Thunder in the Rockies

Fitness and Health Bloggers Conference Update:

Just FYI: later on I will be doing a “live blogging” event where I will be reviewing sponsor products live on the blog. It is like speed dating but hopefully with no unintended pregnancies.

7:00 a.m. yoga class started out peaceful enough. The cool Rocky Mountain air flowed through the Bugaboo room at the Marriot. The Flatiron mountains looked amazing through the huge picture windows. We moved easily and quietly through Warriors and down dogs and triangles. Clair was to my left, Jason behind me (he’s brave). We were about 50 minutes into a one hour class when the calm in the room was disrupted as Clair came out of three-legged dog pose and released a thunderous fart. Yes, she did. Let me tell you something about Clair. She is a proper Southern girl. It took about 18 years of being her friend before she passed gas in front of me.

I crumbled onto my mat and looked back at Jason. All I could see was his back shaking while he tried to maintain a downward dog. Quickly, the instructor took us into happy baby pose, which only made matters worse. In this special pose, you are on your back with your legs drawn up and spread open. You grab your big toes with your peace fingers, further opening your legs. “Crap,” I thought. “Is she going to let a few more fly?” No, she didn’t. We regained composure, and I told Clair later, “Thank you. My weekend is complete.”

Now, I’m sitting here in the Marriott conference room listening to A-list, influential, very successful bloggers talk about how they got to where they got to. It’s make me feel overwhelmed. I started blogging because I love to write and wanted an outlet. I love the connection blogging allows, and I love the exchange with you all. You make me laugh and inspire me everyday.

When the conversation leads to brands and sponsorships and advertising and book deals, I am not sure what to do. In all honestly, blogging has become more than a hobby for me because of the amount of time I put into it. I feel driven to write everyday. The fact is, it’s taken over a lot of my time. It feels like next steps might be in order, and that’s why I’m here – to learn about all the stuff I’m missing. Twatting and ambassadorships, book deals. It’s a different world.

Woven into all of this are the important questions: Why do you blog? What is your purpose? Where are you going? Do you care about your traffic, your numbers, your analytics?  What is the strategy for your blog, or do you have one?

I am a fly by the seat of your pants (underwear) kind of girl. I love being spontaneous. My only “rules” for my blogging is that I write authentically and I don’t force my writing. If I don’t feel inspired, I don’t write. I don’t have much structure, but there are themes that have surfaced over the course of this blog: not making excuses, doing what you said you would do, potty humor, honesty, recovery/rest, being real.

What’s your goal with your blog?

SUAR

Is Getting a Tattoo On Your List?

As we enter the new year, I am thinking about goals. I am original that way. No one thinks about goals this time of year.

I’m not necessarily contemplating measurable goals like winning the Boston Marathon (because I could if I wanted to) or doing 180 strides per minute when I return to running , but self improvement goals. How can I be a better mom?  Wife?  Daughter?  Friend? How can I be kinder to myself?

The common theme seems to be making sure I am present when I am with the people I love. Small things like giving the kids my undivided attention when they walk in the door after school. Making eye contact. Really listening before responding. Giving spontaneous hugs.

Being kinder to myself involves leaving self doubt and perfection behind. Prioritizing. Listening to my body when it says “I need a break.”  Giving myself permission to take a nap, to respond to those emails tomorrow. Concentrating on and saying “yes” to the things I am passionate about, and letting some of the other obligations go. And, giving back. Taking myself out of the equation sometimes, because the world does not revolve around me. I think sometimes we are all a bit guilty of too much self focus.

In actuality, I have a LIST of stuff. But it’s kind of personal, so you’re just getting the generalities.

Maybe I’ll just visit GFTW and do whatever Anne Marie does because she seems to have it down!

Talking about goals, for some reason I found this list fascinating (from HERE). Go #20!!

I am shocked “start smoking” and “become constipated” are not contenders. And, what exactly is the difference between #25 & #45?

The world's most popular goals

1. lose weight 39656 people
2. write a book 29031 people
3. stop procrastinating 29016 people
4. Fall in love 26705 people
5. be happy 23976 people
6. Get a tattoo 22150 people
7. get married 20618 people
8. drink more water 20434 people
9. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination 20427 people
10. travel the world 20355 people
11. see the northern lights 18596 people
12. Learn Spanish 17059 people
13. Save money 15895 people
14. Kiss in the rain 15485 people
15. Take more pictures 15121 people
16. Make new friends 13851 people
17. Learn to play the guitar 13761 people
18. Buy a House 13662 people
19. get a job 12081 people
20. run a marathon 11964 people
21. learn french 11925 people
22. get out of debt 11853 people
23. Read more books 11834 people
24. To live instead of exist 11797 people
25. Skydive 11272 people
26. be more confident 11226 people
27. exercise regularly 11153 people
28. eat healthier 10918 people
29. write a novel 10593 people
30. Learn Japanese 10442 people
31. get in shape 10046 people
32. Quit Smoking 9312 people
33. Start my own business 9240 people
34. Learn to cook 9084 people
35. Read more 8500 people
36. travel 8374 people
37. learn sign language 8362 people
38. have better posture 8227 people
39. Learn to play the piano 8161 people
40. Swim with dolphins 8059 people
41. identify 100 things that make me happy (besides money) 8014 people
42. Learn to surf 7956 people
43. visit all 50 states 7871 people
44. wake up when my alarm clock goes off 7725 people
45. Go skydiving 7520 people
46. stop biting my nails 7466 people
47. decide what the hell I would like to do with the rest of my life 7447 people
48. make a difference 7152 people
49. Lose 20 pounds 7117 people
50. learn to dance 7028 people
51. learn to drive 6776 people
52. graduate from college 6523 people
53. Get organized 6454 people
54. Be a better friend 6306 people
55. Lose 10 pounds 6301 people
56. learn italian 6257 people
57. Have a baby 6217 people
58. Visit Japan 5921 people
59. Become Financially Independent 5858 people
60. create my own website 5826 people
61. live passionately 5758 people
62. Spend less time fooling around on the net and more time actually working 5644 people
63. Lose 30 pounds 5520 people
64. exercise more 5519 people
65. make more friends 5482 people
66. get my driver's license 5459 people
67. be more social 5456 people
68. Volunteer 5400 people
69. backpack through Europe 5237 people
70. learn german 5010 people
71. travel around the world 5000 people
72. love myself 4948 people
73. write a song 4934 people
74. design my own tattoo 4863 people
75. Worry less. 4819 people
76. learn to play guitar 4741 people
77. learn how to drive stick-shift 4596 people
78. go on a cruise 4594 people
79. meet new people 4404 people
80. go to college 4350 people
81. Practice Yoga 4319 people
82. meditate daily 4317 people
83. Stop caring what other people think of me 4307 people
84. Get more sleep 4298 people
85. sleep under the stars 4168 people
86. design my own clothes 4166 people
87. create my own tattoo 4152 people
88. Never stop learning 4113 people
89. get a dog 4106 people
90. Send a message in a bottle 4082 people
91. Learn another language 4079 people
92. Finish what I start 4066 people
93. win the lottery 3986 people
94. learn to sew 3965 people
95. grow my hair long 3955 people
96. figure out what i want to do with my life 3933 people
97. be a better person 3870 people
98. bungee jump 3833 people
99. Learn to knit 3805 people
100. Go on a road trip 3787 people

Are any of these things on your goal/bucket list?

Exhausted just thinking about it all and might have to go back to bed,

SUAR

Fruit Loops Are Not a Health Food

Do you ever find inspiration in the most random and unexpected of places? Maybe you clicked on someone's blog roll and ended up at SUAR and in the midst of tales of crapping in the weeds and farting on one’s running partner, you find a nugget of something you can hold onto, something that propels you forward.

Or, maybe not. Maybe you decide to never return to this shit-filled blog again.

In any event, sometimes motivation, inspiration and clarity can be found in the gosh darndest of spots. If you’re open to it, that is.

I told you I have a numb left hand. Still do and it’s been several weeks. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor (ex-preacher) for the problem. I try not to cuss in the ex-preacher’s presence but the other day he was doing some funky thing with a shocking device (I don’t think it was S & M) and I yelled “JESUS!!!”  Then I apologized.  I was just asking Jesus to intervene and make the doc stop the electrocution, but I felt bad taking the Lord’s name in vain in front of preacher man. Just didn’t seem right. But then again, he used the word penis in front of me and I didn’t get mad.

(Oh, and as a side, do you ever fart when you think it’s safe? Yesterday I let a huge one fly while lying on the auto massage table at the chiro office. It was silent, but so incredibly deadly. Not three seconds after I cut it, the doc walks in to ask me a question.  I wanted to explain the smell, but thought it best to leave it alone. Do you explain or refrain?).

Chiro doc thinks my hand issue is linked to some smashed discs in my neck, blah, blah, blah. As part of treatment with this guy, he requires you attend a workshop at his office. Yeah, requires. Let me get this right. I’m paying this dude to see him three times per week and he gets to make me come to a workshop? Against my will? On a Tuesday night when both Glee and the Biggest Loser are on? I wasn't too happy about it, but instead of making waves, decided to have an open mind.

Mostly the workshop was about the benefits of alternative medicine, how much of the population is overmedicated, how Fruit Loops are not a health food and how health costs are rising - *yawn*. Who’s got the Fruit Loops cause I need a snack.

Then, he started talking goals. I eat this stuff up. Just throw me some self help buzz words and I get a slight erection.

His talk of goal-setting really hit home. I set goals in my mind sometimes, but rarely write them down (with the exception of training plans). Recent research shows that the act of writing down goals makes it infinitely more likely that you will pursue and even achieve them. Goals give us direction and help us overcome confusion and conflict over our desires, actions and values. Goals can focus on anything: being a better parent, meditating or praying everyday, running a race, losing weight, deciphering your life’s calling. They are meant to make you a better person. Here are some guidelines to get started:

• Goals must be in writing. An unwritten goal is a wish.
• Goals must be specific (Instead of saying, “I want to run a race”, say “I want to run 26.2 miles in May 2011.”).
• Goals must be believable. If you don't believe you can reach them, you won’t. If you have just started running, you probably won’t place in your age group in that Turkey Trot 10K – or maybe you’re a freak of nature, who knows? The point is, set yourself up to be successful.
• Goals must be challenging. They must demand more from you. For races I like to have three goals – one I can live with, one that’s a slight stretch and one that’s a total dream.
• Goals must be adjusted to changing conditions. Lose your foot to frostbite? Might have to opt out of that race next month.
• Goals must be reviewed everyday. This is essential to staying motivated.
• Goals must have action steps and target dates for completion. Breaking your goals down into small steps (daily, monthly, weekly) makes it easier to take action toward making your goal a reality

Along with being successful at achieving goals is having a positive mental attitude. Something that helps with this is affirmations – things you tell yourself as a mini pep talk. Examples:

• I visualize myself exactly the way I want to be
• I give 100% in all that I do.
• I expect and deserve the best
• My success starts in my mind
• I am strong, capable.
• I will not fart on the massage table.

Do you have goals that you write down? Does it make a difference?

PS: Don’t forget my iPod Shuffle and iTunes gift card giveaway. Ends Saturday.

An Invitation for First Time Marathoners!

Melinda Hinson Neely, author and runner, is in the process of writing her third book, a how-to run a first marathon, for non-elite runners, by a non-elite runner. She is looking for YOU, the first time marathoner, to help her out.

As part of the project, she will feature 5-6 first time marathoners in the book and on her blog. She will also provide free running coaching while you are training. In her own words she wants to:

“…understand why you want to do it. I want to hear about your highs and lows, peaks and valleys, accomplishments and challenges. And most of all, I want to see that photo of you crossing the finish line and hear your description of why that experience felt so great. And possibly changed your life.”

For more information, visit Melinda’s blog and website HERE. She can be reached at melinda@hinsonneely.com if you are interested or have questions.

Keep On Keeping On

The view outside my window today

There is nothing like waking up to this!

I got really inspired today reading a friend's post (http://www.cjwomack.blogspot.com/). "Macker," as we call him, described his journey to qualify for Boston. As with most running stories, it becomes less about the running and more about the personal quest - the emotional, mental and spiritual components that factor into meeting a goal that you once thought impossible.

Reading Macker's story reminded me of something important. When we have goals and know other people who have reached the goals that we have, sometimes we tend to oversimplify. We see people where we want to be and think that it must have been easy for them, and that it is not so easy for us. I knew my friend Macker qualified for and ran Boston and that he was faster than you average runner. I always assumed he came out of the womb that way, born to run. I differentiated myself from people like Macker, thinking that running is not natural for me, I am not gifted as a runner, I have to WORK hard for my results. But when I read Macker's post, I realized that he worked very hard for his results and the victories did not always come easy. He tweaked his running style along the way, he ran several marathons before qualifying, that he went through times in his life where he did not run as much.

The lesson is that few people achieve big goals effortlessly. Some people have natural talents that others do not, but most people have to work hard for what they have. Most people have "failed" several times or have been rejected several times before reaching their goal. Intellectually, we all know this, but sometimes we talk ourselves out of it, deciding that it is just us who has hardships. No, it is ALL of us, everyday.

This isn't just about running. That married couple who looks so happy on the surface? They have probably worked hard to maintain that happiness and may have even gone through a time that threatened their marriage. Who knows, what you see may not actually be the truth of what is going on. That person who is in your dream job? They likely had to put in many hours paying their dues, suffering through bosses they didn't like, and working long hours.

Most things worth having and accomplishing do not come easy. That is what makes the victory so amazing. For me, that's the high of running a marathon. Something in the human spirit sings when you go further than you thought was possible.