On Top of the World

After 4 months of training I am 1 week away from the NJ Marathon and my first attempt to achieve a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. I still pinch myself at the thought. I can't believe that my running journey, which started as a way to cope after the loss of my husband, has brought me to this place of incredible personal fulfillment and challenge.

Since I started training for my first half marathon in December 2012 I've run more than 1,360 miles and I've completed six half marathons, one full marathon and many other shorter races. I've raised more than $6,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Colon Cancer Alliance in  memory of Joe. I've met amazing people who share in my life beyond the roads and trails and watched as friends and acquaintances have taken up running and told me that I was part of the inspiration.

I've had some big ups and some frustrating downs over the last 4 months, but I'm ready to make a go at it and see where my training has gotten me. I have been following a more aggressive training plan this time than when I trained for the NYC Marathon last year - incorporating more speedwork, regular core exercises, as well as higher mileage runs and more of them. I've been working on my mental game too, training my brain to push on when I think I can't and to keep moving no matter what. I've trudged through the snow, the freezing cold, plodded out long runs on the treadmill, and most recently eaten bugs for 12 miles (ah, spring!)

I also decided not to race at all in the month leading up to the marathon because one thing that I have learned about myself as a runner is that it is not in me to treat a race as just a "training run". If I'm in a race, I run hard no matter what and I've learned that is a bad formula for the weeks leading up to a big race. For me, the not racing has been the hardest part of this training cycle. I have grown used to starting my race year sometime in February and not letting up. This year, my calendar has looked quite different - just two races in March and then nothing until the marathon on April 27 - so right about now I am more than a little antsy to toe a starting line. Hopefully, that's a good thing.

During my two races in March a song floated to the surface that has come to take on so much meaning for me during this training cycle and I have a feeling it will be central to carrying me through the race next week. I'll put it in my shuffle more than once for sure. On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons always seems to keep popping up at big moments. It played just as I was entering the Battery Park underpass during the NYC Half Marathon on March 16 - the last mile of the course. It came on during training just as I was running up the big hill in Thompson Park. It was the song playing as I ran along Lake Michigan two weeks ago with the sun shining and my heart positively overflowing as the bridge came through my earbuds. More times than I can count I've had it on repeat after a particularly rough day or to get me going in the morning.

I really do feel like this song is the story of me right now.

On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons

If you love somebody

Better tell them while they're here 'cause

They just may run away from you

You'll never know quite when, well

Then again it just depends on

How long of time is left for you

I've had the highest mountains

I've had the deepest rivers

You can have it all but life keeps moving

I take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ay

I'm on top of the world, 'ay

Waiting on this for awhile now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, 'ay

Been holding it in for awhile, 'ay

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world.

I've tried to cut these corners

Tried to take the easy way out

I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but

Then again I couldn't have 'cause

I've traveled all this way for something

I take it in but don't look down

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ay

I'm on top of the world, 'ay

Waiting on this for awhile now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, 'ay

Been holding it in for awhile, 'ay

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world.

And I know it's hard when you're falling down

And it's a long way up when you hit the ground

Get up now, get up, get up now.

And I know it's hard when you're falling down

And it's a long way up when you hit the ground

Get up now, get up, get up now.

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ay

I'm on top of the world, 'ay

Waiting on this for awhile now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I've been waiting to smile, 'ay

Been holding it in for awhile, 'ay

Take you with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I'm on top of the world.

My March Races

My first half marathon was in Miami on March 9, 2013 and I ran it in 2:11:39. I loved the race so much that when the time came to sign up for the same one this year I did it right away. It's turning into quite the birthday weekend for me - I bring my little guy, we catch a Mets Spring Training game, and I get to run a race.

This year's race fell on March 2, 2014 - smack in the middle of my training for the NJ Marathon - and it became the race that made me feel like I really can qualify for Boston. After the harshest winter I can remember my body and soul both desperately needed a break so this long planned escape to Miami could not have come at a more perfect time.

My friend Juanita, my son and I boarded a plane early that Friday morning bound for sunny Fort Lauderdale. We took off from 10 degree overcast skies and landed in 77 degree sunny perfection. It didn't matter that my checked baggage was misplaced for an hour in the airport or that the line at the car rental counter took almost 45 minutes. We had a weekend of sun and warmth to help us forget about the more than 50" of snow and record cold temperatures that had plagued us all winter in NJ.

The weekend in Miami was just what I needed and by the time I toed the start line Sunday morning I had a feeling that I was ready for something big. My goal was to beat my previous best half marathon time - the 1:51:30 that I ran in the Rock n Roll Half on September 15, 2013. I was hoping to run a sub-1:50 half marathon.

When I got my results I almost couldn't believe what I had accomplished...not just sub 1:50, but WAY sub 1:50.

New PR! Michelob ULTRA 13.1 Miami Beach: Anne Luck-Deak - Finish in 1:46:34. Pace 8:08. Powered by Michelob ULTRA. @131Marathon
— Anne Deak (@MamaDeak) March 2, 2014

Running past the cruise ships along MacArthur Causeway

It felt amazing to start the year off with such a great race and although I knew conditions in NYC would not be quite as friendly (many more hills and a whole lot colder!) I also knew from that race that my fitness had improved greatly even since the fall.

Two weeks after I ran the half in Miami I was running 13.1 through the streets of Manhattan. I didn't originally make it in to the lottery for the NYC Half Marathon, but I'm so glad I made it in when they did the second draw. There really was nothing like running through Times Square even if I had to wait around in the 20 degree cold at the start line and run all the hills of Central Park to get there. This was an incredible race for me.

Towards the beginning of the race I had "I Run for Life" playing on my shuffle and kept seeing Team Determination runners and Fred's Team runners one after another. I freely admit getting choked up by that. As we ran through Times Square and then out 42nd street towards the West Side Highway I was overcome by the combination of the latest Afghan Whigs song playing in my ears and the memory of driving Joe along that route to his chemo treatments.

The crowd support was a blast. It was fun to end the race around the block from CWA's NYC office and to once again be part of a large race in the greatest city in the world. It was cold. It was windy. There were hills. But it was fun and I managed to finish in 1:48:10 - not too shabby considering the cold, windy and hilly parts.

Congrats @MamaDeak! You are one fast #morherrunner! #NYCHalf pic.twitter.com/uyV8jgJsbz
— Malinda Ann Hill (@MalindaAnnHill) March 16, 2014

At the finish line!

Ready to Run

Running NYC & Miami built my confidence and taking this past month off have rested my body and cleared my mind. I'm hoping the combination has put me in the best place possible for Sunday. No matter what happens, I'm sure my first marathon in New Jersey will be unforgettable. I've been thinking a lot about this quote that my friend Malinda posted during her training and just being thankful that I haven't been afraid to name my goal and go for it, even though it is awfully big.

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we often might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare #MarathonTraining #Train2BQ
— Malinda Ann Hill (@MalindaAnnHill) March 16, 2014

Here's to ATTEMPT #1!

Nike Women's Half Marathon - Washington, DC

Today I went for my first run since I completed the Nike Women's Half Marathon a week and a half ago in Washington, DC. It's been a frustrating 9 days as I waited and waited and waited until my poor feet were back in a shape that would allow me to run again without pain. The main culprit was an infected toe, although  I also had a fair share of blisters and even my first lost toenail.Yes, I certainly earned my 7 minute PR on that race. My finish did not come without some physical sacrifice.

I may have only covered just over two miles in the early evening humidity today, but it felt like an awfully big deal. I was getting my groove back and jumping back into a training mode and it felt good. I used my playlist from the NWM half and each song I ran with brought me back to a wonderful weekend shared with family and friends.

Outside the Expotique with Malinda and Melissa

I was blessed to make the trip to DC with my son and my aunt and to meet up with my two Best Running Friends (BRFs) Malinda and Melissa. Malinda had convinced Melissa and I to sign up with her for the race back in December when it was announced. At that time I had just started training for my first half marathon. I'm so glad we registered for the lottery and gained entry because we had such a special weekend together. 

Malinda, Melissa and I kicked off our racing fever together at the Nike Georgetown store bright and early Saturday morning for a Q&A with Shalane Flanagan and Joan Benoit Samuelson. The Q&A was followed by a short shakeout run with these two running greats. Since Malinda, Melissa and I don't live nearby each other, the three of us don't get to run together often so being able to run side by side with Shalane and Joan leading the pack was pretty much as cool as it gets. Afterwards, we were lucky enough to get photos with the ladies and I'll never forget that Joan told me she loved my "I Run Things" shirt.

With Shalane Flanagan and Joan Benoit Samuelson at Nike Georgetown

Our names were along the wall at the Nike store - Found MINE!

Sipping on our post-run Jamba Juice smoothies (a very nice touch) Melissa and I made our way towards packet pick up. Within minutes I had my race packet and Melissa had an easy time replacing hers which was accidentally left in a cab the night before. More kudos for the Nike race operation.

When I got back to the hotel my son was still in his PJs munching on his breakfast, meaning we had plenty of time to get to the zoo and enjoy a beautiful day in DC. The National Zoo brought back lots of memories for me and more than once the tears pooled up in my eyes. Joe and I had brought Domani there just before he turned 1 on a trip we made to DC for a Mets v. Nats game. We went to many of the same places and even took photos in some of the same spots. The little guy had a blast and especially enjoyed telling the lions to wake up, trying to eat the dirt like the orangutan, and naming all the parts of the elephant. I'm so glad we had time to do some sightseeing while we were in town for the race.

National Zoo - September 2011

National Zoo - April 2013

Saturday night found us out to a delicious Italian dinner with a good friend and her family. It was just the right amount of carb loading, great conversation, and crazy toddler antics to make for a wonderful evening. When it was all over, we even had our own little brush with unidentified fame as my friend's little charmer caught the attention of a couple leaving the White House Correspondents Dinner. It was the perfect lead in to my race, if only I had been able to fall asleep. I always have a problem sleeping the night before a race. Mostly, it's because I'm worried I will oversleep and miss the start.

This time I was awake and ready to go with no problem. There is always something special about pulling on my Team Sparkle skirt for a race and for this 13.1 I was decked out in my Another Mother Runner BAMR tank which adds a whole new layer of kick ass to my running gear. I gathered up my things, kissed my sleeping little guy goodbye and headed to the Metro. Call it fate, but as soon as I stepped out at the Federal Triangle stop, there was Malinda! I gave her a big hug and we spent some time exploring the starting area together - dropping off her bag, making a visit to the porta potties, taking some photos, and eventually making our way to the corrals. My favorite moment was when we were walking back to the corrals from the porta potties and I panicked thinking I had lost my Gu Chomps. My tweet recounting the moment: @MamaDeak: OH NO! Where are my Gu Chomps? Oh, they are in my boob." That just happened. @GUEnergyLabs #WeRunDC

Just before moving to my corral.

Malinda, Melissa, and I were each in different start corrals (in that order) but Melissa and I were planning on pacing together for at least the beginning of the race so she came back and joined me in the 10 minute corral. It was crowded but somehow we managed to find each other and even more amazing we managed to stay together for the first few miles of the race. It was crowded and didn't really start to space out until about mile 4. In fact, I missed the mat marking the first 5k because I was running up on the curb to pass around a crowd of runners. Rookie mistake, right?

At the 10k mat, I made sure to cross over it with gusto and knew from my Nike+ app that I was putting in a good pace. While my app was a little off on the miles, I knew that I was at least on pace to go sub 2 as I had dreamed, but I had no real idea how close I was to the goal. As it turns out I crossed the 10k mat at 56:56.

I felt really great running this race - that is until I hit miles 7-9. They were by far the hardest part of the course for me. The views were beautiful, but the heat was starting to set in and there was much less crowd support on that part of the course than there was anywhere else. My strongest shot of adrenaline came from the awesome sign "If Sarah Palin can run, so can you."  I literally said out loud "Touche!" and then picked up my pace. It's amazing what a little sign can do for you, but it was still a tough slog through those miles. I made quick work of my Gu Chomps and hydrated religiously - all of which I think helped push me through to the end. 

Once I came up on that 15k mark and could visualize running what was basically a 5k I felt another jolt of adrenaline. The crowd support was back - complete with a line of young people waiting to give high fives and all I wanted to do was cross that finish line and hug my little guy. There was one tunnel where the noise of the drums really made things uncomfortable for me, but otherwise the last 3 miles were just willing my body to not lose pace. I knew that if I just kept moving I would at least beat my time from Miami and given how much my feet were hurting and how hot my body was getting I would count that as a victory. Once the finish line was in sight it felt like it kept getting further and further away, but eventually there I was face to face with that blue Tiffany box trying to keep myself standing upright. It was wonderful. I knew I had beaten my time by a significant amount.

In the end, my official finish was 2:04:49, almost 7 minutes better than my 2:11:39 finish in Miami Beach less than 2 months earlier. I was tired and sweaty and I knew that I would have to nurse my feet back to health, but it was so worth it. After I got back to my hotel room, I tweeted: @MamaDeak: I've got blisters, bloody toes, a new PR, and a little blue box. I say I came out on top. #WeRunDC @runnikewomen

This was a truly special weekend. Family. Good friends. Running. A personal record. All in a very special city. It doesn't get much better than that. Except that somehow it did...because the postscript to my weekend is that my favorite running website www.anothermotherrunner.com asked me some questions and did a really lovely feature this past Thursday mentioning the NWM and my plans to run the NYC Marathon in November in an effort to raise money for The American Cancer Society. Through the feature, I connected with so many amazing Mother Runners and more than ever I feel blessed to be a member of this tribe of kick ass women.

With Malinda and Melissa at the We Run sign

Post-race with Melissa

Train Like a Mother - Rocking My 1st Half Marathon

This time last year I was just starting to get my butt off the proverbial couch. It was a little over 3 months since my husband Joe had died from colon cancer and I decided that I needed an outlet for my sadness, anger, and frustration. Yoga had been my constant companion throughout my pregnancy (which coincided with Joe's diagnosis) and his illness, but running became my godsend during grief. After running seven 5k races in 2012, I decided to take on a bigger challenge for my birthday in 2013. So, on Saturday, March 9, 2013 through a stream of tears I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon with Lady GaGa's Edge of Glory pounding in my ears and the perfect sun of South Beach beaming down on my sweaty Mother Runner bod. It was an accomplishment that I suspect will make me well up for many years to come. 

Used this photo to text some family and friends that I was done!

Cheering my finish in Miami Beach were my inspiring little guy Domani, my good friend Karen, Joe's cousin Tony, and Tony's friend Layla. What an amazing feeling to exit from the runners' area loaded down with post-race nourishment, medal clanging around my neck and pick up my little guy in a sweeping hug, only to have him stare right at my medal with a glimmer in his eye. Yep, HE ended up wearing it more than I did that day - and I'm ok with that.

The little guy sporting my medal.

Watching from many states away via the live tracking feature were my mom, Joe's mom and sister, and my friends Erin and Christon. They knew I had achieved my goal the minute I crossed the finish line and I was flooded with sweet tweets and text messages. 

Awaiting the news on social media were countless friends and family members who had supported me through my 15 weeks of training including my cousins Suzanne and Bob who had run my very first 5k with me just last April. There were Mother Runners and Run Chatters, friends from work and friends from college, fellow Afghan Whigs fans and lifelong friends. There were union people and yoga people, support group people and church people. There were high school friends and brand new friends, country line dancing friends and every type of family member you can imagine. From every corner of my life, I felt so much love.

As I crossed the finish line, it was Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory (as recommended by Christon) that pushed me through, but along the way there were many other songs on my playlist that made this race incredibly special. About a week before the race I decided that I was going to ditch my usual "workout tunes" playlist and create a new one just for this half marathon. I posted my request for song suggestions on FB and Twitter and I made personal requests to some family and friends to give me their songs. I ended up with more songs than I needed for my 2:11:39 journey, but I have many special memories of particular moments before, during and after the race listening to the music that had been chosen for me.

I was driving south from my hotel towards the start line listening to Hearts on Fire (as recommended by Mauro). I remember the odd mix of clubbers calling it a night and runners making their way to the start line - all making for a very crowded pre-dawn South Beach. I also remember the sinking feeling I got when I arrived at the garage where I had planned to park only to see a "FULL" sign at the entrance. As I noticed the time (5:35am) I started to feel a slight panic rise because I was really not prepared with a Plan B (so VERY unlike me!) Thankfully, just a block away I found another parking garage and I made it to the start line with plenty of time to spare. 

Looking towards the start line full of anticipation.

Pre-race photo!

At the suggestion of a very wise runner friend I created my playlist with some slower songs up front to keep my pace steady in the beginning. It was a smart move and my easy tunes helped me keep a comfortable pace through the first few miles. I remember running past the Convention Center and then on a quiet street where we were treated to the spectacle of "Doctor Dribble", the guy who was running the race while dribbling not one, but two basketballs (This guy is really pretty incredible, not only because he finished faster than me while dribbling two basketballs, but also because he raised money to help foster kids while he did it...more on him including photos here.) 

After my Doctor Dribble encounter, I discovered the joy of running with a pace group. I latched on to a 2:10 pace group for the next two miles and found that to be incredibly helpful. Once I came in to mile 4, the faster tunes started to pick up and once A Cut Above came on (a Mother Runner recommendation), I decided it was time to let loose. Then, I saw it rising in front of me. That dreaded elevation. Somewhere around mile 5, I was facing down the full wrath of the Julia Tuttle Causeway bridge and what comes through my earphones but Eye of the Tiger (recommended by John). I couldn't have planned it better if I were writing my own screenplay. I took it on like a champ and was rewarded with some Beastie Boys (as recommended by @helenabrit72), the halfway point, and a nice jaunt through downtown Miami.

Seven miles were down and I was starting to feel it in the blisters on my toes and some unwelcome chafing. The sun was getting intense. I went to put on my sunglasses only to realize they were covered in sweat. Immediately ahead was the mile 8 sign and another bridge. In my mind I had convinced myself that it would be perfectly fine to just walk up the hill (plenty of people were doing it). Then....I Don't Wanna Stop by Ozzy Osbourne (recommended by Justin...touche Justin). Followed by Kickstart My Heart (recommended by Melissa). Followed by Lonely Boy by The Black Keys (recommended by Susie). All of which combined for my fastest split on the course. 

Fast forward to mile 11 and the transition from the Macarthur Causeway bridge to the South Point Park bay walk. The Biscayne Bay stretched out beautifully on my right and Sunshine of Our Love (recommended by Joe's Mom) played in my ears. It's a song that she carefully chose for its guitar and its lyrics, without even knowing that Joe and I had played it endlessly together on Guitar Hero. There was more than just sweat in my eyes as it all sank in - mile 11, missing Joe, the beauty of that moment, the many blessings of my life, the sunshine of OUR love which in some way will always be there no matter what lies ahead. 

The final combo of Stronger (recommended by Kathleen), Titanium (recommended by Tarah), Paranoid (recommended by Scott) and, of course, Edge of Glory (recommended by Christon) provided just the burst of power that I needed for that last mile and a half and I still had plenty of awesome tunes left on my playlist to jam to on the car ride back to the hotel. I had fun running this half marathon and the best part was that my disciplined training allowed me to recover quickly and really enjoy the rest of our vacation in SoFl. 

Getting to the finish of 13.1 has been a long journey with many cheerleaders and quiet heroes along the way. I couldn't possibly list them all here, but I do know that I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell of www.anothermotherrunner.com for their Train Like a Mother Half Marathon Finish It plan and to all those who have watched my little guy while I have gone on my runs: my parents, Meredith, Liz, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Lorelei, Erin, Karen, Jen, Joe's Mom & Ross, Ken, and of course Karen C, Tony, and Layla who took care of him during the big 13.1! It's not easy for a single mom to train for a half marathon. During the height of my training, I was putting in 30 miles a week not including cross training sessions - that's a lot of child care time on top of the already hectic work schedule I maintain. The friends and family members who helped me are phenomenal and having a plan to follow put it all within reach. Perhaps though, I should wait a bit before I break the news to everyone that my goal for next year is a full marathon!

My Allstate Miami Beach 13.1 Playlist
(There were 16 more songs on the playlist that I didn't need because I finished!)
I Need You by Scrawl
One More Day by david m. bailey
Domani by Greg Dulli
Faded by The Afghan Whigs
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
Seasons of Love from Rent
Feathers by The Twilight Singers
Everlasting God by Jeremy Camp
I'm a Believer by The Monkees
Dream On by Aerosmith
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
A Cut Above by Avery Watts
Black Betty by Ram Jam
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Fight for Your Right by The Beastie Boys
My World Is Empty Without You by The Afghan Whigs
Memory by Sugarcult
Got a Thing on My Mind by Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings
Holding Out For a Hero by The Glee Cast
Kick Drum Heart by The Avett Brothers
I Don't Wanna Stop by Ozzy Osbourne
Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue
Lonely Boy by The Black Keys
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Rie y Llora by Celia Cruz
So Tight by Greg Dulli
Run Around by Blues Traveler
Raise Your Glass by Pink
Sunshine of Your Love by Santana (feat. Rob Thomas)
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson
Titanium by David Guetta & Sia
Paranoid by Black Sabbath
The Edge of Glory by Lady GaGa

The Weather is Getting Crisper - A Dear Joe Letter

Dear Joe,

The weather is getting crisper and the leaves are slowly starting to turn those beautiful shades of orange and yellow and red. Soon, those huge trees in our front lawn will have their release and there will be lots and lots of raking to do. I explained to Domani today what it would be like and told him that he would probably enjoy playing in the leaves. Thinking about the falling leaves and the raking that comes with it makes the tears come. I don't have to tell you that raking the leaves was always something you would do.

The weather is getting crisper and the Afghan Whigs are on a North American tour. Greg Dulli curated the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror Festival in NYC this weekend and it was wonderful. As if it wasn't enough that he was hanging around most of the weekend enjoying the bands, chatting with fans, and taking photos, he also brought Marcy Mays out on the stage during the AW set to perform My Curse. It was epic. But I don't have to explain that to you. Once again, seeing the Afghan Whigs in concert, was like a spiritual highway leading straight to you and it was definitely a fun trip (my May 23 AW trip). It culminated in the Bulletproof to Summer's Kiss to Faded trilogy with a little Where Did Our Love Go thrown in... which did nothing short of sending me over the moon wishing you were in my arms again.

The Afghan Whigs playing What Jail is Like

Marcy Mays on lead vocals for My Curse

Greg watching Charles Bradley's performance.

The weather is getting crisper and I'm remembering what our life was like this time last year. We had recently taken Domani to his first MLB game - a Mets v. Nats matchup in DC and we saw Keith Hernandez and R.A. Dickey hanging out at our hotel and Domani had a blast exploring the mall attached to the hotel and miraculously the Mets actually won our little guy's first game. A year ago this week we took Domani to his first game at Citifield and took a family photo with Mr. Met and you bought him his very own Mr. Met from the Team Store and amazingly enough the Mets won that day too. Last year this time we took Domani to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden and Pirate Day at the Princeton Shopping Center and then we celebrated his first birthday at a party packed with family and friends. But you were sick. And I can't help but remember that too.

Domani's first game at Citifield, gripping that Mr. Met from his Daddy

Pirate Day - September 17, 2011

Joe & Domani at Adventure Aquarium

The weather is getting crisper and there's a new iPhone out. You missed the 4s and now you're missing the 5. I can't help but remember our trips to the Apple Store in Freehold Mall and how I was VERY pregnant while we waited to get the iPhone 4. Some friendly folks in line found a chair for me while you were waiting in the other line, but mall security made us return it to the Starbucks. I *almost* put my organizing skills into action, but we were so close to getting our phones that I let it slide and convinced everyone around me that they didn't need to start a protest on my behalf. I would buy you a new iPhone (and a new car) every year if I could just have you back here with us. But, of course, if there's anything these past few years have taught me it's that life is not about iPhones or cars.

The weather is getting crisper and Domani has already picked out his Halloween costume. He wants to be a football player. Specifically, he wants to be a Giants football player. You would be proud of this little guy and how much he already knows about sports. He also can't watch a baseball game without raising his fist and yelling "Mets!" Someone should probably tell him that once the weather gets crisper, there is usually no need to be cheering for the Mets, but that probably won't be me. I guess I should be happy that he chose to be a Giants player - at least we can tag that choice with the word "CHAMPION".

The weather is getting crisper and I just signed up for my first half marathon. I'm sure that would surprise you since this time last year I would have struggled to run a mile. Let's just say I've been inspired. Running to raise money for the fight against cancer has helped, (see Running the Undy 5000) but feeling healthier and having some time to think and just BE are what have really gotten me hooked. I know you would be proud of what I've accomplished so far and happy at how I'm fighting to be healthier.

The weather is getting crisper and I have to get the oil tank filled and the cars washed and the rose bushes pruned and I have to complete the application to refinance the mortgage and sort through your clothes and write some thank yous and yes, eventually rake the leaves. There's just no easy way to say that I miss you in both the everyday tasks and the lofty life moments.

Yes, the weather is getting crisper and it does make me miss you, but it also reminds me how this season in particular is full of sweet memories and the warmth of our love. And it always will be.

With Love,
Anne

Got another chance to meet Greg. Friday 9/21 at IBYM Festival.