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...

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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

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

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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!!!

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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!

Day 331: 202 Calendar Project is On Baby

I hosted our National Women's Political Caucus communications meeting tonight and it was very productive. Among the many issues we covered, the one I'm most excited to share is that the NWPC Women's Leadership Calendar is on!

For those of you who joined me for three years at our calendar event, you know it's a super inspiring evening and one that I, along with Board members, Jill Prestup and Rebecca Simon, birthed several years ago.

The Board opted to skip production of a calendar last year for various reasons, but this year we are back on! This is an event where we get to showcase 12 outstanding women leaders in our community.

We also get to celebrate the success of our LA Westside chapter by honoring our endorsed women candidates, acknowledging our partners in the community who work with us to elect more pro choice women to office, and to provide a fabulous socializing event for our membership.

If you are a NWPC member and want to be part of the event planning, for what will surely be another spectacular event, please contact me... the more lovely hands we have, the more we can achieve!

If you are not yet a member of NWPC LA Westside, what are you waiting for... visit www.NWPCLAwestside.org

Day 267: The Office Cubby

This afternoon colleague Rebecca Simon and I worked for hours on several pending projects including my new Website (please visit http://www.robynrittersimon.com/ to check it out!), to political endeavors, and potential speaking engagements for me. It was a very busy and productive afternoon.

Pictured here are us two huddled in her "office cubby". A tiny little cut our parcel that Rebecca has transformed to her "home office".

Who knew one could be so productive in such a tiny space. Makes you wonder why we always crave more, bigger, spacious. While it is good to stretch out and have room to ponder, there is something very inviting about small quarters. You feel cozy & warm and are far less distracted.

So there we were today, cruising along, drinking wine (of course) and getting our "stuff" done! A formal launch announcement for my new website will be going out this week and I encourage you to take a peek. This is a great way to kick-off the New Year.

Day 254: The "Other" Simon's

Today is Miss Rebecca's birthday. Rebecca Simon was my campaign manager for my city council race in 2009.

For those of you who know me well, you know that she became much more to me then the manager of my political campaign. In addition to becoming a trusted ally and confidant, she has also become like a daughter to hubby Brian and I and a sister to my boys.

Pictured here is Rebecca's family from L-R: Me, Brian, Birthday girl Rebecca, grandma, brother David, Mom Joan and Dad Craig Simon.

If you are lucky enough in life to meet special people along your journey who leave indelible marks on your heart, than you are blessed. I am blessed to have Rebecca in my life.

She comes from a beautiful family, the "other" Simon's and tonight they generously invited us to join them for a birthday celebration for Rebecca.

I feel blessed that our two families have merged, surely one of the best byproducts of my campaign. We shared a special journey in my life, and have continued to work on projects and share one another's lives way past Election Day.

A solid friend is a gift to be treasured. We feel like we received a gorgeous trinket with Rebecca... thank you to Joan & Craig Simon for sharing your beautiful daughter with us Simon's.