Friday, December 16, 2011

Viva Las Vegas

It's all about the destination. 

We've all heard the quote "It's the journey, not the destination"  (or something like that).  In this case, it's about the destination.  The goal.  The journey is part of it.  Come on, I went to Athens, Greece to do a marathon!!!!

I receive an e-mail from my girlfriend whom I ran the marathon in Greece with.  Want to do a race??  Well, yes.  It's not about the race.  It's about WHERE the race is - WHERE the journey will take us - the DESTINATION.

Let's go to Vegas.  December.  Run the Strip at Night - the race starts at 5:30pm.  Yes, let's go.  Wait, I thought they said "Run and Strip", not "Run the Strip".  How cool will that be????  

I haven't trained, I'm broke (financially not physically), it's the holidays, it's my oldest sons birthday coming up - I REALLY shouldn't go.  And if you've been following my story or my life.  You know the ending. 

A good friend of mine was visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday.  A week before the race.  I've known this friend for 20 years.  And he tells the story of many years ago when I showed up at his parents house.  And his mom made them take me out with the group.  And I said, "sure, I'll go".  And the guys laugh - of course, they didn't want me to "tag along", but me, well, being the girl I've always been, goes along......  Oh, "she's pretty cool, she participates and doesn't really care that we are acting like fools".  Then 4 or 5 years ago, I show up again.  I haven't seen these guys in 15 years.  And most people play this 'what have you been doing game'.  No, she just shows up and asks where we are going and tells us she's coming too.  She doesn't need anything from us.  Just wants to go have fun with the people whom are having fun.

A little back-story there to explain part of my personality.  If you invite me, I show up.  Don't ask me just to be polite, because I WILL say yes.   Just ask our friends from Hawaii....

Of course, I went to Vegas.   I'm going to Vegas, if you come or not.  Okay, well I'm going.  Let's see how this goes.

I check into my flight on Friday night (not leaving until Saturday).  I was upgraded to First Class.  Maybe I was meant to go.  I've been a Premier Member on United all year - free bags, free upgrades.  In all my travels this year, yes, I was business class, but never first class.  My last trip of the year, and I receive the upgrade.

The race is Sunday night.  Cheap Trick the band, plays before the race.  ("I thought they said "RUM", that was a "cheap trick")  Although a race not starting until 5:30 pm leaves MANY HOURS during the day in Vegas.  Yes, we had cocktails.  (at noon???)

It was COLD, it was OVERSOLD, it was DISORGANIZED and it was INCREDIBLE.  Not because of the event company (in fact, I can honestly say, I won't do another "Rock N' Roll Marathon series" event. My third of their events, and the same thing EVERY TIME).

It was INCREDIBLE because, it was the Vegas Strip at Night.  45,000 participants.  10's of thousands of spectators.   The Strip was blocked off.  The crowd carried you the whole way.  If I can run 13.1 miles, off the couch (no training), and run 12 minute miles. - anyone can.  

There was no heat to fight.  Just crowds, bad water and a few Elvis'.  Oh, and the bride and grooms.  You could get married at mile marker TWO.  It was fun to see people running in their "just married shirts".

Another half-marathon?  ABSOLUTELY  Run the strip again?  NOPE  Checked it off the list.  On the fence if I would tell someone else to do it.  Great experience, not a great organizer.  Maybe there is a non-profit/charity out there whom can pull off something smaller on the strip.  It would still be worth doing.

Where is the destination upon which I will next journey?????  I have a feeling something big is coming soon........









































Thursday, December 1, 2011

What did you pray for?

I'm not a religious woman, I'm a spiritual woman.  I don't know a lot about Christianity, but I consider myself a Christian. 

And TODAY, for the first time, I felt Christianity was abused.  All religions are abused.  For heaven's sake, why do you think we are at war?

I'm SICK of Tim Tebow and the arguments to follow.  He is a good leader.  Period.  He is use to winning.  And somehow, he has a team, a city and a nation behind him.

HOWEVER,  I was always taught it was wrong to pray for something we wanted.  Isn't that selfish?  Isn't that greed? Does the word "covet" sound familiar?

Last week, Tim Tebow tossed a passed (sorry, we know he can't throw) and we won the game - he knelt down.  What was he saying thank you for?  AND, why was it televised?  What if:

  • he was praying to Allah?
  • sending thanks to Buddha?
I'm sure there are great players out there, thanking God, Allah, Buddha, heck probably even thanking their mom.  What the sudden interest?

A connection between someone and their God is very personal.  I was taught it was wrong to ask for something personal. So, when Tim Tebow said "Thank you".  What do you think he was thankful for??

The completion of a pass?
Winning the game?
Playing to the best of his ability?

Unless it was the last thing, we will never know.  Actually, we will never know any of it.  In fact, what does it matter.  That is Tim's decision to make.   And we are not here to judge.

I do have to say THANK  YOU - for standing up and saying out loud what and whom you believe in.  It's a cruel world out there, and we should all be proud we live in a country where you can stand and tell the rest of the world how you believe.

Just don't want me to jump on the band-wagon to support you.  Yes, you Mr. Tebow.  I will support you.  You play for "several" of my teams.  And if, your beliefs help others, yes, that is great.  In this instance though, I was here to watch some football.