January 25th, 2011
Well faithful readers I am getting closer to posting on a Monday ( today is Tuesday for the calendar impaired) perhaps I will hit it next week but I am offering no guarantees.
January is almost over and I spent most of it hitting the reset button, slowing down and reading directions (what a concept)!
I wonder if this will be a recurring theme over the entire year?
Just this morning I spent about an hour running up and down the stairs convinced if I unplugged the phones and repeatedly turned them on and off I would get them to work. My husband insisted that I should try resetting the modem ( everything is tied into that blasted thing and I am convinced it is run by little gremlins who like to make it malfunction when I need it the most) I resisted and kept trying to make it work by turning it on and off and perhaps a bit of the “think” method ( remember that from “The Music Man”)
Maybe I just didn’t want Paul to be right AGAIN. It was the modem. On the positive side I got lots of exercise running up and down stairs.
Other things I have had to slow down and read the directions for include my Ipod, my new digital recorder, my jupiter jack and my bed.
Yes my bed. Is that indicative of how we as humans have evolved? I now need to read directions on how to operate my mattress.
More than several years ago we bought a sleep number mattress. In the beginning it was great but lately not so much. We even added a memory foam pillow top and yet I was waking up like I had an elephant sitting on my back all night.
So the thrifty cheap part of me DID NOT not want to replace this mattress. Finally the light bulb went off and I pumped up the number on my side and BINGO no more back pain. Yet another semi blonde moment ( semi because my blonde comes from my hairdresser)
As for my running not only am I setting the reset button but eating a bit of running humble pie.
My run outside last week on our one glorious day of sun and 50 degree weather was horrible. It was just not one of those occasional bad runs. It was time to listen to my body AND redo my training plan and hit the reset button and start back at the beginning.
- Yes I took time off when I had a severe cough, and then got busy with the holidays.
- Yes I did the elliptical and the treadmill..inconsistently.
- Yes I thought I could pick up where I left off since I am a runner, triathlete , cyclist.
- NOT
Not only did my body hurt last week from running but my ego was a little bruised as well.
Time to put on my big girl panties and go back to the beginning. So I actually read several training plans, my Chi running book and several articles on ( gulp) beginning running.
AND I put each training step in my calendar. It has actually been fun and refreshing to begin again. Humble running pie turned out to be quite tasty.
And those big girl panties fit just fine thank-you very much! Anybody else ready to hit the reset button, and join me?
I believe in do overs and new beginnings in EVERYTHING…jump in the water is fine! OMG now I have to think about swimming…gulp!
Filed under Fitness, Fun, Its Never too Late, Motivation | Comment (1)
January 12th, 2011
So its Marathon Monday on a Tuesday , Wednesday. Don’t say I didn’t warn you that some of these would be late. Hey life happens and around here it seems to be happening in many dimensions.
Perhaps that’s why today is one of those days when I wish training for an athletic event WAS like studying for a final exam.
Let’s be clear here , I am NOT talking about the way “normal” people study for a final exam.
I am talking about the good intentions of keeping up with the reading, doing everything on time, having that date in your calendar three months ahead of time and then procrastinating until you pull an all nighter studying, and can barely keep you eyes open for the actual exam.
Obviously I grasped the concept of a run on sentence from English 101.
Oh and I forgot to add you get a semi decent grade out of it after all. ( Most of the time)
Somehow that doesn’t cut it when training for a race. You can procrastinate all you want but pulling an all nighter won’t help a bit. And you won’t get a decent or even a semi decent race time. What you will get ( if you decide to participate) is sore muscles, a possible injury and lots of self loathing. I mean a LOT of self loathing.
So to borrow from Oprah this is what I know for sure:
- The weather is unpredictable and I had better work around it since I don’t live where its 65-70 degrees everyday, sunny with no humidity.
- *&#$@ happens. I mean life happens…and it happens around here alot so get used to it and work around it
- Treadmills are boring but better than nothing
- Training plans should be simple and straight forward..the rest go in the circular file
- Everyone has the “best” training plan NOT
- cute workout clothes motivate me
Okay even I will admit that last one sounded a bit shallow and non athletic sounding. I am not a fashionista. As a matter of fact a quick look at my closet will tell you I have more work out clothes than anything else. And most of them are cute. Actually I am just happy if I color coordinate..hey whatever works to get me out the door.
One more thing I know for sure. Guys do NOT care in the least what they wear to workout in. AND they don’t care how it smells. They might care about the right kind of shoes but that’s about it. I speak from experience on this one.
My husband must own 1000 t-shirts. He will wear ONE until it falls apart. At this rate he will have to live a long time to wear out all his t-shirts . He shocked me the other day by wearing what appeared to be a new one. It was new in the sense that it had never been worn but its logo gave it away. Army 10-miler 1995. Yes a 15 year old “NEW” t-shirt.
A couple of days ago he called all stressed out. Someone had stolen his running clothes. His dirty, smelly already worn a couple of times running clothes. I asked him if he had seen anyone in a hazmat suit carrying a package at arms length? Find that person and he will have found his clothes. Either someone at his office gym had no sense of smell or some woman walked by, got a whiff and in an act of bravery threw them out. Darn the bad luck!
So since the fine art of putting it off will NOT work I got on the treadmill today and will again tomorrow and the next until the weather allows me outside.
If you see me at the gym stop and say something motivating…oh and notice my cute workout clothes!
The ancestor of Red Bull...I remember it well!
January 3rd, 2011
Welcome to my Marathon Monday Posts. Happy Monday. While I am not officially registered for the Marine Corps Marathon I am already committed to it so starting today and every Monday until the marathon and possibly beyond that you will be seeing my “Monday Marathon ” posts.
These won’t always be about the actual marathon. And they might not always make it here on a Monday. Every Monday’s post will be a surprise, even to me! Whatever pops up about the marathon or life in general is fair game.
If life is a marathon I AM in desperate need of a rest stop. The vision of that is so appealing. I am working, working , working, cleaning up, cleaning out, cooking, running errands, my mind is going in a thousand different directions, phone calls, e-mails, paying bills, crossing off my things on my to-do list, adding things on my to-do list, adding things I have already done just so I can cross them off and then as I round the corner in my house…a rest stop. Everything fades away and someone offers me a drink of water, an energy bar, there is a place to sit and put my feet up, it is quiet, my breathing slows, my mind empties…a candle is lit.
Sounds great . I was all ready to write about how this rest stop bit could be one of my New Years Resolutions but since its Jan 3rd that might be a problem. I am already 3 days behind. MMMM…not really, at least not for me. My New Year always starts on the 4th of Jan. Really..it truly is the start of a new year for me because ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!
Feel free to send birthday wishes tomorrow…I will not grow old before my time so wait until tomorrow.
Today,however is my grandaughter, Summer’s 5th birthday. She was my gift, a day early in 2006. Best gift I ever got!!
I realized as I prepared for the holidays that I really do need to find a rest stop somewhere in my busy days. I did take a day off after Christmas, stayed in my pajamas, read, lounged around, watched a movie. You know what? I discovered doing nothing is exhausting! I enjoyed it however I have decided that if I kept that up I would be the living example of Newtons first law
“an object at rest stays at rest” ( thank-you Google!)
“Yup..there’s Mom. She sat down one day and never got up. Lately we’re having a hard time figuring out where she ends and the chair begins”
Okay..not that much rest. Balance would be a better word. With a sprinkle of “simplify”, “fun”, and “serenity”
Sounds great. My resolution for 2011 is balance. Where do I start? mmmm my mind is wandering already. Balance is a great word for 2011 but it is not quite doing it for me.
If you know me then you know I am not a one word kinda gal. That would be my dear hubby who is quiet anyway and with me around, well, he is down to one word here and there.
A phrase for 2011 would suit me better. So here it is!
“Anticipation of quiet creativity”
This is my rest stop. This is what is getting me out of bed in the morning. Huh? Let me explain.
- Anticipation…looking forward to.
- Quiet….slowing down, centering,balance
- Creativity…anything that gets my juices going..writing, reading, baking, scrap-booking….music, walks with my dog. even running. Running doesn’t “slow” me down but it does pace me with a comforting rhythm.
The anticipation of being creative enough to fit this into each day is incredibly energizing.
So there you have it. I found my rest stop. Its up to me to keep it fully stocked and always available. It is my respite.
You can do it too. Its free, its fun, its essential. Take one right now and promise to take one, two or three everyday.
You are so worth it!
Filed under Fun, Health, Its Never too Late, Life stories, Motivation | Comment (0)
November 27th, 2010
As I sat down to edit this post I started to smile wondering if this really was a post about how to get a good race photograph or just an excuse to exhibit a rare but good race photo of myself.
A little of both. As my friend and web designer Sherra said to me ( often) Your blog, Your rules!
Long before digital cameras I was ( am) a photo connoisseur ( sounds better than addict)
Yes I am the obnoxious dedicated one at the family gatherings with the camera .
When I started running a mere 5 years ago I was thrilled to find out about “race” photos and anxiously awaited to see my athletic image as I pounded the pavement to my first finish line.
Anticipation led to disappointment. There was no photographer at this race. No images of my achievement to put on the frig.
Bummer.
Next event was my first sprint tri in Minneapolis. Yes we live in Virginia and yes we drove all that way for a sprint tri.
This tri definitely had a photographer . Guess what I learned? Only the babes from Baywatch look good running in a swimsuit.
I also think that most race photographers have the uncanny ability to catch me at the most unflattering and awkward moments.
Yet at this tri I was rewarded with this one photo. At the end of the run I managed to catch up to my husband and grab his hand as we crossed the finish line. It was our anniversary and he , once again, was supporting one of my crazy ideas!
At subsequent events the photos were my equivalent to those bad auditions on American Idol in that they were a continuing source of humor for the family..or at least for my husband.
Hey, what can I say. At least I was out there moving my body.
BUT this summer at the one and only triathlon I could fit in to my crazy schedule I accidentally discovered the secret to a good race photo.
I anticipated, and trained to have my best swim ever. For many reasons it did not happen and once again I came out of the water at the end of pack, winded, a little discouraged and frantically racing to find my bike. Once on the bike I relaxed, decided to do my best and enjoy.
Did I mention that I later found out the heat index that day was 105? Not exactly conducive to a great photo.
Yet as I rounded the trail on the run one of the volunteers clued me in that the photographer was right around the corner. So I put on my best race smile and ta da….
Approaching the finish line I noticed ( and it was no surprise) that mmmm, I was one of the last ones in. So I could be bummed or make the most of it…and give the photographer something to do so I hammed it up.
A little focus would be nice…
I saw him take more than one photo so I thought well maybe the law of averages is in my favor this time and it was…
He found the focus button!!
I did discover the secret to a good race photo.. or at least this time…is to be at the end of the pack.
Honestly, as in life, as in “triing” or “trying” you just never know for sure what is going to work. Sometimes you just get lucky!
Being one of the last had its payoffs…and if your disappointed in my answer think of it this way.. when my grandchildren or great grandchildren are looking at this they will have no idea if I was first or last , only that I was out there having fun.
Go out, have fun, take some good photos, take some that will get you a good laugh and move your body because that’s whats its all about. Oh and like me…ALWAYS be ready for your close up!!
Say Cheese,
Filed under Fitness, Fun, Motivation, Tri Stories | Comment (0)
September 2nd, 2010
You all might remember that back in January of this year I blogged about my upcoming adventure with my new clipless bike pedals.
If your memory is anything like mine (good but short) you might want to hit the link below and reread the original post.
A great idea or a trip to the ER?
So here is the scoop. I did not meet my deadline of Feb 1st mainly because of the winter weather.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Honestly a little good ole procrastination and just plain fear also entered the deal.
Now my middle name lately could be “fearless” as I have swung on the trapeze and rappelled off a 4 story building and would love to do a tandem sky dive
SO why did falling off my bike make me shake in my boots?
Lets see..the trapeze had…
- a HUGE safety net
- a guided harness
The rappelling adventure had ..
- a helmet
- a safety harness
- some really cute National Guardsman helping me (always a plus)
- No net!!
The rappelling was a spontaneous adventure and my gray matter had no time to process what I was actually doing.
Somehow, somewhere, someone is going to ask me …
“So if you saw someone jump off a 4 story building, would you do it too???
“Why yes I would and here are the photos to prove it!”
Almost ready to jump
"Jumping off a 4 story building"
Despite all this my fear was a hungry bear and it got busy feasting on:
- Childhood memories of painful scabby knees and lost battles with the sidewalk
- My husbands voice telling me “Your gonna breaka u face” ( thanks Paul)
- All those friends with their wonderful bloody bike pedal disaster stories they delighted in telling!
I reminded myself of the quote by Helen Keller:
” Life is either a great adventure or nothing”
Pushing the fear aside I started with one pedal, graduated to two…and I DID it without falling. AND I did it just in time for my Sprint tri in June!
Bike pedal succes
That is not quite the end of the story. Spurred on by my success and getting a little cocky I fancied myself the master of the bike pedals.
Off I went a few weeks later exploring a new bike path and down I went when I took a sharp turn and lost my balance.
And the pavement won!
At age 53 I sported a very scabby knee and a slightly bruised ego.
My scabby knee made for some interesting conversations especially since I took great pleasure in wearing Scooby Doo band-aids!
So I didn’t “break a my face” and I LOVE my bike pedals!
I know I have some more learning ahead of me, a few falls and maybe a scabby knee or two.
Still…I am so stinking proud of myself I may have to borrow Ava Grace’s “I’m Kind of a Big Deal” shirt!
So my friends, face your fears, take a risk, fall down, get up, and do it again the next day…its all about the “trying”
Let me know what you’re up to so I can cheer you on!
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August 23rd, 2010
This photo says it all. Little Miss Ava is a charmer in every way, beautiful blue eyes, a head full of curls and that wonderful toddler attitude that the world revolves around her,and ONLY her.
Put her in this tank top and the package is complete!
I just laughed when I saw her sporting this affirmation of who she is and what she is about. We all think she is a big deal with or without the t-shirt !! Wouldn’t it be great if we all had the self confidence to sport a shirt like this???
Why not? Aren’t we all kind of a big deal?? No “kind of” about it.
When was the last time you gave yourself credit for anything and everything??
I am constantly amazed by the people I know and the people I meet who overcome incredible obstacles, follow their dreams despite all the naysayers, and just keep plugging away!! They are a BIG DEAL and deserve lots of credit.
BUT so do you!!
We are great at giving ourselves credit for the big things. What about the little everyday things??
Give yourself credit for taking out the garbage. Take it from someone who left old shrimp in the kitchen garbage while away for a week-end. I thought we would never get the smell out of the house!
So your assignment for today is to pretend you are wearing Ava’s tank top! You ARE a BIG DEAL. Start making a list of things you do and give yourself credit for them..give yourself an “ata boy or ata girl” Keep the list going and look at it when the sun isn’t shining in your heart.
I’ll start…I am a BIG DEAL because … I ate healthy this morning, I vacuumed up the dog hair, I wrote my blog , I laughed, I replaced the toilet paper without yelling at someone and I was patient with myself!!
And lastly copy this quote and put it on your frig to remind yourself how really wonderful you are!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. M. Williamsom
Make it a really BIG DEAL day!!! Smiles,
Filed under Food/Healthy Eating, Fun, Motivation | Comment (1)
May 12th, 2010
Long before I started running I was a walker.
5:15 every week-day morning found me rolling out my bed and out the door.
In the winter I appreciated the dark mornings that camouflaged my ratty, “grab what is warm” attire. In the summer I appreciated sunglasses and hats to hide tracings of yesterdays mascara and my wild woman hair.
Most of all I appreciated what got me out of bed and moving my body, my walking partner Francy.
Just knowing she was waiting was enough to get me up and going. We walked , griped, rejoiced and laughed for 2 miles every morning for over 10 years.
We agreed that what was “said on the walk stayed on the walk ” so no subject was taboo and there was a sense of trust and freedom with what we shared with each other.
Francy was walking long before I joined her. I initially started walking with her as a way to fit in some physical activity in my way too busy life, however those two miles became much more than exercise.
It was an incredible way to start the day sharing, laughing, griping. We celebrated family milestones and even became grandparents for the first time in the same year. Later 2 of our grandchildren would be born on the same day!
People who routinely drove past us on their way to work either thought we were crazy or admired our dedication.
It really became a morning ritual that filled me in every way. I think it did for Francy as well
When I moved I have to say that this was one of things I missed most. It will remain one of those special times in my life that always makes me smile.
I hope you have a daily ritual or habit that fills you in every way.
I found this photo I had taken early one morning and put this quote with it as a gift to Francy ( made one for myself as well) I think it sums up our walks pretty well.
Bless yourself with a walk this week..and take a friend along. Great things will come your way!
“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day” Thoreau
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December 17th, 2009
There have been many times when I have not wanted to run , bike or swim. Life gets busy , the to do list gets longer and workouts get put on the back burner.
Since April 16, 2007 , whenever I need a push I remember to get out there and do it for those who can’t.
On April 16, 2007 a familiar place to our family and most of Virginia experienced a horrific tragedy when a student at VA Tech took the lives of 32 innocent people.
Our oldest daughter graduated from Tech. Our second daughter had been there in 2006 in the same dorm.
My heart ached for those families. I desperately wanted to do something for them. I wanted them to know that their loved ones would not be forgotten.
So I prayed and I ran.
I dedicated a run to each one of those who lost their life that day. Before each run I read their biography posted by the family. I looked at their photos. They were intelligent, fun, energetic people. They had amazing futures ahead of them. Many were adventuresome, and athletic. Community leaders and contributors. They had so much to give to us and the world and in an unbelievable moment of violence it was taken away.
So I ran because they could not.
Those runs gave me immense peace and deep gratitude for the simple things I often missed while putting one foot in front of the other. I ran with purpose and prayer to honor their lives.
That week in April was one of grief and happiness for our family.
On Friday April 20th everyone was encouraged to wear Virginia Tech colors to honor those who lost their lives on April 16th.
It was also the day we welcomed our 4th grandchild into our family. Her name had been picked out months before but it held special meaning that day.
Bella Angelina Beautiful Angel
I thought of all the beautiful angels we honored that day wearing maroon and orange. It was everywhere.
Newborn babies, new hope.
Dedicate your next workout to someone who can’t.
You will find new purpose in each stride, each push of the pedal, each swim stroke. Do it because you can.
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