Since menopause began over a year-and-a-half ago every endurance event has been a real struggle to show up. My most recent marathon was no different.  I tried to talk myself out of it, telling myself: “It’s too cold” or that “I don’t need to spend the money traveling."  But I just decide to get up, show up, and not give up.

Steve and I drove to Fort Smith Arkansas to stay the night only to wake up to snow and ice. The freeway we needed to get to Cotter for the marathon was iced with numerous wrecks. We decided to have breakfast, go see the sights and then reevaluate the roads. 

We were able to head out later that afternoon.  Drove a few hours, picked up some pizza and then to the cabin for the night.

The next morning, we woke up to 18 degrees. We dressed in many layers and headed to the White River Marathon start to pick up our packets. Thankfully the packet pick up was in a school gym which allowed us to stay warm until the start.  At 7 am we put on our gloves with hand warmers, hats and then we headed to start line.

After the national anthem we were off…
 It was a cold morning, but the sun was shining, and we were running along the beautiful white river.  I was feeling grateful!

At the first rest stop, I took off my top layer of clothing and got a drink before continuing on. I assumed the turnaround was at mile 13 for the marathon (big mistake), I ended running right past the turnaround only to realize I was running with only half marathoners.  I turned around and asked a young volunteer where the marathon turnaround was, and he had no clue.  I finally found it and realized I had run an extra mile and a half.  I then decided to slow down. I found some new friends, ate some chocolate and embraced the second half. 

As I crossed the finish line, I could see Steve waiting for me which is the BEST feeling.  I finished the 27.5 mile 4:13:21. We enjoyed the rest of our stay nestled in our cabin overlooking the White River.  We watched anglers fishing for trout and had a really nice time together. We vowed to return and someday kayak the river--of course, in a warmer time of the year.  We were so glad we didn’t decide to stay home as the trip was well worth it.

Next time you're thinking of the reasons you *should* bow out... show up instead! 

​Until Next Monday... 

Tis’ the season for thankfulness. Thanksgiving is later this week, and many of us will find ourselves sitting around a table with loved ones sharing reasons deserving our thanks. But thankfulness reminds me of gratitude and this impactful quote by Henri Amiel: 
 
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.  Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.  Thankfulness is consistent merely of words. Gratitude is shown in the acts.” 
Speaking about our thankfulness in reflection and sharing that with others is nice; however, acts of gratitude can be even more powerful. Gratitude is a simple, effortless habit that can help us live a happier life. Gratitude has played an important role in my life. 
Some of the benefits gratitude can afford you are: 

• Elevating your mood and motivation

• Increasing resilience and ability to cope with adversity 
• Finding the ability to live in the present moment more joyfully 
• Inspiring you to focus and make decisions 
• Lowering stress and anxiety 

So how can you cultivate more gratitude (and happiness) in your life today? Some simple tips you can apply are: 

1.) Pause and look around.  A first simple step to build the gratitude habit is simply to pause in your everyday life and to ask yourself questions like, “What can I be grateful for in my life today?” You don’t need a comprehensive list. Even if you can name one person or thing, that can be enough to put your feelings into perspective. 

2.) Look towards yourself. As difficult as it can be, don’t just look outward. A habit of being appreciative and grateful towards yourself is a simple way to help with self-confidence. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.  You can simply be grateful for your good sense of humor or the way you help others in your life. Take a closer look at the “small” things (or what you may be taking for granted).

3.) Don’t just focus on the big and obvious things you can be grateful for. Think about the small things that you can be grateful for too.

4.) Express your gratitude. Don’t just keep the gratitude on the inside. Express it.
Make other people happier too by expressing how you are grateful for them.  Acts of gratitude are contagious. And by connecting with others through gratitude, they may take and share that energy as well! 

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation of abundance”        -Eckhart Toll
​
Be thankful and take that forward with acts of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for your readership. If there’s someone you know who would benefit from this message, pass it on!

Until Next Monday… 

it feels to be in your shoes. I know the feeling of disappointment and sadness as you watch friends and family laughing as they wrap presents or singing Christmas carols as they bake cookies or feasting over their Thanksgiving dinner. For some reason, you can't join in mentally, emotionally or physically.  You do not feel the joy that everyone around you is feeling and experiencing,
​I wish I could tell you that eating some pie or opening a present would fill the void with the merry spirit, but we all know that's not how it works.
You see, for so many years I thought that if I tried hard enough, said enough prayers, faked a smile or served others, I would experience the joy of the holiday season.  But no matter how far I reached, I only experienced sorrow for what I did not have (and that others DID have):  family, joy, and love.  I only felt pain, loss and sorrow...
If nothing else, I offer you this: another voice whispering "you're not alone.” I want to remind you that even though everyone seems to be happily putting the ornaments on the tree, there are many out there who are not. There are many who struggle to make it out of bed each morning, struggle to put on the customary Christmas sweater, struggle to say a prayer or meditate or struggle to put on a cheerful smile that society expects of us this time of year. There is no shame in struggling, and it is okay to be where you are (and not attempting to fake it). 
There is no shame in feeling sadness during the holiday season. And while it might seem long, the season is really just a few weeks out of the year. You can make it through this season, and soon enough a new year will come.
 
I BELIEVE IN YOU. I believe even if you don't feel the excitement to open presents or sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, you can make it. The pain may be there, and it may seem unbearable at times, but YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Those of you who struggle during this time are strong, and you have the ability to make it past the lights and carols. And when you think you can't, when you believe the holidays will never end, close your eyes and feel the support of those who understand, of those who struggle too (and maybe reach out to share how you feel with a trusted loved one, coach). You are not alone; we are here for you.
 
“The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing each other’s loads, and supplanting the empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of holidays.” -W.C. Jones
Until next Monday.
Love, 
Someone who understands