RE:THINK | Redefining Your Comfort Zones

I have always been drawn into nature as a retreat, a place of renewal, and insight. It soothes me on every level. So my hiking trip to the Black Hills, South Dakota was no different in a lot of ways, except in one - I went with the purpose to redefine my comfort zones. It was time to push past who I have been and figure out who I am going to be. 

Cathedral Spires Trailhead
Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD

I unplugged from the world and set my sights on a pure, uninterrupted hike with the intent to flush out a vision for things to come. It was more than I bargained for and I was surprised every step of the way.  

On the third day I hiked to the highest point east of the Rockies and west of the Alps, settling at the top of Harney's Peak with a queasy feeling in my belly. Heights have always had this affect on me. I was bound and determined not to let that feeling take over and limit my exploration. I gave it some time and then I set off scrambling over rocks, up peaks, and into valleys - finding myself more at home with every step. Apparently I will climb anything if  a blue diamond is leading the way!

Harney's Peak
Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD

With every day I hiked through and past myself, my fears, my hesitations, and my confusion about my life. I let my mind wander, dream, and hope again. By the end of the week, my mind was pouring out possibilities and a profound sense of purpose covered me. I can't say that I have everything figured out, but I do know this, I've tapped into something deeper than even I knew about myself and I will fight to keep that feeling on a daily basis. 

My goal: a dear friend told me to take one risk a day, no matter how small. I am going to take her up on this. Thanks Megan. Might nice. 


I have a sneaky feeling that it will build for a lifetime  and shape me for years to come. 
LINKS: Black Hills information, Google Photos of Custer State Park - Black Hills, All about Harney Peak, History of Custer State Park, Best Dining in Custer - Sage Creek Grille, Tip: Stop in Purple Pie place for their bumblebee pie and the Naked Winery with the funniest spin on wine

RE:THINK | A Marathon State of Mind (in progress)

Having a sprinter's perspective

I have this down. I am good with shifting gears, moving in a different direction and picking up things and then putting them down again. It is from years as a child picking up and moving over and over again, making new friends on my block, in my classroom or in the town we've moved to. I carried this with me when I went to college, moving an average of every 9 months for 4 years. It's the nomad in me I guess. 

The wonderlust grows throughout the year and I long to experience something different, to be challenged, to grow and to be surprised by things. But as life unfolds I find myself needing to have a longer perspective of things. To be able to endure more for longer periods of time. Especially for things that can't be fixed, healed or cleaned up neatly and put away. 

I have recently agreed to train for a half marathon and it is my hope that this experience will give me the training that I need to also endure the longer challenges in life that come up. 

Hair brain thoughts 
I've never really run before and I have set out this year to purposely dispel the hair-brain idea that I can't do certain things, or I am not this or that. Everyone can run. You don't need to have been a high school track star to run today. I am 41 and this year I've decided to become a runner. Why the heck not? 

You can make up your mind to start something new and significant today. So, that is what I have done. I am putting one step in front of the other every day, training and working hard to build up momentum and endurance.. 

What is your marathon? 
So, if there is something you think you can't do, I'd encourage you to ask yourself where you got that idea in the first place and then, do something surprising....do it anyway and try it a few times before you put it back in that space in our brains that says "I can't do that". 


Websites: Marathon-Training-Academy.com | runnersworld.com | www.c25k.com
Books: Galloway's Book on Running, Jeff Galloway | Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running | Runner's World Training Journal, by editor's of Runner's World Magazine and Amby Burgoot
Droid Apps for Running: Time Run, Buddy Runner, Cardio Trainer, & Calorie Counter

Sandy is now running 3 miles without dying and planning (not totally committed yet) to running her first half marathon in May 2011.

RE:THINK | What's All The Rush?

Static.

It's tempting and easy to remain the same and become comfortable with that. But where is the growth, the gained experience that might one day turn into wisdom if I don't stretch myself? So, I'm starting to re:think how I approach daily activities and how I live life. What about you? If given only today, what would you re:think and do differently tomorrow?

For me, off the bat, I'd stop rushing around. I was out with my husband this afternoon, driving around town doing various errands and I realized that my pace is pretty frenetic. When did that happen?

Over the years, from various jobs, I think I have incorporated the client "last minute rush" pace into my daily live. So, as a result, slipping over into my daily life I seem to think that everywhere that I go, I need to get there quickly. How often am I doing this?

Making a change.
Last week, I paid attention to my pace at work, in the car, and in home. It was a bit shocking to realize that I didn't shut off this exhausting sense of movement anywhere except when I climb into bed at night. At work I found myself clomping with quick strides to and from meetings, my desk, to the breakroom, and the printer - all on my own accord. As I settled into my car I found myself constantly trying to find the most efficient lane of traffic to be as well as, trying to determine the shortest route to my destination. At home, it didn't see to be much different. I slide around the main floor trying to multi-task as many things as possible, to avoid having to make too many trips to put things away. So, where is the balance between being efficient and being too tightly wound?

I think what made me realize that I needed to re:think this, was that I was constantly feeling like I was never succeeding at anything that I did, nor was I enjoying what I was doing. So, this week I have a goal for myself. To slow way, way, way down and purposefully try to enjoy each moment that I am in. To really push myself to re:think why I am rushing and if it is really necessary.