Running

I haven't been posting much about my running but I've been running/jogging/walking regularly.  I completed my first half marathon on May 4th!  It was fun.  I definitely felt like I should have done more training and running longer distances but I felt great after it!

If you think you want to do that - I highly recommend it because it is truly a wonderful accomplishment.  Don't focus on your time, just focus on finishing the first one.  I read so many books and articles that talked about your first half marathon (or marathon) should be one with no time limits.  I panicked when I realized mine had one and if I didn't complete it within that time there was no record of my completing it!! Yikes!!  I wanted my medal :)  Luckily, I did fine and completed it on time but I highly recommend not putting that pressure on yourself.  If you run it fast, it doesn't matter but if you end up slowing down, you don't want to stress about the time limit.

The best advice I received from other runners is to make sure you enjoy the journey!!  I had a beautiful course to run and without that advice I can see myself not even noticing it.  That advice obviously can be applied to all areas of our life.  We don't want to be so focused on the end result that we don't enjoy life.

Have fun!!  Enjoy!!

Be Happy - That's What Life is All About

I absolutely love this John Lennon quote.  It is so true.  Today, as you go through your day, remember that life is meant to be enjoyed.  Are you enjoying your life?  Are you making choices that make you feel happy?  What can you do differently today to feel good, really good?

I know I am often guilty of looking and planning and getting to my next "achievement" that I forget to enjoy the process.

The perfect example is that I'm doing my first half marathon on Sunday.  Some wise and wonderful friends reminded me to just enjoy the run.  Look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  I'll get the finish line but it's more important that I enjoy the process than that I worry about getting it done.  My training has very much focused on getting to x miles during the run.  That's not fun!  If I keep that up, I definitely will not keep up running because it needs to be enjoyable.  In this case, it's especially true for me since I'm not trying to win.  I'm not even trying to be in the top half of of the people who complete it!!  My goal is to complete it so why not slow down and enjoy the process.

When we live life only focusing on the end result, we miss years of fun and enjoyment and happiness!!  That's not the way it needs to be.  It's not the way I want to live my life anymore!!  How about you?  What are you going to do?  You can still set high achievement goals and reach them but please remember to enjoy the process.  Enjoy life.  That's what it's all about!!