Ing NYC: Less than 1 day: Remember me in Your Prayers Please.



All I asked from Andy was "Please, I just want to back to the hotel room by 8pm.
If you really believe that is ALL I asked than you are gullible.

There was one thing that Andy really wanted to do....
Run through Central Park. There was no arguing from me. It was an amazing experience. The sun was shining with temperature was in the 60's. When we arrived to the park it appeared like we were not the only people with this on their agenda for the day. There were hundreds of runners, walkers and bikers. Central park in November was alive with magnificent orange, red and golden colored trees. Chestnut trees were everywhere. The park is about 3 miles long.  There are paths on the outskirts of the park and then there are more paths cut into the center of the park. The center of the park has more trails. The trails were my favorite. Each turn weaved in the trees we came upon something more brilliant than we could have imagined. Waterfalls, bridges, massive stones and creeks decorated the park. This was a far cry from the smells and noises of the city just blocks away.

Scavenger Hunt goodies.

There was one more thing that I really wanted to do...
I love adventures. I really don't care if I get lost. It doesn't bother me to talk to people I do not know and I love being in new places.
Andy on the other hand can go for the adventure portion of the package but the rest of it makes Andy  turn inside out. If Andy had to talk to someone he does not know he would rather cut off his tongue first. Andy is the master at navigating. He does not like to get lost and is very skilled with a map. This does not mean he doesn't get lost. But what it does mean is that if he does get lost he is no longer having fun.
So the idea o presented to Andy sounded like a nightmare. But then the idea he tagged me on sounded equally as bad therefore we found ourselves both stepping out of our box in compromise.

My Presentation: Ing was doing a scavenger hunt throughout the city. They had stations set up in all 5 borough's where I will be running tomorrow. At each location you received a branded gift after you Facebook or tweeted "orangemoney" and "nycm". It sounded like an easiest enough task....
Andys Presentation: We take "CITYBIKES" the city.

My problem with Andy's idea was I am terrible on a bike. I am very uncoordinated and a klutz. Not to mention you were driving on the road with the crazies in the city. We had no helmets to protect us from the taxis, ambulance's, pedestrians, cars and in my case, me!

It was a win win. One the bikes we went with a postcard piece of paper giving directions to all the stops we had to make.

As I wobbled on my bike with taxis just feet alongside of me I felt my heart rate sky rocket past the fear level.

We probably road  bikes about 10 miles. It was probably not the smartest idea but it was unintentional and really so much fun!
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Well Tomorrow is RACE DAY.
Please keep me in prayer. I know I did too much today. I will be thinking of Devon at mile 15. He just turned 15 and his mom asked me to pray for him at 15.
I have given mile 18 to my nephew who joined the Marines this year. I am so proud of him. I continue to pray for perseverance and strength for him.
And mile 21. That goes to Ariel. Her love for me was always unconditional. This is the rarest forms of love. The strongest forms of love. This is the kind of love that I am running for.

I have 26.2 miles of running tomorrow. Please keep me in prayer. For safety, for strength, for perseverance.

Thank you,
Anita

2 Days until ING NYC! Fancy meeting you here!

Today Andy turned 40!!
I took advantage of my big mouth. When Andy and I boarded the plane this morning at 6 am it was looking like a pretty lousy start  to his birthday.
We needed coffee in the worst way. As we traveled through the airport we found a Caribou Coffee close to out terminal.
After purchasing our coffees we found our gate and took a few minutes to relax. Unfortunately, I spilled my coffee. Andy being the good husband calmly says "Here, hold my phone and I will get you another latte."
I took his phone and set it down next to me. As I looked at the passerby's a woman was trying to get in the aisle. Andy's luggage was blocking the path. Not realizing his coffee was next to the carry on  I heard an all too familiar  "SWOOSH" sound. It was too late, I just spilled his coffee. I quickly grabbed my phone to text him and then heard it ringing next to me! OUCH! I knew I was in trouble!
By the time Andy returned they were boarding our plane and he was very upset!

With Andy in front of me I secretly told the male steward it was his 40th birthday and asked if he could announce some thing!

We headed to the back to our seats. The farther and farther back we moved the closer and closer we were to the toilets! Actually we were right next to them. It was awful.
Andy pulled out his nice card and had birthday favor. "Raphael" our steward kindly whispered something to us and next I new we were right behind first class!
From that point on we were spoiled rotten by him. Andy had so much leg room he didn't know what to do. Raphael continued to spoil us with a bag of goodies, food and even champagne. Which was nice but we don't drink. They even announced Andy's birthday across the airplane. Andy tried to hide but he was easy to spot in that big ole seat!

The Expo was awesome. I love all the people and fun stuff to do and see.

The crazy part about today was we heard from some of our good friends. Turns out they too were in the city!!
We hooked up for lunch with The Cusaks and The Parrys!
What are the odds we would all be in the city without our kids! We had a great lunch together and parted ways!

We came in the hotel for a bit to relax but we are in the The BIG APPLE so we are heading Back out!!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT NEW YORK CITY??

3 more DAYS..ING NYC

Bags are packed by the door. It is Halloween and I feel so rushed. My
kids are getting older and only 1 wants to celebreate.
I bought us both KILTS!
Alec and I will have fun. One day I will wish we could still be out there in the rainy cold weather trick or treating. Leave no Regrets.

Tomorrow we head out to New York.
This is such a BIG DREAM.
How does a girl like me get this chance> This is a once in a lifetime chance. How do I get this amazing dream?
There was a day I saw no future. And today I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me. I am humbled beyond measure at his blessings he has poured out on me.

Thankful, Giving God all the Glory.
Anita

4 Days ING NYC: Power in Pain

We are T minus 4 days.
I had my day planned by the hour today. Everything went as scheduled.

1. woke up at 6am for coffee and prayer time
2. Breakfast and lunches made. Gym bag packed.
3. Out of the house at 7:15 to drive boys to school
4. Gym
5. 10am Dentist appt.
6. Clean house
7. Pick up Alec
8. Drive to Austins CC meet
9. Home to make dinner and a pecan pie.

I wish I was able to taper in life. The easiest part of my day was my work out! I did 1 1/2 miles around track. Rolled, stretched, abs for 30 min. Iced for 12 minutes. HOLY MOLEY the ICE was cold. I know that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out but it HURT, so so bad. I had to pull my legs out 4 times to get used to the frigid water.

Because I didn't have a very eventful run I want to share someone elses' run.

My son, Austin had his last CC meet today. I have been a little disappointed with his season. He has gotten faster but he also "Feels Good" after his runs. I never feel good after a 5k. THEY HURT.
They hurt starting the first mile. I HATE 5k's because they HURT SO bad!

Austin has had a really hard time breaking 20 minutes. I know he can do it. I have watched him run too long to not understand his running. He is AFRAID.
FEAR will dictate your actions. Fear will justify everything you think and do. It will hold you hostage. It will dissemble you piece by piece.
As soon as Pain surfaces Fear comes wagging its tail. Ready for you to give it attention. Then it OWNS you.
Running is so Mental.
Accept the Pain and drive through it.
I watched Austin with less than 1 mile in blasting pass me. I thought "Did he hear my words" Did he hear my prayers?"
I KNOW he can do it. I believe in him.
"Own the Pain" I thought to my self. The quicker you accept the pain the more you figure out HOW you are going to get through it and not let it GET you.
At mile 2 he was running ahead of a couple boys that continually race in front of him.
"COME ON HARLESS, GO Go Go." I scream till my voice cuts out.
His time was spot on for breaking 20. He just had to hold it. He had to run through it. He had to dig deep and fight the mental demons.
"Pain is temporary Quitting is FOREVER."
I saw him coming close to the finish. I glanced at the clock. I felt my eyes well up with deep joy. Overflowing Joy.
I ran as fast as I could to meet him at the finish. I bobbed in between people smiling and crying. This was such a huge obstacle he had to get over. He has tried for 4 weeks coming within seconds to breaking 20.
Today he not only broke 20 he CRUSHED it. 19:31! That is 6:16 minute mile.
I hugged him and told him how proud I was of him over and over.
I asked him about his race and he said.
"I am usually afraid. I just ran through the pain and as I ran farther I knew I could hold it."

Austin finished his last meet with a BANG.
No Regrets.
Most people quit on the first wind and don't even know they have another one right behind it. CONTROL your thoughts. Believe in yourself.

When we Persevere through our Pain we will see how truly strong we really are. We will experience victories we never thought were possible. In Life and on the Run. We are ALL going to experience Pain of some measure. But Never Never Give up. Never lose HOPE. And Always Believe through Christ ALL things are Possible.

Anita



5 Days! ING NYC Fun Facts and Ramblings.

"No Matter where you go or what you do, you do you live your ENTIRE life within the confines of your OWN HEAD."  Terry Josephson

 

 

I found this quote late last night. I have thought about it over and over again in my own head! 

I can let the most absurd things rent space in my head. My mind is crazy. I really do not like to enter there alone.

I think about this broken world. I think about the poor woman standing outside Krogers with dark circles over her eyes begging for food. I can see the pain deep in her eyes. I scroll through Facebook and see the sickness and prayer requests. I read the drama. The garbage people post in their OWN hurt. I hear the cries of a broken heart. Tonight I have my addiction meeting where I will hear many people share their loss. Their loss of dreams, goals, marriage and  finances.

I have burdens in my own family. Burdens close to heart.

Last night Andy and I were talking before I fell asleep about a coworker he used to work with. He had to go down to the ER where he stopped and chatted with her for a minute. Andy asked her "How are you doing?" She responded "OH, you know, living the dream life!" She continued to say that she followed us on Facebook and said how we are living that life.  

Together in bed Andy and I laughed.

"Stained Glass Windows." I replied to Andy smirking.

I put my clothes on like everyone else in the morning but my head is like a messy closet. My legs do not run as fast as my head. Trust me, I keep running to catch up.

I may not have the same battles as some of you but I  put my Armor on just the same to fight my way through my crazy thoughts and personal struggles. 

 

I have been invited into some big battles. I often lose. 



"But I discipline my body and keep it under control...." 2Cor 9:27 

I wish I could control my mind and heart the way I can my legs. It is a workout that never ends. There are circumstances where I can see results from all that hard work and then there are late sleepless nights. Nights I have beaten myself up with a double dose of crazy.

"Join the FRUIT Basket" as my sister in law Deb puts it. We are all just a little Coo Coo for CoCoa Puffs at times. We have to gain control over those things we let control US.

 I Control my Mind. I Control My ACTION. 

In desperation I beg God to breath air into me. To send me a line that I may climb out of the tomb I have dug.    

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."         

2Tim 1:7

 

The problem with tapering is there is a WHOLE LOT LESS running of the legs and to much running around UPSTAIRS!

 

My children are not going with me to ING NYC. Running the Boston Marathon this year really hurt my boys. Austin is like a M&M. Hard on the outside but soft on the inside. You wouldn't know it but he is so scared of big races now.  He refused to go with us. I don't blame him. I don't know why God spared me on that awful day in Boston. I cant hear a sound of a explosion without feeling my heart go into hyper speed.  I have never seen so many guns and chaos. It was more than just explosives that went off. It was Fear that exploded that day. Fear that branded my children. I HATE the poison that was left behind in my children. I will never get the images out of my mind of my boys.

I am Asking for PRAYER from you. For Safety and Peace. For Strength and Confidence. I am asking for security for my children.

I am trying to control my thoughts and rid all that poison from my mind. God has given me this opportunity and I want to Glorify HIM through it all.

 

NYC Marathon FUN FACT!

1. The first NYC marathon was in 1970, with 127 competitors running several loops around the Park Drive of Central Park.
2. Only about one-hundred spectators watched Gary Muhrcke win the race in 2:31:38.
3.  A total of only 55 runners crossed the finish line.

 

 

"Rather than praying for a Change in Circumstance ask God for a Change of Character."

 

 

LOOKING FOR NYC places to eat!! ANY SUGGESTIONS??? If you give me a recommendation and we go I will bring you home a souvenir and a SHOUT out!

 

 

Anita



 

   

Manic Monday ING NYC T-6days

I am kinda Freaking OUT!!! ING NYC is 6 days away.

 47,000 runners and 12,000 volunteers will be surrounding me. This will be the LARGEST race I have ever ran. Chicago and Boston had right around 35,000 runners.

 

There were 1 million spectators cheering me on in Boston.

Over 2.5 million spectators line the course which goes through the city's five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

 

I will begin my 26.2 miles on Staten Island and end in Central Park!!

Well as I write this I have noticed my anxiety has elevated along with my heart skipping beats.
I think I am going to try and chill out. Maybe I will have another piece of homemade Buttermilk Pie.
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Update:
The poor little dog Lady: I took her flowers Saturday after work. Only a young guy holding a baby came to the door. It appeared he knew who I was. It was probably a give away with me holding the bouquet of flowers. SHE was the grandma that comes over a couple times a week to watch her grandchild. She brings her little dogs with her. He was very apologetic which gave the entire experience a awkwardness because I was so sorry for her as well. I was disappointed that she wasn't there but it was probably for the best.

Signed up for another race! "Call Me Crazy One more time!!"
Javon and Joan were 2 of Ariel's very good friends. They are coming to Clarkston to run the Clarkstons Back Road Half Marathon and 10K. This is the first year for the race.
I have gotten very close to them over the last year. I am not sure how well I am even going to be able to walk let alone RUN 1 week after my Marathon but to see Joan complete her 1st Half Marathon and Javons'  first 10k, I wouldn't miss it!
They are the darned cutest couple. Joan is smaller than me. She is close to smurf size. And JAVON, He is like the Jolly Green Giant. But he is a BIG buttercup and Joan is a little spit fire! I love that they both are running. So I just have to be out there!

RUNDOWN:
TAPERING!! 30 minutes easy bike and 1 mile walk around the track. Rolled stretched and gave my donut to a homeless lady!

Who else is running the Clarkston Back Roads???
Anita



Do all dogs go to Heaven?? I feel so very very bad.

I have ran this scene through my head a hundred times only it didn't go like this.....

On Facebook I saw the countdown for Ing NYC Marathon was 11 days away. I thought BEFORE seeing this post that I would be running 20 miles. My biggest problem of the day was changing my plan from 20 to 16 miles.

I was in good spirits when I left the house. The cooler temperatures didn't even steal my joy.

I was less than a mile when everything went south.
I know this section of Grange Hall Rd like the back of my hand. I know every house, car and pothole.
But I didn't know the lady a half a mile on the left who drives a Chevy Traverse owned 2 little pugs.
I have ran this strip of road for 10 years and have NEVER seen these little pups.
And now I will NEVER get them out of my mind.

It was 9am and the traffic was at its peak. There is about a 2 foot shoulder as you run down the road and the cars can get very close.
Minding my own business I was calculating my run. As I tried to figure out how far I was going to run and how fast I saw a older lady bringing her garbage bins in. I hardly noticed her as much as I noticed her little dogs coming after me. Normally I am very skittish however my initial instinct was THE TRAFFIC!
It all happened so fast as these 2 little pugs came yelping and barking after me. I had nowhere to run but forward because the traffic was so bad. One of the little dogs came around my legs while the other little guy ran around me yapping right into the road.
I heard tires squeak as I turned around horrified. Traffic had come to a STOP. Here lay this little dog in the middle of the road yelping with its tongue hanging out of it mouth. He laid there unable to move on its side looking right at his owner. I just screamed "OH NO, NO NO.." The man who hit him came out of his car followed by a young lady crossing the street. The owner was in hysterics. "My Baby, My Baby." she cried.
I was overcome with tears for this poor lady. She was holding her dog in her arms as it slipped into darkness. I thought he was still alive as I said "Is he OK?"
Sobbing holding this little pug in her arms she mumbles "He is gone, My baby is gone."
The young lady was there consoling her as she asked me to check on her car. I responded offering to drive it over and into the driveway. I felt so bad I just need to breathe for a second. She was grateful as she continued to comfort the older woman.
By the time I drove up and got out of her car the dog was laying lifeless on the back porch. The older  lady with tears streaming down her cheeks repeatedly cried "I should never have let them out, I should never have let them out, I knew better."
I wrapped my arms around her crying alongside, I whispered to her "It was an accident, I am so sorry."
The young lady was so gentle as she added "Please do not blame yourself, Do you have someone that can come over?"
About that time the other pug walked over to the one that was gone and sniffed it and walked around it."  That was incredibly sad. The older woman noticed and started wailing, "He knows his brother is gone, His brother is gone."
It was almost to much to take.
The poor man just stood there with a look of terror. He had no idea how to react. The only words I heard him speak were "I am sorry, I just have to get to work."
He was kind enough and felt bad but he was very uncomfortable.
I could hardly look at this poor lady as she sobbed and sobbed. It broke my heart.
We stayed with her a few more minutes trying to comfort her.
The young lady and I hugged her again. The older lady sweetly said "Thank you, Bless you."
As I walked down the driveway the younger lady offered me a ride home.
"No thanks, I need to run."

I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I ran as fast as I could to try to get away. I couldn't get the images out of my mind. The little old lady, The dog crying in the road. It all happened so fast. I reviewed it several times trying to figure out if I could have prevented it.
All I could do was RUN. And pray for this poor woman.

I ran entirely to fast. I just didn't know what else to do.
I have dogs come out after me often. I know where they live. I have played this scene in my mind:I have often thought how these dogs come after me and try to bite me. As they rush out to attack me they get hit by a car.
 I am so sad to say I have thought about this. It is often with that stupid Rottweiler down Fagan Rd. or that Pit Bull down E.Holly Rd. or those 3 German shepherd's on Dixie Hwy.
But never like this. I feel so bad for ever even thinking such things.
The crazy thing is I had 3 different houses with dogs come out after me today. It felt like they were coming to avenge that little doggies life.

As I finished my 16 mile run I stopped my watch and was shocked to see my time.

RUNDOWN:
Distance:16:33
Pace:8:22
Time:2:17











Do all Dogs go to Heaven:(

Anita