"Stuff" from Marathon Makeover
- I will get up before sunrise, go out in the dark and do hard labor with no paycheck involved.
- I will retire a “perfectly good-looking” pair of shoes because I don’t want to take any chances of injury.
- I will send my blog full of personal stuff out to a bunch of strangers
- I am quick to tell some people what I am doing and won’t breathe a word of it to others
- I can’t believe how unselfish and supportive my husband has been about all this…not sure I would have behaved in the same manner were the roles reversed. Now, all knowing, I would behave the same way!
- I am very glad that I am OC about reading the daily newspaper…the MM article was my 2007 destiny.
- I can’t believe I ever thought I could actually complete a marathon…what trust I have in Mark Simpson and company.
- I was motivated by the hope and belief that I would be skinny like other runners by October. Key word here is “runners”…I did not become a “runner”, but a wogger; hence, I did not get skinny.
- My sister and my mom still think I am crazy and rarely ever ask me about my endeavor. I will sashay around them wearing my medal, with a mantra, “told you so”.
- I am looking forward to my bragging rights in my 2007 Christmas letter.
- I have learned the REAL meaning of mind-over-matter while becoming a marathoner
- When I am feeling low in confidence, I have learned how valuable it is to tell myself that I am a really cool person because I am going to complete the Chicago Marathon. Few people ever attempt something of this magnitude.
- I have been amused to see the reactions when I tell someone I am training for the CM. A quick “body scan” always ensues.
- I have learned that although I am a 60 yr. old, I am not “over-the-hill”…I am healthier and stronger than I ever knew!
- I have spent many more hours this year talking to God…walking has provided this special time for me.
- I have become addicted to reading and writing blogs. Blogging has been a key to my success.
- I have a love/hate relationship with the training…I must have goals to continue it. My new goal for 2008 will be to RUN, not wog, 5K and 10K races. After completing that goal, I bet I will be ready for another marathon.
- Wayne Jimenez rocks!
- I wish there had been a picture of each member of the MM group in our directory. I also wish everyone had blogged.
- I am in awe of the obstacles that some of our MMers have had to overcome to train for this marathon, like caring for multiple children, demanding jobs requiring frequent travel, family illnesses, family commitments, you name it…almost makes it seem easy for me.
- My job has suffered a bit from the distraction of training for the marathon, but that is okay. The physical and emotional benefits of the MM are a huge ROI (return on investment) and I will be better in all areas of my life because of it.
- I will never look at Strawberry Park in the same nonchalant manner again. I will never play tennis at North Shore Park again without a big smile reminiscing over the accomplishments on that trail.
- I buy Harvest bread for customers at least twice a week…it never looks or tastes as good as on Saturdays after a run.
- I have new words/phrases in my vocabulary: body glide, Endurox, gels, sports beans, sports blocks, camelback, race-ready shorts, “cotton is rotten”, Garmin, metatarsalgia, and some I can’t remember right now.
- I have gone from being “horrified” with my blue toenails, to, “hey, only runners know the success story behind these blue babies”.
- I am extremely happy to have some new friends! Wayne (hubby) and I have been invited to join a Supper Club group by one of the MM friends. This unique group of people with a common goal has become our MM family. We share, we care, we support each other. Does it get any better than that?
- I have only one regret associated with this Marathon Makeover…I wish I had done this way back in my youth. If so, I would have a wall of medals by now!
- I am blessed, that in this great state of Mississippi (of which I am a transplant from NC), there resides an exceptional group of people who are changing lives through the establishment and execution of the Marathon Makeover experience. That would be Mark, Robin, Matt and Scotty…many thanks for all that you do. Your halos will be delivered via UPS in the near future. :>)
- I learned how strong and determined my new daughter-in-law is…she does not give up easily. Kristy had some of the biggest, nastiest blisters I have ever seen, plus she persevered through plantar fasciitis which is so-o-o painful.
- During the time of my training for the marathon I have seen my older son, Morgan, (30yrs.) transition from a broken, depressed, chronically ill young man on disability leave, to one who is healthier, emotionally stable, newly employed and one who looks forward to his future again. I got through these challenging months with the help of my MM training…exercise helps manage stress. My quiet time with God on these many walks was invaluable. Praise God.
- I am thrilled to see that my younger son, Steven, is getting to enjoy the success of completing the Chicago marathon at the tender young age of 27 yrs. He will reap the benefits of this experience for many years to come.
- I have even more love for my wonderful husband…he has massaged my tired feet on many occasions, brought food, drink, and Motrin to me when I have crashed in the bed after a Saturday run, never complained about the additional expenditures for my various “necessities” of training, and has been the wind beneath my wings. I love you, Wayne.
Thoughts by Cheryl Jones
10 comments:
With a few exceptions, this could be my blog. Rock on, Cheryl! We are not getting older, just better!
Jana
You are awesome!
Great blog, Cheryl! Who would have ever guessed we'd be this far along after reading that front page article in the newspaper. Look at us now!
I would never guess that you are 60! That amazes me.
As I have told you before, you do not look 60. Are you sure your birth certificate is right? I think you look awesome. Like you, I have lost no weight since I started MM but that has become secondary to me. Finishing this marathon means more than losing a few pounds.
It's been an honor to meet you and get to know you.
This is such a great blog Cheryl and you are such an amazing person. I am so glad we have become friends. Let me know when you can do lunch!
Great Blog, Cheryl. Very well thought out. I give it two thumbs up!
WOW... I repeat myself... Who knew that MARATHONING (sounds so cool doesn't it... hee hee hee) would actually make WRITERS out of us!??
I sit here reading and nodding.. laughing and crying... It is SO NEAT to feel like someone is reading your mind! I know that is such a scary thought... BUT HERE in MM Blog World... IT IS GREAT!
I'm going to print your blog and post it on a wall in my home for inspiration for next year!!
Sheila
This is a great blog. You have a great sense of humor.
I am trying to compose my next blog but seem to have a writer's block...mostly I'm just reading everyone elses' crying!
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. I'm just reflecting and thinking about the 10 months I've put into this...and can't help but wish for some things to be different. I'm okay, though, and know this is a stepping stone, not a destination.
On another subject, are you using the PC to program your Garmin for intervals? If so, you can set up the advanced training to do 99 intervals and then nest that into a 99 repeats of the 99 intervals.
Call me Sunday night (601)708-0266 if you want to walk through this on the phone. I should be back in town by 7 p.m. I don't think you can nest steps if you're programming directly on the watch, but you can if you're using the training center and the PC.
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