motivating molly: running quotes to inspire

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Visited an old friend this AM ... and got kicked out halfway through the workout. Damnit.

(Photo source: SarahOUaL’s instagram. Read her blog, follow her on instagram, enjoy.)

BD, one of my best friends (since 6th grade!), decided this year that she had finally heard enough of my “omg running is awesome you guys” ruminations and decided to try “couch to 5k,” (c25k) for herself. The c25k program literally takes you from the couch (where I was) to running a 5k. It works, it’s the bomb and I will forever praise the glory of this program.

Anyway, BD is finished with the program, and signed-up for her very first 5k on June 9. In order to pump her up, I started sharing some of my favorite running quotes with her. I get them on the regular from Running World‘s RW Quote of the day emails, (sign-up here) and they really help me out of some run funks. (Not to be confused with funky runs. Ha! Ewww.)

I’m dealing with my own racing-running battles right now – more on that to come – and I think I just realized that sharing these quotes with BD is just as much for her as it is for me. No surprise there – this only child is selfish in that way sometimes. (I’m working on it.)

Here are two quotes that have spoken to me lately. They apply to running-life and also life-life, and that’s why I dig ‘em.

“What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the day gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate.”
John Bingham, running writer and speaker

Right you are, Mr. Bingham. Is this not a lesson everyone needs all day, every day?

“There are a million reasons why you can’t. Focus on the few reasons why you can.”
Kara Goucher

First off, Kara Goucher is amazing. Team Kara. Secondly (second off?), I’ve been using this mantra to get me through the difficulty of the past few months. Running is life, my friends, and nothing exemplifies this more than Kara’s quote right there.

xoxo,
molly

RIP to the Miggidy Miggidy Miggidy Miggidy Mac Daddy

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Chris Kelly of Kris Kross Dead at 34

Well that’s sad. Many a good dance party was had to the tune of “Jump,” and for that, I am seriously ever grateful.

We have some really good family friends who have a son that was one year (two years?)  younger than me. He was an incredibly creative and fun-loving kid (and still is as an adult) that was always doing interesting things. For a good long while, he was a DJ – probably between the ages of 11-14 but I could have that all wrong. Anyway, I “hired” him all the time to DJ at my parties. My friends loved him. His pièce de résistance was a live performance of “Jump,” wherein he portrayed both Kris and Kross. It was amazing. I know I have it on VHS somewhere (I’m old), so now I will have to track it down, convert it to DVD and share it with the world (with his permission, of course).

Until then, I share with you a text conversation I had with a friend earlier today:

photo 1

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(I hope this doesn’t come off as insensitive because it’s offered with only the best of intentions and sympathy. Truly.)

Spring Awakening (aka April – I’m ready for you)

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First, a little snippet from Spring Awakening* (a musical I adore):

Ok, onto to post.

I think it’s pretty clear that I’m in a funk. My most recent posts allude to that, for sure. So I need to change things up around here. Isn’t the definition of insanity repeating the same actions and expecting a different result?

Exactly.

I choose not to be insane. At least for April.

So, what does that mean? TIME FOR SAY IT DO IT (my favorite time)! SIDI keeps me totally accountable. Really. You should try it. I have a much more detailed version to plan and accomplish my weekly workouts and, when I write it down the Sunday before each week, I totally accomplish what I say I’m going to. It’s awesome.

FITNESS:

  • Run three times a week (one long, two short).
  • Workout for a total of five times a week.
  • Lose five pounds.
  • Crush the Nike Women’s Half. (or at least, survive?)
  • Enjoy, embrace and GET AFTER my last month of half-marathon training… until July.

LIFE:

DIET:

  • “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
  • (aka Eat Clean)
  • No caffeine (i.e. No coffee) after noon.

No biggie. This is doable. Right?

*Bonus info: One of the stars from the original cast of Spring Awakening, John Gallagher, also stars in Newsroom – the Aaron Sorkin HBO series that I love, but most people hate. I love seeing him there because it means the universe really does care about me and my tastes and preferences. Right? Right.

Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live

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Few things could please me more than Justin Timberlake on Saturday Night Live.

I finally got around to watching it (airdate: March 9, 2013), and that sucker is never leaving my DVR.

Might I suggest Suit and Tie, Veganville, Mirrors and The Dating Game.

In all honesty, people, Suite and Tie is one of the hottest things I’ve witnessed in a good long while. DAMN, JT.

Sweet dreams, everyone.

Easter Makes Me Angry

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Halloween – we can all agree – is the best holiday.

Happy Halloween from my Happy Haunted House in Hampden

I’d follow Halloween with Christmas, then Sukkot, The Fourth of July, and then Hannukah.

Contrary to my love of all-things Judaism, I’m actually not Jewish. Technically, I’m Methodist or Episcopalian, but in reality I’m really not anything. I describe myself as a lover of tradition, not necessarily religion. But whatever, you know? I’m evolving and not close-minded to anything.

Ok. So. I was in a horrible mood on Saturday. And there wasn’t a good reason. There really wasn’t. I went for a run. I went to the gym. I went outside in the beautiful weather. But still couldn’t shake that bad mood vibe. And then I realized it:

I really don’t like Easter. It makes me angry.

I know, right? What’s wrong with me? What makes someone hate a holiday? Reasons I can think of:

  1. My extreme dislike for the traditional food (in the case of Easter: generic jelly beans and Peeps – nasty!),
  2. Something traumatic happened,
  3. My dislike for the traditional colors (Pastel colors are the worst),
  4. Something traumatic happend,
  5. My dislike for the traditional food (Ham with cloves, scalloped potatoes), or
  6. Something traumatic happend.

I racked my brain, talked to my parents, and the only thing thing we could come up with was The Rabbit with Rabies.

Have I never told you this story before? Listen up: One Easter, I think I was ten or 11, my parents gave me a bunny rabbit for Easter. I was STOKED (though I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t remember the bunny’s name). This bunny lived in crate outside. It was elevated and by a fence, and ok – maybe in hindsight it wasn’t the best pet-care scenario – but we did everything we could to keep it safe… we thought.

Clearly, we didn’t do enough, as the bunny was bitten by some kind of wildlife, bit my dad, had rabies, and had to be put to sleep (the bunny, not my dad). I still remember watching animal control coming into my backyard while I was at home with the babysitter. Talk about trauma.

So… mystery solved? Is this why I hate Easter? Or am I just one Peep away from a total meltdown?