Life Begins at the End of your Comfort Zone

If you know me at all, then you know that I come from a long line of runners. Actually, come to think of it, if you aren't runner in my family... Well, then you better start running! I think B learned that very quickly. I grew up going to races on Saturday mornings, learned how to see my family at different points of the race and even managed to get my siblings and I around Washington DC to watch mom and dad finish the marathon  (that's its own blog post some day).  Needless to say, for me to start running was partially my choice, but partially the pressure of being "that person" who didn't run.

I didn't really start running seriously(the word seriously is a relative statement) until I was in college. Yes, I ran some 5Ks in high school and even ran the River Run (15K), but never trained that much. In my years of running though, I've never really had much coaching or assistance with how I run. I just do it....no pun intended!

Lately, I've been running with a local high school cross country team a couple times a week. Let me tell you, they are FASSSTTTT! So to even act like I run "with" them is a flat lie, but I do go to the place where they meet and begin the run with them! :)) On Wednesdays, they run cross country trails in town, usually muddy, wet and humid. A normal run out there is around 5-7 miles (sometimes more sometimes less).

Tonight before we set out on our run, Coach encouraged the girls that tonight is about "being outside your comfort zone". He went on to explain what that meant in running terms but also in terms of conversation level. In other words, if you can have a convo while your running (hey thats me!!) then you're running too slow. Once we started the workout and got into our pace, of course, I ended up toward the back with a few other girls. However, during this time, I really started to think consciously about what Coach said...."Be outside your comfort zone!". This is harder than you think. It's really easy to stay in that place thats comfortable, managable, doable! It's not easy AT ALL to push your self to a place that's painful....uncomfortable....tiresome!

As I was running and thinking...because God knows I couldn't talk... I thought about how this lesson applies to our daily lives. How many times do we live in that bubble of comfort...where things are maybe not easy per se, but are just fine! No major challenge! I know I do this. As Coach expressed in his talk to the girls, if you don't get out of your comfort zone now, you will not get faster and stronger later in the season. This is the truth for life. Being challenged makes us grow...makes us learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

So, whether you are a runner, cyclist, whether this applies to your social life, professional life, whether this is spiritual or emotional...remember, that we grow by pushing beyond our boundaries! Get out there and challenge yourself!!!!

                                                                         Just Do It!
                                                                                                                 ~ G

Let's Play Catch Up!

Do you ever get aggravated with yourself? Well...I certainly am! I set out to start this blog last fall and had a good start for a few months, but then the new year hit and boy oh boy...I feel like I haven't slowed down for 1 second or even 10 minutes to write!With summer now here, I wanted to play catch up and hopefully pick back up with a blog or 2 a week!

2013 has been CRAZZY...in a good way! We've traveled, met lots of new friends and spent some quality time at home. I'm a little over halfway through my masters program at UNF. I took 2 classes this spring that were very time consuming. One was online...and the major reason why I haven't been blogging :/

My running is definitely getting shorter in distance as the heat rolls in....but this spring was full of lots of great running! One of my dearest friend, Ashley and I ran a couple of races together, including the 26.2 with Donna (half marathon) and the Gate River Run! It's SO awesome to run with your friends!!!! I've been trying to incorporate some speed work into my runs lately...wanting to get faster and maintain my endurance. Hopefully I will survive the summer!!!!!! 

Gate River Run 

26.2 with Donna

During spring break, Brian and I traveled to Eleuthera, Bahamas for a week to celebrate our 2nd anniversary! Hard to believe it's been 2 years! We stayed at a place called The Cove, which was one of the prettiest places I've ever been. Our trip was very adventurous, from kayaking through caves, to riding a scooter 30 miles to hopping a private flight home. 

My favorite part of Eleuthera, aside from the beauty, was our day trip to Harbour Island! While we were there, we found this little "dive" called "Queen Conch". They had the most delicious conch salad ever! I could eat that every day of my life.

My best buddies in Harbour Island 

Queen Conch (conch salad)

I can't wait to go back to Eleuthera and The Cove!!!! 

This past month we've been busy busy too! TPC always brings lots of excitement to our town and its always fun to get out watch golf and people :)) TPC is filled with charity fundraisers and parties. This year we went to "Live at the Lot" a fundraiser for the Monique Burr Foundation for children. Being that I'm a teacher, I find that this organization does so much to help children of abuse, both at a local and state level! It was a great night with lots of GREAT people! 

Love this couple! 

There are LOTS of exciting things going on so I'll be sure to post soon! 


                                   ~ G

On the Run

As you will soon figure out, I do most of my self reflecting while I'm running. I have to love to run!! It is a stress reliever, weight management strategy but PRIMARILY I run to mentally unwind. Now don't get me wrong, it has not always been easy. I am very comfortable running with a buddy. I love to chat while I run and I tend to not have a much of a filter while I'm out there (whoops). I've had several running partners throughout the years...and some of the greatest friendships come from spending time on the road. This summer, one of my running partners got pregnant and due to personal issues decided against running during pregnancy...well that really stunk for me :((( Here I was again learning how to run by myself with me and my mental games. I tried running with my husband (we LOVE spending time together) but inevitably every time we ran together one of us said, " You wanna race????". So...that didn't last long. 

Well all this to be said, I'm finally learning how to push through my mind games and truly reflect while I'm on the road. Using the "alone" time to challenge myself in all areas, physically, mentally and spiritually. BUT....then again.....anyone looking for a running partner???? 
                                                               **Always remember we live because of HIS Grace, 
                                                                                                               ~G