Posts tagged Goals
Why I Don’t Have A Bucket List
3March 19, 2013
in Simply Happy
Back in 2006 I started a blog. It has since changed names and is now self-hosted but it’s really all the same. Sometime around 2008 I came up with the idea of a D.R.E.A.M. List. In other words, my bucket list. I thought the name “bucket list” was kind of morbid whereas D.R.E.A.M. was more wistful or something. I was hoping to use D.R.E.A.M. as an acronym and come up with a saying, but alas that didn’t happen. I’d revisit my list every so often adding experiences, removing ones that no longer interested me, and of course checking some off as well.
Since venturing into hiking I’ll often see photos of areas I’d love to travel or places I want to visit. I’ve asked people their favorites and even been tempted to start a “hiking bucket list”. I started to collect some ideas and quite honestly became quickly overwhelmed. There are so many places out there. How in the world can I visit them all?
As time has gone I haven’t forgotten my D.R.E.A.M list but it’s no longer at the forefront of my mind either. Sure I want to do many things in my life and many of those won’t happen without initiative. But at the same time I also want to focus on the “haves” and not the “have nots”. In addition, I’ve found that when I have a list I just go through the motions, working to check things off of the list, instead of savoring the experience. The same can all be said for a race bucket list, hiking bucket list…any bucket list!
That’s not to say people shouldn’t make buckets list. In reality I think they are a good idea. I just don’t think they’re for me. So while I’ll probably always have adventures in the back of my mind and always be striving for one to come to fruition (Current pipe dream? Africa) my focus is to stay in the here and now, making sure I’m not only grateful for planned adventures but also ones that unexpectedly arise…those moments that we ultimately call life. Who knows what will be on my next Reverse Bucket List.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Do More Of What Makes You Happy
2February 24, 2013
Over the past month my workout routine has changed a bit. I’ve been running maybe once or twice (at the most) per week and the remainder of my physical activities consist of yoga and hiking.
With the change in my routine have come others as well. Am I in the best shape of my life? I guess that’s up for debate. Am I as thin as I was a couple years ago when I was pounding out the miles rain or shine? No. Does this leave me a little uneasy that my body is a bit different? Yes. Initially I felt that urge to get out and run. In all honesty, I still have that urge. But instead of it being about my weight on the scale it’s more about knowing that I’m one of those people that if I don’t use it, I lose it. I always want running to be a part of my life. Running came to me at a time when I needed it most. It helped me cope with anxiety and even some depression. Unfortunately through the years it transitioned to causing me anxiety. I’ve been at the point in my life where I feel that I HAVE to run in order to survive. I’m past that point. I’m grateful for what it’s given me but I’m ready to be open to other activities in my life as well.
Like most weekends, this past weekend several big events were being held in the running world. My social media feeds were filled up from those running Tough Mudder and Ragnar Relay here in Phoenix along with the Disney World Princess Half Marathon. I even made it a point to stop to see my fellow Cholla Chicks as they took on the Ragnar Relay as an ultra team (they are beasts!) Seeing all of these updates made me swell with pride realizing once again that I am friends with some pretty rad people. However, at no time was I envious or jealous that everyone was out there doing their thing. Sure, I’d still love to run a Disney race, but that’s not where I am in my life right now and I realize that.
Just because I’m not running regularly doesn’t mean I’m just letting my body go. I personally feel it’s important for everyone to make a point to be physically active. However, at this time I’m just listening to my mind, body, and soul, letting it guide me through my daily routines. More importantly, my focus is to do more of what makes me happy.
Not so long ago I was spending time figuring out my race schedule or training plans. That time is now spent figuring out what trail I want to venture to or what peak I want to conquer next. It’s just all part of my journey and I’m loving every second.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Creating My Book Of Visions
7November 27, 2012
in Simply Happy
One of the things I’m looking to implement in my journey of life is a book. My hope is to fill it with goals, personal thoughts, all the above, but I’m not exactly sure what this book will be. For now I’m going to call it my Book Of Visions. From written words to pieces cut from magazines, I’d like to fill it with hope and inspiration. My idea circles around the idea of back in the day when I used to decorate my locker in high school. I’d scour YM and Seventeen Magazine, cut out pieces here and there, and plaster my locker with them. To some it may sound crazy, but many days I saw my locker as my refuge and would look forward to seeing those words.
I still have a book of some of the items I collected for my locker over the years.
Many would say, what’s the point of creating a book? Isn’t that what Pinterest is for? True. But I want something in my hands. Something I can take with me. Something I can pour myself into. Something for my eyes only.
Last week I went on the search for a book to get started. Should I get something fancy? Should I get something plain? I really had no idea what direction I should go. After I settled on a plain ol’ composition book for 94 cents and a pack of colorful pens and glue I thought I was ready. 
But where do I start? I was at a loss. What if I did it wrong. What if I went in the wrong direction and it didn’t feel write. Should I wait until the first of the new year? What should I write first? Or should I glue some photos? Yes, I know I sound crazy, I know I over analyze, but I just couldn’t get started. My book sat for a few days while I collected my thoughts and the pages stayed blank.
Over the past week I’ve been reading Be Here Now by Ram Dass (thanks to Bex!) at night. I have “aha! moments” on a near nightly basis as I read further and further into the book. Some ideas are basic, some pretty deep. As I sat there analyzing my Book of Visions and getting no where in my mind, I decided to table the idea and read more Be Here Now. Within a moment I read these words:
“BUT WHERE DO WE BEGIN? The answer is simple: you begin just where you are.”
Some would say, “Duh!” I know, I know. But those were the exact words I needed to read and the just another sign that that I’m heading in the right direction. I’m excited to get to work on my Book Of Visions.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
How @Rev3Tri #Rev3CP Training Rocked Me To The Core
42
You may have noticed in last week’s post that there was no mention of triathlons in the list of possible races. Why? Well, there are a couple reasons.
Upon moving here I’ve found that triathlons seem few and far between. There are VERY few lakes available for open water swimming and the races I have found call for the swim portion to be done in a pool. That’s not necessarily bad but it would definitely be a different take.
I also haven’t gotten in the pool or seriously swam since early July. With our closest lake about 30-40 minutes away and lack of sufficient funds to join our local YMCA it doesn’t look like I’ll be back in the water regularly anytime soon.
(This is where the blog post makes me a little uncomfortable. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone a bit and sharing something I’ve held secret for a few months…..but it needs to be said.)
Although those are some pretty big setbacks I know I could really pursue and persevere if I wanted to. To be honest at this very moment I don’t want to. Why, you ask? My whole experience of registering for my first Half Rev3, starting training, and then sacrificing it for our move has rocked me to the core a bit….in several ways.
Quite frankly I had no idea what I got myself into when I signed up. You see, I only have sprint triathlon experience. I knew signing up would be a HUGE undertaking, but I didn’t realize how huge it would be. From the first moments I was humbled in each training session. As you know I don’t claim to be a super athlete but I can usually hold my own. I totally underestimated the bike and have repeatedly said that I thought it would be the easiest leg and has since proven to be my hardest sport. Adding in the use of my first triathlon bike made it that much more challenging. Not only was I attempting distance on a bike but also learning the ins and outs of riding in aero position, all while attempting to clip in and out of the pedals….not too successfully.
True, I did have some successes here and there. All of which I am grateful for. No matter how small, all of our life experiences make us who we are, so I am not belittling them in any way. Training is supposed to be hard and challenging….that’s one of the reasons I do what I do. But honestly, I felt like each training session was a HUGE hurdle and I never really walked away feeling accomplished or “on top of the world” excited. Most often I felt beat down, disheartened, and wondered what I got myself into. Although I got more confident in my biking I still never seemed to break that invisible barrier or acquired any speed (kind of sounds like my running too….)
When the opportunity for us to move to Arizona came about you may understand a bit better how it was easier for me to walk away from my Rev3CP registration. In no way did I see our move as an easy out or running away from a challenge. Lord knows there was much more that went into our decision than this race. But after beating my head (and body) against a wall for months it’s safe to say I had my fill.
With that being said, passing on registration hasn’t been easy to swallow. I acquired my Rev3 visor after volunteering last year. I wore it with pride during my workouts but couldn’t help but feel like a fraud since I didn’t earn that visor. The only thing that kept me wearing it was the drive it gave me when I would put it on and knowing that I would soon earn my place among those that have gone before me. Unfortunately that’s now not the case. With the actual race this weekend I’m sure I’ll have my share of emotions coursing through my brain. (By the way I’ll be sending positive energy and thoughts to all those racing!)
As I’ve stated previously, Rev3 is a class act group of people. They are amazing in many ways and I would absolutely love to be part of their team someday (gotta get better at the sport and work on my race resume though). I have no plans on giving up on the sport of triathlon or my dream of running a Rev3 race. I do know that I’ve enjoyed mixing up my training since arriving in Arizona and that I have many more dreams to fulfill in my lifetime.
For now I think it’s best I take time to allow the dust to settle, reassess my abilities, and scale back to more attainable short term goals. Once I get that all in line I will need to realize that just like with running, if I want to run a half Rev3 I’m going to have to work my ass off harder than most normal people do.
Until then….
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
2012: Believe In Yourself
13December 31, 2011
As we head into 2012 I hope it’s everything that you hope for and more. Whatever your resolution (or non-resolution), success begins with believing in yourself.
As you saw, I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions. However, like so many, I have some plans for 2012. Here they are….
Run my 2nd Half Marathon – As of last night I have registered for the Toledo Glass City Half Marathon. It’s scheduled a little early in the season for my liking (April), but it’s what worked with my schedule. It won’t interfere with our trip to Italy or my Half Rev3 training.
Italy!!!!!!! – I don’t think I could add enough exclamation marks to show how flippin’ excited I am about going to Italy!!!!!!! D and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this year. It has always been our dream to venture to Italy and it’s finally becoming a reality. We’re looking forward to spending 9 days in Rome, traveling through Tuscany, and also Florence.
Complete my first Half Rev3 Triathlon – If you haven’t been able to tell from previous posts, I’m super stoked and super scared about this all rolled into one. Although it may sound crazy, I’m looking forward to the long hours of training that are heading my way.
Cruisin’ the Western Caribbean – To add to our 10th wedding anniversary celebration, we’ll be sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in the fall. We’ll be joining my parents, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary, and my brother and SIL, also celebrating their 10th anniversary, along with a few aunts and uncles. This is sure to be a good time.
(Something to note: both trips are each planned within one month’s time following each of my “big” races. Ha, fancy that 
Gotta offset my hardwork with some enjoyment too. Right?)
I know there will be additional races and that life will be throwing us other ups and downs throughout the year, but this is what I’m looking forward to most.
Be Grateful and Keep Smiling =)
Anyone Can Be An Athlete, Even You!
1December 6, 2011
It’s been awhile since I’ve made a VLOG, so I thought I’d do one today. I discuss 7 tips for new athletes and how to jump start your workout program. What tips would you give a new athlete?
