Loopsters. Last. Weekend. Was. AWESOME. I’m still high on life from having such a wonderful time.
For you all to really understand why this weekend was particularly amazing to me, I have to give you a little background on my family and my own perception of myself within my family that I had for a very long time. I essentially had a few demons that I spent a lot of time trying to ignore. In the process, I also felt like everyone could see those demons and looked down on me for it (yes, I know completely ridiculous, but still the truth in my head). SO, I tried to be perfect. And failed, miserably. In the process, I also cut myself off from my family – sure, I’d sit down and talk with them and answer questions when they asked, but I rarely was able to carry on a conversation that was longer than a few minutes, for fear that they would find another reason to dislike me or think I was the black sheep of the family. I lost a lot of opportunities to get to know my cousins in particular who were my age.
A few years ago, I finally confronted the demons I needed to confront (with a lot of help) and when I started running, I was able to find something in myself that I think I had lost a long time ago - the essence of who I was. I was no longer trying to be perfect. I was just being me. Yes, I did start running because all of my friends were, but friends can’t make you enjoy something. It was the enjoyment of running, the ability to take time for myself, to do something that was completely and utterly selfish. I didn’t run to impress anyone (although I loved that people were impressed), I didn’t run to lose weight (although all of the “wow, you’ve gotten so skinny” comments are fantastic), and I didn’t run because I thought it would make my parents any more proud of me than they already were (although it’s so cute and embarrassing the way my papa brags about my times, even when I hate them).
Running and continuing to confront my own demons at the same time gave me an inner peace that I hadn’t had since I was a child – and I have been able to sit down and get to know my cousins in a way that I have never been able to. I was no longer afraid that they would see who I was, I could just be me and it didn’t matter. It seems silly that it was once hard for me to have a conversation with people who were my own family, but it was. These new conversations, however, allowed me to realize something incredibly amazing: one of the things we do have in common outside of our Irish-Catholic familyness was running! As Loopsters, we already know that running gives us a special bond, and with my family, it has been no different. There are cousins I really didn’t know well at all a few months ago, cousins I didn’t talk to at all, that I now talk to on a regular basis. This weekend, at the pasta party, at the race, afterwards … we all just sat around, chatting as if we were old friends. It was completely and utterly amazing. And what’s even more amazing is how many ‘thank yous’ I got for organizing this get-together. Really, it wasn’t much work, but everyone was so appreciative, I still get a little overwhelmed thinking about it. Actually, my heart is swelling and my eyes are tearing up as I’m writing this.
I have never felt this close to my extended family before, Loopsters. It’s one of the best feelings I have ever had, and it’s something I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for running.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Omaha 10K RR ... from inside Eliz83's head
Saturday, September 25 11:00pm
Wow. That pasta and everyotherkindoffoodimaginable party with the family was awesome. I can’t believe how many people actually came. I’m so happy. Ok, lets get everything ready for the morning.
Green t-shirt with race number pinned on: check
Sports bra: check
Favorite underwear to run in: check
Running capris: check
Favorite socks to run in: check
Brooks: check
RoadID: check
Timex: check
Timing chip …. Timing chip?? TIMING CHIP???? WHERE IS MY TIMING CHIP???????
(mild panic ensuing)
Calm down. Read the instructions. “No need to take timing chip off of race bib”. Oh. Wait. What? Huh. There it is on the back of the bib. Ok. Good night.
Sunday, September 26, 5:15 am
Oh goodness, it’s early. No, you can’t hit snooze. Get up. Wash face. Ok now I’m a little more awake. Waiiiit a minute. It’s race day! Yay!
Hmm … what does my uncle have in his cabinets that would make good pre-10K food? Peanut butter and toast would be good. Nope. No bread. Oatmeal. Yum. YUM! Right. Water. Don’t forget that. Leave bag by Mom’s purse with note … done.
Ok, and there are Cuz1-4 pulling in to pick me up. Morning.
Sigh. Traffic. Oh well, we will get there before the start. Cuz2 please stop trying to tell Cuz3 where to go to avoid traffic. He’s going to kick your behind when we park the car.
Brrr …. It’s a chilly morning. Wow. Those are long lines for the porta potties. Look! Cuz5! Yay! Everyone is wearing green so far!!! Sweet.
Hey! Cuz6’s wife. Wait, where’s Cuz6? I don’t see him. Oh good, Cuz5 sees him. Yay! Picture! Ok. Yes! There are 5 of us starting together. Fun!!!!
And there’s the gun … … … … … … … and here we stand. Yay! Now we’re going! Look at us! We’re runners.
Ok, see ya Cuz3-5! You are going too fast for Cuz6 and I we’ll just hang out here.
Wow. This is so great. The weather is perfect. The whole family is out here, on the course together. This has never happened before!!!
Look! Cheering section #1! Yay! Hi! This is fun! You guys are great spectators!
Whoa Cuz6, you are going a bit faster than I want to go, but I’ll try to keep up … yeah. This isn’t working. You want to go faster than me so you should. Good luck! See you at the finish.
Water! Oops. Gatorade. Well, that will work. Hey! Cheer section #2! Hi Momma! Hi Pappa! Hi rest of family! Yay! You make me feel like a million bucks!!!
… and then there was one. I suppose I’m bringing up the rear. I hope no one is disappointed. I guess I could have tried to run with Cuz6. I mean, it is only for 6 miles and since there aren’t any regular mile markers, I don’t really know how fast he was going. Maybe he was going slower than 10mms and I can totally do that for 6 miles. It would be pushing myself nearly to my limit, but that’s ok. Right? Oh man, should I speed up now?
ELIZ STOP IT! You are doing just fine. You’ve found your stride and stick with that. Why are you so worried about what people are thinking? They are runners. They understand everyone has their own pace. They’ve got theirs, you’ve got yours. So you’re just fine.
Self, you are right. I am just fine. I feel amazing right now, what have I got to be worried about? I mean, I’m running! I can run! I have the ability and health to run 6.2 miles today. Yay me!
Wow, that saxophonist can play jazz beautifully this early in the morning. That’s so great he got up to play for us! Aw, that man was so nice for stopping to walk with that woman even though she told him to keep going. Look! Friends dressed alike. Sigh. I miss my Minnesota running friends.
Is that Cuz3 walking ahead of me? Why yes it is. Not ready to start running again? Sure I’ll walk with you. This race was about brining family together, after all. I’m seriously so glad you decided to run your first race with us! Ready now? Ok, let’s go!
Walking again? Mind if I keep on? Ok, see you at the finish!
A mile marker! Yay! Mile 4 … and I’m at 43:change? Really? Is this thing right? I’m not that fast. Oh well … I’m having fun now! Hey! Cheering sections! Hi!!!! You guys are amazing! This just makes my heart feel like it’s the size of Texas!!! I feel so happy right now, I can hardly stand it! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I’m so close! Time to speed up a bit. That’s right, I’m gonna pass you …. And you … Yeah. You’re faster. I’ll let you pass me. And then I’ll pass you …. And you … and yes. Even you. Haha! I’m getting you all! Why? Because I’m awesome and I got 8 of my cousins to come run a race with me, that’s why. And then I got 10 other relatives to stand in the chilly September morning with cameras and flip video cameras just to see me (and 8 others) trot by!
Turn off time! Ok, now I’m really taking prisoners. Yup. You … and you … and the two of you … Hey Cuz1! Wait for Cuz3 and run in with him – he needs it more than me, I’m sure! More speed … and I’ll pass you … maybe not … maybe … maybe not …
“You’re not gonna let an old guy like me beat you are ya?”
Haha. NO! See ya! evil grin
Hi Cuz’s that have already finished! Yeah! High fives all around! What’s that? A hottie is waiting for me at the finish?!?! Heck yes!!!! AAANNNDD … we’re done!
Wait. What does my watch say? 63:36??? Are you kidding me????? That’s way under 66 mins! Woo-hoo!!!!
my finishing video: http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/videoResults?rid=4257&race=166
Hello, good-looking. I do like a man in uniform. And the fact that you’re a Marine and you’re in your dress blues and you’re putting a medal around my neck right now makes me a little giggly. Ps – thanks for protecting us!
Mmmmm … bagels. Mmmmmm …. Chocolate milk.
I’m awesome.
Wow. That pasta and everyotherkindoffoodimaginable party with the family was awesome. I can’t believe how many people actually came. I’m so happy. Ok, lets get everything ready for the morning.
Green t-shirt with race number pinned on: check
Sports bra: check
Favorite underwear to run in: check
Running capris: check
Favorite socks to run in: check
Brooks: check
RoadID: check
Timex: check
Timing chip …. Timing chip?? TIMING CHIP???? WHERE IS MY TIMING CHIP???????
(mild panic ensuing)
Calm down. Read the instructions. “No need to take timing chip off of race bib”. Oh. Wait. What? Huh. There it is on the back of the bib. Ok. Good night.
Sunday, September 26, 5:15 am
Oh goodness, it’s early. No, you can’t hit snooze. Get up. Wash face. Ok now I’m a little more awake. Waiiiit a minute. It’s race day! Yay!
Hmm … what does my uncle have in his cabinets that would make good pre-10K food? Peanut butter and toast would be good. Nope. No bread. Oatmeal. Yum. YUM! Right. Water. Don’t forget that. Leave bag by Mom’s purse with note … done.
Ok, and there are Cuz1-4 pulling in to pick me up. Morning.
Sigh. Traffic. Oh well, we will get there before the start. Cuz2 please stop trying to tell Cuz3 where to go to avoid traffic. He’s going to kick your behind when we park the car.
Brrr …. It’s a chilly morning. Wow. Those are long lines for the porta potties. Look! Cuz5! Yay! Everyone is wearing green so far!!! Sweet.
Hey! Cuz6’s wife. Wait, where’s Cuz6? I don’t see him. Oh good, Cuz5 sees him. Yay! Picture! Ok. Yes! There are 5 of us starting together. Fun!!!!
And there’s the gun … … … … … … … and here we stand. Yay! Now we’re going! Look at us! We’re runners.
Ok, see ya Cuz3-5! You are going too fast for Cuz6 and I we’ll just hang out here.
Wow. This is so great. The weather is perfect. The whole family is out here, on the course together. This has never happened before!!!
Look! Cheering section #1! Yay! Hi! This is fun! You guys are great spectators!
Whoa Cuz6, you are going a bit faster than I want to go, but I’ll try to keep up … yeah. This isn’t working. You want to go faster than me so you should. Good luck! See you at the finish.
Water! Oops. Gatorade. Well, that will work. Hey! Cheer section #2! Hi Momma! Hi Pappa! Hi rest of family! Yay! You make me feel like a million bucks!!!
… and then there was one. I suppose I’m bringing up the rear. I hope no one is disappointed. I guess I could have tried to run with Cuz6. I mean, it is only for 6 miles and since there aren’t any regular mile markers, I don’t really know how fast he was going. Maybe he was going slower than 10mms and I can totally do that for 6 miles. It would be pushing myself nearly to my limit, but that’s ok. Right? Oh man, should I speed up now?
ELIZ STOP IT! You are doing just fine. You’ve found your stride and stick with that. Why are you so worried about what people are thinking? They are runners. They understand everyone has their own pace. They’ve got theirs, you’ve got yours. So you’re just fine.
Self, you are right. I am just fine. I feel amazing right now, what have I got to be worried about? I mean, I’m running! I can run! I have the ability and health to run 6.2 miles today. Yay me!
Wow, that saxophonist can play jazz beautifully this early in the morning. That’s so great he got up to play for us! Aw, that man was so nice for stopping to walk with that woman even though she told him to keep going. Look! Friends dressed alike. Sigh. I miss my Minnesota running friends.
Is that Cuz3 walking ahead of me? Why yes it is. Not ready to start running again? Sure I’ll walk with you. This race was about brining family together, after all. I’m seriously so glad you decided to run your first race with us! Ready now? Ok, let’s go!
Walking again? Mind if I keep on? Ok, see you at the finish!
A mile marker! Yay! Mile 4 … and I’m at 43:change? Really? Is this thing right? I’m not that fast. Oh well … I’m having fun now! Hey! Cheering sections! Hi!!!! You guys are amazing! This just makes my heart feel like it’s the size of Texas!!! I feel so happy right now, I can hardly stand it! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I’m so close! Time to speed up a bit. That’s right, I’m gonna pass you …. And you … Yeah. You’re faster. I’ll let you pass me. And then I’ll pass you …. And you … and yes. Even you. Haha! I’m getting you all! Why? Because I’m awesome and I got 8 of my cousins to come run a race with me, that’s why. And then I got 10 other relatives to stand in the chilly September morning with cameras and flip video cameras just to see me (and 8 others) trot by!
Turn off time! Ok, now I’m really taking prisoners. Yup. You … and you … and the two of you … Hey Cuz1! Wait for Cuz3 and run in with him – he needs it more than me, I’m sure! More speed … and I’ll pass you … maybe not … maybe … maybe not …
“You’re not gonna let an old guy like me beat you are ya?”
Haha. NO! See ya! evil grin
Hi Cuz’s that have already finished! Yeah! High fives all around! What’s that? A hottie is waiting for me at the finish?!?! Heck yes!!!! AAANNNDD … we’re done!
Wait. What does my watch say? 63:36??? Are you kidding me????? That’s way under 66 mins! Woo-hoo!!!!
my finishing video: http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/videoResults?rid=4257&race=166
Hello, good-looking. I do like a man in uniform. And the fact that you’re a Marine and you’re in your dress blues and you’re putting a medal around my neck right now makes me a little giggly. Ps – thanks for protecting us!
Mmmmm … bagels. Mmmmmm …. Chocolate milk.
I’m awesome.
A WRR with pics!
Goodness. I don’t even know where to begin, because this weekend wasn’t just a race, it was an amazing weekend with my family – family that normally I only see at weddings and funerals. So really, I have to write about the before, during, and after … so while I'm waiting for pictures, I'll write a quick WRR (weekend race review) of the LWW Cousin Run.
side note: ‘LWW’ is the first initials of the last names of the 3 families that are all related; the official Facebook event used the actual names, but you all understand the reasons for truncation. :)
Anyway, the LWW Cousin Run kicked off Saturday night with an amazing dinner/party at one of the cousin’s house in Omaha. It was so nice of them to host this party, because I didn’t even ask – they volunteered! We ate, laughed, took lots of pictures and my uncle, who is a priest, said a blessing for all of the runners. We also did a kids run since the Omaha Marathon doesn’t have one. The kids ran about a 400 meter loop twice around the lot across the street and one of my cousins (Cuz1) had made finisher medals for the kids – the medals even had the track symbol on them! One of the kids was so excited he didn’t take his medal off the entire night – and the kid’s race was before we ate!
Fast-forward to Sunday morning. I get up, I run, I have an amazing time, there are lots of pictures (I'll even have to add ones here later) and I finish beautifully! I smash both goals I had (time: 66 mins and place: top half in age group). I'll get those details to you later.
After all of the cousins had finished and we met up with part of our cheering section, we relished in our collective awesomeness and took more pictures. I seriously could not have had a better time and everyone commented on how I was so happy and cheerful every time they saw me running by. But seriously, on a morning like that, I had no reason to be unhappy, so I just shrugged and said I was having a ball. To top it all off, Cuz1 placed 2nd in her age group and Cuz2 placed 1st in hers!! That’s right, the LWW Cousins are a force to be reckoned with! When we finally left the race, we headed to a local bakery to pick up Cinnamon and Pecan rolls, and went back to our Uncle’s house to relax and have breakfast.
It was the most delicious breakfast ever … again, with more food than necessary and even some beer. I was so bummed to have to leave in the early afternoon. I hadn’t had that much fun with family in a long time. Perhaps the best part was Cuz3 is totally going to do another race! We’ve got another hooked!!!
side note: ‘LWW’ is the first initials of the last names of the 3 families that are all related; the official Facebook event used the actual names, but you all understand the reasons for truncation. :)
Anyway, the LWW Cousin Run kicked off Saturday night with an amazing dinner/party at one of the cousin’s house in Omaha. It was so nice of them to host this party, because I didn’t even ask – they volunteered! We ate, laughed, took lots of pictures and my uncle, who is a priest, said a blessing for all of the runners. We also did a kids run since the Omaha Marathon doesn’t have one. The kids ran about a 400 meter loop twice around the lot across the street and one of my cousins (Cuz1) had made finisher medals for the kids – the medals even had the track symbol on them! One of the kids was so excited he didn’t take his medal off the entire night – and the kid’s race was before we ate!
Fast-forward to Sunday morning. I get up, I run, I have an amazing time, there are lots of pictures (I'll even have to add ones here later) and I finish beautifully! I smash both goals I had (time: 66 mins and place: top half in age group). I'll get those details to you later.
After all of the cousins had finished and we met up with part of our cheering section, we relished in our collective awesomeness and took more pictures. I seriously could not have had a better time and everyone commented on how I was so happy and cheerful every time they saw me running by. But seriously, on a morning like that, I had no reason to be unhappy, so I just shrugged and said I was having a ball. To top it all off, Cuz1 placed 2nd in her age group and Cuz2 placed 1st in hers!! That’s right, the LWW Cousins are a force to be reckoned with! When we finally left the race, we headed to a local bakery to pick up Cinnamon and Pecan rolls, and went back to our Uncle’s house to relax and have breakfast.
It was the most delicious breakfast ever … again, with more food than necessary and even some beer. I was so bummed to have to leave in the early afternoon. I hadn’t had that much fun with family in a long time. Perhaps the best part was Cuz3 is totally going to do another race! We’ve got another hooked!!!
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