Category: Running

RSD #1,486 Progress is Impossible without Change

This concept is on my mind a lot lately. How do I define progress and how is it measured? Measuring in business is fairly straight forward since we have financials that don’t let us hide. Measuring fitness can be a little trickier but still we have a scale and how the body looks and feels. Measuring personal growth is completely different. How do you measure compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, integrity, or love for that matter? Is it through happiness?

Today I had an early flight home this morning and ran on the treadmill this afternoon. Having the option to run indoors in the air conditioning in the summer is such a gift! Ran with an iFit trainer in Florida. Fun change of pace.

RSD #1,484 & 1,485 From Las Vegas

Yesterday was an early day with a 3:00am run in order to make a 6:00am flight to Las Vegas. I loved the peace and stillness of the very early morning run.

Then a long day of training with people from all over the region. It was a diverse group and we had a lot of fun while learning. Isn’t that the best way to learn?

Ran the Vegas strip this morning. It was an out and back with a lot of stairs to go up and over streets. Definitely interesting to run the Vegas strip at 6:00am. One of the great things about running every day is that I get to see things when on vacation/traveling that I wouldn’t ordinarily see.

Run happy!

RSD #1,483 Monsoon season is here

We enjoyed afternoon showers with thunder and lightening yesterday. It was wonderfully relaxing to sit and read. I am halfway through The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory which is part of a historical fiction series about King Henry VIII’s wives. I am a historical fiction junky and this series doesn’t disappoint.

The monsoon season brought with it humidity. Today’s run was 79 degrees with 67% humidity. Going to be muggy for a bit and that’s okay…we need the rain.

RSD #1,482 If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you

It was a lazy Sunday and I slept in a little too late to beat the heat. So off to the the treadmill I went. The iFit trainers never disappoint and I ran a 5k in North Carolina virtually with trainer Ashley Paulson (yes, the one with the bright pink hair).

She is an incredible athlete and even more incredible spirit. The training runs with her are so positive and she just keeps a smile on her face. She is clearly doing what she loves to do. What a gift for her and for all of us!

She said today, “If it doesn’t challenge you then it won’t change you.” I needed to hear this today and there are some challenges in my life right now. I truly want these challenges to lead to positive change.

Run happy like Ashley!

RSD #1,480 #bettereveryday

The goal isn’t to improve my time or distance very day. The goal is to feel alive and healthy on the run. To enjoy and be grateful for the ability to run every day.

To be better every day to me means to continue to learn and grow as a human being. To improve my job performance, to positively impact the lives of those around me, and to continue to improve who I am as a person.

Happy Friday!

RSD #1,479 What are you feeding your mind?

I listen to books on most runs and reflect on how I can use the message, knowledge, or advice in my own life.

Today was all about the feelings of needing things, people, positions in life versus wanting them and the difference between the two. When you need something you are framing that your happiness depends on obtaining that need. When you want it and don’t need it you can be happy or successful without it and still desire it.

Where is the line between want and need? Do I want to run every day or do I need to run every day? Why?

For me most days it is a want and I enjoy it. When I reflect honestly there are days I need to run because I don’t want to end the streak because I will let myself and other people down.

This new framework with help to keep me in check when I am tired or in a rut. As long as I truly want to run and am enjoying it then I will keep on running.

RSD #1,478 When you’re from AZ you don’t complain about the heat!

Yes, it’s Arizona and it is hot! So we take weekend getaways to cooler places like norther AZ or San Diego. We plan indoor activities or lounge poolside with cool drink.

So how do I run in the heat? Most of the time it is early in the morning between 5:00-6:00am. Today I was a little late out the door at 6:10am and already 80 degrees with 40% humidity. Guess what…it felt great!

So there you go…some like it hot!

RDS #1,477 Daily Habits Are Difficult to Form

The goal of writing every day lasted 11 days. That doesn’t feel good and beating myself up about it is the easy thing to do. I could fill my head with, “Well if it was really important to you then you would have gotten it done.” or “See, you’re not a writer and writing every day it too hard.”

I’m choosing to celebrate that I started this journey of sharing my running story. The good and the bad. I love running and I know the more I write the more I will look forward to it and love it as well.

If you are struggling with a new habit don’t give up. Stay committed and stay positive. It will get better and it will get easier.

RSD #1,472 The 5th Thing I learned

The last, and definitely not least, thing I learned from running every day is the importance of a positive support system. First at home for those days where it would have been a lot easier just to stay in bed or on the couch. Having someone to give you that little encouragement or push to say, “You can do it” or “Go get it done”, just that little push can make all the difference.

The support of friends and co-workers was extremely valuable too. As the running day count grew it was awesome to have people start asking, “Are you still running every day?” and “What day is today?” Knowing people are watching, counting, and cheering me on was incredibly motivating. Some days the run was more for other people then it was for me. I didn’t and don’t want to let anyone down.

The most important support person for me was my husband, Robbie, and today is his birthday. So today’s run was spent thinking about him and having gratitude for all his support over the years. His support in life has truly made a difference in mine.