Being Present

Happy Tuesday all.  I hope your week is off to a good start. I'm entering Week 8 of half-marathon training. It's been a challenge to do my regular Kaia workouts and my running 3 days a week.  Funny how 3 and 4 miles no longer feels scary.  I'm confident with shorter runs even though my pace still sucks but I see small improvements. I can jog a consistent 14 minute mile. Please don't laugh...

Last Saturday, I was scheduled for 10 but only completed 9.  It was tough but I know I'm capable of going the distance. I'll be wiped out by the end of 13.1 but I'm confident I can get it done in 3.5 hours. Again, don't laugh LOL.

 In between training, I did a 3 mile obstacle course with my daughters called Wipeout. Have you seen the show? I have to admit it was fun but scary.  I did the majority of the obstacles except for that one where you walk across a plank with huge red balls coming at you. If you are struck by the red balls, you fall into water that's waist high.  Even with a life jacket, I walked around. I got some great photos of my girls.  It was a great way to spend the day with my kids.

Here I am coming down a 50 foot slide.  When I look at the picture below my instinct was to focus on the imperfection of my 53 year old body but then I flipped the switch and all I see is Victory!

Look at my arms?  They look strong!  You can even see the beginnings of a waist.  I also see a woman who is fully present and in the moment. I know it sounds like a cliche... but life doesn't get any better than this....

I wish I could say my nutrition has been "on point."  Unfortunately, it has not and that keeps me farther from my goal of losing 10 lbs.  I guess it is true:  you can't exercise away a bad diet.    I'm working on getting my portions right. I've teamed up with a fellow Kaia girl and we started a soup exchange for meals.  I made an awesome 15 bean chili. Who knew there were that many beans ;-)....

Fall is just around the corner and I'm feeling inspired to play in the kitchen so if you have any great recipes, please share.

Later, gators
Paula