Travel Plans

So . . . the A/C is busted and it's over 90 degrees in the house . . . so if I stop making sense blame the heat.

I got my travel plans for Honolulu in the mail yesterday. Now don't get me wrong, I'm VERY EXCITED about this trip and the marathon, however the travel plans didn't thrill me. I admit, I was disappointed.

I want to fly out on the 9th, run the marathon on the 11th, and then stay several days to enjoy Hawaii in December! And I was told I could extend my stay up to seven days. But what the folks at AIDS Marathon do is extend the trip on both sides of the marathon . . . and that's just too many days of being in Hawaii and having to be on my best behavior! NO CAN DO!

So, I think I'm going to book my own flight and figure it out from there. In fact, on our 12-miler today (an excellent run by the way), my teammates and I were ALL of like mind and it appears we will all be booking our own flights. Besides, this way I can travel with the friends who have expressed an interest in going with me. :) And that will be much more fun.

Hard to believe it's time to think about booking flights. Hard to believe we almost ran 1/2 marathon today. Hard to believe August is just around the corner. Hard to believe I'm going to Hawaii in just over 4 months. ALOHA!

Time Trials

That's what Team Tegla's pace group leader likes to call his weekly update on our mile splits. He e-mails them to us so we can determine if we're on track with our pace.

Well, Team Tegla likes to break the speed limit. In fact, we've gotten into some trouble with our coach for going too fast. I realize we're not the only group - they've actually put "speed cops" on the course and if we're ahead of our pace by too much, they stop us.

We must've gotten some cops bad at quick math two weeks ago.

We are supposed to be running a 10-minute-mile training pace. Well, we AVERAGED an 8-minute-mile pace two weeks ago, and that's with walk and water breaks!!! Who knows what we were actually running!!!

I'm not sorry for being able to run the speed . . . but I certainly felt it . . . especially at mile six where we ran a 7:30. It was hot and I finally spoke some words to our pace group leader. He's a great guy, but ex-military so I think he has a higher threshold for pain than I do. As I was gasping for air at a stoplight and dizzy from the blazing sun I wanted to cry. He looked like he was hardly sweating. Damn Army (I believe their philosophy is "train it like you want to run it").

As I mentioned in my last post I missed last weekend. They were slightly better behaved for the 10-miler. It will be very interesting to see how we manage 12 miles tomorrow. Fortunately the intense heat and humidity has broken and tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy and cooler (maybe even rain). And I have a crawfish boil to look forward to!

So lookout speed cops - Team Tegla's on the road.

Confucius Say

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -- Confucius

I would have to say I agree with this statement - not just as it applies to running, but as it applies to life.

But since this is about my marathon training, let's start with the running element. Rising and falling can be literal or figurative. I figuratively fell off my training last week . . . as I confessed a few days ago. And I am struggling to rise again. I need to get that 10-miler in. I know I can do it, but with the heat index at 110 degrees or so I'm dreading it. And I fell off the "rest and eat well" aspect of my training. And I didn't get to Hot Yoga to cross train. Some would argue that I had a good excuse - it was closing weekend of Merry Wives - I used the excuse myself! Yet if I'm going to achieve my goals I need to get off my butt and run.

I have to laugh though at the quote as well, because at the closing party I was petting the host's six-month-old puppy and in it's enthusiasm, the puppy knocked my glass of red wine all over me. I raced off to the bathroom and on the way, ran into the puppy's cage and face-planted on the floor. Talk about a FALL. Of course I jumped up and finished my 50 yard dash to the bathroom and rinsed the wine from my linen skirt. Would you call my rise from the kitchen floor and untangling myself from the dog cage part of my "greatest glory"? Does it apply to that? I was tipsy enough to not even notice how hard I hit the floor. Yesterday I could hardly get out of bed I was so bruised by the fall!

And of course we might take Confucius' quote in a less literal way and apply it to life. I can certainly apply it to my career. How often do I "fall" or "fail" to get work? And yet I continue to audition. Believe it or not, hearing no over and over again is painful.

And what about "falling" in love (or lust)? Regardless of the outcome, I rise and try again in spite of the "bruises."

Is that part of our "greatest glory?" Or are we just gluttons for punishment? It hurts to fall down and yet we rise and continue down the path - maybe more carefully, maybe not. Maybe in another direction, maybe not. Maybe more slowly, maybe not. And we might fall down many more times. And we might not cross that figurative (or literal) finish line.

I guess I understand Confucius to mean that the human struggle to overcome and triumph (however big or small) is our greatest glory. Isn't that why we root for the underdog? Isn't that why human interest stories are so compelling? Think of some of the atheletes or teams we celebrate and how they have fallen and risen again - Lance Armstrong and the Red Sox are two examples that come quickly to mind.

So having fallen, I will pick myself up, brush myself off and continue down the path - no matter how bruised I may be or how much it might hurt. Because the greatest glory is meeting the challenge and victory is crossing the finish line.

Rock Creek Park

This morning, Zoe and I hiked a loop of Rock Creek Park we used to hike daily when I lived in Mt. Pleasant. What a glorious morning! The humidity has finally lessened and though it is still hot, it was actually nice out - especially in the shade of the trees in the park.

I have said before in this blog I miss the park. I don't get there nearly enough. While living in Mt. Pleasant, the park was for all intents and purposes my backyard. Now it's at least a 15 minute drive to get there. Certainly worth the trip, but far less convenient than walking a couple of blocks. Maybe it's a city mentality, but if you have to make a special trip, it's complicated! I can walk to everything else I need or want and I can't take Zoe on the metro.

As I was hiking, I kept thinking I should be RUNNING. Due to my "show hair" already being set (yeah, think old-fashioned sponge curlers) I couldn't run today. So hopefully this weather will hold for a few days and I can get those 10 miles in.

The park was pretty quiet early on a Sunday morning and I took my time and enjoyed the scenery. Zoe was, of course, busy in the creek looking for fish. One place in particular had her attention for a while, so I found my way onto a rock above it and sure enough, there were fish! She hasn't caught any - she's about as subtle as a I am in the water - but she keeps trying.

I hope we can make more special trips to this special park.

Missed Miles and Make-up

I have to be honest and say I missed my 10-mile run this morning.

As is typical in final weekends of the run of a show (Merry Wives closes this weekend), I want to cram in as much socializing as I can before the cast and crew move on to new shows, new homes, or new adventures. So, a friend of mine who came to see the show and I decided to find our way to Lizzy Izzy's Bar in Baltimore with a many of the cast and crew and a few more friends who came to the show.

After getting not-so-clear directions to the bar, a not-so-short detour through the projects (where my friends in the car following me thought they would die), and a not-so-nice comment on my show hair we managed to find our way into the crowded, smokey bar.

A few beers, an order of jalapeno poppers, and quite a bit of LOUD conversation later it was nearly 1:00 am - time to head home.

Ah, the long drive home. The good news is it's a much shorter drive home than there . . . none-the-less, it is nearly an hour's drive home which means I dropped my friend off around 1:45 am. I had to sprint from my car to the house to just miss the deluge of rain that followed and managed to fall into bed about 2:00 am. I then enjoyed quite a thunder and lightening storm through my skylights.

Needless to say, 3 hours of sleep is not conducive to a 10-mile run. So . . . I need to make up the mileage. Tomorrow? Unlikely . . . it's another late night tonight (remember, I cramming in years worth of socializing in a weekend). Monday? Umm . . . CAST PARTY Sunday night - 'nuf said.

So I'm looking at a Tuesday 10-miler. Anybody care to join me?

Drinking for the Cause

Last night I went to a happy hour in Bethesda. One of my Tegla teammates was "guest bartending" and while working raising money the AIDS Marathon. What a good time!

She had never bartended before and once she got the hang of draft beer, really seemed to belong behind the bar. The place ended up packed and while there a certain percentage of the bar's profits went to her. Plus she had tip buckets all over the place that went directly to her - what a great idea! I'm already considering having a happy hour at our new "dive" on Pennsylvania Ave this fall.

But BEFORE then is the LUAU! My housemate and I are throwing a combo house-warming and fundraiser Luau. This will be the first time we've brought together our friends and the invite number is high (well over 100) so I have high hopes I can raise a fair amount of money. We're both very excited - we've already ordered the party decorations and "favors". The place is already pink (very tropical) with pink flamingoes out front . . . just add tiki torches and some grass skirts and it will sure FEEL like Hawaii - especially with the weather we've been having. I had to resist the coconut bra . . . I was afraid I couldn't fill it.

Anyway, I'm very excited and hope lots and lots of people will come and get "leied" for the AIDS Marathon. At the very least, dance the hula, do the limbo, and have a drink for the cause.

Correction

I guess I am one of those who doesn't recognize satire when I see it . . . however, learn about a REAL church that likes to burn books here.

And there are many, many more.

UGH.

Harry Potter Haters

Let me first begin by saying the folks of Landover Baptist have a GOD complex. Check out the line that says "The Largest, Most Powerful Assembly of Worthwhile People To Ever Exist. Unsaved Are NOT Welcome!" Huh. Where to begin? These people believe themselves to be 'most powerful', more 'worthwhile' that anybody that has ever or will ever exist (appartenly), AND in the true Christian spirit (note the heavy sarcasm please) are keeping the unsaved out of the church. To top it off, they believe in BOOK BURNING.

I HATE HARRY POTTER HATERS.

Okay, so hate is a big word and I suppose I don't really mean it, but COME ON! Since the beginning of time, magic has been a part of story-telling - especially in children's stories. Almost ALL of the fairy tales (note the classification) use magic: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, etc. Is this group burning those beloved classics? I have such fond memories of watching The Wizard of Oz every year it was on TV with my entire family. I guess nothing says family to the folks of Landover like a good book burning of what was actually a POLITICAL SATIRE. Oh, but we can't leave out the WORST SINNER OF THEM ALL - SHAKESPEARE!!! GASP! Such HORRORS in The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and Macbeth! BURN, BURN, BURN those classics of literature!

I cannot believe they are taking this wonderful story - that tells a classic tale of Good v. Evil - and distorting it. There is NO RELIGION in Harry Potter. None. No God, but no Satan either. ON PURPOSE. Yet, it's still an allegory. Think - dare I say it? - David v. Goliath. I mean, Harry isn't WORSHIPING Voldemort, he's trying to FIGHT him. Hello? Have these folks READ this book? And Voldemort isn't Satan. I dare say we have real people out there closer to "Satan" than Voldemort. Voldemort is all about Power - sort of a wizard terrorist. OH - WAIT A MINUTE - the folks of Landover are the 'most powerful' so maybe they're feeling a little threatened by this big book that teaches you how to work with your friends and trusted adults to fight what is most powerful.

Think of all the positive lessons in Harry Potter: working with your friends, adults can be on your side, if you face what you fear you can overcome it, that power used for evil purposes is BAD. Duh - these Baptists (and like-minded individuals) should be embracing this book - not burning it.

Sure, it can be very scary - LIFE can be scary - just watch the freakin' news. And we all had our moments of fear when reading Cinderella or The Wizard of Oz (bad witches and flying monkeys - big time fear factor). But we survived. We learned. And we loved those stories.

Sure, people die in the books. People die in real life. And what about the classic children's book The Bridge to Terabithia? Somebody dies in that book and it remains, to this day, one of my favorite childhood books.

J. K. Rowling isn't encouraging kids to worship Satan. She is telling a story about a boy (now young man) who is facing major challenges in his life. And by telling this story she arms young people with the belief that with courage and good friends you can tackle anything.

Let's also keep in mind that Rowling, practically single-handedly, made reading cool again! Millions of young people are excited about reading and actually leave their game-boys and DVDs (surely Satan's toys) for the time it takes to read the story. And if that book is fun, reading other books might be fun too!

So to Landover Baptist and others of their ilk I say focus on what's really potentially evil to your children: closed minds, closed hearts, and closed books.

Any Press is Good Press

How many of us really believe that any press is good press? When you work in the theatre, bad press - or even mediocre press - can be TERRIBLE.

Why? Because for some reason people believe that critics really know what is good and what is bad and they may not go see a play just because the review isn't great. It's really sad that ONE PERSON'S opinion can sway an entire city of people to see a show or not see a show. Don't get me wrong, many critics are smart, educated in the theatre, and thoughtful about what they say. But I repeat, it is ONE PERSON'S opinion. I often disagree with my theatre friends about plays we have seen. I often disagree about food, movies, music, and a slew of other things! That's because taste is personal and people should make up their own mind about a show by going to see it. If it sounds like something you might like - if you like "Shakespeare Sitcoms" - then by all means GO SEE IT.

Why else can bad press be terrible? Because working in the theatre (or any creative endeavor) is more than just a job to most of us and bad press can debilitate an actor (or artist, or writer, or musician) who is perhaps particularly vulnerable in their work at the time. Sure, it happens to all of us at some point or another. Sure, we learn to protect ourselves with "thick skins" and most of us don't bother reading press. I'm usually in that category myself and how I came to read this review this time is a series of special circumstances. Yet in spite of all of our work to shield ourselves from hurt, by nature we artists remain open and subsequently do get hurt by bad press. It has made people leave their work. It has blocked even brilliant, successful artists of all kinds. Should one person's opinion wield that kind of power? I say no.

Why am I complaining, you might ask, since the critic said fine things about me? Because I saw what it did to another friend and it made me mad. Remember the Gremlin I spoke of? Bad press gives Gremlins a LOT to talk about. The kind of talk that filled my friend with self-doubt and embarrassed him.

We artists (and sure, I use that term loosely quite a bit, but work with me) put ourselves on the line each time we share our creative self with an audience. But who critiques the critic? Sure, their opinions get read, but are they putting THEMSELVES on the line to speak their mind? Really on the line? Stripped down, bare-naked on the line? Again, I say no.

Remember, an enjoyable, entertaining evening out can be remembered for a long time. Moving an audience to laugh or cry is real talent. Writing an opinion that moves people in front of reality television isn't talent. And also remember "any press" will be lining bird-cages and wrapping fish the next day.

So go to the theatre and do your own critiquing.

Searching for My Spinach

I like this John Bingham . . . we're simpatico in many ways. Clearly he's a little older than I am (my TV families are the Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family - but the idea is the same), but I think we struggle in similar ways. I suppose most runners struggle in similar ways.

I, too, have searched for my spinach. I have taken supplements, tried different shoes, tried different energy bars, etc. Yet nothing takes the place of good, hard, honest training (and good training can certainly FEEL BAD sometimes). So my current search for spinach is actually a search for ways to keep my interest in training high and my pain as low as possible.

Yesterday, I purchased some Glucosamine/Chondrotin supplements. Okay, I KNOW it's not a magic pill (those you find at raves and cause you to hallucinate - and though there might be moments that sounds good during training, I think the crash would be literal as well as figurative). However, if used consistently, it has been proven to alleviate join pain. Don't worry, I understand pain is the body's signal something is wrong and it needs to be listened to, but some kinds of pain you understand to be training related and not dangerous. Joint pain is one of those and hopefully I have found some spinach for it.

As for keeping my intersest high - so far, so good. I have a committed and social training group. I have speed work starting in just a few short weeks. I am staying faithful to my hot yoga cross-training. I have friends and family who are interested in my progress and holding me accountable to it. Now if only I could do something to make my maintenance runs a little more fun.

I'm still debating retiring Zoe as my running partner, but I just haven't been able to do it! She has helped me through 5 previous training periods and it seems so strange to run without her. The problem isn't she won't go - it's just that she's really slowed down and considering I'm trying to IMPROVE my time, she isn't the smart choice. It's a cunundrum. She is the reason it has been easy to START the run, only now she's reason it's been hard to FINISH.

I think if I do retire her, changing up my course will make a big difference in keeping my interest. I could run along the waterfront or the Anacostia River Walk. I could run more mileage along the Mall. I could hit the Tidal Basin and Potomac Park. SIGH. I still think these are places Zoe would love to run . . . just not quickly.

Well, I will still search for THAT spinach and when I've found it I'll let you know. Until then, I just need to EAT my spinach and remind myself I'm no Popeye.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZOE!

Today, my sweet chocolate lab turns eight years old. I just cannot believe it.

It just doesn't feel as if she's been in my life that long. I have so many hilarious, happy, and not-so-happy memories of my time with her: watching her in the puppy pen scoot away from her brother (just days old and already establishing her independence and her desire to not be cuddled); trying desperately to keep her and her brother (Rupert) from eating rabbit droppings (THOUSANDS OF THEM) while keeping my niece from racing into the lake at Shawnee Mission Park; Zoe chasing butterflies in the same park hardly able to see over the tall grass; Zoe and Rupert playing king of the mountain on my niece's turtle sandbox; her first cross-country road-trip and struggling to find pet-friendly hotels; her first swim in the ocean; her first rolling on a dead animal and the subsequent rollings in stinky things; teaching her to be off-leash and her nearly being hit by a car (fortunately we survived both); her nearly being killed by an Emu at Frank's farm (funny, but a bit terrifying in the moment); rope-swinging into the river in Lexington and Zoe's constant "rescue" swims; her disappointment that a bunch of duck decoys in the river weren't real; running with her and her need to be the boss and set the pace by grabbing her leash and pulling; ear infections; walks in the woods with Paul and Monty; looking for fish in Rock Creek; looking for fish in the DC fountains (I give her credit for her focus if not for her ability to learn there will NEVER be fish there); rollerblading with her and often getting a pull from her; and so many many many more.

She has been, with few exceptions, my constant companion for these past eight years and I have watched her age gracefully. She has moments when I see the puppy she was and rejoice she's still inside. She's graying. She's slowing down. She's mellowing out. And there are certainly some benefits in her aging - she endures my cuddling with her more often and for longer periods of time, she shares the couch with little to no complaint, she sleeps in more often and later, and we understand each other. I dread the day I have to say good-bye . . . but have hope it's still several years away.

You can accuse me of anthropomorphism (the great sin of science) but I don't care. She's my little girl and I love her. And today is her birthday. If you have a memory of Zoe, please share it with us as a birthday gift.

Number Five

Well who would have thought it? DC ranks, according to Runner's World, 5th in the 25 best running cities in America. I must admit, I'm surprised.

But looking at the article and how they decided on ranking, it makes some sense. The places they mentioned are some of my favorite running routes and I've always heard great things about the Army 10-miler. Guess I need to give it a try.

My current "maintenance" route takes me past the Capitol Building, along some of the house buildings, past the Botanical Gardens, and I can see the new Museum of the American Indian. If I could convince Zoe to run a little further, we could do the loop down to the Washington Monument. SIGH. It's just too hot for her to add the mileage. We had a good run this morning, however.

It makes me want to run some of the other cities mentioned. I've run part of the Lakefront in Chicago; I've put in a few miles in San Francisco (but couldn't tell you where); I've run some of the Charles River in Boston; and though I wasn't crazy enough to run Barr Trail or "incline" when I lived outside of Colorado Springs, I did run the Cripple Creek 10K (10,000 meters at 10,000 feet)! About mile four of that run I thought my lungs were going to implode. I know exactly what they're talking about when they mention Adams Mountain Cafe - YUMMY!

My desire to run these other places goes hand in hand with the desire to vacation around a marathon. Really, it just appeals to my love of travel - but it gives me an excuse. Silly, huh? Who needs an excuse?

But that Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage sounds like a perfect excuse just the same!

Run Happy

Yesterday was a seven mile run with team Tegla. It was a good run - not terribly hot and our group has grown a little but remains very social. In fact, we have outings planned separate from running!

With the program, when you've finished your run, you wait for the next group to cheer them in. It's a good boost as you finish. As we cheered for the next group we noticed they were all very serious and stern as they crossed the line. Huh. That can't be much fun for seven miles! Think of how awful 20+ miles will be! When I run with the team, the miles go by quickly and painlessly. We chat and laugh and get to know each other. We run happy - one of my rules of the road this year.

Yesterday was also Opening Night of Merry Wives. I think it went well . . . I guess we'll see what the critics thought. But for the first time since we began running the show, I relaxed and had fun throughout - as I believe we ALL did. Like with team Tegla, it makes a big difference.

So now that we're in the run of the show, I think I can apply that same rule of the road - RUN HAPPY.

London Bridges Falling Down

We all remember that childhood song . . . how especially morbid it feels today, the day after the underground and bus bombings.

I am stunned, sickened, and saddened by the attacks. My heart aches for London and all of Great Britain. Here we go again.

I lived in London long ago as an exchange student - not a care in the world in spite of the fact that the IRA was still in their heyday of bombing. I lived just inside Regent's Park and one of the more convenient tube stations was Edgeware Station - one of the unfortunate sites of yesterdays attacks. And King's Cross Station was still closed while I lived there from the tragic fire the previous year - yesterday a site of fear and death again.

I'm not going to get on my soap-box today to rant . . . what would be the point? I will no doubt have to say something down the road about it, but for today I just want to keep a place I called home for a short time close to my heart.

Everest or Bust - 2006?

Hmmm . . . I think I have found my fall marathon for next year! And a reason to keep running them at all. Just create vacations around them. Honolulu will be my "test" marathon for the vacation marathon.

Also on my list:
Napa Valley marathon
Paris marathon
Ottawa Marathon
Buenos Aires Marathon
Budapest Marathon
Thailand Temple Run

and the list goes on . . .

Seriously, why not? I mean, if I need something to work towards, why not a vacation following the marathon? It would be a guilt-free vacation - after all, I earned it!

So who's going to be my cheering section in Nepal next year?

Up On the Roof

Last night a few friends and I watched the 4th of July fireworks from my roof. What a great view! Not only did we see most of the National Mall fireworks (partially obscured through a tree), but we also must have seen every other display in the metro region! It was a 360 degree display of fireworks.

We started on my roof deck . . . but then one of the group decided to see if the view was better on the roof proper. Sure enough, it was spectacular.

While up there, we reminisced some on our childhood experiences with fireworks. I remember watching fireworks the country club nearby set off - sometimes we walked down to the golf course to watch, other times we set up chairs in the middle of the street to watch (ah, the benefits of suburban living - watching from the middle of the street). I also remember one particularly fabulous display at Royal's Stadium. And there were those years we were at the beach or back East for the 4th. I remember the bicentennial year . . . the tall ships and fireworks, making ice cream at my grandparents' and celebrating my sister's birthday. Then there was the year "monkey island" caught fire in my neighborhood. It was a sizeable island in the road that separated three roads in a triangle shape. I was awed as the teenage boys in the neighborhood ran with buckets of water to try to put the fire out until the fire department arrived. Pretty cool. And of course there was the year my brother set up an elaborate battle with his plastic army men. My parents always got a great variety of fireworks for us to explode and throw at each other.

Times have changed. I bought sparklers for the group and was amazed how they failed to last more than about 30 seconds. One of my friends remarked that when we were growing up they were probably three times the size they are now. And they must be made of something different because they don't have the light trail when you spell your name in the air. Bummer.

I'm not promoting being stupid with fireworks, but come on - we all survived!

I shouldn't complain. At least fireworks are legal in DC and I could buy them and enjoy them. In fact, several people in the neighborhood bought really nice fireworks and we enjoyed them immensely - up on the roof.

C & O Canal and Towpath

Yesterday, Zoe and I ran our six miles along the C & O Canal. This is one of our favorite spots. In fact, this is where I trained for the past five marathons.

I don't get to the canal as often these days. My training is now happening along the D.C. Waterfront and the National Mall. I'm not sorry for the change of scenery, but I was very happy to revisit the canal.

Zoe was thrilled. She ran happily the whole way with a few swim stops along the route. We start at Fletcher's Boat House (see map above) and run north along the path to lock 5 and back again (I've been almost to Great Falls on a run . . . a 20+ miler). It's a beautiful run with plenty of wildlife to see (ducks, geese, blue herons, turtles, birds - I've even seen deer out there early in the morning) and it's easy on the legs as it's gravel and dirt. There's plenty of shade along the route most of the way and you're never too far from the Potomac. In fact, Zoe takes a dip in the river along the route. And of course there are plenty of other runners and bikers.

I was surprised how easy the six miles were for me - even on my own.

In the past, I've always had company along this route. Five years ago it was the Galloway Group. Then one of that bunch, Rick, joined me for the next four marathons. He's hugely responsible for my finishing all four of those and he's a bit of a hero of mine. He runs along the canal almost every day (he runs into work) and with a few years on me is still finishing marathons with me or AHEAD of me! He's also kind, generous, and been a good friend to me over the past five years. It's a little strange running without him, actually.

I think Zoe misses him especially. When she arrives at the canal, she searches vainly for him before we begin to run. You see, Rick always has treats for Zoe before and after a canal run. He keeps them in the trunk just for her! Whenever she sees a man vaguely resembling him, she pulls and pulls against the leash to run up to him. It usually takes all my strength to keep her from surprising the poor fellow!

One of these days, I hope to enjoy a maintenance run with my pals Rick and Zoe on the canal. Until then, I'm running happy on my own, or with Team Tegla on the Waterfront.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Independence Day. America's birthday.

It's also my sister's birthday and another friend of mine's on July 4th.

And last night I was at the birthday party of yet another friend. She turned 30 - she's a child. :) Just kidding. I think my 30's have been GREAT for the most part, so I believe she has a lot to look forward to - in essence, her life is really just beginning.

Birthdays can be hard for a lot of people - me included. Perhaps it has to do with how we feel about aging in this country. I don't like the idea of "growing old". I am not sorry for the wisdom and maturity I have gained over the years (we can debate on the amount another time), and I think I have remained very youthful in spirit (and frankly I work hard to remain youthful in body and mind as well). And all of my friends are the same way, really. So why do we dread birthdays?

Think about it - we CELEBRATE America's birthday with fireworks and cook-outs. It's INDEPENDENCE DAY. Maybe we should be thinking about our own birthdays as our personal Independence Day. Each year lessons are learned and certainly you gain independence from SOMETHING over the course of a year. Why not celebrate that? And why not with fireworks - or other fun (and slightly dangerous) ways?

The party I went to last night had games. Pin the Gray Hair on the Birthday Girl (basically Pin the Tail on the Donkey re-conceived). Lousy Loused-Up Lyrics. And part of her celebration was everybody had to suggest a song for her birthday playlist - that was some playlist! And it was played over the course of the party. THAT'S the way to ring in your 30th year - or any year.

Growing up, my sister always associated birthdays with fireworks - shouldn't that always be the way? So happy birthday America - and everybody. May you always celebrate your personal Independence Day with fireworks of some kind.