Run to Remember (9-11 Memorial 5K)

When I heard about a free 5K held on 9-11, I immediately signed up for the race.  Although the event was held early Tuesday morning in Spring Hill and would interfere with my family’s morning routine, I really wanted to be part of the memorial race.

The event page announced a start time of 6:30, but that’s when the race formalities and memorial service started.  The ROTC presented the flags accompanied by the national anthem sung by the YMCA children’s program director.  Then, local figures, the YMCA CEO and the Hernando County Sherriff, offered a few words followed a prayer led by a local minister.

The race director also mentioned the Twin Towers artwork on display had won national recognition for its design.

Around 7:00 a.m. we were told to move the start line and instructed to follow the fast runner with the flag.  With a crowd of a few hundred participants, I wanted to be as close to the start as possible and I found a spot behind some young male high school students.

Surprisingly, not many participants wore red, white and blue although many people wore the race shirt from the event.  However, I was the only one wearing a tutu and Obama tube socks and since I made such a spectacle of myself, I had to prove I was a real runner.

At the gun, I started my Garmin and followed the flag through the streets of Seven Hills.  That is not just a charming neighborhood name.  There are actually hills in Seven Hills.  Those steep inclines were pretty intense, but I stayed strong.  At one point, I even passed the young high school boys.

At the 1.5 mile water station, I took a very brief walking break to drink some water and then I quickly returned to pushing it up those hills.  One last large hill before the finish line and I sprinted the last quarter mile.  (After all, it was Track Tuesday.)  Even with all the hills, this was my fastest 5K post-baby.

Gun Time 28:01

Garmin Time 28:01

Ave Pace 8:58

Max Pace 6:01

Afterwards, we were rewarded with juice and doughnuts for our efforts.  Actually, the free continental breakfast after the race was an unbelievable spread of juice, coffee, pastries, bagels, granola bars and fruit.  Thank you to the Hernando YMCA, all the volunteers and sponsors who made this wonderful free event possible.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

After 9-11, We Rise Above

There are a few historical moments when you remember where you were on that fateful day.  On September 11, I was seven months pregnant standing in my classroom preparing my lessons for the day while I watched the news to understand why a plane flew into the North Tower.

The rest of the day is a blur.  I couldn’t tell you what I taught that day, however, I remember coming home and being glued to CNN to learn more of what had happened.  That evening, I watched the replay of the towers collapsing and footage of dust-covered people fleeing the city.

Eleven years later, I visited the 9/11 Memorial with my family this summer.  As we walked through the hallowed grounds, the horrific images from that fateful day flashed through my mind.

Yet, a sense of pride overcame me.  The terrorists tried to tear us down, but through the rubble, the dust and the tears, we became stronger.  The lives crushed and the emptiness created from a collapsing financial institution has been restored and rebuilt into a place of honor.

We lost so much that day, loved ones and heroes, but we rose above the destruction and the pain. Tomorrow, as the Tribute in Lights illuminate into heaven, it is another demonstration of how we still rise above and shine on with vigor.

But we will never forget.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

9/11 Memorial

This morning, I realized that I never shared my photos from NYC.  Since next Tuesday is the anniversary of the attacks on September 11, I thought it fitting to share photos of our visit to the 9/11 Memorial.

When visiting the memorial, visitors must request tickets from the preview site, which are free and only require reserving a day and time.

Before entering the site, everyone undergoes airport-like security.  Allan and I utilized the time to remind our girls to be respectful and on their best behavior as this place was hallowed ground like that of a cemetery.

Thousands of people died here.  Many heroes, firefighters and police officers, risked their lives to save others.  Some loved ones were never found and some remains are still buried here.

We told the girls that they might see people making rubbings of their loved ones’ names.

We also explained that this is a very sad place and they should expect to see people crying and mourning for their loss.

But I don’t think my children expected to see their own mom cry.  It was such a somber experience and I became overwhelmed with emotion.  I found myself tearing up quite a few times as images of that horrific day eleven years ago flashed in my mind.

Through it all, one tree survived.

Ghostly names chiseled into granite cascade into an abyss of where the north and south towers once stood.

Though much of the memorial site still needs to be completed, I applaud the city of New York for the magnificent memorial they built to honor those lost as a result of the attacks on 9/11 and the lives lost during the bombing in 1993.

 

Never forget.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Wish You Were Here

Every time we lose a loved one without warning, we’re reminded that loss can happen so suddenly and unexpected.  It’s another reminder why we should cherish every moment.

Though Joe Spaulding always had a special place in my heart, it took an overwhelming large crowd in an overflowing funeral parlor packed with friends and family to realize that it wasn’t just me who knew him to be truly a wonderful man.

Joe Spaulding always made me feel welcomed and loved.  A jovial man who always wore a smile from ear to ear when he saw me, but as I learned with his passing, he had an innate way to make everyone he met feel special.

That was evident when he met my children for the first time.  Little Lion Man loved him instantly.

Although I knew Mr. Spaulding for over 25 years, I only just recently learned that he loved Pink Floyd.  A great man with great taste in music and this week’s Music Monday is dedicated to him and the beautiful family (wife, three sons and their wives and 8 grandchildren) he leaves behind.

Rest in peace, Big S.

I said, “Big S!”

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

A Firework, a Flag and God Bless the USA

Last week, Emmalynn’s teachers planned a Memorial Day program complete with songs, poems and red, white and blue attire. The kids were so cute.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

Thank you to all the service men and women who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.

God Bless the USA!

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Losing Our Lucy

Tuesday morning I wanted to run.  I needed to run to clear my head after the evening’s turn of events, but I also wanted to be here when my daughters woke up.  I knew they would ask about Lucy and I wanted to be here to hold them when we delivered the sad news.

Our dog, Lucy, passed away on Monday evening.  There were no signs that the end was near.

We explained to the girls that Lucy was older than we thought and sometimes older dogs (much like older people) have strokes when the end is near.  It’s just their bodies breaking down and telling them it’s time to go.

We adopted Lucy one year ago.  Less than two weeks ago, we celebrated the anniversary of her adoption into our family.  I never wanted a dog but after repeated begging from my children and against my better judgment, I agreed to a pet.  So we searched the shelters for a Pomeranian similar to the one we rescued.

We eventually found Lucy on Craigslist, which was as shady and strange as you would imagine a pet adoption through Craigslist to be.  With blind faith, we took the previous owner’s word about her health as well as her age, but it was certainly obvious that this poor dog had been used as a puppy mill.

This dog that I never wanted wagged her fluffy little tail into my heart.  She followed me from room to room like a pack leader and was with me every minute of every day.  Lucy became my dog.  I eventually transformed into a crazy dog person as I began taking Lucy shopping and to restaurants and baked her pupcakes.

I keep playing moments in my head, like Liam hugging Lucy and dragging half her tiny body along the floor as he loved on Lucy.  I regret never catching a photo of those funny loving, but torturous moments for poor Lucy.

I also regret not praying with my children at bedtime Monday night.  Instead, I made jokes to lighten the mood and to fill their hearts with happiness so they wouldn’t worry all night long about our beloved pet.  But, I should have prayed with them to help ease Lucy’s pain as well as the pain they were feeling in their hearts.  I feel I failed them as a mom and as their spiritual leader.  I feel I failed my Father and Lucy too.

Like most dogs, Lucy had simple tastes and loved life.  Everyone should learn to love life through the eyes of a dog.  Next to the food dropped from a highchair, she loved Chinese food.  Lucy also loved being outdoors, long walks and car rides.  She even loved camping with us.

Although we didn’t know much about Lucy when we adopted, we simply loved her.  I believe we gave her the best last year of her life.

We miss you, Lucy.

Rest in peace.

They Have a Dream

The girls had Monday off from school, but I wanted it to be more than a long weekend.  I feel it’s important to understand why we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, we observe the holiday by watching Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Then, we discuss it and follow it up with a writing activity.  When I saw this MLK writing activity floating around Pinterest, I thought it would be a great extension to our usual MLK activities.

After we watched the speech, we discussed what Dr. King’s dream was for our country.  Did Dr.King’s dream become a reality?  Are all people treated equally today?  What’s your dream? 

When Emmalynn said her dream was to be a pony, I realized I needed to clarify the question, “What’s your dream?”  I explained to Emmalynn, “It’s not a dream that you have when you sleep.  It’s a hope for the future of the world or for others.”

What’s your dream for the community or the world?  

She understood the difference and wrote a wonderful response.

“My dream is to help the world.  I would help people by making sure that they have homes, families and don’t get separated.”

I love Allana’s dream too.

 

Aren’t they beautiful girls with big, beautiful dreams for the world?  And speaking of beautiful girls, my niece, Meghan, joined us for our MLK fun.  You can read about Meghan’s dream here.

Random Thoughts about Revving It Up

The other day, I sent my Garmin Forerunner 305 to be refurbished or replaced.  Seeing how the face fell off to unveil its completely corroded innards, I believe it’s beyond repair.  Once it’s returned to me, I’m looking forward to knowing how far and how fast I’m running again.

Since I’ve become so attached to my Garmin over the years, I’m pretty lost without it. Maybe it’s the holiday hullabaloo, but I can’t seem to remember when I last ran.  Normally, I just look at my stats when they’ve downloaded to my computer and it’s all there.  But with no Garmin, I have to remember to track my runs on Map My Run, but I never remember to do that and my absentmindedness leaves me with absent runs.

Part of the problem is also waking up and determining if it’s a run day based upon the pain in my feet due to my plantar fasciitis.  Some days, I can walk and other days I can’t stand up with falling over.  The last two mornings were definitely “I can walk” days which immediately became “I am going to run” days.

I remember I ran last Thursday because I ran 3 miles for Julia with the Suncoast Striders and my friends, Jackie and Faith.  It was Julia’s birthday and she would have turned five.  Faith and I wanted to be there for Jackie and remember sweet Angel Julia.

My flaky brain and pathetic feet just need to get with the running program again because Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon is only two months away.  That’s 8 weeks to improve my half
marathon performance.  Eight weeks to rev it up to Rock ‘n Roll!

Yesterday, I ran an easy 3 miles.  Today, I decided to take on some speedwork to help improve my overall time.  Boy, did my body balk that idea!  I ran one easy warm-up mile and then attempted four ¼ mile sprints.  After the first ¼ mile, my hamstrings started to hurt and then I got stitch in my side.  My body was not onboard with the whole revving it up idea.

But it could also be the baker’s dozen I’m carrying in my backside that’s weighing me down and holding me back, because there has been a lot of baking and a lot of tasting going on here.  So much so, that my backside is starting to look like a Snickerdoodle.

However, the sprints got easier after the first one.  Easier is the wrong word choice because the sprints were certainly not easy by any means.  I mean, I think I took the first ¼ mile sprint a little too hard and I didn’t push quite as hard on the second, third and fourth sprints.  I pushed myself, but not to the point where I got a cramp in my side.  (If only I had my Garmin to know exactly how fast I ran!)  After all the sprints, I finished my speedwork with a mile cool down.

Overall, the speedwork felt good.  My legs hurt, but in a good way.  And thankfully, I can walk.  Hopefully, tomorrow morning will be an “I can walk” day too so I can run 6 miles with Tracey of Suncoast Running.  And hopefully, the rest of the week will be filled with more “I can walk” days so I can run and rev it up some more.  Now if only I can remember when I do.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

The Few. The Proud.

Running a marathon requires an unbelievable amount of courage, vigor, discipline, strength, endurance, commitment and sacrifice.

Bring a Marine requires much of the same, if not more, while protecting our freedom and liberties with honor.

What if you’re a Marine that runs a marathon?

What if you’re a Marine that runs a marathon in the desert?

Last month, that’s just what these fine Marines did in Afghanistan.

When I heard my friend’s wife was one of these Marines who ran the Marine Corp Marathon while stationed in Afghanistan, I had to acknowledge her amazing achievement.  Tina and Paul are both Marines presently serving this country.  Both have served more than one tour in Afghanistan and every year they run the MCM together in D.C, except for this year obviously.

Through Facebook, I’ve followed their sacrifices which they both make every day to protect our country, as well as many other of my friends.  Every day I pray for their safety until our servicemen and women come home to be with their families again.

Today, I thank all the Marines and all the other military men and women serving our country, but the Devil Dogs will always have a special place in my heart since I have so many Marine friends.  More importantly, my dad is a Marine who served in Vietnam.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.  Semper Fi

God bless America.

Inaugural 911 Memorial 5K Recap

Since my friends and I aim to run a race every month to stay motivated to meet our miles, Chrissy found our September race when she stumbled upon the Inaugural 911 Memorial 5K Run/Walk on active.com.  This race would raise funds for Homes for our Troops and the Austin Burchard home build.

When I mentioned the race to Allana, she wanted to run it with me.  Then, I roped my mom to be part of the event and some other running friends too.  Not before long, many of the Suncoast Striders joined in the fun.

Allana and I decided upon red, white and blue racing attire but several runners wore black with words to remind us the reason behind the race.

Much like September 11 ten years ago, it was a beautiful day which warmed up quickly.  The race course led us through Gulf Harbors, a waterfront neighborhood in New Port Richey, FL and many spectators waved their flags and cheered as we ran past their homes.

 

I started the race ahead of Chrissy and our friend Larisa, but that was short lived.  I desperately wanted to reach a new PB, but with the September heat, it was not in the cards for me.  Although I was defeated by the heat, Chrissy shaved two minutes of her time and earned a new PR, 32:24.  (Chrissy also wanted me to mention in my recap that she ran a faster average pace than me.)

When we neared the finish line, Larisa became our coach encouraging Chrissy and me to push it harder.  As we crossed the finish line, Larisa literally pushed me in a jokingly manner to not let me beat her.  David of the Suncoast Striders caught Larisa in the act with a quick snapshot.

But that final push, pushed me over the edge and I felt like would vomit, which I have never felt after any 5k.

Chip Time 32:39.7    

Garmin Time 34:45

Chip Ave Pace 10:32

Garmin Ave Pace 11:02

Max Pace 7:42

Overall Place 152/500

Div Place 8/21

While trying to cool down in the restroom, I met a fellow runner blogger, Clare of Clare is Running.  We exchanged stories and plans for future races in the hopes to meet again soon.

Twenty minutes after Chrissy, Larisa and I finished our 5K, my mom and Allana crossed the finish line.  My mom also earned a PB and her first medal EVER for finishing third in age group.

Despite the heat and getting pushed around by Larisa, I enjoyed this race and the feeling it gave me to do something good on a day that typically causes such sadness.  And I loved having my family and friends with me there too.

 

Allana loved being part of it too and earning a real medal, but knowing that we helped the troops is the real reward.