Memorial Day. This weekend we honor our national heroes and express gratitude.  We all need to slow down and give thanks for what we have. 

Today, I participated in the Boston Run to Remember with my daughter Carrie. This race consisted of a half marathon or a 5 miler, that pays tribute to fallen responders. We both ran 5 miles. The race began and ended at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.  

Prior to this race, I spent the last 12 days recovering from Covid.  I am very fortunate that my symptoms were just an annoying crummy cold, a slight backache that felt like I’ve done too many deadlifts at the gym and general body fatigue. During that time, I forced myself to be patient with my body’s healing process.  I did not jump back into exercise.  I let my body’s white blood cells do their job ….  To sum it up …I sat on the couch and did nothing. 

RACE DAY

Early this morning, Carrie and I took the blue line to the aquarium T stop and then we walked a mile to the start line. The race started bright and early 7:00am. It was a bit hot, but manageable. 

   The national anthem was played, then a few honoree words were spoken and then we were off. 

The race took us towards Faneuil Hall, around the Financial District, and then we headed back to the Seaport District to the finish line. Of course, Carrie was so much faster than me. She left her mom in the dust!

 It was a very patriotic race.  I enjoyed participating in this race with my 27-year-old daughter.  It was also very nice to see all the police, fire and responders all onsite. 

Overall, this was an awesome race, well organized, and a nice course through Boston.

The medals were also quite nice.

More running stuff…Sunday May 8^th was the start of Half Marathon Training. I will be running the Vermont Maple Leaf Half Marathon this fall with my daughter Carrie who is 25 years younger than me! I feel a mixture of many emotions ranging from scared to excited. 

  My goal …. I am going to train hard and try to run the fastest Half Marathon, I am capable of. Increase lung capacity over time 

 Completion Time Goal 3:00 hrs-3:15 hour

Training WEEK  1 for Maple Leaf Half ……. May 8^th– 14^th

Sunday …. Mother’s Day 9 miles…

Monday Barbell Strength + 30-minute run 

Wednesday 30-minute run 

Friday Barbell strength class

WEEK 2 …. May 15^th……May 21^st  

Sunday   55-minute run 

Monday …Barbell class

Tuesday 45-minute run ……this was a hard run.  ……. now I know why.   I came down with covid.  

WEEK 3 rest covid recovery

Today, I spent Mother’s Day running a 9-miler with other runners on behalf of the Cancer Connection.  The event was held in Deerfield Massachusetts. Cancer Connection offers a haven where people living with cancer, their families, and their caregivers can learn how to cope with their changed lives and bodies and emotional turmoil by sharing strategies, resources, hope, and strength.

 Not the typical “Mother’s Day” celebration. Today was “Me Time”. My personal self-care day.  Just me and other runners on the road; all running for a good cause.  Why “Me Time” on Mother’s Day? Is that odd, you ask?

I am not the biggest fan of Mother’s Day because of the clichés and expectations.

 Growing up, I am taught that “the giving of love and kindness,” is an essential social value in our everyday lives.   In Jewish law, it is a Mitzvah that an individual acts with kindness without anticipating receiving something in return. Gratitude for a parent, spouse, others etc. should be shown frequently during the year.  Sometimes, a simple thank you is the best words one can hear. 

So,  on this Sunday, affection  and gratitude is better than any Mother’s Day gift. I don’t need that one obligation scheduled day of the year to know how much my family loves me.  We can see each other any given day. No overpriced Hallmark cards, flowers, brunches, gifts will replace the love I receive every day of my life.   

I may sound like a Mother’s Day Grinch, but in my opinion every day is Mother’s Day. In closing, the best gift to myself, on this day is to run.  My passion. My selfcare day. Let’s celebrate Moms every day.  

****Today many dollars were raised for Cancer Connection 

Something I realized as I was about to post this, was the fact each member of our family did their own Mother’s Day workout independent from each other.  
My oldest daughter ran a race in Plymouth Massachusetts. 

My youngest daughter did yoga today.

And spouse did Cardio Boxing. 

That’s how we all spend Mother’s Day I guess, haha…We are odd bunch. I would not change it for anything.

  Late afternoon I had Chinese Food with my spouse, youngest daughter, granddaughter and  I also played fetch with my pack of 4 dogs all Labrador Retrievers.