Family

Family is my inspiration.  It always has been and it always will be.  Family is my constant in a world of chaotic pandemonium.  How is it, with hundreds to thousands of miles seperating us, when inspiration, motivation or just a simple "I love you" is needed; family senses those needs and sends a note, or text, or email, or picks up the phone to call???  Utterly amazing.........

Today, 7:30am, my sister sends me the following text:

"Here's your quote of the day.  'I am in competition with no one.  I run my own race.  I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone, in any way, shape or form.  I just aim to improve, to be better than I was before.  That's me and I'm free.'"

Each day contains pressures and expectations on a multitude of levels.  The human individual is pulled in a million directions, expected to rise to the top of each, specific occasion.  Realistically, if we aim to improve and to be better than we were before, the world truly would become less of a chaotic pandemonium. 

Try it.

Live every Day

“People shouldn’t wait to live until they’re told they’re dying,” Leon said. “Go home and hug somebody and don’t wait to be told you have a disease that’s going to kill you. I ran my entire life and I was dumb enough to wait until I was told I was dying before I ran with my daughter.” - Iram Leon

http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/man-wins-full-marathon-while-pushing-his-daughter-in-a-baby-stroller-video/

March in Eastern Montana

Absolutely!  On a treadmill with old episodes of 'Friends' showing.  Careful...belly laughs cause treadmill accidents. 

Falling short...maybe not

The training goal this week was to run 40 miles. I completed 32. An important part of training is knowing your body. Could I have completed 40 miles? Absolutely! But, it would have meant no recovery day. Recovery days are a must.

The previous week did not hold enough hours for me to get all my miles in. Work, family and friends are just as important as training and this week we held a fundraiser for an amazing group of young adults - the Fairview Boxing Club. When you surround yourself with positive, philanthropic people it easily raises you, as an individual, to greater ambitions. My miles next week are dedicated to those positive, philanthropic individuals in my life. I am Blessed to know you.

15 out of 24

I attended the 2012 'Live It Up' in Sidney, MT. The speaker talked about having 24 hours in a day and the health benefits of each of us taking 15 minutes of those 24 hours to walk. Think about that....how powerful is that?!!? 15 minutes just for you! 15 minutes of fresh air, clearing the brain, self meditating activity. You deserve it. Starting today, take 15 minutes, go for a walk and dedicate it to YOU Running Life!

Training Schedule

My training schedule started the week of February 11th. It had been a year since I had ran. Week one was 6 miles, then 24 miles then 28 miles; this week I am up to 40 miles. Throw in cross training 3 days a week plus the 100 pushup challenge and I am sleeping better than I have ever slept in my life!! HA!! If you are curious about the 100 pushup challenge, let me know and I will hook you up. After all, "tank top weather is right around the corner". (That's how I got sucked in)

Ultra

My first ultra, Bighorn Mountain 50M. When I registered, I was going to sign up for the 50K. Well, my luck, I procrastinated too long and the 50K was filled to capacity. REALLY??!! So, instead of finding another location, I just clicked over to the 50M. No big deal, right? It's only another 20 miles. That is how I rationalize.

New adventure

Well, onward to a new adventure... It started with the 50/50/50 Club (50 marathons in 50 states before age 50). Two friends, who have been friends since high school, were looking to achieve greatness and see the country while running - starting the year we turned 40. Naaaah....that is not entirely true. There was no deep thought going into the 50/50/50 club; we were just looking for an adventure and an excuse to hangout.

That was three and half years ago. Jump forward to 2013. We have successfully completed marathons in 13 states, spent a year on a roller derby team, and participated in a couple of obstacle course mud runs. I have attempted R3 twice (rim to rim to rim of the Grand Canyon). Patience started the 100 pushups challenge and together we have discovered through our adventure we are in charge of "RUNNING our LIFE"!

This year I will be conquering my first ultra marathon. Another adventure, another goal, another story to be able to share with my kids and grandkids. The truth be told, it's not about what the attempted feat is. What matters is each of us set a goal, breaking down the goal into achievable steps, and make the effort. I just happen to enjoy reaching goals that are on the extreme side.

What I hope you take away from my blog are these three things:
You are RUNNING your LIFE
Each of us is capable of more than what we think is possible
and a quote shared by a dear friend... "The only things in life you regret are the risks that you didn't take."

Now, let's get this adventure started!!