Self Reflection

Reading a few running blogs tonight really got me thinking about where I'm at with my running and how I'm living my life.  Running seems to be on my mind an awful lot lately.  I want it more than I've ever wanted it before.  To use my potential and push my limits as a runner.  To break through mental barriers.  Set personal records.  Run without fear.  Push myself through pain.  Feel my body work and see myself reach new heights.  I want to finally just run like I know I can run.  And Run Just For Me!

But I also want to remember balance.  I want to be reminded about the other loves in my life that are equally as important.  It is easy for me to get so one tracked with my mental focus.  I get almost obsessive sometimes about an idea, a goal, or an image of something I want to do with my life.  It is easy for me to forget to be in the present with my life and open my eyes to all the other gifts I have.  All the other things in my daily life that need and deserve my full and present mind.

So, yes, I will continue to be strong with my running.  I will continue to set goals and push myself as an athlete.  This seems like a good time in my life to see what I can do as a runner.  But this is also a time in my life where I am blessed to be given the opportunity to be home with my three children.  I want to make sure I savor this time in my life and don't miss out on these fleeting moments because I have my head stuck in a running tunnel where I'm just thinking about running, reading about running, writing about running, and commenting on blogs about running.

So, my goal:  To continue to work on balance.  To strive to be fully present in the moments I have with my children and to be fully present in my training when I am in a workout. To give my all to my training when I'm training but to be able to shut my running thoughts off when I'm creating memories with my children.  

Speaking of running, I'm taking a few days off because of some pain in my hamstring.  It hurts again right down by my knee on the inside.  Right where it was bruised the most when I ripped it.  Hoping it is just tired and from running hard the last few days.  I'm think that my 6 miler with some sub 7 paces in there in my minimally supportive shoes (still adjusting to them) might have been a little much for my still freshly healed hammy.  Hopefully I'll be back to training again on Wednesday.  I'd rather lose some workouts than be stuck not running at all.

Since it's Valentine's Night, I'll end this post with a few pictures from today.

I woke up early this morning to have time to write to my husband in our Marriage Journal.  Yes, I have one of those too...Good grief, you think I have enough journals?!  

I was pleasantly surprised to find that he had already written to me!  Perfect gift!

I decided to be creative with my message to him.  I'll have to print this picture out and glue in our journal.  Oh, and it says "Love, Jean" because that is my middle name and for some reason we've always used our middle name when we sign our letters to each other.

My Youngest Valentine.  Love this little Man!  He makes my heart smile.  All my kids do!

A Valetine's Dinner at Urban Fondue in our favorite Portland neighborhood.  

Powell's Books...A Must Visit if you ever come to Portland!  One of the largest bookstores in the nation!

Did I say I love Fresh Flowers?!  These are for all the ladies in the house.  The little ladies were so thrilled to hear that they were for them too!  

1.  Seems to be a good week for self reflection based on some of the blogs I've read and things I've heard from friends.  Any big self reflection going on in your life?

2.  What do you do to help yourself "BALANCE" it all?  Work, Running, Parenting, Being a Wife or Husband?

3. Do you have to remind yourself to be in the "Now" or be fully present in your life more?
Amanda