Life Lessons can be so hard.

I had a super introspective week – best explained by admitting to the world (now) that I have been in Foster Parent Training for the last 6 weeks.  As boring as much of the material and trainings have been, a lot of what we’ve learned in these classes has been incredibly helpful – both as a future foster parent and as life lessons. 

I tell you all of this, not necessarily as a confessional, but because we did an exercise this week that has profoundly impacted me.  At the very beginning of class, we were all handed 5 blank post-it notes and were asked to write on each of them the 5 most important connections in our lives.  There were many of us with similar answers: Family, Friends, god (not me…but most had their faith or god represented on at least one post-it).  Some had material things, others had sports teams or their family pets.  My five were Family (Mom, Michael, Aunt Lynne), Work/Colleagues (Matt, Christina, Kris, Sonya and Ron), Friends (Anne with Sean and Lyla), Music (Live and Recorded), and my Running Community/Triathlon Community.

Once we all completed our post-it notes, we were then told that we had to look at them and decide which one we were willing to live without.  I swallowed hard, thinking “WHAT?! There are only 5 things – I need to get rid of one?!”  So reluctantly, I raised “Music” into the air to show that I had chosen.  Some took longer than others to raise theirs in the air, but within a few seconds, all 30+ hands were in the air.  We were then asked to let go of the post-it and allow it to fall to the floor of the room.  And so, “Music” lay a few feet from my table.   You can probably see where this is headed, as we were then told to pick another one to live without.  I felt uneasy.  I knew I needed running to keep mentally healthy, but then deduced that I needed work and those colleagues to live (eat, clothing, housing, etc).  So into the air went my “Running Community”. 

By the third request, the time to decide got longer and longer, as many of us felt we couldn’t part with some of these items or people.  Mom, Anne and Work remained.  I knew without work both Mom and Anne would take me in – but without them, work would mean very little.  So, into the air went “Work”.  Strangely, I remember not having a job and losing all of my work colleagues – many of whom forgot about me once my locker was cleared from the faculty area.  But, Mom and Anne were both there. 

And then came the final request – to choose yet one final post-it to let go.  A woman at my table had her faith and children in her hands and was in tears.  (To lighten this blog a little, you should know that a guy at the table next to me still had the Green Bay Packers in his cold-hands.)  But I sat there realizing that the most important things in my life were in my two hands and all I could do was smile.  I let Anne go (and apologized to her yesterday while shopping), but in the end I know she understood. 

The lesson was to show us that Foster children are removed from all of the things that are important to them at once – all of their connections.  That they are often pulled away from even their last post-it note and it was important to show us that while we all had choices to make during that 15 minute exercise, these kids have no choice of what they can hold on to.  My heart was broken – and I knew I was doing the right thing choosing to become part of the solution to their mess(es), but incredibly grateful that I have my mom and family, Anne and her kids, Matt and all of my work colleagues, my running community and even my music.  We were allowed to pick all of our connections up from the ground.  Some chose to throw them away at break, but the exercise impacted many of us enough to have them displayed throughout the remainder of the training.  I smiled as I thought about how much I loved my 5 post-its and hope they are with me for the rest of my life. 

So, onto why I blog – because most of the time my 5 connections are with me.  On Monday morning, Matt and I rode easy.  My legs were fine, considering the weekend’s work, but the weather was gorgeous so we were happy to enjoy it.

Tuesday morning Matt asked if he could mix things up a bit – making me work super hard on a VERY steep trail run for 4-5 miles.  I was nervous, but game.  At the ½ way mark, up Telegraph Pass and down the Kwanis Trail, I looked at Matt and said, “I don’t think I can run back – its going to be 90% hiking.”  Matt was confident I would be ok, and off we went to complete the climb back up the mountain before the descent down Telegraph Pass.  Nearly 1000 feet of climbing and descent that morning left me feeling every inch of my legs.  I had to take a snap shot of the elevation (from my Garmin) so you could all see the pain Matt inflicted on me.  The good news, I was able to run all the way back up (save a few feet right at the top) and I kept within 10-15 feet of Matt until the descent.  I think he’s simply more willing to die nose first down the trail than I.   That 4.5 mile run took me an hour, but it was the BEST feeling when we were done. 

Click on it -- to see the elevation numbers and short distances to reach them!

South Mtn at our backs

I was really too sore to do anything on Wednesday, so I took the morning off.

By Thursday, Matt planned a tempo run at an 8:30 pace for 6 miles.  Our 6 mile route has long, drawn out hills and an 8:30 is a bit fast for me, but I was willing to try.  As much as I hate writing this I will because it reminds me how much work I have to do.  Just before the 3 mile mark (and about a mile after my iPod bailed on me), Matt told me we were running just under a 9 minute mile up the long hill.  He felt I could do better and told me so.  I couldn’t even answer – we were headed uphill and I had just completed 2+ miles at right around an 8:30 pace.  It was then that I heard, “Come on, Meri,” and glanced up to see Matt running backwards in front of me.  If I could have tripped him, I would have.   Jackass!  It helped.  I sped up and kept the two steepest miles under 9’s – something I have never done before.  I begged to dropped to a jog at mile 5 and we did.  Avg pace: 8:41 with the long hills.  I’ll take it.  There’s always next week!

Friday morning was another easy ride – it was cool and lovely.  No complaints.  It was also a SUPER long work day for both of us, as the MCC commencement ceremony was that evening. 

I also attended a morning brunch with the college community, my former-student-David’s commencement from ASU in the middle of the afternoon, and didn’t get home until after 10pm. 

Antonia (violin) and Cindy (Cello) - two of my amazing managers playing at the employee brunch!

David, former MCC student, at his graduation from ASU!  So proud - Summa Cum Laude!

Jordan, MCC student, Veteran and employee - graduating

I mention the late night because Matt met me at my house at 4:15am on Saturday so that we could caravan to the Pass Mountain Trail Head and be on the trail by 5am.  Barely 5 hours of sleep for either of us, but we knew we couldn’t miss another opportunity to hit this trail.  Its so hard, but so rewarding.  Two weeks ago when I blogged about it, I mentioned my 1:31 time.  Well, as we finished the run, I was never so proud to see 1:26 on my Garmin – nearly 5 minutes better than the last time, over 7.5 miles.  That’s huge.  I can’t wait to even improve on THAT.  But, with the AZ summer quickly approaching, it may have to wait a few months.  …maybe.  I should also mention, that on 5 hours of sleep Matt only missed his PR on Pass Mtn by 5 measly seconds – 1:20:04 (his best was 1:19:59).  I think we were both aware that this might be our last chance at a decent time for a few months.  The heat is a game changer and we just get out to put the miles on our bodies, rather than shooting for Personal Records. 

Click on it - seriously!

Pass Mountain at our backs!  Great morning!

And after my run, Anne and Lyla met me for breakfast and some shopping.   (In a few short hours, post-its 2-5 were represented.)

Squinting Lyla

So, this morning, I awakened to a text from Anne telling me she was headed out the door to start her 10 mile run.  Anne is shooting for a 2:30 half marathon in San Diego and I know she can do it.  I told her I would pick her up at one of our breakfast spots and drive her home.  I know this motivates her to stay on track – there’s nothing like knowing someone is waiting for you at the other end.  She anticipated a 2 hour finishing time, so I got up, had a cup of coffee and headed to the gym for my swim.

After 1700 meters, I knew I was cutting it close on time, so I hopped out of the pool and checked my phone.  Sure enough, a text from Anne at mile 6 telling me she was killing it and feeling strong.  I quickly threw my clothes over my suit and rushed off to meet her at Chompies.  Less than 2 minutes after I arrived, Anne rounded the corner super excited.  10 miles in 1:53 – she is on track for 2:27 Half Marathon.  I am really excited for her!!

Only pre-swim shot I will ever take again.  

As Anne finished -- outside Chompies!

It was awesome to sit and listen to Anne recount every mile of her run, as we ate.  She was on cloud 9 and deserved her moment in the sun!  Three weeks ‘til the San Diego Half. 

So, to close this week’s blog, I leave you with this thought – what are your five most important connections?  While you consider them, remember to thank those people or embrace those things today and always.  And, to Post-It-Note #1 – Happy Mother’s Day to the 3 women I held on to: Mom, Gram and Aunt Lynne.  (And even the mom’s I had to let go – Anne, Christina and Kris.) I love you all so much!