Normalcy...

Since my father's untimely death, life has slowly come around to some sense of normalcy. The kids go to school. My husband goes to work and I continue with my daily tasks as necessary around the house. Today was my first venture out with one of my running pals since just after Christmas and to my surprise, I wasn't huffing and puffing as I thought I would have been. I was pretty pleased with that! And I really discovered once again how much I love getting out there and pound out mile after mile. It is such a positive thing to do, not only physically, but mentally as well. 3 years ago when my Mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, I would run and run. It was such a great release for my anger, frustration and sadness! Not that I forgot that, but today I was reminded of how good you feel after running. I missed it. Funny too, as I was starting the probate process, I wanted to go out and run a few miles, but either lacked the energy or time. Today I fully discovered how important it is to take that time and get out. And so as this new chapter of my life begins, I plan on always including a good run as part of my routine! As I smile through the miles...Sue

Some sad news...

Hi all, it's hard to believe Christmas came and went already. We unfortunately didn't have the Christmas we expected. My father passed away on Christmas eve after suffering severe head and neck trauma from a fall Friday night. I cannot put onto words my emotions. I am surrounded by the best, most supportive husband anyone could ask for. He too was close with my father and misses him dearly. My husband has suppoerted me, let me cry, held me tight and whispered "everthing is going to be okay". I am a very lucky woman! I am blessed with the most wonderful children anyone could dream of. They have asked repeatedly if I was okay. And I in turn, have tried to show them it's okay to grieve and how to be strong at the same time. That can be tricky, I must admit. I still have this nagging little sense in the recesses of my mind that the family that I grew up in is now dissolved. I do have a brother with whom through this tragedy, I have come to know a little better and grown closer to. What I do have are awesome memories of growing up in a household that I always felt like secure, protected and loved. We ate dinner every night together as one unit. Something that I do for my family as well. We would go on vacation, nothing glamorous, usually a rented house somewhere or go visit relatives, but it was away and I was glad to have it. I didn't always have all things I wanted growing up, but hey, I think that's a good thing too. You learn a lot from that and the difference between want and need. It also encourages going out there and earning what you think you need. I owe my parents an awful lot. With these life lessons, I try to pass them onto our children as well. Hopefully when the time comes, they too will look back and say the same thing. I haven't been able to run for about a week and I'm feeling it! Today I plan on coming home from work and hitting the road. I need it! It will clear my head and help me move forward after such a sad time. My to do list is mile long. I am the executor of my father's will and estate. What a job! But I just keep telling myself, one step at a time. That's all I can do. With smiles through the miles...Sue

Busy, but fun!

Merry Christmas everyone! I must admit, once I left that grocery store with my list completed, I felt a wave of Christmas cheer! Yahoo! My day started off well, run a little over 4 miles with my pals, then off to te various stores to pick up various odds and ends to complete the gifts. Yup, I went smelly! But honestly, if I gone home to shower, it would have wasted time and time is of the essence! In fact it's 2:30 and I'm still smelly! As I type, my potatoes are boiling, my broccoli is steaming and I'm about to create an apple pie! So I'd like to wish you all a very happy, healthy holiday season. And as always, smiles through the miles! -Sue

Squeezing in a run!

Hey there folks! Welcome back! This one is just a short, sweet update! When I got home from work yesterday, after doing some daily grocery shopping, unloading the groceries, figuring out who had what homework, and generally cleaning up after a day away, I dragged my body up the those stairs to change for a run. I was super unmotivated! But with each article of clothing I put on, I gained more momentum. And once dressed, I headed out the door with my iPod in tow. I guess my point is to push yourself that extra little bit and it will pay off! But remember, it's dark at 5pm, so wear your reflective gear and run with caution! Okay, that's my story and I'm sticking to it...With smiles through the miles! Have an awesome day!!! Sue

Christmas chaos is under control!

Happy Saturday morning all! Well, I am feeling the love as Christmas is but one week away and I have pretty much completed my shopping! I still have a few things to get, but I have to say, once I dropped those 60 odd Christmas card in the mailbox, I felt empowered and in control! Phew! I'm not sure if I'm going out to run today, (as I mentioned a moment ago) I am going to try to round out my list. Also we went to our neighbors for a holiday party and I was up waaaayy past my bedtime! I never get the opportunity to sleep in, so I took it today. Getting up at 8:30 is awesome! I may try to get out tomorrow morning. I need to get back in the swing of things! On New Years Day I am running in the Resolution Run 5k! It's such a nice little race and you get a cool hoodie from it! I love that hoodie! This will be my third one! I do it for the hoodie, if it must be told! And of course to be with my pals and cheer them on! At the end of the race, they announce who had the best resolution...it can be pretty funny! My husband wants me to take some video during the race, so I'll try to do that and post it! Okay my friends, that's about it for now! As mentioned before, in the New Year, I am going to do some product reviews on my new sneakers I'm planning on buying, even my entire shopping experience. I've got a couple of favorite running stores in my area, so we will see how they compare. I do like them both...one a small chain, one nationwide. Well, as said before, plenty of smiles through the miles!!! ... Sue

I've Got A YouTube Channel!!

I'm Back!!!

Sorry for the delay, that cold, coupled with a few million details revolving around the holidays, and of course my job, pushed me to my limits this week! But today is my reprieve (I have Thursdays off) and I'm able to collect my thoughts and move forward with my actions in a productive manner! Ahhh. So for the past 2 years, my running pals and I have been running the Rutgers UNITE 1/2 in New Brunswick. One of them mentioned why not try a different 1/2 this year and go to Long Branch in early May? A few years ago, I knew a few woman who ran that race and said it was very poorly organized, so I'm weary. It's possible that those in charge have gotten their act together, so we'll see. I'm meeting my running pals today for our holiday lunch and we will discuss our options. And by the way, those pals I run with are so much more than pals. We have helped each other get though some tough, emotional times, so they are about the truest friends one could have! I highly recommend them! Okay, now I need to get on with my day. I will be running today for the first time since Saturday because of this darn cold! Glad to be back on the road! In my future posts, I'm planning on talking about my soon to be new sneaker purchases (I like to have 2 pair) and some local running gear stores! Likes, dislikes, great sales! I love a good sale! So until next time, smiles through the miles...Sue