1,000 miles does not equal 1,000 blog posts

Written by: Amy
16 Feb 2011
Dedication Run, Hashery, Inspiration, Life Purpose, Personal Stuff, Yoga

Amy’s Runs: Tuesday, 3m treadmill run; Wednesday, 90 minutes of hot yoga with Molly, Bridget and Megan; Thursday, 3m treadmill run; Friday, rest; Saturday, 7m run with Bridget through Georgetown, Rock Creek Park Trail, down the Mall to the Capitol; Sunday, 3m run on the Mall and Dupont with Bridget and 90 minutes of hot yoga. (Hot Yoga was at Bikram Yoga Dupont)

My year of a thousand miles will not equal a year of one thousand blog entries (many of you on my Facebook feed will appreciate that fact!).  At the yoga studio last week, someone said, “It’s so nice it’s not January, the classes aren’t as crowded.”  The opposite is true on the streets in DC.  The warmer temperatures and tour buses have people out exploring this great city.

I am proud to be one who hears the crunch of the gravel beneath my feet on the Mall, smells the fried doughnuts outside of Crispy Cream, listens to the music playing on the outdoor patios in Georgetown and anticipates the budding cherry tree blossoms.   Bridget and I have been logging longer runs on the weekends and it feels good to push a little further and pick up the pace.  We aren’t speed demons by any stretch of the imagine, but we are out pounding the pavement and learning more about yourselves and our friendship through the miles.

Next Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of my good friend, Bruce Hogan.  Running brought Bruce and I together in MaCall, Idaho.  We spent the fall gardening and picking apples together.  In the winter, I made him oatmeal and warmed milk for his breakfast while learning about his rich life and the painful truths of death & cancer.  I’ve celebrated his life in the mountains of Tibet and on a beach in Vietnam.  I’m already looking forward to running with Jenna through the streets of DC to honor his memory and celebrate friendship.

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Stylish Blogger Award: Lists, “M” Word, Pep Fest & I am human.

Written by: Amy
7 Feb 2011
AmeriCorps, Inspiration, Personal Stuff

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.
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