OK, so this post is full of some real talk… I have been on the struggle bus for a while. I KNOW this is a seasonal challenge- August and early September are truly just the time of year when Phoenicians are constantly wondering if they should pack it all up and move… and this year has been extra hard with all the humid heat instead of our typical dry heat. Plus, while I have been outside training, I am doing all of it trying to avoid the sunlight as much as possible- running super early, taking the shadiest paths possible, etc. And my mental health is just SO much better when I can actually go out and ENJOY the sunshine. So while I am in a season of struggle, one of my go-to practices is to “do in the dark what you know how to do in the light” and that means things like continuing to move my body, practicing gratitude, hydrating, praying, and asking myself the following 3 questions when I start to get really overhwelmed and critical of myself…which can pop up a lot during this training cycle, especially as my miles for the week keep getting more intense… Continue reading
What I love about ME
It is SO HARD to take a compliment and even harder to compliment myself. I had made a note in my drafts folder for this blog YEARS ago of a challenge that was popular at the time to name 5 things you like about yourself, something that was a challenge because it seemed extra hard or uncomfortable for women especially. Well, after almost this exact same prompt coming up in a recent MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) meeting, I’ve finally dusted off this old post idea… and upgraded it from like to love. I challenge you to share with me some things YOU really love about yourself too… Continue reading
“I’ve never run this far before…”
Last weekend I ran 15 miles for my long run. This was a HUGE shift in my marathon training as up until this point I have run a half marathon distance or less for my long runs- a distance that I have run before. While that distance started getting hard with no “course support” or cheering fans that I am used to having if going above ten miles, it was not nearly as intimidating as suddenly being back in the place where I have to think to myself “I have never run this far before.” Continue reading
August Recap and September Goals
September- a month where we in Phoenix all think it should be cooler than it actually ever is, but also a month filled with hope of the cool weather to come as at least mornings start to become more bearable (we hope… after how weird and humid this summer was who knows?!) Here is how my tending list items went last month and where my focus will be for September: Continue reading
A Letter to My Youngest as she starts Preschool
The second installment in my “I forgot to post birthday letters on time this year but at least I made notes about it in their birthday books” series… my youngest starts preschool this week and so I thought I would formalize and share her annual letter for the occasion just like I did with my middle kid when she started Kindergarten earlier this month. Continue reading
Family Fridays: Intentional Time Together
A few summers ago, we started a summer tradition of family movie night each Friday during the summer. We have kept that tradition and I love it. We do not always have the time or schedule for a movie night each Friday of the school year, but we have tried to make Friday evenings intentional family time whenever possible. Continue reading
An Open Letter to my Daughter for her 5th Birthday
So… my oldest daughter’s birthday was actually back toward the beginning of the year… but things were so hectic with returning to school and illness and me introducing my themes for the year here on the blog that, while I wrote her a birthday letter, I didn’t ever end up making it an “open letter” here and it’s actually one of my favorite traditions to share in these little ways about my kids, so the start of a new school year seemed like a good time to share away. So while this was originally written as a letter for her 5th birthday, I’ve actually updated it a bit and turned it into an open letter to her as she starts kindergarten… Continue reading
July Wrap Up and August Goals
Can I tell you a secret? I try to be a pretty positive person, but August is my least favorite month. It is so crazy hot here in Phoenix and the heat isn’t even close to being over, plus the school year feels like it keeps starting earlier and earlier and while that was something I really looked forward to as a kid, I kind of hate it as a parent. I love my time with the kids over the summer and I love not having to remember everyone’s academic schedules and needs. So I am bracing for this month but I know that if I can get through these next two months then my favorite time of year will be right around the corner. Before I get too far into the future though, let’s recap July and look at what I’m going to try and focus on as we head into a new school year… Continue reading
Dear Treadmill: An Open Letter to my Favorite Instrument of Torture
Dear Treadmill,
I suppose I should start by apologizing for all the names I’ve called you so far this summer: the classic “dreadmill” title and the inside joke “trashmill” with my race twin, or the oh so straightforward “Satan’s Spawn” because I know calling you those names doesn’t help either of us, and probably makes me psych myself out about using you even more. But man, it sometimes feels like you really truly deserve it. Continue reading
The Warm Up: It’s not Sexy but I am Finding it is Necessary
Over the past month or so, while I’m between official “training seasons” and just trying to maintain a base level of fitness and stamina, one of the habits I have been working on is warming up and cooling down before and after each workout. I will admit that adding the cool down came pretty naturally to me. I can immediately feel the difference between when I bring my heart rate down gradually vs. coming to a dead stop. I also happen to really enjoy stretching and giving myself the excuse to do a post-run or post-strength stretch feels marvelous. It is also a time when my brain is riding high on endorphins and I can decompress and think about the work I just did. The warm up though? That is a totally different story… Continue reading
Alphabet Resolutions 