Running “wild” and the armchair Olympian

Ladies and gentleman, cue up the drums and trumpets, please …


Yes, the London Olympics are in full swing. Are you watching them, too? Which events do you like best?

I can’t get enough of Missy Franklin (from Centennial, Colorado — a town close to where I live) and Michael Phelps (swimming) or the Fab Five (gymnastics).

In just a few more days the running competitions will start. I can’t wait  — sprinters, marathoners, decathloners, hurdlers, steepchasers … woo-hoo!!

The Olympics have been a much needed salve for my soul these past few weeks …

Between the wild fires that raged earlier this summer and the shootings at the movie theater in Aurora a few weeks ago, we’ve had a very rough summer here in Colorado.

I am thankful that my family and I are well and safe, but it’s impossible to be a conscious person and not be affected by what’s happened.

I will never be an Olympian but watching the athletes makes me want to become a better me.

I love this Nike ad, which has aired during the Olympics, and the message it sends: that grace, grit and determination are possible within all of us.

My other coping mechanism during this strange, tragedy-filled summer — besides being an armchair Olympian — has naturally been running — preferably with friends and exploring new places.

A few weeks ago I got to race in Longmont, Colorado, with Caolan “Chronic Runner” MacMahon, which was a lot of fun.

I’ve also run trails on occasion with some of the Columbines, like this one at Bear Creek Lake Park.

My friends and I after we recently ran a 12.5 loop with a group at Bear Creek Lake Park.


On a group trail run at Bear Creek Lake Park, getting ready to climb to the top of the highest point along the course.


The group shown after cresting to the top.


A stream crossing during our group trail run at Bear Creek Lake Park.

That’s the other contagious thing about watching the Olympics. Seeing THE ATHLETES push their envelopes can challenge you to test your own.  To that end I’ve signed up for my first trail ultra, a 50K race, a few weeks after my marathon in September. It takes place along the trail shown in these pictures. I am excited and a bit scared to do it, all at the same time. Sometimes, however, you have to chances to allow yourself to grow

I hope, first of all, that I make to the starting line of that event healthy enough to do it. Then my second wish after that is to have a wonderful smile as wide as Missy Franklin’s upon finishing.

I’ve got several weeks to keep training and I plan to give it my best. Please wish me luck.

What inspires YOU to get out of your comfort zone? Is it watching Olympians? And if you could choose something new to try yourself, what would it be? I triple-dog dare you to tell me about AND  THEN DO IT!

Missy and the girls are about to swim the freestyle relay and I don’t want to miss it. Go USA!!

Thank you, Missy and Michael, and SO many others … for giving us something good to hope for again, especially here in Colorado.

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“Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let’s go!”

Mileage today: 5.5; Mileage for 2012: It’s 11 p.m. and I’m too tired to do math but I promise to fix this tomorrow!!

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