Friday, March 28, 2008

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Thanks, everyone, for all your support. I am feeling quite a bit better. The truth is, it wasn't about running at all, it was about personal stuff. I think I may have confused some of you on that. I wish I could be as positive and die hard, never give up even after failure, on the personal stuff, like I am on the running. For some reason, the metaphorical club and beating back bad thoughts with it has worked well for me on the running stuff, but really, I just like being a runner (yes, I actually said that I am a runner!) and love to talk about it, love the sense of accomplishment and like to share it (stalk) with all of you. Many times I have run because of all of you, you keep me going.

The club we have built and all your support and encouragement mean a lot to me. Several of you mentioned wanting to be "in my club," or "going clubbing." It was cracking me up, and I really appreciate your support, especially on non-running related personal junk. Maybe we should start some sort of virtual official club? Any ideas? Cave People Unite?

Anyway, I'm working on the positivity and better attitude on the personal stuff, but I can get pretty down. I've at least hit the bottom and am started back up the other side. The first good sign is when I start joking about it.

You can turn painful situations around through laughter.
If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.
--Bill Cosby

I found this website http://www.despair.com/ after someone used it in a recent seminar (please don't think I was googling "despair" -- it wasn't quite that bad!) It's a take on those motivational posters. Here are a couple that made me chuckle.




I hope you are laughing and not thinking I am being a downer. :D


The truth is, failure is just information on what doesn't work. I look at my bad runs like this all the time - it was bad, oh well, what can I learn? Pick yourself up with a bit more information and try again. And as a friend told me when I really needed to hear it, "there is always hope." Thanks, friend. And thanks to ALL of you!

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Now, regarding the running, I'm not exactly sure what is going on. I did a 5 miler last Saturday and while it beat me up in the snow, I was fine. After 5 on Wednesday, however, I am the sorest I have been in months. Any thoughts? I ran pretty slow, not sure why I am "race sore". I was hoping to do a 10k neighborhood race on Sunday, but now I'm not too sure...

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This reminds me. I think someone asked me about that 6 word meme. Me in 6 words? Holy cow. I found this somewhere and decided to steal it for my own. It pretty much sums me up.

Some Hits. Some Runs. Some Errors.

29 comments:

Jenn said...

Thanks for the smiles. Found your blog through some other links and enjoying it, I'll be a returning visitor. I followed the Non-Runner's book for my first marathon and loved it (the book, not the marathon) The Marathon was the infamous 2007 Chicago Marathon with record heat.

nwgdc said...

you're gonna rock this summer! the weather these last couple months has done wonders, i promise! tough upper midwest runners, unite! :)

Bob A said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bob A said...

Oh,yeah. I'm laughing, especially at the Give up! poster.

I'm one of those who thought part of your angst was over the running. I'm hope the personal stuff is getting sorted out. When I saw the title of your "Bigger Club" post, I actually thought you were in the market for a bigger cavewoman club.

Greg Johnson said...

Hey Nancy, thanks for being you! I'll join that club when you get it going.

Keep pressing toward the finish line!

gaj

E said...

Love the posters. I will join the club too!

Sonia said...

I think its that time of the year, when the freakin winter is never ending, that we all feel a little sad and see things a little darker than they might be! Hang in there, really, things do get better with time!!

Nitmos said...

Those posters are hilarious. Thanks for the laugh. At any rate, you are doing a great job bringing a smile to everyone else's face! Rock on.

Laura N said...

I love that kind of humor in those posters. Cracks me up.

Hope things start to look up for you on the personal front. It will get better, somehow. Hang in there.

chia said...

You really are made of sunshine aren't you :-).

Running is really odd, I often ask that question too... how can I have a 5 mile run that feels amazing one day and another a week later that feels like hell? Betcha it might be diet differences but still, frustrating as all heck when you go through it!

Keep up the cool attitude and good work :-)

Lily on the Road said...

You sound greatand back on track,we all have our ups and downs..."lifes fun if you don't weaken", love the "six" BTW.

J~Mom said...

I love that website! It gives me a chuckle everytime! *MUAH* to ya!

Bev said...

Love the posters. I'm with Susan, this time of year has got to be hard on you snowed under people. Just remember that the lows help us appreciate the highs so much more. Just remember that you are an all around rock star, not just in the running arena.

akshaye said...

glad you feeling upbeat! I love the take on the motivational posters.

Jess said...

Those are funny. I especially like the cat one.

Sometimes, life is shit, and you can only do your best with that. Hope you feel better soon, and keep in mind it's just a few weeks until you see Wendy and I!

The Laminator said...

Hey Nancy, I think the bad weather has a lot to do with it. Everyone feels a bit slow both on runs and in their personal life because this cold is dragging on and on and on...

But...spring is around the corner, even if it is taking forever...and it'll be better. Something's telling me you're going to do awesome on the road this year!

Stuart said...

Gotta have the lows to appreciate the highs. Hang on in there it'll all be better soon.

Count me in the club, what are the subs'?

audgepodge said...

I also love the "Give Up" one with the kitty cats - so cute and so hilarious!

I am struggling with running, too. I've taken too long of a break so my runs have been going crappy lately. But I won't "give up"! :)

Unknown said...

That one wiht the cat made me laugh out loud..LOL

zanne said...

i love those posters. such a riot! and hey - its your blog. you are totally allowed to be a downer. we'll still keep coming back!

i have a weensy bit of advice on the intense soreness & you can take it or leave it. but i leanred this from my nutritionist during my nutritional overhaul. as you know - i was sugar free for quite a while - and the long run in which i introduced some energy gels (sugar) to see how i could handle it resulted in some MAJOR post run soreness the next day. we're talking marathon sore. sugar is an inflammatory. that's my two cents on your out of the blue extreme soreness. has there been a lot of sugar (maybe more than usual) in your diet? could be the culprit. but as i said, you can take it or leave it ... i'm certainly not one to preach on nutrition, but i like to think i learned a few things!

Bob A said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Nancy. Re your comment about being sore on Wednesday: you had a good excuse -- running in the snow.

Michelle said...

Hello my friend! You most certainly are allowed to vent a bit here! Thats what we are here for ya know? I love the idea of cave people unite! How cool would that be? You know i could write a book on all stuff cavey! Sounds like your running is going great and that is great!!! We all have good and bad runs and we learn and improve...its like writing a book, we never know what the next chapter will bring! So keep up the good work and great blogging!!!
Michelle

Sunshine said...

Best wishes with everything Nancy.
You are a great running non-runner.. and from the look of those posters.. you have a great sense of humor.
Best wishes Best wishes Best wishes with all the stuff going on in your life.

We are running outdoors a little, but yes, it is still a little slippery.

Viv said...

I am glad you have started to laugh. It slowly heals eveything kind of :-D
I wanted to thank you for the awesome comments on my blog, your comments are always awesome but that one was supah uplifting!!

You are going to have a wonder running season. I wish that snow what get outta there! Your gonna have to let me in out your 10 min miles after swim/bike :-)

Jamie said...

Love your six! And those posters made me laugh. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Life is definitely a roller coaster but it sounds like you are on your way back up :)

Gotta Run..... said...

Those pictures were so freaking funny!! I laughed out load!

Count me in on the club. Cool idea! You think of everything.

RunnerGirl said...

Hang in there Nancy, and remember how many of us you manage to cheer up each and every day :)

Scott McMurtrey said...

that was so not funny. kittens aren't to be used for our entertainment. they're human beings, too.

Mendy said...

I have one of those despair posters hanging in my cube. It's the potential one with the french fries. I LOVE FF's, so it's motivation to eat healthy too. Blah.....

Glad you are better.