2011 Bucket List #1

Run a new race distance. Check.

proof!

Me: Tato, check this out. I have a medal!

Tato: You won?

Me: No. Everyone who crossed the finish line got one. It's called a finisher's medal.

Tato: You're happy because you just finished and you didn't even win?!

That kid is lucky I was too weak to argue and too exhausted to strangle him.

and...more proof! (nabbed from the website)

Running, Riding, Ritalin

Somewhere in the middle of soaking up all the sights and trying to get enough sleep to do it, somewhere alongside the Rhone River and next to the nursery rhyme-inspired Avignon Bridge (see them dance, see them dance, on the bridge of Avignon...), I discovered trail running. There was something both exhilarating and calming about it. Stride after stride. Under trees, through rocky paths and over twigs and branches. I think I'm hooked.

Which reminds me... there is an article I've been meaning to share. Props to LilBro for telling me about this read.

Here is RIDING IS MY RITALIN.

An inspiring story about Adam Leibovitz , who after being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and after years of struggling with the side effects of Ritalin, found way more than everyday exercise in those long bike rides with dad. Today he is a living experiment and continues to baffle both the medical community by finding a better solution behind the wheel of his bike than taking the pill in the bottle AND the cycling community with every race he wins.

Its a long one. But a great one. And makes you take a longer, harder look at exercise and fitness. For ourselves and our little ones.

5 Miles for Breakfast

Ate, no... lapped-up 5 miles for breakfast this morning at the Botak Paa-Ligsahan race held in UP. Pappy and I love hitting the University Circle for Sunday morning runs, but today was extra good for me. It was a race, but I put no pressure on myself. Just ran with it, if you will. I hit the road - with a smile - under the gorgeous acacia trees of my old alma matter. Smiled at the lovely white-haired couple holding hands during their morning walk. Smiled at the cute little girl on her pink bike. Smiled at the race marshalls near the finish cheering me go! go! go! Then my run was all done... in fairly decent time. Truly grateful for some great mommy-time this morning.

the shoes, post-race, removed with laces on

I'm also grateful to Pappy for filling up my ipod for the run. This is a big deal for me. Music fuels my runs. I am actually very proprietary about my running-playlists. No one else (besides me) can stick anything into my ipod except Pappy. That sounded weird.... But anyhoo.... Thanks Pappy for putting in The Clash, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, etc...

...and this old tune from Stars that made me think about Chicha. She loves this song. Gotta love that kid! We love Stars!

...and another oldie-but-goodie that made me think of you and Bear. My boys rock! The Beastie Boys put my legs on fire to speed up near the finish.... (PG Alert: video shows police foolishness/brutality, ok?)

As Bono sings it on this morning's playlist... It's a Beautiful Daaay!