Slurpee Run

Todays run was a hot one. I ended my no sugar situation :(  I kinda sucked but my friend helped me keep excited and keep moving. It was 14 miles  that felt like  20. I am sure it was not that bad but when your tired and your cooked well it seems like such a long way to go. The best thing about runs like this one is you appreciate the good ones. You appreciate good weather and you work harder for the miles. Its all about showing up and putting in the work.. As for my no sugar in my diet plan well as soon as I finished that slurp in went right back into affect. 

Big Morning RUn

Another Saturday and another trip out to the PCT. That means getting up at 4:15 am so I can make it up there by 6:45. That's the part I could do with out. I am at a point in my training that makes me feel like I am going backwards. I am staying optimistic but man I feel like I am just getting slower. I am really happy I still have a month before my next race so I can keep giving this my all. Its very humbling to being slow. So the part that keeps me smiling is I can't get slower that means I should get faster right ? I am also going to lose some weight before my next race and that should help too. This whole entire running season is going to be a challenge for me . I did go and sign up for some crazy distance races but that can also be looked at as a very cool challenge  that should come with great stories . I am making some great friends on this new path and that is a very good thing. So besides sucking right now at the thing I love doing so much everything else is going well. Oh did I forget to mention that being outside in the mountains all Saturday morning is a most wonderful thing. It is.

Simple Life

Hi.. I have been doing a-lot of this so far. Taking care of a toddler is a full time job my older kids are reletively easy . We are in the fantastic phase of climbing. Climbing chairs , sofas any hill that may cross our path. His little tykes house outside the list goes on.  My job right now is to keep this little guy safe. So when he naps I either nap because I am just tired or I clean. Does this sound familiar to anyone ? I have been finding it hard to get my runs in so I joined a gym and I will be doing my weekday days runs there. That way I can go once everyone has had dinner and I won't feel any guilt. I cannot remember the last time I ran on a treadmill. I am sure it will be fine. Boring but fine. I only have a little over 2 months to train for my big race so I do not want to take any chances and slack off.
I am loving taking care of this little guy. I am navigating through screaming and tantrums and really trying to just guide this little person and teaching him right from wrong but now that I am older  I understand how to do that better. He is a blast and I am over the moon in love with him. He dances and kisses me all the time. He holds my hand when he watches TV. I could not ask for anything more. Life is simple and I like it that way.

Sharing a bit of me

Its Saturday night and I should be sleeping but I am not . It could be because I took a nap that was a couple hours long or because my tummy hurts. ( I do not think that eating meat is good for me)The last two times I had meat it just makes me feel sick..Oh well I will have to try to stay a bit away from it for now.
 I have a race that starts at 7 am so I should be excited and happy right !!! I have had a hard time with staying happy lately. Specially on the weekends and super specially when I do not have my kids. Have you ever tried to put something round in a square hole and it just does not fit. That's how I have been feeling lately. I feel like I do not fit in my life with out them.  I feel like everything is taking a-lot of work. I know everyone gets sad .. It just sucks when its happening to you. I will keep trying my best to live in the moment and I am trying not worry..I also know that next thing you know this feeling will pass..but man sometimes being an adult is heavy...I hope this is not a bummer Saturday night post but its my reality lately...I will tell you all about my race soon. Its going to be really hot but I hope to finish in two hours so I don't burn up and get more freckle's on my face. Its supposed to be a difficult trail race . I like challenges because when I am done I feel a little like Wonder Woman..I am needing a little of that feeling just about now..Hope you are safe and sound and that this post is not to much of a bummer...Happy Thought Peeps...

Happy First day of Summer

Happy First Day of Summer

I live in San Diego and unfortunately we are suffering from June Gloom.  I don't know why but it seems every June the clouds roll in and the sun disappears. Hopefully June Gloom is over.  Today we had consecutive days of sun along the coast.  I wonder if it is a coincidence that the Sun arrived on the first day of summer.  I apologies for not posting more on my blog...  I got into a little bit of a blog funk... I still have a lot to say but I just haven't... I don't like this feeling...


So I want to share a little bit more about my habit-making situation.  I told myself I was going to run for 21 days straight because research has proven that it takes 21 days to form a habit...  I love running because it is a stress reliever. As many of you know, I spend everyday taking care of my handicapped little sister.  It is not an easy job but I feel mentally and physically better after working out.  My short runs average 3.3 miles and my long runs average 12 miles.  In the past 21 days I only missed one day!!! The hardest days for me to get up and run were days 4, 7 and 13.  Once I got passed those days I was good to go.  I am happy to say that I have running fever again. I really try and listen to my body when I run.  I drink lots of water and I rest when I need to.  I also signed up for a bunch of half marathons to keep me focused on my goal… My short-term goal as a runner is to complete some good trail half marathons.  When I say good I mean I want it to be easy. I don't run for time because I don’t want to be disappointed.  I run to for the experience and feeling of accomplishment.  My big goal over the next 6 months is to finish my first 50k, while training for that I plan on running at least 1 full marathon.  Those are my running goals for the rest of the year.  I am excited to share my journey with my peeps.

My summer plans include some light travel (starting this weekend), having fun with my painting and drawing.  Oh yeah and I really want to crochet a bikini for myself...  Is that crazy? 
  I will be sharing pictures from this weekends concert fest getaway next week so be sure to check back… Also, I made this really cute purse to take all my journaling stuff.   When I see a band I like I want to be able to write down their name and what I liked about them. (I am terrible with names)… 
While Carmen and I were hanging out today I painted her portrait... (The one at the top of this post.)  She was so happy she started to cry… I asked her to stop as I was about to cry too:’(  I feel lucky that I am able to care for her, making her laugh along the way.  I know this post is all over the place but that’s my brain for you...

Again, Happy First day of Summer Peeps.

Love G

XOXO

Miss G..

Dear G...
You are will be moving soon and I am so proud of you..
Today you will find a house to rent and you will make it a wonderful home for your kids . It will be warm and have  a really good vibe to it. In this house you will create your own memories.. You will be happy and your kids will know it. Yes, this is a big deal but just let it happen and don't get caught up on what you don't have... instead just look at all you do have.
This is going to an amazing journey and you need to remember how wonderful you are..
You can do this
and
you can do it well..
So just fly my sweet girl and when things get scary just hand that over to God and he will give you the strength you need..
No more doubting
smile big
.....
be you
.....
go forward
G
p.s.
this is my mantra for right now..I have it written on a piece of paper and I am reading it to myself many times a day... 

This morning I am up bright and early. I have my beautiful green and blue Anthro mug full of my favorite coffee with vanilla creamer, YUM.  The sun is not out yet but it’s on its way. I am dreaming about all the wonderful events October brings for my kids and I.  Living in San Diego has its benefits...Sea World, Lego Land and Balboa Park are the ones that come to mind. I am thinking about maybe getting the kids costumes early.  I’m also starting to think of all the fun memories we will make...
 There is so much happening at this time. 
So besides my sweet sister the other big thing that's got my head spinning is I am going to be moving soon. I am scared but mostly excited because my kids and I get to create a new space that we will call home. I keep imagining a place that has a cute garage for all my crafting stuff... Change is scary but like everything in life it’s all in how you look at it... Be happy G. That's what I tell myself. It’s weird how different my life was 3 years ago. I was married...and I didn't have to worry about money. The one thing that kept me in my miserable marriage was how scared I was to leave. How would I take care of my kids... Let me tell you I would not trade the peace of mind I am experiencing now for anything. I don't miss the tummy aches I had because I knew he was coming home. I hated being near him because of the unpredictability. It’s funny how when you’re in a verbally abusive relationship you make excuses to yourself that this is normal. Even when you know deep inside it’s not. It affects your kids and slowly verbal abuse and all the stuff that comes with destroys your self esteem... It’s not worth any price. I am living proof that you can leave and be OK. Self Esteem can be rebuilt. It really can. You surround yourself with people who love you. You don't need a lot of people just a couple. Talking to someone helps. I think the most important thing is forgiveness. The one we give ourselves. For me it came in the car. I was alone and then I forgave myself out loud. I kinda yelled. I forgive myself and now I vow to love myself. I will treat myself with respect and make sure that anyone I choose to let into my life will do the same. I didn't plan to write about this. I love my life and all the wonderful things that surround it...I would not trade the size of any house or any amount of money for what I have now.  I have a healthy relationship with myself and all the people in my life treat me with the respect and understanding I deserve. There is life after a bad marriage and it’s pretty good. 

Hope you have a great weekend.

Everyday brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick of your shoes, and dance-

Oprah

xoxo

G

Weekend Recap

*Weekend recap*

Hi guys..
.

How was your weekend?


I had a good weekend.  The weather as always is just great in San Diego.  It never gets to hot and most mornings it is over cast by the beach.  My dad made it to my house by 6am on Saturday and we were running by 6:15...  We ran 12 miles and it was fun.  Let tell you, now that I am running more, the first 3 miles of all my runs are not fun.  My legs hurt and I feel sluggish and tired.  I always tell myself 20 minutes from now I will feel so much better and I always do (at least I think I do).  Is that a mental thing or what?

Running is a lot like life you just need to get through the rough patches to get to the good stuff.  If you never felt bad how would you know when you have it really good? SO never give up... Sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other… Then next thing you know you’ve made it. Yes it’s a mental thing.  

So I had asked my dad if he would like to ride his bike with me on Sunday while I did my long run, 20 miles...  He said yes so we met down town and just went for it... I cut it short and did 18 I was really tired.  I am happy to report that last week I ran 52 miles and I am confident after doing my training that I will survive the 50k which is in 4 weeks.

Then I had a dinner date..

Then my little girl asked to go on another short run with her...  So we joined a fun summer running series they have at a local running store.  Get this she wasn’t even the youngest child there... There were about 10 kids under 10 years old who ran with the group.  I don't push her at all.  Let me describe our time together… We are jogging and then all of a sudden we run really fast.  Then she yells mama and we stop and walk...  Until she gives me that look and off we go again!!!  I just let her lead and I follow  .One of the fun things we do when we see an out of state license plates is punch each other softly.  So much fun with my baby girl.

I went to have breakfast at this cool spot called The Garcia's in Carlsbad...  The restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine was so good.  The whole place is covered in Mexican decor...  This Frida picture was on the menu... Have I told you I love, love, love, Frida?  All the food was named after different parts of her life...  It was really neat and colorful... There you go, I ran, I hung out with my kids and ate yummy food...

I hope you had a lovely weekend...

xoxo

G

A tiny bit of info...

I am taking a brief moment to share this tid bit with you. I am sitting here reading competitor magazine and I came across this article that says most runners above a certain age say that exercises keeps them young. There is actual proof now that was recently provided that shows exercise has a anti aging power. It helps prevent your body from getting old. Less grey hair,better toned skin, stronger bones and an over all younger look about you..That's so great don't you agree.
Just another great reason to go out side...Hope you have a great weekend...
xoxo
G

What I learned yesterday...

I was watching the new last night and I they did a small report on venting. You know when something happens and we pick up the phone and call a friend and tell her everything that happened to us. It is supposed to make us feel better right ? according to the news and to lots of other websites  ..       Venting does just the opposite..
Interesting stuff hu !
So I thought this was worth looking up. What you could do instead of venting.

1. You could go for a walk and reflect.
2. taking deep breaths
3.Take time away from the situation
4. Listening to your favorite song
5. Write in your journal about what just happened
I wanted to share this because I am always looking for ways that help me become a better person or ways that just help. I don't like feeling like I need to vent but I do. I feel that when I vent it doesn't really help it just makes my problem bigger in my own head.  So when I saw this on the news it sparked my interest. My biggest wish is that we could all have peace in our own hearts. I think the world would be such an amazing place.  I believe this little exercise will help bring a little more peace to my heart and I hope it does for yours.
xoxo
G

A very cool video...

This video was sent to me from a friend...Dont you feel like you just want to be in it...G

Yum!!!!!!!!!!

I really really wish I could have one of these right now....

best gluten free thing ever......

Gluten free carrot cup cakes....So if you happen to walk by a gluten free restaurant...You should stop and see if they have gluten free carrot cake cup cakes...Then you should get one...and share if you would like...but man oh man!!!!!! get ready to have a mouth watering experience...
I needed to share this info because they are so so good....

Ours Fathers day run

I wanted to share some of the pictures from my fathers . I asked my dad what he would like to do.. He said princess I want to spend as much time as I can with you.. So I planned away.. I got up really early and drove about 45 minutes to pick him up then we headed to the beach to join a couple hundred people for a fun run.
It was a  8.2 mile run on the beach..  I love those runs because you get a number and its exciting to me no matter what distance we run. I also Love the Idea of being a part of something with my dad. I love making memories with him and then having all these amazing stories that we tell each other over breakfast every week. Maybe there not really amazing but after telling each other the same story 100 times they somehow become amazing ,(funny) after we went to have breakfast at Rutherford's..His favorite old time breakfast place. I love scrambled eggs and ham, he loves the most crazy thing that he should not eat the menu has to offer.. its cute, not really healthy but that ok.
after that we went to his house got cleaned up and then we went to the movies..My dad loves loves loves movies...wait did I say that man loves going to the movies..He does...he picked a movie . Water for Elephants...so I cant watch movies that are violent. They are really  hard for me to digest. I pretty much just cant stop crying and this movie just made me incredibly sad...so my poor dad is apologising the whole movie because I cant stop crying and he mentions we can leave early but I feel guilty so I stay...sitting through that movie was my fathers day gift...man I struggled..I think we both still really had a great day..together..I am sure we did....

The word Should...

Lessons to learn for miss G concerning running..
The word should...ahhh i do not like it..
Let me start by saying I am just a girl who enjoys running and has found something very real inside of her due to running . I love to run. I love being alone and  moving my body in this almost rhythmic motion. It calms me and helps me clear my mind. I have made friends and most importantly I have really bonded with my dad through running but I am at this point were the word should keeps coming up in my head...Gloria you should be faster. Gloria you should not be this tired. Gloria your legs should not hurt and then back to the Gloria you should be faster again....
My heart feels like I should be completely satisfied with just getting out there and doing my best each day but this yuck gremlin pops in and keeps repeating this should word...
should
The word should is not a word that brings peace it not a word that's nice either . I don't like it...Its keeps me in this state of consistently judging my performance...when I am not performing I am simply just doing my thing. Yesterday is a perfect exsample see the picture above I ate all that just to get my butt moving and I was sluggish and I was tired..After 30 minutes or so I felt better and I got into it.. I had a nice run I even forgot I was running for a while..When I was done I looked at my watch..9:42 min miles...really gloria I thought.. you should be way faster.. Then I cought myself...I should what...
Then I thought about it. My lesson learned is this is..This is  my run and I should create my own rules. right?
I need to take the  word should out of my vocabulary...
I need to be kind to the girl inside of me who loves to run.
She is not running to win any races she is here to create a life for herself she loves..
Do you have shoulds in your life I guess we all do..
Is there somethng you practice to make that word go away?
I am going to practice using peaceful word with myself..
a friend of mine asked me yesterday.. How was your run ? I said I sucked I wa so slow...and then there response to me was ...why do you do that you should be happy you did your best and tomorow will be a new day and it might be better or it might not but its not about that ..Its about the journey..
I know this is all over the place but I was just reminded that its really imprtant to use nice words with ourselves..
and put all the shoulds in the trash..
xoxo
G

Diptic..Running and Girl time..

 Have you tried Dictic on your I phone..Its a creative way to make 

colleges with any set of pictures...

OK so what have I been up too.. I have been doing the boring stuff that most of us have to do but outside of that I have been thinking about running a-lot. I think last week was the most miles I have run in a long time and besides having sore feet for one day I feel really happy that I did it. I feel more secure in my thought process as far as my race that's coming up. The yes, I can do it is in full affect in my head , now I have to put in the real work. So I shall...I was thinking about writing about my whole experience in training for a 50k but I am not sure how that would go...I was thinking maybe I cold just try and tell you about it....So far according to my I phone app 50k training I am almost done doing my base training then its the really long miles on trails that come next...

One thing that made me happy was I ordered my first Camel back on amazon...

It kinda but not really felt like buying a new purse.. OK I am lying no it did not but it was a little exciting... Its white...ohh la la 

I also brought out all my painting stuff and plopped it on the dinning room table..Yes, as a single mother of three there is no one to tell me to clean the table. My girls and I painted this weekend. I painted a rainbow... I am not done but I hope to be shortly.. There will be three rainbows with really sweet messages.. I was thinking how  cool it would be to have these paintings with the messages I believe in somewhere were my kids and I read them everyday. A sweet reminder to be nice people...

Speaking of nice people I had a much needed girl date with my girl friend Charleen. She just finished an amazing task.. She trained to do the rim to rim walk at the Grand Canyon. She lost a bunch of weight and I have to tell you that I see a marathon in her future.. We had a really good lunch in La Jolla..Very nice and then we had cup cakes...I love cup cakes.. My cupcake was Carrot and gluten free.. The sweet little place was called Cups. We enjoyed coffee girl talk and sweets....Oh yum!!!

Have a great week my friends...and I hope to be able to show you my rainbows this week...

xoxo

G

This is one of my favorite pictures of Christopher. I love how he is pointing and telling me look mom do you see what I see?
Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words to learn from the child we must have empathy and  grows as we learn.

- Alice Miller

I am going to work on becoming a better listener this month. My word for the year is Brave but my word for June is Listen.

Navigating

Whats going through my head today..

I have been reading and evaluating the current location in my life. I am not talking about were I live . I am talking about my heart life location. I guess there are things I personally don't really want to stop and look at . I feel its like paying the bills.

You know how if your anything like me and visit my blog then your visiting others like mine. You know how we read about having faith in ourselves and trusting ourselves.

Believing in our super amazing woman powers.

I don't think we give ourselves enough credit for how strong we are.

I am rambling but I am so feeling this right now.

My heart life Location

My G.P.S.

says this I am almost 39.

I am almost 39.

My heart location says this.

Miss G Love your kids.

No matter how hard life gets and who dies.

No matter what choices you make

( I hope mine are good)

Your kids are here hopefully forever.

Love them..

Then I go take a left turn on my G.P.S. and go into Gloria territory.

This is what I feel. I am only going to do this run at life once.

So I feel I must make conscious choices that will benefit my life.

My children's lives, sometimes there not easy but hey to get to the good part we have to navigate through the hard part.

I keep thinking about all of our words ..

I chose

Brave

but don't you love going to Alli Edwards blog and reading all the amazing words other great girls chose...I was just thinking . Gloria take little tiny bites of all the words the sit with you.

When new situations come up I look at all my friends words and I barrow the ones I need for that day. I feel like this post is all over the place and I guess what I am trying to say is when I feel lost I think that borrowing meaning s of words that resonate with me really helps.

Sometimes I feel I really need to be brave when I need to do something that scares me..Be Brave..That's what I tell myself...

or when I need to forgive someone I feel I need to hang on to that word forgive..Or when I need to get my but to exercise because I feel its good for me I need to have the word Active in my head.. G, I say you need to be active go do it...

So My G.P.S. is telling me that my location is close

That Hope and Love and Brave and being still .

having a grateful heart, keeping myself open,

living , fun and being true..

all of these words will get me to the location I need to be at..

Its raining here in Sunny San Diego. Its not as sunny here as you would think..I miss the warm weather and all the cute clothes that go with it. I have a question...Did any one else feel kind of emotional during the full moon ? I felt like I was on a kids roller coaster at Disneyland...I say kids because it was not that bad but it was not that good either..

I have been in the not so creative mood for a while now. I wonder if the this having a job thing really does suck all that creative stuff out of you or if its just an excuse and I am being lazy..

I am sure the creativity bug will bite me soon.... Ill be here waiting...

OK so I read this quote and I just Love it.....

The Primary drive for life is not pleasure, as Freud believed but the discovery and pursuit of that which we find meaningful..

I am not sure who wrote it but it speaks volumes to me. I think that's so perfect..Pleasure passes its great don't get me wrong. Its more of a selfish emotion..its more of a in the moment feeling. But when we find that thing that gives us meaning and purpose.. That emotion that helps drive us to where you want to be emotionally ..When we find that thing that we honestly find meaningful it just spills over to rest of our entire existence..That's so amazing...

So, with that have a great Monday....

Serious Rambling from my brain...

h

Is there something you do when it comes to Love that you need to fix or help or at least understand...
I do. Its not a good thing either but maybe writing about it will help.
I am a runner. I run away and I do it quickly. I run away from relationships with my girls friends when they start not to feel so good. I think the big girl thing to do is communicate...Ahh that word. I have books and books on how to better communicate.
I wish I could communicate as well as could write on my blog, Maybe that's why I love my blog.I find freedom to be me here.
I am trying to understand my patterns better. It is a little scary you to see yourself and then say wow..I do that.
I guess the first thing is trying to understand why .. Why do I have this behavior.. I know why..
I try really really hard to keep my heart safe. I don't want to grow up and have my heart turn hard. I guess in avoiding that from happening I have been missing out on the what could have beens of relationships with my girlfriends..( this feels a little scary putting this out here ) but maybe talking about the stuff we keep just to ourselves will help...
I am the go all out girl. I love life and have a passion for feeling things. I love being happy but I also like being sad its that feeling of knowing I am human and in the sadness I appreciate the happiness and in the happiness I appreciate the sadness.
The thing that I am personally fighting a battle with is letting myself fully love someone. Then trusting that they wont ------------.
I keep that personal bubble around myself . I don't really know how you know when to take it down. Do you always take it down and just let people hurt you or better yet and this is key ...Let people love you. I believe more people will love you than not. Right?
I run away. I run to this place inside of me that is very safe and has always been ever since I was 4 or 5.
Deep...
OK so maybe being aware of the situation is a good thing. right ?
Then maybe acceptance ....
Then what..
Do I go with it.. What do I do when something even if its the smallest thing does not feel right or good or just reminds me of something that felt wrong. Do I go with it. Do I run?
I am in a thinking here....
can you hear my brain? I guess
The right answer would be take a chance and believe in your ability to nurture your own heart. right or wrong. I know I have the ability to love myself the way no one else can. To believe in my spirit and soul. I know it honestly lies in yourself. I do love myself and I like myself too.. I also know this life thing is not always easy. We must or OK I am having an aha moment in all this contemplating its that ability to love myself through this. Its my ability to honor my thoughts and beliefs. I own my self love. I just must learn to trust a little bit more..OK.

baby steps..
So after this post if you think I am a little crazy..that's OK. I am a very emotional and passionate girl and with that comes all of this..
I am consistently letting myself be more open to my imperfections...oh man..There are so many..but maybe I will only let in a couple at a time.
Baby steps are good. The most important thing I have learned from this post is no matter what we are going through or were our thoughts and life experience may take us...never stop loving yourself because Love is key..and tell yourself everyday you love yourself. Self talk is huge. Tell yourself good things about yourself and then just go with it...

So my amazing soul sisters thank you for reading and go out there and love yourself...

G