Tag Archives: 5k

Jun24

I’m as free as a bird now…

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Joey Jello Ghost Bike Memorial at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Rd and W Cesar Chavez (site of accident)

Joey Jello Ghost Bike Memorial at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Rd and W Cesar Chavez (site of accident)

Today marks one year since the world lost Joey Jello, and one year since my world turned upside down. It has been the toughest year of my life while simultaneously teaching me that I’m tougher than I ever thought.

As most of you know, I traveled to Austin on Friday morning to run the Keep Austin Weird 5k on Saturday evening. Joey’s passion for life and early death awoke in me the need to live my life to the fullest and pursue my dream of becoming a runner. The entire weekend was full of emotions from start to finish, and it may take a bit to get through all of it, but bear with me, and I’ll make it worth your while.

Thursday night after putting my kids to bed, I headed over to my parents’ house to spend the night since mom and I had an early flight in the morning, and they live quite a bit closer to the airport. I got to bed late but had trouble putting my mind to rest with the anticipation of what was to come. An added concern for me was the fact that this was my first night away from my boys overnight.

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Jun18

Final Countdown…

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joey-thumbsHoly, Moly! Just 4 days to race day! What???!!!! I’m praying the rain holds off today so I can get a good practice run in this evening. And I’m also praying that the perfect Jello-esque running socks I ordered arrive at my house before I have to get on a plane. It’s hard to believe the day is almost here.

It’s going to be a very emotional weekend as I meet many of Joey’s friends in person for the first time and see other’s again after a year. I look forward to hearing more stories about him as I see the places where he lived and played over the last couple of years of his life, seeing the ghost bike erected to honor his memory, and just soaking up the atmosphere of Austin.

The whole weekend, as well as the race, is my chance to honor my brother, to remember him and thank him for being the catalyst I needed to get started on my journey to an energetic, healthy, and passionate lifestyle. Joey’s death was a rude awakening to the reality of death, the frailty of human life. He always seemed invincible, but in truth no body is. I saw my lifestyle for what it was, slowly taking years off my life, and determined to stop watching my life go by and jump  wholly into living it.

When I return from this trip, I plan on getting a new tattoo to represent the journey and letting go of Joey. I have held him tight through this journey, but it’s time for me to fly on my own. I will never forget him or stop loving him, but he wouldn’t want the rest of my life to be all about him either. As I’ve said many times, it’s about me being a better me.

Please think of me on Saturday at 7pm as I run the Keep Austin Weird 5k. I will be taking some of Joe’s ashes with me and scattering at the finish line if no one objects. Love to all my readers, and stay tuned for pics of the new tat!

May31

My name is Sarah, and I am a runner.

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As proud as he’d be of my accomplishments, this is likely the type of reaction my ranting and raving about running would incur.

My workout on Tuesday was like turning a corner for me on this journey to fitness. I almost feel…reborn. Born into a runner. Today I ran for 20 consecutive minutes. Sure, I only covered about a mile and half, but I’ve NEVER run for that long before in my entire life! And maybe it wasn’t easy, but it was possible, and I knew it. For once, I knew that I could do it.

Oh no! I’m turning into one of those obnoxious people who talks about how much they like exercise! I’ve always hated those liars, but…. it turns out they’re not lying. If you find the right sport or activity for you, it can actually be fun. And I do look forward to branching out into other things like more lifting, cycling and dance, but for now I’m content to just lace up my shoes and run.

And this is where things all come back to Joey. All of you who knew him will remember how single-minded he was. When he was excited about a new interest, it was all he could talk about or think about – whether it was building freak bikes, learning a new instrument, or just discovering an interesting part of history (like the Mayan civilization). Read the rest of this entry →

May28

Coming into Focus

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810television_0I had a really good run today, and as so often seems to be the case, I learned some things. But before I get into that, I need a minute to celebrate not one, but TWO 10-minute running intervals! That’s two repetitions of my longest-ever running times. I’ve run for 5 minutes; I’ve run for 8; but something about running for 10 minutes took me into a new zone.

Side note: Our living room tv has been broken for about 3 weeks now – they’re delivering the new one tomorrow – but because of that, we were forced to watch WAY less tv. It’s been really good for the boys, and it’s helped me begin to appreciate the quiet more. I even took off my headphones for the last half or so of the 5k I ran a couple weeks ago and just listened to the wind in the trees and the sound of my feet on the road, and it was pretty great. Read the rest of this entry →

May18

I did it! For real this time!

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photo-2Today I did something that one year ago would have seemed impossible. I ran & walked a 5k in 46min & 47sec! That’s faster than any of my treadmill training runs! I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the time clock at the finish line.

I entered the Big Bubba’s 5k Dash on the advice of a consultant at the YMCA. It seemed like a great opportunity to practice running outside and get an idea of what a race is actually like before my big memorial race in Austin. Plus the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and I love the idea of helping kids. So I registered thinking, “Even if I just walk it, it will be good practice.”

I kept playing it down, thinking this would just be another workout for me, so I was a bit taken aback to find that this became an extremely emotional event.  Read the rest of this entry →

May14

Here I come!!!

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Playing_With_a_Fire_Bird_by_princess_phoenixFlights have been booked for me and Mama Jello. – We’re heading to Austin June 21 through the 23rd so that I can run the Keep Austin Weird 5k and carry Joey’s ashes to the finish line with me. Which means I have a finish line to reach, on an actual day just over a month away!  I know it’s going to be a very emotional run for me, but I also believe it will be healing.

Today at the gym, I found myself sandwiched between two other runners, and to be honest, at first I was a bit intimidated, but then I realized – I’m a runner, too! I may be slow; I may not be able to run as long or as far as these; but I am doing this. And it was so exhilarating to recognize that, and to hear Joey’s voice singing, “You have it, too; you have it, too; you have it, too…” Read the rest of this entry →

Apr5

A funny thing happened on the way to becoming a runner

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yoga-for-runnersThe last time I attempted to become a runner, nearly a decade and a half ago, I did so on the advice of my cousin (though it may as easily have been G-ma speaking for her). I was told to keep going and eventually I would become so dependent on it that missing a run might make me grumpy. After a couple of months, I called her a liar (though not to her face – sorry, Tina). I still HATED running and looked for any excuse to miss a run.

So imagine my surprise this time around, as I feel my legs just itching to get back on the treadmill, even though my head and throat are demanding I curl up in bed instead. It’s pretty exciting to feel this change taking place, and I must admit that I’m pretty proud of myself for keeping my momentum going.

But I have to recognize for a moment all the reasons why this time is so different. The major change is that now I have goals, running races, taking Joey’s ashes along and honoring his passion for life by pursuing my own. Technology is definitely in my corner now, too. The C25K (couch to 5k) app for iPhone is amazing. I can listen to my own playlist, but the app cuts in to let me know when to walk and when to run. It’s fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get started running. I also follow running magazines on Twitter and C25K on Facebook for encouragement and testimonials from other runners.

Ok, that’s probably more commercial than a blog about Joey Jello’s influence ever needed. I’m just amazed that this is happening. I’m becoming a runner!

(Maybe someday soon, I’ll even have my own running photo)

Mar21

The Sun Also Rises

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Photo by John Curley

I’m halfway through week 2 of the 8-week Couch to 5K program now, and some interesting things are happening.

On my run/walk yesterday, I started out feeling like I couldn’t get enough air, but by the second running interval, I was feeling a bit better. And by the time I got to my final running interval, something amazing had happened. I actually felt, well…good. Like my body was working with me for once instead of against me.

It might be the only time in my life I can ever remember thinking that. Read the rest of this entry →