List of Inspiration

This list is not in a specific order, but they are things that I think about while running that give me energy and happiness.

#1 My dogs. They run and chase each other in circles, cutting in front of each other, racing in and out of rooms, ears back, excitedly yapping, joyful. They take turns instigating the chase. This morning the chase continued from outside to inside. Zeus jumped up on the couch, uninvited, so I told him to get down. He leaped over the BACK of the couch, right in front of Rose, which, of course, led to more chasing! They also run after squirrels, never giving up, thinking each and every day this might be the day as they explode out the door.

#2 William, going on 40 this year, and signing up for a marathon to celebrate! His energy and drive continues to inspire me. And, he's a great planner. Just like training for the long bike rides we did, he found a good, gradual plan for us to run this marathon. I exercise regularly just because I like how it makes me feel, but Will is good at setting a BIG goal and planning the small steps to get there. He has also has researched and read a lot about running, and shares it with me.

#3 The new moms I know. They run after a few hours of sleep, waking up early before their husbands leave for work. Pure commitment that I find amazing. My excuses get caught in my mouth every time I think of these ladies.

#4 My mom who has never really thought of herself as strong. Though she had three out of four of us without medication (the last one did a flip the day before her birth and was breech so my mom had a cesarean.) One of us with Pitocin.. which as I've seen at client's births create crazy intense contractions. I always admired her dancing calves growing up, and hope all this running will create some of my very own!

#5 My kids. Luke and Amelia amaze me. Luke was voted "most improved player" in his football team. It was all the extra work he put in, on top of the almost daily scheduled practices, that paid off. Any weakness he saw, he worked on. One day when I didn't feel like running, I asked him what he did when he didn't feel like going to football. He said "I do it anyway." Amelia amazed me in her dance performance last week. She really is beautiful, graceful, and strong. She dares to do things that scare me, performing in front of a huge crowd, twirling and skating backwards on one leg on ice.

#5 My sister Cheryl who not only summits mountains, but makes the trails to get there. Her example graduating college while working also inspires me. She teaches me so much it often seems she should be my big sister.

#6 My sister Jenna who has the hardest pregnancies of anyone I know, but still manages to do so much for her family and extended family, church, and neighbors. I think her capacity to love fuels her.

#7 My brother Jeremy who despite injuries and surgeries continuous to push himself hard personally, coach his kids sports teams, and take scouts on hikes.

#8 My Dad. He taught me to be active, and strong, through example. He can no longer do very much because of a back injury from a helicopter crash he was in, and I know he would if he could. So, I run for him. He always had amazing endurance. He'd work 10 hours hiking as a wild life biologist, then take off for a run. He'd come home from fighting wildfires and want to take us kids swimming, teach us to bike, throw the football, play basketball. He always seemed full of energy.

#9 My mountain biking gang. The friendliest, and sometimes fiercest competition I've ever experienced in sports. Page, the rabbit, who would speed off up hills and race down them while I, more of the turtle, would go slow and steady. Sometimes she'd tire out and in time I'd pass by, sometimes she'd crash but only because she was fearless. Kim, the mountain goat, who could get her bike up the steepest hill. Who had more challenges than anyone to stay healthy because of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but ate well and kept exercising despite the pain. And, Cindy, who taught me it's okay to be at the back of the pack, enjoying nature. After four natural childbirths I think she knew she was strong, and that confidence let her accept her own pace and not get caught up in the competition. She stuck with it until she was often in the lead, but still seemed to be there just for the fun of it.

#10 Kids running. Just to run. Laughing and running!

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