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 ?
Our hike began around noon. It was still cold but you could feel the warm sun and that made it feel right. My son insisted on once again carrying Jack. That was so nice to have help. We talked a-lot about how beautiful it is .
My 13 year old is now taller than me and he really is a huge help.
The clouds would just move by us. We all took turns saying what animal we saw. I love that game. Then all of a sudden they passed by and the sky was blue again.
The blue Sky is back.
We went back to the car after our fist hike and drove to our next place of adventure..It was lie a 20 minute drive. This is Jack hanging out in the trunk while we had our snacks. I forgot his shoes so I couldn't let him run around to much. So he was happy to be able to stretch out in the back of the car.
One of my favorite things is watching my kids play. It always seems to take a while before they just forget about all the other stuff and just play. This makes mom happy..The next pictures were fun and silly.. I love them.
Everyone Jump/ or not but hey I will take it. Its these moments that I know in a couple years I will miss. Its these moments I adore.
There is nothing that brings me so much pleasure as being in the mountains with my kids at my side.
I saw this quote and I felt this huge aaahhhh Running is hard for me in the Winter.. There I said it. I find it hard to feel excited and that running glitter is just not running in my head right now. Oh winter why do you do this . OK so I ask myself what is the upside to this feeling ? I will tell you. So no I don't really want continue my scheduled running schedule. It is not really cold here so that is a bad excuse. Winter brings me down. I feel like the short days take my light with them. Then I listen to that voice in my head that says G.. if you don't run all the time than your not a real runner. The crap that the little voice in my head says. I am choosing not to listen to it because its crap in the winter. The up side to this is that because I am feeling these things I get to choose. I am making a choice not to listen to the way I feel. Just because I feel that running is hard for me in the winter does not make me stop. Just because I want to be a big baby does not make me a baby. I am writing this because I so many of us put so much stress on ourselves this time of year. Its hard so just because that little voice in your head says something does not make it true. I am trying to be more grateful and really practicing or trying to practice being here . When I feel a negative I go to the quite place in my head ( were its silent no little voice ) take a deep breath and go on. I ignore the negative voice and choose to do what needs to be done. I am smiling more because I am choosing too. So the upside to the winter blues is becoming aware that I don't have to be blue. I just have to work a little harder to stay happy… Running overflows all over the place in my life..
Hello Simple Monday, Thank you for once again giving me another chance to start again. Once a week you bring a new beginning. This week you bring a chance to see good friends and family. A chance to love more . An opportunity to stand in gratitude. There is hope that comes with Monday. A simple hope that we can make this week better than last. That this week we will grow. Start something new or maybe just let go. With in every Monday there is a new story that will be written and that we take a lead role in. This week I am choosing to take on a new adventure to see new stories that are right in front of me . To not be negative and to simply love more…to love with out fear of anything. This week I will love my life a little bit more. Thank you MOnday for giving me yet another opportunity to start over.
This is my 1000 post. I started my blog many years ago. I thought this was a perfect way to journal and share my passions. I have gone from scrap booking to knitting to crochet to painting all that time running and sharing all about my races. Those stories are here on my blog. All the stories that make me happy. Today I spent most of the day hiking with my kids at the Cleavland National Forrest. My son asked me if we could wake up early and go hiking. I said really ?? and he said yes. I woke up this morning and let them sleep in a little bit because there on break and then before I knew it we were in the car driving to the mountains. It was that easy. They really wanted to go.(so inside I was super happy but played it of as cool mom ) Isabella even wore a little deer outfit. There is nothing that could make me happier except maybe living in the mountains. The drive is hard on Jack its about an hour drive, he hates the car. Isabella was a big help singing to him and keeping him happy. Christopher carried Jack in the back pack for most of the way and this made Jack very happy. Isabella and I fallowed behind because I was being paranoid mom. ( Don't drop the baby ) We talked so much on our hike. We talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up. How they plan on getting a job. We talked about high school and there was a-lot of questions about how hard its going to be. We talked about our dream house in the mountains and many times it was said..We are so lucky we have each other. I asked them what there favorite part was about having a family and they said dinner time. When we sit together and eat your food mom. We sit and talk and eat and talk. I love that. We laid on the ground and looked up at the sky. Even jack was just laying there looking at all the clouds. I felt like what we were doing was sweet and just sharing with ourselves moments I hope we always remember. Isabella said mom we are under my favorite food Mashed potatoes. The clouds looked huge and fluffily and dark. It was cold out but we came prepared. I brought snack that consisted of cut up apples and oranges and nuts and cheese and everything was gone by the time we made it back to the car. Another thing I love is when my kids eat. We all took turns carrying Jack. Jack kept talking and we sang songs it was really good. Have you ever had a day that you thought to yourself if I die today I am OK..That is how I felt. I had the perfect combinations of things I love. My kids the mountains and fall was in the air. I wish everyday was like today but that would get old too. So I am so very grateful that I had today. When we came over the hill and to our car this is what I saw. The sun was setting over the trees saying Thank you G for visiting and I in return said Thank you Universe for your sharing your beauty . Sometimes it just all comes together. So for my 1000 post all I can really say is that today was a grand day.
My weekend had lots of running in it and Thank God because the last two days were stressful and running was just what I needed to think things through and find some peace. Life does that thing.. You are happy everything is going well and all of a sudden its not. I hate that so I took myself out for 20 on saturday and 10 on Sunday and I cleared my head. SERIOUSLY thank you lord for letting me find an activity that helps me just like or better than therapy would. Sometimes all you need is a long ass run. Hope your weekend was a good one.
Today I was able to run away with Jack into the mountains for a couple hours. We went on a hike. I think I get way more excited than Jack does that is for sure. I decided not to drive to far from home because my kid hates the car seat. It was a good day to hike here in San Diego. A little overcast and not to hot.
I really do feel a crazy urge to go outside for as long as I can and run around or hike or whatever I just need to feel the air. Jack does not complain he is ready and willing to let me carry him. The kid is heavy or maybe the pack is ?? He amuses himself by pulling on my hair. Pulling my hat off or grabbing my glasses. Its all ok with me as long as we are both amused.
After an hour I let him out to play for a bit. He walked around this wall for about 20 minutes and I fallowed him. I love watching him explore. His word right now is WOW !!! He sees a bug he says wow . He loved looking at this stone wall and the pictures on murals. I run by this wall often on Saturday mornings but now I will forever think of it as Jacks wall. He looks so small standing there.
Everyday I am so grateful to have kids. I think maybe because my older kids are all in school and so I had forgotten how amazing it is to see life though a little persons eyes. It has been 10 years since I had a little person. He also loves airplanes. This is us watching them fly by. We walked for about 8 miles I think . I was trying to figure it out but I think that's about right. My back says it was way more than that.
I used to think a-lot of stupid stuff like I can't take him alone in the pack its to heavy. Dumb assumption I can carry it. I used to think I can't go out there alone I will get lost. Not true either.. I am smart girl and with Jack on my back getting lost is not an option. I love this growing up thing and finally understanding that all those insecurities I had I don't need anymore.. Life is to short and going by way to fast for me to put any energy into the stupid thoughts or dumb assumptions …
Did you watch the movie I posted below ? You totally should its so great. I have been over here in my little corner of the world planning what races I would like to run next year and what I would like to do different. Do you remember your first 5k 10k or marathon , half marathon. I know that when I started running I loved all my first for many reasons but the biggest one was the experience. The not knowing what you are going to experience but choosing what ever it was going to be it was going to be good. I love knowing I have the capacity to make the next one better. This year I had my first 42 mile run on my birthday and my first 50 mile run. I learned a lot about running and myself. I learned I need to work harder and smarter during my runs. I also learned I am afraid a lot of stuff . I am overcoming lots of that now that I am actually aware of it. This has been a fun year for me. I sometimes feel a little crazy about how much I love things. How much I love my kids and how much I love making there beds so when they get home they can see there room all clean. I love it. How much I love running with Jack and alone. How good it feels to just go. How good it feel to lay on the grass at the park and just look at the sky . I don't want to take any of it for granted I want to be here in my house with my family cooking and I want to get up early and run. I feel like that's my I want it all.. Jack and I are planning another hiking adventure fir this Thursday. I made him a cute beanie and I bought him some gloves. Poor baby his hands were freezing last week. I got him a little North Face so we should be golden for this week. Do you have any mini adventures planned for this week ?
Have a bright day and may your day be filled with lots of sunlight. Happy miles.
Western Time: a Western States 100 Film | Post-Premiere Broadcast
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I am really looking forward to watching this movie. Right now when Jack naps I love spending my time watching movies that inspire me. He takes 1 long nap with me so this is how I am choosing to spend that time. I have been trying to figure out what races I want to train for next year. I feel really lucky that I got to run so much this year and knock on wood not get injured. I have so much to learn and I love that feeling of knowing that if I just work harder I will get better. I really want to run better than I have in past. I feel I can if I just really focus. I am a big admirer of Sally McRea she is a bad ass runner. Mom and wife. How can I not admire her. Anyway, I hope you get a chance to watch this tonight I know I will be. Have a great day.
Life is to short to give another minute to anyone or anything that does not make you happy !!!
This little guy and I went on an adventure this week. After running the Mount Laguna Marathon I decided that I felt really good about how well I know the trail. I have ran the whole thing a couple times and I bought a map so I felt ready. I put my fear aside and put on the Osprey back pack with Jack in it and off we went. He is a-lot heavier than I thought but I love a good challenge. We hiked 5 miles and it was not easy but it was a blast. I had such a great time and it went quickly. I guess I just believed I can't carry that pack and do it all on my own, but hey I did and yes I can.
Jack loved it too. He loved pulling on my hair and when he looked up at the sky he yelled wow.. I took him out of the pack and he walked about half a mile with me and then he wanted to go back in the pack. The kids owns me.
So I learned that fear will hold you back from doing some of the stuff that could bring you so much joy. I know I am 42 but its a big deal that I took Jack all by myself on a long hike in the woods and we did not get lost and nothing bad happened either.. It was so much fun and we had a picnic too. I plan on making this a weekly thing. Life is to short to let my fears get in the way. So here is to me saying goodbye to the little fears that hold me back in a big way . Have a wonderful weekend and I hope you get a good long run in.
Here it is my medal from the Mount Laguna Trail Marathon. It is beautiful don't you think. It is hung proudly in house. The artist is Chelsea Elizabeth Van Denend . She hand carved a wood block with a view of the desert from the PCT. Then inked and hand printed each award using the wood block. She signed and titled each one. It is really beautiful. Can you tell I am excited ..
I am going on a hiking adventure with Jack today. I am going to take him to an amazing meadow I saw during my run. Have a great day.
I was woken up at 5:30 am and quickly got started getting all my stuff ready to head out the door. I had about a 45 minute drive ahead of me. I am also not the best at directions so, even though I have been to this start line before, I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get there without stressing. The race started at 7:30 so that gave me plenty of time to get there. I always stress about having everything I need and what I am slowly learning is that you really don't need that much stuff. Honestly, I think I know that I just don't trust that I don't need all the stuff. This was definitely a race I have been looking forward to running. I have great memories of running this course. It is a very serene place to run. We got an email the night before from the race director Kathleen Baker letting us know it was going to be a cold morning. She was right.
I got there on time and checked in. I saw Gayle a familiar face at check in and that was nice. I got a big hug from her and we got a talk from the race director telling us all the last minute things we needed to know and off we went.
I think I started in the middle of the pack. We quickly spread out so I ran alone for 90% of the race. It was cold so I had on two long sleeve shirts on and a jacket and pants. That's a lot of clothes for me but they kept me warm and I kept the jacket on until I got to the second aid station. The aid station volunteers were great people. I was thinking on my run it would be so cool if in life we had aid station volunteers just helping us out every couple months. Smiling telling us you look good and asking us how can I help you? OMG this world would be a happier place. The Mount Laguna Trail marathon had a very sweet caring group of aid station people. I got everything I needed quickly and was on my way. They made me laugh too.
The views took my breath away or maybe the altitude took it away but let's just say it was the view. I loved the crisp air and the smell of winter even though its only fall. There was nothing but mountains all around me . The colors varied all sorts of shades of green and browns and yellows going on. The sky looked huge and full of clouds with cool grey tones. I felt a little rain once in a while it was a beautiful run.
I really appreciated how well marked the course was it helps that side of me that always afraid of getting lost relax and just enjoy the reason I was out there. This is definitely a race I want to run every year. I really did not get tired at all. I am not the best at running down hill on theses trails either so I was careful. I will say that I know I really need to run on trails a-lot more if I want to get better at this. My better would be to run these races at a 10:30 pace instead of 12/13 minute pace. I know I can do that I just need to figure out how and write it down. I did not listen to my music once. I never thought that day would come but I did not want to miss out on listening to the mountains. I did not want to miss out going were my mind was taking me. I was in running heaven. This course is a single loop of technical single track trail covering mostly rolling hills. The elevation gain is 3,358 feet with the first half marathon running on Pacific Crest Trail overlooking Anza Borrego Dessert. The second half climbs Champagne pass and through the meadows of Big Laguna Lake.
This is the meadow you see 2 miles before the finish. I saw a friend Rachel there and said hi. She looked strong. I tried to take it all in at this point . How much I love this sport. How beautiful the meadow was. How lucky I always feel to be healthy enough to be able to run. I thought about my sister a-lot on Sunday and if I had one wish it would be for her to be able to walk or run so she could feel what I do. My sisters name is Carmen and if she was not severely handicapped I know with out a doubt she would be out here running with me. This is the race I would choose for her.
My race experience was a good one. I would give it 5 stars. There was around 70 people running and only 1 dropped I think. The winner ran it in under 3 hours! (WTF) that is what I thought. That is amazing. The fastest female was 4:13. My time was 5:51. I was happy with my time.
This is what I look like when I want to cry after a race. I missed my people. They couldn't come so this was my first time finished and they were not there. I do have to say that when I crossed the finish line I did not feel alone. The race director cheered every one across the finish line and gave me a huge hug. She was very kind to me and I even stayed and hung out after.They had good food and good beer too. Cookies and a nice heater to keep you warm. The group of people who run these races are very cool and grounded people. The race director of The Hodges 50k was also there so I told him what a good time I had running his race too. So what I learned is I really do love running on trails. So remember I told you my medal I received at this race a couple years ago was my favorite. Wait till I show you what I got this time. So if you live in Southern California you should put this race on your list. It is a race you do not want to miss… MT. Laguna Trial Marathon.
