A Running Mom

Heres to the best 14 years ever. Here’s to today. The anniversary day of the beginning of those fabulous 14 years! 

It all started on the campus of The University of Michigan with a run through campus, by Zingerman’s and the Bell Tower with my friend, Steve. It was a beautiful day. 70. Sunny. Blooms bursting all around campus. I needed clarity that day. But I got much more. It really was the best run ever. I remember thinking, my whole life has been leading me to this very moment. 

And so, today, like many big days in our lives, I’m thinking about happy times, a happy run, Big Blue and looking around the room during our big party and thinking, this is a day I won’t forget. Ever. And I’m overwhelmed by all that we’ve done over these wonderful 14 years. It’s amazing what life brings, isn’t it? It’s a happy day.

Cheers!

Do you take time to run on the most important days in your life? Like when?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: Dudley Ladies

These ladies inspire me to keep running. They make a difference. They support each other. They stay healthy. Isn’t that inspiring to us all?

Here’s what I’ll be running to this weekend when I get the chance to lace up those shoes!  Try ‘em out and let me know if you run a little faster with these songs urging you on!

1. “Stronger” by Kanye West   

2. “Makes Me Wonder” by Maroon 5

3. “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga

4. “Live Your Life” by TI, featuring Rihanna

5. “You Found Me” by The Fray

6. “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga

7. “Sober” by Pink

8. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift

9. “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

A friend sent me a message today saying he was going for the last run of 2008. I hadn’t planned to run today. But he inspired me. Tonight I took the perfect run to end the year, with a dear friend, through a park that lights up the town with decorative lights this time of year.  Between the snow, the lights, the 20 degrees, hills, great stories and sinking sun, it couldn’t have been better.  So here’s to us all. All we’ve done.  And better, all we’ve get to do in 2009. Cheers!  And, thanks, Jeff!  

May your next run be a good one. Rebecca

So all you peeps out there who, like me, enjoyed the bliss of running today and came up with a fabulous idea because of it, here’s to you! For all you people who procrastinated one more day, get off that couch and hit it… the road, the track, the treadmill… get out there and RUN! You’ll be glad you did. I sure am. 

Treadmill running usually drives me crazy, but not today.  It was all about running faster and breathless, until my legs flew beneath me like an 8 year-old girl running for a fly ball she desperately wants to catch but knows she’s likely to drop it.  Panicked.  Frantic.  And awkward.  

That was me.  Today.  On the old treadmill.

And it was fabulous.

I even conjured up a terrific idea for the holiday season.  My girls are going to love it!  More on that later…

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Welcome to my ‘hood.  This is the fastest part of any run for me around where I live.  When I make it to this stop sign, my wheels can’t stop.  I’m running as fast as I can down this hill, around this corner (beautiful view, yes?) and whew! into my backyard.  Why is it so great?  It’s all downhill, baby.  Not steep.  Just sloped ever-so-subtly so that by the time I reach my house, I feel like an Olympian.

It’s a great finish.  And for me, sometimes, a great finish means a great run.

May your next run be a great one.

Rebecca

my favorite run

Top 5 Favorite Runs of All Time by Rebecca Gaynier

5. The Fairfield Half Marathon, Fairfield, CT - Beautiful rolling course with many water views. Well attended. Lots of water. Really fun “party” finish. Can’t wait to run it again! www.fairfieldhalf.org

4. The Shelter Island 10K, Shelter Island, NY - One-of-a-kind course with water views, beautiful homes and no big hills. The friendly “hometown” atmosphere keeps you smiling throughout. Terrific finish. www.shelterislandrun.com

3. The Paris Marathon, Paris, France - French language, croissants, unparalleled art, history and/or shopping plus the challenge of perhaps facing a chilly, rainy marathon… hm… this run might be for you. Truly unforgettable.  http://tiny.cc/mRl3Q 

2. Any Day, Any Distance, in Sausolito, CA - The cool, sunny mornings, rich with fog might hook you.  The challenge of a few, steep hills may entice you.  But it’s the charm of the architecture, shopping and the beautiful bay views that will make you yearn to run here again.  I know I do. _ http://tiny.cc/O7bCb 

1. The New York City Marathon, NYC, NY - Some love how runners “touch” all five boroughs.  Others think the neighborhoods are cool.  To me there is not another run like it in the world.   Spectators scream for you like family, you hear them every mile, and some of them even follow you! www.nycmarathon.org

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca