Wednesday, June 29, 2016

What Makes You Happy? Deliriously Happy?

What makes you happy?

Not just happy...but so happy you feel delirious? High? Euphoric? Living a dream?

I can think of a few things.

Ben and Jerry's Karamel Sutra.

Kayaking with my son this past weekend. Listening to music on my car stereo that my oldest son installed. Actually anything with my sons at this point!

Sunshine and a warm breeze. Time on the water. Toes in the sand.

An unexpected thoughtful gesture from my husband.

Petting the fur of my new little pup.

And a great run. In a beautiful place.



Although I've had a lot of runs that felt easy and joyful, my most memorable runs, the ones that have brought me that feeling of joy, that runner's high, have been after crossing the finish line of a marathon or a half marathon. There's something about running hard for a long period of time that makes me feel so complete.

Most recently, my most joyful race was that Big Sur Marathon. I know I keep referring to it, but Big Sur was THE marathon for me. It was a lifelong bucket list race. I fought so hard through my training--dealing with plantar fasciitis--to get to that start line. When Kristina and I crossed the finish line I was overcome by emotion. I didn't feel that euphoria immediately. It wasn't until later in the day after my husband took me out for lunch and a yummy victory beer that I started to realize what I had accomplished. That amazing feeling of savoring my accomplishment lasted for a long time after the race. I still smile when I think about the whole experience. In fact, today someone just asked me about Big Sur and it was like I was transported back to that day.

Pretty sure I was one of the happiest people there.

Ahhhh. The euphoria washes over me just writing about this. It's not like I ran fast or won the thing. But I sure felt like I did.

How often do we get to feel like this? Getting to live a dream come true?

This feeling of delirium, as it relates to running, feels almost like falling in love.

We do fall in love with running, don't we? Not the training so much, although I look back on all my marathon training journeys with fondness. There's such a sense of accomplishment to working so hard for 12-20 weeks, culminating in a big race.

What sticks with us, though, is the feeling of crossing the finish line.

Although I've run quite a few half marathons, some very memorably, crossing the finish line of a marathon is a feeling unmatched by almost everything in life.

Not only Big Sur but after crossing the finish line of last fall's Chicago Marathon, I walked around the marathon village in a daze. A happy, euphoric daze. I felt somewhat delirious. Sure, I just ran 26.2 miles in the heat. But that wasn't what made me feel delirious. I chalk it up to beating down those negative naysayers in my head that told me to quit.

Sometimes finishing is winning. And having your teenage son come to your race? That's winning too.

I can't ever get enough of this moment.
It feels amazingly good to have those races under my belt.

At this point, I am satisfied with my accomplishments. I am happy.

Deliriously happy.

What makes you feel happy? Have you ever done anything that has brought you that feeling of "deliriousness"? If that is even a word...

I'm linking up with Deb Runs for Wednesday Word, which is delirious! This was a tough one!











Also Wild Workout Wednesday! With Annmarie, Nicole, Jen, and Michelle!











And Coaches Corner! With Debbie, Rachel, Lora, and Susie!


83 comments :

  1. Running definitely makes me this happy at times especially when I am watching the sunrise as I run. Another moment that sticks out in my mind is when I used to downhill ski. I loved the feeling of just flying down the mountain without a care in the world!

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    1. Oh, I love that feeling too! It's been years since I went downhill skiing.

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  2. For me happiness necessitates two things: silence and solitude and cacophony and connection.
    Those two sides of me when brought together make me exceedingly joyful.

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    1. That connection makes me happy too. I think I've been missing that lately--life has been too overwhelming.

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  3. I think if I ever ran a marathon I'd be too tired to be delirious, but then what do I know?

    I think about it, but then I think about all the halfs when I was sooooooo glad it was only a half. There's only been a few that I felt like I could keep running!

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    1. It's a different mindset when you're going the full distance.

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  4. Running or cycling on a glorious day make me feel really happy, but like you my true joy these days comes from quality time with my son -- and hopefully my daughter when she comes home this weekend!

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  5. That's so sweet. Finishing a spin class makes me happy, and nailing a TV segment :)

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  6. The first time was when I ran two miles without stopping or walking. I knew then that I would be completing 5K. And I did. I cried.

    The second was finishing that first 5K in a private event on the track at the school where I work, my dear friend Sharon by my side, family and friends standing by the side of the track to cheer me.

    The third was the day I was running in a charity 5K on track finally, after three years of trying, to run it in under thirty minutes. Although I didn't quite make it, what made that day deliriously happy for me was at the last bit as I tired, Sharon (always there for me) appeared by my side and ran on the grass beside me. She called out, "You can do it! Pick up those longs legs and run!" Then, a young, obviously experienced runner just ahead of me, turned around and said, "You want to run with me? Come on, you can make it!" The universal bond among runners, even those who don't even know each other, was made manifest to me that day and is my favorite running memory ever.

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    1. There's that feeling of knowing you are going to hit a big goal--that feeling really is unmatched by anything in life! Having friends to help you along is icing on the cake.

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  7. being outside with hubby or friends and just enjoying the scenery and company makes me happy. hitting a big goal or accomplishment is another one.

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    1. Sometimes the little things makes us deliriously happy, don't they?

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  8. Running has made me very happy lately too! There is nothing like the euphoria you get after a great run. Having my friends along with me is even better.

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  9. I'm happy too when I cross the finish line, especially at challenging races. Of course some of that is because the pain is all over. :-) Thanks for linking up!

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    1. Well, there's that... :p and the thought that you never have to do "that" again.

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  10. Finishing the New York marathon definitely gave me that deliriously happy feeling.

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  11. Running does make me happy, I mean why else would I continue something that someone is not making me do otherwise. My relationship with my spouse makes me happy and he has shown me what being happy and content really is. My daughter, who turned 20 today, can you believe it? She makes me happy and a proud parent.

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    1. I think a lot of people do things that don't make them happy. Staying in a bad job, for instance. Staying married for the kids. Thankfully we can make choices about certain things in life!

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  12. Honestly, LIFE IN GENERAL makes me really happy - I don't really have much to be sad about. I always know that I have it pretty amazing and I am so very blessed!

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  13. My family, God, Working out and coffee are on the top of my list. You look very happy thats so great.

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    1. 90% of the time, I am happy. I could write about what doesn't make me happy but I don't like to dwell on that.

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  14. I had that feeling of euphoria when I finished the Boston Marathon. So much, actually, that I started crying. Being deliriously happy is just the best.

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  15. Although the feeling of accomplishment makes me happy, I am happiest over the little moments in life, like an afternoon spent with my HEALTHY Labrador. We recently had a scare and the feeling of relief when it is over is one of the happiest feelings in the world!

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    1. Oh yes! This little pup we've got makes me deliriously happy. When she's not biting me, that is...

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  16. I am crazy happy every day I can get out before the sun and finish running before 7. Surreal for me was making the left onto Boylston in Boston. And running across the Verrazano Narrows bridge in NYC. Oh to freeze time and have those nuggets to replay.

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    1. Doesn't that feeling just wash over you again when you replay those nuggets? It's still happening for me.

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  17. There ain't much better than a perfect run in a perfect place on a perfect day. Followed by brunch and a beer with friends. That would make me pretty deliriously happy :D

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  18. I felt that delirious happiness at the end of the Dopey Challenge. I was in Epcot for the last mile of the 48.6 mile journey. Music was blasting. The crowds were amazing, and I was just filled with so much good emotion. I wish I could bottle up that feeling and take in a little bit of it every day!

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    1. That's what writing this post did for me. It's great to replay those moments and get a little of that good vibe back.

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  19. I'm right there with ya on the Ben & Jerrys making me so happy! Nothing better than ice cream :)

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  20. I absolutely enjoyed this happy post! Big Sur is on my running bucket list! Running makes me super happy. Qualifying for Boston has definitely been my highlight. My delirious happy place. :) but most recently running trails brings me the most joy!!

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    1. Qualifying for Boston would for sure be on the deliriously happy list!

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  21. Getting the runner's high is such an amazing feeling. I love when I can finish a race and have a smile on my face! I hope to have a race like your Big Sur experience!

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    1. Everyone should have at least one race that makes them feel that good! I'm grateful to have had a few.

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  22. Great to read such an up beat post. I am HAPPY for you! :)

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    1. Life is hard. It was nice to focus on all the GOOD that I have.

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  23. Go with it!!!! I love that you are on a happy roll right now and reading this and seeing your pictures is making ME happy so thank you. I needed that :-)

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    1. Well, I'm glad that I could do that for you! It's nice to focus on happy things.

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  24. Awww, love this! What a great post. :) :) :)

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    1. We runners talk a lot about details--but sometimes its great just to focus on the basics of why we do what we do.

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  25. You did a great job with the word delirious! I know we've discussed how Big Sur was such an incredible experience for you. It's really wonderful that you were able to soak it all in, cross that finish line and then bask in the accomplishment for weeks and months after!

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    1. This was a tough word prompt for me! But that's what makes this link up such a great exercise. I get to write things that I might not have thought of.

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  26. I love that picture of you and your son! :) Paul, the kitties, and running make me deliriously happy. And my bed. Every night when I get into bed, I say "I loooooove our bed!" (Note: There is nothing particularly special about our bed, it's just that it's mine!)

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    1. Oh that picture will always warm my heart! It was such a turning point for our relationship.

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  27. Aw! I love this post! It is so positive and really made me think about what makes me truly happy and to go out and pursue more of that!

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  28. There's absolutely nothing wrong with living the high of a race finish, especially one like Big Sur that I know you went through a lot in order to cross that finish line. Keep riding that high!

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    1. Oh, I plan on it! The downside is that I can't find anything I want to do now...LOL! It's going to be hard to live up to that.

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  29. I love that feeling after a good long run or race. Perfect weather also makes me so happy! And the beach- running on the beach is my favorite.

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  30. The two full marathons I've run have definitely brought me that deliriously happy feeling, as did the olympic triathlon I did. I think its those races that have pushed me to my physical limits where I felt like I couldn't keep going, but did - and crossing the finish line just felt amazing.

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    1. I think pushing our limits is a big part of that feeling. The knowledge that you can do hard things is the best feeling ever!

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  31. Just the title of this post made me excited..."deliriously happy".... Definitely there are many runs that have made me feel that.... And sharing wine/food/conversation with really good friends - you can't beat that. What's great about my 40's is that I am able to engage in activities that make me deliriously happy all on my own when I need to.... and I think that really getting to a point where I am comfortable with who I am, sometimes just that knowledge is enough to make me deliriously happy and beaming on the inside.

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    1. I think you completely captured how I felt about my 40s! That feeling of knowing who you are is such a great feeling.

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  32. This post makes me happy!! The feeling of crossing a finish line after working hard for months IS an amazing experience. My first half marathon, albeit slow and slightly painful, ended with me having to hold back tears as I was overcome with emotion when I crossed the finish line.

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    1. I felt the same way after my first half marathon! My first marathon left me disappointed--I wanted to feel that same way. Luckily, the rest of them have made me deliriously happy!

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  33. Love this post!!! I think that is what I miss most about running, is the euphoric feeling it almost always gives me!!!

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    1. I don't always feel euphoric but I do feel happy when I run!

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  34. I love this soooooo much! What a fun way to remind yourself of what is really important-- happiness!

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  35. I really love hearing about the joy Big Sur brought you.

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    1. I hope that everyone can have a race that brings them so much joy!

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  36. I am always deliriously happy when I finish a race. and by the water... When I am depressed, both of these things pick me up.

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  37. As I was reading this, all I could think about was how Tacos make me deliriously happy! and seeing my son laugh. Those are the best two feelings in the world for me!

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  38. Great post! I have been in a Bloggers' Block (you know, like Writer's Block) and the Wednesday Words have not catapulted me out of it. I'm glad I have a lot of stuff happening in the next few weeks that will need documenting ;-)

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    1. This was a real challenge for me! It was great that once I started typing the thoughts began to flow.

      Next week? Juxtaposition? Yikes!

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  39. You are one pretty amazing lady! I felt the same way about NYC in 2014. NYC was my dream race and I always knew it would be my first marathon. Crossing that finish line was the most amazing experience of my life!!! Or at least second to my kids.

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    1. My first marathon was not my dream race. Glad yours was! But I'm glad to have gotten back on the horse and had some pretty amazing experiences!

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  40. I was deliriously happy yesterday after finishing my Firecracker 5K. Even though I was somewhat disappointed with my time of 25:20, I had a fantastic time with my friends and spent the rest of the day on cloud nine reveling in how much fun we'd had!

    As always, thanks for linking up!

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  41. I am not a marathon running by any means, but I could only imagine the feeling of accomplishment crossing that finish line is so rewarding! Great job!

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    1. Thank you! It is one of the best feelings in the world. Right up there with giving birth and I'm not kidding here!

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