Have a confidant 2015

I chose my word for 2015 or it chose me I am not sure yet. I think this is a word that I have felt has always buzzed around me. It is never far from me.
CONFIDENCE
that's it. I want to 2015 to be a confident year for me. Confidence is something I lack but now that I am older I have started to get it a little bit more. I feel this is a great time in my life to incorporate Confidence. I want to have more confidence in my relationships. This is my big sister I want to spend more time with her in the past I have lacked the confidence to just say that to her. I am going to make it happen next year. I am going to spend more time with her and just be. I do not want to pretend with anyone I know anymore. I am going to dress with confidence and wear what I want. I want to lead a more confidant life. 

As a parent I want to be confident in the decisions I make when it comes to my kids. I want to stand my ground because I know I am making the correct choice . I want to teach my children to be confidant by raising them in a positive environment . 

I would love to not have a million little gremlins before every race telling all the crappy I thoughts  so I am still working on how to   have more confidence in this department. I feel truly blessed to have found a group of people to run with that are so kind and real. I am also loving that I  am really slow compared to them because it makes me want to work harder. A-lot harder. I can't be in the back forever. 

So with that I will say Have a Confident New Year and may all of Gods blessings be bestowed upon you. Do not ever give up on yourself there is only one you and that makes you one of a kind. Thank You for reading my blog and thank you for coming with me on my journey of just trying every day to be the best me I can be and getting as many miles as I can in .

Dec 28 Sunday Run

This morning I got out early it was so cold but once again as soon as I saw this I knew it was so worth it. This is what the sky looked like . I did not use a filter. Life is beautiful even when you can not feel your hands and your legs are blue because your so cold.. Happy Running 

24 miles from the back

I ran 24 miles today way behind my friends today from the back.
This morning it was hard getting out of bed at 5 am because it was cold and early and I was being a baby. I finally just thought about race day and how its only 3 weeks away and that was enough to get my warm body out of bed dressed and out the door by 6am. It was 34 degrees outside and my car does not get warm quickly. I was freezing. Luckily I was only cold for about an hour before the sun came out and made everything better. 

Lately running with this group has been humbling. I am always the last one and they all kindly wait for me every couple miles. I felt kinda bad showing up today because these long mile weeks make my weekend runs harder. My legs are tired but somehow I know or tell myself that hey I must be getting stronger. All I want to do on race day is my best. That's why I show up. This guy Robert usually always comes back to run with me . We talk and it helps the last long miles go by faster.

Today we ran 24 miles of the 50 mile course we are running in 3 weeks. The Hodges 50 miler. Everyone will be running the same race. That makes it so much more exciting.

This is part of course. I have grown to love this course. I used to cringe at the thought of running here because its was so hard for me but slowly it getting easier and my heart has grown fond of Lake Hodges. I have good time here. 

So about my run today. I got my butt kicked a bit , I spent a lot of time way behind my group but I loved every minute of it and the cool guys I ran with. It was a good run day. I also feel thinner after all the food I ate the last three days...

Dec 24th

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of magic and good food. You also need hugs and tiny elves running around.

Tonight we had dinner with the whole family and I was reminded of whats really important . Having people who care about you and good health.  Merry Christmas , G

Dec 22nd

I am loving the all the Christmas activities ..Christmas plays are oh so fun. Then we went to see the lights again. Right now we are making cookies…What are you up too..

Dec 21st

It is the weekend before Christmas and the biggest present I could of given myself was to go outside and run. I am really grateful that I have group to run with that is pushing me. I am really grateful I have my amazing dad to run with. I am grateful Mike has no problem watching Jack early morning so that I can go run. I feel like a lucky girl.
 Yesterday's run started at 6:30 a.m. and we ran 24 miles. The weather was a little cold and that was nice. I felt slow but then I just convinced myself that it was a really hard run. The best part for me is watching the sun come out and slowly drape itself over the mountains. Then slowly make its way through the clouds . I love cloudy days because as I run I feel like the clouds and sun are playing tag. I caught you and then a no you did not. Its a nice way to pass the time and miles. I have less than a month until my next 50 miler. I am getting nervous and excited. For new years I am going to start cross training. That is all for now I am of to wrap presents.

Dec 16 th

Tonight we went for a long walk in our neighborhood after a failed attempt at a Christmas picture :(   I felt better after we just headed out the door and went outside. Our neighborhood is so festive. So many people went crazy with lights . I love it !! I hope your getting some outside time with many lights along your path. 

Dec15th

Happy Monday. This is my favorite picture from this weekend. Thank God for I-phones how did we take pictures before them. I have been thinking about my word on my runs. If you don't know what I am taking about go here.  Ali Edwards is a Rock star in the world of memory keeping her take on writing down your own story and scrapbooking is simple but beautiful. For the last 4 years I have picked a word that I felt I wanted to live by and tried to incorporate into my life. I really believe that it has made my life juicer. I think I have my word for 2015. I am not 100 perfect so my last couple of runs I have just thought about the word and let it sit with me. If its the right one I will know very soon.
Holy Cow Mike got a Go Pro so if I can figure it out I will try to use it very soon. I have a 70 mile week ahead of me and I am eating well drinking lots of water so all that is left is me putting in 100 percent and by Sunday I am sure that will mean just showing up and putting one foot in front of the other. I have lots of thoughts of what races I want to do next year ?? So many fun events to work and train for. I honestly have to say I love running and how good it feels to be able to go outside and run around for hours at a time. Life is good.

ALTERING EXPECTATIONS - Kimberley Teshima & The Oregon Coast 50k | A Gin...

Dec 12th

Hello and can you believe its almost here again Christmas ! I have been on mommy duty. That includes a lot of driving , homework and hugs. Little man is my full time companion while his daddy works and this week we went to the park and walked a-lot. I can honestly say he is the most active baby I have had. Maybe he gets that from me.He is a great napper so I cannot complain.  I am also caught up on my December Daily and that's so exciting. Regarding Christmas presents I still have shopping to do.

I also got to spend time today with  my Bella . I knew she needed mommy time. Sometimes when your growing up there are mommy things that we just need. Today  she had a bad cold we watched a movie and held hands. That was what she needed from me to hold her hand. Easy and special. Time they say is the gift that means the most. I can see time going by. I can see that right before me they are growing up and I really need for my sake  to be with them and be a huge part of there life. I wish today could last forever. Have a wonderful night and now time to get all my stuff ready for my long runs.

Still the 9t

You have to love pictures with Santa ! They start like this 

but hopefully end up like this one. Even if it took hours to finally get them.

Dec 10th

Today is the middle of the week again. Its crazy how fast time flies. On this day I am taking this little guy to see Santa. 

His big brother and sister are in school and they don not want to see Santa so its just us. On Sunday my sister came to visit us. She stayed for about 4 hours. I love when she comes because she gets out of her environment and I think she likes my house. She always seems so happy here. 

Here we are Carmen and me. I really love her she is a special being with a very beautiful soul. Just kindness and love come from her. She was very sick.

I love this picture because even Jack knew she was special. He felt it so he tried to feed her with his bottle and then just laid on her lap. My little boy knew his aunt was extra special. Nice 

Dec 9th

Our Sunday morning run started super early. We all met up at 6a.m. This is right where we started.  Looks a scary movie.  I was not as tired as I thought I would be.  First of all I was just so happy to be on time and I really did not get to lost. Those are all things that helped my morning get of to a good start. I want to say and I mean this it is feels so different to run as the day goes from dark to light. I almost feel like I am running on two different days. 

before you know it suddenly the day is welcoming you. I am really enjoying running on all new trails. The whole exploring and getting to run so many trails in San Diego is really awesome. 

There was four of us on Sunday and two people ran 25 miles and two people ran 20. I was in the 20 group. I need to have enough gas in my tank to go home and be a good mommy and not grumpy mom and so 20 miles was perfect. There was a-lot of hills and what we ended up running was the back portion of the 50 miler I will be running in a month. The weather here is amazing and while out on my run I got great news. My friend Jeff got his lottery ticket pulled for Western States. I an so happy for him and his family it is really a dream come true for him.  The reason this blog post took me two days was because I have been really tired..( I wonder why ) I think from what I read my body will get used to long back to back runs eventually. I will let you know when I feel that happening.. So are you getting excited about next year and picking out your races ? me too..

December 6th

Saturday December 6th  I got up at 5 a.m. so I could be at my run at 6 a.m. I was looking forward to today's run for many reasons the biggest one being that it rained this week here so I only got to run twice. My legs were excited and my brain was  like oh yeah.! The group that so kindly asked me to run with them planned a 24 mile run today. I ran 22.05 because I got a little lost . That's OK I found them and that was fine with me. 

The morning was beautiful as you can see here. I never really thought about how pretty canyons are at day break. It seems magical. The cool thing is your never really alone out here because the weather rocks. There always seems to be people running  and that makes me feel safe.

I was not tired but I always feel like what if I can't do this ? Then I get to prove myself wrong. I love that. I really like the people I have been running with. I love that there all faster than me because that pushes me to dig deep. I am feeling way more excited about next year.

Tomorrow I have another 20 something mile run at 6 a.m. I am  excited to see how I do.  I can only get better if I keep working at this sport so that is what I plan on doing. Hard work is a great thing.. I hope your having a great weekend. 

December 4 th

December 4 . I am officially signed up for two races so far for 2015. Two 50 milers (deep breath).
 I am excited and when I typed tow 50 milers I got butterflies in my tummy. The kind that make you smile.

 I will be running The San Diego trail marathon and 50 mile race. It takes place January 17, 2015 and the course looks to be flat and really close to my house. The race director is a very cool guy Paul Jesse and he is also a really good ultra-runner. There are still spots left so if you want to run this one go sign up.

Then on May 9 Th I will be running the PCT 50 miler . This is going to be my mothers gift to myself. It has a 13 hour time limit so I should be fine. I am excited because as I am sure you know the PCT is magical and it has so much history and it is a dream place for me. I am a mom before anything else it is what I was born to do but getting to run this race its for the Gloria that loves to run. Every one should have something they just love to do for themselves. 

Happiness is different than pleasure . Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.

-George Sheehan-

December 3rd

December 3rd. I am going to have my brother come and spend Christmas with me this year. I did not get to spend any time with him growing up so now that we are older we are choosing to stay in touch and just trying to get to know each other. We have a couple things in common. He loves to work out and so do I. He is funny and he gets my quirqy sense of humor. He loves taking pictures like me. I am looking forward to hanging out with him. So I am getting my house ready for company.
 It has been raining here and I can't push Jack in the stroller to run when it's wet so I have not ran all week. There is good in that. I fell on Saturday and the side of my leg was not happy so now my leg is better. My body is ready to run big time so that is good too.  I ordered new shoes and they come in tomorrow just in time for my weekend long runs. 

December is here

Its Christmas time. I love this time of year. It gives you every excuse you need to bake cookies and drink hot chocolate . This is the month I take my kids to the Theater. We have special holiday parties to attend and this month we are going to stay in a cabin for a couple days. Oh I also love giving well thought out gifts. Gifts that make you smile. I love the smell of pine that lingers through the house and yes..Christmas music..I hope you have a wonderful month..Here we go !!!

Weekend update

I found a way to make myself get outside and run and have fun..I ran with friends. I made plans and committed to joining them for my long runs and it really helped. If you read my blog you know this last month I have not been excited about running. I would rather be in my warm house or sleeping in :(  Winter has been known to do this to me. 

Here they are the group . They are really nice people and very motivated runner. I can tell you one thing for sure if I keep running with them I will become a better runner. So today's run was hard for me we ran Mission trails and it was so hard. The hills were the real deal and the down hill had those slippery small rocks and they were all over the place. The really sad part is I was the last one every time on today run and they had to wait for me every time. 

This was the view it was amazing and that's one of the reasons we run right.. To see views like these.

So guess how they got this picture. I was the last one. The positive side is I will get stronger and now I have a group to run with on the weekends so this will motivate me to get outside and run. I ran 32 miles this weekend .  How was your weekend ? 

Happy Thanksgiving

   May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Love ,G