32!

Having a weekend away in Napa with my girlfriends was a great way to celebrate the end of my days as a thirty-one year old.  I had time away from my crazy but wonderful life as a mother and had the perfect setting to reconnect with my girlfriends.  I had more wine than I usually have in two weeks, ate way different from my usual diet, and didn't exercise nearly as much as normal.  As most people with a running problem can relate, I came home feeling like I need a good solid workout to get my endorphins going and the sweat flowing!  In light of turning thirty-two, I thought I'd give my workout a little twist:

*  3.2 miles on the elliptical in just under 32 minutes
*  1.32 miles of running on the treadmill (the last .5 was at 8 minute mile pace which is a huge step in my recovery!  Seeing light at the end of the tunnel!)  Felt Incredible!
*  32 lunges
* 32 squats without weight
*  32 push ups (2 sets of 16)
* 3.2 minutes of stretching (okay, might have been a bit longer but that ruins the 32 theme)

Now in light of motherhood, running and life in general, here is a list of random things on my mind.

1.  Coming home to my husband and kids after a weekend away was absolutely wonderful!  I missed them so much and from the love they gave me, I know they missed me too.  Even though I feel crazy and unraveled many days, it is days like today that I remember how much I love motherhood and being a wife.

2.  This is one of the gifts my husband and kids had for me for my birthday and to welcome me home.

3.  And these:

4.  Here is another one of my birthday presents and  a book I'll be starting this week.  And here is the link to the official Born To Run fan site: http://borntorun.org/



5. I'm also starting this new book called When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson.  I can already tell that it will be a book I will enjoy and can relate to as a mother with three kids under the age of six.  I also enjoy reading her blog.  She is real and makes me feel normal about my crazy mom moments. 



6.  The girls thought I could use some magic wands too.  I think these might come in handy this week when I'm needing down time.  They'll help to remind me to focus on the positives and be in the present with my children. 

7.  My appointment with my sports chiropractor today was awesome.  Dr. Forcum was so excited to see the progress I've made and how great my hamstring is looking compared to last time!  This makes my runner heart happy!

8.  Sticking your head out of a moving limo in beautiful Napa Valley is a MUST.  Really makes you feel like a kid again.  Or a dog.

9. Life is too short to always be second guessing myself.  I'm really hoping to work more on loving myself for all that I am and not trying so hard to please others.  Every year of life I get a little better at this.

10.  Life is so much better with daily exercise.  Everything is more enjoyable: food, drink, family, body image.  And if the exercise is running...Even Better for me!

11.  Note to self:  When getting together with a group of women for a girl trip, try not to talk the entire time and  let the quiet and more reserved girls have enough wait time to get a word in too! Getting a break from kids was exciting and I could not shut up! 

12  Fresh veggies and fruits are a must to have in my body every day!  I just feel blah without it and really hope to be better about making good food choices.  Vacation doesn't count.

13.  Since I'm speaking of fruit, and just so nobody thinks we take ourselves too seriously around here:

What is something you get better at with age? or What is something you hope to be better at in your next year of life?

Amanda

Return to Napa

My first marathon was the Napa Valley Marathon in 2003.  I'm not quite sure how it came about that I chose Napa as my first marathon destination.  We drove down from Portland, ran the race and came right home afterward.  That was it.  There was no wine tasting or even driving around the beautiful vineyards.  From time to time, my friends comment on how strange it was that I chose this marathon randomly without any intention or interest in what drives most people to beautiful Napa Valley. It ended up being well worth the drive.  I enjoyed all 26.2 miles of open road and beautiful countryside and I loved the fact that I was alone for most of the race.  It was glorious.  Beautiful.  I loved running the distance for the first time and having no expectations of what a marathon should be or what time I should run.  I just let my body move and wasn't held back by fear or self-limitations.  I may not have experienced Napa Valley the way many do...through vineyard tours and wine tasting, but I experienced new heights in my running life.  I ran a 3:22 that day and somehow, on that open road through Napa Valley, I came to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to.  I came back to Portland with a new understanding and confidence in myself.  Those 26.2 miles through wine country taught me that I had a strength I didn't know about.

 This weekend I returned to Napa to do what I didn't do the first time.  Experience the vineyards and the wine!  My college girlfriends and I decided to meet up for a weekend of wine tasting and tours. What a much needed break from motherhood! The time spent with my girlfriends was definitely one to put on my list of soul foods.  At one point we were at a big table with five different wines to try, different fine cheeses matched with each wine, and someone explaining it all in detail.  There was a happy little part of me that felt like a girl playing grown up.  The lady across from me swirled the wine in her cup, took in the scent before sipping it and showed with her expression that she could distinguish the slight differences that set each wine apart. She knew her wine!  I didn't pretend to know about the art of wine tasting.  I just soaked up every second of it.  I joyfully tasted each different kind of wine, savored each piece of cheese and loved this time to be with girlfriends!

For some of the trip, I couldn't help thinking about my first trip to Napa and how much I miss running. I mean, I really miss running...running the way it was before my fall in the forest.  I took a short run around the park the morning before our tours and I couldn't help but be slightly discouraged at my inability to lift my right leg enough for a good running stride.  I know that it will take time to strengthen my hamstring again. I'm trying to remain positive and hold onto the belief that I will run fast again and hopefully better than ever before.  It's hard to not be able to run like I used to and I know that under my positive outlook and optimistic goals, there is that small voice in my head that wonders if running will ever come with ease again.  I know it will.  I have to believe that.

So, after an amazing weekend with my girlfriends in beautiful Napa Valley,  I'm ready to hit my week strong and set some goals to focus on!

Weekly Goals:
*  Stay positive and trust the healing process....believe that I will run fast again.
*  Eat lots of healthy food consisting of mostly veggies and fruit (I don't get nearly enough fruit!).
*  Find a new favorite recipe
*  Be present with my children and enjoy them fully
* EXERCISE---Jillian, swimming, yoga, and hopefully more and more running
*  Recover from this wine drinking weekend!

Happy Monday!

Amanda

Finding Time To Feed Your Soul

I've had a few people ask me recently how I find time to write a blog.  I've been thinking about this a lot lately and evaluating whether it is something I should make the time for.  In the beginning, setting up my blog took a lot of thought and energy and I was on here for hours on end after the kids were in bed.  Okay, since we are being honest, I was on it when the kids were not in bed too.  I started to wonder what I was thinking but now that I have my blog established and am understanding it a bit more, it really is only as time consuming as I let it be.  Today on my run I realized that this blog has become a way for me to write and reflect. It is a way for me to express myself and connect with a community of writers, mothers, runners, artists, and other like minded people.  Writing for me is one of my soul foods...it makes me happy.  It is something I do for ME.  I think it is essential that we take time or rather give time to ourselves to feed our soul.  It makes us grow and gives us energy to give to others.  That got me thinking of other ways I feed my soul during the day so that I have more to give as a mother, a wife, a friend. "It is always a balancing act" (words given today from a new blog "friend" at  Goals for the Week), and I don't think I can afford to NOT find some time for things that feed my soul.  It keeps me whole.  I took some pictures today whenever I felt myself doing something that felt nourishing to my soul. 

Coffee and Journal (yes, more writing) while music is on and the kids fight play



Giving Thanks Daily

Baby Writing in My Journal

Sharing My Journal Some More With Kids.  Coming across these entries really make my soul smile. 

Running, of course!

Happy Feet. Beautiful Autumn.

Stopping at a girlfriend's house for an unexpected visit before running home.  

My Mama's Art.  This is one of my favorites but they all make my soul happy.

What feeds your soul and what soul food do you make sure to make time for?

Amanda