Olympics 2012 Memories, Facing 5k Fears, and Unconventional Hugs

More details below.  LOVE running with my best friend/husband again.  

The past two weeks have been packed.  So many memories to go into my life book...girlfriend trip to Boston, family vacation in beautiful central Oregon, Cascade Lakes Relay, gearing up for Hood to Coast, making summer memories with the kids and just soaking up summer.  Oh, and the most memorable of all, and probably the reason why all these other things will always be remembered more clearly...The Olympics!  I have no doubt that years from now when I'm remembering the summer of 2012, I will remember the events that took place this summer more vividly than other summers because they have happened during two big weeks in history.  I'll remember the nights on family vacation where we all gathered around the family room cheering on the determined athletes from all over the world. The nights of being on the edge of our seats hoping for and pouring out our energy and love upon our American athletes. And our WORLD athletes. I'll remember getting up at 3 a.m, after three hours of sleep, just to watch the women's marathon live.  Or the already six times that I've watched the finish of the men's 10,000m that shows such heart, love, and friendship.  I'll remember more clearly meeting up with some of my best girlfriends for the first time and being together for the opening ceremony of the greatest games on earth. And I'll certainly remember the way the Olympics has reached out and covered us all in a blanket of hope, determination, and belief in the possibilities that life has to offer.  Each one of those Olympians has a story to tell.  A powerful, amazing, and beautiful story that touches us all.  They are using their gifts to be the best they possibly can.  Their stories are bringing us all together...not just as a country but as one world.  And what inspiration flows from them to us...all of us, young and old alike.  I'm a little sad to see it all end, but I'm already excited for the next Olympics in 2016!

Until then, I'll be using all the inspiration that I bottled up from watching and I'll be making my own dreams come true...in whatever form that may take.  And there is plenty in store for the next four years...this I am CERTAIN!

Now for some RANDOM.  Bullets and Pictures it is:

Hugs come in unconventional ways

• The picture above is of my view from my car when I was driving up the Cascades Lake Highway to pick my husband up after he finished his final leg on the Cascades Lake Relay last week.  I packed up the kids in the car and headed out to find our missing piece so he could join us for the last day of vacation.  What I wasn't expecting was the wave of emotion that washed over me as soon as I drove up into the higher parts and was faced with snow capped mountains.  This moment was certainly (without doubt) a Hug from my dad.  Anytime I drive into the mountains like this, I get these feelings.  Even though it isn't nearly the same beauty as driving out of the Eisenhower tunnel into Summit County in Colorado (where we lived before my dad died and where his heart was alive most fully), I still felt him for the first time in awhile.  Always a special thing for me.  

• Thoughts from earlier this week:  "Believing we can. Putting in the training and hard work. In light of pushing our limits and running faster than we've ever run before, how much of it do you think is about the training and hard work and how much about Believing it is possible? I definitely think this would be different for everyone but for me, I KNOW that all the training and hard work isn't going to get me anywhere unless I work on BELIEVING in the Possibilities. Really, truly believing. Expecting. No doubts. Breaking out of the box. Putting fear in the garbage and running as if I have nothing to lose.... I mean, really, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE?"
• The above thoughts kind of had to do with my reflection on my 5k fears and why I dread this race so much.  I mean, serious fear has come with this race.  Like sick to my stomach and dreading it with all my heart.  But I'm finally ready to kick that fear the curb and face this distance more often.  So much of this fear and anxiety comes from years of high school and college cross country competitions where I was racing the 5k at a very unstable time in my life.  This race doesn't have to be scary.  And I don't have to ask myself to run any faster than what I can run...I don't have to run this race for anyone but myself...nothing to lose! I'm certainly ready to kick that 20 minutes to the curb.  I mean, seriously Amanda?!  It is about darn time.  I may not be one who runs 17 minute 5ks but 19's are CERTAINLY within my reach and I think I'm usually one who is realistic about my capabilities.  The only thing that has kept me from crushing that 20 min barrier is this HEAD of mine.  So, on to mission "kicking head case to the curb" and believing....expecting a little more.  

My perfect running partner.  Although he's kind of leaving me in the dust these days.  

• Must Run Race for Next Year.  More on this later but I did go out to race a 5k race yesterday.  In fact, we went as an entire family and we all ran.  And what a great event for a great cause.  It was the Ladybug Run and it was to raise awareness for CDH which you can read more about HERE. It wasn't just an opportunity to support a good cause but it was 1. A chance to support my friend Liz, whose daughter Finley was the inspiration for this race to raise money for CDH...her story inspires us all. Yesterday was also Finley's birthday.   2. A chance to face my own fears and race a 5k when I'm so NOT in 5k shape right now.  3. An opportunity to race with my best friend/husband again!  If you happened to click on the official results, I'd love to claim that 18:25 as my actual time since it is now on my official records.  Ha!  However, the course was short short! When I do write about this event, you'll see that this is minor (and easy to improve on) in light of how great this race was organized.  For a first time race, I'm so impressed and we will add this to our Must Run races!  Hope you do too!  It was such a good feeling to be finished and see how many people were out there having a great time...awesome community of runners/families.  And something for everyone.  

Having a delicious IPA after the Ladybug Run with Liz from 1012 Miles (also the director of the race) and Cyndie from Rediscovering Running (who was also a huge part in organizing this event). Thanks for a great event girls.

• My thoughts from yesterday:  "My greatest highlight from today was not running for myself but being there to cross the finish line of the 1/2 mile kids run with my youngest. As mothers, we have such a gift in being able to teach and model for our children the power of 
  believing in themselves and celebrating in accomplishments. At one point during the short (but long to him) race, my son said "I can't do this mommy!" but we kept going. We focused on the things that WERE working for us...the shade from the trees, the popsicle at the end, doing our best and not being discouraged by the people passing us....even cheering the other kids on. He was tired but proud at the end. :) I love being a mom!"

I promise that the next post MIGHT be less random.  For sure I hope to write a post telling you more about the Ladybug Run so that if you are local, you can add it to your list.  Such a great event for the whole family!


What were the events from this Olympics that stand out to you as the biggest highlights?  The events that you will always remember?  I'd have to say that the men's 10,000 definitely stands out as one of my favorites. I suppose that is obvious from the fact that I've watched the finish six times already.  I also loved seeing the women's 4x100 and 4x400.  And of course, seeing Shalane and Kara together after the marathon.   Oh and...... Ha!

Amanda 
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