I Don't Do Patience

Here's a little Lake Placid Half Marathon update:

Fundrasing goal achieved? check
Training complete? check
Tickets, reservations? check
Bags mostly packed? check
Arrangements to board Finny at the kennel? check
Patience to wait until Sunday, June 13th at 8am? FAIL

Ok then.

How about I run the race NOW??? The anticipation is killing me.

I am so impatient, it's not funny.

This is my first half marathon, and my first experience with the concept of "tapering" in training. Which basically means I've run little more than 2 miles each run for the past 2 weeks and I am absolutely going stir crazy to run more.

I am so grateful to everyone who donated, and am flabbergasted that I have exceeded my goal by almost $500. You are the most generous, wonderful people I know, and I will make you really proud on race day.

I wish today was race day. Have I mentioned that?

Here's hoping this nervous energy will float me a little faster on Sunday morning....

Profiles in Awesomeness #5 (&6!): My TNT Mentors, Carrie O'Laughlin and Gabi Tanski

That's Carrie on the upper left, Gabi is lower right

Here's to wonderful women who inspire you EVERY SINGLE DAY!! Carrie and Gabi do just that.

When you sign up to run a race for the LLS, the Team In Training program (TNT) assigns you a mentor. This is an alumni who helps you out, guides you through the whole fundraising/training process, listens to your concerns, runs your training runs with you, and is generally there to lend support and help you achieve your goals.

The first year I trained with TNT, I got Gabi Tanski as my mentor, and let me tell you, was I lucky!! Gabi is a force of nature, with boundless energy, wit and charm! She was the one in the parking lot hugging EVERYONE before our group runs. Her constant enthusiasm, good mood, and cheer kept me focused and on target. She listened to all my doubts, and always believed in me, even with I wasn't so sure of myself. Our race is over, but she's my friend and constant source of support.

This year, when I signed up for the half marathon, I lucked out AGAIN! I got Carrie for a mentor, and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive mentor, and one who has so much experience with distance running! She kept in constant touch by email, helped me brainstorm some fundraising ideas (we'll do the Trike Race for SURE next year, Carrie!), and listened to any concerns I had and gave me sterling advice. Which is good, because I'm a newbie to this long distance stuff - I need all the hand holding I can get! She's a true inspiration who gives me a lot of confidence.

I am REALLY really lucky to have the support of these two exceptional women!

Profiles in Awesomeness #4: Jennie Moak Piazza

she's so cute I could eat her up

This is Jennie Moak Piazza. Jennie is the organist at my church. Jennie was my first piano teacher. Jennie is the sort of accompanist that gives you direction and lets you fly free at the same time. She is always there, right under you, giving you that safety net, and the confidence that you need to get the job done.

I have never met anyone as SOLID as Jennie. This is a woman who is so sure and loving and warm, it radiates. It makes other people feel like all is right in the world. It's funny too, because she's such a tiny thing. Yet she is a giant in my eyes.

Jennie is Doug Moak's widow. They were two peas in a pod, and in my mind, they still are. Doug and Jen, Jen and Doug. In so many ways, they were like two sides of the same coin, with music being the metal. Doug, shy and taciturn, Jennie outgoing and sparkling. Doug's warm honeyed tenor, Jennie's sweet soprano, tuned so well to each other.

Jennie is someone who I look forward to seeing every week. Jennie taught me more than music - she taught me the value of cheerful discipline and she taught me that practice has it's own great rewards. She also taught me the most valuable lesson of all - I don't HAVE to be perfect, I just have to keep trying, and your own unique version of perfection will come. I wouldn't be half the singer I am today if I hadn't benefitted from Jennie's wisdom.

And those are qualities that translate into all facets of life - the cheerful discipline, the enjoyment of the process rather than the rewards - I wouldn't know any of this were it not for Jennie.

Thank you Jennie. I don't think I say that enough.

1 week out....

....and I am so nervous, but thanks to YOU, it's not about fundraising.

Seriously folks - I could not ask for more wonderful people in my life. I am flabbergasted, humbled, grateful and so very moved by your tremendous support.

As of Monday, June 7th, I am almost $500 BEYOND my fundraising goal. This absolutely blows my mind. That you could be so generous, in hard times like this, to a klutzy smartass like me, is truly amazing and humbling.

"Thank you" seems such a pathetically small phrase. There really aren't words to capture how I feel.

I will make you proud on race day. I PROMISE.

I love you,
Deirdre