Oh Happy Day!

Ever have a day that was just all-around great?!? I love days like this! Today was a great day! Not my-husband-surprised-me-with-a-trip-to-Hawaii great. It wasn't really anything super extraordinary -- just a fun, feel-great day. It was one of those days where I got a little extra sleep, got a lot of stuff done, had a massage, then a yummy salad for lunch, got in an awesome speed session, enjoyed a beer with some friends, and then ended with getting new running shoes. I love it when all the little things line up just right. What a perfect way to end the month!  Here's to more little things lining up just right in February, too!

Let Go & Play Uno!

There's not really anything new to report on the running scene right now.  I am training for the Way Too Cool 50K in March, so lots and lots of miles are being logged.  I wish I could run and train more, but a little thing called life tends to get in the way sometimes.  The spring semester starts next week, so I've been busy prepping for that.  My nice, long winter break is about to end ...  I had all these plans to do double-days, hit the slopes, go to yoga, get some extra strength training sessions in.  Dream on, right?!?  Working full-time (plus some), raising a family, keeping up a household and training for an ultra requires balance.  I love routine and structure, but sometimes you just have to let go of the schedule and play Uno with your kiddo!

 

This is the symbol for balance.

 

I think more balance will also provide more of an opportunity to 

savor things in my life a little more.  Remember it's about the journey! 

 

 



Happy New Year!

New Year's Day is one of my favorite holidays.  I love fresh starts, new beginnings, resolutions and goals, especially running goals.  It's getting harder to come up with truly good resolutions and goals, though.  So, I decided to do something a little different this year.  I found this quote that sums up all my goals for 2013:

 

This gave me the idea to come up with New Year's quotes, rather than resolutions.  So, I came up with one for each month and then added a brief explanation of how I see the quote connecting to each month.  (Many of the quotes are from ads or books, etc.  I don't know all the original authors -- sorry!)

When you run in the morning, you gain time. It's like stretching 24 hours into 25.  Running early seems to expand the day.

For January – a reminder to get up on those cold mornings even though I haven’t gone back to work yet!

Ask nothing from your running, and you’ll get more than you ever imagined.

For February – because I run simply for the love of it!

If you start to feel good during an ultra, don't worry, you will get over it.
For March – to remind me to laugh during the Way Too Cool 50K, especially as I’m trying to get to the top of Goat Hill!

Running is not all about time or miles, but about the experiences along the way.
For April – when the weather varies, so do the experiences!

I'll be happy if running and I can grow old together.

For May – the month I get older each year!

It's rude to count people as you pass them. Out loud.
For June – our Lake Tahoe Relay team motto!

To breathe the air the angels breathe, go to Tahoe.

For July – for the miles and miles of trails in Tahoe!

You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.

For August – for motivation during hot training sessions!

It's running that motivates you for everything else the day holds.

For September – when the days get really, really busy!

It's the training that gets you to the starting line. It’s the pacing and energy management that gets you to the finish line.

For October – a reminder to pace and fuel effectively during the Bizz Johnson 50K!

Running! If there's any activity happier, more exhilarating, more nourishing to the imagination, I can't think what it might be.

For November – this reminds me of how much I enjoy the Turkey Trot!

There really are no finish lines. Runs end; running doesn't.

For December – a reminder to start planning for the next year!

Here's to a fast and fun-filled 2013!  Cheers!