Come on in... sit down, and have a cup of dare!

Come on in... sit down, and have a cup of dare!
The Dare Chair... scroll down the page to find out what this chair is all about!

Quote of the Week

"Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it." ~Bernard Meltzer

Get Your Groove On! Choose any song you wish, and start dancing in the kitchen!


Sunday, October 11, 2009

I Had a Dream...


"When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."
~Carol Burnett

I had a dream... It started as a dare, and quickly became a dream. What's the difference? To me, a dream is something that has very little chance of becoming reality. The odds are stacked against it; the dream is the underdog. I've always cheered for the underdogs, and I've always believed the improbable could really happen.

My dream? To run a half-marathon. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've always hated running. In elementary school, I was always third from last in long-distance running. I just don't think I'm built to be a runner. So, I challenged myself to meet this running demon head on.

Many obstacles blocked my path on my journey leading up to the race. Little, or no training time, lack of sleep, sick child, crazy-busy schedule, nobody to go with me, or to be at the finish line, etc. The day before the race, my friend, Brenda, said., "So many doors have closed for you. Do you ever think that maybe you shouldn't run this race?" I thought for a brief second, and said, "No." I've had those times in my life when a little voice has told me, "Not a good idea... Something is wrong; don't do it!" I've listened, and obeyed. This was different. This was more of a mocking... "You can't do this. What are you thinking? Your not in good enough shape. You hate running. You will never finish." I wasn't about to give in!!!

The morning of the race, I was up at 4 am. All set, ready to go... I opened the door to over an inch of SNOW!! Snow on October 10th?!?! Great. Slushy, icy roads, and hour and a half drive in blinding, blowing snow. Was this a sign? No, just another annoying obstacle laughing at me. About 30 minutes into my drive, something happened that has NEVER happened to me in the 10 years I've been living up north. I hit a deer!

After surveying the damage, I got back into my car, very carefully due to the thick ice and snow that accumulated on my running boards, and called my husband. He was amazing, and supportive. I LOVE THAT MAN! My hands stopped shaking, and I started to see the humor in it all. Nothing was going to stop me... THE RACE MUST GO ON!

I made it to Ashland, found a parking spot after a few attempts, and headed through wind and snow to get my racing number. Took a school bus to the starting line. "Geesh, this sure seems like a long ride! I've got to run all the way back? What did I get myself into?" Off the bus, and into the shed to retrieve my timing chip. One hour until race time. Suddenly I noticed something. The snow... it stopped. The sun was shining! "Thank you God! You allowed Satan to tempt me. He wanted me to quit, but I never did. Thank you for the sunshine!!"

Many thoughts ran through my head during the race. Some doubt crept in, but I quickly gave it the boot, and concentrated on the beauty around me, and breathing. Miles 1-5 were challenging. I felt like my lungs were trying to keep up. It was so cold! Miles 6-9 were great. I was actually jogging more than walking, for the first time in my life! "Woo hoo!! If only my Phy. Ed. teacher from school could see me now!"

Suddenly, at mile 10, I hit a huge, unbreakable wall. It felt like my legs were filled with cement. Cramps that began at mile 5 were hard to ignore. People were walking faster than I could jog. Now, some of THAT is due to the tools I was born with. My legs... are short! I watched long-legged people breeze by. NOT FAIR!! I have to take twice as many steps, at least! And my huge leg muscles... I'd like to see them run a race with 10 pound weights on their thighs! Anyway, back to the race...

At mile 12, a kind lady handed me water at the hydration station. "I died back at mile 10," I told her, "I'm just having an out of body experience at this point." The only problem with that theory is that I don't think an out of body experience involves the amount of pain I was feeling.

Crossing the finish line was great, but having the medal put around my neck, which all finishers receive, was one of the best feelings, ever. I will never forget that moment, and to be perfectly honest, I am tearing up just telling you about it. My dream had come true. That, my friends, is priceless.

The hour and a half ride home was filled with reliving moments of the race in my mind, and... coughing. Glad I was by myself. I'm not a smoker, but the ol' lungs got quite a workout. Once home, I painfully made my way to the house. Quite a sight, I'm sure. The steps were now my enemies, and every step I walked was a reminder of the 13 miles I had conquered. The steps up to my house may have been my enemies, but ibuprofen suddenly became my best friend.

As for the medal? It's around my neck, and I'm not taking it off; you can't make me! ;)

You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.


3 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your first half marathon. It is great that you have been able to overcome so many obstacles. What is next?

Lisa said...

Well, my brother is convinced that you'll talk me into the kortelopet. I've completed the Birkie, and swore I would never do it again... I have my medal. Time will tell! I definitely want to enter 10K runs, and half-marathons, though. There's no fear factor involved in those, as in the Birkie!!!

Rachel said...

Never say never my fleet footed friend! You may just come down with Birkie Fever...it's quite contagious and since you've had it once...well, it simply makes you more susceptible;) Thank you for sharing the journey! Whistle Stop (check;) Miss and love you! Rachel

The Dare Chair

Come on in, and pull up a chair! I'm here to inspire you, encourage you, or just plaine Double Dog Dare you to get out and do something you never thought you could do! Periodically, I'll add a quote, comment, or story which will hopefully give you just enough of a nudge to follow your dreams... to take that class, go rock climbing, run a marathon, start that exercise routine, eat healthy, write a book, or whatever your heart desires. You are the author of your life... live it!

Monday: Sit down, have a cup of dare, and write down your goals. Post them all over the house, if it helps! No matter how crazy the goals seem, don't talk yourself out of them! You are strong, you are invincible, you are WOMAN!

Tuesday:
Find a friend to hold you accountable. Accountability is huge! If you have a network of support, your chances of failing are less. Make sure you choose someone that is not afraid of pushing you! Usually moms, grandmas and husbands are not the best choices; they're either afraid of hurting your feelings, think you are fine just the way you are, or do not want to end up in the dog's house! So, choose that friend that is honest, no matter what the cost... trust me, you'll need her!

Wednesday:
Okay, so now you have someone to hold you accountable; great start. Now, be a blabber-mouth. Tell as many people as you can what your goal is. Knowing that so many people are waiting for you to succeed will be a huge motivator. I know when I skiied the Birkie, there were many times along the trail that I truly wanted to quit. I knew I had a cheering section on Main Street waiting for me to cross that finish line. That was enough to motivate me to keep going, one stride at a time.

Thursday:
If you fully realize nothing else, take a big dose of reality on this one... this is going to be hard, uncomfortable, and many times not enjoyable (depending on what the goal is). So, now that you know that, get over it! Achieving your goal will be worth the sweat and tears. Really... it will. Push yourself beyond your former limits. Get rid of self doubt! Even if it is the hardest thing you've ever done, do it with all you've got! Swallow your insecurities, hide your inhibitions, and show yourself just how strong you really are. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Friday:
Try not to look too far into the future. Break your goal into steps, and focus on one at a time. Now, if your goal is to join a class, by all means bite the bullet and do it now; no need to take baby steps on that one! But, if your goal is for example, a marathon, don't quit after the first week because you can't run ten miles! Give yourself time to reach the larger goals. In the meantime, give it ALL YOU'VE GOT, and be pleased with the little steps towards your goal.

Saturday:
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP!!! (Take it from Winston Churchill... he knew what he was talking about!)


Sunday:
Take one day to rest, or have a special treat. You've worked hard all week, but make sure you don't reward yourself too much... i.e. a whole bag of Hershey's Kisses!!!

SHARE YOUR SUCCESSES WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SHOW THEM YOUR PROGRESS, WHETHER IT IS ART WORK YOU'VE DONE, CLASS WORK, A NEW DANCE YOU'VE LEARNED, OR THE NEW PAIR OF PANTS YOU NOW FIT INTO. CELEBRATE!!

Check out the Blog Archive for writings pertaining to the Dare Chair: April--Uncomfortable, Checking In

INSPIRING QUOTES: If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell. ~Lance Armstrong
If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather that dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities.
Barbara Bush
Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.
John F. Kennedy
He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
Louisa May Alcott
There's a need for accepting responsibility - for a person's life and making choices that are not just ones for immediate short-term comfort. You need to make an investment, and the investment is in health and education.
Buzz Aldrin

This Chick's Groovy Music... start dancin'!

  • Aretha Franklin
  • Chicago Motion Picture Soundtrack... This one is great to sing along to... especially when cleaning the house!
  • Chris Botti... great trumpet player, his music is just beautiful!
  • Christmas Music, of course! Bing, Frank, Rosemary... all the classics!
  • Diana Krall
  • Ella Fitzgerald
  • Eric Clapton... I can' t seem to hear enough of his music lately!
  • Eva Cassidy... worth finding!
  • Johnny Cash - great for two-stepping around the kitchen island... if a babe is in your arms, all the better! (A tiny babe, or a Hunky Babe... either one will do!)
  • Loggins & Messina.... ahh... "feel good" music
  • Neil Diamond... I've loved his music my whole life.
  • Norah Jones
  • Phantom of the Opera (motion picture soundtrack)
  • Ray Charles... I can't help but to smile when I hear him sing.
  • Renee Olstead
  • The Notebook Motion Picture Soundtrack