2017 miles Day 301

Yesterday I had the opportunity to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to a group of 6th graders.  The language of the original by Washington Irving provided much fodder for this month's challenge of learning a new word every day:  supernumeracy, domiciliated, and many more.  I'm sad that there wasn't more time, only 1 hour and 20 minutes to read this piece.   The students were left with emotion and wonder.  Next year I hope we can schedule at least 2 hours to include discussion and sharing.

In just two short months we will be saying goodbye to 2017.  As I get older, I am realizing that time slips faster and faster - kinda like a long run.  The first couple of miles seem like forever, then you get in a groove  and before you know it six miles have passed, then another four.  Your body aches, but you keep going.  Mile after mile .................. why You say?  JUST BECAUSE I say.

I'm looking out my window this morning as I write.  The leaves still hanging on the apple tree are actually shivering in the cold and wind.  I don't think I've ever seen or noticed that before.  I'm sure it happens yearly, but I never took time to look.  What else am I not seeing because I don't take the time?  

Life is like that..........  Running is like that............ You do the same, see the same, but don't  take time to just enjoy.   A road run today is out of the question this morning with temps in the 20s and snow.  And so, I leave you with a message from Mr. Tony Garcia

This. A whisper from my heart.

We can be heroes.

Lend a hand
Lend an ear

Call a friend
Be a friend

Be kind
Be honest

Smile first 
Smile more

Listen to understand 
Listen undistracted

Say please
Say thank you

Give of your time
Give of yourself

Offer compassion
Offer hope

Apologize first
Forgive first

Simply care
Simply love

We can be heroes. ~G

#awhisper
#frommyheart
#toyou
#💜

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Now, GET OUT THEE  You have work to do!!!

M

2017 miles Day 299

Sorry for not posting for the past several days.  Our cousins from California came for a visit and stayed with us for a couple of days.  We had a fabulous time!

Now, time to get back into the routine.  I don't have much going on this week, so plan to log a few extra miles.  Not sure if I'll hit 50, but it's a target to shoot for.  I don't have any races scheduled for these last two months of 2017, but that doesn't mean that it's time to sit on the couch and take it easy for the rest of the year. 

My goal is to run a sub 2 hr half-marathon.  

I have within me the ......

Determination Resolution Resolve Willpower 

Perseverance Persistence Tenacity Obstinacy 

Spirit Courage Pluck 

Spunk  Grit   Moxie

to make that happen!!!!

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 294

I love this time of year.  Garden work is winding down.  All that is left to do is harvest the rest of the carrots, dig some horseradish, and tidy-up a bit.  I still have some apples to process into juice and apple butter, but after that, think I'm done for the year and mark this as a pretty productive gardening season.  

I've been thinking about what it would take to run a full marathon.  I've completed 9 half-marathons so far, and half-way seriously toying with the idea of running a full.  I guess the only way to find out if I have what it takes is to start training.  Think that is something I would really like to do ... for no one else, but for me.

Live your life without having to ask "What if?"  

~ Ken Poirot

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 293

We had a FANTASTIC TIME visiting our daughter Jessica and her family in Salt Lake this past weekend.  What a wonderful family!!!  I had so much fun playing with Graycen and Wyatt!!!  We went to the museum and saw dinosaurs, played on the playground, read books, played ball, got wamped playing connect four, watched movies, went to a pumpkin farm, carved jack-o-lanterns, watched football, ate fabulous food ...  ... ... and had an overall great time!!!  I was sad that the weekend went so fast.

I also ran the SoJo Half-Marathon Saturday.  I am happy with how I did. If I could have shaved just 3 minutes off my time I would have come in 3rd.  First place ran a time of 1:51:14.8,  Second had a time of 2:03:03.1, and Third time was 2:08:00.6  My time for Fourth was 2:10:11.3  (I ran the Colfax Half in 2:09:53)

OVERALL PLACE	232/437
BIB	794
CATEGORY	HALF F 55 TO 59
GENDER	F
CITY	PEETZ
PROVINCE	CO
COUNTRY	USA
GENDER PLACE	107/248
CATEGORY PLACE	4/12
AFFILIATION	PEETZ CO USA

Now, it's time to relax after the long drive home.  

2017 miles Day 288

Going on vacation and will be off line for about a week. 

Until Then ...................

This. A pep talk from Mr. Tony Garcia

Hide not your light
Hide behind no excuse
Hide from no one

Seek peace
Seek no excuse
Seek better

Find a new path
Find a different gear
Find a way

Keep going
Keep the faith
Keep hope close

See the positive
See yourself succeeding
See beyond now

Believe in the possible
Believe in love
Believe in yourself

Hide and yet seek
The finders are the keepers
Truly seeing is believing

You've just been pep talked.

Go get today.
Live life full force. ~G

2017 miles Day 287

Enjoy Your Day!!!

Make a difference in someones life today.

Be the reason they smile.

2017 miles Day 286

Had an AWESOME weekend!!!  Son and his family came for a visit.  What a great time.  There's nothing like the feeling of a melting heart when playing with, holding, snuggling, ..... a grandson!!!

Have a great Monday.  Today I get to teach 5th grade science.  I'm looking forward to it and sharing amazing stories and learning opportunities. 

Motivate today to be awesome.  Motivate today to be amazing.  

Motivate today to breathtaking, inspiring, magnificent, wonderful, stunning, staggering, imposing, impressive and just be 

jaw-dropping marvelous.

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 283

Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!!

Getting ready to start my day.  Very excited to see our son and his family this weekend!!!  Have quite a few things to check off my get-to-do list; make yogurt, bake crackers and bread, an apple pie, do a bit of garden clean-up, and a long run in preparation for the SoJo Half-Marathon next weekend.

Even though my team met the 2017 mile goal a couple of months ago, we are still logging our miles.  My personal miles for the year = 1160  and a team total of 2223.  My target is 1500 individual.  I'm not sure that will happen, but will give it my best shot. 

I subscribed to www.dictionary.com word of the day.  It's pretty cool.  Learning a new word every day (well, almost every day)

Now - GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 282

Yesterday I had a great workout.  The six miles sped by at a mile pace of 8:46 min.  I finished soaking wet with sweat, but it felt good and no stiff muscles this morning when I woke up.  I've read several articles on the subject of improving speed and distance.  The bottom line is - you have to run faster and farther.  Have the motivation, the drive, the determination. 

Today I get to sub for 7th grade science.  What is on you "get to" list today?

Now GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 281

Today's Message from Mr. Tony Garcia. 

This. A whisper from my heart.

In a world full of Snapchats
I desire meaningful conversations

In a world limited to 140 characters
I want my character to speak volumes

In a world of disappearing stories
I hope to leave a lasting message

In a world filled with a negative newsfeed
I will try to nourish the positive

In a world where darkness often falls
I believe in standing as a light

In a world screaming, "I have the right to"
I pray my rights never do another wrong

In a world making excuses for hatred
I need no excuses for offering love

In a world...it only takes one to make a change. Let it be I. ~G

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"In a world...it only takes one to make a change. Let it be I." As you start your day today, BE that light, that message, that change ... BE the one with character speaking with your actions not hateful words.  

It's a beautiful morning.  I started my day drying another batch of apples.  Right now, the temp is 38 degrees and wind speed of 3 mph.  I did a 6 mile run Monday, took yesterday off - didn't get a chance to squeeze in a run, and I'm OK with that.  We had a lot of things that needed done. (license/registration of a new car, grocery shopping, bread baking, laundry, apple juicing...)  Before I knew it, the day was gone and the run that was planned for late afternoon didn't happen.  The "before you know it" time thing is another reason for running in the morning.  And so, that is what I'm going to do right now.  Lace up my shoes and 

GET OUT THERE ... there's work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 280

What is on your list of "get-to-dos" today?  

After last night's freeze, I'm afraid this year's gardening season has come to an end.  We had some lovely weather, and now it's time to say goodbye to summer.  I think the garden was pretty successful this year.  I had a couple of fails - cantaloupe was blah, cucumbers didn't grow, and found out snow peas just aren't my thing.  Other than that - potatoes were good, beans were fantastic, tomatoes and peppers did well, the onions and radishes were very nice, and the pumpkins and squash also did well.  As far as fruit goes - I was very pleased with the peaches and apples. 

On my "get-to-do" list today - I'm working on a painting and hope to have it finished by the end of the week, dry some more apples, and go for a treadmill run.   Other than that, not much on my list.

Enjoy your day, and...........  GET OUT THERE ....  You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 279

Happy Monday!!!

We had our first snow of the season.  I am guessing around 3-4 inches.  Yesterday we picked the last of the garden produce that we knew wouldn't fair well with a freeze.  Also picked about 6 bushels of apples.  I think today is going to be a day spent sorting, juicing, drying, applesauce making etc.

I'm looking out my window at a blanket of newly fallen snow and more falling.  Perched on the weather rock is what I think is a little prairie falcon.  He looks kinda cold, but I'm sure he isn't.  The humming bird I saw yesterday - now, that may be a different story.  I hope he found some place warm to hunker down today.  

I have two weeks until the SoJo half-marathon.  This week is going to have to be on the treadmill, and that's ok.  I don't mind.  I'm not going to make a schedule, but make sure I can get in a couple of long runs this week.

A morning prayer.  By Mr. Tony Garcia

May I take the tools I have been given to build a better little corner of my world.
May I use the gifts I have been given to make the day brighter for another.
May I remain present enough to count the grand blessings in my life instead of adding up the minor problems which might arise.
May I patiently wait my turn as the day unfolds so others will not feel hurried or rushed.
May I not cross paths with another without leaving them in a better place for having shared time with me.
May I share the hope and love that exists in my heart so others may feel this in their day.
May I choose to walk forward this day, even if my steps are small, slow, clumsy, or heavy.
May I face the day full of wonder, willing to grow, accepting of what it brings, and ever grateful for the breaths it affords me.
May I do all this knowing I am cared about, watched over, surrounded by and filled with love.

Amen.  

Now GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 274

It's cloudy and drippy this morning.  And so for your Wednesday listening enjoyment I thought I'd found something that fit the weather ... something a little different.  Think I found a new favorite artist.   

Running in the Rain

Jasper Sawyer

I'm Working Hard

Jasper Sawyer

Yesterday I ran another solid 5 miles at just under a 9 min/mile pace.  Today, the plan is to run my 6 miles at or around a 9 min/mile pace.  Thursday and Friday will be easier 4 mile runs and finish the week with a long 14 mile run.  That's the plan.......

SoJo Half-Marathon - I'm gonna be READY

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 273

This month is dedicated to ........

October

Learn a new word every day (or at least once a week)

Don't forget to occasionally use that word in conversation

Found this on dictionary.com this morning.  I'm definitely going to have to learn these words for sure.

12 Emotional Words We Should Have in English

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On a running note:  I signed up for the October 21, 2017 South Jordan, Utah, half-marathon.  The nice thing is that the start is only 6 miles from my daughter's house.  This is a relatively flat course with mostly a downhill slope.  My strategy for the next 19 days.

1.  Make smart beverage and food choices.  Stay hydrated

2.  Focus on speed.  Today I ran 4 miles with an average pace of 8:42.  I felt great after

3.  Focus on distance.  Long run this week of 14 miles scheduled for Saturday 

4.  Stay focused on the race.  I don't want to sabotage it in any way.  Know my limits.

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 272

Today's message from Mr. Tony Garcia, Wanna Know a Truth, pg 393

October 2

Teach all men to fish, but first teach all men to be fair.  Take less, give more.  

Give more of yourself, take less from the world.  Nobody 

owes you anything, you owe the world everything.

~Suzy Kassem

If given but one more breath, I would give it to you.
So you may simply exhale.

If given but one more wish, I would give it to you.
So you may simply know someone wishes you joy.

If given but one more heartbeat, I would give it to you.
So you may simply feel an unconditional love.

If given but one more smile, I would give it to you.
So you may simply see how beautiful it looks on you.

If given but one more moment, I would give it to you.
So you may simply experience the gift of unhurried time.

If given but one more sunrise, I would give it to you.
So you may simply understand the endless possibilities before you.

And if given all this, may you simply know a beautiful day.

***************

And so, my friend, my prayer for You this day is that You know how beautiful and special You are.  My prayer for You this day is that You believe in Your possibilities.  My prayer for You this day is that You can and will make this a great day!

Now, GET OUT THERE ... You have work to do!!!

2017 miles Day 271

After Saturday's race I took today off.  Great day to just relax!