Self Reflection

Reading a few running blogs tonight really got me thinking about where I'm at with my running and how I'm living my life.  Running seems to be on my mind an awful lot lately.  I want it more than I've ever wanted it before.  To use my potential and push my limits as a runner.  To break through mental barriers.  Set personal records.  Run without fear.  Push myself through pain.  Feel my body work and see myself reach new heights.  I want to finally just run like I know I can run.  And Run Just For Me!

But I also want to remember balance.  I want to be reminded about the other loves in my life that are equally as important.  It is easy for me to get so one tracked with my mental focus.  I get almost obsessive sometimes about an idea, a goal, or an image of something I want to do with my life.  It is easy for me to forget to be in the present with my life and open my eyes to all the other gifts I have.  All the other things in my daily life that need and deserve my full and present mind.

So, yes, I will continue to be strong with my running.  I will continue to set goals and push myself as an athlete.  This seems like a good time in my life to see what I can do as a runner.  But this is also a time in my life where I am blessed to be given the opportunity to be home with my three children.  I want to make sure I savor this time in my life and don't miss out on these fleeting moments because I have my head stuck in a running tunnel where I'm just thinking about running, reading about running, writing about running, and commenting on blogs about running.

So, my goal:  To continue to work on balance.  To strive to be fully present in the moments I have with my children and to be fully present in my training when I am in a workout. To give my all to my training when I'm training but to be able to shut my running thoughts off when I'm creating memories with my children.  

Speaking of running, I'm taking a few days off because of some pain in my hamstring.  It hurts again right down by my knee on the inside.  Right where it was bruised the most when I ripped it.  Hoping it is just tired and from running hard the last few days.  I'm think that my 6 miler with some sub 7 paces in there in my minimally supportive shoes (still adjusting to them) might have been a little much for my still freshly healed hammy.  Hopefully I'll be back to training again on Wednesday.  I'd rather lose some workouts than be stuck not running at all.

Since it's Valentine's Night, I'll end this post with a few pictures from today.

I woke up early this morning to have time to write to my husband in our Marriage Journal.  Yes, I have one of those too...Good grief, you think I have enough journals?!  

I was pleasantly surprised to find that he had already written to me!  Perfect gift!

I decided to be creative with my message to him.  I'll have to print this picture out and glue in our journal.  Oh, and it says "Love, Jean" because that is my middle name and for some reason we've always used our middle name when we sign our letters to each other.

My Youngest Valentine.  Love this little Man!  He makes my heart smile.  All my kids do!

A Valetine's Dinner at Urban Fondue in our favorite Portland neighborhood.  

Powell's Books...A Must Visit if you ever come to Portland!  One of the largest bookstores in the nation!

Did I say I love Fresh Flowers?!  These are for all the ladies in the house.  The little ladies were so thrilled to hear that they were for them too!  

1.  Seems to be a good week for self reflection based on some of the blogs I've read and things I've heard from friends.  Any big self reflection going on in your life?

2.  What do you do to help yourself "BALANCE" it all?  Work, Running, Parenting, Being a Wife or Husband?

3. Do you have to remind yourself to be in the "Now" or be fully present in your life more?
Amanda

32!

Having a weekend away in Napa with my girlfriends was a great way to celebrate the end of my days as a thirty-one year old.  I had time away from my crazy but wonderful life as a mother and had the perfect setting to reconnect with my girlfriends.  I had more wine than I usually have in two weeks, ate way different from my usual diet, and didn't exercise nearly as much as normal.  As most people with a running problem can relate, I came home feeling like I need a good solid workout to get my endorphins going and the sweat flowing!  In light of turning thirty-two, I thought I'd give my workout a little twist:

*  3.2 miles on the elliptical in just under 32 minutes
*  1.32 miles of running on the treadmill (the last .5 was at 8 minute mile pace which is a huge step in my recovery!  Seeing light at the end of the tunnel!)  Felt Incredible!
*  32 lunges
* 32 squats without weight
*  32 push ups (2 sets of 16)
* 3.2 minutes of stretching (okay, might have been a bit longer but that ruins the 32 theme)

Now in light of motherhood, running and life in general, here is a list of random things on my mind.

1.  Coming home to my husband and kids after a weekend away was absolutely wonderful!  I missed them so much and from the love they gave me, I know they missed me too.  Even though I feel crazy and unraveled many days, it is days like today that I remember how much I love motherhood and being a wife.

2.  This is one of the gifts my husband and kids had for me for my birthday and to welcome me home.

3.  And these:

4.  Here is another one of my birthday presents and  a book I'll be starting this week.  And here is the link to the official Born To Run fan site: http://borntorun.org/



5. I'm also starting this new book called When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson.  I can already tell that it will be a book I will enjoy and can relate to as a mother with three kids under the age of six.  I also enjoy reading her blog.  She is real and makes me feel normal about my crazy mom moments. 



6.  The girls thought I could use some magic wands too.  I think these might come in handy this week when I'm needing down time.  They'll help to remind me to focus on the positives and be in the present with my children. 

7.  My appointment with my sports chiropractor today was awesome.  Dr. Forcum was so excited to see the progress I've made and how great my hamstring is looking compared to last time!  This makes my runner heart happy!

8.  Sticking your head out of a moving limo in beautiful Napa Valley is a MUST.  Really makes you feel like a kid again.  Or a dog.

9. Life is too short to always be second guessing myself.  I'm really hoping to work more on loving myself for all that I am and not trying so hard to please others.  Every year of life I get a little better at this.

10.  Life is so much better with daily exercise.  Everything is more enjoyable: food, drink, family, body image.  And if the exercise is running...Even Better for me!

11.  Note to self:  When getting together with a group of women for a girl trip, try not to talk the entire time and  let the quiet and more reserved girls have enough wait time to get a word in too! Getting a break from kids was exciting and I could not shut up! 

12  Fresh veggies and fruits are a must to have in my body every day!  I just feel blah without it and really hope to be better about making good food choices.  Vacation doesn't count.

13.  Since I'm speaking of fruit, and just so nobody thinks we take ourselves too seriously around here:

What is something you get better at with age? or What is something you hope to be better at in your next year of life?

Amanda