Who's with you?

I started training again for a 5k. I have kind of slacked off since the last one. Not because I didn't want to run anymore, but mostly because I..well..I wasn't sure if I could do it. Weird huh? Why can't you do what you've already done? But that's what I was thinking. I have a friend who is starting this with me. From across the country. We're training together, separately. It's nice to know that she's cheering for me, just as I am cheering for her, even if we never hear it.

I found this and it made me wonder, "Who is cheering for you?"



Isn't that the kind of fan you want in your corner? Isn't that the kind of support and encouragement you want on your side? I know I sure do. I do better when I know people believe in me. I do better when I know there's people counting on me.

And then I thought.."Why can't I be that person for myself?" Why does it have to be someone else doing all the cheering? If I'm putting in all the effort and work to do a race, shouldn't I be the biggest fan of myself? Shouldn't I be the one believing in my abilities the most?

Maybe there's just two kinds of cheering sections. The one that's on the sidelines cheering you on as you pass them. Giving you the extra boost when you think you cannot go any more. They're the kinds with the signs reminding you why you started in the first place. They're awesome. They're amazing. They're some of the most dedicated people.

Then, their is the cheering that goes on inside your heard. The little voice that says, "come on. Don't give up! You can do this because you do this every morning. Keep going and let them see what you're made of." It's that voice that pushes you out of bed every cold winter morning to go running. Or the voice that keeps you running late into the hot summer sun. It's the voice that gives you the biggest 'high-5', or the loudest 'YOU DID IT!'. It's the voice of you.

Every one needs a cheering section. An outside one, and an inside one. :)

What will you do today to find your cheering section from within?

13+ miles

Alright..this week's challenge from over that Shrinking Jeans is to get in at least 13.7 miles. Walking, biking, hiking, skipping, crawling, even wiggling (if you're moving forward..I guess it counts,right? :D). Ok. I can do this. Easy Peasy! Maybe. Sort of. Ok, but what if it wasn't? Or Isn't? What if it's going to be really hard and difficult? I think I'll just stop right now. Easier to stop then to start. Right? Maybe? Sort of? No. Ok. Gotcha.



Why is that? Why do we let fear stop us even before we start? I've always hated that, and wondered that and wanted to change that. Today's the day! It's Monday. A new week, a new start. Who needs January 1st to come around to have a fresh start? Not me, and not you either.

Dare to be powerful beyond measure. If that's walking a mile. A step. A second. That's more then what you thought you could do before. If it's running a minute. A lap. A marathon. Be powerful. Be great. Be you, and be the best you you can be.

Greatest Moments

Have you ever just wanted to give up? Stop, right in your tracks. What's the point of continuing? You might think the path ahead seems too long or hard. Well, watch this and tell me if you think they wanted to give up at some point.



Yeah. When you're a team in a big College Football game, on TV, in front of your friends, family, and fans. And you're behind. It's easy to want to give up. Easy. But what happens if you do? You lose. What happens if you don't? You have the chance of a lifetime to win, and win big. To win in a way that will never be forgotten. Ever.

So today, on your workout..what's it going to be? Win or lose? Go or stop? Finish or defeat? You choose..
I know what I choose.
:D

Up and at 'em

So my little guy climbs into bed this morning at 3. Not unusual. It's been happening a lot lately. No..a LOT. When he climbs in, I climb out. I can't sleep after I wake up. So my day usually starts around 3. It starts with a workout. A nice 50-60 minute fast paced walk. I love it. Every day it starts this way. Rain or shine, I gotta get my walk in. There's just something about being awake when everyone else is still sleeping. That quiet time all to myself. It's when I do my pep talk. It goes something like this:

'Why am I up?'
-because it's time to get up. Now quit laying there and get moving!
'But it's early'
-yeah, it's early, but you have a lot do to and you'll thank yourself later. now get up!!
'but..even the birds are still sleeping'
-yes and they fly all day. you don't. Now get up and move!

Back and forth. To get up or not. In the end, I always decide to get up. It's a blessing to be able to wake up and move. That's something I've learned living with MS. You never know if you'll be able to move on any given day.

Here is a little video I found. Beautiful. Perfect way to start the day before it gets busy and full. Remember to take time out for yourself every day. Every day..

Mother's Day Post

This has already been the BEST Mother's Day. And it's only Saturday.
Woke up, went to the track WITH the family. Ran 2.5 miles
Hiked up a Butte- 2 miles
Spent time with the family. Laughing. Laughing a lot.
Smiling
Remembering
Being content

Love it.

Do you believe?

Been awhile. Lot of things going on, but this struck me today. Something that I absolutely needed to hear and ponder.




Isn't that amazing!? You know what I loved about this video?? Yes, that man is um..SUPER STRONG! And yes, it's pretty amazing that the human body can do something like that and not fall crumbling to the ground. (Which I almost am doing just watching that video! Mercy!!) But what I loved about it was the bit where he said, "You have to believe in yourself."

Powerful stuff.

It's true though, right? What would we do if we weren't so afraid of looking like a fool trying? I'd do a thousand other things. But it's that fear that stops me. "I'll look silly" or "everyone is watching me". Truth be told though..not true. You have to start someplace, and it might as well be starting with the one person who's opinion matters most..yours.

Time to get up and try something new. And you know what? I can't wait!! :)

What will you try today??

Changing..

Today I was out for a run and ran past a small bunch of dandy flowers. Do you like dandy flowers? I have to admit, I love them. I know, they are weeds...but they're so yellow and happy looking to me. Anyway, back to the run. So I'm out there running and I look over by the curb and see this bunch of dandy flowers. And on the flowers, was a little bee just happy to be buzzing around. And slowly..a smile crept onto my face. (not something I usually do while running..trust me. :D) But I couldn't help it. It's SPRING!!!!

It got me thinking. Change. One year, you have no intentions of starting any kind of workout activity. You say to yourself, "I'll never run!" or "I'll never get up at 5am just to go lift weights". And the next, there you are, doing exactly what you said you'd never do. Change. Winter turns into spring. The windows open, fresh air flows, light beams through gently blowing curtains. Change.

What would you do differently today..something you said you'd never do. Would you take up a new class at the gym? Wear a color you always thought you hated? Maybe something as simple as parting your hair on the other side. What will it be? Make it a good one. :) It's all about change..

Week 4

Week 4 sign in:
Down 1 pound. Had the flu. Blech. BUT..really missed working out. Weird!? So today, we started back up and really enjoyed it. It's going to be a great week.

Last Saturday was the 5k. I LOVED IT!! What a fun race. There were parts where I was done. But kept going because I was running with another friend and didn't want to let her down. But then I realized, "Hey, you'll be letting yourself down, too, so get your hiney moving!" And it was awesome!! Here's a little video of us.

A week of change...

So..this is new. Well, not really, but new to some of my readers. Mostly because I don't usually go around talking about 'this'. Although, I will bring it up when I feel it needs to be put out there. This week, is MS Awareness week. A week dedicated to MS and what it is, how it can effect people, how we can live with it. A friend of mine asked me once, "What is the one thing you fear when you wake up every day?" My answer, easily, was "That I won't be able to move and be the mom I need to be." And I wondered..does anyone else think about that? Or rather, does anyone else HAVE to think about that everyday? EVERYDAY? Not weekly, monthly..but daily, sometimes hourly. I know that there are others out there who have their struggles where they do have to think about things like this. And it's scary. So completely scary. But on the flip side, you can do something. You can always do something. In my case..I workout. I know, how confusing is that? Fear of not being able to move, so I move more. Weird! But true. I workout to keep myself mobile.
Look at this:


I wonder what would happen if I couldn't do what it is I take for granted daily. Walking. Sitting. Breathing.
So how can I not get up and go out there and just push myself? How can I not want to make the most of every opportunity? How can I not see what I have, and run with it..in every sense of the word?
There is no finish line for me because this journey will never end. Having MS isn't a thing I would have chosen but in a thousand ways, it's made me a better person. Since learning that I have MS, I have:
*lost 70 pounds
*began running
*re-dedicated myself to being a better mom for my kids and wife for my husband
*spent quiet moments and focused on me.
*became an example of health to my family by my eating choices and lifestyle
*been able to look in the mirror and see the me I want to become, and how close I am
to achieving that
The list goes on and on, but above all..I'm happy.

This week, to participate in MS Awareness Week, I'll be participating in a 5k. Not for any other reason then the fact that I can while living with a disease that will one day take all movement away from me. Today, I can run.

Will you join me?

Wednesday check in...

189
no change
frustrating?
Absolutely!
Quitting?
Absolutely not!!
Something happens when you decide to keep going, regardless of how frustrating it gets. That something is this: you discover who you really are, and what you're really made of.
Here's what I mean:


Could it have been easy to give up? To quit? Absolutely! So why didn't they? Why did these ladies keep going? Clearly, they're exhausted, ready to be done, in pain..but they kept going. They knew who they really were and what they were made of. I love that. I LOVE THAT!

So what if I'm sticking at 189. For weeks. I'm figuring out who I am in this journey. It's more then a number. It's about me..

And now, it's about you, too..

The world is stuck...

I LOVE this!!!



So, why do I post this?? Hmmm...think. Really think. Well..ok, it's Monday, so I'll just tell ya. :) In a few weeks there will be a race happening that I'm involved in. I've been training, preparing, putting in my time for awhile now. And it's showtime. I got to thinking though..what if I don't finish?? What if I trip, or fall, or stumble, or run out of steam and simply don't finish?? What a waste! *eeeeeeert!! Screeching tires noise inserted here*

What if I don't. You see..I'm a firm believer that when you set out to do something, you can do it. Yes, it could be harder then you first imagined, but you can do it. You will find a way to get around, through, over, under..whatever, until you finish. So why this video?

Well..have you ever been in a situation where you were going in the right direction, then suddenly everything comes to a complete standstill?? And you wonder, 'how am I going to fix this!?" Now, to you and I, the answer (at least for this video) would be to start walking. Wasn't it funny to see them getting freaked out over having to lift their own two feet and walk?

Isn't it funny to look back and see us freaking out about something we already know we can do...like finishing a race we KNOW we're ready for? Yeah...now it's all clicking, right? ;)

So what is it going to be today? Keep going, even when it feels a little impossible? Even when you doubt, or are scared, or both? OR..are you gonna pick your feet up, one step at a time, and make it through to the finish line? Complete what you set out to complete. Yeah, me too. I'll see you at the finish line..

Spring Fling Challenge #1

189

That's the number of the day. And you know what?? UGHH!!! Seriously!? But then I found this:



And I realized that I have a dream, a goal. It's not to become the person I was in college, or the girl I was in High School. It's more about finding that woman I am today..right now..and seeing myself smile, knowing I did everything I could to achieve that dream. Time to step up to the challenge..and you know what? I'm ready. I'm SO, SO ready..

Excuses???

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and this post hit me hard, but in such an amazing, motivating way. It talked about things being "in the bank." Things you work towards, save for, and use later. In this case...workout. Becoming fit. Becoming you by working towards a goal, even when you don't feel like it. Seriously, go read it.

And then I found this:


And fell in love with doing more, trying harder, pushing myself just a little bit more. Going a little farther, climbing one more step, going one last mile. Because really, all these things are things that I put in my own 'goal' bank. Experience only comes from opportunity.

There was a quote I heard a few days ago, and it went something like this: "In becoming, we usually go from point A to point B. But we must go all the way from point A to point Z if we are truly to become who we are meant to be."

All the hard stuff that comes along with learning how to become a better person physically..it changes who you are as a whole. The physical part is just the bonus gift in the end. When you push yourself, you learn how to endure. When you keep those promises to yourself, you learn how to love yourself. When you keep going when you want to quit, you learn how to achieve greatness.

I love it..
No excuses..

Failure..or success...

Kind of makes you think, doesn't it?
Take one year, for example. You have 365 days to either fail or succeed at something. Are you going to get out of bed and workout? Are you going to go the extra mile, 1/2 mile, 1 minute on the treadmill? Will you life that weight one more time, regardless of how much you want to drop it and be done?

I have been captivated by the Olympics. Every time they come around I find myself glued to the athletes, the sports, the love of the game, and the inspiration and dedication the Olympic Games shower us with. This year is no exception. It's only day 3 and already I am finding myself more motivated to go a little further, more exited to do a little better, more determined to give a little more. In the end, I realize that only 3 people will stand on the podium and earn a medal. But I wonder if it's really about the medal..or if it's about the journey it took just to get to the games. I'd like to think that it's more about the journey. So..what is your journey all about? What will you do today, right now, to make this day a success?
What are you waiting for??

Accountability..

It's time to be accountable. Pick someone or something (hey, I know we all have talking to the cat or plant from time to time..) and be accountable. It's Wednesday..weigh-in day! This can be a YEAHH!! or a UGGH!! kind of day. Today, it's a
Hmmmmm kind of day. Holding steady. The weight is not going up or down. So I can smile about that, but also wonder what I need to do to kick it up a bit.

I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who has a scale that doesn't budge. Or a day that isn't going exactly how I planned. Am I the only one who wants to give up and cuddle on the couch in a cozy blanket rather then go running out in the cold? Is there any reason why I do what I do?? Then I found this. (I'll admit, he's one of my favorite athletes.) I know I'm not the only one. Everyone has to work hard to get the results you're hoping for. Everyone has to put in effort and time to gain the worthwhile award in the end. Famous or not..we all have 'those days'.

Dragons

"Fairytales are more then true, not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." - G.K.Chesterton

I love that quote. When I read it the first thing that came to mind was running. But then it took on a mind of it's own and other thoughts started to jump in. So I want to know..what are the dragons in your life?

I have many. Small ones and big ones. Some days, it's the pile of laundry. You know the one. It starts off small, then before you realize it, it's a pile. No, a TOWER of laundry just waiting to be folded and put away. Or, other days it could be the dishes sitting in the sink. No matter how I try to have a clean sink, there's always that one fork or one spoon that manages to find it's way back into the sink. Then, on other days, my dragon could be the bills waiting to be paid, the groceries that need to be purchased, the missing sock I can NEVER find..the list goes on and on. Small dragons. Don't worry, they get bigger...

Cold mornings that I don't want to get out of bed and workout. Workouts that make my legs ache and wobble. Days when my arms or legs decide it's fun not to move because of MS. Friday nights full of uncontrolled shaking and shivers from medicine that's supposed to make me feel good..

But lately, it seems that my dragon is this: Negative thinking. When before I even start something, let's say running, I tell myself that I can't do it. It's always lurking in my head before each run. The one that makes me want to quit before I even start, sometimes before I even lace up my shoes. (Until I pull out the soundtrack to every ROCKY movie..then, things are put back into perspective.) It's that split second where I have to make a choice. I have to stop, take a breath, and tell myself, "YES I CAN!!". sometimes over and over and over, and then do. It's one thing to THINK..another to DO.

Dragons. They're everywhere! But like the quote says, they can be beaten..

There's a dragon out there for each of us. Sometimes more then one. But wow..what a feeling when we defeat it! I ran today. 2 miles of straight running. For me, I defeated the dragon.

What are your dragons? How do you beat them? How do you feel afterwards, when you know you accomplished what it was you set out to do?

Here's an example of someone beating their own kind of dragon..

Turn-around Tuesday!

New title for Tuesdays around here. It's a day where everything is done...out of order. Different. New. Fun. So why not do that here on this 'ol blog?

I was thinking about this whole fitness stuff. How some days it can be so miserable and hard, while other days it's such a rush and exciting to get out there and run. Such a difference between the two, but one thing I found in common: the after effect. How I feel afterwards is..accomplished. (how's that for a 'turn-around'. Accomplished after a hard workout. :D) Think about it..sometimes the hardest part of a workout is simply getting out of bed. Getting started. But, in the end, you did it. YOU DID IT! (Clap, cheer!!) There was a quote I once read that said, "You have 365 days to do something, to make a change. You can either look back at the end of those 365 days and say 'wow, I could be so much farther along because I did nothing'. Or you can look back at those days and say, "Wow!! look how far I've come". Which one will you choose?

Start today. Make TODAY a turn-around for you. So you don't like to workout. So it's hard to get started. So it's boring. But you know what? You can do it. Everyone can do 30 seconds of something. Then, take that 30 seconds and stretch it out into 45..then 60. And before you know it, you're well on your way.

Listen to the cheering section in this video..



You can be your own fan. :D

Team

I'm not an expert when it comes to running. Working out. Anything, really. But I think there are a few things that I know when it comes to these things. For me, with running..I know I can't get as far as I do, or last as long as I have, if I didn't have the support that I'm blessed with. My team. My runner friends. My cheerleaders. All those people that either run with me, run along side me, or watch as I run..cheering on the whole way. There's something amazing about having this little group on my side. Sometimes, the run is hard and seems SO LONG. Other times, it feels kind of like a dream, like hardly any effort. But what I do know, is that at all times, I'm stronger when I have my 'team' of people in my corner. When we lift each other, encourage each other, push each other. Watch..



Who doesn't want someone there to help? No matter how hard or how much I want to back down, having someone there to help me through it makes the effort seem worth it. Even just for that small moment..

Do you have a team? Who? Why did you choose them? What do you do as a team that gets you moving towards your goals? Can't wait to hear all about it..

It's not about how hard you get hit...

Watch this, you'll understand..



I was thinking today about what I could write. It was a 'so-so' kind of night, making this morning sluggish. Not the best of mornings for a workout, let alone a run. But every time I have one of these days, I want to workout even more. I WANT to do what it is that my mind is telling myself I don't. (did that make sense? I'm feeling a little confused. :D) So, I found this video. And I love it. No, I LOVE it. The part where the son says, "Don't you care what people think??" And later, how Rocky responds by saying, "the world ain't all sunshine and rainbows, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there...but it ain't about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can GET hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take, and keep moving forward." Ohhhh did that put me in my place today. What's with all my excuses? So, it was a tough night. So it was a rough start this morning. Does that mean I can't give my best to myself today? Um. no. All it means is that it was a rough night and a tough start. And that's where it ends.

If all I have is one hour to devote to running. To devote to working out. To devote to myself..then that's one hour I need to give and do completely. Why? Because the end result will be amazing. It will be a happier me, a more healthier me. And that..that is how winners are made. :)

Let me ask..what did you do today that made you a winner? Come on..you know there's an answer to it. Go look in the mirror, I'll bet you'll see it staring right back at you.

Up tomorrow..some running tips! Love these! :D

Jan 1, 2010

Alright..I need this little blog spot. Just a place to track myself. My goals, my setbacks, my accomplishments..me. Not just because it's a new year, but because it's time that I do this. It's time there's a place that I can go to without the worries of what other people will think. Sometimes it's just nice to be in your own little world, and this, is mine.

I have been thinking about resolutions. I don't really like that word because why should we wait until a certain date to set a goal? Why can't we just set a goal when it needs to be set? When it comes to mind that it's time for change? But it's so weird how I'm starting this blog on this day..the first day of January. Go figure! :D

The first goal: Running. I started running not too long ago, and have become hooked! If you know me, you know that running + me have NEVER been in the same sentence, let alone the same paragraph. Oh heck..the same shelf in the library! It was just never something I have ever wanted to do. Ever. But over the past year, a lot of changes have come into my life. Changes I'm proud of. I have MS. And if you were to look in most any book that talks about MS, you will somewhere read that within 10 or so year of being diagnosed, you'll be confined to a wheelchair. Well, not this lady! No way!! I have too much going for me to just..stop. Since the diagnosis, I've lost almost 75 pounds of myself. Things I was holding on to for who knows why. But it was time to get rid of it and let the real me shine through. And then, it got to be a bit more then just losing weight. I realized that working out and becoming a healthier person was the absolute best thing I could do for myself. Working out in the morning has helped my body to move. Daily. I need to move daily. Working out has helped me to relax, to calm down, to think clearly. All things I need to do. As a mother of 3 and a wife..I need a little relax, calm down, think clearly time. :D Then, add the whole MS on top of that..you can see where this is going. SO..I started running.

And now, I love it. I love to lace up my shoes, not really knowing where my feet will take me, but knowing that when I get there, I need to turn back and come home. That little journey is what I love. It's 'my' time. Time to think. Time to replay moments in my mind. Time to sort out problems. Time to smile because of accomplishments. Time to remember who I really am. Have you ever heard that Nike quote? It's one of my favorites. It says,

"You don't stand in front of a mirror before a run and wonder what the road will think of your outfit. you don't have to listen to its jokes and pretend they're funny in order to run on it. It will not be easier to run if you dress sexier. The road doesn't notice when you're not wearing make up. It does not care how old you are. And you don't feel uncomfortable if you make more money than it. The only thing the road cares about is that you pay it a visit once in a while." - NIKE Goddess

That is why I run. That is why it is something I absolutely love. Doctors can tell me to take certain medicines in hope to one day cure this crazy disease I have. My family can beg for their favorite dinner or bedtime story. My friends can ask for my time. And gladly I will say yes to all of it. But there are times when I just need to be me. Where I just need to step back and rediscover what it is that I like best about me. And right now, it's the ability to move..

Join me on this running journey. One step in front of the other, one mile at a time. That goal is in site..let's grab it and go! :D