Life Goes On

As this year comes to an end, I, like many others I imagine, are reflecting on this year.
It has been one heck of a ride for me. So, get comfortable, grab a drink and get prepared for me to jump all over the place as I recap my year....

This year did not start on a happy note.
I lost a dear college friend unexpectedly December 24, 2010. She and her husband were killed in a car accident. Her baby girl survived at only 8 months old. This broke my heart and I felt empty and devastated. She was probably the sweetest person I have ever met. I think of her and I think of her smile. I think of her hugs. I think of the world losing such a beautiful person.

January was when the two of them were laid to rest. This is why my year started off so rough.

My little girl is just a few months behind,Emily Grace, the name of her little girl. I remember rocking Zoie (my love muffin) extra long a night because I didn't want to let go. Tears would just fall down my face. I would think of how much Jenny loved Emmy. It still breaks my heart and as this time approached at the anniversary I just cried and cried.

February. This was the month when my year was going to change. My buddy aka coach asked me at the end of 2010 about running a marathon, I said sure. I wanted to do and I asked him to hold me to my word. He did indeed. We really didn't need to start "training" for the marathon but we needed to get me running. Yes, I was not a runner. I always was a gym rat, classes, weights and the beautiful and wonderful elliptical machine but NOT a runner.

We started off with just 2 miles. When I could run those without stopping I knew. I knew I could do this. Sounds crazy at just a small distance but it gave me something to believe in.

I basically dedicated this entire year to train/run for the marathon I just finished December 4th. I will not recap that again because that is what started this blog ( I invite you to read it if you have not already) but I will say I am proud of myself.
I taught myself my real mental strength.

My entire life people have always told me I was strong. I thought I put up a good front. I believe people think this because I am always a cheerleader or a shoulder to cry on. I am happy being there for others and being their strength.

After all, to me that is what friendship is all about. I remember in high school my dad called me "dear abby" because he would hear me on the phone counseling others.  Still makes me laugh.

What makes 2011 so different is for once I put ME first. I went for something that was all about me and for me. It wasn't to please others; it was for me to fulfill a dream a goal.

I honestly can say had I not trained or started running, I would be on a large sofa in some nut job's office while he or she would be writing scripts for me. The pavement was my therapy. I looked forward to my runs. I enjoyed making play lists and thinking damn I am a good dj.

I learned about myself. Many long runs was reflection time.
This year was one of the most wild rides I have had. Many changes in my life. I am not going to get into my personal life but the roads were bumpy and running made them smooth.

Right now, I am currently trying to plan out my running calendar. Mainly, I am deciding where I want my next full marathon. I am going to do many half marathons this year but only one full.

I really have lots of goals and wishes that I want to get on paper and not just about running. After seeing what I can do when I put myself in to it 100%, I know I can do anything.

After all, the hospital did send me home with a 6 lb nugget that is now 26 lbs and healthy and happy! I did something right! I credit myself because I have stayed home with her. Something I never saw myself doing but wouldn't trade the time I have spend with her for anything in the world. I am blessed!

There is a mantra that I say EVERY single day. Make fun of me if you will...
"thank you God for accelerating my life and turning my water in to wine"
I sometimes say it more than once. I am a happy and grateful person. We must all realize our blessings and not just pray when we want change. You might read this last paragraph and think, Oh great she's getting on religious on us, but I am not.
I am not even a religious person. I am a spiritual person. I believe you must do good to receive good.

One thing I have learned is that life goes on. No matter what the clock keeps ticking. Think about something that pissed you off 5 months ago, can you still recall it?
Probably not. It is important to relish in the here and now.

People are going to come in to your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. If you try to analyze it while it is happening you might miss the point. Live life and don't let it pass you by.

I wish all of you a healthy, happy and bountiful NEW YEAR. Make this year your best yet!
Warm wishes,
Em
PS ON a side note, I just watched Fat Sick & Nearly Dead the other night. I highly recommend it. I will be starting a juice fast and I will blog about it daily. Stay tuned

Jenny

Today my heart is heavy as I remember by dear friend from college that was lost suddenly and tragically a year ago today. She left behind a beautiful daughter Emily Grace.


I miss her and think of her often. Today I hold my angel just a little tighter today reminded of how we are never promised tomorrow and must always treasure what the time we are given today.


Here is a poem I wrote for her daughter's keepsake book that friends of hers put together.


Miss you Jenny.

JENNY

I got the call on Christmas morning, saying you had gone away

My eyes welled up with tears and chills ran down my spine

For now I know what I took for granted was time

Your smile could light up a room

Your laugh would heal anyone’s wound

You always listened and had the right thing to say

I look forward to reuniting with you some day

You are someone I will never forget

Tears fall endlessly down my cheek

I close my eyes and see your beautiful face

Though I know you are resting in peaceful place

Thank you for being my friend

For I know the love I have you will never end.

Love for a Child

I really want people to realize the work it takes and commitment to adopt a child. My cousin is on her journey to adopt...


Please visit the link below. Cool items and they go to an excellent cause!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/babysemple?ref=seller_info

so far this is there journey:

We are in the process of adopting through an agency here in Fort Worth, Texas called Gladney (http://adoptionsbygladney.com/). We have completed the first phase which includes tons of paperwork and a home study. We are officially approved and waiting to be matched with a birth mother, which could be up to a year from now. We have truly been amazed by the support of friends and family through this process. God's provision is astounding, and we are so thankful. Jay and Meaghan Semple

My Jobby Job

I write for a online magazine in Hollywood. It is a fun side gig that I enjoy because I get to write in my type of language.


Here is my latest work for December! Happy Holidays!

http://dign2it.com/mag/2011/naughty-or-nice

Amongst The Waves

If you understand my blog title post than we should be closer friends already....


Life after the marathon....


I have to say different. I have not run since the marathon. It is crazy that my life has been so busy. Don't get me wrong it is always busy especially since I juggle my schedule around a toddler and her schedule! BUT I really put running 1st for so long... I miss it.


The winter and it getting darker earlier plays a huge factor and me not just grabbing my shoes and heading out to run as soon as my husband walks in the door. That would be an ideal scenario but just doesn't fly if I don't have my run partner with me.


I know what you are thinking...go get on a treadmill. NOPE. I don't enjoy it at all. I only did it 2 times in my entire year this year  and that was because it was my only option.


My reflection today is running and the hold it now has on me.


I am now planning to go back to work (after taking time off for my little girl)  and in my mind I think should I go ahead and plan what runs I want now before I go interview? I feel committed and for once it isn't one that scares me.

Strength In Pain

It is hard to believe the hype, excitement, anticipation of running my first marathon is now behind me. I remember last week at this time besides panicking of turning another year older; I was thinking constantly about the marathon.


Now, here I am 3 days after. I thought on Sunday that I would never consider another marathon. I kept telling everyone I am for sure a 1/2er. I feel different waking up today.


Yesterday, I was talking with one of my dear friends, Angela. She told me that I inspired her to do one. That she was going to start training in January. I am shocked. Not because I don't think she can do one but more so that she told me how I inspired her and how proud she was of me and my dedication to training and completing it.


She is isn't the only one. I cannot believe the power it gave me and how it transcends to others.


I have to admit when I first started training, I truly believed in myself. I never doubted that I could not do it. I think that is what kept me going and what ended up pulling me through the marathon.


It was the toughest thing I have ever done physically and I have a child! I did have a C section and recovery for that is painful. Granted it takes longer to get up and move around after but PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY this was tougher on me.


I remember right before my itouch (may it rest in peace) went out one of the songs that came on was from Mumford and Sons. Part of the lyrics to the song was "find strength in pain." That ended up being my mantra for the remainder of the marathon and I was only at mile 14.


I am grateful for the experience and even more gratuitous for the support and cheers that I received during and AFTER! I still have friends sending me sweet congrats messages.


When someone asked me several months ago why I ran, my answer was, "because I can" That answer remains. I will continue running because I CAN and more so because I WANT TO!


Now off to find my next race......oh and put my 26.2 sticker on my car!

26.2

the blog that has been requested is finally here...what better way for me to start than with a race recap...make that a marathon recap-

I woke up thinking it was my husbands alarm going off and I almost told him to shut it off. When I realized it was mine, I dashed out of bed. I got dressed  and went to the kitchen to toast an English muffin. ( & a baby aspirin safety first
 I was feeling good and ready. I looked outside and saw the rain still coming down. It rained pretty much all day the day before. I was hoping it would stop. I still knew I was committed to this so I didn't let it bother me.
My coach picked me up around 5 am and we headed to the race site.

We got rock star parking and it gave us plenty of down time before the race. We both thought we might take a nap pre race but due to my jitters that didn't happen. Speaking of jitters I had to take 3 shadoobies (shadoobie=taking a dump) before the race! I was hoping that would be the end of that so no roadies. I have NO shame everyone does it.

Race time crept up so it was time to go check out bags and head to the start line.
I was still feeling really good and ready to start. It took us 30 minutes to get to the start line from our corral. So we actually started at 8:30 not 8 am when the race began.

I have to say I started off with Wu Tang in my ear (not familair with them look them up) and I was feeling good. I splashed in my first puddle around mile 2. It was an awful feeling  having water squish through my toes but I didn't let it bother me.

Mile 8. I was feeling on top of the world and I had not stopped running.I thought this is the best thing EVER.

Mile 11. Ran into my friend, Ashley by accident. I had stopped briefly to open up my clif shots and I couldn't get my package open because my hands were frozen. She was hunched over with a leg cramp and I asked for help. She looked at me and we freaked out. I told her I was pretending the rain was glitter. Obviously, the adrenaline was in full force.

Mile 13. I hit the wall. I was at that point I had wished I did a half. Running under the balloon canopy, I was hoping I would feel this is 1/2 over instead I was wishing for the end. I had to quickly change my thoughts but I will admit thoughts still weren't good. Ouch. Leg Cramp. Oh crap there was blood on my shoe. I didn't focus on it so that I could continue. Sting. this was my first stop to walk for a minute.

Mile 14. good bye itouch. dang it. it shorted out because of rain and battery and I will have to go see the Apple store this week. SUPER kudos to those who run without music because I had to finish this race without it. I actually didn't hate it. I just would have preferred not listen to other peeps conversations.

Mile 17. My first stop to urinate. I totally wanted to stay in the Porto potty. Yep, first time for everything. Ouch. Leg cramp.

Mile 19.5. Hooters. I could of done without the guy on the microphone and the smell of chicken wings. I wanted a bagel or donut or something. I was HUNGRY.  I drank Gatorade at almost every station to stay hydrated.

Mile 20. Dolly Parton Hills. I should not have to explain those. Bitches. Complete Bitches.

Mile 22. Chariots of Fire playing in the front of an old ladies house. Was there light of the end of the tunnel ahead? Ouch. Leg cramp.

Mile 24. Surprise! my buddy from college, Dave was there to cheer me on with a sign his daughter made for me.  In my mind, I just wanted to finish, I kept telling myself only 2 more miles...2 more -I needed to stop to pee first

Mile 24. Dang Swiss Avenue never ends. Either does this mile.
Yes, I did mention the same mile 2x because that's how long it felt.

Mile 26. What...the finish line. 26.2 FINISH LINE. My sister yelling my name. Tears falling down. I did it. Holy crap.

I stumbled to the building to collect my medal. But really I forgot about it was more interested in my dry clothes. I was soaked. My heel bleeding all over my shoe. My hair was all matted up. I was hungry. I was sore. I was done.

they put the medal around my neck. tears.
I stumbled over to collect my bag, on the way one of the guys from the finish pictures asked me if I wanted my pic taken. I feel bad now but I said "hell no"
oops.
I got my bag. They lady saw me shivering and my teeth chattering and offered a volunteer shirt. I told her I had dry clothes. I saw pizza sitting there, I think it was theirs, I didn't care. I grabbed a piece.
She reminded me to go pick up my finisher shirt. Suggested I grab a beer. I thought about it but a beer sounded horrible. I needed something WARM.
Mind you the place to grab your shirt was all the way at the other side of the building. Buttheads.
Had we not ran far enough?
I collected my shirt and then went to head to the bathroom to change.

There was my buddy Ashley...again! We both had choice words to say about our race. I had no energy to laugh. But was so thankful to see her.
I surprised she didn't slap me for saying earlier the rain was glitter. I was crazy.

She followed me to the bathroom. It took me like 10 minutes to get just my shirt off. Maybe longer. Maybe less. I felt dead.

We both left to figure out how we could get home. Our rides were not with us. She had to borrow my phone to call her hubs, thank goodness she ran into me. I can not imagine what she would have done. Anyway, we plopped down in the middle of the room in the only chairs we saw. When I say plopped down, we really had to carefully maneuver ourselves down.

People kept stopping to ask if I was ok. I couldn't really talk, my teeth were shattering. I was so cold. So very cold.

Finally, we realized we had to get up and leave the building to go home. Smart cookies we are.
I met my sister, husband, Lil girl and friend outside. I was scared to hold my little girl afraid I didn't have the strength. I am glad I did because her body warmth was heavenly. She rested her head on me and kept saying momma. I wanted to cry and didn't know why.

We started walking to the car. I was dreading this. My husband kept saying," Em you cannot carry her all the way to the car."
He was right.

Apparently, someone else agreed because a guy in a golf cart saw me and offered us a ride. THANK GOODNESS!!! God Bless that man.

I got home. I went straight to the bathroom to run a HOT bath. I got in. OUCH. My skinless heel burned. I had to suck it up.
I almost fell asleep in there. It got cold.
I got up and turn the shower on.
I took two hot showers  and a bath in the matter of an hour.

I mentioned earlier I had matted hair. My hoodie that covered my ponytail apparently made my ponytail in to one big massive knot. I left conditioner in my hair to hopefully loosen it. Didn't work.
I then poured olive oil all over it (it was a tip from someone) and tried to comb it out. I think it pained my husband to watch and he came over.
It was hilarious. He was combing my hair trying to help. I asked him why he was helping and he said he was afraid the condition I was in that I would cut it out. haha he was right. Tangle got fixed with a comb, olive oil and detangler. And I didn't have to cut my hair. Although, I did lose some.

Overall, I am thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity to run. I am thankful to be healthy to run. I am thankful I didn't fall and hurt myself during my run. I am thankful I didn't have to take a shadoobie during my run. I am thankful for my play list I made-yep giving myself kudos (for the time it worked), I am thankful for the spectators and their cheers, I am thankful my heart cooperating, I am thankful for the support I received from so many people throughout my training and race day and  I am thankful I FINISHED.

I finished with 5:31. This is NOT what I had wanted or planned for. I am now comfortable with accepting that I finished. That is after all what I originally hoped for.

I am very sore. I am barely able to get around today. Its hard taking care of my child today because I can't do much. I know it will get better and I wouldn't change a thing...ok maybe I would...my time...but there is always room for improvement in  life and I FINISHED.