The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Mountain biking with my sister in law. Wednesday night is our night. I kick off work at 4:30 and head home. I get changed , load up my bike and we meet in the woods. I lead and she follows. Speeding through the woods. It is singletrack, narrow and winding. Steep climbs, dangerous descents, roots rocks, our hearts are pounding. She is riding my old mountain bike and doing technical (difficult) riding for the first time in her life. We are both breathing hard. We stop at the top of the mountain and catch some water and I ask softly, are you ok? You’re doing great. A big grin, quickly hidden. She says you are fast and teaching me how to do the trail. I said, I’m not a good teacher I am sorry. She says “I watch how you handle the ride and I emulate you.” My heart swells. We push on, up the second ridge, careen down the next and enjoy the final rollercoaster dips and turns.
We ride back to my truck tired sore and happy. Both our eyes beam with happiness and endorphins and the thrill of conquering tough terrain. She is a Mom of 2 young children and I am a soon to be divorced recovering alanon, we bond. We have dinner at my apt. I grill steaks, we share our lives, we make plans for the next ride….
5k with my brother. Hey, okay I agreed to do this. I was a star athlete in high school, cross country, winter track spring track, letters all around, but life interfered. My brother has patiently for YEARS encouraged me to go back to running. It is Saturday morning early. I have not trained. I work a lot of hours, demanding job, put unreasonable demands on myself. I have been travelling nonstop on business for the past 2 weeks, I am back home and in the pack waiting to run a 5k. I am scared. I have not run in years, 15 years to be exact. I have walked on the treadmill and biked but not run. The gun went off. My brother is beside me. I say “have a good race” He says “you too, you can do it” It is 3 miles, I did not know if I would finish. I stopped for 5 steps 3 times to calm my heart and catch my breath. I am in the final; ½ mile, my brother appears, he runs by my side, he encourages me softly, he is my strength and I finish. I can again run.
I do the next 5k 4 minutes faster, I am on my way.
Cape Cod. Recovery on the Cape, Never alone again. The drive up from NJ to Mass, 5 ½ hours, I am driving with my best friend riding shotgun and reading the map. We are both nervous. This is way out of scope of our lives. She and I became friends through MIP. Nothing is random, we both are key to each others recovery. We find the hotel, we meetup with the Mass MIP crowd and have dinner. Talk a bit. We get settled into our room signin and get our packet – a lot of recovery here.
We spend the night 5 ½ hours from NJ and a Universe outside our comfort zone and we are ok.
We do meetings and seminars. We are tourists and buy too much tourist stuff and laugh. We tour the JFK museum and enjoy the alanon dance. We enjoy the company of other souls working on their recovery.
Sunday comes quick and we return to NJ, full of recovery and promise of more growth….
Thanks Miracles in Progress. You were there at the worst most desperate point in my life. You extended the hand of alanon and recovery and I grasp it still. Thanks to each and every one of you for loving me and helping me to regain myself and my life
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Megan
If you want things you never had you need to do things you have never done
Wow Megan - good morning and thanks for your post. Another upbeat message from you today. Glad youre seeing so much positive in your life. Youre an inspiration. Have a good day
This is the nicest way to begin my day, reading such an inspirational post. You have started on this amazing journey called recovery. You have taken back your life my friend, and I am so proud of you. A great example of what can happen, even in the worst of circumstances. You'll get your race feet back. Just remember it takes a few races. Go Megan Go! May you run with the wind behind you.
Live strong, Karilynn
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Hi Megan. Thanks for this post that started my morning off right. It was as if I was there with you, riding along, running along...all of us full of positive energy to spare!!
Have a great day today, Diva
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
Thank you for sharing your progress, it is inspiring to me. Three and half years ago, I was very active, running three miles a day on treadmill, doing 5k races around town, biking in the national forest. I have had some good experiences in my life. Then I became involved with my "a", had our twin boys and life has been very different for me. I have made some small steps back to getting in shape, but its harder now, I feel the baggage of doing for the children and myself. Your post helps me to know that with some perserverence and courage changes can be made. I can do that 5k again, I can build my endurance to run those 3 miles again, swim, bike, hike. We are planning a trip to Seattle this November, I guess this would be a good time to train for some nature hikes and bikes!! When I read your post the message of Serenity Now was in my head. Very descriptive.... Now that recovery is one of the most important things in my life, I find myself gravitating to people like yourself, whose lives are about healing and recovery as well. You rock!!
Hugs,
Twinmom~
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"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
HI Megan I agree with Diva it felt like I was on the bike with you. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I could almost hear the excitement in your voice from Australia. You should be so proud of yourself. WE ARE. Luv Leo xx
Thanks for sharing that with us. I love the healthiness this program is bringing to me and others. Thanks for sharing with us what it has done for you.
Much Love,
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"Today's problems can not be solved if we still think the way we did when we created them" -Albert Einstein
You go girl! I have followed your posts. Difficult but it sounds like you are moving on with your life. Run, run, run and bike, bike, bike. Your HP is definitely looking out for you. I am surethat I am alot older than you. I am upping my mileage to run in a 1/2 marathon in 2 weeks. I need the challenge. My husband just doesn't want to be married anymore and doesn't want to work a program. My best friend from college is coming out this weekend to cook and knit and support each other. So let's let the universe support us.
Hello my friends thank-you very much for the well wishes and the support.
I appreciate the friendship and fellowship and all that I learn from each and every one of you.
My triathalon training is going well. I did my second 5k last Saturday and did 3 minutes better on my time. I am now jogging 3 miles every day after work and hooked on it.
congratulations to you Nancy on the half marathon that is awesome! I would like to build up to that.
I am happy that you are getting support
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Megan
If you want things you never had you need to do things you have never done
You have started on this amazing journey called recovery. You have taken back your life my friend, and I am so proud of you. A great example of what can happen, even in the worst of circumstances. You'll get your race feet back. Just remember it takes a few races. Go Megan Go! May you run with the wind behind you. 
