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    Hoop-Diggity: Six Weeks ‘Til We’re Hooping the Half


    2010 - 03.17

    Less than six weeks until Marathon Day.

    Oh boy.

    This past weekend, we cranked out our first (and only) eight mile hoopwalk.  Next week: nine miles.  The week after?  Ten.  DOUBLE DIGITS, PEOPLE!  I’m somewhere between terrified and excited.  Thus far, my knees have cooperated.  Yes, they feel a bit squishy (swollen, maybe?  Perhaps a bit bloated with the beer they chug to ease the pain of being so abused by a heretofore non-marathoner?), but no major pain.  And my hips have remained surprisingly mum on the whole issue, so I think of them — willing the brown-sugary goodness in their general direction — when I eat my “reward” cookie (which usually isn’t an *actual* cookie, rather a huge bowl of granola with soy milk and a coffee at Bongo’s.  But you get the gist).

    Hoop Ruby is especially happy, because Hooping for Hope officially filed for non-profit status, meaning all donations are now tax deductible!

    And look, Ma!  I’m finally posting pics!

    Hula-Hooping the Half Marathon for Hope (Breast Cancer Survivors)

    No, I didn’t make some horrible expression only to have my features forever frozen as in the proverbial Mothers’ tale about making ugly faces.  It was 39° and misting a powder of quasi-ice, so I’m simply mid-silly-remark-to-amuse-myself in this photo.

    Hula-Hooping the Half Marathon for Hope (Breast Cancer Survivors)1

    Hoop Train!  Chugga-chugga, WHOO-HOO!

    Honk For Hooping!


    2010 - 02.27

    There are a great many things I love about Nashville, but one of my ‘top three’ is the willingness of residents to support pretty much *anything* and *anyone* who is trying to accomplish a goal.

    This morning, amid gusting wind chills of a finger-numbing 30 degrees, Hooping for Hope trained for a full 7 miles.  Clocking in at about 18mins. per mile, we were quite pleased, especially considering that we had to cross downtown streets and “hoop train” (chugga chugga choo-choo!) on the narrower sidewalks.

    Each of us (and I’m referring to my non-hoop readers, too) draws from an inspiration, something that helps us forget how little we feel our hands (quite a blessing, actually, since they tend to bruise after a mile or so of off-body work) and helps us to push through the niggling voice that whines, “but this is haaaaaard.”  Sometimes, that inner inspiration is all we’ve got to urge our bodies onward…

    … and sometimes, you’re a lucky resident of Nashville.  Cars see us hoopin’ along and they honk, or flash their lights, or lean out the bus window to hollar a few “WHOO-HOO!”s; these are our audience of strangers who, though unsure of what they are witnessing, are nonetheless determined to convey their support.  While passing a church, an entire group of people got out of their bus to clap and cheer us forward — a literal standing ovation!

    As we pass runners on the street (or, to be more precise, they swiftly swoop past us), gifts of encouragement are exchanged, an acknowledgement between would-be marathoners of “you’re flyin’ at an insane speed, whilst I prefer a plastic orbit of pink, but we’re both striving towards a mutual goal.”  Pedestrians chuckle and give us a generous berth as they politely ask for permission to take a picture, or for an explanation of what we’re doing; they nod and smile, wishing us good luck.

    I feel very blessed to be able to participate in a program like Hooping for Hope; I feel even more blessed to participate in such a program with such wonderful women as my fellow hoopers.  Adding such an outpouring of support from the (complete strangers!) of Nashville, what can a gal say..?

    My cup overflows.

    God Save My Knees


    2009 - 12.21

    Because I’ve registered to participate in a half-marathon (for those of you who know me, take a few moments to swallow your giggles and catch your breath before reading on). . .

    . . . and I’m going to do it while hula-hooping.