It’s pretty crazy, this life we all live. I know mine has taken me in so many various directions throughout my life. I’ve never really minded where it took me, in fact, I loved  catching onto the tailwinds of life and going wherever it blew me. I ended up wherever the wind stopped. For a while I traveled around the country as an archaeologist. I dug up ancient people and learned that they weren’t too different from you and me in the here and now. I found my way through Eastern Europe at a time when they were only beginning to grasp their new-found freedom. As a chef I once told Mr. Bulgari (yes, the Bulgari) that breakfast starts at 7:00 am and no I would not serve him any earlier than that. I’ve climbed mountains in West Virginia, gone for long drives across the desert, spent beautiful nights in Canyon de Chelly, partied hearty with mountain people in Romania, run marathons, and also sold my creations at craft malls. I was raised being told that I could do whatever I wanted to do and that is exactly what I did.

Life has a way of working out the way it is supposed to.

… or is that our interpretation of it?

Whatever, my past year has taken a lot of unexpected turns. Looking back, a year ago I finished my first ultra, the HAT 50k. Thirsty for more, I planned to return in 2012, and conquer my first 50 miler as well. Neither of those things happened.

A month after HAT I ran the Boston Marathon. Boston was a mere curiosity for me, a quest to discover why so many people wanted to run this particular race. What I learned was that it was just another event. What people want is the prestige of running a race which for most people is tough to qualify for and probably the nearest thing to the Olympics as us regular people are ever going to get. Personally, I can take it or leave it.

My next new hurdle was to take on the role of race director. I organized and pulled off a very successful first year trail race, the Quadzilla 15k. I love these trails more than anything and hope to get back to them some time this year.

A month later I found out I had a herniated disc. Drugs, epidurals, and many therapy sessions ensued but ended up not helping very much. I am now resigned to the fact that I will most likely undergo surgery. A year after the symptoms first started I still cannot sleep through the night and experience horrible pain. Enough is enough.

My newest adventure sort of fell into my lap. An acquaintance at Rodale asked if I had interest in a position at Running Times magazine. Sure, pass my name along, I’m open to hearing about what’s what. I am now a week in to my new role as Web Producer for Running Times. And this goes back to how wild it is where life takes us but being open to the possibilities that come our way. When I started running six years ago I never imagined I’d be here doing what I’m doing. I was a stay at home mom with two toddlers and needed some down time and exercise. Two years ago an idea began to take bud in my mind and I started up my website, Lehigh Valley Running Scene. I shun fame and notoriety but somehow have managed to become the leading information resource on the local running scene. Between picking up a running habit to becoming a full-fledged runner who is currently sidelined I have discovered a love for the sport and a passion to be involved.

As for running, I get out once a week, if that, for a 15 minute jog through the neighborhood. It seems that is all my body can take right now. I’m terrified of the pain I dealt with last September. Will the running bring it back? I’m hoping to build up to two 15-minute runs a week and take it from there.

Stay tuned.