Weaving Two Dreams into One

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

Dreaming big is a part of who I am at the very core, and though I haven't always had the confidence to put it all out there and go for it, I think that's something we develop with time, experience, and guidance.  I was out for an easy-paced, 13 mile run yesterday , and along the way, I was thinking about the big dreams I'm working towards right now. The more I thought, the more I realized how intertwined they are, how very much they go hand in hand, though at first glance they may seem completely separate.  I do believe in their beauty, and I believe that my focused effort toward achieving both will pave the perfect path.

Big News
This week I was honored to have been appointed Principal of the K-5 school where I have served as Assistant Principal for the last three years.  I'm a writer, and yet I'm not sure I quite have the words to express how much this means to me, leading a school that has come to be a home away from home, full of people who amaze me everyday with their dedication, within a community that is so supportive of our efforts.  This is a great school, and great schools become great by constantly assessing their practices and seeking out ways to improve.  I have big dreams for this school, the support I need to hit the ground running, and the confidence and work ethic to make them come true.

Still Running
I'm still in recovery mode from the Cox Sports Marathon in Providence, running easy and easing up on the intensity of training before my next cycle begins in earnest. In another couple of weeks, though, the intensity and mileage will build back up, and I cannot wait.  Recovery took a little longer this time around.  I ran a 3:44 marathon, my fastest ever, and it makes perfect sense that my body and mind needed some extra time.  My dream is to run a marathon fast enough to qualify for Boston, and I know in my heart I can do it.  I was five minutes off on May 3rd...I can make up five minutes, and then some.  I am ready and eager jump into the hard work I know it'll take to become a Boston Qualified runner; track workouts, tempo runs, and mile repeats at super speed!

Lead by Example
In my post about my last marathon, I wrote about the importance I place in being an example to my own children and the value I find in showing them how I set goals, work hard, succeed, and respond to failure. As Principal of a K-5 school, I'll have several hundred students looking up to me as an example, much like my own children do, and staying true to myself as a runner is exactly the person I want to be for them.  These children have cheered me on for three marathons as their Assistant Principal, improving my time with every single one.  I want them to see me qualify for Boston and watch as I give back to their community when I do.  I want them to run with me, to be active and healthy.  I want to teach them about good nutrition and make the connection between eating well and feeling great.

Essentially, I want to maintain the life balance that I know makes me the best I can be. When I look them in the eyes and tell them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to if they work hard enough, anything is possible, I will be living a life that defines that.

Those are big dreams, beautiful dreams, and I believe in them.