Highs and Low

I hate the fact that my life is manic; great day, bad day, great run, bad run, great decision, bad decision. I am all about the ebb and flow of life but lately it has been way too much.
Right now I am so tired from school. Two days to go and I am hanging on emotionally. Been a long year of humbling experiences and lots of learning for me. I am not the best leader and want to be so much better than I am. I know I have so much to learn about being a motivation, inspiring, truthful and impactful leader - all the things I am suppose to be as a vice-principal. But, it is so hard when I just love the people I work with and have to disappoint them with decisions I am part of or things I know that I can not share.
Grad last week was awesome. The kids were perfecto and there were 30+ staff members in attendance all helping with the preparations or serving - what a team. Then the next day, bam, back at hurting people with decisions. Then, a great staff party, then bam, having to tell someone that I do not support an initiative they want to start - ouch.
Now, the running, yucky. Our marathon leader has been disappointing many participants in the course because of his lack of communication and support. I have run the last 3 weeks on my own and it is rough - long, boring and tough. I once again am having my doubts about being able to complete 26 miles in just over 100 days. Lindsay, Alicia and Megan and the whole crew keep me going but I really am missing something - I just can't figure out what it is. Lennie thinks it is just because I am so tired and need our summer vacation. I am off to Seattle next week to see my brother, sister in law, niece and nephew. I am hoping that the fun we are going to have will jump start my batteries and get me back to having fun with my running.
Fingers crossed.

Cool new purchase

Ok, I am not a shopper per say but I do like to have cool things and yesterday in my Runners World magazine I found a cool item.
I have been looking for a way to display my medals and bibs from races and have ordered a hook thing from Heavymedalz.com.
I have 3 medals right now and will have 5 by the end of the year including the Chicago Marathon one - cool eh!

Great runs make all the difference

Ok, I am going to be honest...I have had my doubts the last 2 weeks about me actually being able to finish a marathon. I have been very negative, pissed about my runs, and not feeling well.

Well, I am here to tell you that everything has turned around. I have had 3 great runs in a row including a very fun and fast 10km this morning in which I feel the best I ever had after a fast 10km. I am very excited for Chicago and even signed up for the Toronto Scotiabank 1/2 marathon on September 26th.

I also am getting very excited about returning to Fitness Ridge for 3 yes 3 weeks this summer. I am going to do the stop sign route in under 1 hour, kick ass during the boxing classes and work really hard to get ready for Chicago.

I find it funny when you decide to do something and all of a sudden it is everywhere. For example, my Runners World magazine came this week and of course, it is all about marathons. Then, Toronto's Globe and Mail paper is publishing a marathon series every Thursday - too cool.

Man do I love it when I am feeling well and positive :)

Talk to you soon.

Motivational speech at New Balance

I had a wonderful opportunity tonight to visit the Learn to Run clinic at the New Balance store in London. One of their running leaders; Tracy (Steve from the 1/2 marathon clinic's wife) asked me to come and speak to her group about my story and running experience. I met the managers of the store and they even gave me a wonderful gift bag for volunteering to come and speak. The visor rocks (I just started wearing one and it has really helped cool me down with the heat we have been having. I also love the bag which I will be using as my purse this summer.

The group was made up of about 22 people who all looked like great runners. They were very nice but no one asked any questions. I think I had a different experience when I spoke at the Running Room because when you have run with people, and they have met you personally, when you have the chance to tell "your story" they connect with you on a different level. The Running Room group had seen me struggling and fight it out for 6 weeks before I had a chance to speak. When I did share my story, I think people thought of me differently. It is hard to make a connection right away without anyone knowing me. I would have loved to have run with New Balance group tonight after I had spoke and maybe I could of talked to a few more people and answered any questions they had.

I have really enjoyed thinking about my journey and sharing with people. I only want to help people to realize that you can do anything you want and set your mind to do. I hope I helped another person today.