Life is good - 6 miles lots of smiles

I'm in the yellow on rt. This was from Hollywood 

Half marathon I felt as happy as I look in that pic

today.

Today I had one of those runs that if you could just bottle it up and capture it - you'd run every day happy.

The weather was perfect and it just felt good to be out there.

During my run I thought about a lot of things - I thought about 9/11 and my high school classmate, Chris Amoroso, who was a Port Authority police officer. He ran into the towers multiple times to save others but ultimately gave his own life trying to help others. While it was emotional to think of, it also reminded me of how blessed I am and it made me feel proud to have known such a hero.

I thought about the fact that I'm so lucky that I get to run. That I'm healthy, my legs work, my heart beats. That the day was so beautiful and that I am blessed with the love of friends and family.

I thought about my little documentary film that is struggling to raise the financing it needs but knowing that with every cell in my body that it's going to get made somehow because there are 12 teammates who have been brought together for a reason. And I believe that reason is to inspire others to  do what they think they can't.

I also thought about some upcoming races - I just signed up for the Long Beach, CA half marathon, so I'll be heading back West to run along the Pacific Ocean and I'll be running the other side of the country and along the Atlantic Ocean during my Atlantic City half.

Somedays, for no reason at all, you just appreciate being alive and this is one of those days.

XO

PS: As of right now there are 55 hours left in our From Fat To Finish Line film fundraising campaign. We are desperately working to get there but it's looking bleak. If you can pledge a little something we'd appreciate it. If we don't get to goal, you never get charged. http://kck.st/MGYi3i

Why I Run: Life is good

Today has been a great day.

I am very honored to have my essay - Why I Run featured in 'Another Mother Runner' blog.  I am a huge fan of this blog and have been following it since the beginning of my journey.  I also read the book that the bloggers Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea penned, Run Like a Mother on the plane to the San Diego marathon.

These women rock! They are very accessible and supportive to the running community and are contributors to Runner's magazine.

Anyway, it just filled me with such a good feeling to see that they thought my little 'ol journey was interesting enough to share with their community and I'm extremely appreciative and humbled.  If you get a chance and feel like reading it click the link above.

In other news, I got to fit in a four mile run today (treadmill) but it was a tough run for some reason. I was pretty fatigued by 2.5 miles in and my music seemed stale and it was feeling like the longest run ever.  However, I couldn't come up with a good enough excuse to quit the run so I just kept going. I gave myself permission to run slower if I had to (walk even) but under no circumstance would I not get to four miles. I stuck it out and got there. I'm happy about that.

From I <3 to run - thought this was so true!

I've been feeling super blessed lately. For so long I focused on what I didn't have but now all I can see is the great stuff I do have.  Family, friends, health, running (and of-course that doesn't begin to scratch the surface.)  As of today I have 140 followers of this blog. That's incredible - what a community!  I'm so appreciative.  Thank you for commiserating with me when I feel yucky, cheering me on when I need the support and teaching me something or making me laugh with your great comments.

Hope you are all gearing up for a fantastic holiday weekend.

XO
Jen