Run Bermuda! Run Happy! A Six Mile Training Run - Two Weddings and a Parrot

The day was cloudy with a prediction for rain. Fortunately the chilly weather that had plagued Boston for a few days departed and in the words of Ruth Anne as she opened the door to check the temps and what we should wear, "Summer's back!"

No matter the weather and especially with warmer temps, we threw our jackets in the car - just in case - and headed to our happy place, Jamaica Pond to train. We psyched ourselves up with these two quotes:


As we parked the car, we saw patches of blue and decided we would not need our jackets after all.

After running up a big hill we arrived at the majestic scene of Jamaica Pond. In the past, as I trained for the Bermuda Half Marathon I was focused on the long term goal of running the Half in January.

Today I felt a shift. I wanted to embrace the journey and savor each training run that will lead up to Bermuda;



to experience the joy in the journey, the intensity that accompanies training for an endurance event and all the uphills and downhills inherent in the journey. Training for the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon is especially sweet as our daughter Ruth Anne is joining us on the journey!

We saw a gathering of people dressed in clothes you ordinarily don't see at Jamaica Pond where the style of dress is casual for runners and walkers. I asked if there was a wedding..."Well actually two," the woman told me. "My daughter had a little ceremony and there's a woman who is going to retake her vows who was married here 30 years ago."

As we ran on, we spotted a man with a parrot on his shoulder! We passed him several times, and after seeing a woman with a t shirt with a picture of a parrot on her back, we knew we needed to google the symbolism of a parrot animal totem:


What you once thought of as impossible is now possible! Go For it!
-Parrot

If Parrot has swooped across your path;

The Parrot is asking you to stay alert. New ideas which can bring about new growth or a new direction is imminent for you. Pay attention to the signs and omens around you. Perhaps its the perfect time to go after the dreams you once thought were out of reach.

Alternatively this bird may be asking you to learn new language skills. Perhaps your self talk has been more negative than positive of late. Take the time to become aware of what you are saying to yourself.

You have an innate understanding of color, it’s symbolism and it’s healing powers. from: Spirit Animal Totems

Hmmm - an innate understanding of the healing powers of color and we just started coloring in the evening. Awareness and be alert and it's all now so possible!

As we stopped at the fountain to refill our water bottles, the bride and groom had returned from the middle of the pond where they renewed their vows.

She was in a white wedding dress. He was wearing a suit. We wanted to ask if that was the dress she wore on her wedding day 30 years ago but didn't think that would be politically correct. Her friend - maid of honor - said, "She's having the wedding she never had 30 years ago." The bride chimed in, "We were married out on the pond in a boat. We eloped. I found the same Justice of the Peace and we retook our vows today. I bought this dress for $50 and I'm going to wear it to the party tonight!" Her makeup was beautiful and subtle. Family and friends were dressed in festive outfits with ribbons in the children's hair.

We wished them congratulations, shared with them that Tom and I will be celebrating 40 years of marriage next March and basked in the glow of love and joy as we finished our 6 mile run.



After our run we went to the Egleston Farmer's Market in Jamaica Plain. We found wonderful farm fresh produce and met some wonderful people at the Market!

After lunch and smoothies, we sat out in the warm summer sun playing rummy, listening to music and reflecting on the accomplishment of having another 6 miles in the Bank of Bermuda.

We made that wonderful farm fresh produce into a salad to have with shrimp and corn for dinner.



What a day for a training run! Six miles....two weddings and a parrot...the Farmer's Market and a new appreciation for the joy in the journey!

Go the distance with strength and courage!
~Mary

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Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):