestyle here in North Carolina, I hope that above all, it draws us closer together and brings with it LOADS of LOVE.

Front Porch Kisses

What are some of your favorite family traditions in your family?  

Amanda

Letting Go and Finding Peace in Where We Are. Right NOW.

I admit.  Since Boston, things have been a bit blurry. I haven't thought about or addressed as much about Boston as I know I have within me.  Lots of thoughts around this experience....my weeks leading up to Boston, the weekend, the bombings, the moments after the bombings, the news reports, etc. I do know that my heart hurts to think about it all.  My words the other day:

My heart is hurting for those that are hurting and breaking for broken people.  But so full of love and hope for a better tomorrow.  

After the news that the second bomber was caught, there was such a variety of responses from people.  We are all entitled to our own reactions.  For me, it was a very sober one:

Ah, it just isn't that simple.  Celebratory, joyful, cheerful..these emotions aren't even close to how I feel right now.  This isn't a movie or a sporting event.  So much more of a sober feeling for me.  Catching one person that we can punish or persecute is only part of this problem that reaches all of humanity.  So many human hearts involved here...all of them.  The victims on Monday, everyone that was in Boston on that day, the parents of the bombers, the bombers themselves...it's not that simple.  But it's a start.  Focusing on love and healing for Boston. For all of us. 

I'm still a mixed bag of emotions. Every story I read about the people who were part of this day has an impact on me.  So many stories of resilience and hope.  Inspiration.  And many that are heartbreaking.   I'm staying away from the news though.  This doesn't help me right now.  My kids don't know about what happened (we chose not to tell them) so having the news reports is no good anyway. My grandma told me a bit about what was going on.  When she told me that the bomber's dad was flying in from Russia to be with him, my hurt hurt even more.  I cried.  Again, broken people.  Compassion for all involved.  That dad...I don't know his story.  I don't know his heart but I do know the love we have for our children.  

After a bit over a week, I'm starting to come out of the numb that I've felt.  I'm starting to feel more normal.  Peaceful.  And well, just more like me.  After Boston, I think I just kind of went into this weird place where I stuffed a lot and went through the motions for a few days.  I know there are still some mixed feelings and emotions that I haven't addressed but for the most part I'm being conscious of letting go of the things that take away from my personal battery.  I'm making a choice to focus on more of the good things right now and letting go of the things I can't control or that are not worth worrying about.

 Letting go of:

• worry
• fear
• trying too hard to be in control
• feeling like everything has to be in "settled" mode. Moving across the country for a little over a year just for an adventure isn't about feeling "settled".  It's about adventure.  And with that will come a bit of feeling unsettled.  That's what I wanted so here we go...let's enjoy the ride Amanda!  

Letting go of these things is so much easier said than done.  Worry.  Panic.  Fear.  These aren't things we plan for.  They aren't things that we can always just turn off and on.  And having them in our life doesn't mean we aren't happy or living the life we want to live.  They are just part of the human psyche sometimes.  Especially with people who like to be in CONTROL.  Um, me.  What I can do to help keep myself calm and take control of myself (body, mind, spirit) is to be conscious of focusing on the things that are adding to my self battery and then do more of these things so that I can stay positively charged.  

So here are some things I'm focusing on:

• Spending time with myself...journaling, reflecting, breathing, talking, checking in.  
• Reminding myself that "All is Well".  
• Breathing and meditation to help with relaxation when things feel stressful.
• Being a tourist...really taking time to enjoy this North Carolina trip to the FULLEST.  Checking out all I can and trying to get a taste of everything I can...restaurants, breweries, art galleries, coffee shops, the coast, trails, running groups, social gatherings, etc. etc.  
• Continuing to list gratitude daily.  
• When things do get scary for me and I find myself being overcome with worry, thinking too much about Boston, dwelling on the feelings of being a little out of control, remind myself that this is part of life and try to be conscious of giving up the things I listed above.  Even if I have to write down some of my fears on strips of paper and physically rip them up...These things work for me!  
• Allowing myself to just be still right now and truly be where I am RIGHT NOW.  Today that means taking a break from running, eating healthy, spending time with writing and more peaceful/quiet forms of exercise.  And when I do start running again....
• Just run.  No training or specific goals.  Just run.  
• Continue loving each day that I have in this city that I absolutely LOVE.  Gosh, I love it here.  Did I say I love it?  

Taking time for journal writing, reading, and meditation today was just what I needed.  Thanks to my friend AM for a great book to help with the relaxation and meditation.  

My 2013 Boston Marathon Reflections. Letting Go of FEAR.

Athlete's Village waiting for Boston Marathon to start. Calm, content with where I'm at with everything, alone, eating a banana, bundled up, empty bladder...all is good. Love this race! Love this day!

We all have stories to tell.  They are unique and significant.  Our stories are part of how we find meaning in this world.  Telling our stories allows us to process the many feelings that come with the highs and lows of life.  Our stories come as they do, and in addition to the peace we gain from telling them, others are often comforted in hearing them.  Especially when they are part of a bigger one that so many were part of.

As I sit here on my first "what would be normal" day after the Boston Marathon weekend, I'm feeling anything but normal.  Being away from my running community, close friends, and husband (at work), has brought with it a mixed bag of feelings.  Raw. Heavy.  Confused. Determined. Hopeful.  Even though I don't feel entirely ready to tell my 2013 Boston Marathon story (my race, what happened afterwards, and the feelings that come with that), I know that I need to. Such a loss of words but yet so many words.  It's hard to know where to start but I know that by telling my story, I will find a peace and comfort that only comes doing just that:  Telling MY Story. Letting it out and letting the healing continue.

So much that has been going on in my life leading up to Boston.  A move across the country, injury, a weak body, a disappointing marathon just weeks ago, etc.  There has been so much change in my world and with these changes (although mostly exciting and wonderful ones) has come stress and fear.  Fear of all sorts of things but mostly fear of losing control.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of change.  I've suppressed much of this worry and fear but recently it has shown its ugly head with feelings of unexpected panic at times.  And I'm sure this fear/stress has had something to do with the physical symptoms I've been experiencing.  Whatever it has all been, I knew that I wanted Boston to be part of my process in taking this fear and stomping it to the ground.  I knew it was a process that I needed.  A closure.  A celebration.  A journey that would help me find that spirit within that keeps me climbing and rising above all the stress that life throws our way.  I knew that the Boston Marathon would be a perfect place to gather strength and recharge my own spirit by surrounding myself with the spirit of the marathon...a spirit unlike anything else.  

One that perseveres.  

One of resilience and strength.

One that gives back to the world. 

Again and again.  

By giving to itself.

Boston 2013 was a necessary journey for me in so many ways. It was my third Boston Marathon and certainly unlike any race I've ever run in all of my 20 plus years of racing.  I ran without any expectations other than to just BE as I was on that day.  Each step brought with it a release as I wrapped myself up in an incredible love and allowed myself to run with ease and be where I was at the moment.  I've never had so much love and gentleness with myself as I enjoyed my 26.2 mile fun run from Hopkinton to Boston. I remembered my Boston Goals that I wrote down two days before as clearly as if they were right in front of me, and as I was running, I realized that I was meeting

every

single

one of them with celebration.

They were more than goals.  They were needs that I was meeting for myself with gusto.

There was almost a sense of surrendering... A beautiful exhalation and realization that I was in control of getting rid of the fear that has been so present in my life lately as I make big life changes.  With each mile, I let go a little more. And in "letting go, I had more control over this life moment than I've ever experienced.  I found myself repeating so many things to myself during my 26.2 mile run. The words I remember repeating the most were:

"Leave fear on the course.  Let fear go with every step.  You are in control. You are where you are at this time and that's just where you need to be. All will be okay."

It is this very act of letting go of fear and replacing it with an incredible amount of self love that gave me peace and calm during those hours of tragedy that touched Boston at the finish line of one of the greatest human sporting events of history. It was those 26.2 miles of remembering myself and finding an Amanda that I'd never fully seen before that prepared me for what was to come and what is still here to process.  


My Boston Marathon 2013 experience was so much of what I needed:

• I had a couple of nights preceding the race where I was with people that mean so much to me and that love me so much. 
• I slept the night before and I was in a very peaceful place before I started.  As I waited in Athlete's Village alone, I was filled with such a sense of contentment and peace.
• I smiled.  
• I noticed the faces of the people cheering all around us.  
• I wrapped myself up in love and reminded myself how worthy I am of all the love I have been given in life.  
• My body spoke to me and when it said "Yes!", I listened and I ran faster.  And when it said to slow, I heard and I slowed my pace.  
• I told myself that it was okay to run this race in whatever way I needed.  I noticed my watch but I didn't let it own me.  I was in control.  I was in control.  
• When fear would start to creep in just a tad, I recognized it, dismissed it and replaced it with love and self confidence.  
• I thought of all the people that I love the most.  I thought of my new move to North Carolina and how exciting it all was.  I thought of my life and all the happiest moments that are happening now.  
• I marveled at how easy this run felt and how joyful it was to just run for fun instead of racing a clock.  
• I looked forward to mile 19 where I would see my love and two of my dearest girlfriends (one of them who ran with me last year from mile 19 to the finish and the other one who was with me  so deeply in spirit last Boston and in all of my races since I've known her).  
• I let the cheers of the spectators wash over me so fully and wonderfully.  Their smiles, signs, slices of oranges, music, hugs, waves of joy and excitement...I embraced all of this.  I inhaled it deeply.  I soaked it up.  I allowed it to be part of my surrender.  I used it.  I smiled with it.  It was beyond powerful.  
• I had FUN! I danced with the pack of runners as we passed tunes coming from the sidelines.  A chorus of YMCAs, hands in the air and people laughing.  This race was our reward.  We were here sharing our spirit and taking in the spirit of all that Boston is to the marathon world.  This was our celebration.  
• I let go of the clock without letting go of control.  I knew I wanted to run just fast enough without pushing my body hard so that I could requalify for Boston 2014 and be there with my friends (and I did by 5 minutes).   And now, in light of what happened, I know even more that I will be there again if my 5 minute cushion gets me in to this race next year.  
• I embraced the "terribly" happy feeling that has been in my heart so much lately.  
• I didn't over think.  I RAN.  It was the easiest and most victorious marathons I've ever run.  I didn't run a PR by any means.  But Boston 2013 will go down as my greatest marathon so far.  My most memorable.  The one that I am MOST proud of.  It is the first race in my life where I had positive self-talk and love with every. single. step.  
• After the race and during such a devastating experience, I have never experienced such an outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and people near and far.  

Approaching mile 20.  So happy and full of love and peace.  At this point I had my best friends and my husband with me for about a half mile.  

What started as an easy run where I felt great with every step, changed for me after mile 20.  This is to be expected with a marathon but this was something I hadn't ever experienced.  It wasn't just my body giving out.  I was just taken over with a feeling like I was going to faint.  This is one of the scariest feelings for me because it isn't something I know exactly how to deal with.  All I could do was slow down, breathe, take in fluids, and focus on each step as it came.  I put my head down and talked to myself out loud with such love and gentleness.  I reassured myself that I would get to the finish line.  I told myself that it was only a 3 mile and then 2 mile and then 1 mile run through Boston.  I looked around me and noticed the people running next to me that were struggling too and together, we proved that we are stronger than we think.

After crossing the finish line, so many tears came.  I cried because of the incredible amount of physical pain that I was feeling in my back and pelvic bone but I also cried out of Joy.  I cried because I was proud of myself.  I cried at feeling victorious in letting go of so much and gaining so much in the process.  I cried because of how good it felt to finish and be surrounded by such beautiful energy. The volunteers, the spectators, the fellow runners, the cheers of celebration...so much good...so much beauty to be found in the human spirit that was alive on this Patriot's Day.

When I went over to get my medal, I cried some more.  As I took the medal to walk away so that I could find relief from the pain I felt, the volunteer gestured me back to her with kind words, "Let me put it on you...you earned this moment."  More tears.

Making it from the finish line to the buses felt like such a long walk even though it was all right there.  I would have been to my gear bag and back to the finish or to some other area of the city to meet up with friends long before the horrible explosions came if I hadn't been in the medical tent for a bit.  The pain in my back and pelvic bone was just too much to not get looked at but after getting my vitals checked and having a chance to ice and rest, I knew I was okay to leave.  As I made my way to the bus where my gear bag was, I couldn't stop thinking about how badly I wanted to be warm and with my husband and friends.  When I got to my bag, I sat down right there by the bus and wrapped myself up in my warm clothes.  I spoke briefly to my coach to tell him how things went and to let him know I was okay. I told him about how this marathon was such a journey of love and letting go of fear for me. I took for granted that I would be seeing my husband in just minutes.  I had no doubts at the time that he'd be the first person that I would hug and celebrate with.
No doubts until I heard the explosions. One after the other.
No doubts until I saw the people running with looks of terror on their faces.
No doubts until I couldn't get through to my love on my cell phone.
No doubts until confusion washed over the streets of Boston as we all wondered what was happening on this day that should be nothing but celebration.

Despite the fearful situation that was taking place, my marathon experience gave me a sense of calm that I wouldn't have had otherwise.  I was able to reach my husband who was waiting for my call.  Just minutes before, he and my friends had been by the finish line where the explosions were.  They were cold and decided to step into a soup place to wait for me.  It is hard not to think of the "what ifs" as I process this story.  If I had called sooner...If I hadn't gone to the medical tent first...If I had walked to meet them at the finish.  So many "what ifs" but I'm taking the first step of my journey away from the "what ifs" and I'm going to focus on the fact that my husband and friends met me safely on Boylston and Arlington with big hugs and smiles.  Big sighs of relief that we were all together and okay.

As I waited for my husband and friends to come to me,  I remember hearing sirens and seeing police cars and ambulances rush by.  I saw people in panic running away from the area.  Couples found each other and embraced with tears, worry and sighs of relief.  I saw strangers comforting each other and sharing information. Time felt like it was in slow motion for me as I waited to hug my husband.

After meeting up with my loved ones, there was still so much confusion as to what was happening.  We couldn't get service on our phones and we weren't near a television so we didn't know what had just happened.  It wasn't until after stepping into a restaurant to get warm and find focus, that we saw the media coverage.  So shocking.

I'm still in shock.  Things still seem so hard to process.  My heart hurts for those that were killed, injured, and so close to the finish line.  My heart hurts for the runners that didn't get to finish their marathon.  My heart just kind of hurts today as I sit with things. An it will for a bit. But then we move onward.

So many things could have happened on this Patriot's Day. But things happened as they did.  I'm choosing to focus on the spirit that rises above this tragedy.  The spirit of the marathon and those that run, volunteer for, and support this sport.  A spirit that rises above and doesn't let fear win.  I choose to focus on the love and comfort that was with me every step of my 26.2 mile journey on Monday.  A journey where, for the first time in a long time, I took control and
Let
Go
of
FEAR.

And today, I will continue to do this.

I'll see you next year Beautiful Boston. And our spirits will be STRONGER.  They already are.  Fear doesn't win.

Amanda