Perspective

Sometimes its hard to remember to have perspective in life, but its important.

Just over a week ago I posted about how things were just going wrong for me, especially with cars.  I felt like stuff was spiraling out of control.  Its all stuff that can be fixed and has already been or will be fixed.  None of it is really that bad.  And, feeling crummy about it and complaining wasn't doing me any good.  It was just making me feel annoyed and frustrated.  Perspective about this came to me last Tuesday in a most unwanted and unfortunate way.

Last Tuesday morning I logged in to my facebook and saw the very sad news that an old friend had passed away early that morning, quite unexpectedly.  To say I was shocked would be the understatement of the century.  For a few minutes I thought it was a bad joke.  Then, I quickly realized this was all too real.

After I left work and was in my car on my way home I was surprised to find tears streaming down my face.  I'm not much of a crier, in fact I haven't really cried in a few years, since a close family friend passed away.  Its just not who I am.  I might get misty eyed occasionally, but I'm just not much of a crier.  (After I finish marathons people always ask me if I cried, and the answer is almost always no.  I have only cried at the finish line of one marathon, and that's only because I was in severe pain, having sprained my ankle at mile 22 and hobbled/shuffled the final four miles.  I'm just not a crier.  I express my emotions, just not through tears.)

All those things that seemed so awful, well suddenly, none of it seemed to matter any more.  Its funny how quickly things can change.  Because my perspective changed I realized that no matter what I was going to be okay, everything was going to work out.

I wasn't incredibly close to Darin (aka "Kreet"), but we were roommates for a few months, a few years ago and I did consider him a friend.  He did make an impact on my life and he will be greatly missed.  He was the life of the party and the world is a little darker now that he's gone. 

On his facebook profile under "about" it says: "I live life like there is no tomorrow. I let the little shit slide and above all I love and enjoy every minute of life."  This is something we should all remember.  Live your life to the fullest, and, make sure you tell the people you love that you love them, as often as possible, you never know what's around the next corner.

I will continue to try to live my life to the fullest.  And on that note, I've made a pretty big decision, one that embodies living life to the fullest.  I'm gonna hold off on sharing what it is for now, a few people know, and I'll share soon enough...

Remember, life is short, precious and fragile.

It's funny how a little perspective can make everything seem clear again.

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.  - Allen Klein

When It Rains It Pours

They say when it rains it pours.  Well, right now it feels like I'm living in a monsoon.  Okay, that might be an exaggeration.  But there's a bunch of little, annoying stuff, add it all up and it starts to feel overwhelming.  It's mostly car stuff and its just stuff, it can and will be fixed, it just feels a little much in the moment.

First, there is very little in this post about running.  That's because there hasn't been much running in my life recently...

There is a weird trend happening in my life with the number 6 and cars right now.  Two weeks ago I got home from San Francisco (after a super fun marathon weekend and running the 2nd half, slowly) and discovered this:

That's the rear sliding window on my 4Runner, shattered. Irritating. But, just one small thing.

Six days later I was at my parent's house and when I tried to go home my car wouldn't start.  We thought it was either the starter or the battery.  Another added expense that I can't afford.  Feeling slightly more irritated with my car at this point.  But, thankfully, my dad let me borrow his car until I could afford to get mine fixed.

Six days later (this past Friday), I walked to my dad's car, which I was still driving, parked about 2 blocks from my apartment, around the corner and up the street, and discovered that it had not only been broken in to but stripped.  I opened the car door to discover this:

  

First thought was, f#%k!  A whole bunch of stuff was taken, car stuff and stuff my dad had left in the car that I didn't know was there.  They basically took anything they could re-sell.  The consensus is they were professionals and knew what they were after, cause no windows were broken and they went for very specific things.

I didn't really know what to do when I discovered the car.  I did eventually figure it out (with the help of my roommate, her boyfriend and my parents).  I swear I'm usually quite good in a crisis, this however caught me off guard.  So, off the car went to the body shop and I had to spend the rest of Friday doing stuff like filing a police report and getting my car (the previously mentioned 4Runner) fixed (and I had to waste a vacation day dealing with this).

On Friday I had a moment (but only a brief one), where I wished I hadn't bought new running shoes the night before.  But, they are necessary.  And, I'm happy to be breaking them in.  I think I'm getting my running groove back.

Other things that happened last week...

A massive leak from the apartment above ours happened and created a situation in our bathroom.

The wall filled up with water and the paint was bubbling out at the ceiling, floor and a couple small spots in between, plus now the paint looks all nasty in the rest of that area in the bathroom.  This makes me thankful that I rent and not own, cause I don't have to pay for it.  But, it is a little annoying and the wall is going to have to be replaced.  Oh well.

Sadly this also happened...

I won't be running MCM this year, I'm listening to my coach and focusing on Goofy.  I will run MCM next year.

Also, I did this...

I needed something good.  And, I'm super excited.  Got in just before it sold out on Friday night.  YAY!

On Saturday we had our first team practice for the winter season of Team in Training.  We ran 3 miles, I usually don't like short runs, but this run felt great.  It's always inspiring to see so many new faces getting out there and signing up to run/walk a marathon or half marathon in the name of charity.  I'm excited for the season and feeling better about running again, after being extremely lazy since Alaska.

And on Saturday night I babysat overnight for two little boys.  (The babysitting gig covered my entry fee for Big Sur, plus a little extra.  Totally worth it.)

I got to bring the dog with me. That always makes me happy, and he was really well behaved, sometimes he's really naughty, but he was good with their dog and the boys. Bonus.

 

The boys are adorable and were so easy to babysit for.  The little one is obsessed with candy.  I told him he couldn't have any in the morning and he eventually outsmarted me.  He said he was hungry and asked for a lunchable, which I gave to him.  See what the arrow is pointing to?  Skittles.  Yep, that's the first thing he went for, the candy.  Babysitter fail.

When their dad got home they each got to take one piece of candy from the candy jar as well.  I've renamed the child, his new name is Candy Monster.

Also, my mom colored my hair for me.  This is the second time in as many weeks.  I went red about a week ago, but it didn't seem dark enough, so we did it again, darker.  My mom says I was born to be a red head. I think that's cause she has red hair and wants me to as well.

So, a bunch of irritating stuff happened, but so did some good stuff.  I am not living in a monsoon.  I am trying to remember that there is always a bright side, and none of it is really that bad.  It just feels overwhelming in the moment.  I am healthy and so are my close friends and family, and that is, of course, the most important thing.  I have a job, a place to live, good people in my life.  This is just a reminder that sh*t happens and stuff is just stuff.  It can always be replaced.

Lastly there is a winner from my Love to Run giveaway, the lovely Bucket!  Congrats Bucket! Now you have to see me to collect! ;)

I am still training for the Goofy Challenge with Team in Training, to find out more and support me check this link out:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/wdw12/ewallersco

Thanks!

Love to Run Giveaway

In honor of my 50th post - this one - I'm hosting a giveaway!  This giveaway is all about the love of running.

I recently contacted Tarma Designs and told them all about my fundraising efforts with Team in Training and how much I loved their designs and they offered to donate a piece for a giveaway.

I got this awesome Love to Run necklace from Tarma to offer up here on my blog to one lucky reader!

Why do I love Tarma?  I love what they stand for and how they work.  I love that they use recycled/ earth friendly products and want to share a love for an active lifestyle through personal art that you can wear and enjoy on a daily basis. I mean, what's not to love?  The designs are great and affordable! Go check out their website.  They have great designs for running, cycling, soccer, yoga and more.

Now, why do I love to run?  Well, I to tell you why I love to run I have to tell you where I started...

I didn't always love to run.  In fact I hated it, for a long time.  Three years ago this month (right around now actually), I went to the gym to join.  I wanted to get in shape and lose some weight before I turned 30. When I got there they wanted to sign me up with a personal trainer.  I had tried personal training before, with no success.  But, the session was free so I did it.  I met with Adam.  I decided to give it a go for a month or two and see if it would make a difference.  On day one Adam put me on a treadmill for a fitness test.  It was five minutes, and I couldn't even finish it. =/ Talk about embarrassing. 

In all our sessions after that he would make me run on the treadmill.  I would curse him and that stupid treadmill.  I hated running.  He would make me run longer, run faster.  I started to see progress, I was actually getting better at running.  I suddenly could run a mile in 10 minutes, then under 10.  Then we would see how fast I could get through the mile.  I think the lowest I got on the treadmill was around a 9 minute mile (no, I'm not a speed racer, but it was amazing the first time I could run less than a 10 minute mile, and I'm still proud of that!). 

Then I started running on my own, still on a treadmill.  The first time I ran 5 miles I couldn't believe it.  Then I did five miles in under an hour.  I could see results!  And, it made me feel good.  Running was becoming enjoyable.

Then, a little more than a year after I started training with Adam, I signed up with Team in Training to run the LA Marathon.  I'm not sure what I was thinking. I had only ever run one 10k and swore up and down just a few months before that I would NEVER run a marathon. But, I joined the team and started enjoying running even more.  I ran a 10k, then a half marathon and then the LA Marathon in 2010.

It was while I was training for LA that I realized how much I love to run.  I ran on Christmas Day.  I ran on New Year's Day.  I ran by myself.  I enjoyed it.  I registered for more races.  I signed up to be a mentor with Team in Training, to share my experiences and my love of running.  When I got injured, last fall I sprained my right MCL very badly, and couldn't run, I missed it, more than I thought I would.

I realized somewhere along the line that I love to run.
So, now back to why I love to run...

I love to run because I love how I feel when I'm running and after I run (sometimes I still have a hard time getting out the door for a run, but once I get going I love it).  I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I covered "x" number of miles on foot.  I love knowing that I sweated out the frustrations of the day.  I love how running clears my head.  I love that when I'm running its just me and the road.  I love that running makes me feel strong, powerful, brave, free.  Running helps clear the crazy monsters out of my head.  It centers me.  When I'm depressed it picks me up.  When I'm manic it calms me down.  Running has become not just something I love but something I need.  It keeps me sane and makes me happy.

Now, I bet you want to know how you can win that sweet necklace and show the world that you too LOVE TO RUN!

Rules: 

Mandatory: (must do all three, each counts as a separate entry)
1.  Follow my blog.  If you don't already, click follow over on the right, either through Google Friend Connect or follow by email.  Simple.
2.  Go to Tarma's Facebook page and hit like.  Again, simple.
3.  Tell me why you love to run! Still pretty simple.

Then, tell me in ONE comment that you did all this stuff.

Optional:
4.  Make a donation, any amount to my fundraising efforts.  Every dollar you donate will be another entry ($1 = one additional entry, $2 = two entries, etc). (AND, it's totally tax deductible!)  Donate here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/wdw12/ewallersco
[If you don't know by now, I've been a member of the Team in Training community for nearly two years.  This cause is incredibly important to me, and I will continue to do what I can until a cure is found.  Cancer needs to be defeated.  If you want to know why I keep coming back to Team in Training and raising money for blood cancer please read this post: http://runningatthespeedofme.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-i-keep-coming-back.html]
5.  Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (you can also add it on facebook or your blog for an additional entry). (I just entered @ewallerscott's Love to Run giveaway and you should too!m http://bit.ly/pFmw4x)
6.  Go to Tarma's website here, and tell me what you like about them.

Add all additional ways that you entered into the same comment from above, or you can add a second comment, up to you. (If you donated you don't need to tell me the exact amount, just let me know you did and I'll get make sure you are entered the correct number of times)

Now, enter and then get out there and love the run!!!

The giveaway is open for one week, so you have until noon PST August 15th to enter (one week from today).  A winner will be picked at random.

Thanks!



San Fransico Marathon Weekend Recap

Oh San Francisco... I absolutely love San Francisco and would move there in a heartbeat.  Seriously.  My favorite city.  On to the weekend and the race. 



I decided to make a long weekend out of the marathon and took Friday and Monday off of work.  I flew into Oakland on Friday morning and got to my sister's place in SOMA at about 1:30pm.  It was a glorious day.  My sister, Stephanie, and I had a lovely afternoon then went to dinner and a movie, fun sister night! (We saw "Midnight in Paris," which was a very good film, but made me feel a little dumb because I didn't know who all the historical characters were towards the end.  Doesn't matter, it was good anyway.)  

the view from my sister's place
aka Hotel Blu

The next morning I headed down to the expo to meet up with Lisa, Greg, Amanda and Matt.  While I was there I got to meet Monika, who I got my awesome GlamRunner tutu from.  And I finally met Regular Joe.  I tweet with both of them all the time, so it was nice to finally meet them in person, they were both so great.

 

Me and SFM Ambassador Monika



Regular Joe, SFM Ambassador and I

I also got to meet and chat with Bart Yasso, who couldn't have been nicer.  And, I saw Sam, of Operation Jack and let him know there's a good chance I'll be volunteering at the Operation Jack Marathon again this year.  Also, while at the expo I saw a couple of races that really piqued my interest and now I'm thinking about what I'm going to do next year, including Big Sur (I've got to decide soon on this one because it'll probably sell out, but I'm 90% sure I'm going to do it).

   

How is my bib this wrinkled before I've even pinned it on?

The alarm went off at 6am, giving me 30 minutes to get ready and out the door (plenty of time for me).  I got downstairs and realized I had left my bib in the apartment! Whoops!  This is why you pin it on the night before.  I met Matt and Amanda at my sister's building and we headed to the shuttle, about a 5 minute walk away, nice and convenient! 

As we were headed across town and the bus turned on to the Great Highway and we heard a loud crunch.  Uh oh! Bus vs. Prius.  The front of that Prius had a serious dent in it.  After waiting a few minutes we were loaded on to a second shuttle for the start line.

Did I forget to mention that I decided to wear a tutu for this race?  I am not the girliest of girls, but I figured it would be fun, and it certainly was.

look at me! I'm wearing a tutu!

We got there with plenty of time to spare and decided to head to corral 2, hoping that Lisa and Deb, who were doing the full would be passing around the time we started.  Lisa was doing really well and she passed the second half start line about 15 minutes before we were leaving.  I knew it would be tough to catch up to her, but I thought there was a chance if I ran hard and didn't do an interval.  

I stuck with Matt (who has a broken elbow) and Amanda for a little bit but then decided to book it and try to catch up to Lisa.  I figured without an interval I stood a chance.  I saw her coming out of Stow Lake as I was heading in, less than a mile ahead of me.  I knew I was going to just have to run hard to catch her.  I was making good time too, but as soon as I got out of that loop my left hip started to hurt. =/  I slowed down considerably.  I didn't have an interval set on my watch, so I was running when I could and walking when I had to.  My pace was terrible.  I gave up catching Lisa, but I thought maybe Matt and Amanda would catch up to me.  I realized that I was paying the price for the previous two weeks of no running on top of the four weeks before with very little running.  Bad idea to run a half marathon on so little training.

I don't mind running by myself and enjoyed the city.  The tutu got me so many cheers along the way and when I was walking and someone would yell "Go tutu!" it got me running again.  It was so much fun.  I loved that I was running a different part of the city too.  Running through the Haight was so fun.  Throughout the course runners get diverted down different streets, I knew this was coming, and it moved seamlessly.  At one point I was diverted right down Scott street.  Then I realized I was going to be turning left up ahead.  I saw the street name as I was approaching, it was Waller.  I was approaching the intersection of Waller and Scott! What is so incredible about this is that my last name is Waller-Scott, and I was suddenly at Waller and Scott.  Crazy!  Of course, I stopped to take a picture.  Then, I suddenly realized, everyone was running pretty far ahead of me and I didn't get a picture of myself at Waller/Scott.  Oh well!

A little bit further along someone came up behind me and said hi.  I thought maybe one of my friends had caught up to me and then I looked over and saw Monika in her tutu! (She and I were wearing the same color tutu.)  It was great to see a familiar face and I ran with her for about a minute, and then I just had to walk again. 

I finally got to the finish line, in the same time that I did the first half of SF last year.  Not my worst, but certainly not my best.  I'm happy that I was able to finish.  After all of that crazy neck pain in the last few weeks I'm just glad I can run again.  I collected my medal and then went to the Half it All tent to get my other medal for completing both halves of the marathon and went to find Lisa.  Lisa PR'd in a big way, getting close to breaking 5 hours in the full.  I was so happy for her and proud of her!



We waited for Matt and Amanda and Deb to come in and then we all went to lunch at 21st Amendment.

Full marathon finishers, Deb and Lisa! So proud of both of them!

That evening my sister and I went over to our cousin's place for dinner and had such a good time.  It was nice to hang out with Luci and her little one, Tripp. (Left to right, Tripp and Stephanie, Tripp, Gidget)

The next morning I headed took BART to the Oakland airport and was on my way back to LA.  When I landed and stepped off the plane at Burbank I thought I was going to melt, it was 91 degrees and on the tarmac it felt like 150.  Blech.  Give me back that cool San Francisco summer!

All in all, a super fun weekend.  I set no time goals for myself for this race, not even a super secret goal (which I always do), because I knew this was going to be a tough race after such a small amount of training.  So, is the San Francisco Marathon "Worth the Hurt"?  Absolutely.  If you've never run it, go, run the first half or the second half or even the full, you won't be disappointed.  It's a great race in an amazing city.  Next time I need to do the full.



SFM tech tee.... not my favorite shade of orange

My new spinner medal, first half side, second half side. And, my two half marathon medals with the spinner. Randomly, last year's medal had the Golden Gate Bridge on it (when I ran the bridge) and this year's has Haight Ashbury on it (and I ran through that this year).  I was originially going to run the first half of the marathon again this year, but with the announcement of the Half it All Challenge I decided to switch to the second half. And, I'm so glad I did.  Now when I decide to run the full I'll know what's coming the whole way.

There was one bad thing that happened this weekend.  I got back to my parent's house to find this, the back window of my car broken.  Boo.

But, then there's the best thing about coming home... my sweet little puppy...

Now, time to start training for Goofy!

Check out why I'm running 39.3 miles in one weekend and consider supporting me...

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/wdw12/ewallersco

Thanks!