Friday, July 31, 2015

Why do we wait?

I got some bad news from a friend this week. You know the kind, the kind that makes you immediately infinitely more appreciative of your life, your relationships, all that.

If you're reading this, it's pretty likely you practice daily gratitude, or at least practice gratitude in your life. 



I'm challenging all of you, including myself, to step it up a notch and truly cherish your life. 



Why does it take these moments of tragedy to wake us up? And why does that lucidity not last? It shouldn't take news of an accident, illness, death or divorce to make us stand up and say WOW I'm so incredibly lucky I have an amazing life. 

News hits of a shooting or horrible accident to befall kids somewhere and social media blows up with hug your kids messages. Someone's parent or grandparent dies and everyone calls or posts memories of their parents and grandparents. A tornado or hurricane levels a town and we suddenly stop complaining about the house we're living in.

Why do we wait? 

I know I'm really lucky. I have a lot of people around me that tell me they appreciate and care for me all the time, most of all my amazing husband. He's thankful for little things and big things in our life from running an errand for him to making his lunch for his trips, but there are moments like receiving this news yesterday when that all feels so superficial.

We need to strive to keep the best of us at the top of mind every day, not just in the aftermath of the latest tragedy. 


Friday, July 24, 2015

Sometimes it's not about you

This past weekend I completed the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll half marathon. That's totally not the cool part. The cool part is that I did it with my girlfriend who has only been running a year. I've done 4 previous half marathons, and I had a pretty decent cheering section at every one. 
This time, my husband was there with me, which is always awesome, and even he was helping to cheer on my friend.
Every person that has congratulated me on the race almost surprises me. Part of me feels like I didn't even run the race. 

Because it wasn't about me.

It was an absolutely amazing experience to be able to fully support someone in achieving a huge massive goal. Especially when she doubted, especially when she was afraid, especially when she was willing to accept less from herself.

And, don't you know, this felt like a much bigger accomplishment than my own first half marathon. 
























Who can YOU support this week? 

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The Evolution of Learning

Isn't it amazing how the first time you learn something, it seems impossible? 
It becomes possible, then manageable, then easy, then second nature.

You can back slide, but once past that first learning curve, it's never quite as difficult again. 
The danger, is that you may not work as hard as you could or should on those subsequent efforts. 

This weekend, I'm gearing up to run the Chicago Rock n Roll half marathon. I haven't run a half marathon in several years. 

My training hasn't been nearly what it should this year for a myriad of reasons, but I'm still getting out there and it's going to be awesome. The best part is that I have a girlfriend who will be running her very first half marathon. She has just become a new runner in the past year and she's diving headlong into the love of the activity.


I remember my first half marathon. It was epic to me. It was a HUGE accomplishment, our first cattle dog, Loki died just before the race, he had been my running partner. My virtual trainer in Australia not only called me that morning, but sent flowers! My amazing husband was there to support me the whole way! 
I finished that race with a stress fracture and didn't even know it. 

This will be my 5th half marathon, and I haven't run a straight distance race since the Chicago marathon in 2011, that year I did my first obstacle race, an Olympic distance triathlon and the marathon all within less than 6 months. I got pretty addicted to obstacle racing for a while but I'm really excited to get back to half marathons. I think it's my favorite distance.   

I'm not going for any kind of personal best at all this time, it's SO much more exciting to support a friend! 
The funny thing is that I have no doubt that I'll be able to run the distance, that I'll be happy with the experience. 

What have you learned that seemed impossible at first and now seems like child's play?