Move along

I'm training for my 4th half marathon, my first international run in Myrtle Beach SC and the first one I will see my parents at the end of it. It's an early start, 6am I think and I'll be dealing with jet lag so possibly it will feel more like 3am but hey, try everything once right?

4 weeks today. And, as always tends to happen when I'm training, the panic and fear tends to set it right about now, the 'you can't do it' voices begin creeping in and the pj-all-day thoughts tempt me away from getting out on the road and getting my legs in gear.

I'm training alone again for this one and have actually switched my music for podcasts. Actually makes for a more reflective run. And, maybe makes me feel a bit like I'm not running alone.

When I trained for the Victoria half in October, I set out with the Running Room in Richmond. Lovely, motivating, run-obsessed people there but always coming in last certainly took it's toll on the mental portion of the training for me.

So, I've taken a different tack. And I'm actually not running early in the morning, because you know what? It didn't help my time any .. why bother? I may do my long runs starting next week first thing in the morning again but for now, they tend to be mid day runs.

Which, it appears, I'm currently procrastinating setting off for. So, I'll be on my way. And put this post out to the universe in the hopes that it gets me through the next 11 miles.

Time for me to move along.

Holidays

This is my favourite time of year. Whether I'm with family or connecting with people via Skype, I always find it the most relaxing and rejuvenating time of year.

For me, the summer is about busy-ness. It's about being outside, getting into nature, jumping on my bike and riding around some of the beauty that BC has to offer. It's about spending time on patios, alternating between mornings on the beach and evenings watching the sunset. It's about finding amazing things to do, adventures to go on, islands to visit, festivals to enjoy.

But this time of year provides the most quiet solace for me. Probably because we aren't always near loved ones, which means this time of year ends up being filled with late mornings, lounging pj time and junkfood-filled days.

As I type, I can see various runners trek past the window along the dyke, diligently adhering to their holiday fitness schedules. And, since I do have another half marathon (Dasani Half Marathon) in about 6 weeks, I probably should be doing the same.

But instead, I'm catching up online. And playing with my new Kobo Touch. And just, laying around. Literally planning my day around meals. Watching the hours tick away and content in the fact that I don't care. That I know my body must need this. That, even though there are tons of things I "could" be doing or "should" be doing, I'm not. And that's ok.

Because life's not about coulda's or woulda's or shoulda's. It just is.

Doing nothing will help me find the energy to start doing more in the new year. So I'll take it. And relish it. And continue to enjoy chips for breakfast and early afternoon tipples. I suggest you do the same. Here's to hibernating for a bit to re-energize us for the year to come.

Happy Holidays, fellow sloths.

Keep a' wandering

Having just returned from 3 weeks visiting friends and family, I must say quality can beat out quantity any time. I feel even more solid in my belief that combining close relationships with a nomadic lifestyle is achievable. There are challenges, risks, sacrifices and yet, what life doesn't have these things?

I have more write here, things I discovered about myself on this journey, things that came to light because of this journey and things that I've learned next time would be better to do (bring my travel partner D for starters)

It was a great trip home. Filled with stories and memories I hope to share.

But mostly, now, I'm enjoying being back on my couch, implementing the ideas that percolate when you surround yourself with the energy of loving friends and family.

Do they EVER not look pretty?

As I was driving to the grocery store today I was taken aback by the beauty of the mountains along my view. 

We've been here for over a year now, working and studying away, pleasantly surprised by the mild weather, not so surprised (or enthused) about the expenses here in the most beautiful & expensive end of the country.

It feels like home, like we've been here forever. And although I've spent a good chunk of this 'winter' outdoors, spring is making it feel even more like a renewal.

But even with all this comfort and homey-ness abound there is still one sight I'll never get used to. Those glorious mountains.

And even as the thought crossed my mind, "Wow, do they ever look pretty today" I had to correct myself.

I mean, do these suckers ever NOT look pretty?

Snapped during Vancouver 2010 ...... but they looked like this today... minus the cute boy in green

Happy

Just having a fabulous moment of happiness. My life is great. I have so many great things. And even when I think I'm straying off the path, I suddenly realise this is not the case at all.

The path was just leading me to where I needed to be, without me needing to do anything at all.

Energy will get you there. You just have to relinquish control.

Ok. Lesson learned. Thanks universe.

Coming soon...

Something of interest :) .

I've not been inspired as of late and decided there really was no point in rambling on about what I had for breakfast or how I'm in desperate need of a tire guard for my bike so that I can stop having to wash my muddy jacket after every time I go for a bike ride. Wow. See? I guess I just DID tell you about that. And perhaps that's another reason to step slowly. away. from. the. machine.

But I'll leave you with this first.Cause it's catchy. And awesome. And inspiring. Just what I need:

Sunday mornings

When I was training for my first half marathon over a year and a half ago, I dreaded the early morning Sunday run. I whined and complained how could it be POSSIBLE that I rise early and head out to face over 10kms?

I used to do some of the long runs on  my own in the afternoon, just so I could get a bit of a lie in on the token day of rest.

I was thinking of those times this morning, as I eagerly woke at 730 to grab a quick breakfast of salad (great way to start the day: ruffage but doesn't fill you up to the point you can't go and exercise right away) and a hot water and lemon before I set off to meet my friend A to the P and head out on our 30km Sunday morning bike ride.

It's a little tradition the two of us started, mostly because she has to work at 11:30, so the only time she could do it was bright and early.

We head down the Shell Road path towards the water, chatting away and catching up about our weeks. We managed through the woods just before the waterside, exchanges stories and elevating our heart rates. Then, it's all along the water, past the running groups that I used to wonder how I could ever be a part of, the dogs and their owners, other cyclists - some casual like us, some hard core.

And amidst all the chatter and gabbing, we suddenly descend on the little sea side spot of Steveston, where we express how shocked we are at that we got there in what seemed like such a short time.

There are a couple of good coffee shops to choose from - the token Starbucks, the west coast chain Blenz - but last week we settled on Waves - a chain or not I'm not sure, but it's view and direct patio sunlight made it this week's destination.

And there, we grab a tea, a bit of snack - a muffin, a crossiant, or something chocolately sticky and gooey - and just continue to chitty chat about .. well .. we manage to fill enough time to warm our bones, rest our legs and gear up to head back towards where we started: near her work and near my house.

A to the P goes home at the end of December and I suppose it's just dawning on me that I won't have someone to motivate me to get to the top of the trail at 8am.

It's also helped as a solid reminder of how much one changes over the course of one's life, becoming the type of person that does rise early on a Sunday, who does take better care of herself and who, for a fleeting moment, can connect with somone almost a decade in age difference and simply cherish, while brief, the time spent on a Sunday morning.