I blame these trail experiences on my tendency to stare at the ground while I run. Your eyes have to be trained on the ground, lest you trip over a tree root, rock, or trip over your own two feet. With trail running, it is difficult to stare straight ahead. It was on this run that I thought of Oiselle’s increasingly appropriate catchphrase: Head up, wings out. Never mind that I received a number of odd looks as I was the girl in hot pink shorts in 45 degree weather with a giant smile pasted on my face. My feet felt light and my body responded in a way that only happens once every 674 runs. My lungs ached for more, more, in a way that only other runners can understand. Nearly 7 miles of crisp air, beautiful sights, sounds, and catharsis. I went for a run on the waterfront during this disconnect weekend. It is in these small moments each day that I find myself reconnecting to me. I reflect on the day’s events and indulge in a little self-care. I set aside the phone, computer, and other distractions and pick up a paper and pen. At the end of the day though, I’ve started asking myself, ‘what did I do for me?’ I take ten minutes for myself and write. It is about how I’m improving myself every. It is all about how much I accomplish, how many checkmarks are made on the sticky note to-do list. So often I get caught in the day to day grind. It was about finding happiness in the small things and remembering what it is like to show self-care and love. Re-learning to love myself, appreciating my strengths as well as embracing my weaknesses. “Do more of what makes you happy.” That is exactly what this weekend was about. ![]() Something I could gently use to remind myself of what intentions I have for this year and my growth. When the year started, instead of having New Year’s resolutions, I decided on a mantra. Instead, I took mental photos and relished in the disconnect from the stresses of the daily grind. I found myself wanting to savor the moments, the sights, the sounds, the emotions surrounding each place I visited. Which, if you know me, is somewhat absurd and quite rare. I had to disconnect to reconnect, both to myself and to the world around me. The phone was put aside. I spent a long weekend disconnecting in the beautiful PNW. It is often the small words that mean the most. Isn’t that what life should be about? In the words of Hannah Brencher, “It’s putting your selfishness on the back-burner to make sure someone else feels like they can conquer something today.” With those words, I felt like I could accomplish my workout. However, I almost felt guilty for letting someone’s random (and heartfelt) words affect me in such a way. ![]() Random compliments are often the most genuine. Tough was the last thing I’d felt in recent days, and how perfect was it to be both tough and pretty? The ultimate combination for this girl. It felt genuine and it not only put a smile on my face, but bolstered the rest of my workout. (Not to say that I receive them often.) I smile politely, thank the person, but I’ve always had somewhat of a rule to not let those words go to my head. I stood there for a moment, somewhat taken aback. ![]() But good, bad, or indifferent, you look a lot like Ronda Rousey, tough but pretty.” I thanked him, he wished me a good day, and walked away. The man proceeds to tell me in the kindest voice possible, “I’m not trying to flirt with you. I set down my dumbbells and pop out one of my earphones. Headphones go in and I’m ready to tune out.Īs I warm up, an older gentleman approaches me. Mentally ready to smash this workout, I turn on the appropriate music, Christina Aguilera.
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