Napolean Dynamite...Positive Changes

So I last jogged 12/03/11…Wow! I last jogged 12/03/11.

I didn’t realize it had been so long.  Time really can fly.

I never blogged about that day because there wasn’t much to say that I can recall.

I do recall running into Napolean Dynamite.

Well, I didn’t run into him, but I did see him.

Really! It was the bike, the hair, the long lanky body, and the glasses.

If it wasn’t him, it was his double.

I should’ve asked him about that, but it would’ve broken my run.  ;-)

So for some reason, because I’m trying to get back into working out, I decided to do Tae-bo yesterday.

The weather has been too cold to jog outside on the trail.  By the time I can jog on the trail, it’s too dark.

Well, I haven’t done my Tae-bo DVD’s in quite some time, maybe years.

Why I thought I could all of a sudden do the boot camp one is beyond me.

I did it though, but am unable to successfully walk or do much today.

As long as I take it slow, I’m good!  :D  (Although it hurts to cough, laugh, or sneeze!)

I ran around my complex because it’s well lit.

Of course after I checked the weather when I got home,

I realized the 54 degree weather may not have been the best weather to run in.

Still…I ran my 3 miles, if not a bit more.

I didn’t know how long I was running, so I ran a little over the most time it’s taken to run 3 miles.

I stopped to walk twice, but only allowed myself to walk for one minute each time.

As I jogged around, I noticed all the Christmas decorations that were simple, yet brightened the neighborhood.

Even the houses in our old neighborhood didn’t have anything.

Sometimes having less is more for some.

I thought it was great and a festive holiday feeling.

It got me to thinking about those who don’t have much these days and still try to make the best of it.

I’ve heard the stories on the news about people who paid off others layaway just because.

I also heard about a woman in our city who didn’t have much.

She still did what she could to be sure the children in her neighborhood would have something for Christmas.

The spirit of Christmas still survives.

The New Year will bring new challenges, good and bad, for all who embrace the challenge.

I’m hoping the New Year will bring good things for me.

I’m working on making those positive changes.

I wish every luck who puts some effort into making their challenges a success! 

Thanks for my everything!

I finally jogged yesterday after…well, too long.  I moved and was able to bring our dog which was a huge plus.  I have to admit that I don’t pray as often as I should, but I do pray.  I have to thank God for the plans that he had for me before this move.  I didn’t know what was going to happen until two days before it happened.  Was I stressed about this?  Yes and no.  I knew that God had a plan.  I did pray.  I just worried that it would be one of those lessons that I’d have to learn through trial and error.  I guess I was just hoping I’d been through enough trial and error to let me “go” on this one.   Thank God for always taking care of me.  No matter what!

So my new jogging trail is pretty awesome!  It’s an actual trail versus around the block.  It’s behind our new home and it’s a full mile so I don’t have to worry about keeping track.  Well, I lied.  I’m not sure exactly where the mile is because it goes in different directions, but I think I’m on the right path.  I’ll believe I am until I see otherwise.  I’m just glad I ran (well mostly) my 3 miles and didn’t do less after not jogging for so long.  There are a lot of trees and practically a squirrel for every tree. 

So I saw this dog running like crazy.  He was cracking me up.  He was the reason I walked a bit.  My trail surrounds a little creek, shall we call it, yet there is hardly ever any water in it.  So he ran as fast as he could from one side and back and around in circles.  It’s like he was racing himself.  J  Dogs are awesome!  His owner was walking, but at his own pace.  So the dog went to a point that his owner was heading to and sat down.  As his owner walked by, he walked with him.  Then he proceeded to run up to an area, pick up his left paw and peer “around the corner” (whether it was a fence or tree) and make sure there was nothing there before bolting to do it again at the next “stop”.  It was so cool.  I envied his energy and loved the freedom he was enjoying. 

I know I’m going to enjoy my new trail.  Hopefully it will be an inspiration of nature that will spark many good things to come.  Thank God for all he’s done for me and my family.  I’m sore today as a reminder not to wait to long to jog…or say thanks!!

Moments can be...

A moment can mean anything.
Fear can be the best motivator.
The moment you cross that finish line...A winner!
Procrastination can turn to determination.
Inspiration can come from willingness.
The moment you become...Engaged!
A smile can change to fear.
The moment you lose someone...Memories.
A hug turns into a moment that makes you feel warm.
The moment your child is born...Family!

Moments can be anything you want them to be. 
When they're not, it's up to you to change it. 
Enjoy the positive moments you get.  They may not last long.
Disregard the negative moments that turn your day upside down.  They do pass. 

Keep smiling and know that you are not alone. 
Walk with your head up and you won't trip!  Well...
Laugh and make sure nothing comes out your nose.
Make someone laugh and plant a smile!
Plant a hug (in good taste) and walk away.
Tell someone they're beautiful and leave it at that!

Thoughts Tumbling Out...

First, I gotta just say...I definitely prefer the long skinny shadow in front of me instead of the "more like me" shadow stuck beside me.  I don't want to be that long.  Just that flexible!

I saw the chinese man riding by on his bicycle.  It was so dark, I could barely see him, but I couldn't miss his reflectors.  Good job chinese man!

So today I kept thinking about Girl Scouts and the budget process? program? scenario?...something or other that I'm putting together for the girls.  There is a lot that I want to do, but I think I need to keep it simple and rewarding on a regular basis. 

My mind keeps going back to the next few weeks and all that I have going on.  Money would be a great help right now.  Donations are always accepted!!  So there's the move.  There's trying to take days off from work despite a constant schedule.  There's Halloween.  There's my kiddos stuff.  There's Girl Scouts.  There's an attempt at becoming treasurer for my daughters choir booster club.  They use Quickbooks, which I'm familiar with.  Seems like a lot of people find Quickbooks user friendly.

I used to use Quickbooks at my old job.  Well, I use it in my current job, but not to the same capacity.  I started out at that (old) job as someone who was supposed to answer phones.  I left 2 years later (and with a years notice) with a lot more experience than I would have imagined or could have asked for.  Thank you Pam and Nelson!!

Sometimes I feel like Ellen.  She did a comedy bit about procrastination and jumped from topic to topic.  I guess that's just what I do when I jog, though.  I think of so many things at once and can't write them down in the moment so they come tumbling out later.

Still toying with the idea of writing a book online.  Maybe I'll start it through a blog and see where it leads...

The Strength to Keep Going...

The moon has been pretty amazing these past couple nights!  The weather has been perfect and I've loved it!  I'm still maintaining my four-mile jog.  I'm sad that Kelly had to cancel her 10k that I was working for this month, but the goal for me has not been broken.  I still want to jog to lose weight, for my health, and to get to running a 10K when she does reschedule the date. 

I realized in this frame of thought that joggers really are on their own.  It's up to each individual to push themself when no one else can or will.  Joggers have to have their own inner strength that pushes them to the next level.  When your legs are aching and want to stop, you push them to keep going.  And I know from experience that pushing through that will matter and you can do it.  When you don't want to do that extra mile, but push yourself to do it, it makes all the difference in your accomplishment.  Getting up early, staying up late or just finding a way to run when you're beyond tired takes a certain kind fof committment.  We all have our off days, but there really is a certain individual strength that joggers have that no one can take away. 

Many joggers are beyond my committment level, but that's okay, because it's what works for me.

Just like the stars in the sky shine brightly no matter what the weather, we can all stand out in our own way.  It just takes the strength to continue when you want to give up!

Determination and Keeping Austin Weird!

As soon as I start jogging, I realize that I see perpendicular lines and graphs in my vision.  Darn that Algebra class I'm taking.  It's not fun and these darn formulas are gonna be the death of me.  y=mx+b...y,x...x,y...find the slope....sheesh!  It's following me everywhere.

So I realized that I have such inspiration when I'm running, but I can't seem to bring it back long enough to get it in writing.  I've got stories of my own life, stories that my dreams would make, stories that I have ideas for...I can write the whole thing in my head, but still...I gotta find a way to bring it home.   All of it, not just part.

So I ran 4 miles today.  Okay, I had to walk some on that last mile, but it was worth it.  I pushed myself to that next level.  I think I was scared to at first, because now that I've set the bar at 4 miles, I have to maintain that.  I say "whatever" to the saying that tells you, "You don't HAVE to do anything" because I do.  I realized that runners have some sort of determination gene in them.  Is that even a real thing? I doubt it.  All I know is that running allows you to set your own limits, push yourself on your own time, and above all things, do what it takes to prove that you can do whatever you set your heart to.  Seriously! 

One realization I had was that I've always been a runner.  I have taken years off, but I remember jogging back in high school.  I do enjoy it.  I think I talked myself out of it for years, but getting back into it has me challenging myself to go further.  Running the 5K's and hopefully a 10K also gives back to whatever charity I'm running for.  That's always a good thing. 

In the spirit of keeping Austin weird...As I was running my second lap, I passed two guys who said hello to me.  Granted, this is after 10pm at night.  They seemed harmless, but...as I made my fourth lap, they were still in the same area.  Not moving, but kind of in the middle of nowhere just walking back and forth.  No idea what they were doing, but they did root me on.  One guy even put his hand out so I could give him 5 as I jogged past.  I wasn't going to leave him hanging, so I did.  I ran the fourth lap and then that was it for me. 

So now my next step is investigating just how to run a 10K.  Do I stop for water every so often?  Do I push myself through the entire thing?  Should I be focusing on a proper diet (because I'm not)?  For now, I'll just keep jogging and attempt to get to that 6 mile mark.  

I think I can.  I think I can.   

Put your behind in your past...

"It is what it is."  I really hate that phrase.  I can't remember the relation being made to something positive.  It's usually something bad that's already happened that you can't do anything about.  I suppose that really is all you can say when there's no other words, but there's just so much with this comment that tells me it could've been changed. 

When we make mistakes we try not to repeat those mistakes, right?  At least for the most part anyway.  What bugs me about people is when they chose not to learn from their mistakes.  Unfortunately this goes for many people.  Sometimes we choose the consequences over giving up the action.  We are, however, human.  I am human.

I started to think about writing my own history.  I think back to certain memories I've had that I don't want to forget.  I've made my mistakes, for sure, over my life (and continue to do so) but it's the path of life that gets us to where we are.  Living with regrets sucks so why do it.  Accept it and move on.  Even if you're living with regret now...is there anything you can do about it?   If so, do it.  If not, move on.  If it will take time, accept that and move on. 

As Timon and Pumbaa have stated so well,
Pumbaa: It's like my buddy Timon always says: you got to put your behind in your past.
Timon: No, no no. Amateur. Sit down before you hurt yourself. It's "You got to put your past behind you."

It Takes Time

So it's been a week since 9/11 and I began to think about those who lost someone in 9/11 and still hadn't found them a week later.  The unknown of where your friends or family are a week after a plane crashed into a building with so much damage, people killed or hurt, and people still missing...honestly, I can't imagine what that felt like. 

We are all so fragile and losing so much in an instant is still something we are unwilling to grasp.

I started thinking about the power of people in groups.  So many people gathered together at the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and mourned together.  They were combined by a common tragedy.  Unfortunate, but something that you couldn't explain in words unless you had gone through it.  The word anniversary is usually associated with a celebration, like a birthday or a marriage.  I don't know that a negative image is what comes to mind at first thought. 

As I kept jogging, I began to keep pushing myself not to walk.  As my thoughts were along the lines of how the inner strength of people can be amazing, I told myself that I needed to push myself to the next level.  I want to jog a 10K, but I'm not ready.  All I'm doing is negating what I haven't done.  I push myself when I don't want to run anyore and get past that "I can't do it" moment.  Why can't I do that more often?  

I start to think about work.  I think about work way too much when I'm jogging, but I start to think about the stories patients have shared with me.  Some have lived far worse lives than I and have still managed to stay optimistic.  It really comes down to allowing time to heal wounds and grow from the mistakes made.  It takes time to move past things sometimes, but in doing so shows how life changes and you need to change with it.

What the heck?

So I went jogging in the morning (10'ish) last Sunday for about 40-45 minutes.  The next day I had a bit of a sunburn. Nothing hurt.  My face was just dry and slightly peeling.  I've always been a friend to the sun, so why does it do this to me?  I never have to wear sunscreen because my skin is always compatible with the sun.  ;-)  I've been lucky that way...up until now anyway.   Sun, you win! You're much more powerful than me and I've seen the damage you can do. 

So then I jog at night and although it's almost 11pm, I have shadows all around me.  (Sorry I'm jogging so late mom, but it's the only time that I can fit it into my schedule most days.)  Turns out those three shadows following me were my own.  It's still scary and left me only running two miles instead of three.

Not sure I can run a 10K next month, but I haven't given up on the idea yet.  I'm just hoping that I can at least do the 5K to be consistent with running Kelly's racewithadvocare.com.  I want to be a friend (and help myself in a good way of course) and support her just by being there and supporting what she does.  I do support it.  Heck, that's why I bought into her business and buy Spark all the time.  Thanks Kelly!

So...no more early morning running.  At night, I'm going to get myself pumped up to ignore the shadows and not feel so scared.  My heart is beating enough as it is.  (Mom, I'll try late evening as opposed to 11pm.)

Oh yeah, and I was stupid enough to try sprinting now and again.  That was so dumb, but I think I kinda liked it..  It wore me out and I for sure felt it the next morning.  Hhhmmmm, there might be something to this sprinting! 

Can't ride a bike...

No, that doesn't mean I don't know how, it just means I can't do it on a long term basis.  I don't understand how people can sit on a bike for so long with triathlons or bike outings or such.  My behind hurts after a few minutes on that, so I just don't get it.  When I'm jogging and I see them ride by in pairs or by themselves with their little "bike outfit" on (you know what I'm talking about), I can't help but wonder how long they've been riding and why I feel like I'm the only one with this problem.  Oh well.  I'll just keep jogging.

I don't know where everyone jogs, but I jog in my neighborhood and there are a few things I dislike about jogging.  1)  The uneven sidewalk that causes me (yes, it's the sidewalks fault) to almost sprain my ankle.  2) The bugs I almost step on or possums that I see running toward me that I keep thinking are cats.  It's only happened twice now, but it's a little freaky.  I really thought it was a cat and just glad it went into the gutter and the other one just kept chasing that cat around to the back of that house.  3) The tan lines my socks give me.  I guess I could just buy new socks that would help with this problem, but unless I'm willing to run in sandals, I think I'm going to have a little bit of this problem no matter what kind of socks I wear. 

What I love...When my legs are aching and I push myself to keep going no matter what.  After a while, the ache goes away and my body finally decides to agree with my jogging.  It's a great feeling to know that I didn't give up.  I'm just glad I'm running 5K's around my neighborhood.  I really want to get in shape and can't jog as often as I'd like, so I want to make the most of it when I can.  (It sounds a lot better to say I ran a 5K than "almost 4 miles".)   :D

9/11 starts the day...

So I start jogging and can't help but think of those who were affected by 9/11.  I think about what a patient of mine told me who was there.  He saw the plane hit and remembers the body parts that went flying as he and his family and friends just ran away once they were all together. 


I feel for the families who go home to a house  that used to feel more like home.  Maybe 10 years later things have been accepted to some degree.  I just don't understand how you do that.  How are you supposed to live and move on from a life that changed in just moments?  For those who lost children, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, friends, pets, etc...it just takes away dreams and future memories.  Nobody asked them if it was okay.


What do you think about moments before you die?  What do you think about as you're dyiing because you know no one can get to you?  No one plans to die so what do you do, think, or say when that choice is taken from you?


As we've now lived a decade with this tragedy and tried to grow from it, we have to realize that life is more precious than we could ever admit or truly realize.  The saying, "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today" should have more meaning.  If it doesn't, what kind of wake up call do you need?

Memories

I started thinking about random memories.  The time I ran away from school and ended up living with my principal for the summer.  His family was awesome and I even got to go to Michigan with them.  It was a drive from New Mexico that was just a really nice family experience.  I remember when I went water skiing for the first time.  I had a wedge the whole time, but I was half-standing and riding those skis, so I wasn’t about to move and risk falling.  I fared well enough and am glad to say I water skied!  

I’ve been snow skiing once and, yes, I stayed on the bunny hill the whole time.  I’m okay with that though because at least I learned how to do it in half a day to be on my own with my friends for the rest of it.  If only my ski pants hadn’t stopped falling down.  They were not mine and they were over my own pants, but someone thought I needed the “extra” wind breaker.  Oh well! I skied.  And falled! ;-)  Many times!

I started thinking about my best friend from kindergarten.  I wonder what Angelia is up to these days.  I saw her sister Renee in college at SWAU, but that’s the last time I saw a blast from my past.  I miss her, but it’s crazy to realize that I remember her from that long ago.  Talk about going way back.  I even remember our friend Angelo as well.  His dad owned a funeral home.  I wonder where life has taken my kindergarten friends.