A Marathon Takes Dedication

A marathon takes dedication, hardwork, and dedication.

I said dedication twice, because it takes twice as much dedication as hard work.  If you don’t stick to the plan there’s not a lot that hard work can do….

But as I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, this is not that kind of dedication.

I’m probably the luckiest runner in the world.  I have a support system that is enviable, and I would be a fool if I thought I could get to the start line without the help of the people in my life.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”  ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Mile Marker 1 is dedicated to the man I love.

2 is for my parents.  I'm under the impression that they think I’m a little nuts.  But it would seem they still love me anyway, so that’s nice.

3 is for my 3 Klingons - B’nut, G & C…. My little nut keeps me on my toes, my son inspires me to be ~epic~, and my C is a reminder that fashion is above all other things… form follows function… function follows fashion.

4 is for 4 strong women.  Pink Brooke & her Pink Running Wife.  You two inspire me for reasons I cannot explain in 2 sentences.  and for Ellie - savor every mile.  and for Pam because she knows the meaning of being a good running friend.

Mile 5 is for the ones we lost this year.  I think it's summed up pretty well on this sticker.  ---->

Mile 6 is for, "And then what V?" 


“Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.” 
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

"Lucky" #7 is for The Witch Dr's MAGIC THUMB.  

Mile 8 is for Birch.  Can I just say I'm so glad I was such a "jerk" that day you were working the SAG?  Thanks for reminding me that it's hot in Texas, to Try Not to Suck, and that I know how to Run like SNOT.

9... nine, feeling fine... and that's probably because I trained for this marathon with an AMAZING Posse.  This mile is dedicated to the YMCA Tuesday Morning Posse of Stephanies, Shannon, & so many others!  And I appreciate them all, even when they're having a tough time.  Miriam is one of my favorites & hot damn she is fast! believe in yourself, I do!  Stephanie, Stephanie & Mustang: embrace the moment and have fun.  Shannon, be a PR, be a PROUD RUNNER.  Kathryn & Kristi - Run Well!  Ga & Kathleen- you're only half crazy, but that's OK!  You've all worked so hard!  And NO ONE who consistently meets for a 5:15am run is any thing less than BADA**.  You ladies ROCK!

10 is for Lion.  It's just nice to know you're out there, quietly supporting and cheering.  And know that I'm doing the same.... all awkward and ~junk~.

me & Coach Black

11 is for Coach Black - because if he'd never invited me, I never would have run with Those People, and it turns out that some of Those People are kinda cool. You People, have a great race!


“What is a teacher? I'll tell you: it isn't someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows.” ― Paulo Coelho

Mile 12 is for Professor S. (first decide if this is you, or not you, so if n=2, p=.5....).  On Saturday, "Try not to suck."

And Mile 13 is for Professor S.  On Saturday "Savor every moment."  

Mile 14 is for Rene' & Meredith.  One of these days we're going to get to the same state and run together.  It's just going to happen.  Thanks to both of you for being there for me even when you're not... and Mer don't ever doubt it, it stretches from one side of the country to the other....you know what I'm saying.

15 is dedicated to NOT TACKLING THE RED SHIRTS!  ...it's harder than it looks. 

16  is the Lee Bridge.... and it's for SHANZ who was recently quoted as saying, "Don't place a limit on yourself and dont make excuses". Coz that's just how we bada$$ mother runners roll, true?  (that post was more timely than you could possibly know, friend.  thanks.  And by the way my race plan includes making this bridge my b*tch.)

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” 
― Paulo Coelho


17 I can't see a VCU sign and not think of, Cozy KC.  This mile is for you.  I'm so glad we found each other.

Mile 18 is for The MAN and the coaches of MTT Pink, Purple, Teal, Red, Black, Yellow and Green....  you've inspired me with your wisdom, your wit, and your ability to discuss literature at 5:30am.  Thank you.  *And The MAN, the color is Sprint Mint, incase you need a bottle.......

Cozy, 3L, & GBA gf

19 is for 3L.  imagine a runner at the back of a room.... sweet 3L, you are the next level.  You inspire me to be great.  and Gracious.  And your wisdom stretches far beyond running.  And thanks for being the kind of friend I can call for a Woodbridge pickup.

20 is for DeNiece & Ocean - you two are great neighbor runners.  Run well today.

21 is for SpeeDee.  Because she knows why.  Today there is no such thing as the wall.  VH.

illusive he's not

Mile 22 is for Illusive Dave... who's working on eluding his illusiveness these days, and I'm glad for that.  Dave - BTW - is a freaking awesome wedding date, should you need one of those.

23 is for Karasmatic – because she gets Tequila inspired running, and because she has mad skillz on that road bike.  Thanks for being so unexpectedly wonderful.

24 is for Pixie Green... I can't even find the words...



“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” ― Paulo Coelho

Take up running, it's fun!(even the cranky hot coach thinks so)

25 is for Q... or is that I.Q.?  Or Vinnie? (~gag~).  It's hard to say everything I'd like to say here.  I think I will just go with "Thanks for not being the coach who pats me on the head and tells me what I want to hear... and at the same time, Thanks for being the coach who pushes me a little harder, a little farther, and a little smarter with every word you share with me.".  And was that an STFU?  Because it sure sounded like an STFU...  

Mile 26 is for my running wife, T.  "It's not Napping, it's Running".  It's supposed to be hard.  If it wasn't, it wouldn't be worth doing.  If I could sum it up in 12 words or less:  "I know a GREAT place for running" & "Are you awake?".  Because honestly there are either no words, or 1200.... but not a whole lot in between.

And the last .2 is for me, because once upon a time, I might have doubted I could run a mile.  


So google purple hair, and the first link says something about "Fun Hair".  And you all know how much I love fun.  So in honor of my sense of fun, and my Scooby Doo inspired race outfit, I had T "fix" my hair.  She's a genius.  It's Freaking amazing.  


My bib is #2297, my hair is purple, my outfit is epic... yes, I am ready.  It's time to run.

galactically bada** = Always epic.

I have a fever... and the only prescription is more cowbell.

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” 

― Paulo Coelho, 

~Savor the Run~

A Letter to Q

I.Q, sounds like an SOS!

Holy wack, un-lyrical, lyrics Andre!  You're f*ckin' right...

To the rapmobile, let's go...    .

{I.Q., I.Q.}, b*tches and gentlemen, it's showtime,

hurry hurry, step right up,

introducing the star of our show, his name is, {I.Q.},

you wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now,

so without further ado,

I bring to you,

{I.Q. }

You 'bout to witness (running) in it's most

purest, more rawest form, flow almost flawless, most hardest,

most honest known artist,

chip off the old block, but ol' Q is, {back},

looks like Batman brought his own Robin,

oh G, Sadam's got his own Laden,

with his own private plane, his own pilot,

set to blow college dorm rooms doors off the hinges,

oranges, (blacks), (teals), plums,

syringes, {vnn vnn}, yeah here he comes,

he’s inches, away from you, dear fear none,

running is in a state of 911, so...

Let's get down to business,

I don't got no time to play around, what is this,

must be a circus in town, let's shut the sh*t down

on these clowns, can I get a witness?

{hell yeah}

Dear Q-sack,

I thought Detroit Marathon = Eminem.

I.Q. = Bada**

Bada** + Eminem = Angry Rap Lyrics

Hope I didn’t miss the mark, and if I did… WTFC? 

By Sunday afternoon this will all be over.

Now… on to business.

At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss. --Paulo Coelho   (obviously there is only one thing you can get from this:  Paulo is a genius.)

Did I ever tell you about that time that my hot coach went to Detroit and destroyed the Free Press Marathon?  You know what makes the story more amazing?  He had surgery in February of that same year.  This guy can run… you should look him up….  He’s a freaktastic coach.  On the coaching scale, he's way better than me...

Seriously though, of all the athletes I have ever coached to Detroit, you’re my favorite, and in the year it’s been since I first considered giving you CPR, I’ve really enjoyed 'coaching' you.  

(~ah, well, huh~ that sounds a lot more interesting in print than it was in reality)

I know you have some sayings you give to your athletes before a marathon.  Well, I have some too.

The Hay is in the Barn… and that sh*t is rough on the skin and itches like a mo'fo, so don’t forget to glide.

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, let the race come to you, and remember it’s only ~like~ 42,000 meters.

Try NOT to suck…   I made that up myself…

You didn’t train for 24 weeks not to bring it on race day…. ^ See above ^.

Galactically Bada** is a state of mind. 

When you see the mile 22 mile marker, just remember, “You’ve got GREAT STAMINA… call me!”

AND when someone says, “JUST KEEP GOING!”, the appropriate response is “THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID.”

AND finally, the most important aspect of GBA marathoning... when things feel a little rough, it's always OK to tell the volunteers & spectators that you “NEED MORE COWBELL.”

Be in the moment.  This is your day, your season, relax and enjoy it.  

You are great.  The proof is all around you.  

If you can't see that, I will help you figure out where to look....

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” ― Paulo Coelho

~savor the run~

g.