Run, Laugh, Eat, Repeat

I can't remember the last time I ran 18 miles in a week.  I'm feeling stronger and braver than ever before.  And proud of myself, really.  That no one can do this for me, only I can do it for myself. Plenty of other ups and downs - the challenges of life - parenting, marriage, career - and yet it becomes manageable when I take care of myself.  And this feels good!  There's an overwhelming gladness that comes from inside when I feel strong. I've taken time this past week to thank the people in my life for their kindness, their friendship, and their belief in me.  I believe we're not meant to travel this road alone - whether running or hobbling!  It takes the uniting of the amazing people I have in my live to keep this whole thing on track. So here's to a great week - running week, friendship week and overall great week!  And onto next week, which hopefully has lots of fun. laughter, running and surprises in store!

This weekend was a great reminder of what is important.  Friends, family, time to reflect, run (a lot!) and spending time in the kitchen filled the last several days - and have done me a world of good! Sometimes life hands us unpleasant circumstances.  To be honest, doesn't this happen more often than we'd like?  Sure it does.  But I believe it's all in how you recover that counts.  I took my latest defeat in stride by spending a few days doing what means the most.  And for each of us, that looks different. I'm happy to say that in the last 3 days I've logged 10 miles.  And I'm proud of that.  It's been an inconsistent run over the last couple months, and this feels great to be consistent in the last two weeks again! I'm thrilled to have friends that buoy my spirits when I'm down, encourage me and remind me that everything happens for a reason.  They bring me incredible joy .. and make me very grateful!! So here's to bouncing back...

Yesterday after two weeks of waiting, I learned I didn't get the job.  That's okay i still have one that I really like, right? Yup, I took the traditional 10 minutes to pout, grieve and shed a tear before moving on.  The best part was sharing with people that I currently work with that I didn't get it and several responded, 'whew, that means you're staying?  Good for us!" So this isn't an ending, just a minor blip.  Interesting week to say the least, I missed two days of running with a sore knee and ankle after a spill in the parking lot on the way into the office on Thursday.  Yikes, that was scary.  At least I didn't hit my chin!  Bit of road rash on my knee and ankle, some Advil and ice and I should be good to go. I'm happy to have a long weekend to get my intentions for next week in order, and return on Tuesday ready to make a difference.  Yup, that's what I'll do.

I made several promises to myself last weekend.  And I'm proud to have kept them. 1)  Reconnect with several girlfriends. 2)  Write two thank you notes to people at work for jobs well-done. 3)  Run more. And it feels good.  I have a couple of sync-ups with friends - and I mean GOOD friends that I miss when I don't see them.  I spent several minutes first thing this morning drafting a couple of thank you notes that not only made the person and their boss feel great, it made me feel good too. And I ran. Saturday - 3 miles Sunday - 3 miles Monday - 3miles Wednesday - 4miles

This week was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  I was solo-parenting it while my husband was traveling on business.  School began this week, along with activities - school open house, swim lessons, and throw in a dinner out to celebrate the first day of school and a wonderful evening with a girlfriend for snacks and wine on the patio!  Whew! And I ran. And it felt wonderful. Two promises I made to myself today:  run more, even I don't want to AND believe in myself without looking for affirmation. And I ran. Boy, did it feel good. I felt accomplished and happy this week.  And I believe this coming week is going to be even better!

I am glad to be alive.  No, I didn't have a near-death experience.  It's been an amazingly emotional and exhausting week for several reasons.  And I sit here completely grateful for the life I have, knowing I will continue to find the joy in every place I'm able. There was a suicide at my place of employment this week.  No, I didn't know the person or why she chose to end her life.  News like that stops you in your tracks.  Why? .... I can say that like many other times, the kindness of people is what enables us to endure.  An event such as that bonds those who are there and need to process the news.  I will continue to say I have amazing people in my life ... and the circle continues to expand. As all that took place on Thursday, I was preparing for a promotional opportunity series of interviews on Friday.  Talk about stress.  Some of the same wonderful, supportive people who buoyed the mood on Thursday were there for me on Frid...

I'm celebrating all I've enjoyed and endured to get where I am.  I can go back two years, five years, ten years .. and know that I am more content, braver and happier than in the past.  I am here.  Exactly where I am supposed to be .. and for a reason.  I'm supposed to be having all these experiences, at exactly this time. I'm so happy to be a mom to my amazing daughter, wife to my best friend, committed to my career, friends I care deeply about and lots of awesome activities that keep me active~ Here's to where I've been, and to where I'm headed! Spring - 2010 Unhappy, out-of-shape, living in an area I wasn't happy in Keeping a smile on my face to try to hide the pain. Summer - 2013 Jump forward 3 years and it appears to be a lifetime! So much more content, in better shape and loving my life! And it SHOWS!