Experiences

Intentionality (G): One of the things I really love about training for long-distance races is that deep into the process most of the things you do daily are about achieving the goal. My days become intentional and purposeful. I know where I am going and that these 5-10 activities/exercises are leading me there. It helps me to stay in the moment.

(L) This past weekend we went skiing at Keystone.  It was a beautiful snow day and I skied with my favorite 11-year-old all day.  She is just my speed, she let’s me stop and catch my breath, she doesn’t make me do difficult runs and she is always happy to go inside and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate!  Love my Reesie Cup!

Books

The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle (G): This year in my quest to read 40 books, which is a by-product of making the goal this year to read all the unread or half-read books in my possession. I am not even sure what happens to these books. I am reading, enjoying and then my SSSS kicks in. If you are not familiar, SSSS is See Something Shiny Syndrome. Anyway, as I have picked The Power of Now up again and refreshed myself on the parts I already read I really am wondering why I ever walked away. It’s a fantastic read, although not a quick or easy one. I find myself stopping to really think about certain ideas. If you sometimes feel like you are in your own way because you are reacting instead of responding and letting past wounds lead you through the rest of your life, check it out. Here’s a small sample that really spoke to me:

“As long as you make an identity for yourself out of the pain, you cannot become free of it. As long as part of your sense of self is invested in your emotional pain, you will unconsciously resist or sabotage every attempt that you make to heal that pain. Why? Quite simply because you want to keep yourself intact, and the pain has become an essential part of you.”

If that is blowing your mind, it did mine too!

(L) I am currently reading, “Me Before You” by JoJo Moyes.  This is a book that was recommended to me at least 6 months ago.  I am finally reading it and I can hardly put it down. It’s about a quadriplegic man named Will and his care giver, Louisa.  He sees no reason to continue living while Louisa tries to convince him otherwise. Sounds like a downer, but they have such an interesting relationship that you can’t wait to see what happens next.

Magazine

Runner’s World (G): We subscribe to a few running magazines and Runner’s World has been one of them off and on over the years. I have to say lately, they are hitting it out of the park. The last two issues have had great rehabbing or injury proofing exercises and the articles have been pretty in-depth for magazine standards these days. Whether a beginner or long-time runner (even if you’re a trail runner) it might be time to give RW a look.

Facebook Post

Geneen Roth (G): On February 9th, Geneen shared a wonderful post. Below is just a small excerpt.

“And as I was sitting in my seat, I realized, well, this too is a moment to bring my attention back– not to how I wish it would be, not to my own busy ranting mind, but to the exact moment I was in. The fact that life was still, despite being tired, quite splendid. I decided to pick my head up from own cranky story and look around.”

Her entry was useful, inspiring, real and TRUE. We all get to decide what our life experience really is by our choices and what we focus on. When someone is authentic enough to share their little tantrums before the serenity it helps us to see ours too.

You can easily find the full entry by visiting her Facebook page.

Random Funnies:

Earlier this week, we shared about our husbands’ “bromance.” And then just yesterday our sister posted photos from her wedding and not-so-surprisingly there it was: another bonding moment for Andy and John. Notice Lowi and G are, per usual, MIA.

(L) I want to add here that I am pretty sure that the boys are admiring their earlier photo of themselves!

L&G Weekly Roundup

Thursday: TBT Dumb it Down?

Wednesday: Anyone else with me?

Tuesday: Torture Report #5: Recovery, Fuel, Johnny Armani and Moms

Monday: Valentine’s Day: Bromantic Brothers-in-law

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

Lowi & G