Life Lessons From a 50K

My body still aches, but my heart is giddy. I recently took a giant step toward achieving my 50-mile goal. 72,829 steps to be exact.  This August, I completed my very first ultramarathon, The Kodiak Ultra, a 50K in the local San Bernardino mountains. 32.1 total miles of hiking, running, scrambling, and at times shuffling,Continue reading “Life Lessons From a 50K”

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Do you remember the phrase, Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)? I think I first heard that term in the late 80’s in one of my first computer classes.   The concept is common in the computing and mathematics worlds to describe the idea that the quality of input determines the quality output. If you put faultyContinue reading “Garbage In, Garbage Out”

The Curveball

I don’t know about you, but I am a worrier. A control freak. A micromanager. I’m a planner, a doer, and often, a perfectionist. I am working on the concept of being “good enough” rather than “perfect” and accepting ranges of what that looks like. There is nobody and nothing that is perfect. At theContinue reading “The Curveball”

The Beauty of Receiving

It’s my last night home alone after 8 days without my family.  How do I spend it? Inviting girlfriends over? Going out on the town? Really living it up in my neck brace?  Nope – I’m spending it at home, in the company of my pets, with candles lit, fireplace on, soft music in theContinue reading “The Beauty of Receiving”

The Gift of Pain

As I sit here on Easter morning, bathed in gorgeous California sunshine, I am overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of renewal. I feel a tremendous sense of hope. I have been so immersed in physical agony over the last few months, that to sit here without pain, able to freely use my leftContinue reading “The Gift of Pain”

Comfort in Discomfort

Every once in awhile, something surprisingly simple smacks me right in the face and wakes me up. Gives me an “ah-ha” moment.  Last night it was The Rock.  Yes, Dwayne Johnson, The Rock.  Can I take a tangent very quickly and tell you how AWESOME I think Dwayne Johnson is? I love that this big,Continue reading “Comfort in Discomfort”

Stillness

Well friends, I am sitting here recovering from my second surgery in the past few months, and I struggle with a cacophony of emotions.  Deafening thoughts and feelings banging around in my mind, unable to be calmed by the rhythmic pounding of my feet against the earth with the cadence of my heartbeat pumping in myContinue reading “Stillness”

Love Letter to My Body

Dear Body,  I open this letter with gratitude. Thank you for all you have given me and done for me for the last 42 years. We have had quite a journey already, and our time together is hopefully, not yet half-way complete. With all we have been through, we still have a lot of growingContinue reading “Love Letter to My Body”

Focus On The 1%

I’m a big dreamer. I’m a doer. I set very lofty goals and corresponding high expectations. Hence, the 50-mile race dream.  Recently, however, I watched a very inspirational TEDx event titled, Don’t Dream Big.  This seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Definitely misaligned with how I’ve approached life so far.   Dreaming big is reinforced in mantras andContinue reading “Focus On The 1%”

Celebration and Gratitude

My intention this morning was for some quick hill repeats after I dropped the kids off to school. I was feeling a bit tired, so I wanted to get my 35 min of fasted cardio in and call it a day for exercise. There is a peaceful regional park near the school with miles ofContinue reading “Celebration and Gratitude”