Sunday, January 22, 2017

Establishing Patterns

Miles: 42.25
Leaves: 40

Recipes: 1) Pork Tinga; 2) Clementine Quinoa Salad; 3) Squash and Coconut with Pasta

At three weeks into the year, my type A brain says I am already behind. My B side says there is plenty of time, and be patient.

The dominant brain is yet to be determined, but as the two sides battle, the good news is that miles are being run and leaves cut. The resolutions continue, and forward progress is happening. This is really all I ask to accomplish.

I am working to establish patterns of doing the activities that fulfill me. I believe we make time for what we really want. Sometimes, this means making choices. Maybe something needs to wait. Maybe the right choice is to let a goal sit a bit and be patient and safe, as dictated by Mother Nature this week. Two days were "supposed" to be running days, but icy conditions one day and foggy conditions another told both sides of my battling brain that the wise choice was to stay off the roads, both for running and driving to run.

So sometimes choices need reframing. Can't run today? Cut some leaves instead. Just keep something moving forward.

And, for more fun, I am trying one new recipe  a week. For several years, I have been tearing recipes out of magazines, newspapers, and flyers. They live in fairly organized yellow binder. While a binder is helpful, the poor recipes inside languish for tastebuds to try them. Another resolution this year is to finally crack open that binder and make those recipes. Three recipes in three weeks ... this goal is on target!

Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Year, New Goals

Here I go again ...

Six years ago, I ran 1,000 miles in one year. That year, I ran a full marathon, whittled down my belongings to fit into one red Dodge Neon, and moved to China.

Since that time in 2011, I moved back to the United States, went back to school, got married, gained stepchildren and step-grandchildren and a nephew and niece, left school, moved to a small town, and bought a tangerine pearl Prius. These events didn't necessarily happen in that order, but they all happened. All were good and were meant to happen.

When I look back over the last six years, it's hard to believe everything that has changed. Life takes a person down many unexpected paths. Some paths U-turn, others dead end, and a few lead you to the next step.

My next step is to journey forward into 2017 with a focus on what makes me feel good, namely running, writing, and creating art. This blog grows out of a rather brilliant idea (a humble opinion, of course) to combine these three areas I haven't nurtured as much as I should.

Over the next year, I will run 1,000 miles. I will create 1,000 leaves and turn them into art pieces. Along the way, I will chronicle my progress on these "grand" goals.

Join my journey. T-minus 1,000 starts here.