Catching Up

So, it’s been over a month now since I last wrote and rather than try to cram in everything, I will simply touch base on the key points of what the last month looked like.

Late May: traveled to NY for work for a week; in “training” all week. Very little time to run or exercise. Made the best of it, but a rough go of it. No windows all week. Not good for the body/soul. Catch my drift!

Following Week: developed a tough chest/head cold. Couldn’t run. Had to try to rest my body for the upcoming trip to Atlanta & subsequent travel across country by car.

1st Week of June: one way to atlanta by plane. busy, busy week with friends, clients, etc. Small amount of running.
2nd Week of June: one way back to California in a 12 Ft Penske Truck. Drove for 7 days. Small amount of running. Tough trip to do, but I needed to get my belongings back with me. Long hours driving….made me nuts. It was not a sight-seeing trip. Basically made a bee-line back home to bay area.
3rd Week of June: finally feel like I am physically all better, but still trying to find my rhythm; a flow and routine…amazing how much I feel I need THAT, but I do.

It’s a wonderful time of year to be inspired. So much going on. French Open just ended and now we have Wimbledon about to start. The OLYMPICS are about to begin. Lots of races going on and people to cheer for. This guy http://www.jeffreyjmiller1.blogspot.com/ just finished (yesterday) running 100 marathons in 100 days.

But, mostly, the inspiration continues to come from within…being inspired by waking up and seeing what and how I will meet the challenges before me. We all have our thing(s). The SF Half Marathon is about 1 month away. I don’t yet know if I will be able to break that 2hr mark. Those weeks in June really threw me off schedule and way off balance internally. But, I will toe the line and see just what is possible. In the meantime, I’ve got work to do and miles to run.

There are a lot of good books that have been published lately. Ones I hope to read are:

Eat and Run – by Scott Jurek
Finding Ultra – by Richh Roll
A Life without Limits – by Chrissie Wellington

I just began reading “Running on Empty” by ultramarathoner Marshall Ulrich – am enjoying it so far and yes, inspired.

There is nothing you can’t do! GO GET AFTER IT!

“Running was the friend that never went away” – LOLO JONES U.S. Olympic Hurdler

just Thrive, baby

My nutrition continues to fall into the Vegetarian/Semi-Vegan category. I’ve been continuing to read & enjoy THRIVE. Last night, I cooked Salmon for the first time ever! Hey…I’m a slow learner! I just sauteed some veggies with it in a skillet with some olive oil & a little turmeric. It was not GREAT, but it was ok…for now. I will learn to perfect. I will need to invest in a few new kitchen items like a good skillet (i had 2, i threw 1 out last night post dinner) and a food processor. I’ve been using a lot of Amazing Grass’s products;
the bars and then some of the powders in my smoothies. All pretty tasty, actually.
A typical smoothie is:
Banana
Frozen Berries (blackberry, strawberry, blueberry)
Almond Milk
Scoops of Amazing Grass Hemp Protein or their Amazing Meal Blend
*Spinach* sometimes

I find that I am having success with changing my nutrition this time around because I am using the book as a resource and then looking for additional resources. I’ve really noticed feeling “lighter”, not so heavy & bloated…and i understand now what types of food and food combinations can really lead to those sensations. Needless to say, I like the “lighter” feeling.
I also like just the difference in my focus; before I would focus on “cutting out sugar, alcohol, meat..etc…”. Now, my focus, isn’t really about cutting those things out…but rather “what do i want to consume that is nutritious?” It might be all semantics, but it makes a difference. Am I making sense?

Not a whole lot going on in the running arena…only running a little – like 15 miles a week. I’m thinking of some plans for the rest of the year and into next year. I hope to make some decisions soon and will keep you posted.

On a brief travel note, I went to NYC on Friday/Saturday. Saw a 2 person play called “Dusk Rings a Bell” w/ the amazing and gorgeous Kate Walsh. (gushing) It was awesome. The play was touching, funny, poignant, surprising & very thought-provoking. I was 3rd row from stage at a tiny, intimate theater. While in NYC, I also spent time with an old friend…someone I had not seen in 27 years. Even though I was only in town for a tiny amount of time, we managed to share 2 meals and coffee together. It was pretty neat to say the least. I’m actually still pretty full from our visit, from the entire trip. Maybe I will write more about it all later…

For now, if you want to read something inspiring, copy & paste this & read. pretty great.
http://www.scottjurek.com/blog/

Be well. Live big. Rest. Love.

Cheers!