I’m starting to get super excited and nervous about my half marathon. It’s about 10 weeks away and even though I’m WAY behind in my training (see also: 4, 15 hour days a week with school), I’m trying to stay optimistic about my running & being able to accomplish this but sometimes it’s a little difficult. (Doubt is a bitch, isn’t it?)

I’ve run more 5K’s than I can count and I have run one 10K but I don’t have any medals to show for my accomplishments. Is it shallow of me that I’m really looking forward to having a medal after the half? Oh, it’s not? Good, because I am. =)

Anyway, my cousin sent me an article earlier in the week about a woman who lost 50 lbs with the help of her online supporters and obviously, her dedication. After being sucked into her Tumblr for at least 30 minutes the other day, I found myself lighting up after every post I read and I found myself motivated and inspired to FIND time to run, regardless of my insane schedule.

I’ve been getting up a few mornings a week to run before work and although I can’t commit as much time as I’d like to, it’s better than nothing, right? And even though my eyes are oh so tired when I’m lacing up my shoes, it feels so good to be running again. I get some weird satisfaction out of battling myself during a run and I smile when my legs are sore.

So, I give you full permission to slap me if you find me complaining about being tired or not wanting to run. And after you slap me, please remind me to come read this post.

“Time spent wishing something was easier is time wasted. The things worth going after will be at the end of very difficult roads. That’s the way life works. Don’t sit around and wish things were easier. Get better. People have a tendency to want to make the obstacle smaller rather than make themselves bigger. But you are the only part of that equation that you control.” ~LL Cool J

(yeah, I just quoted LL Cool J – deal.)

In other news, my nephew just turned 1 this week (please tell the time warp to slow down) and I had to share a few cute photos:

Have a great rest of the week!

So, I moved.

Yep! I spread my tiny little wings and moved out on my own. I’ve never lived by myself and so far it’s been a whirlwind.

The day before I was supposed to move in, I went to get the keys and found this:

Someone came to clean up the mess and they put up wood to cover the hole until they were sure it wasn’t going to leak any more. Since I’m such a stubborn person (thanks Mom and Dad), I was bound and determined to still move in regardless and just deal with not being able to decorate the bathroom. So, I did.

Then there was problems with the A/C (I can’t even tell you how many times I was rubbing my ears, saying ‘woosah’ and telling myself that I couldn’t control this situation).

I’m happy to report all problems have been fixed and so far, things are going good. I’m really in love with the area – so close to downtown and work and has plenty of great places to go running or bike riding.

(dock in the back of the complex)

(lake down the street)

(I find myself reading here for class a lot)

I’m definitely still adjusting to coming home to an empty house, not having cable, and doing my laundry in the community space across the hall but I think I needed to change it up a bit. It’s weird living alone though. It’s so quiet all the time.

Funny to think about how I started off living in the funny farm with my bazillion brothers and sisters and cousins and parents and dogs and birds and well, you get the point and have ended up in a cozy little place near downtown Orlando by myself.

I think this change is going to be a good one for me. :)

It’s pretty rare that I step into the gym without my iPod. Actually, I never go in the gym without some type of music, and this past Sunday was no different. Only this time, I took my phone because I’ll be honest, I’m obsessed with Grooveshark and I wanted to run to some playlists I had created earlier in the week. However, when I got on the treadmill, my phone went crazy and it wouldn’t load ANY apps what-so-ever (don’t worry, Grooveshark, it wasn’t your fault). I actually even thought about leaving (haha) but decided to just try really hard to have a good run without any music.

You see, I tend to get really distracted when I go to the gym and music really helps me focus on something besides thoughts similar to:

My legs hurt!
I can’t run anymore!
Why is that lady wearing all that makeup? Hello, we’re at the gym. Sweating.
How long have I been running?
Could that guy grunt any LOUDER while lifting weights?
Can I stop now?
HOW MUCH LONGER?

(I have issues. Whatever.)

So, anyway! I started running and I was thinking if I just quieted my thoughts and focused on my breathing that this run would be smooth sailing. Strangely, it worked. In fact, I had almost one of the best runs I can remember. Ever. And besides feeling extremely accomplished, I felt extremely relaxed after my run. I felt calm. I felt centered. I felt GOOD.

What I didn’t realize until afterwards was that I was kind of meditating as I ran. I say “kind of” because I was doing an activity and not sitting still but still focusing on my on one thing: breathing. Months and months ago, my friend, Mike, gave me a book called “8 Minute Meditation” by Victor Davich. I’ve honestly never even opened it. It was one of those, “oh thanks, I’ll look at it,” anddddd I never did. Until now. The book is, yes, about learning how to meditate for 8 minutes a day but it’s taught to you over an 8 week period, where you learn a different technique each week.

I began reading it earlier this week, excited to reach that relaxed, calm, and centered feeling again. He describes meditation as just “allowing what is.” To pay attention to something, allow thoughts to come in and out but always return to the original focus point. He describes meditation as the perfect way to escape from reality, shut everything out (especially your racing mind), “zone in,” and cultivate your mind in a different way. Sounds good to me!

One of the interesting concepts Davich talks about reminded me a lot of PMA. It was the concept of Catch & Release. He was discussing how when you’re meditating, thoughts are going to be “caught” and “hooked” in your mind but it’s up to you to “release” it so you can go back to focusing on meditating. Goes hand in hand with releasing all those negative thoughts, huh? ;)

So, anyways, not to continue to ramble on about meditation, but I’ve had some fantastic progress with it this week and I just wanted to share. I feel like sometimes life can be so go, go, go, and deadlines galore, but I’m starting to see “escaping” in a completely different way. So, if you’re interested in the book, just shoot me an email and I’ll tell you the best place to find it. :o)

Oh, and PS – Happy 1 year blogging anniversary to me! :)