A great way to start

Indra

Alright, so today on the way home from school I was like "I am going to go for a ride when I get home." When I got home I finished my homework then decided to go on a run instead. I got dressed(In all pink mind you) and headed out to the barn. I think Erin and I have now proved that horses are great companions and transportation :-) I spent about five minutes catching Allegro then headed of at a good paced jog down the driveway. Allegro was trotting beside me and I was listening to an awesome song! I headed out of the driveway and crossed the road. The dogs had gotten distracted by something and had wondered off into the fields...A few minutes later they were running beside me. I didn't stop the whole run and after a mile- my stopping point I could barely breath I had been running so hard. Arriving home a little while later my pony jogging next to me, I knew it was the right decision to go on the run instead of the ride. in the beginning my plan had been to run the first mile then ride back home for the second mile. All in all I am very happy that I didn't choose to ride home, and ran the whole way. I feel great now and about two minutes after I finished the run I was feeling normal. This was a great first independent run and I plan to do one or two more in the upcoming week.

So Good Yet So Bad

On January 17, 2010 I was out enjoying myself thoroughly with a friend. We had ridden about two miles away from my house, Emma on Coach, and myself on Allegro. We had been out for about 1 1/2-2 hours and hadn't had any problems so far. Coach was being unusually good and Allegro, of course was being great. We had spent most of our ride cantering through corn fields on Lyman Flat Road. I had ridden on a great trail that lend to yet another field, so we decided to take it. Laughing and chatting we cantered around; almost getting stuck in a snow bank up to my 15.3 hand thoroughbreds belly. Both of the horses had handled it well and of course it shook all of us up a bit but we thought little of it for the next 5 or so minutes. We went back into the field that connected to the snow mobile trail getting ready to head home. I was about 1 pony length away from Coach and a little to the side when everything went haywire. Occasionally Coacha gets a little excited whilst cantering and kicks out. On this unlucky yet lucky day I just happened to be in the way of his cow kicking left hind hoof. As Emma later recalled, "It sounded like his hoof was hitting metal." What I remember wasn't the immediate contact of his hoof hitting my lower right leg, but the pain I felt after. I shouted to Emma already hyperventilating, and asked her to help me stop. I watched her pull Coach to a stop her face a little pale. She ran over to me and struggled to stop Allegro who as usual still wanted to be galloping. To completely stop Allegro she had to let go of Coach's reins, just long enough for him to get a head start towards home. I think I remember telling her something like this, "Go catch him, I'll try and keep going" Knowing me, a little bit of pain while riding doesn't usually stop me. I could feel my bone shifting inside of my half chap. I knew it was broken. Calling to her she ran over, letting go of the horse she just caught to help me stop my crazy pony. Without too much pain she helped me get off of Allegro and helped me sit down. All three of our wacko little dogs were with us, but only Ixta ran over and stopped next to me for about 5 seconds before running off. Mango had immediately left running towards home, we think to go get help. Popo has trouble getting though the corn stalks, so of course he couldn't come over and check in on me. Meanwhile I was sitting on the cold snow covered ground, while Emma struggled to get on Allegro. I shouted directions something like this, "Follow the trail and take a left. Follow the road that we were on and go to the nearest house." She was already a fair distance away from me and didn't hear my complete directions. I watched her run off along side Leggy, Coach far ahead his reins and lead rope flapping as he galloped towards the road. For what felt like 45 minutes I sat on the snowy ground with a compound fracture crying and shouting. It had started to snow and was getting darker by the second. It turned out that my hero of the day, Emma had taken a right instead of a left and had gone to the second nearest house. From what I hear she arrived at the door a nervous and scared, yet brave girl. They had called 911 from the first responders house and had walked to the field as quickly as they could. I felt a jolt of relief run through me as I saw her orange vest come into view. I had spent the whole time she was gone getting help crying and shouting. I hadn't felt the pain or the cold: my body had thankfully blocked it out. As soon as the EMT's had arrived I realized how cold I was. Luckily the first responders cell phone had service in the middle of a corn field and we were able to call my dad and have him drive out. My brother and Emma ended up walking the two horses home in the snowy darkness, while I got a ride in an ambulance to Cooley Dick. They took ex-rays around 9 something after I had been there for about 3 or 4 hours. I was transported to Bay state where my families favorite orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Burns was on call for the night. Around 12 o'clock I went into surgery and came out around 1 o'clock no problem.

The next morning I was told to leave the hospital I had to walk out of the room and up and down five stairs (On crutches of course). I painfully watched the little girl who I was sharing the room with throw a temper tantrum about not wanting to leave the hospital. I feel bad for that little girl. I did end up doing what I needed to to leave the hospital and was leaving at around maybe, 2 or 3 o'clock in the after noon. I got to choose what we would be eating that night and of course it was sushi. We arrived home at 6 or 7 and were greeted by my dear friend Dory and her family. I hung out with her and her sister Eolann for a little before they had to go. The next day Dory came back and spent the whole day with me. A couple days later Emma came over and we reflected on the drama together. We decided that the experience had been a good one. It had taught both of us a good lesson and had matured both of us a little bit more. Even though it was quite a drama it didn't scare either of us away from riding or horses. She was back riding the same week, and I was riding about a month later thanks to Erin and Cowboy. I am now riding and enjoying my life to the fullest, being fully healed.

There are so many people I could thank, but I will only name a few, of course I would like to thank Emma for being so great, My fambly for everything they did for me while I was handicapped, Dr. Burns for being such a kind souled and great surgeon, My grandpa and grandma for being great, Dory and her fambly for being so nice and for being great friends, Emily and her family for coming over, giving me gifts and entertainment, Erin for everything, My teacher Linda for everything she did, my class for being so warm and welcoming, and everyone else who helped me through this. Thank you all.

Indra

ohh the agony of da-feet!

me trying to get some race energyus getting pumped in the truck

So here is my tale to tell of the Seven Sisters race. Hard, hot, and heavy.

Race day was beautiful. I had spent the previous day walking all over NYC and staying out way too late. We got home at 3:30 in the morning and i had to be up and out by 6:45...so not much sleep. Leslie and i met up on Chesterfield to make the drive together and Juano had made us awesome egg sandwiches with avocado, we were happy and excited. We drove to Amherst at The Notch and picked up our numbers and stood in line for the bathrooms having the giddy chats with other folks preparing for the race. I saw some friends from other races and started to accept that i was really going to run the race. Leslie was excited and a good source of energy to be around as i was so tired from the night before. The race started and we all jogged and waited up the first major hill. I thought ok, ok, lets get moving people. My mood changed around mile 2 where i was so hot and tired and still had 10 more miles to run i thought forget it i'm done. Leslie encouraged me and i pulled it together and realized i would never let myself live it down if i did not finish. The heat was OUTRAGEOUS! The hills and climbing was excrutiating and the terrain was trecherous. Around miles 6 while careening down hill on a single track shale encrusted ridge of a trail the guy behind me fell and took me out with him on his way down. It was a yard sale of limbs and expletives. As i was trying in vain not to fall i jammed by toes down hard and lost part of a toenail, the rest is soon to follow. In the last mile i realized how ugly it had gotten in my head. I remember telling Leslie, "i know i will finish but it's not going to be pretty." It wasn't. I turned my mood around gained a second wind and ran down the final descent to the finish line! I think i yelled, "There's no shame! I finished". Unfortunately that is all i have felt since, shame. I lost my mojo on that race, i was seriously whipped and there were a few times i was definitely NOT having fun. That is ridiculous! It is all about fun! I have to say though, my feet have never looked and felt so bad as after the race. Oh my they are yucky and bruised and blistered.

My lessons from The Sisters are 1. Sleep the night before 2. Have more fluids 3. do not let the brain get ahead of your body 4. find the fun in each moment 5. RUN FASTER.

Look out sisters. I'm coming at you all summer long in preparation for next year and it's going to be a blast!

Running As a Pair

Erin and Indra's successful run

Erin
Hi, my name is Erin, and I am really good friends with Indra. We are a lot alike, physically and mentally. We do a lot of the same things, including horseback riding, skiing, and now running. After a fun sleepover last night, we both felt in the mood to run. So, this morning, we decided that we would run from my house in Plainfield to the Cummington Creamery. At about 8 a.m. we were ready to go, dressed in our running attire and equipped with money for breakfast. We started running, and after about half a mile, we both started to get a slight cramp. The funny thing was, we were almost 100% in sync, with both our running, and where we got our cramps. I think it has something to do with the fact that we both got the same amount of sleep last night, had the same amount of food in our bellies (none), and were (and are) about the same height and weight. So, we continued to push through, running with our identical cramps. We pushed and pushed ourselves, but about a quarter of a mile away from the Farm Stand, Indra felt as though she couldn't make it. I started doing things to distract her, which also helped me to continue running with out thinking about the stitch in my side. I talked about nonsense things, and helped her to keep going at the same pace. By the time we made it to our break point, we were exhausted, but there was no pushing away the sense of pride that we felt. It was then that I realized how helpful it can be to run as a team. If either of us had been running by ourselves, I knew that we would have just given in to our discomforts, and we wouldn't have felt so accomplished!

Indra: On October 13, 2009 I made a resolution to run a full marathon by the time I was 15. And now on May 1, 2010 I have made another resolution. To run a marathon by the time I am 15 with Erin. As a team. While on this run I realised how much motivation and a goal helps you complete what you want to complete. Erin and I decided that we were going to run to the farm stand without stopping for a break once. And Ta-da, we did it! Motivating each other the whole way.
After re-hydrating at the farm stand we walked into the road and started to walk. We had decided that we would have the same goal as the last time, to jog the whole way. After prepping ourselves we started to jog Pacing ourselves, judging by how the other was doing. After the water break we were both re-fueled and ready to run! We were talking to each other, making the time go by faster. We would talk about how when we could see a certain spot how far the Creamery was away from that spot. We turned the bend and could see a new road. A change of scenery. We thought, sighing. We tentatively pulled onto Rout 9, knowing that we would arrive at the Creamery soon. Turning the bend to the little town operated store I was wheezing and both our breath was coming in short. As soon as the Creamery came into view we saw a green truck, "That is our finish line." We told each other. I lagged behind as Erin picked up the pace. I saw her body position change as she touched our 'finish line'. A couple seconds later I touched the dark green truck to Erin's 'cheering.' High-fiving we walked/stumbled into the Old Creamery Grocery to eat breakfast. Entering the door we knew we ha and were Running As A Pair.

ahhh spring BOSTON MARATHON!

So spring is really here. Garden work is truly happening and ALL of the animals are shedding. Indra just finished her spring vacation week and is primed for summer. There was not a day this week that she was not on a horse. She and her friends were riding all week back and forth and all around the hill towns. She even managed to ride in Hopkinton at the mile marker of the Boston Marathon.

Some very good friends who grew up in Hopkinton invited us out for a play date to socialize and watch the Boston Marathon, and collect clothing from the race. This year was not my year for Boston due to injury but next year, next year, next year!!It was incredible to watch. We stood at the crest of the first uphill really in the race at the mile marker. The first crew to come were the folks who were seriously impaired. There were people walking with oxygen tanks, folks in wheelchairs only using their legs, people with prosthetic limbs. Then came team Hoyt and one other person pushing an adult in a jogging chair. Then came the wheelchairs! Flying at first. The folks in the lead make it look so effortless but it clearly is not, in the second wave of wheelchairs there were many people struggling mightily to make it up that first hill, rolling back a bit to make it up a bit. Next came the hand crank wheelchairs, amazing again. The came the ELITE WOMEN. Totally amazing to watch. Then came the elite men, then came waves and waves of every day people running and trying and succeeding, and finally chucking off massive amounts of clothes that we all harvested and stocked up on for running. Really it is amazing the mountains of clothes people throw off.

The marathon inspired Indra's friend to train more and we have set up a plan to work on getting her ready for a half marathon. She is motivated, strong, and enjoys running so i am excited. Let the fun begin!

it's been a while

Hi there spring. It's nice to see you again. There have been so many things to write about since my last post but the expectant nature of spring has kept me busy and unmotivated to sit down and write, but there's snow in the forecast and it's raining right now so it feels perfect to write now.

Yesterday i ran with Leslie after her trip to Cali and it was nice to have an old buddy back. The sun was shining and the gorge was ours to explore. About 4 miles in Leslie turned around after lots of talking, and talking, and talking. Running with your peeps is so great! The breadth of things you get to talk about is amazing. We covered, cupcakes, children, shared friends, travel, life plans, work, family, all in only four miles.

I had decided i wanted to run at least 15 miles but perhaps more so i ran on and put my earphones on and cranked up the tunes. I was enjoying the sun and breeze, having just plunged into the river as Leslie and i parted. I looked to my left and the green of the river snaking below the cliffs and the sparkle of the water was mesmerizing, i laughed out loud and for the millionth time was reminded that running is my savior and fortunate gift. On this runner's high i ended up flying over the ground for about 8 1/2 miles and suddenly the heat and the sun and the thirst hit me. Hmmm i would have to run that 8 1/2 back without water or calories. I enjoyed the run back but not nearly as much. It was definitely a push of the thirsty will. None the less it was amazing and fun and a great way to tank up on sunshine before the week of rain and snow begins...yes snow!

My boy is in Oregon looking at a college and no doubt grading the outdoor play potential of Portland and beyond. I am sure he will love it. My girl is building up her leg muscles riding her pony and retraining her horse. She has promised to write an entry about her recovery and the joy of moving again.

I ran a really fun 1/2 marathon a couple of weeks ago in Westfield Ma. It was lovely and sunny and complete with a wooden medal at the end. I ran in my five fingers shoes and i swear i lost a lot of time due to answering questions about them throughout the race. It was still a great time and i nice way to welcome the spring race season.

I am currently terrified of the upcoming Seven Sisters race. Leslie asked me if i was terrified of the race or of her, i had to admit it was because of her. My tiger is just not as strong as hers i fear. I will have to wait and see.

Guest Blogger

I thought i would take a page from my incredibly talented kick butt friend and fellow blogger Leslie and ask a few of my athlete friends to talk about sports and themselves. I checked in with a great friend and fabulous Runner, and I meant it with a capital R, Lisa. Lisa, Leslie, and I all ran together once a week and fully enjoyed the running and the conversation. Lisa is a seriously committed runner and i admire her greatly for that and for her parenting skills. She is truly a woman to look up to. I asked her to write something for the blog today and here is what she wrote. Thanks Lisa.

One transformational and memorable moment for me as an athlete was when Tonya, Leslie, my daughter Carly and I ran the Seven Sisters ridge (I believe that is what it is called) 4 or so years ago. Here's why:

We were a group of women supporting each other with a common goal that was challenging and wicked FUN!

We were out in the woods: quiet, peaceful, beautiful.

It was a pivitol experience for Carly, exposing her to the fact that she is capable of more than she imaged and has taken that spirit into her adult life style. Actually when we talk about that day she says it changed her life and how she sees herself and what she is capable of.

It was a bonding experience between me and my friends, people I have only felt love and support from and for, and deepened the bond with my daughter.

In challenging situations,the truth of who you are is revealed. On that day strength, friendship and pure goodness was revealed for me. Can you get any better than that?

Thank you Tonya and Leslie for the gift of this experience.

it feels good to kick a**

As Silly as it may seem, those of you who know the power of the words spoken to me today will understand, it made my day. I was running up one of local mountains, hills to you west coast ladies, and as i was running up i met another woman doing a side step down in the snow. She looked great, athletic and strong. She looked at me shook her head and said,"You are hard core woman!" I smiled and said thanks. Maybe she knew that her simple words made my run 10 times easier and way more fun, maybe she didn't but i owe my early March attitude shift to her. I had been contemplating my lack of hard core-ness recently and wondering if i would ever see it again. Maybe i will never believe it entirely myself but having another woman athlete tell me just is excellent!

It feels good to kick ass! Why? I am not sure, i think there are myriad of different reasons for different people. For me currently i think it is validation that life is still long and bountiful. That i have so many more opportunities to do things with my body even though my children are growing up.

Today i was having tea with a dear friend and she was talking about having an emotional reaction to watching the olympics. Her reaction was based on her pre kids devotion to skiing and that she has not gotten on a mountain nearly enough and hasn't had a chance to tear it up in a long time. We immediately made plans to spirit away a few hours from work and children to ski our butts off. It changes everything that feeling of freedom and strength.

The pictures above are of Skinner Mountain in South Hadley, and me right after running up and down it. If you look a little to the left you will see the Summit house up there looking small. It was beautiful and completely quiet up there today.

Here is an invitation to anyone reading this to tell their transformational moment to me. I would love to hear them.

found my good time

What a great race yesterday. It was a glorious selfish day to myself and i fully appreciated it. The beach was sandy with just a little snow, the crowd was huge and the sun was shining. I had no idea that there were fancy parts of Hampton Beach. The mansions were palatial in size and the grounds were quite like those of manors. I really had no idea. I thought Hampton Beach was all leopard print and half shirts. The run was really lovely. There were 3 other barefoot runners in the crowd, all men but 3 others none the less.

I met so many women and watched so many of them kick asphalt! It was so inspiring and it was certainly good timing for my morale with the olympics in full swing. I used a few key words in the last few miles of the race. I borrowed Leslie's COURAGE, and my STRENGTH, and POWER. I seemed to really have needed them from miles 10 to 13. It just goes to show again and again that training isn't really that necessary. I think i will train for my next race and see if i can really kick it into gear. Do any of you have any training vs non training stories you would like to share? Let me know...and get out there and play and feel proud of yourself.

game face

Rock it Ladies!! I am in New Hampshire in a hotel on the edge of the ocean waiting to run a half marathon tomorrow morning. I am watching the Olympics, women's super G race and am just amazed by the strength. These women are going for it! Beautiful, strong, and determined. These women embody the feeling that i work towards every day. Playing like girls!

Today i stood beside my daughter, me on my two feet, her on her crutches and was overwhelmed by her strength. We were talking and laughing last night about how she has never really been injured before now and we were laughing about her falls from horses, her broken helmets, her broken tooth the day her teacher mistakenly hit her in the face with a hammer...i suddenly realized i have a kick butt girl fearless and funny and positive. She gives me the strength to believe in myself tonight as i contemplate my race tomorrow.

Tomorrow i rock the five fingers in the half marathon. I will let you know how it feels and if i recommend it. Wish me luck! I will be thinking of you Leslie and your 7 miles, please think of me and my 13!

a literal break for my girl

With a sadness in my heart i must tell you all Indra will not be running, riding, or playing outside for a while. Indra broke her leg while riding out in the woods and fields with a friend. She was enormously brave and handled it better than i probably would have but the winter has taken on a bit of a different shape because of this.

We have discussed our plans of running and playing when she has healed,(in a couple of months) but until then i am trying to entertain her with books, games, and borrowed dvds of Myth Busters and Little House on the Prairie. I thought this would be good time for crafting, but then i remembered that i am the one who likes to craft not Indra. Ah well.

On the up side Indra got her braces off about a week after her break and subsequent surgery so at least her teeth are happy.

I am currently procrastinating while my time is slipping away. I will go on a run, i will go on a run, i will...you get the picture. My man and i are signed up for a Valentine's weekend race and i want to be fast. Kamal wants to finish. We shall see how we both fare. I am vaguely preparing for the Hampton Beach Half Marathon, emphasis on vaguely.

I have been running in my Vibram 5 fingers shoes and am loving them! The one downside i am experiencing right now is the cold. My toes are like little lumps of frozen meat during some of the run. I will post some photos of them soon. Indra and my friend Leslie had vowed not to be seen with me while i was wearing them but Leslie relented.

happy new year

A new year! I used to feel like the days barely crept by when my children were young but now they are flying. The playtime outside is amping up with the snow and we are trying to shield ourselves with winter coats made of ice cream, cookies, and hot chocolate.

I have just come back from a run in the winter wind and was appreciating the sun reflecting of of the snow. If only we could have more. During my run i was reflecting on the good fortune i have to know so many talented, wonderful, funny, smart, different people. It really feels that as i get older life gets infinitely more interesting. I am inspired nearly every day by something a friend is working on.

We had our annual Solstice bash and were rewarded by great snowy weather and a luscious batch of children. There were nearly 80 families and wonderful kids lighting candles around the living room this year. If anyone reads this and has pictures please send them to me. I would love to post them. Winter was welcomed and the festive mood was high. I took a brief hiatus from my daily running to work on knitted mittens, socks, homemade cookies and such.

The new year was rung in with good friends and family and my sons classmates. I cannot tell you what a blast it is to have that many teenagers roaming around and sledding down the hill with you after midnight. We had a lot of late night new year sledding and revelry. Indra even took Allegro out after midnight and rode through the blue moon lit field with the sledders.

I have only run a handful of times this year so far but i am preparing for a sweetheart race with my sweetheart on February 13th complete with chocolate and flowers post race and a half marathon this winter at Hampton Beach. I didn't make it there this summer so i might as well try this winter. Maybe i will even plunge into the Atlantic after the race...Only time will tell.