A Perfect Fall Day

This is where I am privileged to run every week with great friends...no matter the weather. Fall is my favorite. I am so blessed!

What next?

Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived.
Dean Karnazes

My mantra from now on is "Forward is a Pace". So I will keep moving forward....but where to? What is the goal? Where is my final destination? Right now I have more questions than answers.

For now I will keep moving forward...enjoying the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and my dog by my side again....running for the sheer love of the run. Searching for a destination but enjoying each step of the journey....searching for a peace of my sole.

Forward is a Pace!

“I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.” John Hanc, running writer

Well...I did it! I have the aches and pains to prove it. I did not set any records nor did I come close but I FINISHED! I finished with my head high and a smile on my face! I got through it with the help of some very special angels on my shoulders....or under my feet helping with each step!

I got up at 4 on Sunday and was chauffeured downtown by a friend. My running buddy and I were dropped off and chose to walk the 2 blocks to the Congress Hotel where we would meet our fellow runners. The streets were alive with the activity of runners and spectators. We arrived at the hotel, met up with our friends, ate a little something, used the bathroom and then it was time for prayer.

We headed for our start corral about 7am to wait for the start of the race. It was a beautiful morning! We watched the sun rise over Buckingham Fountain as we waited for the race to begin and chatted with other runners. At 7:30 we heard the start gun go off yet it would take us about 30 additional minutes to get to the actual starting line to begin our run. We crossed the starting line and we were off….the beginning of the last part of my journey had begun.

The first few miles went well until my friend realized she had forgotten her inhaler. While running we made a few quick phone calls (thank goodness for cell phones!) and made arrangements for the inhaler to show up at mile 14. Now we just had to get that far. We slowed our pace a bit and kept moving forward.



Running through Lincoln Park a little boy stuck out his hand for a ‘slap’ as I ran by. I had slapped him ‘five’ and kept running. I heard him tell his dad, “That lady slapped me five. A real Marathoner slapped me five, Dad!” “WOW! The kid thinks I am a real marathoner” I thought to myself!!

Moving into mile 7 I saw a man dressed in full fatigues with a pack on his back. I caught up to him at the water area and as he slowed, I could read what was pinned to his pack….he was running in his brother’s fatigues because his brother had been killed in Afghanistan a year earlier. I was crying as I looked at him and just said, “Wow!” “That is all I need,” he replied as he disappeared into the crowd of runners.

At mile 13 we met up with a member of our running group who had planned to run with us about 10 miles. She was welcome support! She kept us talking and moving in the right direction. Forward!

Mile 14 finally arrived and my friend got her inhaler from my husband….and he got a bear hug from her! Jack ran into my arms and yelling “Yea Mommy!” The rest of my kids were there cheering along with my ‘other daughters’! I am blessed with the greatest support team a girl could ask for! We took a few pictures and I was off again. A few yards away the Girls On The Run group saw me and slapped a bracelet on me that said “Dream. Run. Celebrate.” Words to keep me moving...forward!

We headed out and then back into the city and onto mile 16. At this point I saw my dad and beyond him my mom and my Aunt Vicki. They were so happy to see me looking good at this point in the run. Hugs and kisses and I was off again ….only to see my husband, his cousin, and all the kids again about a half a mile further down the course! This time I did not stop…I waved and headed towards the tough part of the course....forward.

At mile 17 there were two men sitting on the grass with carbon graphite running prosthesis. They were icing their legs….and then passed me a short while later. Just another reason to keep moving forward.

At this point the alert level had gone from yellow to red…meaning severe conditions. I was in the difficult part of the course as there is little to no shade, no relief from the heat and the crowds are scarce. I kept moving forward.

At mile 19 there were firefighters spraying the runners with water. What a welcome relief! My feet got soaked and I knew this meant blisters in my future but at that point the only thing that mattered was a cool down!

Finally I saw the marker for mile 20. I knew the end was in sight I just had to keep moving forward. Every medical tent I passed was filled with runners in distress. I lost count of the times I had to move to the side so that an ambulance could pass. I realized that I had stopped sweating and was so very hot. It was at this point I had to make a choice. I could continue on at my pace and risk injury, I could slow down and finish, or I could walk into the nearest medical tent and quit. Quitting is not something I considered for anything longer than a split second. I had come too far …….I decided to slow down and finish. Forward is a pace. I had been moving forward all day…now it was time to move forward a little slower.

At Mile 22 I saw runners from my group again. This was so great! They gave me a hug and told me to keep moving forward. I knew I could have sat down right then and there and called it a day…but didn’t! I turned onto Michigan Avenue and headed towards the finish line.

This is the part of the course that always gets to me…it is lined with pictures of fallen police officers. This is so moving for me as I worry about my husband and his friends every day….I also know that 3 additional pictures were added this year as three more officers had given the ultimate sacrifice…they had given their lives in the line of duty this year. I started to pray the rosary and kept moving forward ….

At mile 24 I passed a man who was running wearing a giant Eiffel Tower. I have no idea why he was wearing it or running with it on but it made me giggle as I continued moving forward.

There were three young men at mile 25 made me laugh so hard I started to cry. I had moved as far to the side of the street as possible to find some shade and relief from the heat. They saw me coming and started singing, “Kris is gonna finish! Go Kris” over and over. I soldiered on forward laughing……towards the HILL!

I turned the corner and faced my last challenge…Mount Roosevelt. As I headed up the hill, I knew this was the end. I knew I could finish! I crested the hill and turned the corner. There it was……the finish line! I tapped into the last bit of energy I had left and started running again…forward….as fast as my worn out legs would carry me.

I crossed the finish line and was met by a wonderful high school volunteer who, as he put the medal around my neck, said, “Dang, Girl! You did it! You finished! I could never do what you just did!” “Yes you can!” I replied, “Never say never!” and I moved to the next volunteer who wrapped me in a warming blanket and on to water…….then I got a text. It was from one of my girls….’Tears of joy, Mommy! I am so proud of you!’ I spent the next few minutes in tears trying to explain to the medical team that I was fine, just crying tears of joy that I had done it….I had finished a marathon….a second time!

What a day! What a journey! My first marathon was all about the finish. The goal was to get across the finish line. This time the journey was so much more important. Crossing the finish line was icing on the cake.

On this journey I learned so many things about myself. Every lesson learned got me to the finish. I learned that I am a better, stronger, smarter runner/person than I was a year ago. I learned that people can change you for the better in a split second. I learned that a finish time is just that...numbers on the clock. Sometimes other things are more important than the numbers. I showed my kids...all of them...that quitting is not an option. If you work towards a goal you can achieve it...one way or another. I realized that I did something that many people can’t do, won’t ever start...or finish....I ran a marathon...TWICE!

Thank you to all of you for your months of encouragement, generous donations, and abundant prayers. I am forever changed......
A mom
A teacher
A 2 TIME marathon FINISHER!

Putting things into Perspective

I have spent the day putting things into perspective after the marathon yesterday. Several people helped me see things more clearly and then I was sent this from a friend. It is am Erma Bombeck piece. Life is full of signs....I do not ever want to live with any Could Haves, Should Haves and Would Haves....

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.

Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us.

Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with.

And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by.

We only have one shot at this and then it’s gone."
Erma Bombeck


Life is what you make it...get out there and live it!

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
"the Waiting" Tom Petty

The waiting is the hardest part....the running few if no miles, the lack of structure, the lack of endorphins, the lack of stress relief.....all add up to a stressed out, frustrated, nervous running momma!

I visited the expo yesterday and picked up my number. I met some old friends, met some new friends, picked up lots of samples and goodies for my children. It was good to be on my own for a bit. I think the time alone in the car on the way into the city was priceless to me. This year I felt like I knew what I was doing and where I was going. I felt comfortable instead of like an outsider. I felt like a member of the club.

So now I am home and waiting....I am waiting and wondering what tomorrow will bring. I have waited and trained and prepared for this day for so long.....it is hard to believe that in a few hours the waiting will finally be over.....

Angels Among Us

"I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours. To teach us how to live, to show us how to give, to guide us with the light of love. They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places, and grace us with their mercy in our time of need. Oh, I believe there are angels among us." -from "Angels Among Us" by Alabama

Look for angels. Be an angel to someone in need.

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.--Anonymous

Gifts

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
~Ruth Ann Schabacker

This past weekend was all about gifts. My daughter turned 15 on Saturday and there were many gifts! Most of the gifts were those that did not come wrapped in pretty paper or tied with pretty ribbons. There were so many gifts of friendship and love to mention.

However, I think I was the biggest recipient of gifts. I received the best gift in my daughter. She is so responsible, practical, and really the best friend a girl could ask for. It is a joy to be her mother and watch her grow. There is never a dull moment when she is around. She makes my life exciting. She is the trailblazer for her siblings as she forces me into new and uncharted parenting territory on a daily basis. She challenges me to be a better parent at every turn. We are so alike (much to her dismay) in so many ways yet different in others. I envy her at times with her circle of friends, love of life and joy with which she approaches life most days. She is studious and has great attention to detail that I do not. She really is a great kid and I am blessed to be her mom.

We may never really realize the gifts we receive on a daily basis. There are so many times I have to stop and acknowledge the gift before the moment escapes me. I am so blessed in so many ways. I am so abundantly gifted!

Yesterday is a memory.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift.

That’s why they call it the present.

Go unwtie some ribbons......