21.

Today was a lazy lazy but perfect kind of Saturday.  The sunshine through our windows was our alarm clock and we pushed the "snooze button" several times and dozed back off until our daughter came in to crawl into bed with us.  It was a day of putzing around the house, moving furniture, picking up our special find from the estate sale I found yesterday, switching pieces of art and mirrors around to different walls, napping, letting our kids play the day away in between rehearsals and sports, and finally running.

Rather than finding arrangements for the kids so my husband and I could run together on the trails, I took the treadmill/netflix option (since I get my fill of trails during the week) and he went out for 2 hours in nature.  I ran shorter today:  6 miles with 5 between 5% ad 7% incline to get a feel for my 50k elevation.  Yesterday was a road run with 4 at what used to be my goal marathon pace but not has become more of a tempo pace.  Today, my body felt as if I hadn't even run so that's a good sign.  Honestly, I think I'm in better shape than I realize.  If  I went out and raced today with my mind on board to truly race, I think I could run some pretty good paces.  As far as endurance goes (what I WANT for a 50k trail race), I think I am a bit behind here and will definitely feel it come May 7th when we run Smith Rock 50k trail race.  I just haven't put in the right amount of work for this kind of race and I know this.  I'm prepared to go into it giving what I have and taking it easy enough so that I can finish.

I think it has to do with it being Boston Marathon weekend (first year I haven't been in awhile) but I'm starting to get an itch to train harder for a marathon again.  I at least want the option of running Boston again in 2017 or 2018 so I'd need to run a qualifying race since my last qualifying time (last year's Boston) will have expired.  Anyway, maybe fleeting thoughts and maybe not...

Flashback to Boston 2014: This was such a fun Boston! One where I truly "soaked it all up"...the experience and the rain!! I smiled so much in this race that my smile lines were definitely visible by the end! I was still so happy and feeling good here at the end but no matter how you run the marathon, it takes some digging deep to finish strong. 

Again,  here in link is the post that began Project Begin Again.  And below are the guidelines I keep in every post.  

Day 21:

Gratitude:

• Gorgeous day here in Central Oregon.  All my windows are open right now, the sun is filling my space, and I can hear kids playing outside.  
• Weekends.  Thank goodness we get a couple days to play and relax and catch up (with each other and our houses).  
• Awareness and insight.  I'm so thankful that I'm able to step back so often... step back, reflect, and gain new perspectives on life.  There is a whole heck of a lot we give our energy to... worrying about, overthinking, giving so much time to... SO much that we think is important but in the end, doesn't really matter very much at all.  I'm thankful to have these small wake up moments where I can let go of a whole heck of a lot and find joy in the parts of life that matter MOST.  

Intentions: 

• Sit down in my home more often.  Sit.  Read, play, laugh, talk, write, notice....  Sit more!  I don't relax and enjoy my space nearly enough.  

How have I, or can I continue to play even a small part in making the world a better place (Be the Change):  

• Say "Thank You" more.  Let others know what they mean.  
• Forgiveness.  Acknowledging that we are all human.  Being human is complicated and full of all sorts of emotions and imperfections and ultimately, LEARNING.   

Happy Saturday,

Amanda