Run Through It

Sometimes life gets overwhelming.  

Sometimes you just have a bad day.  

Sometimes you just need an escape.  

I needed that today.  It wasn’t one specific thing; it was the compilation of several days’ worth of frustration.  I found myself being short with others.  I could feel the tension in my shoulders.  I was both physically and mentally tired.  Then it hit me, I needed a RUN!

Due to the operational tempo of what I do out here in Afghanistan, it’s hard to disappear for a run mid-day.  I’ve tried running at night, but it’s still pretty chilly out here and I’m not a huge fan of running in the dark alone out here…doesn’t seem very smart.  But today I decided for the good of everyone around me and for my own sanity, that it was worth it to lace up my running shoes and hit the road.

Four miles later I was a totally new person!  I had my smile back, I had a little bit more energy, and I was my old self! 

It’s so nice to know that no matter how overwhelmed I get at times, the road and my sneakers will always be waiting for me.  They know that they provide a place of solitude, a moment of sanity, and peace of mind.  It may take me an hour, a day, a week, or a month to find my way back, but they will be patiently waiting with open arms.  

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Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Malinda Ann Hill of Twins Run In Our Family!! I tweeted about how much I wanted the Weasel to extend her nap so I could just register without any problems, and Malinda not only wished me luck, but she posted a link just minutes before the actual registration site opened (at least from my computer)! I was able to register on my first attempt and I'm ecstatic! I ran the MCM way back in 1999 when I HATED running and I LOVED it...can't wait to tackle it again.

Thanks Malinda!!

Good Initiave, Bad Judgement

The title refers to a common sentiment I heard when I was on active duty. Basically, it means, "I appreciate the effort and idea, but seriously, you've got to be crazy to think that's a good plan." Which brings me to my latest bright idea:

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As I'm sure I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm currently training for a half marathon. I was crushing my training plan (well, at least the novice one that I was mistakenly using here) through the end of December and even a bit into January...and then my husband got home, we were out of town for 3 weeks, and I remembered how much I love beer. No worries, after a couple weeks home, Jason is back to work and I've made it to most of our group workouts and logged a couple "long" runs. So, feeling somewhat confident about my readiness for this upcoming race - did I mention it's in a little over a week and a half?! - I went a little crazy. In fact, I've gone totally INSANE!

Inspired by a friend's FB post, I decided to take the Insanity Fit Test on Monday. Terrible idea! I was so sore for our run on Tuesday. But I pushed through in order to make an even worse decision. I did the Plyometric Cardio Circuit following our run. Hey, the Weasel was sleeping, so I took advantage. Yeah, with the half marathon right around the corner, I'm seriously rethinking this brilliant idea. I think I need to push pause until the race is over. But so far I love the program. 

One thing I'm confused about though...the text book definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." So is that really a good name for this style of training? Just wondering... 

It's A Love Affair...

I've spent about 1/3 of my married life (which really isn't that long since we got hitched in 2008) begging for massages. Foot, back, shoulder, hand...you name it, I want it. Unfortunately, I married a man who loves to receive massages and is quite frugal when it comes to handing them out. (Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means starving for attention from him, it's just that I'd like to get a daily massage and he's more the once a week type.)

Enter my new love:

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I picked up this little beauty about halfway through my husband's last deployment. A little something to tide me over while he was gone. Well, he got home 2 1/2 months ago, and I haven't stopped spending time with my new love. When he falls asleep, I pull it out from under my side of the bed and take care of my hamstrings and calves. And if it's a good night, I may even hit up my hip flexors.

Seriously, the benefits of owning a foam roller are numerous. Here's a great link from Runner's World complete with videos on how to properly utilize your foam roller. So what are you waiting for...go get one! 

Things I Like About Me - Part 2

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Well, it’s time for the “other half” of the blog to talk about Things I Like About Me (even though it's past the "link up" time frame).  While deployed it is very, very easy to get irritable because you’re working long hours, there are no days off, and you have to deal with the exact same people every single day.  And since Jen shared a quote with you, I will share with you a mantra that I use daily to help me keep perspective:

Today I am fortunate to have woken up.  I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am going to use my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.  I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.  I am going to benefit others as much as I can.

Though I’m not 100% sure how that ties in to liking myself, I wanted to share it.  Here is my attempt at a list of things I like about myself:

1.  I am the most positive person I know.  I can find the good in anyone or anything and I refuse to let frustration get the best of me.
2.  I have an excellent grasp on the English language.  As a Latin major, I spent quite a bit of time learning basic grammar. (I’m really good at Scrabble.) 
3.  I can laugh at myself.  I never take myself too seriously.  When I make mistakes, I learn, laugh, and move on.
4.  I have the utmost faith in humanity. I believe that all people want to be good and that there is good in everyone.
5.  I am very organized.  I set timelines, I stick to them, and I am very reliable. 
6.   I am good at my job.  I understand the technicality of my career field, I take care of my Marines to the best of my ability, and I learn new things on a daily basis. 
7.  I play the piano.  It’s one of those skills that’s fun to have and I play when I need to relax.

So there you have it, an entirely positive post about me. I urge you to follow the example from Just.Be.Enough and share your thoughts about yourself. Thanks for reading mine. 

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Words to Live By

We may be identical twins, sharing a body type, hair & eye color, metabolism, ridiculous sized calf muscles, and currently a love for running, but that's where the similarities end. Don't get me wrong, we are probably more alike than different, but here's a list of things that come to mind:

1. Jessica is the studious one. I am the meathead.
2. I am a "fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" kinda gal. Jessica has been planning each minute since we left the womb.
3. Jessica worries that everything won't be done perfectly. I rarely worry if nothing ever gets done.
4. I would rather run 3 miles as fast as possible. Jessica would rather run for 12 hours straight. 
5. Jessica is an great Marine Corps officer, willing to sacrifice (in many opinions) too much to ensure she accomplishes the mission. When I was a Marine, I used to skip out early and go surfing.

Ok, you get my drift, right? Well, Jessica is currently serving as a company commander for a Radio Battalion deployed in Afghanistan. She struggles to find time to devote to maintaining her personal relationships with those "left behind" while keeping her focus on the mission/Marines at hand. That stresses her out. She doesn't have time to run as much as she would like to. That stresses her out too. So recently she emailed me and our two best friends (yeah, we have that in common) with her new mantra:

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Knowing my sister as I do, I realize that this will be a struggle for her to live up to. Jessica is a perfectionist. But as we've gotten older, she's mellowed a bit and I'm so thrilled that she found this great mantra to guide her through the next few months, or years. I have no doubt that she has this posted either next to her rack or by her computer as a constant reminder to slow down and just trust. 

When I received the aforementioned email, the closest thing I had to a mantra was "Enjoy Being" as you read earlier here. I headed out on a run Wednesday morning and was feeling pretty sluggish. I decided right then and there to develop my own mantra, something to get me through those rough spots of a run when I want to walk. Here it is:

Run - because you should.

Don't complain - because you can. 

Let me break it down. "Run - because you should." Run can be replaced with workout, eat healthy, cross train, etc. Basically, we should make an effort to modify our behavior in positive ways that result in healthier beings. For instance - I should run because I want my daughter to grow up with a good example on how to be healthy and strong. And the "Don't complain - because you can." What I mean by this is something that's prevalent within the fitness community already. Be grateful that you have legs and muscles that allow you to carry your body over the pavement in a smooth stride. As a member of a military community, I frequently see amputees, and it's a stark reminder to quit whining when my legs are sore or get tired. Our running club's (Stroller Warriors) leader's son was recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He is two and walks only with the help of a walker. But he gives 100% during his physical therapy and keeps such a positive attitude about his "magic shoes," that it makes me think twice before complaining to his mom about our current workout. So because I am ABLE to run, I really have no right to complain. It's a decision I made for myself. I've always been one of those people who sees my situation and says, "Well, it could be worse." Not everyone is like that. My husband couldn't be more opposite. Do what works for you. This mantra got me through 4 miles when I really didn't even want to be running. 

What words inspire you? 

Things I Like About Me

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Today I'm linking up with Just.Be.Enough to share with you a few Things I Like About Me (I'll make my sister - the other half of this blog - do the same when her schedule allows). One of our fellow FitFluential Ambassadors, Elena, posted this a couple days ago and I absolutely fell in love with it! The timing was unique in that I am currently reading Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and I highlighted this quote to share with you all:


"As you get older, though, through trial and error you learn to get what you need, and throw out what should be discarded. And you start to recognize (or be resigned to the fact) that since your faults and deficiencies are well nigh infinite, you'd best figure out your good points and learn to get by with what you have." 

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In a society filled with people cataloguing their own and everyone else's flaws on a daily basis, we should, for our mental health and well-being, take the time to really appreciate the things we like about ourselves. Make a list without any self deprecating humor or wishful speak; only use words that build you up. Here's my list:

1. I am content with life as it is. I enjoy the moment. My right foot is tattooed with the words "Enjoy Being." People are constantly asking me, "Enjoy being what?" I respond, "Just being." I can find the best in any situation.
2. I am not afraid to admit when I'm wrong. I am human. I make mistakes. It's just that easy. So admitting it just makes sense.
3. I have an athletic build. I am tall. I have a strong physique. I can throw a football or rock a sun salutation. I have embraced my body and am learning to love it.
4. I believe in helping others. I will go out of my way to help my friends. If I think a cause is worthwhile, I will support it. I think more people should be like this. People helping people is one of the primary ways we differ from animals.
5. I have hair people always compliment. I do not dye, curl, blow dry, straighten, etc., my hair. It's thick and strong. Whenever I have 10 extra inches, I chop it off and donate it. It's good hair:)
6. I am strangely good at word games. You know those games where they jumble the letters and you have to unscramble them to form the longest word? I can typically glance at those letters and tell you the word. It drives my mother-in-law crazy.
7. I am a runner. I have jokingly called myself "not a runner, just a jogger" on this very same blog. I suppose I used to be a recreational jogger when I was a Marine. I didn't like it; therefore, I only did it when I had to. Now, I'm a whole new woman! I am a stroller pushing, mid-foot striking, full on runner. And I love every mile of it!

So there you have it, an entirely positive post about me. I urge you to link up with Just.Be.Enough and share your thoughts about yourself. Thanks for reading mine. 

And with that said, I repeat:

ENJOY BEING!