Thursday, December 23, 2010

"Not Gon'Cry" - MJBlige

frustrated.
confused.
tiny bit stressed.
ticked.
*^&%@.
grateful.

all feelings I'm experiencing [pretty much] all at the same time.

I'm just special like that.

Not that this is the most important one.  But it's the part I'm choosing to share.  Because it made me grateful.  and grateful is way better than the other five words listed above.

Today's long run . . .

not great.

Why I am all of the sudden experiencing calf cramps is beyond me.  I got my 18.5 miles in at a 7:30 pace but it didn't feel good.

The Pita had called as I got into the pool [to ice].

Pita: you crying?
Me: runny nose mixed with a few salty eyes.
Pita: so your crying?
Me: a little.

I went on [and on] to say something like, "I know it's running.  It's not life.  I'm just frustrated with my leg cramps....you know how bad I want this PR.....I'm not used to finishing a long run feeling deflated . . .[blah, blah, blah]

He didn't say much.  Could hear him typing away on his end.  to say he's "busy" at work . . . HUGEST understatement ever.  Told me to stay in there [pool], have a hot shower, eat, dry my hair so I don't get sick . . .

Said, "thanks", "Love you", "Have a good day".

Then I found this in my inbox 10 minutes later.

"I was pushed by myself because I have my own rule, and that is that every day I run faster, and try harder." Wilson Kipketer, when asked if the $50,000 on offer, tempted him to break the world record‏.

He did not write anything else.  day. made.

Do me a favor.  Today, thank someone who supports you & your goals.  Your parents.  Your spouse.  Your partner.  Your dog.  Your friend.  Your coach.  Your sister.



To say we reach out goals on our own . . . . [to me] is a lieI'm motivated.  I'm driven.  But I'd never be where I am today without the support from. my. loved. ones.



I'm "Not gon'cry".  But I am going to be grateful.

Happy Thursday.

68 comments:

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

thanks. i am grateful for pickles today. they really help!! :)

KovasP said...

It isn't life but it is running and it is part of life.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Wonderful post! We don't do it alone!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Sometimes it only takes a few words to turn the day around.

Sorry you haven't been feeling great on your long runs. You'll get past this, I know you will.

p.s. how the heck DID you ever get so fast?

Kelly Leigh said...

awww this is a great post. I'm glad you have someone that is there for you. Also lovin the family photo. You two look so in love and peanut looks so content with her life :)

Shawn said...

I very quietly say "thank-you" everyday

Alyssa said...

Beautiful.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Thank you. :) <3

Katie said...

Awww, speechless. . . (and grateful and happy :)

Have a wonderful holiday with your family!!

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

Yay for amazing support!

Quinton J said...

Great post girl.
I dare anyone to say they do it on their own.

Unknown said...

Very nice!

Merry Christmas to you guys!

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

I'm the one that's going to cry!!! what an awesome man you have and thanks for the reminder, I'm gonna go thank my man now. =)

Adrienne said...

You two are the cutest!

Stacie said...

Love this post. It made me all emotional. You and Pita make a great match :) So awesome.

RockStarTri said...

Well said. Thank you for sharing this.

Merry Christmas.

The Boring Runner said...

There are so many things to love in this post. Love it.

(Btw, I totally use my pool to ice down too ;)

Jamie said...

So great emz. Love it!

Laurie said...

Love it.
Lucky you.
Lucky Pita.
Lucky Peanut.

Merry Christmas.

Teamarcia said...

Love it!
So true.

DRog said...

Awesome...
that is so cool

and
not to diagnose
BUT
you are today only a week and a half removed from a marathon with massive cramps?!! plenty of time with 3 and a half weeks to go...to get Fully recovered and feel Amazing at the start line 1/16/11
plenty.of.time
D

Sarah said...

I love this! Will do. Merry Christmas to you if I don't get to tell you later. :-D

XLMIC said...

Really just the sweetest. Period.

Soulmates. You and he are.

TRI714 said...

Jeez girl you are a rockstar, but your hard on youself. You got to let the rock pooping heal a bit.

Caroline said...

That got me some teary eyes!
you are so right...
try to tskr it easy...on the body and on yourself...

racing dawn said...

beatiful. your words, your fam, you...

let this one go...it's in the books and done...

i was thinking i'm not even going to attempt my long run this week - wait til the end of next week...

you rock (as usual)... :)

merry christmas

Karen R said...

My favorite post. ever. And I love the pictures that go with it!

Merry Christmas to you and your family, who so consistently support your goals! :)

Unknown said...

Your best post ever!

(HHUGS)) and a very happy holidays to you guys!

ajh said...

Ahhh!

Char said...

Your loved ones are the ones who prop you up and keep you going when you've just run out of strength to do it for yourself. You are blessed with that husband of yours.

Goose said...

You two really are blessed to have each other and you bless others by acknowledging that, so thank-you. You will rise above all of it!

Aimee said...

Awesome! Way to go PITA!!

Trish said...

You may be "Not gon'cry", but I might! Awesomeness!

Jason said...

This was awesome.

I am also happy that you broke your contract and the P-Nut is back in pics.

May you and you (18+) family have a very happy and healthy Christmas.

I consider you family so give everybody a hug from the long lost cousin.....not the drunk uncle.

Emz said...

Jason. Thank you. You too & Karen.

On pics. Ummm. I forgot already. Don't tell the pita. Merry. Freaking. Christmas.

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Great sentiment!

Jill said...

I'm grateful for your continous support of my pretty pathetic running this past year. Thank you!

Gracie said...

He's a darling. Although I think I would appreciate a chocolate cake more, that's just me and how I deal...

Anonymous said...

Then I'll cry on your behalf. He gets you. He does. Awesome. Purely awesome.

Lee said...

Thanks for the post. My husband has been great since I started running. He's been picking up the slack since I've been doing my 10K training 5X a week for the past seven weeks. The Run is a week from tomorrow. He also bought me a fantastic Petzl running headlamp for Christmas which he gave me early, the night I went out to do my 11k run. I would have had a boring run around the blocks, but I was able to go out into some back country roads at night with it. And I think he bought me an iPod shuffle.
I think my kids are a little impressed and proud of their 'ol Mom'. And I know this sounds weird, but I think my dog is cheering me on too, or she just wants to get out there and run too.

Silly Girl Running said...

Now you almost made me cry. Almost. ;) That's exactly the support you need after a tough run. The next run will rock, I'm sure!

Kathy said...

You inspire me. You have no idea. Today I am thankful for YOUR support through this post. Much needed. Your family is just beautiful...and your drive...drives others! Kudos to you!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

a chill bump post...
it amazes me the connection I feel through your words on a post. Wish I could feel your speed.

Good days, bad days - they all serve a purpose. (keep in mind you are running high miles just after a marathon that...well lets just say...left you empty...hee hee)

Merry Christmas!

Petraruns said...

Love this post - and I'm with Happy Feet here. We've got to take the rough with the smooth sweetheart - and go and hug those loved ones...

Raegun said...

Beautiful post. Happy holidays!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Didnt Tom Hanks say there is no crying in running? or was that baseball?

I love this post, it is so true

Amy said...

Thanks for this. I sometimes accuse the BF of not being supportive. When I talk about hitting a new pace, or a new training distance, it's often met with a monotone, "That's good," or, "huh." But he held my hand when we walked to the marathon course, stood with me until I started, took photos all along the course and the look on his face when I finished was pure pride. So he's not a heart on his sleave kinda guy - I'll take that look over a cheerleader, any day. It's good to be reminded.

Dirty Running said...

Gave my wife a big hug after reading this.

Thanks for the reminder.

Annie said...

Great post and great reminder. Have a Merry Christmas.

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Pita rocks. Merry Christmas EMZ! Thanks for sharing your story and reminding us to appreciate those around us!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

WOW!! That was an amazing post! Thank you! Girl, you are beyond talented at running and you are right, it isn't your life but it is a big part of it. It is those crappy runs that make the good ones so amazing! Merry Christmas.

Unknown said...

Oh, no, never. I could NEVER, EVER claim to do any of this alone. Thanks so much for the reminder.

Unknown said...

Great post! I remember to thank my wife and son everyday I take those steps out the door.

Unknown said...

do you have salt tablets? Maybe you have bad circulation like me. I have to wear compression sox all the time! Hope it goes away but glad that you have a special someone that supports your goals. I love supporting my hubs and vice versa.
Merry Christmas!
LC

Anonymous said...

Great post EMZ! You are an AMAZING athlete and that PR is all yours for the taking. Allow yourself to have a day when you feel not so great, it's part of the mix!! You are lucky to have such a supportive, loving family, it's part of what makes reading your blog so fun! ;)

Anonymous said...

awesome post! I am definitely grateful to have family and friends in my life that support me no matter what!

DRog said...

Supporter Thanked:) :)

It is in motion for me now...in my head: >>>>>full on obsession has commenced
RnR 18 day out

How are you?
How are your legs: Calfs and Quads? and is that blister all good to go yet from Tucson?

plenty
of
time

we will be fast

Think--Easy,Light,Smooth= f a s t

Emz said...

DRog. You.
Rock.
10 today felt like 2 = happy. Emz. :)

Tortuga_Runner said...

Super cute!

DRog said...

Yessssssssssss "felt like 2"- thats what I'm talkin about!!!

Caratunk Girl said...

This is awesome!! I love that photo of you, Peanut, and Pita...

Supporters officially thanked, btw!

Sammie Girl said...

Most people think running is really a solitary sport, but it isn’t. I am grateful for my sister every day I put on my running shoes. It is because of her that I have the freedom to race.
Kuddos to PITA!

Hannah said...

I love it! Supportive spouses are worth more than a billion times their weight in gold. My husband is bending over backwards in 2011 to help me reach my goals. I will thank him as soon as he arrives home. Thank you for this!

Austin said...

fantastic post.  It is amazing how those little things carry us through our day.  
thanks for the great reminder. or as you would say: "loved. it."

Jen said...

Awe! So sweet! You're so lucky to have such good support and it great that you recognize it. Love that last picture. Sweet.

Scott McMurtrey said...

very good LOL

Amanda@runninghood said...

Those eggs look nasty. Um, you're amazing...super fast! I am so thankful for my husband's support. The fact that he agreed to pull the slack for me to train for another marathon in June after my october one fell through is awesome of him. He knows how bad I want it and how big my goals are and he is willing to come home after a hard day and have me take off to the gym while he puts the kids to bed. I love him so much. Couldn't do it alone. great post!

kelly said...

such a good post. and in my next life, i pick your hot bod.