10...in the Glen

When I was in high school every Sunday we would meet at Glen Helen at 10 (10 in the Glen) for an 8 mile trail run.  When I think back to that time...and when I tell stories about those runs I often say "its a place where runners are made."  Its a challenging 8 miles of trails and hills and completing it makes you feel both spectacular and gives you a pass to eat the pancakes at Young's that were to follow.  But there is more to it then just the technical aspect.  There is so much emotion involved in this run that to this day, when I go there I can feel it in my bones and hear it in my head, every moment every step, embedded into me like DNA.  Nichole and Denise next to me as we followed John through the Pine Forest...our breathing labored as we raced for the stairs....2 miles left...our steps were light...

The air as you walk down the steps into the forest is heavy and wet its hard to breath its almost overwhelming you start you watch at the bottom so you don't fall.  Once you start though there is no stopping the minutes tick by its almost hard to keep up with yourself...you go to a much different place when you do this run...there is magic around. 

When I went this morning I somehow ended up there right at 10...old habits die hard I suppose.  But that same feeling surrounded me embraced me as I walked down to the bridge.  I began with Mike, it was his first time.  He went ahead of me around mile one, I called to him, "when you get into the Pine Forest, look up, and take 60 seconds to feel what's around you."  As I approached the entrance that same tiny trail called to me...but my feet already knew where to go.  As I ran in, it seemed smaller years of forest having closed in on those beautiful pines.  But the feeling was still there and so was the center of the Pine Forest.  I stopped my watch 1.73 miles, I thought it was 2 miles from the start. 

Like with anything things change...moments pass...and we are left to embrace memories as we create a new future.  I never used to run with a GPS watch...I accepted things based on the time and never once found concern for actual mileage, except for to race.  Was it a simpler time, maybe but these devices also didn't exist then.  We simply ran free, I like to think there is a time and place for all things, and perhaps next time I run there...I will leave the watch behind...and it will be two miles to the Pine Forest as it always was.

When I looked up those same trees were high above waving in the never ending breeze rubbing against one another, squeaking as if to welcome me back.  I appreciated the view, the feelings  and the memories and then made my way down that same familiar path where so many miles had been logged.   

In the back of my mind I could hear the voices and the encouragement from a team of girls who became a family...as we neared the exit of the Pine Forest we saw a single wild rose, John reached down and handed Denise, Nichole and I one petal to hold between our finger tips, he wanted us to relax our bodies and our minds and finish those last miles strong and together.  And so we did, and it was a beautiful day and a perfect memory to hold.

I still have that petal...and that place is still somewhere that had a great impact on my life and still does today.  Its a place where runners are made, memories are created, friendships deepen, and a place I want everyone I love to experience.  Mike forgot to look up today, but its ok, I will take him back...we should look up together anyway. :)

Yoga challenge accepted...+9

Breathe in love breathe out hate
Breathe in peace breathe out anxiety
Breathe in courage breathe out weakness
Breathe in kindness breathe out hatred
Breathe in giving breathe out selfishness

Shante Shante Shante

Welcome to my 30 day yoga challenge...my yoga studio...Day Yoga...one of the most peaceful places in my world...offered a 21 day yoga challenge...and since I was feeling a bit out of sorts...a bit injured...a bit puffy...and a bit a few other things that were all around not making me feel good...I took their challenge...and added 9 extra days. 

I began on June 2...I know weird right...but June 1st my 10:00 class was canceled and I had my athletes end-of-track-season banquet...so as with everything in life and yoga...we make the necessary adjustments! 

As I sit here on June 14, 2014 I am 13 days in to my challenge...and I can honestly say...I have learned a great deal about myself, my mind is happily clear, my body is wonderfully strong, and my heart is totally full. 

I have found that so much goes in to getting yourself on a mat every single day...its not like running every day...that's fairly easy...I just put on shoes and walk out the door...but for this...I have to plan...when is the class, what class do I want to go to, what teacher do I want to attend and practice with, what does my body need today, my mind, my heart, my spirit.  I am enjoying the challenge that has come with this opportunity to practice for 30 consecutive days.  In fact, there is a nagging voice in the back of my mind asking if I will continue through July...just to see if I can...perhaps this will be my summer of yoga...will it lead into teacher training?? 

My hope is that the answer to this question is yes...yoga does something for my spirit and soul...its a way of life...and a way of life I want to pass on to my family and to others within the community.  Its certainly something to be shared and valued.  Yoga brings so many elements in to one practice...spirituality, love, kindness, strength, weakness, determination, meditation, peace...I could go on but I think its clear...it brings emotions to the surface that must be dealt with in order to fall deeper into this journey. 

Its a very raw moment when you step on your mat, you are both surrounded by your fellow community but completely alone to find what you need on that day, in that moment, in that space.  But when you are present in that moment and flowing and breathing and living and you can feel the energy of the studio, the room, your mat, your fellow yogis...its hard not to realize the grandness of what you are doing...and what you are putting out into the world...if for only a moment all of those positive thoughts and feelings are being breathed out into the universe at one consecutive time and you can't help but think...your making things just a little bit better for everyone...

I hope everyone finds the strength to find their inner peace...or at least is receiving my positive energy :)!

Namaste. 

   

Preparing for a Life worth Living...

 

I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind.  But I've brought a big bat.  I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! ~ Dr. Seuss

 

 

Everyday I work very hard to make sure that I am the best version of myself...that often means assessing how I spent the day before...what do I need to work on?  What could I have done differently? What worked?  What didn't work?  I ask myself some pretty hard hitting questions...I have that kind of relationship with myself.  I often think it comes from spending so many hours and miles with myself training for marathons...I have a very open and strong belief in who I am as a person, athlete, daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, and human.  And in fact, my relationships with others work like this as well...I am an honest person and I surround myself with good honest individuals who bring wonderful things to my life.  And just as I assess myself; I assess my relationships...and when they are not working I change them as well (thankfully at this moment in my life I am surrounded by the best of the best...an all star lineup really...of people who assist in making me the best version of myself!).        None of this is easy though...it takes a constant maintenance of everything in my life, strong communication skills, honesty, an ability to embrace change, sincerity, courage, determination, and being prepared to handle life's challenges.  I work very hard on the last skill...being prepared!    What can I say...I am a planner.  Every Thursday I sit down and I plan out my next week!  I have to have an overview of what's happening...which may sound very inflexible...but what I have found is that it leaves me lots of room to both get everything done and experience all that life has to offer.  As my favorite person always says...there is time enough for everything.  And I find this to be so true...especially with just a little bit of planning!  I can't neglect one aspect of my life for another, but I can make sure that everything is in balance.  Each evening I sit down with my to do list for the next day...I review what needs to be done and I set my plan in place.  This plan includes everything from picking up the house, making lunches for the day, spending time with my family and friends, working out, going to work, coaching, etc.  It's a full and wonderful life!  Plus I share this crazy life with someone else now...and balance, communication and planning are key!    Each week I also make a grocery list...and plan a menu for the week.  This ensures that we (I know I know...I just went from I to we...but I feed a few people :)) eat healthy (including the dog :)) and helps us not spend so much money eating out...eating out gets to be for the fun of it...not because we don't have any food!  (It's funny...as I sit at Starbucks writing this I am talking to Mike about the grocery list...and our week (updating those calendars)).  I plan for all seven days...breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between.  Don't get me wrong...this takes a good hour...but its so worth it when I get in and out of the grocery store with everything that we need for the week.  I then typically spend an hour or two in the kitchen on a Friday night prepping for the week.  I wash the fruit and veggies, cut some up for easy access, boil some chicken (its yummy with BBQ sauce), throw a soup in the crock pot, etc.  Really I do anything that makes the week a bit easier...we are busy and we LOVE to be outside playing, getting things done, and living life...plus we run and are ALWAYS hungry...and spending two hours in the kitchen each week gives us this ability!  Its also easier and much more fun in the summer...fruit and veggies galore!!    I find that trying to be ready for anything gives us the ability to do EVERYTHING...and that is what its all about!  We get to be out and about...and spending as much time playing as we possibly can!  It's not always easy...and I don't always feel like planning and preparing...but once it's done...I am so thankful for what it brings me.  I am ready for anything...I can handle everything...and I (we) have an awesome life!       

 

Fall down 7 times. Stand up 8.

Hi everyone...its been so long since my last blog...over a year!  So much fun stuff has happened...but instead of talking about the past...I am going to focus on all that is good now...and in the future!  I have recently...last Sunday...signed up for the Columbus Marathon in October!  I am very excited and currently have begun the process of getting back into marathon shape.  The end of my second track season is quickly approaching...and what a great year it has been, but what this really means is that the start of summer cross country conditioning is on the horizon!  The last year has been full of all those crazy ups and downs...but life is good...very very good! 

As those ups and downs go...its easy to get stuck!  And for a little while I just was not feeling my best.  I was battling an injury, work was busy, track started, the winter was cold and long, but as with all things you just have to pick yourself up and forge ahead.  One of my favorite quotes is "Fall down 7 times.  Stand up 8."  I think its a nice reminder that we are not perfect and we all fail from time to time, but in the end its standing back up and moving forward that counts.  It's how we handle the difficult times that show us who we are and allow us to begin to define our character.

Over the last year some pretty devastating things have happened in the world, within our nation, to those I love, but what I can say is that the human spirit has an amazing ability to accept what has occurred and make the changes needed to continue navigating through life.  I have been astonished by the acts of kindness and love that have popped up through recent tragedies.  I have been inspired by all those I care about who are striving everyday to be the best version of themselves.  And I am humbled by those who are fighting for their lives or the lives of their children.  It's how we handle and conduct ourselves in the hard moments and times that make us proud and strong and capable of anything that may come with life.   

It's OK to fall...just as long as you remember to stand back up.

<3 Cara



 

The resolution...all talk and no action...or saying it is doing it?

[rez-uh-loo-shuhn] Show IPA   res·o·lu·tion
noun
1.
a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.
2.
a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
3.
the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
4.
the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.
5.
the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.


It's hard for me to understand the resolution...as so often they are just words without actions to go with them! To me if I am going to make changes needed in my life I am going to start those changes immediately...not January 2nd! In fact I like to start as soon as I think something needs to change...start the new year out already making the effort to be a better person! It's funny to watch the diets start and the gym fill up...but how often does that only last a month or two! Making a resolution is a lot of pressure you have to stand behind your words...to me it's much easier to just get out there and start doing it...I would much rather stand behind my actions!


But I am not sure I have the right attitude towards the resolution...maybe it does in fact serve a special purpose.  If I say it am I more likely to do it...since I did in fact put it out there in the world for all to hear?  Does the resolution offer some amount of accountability?


I have spent the last several days thinking about this topic...in fact I actually had to change the name of this post...I decided it needed to be phrased in the form of a question.  But its not a question I have the exact answer to.  As I pondered my goals for running in 2012...I got to thinking is a goal a resolution in disguise?  Or in getting out there during 2011 and proving myself through my actions...have I now earned the right to set these goals?  Have I proven myself capable of following through with my goals based on my actions? 


I know for myself I spent several years NOT setting any goals...not wanting the pressure to have to achieve them or the disappointment of failing to achieve them.  But during 2011 I found myself capable of following through...thus proving to myself...setting goals and achieving them are now both likely to occur in my life!  It was however a difficult lesson to learn.  I have talked about this before in other posts...I had to create the habit I had to trust myself enough to know that I was going to get out there and run.  It took months though...before I felt confidant...and almost a year before I knew if I did not wake up and do it in the morning I would in fact get out there and do it when I got home from work!  There is a great deal of freedom in trusting yourself and your actions!


Whether you make a resolution, set a goal or just get out there and start making it happen...the bottom line and in the immortal words of Nike...JUST DO IT.  We determine our happy and we chose the course we take in life.  If you don’t like where you are change it...make it different.  So often we are scared and we hide...but if you say it out loud and you follow through...you will find you have the strength and determination to move mountains! 


Best of luck to all in what ever endeavor you set forth to achieve in 2012!


Cheers!


"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
~St. Francis of Assisi~

But...I don't wanna do it!

The irony of this statement is that I mumbled it....at 8pm on a Tuesday night...as I sat in front of the track at Oakwood High School...lacing up my running shoes...preparing to run 14 400's. Clearly I was going to do it...how could I not...I am 6.5 weeks....from what I have been working towards...it's become a love...an amazing experience...with a side of fatigue and suffering and pain...always...well almost always...done with a huge smile! This actually is something that I want to define me...I love being a runner girl...I love running wild...I love just exactly where my shoes are taking me! It's possible to do anything you put your mind to...it's possible to fall in love with anything...especially when it can change your life...and it's possible for that love to make you want to do everything better...and to expect better in your life!

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.  ~Author Unknown

The Road Less Traveled

It's been a while since my last blog! And yes during my short break...I ran a half marathon...and started training for a full! What an interesting experience that has been! It's so amazing to see what your body is capable of...and to see what your mind can overcome as you push yourself past boundaries you never thought you could beat! I am currently in week 12 of an intense 18 week training! In addition to short distance runs, tempo runs, speed workouts, hill workouts, and long distance runs...I am trying to mentally prepare my self to not only finish but to qualify to Boston...with a time of 3:40! I am loving every minute of what I am doing...from the runs that go so perfectly I feel on top of the world to the runs I know I could have done better to feeling like my body is a well oiled machine to chowing down Advil to dull the pain! It's been 12 weeks of taking myself to the brink and pushing myself in ways I never thought possible! I feel amazing..and I have never been in this kind of shape in my life...it's such an amazing accomplishment! Just recently I finished the first of three 20 mile runs...I never in my whole life thought I would or could do something like that...but I did! It was difficult and there were a few times I wanted to quit...but I staid focused and kept going...no ache or pain was going to keep me from completing this milestone!

I think what is so fantastic is that at any point in your life...you can change one thing and
that one thing can change your life! For me I added running...and from there my whole world opened up. My goals changed my values and morals changed...the way I look and think took on
a whole new perspective! I made one change after another all based on one thing...and I love it! Now running 20 miles...that may not be everyone's one thing...but everyone has something! The awesome thing about life...is that part of the process is finding what makes you
happy...and then going after it with full force...we only have this one life...it's so important to find the things and surround yourself with the people that complete the life you want to live...even if that means taking the road less traveled!

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."