Good morning baby

I'm sitting at my kitchen table on a Wednesday morning enjoying my Aim True book by Kathryn Budig when I become overwhelmed by the beautifulness that has become my life. This morning I woke up for some me time. Awake earlier than hubby and baby. An hour has passed where I got my meditation, yoga, breakfast and one chore complete. Now I am enjoying my book and anxiously awaiting the morning bed talk. I thought I heard a noise and when I walked in her eyes were still closed. Dangit. I'm ready for you to wake up! So I continue reading my book.... looking up at the video monitor every couple seconds. 

Motherhood is the most incredible gift of nature and I am so blessed to be experiencing it. I have plenty of time to read later. Right now I want to watch you and your giggles, teach you everything I know, and pour my love all over you. 

And she's awake! Cya!! 💟

The Gym's a Lonely Place

I go to the gym to work hard. Usually I'm alone. Usually I have my headphones in with the music blasting into my ears. I move to the beat of the music. One day I decided to observe the atmosphere around me. I turned my music off and lifted my earbuds out of my ears.

...All I could hear were the sounds of the workouts around me...

Heavy weights being dropped onto the floor. 

Metal clanking together.

Feet pounding the treadmills at random and steady paces.

Squeaking of the ellipticals as they rolled up and down.

Grunting of the heavy weight champions as they peek in the mirror to check their form. 

Music coming over the speakers lightly... mostly undesirable or overplayed songs. 

From the studios, muffled loud music where all you can make sense of is the constant base. 

Some talking goes on, but mainly with people who are their to workout together. I rarely see strangers talking amongst each other. Gazes are shared by strangers because we are curious to see what others are doing - to compare ourselves, and to steal ideas. 

I used to have an amazing workout partner. She introduced me to the lifting world. Showed me women can and should lift weights. We always worked out well together: matched the same pace, shared the same machine height settings, and enjoyed increasing weights frequently. We stole weights from different parts of the gym to complete a full circuit in one area. She liked to talk and I liked to listen (only... I'm a really bad talker while I exercise). 

For almost a year I've been working out alone while she's recovering from her first childbirth. At first it was refreshing to listen to music and act spontaneously, stretching whenever I wanted. Going at whatever time I showed up. Picking any location around the city that was convenient for my schedule. Switching it up if I wanted to do something else.

Now it's getting old and I need an extra boost sometimes. From someone who challenges me but doesn't judge me if I fail. From someone who pushes me harder when I am feeling exhausted. Someone I can push and motivate in the same way. For a while I resorted to a personal trainer, but that's costly and I think I'm looking for a friend. 

Question is... Where do I look?  Is it creepy to reach out to someone at the gym? Ya know... even if strangers are not talking to each other? I see women who work really hard at the locations I attend. They know their technique and are focused to completing a goal. I can tell who might be approachable and not. Do I pick someone I want to look like? Do I pick someone my age? Am I overthinking it? Should I instead just remove the headphones and hope someone approaches me? And then, what if I disappoint them, or I can't keep up with them, or they can't keep up with me? This feels very much like a relationship. Especially if it doesn't fit, because then would it be awkward to go back to the gym? 

This is much more stressful than it should be. Does everyone think like this? If they do, maybe I'm not so far off and it's okay to be nervous. Now I need courage :-)

FIRST RUN 2015

Tonight was the first time I ran with a group. Ever. I had some help from a friend at work identifying what groups are located around Cincinnati. I picked one relatively close to my house, plus it's free. There's no guarantee I'd be able to make every run every time so I didn't find it justifying to pay for a running group.

The main reason I chose to join a group to:

- make running friends 

- learn from the wise

- run with someone at night for safety and security

- get help figuring out what special cold weather/night gear I need

- and most importantly, hold myself accountable 

All the normal fears accompanied with starting something new were present.... I had an idea of what to wear based on the weather but I didn't know if I had enough bright clothing ( a little...) or reflective gear (none...) or lights (also none...). Being so new at this, I thought it appropriate to find out what I need before sinking a whole bunch of money into gear I may or may not use. After posting a message to the Facebook group, I found the running group participants were more than willing to lend stuff to me during my first run. I call this my introductory run for 2015! 

At home after work I drank my amino acids. My pre-workout high kicked into gear during my drive to meet the group. I know this because when White Zombie "More Human than Human" came onto the radio, I cranked it high and started dancing... (more like banging my head...) while in the car. I was nervous and excited! 

The temp was 25degrees F. Little wind, clear sky. I chose to wear 2 pant layers (yoga pant + tight running pants underneath) and 4 core layers (1tank, 2wicking, and 1fleece jacket). On top of that I had my knitted hat and tall face scarf, my phone armband, and a chest reflector snapped on tight. The organizer offered 2 routes- a 2.5mi and 6mi. I wasn't sure if I would make it 6 and 4-5 was on my plan so I chose to do the 2.5 twice. 

Here's how my brain worked tonight....

Mile 0 -  wow! So awesome I found a couple women who run near my pace and want to do the same distance. 

Mile .25 - waiting at a stop light to cross the multilane very busy road... Can't stop moving! This is so much fun! Look at all these crazy bright and lit up people around me! I wish my phone had space so I could take a photo! Oh wait my phone is strapped in my arm band... Guess I can't take a photo... Too anxious to stay still so I'll jog in place. (I'll wish later that I stayed still...) 

Mile 1 - nice steady pace. Keeping up with the pace group... Have people behind and in front. Wait... I hate this song... Why am I listening to it... But it's more than half over... Guess I'll enjoy the beat. 

Mile 1.2- look out for that ice! Thank god for this hand light. I'm totally getting one of these. UGH  my nose is running like mad.... No where to put it because I stupidly zipped the tissues in my pocket and these gloves don't make it easy to get to them. Guess I'll... Wipe it on my gloves... Gross. 

Mile 1.4 - feet! Keep moving! Please! Keep up with them they are crossing the street and turning and I have no clue where I'm going. 

Mile 1.6 - Phew I caught up. So thankful for red lights and crosswalks. 

Mile 1.7 - holy moly I gotta pee. My preworkout drink was too big and too close to my run! 

Mile 1.8 - oh look! Our starting point! Detour! Bathroom! 

Mile 1.9 - officially separated from the group.... But SO worth it. 

Mile 2.0 - calling it quits... 

Didn't quite meet my goal distance but SUCCESS was learning some new things and meeting some great people! I have plenty of runs to look forward to. 

Next time....

- don't wear so many layers 

- pick a better playlist or listen to Serial podcast

- drink preworkout way in advance, and maybe eat something with more substance

- invest in lighting/reflective gear and new shoes! (These ones have had it!)

- clear out phone so I can take photos! I know you want to see photos ;-)

- no more potato chips or pirates booty. They are messing with my MoJo (pun intended) 

Be The Example

Sometimes we are looking to follow in others footsteps, waiting for them to lead the way. If everyone follows in each others footsteps there won't be a leader and we'll be walking in circles.

Yesterday we were watching the football game with my nieces. Sitting at the table in front of us were a plethora of snack options to pick from: Chips, pretzels, meatballs, chicken sandwiches, and cookies. I tried to offer my youngest niece (under 10 years) a meatball but she claimed she didn't like meatballs and only wanted chips. She must have noticed everyone else was eating the meatballs because a couple minutes later she asked to try a piece. Then she asked for her own plate of meatballs. 

What can we learn from this? Children are impressionable, sure, but I believe it has to be a more generic statement than that. PEOPLE are impressionable. Why do you think a common saying is, "We are like the people we associate ourselves with"? 

Today I have chosen to BE the example.  

I will follow through with my decisions.

I will do as I say, and say as I do. 

I will live the life I intend. 

I will be there for others as I would want them to be there for me. 

I will follow my own advice.

What Example will you set for the people around You? 

Always on the Brain

Every moment of every day I have to be planning my next workout, my next meal, how it all fits into my schedule, all to maintain motivation continuing on the path of betterment. Working towards a goal is how I function or its impossible for me to stay the course. I actively reach for people who are living the life I want to live. I follow them through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Blog sites. Seeing them achieve something I deem impossible helps to change my perspective.  I seek ways to alter my mindset; from being Impossible to being Possible. I realize that once I have overcome this belief I can map a practical path leading to my end goal. Inevitability the path will change along the way.

Recognizing myself as a person with high need for achievement, I've decided baby steps is the best approach for me. Succeeding often allows me to boost my self confidence and build strength for the next endeavor. Failure does not jive well with me. Taking big leaps towards a goal can cause big dives and dips that could set me back emotionally.

Thankfully, I am surrounded by people who have been down these paths before. It is up to me to ask the right questions, accept advice when given, and learn from my interactions with the experienced. Sometimes the smallest piece of advice can advance my progress exponentially, bridging gaps of understanding so I don't fall into the pits.

I am excited for 2015. One of the recommendations received from a fellow fitness/running enthusiast is to keep a blog. I will be running my first-ever half marathon in April. I begin my official training this month. This is not a blog only about running though. It's bigger picture than that. I have been focusing on nutrition and other fitness types. Here I will document thoughts, feelings, difficulties, and new knowledge. I hope also that this blog will be noticed by others who are following (or followed) a similar path. Please reach out to me because I want to hear from you about the path you paved.