Today, I’m starting to reflect on 2006 and all the wonders that the new year will bring.  I’m not the kind of person to write down a “To do List” but as one gets older you begin to have the mentality that life is getting shorter and shorter!  And frankly, it IS!  That being said, I want to make sure that I get to do all the things that I want to accomplish in life.  I think of that famous motto “Just do it!”

 

I promised myself that I would not wait another 12 years before I plan my next big International trip.  Even if I have to go “solo” I am determined to plan something in 2006.  Not sure when and not sure where!  But I will try my hardest to make it happen. 

 

Yesterday, I signed up for that photography class that I’ve been meaning to take.  Today, as I await the Dryer repair guy, I’ll busy myself by surfing the net for some ideas for my next big trip.  I’ve been leaning towards a return trip to England, Austria or Switzerland or a trip to somewhere new like Scotland or Prague.

 

And now for Reflection!  This year I have to be thankful for many things:  my health, my family and my friends (both personal and work).  In May, I was very fortunate to make a return trip to visit Europe.  Went to Italy, England, France and Switzerland.  I was also able to run two half marathons and a full marathon.  Although slowing down over the years, I still manage to finish!  For that I am thankful.

 

I spoke with my sister, Jean, to wish her and her family a happy holidays.  It’s sad that we don’t have mom and dad with us anymore.  It’s strange, but when we talk we never bring them up.  And it’s not because we don’t love them.  The truth is . . . we would simply never get through the conversation.  All we do is cry when we think about them or bring them up!  It’s just the way we are.  We were so close to them it’s simply too painful to openly talk about it.  So we’ve come to accept that they are always in our thoughts and in our hearts, even if there are no words spoken!   

 

I am looking forward to the new year.  When that clock strikes midnight, I will toast in 2006 with a renewed sense of energy, adventurism, humor and determination. 

 

Have a Happy Holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year!

 

 

On Sunday, December 4, 2005 for the first time ever, the Las Vegas Marathon ran right down the Las Vegas Strip.  Overall, I thought the organizers did a good job for a first time event.  At the start, there were fireworks set off to the sounds of Elvis singing “Viva Las Vegas” in the background.  12,000 runners from all over the United States and from countries like England and Canada took off running!  It was very, very cool!

 

This was my 3^rd Marathon and I finished in 7:15:07.   Could my slow time have been because I stopped to take a gazillion pictures, or was it because I had to make 6 pit stops or because I had the insane idea to play at least one spin on a slot machine at a casino in Freemont street?   No, to be honest this was not my best effort, because I totally slacked in my training.  Am I disappointed?  Maybe just a little, but only because I know that I could've done better but chose not to put a 100% effort into my training like I did for my first Marathon.  But, I am still proud of myself for being able to finish!  And let me tell you . . . I had my doubts out there on the course with the wind and cold air piercing through my clothes.  

 

My friends did well finishing in 5:30:23 and 5:31:51 and they earned those fast times as they trained very hard for this race.  Kudos to them.

 

As usual, I met some pretty cool and awesome people:  the race organizer staff we met at the airport; the girls from Wisconsin who we walked over to the start line with; and the girl I met on the course that was injured during the race but still wanted to continue, limping and all (who I hope was able to finish as I felt bad that I had to leave her).  It’s the cast of characters that make participating in these events special.

 

Clearly, I admire the professional athletes who come to compete in all races, but these events are also held for the everyday people like you and I:  a mother of three, a husband who told me that he was running to support his wife on their 50th year wedding anniversary.  It is a race for people from all walks of life.  Each of us with the common goal of completing this 26.2 mile marathon.  But what is it that makes an everyday person want to train and run in a marathon.  It certainly isn't for the glory of winning or for the monetary rewards.  In fact, we each paid the $95.00 entry fee to run this race.  We run for reasons that can be found deep within each of us.  We run for the experience, for the journey and for accomplishment!  We run for the knowledge that we could condition ourselves for months to be able to endure the grueling physical and mental challenges of running 26.2 miles.  We run to be able to finish and call ourselves a “Marathoner.” 

 

Congrats to us all!