The Half

Me, trying to steal a ride to the van after the race

Not so much with the posting lately, I know.  Sorry about that.  It's not for a lack of things to post about but rather too distracted.  There has been so much to do in May.  Training, and cross-training.  Working and gardening.  Keeping up with the kids and having my husband start at a new company.

Not all the goings-on have been so positive but then...that's life.  No one is exempt from the pettiness of others.  No one can say they haven't come up against an unmovable object.  I've decided to walk around mine and just leave it where it stands.  It doesn't define me and it sure as hell isn't going to weigh me down!

The positives far out weigh the negatives so I can truly say I'm blessed in this life I have built.  Now I'm on to setting new goals.  Though while I was running that half today I was seriously rethinking my lofty goals that I started day dreaming about while being marred in the boredom of the long training schedule to get me to the half.   It is also true that I actually hate racing.  Though I'm prolific enough in my bib collection.  I just don't view the race the same way other runners do.  It for me, at this point, is just something that needs to be endured so that I can go on to the next big thing.  I guess I'm a bit of an old crow that way....always looking for the next shiny object.

Got mine today.  I wasn't thrilled with my time at the race but it was a accumulation of too many things going against me.  I came in at about the same time I'd have come in from a training run.  That in itself wouldn't have been shabby had I felt as good as a training run.  It was hot, humid (I certainly didn't train in that!).  The course much hillier, slippery and swamped than I had anticipated.  I believe they changed part of it at the last minute because the creek had washed out the path.  Then there was my back injury and allergies.  Hopped up on antihistamines and pain killers it was an interesting way to run.  Dizzy to the last minute.  Whoa, so lucky I didn't get pulled off the course.  Though I have to admit I fantasized about getting a ride *snort*

I had the best cheering section though...Ken and the boys toughed out the whole race waiting for me.  That's a long time for them to be in a place with no playground equipment.  My husband is such a trooper though.  I'm sad that I didn't get to see them as I came into the finish.  Though I wouldn't have noticed if Jesus, himself was standing under the clock!  Sheree and Misty were there to see us race.  Then there was Charm and the other girls from the BRC.   My crazy Sisterhood of the Travelling Racers!

Charmaine and I after the race

Charm, what can I say...she wasn't able to train as much as she'd have liked but pulled a solid race out of the hat anyway.  Talk about determination.  She's got it in spades.  We had a great time in the first 9k, OK talking just a little more than was suggested *giggle*  

Oddly, both Charm and I found ourselves searching out the next big thing this evening.  Both nursing our individual aches but anxious to get back out there and do it again.  I'm looking forward to doing more races with this lady.  Though it seems this sport sure does bring out the crazy in a runner!   Who else would beat themselves up for 2+ hours and look forward to doing it all over again.

Five Lessons About How To Treat People-Author Unknown

I'm reposting this lovely article here on my blog. 

Five Lessons About How To Treat People
-- Author Unknown


1. First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.


2. Second Important Lesson - "Pickup In The Rain"

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.


3. Third Important Lesson - "Remember Those Who Serve"

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.


4. Fourth Important Lesson - "The Obstacles In Our Path"

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition."


5. Fifth Important Lesson - "Giving When It Counts"

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.