Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Injuries and Determination

I've been keeping a rather tight lid on this venture. I'll admit that I love setting and meeting goals, but I absolutely hate how people can undermine your accomplishments or put your down with a smile. I'd much rather set a goal, meet it, and never let anyone else know. My goal can be my own, little, secret happiness. But sometimes, it is good for me to share my ups and downs. Sometimes it is a source of growth and joy despite the happiness suckers out there. Those are the times when I remember that my goals, my life, my little blog aren't here for other people. They're really here for me. And I can choose to share them or not on a whim. So, here goes. I'm in a sharing mood.

I've been training on and off for a half marathon since November. I say on and off because early on I decided to try out new, minimalist shoes. I didn't break them in. I didn't have my gait analyzed. I didn't know what I was getting into. I don't even know when exactly it happened, but I sprained the top of my left foot pretty badly. I tried to run through it. That didn't turn out so well. In the end I had to take a month+ off from running, from yoga, from just about everything because I couldn't move my foot. I could walk. That was it.

After a month of inactivity, I didn't really think I would be able to come back. I thought my February half marathon was impossible. After a lot of self-pity, I decided that since I'd already signed up for the race, I would finish that race even if I have to drag my sorry butt over the finish line. So I started training. Those first few runs were brutal. My whole body was stagnant. It didn't matter how far I was going, I'd be huffing and puffing. My legs were stiff. I hated every mile. Eventually though the miles got easier. Its like riding a bike I guess- you never really forget how to do it.

I ran 9 miles this weekend and it felt great. Am I where I thought I would be five weeks before my first half marathon? Nope. But I'm here. I'm running. And it feels damn good!

<3 K.E.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

2013

Welcome, welcome 2013! I have a feeling that this year holds a lot of new adventures for my little family and will be a spectacular year.  I love the excitement that I feel when a new year dawns. The air is full of so much promise- I'm making resolutions, visualizing dreams, enjoying time with loved ones. It is fresh and new and no one has ever ventured into this year before. It is an untamed land full of adventure, romance, and mystery.

A new year is truly a bittersweet moment. As I'm welcoming a brand new year, I'm also letting go of the old one. Saying goodbye to a year that holds such sweet memories and heartaches. In 2012, I learned to let go of what others want from me and instead to focus on what is good for me, what brings me life. I learned to open myself to new experiences, to new favorites, to new (or simply rediscovered) hobbies. I also celebrated my first wedding anniversary. 2012 was a full, wonderful year. It is hard to say goodbye to such a dear friend.

I've been giving a lot of thought to what I want out of this year and the main thing is joy. I want to focus on the good things and learn to put the bad into perspective. Taking a hint from a few other bloggers, I decided to choose a word to embody 2013. My word of the year is positivity. I want to be a positive person. No more Debbie Downer! Move over glass half empty! This year is all about my blessings!

<3 K.E.