Running Yoda says, “Walk, Not!”       Diane says, “I know, I know!” Read the rest of this entry →

Thursday morning, before sunrise, just before Lenape Park, I was fiddling with my Garmin, sipping my Gatorade out of my CleanBottle, getting ready to start my run.  That’s when it happened.  Just beneath the lamppost, in the shadow of the light that casts to the asphalt, I saw him.  Hello Mr. Coyote!!!! Read the rest of this entry →

This process of training for a marathon means that every day begins with an “Ask”.  Something the day is asking of me.   Week 1 starts easy, and it builds for 18 weeks….taking me to a taper week – and then straight to the Starting Line of Race Day.    The days of the week play out similarly.  Monday starts out lighter (it’s typically a recovery run from the Sunday long run), and the miles build up over the days as the week progresses  – culminating in a long run on Sunday.  This Monday (Actual Day 1 of the whole shooting match) started easy…..3 miles.  Tuesday is a Rest Day (luv, luv, luv).  Wednesday and Thursday were asking for 4 miles.  Each.  Greedy little monsters!  On top of their “Ask”, I was “Asking” myself for more.  Run the miles Diane.  Find out what you are made of.  I believe you are made of “more than walking”.    Go out into the big world….and find out!! Read the rest of this entry →

Remember the old commercials, “When EF Hutton Talks, People Listen”?  Well….my version of this would probably have to be, “When Marathon Brian Talks, I Listen.”  Sheesh Diane, what the heck does that have to do with Valentine’s Day?  Well, it’s a couple of degrees of separation, but I’ll tell ya! Read the rest of this entry →

Eleven Years ago today — I was working in 7 World Trade Center on the 39th floor.  I was working for Citigroup Asset Management at the time, and on Tuesday mornings — we had a global operations call at 7am ET.  By 846am, the day was well underway.  I was in my office, which had a window overlooking the courtyard, with the North Tower right outside my window.

What happened next sounded like a loud, deep, solid thud.  I stood from my chair, walked to the window, and looked out the window, down to the ground — thinking something very large, and very heavy must have been dropped in the street.  It was then that I saw all the paper.  Tiny bits of paper falling from the sky.  Followed by a rush of smoke.  Followed by a ball of fire.  I backed slowly  out of my office,  — looking to the right, I found myself staring at the man in the next office — who had just done the exact same thing.  I said, “Holy Shit, they bombed the building.” Read the rest of this entry →

So today is the day.  Day 1 of my 18 week Marathon Training.   It feels like it has taken forever to get here.  To the Beginning.  I’m not sure why I make such a big deal of it — I suppose it’s because I am a pretty structured, deadline-oriented person.  Just running, for no reason……has been outside of my comfort zone.  I LIKE following a schedule.  I LIKE having a purpose.  Well, starting today, this trait is going to serve me well – because GIRL,  do I know how to follow a schedule!!  And GIRL, have I got a Schedule in front of me!!  18 weeks of daily learning.  18 weeks into the unknown.  18 weeks from the NEW me…to an even NEW-ER me.  K.E.W.L.! Read the rest of this entry →

60 degrees.  Have you ever heard anything sound better?  Well, it felt JUST as good, this morning. Read the rest of this entry →

Overcast skies were overhead as I biked to Weight Watchers this morning.  The temp was glorious.  Ooooh, I am getting excited, anticipating the change of seasons.  Fall, autumn, whatever you are called — come to mama! Read the rest of this entry →

I failed today.  I set out to run 3 miles.  Just 3 measly miles.  As I came down the hill at 1.5 miles….I stopped.  I tried to talk myself out of it.  But it felt like it just happened.  Just like that.  I heard myself say, I’m stopping.  Then I did.  I felt ashamed.  I walked home from there, feeling like a failure.  Doubting my ability to do any of this.  Not 3 miles, and certainly not a Marathon.  I can’t do this.  Turns out — I was right. Read the rest of this entry →

Two miles.  That’s all.  I decided to try to break my habit of looking at my Garmin watch so much.  Two times.  Only two times would I look at it.  At the end of mile 1.  And again at the end of mile 2.  Those were two r.e.a.l.l.y. long miles….LOL Read the rest of this entry →