Great life lessons!

Today, keeping the day easy, I was reading a blog and I read something that totally rang home. I wish I would have listened a bit more when I was a teenager so that I wouldn't have to learn as many lessons when I was growing up.

This is her list...

12 Things I Would Want My 12-Year-Old-Self to Know:

1. Being perfect is over-rated. No One and No Thing is perfect. Striving for perfection will only make you unhappy. Remember to always show up as who you are, and do not apologize for that. Your job is to be the best Emma you can be. Be yourself. Be your own person. Always do and say what is true for you and you cannot go wrong.

This is completely true! So true, in fact, that I'm trying to teach my 10 year this now. Please, please understand that it is alright to make mistakes while trying to be the best person you can be.

2. You will meet some boy someday who you think you cannot live without. But if he makes you change who you are, or makes you think less of yourself or does not live up to your high standards of what you think you deserve, he is not the one for you. Always know what you are worth.

This worked out for me, it was easy...for everyone, however it isn't so easy but always know and understand that you deserve the best.

3. Having good friends is essential – a true gift in your life. A friend always has your best interests in mind, but a friend is not always perfect. Remember that just like you, your friends are human. They will make mistakes and let you down. If they are a true friend, give them the benefit of the doubt. And remember, friendships will change. It is just part of life. Sometimes it will be time to let a friendship go, and that is okay.

4. To have a good friend, you must be a good friend. Be loyal, caring, and dependable. Listen, but don’t be afraid to lean on your friends for advice and support.

5. Even though it might sometimes seem that your friends are living a better life than you do–maybe they have more stuff, maybe they are an only child and get lots of attention, maybe they have tons of brothers and sisters and that seems fun, maybe they live in a huge house, maybe they take major vacations – whatever the case, or whatever the reason is that you think they have a life that you want – the grass is not greener. The life you have is exactly the one meant for you. The life you have can be whatever you want it to be. And, if you count your blessings and appreciate what you have, you will have the greatest life of all.

This also goes along with living in the moment. Always be living in the moment and enjoy what you do have. Don't worry about what everyone else have.

6. Love your brother. Sam might get on your nerves, but he is the only sibling you have. As you get older, he will become more and more important to you. You and Sam share a bond that you will never have with anyone else. Cherish that.

And maybe it isn't a Sam...maybe its a Tyler...either way, it is your sibling and no one with appreciate you and understand you more than them.

7. Cut your parents some slack. They are not perfect either, although they are doing the best that they can. As you get older, you will blame them for things – just remember that we always loved you and tried to do what we thought was the right thing for your growth and happiness.  8. Don’t hold grudges, life is too short.

9. Think about what you love to do and think about it a lot. Make sure you do bits of these things everyday. Always have the big picture in mind, and think forward to how you can bring the love and passion for those things into your life as you get older. This might happen in your job, by having children, in your marriage, who knows. Just never lose sight of the simple things that make you happy.

10. Be active. Not for the purpose of being thin or looking a certain way but because it makes you a better, more well-rounded person. Being active and moving your body will relieve stress, will put your life in perspective, will keep you young.

11. If you hurt someone, say you are sorry.

Its ok to say your sorry, and 99% of the time it will fix our little mistakes that we are bound to make. Once you are ok with making the mistakes you will be ok with saying 'I'm sorry.'

12. Do not worry. Worry will eat you up inside. Do your best everyday, then let the little things go. Things have a way of working themselves out. One of the best things to learn at a young age is that we cannot control things. The harder we try to make things a certain way, the more we will suffer because things NEVER hardly go as planned. Do your best to be open to the mystery of life.
 

So that is her list...and now my list...too many great lessons there that I only hope will benefit someone!

low points...getting better, hopefully!

As I was sitting in the dentist chair yesterday for the first time in probably 5 years I was busy stressing out about 32 other things I need to be doing. They took my blood pressure; "text book, perfect," they said. This is unusually high for me and do you know what message that sent to me? You let it all get to you! You allowed all of it (the negative happenings in life) finally break you down. I have always, always prided myself in letting things just be, however it was meant to be will always work itself out, there is no reason to stress about it. And here I did just that. I don't have an answer why I allowed it, and now that I have I'm struggling on how to let it all go.

After two weeks of negative after negative filtering in my life, I'm trying really really hard to learn my lesson but in the end I just end up in tears. I think I have cried more in the past two weeks than I have cried in the past year. I would rather not rehash everything because I'm trying really hard to remember only positives.

I'm going to look at the 'blood pressure, light bulb moment' to be the moment as I remember everything getting better and I'm going to list every positive thing that happened in the last two weeks... Here goes ...

-- All 4 of us had great check ups at the dentist (except for 1 minor issue that was already taken care of)

-- I was able (forced) to rest/mend my tired/achy muscles.

-- I had some extra time to play board games with my kids

-- I have had the opportunity to read a book about appreciating what I have in the present

--I have been reminded that I am surrounded by great friends and supportive family

-- I got my taxes all done and ready to mail in

I know, not a very long list but its a start. And the start is always the hardest part.

So I'm going to choose to focus on the positives for now...And try to get my life back to normal.

Training frustrations, starting early

I know you were all expecting this post, probably thought it would have been later in the week, but alas, here we are on Monday and I'm already stressed about not running. I had a very busy weekend, I can't even remember if I went to run Friday morning. I was supposed to run three miles on Saturday and I didn't do it because of the snow, but instead I tried a new workout on a FitWall. I'm still sore from that, and it was great interval training. Then this morning the alarm went off to go run another 3 miles and my body wouldn't move. I'm so tired, probably a combination of the training, the running kids everywhere and only being at my house for sleeping over the weekend. I read a blog this morning and the author wrote last week that she was frustrated with her running because she seemed so tired and runs were hard etc etc. But happy to report that this week is easier. I so hope that things align for me, sooner than later. I keep telling myself that missing a run or two is not a big deal as long as all the long runs are met. I hope I'm not fooling myself. Palisade is a great course and I just want to feel good and hopefully do better than the 2:02 from last year. Hopefully with combing my running with some other total body strengthening things will come together, like a perfect storm.

Brooke had a dance competition over the weekend. This one went much smoother than last month's and I'm happy to report that Brooke was much nicer to me this time than last. It helps that she knows what to expect now and I know what to expect, so I'm a lot better prepared. 2 of her dances scored better than last time and 1 of them made it into the top 10; I'm happy to see the improvement. Makes all those hours of driving around and waiting worth it.

Palisade update & others

Training for Palisade has officially started. I've got my long runs, I've been doing more stuff on the treadmill than ever before, I've only skipped a few of the runs during the week, mostly because of weather. However, I have yet to run a true tempo run. Really, I know I'm scared of it, but that isn't why I haven't run one yet. The first week, it was snowing so crazy that I decided it wouldn't be safe, the next week my partner that I recruited ditched me. And now, my partner has ditched me yet again, but I'm running. It might not be a true tempo run, but will be miles and hopefully that will help. Over the weekend I ended up running over 17 miles. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened. And although I was exhausted on Sunday night, my body handled the mileage pretty well. I'm sure there is a lesson here, that maybe a marathon wouldn't be totally out of the question. The first track session of the year started this week also. I felt good, but I didn't push it for best times, I was aiming for 10k pace and I was able to do that. That makes me happy and I'm at a good starting point for the year. The kind of frustrating part of this deal is that this week my mileage will be closer to 30, next week based on the schedule is about 1/2. I know I should love the recovery weeks but they scare me into thinking I'm not going to be prepared.

This was from a beautiful snowy day that we spent in Evergreen ice skating and sledding! So much fun!

 

Because I know everyone cares about other things than just my running issues...I will update...Tyler just finished up with indoor soccer. Although they didn't do great as far as winning games, they did grow as a team and really get the concept of passing and defending and holding positions. Tyler has been playing much better and I'm so happy to see the growth. Tyler has also started piano lessons. He loves the teacher and has decided that he wants to play in the recital. Which is great, except the recital is in a month and he has only been playing for a month. He will do great I know...but wow! Brooke is still dancing. Her dances have made it to nationals, so she is happy and the memories she will make and remember will be amazing. She is also playing the piano and doing very well. I'm happy to see her hold it all together.

Palisade training

Official training for me starts on Monday for the Grand Valley 1/2. I'm not sure why I feel like it is such a big deal. It isn't as if I haven't been going to the gym and running. Maybe it is because I have taken the time this year to write down some goals and in order for those goals to happen, one must train for them. I have been running long enough and had enough disappointing finishes to know that you can't just pray for a strong race, you have to train your butt off and pray for it.

Perhaps I'm also a little nervous because I have decided to try a new training plan for myself this time around. Before, I have always had someone tell me how to do things and when to do them and this time I am a little more on my own. It will be good for me, to push myself, not rely on others to keep the pace but learn to feel it all on my own. I have taken a training plan from Hal Higdon for an advanced runner (which I question if I'm even qualified for) then I tweaked it a little and then another coach/friend tweaked it again for me. This time I'm including tempo runs, which quite frankly, scare me. They sound hard and intimidating and did I say hard? On those runs I will have to run with someone as I usually don't push myself like I could/should. And instead of going by miles on my long runs I will be going by time. I tried this method once before and it didn't work out so well. However, there is this thing, called consistency and that may have been part of the problem. I'm aiming for a 1 hour 50 min 1/2 marathon time. Grand Valley is a hard course so I will need to train hills and flats alike. I'm excited, yet intimidated by the schedule. One day at a time though. Yesterday I read an article mentioning how to focus your time during marathon / 1/2 marathon training. I'm still learning. This is probably part of the reason I haven't signed up for a marathon, I can barely get my training for a 1/2 in let alone doubling the mileage.

I'm excited for this race, as it has been since last August that I have been in 'training.' My last couple of 5k's have been a little disappointing just because I hoped for more and when you aren't working on turnover and speed and hills you don't have great races. You just race. I remember trying to remind myself that it is off season, I will be fine. And you know what, from a year ago my 5K is faster...just not my fastest. I guess I do understand that there will eventually be a time when I won't be working on getting faster, instead working toward staying the same. For right now I'm going to hope I'm continuing to get faster, it is kinda motivating.

Brooke's first dance competition

Brooke had her first dance competition this last weekend. And remembering that I'm her mom so it is easy for her to let me see her true colors, she almost didn't live to make it to her first number. I did try and put myself in her position with her nerves and fear of the unknown, I did try to understand that for a 9 year old this is a lot to handle. But you can see my battle here...

Notice how cute all the girls look? All innocent and beautiful...

Now I encourage you to look at Brooke's fabulous reaction when she noticed I was taking pictures. If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here right now.

But see how beautiful she is? Who wouldn't want to take pictures of this?

 

Out of all the dances this one was Brooke's least favorite, however all the girls did amazing and ended up getting an 'intesity' award out of this. It is safe to say that Brooke has rethought her favorite dances. After dancing on Saturday we went to dinner with some of the teachers and other students and their families... Yes, this guy teaches my kid to dance. Mom of the year material right here ;). It's a good thing Brooke thinks this guy is amazing.

 

 

Finally after an early morning (leaving the house when it was still dark) a long drive, a lot of hair teasing and then some waiting, some sowing and more waiting and face painting here is Brooke for her last number...

 

 

I think she looks awesome, but she thinks she looks ridiculous.

 

Just so you know my life isn't completely about my kids. I was able to get up early on Saturday and get a run in. A beautiful run at a new trail, it was peaceful and easy to get lost in your own thoughts and spirit lifting. Funny how the universe works in mysterious ways. Had I not had the uplifted spirit, there is a good chance I would have strangled Brooke. more mom of the year material ;).

 

This week has been a little easier for me, in terms of not so many things to get done. See I think that until I remember that Valentine's Day is just a few days away and no party planning has occured, and I have a 5K to run this weekend and I'm sure I'm not in 5K shape not to mention the pain I have been having along the whole left side of my body.

 

 

Cabo Trip 2013

We got back from Cabo just in time to thoroughly enjoy the 5 degree temperature here in Denver. Sometimes I wonder why we live here.....

Maybe this is why...

Anyway, our trip to Cabo started a little rocky when the people at the hotel tried to be super pushy and get us into a sales pitch deal. I had to turn mean before I walked away. After that however, things vastly improved. I would have to say that the beach (Medano Beach to be exact) is pretty fabulous. I mean where else are you going to find a 3 mile span of perfect sand to run, build and play in along with calm water that's only fault is too much salt?

I finally got over (a little bit) my fear of swimming in the ocean. I've always been a little scared of the unknown and pure enormity of the ocean that I couldn't imagine letting my feet get off the ground. Maybe it was a combination of my want to swim and maybe a little courage from not showing my kids any fear that finally got me out there. The hotel also had set up a roped off swimming area that boats and jet ski's aren't allowed to enter. For some reason I think the fish might have missed the memo to stay out. So the first day, off I went to swim the length (just a simple out and back) and it felt like forever to get to the rope and turning around felt like I was working so hard and getting no where but then all of a sudden I was back on shore. After a slow progression I got up to swimming 4 lengths at a time. Each time I would venture out the experience was a little different, a boat would get close and make weird waves, the current was different etc etc etc. I can't say I'm totally over my fear but I'm doing better. And in the midst of it all Brooke did some swimming also, in the ocean, on her own. I'm so proud it didn't take her 32 years to figure it out. Lou and Tyler on the other hand still have their feet planted solidly on the sand.

The famous arch

We took a boat out to find some whales, see the arch (lands end) and maybe find some Sea Lions. The funny thing about Cabo is one side is the Pacific Ocean and the other side is the Sea of Cortes. The Pacific Ocean side is so chopping and rough that being in a small boat can be frightful, especially for my land loving family. It is crazy how you could almost draw a line in the ocean to see the difference. We did get to see a whale and we were reminded how giant of animals they really are. The cool part, in my opinion is that we saw a sea turtle that came to the top. He was giant and gentle and awesome. We saw the sea lions and the arch and some "Nemo and Dory" fish. In the end a fabulous adventure.

The rocks where we would watch the boats and Sea Lions

We loved playing in the sand, I actually enjoyed running in the sand this time. Lou and I went running together one morning and he totally kicked my butt which made me super sad, but then he had to walk back and I ended up waiting for him. We walked into town a couple of times and watched the boats go in and out of the marina. The kids liked to watch the sea lions and build sand castles and swim. Tyler actually made a lot of progress with his comfort in the water. I'm excited about that. They also loved "happy hour" (who doesn't right?) so they could get a virgin strawberry daiquiri, that they would never drink. In the end, just to have some time where you aren't inflicted with places to be and things to do etc etc is fabulous. To wake up when you wake up and do things whatever you want, this can be totally re-energizing.

 

The sunrise was beautiful!

 

Possibly my new favorite picture of us!