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.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Mind murmur - option, choice, support, focus...

I feel strongly about choices, but some choices are not to be had.  Significantly, I have no choice but to stay strong.  Falling apart is not an option.  I can't opt out of certain craziness.  But wait, I guess that too is a choice.  Oops....  Alas, I actually am choosing to stay strong. 

Sometimes, being strong takes so much energy, which can me limited and minimal.  Finding the energy to stay strong is worth it when I look into my Son's eyes, or think about my accomplishments. 

Perhaps the problem is that I need more support, but what would that look like and from where would it come?  Wow, the focus needs to be tweaked....   

Monday, October 29, 2012

Times change

In the past, the Saturday before Halloween meant drinking at a Halloween costume party. This year, we watched our DVR'd Halloween Wars with our Crayola Crayons and coloring books....

Classic Connor

What do they say, out of the mouths of babes? My 8 year-old Son said,

It might look like we don't have a lot, but we really do. For example, right here we probably have about 50 dollars worth of dry erase markers, which is cool. And look at all these books....

If that's what makes you feel prosperous....

You never know what they might say; it's important to be there for whatever comes out.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Busy is best

Things have been crazy busy, and that is for the best!

I am selling again on ebay, as hemwcollects.  I enjoy this so much for so many reasons, but I can't often enough find time.  I am making time now, and having fun!

Work and my Son are challenging and rewarding, but leave me with little time for other interests.  I have been thinking a lot about the work life integration idea, with which I am intrigued.  As I tweeted recently, my balance was never very good, so the idea of integration makes infinite sense. 

My half marathon training is progressing perfectly!  I am 10 weeks into my SmartCoach program, and have followed the schedule fabulously.  I am getting stronger!  Two more weeks until the race, and I will be ready!

Between my Kindle, Audible, and print books, I am getting through more books this year than during so many years past.  And what fun I am having!!!  Part of my plan is to escape, enjoy, and enrich.  However, I also want to instill in my Son a love for reading - I did so little of it as a child, and I had lots of catching up to do as my schooling progressed.  I want him to have an advantage over me in that regard.  So far, I am succeeding....

Alas, I am finding time for my new Moleskine notebook that is connected to Evernote, a most fantastic find.  While browsing around Evernote, I saw a rference to the book, Total Recall.  I bought it easily from Amazon, and I am totally enthralled by the possibilities.

There's not much time for my way too many other interests, but....  For now, it's okay....

Friday, October 12, 2012

Choices are the key to....

well, everything really. 

How time is spent depends upon choices made.  The beauty of choices is that they are not one-size-fits-all.  Choices adapt to different people, circumstances, and emotions.  What I choose to do today might seem crazy to someone else, or even to my yesterday or tomorrow self.  However, when it's my choice and its made for my reasons, then it's a right choice. 

This realization is presenting itself more significantly to me because I have way too many obligations and interests.  I am quite competent, but I think that I choose not to do it all, to have it all, and to be there for the taking. 

I am going to get back to choosing what works for, and matters to, me.  I think I will start by figuring out how I can get help cleaning my house.  I choose not to dust.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

One month to another milestone

On one month from today, I will run my next half marathon, and mark another milestone in my life.  Deciding to run this race happened by chance; circumstances simply fell into place.  I am glad they did because my training is transforming me again. 

As it ends up, this race, just like my marathon, also will mark another milestone.  I ran Boston to celebrate my 35th birthday.  I will run this race the day after my 10th wedding anniversary.  I am grateful to reach this significant anniversary with my second husband, the father of my Son, and my partner.  I am also grateful that I will be honoring this anniversary by running to a happier and healthier me.  

I am training for my half marathon with SmartCoach.  This is a new approach, and it is working out so well!  I feel stronger in my running, and I feel better able to deal with the craziness that is my life as a Mom with a full-time job, and tons of obligations and interests.  Accomplishing a day's scheduled run makes me feel like I can accomplish so much more in other parts of my life.  I am more productive and have more energy.  I am prioritizing; what's ending up on the top of the list matters, and, well, everything else.... 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Word of the day - trails

Words tend to crop up during a day, and define it.  Today's word was trail.  We make a trail, we follow a trail, and sometimes we trail behind.

At various times today, the word trail presented itself in my thoughts, reading, and actions.  These recurrences are intriguing and telling.

A full life is a busy life.  However, it's crucial to take time -- to think, to rest, and to love life in all its craziness....

I will make and take new trails....

Thursday, October 4, 2012

mind murmur - still too sensitive

Nothing like a snide and sarcastic comment to totally mess things up....

I resent always having to be "on."  If I'm not, however, I inevitably find that an innocent comment or remark is taken the wrong way and thrown right back into my face.  That's not right, particularly from one who conveys such righteousness.

If I weren't so sensitive, such interactions would not hurt so much....

Rather than dwell even longer in a place that has past and where I have no control, I will, in others' wise words, move -- onward and upward.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Tempo tremendous....

Once again, I was super surprised with today's tempo run.  The middle 2 miles were scheduled to be at a 9:32 pace.  What....  Prior tempo and speed runs have been on the treadmill or at the track.  However, today I felt like I needed an outdoor run on the road.  But how was I going to go so fast?  Well, I would take my chances....

The first mile was at an 11:24 pace, which was just fine.  Then, I tried to run faster.  Well, I clocked the next mile at 9:54 and the next at 9:50.  That put me only 40 seconds off the goal time, which is just fine with me, particularly given the real road conditions.  I am not sure how I did that, but I happily rejoice in my success!

Feeling a faster pace is quite difficult, but even running leisurely is faster than it had been before I started with SmartCoach.  With my 1/2 marathon 5 1/2 weeks away, I am going to focus on feeling the pace.  That focus is realistic because I don't have to focus on what to do when -- SmartCoach has taken care of that. 

Having my race as my goal is great, but each day of my training program brings small successes that enable me to thoroughly enjoy the route.  Those successes also provide necessary strength to deal with other challenging parts of my busy days as a Mom who works full-time.