questioning.

sometimes the questions are infinite. sometimes that's ok.

run for your life.

whew! Does it ever get easier?! I feel like more often than not, the first ten minutes of every run is like going to the dentist- you know you need to- but good lord it's still awful. I completed, somewhat reluctantly, an hour run this afternoon... it was the guilt that pushed me... all the cocktails, the milkshake and french fries... too many calories that need to be exhausted. But about 40 minutes in, while climbing a rather long and steady hill, I managed to lock my eyes straight ahead, the voices in my head shut off, and my body took over. I've been running for my whole life, haphazardly for the last ten years, my body knows how to run. My legs know how to pump up a hill, they know when to shuffle with small steps, they know when to take long strides and dodge holes. They know how to communicate with my lungs, which are working hard, pulling in oxygen, pumping it through my body. They know how to communicate with arms, to pull myself forward. My body knows how to run, I just need to learn how to let it. Then I think running for an hour will become easier.

going the extra mile

I wanted to turn around and go home. It was 88 degrees at 8 o'clock tonight, with such stifling humidity that I felt like a gnat drowning in a vat of honey. I'd had a lethargic day, and knew that I needed to get in a good long run, but I could barely lift my legs and my back was tied up in knots from the cross-training I had done over the weekend.

Upon leaving the house I found myself heading right towards my 30 minute route, and had to quickly redirect myself, towards the farmer's market it was. If I am going to run a marathon I can't keep being a wuss. I reached my half way point. "I want to go home" were the only words echoing in my mind. Just as I reached the corner I heard another voice say "ok" but it wasn't an "ok, I give you permission to turn around" it was an "ok, I hear you and I acknowledge that going home would be nice... but I also want to keep running." And with that I crossed the street.

Just as I crossed the street a cool breeze blew, the first, and only, of the night. A few yards past that two of the most adorable raccoons imaginable, their bodies no larger than my running shoe, came out across the fence and into the tree. Then there were two bunnies, and a doe. I guess dusk = dinner time. Had I turned around sooner, I wouldn't have been in those places at that time and I would have missed it.

I often dismiss Raleigh for it's lack of grandeur. We're not D.C or NYC. We're not Seattle or Portland. But to live in a city where I can bike to a coffee shop or walk to a bar, and then just a block the other direction experience wildlife and woods is a pretty remarkable balance, one that is worth going the extra mile for.

tuesdays thoughts

after a weekend at the beach i feel both refreshed, and a bit of course.

life has a way of moving, with or without you, it seems.

deadlines. bills. chores. laundry. birthdays. work. holidays.

it's hard to maintain control.

what a fun weekend

It takes a long time to become young.
-Pablo Picasso

My birthday began with brunch in Sylva and an afternoon of shopping... mmm how I love the outfitters and bookshops of the mountains! Followed a somewhat soggy hike along the AT. We were greeted at home with a runaway pup - the cutest runaway pup one could ever ask for and if my house (and wallet) were only large enough for paws that big! Dinner at Guadalupe couldn't have been more delicious, with a fresh homemade blackberry pie using the berries we picked at Farm 42. The next day our lovely hosts guided us rafting down the Nanthala. It's always good to get out of town.

a reason to rejoice

 

Today I turn 24.

I feel like I am now entering uncharted territory.
It's not like 16, 21 or 30.
I don't have the same expectations I did for 23.


This is my life, here and today
and all I've gotta do is live it.

fishy friday fun

As I walk in the door I'm greeted by an out of town guest who eagerly proclaims, we've been drinking all day! uh oh! after being at work all day that's not the sort of greeting one usually anticipates. However, he quickly made up for it by sharing some of the delicious mead and wine that they had picked up. After my first sip I understood, it was simply too delicious to put down.
After annihilating some red pepper hummus... notice carrots, not pita chips! 1 point for me! We lit the grill for some steaks, tilapia and salmon. As the tilapia and salmon came in from the grill the four of us converged on the fish, devouring it before the plate could make it to the table. And how could you kick off a summer birthday weekend without some fireworks. I got to shoot my first bottle rocket :)
Let the birthday celebrating begin!