"Consulting with Myself"

This morning I had both boys dropped off at school on time at 7:35am.
I had my bag packed, Garmin charged and I was ready to run.

I was looking forward to getting back into my routine. I pulled into the gym with a plan.
It was the "Anita I Need a Plan!" Basically, my plan was a flexible 3 miler. The plan was to see how I felt at the 3 mile mark and then negotiate the plan from that point.

They have a 5k trail marked at Geneysis that I had planned to run. With no rain, I headed out to the trails. I saw so much wildlife. Deer, squirrels, birds and several runners. (they are wild too!)

My routine outside of running is mass chaos. Both kids are in multiple sports. I am coaching cross country 4-5 days a week on top of working part time and running my household.

Running is still a Priority.
My only time to hear myself think is during my runs. The voices in my head are so loud that I struggle organizing my thoughts.
But, while I am running it is quiet. It is me and God.

I thought a lot about Ariel today. Yesterday, I  took her some flowers with my niece Sarah at the cemetery.  

Sarah and I took Ariel some beautiful Purple flowers. Her favorite color.

October 2012, I was registered to run the Detroit Marathon. This was the first time I had ever the  Marathon. I trained very hard to run this. 2 weeks before the starting line, my Ariel was tragically killed in a accident.
I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep and I couldn't think. The only thing I knew was to run.
Even running was foreign to me. I had no idea just a couple days before the race, how I was going to run it.
That marathon was emotionally the hardest marathon I have ever ran. I ran that in Honor of Ariel. I cried a lot. Surprisingly, the weaker I felt the stronger I ran. Those miles through Detroit were all ran with HEART. I remember running at mile 20-21. I cried and cried missing her. 3 hours of running with the feeling of someone inhaling all your air.
I finished that Marathon for Ariel. I dedicated that marathon to Ariel. She was a tough cookie. I held close to her strength that she always carried.  I ran that in both emotional agony and physical turmoil. I started that race depleted.
But I finished that race with the sure knowledge that I honored her.

On my run today, I thought about how Sarah and  I had visited her yesterday. I was so upset when I left the cemetery. The medal I received from my marathon was GONE. Everything everyone else was there. There are several things around her, bears, bunny, Easter eggs, notes, pennies, medal flowers but not MY MEDAL. It had been there over a year and a half with most of the other stuff.

⁶ And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

⁷ Then I consulted with myself,

Neh. 5:5-6

During my run this morning I reminded myself "Anita, it doesn't matter." They are just things.
Emotions can really dismember reason.
With sweat trickling down my eyebrow I could hear God reasoning with me. I took that time running to "Counsel with myself".
I needed to put things in perspective. Oh well, if someone took it. Who knows what happened to it. Build a bridge and get over it.
I hate the feeling of angst. It is not worth it to go through life constantly upset with people, places or things.
When we let drama and chaos control us we are really no longer in control.

I have my moments of sadness. The grief that is hard to disguise or control. But I can control most of my negative emotions.
Running has really helped me compartmentalize those. Often running helps me defuse them all together.
Negative thoughts = negative responses.
LET IT GO.

RUNDOWN:
DISTANCE: 5.52
PACE:7:59
TIME:44.09
RAN 2+ MORE MILES WITH XCountry kids.
Biked 2 miles easy at gym to shake it out.
Total miles-7.82

A couple Running Reminders:

1. Ice Ice Ice! Not just for injury, preventative it equally as important. I put my legs in liquid torture for 20 minutes today. I felt great..After I figured out how to walk on numb legs!
2. You are what you eat! If you are like me and have a busy schedule sometimes it is hard to take the time to sit down and eat. It took me 4 minutes to make a smoothie. Liquid Lunch. Protein powder, Greek yogurt, fruit, vegetables, flax seed..You can do it up.

These are my thoughts..I would love to hear YOURS.
If you have a hard time subscribing check out my Facebook page Running Against the OdDs. I post all blogs and Daily inspiration on there.

Anita

Being the Best YOU!

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going"

 

We have been hearing this old proverb for years.

Strong people do not give up when they are faced with challenges. We just work harder.

 

Life is full of challenges. Are you the kind of person that plays it safe? The person who stays comfortably numb.

Are you the person who quits when things do not go as scheduled?

Are you the person who can not handle pain or heartache and find yourself crushed beneath it?

 

There is this life outside of our imagination that really does exist. I am so blessed to experience it. It is not a cake walk. It is difficult. It comes with disappointments. It comes with heartache. It comes with failure.

 

But the positive out weight the negative. I am proof of that. What if I lived the very life I grew up?

A life of self centered-ness. I life of not giving back. A life of being overcome and not overcoming.

 

I have learned to dig deep in this life. That you have to tough things out. Sometimes you have to wipe off the tears and just suck it up. There is a time and a place for everything but you can not get stuck on stupid. You cant camp out in the land of "ME".

 

Some of my biggest battles have not been with others. The battles have been with myself.

 

Today,  I was running to my running club that I mentor, my wheels were turning. And my legs were doing a good job of turning over too! I felt great.

 

I was shocked at how well my legs were responding to my run. I felt good, so I ran harder. Why waste my time on mediocrity. "Push the limits"  I told myself. Feel the burn, I challenged myself. It felt so good to run. Why stop at good, when you can have GREAT.

 

I thought of ways I could be a better "Anita".

How could I be the best me?

Maybe it was going to hurt to be the best me.

Maybe I was going to be a little uncomfortable to be the best me.

Maybe the best me was going to grow in the worst situation.

Maybe the challenge to be the best me was to be good towards something that was bad.

 

I was willing to accept the challenge. I started my challenge off with my RUN. I needed to give my best even in the most reliable circumstances.

Being the Best you is a character habit. You have to perform your best in ALL situations. Then you know - no other means.

 

You become tougher by overcoming all things, all the time. You accept everything as a challenge. You look for the challenge to be a better you as part of your constant character.

 

"Do not be Overcome by Evil but Overcome Evil with Good." Romans 12:21

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RUNDOWN:

Distance: 7.5 miles

Ran solo sub 8 minute to school. Ran with roadrunners. Ran back home at a sub 8 pace. Felt awesome!

 

Challenge yourself to being the best YOU. 5 ways to be the BEST YOU:

1. Forgive someone
2. Build a bridge and GET over it
3. Step out of the box and do something daring
4. Go visit someone that may need more love than you do
5. Intentionally encourage people for a entire day!

Anita

 

 

 

 

Recovery Mode

Running a marathon is like giving birth to me. You forget how bad it beats you up. While you are running most of us think "Why am I doing this again?"  Almost directly after the volunteers place the medal around our neck we are thinking of what our next marathon will be. This is very similar to giving birth. As we are delivering that miracle of a child we think " OH Dear God, I am never doing this again." However, most of us find ourselves with multiple children.

The pain does not end at 26.2 miles. It was 2 days of agony trying to sleep with legs cramps and soreness. Being on vacation, we used a lot of public bathrooms. I do "The Hoover" when I go into a bathroom. I had to grab the handle many times as my legs failed me. I think I peed all over myself more than I made it into the toilets!

Thursday, I tried to run with Danielle. I made it a mile and knew I had to walk. It was more than just my legs that were struggling. My body felt like it had gone through a blender. I had no energy, I felt sick and my legs were not accepting of my body.
Danielle and I ran 5 miles, with walk breaks.

I have been going through the motions the last week. Bone tired and exhausted I can not even find the energy to get through the day more or less consider running.

We had to get up a 6AM to go to Alec's basketball tournament. I thought I was going to DIE.

The tournament was in Lansing, an hour and 1/2 away. I had no argument with myself about taking a nap.

Alec is number 12

 

Today was the day! Running is like brushing your teeth. It is habitual.
Sunday is always "RUN DAY".
When I woke up it was sunny and 50 degrees out. RUN RUN RUN. That is all I could think about. I assessed my body physically. I counted the days from my marathon. Then I prepared Alec that we would be leaving to run.

I am Alecs training coach for cross country at school. Alec got himself in some grade trouble and was ineligible to run last week. He is in the clear to run and so I decided I would run him!

I let him pick the route. He loves running trails. We headed to Sorenson Park.
Running in Gods country without the pollution of noise, cars or even people was delightful.
I again let Alec lead. I could watch him jump over branches and dodge logs all day long. He had the biggest grin on his face during our 3 mile run. Alec and I go "head to head" all day long. On the trails running we become one. We both find ourselves embedding into our surroundings. Breathing in the smells of earth, that crisp air against your bare skin, the sounds of branches snapping under your feet, is priceless. There is no place I would rather be.

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This AND That:

Congrats to Anthony T and for winning "CLOSEST TO THE HOLE".

 

I am still recovering from a SUNBURN on my right side of my body from the Marathon!

 

I wanted to give a shout out to one of my new followers.. KRISTY H. It is great to have you following.

 

AND I would love to hear from LIZ..I hope I have her name right. I spoke to her and met her at the marathon. Where is LIZ???

 

Anita



 

The Missed Moments: Boston

We had a lot of fun in Boston. I really love the city. The city is full of life. I love the historical buildings, the cobblestone roads and the live entertainment in Fenhiel hall.

Growing up is optional!

I will share some of our fun moments with you through pictures.

The Red Sox Game: My client Debbie, has a uncle who works the Box office. She put in a call to him asking if he could come up with 4 tickets the game! I have never sat that close in my life! It was amazing. There were pop up balls all around us. I looked up at one coming down near me and was taking cover!

Alec Being Goofy

Austin

This was at one of the booths at the Expo.

I love my Signs the boys made me.

 

You see everything on the course!

After the Marathon the Fireman were outside the course. I asked Andy if I could get a pick. Notice the name on their shirts!
 

After we left the fireman we walked about a block and this stunning woman was standing there. She looked at me and said "Awe, Congratulations, you just ran the marathon?.." Her voice was like an angel. She walked over in my direction. I asked her if I could have a picture with her. She responded of course. She smelled as beautiful as she looked. I felt terrible because I was all nasty. So I told her "Oh, You smell so good, you don't have to get to close to me." She was so sweet, "No, No, Come here, I do not mind at all." She reached around and put her arm around me for a picture. She made my day even better than it already was!

Say Hello to my little friend. Turns out that Jeff and his wife were in the hotel room ACROSS the hall from us! I was so stinking worried about Jeff and his finish. When he said they were on their way back to the hotel after the marathon I went to the lobby to meet him and his wife. Their story was like a comedy of errors. I never quit laughing at Jeff as he shared one bad thing after another! But it Finished! I was so proud of him. He was never able to train pass 16 miles. He had injury after injury.

OUR CRAZY HARLESS CLAN!
 

ANITA

Covered in Prayers:BOSTON Marathon 2014

Only 1% of runners will ever make it to run The Boston Marathon.
To many running the Boston Marathon is not a desire. But to many others it is a DREAM.

This years Boston Marathon was more than a DREAM it was an HONOR.

With the family all sleeping, I woke up in darkness the night before the race. As I laid awake, I sought God to close my eyes and give me peace.

5:25AM comes quick. I awoke briskly.I grabbed each item I had neatly set out the night before. My Prayer Pants. My eyes fixed on all those praying for me. I felt "covered in prayers" as I slipped them on over my running shorts. I felt very calm.

Leaving the boys sleeping in the hotel, Andy drove me to the train station.
Andy was more nervous than I was. I considered giving Andy my prayer pants!

I got on the "T" at Riverside, destination Park Street. Sitting across from me was an older man. He was a teacher from Buffalo running the marathon. This guy reminded me of myself. He was so nervous. This year was his 1st year running the marathon, officially. Several years ago he had bandit ran it. He was very kind. We discussed our breakfast. I told him I normally eat a banana but we forgot to purchase one. He pulled out a banana out of his bag and insisted I have it.

Bandit Boston guy who gave me a Banana from Buffalo!

When the train stopped at our destination, we separated.
The Boston busses were lined up and down the street to transport us to Hopkinton. This is where the race begins.

The busses filled up quickly. A guy from the Carolina's sat next to me. He chatted about his running adventures all the way to our destination.

Sitting on my lil red blanket

Coming in from Busses

Surprisingly calm, I found my way to Athletes village, where all the runners wait until it was their time to start.
It was about 8:30am. I took my favorite lil red down blanket to keep warm and sat down by myself in the sun. Runners quickly filled every empty patch of grass.
I was trying to plan my hydration, fuel and port-a-john trip perfectly. I headed to the port-a-johns hoping I was not going to early. I heard people whispering about my prayer pants. Then runners were asking to take pictures of them. Several runners wanted to know about all the names.

 I sent a text out to a runner I knew would be running the marathon.
She responded and I found her in the thousands of people. I met Melissa C a few years back at the Detroit Marathon. We follow each others blog. It was her Birthday!


Christine, Melissa and I

She introduced me to her friend, Christine. We quickly snapped some pictures, as time was getting away from us.
It was already 10am!
They were calling my bib color and wave to line up and head to the start. I hated to take my prayer pants off. I could feel the prayers were covering me. I have never had so much peace before a race.
I put my address on my pants as I handed the volunteer collecting clothing both my pants and my favorite red blanket for donation.

The Starting line.

We headed to the starting line. I ditched my last shirt as I felt the sun beating down on me. It was surprisingly warm out for this time in the morning.
Next thing I knew I was at the starting line hitting my Garmin to "Start".

The first part of my run I ran with my HEAD. I had to get my head in the game. I needed to maintain a 7:55 pace to have a PR.
I was really struggling nailing my pace. I kept running 7:45, 7:50, and everything in between. The Boston Marathon is not for the weak at heart. It is a very challenging course. You have to run it with more than your legs. Even though it is a downward course it has several hills scattered throughout. The downhill route makes it difficult to stay on pace.

At mile 9, I told myself to just get to mile 10.

At mile 10, the heat was baking my skin. I was wearing 2 tank tops. I tried to wiggle my arms out of the tank that was closest to my skin.  Feeling like an escape artist, I twisted and wiggled. I  pulling it through the neck holes of the tank top I wanted to wear. Once I had it, I tossed it to the side of the road. Catching my breath, I looked at the names on my arm and prayed for them at their dedicated mile.

At mile 12, I began running with my LEGS. I thought of my niece, Heather. She sent me a card that she wrote  " right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot!".
The crowds were amazing. There was not a spot void of spectators. "Go Anita GO!" the crowd rallied. Sign after sign "BOSTON STRONG". People were waving those same words on flags. And the cow bells and noise makers will have my head buzzing for days!
Families came out to support the runners with water and orange slices.
The kids were my favorite. These little hands  were eager for you to notice them. They think you are a "rock star". They just want a smile. When  you slap their hands you would hear them, "Mama Mama, she slapped my hand!"

If you were a spectator, it was the perfect day to cheer runners on. 67 degrees and sunny.

However, if  you were a runner, the temperatures were not as welcoming.

As I approached mile 13, my legs were getting heavy. I was taking fluids at every station. Both Gatorade and water. Dehydration will kick your teeth in. And it is almost impossible to come out of that. This course was going to leave its  mark on me already.

At mile 13, I told myself  "Just get to 16".

Some where between 13 and 16, a runner called my name. I turned towards the voice on my right. There was a woman with a beautiful smile who seemed to know me. "Anita, I follow your blog, I admire your faith." I was stunned. How did she know it was  me? "Liz" said she read my name on my arm. I was speechless and exhausted. I am not sure my response back to her, I was trying to be positive but I think I said something really stupid. I do remember her words of personal injury. She was recovering from a fractured hip. As I ran on, I asked God to give her comfort over that hip and strength to finish the course.

I was praying tears at mile 16. I had held my pace up until this point. I was seriously scanning the crowds for my family. "Please God, let my family be close."

At Mile 17, I could see Andy towering over the viewers. He was a sight for sore eyes and sore everything!  His eyes caught mine. I dug deep for a disguising smile. I didn't want him to see how bad I was feeling. I just needed to touch him. I really wanted to fall into his arms. The boys were smiling and cheering me on. I love that feeling "Team Harless." gives.

Within seconds they were gone. The joy of seeing my family lasted about a mile! I was hoping it would carry me a little bit longer!

"Please God, Hear the prayers of those praying for me." I searched my mind for who was praying for me at that time.  "ANTHONY". Anthony knew where the hills were and where I would need prayer. He had ran the Marathon last year.
I managed to hold my pace for the first hill. The second hill came like the devil. My pace began to slow. The sun was hot and my legs were numb.

Just make it to mile 20. Get to Heartbreak Hill. Last year, I cried all the way up that hill as I thought of losing my Ariel.
There she was, the looming never ending hill. She took my breath away. I wanted to fall on my knees. I remembered Mesha. I dedicated Heartbreak Hill for her and her recent heartbreak. "You run this hill for Mesha, DON"T you DARE stop Anita." I yelled at myself. People were slowing down and many were walking up. "Dig DEEP" I cried to myself. My body wanted to quit, I could feel myself hugging her as I climbed up the hill. I could hear myself coaxing her to have Faith. To have Hope and to never Give UP. I accepted the agony for her, wishing I could take hers away. But ultimately, trying to point her to Christ for her broken heart. God gave me the strength to get up that hill for her. There was nothing left in me.

At mile 22, I thought I was dying. The crowds were amazing. Cheers were surrounding me, only I could barely respond to tell them.  "Thank you". "Anita, your almost there!"
"Anita you are doing Great!!" With all my energy I would try and lift my thumb up or smile to say "Thanks".  Runners began to drop all around me. Many runners were in tears with cramping. The medical tents were full. The water and Gatorade stations were even having a hard time keeping up. Many runners were walking. I saw several runners fall over and one girl being assisted with seizures.
"DRINK, DRINK Anita"
The visions scared me to drink more. I had been having dizzy spells since mile 20. My ears were ringing and I kept trying to "Shake it off".
I started to walk the water stations in fear I would be needing assistance myself.
No matter what I couldn't stop. I knew that people were tracking me. Andy and mom would be so worried if I was not close to my projected time. I had so many praying for me and supporting me. I couldn't quit running. I had to give everything and I had a beg for more.

At mile 23, I think I was pretty much dying. I took advantage of the decline of the course to get me back on pace.
The crowds were unimaginable. Thousands of people line both sides of the streets. My legs felt like they had gone through a meet tenderizer. I had no feeling from my knees to my ankles. There were moments I couldn't see or hear the crowd, it was like a mirage. I could hear them but I had no sound.

At mile 24,  I had no idea how I was going to finish the last 2.2 miles. I didn't even have enough energy to cry.
"Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot."
I told myself it was just pain. I can run through it. I needed to get control of my mind. "It's just pain, Anita, Run through it, but don't stop!"

This was taken a couple days before the marathon as we were site seeing.

I saw the BIG Old CITGO sign to my left. 1 mile to go. I couldn't get my legs to move any faster. "Strong Finish" I told myself. I felt like I was going nowhere fast. "GO Anita GO" the crowds cheered. They were out there supporting the runners. I cried to myself  "I am, I am going".

As I made that final left hand turn, I looked up and saw a familiar face. It was Bart Yasso. Like we were best buddies I screamed "BART!" He had this huge smile on his face as he screamed back "GO Anita GO!"

I kept my eyes peeled on the finish line. I could hardly see it, I could hardly see anything. But one thing I did see was Victory. I was not going to stop. I was actually able to pass some runners as I focused on the finish line.
I made it!!  Dear Sweet Jesus, I made it! I pulled my hands in the air and smiled for the cameras, as I crossed the finish line!

Volunteers were everywhere. I couldn't speak. I was still standing. "Are You OK?" they to ask me. I just bobbed my head. A few feet later another volunteer came to me with a very concerned look, "Are you Ok?, do you need assistance?"  I mumbled "No, Water." She pointed down a little further.

I just wanted water and my Medal. I wanted my prize. I couldn't wait for them to put that big beautiful blue and yellow medal around my neck.


It was as amazing as I thought it would be as they placed the medal over my head. I smiled with Victory.

MY OFFICIAL TIME 3:30:49
8:02 PACE



It was pretty easy to find my family this year. The family area is very organized. I actually walked by my section 2 times! My legs were not the only thing that was struggling to work, apparently my brain was too.

I loved to see Andy and the boys. Andy, was trying not to bring up that I didn't reach my goal. But my oldest son is a teaser. He took the jab. Andy was sweet as he took to my defense. I really didn't mind though. I knew I was covered in prayers. I knew I had given everything I had and more. I also knew that to run this years Boston was more than just running with your LEGS it was running with all your HEART.
I gave the Boston marathon everything I had. I did not have a PR. But I did give my "Boston Strongest."
I gave my Heart to Boston. I gave my blood sweat, tears and toe nails!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;"

 2 Timothy 4:7

 

This will be the last time I run The Boston Marathon. But the Boston Marathon will never leave my Heart. It is not a easy journey to get there physically or financially. My family made a lot of sacrifices for me to have this last Boston experience and I am very grateful. I am grateful for all those that supported me and believed in me.

BOSTON STRONG.



Anita

Thank YOU.

If you follow my blog it comes down to 3 main things:

1. Giving God the Glory, being a witness to him in all I do trying to point others to HIM.
2. RUNNING
3. Overcoming

Therefore, I just want to take a minute and say THANK YOU.

I have taken the last 2 hours relaxing and responding to over 100 messages on my personal and Running Against the ODds Facebook.

I have been moved to tears. Running The Boston Marathon was much more than running 26.2 miles. I left Michigan a little frazzled with nerves. The tragic events from last year taunted me.

I Believe that GOD has given me this ability to run. I also Believe that God gets all the Glory, all the time.
That something like running can be used to bring people to CHRIST. That something like running can bring people together in love and support. That something like running can bring people to pray.

I was awestruck by the united hearts.

It was more than ME running. It was God doing a work in through my running.

GLORY to God. Thank YOU for all the Love, Support and dozens of Prayers that were posted and prayed.


I will give a rundown either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Anita

A Day in Pictures.

I LOVE BOSTON. I have always loved this city.

Today was the Boston Marathon Expo. This is where you pick up your bib and do a little shopping!

Here is BART YASSO. The man who gives me so much pain every week. He came up with the Yasso 800's. I bought his book and had him sign my book and magazine.

 
 
 

Picking up my BIB! 15339

This is where the finish line will be!!

 

Have a Great NIGHT, Thank YOU for all the Prayers, from Team Harless.

I have a lot of fun stuff that I have collected for the CONTEST!! Make SURE you are Following me on my Blog and check out Contest Rules!.

Gotta Hit the Hay. 5Am comes Early.
Anita