Back to basics....

My many remakings are remarkable in their own way. Each, to varying degrees, includes body, mind, and spirit. Each requires being proactive, rather than reactive.

Running always provides the necessary rubric. Running enables me to: regroup; renew; rework; reorganize; remember; and reenergize.

Running is not static; it requires constant movement. So too do I. Running is my restorative.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Daily dose of mind murmurs

I recently read somewhere that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. How true is that?

My life is not perfect, but I certainly do have perfect moments. I don't think that I need more than that.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Daily dose of mind murmurs

When I take time for ME, I have More Energy. Think about it....

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Remaking Resolve

Today was an excellent test of my resolve to remake. I passed! It was a busy day. It was a long day. It was a productive day. In the end, I did what I had to do at work and at home, and I fit me in. I lived in every moment, the best of which was reading a book with my Son.

My day started at 3:45 this morning. After doing all that needed to be done, it was after 8:00. I was scheduled to run 4 miles, which I had not fit in. I decided that I would go to the gym, and just do something. Anything was better than nothing. At the gym, I lived in the moment, and had a wonderful workout! I decided that I would try my hills program. With it, I would have some incline, even if I did not complete the intended distance. In the end, I ran the full 4 miles on my schedule, with a more successful hills program than I have done thus far.

The success of my workout was sweetened by the fact that it almost didn’t happen. I am so glad that I fit me in! Doing so reinforces my resolve to remake myself through running! I am revelling in my remaking.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Monthly monitor - February

February was a busy month. I did so much, and was pretty productive. I exercised 21 of the 28 days. I made fundraising progress, and enjoyed time with my family.

I met, and had a session, with my trainer. She gave me a super schedule. I am following the running portion almost exactly and without much difficulty. I am having a harder time with the strength training. I have been very sporadic following the program, both how often I did it and how much of it I did. As I now have the running settled, March’s focus will be on strength training. I am scheduled to do it 3 times/week. Once I am familiar with the program, I should be able to complete it in about 45 minutes. I am thinking of doing it in the morning before my son wakes up, or right after he gets on the bus. Then, that portion of my training will be done. Also, the eating/drinking before is less critical than with the running. Accordingly, and because I have been fitting in runs later in the day, the strength training might work first thing in the morning.

In addition to my training, this adventure includes a fundraising component, which is off to a great start. I have raised $800.00 thus far, 38% of my $2,100.00 goal. I have 15 donations to date. I have directly reached out to about 80 people by mail, email, and hand. I also have joined Facebook to reach a broader group. My posts in February were less than in January partially because I was reconnecting on Facebook, and gathering support for my adventure. My action items changed a bit, but they still fit nicely into my remaking goal.

Just as I had hoped, the fundraising portion of my adventure nicely is advancing my remaking because I feel like I am making a difference -- for me, my family, and others. My stories would fill a book already. My favorite, however, concerns my son. One night at the dinner table, I was reporting my fundraising success. My son asked how much I needed to get, and then the discussion moved to another topic. Later that evening, my son was counting his money. I mentioned that he should think about what he wants to do with it. He said that he wanted to give some to me for my running. I read from my website, and showed him that I had $790.00. He told me that he wanted to give me $10.00 to make $800.00. He also said that he was going to give me $5.00, but decided on $10.00 when I read about the camp that kids could go to. He went to his room, returning with his donation. I am so proud of my son! Perhaps I am creating what will be a wonderful man who thinks of more than just himself.

We followed the Olympics quite closely. I liked that we talked about athletics, and appreciated the geography and math lessons woven into the Olympics from learning about the many countries to making various calculations connected to the medals, e.g., how many the US had, and how many more or less other countries had. One day my son went to the bus stop as if he were a speed skater, bending down with his hands behind his back, and with his legs moving from side to side. We had fun matching flags to their countries, and then finding them on the globe.

I have 2 quotes to close February. I had decided on one, but then I received my quote of the day email from Runner’s World, and could not resist. It is by the Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno, and is, “I do my best when I’m running. I don’t know why that is – everything seems to flow so easily. It’s almost a spiritual thing for me.” Those are wonderful words.

The other quote is by Noel Coward, English playwright, composer, and actor:

“Running is the classical road to self-consciousness, self-awareness and self-reliance. Independence is the outstanding characteristic of a runner. He learns the harsh reality of his physical and spiritual limitations when he runs. He learns that personal commitment, sacrifice and determination are his only means to betterment. Runners get promoted only through self-conquest.”