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Blogging, Buddhism, Childraising, Faith, Family, Fitness, Friendship, Living in Hawaii, Marathon training and running, Middle Age, Poetry, Quakerism, Thanksgiving, Trisomy 21, Writing
I keep my posts light on holiday weekends! I want to make sure I’m available for my family and faith and friends, and that I don’t feel what I do most of the year: the need to meet deadlines.
Fortunately, until this morning, the real deadlines were my family making it to a holiday running event organized by my coach, and then to meals with Quakers and Buddhists!
Yes, I tried a new recipe and was a little nervous, but it worked! Yes, even with Quakers and Buddhists, one navigates delicate conversations, but fortunately I didn’t twist any ankles or strain any friendships!
As I taper (my weekly mileage, not my desire to embrace life!) and try to stay healthy for two December marathons, I’m trying to play it safe so I can enjoy the holiday season and juggle deadlines and get bright, shiny finishers’ medals after it’s all over!
But I want to let readers know about my proudest accomplishment this weekend that isn’t mine: my daughter completing her first marathon — well, okay, a Keiki marathon or 2.62 miles on Thanksgiving morning!
Not bad for a girl who had a heart procedure five months ago and afterward received an all-clear from her doctor. Not bad for a girl born with an extra chromosome. Before my daughter was born, I didn’t know if she would be able to speak let alone become a distance runner!
My husband and I were with our daughter every step of the way on Thursday morning on the course. Predictably, she started out too fast, and in her excitement took hops rather than measured strides. But she was open to my suggestions about slowing down, straightening her back, bringing her arms down, lifting her head, pacing herself, and staying positive.
I could write on and on, but I think the picture with this post speaks volumes!