March Madness

Last Saturday's long run (3/14) to this past Saturday (3/21) has marked the best week of my training to day. Two long runs, one the complete Charles River loop and the other, on the Marathon course from Wellesley and then to the South End/South Boston line were two of the best runs eva-eva. I felt good, my form was strong and I had a little left in me at the end.

This final month is certainly fully of surprises. Spring is here, sunshine and the forecast void of snow for consecutive days, the kids are skateboarding, the sirens are blaring and the preppy kids downtown have on flip-flops...without socks.

Emotionally, every day is different. I'm overjoyed and excited. The next day, free radicals are flying. Craziness, jittered and wild, anxiety takes over. Then, I'm back to being unbelievably amazed that there are only 29 more days to go. I'm sure my emotive schizophrenia isn't hurt by the b ball tourney. The first day of spring was historical and great! Last Friday's game Eastern TN and Pitt...then Siena and OH state. Amazing games. Event Gonzaga and W Ky. This is powerful athleticism. I find it most inspiring that the fight lasts until the last second. I hope I can take that away with me come Marathon Monday. Until then, I plan on enjoying some more fiery competition from the comfort of my living room.

WOOT, WOOT!!

I don't know what the kids are doing these days, but "woot, woot" is kinda like almost sorta, the ultimate shout out, second to HOLLA!

Shout out to all my home kids.

I don't have much to share today, (gasp in shock!) only that I wanted to thank everyone who has donated thus far. I am SO CLOSE to having raised $3,000 and then I'll have just a small way to go before getting to $5,000.

I haven't even run the whole darn thing yet, but there's nothing like coming to work after a morning run and seeing another message in my inbox saying: "Jane Doe or Joe Schmoh has donated to your website -- check it out!"

What is more, is that many of those automated messages are followed by (your generous gifts of course) AND personal notes. The thrill I get after I add another one of you to this ULTIMATE list of do-gooders makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. If nothing else, it has been a real awakening for me to be able to rally such supporters. THANK YOU!!!!

Also, the BU student TV station the terriers this or that, just interviewed me and some colleagues who are all training. When they send me the link, I'll make sure you'll get to see it. giving you good to embarrass me with will only make me happier!

Esplanade meet Sr. Sanz, ("Con mucho placer")

Many years after the fact, I am not ashamed to admit that I did indeed purchase Alejandro's CD 'mas' directly after it was released. I went to El Corte Ingles in Alicante. The basement housed the department store's music collection. I went and paid homage alonge with cash dues to this lyrical genius knowing that after my short lived love affair with the backstreet boys, ( I saw their concert in Barcelona) I would be truly devoted to this man. It was the tumultuous spring of 1997 and I needed these ballads in my discman like no other 16 year old girl.

I would run, one of the only people running in Alicante, through the city, along the waterfront lined with palm trees and past the ocean. That's where I learned the lyrics to Mas, alternating Mariah with Alejandro for variety.

A decade later, I'm still willing to admit that Mas continues to have fair play time in the car's CD player. That says alot. While I spend roughly 40 hours a week at work, I spend most of the rest of that time, running, doing yoga or in my car. Ira Glass and Terry Gross may get honorable mention but Senor Sanz still holds his ground.

So why the post about this Spaniard?

Sure, he quickly faded from the scene after his duet with Shakira. She permitted him a spot, (for marketing) on her Tortura CD. In the US we know Ricky Martin and the father and sons, Eglesias, but Alejandro Sanz isn't as pop culture. Too bad. Because this was the first day I've trained for the marathon that I've taken to the full extension of running on the Charles. From Harvard and Cambridge Port, down the MoS, through the Esplanade, back over the Mass Ave bridge to Trader Joe's. It was a 90 minute run against the wind. And this lyrical genius popped into the shuffle and a jolt of adrenaline shot through me. Sure I was listening about the woes of a heartbroken man but what poetry! True stories of a successful playist.

Someone on YouTube even gives you the translation: Si Hay Dios...

...Lloraré si se llorar
como el tímido rocío de un clavel en mi soledad
estaré, todos se irán, ya lo sé
a tu lado en cada golpe iré
como lo hacen las orillas y la mar
como lo hace el campo y el agua que lloverá.

Podría ser más educado
pero el alma sólo entiende de emoción
y si hay Dios seguro entiende de emoción.
Podría haber llorado un mar de lágrimas saladas
arrojarme a los abismos y partirme en dos el alma
desatar la tempestad y el huracán de mi garganta
y confesar desesperado que no puedo con mi rabia
aunque mi actitud no es hoy tan evidente, no puedo sufrir más.

Que el dolor cuando es por dentro, es más fuerte...