Run, Laugh, Eat, Repeat

So yesterday at work didn't go as planned.  Let's just say it wasn't a good day.   I'm always one to see the glass half full ... searching for the silver lining in the situation. Hmmm .... where was it yesterday? So with plenty of work stuff on my mind I didn't sleep that well .. feeling out of sorts and not myself.  I need to search for why these circumstances are being put before me. Although relationships are built, truly the only one who has your back is you.  Kinda like the only one who controls what you eat .. is  you.  And the only one that can lace up those sneakers and get out there and run is you!  Me, in this case. Hmmm .. I guess that's the lesson.  I'm the one making the choices, and today I'll choose differently.  I'll continue to acknowledge those who have earned it, and expect nothing in return.  All in a day's work.  Doesn't mean I won't give me all ... that's not how I'm built.  What I will do is see

I received an awesome Food Pen Pal box from Robyn Salk in Florida!  Lots of treats for the entire family to enjoy! My box was thoughtfully filled with Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter spread, Key Lime Curd, Cinnamon Newman's Own minds, coffee candies and a wonderful note. Robyn asked for all my favorite flavors and then provided a display of great treats!

hoto: www.shutterstock.com "If You Run Slow, Who Cares? By Jeff Gaudette Published (Link to Competitor  Article )Apr. 16, 2013 If you think you are a slow runner, push that thought out of your mind. It's detrimental to your progress.  Being a “slow” runner is merely a state of mind. Don’t let that affect your running. When I first started working with age group and recreational runners in 2006, one of the biggest surprises to me was the amount of negative thinking and lack of self-confidence many runners exhibited. Almost every runner that joined the group introduced themselves to me by stating “I’m probably the slowest person you’ve ever coached” or “you probably don’t work with runners as slow as I am.”  It didn’t matter what their personal bests actually were, almost all conversations started in a similar manner. Unfortunately, I’ve found that not much has changed in the last seven years. Many runners, both new and experienced, hesitate to join local running

Here's my 'after-race' photo.  4.75 miles at 11:39 min/mile.  Fast for me.  Happy to run! #BostonStrong

This last week has been a journey of emotions - sadness, fear, anger, exhaustion.  I am not a marathon runner.  The longest race I've run is 4 miles.  But I am a runner. The events in Boston have continued to change us as people, as a nation, as runners.  I'm so proud to be part of the running community willing to support each other. I ran today, for the first time all week.  I ran fast.  I ran fast (for me) because I can. #BostonStrong

Spring brings a sense of renewal and beginnings.  The flowers poke through and the trees being to bud.  We have decided to take care of our bird friends this Spring with several new feeders and a container with yarn and fabric scraps for birds to use in building their nests. My daughter has loved the quiet time we spend by the window watching and waiting for those birds.  We each have our favorites.  She likes anything but the blackbirds and I favor the cardinals.  We find the different ones in the bird book and memorize what 'family' they belong to. It's provided such meaningful quiet time for us to wonder, to wait, to be patient.  I found this a terrific metaphor for life.  Life isn't colorful every moment of every day.  Yet when those moments come, be ready to capture the excitement they hold, share that happiness and be grateful what it brought!

April 12th has historically been about endings for me.  And not such good ones.  It has left me with a sense of loss and wonder what IS it about that date that makes me cringe when it appears on the calendar!? My college boyfriend broke up with me on April 12th. I lost a job on April 12th. My sister eloped on April 12th. The Titanic sunk on April 12th - well, that one is not so much about me but truly illustrates how a date in history  can be remembered. So April 12. 2013.  Seemed like an ordinary Friday.  Except there was this sense.  So today I said good-bye to a talented leader at work as he moves on to a different role across the country.  I'm sad to see such a good leader leave our work, yet I'm glad I worked with him while I did.  He taught me some terrific lessons that I won't soon forget. Perhaps April 12th can morph into something other than a day of endings.  Perhaps I can begin to think of it as a day of transition.  A day that leads to something else.

As with the setting of new goals, an action plan must follow!  So I took a nudge from The Lean Green Bean post to 'Get Inspired' with ideas.  Sunday was shopping and cooking ... wow, did that time go quickly.  I worked from a list and organized my ingredients so I could be efficient. Here are the results of my labor: *   Black Bean Cakes *   Lemon Poppyseed Muffins *  Roasted Sweet Potatoes *  Spinach with Garlic White Beans & Mushrooms *  Olive Oil & Parmesan Couscous *  Cilantro & Lime Rice *  Steel Cut Oats *  Cut up many bags of carrots *  Bagged topping for oatmeal - dried blueberries and chopped walnuts Sure will make lunches easier to pack, and kick start my sides for dinner with the family!

This is a great video from Nike.  Leave it to Nike, right?  I'm thinking I need to re-examine my defining word.  I chose PURPOSE on January 1, and yet here on April 7th I find myself gravitating toward BELIEVE.  It's more inspirational for me.  And it keeps popping up everywhere to me. So here goes ... I'm changing my mind.  Imagine that.  I'm embracing the belief that I can change my goals as long as I have goals.  As long as I continue to have something to strive for.  Those 3 BIG goals I made public the beginning of the year are somewhat out of my control and not sure if they apply.  Designation, promotion and lose 25 pounds.  Well .... February was the cruelest month for me with injury, sickness and two failed exams.  That did nothing but hinder the designation, not get me running enough and not set me up to be promoted. So here's to new goals.  Three quarters of 2013 are yet are unlived ..so I'm choosing new goals!!! I believe I'm entitled to ...