The Simple Life

I am still in sunny San Diego. I have had great weather, had some great workouts, and had a lot of time to reflect on my life. Jamie Cheever has been here for the last week and it has been such a gift to have a training partner. We are both staying in my sister’s studio apartment. There is no kitchen; we have a microwave and refrigerator, a toilet to toss our plate scraps in, and bathroom sink to wash dishes. It has been an inspiration to see how simply you can live! (see pic)

It is not only the studio that has been an inspiration to live simply, but also my daily routine. It is fairly simple, and I think it is benefiting my training. I acknowledge that this lifestyle is like a vacation, but want to consider how to bring some of it back to my life in Minnesota. My day here generally consists of waking up, doing a short devotional or bible study while drinking coffee and eating a few handfuls of cereal, and eventually heading out for my first workout of the day. I come home, eat, shower, go to a coffee shop or sit on the ocean and read a book, and maybe take a nap. Then I go for a second shakeout run, stretch, roll out, do some core strengthening exercises, and make dinner for when my sister returns.

After a workout with Jamie, we were sitting on the beach and acknowledging how beneficial it is to be able to devote time to training and not have to practically run to the next commitment.

I think my mother said it first, but I didn’t take it to heart until a friend, Alisha Kaiser, said “There are many good things in life, but only a few GREAT things. You need to consider what the great things are.” I have a tendency to be passionate and excited about so many things in life and have a hard time passing up the good things! I consider that I can just keep “pressing on” and continue my same lifestyle until summer and many of my commitments will end. I told Dan, my boyfriend, about my ideas. After making sure it wasn’t him that I was going to cut, :) he reminded me that the next few months, with upcoming races, are important for deciding if a running career will be a part of my future. He reminded me that I can’t do 500 things if I want to be really good at one thing. Thus, as I prepare to return to the great state of Minnesota, I am trying to consider what is best and precious and what is not. It is uncomfortable, but I think it really is necessary. I will keep you updated on the progress! I am off to spend my last day in California with my sister (I guess she can be considered a priority:).

California Update #1

Although I said that Minnesota might be a running mecca, I have to admit that running out West has been awesome…too:) So far, my time here has been a major gift. I flew into Las Vegas, where my sister picked me up and we drove to Zion National Park. We hiked for two days before heading to our final destination: San Diego. I can’t even communicate to you how beautiful this park is. If you ever get a chance, GO SEE IT!

It has been a breath of fresh air (literally) to come to a new place; it is really helpful to have a little change in my life to refocus on my training. There are times that I forget that each workout has a value and that each one requires a unique intensity for a specific goal. I lose sight of what I am working toward; for now, my focus is towards running a 5K PR to qualify for the Olympic Trials. While in Zion, Dennis had me do a workout on the track. It couldn’t have worked out any better because there was a track across the street from where I was staying. Besides climbing a few fences, it was a perfect situation: the track was set in the mountains, the sun was rising, and the surface was quality. Before heading to the track, I committed myself to being intentional about visualizing an actual race scenario and using positive affirmations throughout. My workout was 24 200’s with 45-second rest. Throughout the workout, I envisioned where I would be in a 5K race and how I can break it down so that it is manageable and so that I remain positive. As the workout progressed, I found myself truly getting excited to race and more committed to the workout. After completing the workout, I truly believe that I am one workout closer to running a 5K PR and one step deeper into a passion for competing and training.

I am so thankful for the workouts that rejuvenate and excite me. I will admit that stepping onto a track in the middle of the mountains with the sun rising is enough to motivate anyone, but I am also convinced of the power of focusing on personal goals to inspire purpose and motivation.

Happy New Year

Happy 2012! I have not exactly kept my blog up to date and I apologize! As for a brief update, I am still continuing to train. Winter in Minnesota has been so amazing. I think Minnesota should be the new winter running Mecca! Last week I ran on the track and the day before I ran on trails along the Mississippi River, which runs for endless miles! I didn’t anticipate that weather would be this great when I booked a flight to San Diego, where my sister Annie lives, to get some quality training, but I am leaving on a jet plane anyway! I figure a little sun won’t hurt, and as Dennis, my coach, says at least I can improve my tanJ

I am healthy and I continue to love running and training more than ever. At times I feel like I am stuck in the doldrums of base training; no races to look forward to in the next few weeks, but trying to stay focused on what is ahead. Fortunately there is a glimmer of hope with the New Year. The turn of 2012 signifies that the racing season is coming and I can hardly wait!

Something else that is worth celebrating is that I cannot call myself a nomad anymore. I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to house-sit in South Minneapolis near Lake Harriet with one of my best friends and training partner, Jamie Cheever. Living out of my van and with my parents was certainly an adventure, and I have no complaints, but it has been so wonderful to be near many of my peers and have a place for people to gather. Anyone is welcome to stop by and visit or go for a run! I am right by Lake Harriet, part of a chain of lakes that can keep a runner busy for a while. I have two additional roommates who I have greatly enjoyed getting to know; Megan is also a runner and Sean is a full time Best Buy employee (He is the only “Real Person” in our house.)

Living in the house has many advantages, but the best part is living with people that challenge me to be the best person I can be. In a book I am currently reading, it discusses the nature of a true friend. In summary it says that we define friends in many different ways throughout our lives. As children we consider a friend someone who will come and ask to play with you, or who will stand up for you. As teenagers, a friend is someone that likes the same things that you like and agrees with you. Eventually, however, you realize that a true friend is the person that “encourages you to be all you can be, challenges you to become the-best-version-of-yourself, and vice versa.” The author says, “If you want a litmus test for choosing friends, use this question: Will spending time with this person make me want to be a better person?” I am so blessed to have a roommate that trains with me daily. Some how, although we are very competitive, we both truly want the other to be the best she can be. Jamie encourages me to do my best in all aspects of my life: emotionally, spiritually, physically, nutritionally, etc. I challenge everyone to consider whom you surround yourself with and if you encourage others to be the best they can be. This can apply to your training partners, but also to people in all walks of your life.

A new year is always cause for personal reflection. My personal goal in life is to live in a way that brings glory to God. This year, and for much of my life, I have devoted a lot of energy to running. I wrestle with the question of what in the world is the purpose of this all, and how can running bring glory to God? Is it worth the cost of going to bed early and missing out, making little money, not teaching, or missing fun outings for a workout? Can I really justify it? My sister, Annie, sent me a letter a few weeks ago with a book that was incredibly encouraging. The book states that everyone is called to holiness- it is our essential purpose. What is holiness? It says, “to be holy is to become fully the person God created you to be…to become who you were created to be, to become the-best-version-of-yourself.” He argues that holiness is for everyone, and I totally agree. I was so encouraged after reading this, because I believe that we are all made so uniquely and simply by pursuing a real and authentic life while trying to do your best at it, is all we can do. It is pretty humbling, but God doesn’t need you or me, but gives us all unique gifts for the good of all and for his glory. It is so awesome to imagine that if we all really encourage others to be the best-version-of themselves, we will all play the role we are created for, and will collectively live fulfilled lives and bring glory to God. It is scary and uncomfortable to think that we may not always know the purpose of what we are doing, but I think it is truly the most satisfying life when we strive to live to the best of your ability. For me, this means I will continue to write my life story so that everything I do, I will do it with all my heart, mind, and soul.

With this New Year of 2012 I am considering what in my life I can change to strive to be the best-version-of-myself and how I can encourage those around me to be the best they can be. Happy New Year everyone!

BE YOU!!!!