Offically 30

Written - Friday, September 29, 2006 3:44 PM

I’m back! And excited to say I had the best time of my life. I know everyone is dying to hear about my experience and I will in deed share, but I feel compelled to say, NOTHING I write in this email will be descriptive enough of the overall feelings I felt during that day.

But here goes……
I left South Florida Monday afternoon to lots of safe wishes, love and praise. Not to mention the many “Are you crazy?” comments. Up until this point it really hadn’t sunk in that I was going to be jumping out of a plane by this time tomorrow. Rest assured, there was not really anything else I thought of EXCEPT jumping out of a plane from this point on. I landed in the lovely Fayetteville, North Carolina that afternoon and I knew at this point there was no turning back. I got in my rental car, checked into the hotel and sat and waited. I swear it felt like the longest night of my life.

The next morning my alarm went off at 6:30am, but the truth is never slept the night before. I got up…showered, got dressed and headed off to Laurinburg, NC. (This is where the Golden Knights training facility is located) I arrived and joined a group of 3 others who were taking tandem jumps that day. We listened attentively and sat patiently as we went through the morning instructions. First we signed “our lives” away…literally. Basically waiving any rights to sue ANYONE, not the Army, the plane manufacture, the parachute manufacture, the pilot, or your tandem partner. We than watched a video. First it told you EVERYTHING that could possibly go wrong. It taught you there was no such thing as a perfect parachute (nice) no such thing as a perfect plane (even better) no such thing as a perfect tandem partner, no such thing as perfect period! (great couldn’t someone have told me that when I was 16 and awkward) Either way, after the 30 mins of “All the Ways You Can Possibility Die 101” they show you the last video to get you pumped, full of all the others that have skydived before you.

Then your instructor comes out (Billy V) and gives you tips for “how to be a good tandem partner”. Things like how to arch your back (apparently this is the most important), how to duck walk while strapped with a 200lb man on your back, how to vomit properly while skydiving (just incase your curious how, you unzip your jump suit and do it face-down there) he gives you pointers on how to pose for the camera and overall how to enjoy the time in the sky.

He than said “Whose Maureen?” I reluctantly raised my hand. He said were gonna get you suited up first. He walked me over to the jump-suits and we went shopping, he picked a nice yellow number that did wonders for my eyes. After a little fumbling and shifting of things I got it on…not without some help though. Once I was dressed and ready to go, I was ushered by a friend of mine on the team out the building…we hopped in his truck with some of the others members of the team and headed out to the air strip. This is where the try outs for the 2007 team were currently taking place. With that I’m introduced to “Big Mike” (or at least that’s what they call him) who will be my tandem partner. Note Ladies: he was very nice on the eyes. After some small talk and “how to’s”….there is a message that comes over the radio that basically says…the plane is broken and it’s heading pack to Pope, AFB for maintenance. Let me stop here…this is a big HA! to all of you who asked why I was going to jump out of a perfectly good air plane, there you have it…it wasn’t perfect at all. Okay back to the story…so now I’m waiting for either the plane to be fixed or a new plane. Remember in the beginning of this story I said it felt like it was the longest night of my life, I take that back. This wait was the longest 2 hours of my life…..I WANTED TO JUMP SO BAD!!!!!!!!!!! But the guys were great though, we hung out, listened to music, told jokes, and watched the new-bee’s go through training (They were quite entertaining)

But than we got the call, we were the next lift out. “Let’s go girlie” is what they said…and I was up on my feet like a soldier at attention. Mike tightened my harness made sure everything was okay and asked me was I “ready”? HELL YEAH I was ready!!!!!!!!!!!! He reminded me to arch, relax, and have fun and off we went to board the plane.

The small black and gold plane pulled up and we climbed in. There was a total of 15 people jumping out of the plane with me. I walked all the way to the back and sat down and buckled in. Mike sat next me and gave me play-by-play instructions on what was happening and what I needed to do. Across from me was my own personal videographer documenting the entire experience for me. We’re in, and ready to go.

Up, up and away we were in the sky. I’m watching everyone get ready and check out their gear, making hand signals to one another and looking at the dials and gauges that are strapped to all of them. I was so excited at this point I could hardly contain myself. At about 10,000 feet in altitude Mike motions for me to sit on his lap…this is where he is going to latch himself to my back and get me ready to fly. I happily move into position and let him do his thing. However it was not comfortable. There I was crouched down in this position sitting in the back of a cramped airplane. Imagine riding on the lap of a guy in the back seat of a hatchback car…remember those days ladies…kinda like that. The truth was I loved every minute of it because I was about to jump out of a freak’in plane. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?! Than they opened the side door of the plane. The cold air rushed in and hit my face like a jolt of reality….I’m about to do this, I’m really gonna do this.

So there we were at a little over 13,000 feet. Some final hand signals were made to one another by the other jumpers and than there they went out the side of plane like I had seen them do on video oh so many times. All the jumpers were out except myself, Mike, Joe (my videographer), and the two guys who are on the team that took me through this whole process Chris and Jared. First it was Joe out the door of the plane, than it was my turn. Mike slid down the bench inside the plane and walked me to the edge of the door. He said something to me like “are you ready?” but the truth is I had no idea what he was saying. He grabbed my forehead, leaned it back, and out the plan we went. There was my videographer laying on his back looking straight up at me catching the whole thing on film. Immediately following my exit was Jared and Chris who were right behind me.

My freefall out of the plane was clocked at 160mph, I kid you not – it was the greatest feeling ever! I couldn’t do ANYTHING but smile. As we flew through the air I was started by someone grabbing my right-hand, than my left-hand. It was Chris and Jared!!!!!!!!!!!!! They flew up next me in free fall. It was the coolest thing EVER.

Than Mike waves them off and pulls the cord, WOOOSH – there you go. Your feet fly out from underneath you, your suspended by they (4) clips that are holding you to your tandem partner, and you truly begin to float.

Now this was the part that was so amazing to me. It was so quite up there. I don’t know what I thought I was going to hear…maybe the plane, other jumpers, something…..but nothing, silence was all you heard – it was incredible. Than Mike asked me, “How ya do’in there?” I said “GREAT!” with just little bit of water in my eyes that was completely uncontrollable. (What do they call that…tears of joy?)

Well you know how the story ends; I landed – safe & sound – and lived to tell about it. Unfortunately they don’t make enough adjectives to adequately express the way this experience made me feel. I know this sounds crazy but it was the true definition of what I imagine “Happiness” to be.

I wish for everyone to find their own happiness, if they haven’t already. No matter what it may be.

With all my love.

Here’s the video of my jump…it’s a little long (7 mins or so) but watch when you have a chance.

http://ondemand.streamernet.net/ireach/maureen.wmv

Jumping into my 30's

Written - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 12:29 PM

Ready or not here it comes! My 30th birthday that is….

To be honest I’m kind of excited for the end of my 20’s. I’ve failed and got back up, I’ve loved and lost, I’ve been selfish and paid for it, I’ve been broke and still managed, and somehow…I’m still standing with everything else in between. Whew! Glad that’s over with.

Well greetings all…I’m hear with another up date on “what she’s doing now”

T-Minus 7 days and counting.
I will be heading up to Fort Bragg, North Carolina to jump tandem with the US Army Golden Knights.

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/GoldenKnights/Webpage2005_content.html
A little history: In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team. For more than 44 years the “Golden Knights” have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems. The Golden Knights consist of two demonstration teams, two competition teams and a Tandem Team. (That’s who I’ll be jumping with) The Tandem Team focuses on bringing the public closer to the Army and the sport of skydiving. Members of the Tandem Team travel with the Demonstration Teams in order to tandem influential citizens. Some of the Tandem Teams former passengers include Former President George H.W. Bush; the Mayor of Sturgis, S.D., Mark Ziegler; Miss USA 2005, Chelsea Cooley; Miss North Carolina 2005,Brooke McLaurin, MTV Video Jockey, Vanessa Manillo; actor R. Lee Ermey, the host of Mail Calland Golf Legend Tiger Woods. The most important person I know who completed this jump is my co-worker and friend of 10 years Leni Smith. The Golden Knights are the most successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team.

My jumped is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday September 26th, the same day as my 30th birthday. (How cool is that!) I will report early that morning to receive my instruction. Immediately following the lesson I’m off to soar. (I guess they don’t want you forgetting anything) I will have a photographer and videographer jumping with me to document the momentous occasion.

Needless to say I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I have waited years to be chosen to do this and am so honored to have this opportunity. I will send another follow up email once I return to share all the details!!!!

Wish me luck.

I am crazy but........... It was quite a journey....

Written - Tuesday, January 10, 2006 2:21 PM

I know many of you are wondering (or if you aren't wondering I am still going to tell you):-), I completed the Disney World Marathon this past Sunday, January 8!

After a night of tossing and turning due to the combined feelings of anxiety and fear it was 3:00am that the alarm went off. We had to report to check in by 4:30 and at this point there was no turning back.

The morning started off at a brisk 36 or 37 degrees. (Remember folks, I’m from Florida – this obviously didn’t go over well) Although my toes were numb at the start line, my anticipation quickly thawed my toes as I heard 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.....BANG! The fireworks lit up the sky and we were off.

I cautiously began my run with my original training plan of 4/2’s (Mom that mean run for 4 mins walk for 2 mins) at about 10 miles I was averaging 13 min miles. (FYI that is good for me) I have to tell you 90% of my motivation was running from (what I affectionately called the Grim Reaper) but really was the sagg’in wagon. Disney is one of the few marathons that have pacing requirements throughout the course. If you do not make each pacing requirement, than they scoop you up and bring you to the finish line. I am happy to report I NEVER saw the Grim Reaper.

As we passed through the many Disney World parks (Epcot, Magic Kindgom, Animal Kingdom, MGM, the Broardwalk area and then back to Epcot), my fellow runners and I heard many answers to our question, "Are We There Yet?" We thought it would be clever to make bright yellow t-shirts with that question on the front. Of course, around mile 15, we were starting to rethink our t-shirt design since we still had 11.2 miles to go! :-) But it made for good conversation on the run.

Around mile 14, it did start to get really difficult. There is this saying in running….”hit the wall”. Other runners will ask you, when did you “hit the wall”? Well it depends on your definition of the wall. The first definition of the wall is when you begin to venture off your normal running regime. For me it was 4/2’s at about mile 14 I begin to run 3/1’s sometimes 3/2’s and ultimately ended up walking.

But it was the 2nd wall I hit that was the doosie. This is the wall that smacks you in the face and you do not want to continue any more, heck you even contemplate wanting to live anymore, forget the idea of completing this race. You start a dialog with God that is far greater than any you’ve had before (at least in my case) and in the end you just begin to look for the first medic tent to lay down in…….but all I ended up doing was crying. Looking back I’m not sure why I was crying…maybe b/c of the amount of pain I was in (b/c by this point my body is just breaking down), maybe it was the emotional side of doing this race and the personal fulfillment you get, or maybe it was the over all experience – I still don’t know, but I will always have vivid memories of them all.

The last pacing pick up point was 20.5 miles…I remember running through and hearing a spectator say…”You doing great Maureen!”…… “Keep going”…I knew at that point I was going to finish, there was no Grim Reaper coming to get me, I was in the home stretch. As we passed through the next 6 miles or so, it started to dawn on me - I am doing it! I am going to finish a marathon. As I came up on mile 25 and people started to say, YES you are there and you are going to do it, I was overwhelmed with emotion! I saw a sign that said, "If it was easy, everyone would do it!" I realized after I saw that sign that was my mantra for the race. (Fun Fact: less than 1% of the world population can say they have run a marathon)

You know guys its funny, there were 3 runners that got me through those last 8 miles. I will never see them again or even know their names, but without them – I’m not sure how the out come would have been. Lesson Learned: You need others at times to help you accomplish your goal. You never do anything by yourself, even something as individual as running.

As I rounded those final .2 miles I picked up the pace to a jog and with tears in my eyes I turned a corner and I saw signs that said “ Way 2 go Bean” (that’s my family nickname for those of you that may not know), and “Brooklyn is proud of you”….and I knew I just had to keep going.

I may not have finished 26.2 miles in any record breaking time but I crossed the finish line at 07:13: and I’m not sure how many seconds. Disney only records times up until 07:06:00, so the hell with them, but I finished. I was quickly adorned with the gold medal, complete with Mickey Mouse ears! And I am able to join the 1% club of the world to say I ran a marathon.

I did it! I really did it………

Well now I’m paying for it…yes I’m in pain. More pain than I ever though, I’ve iced, I’ve soaked, I’ve popped pills, I’ve eaten jell-o, stretched, and tried to rest – it ain’t helpp’in…I know I just need to give my body time to heal.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the phone calls, emails, and over all support. Many of you know my phone was not receiving text messages that day so I am extremely bummed….but I know you were there in spirit.

I LOVE YOU.

If any of you are wondering will I do it again…..the answer is no. I’m happy with my accomplishment, but I don’t think it’s the best decision for my body – I will move on to some new and crazy challenge – and I will be sure to keep you all posted.

Am I Crazy?

Written Thursday, January 05, 2006 12:31 PM

Am I crazy…..26.2 miles…………why didn’t any of you stop me before now. This is madness, but there is no turning back now. The Disney Marathon is scheduled for this Sunday January 8th in Orlando Florida. I’ve packed my shoes, my Gu, my funny looking socks with the toe separators, my ice packs, the 800 mil Ibuprofen I’ve become a slave to and my water belt. I think that’s about it.

Many of you have asked about details of the race, the course is as follows:
For the first 3.4 miles of the course it will wind through and around Epcot before merging on the way to Magic Kingdom Park. I will pass through Tomorrow Land and Cinderella’s Castle before leaving the Magic Kingdom. I will than enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and run past Expedition Everlast. Following Animal Kingdom I will continue towards Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and than enter the lights, camera, action at Disney MGM-Studios. (Please no pictures, this is not gonna be pretty) I will than run through (I’ll probably be walking by this point) Washington Square Garden and exit the park at the end of Hollywood Blvd. FINALLY, I will run/ walk the final stretch of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club to finish back at Epcot where I will crawl across the finish line.

Mom, Dad, Leni…..don’t worry there are over 22 beverage stations, 4 nutrition stops, and First Aide stations every 2 miles along the course.

Guys, up until now this has been a journey in its own right. (Thanks Aimee Jo) Many of you know 2005 was a tough year for me, on many levels, but something about incorporating this training program into my life has really given me new perspectives….not to mention lots of time to think cause I’m always in the back of pack by myself. With the most recent hurdle of the loss of Brooklyn I now have someone to talk to when I’m by myself on the course. During my training someone asked me if I religious person…I shrugged my shoulders and said “more spiritual than anything”, she said when she was on those long trails of Osceola Parkway by herself it was the thought of others that helped her keep going…now I get it! I have Brooklyn.

Okay so the million dollar question has been “how can I track you”?
The race begins at 6:00am. Family and Friends will be able to track all participants with live on-line results available at www.disneywolrdmarathon.com. Scroll down to event listing and click on the first one, 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon. On the right-hand side of that page you will see bullets, scroll down to the bottom one and click on live results. Under the first paragraph click on “track a runner today”. (Can you believe I am referred to as a runner…what is this world coming to?) In the yellow boxes enter my last name and first (just in case…Esposito, Maureen) Click on my name. Than just fill out the form below, you can review email updates or text messaging updates, it’s up to you.

The other question is will I have my phone. Of course I will…this way I can dial 9-1-1 if I start to have heart palpations. No seriously, I will have my phone. I obviously will not be able to answer it or reply to text messages, but I will be able to read them when I’m walking – cause you know I will be walking!

The last of the questions….”how much weight have you lost”? To be honest guys I don’t know. (I don’t even own a scale) But I feel good and I’ve dropped a few sizes. As Leni (affectionately) referrers to it as…”my fat clothes” that no longer fit me she is eagerly awaiting me to clean out my closet and donate the clothes to charity.

Well I think that about covers it. Thank you everyone for the praise and support. (Johnny you’ve been my #1 fan since day one) I know I will forget to send this to someone so please forward it along…I will need all the prayers I can get.