Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.

There came a time when the name no longer fit.
The person who once was, is no more.
Like a well-worn, faded pair of favourite jeans
finally tossed in the trash,
kicked to the curb.

I believe that is what happened here.

To new beginnings... and old jeans.

Every Part of Me

Great tune.

Open Road

One Month Down, a Lifetime to Go!

Today, I am celebrating a ONE MONTH MILESTONE of consistent running.  A month may not be a long time in the land of running and elite marathoners, but for this gal - it is an achievement to be proud of.  I am literally astounded at my body; what it has done and will do for me.  Improvements are already noted in my lung capacity, leg power and overall wellbeing. The scale hasn't moved much, but my clothes are loose-fitting and I see changes all around.  I am even sleeping better at night.

MC and I meet Monday and Wednesday (or Thursday) evenings in the neighbourhood and Saturday mornings at a nearby lake. I know one thing for sure: having a fierce and dedicated woman next to you as your feet pound the trails is super motivating. In the beginning, if I felt even a slight hint of "I don't feel like it" coming on, just knowing that I had someone to meet was enough of a kick out the door. I did not want to let her down! It has since evolved into a realization that I don't want to let myself down either!

Running has completely opened up my mind, body and soul; breathing new life into my every cell.

I am starting to fight myself: some of the days in between I am just itchin' to go for a run, but I must refrain for I know the importance of rest days. In the past, I have fallen victim to the "run too much, too soon and lose interest"; scoring myself some shin splints, excruciating pain in both knees, and a general dislike of running because "it hurts too much"! Easing into it the last thirty days, I am noticing my muscles and joints have adjusted well and continue to perform as they should. I will up the mileage and run days gradually when the time is right.

 

Tried & true keys to my success thus far:

1. Having a positive running partner with similar attitude, goals and running style... mutual encouragement.

2. Being present & finding my rhythm. Focus on my breathing...in through the nose, out of the mouth....listening...the steady rhythm of my lungs as air moves in and rushes out.... instead of the noticing the feeling of my heavy legs that want to cave, or the aching in my left hip on uneven trails. Find your rhythm. For MC, it is the pounding of her feet on the ground. Interesting, we all have these focal points that we may or may not even be aware of. They work!

3. Being constantly aware of what is going on in my mind and nipping ANY inner negative self-talk or self-doubt at the bud. Counteracting them with positive statements & affirmations. "I can"..."I am"... The power of the mind is huge. HUGE! Really working on the inner talk and self in general. Life is really too short to be anything but positive and do anything but continuously improve and grow and experience...on all levels. Strive, seek, find.....do....be. Embrace the positive: love, gratitude, hope, peace, awe and all those other important aspects of the one life we are given to really LIVE. Live a life of value to yourself and others.

What's next.... incorporating a weight training program, cleaner eating and my reward after a tough run tonight:

Kale & Berry Protein Shake

1/2 c fresh Kale

1/4 c raspberries

1/4 c blueberries

1 banana

1 c water

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Blend & enjoy.

Just Enough Dark To See

Just So.... Wow.

Drink a toast to the sun
To the things that never go
To the break of the day
That is all that I say

It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon...
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.

~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Saved by the Saint Saviour

Happy am I when this astounding lil gem plays...