Strong Women Write!

Literati just did a Major Upgrade to its Luminary Leaders!

I am an unashamed, self-professed book nerd so Literati has been THE subscription service for me. This Austin, TX-based small business really upped their game this month by increasing the number of Luminaries from 5 to 12! That’s right, 7 more options to pick from. (How is a girl to choose?…)

Yes, Literati sent out a message on its app and all its social pages that it was about to have some major changes and I feared/wondered if they were getting rid of/changing Luminaries. Not to fear, those Luminary Clubs remain…and they added 7 more! (Insert mind-blown emoji here.)

You can imagine the type of nail biting that happened trying to select my book pick/club this time around. So many interesting book options, and only one to select for the month. That’s not to say that some of these won’t go on my TBR pile and be purchased from my local independent bookstore instead, but I really shouldn’t be biting my nails after just having gotten a fresh manicure.

Check out this amazing and diverse list of Luminaries available for June 2021 club reading selections.

There are a few names that are curated groups, like Joseph Campbell for the Joseph Campbell Foundation and the new Atlas Obscura, but the rest are real writers and influencers and the titles they offer make my brain buzz with excitement and interest. I was sorely tempted to email Literati and ask if I could select a book club of the month and ask for a few of the other titles to be sent in my box in addition to my selection.

I had a really hard time choosing between the Luminaries this coming month, but I am going with new Luminary Jesmyn Ward’s selection which is “Heavy” by Kiese Laymon for my June 2021 selection. (I’m also wondering if this will turn me on to Jesmyn’s “Sing Unburied Sing” to read at another time?)

I can easily see myself jumping between clubs for the foreseeable future just to check out each Luminary’s club and the illumination they offer and I’m so pumped for Literati expanding their distribution by increasing their choice range. This subscription is one I can easily imagine keeping for Life!

I’m always buying books, sometimes to my husband’s chagrin as he opens yet another Amazon receipt email where I’ve bought yet another book to add to the growing pile (physically and virtually) that I own. While I may never finish all the books I have in my lifetime (or at least until I am very old), he knows reading brings me Joy. Literati brings me JOY too.

Do you know an avid reader in your life? Would they enjoy getting a book in the mail each month and a chance to discuss the book virtually? The pandemic and social distancing may be coming to and end, but Zoom and Literati are definitely here to stay. Get him/her a subscription to Literati. The options alone will keep your special someone happy for months and years to come! (I also love the little extras they send in my box.)

If you do subscribe, do so NOW before May 17th to lock in your June book pick so it can be mailed in time! If you’re reading this after May 17, not to fear. Just subscribe and you can jump on with the July selection which should be just as nail-biting as this one.

Me and my soon-to-be-destroyed manicure will be waiting to interact with you on the app and discuss your selection. Sign up at Literati.com

2021–What I’ve Been Reading

I find myself following the beat of my own drum these days as I try and work my way through my Goodreads want to read list and my book pile of paperbacks and hardbacks stacking up on my bookshelf.

I will list all the books I have read so far this year with my own personal ratings for each.

The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg
3⭐⭐⭐ Great foray into graphic novels.

Glass Towns: The Imaginary World of the Brontes by Isabel Greenberg
4⭐⭐⭐⭐ More graphic novel, but delving into some of my favorite authors in a fictional sense.

Philippa Gregory Trying to finish out The Tudor Court series from a few years ago. Slow going as these books clock in at 500+ pages each with lots of detail.
I finally only have The Last Tudor remaining!

Joan Didion–The White Essays and Slouching Towards Bethlehem 2⭐⭐s each. Her detail is Amazing, but the subjects not as much.

The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham 3 1/2 ⭐⭐⭐ I got this one under a recommendation by Brene Brown on her podcast, struggled to start, and then couldn’t put it down. Thumbs up for a local Nashville author.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Solid 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ Less Steinbeck, more struggle during the Great Depression. Prepare to cry.

Just Kids by Patti Smith 3 1/2 ⭐⭐⭐ The artist scene in the 60s and 70s. Read this with the Literati book group and got to ask Patti questions.

Start With Why by Simon Sinek 1⭐ Took to heart some ideas about my own personal Why, buy too much love for Apple and it’s products.

Broken Horses by Brandi Carlisle 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Memoir of her early years leading up to her current success. I love her music and this really cemented my appreciation.

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great descriptive details and realistic struggle with life. Not gushy romantic like I feared. History lesson for added bonus.

What are you reading?

Review of “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek

April 2021’s selection for Literati with Richard Branson was “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.

I have to say that not being a business owner, I struggled with some of the main principles, but instead applied my WHY to my creative pursuits. No, I am not looking to start a business as creative and innovative as Apple (who is mentioned quite a bit in this book), but I am looking to venture out on my own. I want to work for myself, to not have “The Man” telling me what to do and how to do it. Calling my own shots in life, is what I would say.

Throughout the book, The Golden Circle was referenced. What is the Golden Circle, you ask? Well, the graphic shown below by a fellow book reviewer offers the best example:

To apply this creatively, I needed to do more thinking than what the book offered. I had to provide my own answers to What, How, and Why. Now that I have finished the book, I was better able to ruminate on my answers.

WHAT–Writing for a living instead of being stuck in a dead-end job with poor-pay and managers second-guessing every step I made.

HOW–Write, write, write! Find freelance opportunities. Open myself up to ways to market myself as a Writer that will make others stand up and take notice.

WHY–Because writing is a passion of mine and one I want to share. I want to be noticed and leave this world having contributed something to make a difference and make others Feel.

So how do I fuel my WHY? How will I move from one type of work to the next? What do I do to make my work noticed?

For every Google result as to Why anyone should start writing, there is always an equal number of detractors who will tell you NOT to start. “Don’t do it, it’s a waste of time and your resources…”

But the path to Success is littered with people who have succeeded and those who have failed. You can choose to click on those negative articles, but is that really fueling your passion or just giving you a lame-a$$ excuse to stay doing what you’re currently doing. Do you really love your mediocre day job and enjoy being miserable? What if you try and succeed? It’s all about taking inventory of yourself and marketing your talents and skills for opportunity. If you’re just focused on how groundbreaking you think you are, I guarantee not a lot of people will care. Focus instead on the value you can give the world around you.

Going back to WHAT; if you create this great story/article/blog, that is Awesome and I applaud you, but what is that doing to grow you as a Writer and what is that doing that will help you gain more notoriety in the future? Are you looking to rest on your laurels or create with a passion to keep breaking ground and offer more worth?

Writing is marketing just like business has its own marketing. Sell yourself, your abilities, and the diverse, creative soul that is YOU to the world as the multi-faceted amazing being that you are. Once you know yourself and your motivation, you will know your Why. Keep going, relentlessly pursuing until other people see that Why and help you reach the success you crave.

Who cares if you fail? Failure is just a chance to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try a different angle. Another reason to re-evaluate your Why.

Literati–The Mail-Order Book Club that is Our Answer to Connecting During Social Distancing

(This is not a paid blog post, but if Literati would like me to do posts in the future about the company or comments on my thoughts and feelings about the monthly book club experience, I am open to the opportunity.)

Let me tell you about this amazing book club I joined in December 2020. It was in the middle of the pandemic and I was growing tired of doing multiple virtual races online. After months of social distancing and I feared I would never be able to interact with people again, especially people that I connect with the most–voracious, intelligent readers.

I heard about Literati during a podcast episode and made a mental note to look it up later. With the many mail order companies out there, including other mail order book clubs, what made Literati stand out? Well, its the options, my dear! Not only do you get a book every month (with the opportunity to skip a month if nothing catches your fancy), you have 5 Literati mentors leading monthly discussions about the selections for that current month!

These aren’t just average Joes/Janes leading conversations but big names like Richard Branson, Susan Orlean, Malala Yousafzai, Stephen Curry, and a group hosted by the Joseph Campbell Foundation! And you aren’t locked into one specific group for the whole year, you can switch Luminaries each month depending on what selection interests you. They even have kids book clubs, a more recent addition to the Literati offerings.

Not sure which club to join? Take their fun quiz here to find out: https://literati.com/quiz/

Literati has really stepped up their game recently by creating an app, (available on Apple or Android) and the experience on the app is wonderful. You can use the app to do just about anything you can do on the website, but with more portability, like switch clubs, interact with others in your current club, and track your progress in the current selection (kind of like you would do in Goodreads). This takes the social element of a book club to a whole other level and I have personally enjoyed connecting and following like-minded people this way. Just one way of staving off the pandemic loneliness–even for an Introvert like myself.

This was an Instagram post I did a few months back. I just love the packaging and the little details that make this book club really fun and exciting. The box typically includes that month’s book selection from your chosen Luminary, a book mark, a guide for reading the book in time with others and the discussion sections, and a note from the Luminary. Its definitely a special day when this box arrives in the mail!

For just $20/month ($120 annually) for the adult book club and $9.95/month for the children’s book club where they provide you with 5 selected books, curated by age group, it really is a Great Deal! I love the way it really expands and diversifies my home library. So far, I have had selections that have challenged me, inspired me, and really broadened my reading horizons. I am so grateful to Literati and the experience already!

Are you ready to connect with a group to find and read some really great books? Give Literati a try! Tell ’em I sent ya. 😉

The Glory of the Goldfinch

Yesterday (Friday) I was feeling a little worn down. It had been a long work week and I was already exhausted. I had one more 8 hour day left to go and I needed the motivation to keep on moving.

Before I started my workday, I opened my blinds in my office to let in the sunshine…or what sunshine there could be with rain in the forecast…and took a deep cleansing breath to start my day. When I opened those blinds I was surprised to see a vibrant yellow bird perched in the maple tree in our front yard which is directly across from the window I was standing in front of.

The tiny yellow bird had black markings on its head and wings, so I took note of the details to look up later and stood a moment in reverence to watch it. The little fellow primped and preened and flittered around on the branch like all birds do. Meanwhile I stood in awe of its beauty and grace.

I took its presence below my window as a reminder that each one of us is unique. We not have brightly-colored yellow feathers with black details, but each of us has the chance to shine and catch the eye of the world in our own way. We make a choice each day to show our beauty on a branch or to hide away in the shrubbery.

What is your choice for how you shine today?

Update:

I saw my little yellow friend again yesterday morning and shared the experience with my son before he ran off to catch the bus to school. I grabbed a quick photo of it from my phone, so the quality isn’t great. Just proof that my buddy came to say (chirp?) Hello.

Maybe I’ll have to open the window sometime and see if I can call it over with its distinctive po-ta-to-chip call…or offer it some for a snack? Doing some research, they are primarily vegetarian (Cornell University) and are fairly common. (So why haven’t I seen them as much as I have the last few weeks?)

I started wondering to myself, with the return of my cheery yellow visitor what they could symbolize. The website AskingLot.com says, “The meaning of the goldfinch signifies abundance and prosperity. It symbolizes the importance of positivity and optimism, and the value of happiness, joy, and simplicity in your life. Just like the crow spirit animal, the goldfinch meaning also points to the need for variety and diversity.” (Asking Lot) I know I could use a lot of optimism after the dumpster fire that was 2020, so I’ll take it. And having this tiny reminder to embrace variety and diversity is definitely something to pay attention to and embrace these days.

Maybe 2020 was kinder to you than it was to me, but we as a people experienced so much turmoil over diversity this past year…and some Wins! Let’s continue to emerge by embracing our own diversity, the diversity of others, and the diversity that makes us all different but the same.

References:

Cornell University, 2019, American Goldfinch, retrieved from: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/overview#

Bianconi, Waris. 2020, May 10 What does seeing a Goldfinch mean?, AskingLot.com. Retrieved from: https://askinglot.com/what-does-seeing-a-goldfinch-mean

Thinking of Branching Out

Having lived in the Nashville area for just about 3 years now, I am thinking of branching out a little in my writing. I cannot promise that I will be as consistent as college courses take precedence, but I feel a HUGE call to write and promote local music.

I feel that this process of transition would be natural for me as I love this city and love listening to new alternative music. I spent many years growing up watching the Mandrell sisters on television with my grandmother, so when I paid a visit to Nashville when I was 19 on a family vacation, I feel hard for this city. ❤ I knew I was meant to live here someday. (Little did I know that someday would take an additional 20 years, but I feel it added to my gratitude and passion to the city. I feel that promoting the city and its music feels like a welcome and wanted addition to my life.

What would you think if I tried a weekly? post on local Nashville musicians including lyrics and a link to any videos that had been released? I would also add my own feelings and commentary on the songs. This would take information from Lightning 100’s Local Lightning page and take it a step or two further.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

–Christy

An Evening with Jodi Picoult

The traffic odds were stacked against me… both Chris Stapleton and ADELE were in town. But I knew I would go anyway because my favorite author was in town on a book tour for her most recent release.

When I get there, I realize I have been to this section of the city before in order to get my race number for the Music City Fourth of July 10k run (ridiculously hot). There are people riding a party bike and singing “Don’t Stop Believing”; there are kids tearing it up down the street to get to the skate park nearby.

I smile warmly and politely to the others waiting in line. We make small talk and wait excitedly for the door to open. When they do open, we calmly file in the building and get a name tag and gift bag each with a hardcover copy of the new release. I set my bag down and grab something to eat. There are tiny tarts–pecan, chess and cherry–to enjoy and either white or red wine (pinot grigio or pinot noir). I choose the red and sit down at my table to enjoy it all.

We wait patiently for the guest of the hour to arrive. (I can imagine that the anticipation for Stapleton/Adele was much louder and more raucous, but I digress…)

She tells the story of how the book finally came to be, after shelving the idea for years. How the struggle to get down a story, as a privileged white woman, on race was a challenge. How she came up with the title, and what we can do in our communities to ALLY ourselves together.

The title, Small Great Things, comes from a Martin Luther King Jr quote: ” If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

While a majority of the group assembled that night were also white women, we were all interested in what we could do to help break down those walls, to bring us all–including my tablemates, a pleasant mother/daughter duo–together.

I’ve always pondered ways I could work to bring us all together. I remember the young black boy at my private school. I would say hello and give a cheerful smile, but circumstances developed later on that school year and he left. (I have always wondered why?) Then there was the Saudi Arabian girl I sat next to my Senior year. She struggled mightily to learn the English language, had a sharp wit and a caring heart. (She transferred to public school that winter. I still wonder about her and where she may be now…) While we had a few other people who were not white, the roster was pretty concentrated on a certain “look”.

I enjoyed listening to Nic Stone interview Jodi and the perspective she was able to offer. [Planning to read her work, “Dear Martin”, when it is out.] Her struggle struck a chord when she described texting the author and month ago on her fears for her sons after the most recent events in the City of Charlotte, my previous city of residence. My heart goes out to my past city and to the people like that who always have to worry. What can we do to help generate positive change?

The evening and the conversation brought back the passion to continue blogging and use that as practice to restart my writing.

While we patiently waited our turn to get our books signed, my table mates and I struck up a conversation. It started with what’s your favorite of her novels? (Second Glance, about a eugenics project in Vermont in the 1930’s.) Then we progressed to other topics.

—–

My plan, once I finish the book, is to meet up with any interested friends–of all colors–to discuss. We need to give everyone a voice and hear what is said.

Let’s ALLY together!:

Always Center the impacted
Listen and learn from those who live in the oppression
Leverage your privilege
Yield the floor

West End Muses

We are all trying to get somewhere and are doing our best to get there… Nowhere have I seen this more in evidence than Nashville.

Every day about 85-90 people move to this City on the hopes of making something big out of their talents.

The dreams and words are written on bar napkins, the notebooks crammed with random lyrics while the next musician waits his/her turn at open mic night, guitar in its case behind him as he waits.

It is real, raw, and inspiring. The emotions are palpable.

Then you meet one of these people first-hand. Just amazing, wonderful people, chasing their Dream.

They’ve poured their heart and soul into countless hours of performances at hotels, bars, and honky tonks.

I have no idea how this process goes so I cannot explain the emotions that must go through that individual when that day arrives when you finally have proof–in hand–of your hard work. Sometimes it can take years, which makes the achievement that much more resonant.

Recently, a bunch of friends and I from my local run group made it out to watch one of our group debut her first EP. [I love that right now, my phone tried to autocorrect to EPIC, ’cause it is…and was.]

Big smiles were in effect as she took the stage and brought that country sass, warming up with each song. A small “family” had gathered for her of other aspiring musicians, friends, co-workers, and buddies from the run group. The love sent her way, from both near and afar, buoyed her with each song. The stage lights shone down on her and Ben Potter, her guitarist. The moment sparkled and crystallized into a memory as sweet as sugar.

Having a copy of a friend’s hard work in the form of a CD makes the moment real and re-liveable. The culmination of work and late nights, the sweat and tears…and years, oh years of Dreaming. It’s transcendent, magical, beautiful.

Just as beautiful, inside and out, as you are, Chellanie. I wish you years of success and big dreams, with plenty of sass. I’ll be here watching you shine brighter.

Kicking the Hamster off the Pity Party Wheel…

I was having one of those epic runs… You know the type if you run too. Great day/weather, good friends to share it with. Sure, I was struggling a bit that day, but we all were, so commiseration was the glue that held us all together to the very end.

I got home and did my yoga/stretch routine, but even after that something didn’t feel right. The underside of my foot was in pain that persisted all night and in to the next day.

I tried not to freak out. “Just rest it, you’ll be fine. Take a day off from running…” But the pain was still there the next day and the next. I couldn’t avoid it anymore. The reality of an injury was staring me in the face as I was preparing to train and run in a half marathon race with my new run group. “I can’t be a Quitter…not now…not so early into this”, my mind said. But my gut told me that I had tried to be Epic before while in pain. That stubborn move led me to 6 weeks in a walking boot and a slow return to running. I knew the pain I was having was exactly the same as when I had had a stress fracture to my left fibula just before another half marathon race that I had been hyping about on my social media page for Months…

“It’s time to shut the running down, sister”, I said to myself. The other half of my brain cried, “Nooooooooo!”

But I shut down running anyway until I got a chance to finally see a doctor. “Training for the Middle Half, were ya?”, he asked. “How’d ya know?” I replied in surprise. “With the pain you’re in, you definitely have to shut down running for a bit and rehab this injury. So NO racing for you, dear.”

I honestly don’t know how I didn’t break down crying in the exam room.

I hobbled to the main wing of the Hospital for x-rays (inconclusive), and blinked back my tears as the receptionist there checked me in.

“This is NOT happening, it’s a bad dream. I’ll wake up and have the most Epic run I’ve ever had.”

But no.

REALITY. seriously. bites.

Pity party train…

So my mind switched into rehabilitation mode.

“Okay, girl. We’ve been down this road before. It was worse last time, but we caught this stuff way ahead of the game than we did the first time. Let’s see how fast/efficiently we can recover now…”, it said.

Off to Operation Recovery Mode. Healthy whole foods with Omega 3’s, lots of rest, and Cycling Class…my one small claim to Sanity. I commenced to pedaling my short, stumpy legs as hard as I could make them go. Challenging myself in other ways in order to keep up my fitness.

Gradually, my foot started to heal and short walks started to feel comfortable again. The nervous voices in my head stopped nagging me 24/7 and were letting me do my own thing…

Not out of the woods, yet… But darned close!

Finally, the day of the Middle Half loomed close.

I knew I was still not physically ready to race…let alone for 13.1 miles. The hamster wheel in my mind raced. “Whatcha gonna do now? ”

Then someone in my run group–also sidelined with an injury–suggested Volunteering.

“Sounds good to me”, I said, “When and where?”

“Let me reach out to the Race Director and see what you can do”, she said.

Music to my ears. I could knock that stupid hamster telling me I was a looser because I couldn’t run out of my mind and be USEFUL.

I know I have gone to bed the night before a race so nervous and excited that it was hard to sleep, but I was having the same issues sleeping that night just thinking about volunteering.

If I ever am unable to run for any reason in the future, I am totally happy to volunteer. Helping people in any way possible truly speaks to my Soul.

With a huge, happy grin on my face, I showed up at the volunteer tent and jumped in full tilt to whatever they had for me to do. Picking up trash with a grabber, hauling bags of ice for the water bottles to stay cool, aiding at a water station. Just show me what to do and I am totally in to help out!

Resisting the urge to pinch random people… hehe!

Water, water everywhere!!!!

Aiding at Water Station #1 at Mile 2 was a BLAST! Not sure how the intensity and enthusiasm was at other water stops, but I’m going to hope we set the bar for the rest of them to follow suit. 😉 Cheers, whoops and hollers, positive words of encouragement and a few selfies later and we were all cleaning up the tables and picking up empty paper cups. Our crew had a wonderful time together and smiled at each other in camaraderie as we walked away. Jobs complete. High Five, Team!

I made it back to the track where the half marathon would end with just enough time to see the elites finish, so I knew I had my spot locked in for the rest of the race to watch my new-found friends complete. My heart had been with them every step, even as I worked frantically at the water station.

Cowbell Corner, locked in and ready! HOLLAAAAAAA!!!!!

To be honest, even though I couldn’t run this race, watching my new friends compete and being there, cheering each one I noticed as they reached the final stretch to the Finish Line really warmed my soul. Since moving here in February, I really struggled with the fear of fitting in and finding friends of my own where I had something in common with them. Being shy and reserved with a bubbly exterior is a constant struggle for which side of my personality will be stronger that day.

As I stood behind the metal barrier fence, I thought to myself how Blessed I am. Other people would move toward the fence and away again after a husband, wife, loved one, or good buddy had finished, but I was still there until the 3 hour mark in the race, cheering on people I Actually Knew! I am so happy to be in this new town with all these Awesome new friends.

Together we will tackle more races. I will be back (shortly) with a vengeance. We WILL have the most fun together.

…And if they ever need a fangirl, I’m totally on board for that too!

What Emerged from the Ashes…

This past weekend, I drove with some friends of mine from a local run group I had recently joined down to Chattanooga to watch the Ironman race. There were about 5 people we were hoping to cheer on that day.

If you’re not familiar with an Ironman, it’s a race where they swim 2.4 miles, bike for 112, miles, and then run a full 26.2 marathon after all that. (There are smaller versions where you run half those distances, for a half Ironman; and even shorter for an Olympic distance Ironman.) [I should also mention that the bike portion of the Race in Chattanooga ends up being more–116 miles as the out-and-back portion–and deemed safer if they lead the racers that extra 4 miles.]

Weather conditions at the race were higher than average. The thermometer climbing up to 97° by the height of the day. (The hottest day for late September on record for the City since the early 1930’s…) Sure, you say, fall season in the South. Try running in the heat of the day , when your body temperature cranks up about 20° more with exertion. That’s ramping up Temps to 107-117° per athlete!

Most people we met just past the bike transition area were walking or easy jogging to conserve energy and reduce body heat output. Definitely not a day for any PR’S (Personal Records)!

Meeting the runners at the run transaction seemed best because it’s not easy for the athletes to see you from the shore while they’re swimming and the bike section is out and back with little area to spectate. The run loop in Downtown Chattanooga provides at least 2 chances to watch and cheer for your favorite competitor. (We added more viewing and cheering time by shifting from one watch area to the other, then did the whole rotation again once they passed the halfway mark.)

Doing that meant a lot of walking, but I was up for that (even though I’m rehabbing a small injury). I was eternally grateful for the team tent, where we met with the coaches of their group, shared some shade, and swapped some stories in the intense heat of the day.

Families and support groups were crowded in every available shaded spot they could find in order to help tolerate the heat to some small level of comfort. Still, everyone was dripping in sweat, especially in the low-lying areas of the city. Moving from cheering for their friends and family to seeking air conditioning, when they could.

Watching them run/race walk in grueling temperatures for hours on end after having biked an extra-long time, I was in awe of the ability of the human body. I watched a grown man, muscles seizing in the heat and obvious fatigue contemplate stopping. His family had stopped there (temporarily) to cheer for him. He contemplated giving up. While waiting for the wagon, he stretched out his throbbing legs in a shaded area of overpass. When at last the wagon swung by his area, his determination and grit had returned. He stood up and waved the ride away, deciding instead to keep on running. (I saw him once later on in the day and yelled encouragement.)

I kept out of the way of support vehicles and made conscious efforts to keep my words of encouragement to acceptable turns of phrase. (Like not shouting “Almost there!!!” at mile 8 of 26.2. Lol!) For the most part, I would silently ring my cowbell or holler to lift someone’s spirits. Inside, my thoughts were a turmoil of processing and logic in true Gemini-style. I thought about the day, this race, the tired/sweaty people still gutting it out, the sacrifices and hundreds of hours of training involved to bring these people to this point in their lives. While I am not sure I will ever get to that level–or ever truly WANT to be–The experience was generating a slow fire in my heart.

My small problems, discomforts, and complaints burned in those ashes. My “excuses” and lame reasons meant nothing while staring this level of Dedication head-on. Sure, I was currently rehabbing a small injury, but that shouldn’t mean that I throw my hands up in despair and claim that as my official excuse to never push myself further, once healed.

Later on, the heat of the day started dissipating incrementally. The sun moved to a different point on the horizon, offering more shade to the sweaty watchers like ourselves. We huddled on the other side of the road for relief and would jog across the way to cheer once again when a familiar race number was called, signalling a friend on their way that we needed to keep cheering for. Once most of them had passed, it was back to Checkpoint 2, where the sun was just past set in the airless bowl just before Memorial Bridge and the mighty Tennessee River. The cooler temperature offered the runners who were still going some level of reprieve. At this time, the occasional runner was up to light running to make up race time from their sweaty mid-day slog and all day efforts. The cheering levels intensified here, hoping to give the runners buoyancy for the miles left to go.

We eventually exited this area once again and made our way to a different part of the city that most of us hadn’t seen yet. The art district–which sits on a hill–offered a much-welcome breeze, some pleasant musical distraction, and some wonderful sculptures to remark upon. Descending the lighted stairs in the evening was a scary, but exciting experience as you felt as if you could quite possibly keep walking to the aquarium rooftop, if this sensation of flying continued…

We found a circuitous route past Barton Ave to reach the Finish Line and tucked in to an open area to find people we knew and cheer on those we did not. Multiple high-fives were requested by passing runners, on their way further down the chute to the Finish Line. Quite a lot of cowbelling or shaking of lighted tambourines that were passed out with the Little Debbie sponsored logo on them. The atmosphere was Electric. The excitement palpable. The physical pain and struggle written clearly on each athletes’ face, whether smiling or gutting it out to the end.

Hearing the announcer offer the proclamation to each finisher, by name, “You are an Ironman!!!!!!!” rang like church bells in the air, next to the winding Tennessee River on Ross’ Landing. Emotions floating to the surface and rising up as an offering to those who had stuck with it, the athletes finishing in the 14-16 hour mark, with cheers ringing louder as the minutes crept further into the night and the midnight cutoff time.