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."

Living in a Perfect Life!

"The training and racing experiences have shown me sides of myself that I never knew existed. I've found perseverance, an ability to focus, stubbornness, compulsiveness, bravery, organization, a sense of humor, and a capacity for unbridled joy. "

It's funny...because over the last 7 months I have made more changes in my life than I swear some people actually make in a lifetime! It's been a bit of an overwhelming journey...and what's strange is that I have had an abundance of support...but because changing multiple aspects of your life at the same time is such a solo journey...it's been lonely at times. It’s also been hard to explain to some people who ask me why I am doing what I am doing. I can only say that I am doing it because it didn't feel right not to...I didn't feel healthy looking back I am not sure that I was happy...and above all when it comes time to have a family I want to be a good example for my children. I must admit that I am a live in the moment kind of girl...appreciate what I have now and experience that time to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow will bring. But at the same time I know that there are certain things I have to do today in this moment for my future...because I want to make sure that I am the very best version of myself today and everyday after. Even so...even with that explanation I have still met with some very...surprisingly so...unsupportive people. I was even called selfish by someone very close to me...because I am spending so much time working on my own self rather than going out to drink...and going out to dinner...and staying up late. I can honestly say that although it may seem selfish...I am going for a whole lifestyle change and for the most part...at least right now...it doesn't include a lot of drinking, staying up late or eating out. And I can't say that me choosing my life my health and my future is selfish...I think it's smart and just exactly what I have to do right now...because I am in a place in my life where right now I can choose myself. Additionally my running isn't just your casual distance run...I still can't quite place my finger on where I want to go with this but it is somewhere...and I do feel like I am training...and this is something that I love and am taking very seriously...and I am willing to give up certain things to accommodate this desire right now.

That being said when I saw the quote I posted above I really felt justified in the way that I am feeling right now. My training has brought me to all different levels...and I most certainly have found aspects of myself I never knew existed and even some aspects that I knew existed but that I had lost along the way. Who are we kidding I am very stubborn but I feel like if I am going to be stubborn it should be in a manner that is going to help me...so yes I stubbornly run 6 days a week rain, heat, snow, ice...it doesn't matter I am doing it! I have such a focus a drive a dedication a determination...it's an awesome feeling...so awesome that I am ok with the things I have eliminated from my life to make room for running. It has also given me a since of balance my job is going well, I feel stronger, and with my friendships and relationships I am very focused on building and strengthening the ones that mean the most to me. Training has forced me to become more organized I know it's an extremely important part of my life...but it's not the only part and I am dedicated to making everything I do on a daily basis work together! I don't want to have one thing over another...I want to be able to do it all and have it all...I want a well rounded balanced life! All in all I think it does take bravery to make changes like this...to change your life like this...to almost do the exact opposite of what people normally do...this is not a regular plan...and it takes perseverance and a thick skin to maintain your reasoning for the choices you are making and to be strong enough to take criticism and skeptical looks...and at times renegotiate friendships and relationships when they no longer work in your life as they once did. The last 7 months have been an amazing experience filled with highs and lows...filled with finding out who I am and who those around me really are...filled with figuring out what direction I am taking and just what path I want to take to get there...it's been a strange trip...and an exciting one...and I look forward to the many changes and adventures I have ahead of me...that will no doubt lead to unbridled joy!

If you think you can...your right...if you think you can't...you are probably still right...

I don't think you can become an outstanding runner unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering. You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it and—ultimately—overcoming it.

Derek Clayton in The Masters of the Marathon

Normally I end my blog with a quote...some tid bit of inspiration that sort of links the whole thing together...a way for people to maybe retain what I blabbed on and on about for 5 or 6 paragraphs...today...I think the above quote is worthy of its own blog...cause I am pretty sure I have never read anything more true. 

One of my links to all things running...is my Facebook page where I have carefully "liked" certain motivational pages...one being Runners World.  When I updated my page yesterday and I saw this quote pop up...I can't explain my excitement...I even sent it to a few people who I thought would appreciate it and posted it as my status...it’s totally true!

I wake up almost every day at 5:30 am...hard in and of itself...but then I unconsciously put on my shorts, sports bra, and lace up my shoes...to hop on the treadmill or hit the streets...and punish myself for an hour if not more!  But oddly somewhere during mile 1 that punishment turns into pleasure...something that I know I would have regretted living without had I not got up and out of bed!  Sometimes I even do something crazier...I go to work...and then I come home and I run again...I just can't get enough!

Lately I do have to say...I have been considering just where I am planning on taking this rekindled love I have of running.  Do I really want to hop back on a regular racing circuit...is this just a hobby...is it time to share this love with others and become a cross coach...I am just not sure...but I do think it’s become more then a hobby...I feel like it’s something I want to nurture...and share...and embed into my life...and heck into the lives of anyone that wants’ to do it with me! 

I think what I love most is the accomplishment I feel after every single run...because each time I get further along...or I do it faster...or I find something new about myself that I never knew.  I think if your not a runner its hard to understand why people do it and for sure why they do it and love it...and that's fair...as the quote above states...you really have to get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering...but I find the feeling you get from overcoming it is well worth the effort. 

Running is a time consuming activity especially as you build your mileage...alot goes into going out to run 12 or 13 miles or more...you do have to eat right...and drink water...and stretch...and get pleanty of rest...and right now these are all things that I am willing to do...I have found something that I am passionate about that I want to grow and develop...and I feel that I am lucky because we don't always have the opportunity to find something we really really love to do!

Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness,heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the hell with sugar and spice!

Well...sometimes life gives you lemons...and you have the choice to settle and make some lemonaid or get a little creative...and make something all your own! Over the last five weeks I have been MIA on the blog site...and sadly MIA from running!

It all started with some pain...I really didn't think anything of it...I just thought my foot was a little sore...but then it got worse!

I thought if I just took a tiny break...it would get better...and it did...right before it got worse!

After a trip to the orthopedic surgeon...I was sidelined...for 5 weeks...with hopes that it was tendinitis in my ankle...and not a tear.

At this point I had a choice...mope around at the thought of being unable to run...or find something else to do...enter some serious swimming here!

So to the pool I went everyday...I had to...I was trying to hold tight to the training I had built up with hopes that I would be able to run the half marathon still...as sadly I had to already give-up the full marathon.

Funny thing about that swimming...it will absolutely kick your ass! I thought I was strong...because I could go out and run 10 miles...little did I know that was nothing compared to fly, back, breast and free!

3 weeks of this and I felt stronger then ever...but the pain and swelling in my ankle was still there...so back to the doctor...for an MRI...my fingers were crossed...that there would be no tear. As the days passed and I waited for the results...the swelling eased up...and the pain to! By the time I got back to the doctor for the results a week later I was almost pain free...and..there was no tear! As well...I was given the ok to run! So on Monday March 7th...after 5 long weeks...I burst out of work threw my shoes on...and went for the best run ever!

Now I slowly have to ease back into it...and over these last few weeks...I have found a new love also...swimming...that I want to keep in my life...but wow...it was great to tie those shoes back up!

Sadly...I must admit I won't be able to run the full or the half Flying Pig...as I won't be able to get back into that kind of shape in time...but I have accepted that and have decided that I may be able to try my hand at the 10K the day before.

Sometimes life gives you lemons...and it's up to you to figure out what you are going to do with them!


“If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.”