dreaming over the ocean

When I was out for my long run yesterday, in the brisk winter evening, I was thinking a little bit about dedication and follow through.   I think that has been a bit of a theme recently, and it was at the front of my mind yesterday, following a bit of a "bust" with a yoga fundraiser. I have always believed that once you commit to something, you should follow through with it.  I was once having a conversation, mid-way through my first M.Sc Degree (which I loathed), and the person asked me why I was continuing doing something I was not enjoying.  To me, it was because I started.  I couldn't just stop... maybe it would mean defeat, maybe it would feel like I was pulling out of a commitment. I just knew I had to finish.  This may not be the same for everyone, but it is for me. In my life now, I see this theme repeating itself, over and over again.  It happens in Triathlon. for Malawi. for God. Yesterday, after a few weeks of trying to get some information...

Its quite amazing... No matter how often you travel, you still are at risk for "rookie mistakes."  In this trip's case, I think it means one of two things:  a) it has been far to long since I have done international travel, or b) I have been so busy at home, that I haven't been paying attention to details.  This trip has so far had three mistakes: 1) when initially booking my trip, I was still debating if I would bring my niece with me.  Eventually i decided 'yes,' but I watched the flight prices go up and up at up.  At the end of the day, I had to cancel and rebook.  2) after that rebooking, I re looked at my rental van situation.  I discovered the company only had poor reviews on travel sites, and also discovered that with the new flight times, I wouldn't be able to drop the van at the depot, as it would be open to close to my return flight time, they are closed the day prior to my departure (it's a public holiday), and they don't allow after hou...

Have you ever realized how stressful the new year is? First, there is the expectation that you are going to have some epic social night on NYE.  What happens if you just want to stay in and read a book?  Is that lame!? (i don't think so...) Second, People almost expect that everyone will have resolutions to better one-self.  lose weight, get finances under control, travel more, give more, exercise more, eat less cheese, pick up a new habit. That's a lot of stress, people. What about this: resolving to be good to yourself? It's kinda epic. And, I am excited for the new year (I kinda always am...)!  Since I am a goal-oriented person, new years resolutions do me well.  This year, I don't have any except a word: restoration. I resolve to restore.  And, I believe that means being good to myself.  2013 was a year where I have started to discover a rhythm.  One of a working, dog owning, married, active 30 year-old.  2014 will be a year...

Today I sent out two emails.  One to 3 people, the other to hundreds.  If you are reading this, you may have received one of them.  I sent out both emails, then I went out to a movie with my love.  On my way home, i was thinking about the butterflies of uncertainty that I was experiencing in my stomach.  So, we talked about it. (and ps:if you go a see Thor 2, stay until the end of the credits.  its worth it.) The first email included a request of people who may make for a professional and career mentor. The second was a email contact list clean up, but also a request for people to buy gift cards for Warm Heart Initiatives.   And, what I find curious, is that despite these two topics being super positive things, and two topics that I believe are important, it still makes me have a sense of nervousness in sending them.  Because, despite being things that lead to good outcomes, sometimes it feels that I can be a burden if I ask other people to...

I can't remember exactly what motivated it back in 2004, but all I remember is that fall I wanted to be a better person.  I wanted to be a better rower~ so I started riding a road bike.  I wanted to be a better student~ so i set apart a dedicated study time.  I wanted to build my faith~ so i dedicated to a quiet time.  I wanted to deal with a broken relationship~ so I sought counselling. I remember my senior year at WVU as being a year that I grew a lot.  Let's do a throw back to that year: New years 2005 in Key Largo with some of the most quality people in the world. The reason why i mention this, is somehow this fall, I am feeling that motivation again~  it's building in the past few weeks.  The motivation to be a better person.  Maybe it comes as part of my off season from Triathlon, and I have more time on my hands... maybe it comes out of a trip to visit my brother and his family.  Maybe it comes with the autumn season, where the...

wow... it is almost a whole fricken month that I ran over the finish line at Challenge Penticton.   How time flies.  I guess that it is a bit hard to write a race report a month late, but, in so many ways, it still feels like it was yesterday.  Probably what happens when you do an epic thing for the first time in your life.  Full-distance racing is no joke.  It's crazy, its inspirational, it's EPIC! One question might be "have you done an Ironman?"  No.  I have NOT done an ironman.  However, with this event, I have done the same feat: completed a race that is 4km of swimming, 180km of biking, and 42Km of running.   Last year, as you may know, the city of Penticton chose to go with the Challenge Family , rather than Ironman. It brings a new feel to race week in the Okanagan, but a great feel.  The biggest expression that I have about the whole even is WOW.  What an amazingly put on event from the fantastic volunteers, Felix ...

Boy oh Boy, do I have some race reports to write!  What a few weeks!  I haven't (obviously) posted since after Lake Stevens 70.3, where I think I did the best 1/2 iron of my life.    July and August were fantastic, with lots of sun, lots of bike riding, and all round general beauty of the summer.  I love long days, and they are quickly running away from us. I wish that I can write a few other things other than triathlon, but, really, I feel like that is all that my life has involved recently.   I am finally on my off season, and I am happy about that.  A few weeks of doing *not much* is needed.  I plan to spend the time at home with my pup and my hubby, possibly to road trip a bit (jasper & lake louise this weekend! hopefully to go see family in October!), eat some good meals, and generally just not exercise very much.   I do have goals for the fall, and most of them include the outcome of being a better runner.  I have really strug...