Shine Om

"Sometimes the universe smiles upon you."

~N.T.

I always enjoy the month of August, mostly because of the beautiful light.  As the sun rises in the morning, it brings with it a promising shimmer, full of golden sparkles and smatterings of optimism.  Conversely, evening creates an amber glow, allowing flowers to drift into sleep under a warm golden blanket, while being gently lulled by the serene songs of crickets and cooing doves.  It's truly one of my favorite experiences--the sunrises and sunsets of my dear August.

But this August, between those sunrises and sunsets, I made some new and wonderful friends- friends that will forever hold a most special place in my heart.

You see, this August I completed my yoga instructor certification, a certification that I owe to those dear friends.  

I've been beyond blessed to have found myself surrounded by such amazing individuals-- It has truly been my honor and privilege to learn with them.  They will forever be carried with me, as they were there for step one of my yoga journey.

Namaste, my yoga friends.

May bright, beautiful, and positive light always illuminate your paths.

August 25: A Radically Awesome Day

"When Zoloft and balloon animals can't seem to raise your spirits, the best way to brighten your life is to run the Color Me Rad 5K."

~colormerad.com

It was one of those things I tucked away in the back of mind, thinking "Gee- that would be fun."

And then, one day, while checking my e-mail, the happy little "ding" announced a full inbox.  As I sifted through the messages, scanning and deleting, my eyes fell upon the words 'color' and 'rad' and my interest piqued.

Who in the world could resist such fun?

Not me.  No way.  

The "race" (I use the word liberally) wasn't even timed.  Perfect.  I'm working on toning down the competitive edge-- I'll keep you posted on how that goes.  (wink, wink)

The magic of colored dust shouldn't be lost on anyone.  Try it sometime.  You'll never forget it.

Between the blasting music, the happy people, and the crazy outfits one couldn't help but to have an extreme amount of fun.

Do you see this neon blue haze?

Surprisingly, I started the school year with an ultra-hip blue streak across left side of my hair.  Apparently a bit of dust got trapped under a pigtail holder for a bit too long....oops.

I'm still reeling from the fun. I've never been so gross or took such a long shower.  Plus, over a week later and I still sport a greenish stripe.  Awesome. Pure Awesome.

Colorful Weekend Happiness

"May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility."

~Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey

I hope your weekend brought happiness and sunshine and all the things that provide contentment to your spirit. My weekend? Fabulous. It was the absolute best.

I enjoyed numerous bike trips to and from a quaint little town that may just become my new summer retreat. Biking is quickly becoming my new favorite form of physical activity. Between the beautiful scenery and the quality workout, I'm finding myself very fulfilled. Plus, I get to spend tons of time laughing, racing, and joking around with my favorite people.

Blue skies abound!

I fell in love with this most interesting modification to a typical school bus. Genius. I propose we do this to the local buses. I guarantee more children would attend school.

Orange cone flowers- one of my new favorites.

The Firefly Grill had an amazing hummus plate. I could have had seconds, thirds and fourths.

Eating under these umbrellas provided the refreshing, shady break we needed after an intense biking adventure.

And, I filled up Gertie's basket with locally grown fruits, peach-rhubarb jelly and jalapeno mustard. Um, Yum.

I'm also proud to report that I polished off one of these pints of blueberries all by myself. It took me a grand total of 0.35642 minutes. My mouth is permanently stained. toothy blue grin.

I did spot an entire shelf of homemade puppy treats for Charlie, but due to the inflated price I resisted. Instead I gave her an extra-large portion of Cheerios when I returned home. She loved me.

How neat are these river ships? I'll be traversing the Yough in one soon. Promise.

Great Weekend...
...Good Times
Pretty Places...
...Delicious Food
Wonderful People...
...Fields of Fireflies
Laughs...
...Fireworks
Love...

An Outdoorsy Weekend

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

~Mark Twain

What do you get when you combine a few bikes,

a beautiful day on a picturesque trail,

and some refreshing ice-cream?

Answer: A perfect day with my favorite people.

Hello, Gertie.

"Life is like riding a bicycle: you don't fall off unless you stop pedaling."

~Claude Pepper

Allow me to introduce Gertie, my new summer ride. I'm so in love that I can't even describe it. Today, she took me riding on some beautiful trails and we enjoyed nature at it's finest. Bliss, I tell you. Bliss.

I can already see her basket overflowing with fresh fruit and veggies and pretty posies from Cascio's and the farmers' market. Oh, yes, excited I am.

Keep your eyes open for Gertie and I. We'll be out and about pretty much every day.

Yippie Skippie!!

Mission Accomplished

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-Patti Sue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

Yesterday I ran the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon. Actually, allow me to clarify; my artificial heart valve and I ran the half-marathon.

Running the 13.1 mile course proved the most physical and mentally challenging task I've ever taken on. I did it though, and I'm still feeling the euphoria.

Though my legs throb and ache, and going up or down steps presents a cumbersome challenge, I enjoy the pain. It reminds me of the struggle. It emphasizes the journey.

Thank you, legs, for carrying me through each step of the race.

Thank you, mental fortitude, for pushing through when all rational screamed to stop.

Thank you, heart, for beating strong and well.

Thank you, body, for allowing me to push you to the limit.

Having the opportunity to participate in such a motivating event touched my spirit in a way I can't begin to explain. Perhaps it rekindles old memories of days when I wasn't so healthy, or maybe it reaffirms my belief in making healthy decisions. Either way, looking around at the 17,000 runners had a very emotional effect on me.

It was only 6:30 in the morning, yet people of all ages, each with their own unique story, were lined up and ready to push their bodies to the limit. I teared up during the National Anthem.

2 hours, 6 minutes, and 3 seconds after starting, I crossed the finish line.

So many people take their health for granted. I, however, am thankful and blessed. I'm a survivor. My mission, for now, has been accomplished.

Call Me Dorothy

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."

~H.G. Wells

Donning a pony tail, flip-flops, and sunglasses, I proudly pedaled myself all over town today. Enjoying the sun on my face and the wind at my back, I felt 7 years old again. I've reached the age where I no longer care how I appear to others. I was smiling and giggling as I zipped through neighborhoods, zoomed along main roads, and climbed cumbersome hills. Thank you, bicycle. I had a most wonderful time.

For the spring, summer and early autumn, I'm planning on taking my bicycle everywhere: the fruit market, library, little coffee shop. Well, anywhere that doesn't require a professionally groomed look, anyway. Goodbye automobile! Adios petroleum drinking machine! Toodle-do carbon emitting engine!

Just wait until you see how stunning my bicycle appears when sporting a little basket and horn. Oh I simply can't wait. I'm practically clicking my heels at the thought.

Grateful

"He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything."

~Arabian Proverb

A lot of people ask me why I run.

Answer: Because I can.

When I was 12 years old, my world changed. I was no longer the pre-teen girl who strutted around in her cute bikini top and ate ice-cream at the pool with her friends. Rather I was the 12 year old on total bed rest, pumped full of drugs and praying for an end.

My heart no longer worked. More specifically, my Mitral Valve. I was in congestive heart failure and full of an infection known as Rheumatic Fever. Surgery was necessary, but not an option due to the severity of the infection running through my body. I waited, in bed, from May until October, when surgery was considered safe. Heart Surgery-- every young girl's dream come true.

But, if you take a walk through Children's Hospital, heart surgery seems minor. Heck, I felt like a wimp to only be having heart surgery. The cancer patients, those crippled with life-ending disease, the babies who who were kept alive by tiny tubes and monitors-- those were the tough ones. Me and my heart surgery were no big deal. Seriously.

My dad once said, "If you think you're having a bad day, take a walk through Children's Hospital."

So true. Kids aren't supposed to get sick- let alone die. Parents aren't supposed to keep vigil over their child's hospital bed. It isn't natural and it's not right. But, it happens-- everyday. Go walk through that hospital. I dare you. Your problems will seem like small potatoes.

I went back to Children's Hospital for a check-up on Tuesday, with the gentle prodding of my close friend and family. For the most part, I resist going to the doctor. I'm afraid. But, for the first time in two years, I returned to the same miraculous place that heals children and keeps families together.

Thankfully, I got a perfect bill of health. Not that I was expecting anything less, but it's always good to be reaffirmed. I was told that I am the healthiest patient they have ever seen in the cardiology department- and it was a sincere declaration. I was cleared to run my half-marathon and a full marathon and to do anything else that my strong heart desired.

Am I grateful? You bettcha. Am I happy? I'm elated.

Fourteen years ago, my life was changed. Having heart surgery wasn't always the easiest thing, but it's probably been the biggest blessing in my life. Through trials I have learned perseverance and through disappointment I've come to understand victory.

I will be the first Children's Hospital, cardiac patient to run a half-marathon or a full marathon.

There's one for the record book.

Why do I run?

Answer: Because I can.

*My sweet mama (she's the lovely lady in the photo) and I celebrated my wonderful appointment by doing a little shopping. How about these spring colors? Pretty, huh?

First Reasonable Outdoor Run of 2009

"All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be that or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. And you will tell them yes."

~Nike

So maybe I splashed in a few slush puddles and carefully sidestepped over a couple slick spots, but I got to breathe in the fresh air and have the wind gently blowing in my face. I'm so rejuvenated that I can hardly type. Running outside proved just the fix for the Wednesday slumps. Now, my motivation is in high gear and I'm dying to head back under the sky, pound the pavement, and add a few more miles to the training log.

As of right now, 66 days and 11 hours remain until the half-marathon in Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure that it's time to kick this running program into full gear. I do love the gym and my nifty treadmill, but there's no substitution for being outside and enjoying a true, authentic, invigorating run.

So, as for the title of my post, "First Reasonable Outdoor Run of 2009," it's all about how the first outdoor run of the new year was a race Melissa and I ran in the middle of January--completely ridiculous and totally unreasonable.

Known as the "Fire and Ice 5K", it was much more ice than fire. Actually, as the race commenced the lovely Somerset temperature was -7 degrees. I'm sure you can sense the enthusiasm we felt as we prepared for our outdoor adventure. Thankfully, we did well and had some true fun. Yep, we're sick...

Therefore, today provided the reasonable temperature of 39.9 degrees- perfect pre-spring running weather. Call me crazy, but I had to take advantage of this rare February opportunity.

As I ran, I did more than my fair share of mind wondering. However, as I watched the sky turn from a baby blue to a tie-dyed menagerie of purple, pink, yellow, and orange, I dreamed of summer days filled with all things warm and lovely....

I enjoy the above picture because I took it on a warm summer evening. The neighborhood smelled of freshly cut grass and the remains of delicious cook-outs, the warm sun just began it's setting ritual, and young children were riding bikes, playing on swing-sets, or finding themselves fully immersed in a game of hide and seek.

Dear Summer,

I'm ready. Please come soon. I want to run outside.

Thank you,

Cathy

* As you can see, I'm finally allowing myself these pleasant thoughts. Summer. Running. Freshly cut grass.