2012 New Beginnings

Ah it's been so long my dear followers of my Birthday Blog! But I'm back and fired up for the New Year, new beginnings, new friendships, new adventures and anything new that will contribute to my health, wealth or happiness. Doesn't that sound magical?!

I have missed sharing my daily musings with you all and look forward to re-connecting. As I close the chapter on 2011 I must acknowledge some milestones that shaped this past year.

I ran a Marathon, yes that's 26.2 miles! I turned 50 years old as did my life partner, Brian. We also celebrated our 24th Wedding Anniversary. I ushered our three teenage boys into their Junior years of school, one in college, two in High School. I worked on several political campaigns for rockin' women, some who won, others who sadly lost their races (other than losing their bids for office, they are truly winners for just running!)

Pictured here are me and friend & athletic trainer Melody Roset crossing the finish line of the LA Marathon in pouring down rain.

I helped my niece Olivia navigate the college maze and welcomed home my other niece Zoe from Utah; I cheered as my friend Eka re-kindled and married an old flame from years past; I lost my voice countless times chanting GO PALI as my twin sons Harrison & Spencer rocked the baseball field and ended the season making All League Conference; I traveled to Salem, Oregon to rally my son Brandon as he pitched his way to All Conference as well; and surprisingly for the first time since I was a child we spent two weeks in our beloved Bass Lake vacation house with a rotating door of fabulous friends & family.

Pictured here is my son Brandon & niece Olivia at Brandon's baseball game.

Of all the beautiful memories created in 2011, there were also pains and losses along the way. Mimi Martin, beloved mom-in-law to my dear friend Lisa Martin, lost her battle with cancer and we all had to say good-bye. Never easy to lose a loved one...

But of all the sorrows this past year the one that weighs the heaviest and is the most painful for me to reconcile, is having to console a dear friend whose one month old baby passed away from SIDS. There are few words to be uttered when such a horrific tragedy occurs. All I can say is rest in peace sweet baby Ethan, we all miss you.

Each of these reflections hold a special place in my heart and as we enter 2012 I may circle back to each of them to add more detail to the stories that touched me this past year. In the meantime, today is an opportunity to look forward, move forward and implement my intentions for 2012. For now it's off to hike with Brian, our trusted companion-dog Bailey and dear friend Suzee Markowitz. Great way to start the morning!

Pictured here to the left is me & Brian celebrating our joint 50th Birthdays!

PS The photo above captures Brandon, 20, Harrison, 16, and Spencer, 16, jumping for joy to ring in the New Year. They are my life & pride and joy!

Day 8: More Baseball

Well we were back at Palisades High School today for yet another game! We played mine & Brian's alma mater, University High School.

Amazing to think that it's been 30 years since Brian wore a Uni High Baseball uniform... isn't that just crazy to imagine that I used to watch my hubby play ball in High School!

The years fly by, don't they? I can see so clearly my High School years, my time as a TV reporter (best job I ever had) my children as babies ... it's been a very full & colorful life and I'm looking forward to the next 50!

Day 2: Day 2 of Being 50

Still trying to determine if I feel any different now that I'm 50? Hmm, not really! It's been a marathon of celebrations... all fabulous!

Pictured here are me and my darling Miss Rebecca Simon at the National Women's Political Caucus 50 for 50 Event!

Today the hubby Brian and I headed to San Diego for four days to attend Harrison & Spencer's baseball tournament. We are having a blast!

Nothing better then being with my boys and my man watching baseball! So much fun to watch all these teenager's play competitive ball! And who knew it would also be a little get away for the hubby and I to reconnect after a whirlwind of Birthday festivities!

It's been fun hanging with all the baseball families and getting to know everyone better! Long legged Harry pitched an entire game today against a tough opponent and he rocked it baby!

While the opposing team had an obnoxious coach and student athletes who consistently haggled Harrison, he never wavered.

True leadership on the mound and a real treat to watch. It was a victorious game and one of those moments for Brian and I ... just magical... life is really good today!

Day 338: The Day After ...

Thank you all so very, very much for your wonderful congratulations, accolades, and kudos toward my completion of yesterday's marathon. Your sentiments mean so much to me and really warm my heart! All your calls, cards, texts, emails, Face Book posts, they all made me smile today!

I'm feeling GREAT ... Given I ran for 6 hours in torrential rains! I ran in wet socks, shoes and clothing and it was brutal, just miserable. The casualty to my body seems to be that I'll be losing a toenail on my left foot... you can't expect to run in wet socks sliding up and down for hours in the rain and not have some fallout!

In my case it is an incredibly sore toenail, I mean excruciating pain. I'm wearing Brian's compression socks for some ankle swelling, but I feel pretty damn good. Was up early walking up and down the stairs...

Below are some of my favorite words of inspiration...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Mom,

Just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow on your marathon. I'm super proud of you and proud that I have a Mom that can actually do that. I even told some of my friends that you were running. Regardless of your time you should be proud. I don't know very many people than can run a marathon, and I'm pretty sure I don't know any moms that can run one. You set out a goal from last year and no matter your time, you accomplished it... so congratulations!

I love you! Good luck, Brandon

-------------------------------------------------------------

The great ones empower people by BOTH words and deeds. You are a Renaissance woman and I hear you roar!!! Love, An admirer.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Robyn, I am so deeply moved by what you accomplished today. It was an honor to watch you do it. You inspire me beyond words!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------

I could not have persevered without all of you supporting me the entire journey. A special and very loud shout out to my friend and trainer Melody Roset, who has run-side-by-side with me for an entire year. She never gave up on me despite my bitching and moaning with all my ailments. She was always a source of encouragement and her skillful training is what led me to the Finish Line successfully and why I'm feeling so good post-the-run.

And a huge thank you too to hubby Brian Simon and Rebecca Simon for planning a post celebration for me ... the rain may have dampened our party, but knowing that they put so much love into organizing this for me, is truly the gift.

I need to go take another Epsom salt bath for my bod and for this throbbing toenail... love you all. Run Robyn Run!

DAY 337: RACE DAY

Oh my gosh, really... more rain today then any other day in the history of rain in Los Angeles. Are you kidding me? Let me be very clear with comments here.... the race was BRUTAL.

There are no words to describe what it is like to run for 6 hours in a DOWNPOUR of rain, wind, and very cold temperatures... and WET socks, shoes and clothing... I might as well of wrapped 10 pound weights around my ankles because that's what it was like to run today!

But let's start with the beginning... up at 3:30 a.m. Off to Dodger Stadium at 5:30 a.m. Thanks to gal pal Stacy Bell for the ride that early in the morning. Hubby Brian and gal pal Rebecca Simon were off to the Finish Line to reserve seating for a surprise cheering party for me... I didn't know that these two darlings were planning such a grand finale for me! Check out the adorable invitation and t-shirts that they designed for my cheerleaders!

I only wish their beautiful plans had worked out, but who the heck could have projected these torrential rains!

Here are Rebecca & Brian hunkering down to ensure a front row seat to view me coming across the Finish Line... I can't stand how committed and devoted they are to me! Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for making such a special plan for my special race day!


While these two were handling the end-game plans, my running partner Melody and I were at Dodger Stadium waiting for the sun to rise! Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe I was finally at the start line. A year long journey that was all on the line now...

For those who've been reading my running posts, you know what I have endured and here it was the moment I had trained for... I wasn't nervous at all, just eager to start running ... the organizers of the race deserve a failing grade for their logistics (that's a post for another day) and it started with the race beginning late!

Pictured here are my devoted fans standing in the pouring rain... my sons Harrison & Spencer, sisters Michele & Linda, nieces, Olivia, Esme & Sophia, brother Josh, gal pal Farrel, the organizers Rebecca & Brian...

Melody and I made our way out to the Stadium and on to the streets of downtown Los Angeles. We ran through Chinatown, past City Hall, through Little Tokyo, up Hill Street past Disney Concert Hall... and we just kept goin'.

The rain NEVER stopped. It was relentless, Mother Nature was pretty pissed and she was testing all 26,000 runners. No doubt fellow runners were hurting and many gave up... the weather conditions were more then most could take. Torrential rain, wind, and running in wet clothes is just not the way you want to run your first marathon ... but what could I do... I had to keep going. I was not happy. It was not a happy run.

Along the course fellow baseball Mom, Jennie Fahn came out to cheer me on, and dear friends Steve & Jenny Savitsky greeted us at mile 24... we needed their big hugs and encouragement to finish the last two miles! A big thank you to gal pals Cheri & Teresa and daughter Carrie, who volunteered at Mile 16 but who we missed as we ran by, but knowing they were out there to support us was awesome!

The BEST part of the entire course was heading up to the Finish Line and hearing my family & friends yell out "Robyn"... I was so excited to see their smiling faces and to know that I was steps away from the finish line, it was a euphoric feeling ...

I did it... Run Robyn Run!