Out of the strain of the doing, Into the peace of the done.
~Julia Woodruff, Gone
I can't believe it! Week #26 is here! 4 more days of exercise and I’ve completed my 2011 Mary-thon and I get to award myself my medal! How does it feel, you ask? IT FEELS GREAT!!!!!
In looking back over the past 26 weeks I made a two lists that I would like to share with you:
Least fun part:
1. Finding time to exercise on a busy day…and realizing that late night is the only option left.
2. Falling down.
3. Running on the treadmill with our neighborhood woodchuck staring at me outside my window for the entire 40 minutes! Gives me the creeps!
4. Lunges and squats.
5. Sweating profusely.
6. Mary-thoners who sign up and then disappear into thin air. Are they in…are they out??? No pressure…just a simple yes or no e-mail and I’ll quit bugging them! I promise!
7. Watching the TV while on the treadmill in a gym when someone came in and changed the channel! How rude!
8. Trying to recharge my batteries when the novelty wore off…about week #15. (That’s where your e-mail and words of encouragement continues to keep me going!)
9. The crazy excuses people gave me for dropping out when in reality I knew what they wanted to say was “I just don’t want to!”
10.Humidity.
Least fun part:
1. Finding time to exercise on a busy day…and realizing that late night is the only option left.
2. Falling down.
3. Running on the treadmill with our neighborhood woodchuck staring at me outside my window for the entire 40 minutes! Gives me the creeps!
4. Lunges and squats.
5. Sweating profusely.
6. Mary-thoners who sign up and then disappear into thin air. Are they in…are they out??? No pressure…just a simple yes or no e-mail and I’ll quit bugging them! I promise!
7. Watching the TV while on the treadmill in a gym when someone came in and changed the channel! How rude!
8. Trying to recharge my batteries when the novelty wore off…about week #15. (That’s where your e-mail and words of encouragement continues to keep me going!)
9. The crazy excuses people gave me for dropping out when in reality I knew what they wanted to say was “I just don’t want to!”
10.Humidity.
Most fun part:
1. Trying new types of exercise to fill 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 26 weeks! I tried an elliptical, a stationary bike, swimming, stair climbing, weights, using a stepper, squats and lunges, and even kayaking!
2. Being able to easily carry bags of Project Linus blankets due to 6 months of arm strength training!
3. Braving a few “hills” when I run and actually getting to the top.
4. The feeling of accomplishment when I drive past someone running and I think “I’ve already done my exercises today!”
5. Reading the stories you have sent me with your accomplishments, the hurdles you’ve overcome, your determination to finish – even after starting over one, two, three or more times!
6. My own family of Mary-thoners that not only supports me by becoming Mary-thoners, but shared my crazy idea with their friends creating a wonderful network of fitness support.
7. Buying new shoes and new workout clothes.
8. Eating Gu and Gu Chomps. Yum!!!
9. My wonderful husband who signed up to run another half-marathon with me in December – even though he never really wanted to be a distance runner!
10.The medal!
The finish line is up ahead and congratulations to each of you for making it this far! If you’re nearing the end – e-mail me as soon as you cross and I’ll send you your beautiful medal! Then, take a picture of yourself wearing your medal and I'll post it on the blog! If you’re close…keep at it – I’m still here to motivate you! If you’re re-starting - BRAVO!!!! There are still 27 weeks left in the year – plenty of time to finish.
**Sneak preview: Some of you have asked about 2012! YES! The Mary-thon WILL continue in 2012! Keep in mind that if you finish the 2011 Mary-thon – you will be considered a Golden Member with the perks that go with that title :-) I’ll keep you posted!
Keep Moving Forward!
Mary
