This December, I Will Be Running The Honolulu Marathon - In Support Of Hearts & Minds UK - And In Memory

🎄🏃‍♀️ This December, I will be running the Honolulu Marathon - in support of Hearts & Minds UK - and in memory of my mom.

I used to live on Oahu, and had been looking forward to the trip to the islands, to visit friends and to run the marathon on the streets of my beloved Honolulu, which still feels like my hometown.

I have battled Crohn's Disease for many years, and have been blessed to still run and complete countless races...half marathons, 10k's, 5k's, 12k's, 10 milers, 5 milers, and the ultra race - the Pikes Peak Ascent. I have even, shockingly, won my division several times. I have learned how to fight through the Crohn's and run and compete anyway.

This past year has been different though, as I have developed a heart condition, and it has made running and training difficult, and often dangerous.

For the past month, I have had recurring issues with my heart condition that have increased in severity. My cardiologist feels that running the 26.2 mile marathon, in one take, would be more than my heart condition would withstand right now. That being the case, I have had to scrap the plan to run the marathon on the event date on Oahu and switch my race registration to the marathon's virtual option. I will now be running the 26.2 mile marathon here, in Charleston, in December, but in increments. Based on how my heart is holding up, I will either run two 13.1 mile half marathons or two 10 mile runs along with a 6.2 mile 10k. Both options equal the marathon's 26.2 miles. The race committee has approved my plan and granted me a medical race waiver. I will be wearing a GPS device while running, which will record my mileage and my time, and transmit it to the Honolulu Marathon race committee, which will verify it and subsequently send me the finishers medal and certificate.

Disappointed that it must be this way but grateful and blessed to still be able to run!

And I am happy and blessed to be able to use this opportunity to raise funds, awareness and support for a very special charity - Hearts & Minds UK. The amazing, uplifting work that they do, through their Elderflower program - bringing joy and light to those suffering from dementia - is truly remarkable. They make a tremendous difference in so many lives. Hope and joy are precious commodities and they all work so hard to bring these gifts to souls in need.

My beloved mom suffered and died, a few years ago, from Alzheimer's Disease. I see her face and her heart in every precious soul helped by Hearts & Minds. My mom loved Christmas and she was always my biggest cheerleader in my running and my racing in the past. And so, this Christmas, I will run - and also seek to raise funds, awareness and support for Hearts & Minds - in loving memory of my mom.

Thank you for your support.

You can visit this site to learn more about Hearts & Minds UK and their work bringing joy and hope to those dealing with dementia. I hope you will also make a donation to support and uplift their important work: https://www.heartsminds.org.uk/

*I will add an update to this post later in December, after the marathon has been completed, including a photo of the GPS mileage tally. 😊

Second photo is of my mom and me, in Honolulu, in 1998. I was 17. She was my best friend.❤️

It’s a Wonderful Life 1946 | dir. Frank Capra

Queen Meryl. ❤️👑

Such a fun and fabulous performance. Off screen, she is nothing like Miranda Priestly...she is a lovely, warm, thoughtful, gracious person. ❤️ An iconic role though and a modern day classic. She is a treasure. ❤️🏆

Meryl Streep in DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006) dir. David Frankel

Just giving this a reblog... 😊

It is set in the autumn, on the Yorkshire Moors, so it has a bit of a Wuthering Heights atmospheric vibe that sets well in this season. ❤️🍂

"This Love" is a poignant Downton Abbey-esque vignette focused on Elsie Hughes Carson. ❤️

If you read it, I hope you enjoy it. 💕

So…I did a thing. I have written a little fan fic item. Professionally, I am a writer, but I have never written fan fiction before and am quite intimidated. All of you Downton fan fic writers are truly and utterly remarkable. I am in awe of your extraordinary writing, creativity, passion, and story-telling gifts. I feel like I am intruding, and treading on hallowed ground, by attempting to contribute something of my own. It really isn't a story but rather an atmospheric vignette, entitled "This Love". I was inspired yesterday to craft it, and my agent would have an aneurysm (and then issue an ultimatum), if she knew I was taking time away from editing my novel to work on something else. 😂 When inspiration beckons however… 😉 If you read it, I hope you like it. And I thank you for allowing me to (briefly) trespass into your amazing and creative world. My deepest respect and admiration to all fan fic writers. Love. ❤️

Happy Thanksgiving!