Thursday, July 22, 2010

labels

I've always been a labels girl.  Remember Esprit,  Guess? [sweet inverted triangle label], U-knits?  I'm sorry to say, I have always cared about that stupid little label .  Not really sure why.  Here's some proof.  He's me on Christmas day


Prior to this photo, I had run in circles around my home yelling, "I got them, I got them!" ..... "Them" being "Guess" shorts.  Seriously, that WAS my Christmas.  One item & it was pure bliss.

I since have figured, I still crave labels. 

But not designer ones.  More like "me" ones.

Let me explain.

From 7-10, I was "Gymnastics Emily".  But then something happened.  I grew.  And long legs don't "flip" as well as cute little legs.  I am sparing you some sweet photos of this one.

Year 10-10.76, my Mom tried [must give her credit] to help me be, "musical Emily".  I mean anything.  Tried Piano. . .  Bad doesn't even begin to cover it.  Saxaphone . . .somehow, even uglier.  And if you've ever heard me sing in the shower, sing at church sing in my car - - - okay, you get it......no bueno.

So from 11-16, I was "Volleyball Emily".  I thought this was going to be "THE EMILY" at least until after my full ride scholarship.  Torn ligaments my Junior year "sidelined" me for months.  Add to that one of the worst experiences/trials in my life [to date] and I decided I was done.  Done with Volleyball.  What?  I felt the ground shake below me.  Or maybe that was my Dad's wallet/401K crying out, "take the full ride - you want the full ride".  ;) No Volleyball?  what will you do?  Who will you BE without Volleyball?

So, from 17-19, I decided "Skinny Emily" would be next.  Worst years to date.  What I can remember of them anyway.

Then from there, 19-21, I gained 35-40 pounds and happily became "workout Emily".  My thoughts . . . [I can only workout at 4am.....no problem.  I need to workout 3 times per day . . . perfect].  Done.  This is when "running Emily" was born.

Other brief stints included:
"Vegetarian Emily"
"work 3 jobs Emily"
"no fat eating Emily"
"I'm never wrong Emily"
"8 minute Abs Emily"
"Cooking Emily"
"rice & teriyaki sauce diet Emily"
"coupon Emily"
"frugal cheap a*s Emily"


At 21 and 10 months ;), I married the Pita.  At which time I thought I should be, "[Perfect]Wife Emily". Get up at 5:30-6am to make breakfast. check.  Do laundry.  Check.  Do ironing check.  Be the only one who [literally] can make moneycheck. [he didn't have his green card].  Then when he could..... I'd pack lunch for him.  check.  Make cakes and deliver them to work because he forgot his assistants birthday was today.  check.  Did I/do I enjoy this?  99.7% of the time.  check.

Then at the ripe old age of 23, I added, "Mom Emily".  Most rewarding label by far.  I always wanted to have more little Peanuts.  She makes my world happy, happy, happy.

At 25, I found eBay.  Well, it found me and I became, "eBay Emily".  This label pays well [in dollars, anyway].  I love it. 

Lately, some of these labels have been [attempting] to change on me.  And it makes my heart hurt.  It's not that I'm opposed to change.  It's mostly, that I can't do things 1/2 way.  Mostly, that's a good thing.  But, not always.

The last 8 months have been a "challenge" in my life, to say the least.  This is when the sleeping marathoner in me was re-born.  "Marathon runner Emily" has arrived.  So, to celebrate the little [insignificant in comparison to REAL life] things . . . . to date, I have taken  56 minutes off my first marathon time.  Yay!

So, here's my  "thing".  I am running.  But I'm pretty sure I'm running so much because it literally is "cheaper than therapy".  I have pain.  I have sadness.  But please know, there is no pity party here.  I have life.  I have family.  I have a plan.  And, did I mention, I have my 3:20. 


I said that 3:20 was all I ever wanted right?  I lied.  I was told by someone way, way too close to me that, "a 3:20 wasn't worth getting on a shirt but maybe if I could run a 2:59, NOW THAT, THAT would be worthy."  That hurt.  However, I'd like to enjoy life too.  Maybe with a few less labels
Hey, what a concept.

So, here comes, wait for it - wait for it - [just] "Emily".  Raw & uncut.  I hope you'll stay [follow] and enjoy the ride as much as I intend to.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Comment craving Emily?

ShutUpandRun said...

I think the label thing is really interesting. You made me think about the ones I've carried over the years. I think now it's best to just be "Beth" - I wear so many hats that not one could totally definte me...but just plain old ME.

Aimee said...

I've had different labels over the years too. It's interesting how we take on a certain label at different times in our lives. I like the just "Emily" label...I think it suits you well! :)

Matty O said...

Interesting post.

I am compulsive/obsessive as well. Tried a lot of things in my life and my labels are endless as well.

As long as you find what makes you happy that's all that matters :)

Rae said...

I'm excited for "Emily". You totally rock and deserve to be happy. And I think 3:20 is totally worth getting on a shirt!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Oh, labels. I am always getting caught up with them ...

I can't wait to see what the raw and unleashed Emily will do ...

Gina said...

Holy Schneikies! "wake up at 4:30am and work out 3 times a day Emily" - love this post. We all have labels, don't we?I have far less type A labels than you do. One of my labels might be "lazy Gina.". Ha! Love, love, love that pic of you and baby Peanut.

Caratunk Girl said...

2:59??? OUCH!

Love this post - we do all have labels...and it is funny how they change! My latest label is Mandy the triathlete. I used to be Mandy the whitewater raft guide, Mandy the telemark skier...Mandy the party animal...Mandy the grad student...

Anonymous said...

If WARRIOR is a label, I'm in. ;)

Good luck being just Emily, as an over achiever, I think you'll be great at it, as you seem to be at everything else.

And you totally deserve a 3:20 shirt, that IS something!

abbi said...

Oh, labels...you made me think about how many I've had too. I think (maybe, hopefully) I'm pretty much just 'Abbi' now. I looking forward to reading more about 'Emily'!

Karine said...

I have enjoyed every step in the evolution of Emz. While some of the labels were more exciting (difficult), fun, challenging, I have to agree.......just Emily is my favorite. No matter what "label" you embrace, we are there for you!

Molly said...

You're making me think of myself in a whole new way....can you imagine the labels I got growing up with a last name like Sleeper???

Took me forever to figure out who the pita was...I was too busy thinking of hummus.

Leah B. said...

Thanks for sharing this! I can definitely tell you are an achiever and a hard worker. And that's awesome!

Megan said...

I think most people try to define themselves or are shaking off labels. I don't want people to look at me and only see a mom. (Don't get me wrong, they are my life) That's not all I am.
Think that's the human condition.

Kevin and Kim Partridge said...

How come no one is saying what an idiot the 3:20 t-shirt comment maker is? Have THEY run a 3:20 with a whole lot of crap (not lterally figuratively). I like "Emily" raw and uncut. Well, even if you did get cooked or cut, I would still like you.

Erica said...

your perfect just the way you are "emily" and I hope you realize that no label can make awesome you...

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Very thought-provoking post!

The Boring Runner said...

Interesting, I'm not sure that I've ever had a "label". I'm always just Adam.

2:59!? That would be awesome. What is the olympic trials time for females? It is close to that. 2:50?

Bethany + Ryan said...

3:20 is worth getting a shirt that says 3:20, 2:59 is worthy of a forehead tattoo that says 2:59! "Emily" is a good label! this post made me laugh, but i get the seriousness of it too! :-)

Julie said...

Oh my gosh, I was reading along and I just forgot what this post was about! So sorry, I just got distracted by your awesome 3:20 marathon time!!!! Totally worth putting that on a shirt:)

Damn it, I would kill for your body lady! You look freaking fantastic!

RockStarTri said...

Love the raw honesty.

The Eliason's said...

Ya know, when the labels are all ripped off and there is just a piece of raw material...it's just material...that's what the "artist" falls in love with first...the raw material, it's OTHER PEOPLE that NEED labels. True artists see what's there first...they don't need all the fancy "add on's" to fall in love with something that is already beautiful... I love you em's...just raw...no b-dazzling needed...raw and uncut...no labels...no medals...no 3:20...just you...always have, always will!!

suzy, http://countdownto13.blogspot.com/ said...

Well first, that guy is not very nice and we do not like him.
Second, you are an amazing runner! 3:20...holy moly! Amazing!

MCM Mama said...

Interesting post.

I seem to be always running away from labels. I get tired of being known as "mommy Erika" or "wife erika" or even "crappy housekeeper erika". But some days I feel lost just being "Erika". ;o)

Can't wait to hear what "Emily" has in store.

Petraruns said...

well SNAP lady! I know COMPLETELY how you feel. Having to take a step back from running recently made me realise just how much "running Petra" was someone I relied on. Not a good thing really...

We love Emily. Love her. Just Emily.

carin said...

med student carin, skinny carin, piano playing carin, reading carin, girlfriend carin, babysitting carin, band nerd carin, running carin, hospitalist carin....

i'm exhausted with labels too. let's quit and join the circus.

carin said...

oh, and a 3:20 is definitely something to be proud of. putit on a shirt, a skywriter, a billboard, whatever!

Angie said...

Running marathons (even at my slow pace)makes it so that I am no longer anti-depressant/sleeping pill Angela. I feel pretty great about that. Also- you are a fab writer-love this post.

this free bird said...

i was so 8 min abs carrie.

i was so THERE.

now i'm 30 day shred carrie. and no more trouble zones carrie. and, sadly, bacon wrapped dates carrie. which is why i'm the former 2.

xoxo,
carrie

Unknown said...

I think you are my long lost soul sister :)

jessithompson said...

Wow. I re-read this post 3 times. Yeah, parts made me laugh (for sure), but it really, really made me think.

GREAT post. Best one I've read in a long time.

Packard Family said...

let me say, as a runner of 28 years, I have never run a full marathon. My one training attempt left me injured and have only ever done half marathon and triathalons (short). So just finishing one, you have my admiration. If I did one, my goal would be to finish before the cows came home. So what's with the piffy comment about the 3:20? And who the h%$# cares about the tshirt?

Kevin and Kim Partridge said...

Sorry to go off subject here a little bit, but I think it is HILARIOUS that Laura had to bleep "hell".

Quinton J said...

That photo of you running awesome.