I can do anything I put my mind to.

Everyone always has goals in life. Graduate college. Get married. Have a family. Get a good job.... The list can go on and on. 

I've had a goal for awhile now, ever since I started to lose weight, I wanted to run a half marathon (13.1 miles). 

Always figuring I'll do it someday. At the end of April my 52 year-old mother completed a half marathon. I was inspired. I wanted to run. I wanted to raise money for causes important to me and run. 

Only a few weeks later I found myself waking up and prepping to run. My phone (which is a liar) says it's 68°. "Perfect," I think. " I should be able to run about 6 today." 

After stretching I head outside, wait for a good GPS signal and start my run. 

Once I get going I realize it is a little warmer than 68°. I pass a bank sign and it reads 85°. I think, "okay it's warmer than I thought, but I got this." I figure I can run three then turn around and head home. 

But something happened on my run, I got this crazy idea... Why not try 13.1 and try to get home in three hours. 

With my water supply depleted after mile 6 I was dreading the way back home. I was on a bike path, I tried to focus on my surroundings and not the sun beating down on me. 

If I had known I was taking on the task of 13.1 miles I would have put sunscreen on. (For those of you who do not know me that well I am always one of 2 colors, porcelain or lobster.) See picture for end result. 

Not only do I have aches and pains from my run, but I am burnt to a crisp. 

Running until I couldn't anymore I return home. 13.13 miles ran and my time reading 2:57:54. 

I'm ecstatic... I didn't know today way going to be the day that I reach my goal, but it was and I learned an important lesson. 

I CAN DO ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO

and you can to. 

Goals and dreams are achievable. If I can do it so can you. 

Cheers

Hard Days

Some days are harder than others.

As children we thought our lives were over if we didn't get the toy we wanted, or if our crush liked somebody else.

As we age and grow not only physically, but mentally, we realize that toys break and crushes can turn out to be different than we thought.

Most 'hard' days as an adult come from work. Stressful days turn into stressful nights and it can be hard to separate home and work life. When I have these hard days I try to remember a day in the past that was much worse than the current situation. An internal pep talk sounds like, "Hey remember that one time...., yeah that was 10 times worse than this and YOU not only survived you learned and grew from that day." This pep talk has helped me through my hard days and have helped me continue as my to push for the best at my job.

Another thing that helps me through these hard days in that you are not defined by how well you do at your job. It does not define you as a good or bad person.

Hopefully when you have a hard day you can think back about a time that was worse and you made it through, and if not this hard day will be your go to for future hard days. If you can make it through this you can make it through ANYTHING!!!

If not you can go home crying, run for 30 minutes, cry to your boyfriend until you find a solution which entails him going to the store and buying you a feel better feast (see picture)

Thanks Derek I love you.

p.s. thanks ashley for making me want to write again... it's the first time in a long time.