martinimade

I'm still struggling to recover from the race this weekend. On the upswing, mind you, and will be greatly helped out by the three-day weekend we're about to enjoy. And, yet, my body and brain keep giving up on the day far earlier than I might hope. Or maybe that's a result of the onset of Fall. Or both, come to think of it.

Regardless, I did manage to write about the Wineglass Half Marathon over at Another Mother Runner....

Last weekend, I woman'd the Another Mother Runner booth with Erica and Michelle at Zooma Cape Cod.* Michelle's picture of us shopgirls is probably the best -- and if you click the link you can read about her kick-ass 10K. I spent the weekend coveting her Boston Marathon jacket, as one does, and greatly enjoying the company of two wonderful, strong, smart women. 

Which isn't to say there weren't other wonderful, strong, smart women there. I just didn't spend as much time with them.

Like Michelle, I ran the 10K. Coach Christine let me know I had to keep my inner beast leashed for the run, otherwise I totally would have won this bad boy. Ahem. 

It was a great run. The scenery couldn't have been prettier.

Nor could the weather have been more ideal. I ran it in 1:18 and change, which is by far my fastest 10K ever, but never really pushed terribly hard. And, while I was running through the finish chute, this wonderful woman jumped in and joined me:

As she peeled off to rejoin the folks she was waiting with, she said, "That was so much FUN!" Truth, sister. Truth.

It was a huge confidence boost to run so quickly (for me) and feel so good as I slide into the Wineglass Half this Sunday, where I hope to PR. And confidence is key. Physically, I think I'll be fine. The mental game, however, can get a little shaky. Still, I have grand plans to kick its ass.

Before the kicking, some other mother runners and I, will be womaning that Expo. Come see us, if you're in the area!

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* Zooma is a woman-centric race series that holds events all over the country at swanky, scenic resorts.** Napa Valley looks particularly tempting.

** This was taken about 20 feet from our hotel room. 

RIGHT?

Usually I start my Friday post with a quote. This week, however, I'm linking to a video. You'll likely be able to work out why it resonated with me.

And! Martini Friday is live! I'll be taking a wee break in writing the column until October 11, mostly because the next couple of weekends will involve packing for race expos, race expos, public speaking*, racing, and recovering. As one does.

* If you ever need someone to hold forth on running, knitting, or parenting, drop me an email. It's a thing I love to do and, now that I'm not teaching, something I don't get to do nearly enough.

There is a great moment on Scandal when Cyrus says, "Being a mother isn't a job." With three kids of your own, do you agree with that?

Rhimes: I feel very strongly about that statement. When I put it in, we had a big talk about it in the writer's room. They were like, "Shonda!" and I was like, "It's true!" You cannot quit being a mother. Calling it a job belittles it. It goes part and parcel with the whole idea of motherhood as a sacrifice. Some site tweeted, "Getting no sleep when you have a newborn is a badge of honor!" And I was like, No it's not! It sucks! And we should be able to say it sucks. The greeting cards that are like, Mother, you sacrificed so much for me -- the glorification of mothers who are doormats for their children? Where is the greeting card that's like, Mother, thank you for teaching me how to be a CEO? Mother, thank you for teaching me how to make money? Mother, thank you for teaching me how to kick ass and take names? Those are the greeting cards that I want my child to get when she is a mother. So when people are like, "Oh, it's the most important job you'll ever have"? No. The most important job I'll ever have is my job.

-- From Entertainment Weekly's interview with Shonda Rhimes, who kicks ass and takes names.

Plus my most recent AMR column is now live: About that 5K.

"Dr. MacMillan had had a hard struggle with the breech baby, and when that was safe, with the mother, who seemed obstinately set upon dying. It was nine o'clock before she was satisfied that they both intended to stay, and she could go upstairs for a bath, a cup of strong coffee and an hour's sleep before the day's work began."

-- Kerry Greenwood, Cocaine Blues, a Phryne Fisher Mystery, which aren't the most ground-breaking books or TV series around but are so blessedly comforting when the day has been long that it's impossible to give them up, nor should you have to.

And in the shameless promo dept., this week's Martini Friday is up!

“The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” 

― John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running

Also some shameless self-promotion: What My Problem Is, via Martini Fridays.

Now that it's official, I'll be at the Cape Cod Zooma Race on September 25 and 26. I'll be slinging Another Mother Runner gear at the Expo and giving a talk about embracing your wicked fierce inner runner on Friday evening. Come say howdy! 

On Sunday, I gave the sermon at the UUSO, which is the place worship (and post-service coffee and cakes) we call home.

We also need a new marquee -- but you get the idea.

I generally give the reflection at the church once a year, usually during the Christmas season when schedules get strange. The most recent one is now in podcast form here. But I was asked to fill in during the summer this year. I initially declined, mostly because I didn't have any ideas in my head. Then, suddenly, while out on a run, I knew what I wanted to talk about. 

Right now, the reflection is just available in manuscript form and I'll paste it behind the cut. When the podcast is edited and available, I'll call attention to it, too. It might be something to listen to while out on your own run -- or while pursuing whatever goal might tickle your fancy.

"The first rule of Parenting from the Couch is not to talk about Parenting from the Couch. Whatever you do, do not to tell anyone judgy about this. (You know, that perky friend down the street who does crafts with the kids with sincere happiness? Yah. Not her.) They will not get it and will fill you with endless stories of how they love spending time with the kids. They will make you feel like a complete jerk, a total ingrate, that you long to escape your children. We all know the "Cat's in the Cradle" song, but that guy's dad was an asshole. He didn't spend any time with his kids, so screw him."

-- On Parenting from the Couch.

And in other news, Martini Friday is up! Unlike the actual Martini, who'd much rather remain in bed.

No time for a quote. Here is this week's Martini Friday: Nope.