Written by: Amy

Monday, 5 miles with Molly G. through Rock Creek Park in DC; Tuesday, 5 miles by myself around the White House & Washington Monument

As I approached the White House tonight Akon’s “Freedom” started playing.  I got goose bumps.  It’s 85 degrees.

I was immediately taken back to China & the feelings I had on my runs there.  A typical run included seeing the 80-year-old woman picking recyclables out of the trash, store keepers hauling boxes, workers taking a nap at the construction site, families eating around a small table outside on the sidewalk and I’ll never forget the little kids yelling “HELLO” and “lao wai, lao wai, lao wai” (foreigner).  Whenever Michael Franti’s song “Oh My God” would play I got goose bumps, too.

I hit repeat on “Freedom” & kept running.

Written by: Amy

After posting about the marathon last week, I set off for the White House & extended it a little further for a 5 miles run, and haven’t hit the streets since.  I’m not sure if it’s been a week of rest, recovery or refueling…or just plain laziness.

Quite a few people have asked if I would recommend running a marathon.  The simple answer is, “No.”  Just like I answer “no” when people ask if I recommend joining Peace Corps or AmeriCorps.  The same goes for working in a family business, bike commuting or doing hot yoga.

I’ve done or am doing, each of the things listed above, but I am intimately aware that they are not “for everyone” and having a positive experience has as much to do with timing as anything else.  It also has to do with goals.

I’ve been thinking a lot about goals … and as I write this I am thinking about my goal for next week.  I will spend a week as a volunteer counselor for a high school leadership camp in northern Wisconsin.  My goal is to be fully present at camp and connected at camp, and I’m off to get a good night’s rest & not stress over thoughts left unsaid in this post.

 

Written by: Amy

Amy’s Runs: Saturday, 1 hour / approximately 4m pool run with Bridget and Amy; Sunday, 6.5m run through Rock Creek Park, the Mall and Dupont with Bridget, Gina and Colleen; Monday, 3m run to White House – 106 total miles in 2011

A month ago, Amy, tagged me with the Stylish Blogger Award, so here’s seven things about me.  Dana and Holly – you’re up next!

[ONE] I love lists.  I like the satisfaction of crossing things off a list.  I sometimes make a list to be able to cross something off the list that is already complete before I make the list.  I am also forgetful so lists help me remember.  Sometimes I forget to make a list.

[TWO] I’ve had a variety of nicknames.  Sparky, Rainbow Bling, Pep Fest, Drill Sargent, to name a few.  But I know a friendship has moved to a different level when s/he calls me “Aims.”  I’m not sure what it is about “Aims” but whenever an “Aims” slips out, I know the person is comfortable with me and has moved further along into the friend zone.

[THREE] The “M” word.  Dana said it in her last post & now I can’t get it off my mind.  Marathon.  She was inspired by me to do her own 1,000 mile year and it’s likely that she’ll inspire me to do my first marathon.  It’s like the “M” word on speed.  My first Marathon, 26.3 Miles, in Madison, Wisconsin in May.  iMpossible?

[FOUR] I love my dining room table.  It may be my most treasured physical possession, but only because it is what brings the absolute most treasured part of my life together … my friends.  The comfort of the chair is nothing compared to the comfort given to and received from a friend.  Whether it’s listening to someone tell you about their day, being reassured that whatever the drama of the moment is that it’ll be OK or recalling a fun memory from past – I cherish the moments shared around my dining room table.

[FIVE] I am a service-junkie.  My mom instilled in me the spirit of giving whatever time and talents you have to your community, as I watched her volunteer at school and church while I was growing up.  My service as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteer (04-05) and Peace Corps Volunteer in China (06-08), opened my eyes to how small decisions and large events impact the daily lives of me, those around me and those far from me.  As I’ve moved back to the private sector, I continue to look for ways to give back, if even it’s only in small ways.

[SIX] I really like music, but wish I was a better fan.  I don’t go to shows, I don’t have a favorite band, I’m not into the scene, and it’s generally hard for me to understand the lyrics.  But there’s something about the beat, the instruments, the melody and (when I take time to listen) the lyrics that fill my soul.  Recently, although I don’t speak any more Spanish tha.n ‘hola,’ I’ve found myself listening to Spanish music and have fallen head over heels for the “Te quiero tanto, tanto,tanto, tanto, tanto, cada dia un poco mas” of how the music makes me feel.  I’ve spent a lot of time listening intently to the lyrics of Michael Franti, so I often gravitate to his music when I want to be inspired.

[SEVEN]  I am human.  I make mistakes.  I feel great amounts of joy.  I get sad.  I am annoying.  I am annoyingly happy.  I am a morning person.  I will not apologize for being enthusiastic.  I am continually learning more about myself.  I am a work in progress.  I am 106 miles into my thousand mile year, and I am so grateful for all of your support.
Written by: Amy
Amy’s Runs: Monday, 3.5m treadmill run; Tuesday, 90 minutes hot yoga with Molly; Wednesday; 2m treadmill run in PA; Thursday, 6.5m run from Regan Airport to Dupont Circle; Friday, intentional rest. (Hot Yoga was at Bikram Yoga Dupont)

Little things get me excited.  I like eating with chopsticks.  Yep, every time. It’s like a mini trip back to a small plastic stool in my Chinese hometown, Tongren.  Yum, eggplant.  I like whipped milk.  Coffee hasn’t tasted the same since Jerry & Brian gave me my very own Aero Latte (thanks, guys!).  I like the black ink on my fingers after reading a newspaper.  I like touching my toes.  I like holding the door open for a stranger.  I like water – drinking, playing in, bathing.  I like beer, and I’m not picky.  I’ll drink PBR in a waterbeds for cows can koozie, a pint of stout in a dark pub or a summer ale from a sweating glass on a patio in the middle of summer.  I like sitting on the front porch or stoop talking with friends.

The flip side is that little things also make me worry.  A missed call from my mom without a message, ‘something bad must have happened, no one calls anymore.’ An unanswered email from a friend, ‘must be busy,’ another unanswered email, ‘must be seeing a new person,’ and an unanswered phone call, ‘either getting married or deeply depressed.’ (Why such extremes? – I’m not sure.)  A noise from the street, ‘who’s there?’ A kink in my neck, ‘what’s wrong?’

The little thing that got me excited yesterday was realizing that I ran over 6 miles.  I ran from the airport home – past the Jefferson, Washington Monument, White House and through Dupont Circle.  The run felt great, and I am continually amazed that I get to live in this city.  The flip side is that I also got an email from my dad with the subject “disc.”  He doesn’t use the word “excruciating” lightly or go to the emergency room without reason.  He’s seeing a specialist today, so my thoughts are with him as he works with doctors to learn more about what’s wrong and plan treatment.

This year seems to already be a year of finding balance.  Balance in work.  Balance in exercise.  Balance in relationships.  Balance in enjoying the excitement of life and finding peace in the unknown.