Countdown to My Solo Marathon Run 5 Days: From "Cheers" to "Friends" to the End

There are so many wonderful sayings about friends. When I was a girl I remember friends saying we would be "friends to the end," and the reply back would be "friends to the end." Which if to the end, or infinity goes beyond today's usage of BFF's (Best Friends for Life).

We also had "blood buddies." If you and a friend where brave enough and felt your friendship was as deep or deeper than your blood family you would make a small cut on a finger or the palm of your hand and co-mingle your blood, a sign of commitment to the blood buddy. You won't find that expression in a Google search easily, but a similar sign of the deep bond of a friendship can be seen in the use of the expression "blood," instead of calling friends by their given names. As are calling friends bro, sis or momma, which has no male equivalent expression in English, the closest one "daddio" used in the 50's just meant "dude," though in Spanish friends may call one another "mami" or "papi."

The imagery that goes along with many sayings are exemplary of the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words."

I love this one from SearchQuotes.Com: "Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest. It's about who came and never left your side." How true.

And, I will add that in family many ties go beyond blood relation to if we did not share DNA I would still want you in my life. That is as tight a relation as you can imagine. Lastly we have the partnership relations that reach an end but the friendship continues.

In our adult lives friendships can develop in the space of our 9 to 5's, who we room with in college dorms or an apartment or during after work social activities.

Remember the TV series Cheers that aired from 1982 to 1993? Setting: a Boston Bar. Catch phrase: "where everyone knows your name." Then came the Friends series from 1994 to 2004. Setting: New York City. Catch phrase: "I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too." We don't know the how or why's behind our meeting. Just the good that comes of it and blossoms as we age.

On my commute to work today I thought of all the friends who have supported me in one way or another as I trained for the ING Marathon, as I planned and prepared to give it a go and do a solo run, in fox costume and all. Who have been at my side through the the marathon we are all engaged in, day in and day out the marathon challenges of life. I have had a tough go on many levels in 2012 as have many of my dear friends but no matter our own challenges we remain at each others side. A call, an email, a text, a FB chat or wall post, a dinner, a lunch, an after work drink, a run or power walk to chat and catch up.

Music is so much a part of my life. In addition, to words and imagery. When I think of my friends I think of  Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Friends" that starts with the lyrics:

"I hope the day will be a lighter highway. For friends are found on every road. Can you ever think of any better way. For the lost and weary travelers to go?"
 
"Making friends for the world to see. Let the people know you got what you need. With a friend at hand you will see the light. If your friends are there then every thing's all right"

And, Dionne Warwick and Friend's "That's what friends are for."


As the days wind down to my solo marathon run I want to take time to say THANKS! and, I HEART YOU! to all my wonderful friends, you know who you are - double ;) You will be in my heart as I trek 26.2 miles and always!

xoxo,

Mo's Dragon Marathon Fundraiser for the Micheal J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Continues.

2012 NYC ING Marathon Countdown 13 Lucky Days: What's in a Number?

When you hear the word number(s) the first thing that comes to mind may be:

At times numbers can be Twilight-zonish

Images like this connoting confusion and complexity. Perhaps you are thinking of Pi=3.14159 which is an irrational number (numbers have been known to cause some to become irrational about them) and it is also a transcendental number (thinking of what you would do if you won the Mega Million, Power Ball, Scratch off, or other Lottery? Maybe you are thinking of going on a 365-day-permanent vacation, buying a new or first home, a giant engagement ring, hiring a maid, a butler, and personal assistant or taking the trip of a lifetime to outer space on Virgin Galactic- you have just been transcended to another place. What magic these numbers have!).

If you have been bitten by number mania (Is there a better expression for one who loves numbers than number maniac? I couldn't google one.) and mystery you may be thinking of the hit TV series spelled Numb3rs. Yes, Numb3rs and numbers everywhere can solve anything! It just takes a little time. And who doesn't like a hot or spicy number?

Hot & Spice & Everything Nice. That's what Numb3rs are made of!

Even if you are one who says, "I don't like numbers!" You must make your peace with them. Numbers are the roommates, family, friends and others that influence us the most, often without our full awareness and perhaps at times agreement.

What time is it? A: A number(s).

How old are you now? A: It's my birthday, ask me tomorrow I want to be happy today? (A number(s)).

What is your weight? What is your HDL & LDL? What did you get on the SAT's, GRE's? Answers: A number(s).

During my training leading up to the marathon, I spoke with others training about pace, distance, number of repeats, reps, time for recovery, percentage increase in workouts week over week, target and maximum heart rate.

While talking to other barefoot, minimalist runners I learned about drop. My New Balance Minimus have a zero drop which means my heel is at the same plane as the front of my foot unlike other running shoes that have a raised heel (2:1 or some other ratio). And, music which is a series of notes in number, and a most welcome accompaniment on long runs.

Numbers are sometimes considered lucky. Lucky number 7. Or, unlucky as in 13. But, today I feel that 13 is my lucky number. My knee is finally feeling better. It does not lock or hurt when I turn to walk left. In 13 days I will trek 26.2 miles or 42.16481 kilometers, in a fox custom (you know you want to see that!) to continue my NYC Half Marathon efforts to raise funds and awareness for TEAM FOX. I am about 25% of my goal. I know with the support of my family, friends (the numbers in my life that I heart- Yes I heart you #'s), I will get to 101%.

To lend your support please click on this link  Mo's Marathon Fundraising for Team Fox 

My deepest thanks to all who have already.