Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am home from my moms and feeling very grateful for my life. The good and the bad and everything in-between. I am happy to be alive.
We had another great trip to the mountains there is something about the mountains that feeds my soul. I think my son got that from me. He loves hanging outside with us.

Friday night goodness

Today we had an 18 mile run and it got hot really fast. I mean 85 degree hot. Yes this is November in San Diego. I ran with my friend Becca and we talked the whole time and pushed through the crappy parts of the run and talked on the good ones. We made progress but it was not perfect. Progress not perfection peeps. You just have to show up and understand that it is OK to be a beginner and that anything worth having takes hard work. Then just keep showing up. Happy Trails friends. 

Progress yes please

If you are anything like me then you are always looking for ahha moments. I totally heard something today that just grabbed me. It made sense to me in so many ways.  PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION. This is going to be my new mantra. Its about consistently moving forward. You know if you just keep moving forward sometimes taking baby steps and sometimes leaping its progress. I just love that. Yes, I love that it works for running and when your running for a really long time you just have to keep moving forward I can see how these word will come in handy. So there you go I am totally inspired by these 3 words they give me hope. We all need hope. 

A mini day trip ADVENTURE

Hi Peeps.. How is your week going ? I have had an easy week over here.  Driving my kids to school and doing laundry but I have been able to get my runs in even if they are short and a couple workouts in. Yesterday I took as mini road trip with my dad and Jack to Palomar Mountain. It is about and hour and half from my house so not to far but it is a slow 1:30 because it is a very windy road.( I don't like those roads ) Jack was practicing his patience and he did well. When we finally arrived it cost 7$ to go into the Park for the day and guess what we where the only people there. There was no one else in sight and ours was the only car. It was beautiful . The leaves are all changing color and it felt like a really good fall weather. When you live in San Diego you have to enjoy it when you can capture this feeling. Jack was so excited to get out of the car and run around. Let's go run mama.. 

The elevation was 5500 feet and it was 65 degrees. We saw deer and ducks. We threw stick in the pond and collected acorns. We crossed a bridge and smelled a pine tree and the best part was when my dad Jack and I where all sitting on a huge log and Jack held us both really tight and looked up at my dad and said oh grampa .. It was special for sure. This kid brings out the best in me. 

When your little a pond is awesome. He yelled at the ducks and he would look at the water and say two trees mama. I think he saw the reflection and was showing me the two trees. We hiked for about 3 hours. I definitely got my work out in because half of that hike I carried Jack. He can get heavy. 

My favorite picture from yesterday. My little boy exploring. I really can't complain about anything. I feel so full of hope and joy and when I see this it helps me look at our future in a soft light. I love how much Joy a couple hours outside brings us. I love that I get to show my kids the parts of life I feel are so important and in doing so they to will see the soft light that can surround our life. Yesterday was a really good day. One I won't forget anytime soon. 

3 things I am LOVING right now

I thought it would be fun to start of the week with all the stuff I am obsessing over right now.  I had a great run yesterday. 16 miles on the trails with my awesome friends and it was just so good. Yes, they had to wait for me because there all faster than me but I did not take away from how good I felt. The cold made it feel more adventurous than it really was but it was so fun. So holding on to that spirit I though I would share some other things I have come across lately that have made me feel this happy.
1. I found this great website ..Simple Green Smoothies 
I signed up for the 30 day challenge and I am really excited about fallowing along and making some healthier eating habits a part of my life. I even bought a new Blender.. (thank you ladies at simple green smoothies )

I went to Sedona a couple years ago to spend time with some beautiful woman. What we had in common is we all loved to create. It's was there that I met Rachel Awes. She was light and had a lovely colorful nurturing soul. Her art is truly magical .
2. She just wrote a book. The Great Okayness and you can her and her book here. Rachel Awes  . You know how in life sometimes you come across someone and they leave an imprint in your heart forever . She does that in life and you feel her in her books. I can't say enough good things about her so I hope you take the time to check her out and pick up a copy of her book.
3. I have been trying to not sign up for any races for next year because I have been trying to give my body rest time but that is not really working out for me. So I have been looking daily at ultra sign ups. I just want to look and see what if anything moves me and yesterday something did. It moved me to sign up. The Moab Red hot 55k   I found this video on you tube and I do not know the runner but it is a really good preview of the race course. It looks like so much fun. and I feel really excited about having a race to look forward to in a brand new place I have never run before.. I love adventures in new places. So there it is 3 things I am all excited about !!

Happy Acts

Today after I decided to go through my day making happy choices. I thought it would be interesting to choose to make all my choices from a happy place. I wrote choose happy on my hand and then did things that I thought would make other people happy. I usually just go through my day and even though I would like to think I am not selfish my day is mostly about my family and myself. Today was about my dad and some other seniors we met at the zoo. I know not a big deal right ?  but it was a big deal. He was happier they where happier and It made today extra special. Sometimes the simple actions get over looked but its crazy how easy it spread Joy. 

Mt.Laguna Trail Marathon Review

I am sitting here in my living room and I am still so excited about yesterday's race. First of all, it is hard not to be when this is honestly my favorite race. This is my third time running this marathon and every time it has been a great experience. I was not sure if they where having the race this year but as soon as I heard they where I signed up and told all my friends about it. You have to share stuff like this. So, next year if you haven't taken part in Mt. Laguna Trail Marathon, do it.
The race started at at 8am. How awesome is that?! I got to sleep in a little and I also got a ride to the race (thank you Jeff ).  SWEEEET!!! We arrived at 7:15 am and we had plenty of time to get parking and our bibs, go potty and take a bunch of pictures. Everything was completely organized and there was coffee and bagels. As I was walking around I could hear happy conversations. You know runners catching up and excited to run. For me this was the perfect race to end my running year. The race started right on time. Scott Mills counted down and off we went. 

I ran a long time with my friend Jeff. At one point I told him he was the rabbit I was the greyhound. He would run and I would catch up. I was afraid it was going to be cold but it warmed up really quickly. The air was crisp but the sun felt warm on your skin. The trail was really well marked. I never had a 'Oh no am I lost' moment because there was chalk at the turns and lots of ribbons to keep you on the right path. 

This picture was taken by the race photographer.

This course is not easy but I don't think I have ever run an ultra that I could say was easy.  The course is fun, challenging and beautiful. What made this year different was knowing all my friends were out there too. As far as nutrition, I had Tailwind in my pack and I had a GU every 7 miles. I had 2 small bananas at the aid stations and a small cup of ginger ale and that seemed to work just fine. I was able to keep my 13 min mile pace. I was happy with that.

My goal was to run faster than last year. I really didn't care how much faster but faster. So I knew I had to try and keep a 13 min mile pace to do that. That thought kept me motivated to keep moving. I really did enjoy myself and maybe it was the distance 26.2 miles but I was OK this entire race. I never felt tired and my tummy was fine. Yesterday I had one of those runs that reminded me that getting all my training runs in and working out make a big difference. I felt like I knew the course and I could compare last years run to yesterdays run and I just felt stronger. 

My dad and my 14 year old son volunteered yesterday and I have to say that running into an aid station and seeing my them felt so special. My son took this picture of me when I ran in. He kissed me on the head and said 'way to go mom!' ( I melted a little)
 The course ends with yellow valleys on your right and then a steady up hill at the end. As I was running to the finish line I saw my youngest standing there. 

I finished 5:45 minutes. 6 minutes faster than last year. I can honestly say that when I saw this little guy standing there with all my friends and family behind him well I felt like I won the big race of life. My kids, my family plus add a marathon ( my favorite marathon) on the perfect fall day and I would say I had the perfect race day. 

How cool is this a bunch of the Trail Crasher Ladies placed. Debbie won the female division and Becca got 4th and Julian got 5th. Congratulations Ladies. I have so much admiration for you. 

I love this picture. All those smiles are I am happy to be done smiles. A huge 'Thank you' to the race director Kathleen Baker and Scott Mills for putting on this epic marathon. The amazing volunteers who took good care of us runners. Congratulations to everyone who showed up run this epic marathon. Happy Trails 

Showing up is half the battle training is the other half.

Picture Memory

Picture Memory

This is one of those pictures that I am going to carry in my memory for as long a I can.  Audrey Hepburn said The most important thing is to enjoy your life- to be happy- it's all that matters. 

I choose to love my dad for as long as I can. Listen to his stories and watch my children love on him. He gives me great advice .. for as long as I can remember he would tell me princess you just have to show up. Even if your scared just show up that is half the battle. I have done that even when I was scared I showed up. I show up for me my kids and my family. I try to be like him. He teaches me so much. We choose who we want to love and make time for I totally get that. I choose my dad day after day. 

Laguna Trail Marathon

These are some pictures from the last two Mount Laguna Trail Marathons I have ran. This is my favorite race. I find this race-run magical. It's the perfect time of year because its not to cold but its cold. We really do not get seasons in San Diego so this my Fall run. The leaves are turning color and it is really pretty out. I also love that I know this course so I do not have to worry about getting lost.
This race feel like a fun community run. This was one of the first races I ran on a trail and this was the event that really introduced me to how nice and accepting this community is.
I love the feeling of having something this great to look forward to. I am just going to do my best and all my friends are running too. If you have not run this you should put it on your schedule for next year for sure. This will be my last race of the year :(  I am glad that my year is ending with the punt Laguna Trail Marathon. 

A quick re-start

I seemed to be in a hurry from the moment I woke up so I decided I needed to stop for a second before we took off. I lay ed on the ground closed my eyes and counted ten things I need to slow down for then I counted to 50 and started over. I believe it is totally OK to stop and restart your morning. Then somehow things just went a little bit slower and I felt better. Today we explored trains looked at art exhibits and fed the ducks. 

November 2nd here you go

November 2. It seems to me this month is of to a great start. I got my kids to school on time with lunches. Then I went and worked out . It was hard and I am sure my arms will be jelly by tonight. I took Jack to the park and now while he is napping. I am enjoying a couple minutes with my Yarn. A couple things I am doing differently is I am allowing myself to wear work out clothes during the day. Its easier and so comfy. I would never do this before I always felt like I had to get dressed up for the day . Lately I have been feeling like easier is better but I do have my makeup on and my hair is done. I think Its fine to be comfy cute.
I am also working on my blanket looking at this picture  reminds me that my stitches are not perfect and there all over the place but I love it this way. I am loving the  imperfections of this my blanket.  I really want to see it grow into a big warm blanket that my family uses at night. I am coming slowly to the understanding that perfect does not really matter what matters is my intention. Here is hoping your month is of to a great start. 

So Happy

 Whats making me smile. Wearing braids and long runs

 I am looking forward to . My favorite part of the day is even though I really don't love cooking is sitting down for dinner with my family. It just always feels so good and so worth it once you sit down.

What I am making  I am crocheting a blanket. I think in about 3 weeks I will finish it. I was inspired by Kellymade.

Discovering  I am starting to read more so I am once again discovering books. Seems odd but it is true.

Planning I am planning a living room make over

Thinking  I have been thinking a lot about God and saying yes to as much as I can and that includes naps.

My happy thoughts keep leading me to my house. I never really knew how much I love and need having our home. I do 

November

Can you believe it is already November ? This year went by quickly. It still feels like summer here. I took this picture today at 9am . It was a already starting to get get warm. I started of this month by going to watch a race. It was really great. Jack and Christopher had a good time running around the park. I love getting outside and as much as I dislike getting up in the morning I love getting out side in the morning. hmmm That does not really make sense Right. So as I do at the beginning of every month I made some goals for this month.
Goals for November.
1. Run 150 miles.
2. Only have sugar in my coffee
3. go see 2 movies with my kids
4. go on a date w my dad
5. visit 2 museums with Jack
6. run a marathon
7. get caught up on my photo album / project life
8. Practice telling the gremlins in my head to go F---k themselves
9. go visit my sister
10. go to church
There you go. I love having goals. I think is the perfect month to post about things that make me happy . So instead of grateful I am going with happy. I am just happy to feel happy.