The Journey

 So a running buddy called me a week before a 200 mile relay race from Flintstone, MD to Washington, DC. Her team needed one more runner to replace a person who could not attend due to a life event. I said, "Sure, I can do this."  I tend to be a "Yes" girl.  I like to say "Yes" more than "No." So there I sat in my pajamas not knowing what adventure awaited me. Six days after the call, I met the team for dinner and headed up to a hotel close to the course start. I must say I was nervous. I did not feel prepared. I observed how calm my teammates were and internally I was hoping to not let them down. See, I was Leg one of a 200 mile race. Leg 1-Rocky Gap Trail. 0500 There I was at the start. Pumped and ready. It was pitch dark when the race started. My 0500 wave started and off I went. I had a map of the course and followed the directions as best as I could. Before I knew it I was under a canopy of trees. It was dark. No, it was p

T-minus one~Breathe, Beats and Breaths Two weeks ago, I planned on completing the Chicago tri to honor my friend who passed away from cancer, but I did not complete that triathlon.  Today, I participated in the Diamondman triathlon in Delaware.   In six months, a beautifully, vibrant 50-something was gone.   Her birthday is September 7.   Her name started with a T.   As I slowly watched my friend drift from this realm into another, I learned the meaning of breathing, beats and breath.   I am humbled still.  You know the beginning of the triathlon when you have done all the training and the race announcer counts down 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 3, 2,……. 1.   In that one second everything becomes a blur, at least it does for me.   I start with simple and slow breathing.   I look to the sky to capture air and the sea to exhale.   Today, I remember looking up at the sky. It was beautiful. The moon was still out.   Stars were not visible, but still there.   I thought of my fri