tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13255320167869106472024-03-05T04:17:48.653-05:00SMALL CHANGESSmall Changes = Big Results
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.comBlogger456125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-23573632139609572272017-12-14T10:32:00.001-05:002017-12-14T10:32:52.592-05:00Nope. All Day Long.<h2>
Have you ever had disappointing experience shopping online?</h2>
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I have been buying stuff via the web for years and never any issues. I buy on Ebay, on Left Lane Sports, many retailers and discount sights with a online presence and always have been satisfied. I guess I have been lucky enough to get good service, quality merchandise, hassle free returns and nothing but great experiences...until recently.<br />
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Let's rewind to September. Now, I am NO fashionista by any sense of the word. I prefer my gym clothes, yoga pants and hoodies but one day I stumbled across this gorgeous "dressy" hoodie on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Honey-And-Silk-119307121981890/?hc_location=ufi">FB</a>.<br />
Is there really such a thing as a "dressy hoodie"? yes...there is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7JUI_ETqyOT0_7VsVt2Fw-8rdsJjie3OTsowLq0TTaKStS9A2y7OaWWoN7LTF2-ZTv6Ck7ggU5QaIsrIWxHLWml4UYB5v0EzOx32F4Kwfxo3Te4rcY9U7jQ0xgbsqj_HET1x5b9YXjQR/s1600/Hoodie_5_720x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7JUI_ETqyOT0_7VsVt2Fw-8rdsJjie3OTsowLq0TTaKStS9A2y7OaWWoN7LTF2-ZTv6Ck7ggU5QaIsrIWxHLWml4UYB5v0EzOx32F4Kwfxo3Te4rcY9U7jQ0xgbsqj_HET1x5b9YXjQR/s320/Hoodie_5_720x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Feast your eyes on this example of classy casual. of functional fashion. This is the <a href="https://honey-and-silk.com/products/creed-hoodie">dressy hoodie</a> I have been dreaming of for years....<br />
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add to it, that I had these amazing booties that would be PERFECT with this gorgeous hoodie mixed with my favorite super luxe leggings. For me, this was a match made in heaven. Date night with my guy was now something I could imagine being sexy, classy and comfy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRQBbIaaqR5q4GlPsZPZ9f65EUC3WVm-q8oX10V6enGHd4E6REctvW20R0CTR_W8A6F3x3A3GUt5diaXrNW0E3JSrC04Kyw_tcLPJHhWgW9n-IeQ-_wVUNJNfcd3g_amEVI4idKh3mBj_/s1600/20171205_144343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRQBbIaaqR5q4GlPsZPZ9f65EUC3WVm-q8oX10V6enGHd4E6REctvW20R0CTR_W8A6F3x3A3GUt5diaXrNW0E3JSrC04Kyw_tcLPJHhWgW9n-IeQ-_wVUNJNfcd3g_amEVI4idKh3mBj_/s320/20171205_144343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><i>I eagerly ordered, plugged in my PayPal info and waited. </i></b><br />
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and <b>waited</b>.<br />
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and <i>waited</i>.<br />
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Months passed and this <a href="https://honey-and-silk.com/products/creed-hoodie">perfect hoodie</a> was no where to be seen. I finally messaged them and I was told there was a delay in the manufacturing process. I had 2 choices. <i><b>A refund or continue to wait. </b></i><br />
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I promptly emailed the company back and said "well...its been 2 months. If you cannot deliver the item I ordered, please refund my purchase ASAP".<br />
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<b>No answer. </b><br />
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Another month passes and I send a follow up email. No reply. Oh... no.<br />
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Finally, last Friday (12/8) I get a <a href="https://honey-and-silk.com/products/creed-hoodie">package </a>in mail.<br />
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When I opened it, I was really unsure of how to respond to what I was now holding in my hand.<br />
This is not what I was expecting. This was so sub-par to the image shown, it was almost laughable.<br />
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Then I put it on. And I LAUGHED for a while. How would any clothing company even make this?<br />
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it was thin poly. so thin. and ugly. not even sewn with any care.<br />
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My hopes and dreams of a beautiful wine colored hoodie were dashed. This was a complete disaster.<br />
It was so ugly, I found myself laughing in hysterics until reality hit me.<br />
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I PAID FOR THIS <a href="https://honey-and-silk.com/products/creed-hoodie">UGLY</a>.<br />
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So, I went to the <a href="https://honey-and-silk.com/">company website</a> and reviewed their return policy. 14 days. Ok,, fair enough. I emailed them...rejected. I emailed again. ReJeCteD again....and so this would happen an additional 8 times over the weekend.<br />
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I finally took to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Honey-And-Silk-119307121981890/">FB page</a>, where they sell this stuff. All my comments were deleted. My messages directly to the company were addressed with this:<br />
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<h4 class="_497p _2lpt" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500; margin: 12px 0px 12px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;">
<time class="_3oh-" style="user-select: text;">SAT 1:55PM</time></h4>
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Jen</h5>
<div class="clearfix _o46 _3erg _3i_m _nd_ direction_ltr text_align_ltr" message="[object Object]" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap; zoom: 1;">
<div attachments="List []" body="From Honey and silk on 11/6
A month after I ordered the top.
Dear Jen ,
Unfortunately we have to inform you that we had severe problems with one of our shipping partners.
Can you please confirm if you have received your purchase from our store already?
If not, we would like to offer you to re-ship the product to you free of charge with a new shipping partner or to give you a gift voucher to our store in the amount you originally spent.
Please let us know which option you prefer in case the product has not yet arrived.
Please apologize this inconvenience!
Best regards,
Your team at Honey & Silk
I responded with the following:
I would like the item I ordered and paid for shipped to me ASAP or a complete refund issued.
I am very disappointed that this order has been such an issue to receive...
Thank you.
Finally last night the item was delivered. I emailed the following
received the item today and I am EXTREMELY disappointed. The quality is terrible and shipping took 2+ months.
I want to return this item for a FULL REFUND.
Let me know how to return this ASAP.
NOW MY EMAILS ARE BEING RETUNED AS UNDELIVERABLE. I WANT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY" class="_3058 _ui9 _hh7 _s1- _52mr _43by _3oh-" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Saturday 1:55pm" data-tooltip-position="right" message="[object Object]" metaranges="[object Object]" participants="Map { "fbid:119307121981890": [object Object], "fbid:100000366249647": [object Object] }" style="background-color: #0084ff; border-radius: 1.3em; box-sizing: content-box; clear: right; color: white; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin: 1px 0px; max-width: 55%; outline: none; padding: 6px 12px; position: relative; user-select: text; word-wrap: break-word;" threadcustomcolor="#0084ff" threadid="user:119307121981890">
<div class="_aok" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From Honey and silk </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">on 11/6</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">A month after I ordered the top.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Jen ,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately we have to inform you that we had severe problems with one of our shipping partners.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can you please confirm if you have received your purchase from our store already?</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">If not, we would like to offer you to re-ship the product to you free of charge with a new shipping partner or to give you a gift voucher to our store in the amount you originally spent.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please let us know which option you prefer in case the product has not yet arrived.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please apologize this inconvenience!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best regards, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your team at Honey & Silk</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I responded with the following:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would like the item I ordered and paid for shipped to me ASAP or a complete refund issued. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am very disappointed that this order has been such an issue to receive...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally last night the item was delivered. I emailed the following</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">received the item today and I am EXTREMELY disappointed. The quality is terrible and shipping took 2+ months.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to return this item for a FULL REFUND. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know how to return this ASAP.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">NOW MY EMAILS ARE BEING RETUNED AS UNDELIVERABLE. I WANT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY</span></span></div>
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<time class="_3oh-" style="user-select: text;">SUN 10:32AM</time></h4>
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<img alt="Honey And Silk" class="img" height="32" src="https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p50x50/19030461_124470888132180_3188980480745092661_n.png?oh=5ef597ad33fc37c89f331989d0879683&oe=5ABC4741" style="border: 0px; max-height: 28px; max-width: 28px; object-fit: cover;" width="32" /></div>
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<div attachments="List []" body="Dear Jen,
thank you very much for your message.
To be able to provide the best possible customer service to you, we would like to ask you to send us an e-mail to info@honey-and-silk.com with the details of your request.
That way we can assign the right person to your request and assist you in the best and fastest way possible.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards," class="_3058 _ui9 _hh7 _s1- _52mr _3oh-" customcolor="" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sunday 10:32am" data-tooltip-position="left" message="[object Object]" metaranges="" participants="Map { "fbid:119307121981890": [object Object] }" style="background-color: #f1f0f0; border-radius: 1.3em; box-sizing: content-box; clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 1px 0px; max-width: 55%; outline: none; padding: 6px 12px; position: relative; user-select: text; word-wrap: break-word;" threadcustomcolor="#0084ff" threadid="user:119307121981890">
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk" style="font-family: inherit; user-select: text;">Dear Jen,
thank you very much for your message.
To be able to provide the best possible customer service to you, we would like to ask you to send us an e-mail to info@honey-and-silk.com with the details of your request.
That way we can assign the right person to your request and assist you in the best and fastest way possible.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards,</span></div>
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<span class="_40fu" style="direction: ltr; float: left; font-family: inherit;"><span class="_2u_d" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; position: absolute; top: 143px; transform: translate(15% , -50%); width: 100px;"></span></span><span class="_4jzq _jf4 _jf5" style="bottom: 0px; clear: both; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; position: absolute; right: -18px;"><img alt="Seen by Honey And Silk at Sunday 10:32am" class="_jf2 img" src="https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p50x50/19030461_124470888132180_3188980480745092661_n.png?oh=5ef597ad33fc37c89f331989d0879683&oe=5ABC4741" style="border-radius: 50%; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 15px; margin-left: 3px; vertical-align: middle; width: 15px;" title="Seen by Honey And Silk at Sunday 10:32am" /></span></div>
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Jen</h5>
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<div attachments="List []" body="I DID!!
AND IT'S KEEPS XOMING BACK UNDELIVERABLE. That is why I messaging you here now" class="_3058 _ui9 _hh7 _s1- _52mr _43by _3oh-" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sunday 10:32am" data-tooltip-position="right" message="[object Object]" metaranges="" participants="Map { "fbid:119307121981890": [object Object], "fbid:100000366249647": [object Object] }" style="background-color: #0084ff; border-radius: 1.3em 1.3em 4px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: right; color: white; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin: 1px 0px; max-width: 55%; outline: none; padding: 6px 12px; position: relative; user-select: text; word-wrap: break-word;" threadcustomcolor="#0084ff" threadid="user:119307121981890">
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk" style="font-family: inherit; user-select: text;">I DID!!
AND IT'S KEEPS XOMING BACK UNDELIVERABLE. That is why I messaging you here now</span></div>
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<span class="_40fu" style="direction: ltr; float: right; font-family: inherit;"><span class="_2u_d" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; position: absolute; top: 32.5px; transform: translate(-115% , -50%); width: 100px;"></span></span><span class="_2her _3zzf" style="background: none; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid currentcolor; bottom: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0084ff; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 10px; position: absolute; right: -15px; vertical-align: middle; width: 10px;" title="Sent"><i aria-label="Sent" aria-roledescription="Status icon" class="_57e_" role="img" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; display: block; height: 1px; margin-left: 3px; margin-top: 4px; transform-origin: 0% 100% 0px; transform: rotate(-45deg); width: 4px;"></i></span></div>
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<div aria-describedby="js_v" attachments="List []" body="Did you even read my above message that says I can't email you" class="_3058 _ui9 _hh7 _s1- _52mr _43by _3oh-" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sunday 10:32am" data-tooltip-position="right" id="js_w" message="[object Object]" metaranges="" participants="Map { "fbid:119307121981890": [object Object], "fbid:100000366249647": [object Object] }" style="background-color: #0077e5; border-radius: 1.3em 4px 1.3em 1.3em; box-sizing: content-box; clear: right; color: white; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin: 1px 0px; max-width: 55%; outline: none; padding: 6px 12px; position: relative; user-select: text; word-wrap: break-word;" threadcustomcolor="#0084ff" threadid="user:119307121981890">
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk" style="font-family: inherit; user-select: text;">Did you even read my above message that says I can't email you</span></div>
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<br />
so, by now, I am pretty irritated. which is hard for this happy go lucky girl.<br />
<br />
I am beyond being nice now.<br />
<br />
emailed, messaged, called.<br />
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AND NOTHING><br />
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at this point, I am pretty sure I am out my $$ spent but it becomes about the entire principle of the matter. The fact that they deleted all of my comments and questions really hit a nerve<br />
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How many others lost $$ and time trying to return something clearly not as depicted in the ads?<br />
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<br />
f*ck you sub-par hoodie.<br />
i am making a statement.<br />
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after many more rejected emails and no response from them in FB, I contacted PayPal. Boom. In less than 24hrs I had my funds returned.<br />
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THANK YOU PAYPAL.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58j7FAe3jJnCIsfuQOTc2lnUI-YBqi4YWvZIu7MSHGJhzrmVreL71sfiUBur_s5D-_-6wv0Ce5AmOlkSr0zTKCKuDh2Via2xydpai3A7lARHOny5QA8B44hHxgC1CKqA5tW_GP2AdlEzg/s1600/IMG_20171212_071441_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="432" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58j7FAe3jJnCIsfuQOTc2lnUI-YBqi4YWvZIu7MSHGJhzrmVreL71sfiUBur_s5D-_-6wv0Ce5AmOlkSr0zTKCKuDh2Via2xydpai3A7lARHOny5QA8B44hHxgC1CKqA5tW_GP2AdlEzg/s320/IMG_20171212_071441_014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, while there was a happy ending and lots of laughs from this purchase (as well as frustration) I had to share.<br />
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Buyer BEWARE. And always use PayPal!<br />
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And for my big Star Wars date night tonight, I guess i will be wearing my storm troopie hoodie and InkNBurn robot pants.<br />
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I'd love to hear your horror stories about online purchases!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-24941400429730547642017-12-11T16:27:00.002-05:002017-12-11T16:27:53.745-05:00Find some Kind this HolidayWhile bumbling around the social media world this weekend, I came across this (now viral) of this young man talking about his torment from bullies at school. I dare you to watch it and not tear up, because, it broke my heart.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a49beT37Bc0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a49beT37Bc0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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For the life of me I cannot understand why people have become so mean and so cruel. It's not just kids doing this kind of thing. <b>It is grown adults too. </b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When did being hateful become ok?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">When did cruelty become the norm?</span></b></div>
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Even today, a couple simple errands showed me just how mean humanity has become.<br />
Callous and self-centered.<br />
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<b>For example #1: My trip to the local town post office. </b><br />
Guess what people! It is 2 weeks before Christmas and EVERYONE has Holiday packages to mail. Going to the post office with my 9 parcels, I know there was going to be a wait and I was ok with that. My classes were done for the day and I had a solid 2 hour window until my next client.<br />
I did not rush in there on my lunch break expecting VIP service. I knew it would take a while.<br />
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<i>I was right. </i><br />
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45 mins in line right. But you know what? did I bitch and moan the whole time? no. I made small talk with the local family lawyer behind me in line (we got to know each other via my ridiculously long divorce proceedings over the last 3 years) and I did some last minute Christmas shopping online.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ls6k9edW3Ezxkbdlf48jkc8wRoZzF6uBi1yE58JW-pz5bOXscsu1z9gAdywyrHw9D5WWj1QhxOWzzGp8wPnj6h6nrUhwMXuFlAjlZcEImTPUdZcBzhpGxFRp9W68EliDKnBLyhjOEC6v/s1600/mad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ls6k9edW3Ezxkbdlf48jkc8wRoZzF6uBi1yE58JW-pz5bOXscsu1z9gAdywyrHw9D5WWj1QhxOWzzGp8wPnj6h6nrUhwMXuFlAjlZcEImTPUdZcBzhpGxFRp9W68EliDKnBLyhjOEC6v/s1600/mad.jpg" /></a></div>
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On the other hand, there were many people very pissed off and making rude and threatening comments about the workers at the desk. Only 3 with about 25 people in line. Complaining about how there needs to be more people. How they need to move faster. Making rude comments to the employees there as well as the others waiting in line.<br />
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WHOA. hold up a minute. YOU DO KNOW this is a very busy time of year, right?<br />
YOU DO KNOW that these poor folks have no control over the scheduled hours of government workers, right?<br />
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<b>Example #2:</b> I was at a retail store today buying a gift certificate. The line was long and the lady ahead of me had 15 GC's to process. It took a LONG freaking time for their register to scan and add funds to each card. Yeah...it was a long process. Yeah...it took a while. Yeah...I was in line too.<br />
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But the guy behind me (and I was behind 15 GC girl) was so irate, he threw his stuff back in his basket and yelled at the cashier and walked off. Angry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8CKRq5OICxRpgWMnKVn_rOSW4PvEAPYJM77F0kecDCft64dqygaViWup7J_wZnzqe0Wx_BIkUcg6oU3SL1YR19np0EVyDJr4qp3fjMllUEQJwLX51cb2MlSrQ7VyTW0vCJcSl7ZXlPhc/s1600/irate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8CKRq5OICxRpgWMnKVn_rOSW4PvEAPYJM77F0kecDCft64dqygaViWup7J_wZnzqe0Wx_BIkUcg6oU3SL1YR19np0EVyDJr4qp3fjMllUEQJwLX51cb2MlSrQ7VyTW0vCJcSl7ZXlPhc/s1600/irate.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Come on world.</i> This is supposed to be the MOST MAGICAL TIME OF THE YEAR. This is when we are supposed to love one another MORE and appreciate things like family and home.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">DONT BE A HOLIDAY BULLY> fuck that. don't ever be a bully. EVER</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7EcZeJe-jr3XS1n6hNKgG0X7UkK5FIvVbdmJcNb9hsb_PChnMvHJziLKp5lonx02UgzPiX_KPqXfMSSJEymk0XIiPFT38gsTAEIKFsertF47UKhGXsvL5PhhxUZ05i46MXX_WheEHDQw/s1600/bully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7EcZeJe-jr3XS1n6hNKgG0X7UkK5FIvVbdmJcNb9hsb_PChnMvHJziLKp5lonx02UgzPiX_KPqXfMSSJEymk0XIiPFT38gsTAEIKFsertF47UKhGXsvL5PhhxUZ05i46MXX_WheEHDQw/s1600/bully.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>DONT BE RUDE </b></span>to those working in retail or customer service positions. They are doing the best they can most times.<br />
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Expect things to move slow and show a little kindness to others. Thank people. Be polite.<br />
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The smallest kind gesture can go a long way at time when we are all a little more stressed and a little more rushed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDPGE2ppaHPcFZky3j_ghbn4E7AuVd30XdnfpXZPztrqvB1KPJ7gMChO6aUBbOV6tPAS2JtVpKuS-xc_35M7yDcogiMTj2jBOwGZ62837s8b2FIo8k8BB0p2xePS-JZ6FmKZdgYCsw7jX/s1600/retail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1400" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDPGE2ppaHPcFZky3j_ghbn4E7AuVd30XdnfpXZPztrqvB1KPJ7gMChO6aUBbOV6tPAS2JtVpKuS-xc_35M7yDcogiMTj2jBOwGZ62837s8b2FIo8k8BB0p2xePS-JZ6FmKZdgYCsw7jX/s320/retail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">PUT SOME LIVE AND KINDNESS BACK INTO THE WORLD THIS HOLIDAY. </span></b><br />
Much love to you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKAGahCXtUy0zFXltXXiBXvwdrtryFSCk_8GGbGRcCPPzhl8OYnX2ts-ajZr18kBCKMSxfcJUPYo_0STpPqZNflCL6QxHQ-ZkMROTMLXmGeSvxMGI2f5l0rrVasF03PPfyF-cIwtSzLEH/s1600/elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKAGahCXtUy0zFXltXXiBXvwdrtryFSCk_8GGbGRcCPPzhl8OYnX2ts-ajZr18kBCKMSxfcJUPYo_0STpPqZNflCL6QxHQ-ZkMROTMLXmGeSvxMGI2f5l0rrVasF03PPfyF-cIwtSzLEH/s320/elf.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-12953986875876305542017-12-08T18:00:00.000-05:002017-12-08T18:00:43.468-05:00New Chapters to Write <i><span style="font-size: large;">I have been ready to come back to blogging regularly for a while, and it's only fitting that today while I was out on my run, I started thinking about what I had to say and where I wanted to go. For the many years I was very active with my writing, my best ideas and thoughts always came to me while running. Well, today it hit me.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3Nd0WoJrRUVTWDp1i7wRYEAHWn1XmBXjy3pho8Afhr4v8qrqWuMYjaThsGBjsADqJIZ90tG3lQHwRg0F2SS8Wx35E38GwzgNHMKhKl7eUeKrnvWEU70myKiIVKJiXxpvr2BdKwGbnBJf/s1600/the+next+chapter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3Nd0WoJrRUVTWDp1i7wRYEAHWn1XmBXjy3pho8Afhr4v8qrqWuMYjaThsGBjsADqJIZ90tG3lQHwRg0F2SS8Wx35E38GwzgNHMKhKl7eUeKrnvWEU70myKiIVKJiXxpvr2BdKwGbnBJf/s320/the+next+chapter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I am Starting Over. </span></b></div>
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I am truly starting over in so many ways...</div>
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-My life is starting over in sense. This new chapter ahead of me is new and exciting. I cannot wait to see what comes next. I am ready to finally close books and chapters that have been open to long. The days ahead have yet to be written and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_0uvodV0R_GaFHl2rqDv3S1Nz8fVCL5XOoCad_TuaP0NrF6Ox-bvVHTwMq9HfpUaY-VdEMWaoVlXVZXnHBsHVYZ8e_mmJyhEqlcoQemg64IZUDL2EwRI1rY8ER32WjiHTaMZXwJe2IWq/s1600/FB_IMG_1512585358037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_0uvodV0R_GaFHl2rqDv3S1Nz8fVCL5XOoCad_TuaP0NrF6Ox-bvVHTwMq9HfpUaY-VdEMWaoVlXVZXnHBsHVYZ8e_mmJyhEqlcoQemg64IZUDL2EwRI1rY8ER32WjiHTaMZXwJe2IWq/s320/FB_IMG_1512585358037.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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-Even though I have remained active the last year, I have not been focused on training and racing. I was focused on life stuff that distracted me from my passion for training and racing. I am ready to come back. My body has changed. I have lost muscle and fitness. But I gained so much other stuff.<br />
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-I miss training and racing. I feel like I lost a significant part of ME, who I am and what makes me happy - the quest for that finish line. But at the same time, I think the break was good. Physically and mentally. I am excited to be working with Coach Sharpie again this coming year. She is amazing and knows me. She knows how to get inside my head and do the work I need to do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiAhnX17o_K3ExiL1Dfppw1ZvIgHQ1zGasojWGP6NFpupZ_wKjUUUz3MgVQ_5118PLuCcCDhKdHIatnRSfdLIfLZPLJIq-z7fFIA2xrGmPJla0kNvvcgrE6v6w2vRm4KWyJ5OywIYjue9/s1600/FB_IMG_1512585347285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="750" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiAhnX17o_K3ExiL1Dfppw1ZvIgHQ1zGasojWGP6NFpupZ_wKjUUUz3MgVQ_5118PLuCcCDhKdHIatnRSfdLIfLZPLJIq-z7fFIA2xrGmPJla0kNvvcgrE6v6w2vRm4KWyJ5OywIYjue9/s320/FB_IMG_1512585347285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
-I am committed to keeping fitness fun and doing the things that make my heart sing. Spending more time in nature hiking and kayaking. Open water swimming. Mountain biking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbhXRDrJBqvgjqU5Fnz2ZtsK3i_xu5yvnE4G5pEB3yRwWpd7WqThrjdZ1XOb4SjySRH-da7_ng0wi_BMFbAZrnJXy0sdIT0JUZqG8dVTyvsEc_s36qlwre7vjXuiZO4OY_JYY9H86pFV/s1600/adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qbhXRDrJBqvgjqU5Fnz2ZtsK3i_xu5yvnE4G5pEB3yRwWpd7WqThrjdZ1XOb4SjySRH-da7_ng0wi_BMFbAZrnJXy0sdIT0JUZqG8dVTyvsEc_s36qlwre7vjXuiZO4OY_JYY9H86pFV/s320/adventure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
-There has been so much change and growth that has happened. It's amazing what a good therapist can help you discover about yourself. It has taught me to look at things with a different set of eyes...and to look inward. I have learned and practiced a new way to respond to things that happen in life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8z6vygAPVq19v_iHZ29dl0dRz_O-p2tYn44Z-gJmOmamjLcjI08gr1_Jt500k6GhyjOYOOk-mBQ-ovgSvb5YrLAlxwWqYf43YaINWzUFszAd27e6T6gXFxWdp0LnrvJViTZ9dkjrDz8G/s1600/2017-12-01-17-10-42-451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8z6vygAPVq19v_iHZ29dl0dRz_O-p2tYn44Z-gJmOmamjLcjI08gr1_Jt500k6GhyjOYOOk-mBQ-ovgSvb5YrLAlxwWqYf43YaINWzUFszAd27e6T6gXFxWdp0LnrvJViTZ9dkjrDz8G/s320/2017-12-01-17-10-42-451.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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-I am focused on nutrition again and have created a wonderful online community of like-minded folks who want to keep eating clean fun and adventurous. We all practice different lifestyles (vegan, vegetarian, paleo, etc) but we share the common thread of eating real food. If you want to check out the group, here is a link to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1796120980430146/">JERF Just Eat Real Food</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTOBAMRRLJf3QJBDgEkhYaQiQ3ntVBqSo9YcLq5p_4S-XErOnz33Em9Elv-lGQ5uREJkEelmvnUVm1qAI-1lmG6vE8SL-pVXns1lDG2grSBTq1wFMT8x8K623ReihaboAbnwPVQi9VV24/s1600/20171204_114103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTOBAMRRLJf3QJBDgEkhYaQiQ3ntVBqSo9YcLq5p_4S-XErOnz33Em9Elv-lGQ5uREJkEelmvnUVm1qAI-1lmG6vE8SL-pVXns1lDG2grSBTq1wFMT8x8K623ReihaboAbnwPVQi9VV24/s320/20171204_114103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
-My career will even be transitioning soon and I have been taking a few classes on nutrition, fitness and life coaching, which have been really awesome. The road ahead will be exciting here for sure!!<br />
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So I will be writing about this next part of my journey. To share my joys and struggles. To hold myself accountable to me. To keep a history of what I experience. I love being able to go back to when Lola was a wee bit of a babe and see those memories. So, cheers to new chapters.<br />
<br />Thanks for reading<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-40020973793324989812017-12-07T20:56:00.002-05:002017-12-07T21:10:08.618-05:00The Truth<em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some days I wonder if I will ever fully be myself again, and unfortunately, those days seem to be happening more than I would like to admit. Yes, relationships take a lot of work but relationships are supposed to be fun. When you are with the right person, relationships are simple. Nobody deserves to be in a relationship that they are afraid of their partner, yet that is more and more common these days. I am ashamed to admit that I stayed in a relationship that I was fearful of the man I was with...for way too long.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All it took was one day, one day where I had enough courage to walk away. My life was threatened and I believed it with all of my being. Walking away was the best decision I have ever made, I had let someone take so much from me, and if I didn’t have the courage to walk away, I don’t know where I would be today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I MARRIED someone who made me lose my self-worth.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lost my smile that once lit up any room I walked into because he couldn’t stand to see me happy. My smile was a bother to him. Once he charmed me into falling for his act he knew he had me hooked and he knew he could manipulate me. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;">He knew he had me wrapped around his finger </span>and he knew I wouldn’t leave. Because of him, I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror anymore because he made me feel lower than I ever knew was possible. He encouraged my weight gain and loved this insecure girl who he could so easily control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I MARRIED someone who made me lose my self-confidence</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because of him, I lost my self-confidence and care-free attitude. I was the girl that ‘didn’t deserve to be told compliments because I didn’t need them.’<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"> Because of him, I felt worthless.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I MARRIED someone I thought I knew.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent so much time <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;">convincing myself that he was going to go back to the man I had first met</span> that I was completely oblivious to the fact that it was impossible. I so badly wanted to believe that it was all just a phase, but it wasn’t. I stared to believe I was the problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 1.25em;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I MARRIED someone who I didn’t even know who he was.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The man I first met wasn’t him; it was who he wanted to be perceived as. He turned out to be nothing but a liar and a cheater. I constantly made excuses for him and disregarded his wrongs. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;">I wanted him to so badly be the man he pretended to be that I was blind.</span> And because of this, I made our relationship appear better than it was to family and friends. I thought if I made it look good then it would be good. Because of him, I lied to everyone that asked me how we were. I lied because I thought if I lied about it enough it would be the truth. I deliberately chose to ignore all the signs because all I wanted to do was see the best in him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I MARRIED someone who made me question everyone.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because of him, I realized that maybe some people just don’t have any good. Because of him, I stopped being the person who saw the best in everyone. The person who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. Because of him, I started to believe everyone lies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I MARRIED someone who was incapable of loving anyone but themselves.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 1.125em;">I thought if I just brushed everything aside and loved him with everything in me that it would make him love me back. It took forever to understand but I now understand that it is impossible to make someone love you who only knows how to love themselves.</span><span style="font-size: 1.125em;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.125em;">Because of him, I felt alone while being physically ne</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.125em;">xt to him.</span><span style="font-size: 1.125em;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1.125em;">I was dating a man who refused to kiss me and refused to</span><span style="font-size: 1.125em;"> </span>look at me. Because of him, he made me feel unworthy. No matter how many times I had a huge smile on my face and was excited to see him, I was never worth looking at. I was married to someone who intentionally put me down so he could have the power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 22.5px;">It was like it was a game to him; the worse he could make me feel, the better it made him feel.</span></span></h3>
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I MARRIED someone who I let manipulate me.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every time he bailed on me or ignored my calls he somehow made me feel as if I deserved it. He made me feel as if I didn’t deserve to be spoken to. Every time I questioned him cheating, he somehow turned it around to me. Every lie was my fault. His drinking was over the top because of me. It was my fault he hid things because ‘if I trusted him, he wouldn’t have to hide it.’ It was my fault he messaged girls on social media because, ‘if I trusted him, it shouldn’t matter who he talked to’. <span style="box-sizing: inherit;">He manipulated me into believing I was the crazy one. He did a great job.</span></span></span></div>
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I was married to someone who was jealous of me.</h3>
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Because of him, I stopped greeting everyone with a smile who I made eye contact with because he was jealous so many people knew me. Because of him, he made me feel guilty for being friendly. Because of him, ‘I was a whore’ for knowing so many people of the opposite gender. I was a "slut" who just wanted another "man in spandex". Because of him, I convinced myself I must really be a whore if he says I am a whore. Because of him, I stopped being my bubbly self in order to try to make him approve of me. Because of him, I thought if I made myself less of a person he would stop making me feel guilty for being me. Because of him, every time someone complimented me on something I didn’t want it to be true. Because of him, I wanted to be less of a person than I am.</div>
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I MARRIED someone who had to put others down to build himself up.</h3>
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He was the guy who was always in a relationship, but cheated. He was and still is the guy who jumps immediately into a new relationship because he can’t survive without manipulating someone. Heck, his current girl he snagged before we even split up! lol H I truly feel sorry for the girl he is with (and the girls after her) because he will continue making girls feel the way he made me feel. He will never be happy with himself and <span style="box-sizing: inherit;">the only way he knows how to try to fill the void within him is by putting others down.</span></div>
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I FOUND someone who made me stronger.</h3>
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Because I left him, I feel even more empowered than ever. Because I left him, I remember what it’s like to be the girl who is always smiling but I remember the person who took that away. Because I left him, I got my quirky sense of humor back. Because of him, I know what real love it like. Because I left him I have met so many people that admire me for who I am and don’t knock me down for it. And never again will I tolerate someone who does. Because I left him, I know what it feels like to be truly loved.</div>
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Because it was in leaving him I learned to love myself again</h2>
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all credit to Thought Catalog for inspiring this post. Thanks Edited to add my own</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-12978544249408884382017-06-16T14:02:00.001-04:002017-06-16T14:02:25.221-04:00Father's Day Gift Ideas: Spartan Up! <span style="font-size: large;">Father's Day is this weekend (just a reminder!) and if you want to get away from the basic tie as a gift, why not take advantage of the <span style="color: red;">SUPER DAD DEALS</span> happening with <b>Reebok's Spartan Races</b> to celebrate the Fathers on YOUR list. </span><br />
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When I tell you that these are some <b>SUPER DAD DEALS</b>, I am NOT joking...check out these inspiring promotions that are happening NOW.<br />
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First, let's get Dad Dirty and <a href="https://www.spartan.com/en/race/learn-more/race-types-overview?article=4644%E2%80%A6">get registered</a>. With the code<b><span style="color: red;"> SPARTANDAD</span></b> and get in for the afternoon Sprint distance for only $69.00 race entry fee* Plus, there is more. (keep reading)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzfV9UwM-I-sb_5wSYTMrHS4qYIL3wa4YyhwSqzwto289c-b6kmWmQhR1ov-p2BAKomLz1vZm47o_x-sQ0cRrTGbIIyScS69gsRu8TlA2Q2tFff6s9zppWJX0P4OpDwkI9tuGLRsoTgDz/s1600/spartan+dad+book.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzfV9UwM-I-sb_5wSYTMrHS4qYIL3wa4YyhwSqzwto289c-b6kmWmQhR1ov-p2BAKomLz1vZm47o_x-sQ0cRrTGbIIyScS69gsRu8TlA2Q2tFff6s9zppWJX0P4OpDwkI9tuGLRsoTgDz/s200/spartan+dad+book.png" width="100" /></a></div>
Second step, it's time to <b>Smarten Up! </b><br />
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Now, once you're IN, head on over to <b>get 2 FREE digital downloads*</b> from Joe De Sena books, <i>Spartan Up!</i> and <i>Spartan Fit!</i><br />
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I have Spartan Fit and what a great book! This easy to follow book will set you up for success for your Spartan debut or get your skills dialed in even if you are a Spartan or OCR racing veteran.<br />
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This is a super cool bonus for sure. Make sure you use the code <b><span style="color: red;">SPARTANDAD </span></b>to take advantage of this free digital download.<br />
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Finally, let's get Dad Cleaned Up! Let him share his achievement with Spartan gear!!<br />
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Head on over to the <a href="https://shop.spartan.com/">Spartan Race Shop</a> and save big on training gear, race bags and hats, nutrition and more. Go on...you know you wanna look! I think I might splurge and finally get that Spartan jacket I've always wanted. You know, <i>for Dad :)</i><br />
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Give your Dad the gift of grit and the long lasting feeling of accomplishment. But hurry up, this spectacular special will be gone very soon...<br />
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See you out there<br /><br />AROO!!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">*The Fine Print:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 15px;"><i>Free e-book download and $69 Sprint afternoon race offer valid with an adult registration during promotional period only. Must use SPARTANDAD code during checkout. Code cannot be combined with other codes, including GovX. Offer not valid with Spartan Passes, Volunteer, or Groupon entries. New, afternoon time block registrations only, cannot be retroactively applied. US events only. Offer ends 06/18/17 11:59PM ET. E-book download instructions will be supplied by 6/22/17.</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-69796311255497255992017-04-06T19:59:00.001-04:002017-04-06T19:59:54.499-04:00Bumps, Pizza and Donuts Isn't life funny? Just when things seem to be going along smooth, driving down the road at a steady clip and *thwak* you hit a bump in the road. well, there ya go. That'll slow you down. I was getting in some good runs (short and slow but...) and even scored some killer new kicks for the trails up when I am up at the "Chateau" in the western Mountains of Maine.<br />
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That has been this week for me. just as things were progressing *thwak* I got hit square in the face (or chest) with a giant germ bomb. Ahh, the joys of motherhood. I listened to my inner coach and slowed things down for a few days. My general rule of thumb for my athletes is above the neck, ok to train. Below the neck, rest. So...I took 2 days off. I eased back into things with a 60 min spin session Wednesday morning and some easy core work. </div>
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The season ahead includes a TON of fun stuff so far and I have a lot of work to do!! </div>
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It was celebration day on Wednesday this week. The fine people at Rev3 always take the time to make calls to each person who registers for their races. Being part of the team means we get the chance to help out with calls. I love doing athlete calls, it is SO fun to connect with others coming to race in Maine or one of our other events. And if you don't already know, Rev3 Maine has now become Ironman 70.3 Maine. While the folks at Rev3 are still producing this race, we entered into a licensing agreement with the WTC. The race will be much bigger this year and the course has changed a bit. </div>
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Anyway, as a thank you to the athletes that helped with calls, they treated our families to PIZZA PARTY NIGHT. WOO HOOO!!! I have been pretty good with my nutrition lately but it was definatly a day to splurge with my favorite pizza and a big salad. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV8OgIUqcr4J9VFMH5XlLz3FLiBq_49a7pfkblrrOpG-bn-ySMseTwWR2_yj_DuxMc20MGjOx77WrPwRQ-07OdBSlNi5nSPPzMZI279DX0ViGI0tQisdp0lmhkGvDM-uy_IAXWuBDZXgm/s1600/FM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV8OgIUqcr4J9VFMH5XlLz3FLiBq_49a7pfkblrrOpG-bn-ySMseTwWR2_yj_DuxMc20MGjOx77WrPwRQ-07OdBSlNi5nSPPzMZI279DX0ViGI0tQisdp0lmhkGvDM-uy_IAXWuBDZXgm/s320/FM1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My very handsome pizza night date, FM.<br />
and yes, we have SNOW in the mountains...still </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j-nmbkrSdDlnuOuZOIKXOdeHl_WJ8x0jA2W6vZbo2FlHpId3ZII1iOYrUNggY8qKABxC1b2VaW-uIB4Bag6ebt9mwkxdkT-sIHnB-Ffr8nKp7r5OuyzpYGwl-lGit-jENhCJk-94VROB/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j-nmbkrSdDlnuOuZOIKXOdeHl_WJ8x0jA2W6vZbo2FlHpId3ZII1iOYrUNggY8qKABxC1b2VaW-uIB4Bag6ebt9mwkxdkT-sIHnB-Ffr8nKp7r5OuyzpYGwl-lGit-jENhCJk-94VROB/s320/pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers market pizza, loaded with veggies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafrSBMkilYMnzHUsSi7uSIlIiT348tLDHRGpdB3KmqYRd8okpSCNtELxw_wr1C24y1v_mCXjSAOeBuFBadYg2N56Y2oLpj4dK8Kb_XvQhrbu1T47zdbmf12nQSBHB3caaEJr_Q99TYpg7/s1600/pizza2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafrSBMkilYMnzHUsSi7uSIlIiT348tLDHRGpdB3KmqYRd8okpSCNtELxw_wr1C24y1v_mCXjSAOeBuFBadYg2N56Y2oLpj4dK8Kb_XvQhrbu1T47zdbmf12nQSBHB3caaEJr_Q99TYpg7/s320/pizza2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEPPERONI </td></tr>
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I even decided to try a local treat - The Holy Donut. Now, honestly, I am not a huge donut fan but I have been hearing about this place for YEARS. Located originally in Portland, ME they had been expanding. A local Tim Horton's closed and in its spot a new Holy Donut opened. This was literally the talk of the towns for days. Pics all over FB from my friends sharing their favorite flavors. I had client meeting so I made a stop at the new location in Scarborough. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8eNEsOLxRP2Ns_i5aBE3WkOPM-NYtRPS69JmhzcZ5M23FCNAa9FW8_mfreV1R3hzs7sJID0nkqxobJECu0YmYpXxpfFfF3iUJI1PwuUYmeZZGYCPOBSgiZq10IBc5lwJslWe1HNxuPI/s1600/donuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8eNEsOLxRP2Ns_i5aBE3WkOPM-NYtRPS69JmhzcZ5M23FCNAa9FW8_mfreV1R3hzs7sJID0nkqxobJECu0YmYpXxpfFfF3iUJI1PwuUYmeZZGYCPOBSgiZq10IBc5lwJslWe1HNxuPI/s320/donuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got there at 2 in the afternoon and there was a LINE. I was standing at least 20 deep and I could see that the selection of flavors had been picked over and there were only a few left. The case did not look like this one (from their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theholydonut/">FB page</a>)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnzvYHTgAhLHaCLWGpPtDtG-Y7cE_UE3kawtPlk-9bw6bq9gZd8oe9tlXIXHu4AOXxvw3PV2KYVl4ZGCo66WqLmRZkrYCFzKZ0xooScJwHcUftJd5CJ9Lx504JUjMqYhkP1N-Zn743aHB/s1600/holy+donut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnzvYHTgAhLHaCLWGpPtDtG-Y7cE_UE3kawtPlk-9bw6bq9gZd8oe9tlXIXHu4AOXxvw3PV2KYVl4ZGCo66WqLmRZkrYCFzKZ0xooScJwHcUftJd5CJ9Lx504JUjMqYhkP1N-Zn743aHB/s320/holy+donut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from The Holy Donut </td></tr>
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at nearly $30/doz and $14/half dozen I figured these beautiful gems would be donut nirvana and I would fall in love. I even made a friendly bet with friends to see if any of them would survive the drive up to Sugarloaf. I was so proud of my hungry self for not eating any pizza or donuts...when I got to FM's place, I broke out the box of donuts and we tried one. </div>
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*sigh*</div>
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I was expecting SO. MUCH. MORE. but they were just...meh. I was a little sad. The anticipation of some heavenly DONUT ended up in disappointment. <b>Maybe I am just not a donut girl.</b> It definitely wouldn't be worth the calorie bomb that a donut is. Especially one this big. </div>
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I will say, the only donuts I have ever really enjoyed are the donuts from URBAN SUGAR on Sugarloaf Mountain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZFvUi8VQJI0FNH_ehgSh73Y0uL6ZlrvsOgOt_aS8sUDVj2NDHW62nk7B6BQ4wnpr9EHTtoGJYAa8loE279vZ7VNPJQLiiRsqE6cwDMJkT6JVXCcXPOsRfOtokPfPzvv1FO52u3FzFsSO/s1600/583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZFvUi8VQJI0FNH_ehgSh73Y0uL6ZlrvsOgOt_aS8sUDVj2NDHW62nk7B6BQ4wnpr9EHTtoGJYAa8loE279vZ7VNPJQLiiRsqE6cwDMJkT6JVXCcXPOsRfOtokPfPzvv1FO52u3FzFsSO/s320/583.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But I am a pizza girl. And I am a Rev3 girl. </div>
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So now that I am feeling better and I have goals to chase, it's back at it tomorrow. See you out on the trails!! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite Pizza?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a favorite donut place?</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-2138096509866566212017-04-01T14:02:00.001-04:002017-04-01T14:02:48.721-04:00Enough<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enough. </span><br />
<div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">determiner & pronoun</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b><b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1</strong>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
as much or as many as required.</div>
<span class="vmod"><div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
"too much work and not <b>enough</b> people <b>to</b> do it"</div>
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<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">synonyms:</span></td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiDvPrw2IPTAhUs64MKHeonD2IQ_SoIHTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1366&bih=638&q=define+sufficient&forcedict=sufficient&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiDvPrw2IPTAhUs64MKHeonD2IQ_SoIHTAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">sufficient</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwiDvPrw2IPTAhUs64MKHeonD2IQ_SoIHjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1366&bih=638&q=define+plenty&forcedict=plenty&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiDvPrw2IPTAhUs64MKHeonD2IQ_SoIHjAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">plenty</a>, a sufficient amount, an adequate amount, as much as necessary<span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><div style="display: inline;">
<div style="display: inline;">
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</div>
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<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
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<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">adverb</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1</strong>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
to the required degree or extent (used after an adjective, adverb, or verb); adequately.</div>
<span class="vmod"><div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
"before he was old <b>enough to</b> shave"</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always struggled with being ENOUGH. Am I enough ---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Smart </b>enough. <i>Pretty </i>enough. <b>Skinny </b>enough. <i>Fast </i>enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>AM I GOOD ENOUGH</i></b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_p9s9Grlq_kxSWjeEwG3wJ5__FF8ZkBhAw95taXPoU6OYIJLkfwbIreypQhbiO1EbVrTSBMdyBoJVef1DGzJ-2HrP77mTu-Eq0_b3PaZ2N9FQtEkLL_MgBKcPCOBnakO7ZkqaUnap_HJ/s1600/good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_p9s9Grlq_kxSWjeEwG3wJ5__FF8ZkBhAw95taXPoU6OYIJLkfwbIreypQhbiO1EbVrTSBMdyBoJVef1DGzJ-2HrP77mTu-Eq0_b3PaZ2N9FQtEkLL_MgBKcPCOBnakO7ZkqaUnap_HJ/s320/good.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My persona is such that I seek perfection.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">perfectionist</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> is defined as a person who refuses to accept any standard short of perfection. Some might also add that they are delusional, generally nuts, and stress out everyone else around them, including themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also one that does not do anything "half-assed" (I always use my whole ass). </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am an ALL or NOTHING person</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This has been both a blessing and a curse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The combination of striving to be "good enough" and wanting perfection was a driving force in academia, in my career and in training & racing. It also brought insecurity and a need to excel; an intrinsic desire to succeed in whatever I did. Some days I would set my bar too high and walk away from whatever feeling defeated and not good enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember PR'ing a 5k by several minutes (from a 23:xx to a 21:12) and being so upset with myself because I did not meet my goal time by 13 seconds. All I had wanted on that day was to go sub-21. I gave it my all...and I was so disappointed in myself. After filling in Training Peaks with all kinds of horrible words about my performance, my coach sent me a scathing note, telling me I should be <b>thanking my body for performing minutes faster than it ever had before</b>. Instead, I was chastising myself for not being "fast enough". A PR was not good enough for me, it had to be sub-21.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People who have crossed paths in my life brought hurt and disappointment, and the message I heard was "<i>Jen, you're not enough for .... </i>"whatever it was in the situation. the truth. their loyalty. positive change. love. or to stay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did this person do this? or say that? I believed that since my ex-husband couldn't change for the better, it was because <b>I was not worth it </b>or <i>I was not loved</i>. It has been a process of learning that most of the time, THEIR behavior had nothing to do with me, but their own internal bullshit.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is hard when people let you down to think it isn't some flaw with YOURSELF.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For years that quest to be <b>enough </b>was my own barrier to being healthy. I would try this fad diet or that fad diet and FAIL. Failure in THAT would make me feel like a failure in life, so I would quit, then soothe my feelings by trying to eat and drink my inadequacy away. I would try another fad diet, fail again and eventually I would stop. I did not succeed so, I must suck. <b>I completely gave up on myself. I no longer cared. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I vividly recall the day I quit on ME. I packed up all my beautiful size 4 and 6 designer clothes. I had grown to a size 22 and there was no way I would ever put on those Versace jeans or that Donna Karan suit. I took thousands of dollars worth of clothing to the local thrift shop and gave it away. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJJS2TDbuCLEXec1Nq7xCTiVDMaf-weYXnAe-s-NRfmeVC502XpyL0gsHion_pblDdRP9yGrD1018e9rkdoD75K9Q-wIuv7Na4-zu2MxCcgPsFVbd5FgcaE_Mo_BGio5_KXCTWuhd8NQ3/s1600/20141106_074027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJJS2TDbuCLEXec1Nq7xCTiVDMaf-weYXnAe-s-NRfmeVC502XpyL0gsHion_pblDdRP9yGrD1018e9rkdoD75K9Q-wIuv7Na4-zu2MxCcgPsFVbd5FgcaE_Mo_BGio5_KXCTWuhd8NQ3/s640/20141106_074027.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smile can hide a world of hurt. Me at 260+ lbs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my mind, I would never be determined enough to lose the weight and be healthy. But if I was gonna be fat, I was gonna do it well. I would eat all that I wanted. I would drink as often as I could. And I would grow to hate myself even more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took a long time to get to a place where a glimmer of hope started to shine my desire to be a better me was based on something bigger than myself. It was the hope of being a Mom that finally motivated me to change.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cyOYSxuDjE5_Fjls-7fqlBwuCU1LnahxskzWcIt9IBm7z9V78zD_dJ2YALuJCKJP-KSPlU64VBlXDL2X8mvOeJj2Q2HPIzf5D5f9orYtWpOxdXFSaHFNRaFxkcdM5giWdLPOja-Mxo6P/s1600/CPfinishwithLola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cyOYSxuDjE5_Fjls-7fqlBwuCU1LnahxskzWcIt9IBm7z9V78zD_dJ2YALuJCKJP-KSPlU64VBlXDL2X8mvOeJj2Q2HPIzf5D5f9orYtWpOxdXFSaHFNRaFxkcdM5giWdLPOja-Mxo6P/s320/CPfinishwithLola.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting better is an ongoing processing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been working on this kind of mindset and changing the internal dialog that happens. It is learning to change 40+</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> years of thinking one way to another. It takes practice and it is difficult most days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is learning that I AM ENOUGH. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am <i>smart </i>enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am <b>good </b>enough. and I deserve love and wonderful things in life. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSPz7Ieheaadjj-HbiA7X0pMvzxVEfBdf8fICIS6lE0A6y1kBYub-iTAkZUhpC7njKH0MEo56A-Q4g6JXrzheaqkvZx6wEFnG4oH7aVQQ3iUVp3t37I2kRzMl6Wycgd-z7AgmdivXSz_E/s1600/jen+before+and+after+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSPz7Ieheaadjj-HbiA7X0pMvzxVEfBdf8fICIS6lE0A6y1kBYub-iTAkZUhpC7njKH0MEo56A-Q4g6JXrzheaqkvZx6wEFnG4oH7aVQQ3iUVp3t37I2kRzMl6Wycgd-z7AgmdivXSz_E/s400/jen+before+and+after+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I now set my own standards a little differently. My value and worth is not determined by a scale. or a clock. a label. or another person. I have learned that </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">⇒There is no single goal achievement that will magically make me feel like I am enough. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">↠There is no such thing as perfection.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">⇒As long as I know my self worth, no one else can make me feel like not enough. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and YOU?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">YOU ARE ENOUGH TOO</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZkxvOTTSgNKukoZygONx-SKdeK7JHKb0nNJUpMmvO1roJ_UbqX8rerPnn8KUmknI41TbrqRtZj2XBtILEVPEDWqqCDTM-gvWE-RqZkJRHbMdAa5TWqb3fmdzp_GHeJHmvXunxxCkWKES/s1600/enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZkxvOTTSgNKukoZygONx-SKdeK7JHKb0nNJUpMmvO1roJ_UbqX8rerPnn8KUmknI41TbrqRtZj2XBtILEVPEDWqqCDTM-gvWE-RqZkJRHbMdAa5TWqb3fmdzp_GHeJHmvXunxxCkWKES/s400/enough.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-87554210611746738912017-03-30T08:01:00.000-04:002017-03-30T08:01:04.109-04:00Ready, Reset, GO<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>...sometimes you need bad things to happen </b></span></h2>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>to inspire you to change and grow...</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is no doubt about it, the past 2+ years have been filled with some incredible <b>highs </b>and some extreme <i>lows</i>. It has changed me in so many ways and life has shown me, yet again, <b>that the storms prepare you for the sunny days.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKfbrlLOO1wHhwaPcS7keY5gipkBVosqvUbEcy6ZTuLGbVN_JlEaJHGSOKq0zuw1s5gvBtlmN1Fiktz1NFcxGuNFUqj3QJ4XVxGg_xHX1A6g056V8F9i6r4ZM8yKy5ICSylKEl6pNnlR/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKfbrlLOO1wHhwaPcS7keY5gipkBVosqvUbEcy6ZTuLGbVN_JlEaJHGSOKq0zuw1s5gvBtlmN1Fiktz1NFcxGuNFUqj3QJ4XVxGg_xHX1A6g056V8F9i6r4ZM8yKy5ICSylKEl6pNnlR/s200/storm.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I completely stepped away from training and racing this past season, only doing things as I felt like doing them. The stress of a 2-plus year high conflict divorce took it toll on me, both physically and mentally. I just wanted it all to end so I could focus on this new life as a single mom and with an amazing partner. I wanted to get back to <b>ME</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>STRESS</b> can really take a toll on a person. My sleep patterns changed. I was exhausted all the time. I did not have the energy to train. When I got done teaching 3, 4, or 5 classes in a row, the last thing I wanted to do was WORKOUT. All I wanted to do was eat some comfort food and take a nap!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting into therapy to sort out the toxic and abusive marriage I was in for too many years was a double edged sword; rehashing the past was not fun but it allowed me to leave it there - in the past. Plus, having an unbiased person to vent to and listen was a gift. The days prepping for court, the hearings, the mediation...ugh. I don't wish that on anyone!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCmdu7y1Ucrm-UKhJ4Sq3rAulEFSCTOFaqS9Jfo6olLekS2r8blVNv7EjsRfvQg3KHqlN4iCagJtoQNLCyriilfVqvfgL0Whz-q5boyP-9-VHb1KBZe5e1Wp-QpoKswif4W6Axgoz5Qt6/s1600/strong1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCmdu7y1Ucrm-UKhJ4Sq3rAulEFSCTOFaqS9Jfo6olLekS2r8blVNv7EjsRfvQg3KHqlN4iCagJtoQNLCyriilfVqvfgL0Whz-q5boyP-9-VHb1KBZe5e1Wp-QpoKswif4W6Axgoz5Qt6/s200/strong1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the months dragged on, I put on some weight and lost endurance. I was missing a big part of who I am and what makes me happy. Luckily, I was surrounded by family, friends and a boyfriend that loved me and supported me no matter what life threw my way. With love and support, anything is possible!! </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>a few weeks ago, things fell into place for me to finally get off my ass, to stop making excuses and get back to being the kickass, happy, spunky human being I am. </i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to LET GO of the things I had no control over. I had to leave the resentment in the past. And I had to accept my flaws and mistakes for what they are. Life handed me a more than a few lessons in the last 2.5+ years. Instead of remorse and regret, I am heading into the NOW with a grateful heart for the family and friends that surround me. For the lessons learned. For the love I have received and for the bolt of reality that <b>RESET MY MIND</b>!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3ZO51Meio0_3k1tXVtywI6U641ngDUACuOTqzBBxHqah3nkFOPpoYKswK0auxQis-ne5u0JSSFP64BhvbhyphenhyphenTIkftOcUgQ9rqi99nULF4SEILi5VnDoaFtm_WtINT6o5Mor4-_Tv7Al1n/s1600/765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3ZO51Meio0_3k1tXVtywI6U641ngDUACuOTqzBBxHqah3nkFOPpoYKswK0auxQis-ne5u0JSSFP64BhvbhyphenhyphenTIkftOcUgQ9rqi99nULF4SEILi5VnDoaFtm_WtINT6o5Mor4-_Tv7Al1n/s320/765.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting back to training has certainly been awesome. I am feeling better every day and I am finally sleeping better. I am making healthy food choices daily and I am being KIND to myself. I am being patient with the slow miles of running and loss of endurance. I am not watching the clock like a hawk in the pool and letting things BE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am excited to celebrate the finality of things (soon, I really hope!) and chase new goals.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez8kEUEwWBVyeDiBqOZWjckz3o4gUoIrjLz1GkkVBmqc33MYhD8of826oaK5z2FU8OHJC-kht4xiclvF3CsA51X-JpbX-MTdj6JCWLqwQhW9V_KjoQm4TILsqSRroaeswtJdXfWQRlDw1/s1600/766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez8kEUEwWBVyeDiBqOZWjckz3o4gUoIrjLz1GkkVBmqc33MYhD8of826oaK5z2FU8OHJC-kht4xiclvF3CsA51X-JpbX-MTdj6JCWLqwQhW9V_KjoQm4TILsqSRroaeswtJdXfWQRlDw1/s320/766.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have so many exciting things planned for the rest of 2017! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New things, new challenges and revisiting some of my favorite races. There is some travel & trips planned and I am so optimistic about things to come. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am still racing with the best race series ever, Rev 3</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have an amazing tribe of people with From Fat to Finish </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I will be back to writing and sharing this new chapter of my journey, and it feels like coming home...</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-1479392263151514312016-10-21T12:52:00.001-04:002016-10-21T12:53:07.307-04:00FULL CIRCLE<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started my own journey back in 2008, I was quite alone. I had just had my daughter and went from working full time in a very full and busy medical office to being home with just me and Lola. And trying to figure out being a mom and getting healthy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I then discovered this great little online Mom's group and found an entire community of Mom's getting healthy - JUST LIKE ME - and I found "my people". I loved that little group so much (Work it out Sexy Mamma) and it was really get to connect with others all over the country to exchange ideas, challenges, and just talk. They were so integral in getting me to a really good place.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life got busy and my focus changed - from weight loss, to running to triathlon and I lost touch with that group but still connected with a handful via Facebook. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we are, 8 years later. Lola is now 8. I left a toxi marriage. I moved. I discovered so many things about me. The last year of my life has been so chaotic and stressful and fantastic, all at the same time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am starting over in so many ways - a new life, a new love, a new perspective. I am starting from base on training. I have a long way to go to get back to where I was as an athlete. So much has changed but so much has come full circle. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now that the movie, From Fat to Finish Line is out, a whole new world of friends and opportunity to help OTHERS has opened up from OUR online community. Now it is my chance to pay it forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to share this blog post from my FFtFL cast mate, John: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friday, October 21, 2016</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Fat To Finish Line - The Facebook Group</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you know me at all, you know that I am very proud of my involvement with the documentary film, "<a href="http://www.fattofinish.com/" style="color: #894798; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">From Fat To Finish Line</a>." It's the story of a dozen people who each lost weight through running and then took on the challenge of the Ragnar Relay Race in the Florida Keys. We battled the heat, the humidity, and the miles, and *spoiler alert* we ultimately crossed the finish line as a team. It was one of proudest moments as a runner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The film is available now for purchase on iTunes and Amazon or you can watch it on NetFlix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Believe it or not, the documentary isn't what I'm most proud of, though. It's amazing to be part of it, absolutely. But even more important to me is the community that has sprung up as a result of the film. Let me introduce you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FatToFinish/" style="color: #2cff09;" target="_blank">From Fat To Finish Line - The Facebook Group</a>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our little group of twelve has become a tribe of more than 7,000 people.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes. I said 7,000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we're still growing every single day. Because people want to be part of a running community that celebrates who they are right now AND who they want to become. We are fat and thin, tall and short, male and female, young and old. We are every color and religion and nationality. We strive to be the very best at welcoming all walkers/runners/joggers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We celebrate miles. We cheer finish lines. We applaud non-scale victories. And most importantly, we recognize and support each other when those miles and finish lines and victories feel unattainable and out of reach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We ARE the reason that people are pushing themselves to try more, to do more, and to be more. We are running buddies and shoulders-to-lean-on and a global support network unlike any other I have ever known.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF0ktsiFa6bvAZKQmfkTBsi1et8BJ79B1zRHcK_2glYv5uf_alb36lGGRq2GtgNBhcILQqDgtmXm5OUROiFhADss00viWavZohSmXTbEyZrn5TTC0V_laRDfTieWm-RybMEJ1nd3gfIc/s1600/race_2090_photo_47706064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #894798; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF0ktsiFa6bvAZKQmfkTBsi1et8BJ79B1zRHcK_2glYv5uf_alb36lGGRq2GtgNBhcILQqDgtmXm5OUROiFhADss00viWavZohSmXTbEyZrn5TTC0V_laRDfTieWm-RybMEJ1nd3gfIc/s320/race_2090_photo_47706064.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #6c6c6c; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6c6c6c; font-size: 13px;">Thanks to all of you in the group for becoming my running family. And to the rest of you, what are you waiting for? Come join us!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-51766839179634127192016-10-06T16:36:00.000-04:002016-10-06T16:41:41.764-04:00RewindIt is officially fall here in Maine.<br />
October. The trees are aglow in splendid colors. The cool temps have returned<br />
and <br />
Lola is now 8.<br />
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My baby is now on swim team and playing field hockey. She is as funny as ever too!! I am forever grateful I have this blog just for capturing those fun moments with her!<br />
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<i>where has time gone?</i><br />
and where is the rewind button??<br />
There are some moments I would like to revisit,I would like to fast forward through and some I want to hit pause on...<br />
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This summer, I got to venture out to San Diego for the screening of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjAwbmt2cbPAhWU3oMKHeRODLUQFggtMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.netflixupdate.com%2Ffat-finish-line-just-added-netflix%2F&usg=AFQjCNENGcpYoMmLXoidD3ug0KSsXR9-xQ&sig2=sX5-_bJ4xGwpqX8aSBYjpQ&bvm=bv.134495766,d.amc">From Fat to Finish Line </a>(which is now on Netflix if you wanna see it!). I love the positive energy and the community that has come together surrounding the release of the film. Our Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/FatToFinish/">group </a>is growing and growing - and I cannot wait to unveil the fun stuff that is coming!<br />
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It was quite the adventure for sure -we flew into Las Vegas (I've never been) and then drove to San Diego the next morning. It was such a beautiful drive too! The desert landscape is so different from the lush, green Maine mountains where I play!! It was HOT too...wow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our suite at the Golden Nugget</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool View<br />
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I was so super stoked to stay at the Golden Nugget for ONE REASON:<br />
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SHARK TANK!<br />
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See that blue tube running through the center of that pic above? That is a slide tube where you get to ride a water slide through the shark tank. Yes. That alone was worth the entire trip out west. But we had so many more amazing adventures that I cannot wait to share with you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-57060258951586265782016-07-25T19:55:00.000-04:002016-07-25T19:55:42.748-04:00Peaks to Portland: 2.4 Mile Swim to the Mainland<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The last few weeks have been crazy...<i>fun</i>...a <b>whirlwind </b>of activity!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After spending a week in <span style="color: red;"><b>Vegas </b></span>and <span style="color: red;"><b>San Diego</b></span> for the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FatToFinish/?fref=ts">From Fat to Finish Line</a> </b>documentary launch (<i>more to come on that</i>) I came home <b>exhausted </b>and <i>ready to roll</i> into this event. well, kind of...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was feeling <i>waaay </i><b>under-trained</b> for the <span style="color: blue;"><b>2.4 mile open ocean swim</b></span>, Peaks to Portland, this year...having only done a handful of 2 mile swims in the weeks leading up to Saturday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng-zhErKaLNN97YFrJPlyHvxDKHro3LK0_bvOZ-2hcctUyKPV5IBWn5Icmc5gyiCfWABSj2CO4yFvxaCIO4mVN_uB8C37z6xYPATVn8sdoChfaXGzRmUuZ5Wcdx3_uXzeRmHNoNn7mRvX/s1600/2011P2PLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng-zhErKaLNN97YFrJPlyHvxDKHro3LK0_bvOZ-2hcctUyKPV5IBWn5Icmc5gyiCfWABSj2CO4yFvxaCIO4mVN_uB8C37z6xYPATVn8sdoChfaXGzRmUuZ5Wcdx3_uXzeRmHNoNn7mRvX/s400/2011P2PLogo.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did get to swim about 2 miles in La Jolla CA and whoa, that was cool. <i><span style="color: red;">I've got an awesome story about THAT swim coming too...</span></i>But anyway, back to <b>Peaks</b>. I knew if I just took it easy and swam steady, it would be a <b>good </b>day. ---> I also had my favorite guy who would be providing kayak support. From the moment I signed up for this event, I was SO excited to be doing this <i>with him</i> -- this gave me LOTS to look forward to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night before, sleep proved to be a challenge. Not due to race nerves or anything but simply being a Mom to Lola. I finally got some sleep around 2am so when my alarm sounded at 4:15 am, I barely heard it. Or wanted to. I shut the alarm off and fell back to sleep for a bit, finally getting up just before 5am. <b>I am supposed to be at the ferry station to Peaks Island at 6am</b>. Better hurry!!! I was tired. I was late. I was not thrilled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had prepped the kayak and packed up everything the night before and most of it was good to go. I wasn't feeling very hungry so I packed up some bananas, my go-to oatmeal <a href="http://coachsoats.com/">Coach's Oats</a> and <a href="https://www.powerbar.com/endurance-nutrition/simple-fruit-energy-food">Powerbar Simple Fruit</a> in <span style="color: red;"><b>apple/lemon/orange</b></span> with 2x caffeine. This flavor is <u>awesome </u>but I knew I would also need the extra boost of energy too! I also knew there would be lots of down time between the ferry ride over to the Island and GO TIME></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLLrJTSDTV2AHx54mao_8BYrg2g_3VSZJnI6apoHxdugp6k1Zn91metk1hM726k06FOWAHdxhyphenhyphenxIwBNmqhfQC_5VAuA9YmWf1KSKDZQT2yFeWx8aQ6oAuKOJGwtvtMIPNk-RG1JR0Cxom/s1600/13639706_10153642127410825_103936511_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLLrJTSDTV2AHx54mao_8BYrg2g_3VSZJnI6apoHxdugp6k1Zn91metk1hM726k06FOWAHdxhyphenhyphenxIwBNmqhfQC_5VAuA9YmWf1KSKDZQT2yFeWx8aQ6oAuKOJGwtvtMIPNk-RG1JR0Cxom/s320/13639706_10153642127410825_103936511_o.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4RAf-KaKmJYOZ7YoEJr857f_GjQBorU828Ki4hIMePeJOfhMirkWK6bCHifwAQCK_f4Nd9PufoNYEe4thniMc1ACwWsPmyjPWQOKhBXKpGOdOVGqZQslt6AIXoJtls2TIb_nw99qMGJ/s1600/13844132_10153642127535825_140734863_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE4RAf-KaKmJYOZ7YoEJr857f_GjQBorU828Ki4hIMePeJOfhMirkWK6bCHifwAQCK_f4Nd9PufoNYEe4thniMc1ACwWsPmyjPWQOKhBXKpGOdOVGqZQslt6AIXoJtls2TIb_nw99qMGJ/s400/13844132_10153642127535825_140734863_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">going through the checklist 2 or 3 times...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk-bQ7W7Nhbo_pfXf8DqVabPiwrKxuHwWmjnN6ILU_eTaABkub1I9BaDbZ8sUwZA5-fxSH_pTLrO4sKCuA6bzCehshqDQx_t4WxifKeD9mtcC1oju_XBIoAKFlOxdh-QF-atybyEJCeYV/s1600/13838434_10153642126320825_769438596_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk-bQ7W7Nhbo_pfXf8DqVabPiwrKxuHwWmjnN6ILU_eTaABkub1I9BaDbZ8sUwZA5-fxSH_pTLrO4sKCuA6bzCehshqDQx_t4WxifKeD9mtcC1oju_XBIoAKFlOxdh-QF-atybyEJCeYV/s320/13838434_10153642126320825_769438596_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The JennyB kayak. of course, it's in HOT PINK! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FM and I hit the road 5 minutes AFTER 6am and got to the ferry terminal about 20 minutes later. When we arrived, the parking garage was full. Ooops!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Current Mood at that moment:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDqB937mRPr_fMTowMPb5s_PoPLnft2cYSg8Pshir4Y5H16ZtLrvLNu4EZzrxVFBr_f_GF2zCgXHvYFLOTjEHRoeVBNroxGW7zm8wxLLZmYnzvZrJVyNIR-E83dAzpembB-6SHmgJghJb/s1600/13839928_1146081238747407_1739259156_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDqB937mRPr_fMTowMPb5s_PoPLnft2cYSg8Pshir4Y5H16ZtLrvLNu4EZzrxVFBr_f_GF2zCgXHvYFLOTjEHRoeVBNroxGW7zm8wxLLZmYnzvZrJVyNIR-E83dAzpembB-6SHmgJghJb/s400/13839928_1146081238747407_1739259156_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can see i am thrilled. good thing I had FM there to keep me grounded</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We unloaded the kayak and all of our gear and I went to find parking. I snagged the LAST spot in a pay lot a half mile down the road. Boom! I literally RAN in flip flops, my swim suit and a sundress from the lot back to the ferry lines. When I got there, I asked FM if he had the ferry tickets. Nope, they were still in the car. Sprinted BACK to the car and then BACK to the ferry. <b>Yes, a 1.5 mile interval run would be a great warm up to the day. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxTu50JB_oe6TLR1MWi9bvORs7NLrp1mmS2vtxFKpHgTDEuviZ2xtFyXhbGmdvUJwqO_pBCAT34c63AKskPAgQqII8dRP3vZL6_ewRpXgIjp1aPgjPLdhm-yG1gOf6zucc7425SDqpXix/s1600/13835530_10153640196635825_2141988716_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxTu50JB_oe6TLR1MWi9bvORs7NLrp1mmS2vtxFKpHgTDEuviZ2xtFyXhbGmdvUJwqO_pBCAT34c63AKskPAgQqII8dRP3vZL6_ewRpXgIjp1aPgjPLdhm-yG1gOf6zucc7425SDqpXix/s320/13835530_10153640196635825_2141988716_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">made it back to the ferry WITH the tickets in time! </span></td></tr>
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<b>In reality, being late did not matter. </b>Leaving the tickets didn't slow us down. The line to the ferry was still just standing there and they did not start loading until close to 7am. Soon we were on our way...and I was able to finally relax.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiXTtAoes4Dax2v2jfLHWbJex6Vsc1rIzSbSkmzYZSqQBEUQamm-BvYijMDlS-Ulp1KqmbV_K-TKB3wD-na97_kdsHK6SycMJzJxorb1hKIEBo_On_Q4Ip6vxtY9PsmuaX5S7OP8cWhuN/s1600/13833563_10153640196600825_1960796137_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiXTtAoes4Dax2v2jfLHWbJex6Vsc1rIzSbSkmzYZSqQBEUQamm-BvYijMDlS-Ulp1KqmbV_K-TKB3wD-na97_kdsHK6SycMJzJxorb1hKIEBo_On_Q4Ip6vxtY9PsmuaX5S7OP8cWhuN/s320/13833563_10153640196600825_1960796137_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">finally, time to board the ferry! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made our way to the top of the ferry where I found several of my friends, including Yvonne who was happily snacking on some yummy local donuts. I was still not hungry. The ride was quick as we chatted about the course, strategy and what a beautiful day it was going to be. We also chatted about the awesome Otillo style race Yvonne is completing next month...swim & run for MILES and MILES. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made our way to the shoreline amid a mass of colorful kayaks and swimmers and prepped for the morning ahead. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtegTjHfoAq3Zs9QmPZQbFx9qtLFbN9QVs-w6SJe4ZwulOW5yXsectCgGHiOFaLXfl4qMfRJqC-XjD5nVA7fCKFikfHj8JO3X4a3LOn3JX-PmwZus4LKORLaw0UP4LZ60xuBu7bf8lgrn7/s1600/13833434_10153640196630825_576549432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtegTjHfoAq3Zs9QmPZQbFx9qtLFbN9QVs-w6SJe4ZwulOW5yXsectCgGHiOFaLXfl4qMfRJqC-XjD5nVA7fCKFikfHj8JO3X4a3LOn3JX-PmwZus4LKORLaw0UP4LZ60xuBu7bf8lgrn7/s320/13833434_10153640196630825_576549432_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was able to snack a bit and get mentally prepared. I was calm since I was not racing yet I was still a bit nervous about how my body would handle the swim. I had to take a year off of swimming due to an injury so I was curious how that would feel. <b>I knew I would finish out of pure stubbornness alone</b>, but still. I did not feel 100% prepared as I normally would for an event like this.<br /><br />I put those doubts aside, sprayed myself down in TriSlide and got into my Blueseventy wetsuit. Donned my favorite TYR Special Ops goggles after a generous application of Foggies and it was into the water for a little warm up. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIoUZD5Yp6Wq2xu2tDMQaM_UuBARQ48PMSbiBO8mwR8bWcQhLbOh-SCsa45huDyP2LmX5BDZwncnU_3Z_H-i5WZ8r7057LlqdqgoWzA_3qxNNisMAKmPxPCB58_REXDhPdJSO3W7xs6lp/s1600/13839684_10153640196640825_712398670_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIoUZD5Yp6Wq2xu2tDMQaM_UuBARQ48PMSbiBO8mwR8bWcQhLbOh-SCsa45huDyP2LmX5BDZwncnU_3Z_H-i5WZ8r7057LlqdqgoWzA_3qxNNisMAKmPxPCB58_REXDhPdJSO3W7xs6lp/s320/13839684_10153640196640825_712398670_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post swim warm up, I was inspired by one of the athletes who would do this event with 1 leg. <br />I tried to get her to consider doing a triathlon or relay with rev3 in August! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>or should I say <span style="color: blue;">COLD UP</span></i>. The water felt really, really cold. Reports stated that the temps were 61-63* but it felt REALLY cold...my face was fine in the water but my hands and feet were going numb. Normally I would just duct tape my feet up to prevent cuts on the shells, rocks and barnacles that cover the shore and the first 15 feet of shoreline into the water but this year I opted to try water shoes that I would just take off at some point. It seemed to work well...kind of. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkn4-lz8Mf7_HJF5haoqJZy2wAygVTzQ10MTAddUTjl2PGfQH2rFozQibxebjkwTXHu5E4B7oGVaL_eY8jMw9xbq_qIBxYt6Dow4uczQXjNUIKCLPwoB60aaJPofcIzeXaTlbv_2DEE96/s1600/13840631_10153640196665825_1412496021_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkn4-lz8Mf7_HJF5haoqJZy2wAygVTzQ10MTAddUTjl2PGfQH2rFozQibxebjkwTXHu5E4B7oGVaL_eY8jMw9xbq_qIBxYt6Dow4uczQXjNUIKCLPwoB60aaJPofcIzeXaTlbv_2DEE96/s320/13840631_10153640196665825_1412496021_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3vS8YPOYIa2Ad_fwQXrSLyzcfRH_c9rWtzwA76zji8i6vp2c5c90118tYUyPKMKSGy3CnyXPReQUeRRQ-7tIEwJjYtwRf6wzUlLUHEBuDcQTMvnQmZsxe5A0TmkkMJ0Km9KRJpNr8-uN/s1600/13840448_10153640196645825_1416341869_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3vS8YPOYIa2Ad_fwQXrSLyzcfRH_c9rWtzwA76zji8i6vp2c5c90118tYUyPKMKSGy3CnyXPReQUeRRQ-7tIEwJjYtwRf6wzUlLUHEBuDcQTMvnQmZsxe5A0TmkkMJ0Km9KRJpNr8-uN/s320/13840448_10153640196645825_1416341869_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLPto7SpHIg3iaGRC3X_tOK3CCtGtXpw5ItWgkKC6b5lIwvN7JTmWYc_pV8cdfAJt-N9BNfG0cmwp3yTa2BsdSZa4CIP3iCfcmiEbF3UjuTozZnDbCoHtqc0WaQgcqG7TC6yWV4mQqDvI/s1600/13839952_10153640196625825_1774377843_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLPto7SpHIg3iaGRC3X_tOK3CCtGtXpw5ItWgkKC6b5lIwvN7JTmWYc_pV8cdfAJt-N9BNfG0cmwp3yTa2BsdSZa4CIP3iCfcmiEbF3UjuTozZnDbCoHtqc0WaQgcqG7TC6yWV4mQqDvI/s320/13839952_10153640196625825_1774377843_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With AMR before lining up to GO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was close go time and I could see FM making his way to the kayak line. Our wave was gathering to line up and go thru the chute and into the water.<b> I felt calm and ready to have a great swim. </b>I was very happy to be there and glad we were able to make the ferry, despite my earlier feelings. I got to give one of my athletes a pre-race pep talk while we were lined up.<i> It was going to be a good day. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was in the water and it did not feel as cold. I sighted my starting line and positioned myself at the front right of the wave. I could see FM and knew it would not take me long to reach his side. I stayed calm and was breathing easy as the wave was launched with a GO and a loud buzzer sounded. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TxHnf3jRCiUGSFLO1yMIsdKKgTgFUwXG4ESbKh4n5gHbA1PwG7-4pubhLHivFAggsMeQ5an4lJMNXlhpynLlgFfOwYK1BkJ2T8pdhNUMoQ_q-lQNQzQKpn3bkX70cjZWRonQNDH4JTA/s1600/13833321_10153640197525825_380515744_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TxHnf3jRCiUGSFLO1yMIsdKKgTgFUwXG4ESbKh4n5gHbA1PwG7-4pubhLHivFAggsMeQ5an4lJMNXlhpynLlgFfOwYK1BkJ2T8pdhNUMoQ_q-lQNQzQKpn3bkX70cjZWRonQNDH4JTA/s320/13833321_10153640197525825_380515744_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was about 300 yards out to the kayak and we met up without issues. We were in the middle of the scrum at this point. We communicated our plan to get to clean water and it was executed perfectly. I was still swimming with the water shoes on for a while until FM said he thought they were slowing me down (which they were) so I took them off and handed them to him. Ahhh, much better. He continued to guide me with verbal cues and encouragement. He also said I was moving much faster without the shoes on!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so great to be out there, doing something I love with this amazing guy right there by my side. Every time I looked up, I was smiling. Literally. We had reached the Fort, which is kind of the half way point of the swim, and I was feeling very relaxed and pain free in my shoulder. The water had warmed up quite a bit, as well as my body! I wasn't feeling any mental or physical fatigue. GOOD GOOD GOOD stuff. I was starting to pass other swimmers and I was having a wonderful time. My heart was very happy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuiQmpRVqVQM1WUO0b5OJ8U4AbhVf3NPsTT881cPjoyCkzx4lk0st_YaVImVvsYgfWKPEP5rDjMi7WSQ-qqypZOMbMzgy2CoE_TONAPqSJYbZOm9TEsEUPh_-IdKh5IvC0Pcd2xlBoem-/s1600/PeaksMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuiQmpRVqVQM1WUO0b5OJ8U4AbhVf3NPsTT881cPjoyCkzx4lk0st_YaVImVvsYgfWKPEP5rDjMi7WSQ-qqypZOMbMzgy2CoE_TONAPqSJYbZOm9TEsEUPh_-IdKh5IvC0Pcd2xlBoem-/s320/PeaksMap.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I knew it, we had reached sight of East End Beach and we maneuvered our way through boats and swimmers. I was struggling to see the course buoys and it was messing with my head. I kept asking where the buoys were and FM assured me that they were there and to just follow his lead. Finally, I could see the big orange buoy and hear the crowds cheering. Let's GO!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the final 1000m push my only goal was to pass this guy in an orange sleeved wetsuit, which I did so I considered the day a success right there. FM made his way to the beach in the kayak and I swam my way into shore! I was out of the water and up the beach. <i>All Smiles</i>. I saw FM and my friend Yvonne on the sidelines cheering. I saw the clock at 1:26:xx and was happy with that. I figured being undertrained and just getting back to swimming, I would be around 1:30 for this. Previous P2Ps and 2.4 miles swims I have done range from 1:07 to 1:19...but then I looked at my Garmin and saw 1:11 for a time (and a swim distance of 2.49) and I remembered</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq1_dcFkD9zMpd3Apmz-XwN1jU5ZvoS5rth5YewWXp6aoB-HAJOZAKQvshQYZfUmQ4utX_WR_j-xPMMg5ae58xadIhbGWR8zb9OuYFS7E5LvsmMtjAgRbUkiLE5iLZrHo24vi5IjxWcza/s1600/13840549_10153640197530825_834664435_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq1_dcFkD9zMpd3Apmz-XwN1jU5ZvoS5rth5YewWXp6aoB-HAJOZAKQvshQYZfUmQ4utX_WR_j-xPMMg5ae58xadIhbGWR8zb9OuYFS7E5LvsmMtjAgRbUkiLE5iLZrHo24vi5IjxWcza/s320/13840549_10153640197530825_834664435_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />OHYEAH...wave starts. You did not take into considering the clock started with wave1 silly girl.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So my official time was 1:11:16</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garmin time 1:11:28 and 2.49 miles. I can't wait to load the data and see how far off the line I was with the extra distance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I stayed and cheered on friends. My athlete, AMR, who has been swimming her tail off all winter, PR'd this event by over 14 minutes. Her hard work in the pool dropped her times there and now in open water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had such a wonderful day filled with smiles. It was an absolute dream come true to race with my guy by my side. Such an incredible happiness. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now I am so ready to get back to ME. To training like an animal. To racing and chasing my dreams. To inspire others and help them find their finish lines. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Thank you to all my friends and family who were able to provide financial support for this event - the YMCA is able to help so many in my community and their mission is so strong. Because of YOUR help, kids right in my town will have access to camp programs at the Y. Thank you!! </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A huge thank you to my incredible sponsors</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://rev3tri.com/">Rev3 Tri</a> - <span style="color: blue;">my second family and the best tri race series out there. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blueseventy.com/">Blueseventy </a>-<span style="color: red;"> I could not ask for a more comfortable or faster wetsuit!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.powerbar.com/">Powerbar</a> - <span style="color: #38761d;">best gels ever. I love the new simple fruit!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.sbrsportsinc.com/">SBR Sports Inc</a> -<span style="color: blue;"> I don't know what I would do without my Foggies and my TriSlide. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a supercool video FM put together about our day, making our way from Peaks Island to Portland's East End Beach. He did such a fabulous job as my kayak supporter - Thank you!! </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com1Peaks Island, Portland, ME 04108, USA43.6559922 -70.195543843.6330182 -70.2358843 43.6789662 -70.1552033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-7062203362294924672016-06-14T22:26:00.002-04:002016-06-14T22:26:48.924-04:00SMALL CHANGES<i><span style="font-size: large;">well, hello there. how are you? </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb9AZyGYrkZn8_GMvRrJ_WOIrUZTFzheZv9TsyeHz4b6Gl_vqkmlGVPzF619UGX_ntQdrgyqc19ral0l-U1gKayYZK-MHuX_l5TOKRSyNDk3_rx4RCaabPmss-x9y3DRO5fOi3A0hcDk0/s1600/Awesome.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb9AZyGYrkZn8_GMvRrJ_WOIrUZTFzheZv9TsyeHz4b6Gl_vqkmlGVPzF619UGX_ntQdrgyqc19ral0l-U1gKayYZK-MHuX_l5TOKRSyNDk3_rx4RCaabPmss-x9y3DRO5fOi3A0hcDk0/s320/Awesome.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
me?<br />
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I am doing <b>very well</b>. Thanks for asking. It's been a while, hasn't it?<br />
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As you may have noticed, I have taken quite the hiatus from writing...as well as training...this past year. You can catch up a bit <a href="http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com/2015/11/choosing-joy.html">HERE</a> as to why I have been MIA. It has been a tumultuous year and a half, filled with some extreme lows but some really amazing highs as well. I choose to focus on the good stuff and the growth that has come with change.<br />
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I find that the dust has settled a bit with my new life and I am recharged and focused on new projects, goals and adventures. I miss writing and sharing my journey with all of you so much.<br />
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I have dusted off the laptop.<br />
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<i><b>I have given the blog a make-over, and a new name</b></i>.<br />
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And soon, a new URL as well.<br />
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<b>So welcome back.</b> Or welcome for the <i>first </i>time.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am Jen Small and this is <span style="color: blue;"><b>SMALL CHANGES</b></span>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swim bike run laugh - a good life plan</td></tr>
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I pondered the name change for a long time and I felt that since I have changed so much, this needed to change too. Not only did I grow and CHANGE as a person the last 18 months, but I also feel that message of SMALL CHANGES is consistent with my coaching and lifestyle.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Small Changes = Big Results</span></b><br />
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I will continue to share training tips and advice. I will share my crazy adventures. But I want to expand what I write about. <b>I want to share more on how YOU can make healthy living work for YOU... </b>workouts you can do at home or at the gym. Simple, clean eating recipes. Working on that mindset, the mental training, if you will. I will share my triumphs. and struggles. and ideas. THOUGHTS.<br />
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So here we are, back at it.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Where am I?</b></span><br />
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Well, since I haven't been running much lately, I am back to rebuilding that base. Very much so.<br />
...and it feels like starting over...<br />
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<i>and it is a total metaphor for my life</i>. <b>Starting over</b>. And it is a very good thing. I am finally very happy INSIDE.<br />
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Physically??<br />
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I have battled a few injuries this past year. A bicep tendon injury that kept me from swimming and some weight training, a piraformis that has gone wonky and most recently, an old back injury has flared up, causing some thoracic spine nerve inflammation.<br />
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funny. I train like a crazy person for years with no injury. take time off? Here, let me give you THIS to deal with.<br />
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or maybe I am just getting old(er).<br />
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The change in training habits and being a little lazy with my diet has added some LBS to my frame. I am about 15 from my "happy weight", so I am also wanting to get back to a place where I feel strong and comfortable. I have never been one to focus so much on the scale, more so how I feel.<br />
<br />
SO i wanna feel GOOD again. physically.<br />
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It feels kind of weird having to WORK at running again. Especially carrying around a bit more weight. Every extra pound also slows you down.<br />
<br />
I went through this awkward phase where NO SHOE felt good on my feet, so I was just NOT RUNNING> my old standby's didn't cut it. I was getting blisters. My feet hurt. I was annoyed.<br />
<br />
I gave HOKA's another whirl...nope. once again, huge blisters on my arches<br />
(anyone else suffer from this??)<br />
<br />
My typical Newton's just felt stiff. I am running much slower these days so not sure if THAT played a role.<br />
<br />
The super awesome people at Newton didn't disappoint though...I got myself into a new model, the Pop 2 Fate...in both blue and pink (of course!).<br />
<br />
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My back/neck is particularly stiff and painful today but I wanted to get out for a few miles to see how I felt. I was only able to handle about 2 miles, the movement of my arms was quite painful.<br />A quick trip to my awesome <a href="http://www.sacochiropractor.com/">chiro Dr. Dave</a> to get things tweaked.<br />
<br />
I am putting together a half marathon plan in my downtime and looking forward to the Rock N Roll Half in VA BEACH in Sept.<br />
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and of course, I am part of the amazing Rev3Team again this year so I will be at as many races and I can this year...and looking forward to Aquabiking!!!<br />
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And Lola is bigger and better than ever. The one thing I will forever cherish about starting this blog, is getting to chronicle her early years and what a special child she has grown into.<br />
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Cheers to the journey ahead!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-41327700477094926552015-11-05T07:09:00.001-05:002015-11-05T07:09:58.293-05:00Choosing Joy <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started this blog as a way to share my personal story of weight loss, being a new mother, balancing family and training, and finding myself. <b>My true self</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On that journey, I have been open, honest and tried to share my authentic self in the hopes that someone out there could relate to what I was living and know that they were not alone...and that you too, CAN achieve your goals and dreams and be HAPPY. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have shared my successes, challenges, triumphs and failures...and as I continue to grow as a person and embrace a ME that is WHOLE, I discover new things every day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This past year has been particularly challenging and without getting into detail, I will simply say that as I changed & healed, my marriage fell apart. I believe we both tried to make it work but in the end, the damage had become too great to repair. And as I embrace yet <i>another </i>new chapter of my life, I do so with <b>enthusiasm </b>and a new-found energy to forge forward with a<span style="color: blue;"> positive mind</span> & a <span style="color: red;">happy heart</span>...and build a life where I am truly at peace & have wholehearted happiness. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuZch_3sM1wrFNyBFisZa5NLzKlpnRCNtyfbKeVHKXtoB1qm2byZuavgu5ZKfCNQBGXcg61ZhRfGn9dy4_TbCtJHVYpNc64xrkkDTy-3LlpIaohujTD4m1W0CQWLy82H2rDBOmZaDG5Es/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuZch_3sM1wrFNyBFisZa5NLzKlpnRCNtyfbKeVHKXtoB1qm2byZuavgu5ZKfCNQBGXcg61ZhRfGn9dy4_TbCtJHVYpNc64xrkkDTy-3LlpIaohujTD4m1W0CQWLy82H2rDBOmZaDG5Es/s400/happy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will continue to share my life story. My training goals. My advice. My struggles. But you will start to see a bit more of the personal side, the mental game and how our thoughts truly rule our bodies. In racing...In life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">I've learned it's ok to stand up for yourself and walk away from things that are hurtful. Fear is paralyzing and being able to confront those fears is liberating. The unknown can be scary as hell...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">It is important to take care of yourself-physically and mentally. Don't jump on that train to your next guilt-trip by taking time to be healthy. That hour workout is good for you. That 15 minute mental break is imperative. In doing so you are a better mother or father, a better partner, a happy human being. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">And I've come to realize what I want and what I don't want in life, and relationships. I also know I will never cling to something that does not bring me joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">Today, and everyday I WILL CHOSE JOY</span><br />
<br />
___________________________________<br />
<br />
<b>Relationships are so important</b>. Family. Friendships. Romantic entanglements. One thing that I have learned is that a relationship should bring out the best in you. Bringing positivity to the table. Not stress. Not drama. If there is more fighting than loving happening, perhaps it is time to evaluate your position. <br />
<br />
It takes 2 to create a successful pairing; yet it is NOT 50/50 as some would believe. There are days when your partner will be only giving 20%...so are you going to stop at 50%? or are you going to step up and give 80% on that day. And vice versa...<br />
<br />
I stumbled across Choose Her Every Day (or <i>HIM</i>) today and it really hit home for me on so many levels. Take the time to read this...and devour each word. <br />
<br />
And to quote the amazing Nate Bagley (please, watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0R_wLccRlU">TedTalk </a>which is amazing...) <b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">don't be afraid to be the one who loves the most. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Choose Her Everyday (Or Leave Her) </span></b></span></div>
<h3>
I spent 5 years hurting a good woman by staying with her but never fully choosing her.</h3>
I did want to be with this one. I really wanted to choose her. She
was an exquisite woman, brilliant and funny and sexy and sensual. She
could make my whole body laugh with her quick, dark wit and
short-circuit my brain with her exotic beauty. Waking up every morning
with her snuggled in my arms was my happy place. I loved her wildly.<br />
Unfortunately, as happens with many young couples, our ignorance of
how to do love well quickly created stressful challenges in our
relationship. Before long, once my early morning blissful reverie gave
way to the strained, immature ways of our everyday life together, I
would often wonder if there was another woman out there who was easier
to love, and who could love me better.<br />
As the months passed and that thought reverberated more and more
through my head, I chose her less and less. Every day, for five years, I
chose her a little less.<br />
I stayed with her. I just stopped choosing her. We both suffered.<br />
<h4>
Choosing her would have meant focusing every day on the gifts she
was bringing into my life that I could be grateful for: her laughter,
beauty, sensuality, playfulness, companionship, and so … much … more.</h4>
Sadly, I often found it nearly impossible to embrace – or even see – what was so wildly wonderful about her.<br />
<h4>
I was too focused on the anger, insecurities, demands, and other
aspects of her strong personality that grated on me. The more I focused
on her worst, the more I saw of it, and the more I mirrored it back to
her by offering my own worst behavior. Naturally, this only magnified
the strain on our relationship … which still made me choose her even
less.</h4>
Thus did our nasty death spiral play itself out over five years.<br />
She fought hard to make me choose her. That’s a fool’s task. You can’t make someone choose you, even when they might love you.<br />
To be fair, she didn’t fully choose me, either. The rage-fueled invective she often hurled at me was evidence enough of that.<br />
I realize now, however, that she was often angry because she didn’t
feel safe with me. She felt me not choosing her every day, in my words
and my actions, and she was afraid I would abandon her.<br />
Actually, I did abandon her.<br />
<h4>
<strong>By not fully choosing her every day for five years, by
focusing on what bothered me rather than what I adored about her, I
deserted her.</strong></h4>
<h4>
Like a precious fragrant flower I brought proudly into my home but
then failed to water, I left her alone in countless ways to wither in
the dry hot heat of our intimate relationship.</h4>
I’ll never not choose another woman I love again.<br />
It’s torture for everyone.<br />
If you’re in relationship, I invite you to ask yourself this question:<br />
<blockquote>
<h4>
<em>“Why am I choosing my partner today?”</em></h4>
</blockquote>
If you can’t find a satisfying answer, dig deeper and find one. It
could be as simple as noticing that in your deepest heart’s truth, “I
just do.”<br />
If you can’t find it today, ask yourself again tomorrow. We all have disconnected days.<br />
But if too many days go by and you just can’t connect with why you’re
choosing your partner, and your relationship is rife with stress, let
them go. Create the opening for another human being to show up and see
them with fresh eyes and a yearning heart that will enthusiastically
choose them every day.<br />
Your loved one deserves to be enthusiastically chosen. Every day.<br />
You do, too.<br />
<h3>
<strong>Choose wisely.</strong></h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-8059176503327351492015-10-28T14:12:00.001-04:002015-10-28T14:22:41.950-04:00That Run? ROCKEDToday was my run day and I woke to cold temps and an arctic blast of air that left the earth covered in a lacy pattern of frost overnight. I had contemplated getting out super early (like dark o'thirty) with my headlamp and cold gear but opted to wait just a bit...and I am glad I did. I gained several degrees and some light. It was a beautiful morning, watching an orange sun rising to blue skies - then the winds picked up the clouds stated to make their way, turning the skies into a steel cold grey. <br />
<br />
I love cold weather running...as long as I am in the right gear. Here is what today's essentials were:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">My Rev3 Buff and a pair of fuzzy <span style="color: magenta;">pink </span>gloves: </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWOTJaj80rIkX9GwARg-sMxr6vI0qkLbh-bOLt9OkIgxXd6e3Q66kN5ihUGKl2Ehw80KBZOYQbh3J2pMHUPF-aSqZGJ1uHplJT0oRAkn8j8SakyE153oUV427-__Cdf5J8wsoaAUDTdTE/s1600/887466_995245927164273_1640612447963794396_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWOTJaj80rIkX9GwARg-sMxr6vI0qkLbh-bOLt9OkIgxXd6e3Q66kN5ihUGKl2Ehw80KBZOYQbh3J2pMHUPF-aSqZGJ1uHplJT0oRAkn8j8SakyE153oUV427-__Cdf5J8wsoaAUDTdTE/s320/887466_995245927164273_1640612447963794396_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
i ditched the usual visor and opted for some extra coverage today (plus, it covers my ears!) as well as some gloves to not only keep my hands warm but to also wipe my nose as I tend to leak like a faucet on cold weather runs<br />
<b><i><span style="color: red;">----> does anyone else have this issue??What's your favorite solution.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
After I posted on Instragram about using the gloves to wipe my nose, a friend tweeted me a link to these gloves<br />
<br />
<img alt="Zap Run Glove" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0655/3597/products/SU_14F_91009U.BLK_398869e0-eabd-425d-b736-5bfe221c1eea_grande.png?v=1417553191" height="200" id="productPhotoImg" width="141" /> <a href="http://us-store.sugoi.com/products/91009u-zap-run-glove">Zap Run Glove by SUGOI</a><br />
<br />
<i>"These gloves</i><i> are wind resistant and warm, but
it's the smallest details that make the biggest impact. The reflective
design provides added safety during low light hours. Touchscreen
compatibility makes it easy to use your phone. But my favorite aspect of
the glove is that the thumb is made with a terry cloth material so you
can comfortably wipe your nose on cold runs. Genius!" </i><br /><b>~Women's Running Magazine </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Then another friend messaged me on FB and told me her Craft gloves have the same feature; a soft "nose wiping surface". Now...I consider myself pretty UP and ON IT with all the swim/bike/run gear so WHY had I not heard of this amazing invention.<br />
<i>(yet another idea falls from my grasp...)</i><br />
<br />
<b>The other ESSENTIAL for any run is</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sbrsportsinc.com/collections/trislide/products/trislide-anti-chafe-continuous-spray-skin-lubricant"><b>TRISLIDE </b></a></span></span><br />
<b> )</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mk-yCmG6h7wQXnvkPa6seIcR73ZTRYC0MhyphenhyphenZRxCYv5SVlf9puSARwgz5Jxsm7GDBdkoNjVSeB2DH4pkI4wqVO1FaI58vJzC_OTiR6w-D3YMt55eRGy2ZDvR5YKH18UT5W1u4Eocq9bL9/s1600/trislide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mk-yCmG6h7wQXnvkPa6seIcR73ZTRYC0MhyphenhyphenZRxCYv5SVlf9puSARwgz5Jxsm7GDBdkoNjVSeB2DH4pkI4wqVO1FaI58vJzC_OTiR6w-D3YMt55eRGy2ZDvR5YKH18UT5W1u4Eocq9bL9/s1600/trislide.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white;">I slick down the areas that are "HCR" {high chafe risk}like the "undercarriage" and where my heart rate strap sits... and in the years that I have been using this easy spray lubricant, I NEVER have issues. This is the ONLY thing I use, even for long bike rides....AHHHmazing stuff. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>UA Sports Bra "Still Gotta Have It" </b> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a 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7nu4vNacq05Lmt54ntKcFCKiuiwJzIwCrkbETZ9D41+SlzshNb/J2D+FdKi8wR4y/jpuZrxfz4kwrTUBACAEBRulmSvS0OKBjCiUJ+7Ew/EGLWuY+rk62x6mKrh3X0/GQnRrNVZFh+68OHB1R+nxVllL1Wiza1PE4z7/wXMrdOQcFAMrSn4cBl+I6g1bSdjRrKhUqRprMi6jQnWlpgjPbbtuJNOoBdhg9ln6nnWfJcmtcSqvwPUWdjC3Wecu/2EJeCG8dqpRvCyyYPFgCUV2pAMYravu7SB3kLC4sjUelZ7H0O0UXYPBnqAEAIAQAgBACAEAICtafxHmVMGE1znx3BlGivYHaeTsFBdr98Ki4nph5m7YaFWU5vCXH39DKblDQ1BGBB2jUVo5PWww1lHEcYKEi00fottEOgPgk9qG68B91+P4r3eFvWk8xcTzO2qLjVVTo181/Rd1tHGBACAEBBacS/WSMwNkMvH/LIf8ApVdVZgzasZ6LiD8frwM06O41JpzdT4R/pLf7qmzeJ48Ds7Wjmkn2ZozjRdI8/jJV7b0whw6tg0iP97+GOLva5d60615GPCHFnVtdlVKnrVOC+f8ARSZmNEjvvxHFx2nUNjG5AfvFc2c5TeZHo6NCNKOmCwhaHDAyUS4VAWSJ7RYMHhQCDcTVMkkhox/pQdj2/pWVzRTW4xfk/ofQ6654UEAIAQAgBACAEAIAQEPNOvRXHUwBg4mjnHn2B8q5t3LVNR7GXySMx0naBNRgPeB5loJ8SVTHkex2dl28M9v5IlyG/gWsO1XykdsVmNMHN1Oac2nz4gLMJuEso1rq3jXpuEv+GbNY1swpqHfhOr7zcnNOxzdS6kKkZrKPHXFtUoS0zX2fkSCmUAgBANbRDTCiBxAaWOBJNBQgjEnisS5E6edax3MJ0ftAy0URbt4hhF2tMXbTTgudSq7t5PXXVr6RHRnHEc2nbMeZ9d3Y9xvZZz97nVYqV51Ob4FlvY0qPsrj36jWHAGvHy7lSbiiOAEMisGEXEBoJJwAAqTwAWSE5KKy+CLVZmhznAGM64PcbQu5nIeKxxfI4txteMXiks+L+xPwdGZZv8Ou9xcfCtE0vucye0biX6seRxNaMy7xTq7u9pIP08FB5XIQ2jcRftZ8yKmNB2UNyK8HVeAd5UWHJx4s3I7amvaiih25Y0SWfR9O1Utc01BphxGrvUozUuR1be5hcLMfebxITAiQ2PGT2NcODgD+a7SeVk8dOLjJxfRi6yRBACAEAIAQAgBAeONATsWG8AhoLcMcySTxcanxJXIzqbkZ5sym1ZnrI0R+pz3EcK4eFEXI9xbU93SjHshohtI4fCqsBo5losSC8Phucxwyc0kHhhmNyJuLyimpShOOmaTXiWiX6QJyF2YghvIzvsLXc7pA8FfG7muZy5bHtp8YNryeV+e8df8AqbF/0YX8z/op+mPsU/8A4cP3v4f2NJvpBnHeqIUMHIhhJ4guJB7lF3U3yLobGt1zbfv+33K5Pz8eYNY0R79dHHsg7mZDkAqZTlLmzo0balS9iKX53EWQNqibCQsAhk6AQDmSlHRXhjBVzjgPzOwb0KqtWNKLlJ8EaTYNhMl26nRCO0/9Ldg81KMc8zyd5ezuJdl0X3JeiswaR4VFmDhQaMHDyqanEwyo9IsjegNiAYw3Y8HYedFCHqyR1dkVdNVwf6kTHRnafWygYT2oLiw7bp7TDwoSPlXZtpZhjsVbVo6K+rpLj9y3LYOaCAEAIAQAgBACAazsagu63V7hmfEDmte5nphjuMEBpFOdTLRHD1iLrfifhXlieS0HwWDesKG9rxj05v3GXhqwezR0GoSOg1YDeC8aLaNXKRYw7WbGH2djnfe3auOUoxyea2jtHXmnSfDq+/8ARaHwWnMA8QrN3HscZNrkcCVYMmtHIKLpx7Bzl3ZUukCVwhRAPeYfMeTlXjDwd3YtTjKHvKU4IegPKIZPQEAvKy7ojgxjS5zjQAIQqVI04uUnhI0vR2w2yzNRiOHad+lu7z8rIQ6s8le3sriXaK5L+fMmKK00QWGDgqEmjByVU5IYOCqmRG87LtiMcx2LXNIPAquRmE3CSkuaM2sCfdZk8WxK9WTcib2E1bEHDA8LwW7b1tLz8T0txCN7bao8+a8+q/PA2djgRUGoOIIy4hdU8udIAQAgBACAEAFARJdfcXbcB8Iy76k89y51SW8nnoS8CqafxDSEzVVzjxFAPNyrkuJ3tiwWZT8kU64onoUwDVgNl50X0c6ukWKO3m1p9nefveXFSjHJ5vaO0d5/jp+z37/0WhW4OMeIAQEVpNKdbLxABiBeHFuPlUc1TPubuz6u7rxfTl8TL3BRPYHKGTuGwkgAVJNABrJyAQxKSiss0jRiwhLsvOxiuHaPuj3G/mdanCOeJ5PaF87iWF7K5ePiyeqrjnAsmRpac+yAwvecBkNZOoBVSljkXW9vOtNQiUC1dJo0UmjjDbqa00PN2ZVWO56W32dRpLisvuyI+3RQaiI8HaHOr5phG26NNrGlfAdQdJplmUUkbHAO8SK+Ki4o1p7Otpfpx5D2Fp1FHrw4buBLfqoumak9jUX7MmvmROlFuQppod1bmRG6wQ4Eawcj4JGGkttLKpbN4lmL6Fj6NtLwLspHdhlBefCET+E8ti6NvW/TL3GhtOxzmtTXmv5+/wATTVuHCBACAEAIAQDK0otAGa31/lHreYHzKi4lph5kkuoiwLWisGUVPT2FjCdqo4fhP1UJczvbGlwlHyKgVA7yLjolYNAI0UYnGG06h7537O/gSyzz+07/AFZpU3w6v+C2K44h4sAFgAgOXKEllAyy3ZHqYz2agat+E4j6clWj2dnX31GMyPAWTZyXbQyxboEd4xP+WNg9/idW7iiWWee2re6nuo8lz+xbqq5HDCqzkCceOGNLnGgAqTuCg5E4Qc5KK5sze37XdMRK5MGDG7BtO8qGO56yzto28MderJywdF23Q+OCScRDqQANV6mJO5VtnMvdqS1OFJ+8sMOzoLcBChjgxv0WGjkyuasucn8RKPY8B/rQYZ33QD3jFQeTMbytHlN/EjJjRCVdkxzfhe7yJIWNckbMNrXEebz5ojZjQGEfViRBxuu8gE3rNiO26nWK+ZB2roI+E0uhv6ymN27Q0107RrwUlW7l9La0JySksePQsGhGneDYE26hGDIx8GxD+rv2rpUbj9Mii+2dzqUV5r7GjgrcOIeoAQAgBAV6cmKztz3Jeo4vidr8DFp3D9ZI2dGLfV/u/gftUUUkTpTJ9bAdQdpnbHLMdxKrmb+zq27rrPJ8Cq6L2T10S84ejZQnedTfzP8AdVvjwO1tC73NPTH2n8jQValg8ueLIOI0UNaXONA0Ek7ANarlLBKEXKSSXEh7Bt4TDojaUumrBrLMsd9fxBQU3nib97Yu3jGWc55+ZNKw5oICo6eSFWtjD2ey7gcWnvqPmVPJnc2PXw3SfXiiB0asr7RFAI7DO0/hqbz8gVk6N/dbinlc3yNKaKKxLB5JvILJg8JWG8GSk6W2vfd1TD2WntHa4auA8+Cwl1PQbOtd3HeS5sbaKWX1sTrHDsQzhvdmByz7lGbxwJbRut3DRHmy83lSebbC8sNmMnl5RYCqgzAVWAcubVRBT9KdEetJiwABEzc3IP3g6neB3Zq2FRrg+R1bLaLpLRU4rv2InR3TCYkT1UVpfDbgYbsHM+AnLgcNlM10KVw4+KOjcWNK5WuDw31XJmn2JpHLzY9FEF7XDdg8fLr4ioW9CpGfJnCr2tWi/XXv6EspmuCAEBn1oz/VWq8uwabjCdgdDZjwvUK0bj2jt0qG8scLnxfwLcCoJ5OOerL4mUISUmyE26wUF4nm41/twAWFFItq1p1ZapvjwXwHCyVHii2Cnab2rlAadjonm1v59yok8s7+yLX/AL0vd9yCayLJxIUQihIDwNoObDvocdlQo5ydFuld05QXl/Zo8pMtiMa9pq1wqP3tVsJZR5KrTlTk4y5oVUysQnpURYbmOycCP78s1GSyW0arpTU10GdgWX9nhBppeOLyNZOrgMliMS69ud/U1dOhJKZqAUMEJpPavUw6NPpH1A3DW76KHNnS2fa72eqXJfMoNKnjt37SpnomsIvFnzsvBhtYI0PsjE3hidZ71S028nnLihcVpuTixY25L/6rO9R0so9Ar/tZ4Ldlz/Gh83Aeaw4Mw7Guv0sVbakE5RYZ+dv1UdLK3a1l+l/AU+3w/fZ/MPqo6WR3FT9r+BybShDOLDHzt+qjpZJW1V8ov4CMW25cZxoXJ7T4ArGiXYnGyrv9D+BHTWl0s3JznHY1p8zQeKyqcjZhsm4lzWPNlV0h0ihzAoJfEDCI51HDk3yrRXRhjqdW02dOg86/cuRXZZjy4BgcXZi6CTXaAMQrM4N6ppisyax4llkNMJ6WN173Op7EZpcafEaP8VdC4kuuTnTsbassxX/y/wARddHdP4cw9kKIx0OI80aQbzCdlcC08jxW3TrqTwzmXOzZ0k5xeUviXKqvOYUvTuxS89cwdpre0PeaNfEeR3BaFxwqeZ1tmXe7lu5cny8GK6J2r10K64+kh0B3t9l35HhvVSeHgxtG13VTUuT+vYnlZk5x6sZMgmQNp+aEKG57smgn6Dnkqpsto0nVmoLqZ/YUsZqaq/EVMR+zA5czQU2Kk9ReVFbW+I+SLpb9liYhFvtDFh2O2HcclJxxxR56yunb1NXTqVrRC1DCiGXiYBzqNr7L8i3n58VjOOJ19qWqqw31Ppz8V/Rd1cmebBZALIPEAlNzDYbHPcaNaKlQkyylSlUmox5szO0590aI57teQ2AZBFwPX0KCpQUEMyVktaPYUu9+DGucdjQT5I5FU5wh7TSHbdHZl2UIjiWjwJUXNGrK/t4/qEomjkyP4R5OafzWNcQtoW/7vqN32BM/6L/D6rGtdyfptv8AvRyNHZo/wXd7R5lY1ruZ9Pt1+tfMcQtEJp3sNb8T2/pqsbyJVLalsurfuHsHQmP7USGOF4/kFB1UUy2zSXJNj2BoP78au5rKeJcfJQdbwKJba/bH5krJ6Jy7M2Xztea/0ig8FF1WzTq7VuJ9ceX5kmIMBrBRrWtGxoAHcFW3k0JVZSeZPJ5MS7Hij2tcNhAI7ii4ciEakovMXghpbRqCZyAYbbhh1ivDRQENIDNwq7ZqBXQsk5y49DfheVdzJTec8Fkvy7BoCE9DqK7PLWtW5hmOewKDbdnvlYompcdkGr26hXPD3D4Hw5+TvWdxC5p+j1ufR/nVFmsi1GTEMPYfibradh+utTU+jOZc206E9Mvj3H1VLJrhVMmSq6ezt2GyGPbdU8Gau8juVEnlnb2LR1TdR9P5FdBZO7BMQ5xHf0sqB43kissr2xW1VdH7f5LMrsHIKfprY/8A8iGMRTrANgyfy18jqVLWGd3ZN5/2Z+77ElotbP2iHRx9KzB28anj89/EJF44GntGydCeY+y+Xh4E4rcnNPEyAqjkEUfTS17z+paeyzF+92ocvM7lBPqek2VaaYb2XN8vIh7KsuJMOowYD1nH1RxO3cjlg37i5p0FmXuRcrO0Wgw6F46x213q8m5d9Vjizz9fadWpwjwXh9yYbCAFAAANQFB3KLRzZSbeWzkhRZDJwQomDkhRMAAsNjJ0oA8ogBACYMAmAN5ubZDF572tG1xA7q5qai2WU6E6jxBZPND5lsxEjxmGsMBkJpoRUtvPeccfbaOS6tjDTFs2LijKjCMJc+L+30LUt41QKAipuDdP3T+6Lk3NPdPwYy1xRULQsKLAf18kaH2oWojWGjWPu92oLX1rqdu3v6deG6ufc/z6kno/pEyY7JFyKPWYddMy3bwzHip6sGteWE6HrLjF8n9ycqp5NAzrTWYvzRaPYa1oG8i9+pVHrdlU1C2TfVt/wX+zpbqoTGe40N7hie9WUzzFeo6lSU31Y4VhUePbUUOIOYUZLKMp4eTPLXlHyEw2JD9QmrNlPahu/eVNYVPgeptqsL6g4T59f4ZeLNn2x4bYjMjq1g62neFKMuh5u4oSoVHCQ6UslBGaQWmJeC5/tZMG1xy+vJVN5eDbsrZ16qj06+Rm1kSj5mNcBNSS57zqFcXHv7ypOWEerua8LalqfuRqUhKMhMDGCjW+O0naVGL6njq1eVWbnLmxxVWZKjwlRbMHBUGyLE3KOTBwSotjB5eWBgSizTW+s5o4kDzWcMsjRnLkmM4lvy7c48Lk9p8AVnQ+xfGxrvlBjWNpfKN/iVOxrXnxpRZ3TL47KuJfpx7yLm9PGfw4bjvcQ3wFVJUu5uU9iv8AXLHkQc5pfMvwDmwx9wY/zOqe6itVOKN+nsy3hzWfMhI8dziXPcXHWXEk95Vi4G4oqKxFYNn6P5HqZCCCKOe3rHcYhvDwuro0Y6YI8lf1NdxJ+74FiVpqAgGlpypiQ3Nabr82O2PHqk7RqI1gka1CpBTi4slBpSy+XUgLFtIR2E0uvYSyIzW14wI4bD/dcKUXCWGW3Fu6Mu6fFPuiP0ksDrfTQezHbiCML1N+p2w8juyuBvWF/u/8VXjB/IX0Xt77Q0sfhGZ6wyqBheA1Y4EajxUs4Qv7HcS1Q4xfIqcuOvtDaDHJ+VhJ8mo+R3aj3Nj/AOvza+7NLCuiuB5E9UgCwBla1ntjwnQ3a8jrDhk4Kua6l9tXlQqKcSi2HaDpKYdDi4MJo8agdUQbqd4O4KvxR6S7oRvKCqU+fT7Ghh1RVHLgeVawzN9NLU66NcaexCq0b3e0fCnLekfE9Xsy23NLU+cvoWzRWx/s8EXh6R9HP3bGcvMlVv1mcPaV1v6vD2Vy/PEmU5HMPCVjWDiJGDQSSABmTgOJKasmYxcnhFWtXTeDDqIYMV20YM/m18gRvVig3zOtQ2RVnxm9K+fwK1N6bTLvVuM4Nqe91fJTUEdOnsm3jzTfv+xHxdJJp2cd/KjfwgKWldjYjYW8eUEMos9Ef60SI74nuPmVnBfGjTjyil7kN6IWHqA8QwegLIPQsmBzJypixIcJucWI1g+Y4+FSpxWXgorTUIOT6I+g4MMNaGjJoAHAYBdRHi28vJ2hgEAIDMdIpr7DabnityK1r3tGsOq1xG8FpdzI1rm3cMyO7bUvSrTQ+cc4LpCeHAEEEEAgjIg4ghaS4nEacXhlP0uknS8Rs5BwN4X9lTgHEbHZHltWVzweg2ZXjXg7arx7fngM+j6BfjvecbjP6nmgPcHKT5o2Ns1NFFQXV/RGhq5cjzJ4gBYyARgq2nFkX2dc0dqGO1vZt5Z8KqlrDO1si70T3UuT5ef9kLZmlBhyr4Z/zGikI7jhj8OrkNSi48ToV9mKdwqi5Pn7vuIaGWX10a+4VZCo473eyPCvLek30JbUudzS0x5y+hpFFlRweTPKLDRg4eqpIJZMx0vt0x3ljD6Jp1e2R7R2jZ38LqcMcT1mz7FUIapL1n8isuCsOjg4KDB4sjB5RBg8QweglAegrJg6QwdNCyiLLj0ZyAiTt85QIZd87+w3wvrZt45lk5G1qumjpXV/T8Rrq3jzYIAQAgMT6ZdIGsnGw2tJfDhNDycBVxLwBtwcO9U1KOt8zoWd96NFrGckBJdKEzLQYbGw4TxQ3S+/UY+rg4Vp+e5a/ocG3xZXey3klV5alnh35A/pTmphr4L4csBEaR6kTZ/xM9ddyTtIRWeJixX+VYeH08yPsPpImpQOayHAN51SXNeTUClMHjDPvKn6JB8eIu7urcS/ydOHAmoXTNNe1Alzw6wfqKeiLuzV94/s/pejRCR9lhYCtesePC4VVUtlFc2bNtbyrSazjBxI9K0WDCBfAbGBcTfEUsIDiTQgwzWhrrGxRVtmWEy+8pJxVaGMPgP4XTRA9qWjD4XQ3eZap+iT6NHPyx/J9LUnFN3qpgYY1bCIpkcoh2qmpazS4tfMuowqVJYguJR53SKV614hudcvG7VjgabDhqxHJZ9GqYPTUNr0XFKo8S68DRdF9J7OgwGs+2S4ce0+88N7RzHaplgOSp3FRPLizg313v6rl05LyLDA0klH+pNS7uEaGfzWWmuaZpZHcOfhO9WIw8HNPkVCQ1IrmnFtCHD6ph7cQYkamZHvy71XGOXk7WybVTnvJcl9TOXK49MJOCA4KATKyYPEAIYPQsmD1DB0EMMVhDFSRCTNY6LrO6uVdFIxjvLh8DOwzyc75lv28cRz3PL7Vq662lckXNXnNBACAEBhXTtZZE2yK3J8AF3xQy4Hwu9yw5JF1OjKcXJckZo+Ue6HDujIOOYHrGv5KrWoyeTcdrUqUaehdH82EtJmGQ+IQA3GlcSdiSnqWmJKjauhLe1WkkR731JO0k95qrlwRzZvVJvu2zxCJKA9VA+/E8v+3mqPbn4I6v8A09r/ALpCdlRq1hu9V4w4/vyCzVX6l0K7Com3RlykMozS1xacwaK1PKyaNSDpycX0Hliu9J8p/JV1vZN3Zj/z+5jON6zuJ81YuRpVPbfm/qc3/wB4rJHI6suMREaBWhwI3UVdVLSbljOSrRS5Pmc2rCaIhoBjQ5DM5pSbceJi/io1ml5+8fQnthwWOujVXAVxriqWnKbR0IThStoTa7ZErQLm+khvddNMASAN+ByUqeH6slxKrtTit7Sk9L7NjRtpxhlEf3k+asdKHY0le3C5TZIWfOR3mpiG7rNB3AkKmpTprpxOjaXF1Vepz9X3Dp8++45zX1pXOlKjeq1SjlJo3JXdRU5ThLOPIYtt+LsaeR+qt9GgaC2zcdl+e8fw7TiBt54a0cDXzVToxziJvxvqyhrqYXxG50jdX1Ae8eGKn6Ku5qvbU0+ERaX0hLjQtArkamnlgsStklzLKW2HOWmSS94vEtwtcQ6H3O1dyxG31LKZKrtWVKemUPmSlnzbokUQWscYjyGtDSDi+lM+KwqDxlMlPacYz0SifR0hAEOExjRdDGNaG50DQBSutbqWEecnLVJt9RwskQQAgBAYz/4hGdqUP3YwPfDp+aDJj8+8gtAJADG5E7FCC5vxNu5nKMoxT/Sup1Nekhtia29l31/e1Rj6stJdX/zUI1VzXB/cYq45w6s6XvvA1DE8BqVdSWlG1Z0d7VSfJcWPpuagud2g43aioy5UKqjCaXA3ri5taksTTeOAkx0uCCL4INRnqUnvH2Kozsk01qXxC1WBwbFbiDgeWR8x3JSbT0szfxjUiq8OT4P8+QnYw9J8p/JZreyVbN/1/czuJPQyTWEMziKfRYVOXRlk7yk5NSpoUlWQYlQGUI1VPeKFRm5x6l1CNrXeFHD7fjOHzjYZIZDo7Kp/dSsqm58WyE7uFBuNOGH4kZEiFxJOJKuSwsI5c5uctUubJKc/9uz5fIqiH+ozqXH/AEcPcIWdN07DvVO3IV/IqdSGeK5lFnc6Hu5+y/l/QobKN/7me/4f7qO+9XxLns17zn6v5wOJ+bFLjPVGBpr3Dcswh+qXMhd3SxuqXsnUI/4d3P8AEAsP/VJU+Fi/f9RKyoQc+p9kV56lKrJqJVs+mp1cvpxEp6MXPNcgSANwwUoRUUUXVV1Krb8hupmudNCAnojAYwrk1tT8tT9FRHhA6tZKVys8ksv3Gp9B9jX3xZp4rd7LD99+LiOAoPmV2McDnSm5Zk+bNjWSsEAIAQAgMy6X7OiRXQS2DEiNa12LWOeASRgQ0GirqZ6G/ZOksupj3mYPsSPn9kmabfs0anfcVGiZ0/SLfuhA2dEGcCMNtYMQd9WrGiZNXFvjmhvEl2N9ZgHxNp5hMVPEjrtH+35CcOPBbW66GK50LQjU+pOFS3jwi0jkSsE5BnI/QprmQ9GtnySPP/LIXu+Lvqs7yZh2Nu+nzYo2SaGFmN07604E8FFzeclitaapumuTE5SzxDdeBJwpQ08+SlKo5LDK7eyhRnqTYyfY7tTh3EfVWKuuxpz2XNttSQm2zIrTVpbUZUP1CzvYPgypbPuIS1Raz5juclDEaCRdeBtz3VVcJqLx0N24tnXp6msSRFOkonuO7lsa49zku0rL9LH0+w9TDFDUXain3SqabWts6F3CXo0IpPp9CJc2mYWxk5Di+qHBnXXLlcNuumyqhu1nJsO7qunu88PmNlM1iSeKSw3n9VfyVK41TqT9WxXi/wCROyItH0PtCnMfsrNZZiVbOqKFTD6iM7BLHnYSSDuKlCWqJRdUZUqjT9w3UzXH1mS951Tg1uLjwxooTlhY6m1a0dUtT9lcWSMu4u6x2s3RyJy7mhYUcNInrc41KnfC+LPpXo/sv7NIQGUo5zb7sKYxO1jwBA5KaNSfPBYlkiCAEAIAQAgBACAEAm+A12bWniAUAzj2HLP9eXgOrnehMPfUIBhE0Js45yMpygQ2+TUCbXIZTPRxZr85YN/4cSLD/A8LGEWKrNfqfxI2Z6JZJ3qPmYfwxA7/APVrlHdx7FqvK6/UyNj9DjPYm4o+OGx/4bijuYly2jWXb4EZG6H5gepNQX/FCfD8nOUXQXcsW1J9YojovRXaLcvsrvhjP/VCCxuPEsW1e8RnG6OrSblLB/wRoP63NWNy+5YtqU+z+Qzi6E2i3OSjcnQXfhiFY3Mia2lRfPIwj6PzjPWk5vlAiu8WtKxupEvT6D6/JjOJZ0QetAjD4oMQebVjRMl6Rby6oZRYUNvrNaPiaB5hZxPxMa7V/t+RwYsEil6GQMhVtO5YxNPJJzt5LS2mvcciFB+5yIWdUyO4tuyFojWuFDQjvUU5J5RbKNOcdMsNCAk4Wwd5+qlvJlHotv2Q+hQoZbd7N3YDTyKwnLOS1wouOl4wWbQeyIUaahQg1rg57XPbWvZYbxryqpxcnJZNatGjTpS04PoYLZOICAEAIAQAgBACAEAIAQAgBACAEAIAQHhQAhgEMgEB6gPCgIa1kQM80g9Y8CshlDmMysGCVsjMLIRYpTMLARo+jPqHksgm1gyCAEAID//Z" 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" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">I've worn SO MANY sports bras over the years and this one by far is my favorite. Compression style, fantastic colors and styles (hello, they have a WONDER WOMAN one...) and it LASTS> with a good price tag to match ($25-30) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>BROOKS Glycerin 16</b> is what I am currently running in...I just got these direct from the fine folks at Brooks Running. I am liking these so far. Lightweight. Support. Bright colors. NO BLISTERS> I've done 3 runs so far and I am diggin' it...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA6vNgAK4YEYWUgtQIIfBzFuAKjN4pKZq2CYw_-qWg2QYUk6VqJKq81fKNCklqT0FAE2Y7A2RB-klhdPxnyqj1yRPN8beW_3dEJk9_xUTkla2PqKaC5Am2I9RQbXL9sAuNu6yoS2G04Lg/s1600/PicsArt_1446054369006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA6vNgAK4YEYWUgtQIIfBzFuAKjN4pKZq2CYw_-qWg2QYUk6VqJKq81fKNCklqT0FAE2Y7A2RB-klhdPxnyqj1yRPN8beW_3dEJk9_xUTkla2PqKaC5Am2I9RQbXL9sAuNu6yoS2G04Lg/s400/PicsArt_1446054369006.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">NOW...for today's ROCKING PLAYLIST. I recently went to see <b>Alice Cooper</b> and <b>Motley Crue</b>
so I have been on a 80's hair band kick lately (but let's be real, I am
ALWAYS on an 80's kick...) Did I mention I also got to see VAN HALEN 2nd row this summer too?? Yeah, it's been a blast!! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here's a <i>few rare gems</i> for you...me <b>NOT</b> in training gear or a visor, on our way to the show (with MY favorite rockstar!!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSO6yf-M94w4c1VNbuOBGUucHGhtEVk2agPhWtEO3K1GF_6liyIFvjkyNPALEB0J9xWxY1AxVIB5dq034M2poijPXpg3rIws0_MatXNisDZy5b80sHDoXtjrAcCzuzZTCKITT_enLYSfh/s1600/2015-10-27-16-38-39-778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSO6yf-M94w4c1VNbuOBGUucHGhtEVk2agPhWtEO3K1GF_6liyIFvjkyNPALEB0J9xWxY1AxVIB5dq034M2poijPXpg3rIws0_MatXNisDZy5b80sHDoXtjrAcCzuzZTCKITT_enLYSfh/s400/2015-10-27-16-38-39-778.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I seriously adore this pic...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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Patiently waiting for the show to start, I had to snap the obligitory Motley Crue selfie.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouIJK0zQggYS2RUQIWcNlLZcu82TZx3Lq4DketLIlQqQZmr7nhl3Qhx0H4kQT65u0XLGLvddXCRKrv_UWqP9VrsIdrDGYI8a5Kh2YmFZXtZFzUcNdbDCtpXaeMPhohhNVqWREke9x1ZS2/s1600/PicsArt_1446055064680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouIJK0zQggYS2RUQIWcNlLZcu82TZx3Lq4DketLIlQqQZmr7nhl3Qhx0H4kQT65u0XLGLvddXCRKrv_UWqP9VrsIdrDGYI8a5Kh2YmFZXtZFzUcNdbDCtpXaeMPhohhNVqWREke9x1ZS2/s320/PicsArt_1446055064680.jpg" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpAFeMmIm4jhgwg39ONgwMv7OHbprH6kyQVHfYrYirf3-PHfFeOPxidZn3gP4ukCXuMvEKXViv0DYIYQHx3xlPGDyqbt9YtF41X5c0Zvk05S-rLs7t8cp1R1AJoQVAz3PfixuIN6psCBf/s1600/MC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpAFeMmIm4jhgwg39ONgwMv7OHbprH6kyQVHfYrYirf3-PHfFeOPxidZn3gP4ukCXuMvEKXViv0DYIYQHx3xlPGDyqbt9YtF41X5c0Zvk05S-rLs7t8cp1R1AJoQVAz3PfixuIN6psCBf/s320/MC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikki Sixx killin it on stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">We also got to meet one of the opening bands, <a href="http://thecringe.com/">The Cringe</a>. The front man is none other than John Cusimano, married to the queen of food tv, Rachel Ray. Here is a shot of me with the lead guitarist, </span><br />
James Rotondi (who reminds me of Johnny Depp a bit). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdC_C_X48Ggx9Tr-zFhOhGuTMB7fpCIzUSciR8c3ZOS8UmQ-4DlRHeND-VsxO2qHVvG0a4snD6P6b_cP6SFrsRhJGji-UUXMGhHWFezg3iIhQHxZ4Ns0bdn72Cn6XFEkD5FNWWkQtr_d/s1600/20151018_205743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdC_C_X48Ggx9Tr-zFhOhGuTMB7fpCIzUSciR8c3ZOS8UmQ-4DlRHeND-VsxO2qHVvG0a4snD6P6b_cP6SFrsRhJGji-UUXMGhHWFezg3iIhQHxZ4Ns0bdn72Cn6XFEkD5FNWWkQtr_d/s320/20151018_205743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">so, here's a sample of some of the tunes that
rocked my run today! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="background-color: white;">JUKEBOX HERO-Foreigner (1981)</span></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fr6KVNt-1Ek/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fr6KVNt-1Ek?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> <b>POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME- Def Leppard (1987)</b></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0UIB9Y4OFPs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0UIB9Y4OFPs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"> SCORPIONS- No One Like You (1982)</span></b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZfNR98ajB1U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfNR98ajB1U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>WHITESNAKE-In the Still of the Night (1987)</b></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G3DJhwAhrjY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G3DJhwAhrjY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>MOTLEY CRUE- Kickstart My Heart (1989)</b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-70255258602534109092015-10-16T07:55:00.001-04:002015-10-16T08:03:44.054-04:00Return of Rev3Tri: BACK IN BLUEI have been a part of Rev3 Triathlon since 2011 and I have come to love each and every race, every participant, and every person involved in getting this family friendly race series going. The mission, the mindset and the inclusivity of every athlete is something that is a big part of my commitment to THE BIG BLUE R and what it represents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO9mfnsWHrcq0h_Pm9N0KwMdbxopvXCIAaHrjcMfkeotfCshdBt4_Xc8JBJoIRNWSUaAtucKdFdWmg78DdJqALEKd7JQjY39UTKwPT8eKB9hbueuvcfqPjRGRoARP3QeZqvs63pzmRO67/s1600/12138399_10156117876165092_2581471880866971500_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO9mfnsWHrcq0h_Pm9N0KwMdbxopvXCIAaHrjcMfkeotfCshdBt4_Xc8JBJoIRNWSUaAtucKdFdWmg78DdJqALEKd7JQjY39UTKwPT8eKB9hbueuvcfqPjRGRoARP3QeZqvs63pzmRO67/s320/12138399_10156117876165092_2581471880866971500_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The people have become like a second family to me over the years. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcApoVnf8OhtKsLF6R22HymOVh5HBRDGxcNxwU6S5zhBYJEGWZIKGhB8vg4lZogpWsFqu6IjNeylEK1Jt2yl1DR0Cf9A9xdPn3y3MemUUWkB4ewaAj8ytXtSWraRh-tf-m2VblVXTT3mbe/s1600/20131216_101419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcApoVnf8OhtKsLF6R22HymOVh5HBRDGxcNxwU6S5zhBYJEGWZIKGhB8vg4lZogpWsFqu6IjNeylEK1Jt2yl1DR0Cf9A9xdPn3y3MemUUWkB4ewaAj8ytXtSWraRh-tf-m2VblVXTT3mbe/s320/20131216_101419.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Jen pic</td></tr>
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Can you imagine my excitement when I found out that we would be RETURNING back to the Big Blue R in 2016?? SO STOKED.<br />
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<span style="color: #6f6d6d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.7px; line-height: 25px;">Charlie Patten, CEO of ATP, said “I am beyond excited to announce that Rev3 will be back and better than ever in 2016. We under estimated the power of the all American Rev3 brand and our entire crew is itching to be – Back In Blue –! We believe that our staff is one of the best in the industry at producing races and they are all full of ideas that will be implemented into the event experience. We cannot wait to welcome athletes back to The Revolution in 2016!”</span></div>
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Now, I am not going to get into the 2015 partnership with Challenge because, frankly I don't even know enough of the details to even comment, so...Im just gonna focus on what's coming!! </div>
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All I know is that Rev3 is back baby and they are more committed than EVER to bring the races we are known for back to the race circuit!! Where the athlete is more than a bib number, where family is encouraged to be a part of the race experience (and not be bored out of their mind all day) and bringing back those touches that made Rev3 so special. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY! </span><br />
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Here the races and dates - </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Knoxville: MAY 15<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_575924072" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">May 15</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Quassy: June 4 (oly) June 5 (half)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHh87AYVnni200YvpOPiM7hZMUbs9XwD8Ym4-eEdCGE3fw13i1UzjV-Bep2fBkGC3Dw7cdXBKHBknKT76CderXHpnl7cbh2SCd2ehBCAHntG7ORk2v-yEjlK9s2XN0-FkK19uECmOIBAN/s1600/1048392_10151444082597307_2144010219_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHh87AYVnni200YvpOPiM7hZMUbs9XwD8Ym4-eEdCGE3fw13i1UzjV-Bep2fBkGC3Dw7cdXBKHBknKT76CderXHpnl7cbh2SCd2ehBCAHntG7ORk2v-yEjlK9s2XN0-FkK19uECmOIBAN/s320/1048392_10151444082597307_2144010219_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Williamsburg: July 10<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_575924075" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">h</span></span> - new venue!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEAM Rev3 Love</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Poconos: Aug 7<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_575924076" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">gust 7</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_575924076" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lSb72KZOeunOgvzJdmD_XnGC_99ZZaZsv7FvYcE3AGaCGOrFnnUwaUANRTNT-vEfQSzuksnJ_Ur4TJzFnOiVb8kJ-Ue5BgWPgd8Tf3UdwU1ldzWZwlW6-983ShNUqSd3MypHVmpBrLOa/s1600/20131011_195538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lSb72KZOeunOgvzJdmD_XnGC_99ZZaZsv7FvYcE3AGaCGOrFnnUwaUANRTNT-vEfQSzuksnJ_Ur4TJzFnOiVb8kJ-Ue5BgWPgd8Tf3UdwU1ldzWZwlW6-983ShNUqSd3MypHVmpBrLOa/s320/20131011_195538.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Team Leader and the best tri coach in the universe, Carole<br />
aka Momma Bear</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_575924076" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maine: Aug 28</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK4MwC7IfULMkm8shwianQTUUd0NC12B1TAlaXlAjJxeNnElKP_FWQZXOd51i1L3mn0U96aDNJs3yYv17urwd9ZAmti4cEmQCHtA6XdljVY5yAN06nPwirHeI1WlvKyrAnAxxDB0_aVtj/s1600/rev3mainewithlola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK4MwC7IfULMkm8shwianQTUUd0NC12B1TAlaXlAjJxeNnElKP_FWQZXOd51i1L3mn0U96aDNJs3yYv17urwd9ZAmti4cEmQCHtA6XdljVY5yAN06nPwirHeI1WlvKyrAnAxxDB0_aVtj/s320/rev3mainewithlola.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REV3 MAINE WITH MY GIRL</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cedar Point: Sept 10 (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">kids and sprint) Sept 11 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(half and full)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KNOXVILLE GLOW RUN</td></tr>
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I have LOVED my time on the Rev3 Team and we are currently accepting applications for the 2016 Team! Interested? Check it out HERE:</div>
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<a href="http://rev3tri.com/team-rev3-2016-application/">2016 TEAM REV3 APPLICATION</a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">USE CODE <span style="background-color: yellow;">TEAMREV3</span> TO GET A SUPER AWESOME REV VISOR. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">NO NEED TO WAIT UNTIL RACE DAY EITHER...YOU WILL HAVE THIS TO TRAIN IN ALL WINTER LONG </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-57928568913506709592015-10-15T17:10:00.001-04:002015-10-15T17:10:40.653-04:00Fall and FallingIt is PEAK FOLIAGE time in Maine and wowzers...it's so darn pretty outside. I have been just thrilled to be outside the last couple of weeks. I do love summer but fall is just so pretty!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0HroV-uHwsdGkU-tBAWGLG8MaVEtq13p45Psd9nG3AW4m9z8B_b3MGgluib5XWYY6jJihkPNvLoN1yBChSO9K7JYsBVohMTaVXE-8qGoVvxmnFUIzsTBG6ikYUwNw3tMqTCXDhTUfxW3/s1600/20151014_090910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0HroV-uHwsdGkU-tBAWGLG8MaVEtq13p45Psd9nG3AW4m9z8B_b3MGgluib5XWYY6jJihkPNvLoN1yBChSO9K7JYsBVohMTaVXE-8qGoVvxmnFUIzsTBG6ikYUwNw3tMqTCXDhTUfxW3/s400/20151014_090910.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A river in Kennebunk ME</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite playground, near Sugarloaf USA</td></tr>
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<br /><br />I was out of town for a wedding this past weekend and had the chance to ride with 2 amazing fella's - the FM Brothers I'll call 'em - up in the Maine mountains. It was a balmy 35* and pouring rain so obviously we had to get out and do some mountain biking on the trails of Carrabassett Valley. Now, these two guys have been riding a long time. FM1 was a former semi-pro crit cyclist and long time mtn biker and FM2 (and my personal MTB coach and favorite adventure dude) has been riding those trails for years and was a mtb bike coach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My babies, my QR and my EVA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFweanDR79i3wHslIPwo4NZA3EpOpEQbG1y78SrFKPB-vP9YOgeq-qXhl3ciQa7Ulqm1FwJ01rsrjBcgdrKwNWx4S5nOtnmAMaZfFgnOy9F3XQWCfwot9x80yIdQ6tTbmo92I3cCkMDO-K/s1600/12105771_986836664671866_235581276692527907_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFweanDR79i3wHslIPwo4NZA3EpOpEQbG1y78SrFKPB-vP9YOgeq-qXhl3ciQa7Ulqm1FwJ01rsrjBcgdrKwNWx4S5nOtnmAMaZfFgnOy9F3XQWCfwot9x80yIdQ6tTbmo92I3cCkMDO-K/s320/12105771_986836664671866_235581276692527907_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on Eva on a dry day this summer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl and her bike, always ready for ADVENTURES</td></tr>
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FM1 brought his Specialized Fat Bike to ride and FM2 stuck with his favorite hard tail. I had my beautiful Raleigh Eva from <a href="http://www.kennebikeport.com/">Kennebunkport Bicycle Co</a> of course.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the FM boys, the route we rote and my hot tea </td></tr>
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We got bundled up and rode right out of the house to the trails. I was a bit nervous riding with these two veterans in slippery conditions to be honest, but...I was able to hang on we had a blast. We were SOAKED and very cold...and we opted to take the road back to save some time but as soon as we hit the road, the headwind was super cold AND it was some slow going for sure, increasing the hypothermia factor greatly. While FM1 took off flying down the road, FM2 and I snuck off and hitched a ride home with a friend down the road. IT was THAT wet and cold.<br />
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Before long, I was stripping off the cold, wet layers and warming up with a cup of tea in front of a roaring fire! Ahhh....<br />
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Even in the freezing rain, I had a blast out there riding. I am SO loving mountain biking and I cannot believe I waited so long to hit the trails. I was so afraid of injury while training for so many big triathlon races...now I can see how it will just make me a much better athlete overall. Plus, it really is my happy place.<br />
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This week I got out for some running miles in the sunshine...and trails! I will let the pics speak for themselves. <br />
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I managed to keep my falls to 3 and the last one, I jammed my arm into a tree root pretty well (bruised) and managed to put a tear into my favorite light weight running tights. I was still smiling though...I stopped at 4 miles to enjoy a little break on this bridge and stretch, plank and just look around. <br /><br />Blessed. Every day.<br />
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WHAT IS MAKING YOU SMILE THIS WEEK??<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-61109162784448519082015-10-05T08:19:00.002-04:002015-10-05T08:19:41.104-04:00monday musingsmonday musings<div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">"Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something." ~Ralph Marston</span></span></div>
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My first musing of the day: REV3 IS BACK BABY!! I am overwhelmed with excitement. happiness, joy. From "the bossman" himself, Charlie...<br />
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<span style="font-family: ChaletParisNineteenSixty, sans-serif; font-size: 25px; line-height: 31.25px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>“I am beyond excited to announce that Rev3 will be back and better than ever in 2016. We underestimated the power of the all American Rev3 brand and our entire crew is itching to be – Back In Blue –! We believe that our staff is one of the best in the industry at producing races and they are all full of ideas that will be implemented into the event experience.We cannot wait to welcome athletes back to The Revolution in 2016!” - Charlie R Patten Jr</b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAplKwYXww0ivCn4aWcm0tlInzz_taadPsW1Khc8Y1OXAWNA62hEu1gVHd1pGMkBsth_BWiiZLF35ACyIwwNEHVjSufIZBH6YR6o9AuNSnUfG7Z7T8ruKkG8q_XyKUyFE0SaJtdHXAbwC/s1600/20140518_174641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAplKwYXww0ivCn4aWcm0tlInzz_taadPsW1Khc8Y1OXAWNA62hEu1gVHd1pGMkBsth_BWiiZLF35ACyIwwNEHVjSufIZBH6YR6o9AuNSnUfG7Z7T8ruKkG8q_XyKUyFE0SaJtdHXAbwC/s320/20140518_174641.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my crazy teammate Ed </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flanny from Wattie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knoxville with Rev3 and Wattie. what a day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls of Team Rev3</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as mentioned yesterday I stated running again. Training plan has been written up, it's plugged into my <a href="http://sot.ag/4mjhW">Training Peaks</a> account. Yesterday was an 8 miler on rollers and as I mentioned it was the longest run for me in a few months. All went well and I was happy to be out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I was about 1/2 mile from home when all of a sudden my body was like "Yo, you need a potty <i>right now</i>" and I was like "hmm, you are NOT running the last half mile home" and started to walk a bit. I has only been walking a few feet when I recalled that there was a "blue house" in the cemetary right where I was, so a detour was quickly taken. I walked briskly the 100 feet to where I remembered that port-o-potty to be and sure enough...it was there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">*now, if you have been a reader for a while, you know I have an intense gross out fear anxiety about these things. GREEN TOMBS OF DEATH (you can read all about it here</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">------>>>> <a href="http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com/2011/08/bloody-hell-timberman-703-part-iv.html">MY FAVORITE RACE REPORT EVER</a> <<<<----------- span=""></-----------></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">As I approached the "stop and go" I had to laugh.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br />Jesus so kindly answered my prayers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">HERE JEN, Here is a clean potty with fresh still-in-the-wrapper toilet paper...and it's all for you. Enjoy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Thank you Jesus.</b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-75611144383833234462015-10-04T19:09:00.002-04:002015-10-04T19:10:15.755-04:00Sunday Runday...and here we are folks. It's Sunday, October 4th, 2015 and I have not blogged or written anything in a solid 5 months. It's not that I haven't had anything to say, because as usual I have TONS to say. But I have not had the time or energy to sit down and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) the last couple of months.<br />
<br />
The past 12 months have been filled with some very personal challenges as well as triumphs. Learning and letting go. Embracing a new life and ready to write the next chapter. I am now in a very different place and if you follow along, I will
breakdown some of the adventures and changes that have occurred over the
last year.<br />
<br />
But for now, lets start with today.<br />
<br />
<b>SUNDAY RUNDAY</b><br />
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<b> </b>Today was the first planned "long run day" in quite a while. With all of my personal life changes this year, training this season took a back seat. I admit, mentally and physically the break has done wonders for me...and I got try some new things. Like mountain biking (love at first roll...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJZveT650KyulczQNHDppnshy8RIVmVNMyAuxuXCWu-6O2___8nBlg2c1Hn9x0NQg0KDkDiVHctPLHycDI0ybwCTf_zUWkbErXSrCLTFdafkOhL1B34emxnubmiGjn2E5kClIY7-suxCg/s1600/IMG_20150731_213342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJZveT650KyulczQNHDppnshy8RIVmVNMyAuxuXCWu-6O2___8nBlg2c1Hn9x0NQg0KDkDiVHctPLHycDI0ybwCTf_zUWkbErXSrCLTFdafkOhL1B34emxnubmiGjn2E5kClIY7-suxCg/s320/IMG_20150731_213342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last week I registered for the <a href="http://sugarloaf.com/marathon">Sugarloaf Marathon </a>on a whim. As per my usual method of doing things, it was a "SIGN" from the universe to do this race. I have spent lots of time in the beautiful area that is "Sugarloaf" this past year and I have fallen madly, deeply in love with the energy and tranquility that this little place offers. It was only natural that I continue to embrace all of what I love in a place I love and add a "stand alone" marathon to my schedule.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3o-2P0H0Gz2N99rH6Y9ZW7djzmpHaFFi7Jx_E0YGqXN0hvZSoex3tbdihcgitjOeUIl1PBhdKnKhe9fM0OC5tuuR2yxDdzcy4SIgFBfox3ZfNU94W-kzfhK0co8lPZCKXCNMp-flwN2b/s1600/SLM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3o-2P0H0Gz2N99rH6Y9ZW7djzmpHaFFi7Jx_E0YGqXN0hvZSoex3tbdihcgitjOeUIl1PBhdKnKhe9fM0OC5tuuR2yxDdzcy4SIgFBfox3ZfNU94W-kzfhK0co8lPZCKXCNMp-flwN2b/s400/SLM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9G5PGmGkPMAysIuwaOMtari_NotvFhAgv3HiwdWJ-Oht-ebOIA3neLhN0DiBK3ILnmEPr22f2Zfq52SFNWrEQzaSehBDCG0qp53BTtooIezsSq5FH1x-YF5XitEwcFkxcfWPA1_iQpva/s1600/20150516_164723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9G5PGmGkPMAysIuwaOMtari_NotvFhAgv3HiwdWJ-Oht-ebOIA3neLhN0DiBK3ILnmEPr22f2Zfq52SFNWrEQzaSehBDCG0qp53BTtooIezsSq5FH1x-YF5XitEwcFkxcfWPA1_iQpva/s320/20150516_164723.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the 2015 race</td></tr>
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So...since I see the mile markers on the road all the time and I love to be there, why not make it official and register!! Now, I am back. In more ways than one. And I am excited. Happy. Renewed. Passionate.<br />
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Today's Run:<br />
8.2 rolling miles<br />
believe it or not, this is my longest run on the books in a while. I am back to using my Training Peaks account (which has been blank for a year!) If you're not using Training Peaks, you should be <a href="http://sot.ag/4mjhW">SIGN UP HERE</a>. It was slow moving for me today but I am not really concerned at this point. Just rebuilding my base and getting my body used to the miles again. It'll come back! <br />
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I put my playlist on "SHUFFLE" today and that resulted in quite the interesting mix of music. Nine Inch Nails to Talking Heads to Duran Duran...tune of the day was Ramble On, Led Zepplin<br />
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What I was thinking today:<br />
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1) people in my community really have issues with littering. I was appalled at how horrible it is, so much blatant disregard for our town, our earth. Empty cans of beer and soda, a ridiculous amount of tiny liquor bottles and tons of fast food trash, along with empty cigarette containers.<br />
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what I have concluded from the trash on the side of the road-<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkLBIk7kA_0v_RuEKpF64V1W_g1Z-wEQSQind8yTZP4ixAI6r2dN0XBPT-_1HAXoHfF4mfsT4sAYTR4pXx2lk56kxEG8b_H6y72AYJb9Qac3IMfWm_oIRaKftJ9KtXUIB7FlrmPW7D9kh/s1600/20151004_100843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkLBIk7kA_0v_RuEKpF64V1W_g1Z-wEQSQind8yTZP4ixAI6r2dN0XBPT-_1HAXoHfF4mfsT4sAYTR4pXx2lk56kxEG8b_H6y72AYJb9Qac3IMfWm_oIRaKftJ9KtXUIB7FlrmPW7D9kh/s320/20151004_100843.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fireball empties in a pile on the side of the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXsbc0iUuA8lJTnMLfvG5SnyKWoRiNiEWI7Pf8XM_0QiyZYUj9bBO2BBJ283KcEPsg_h1f54xS_vcHrIsPvSrf9W3eGoQnHPyNeDIlc3COY_GHaTA69wqqDFt0SdKCeX3yAZztVLayHRL/s1600/trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXsbc0iUuA8lJTnMLfvG5SnyKWoRiNiEWI7Pf8XM_0QiyZYUj9bBO2BBJ283KcEPsg_h1f54xS_vcHrIsPvSrf9W3eGoQnHPyNeDIlc3COY_GHaTA69wqqDFt0SdKCeX3yAZztVLayHRL/s1600/trash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i am guessing the camo made you think we'd miss this one</td></tr>
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the people in town are driving around drunk, smoking butts and eating fast food...and THROWING IT ALL OUT THE WINDOW. Makes me afraid to be on the roads at all...Really, why all those empty booze bottles all over the roads. Keep your drunk behind at home please, not out driving.<br />
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2) and speaking of litter. You know those little "puppy poop" bags they have for picking up your dog doo? yeah, that's a great thing...IF YOU THROW THE BAG AWAY! I would much rather see your pets pile of biodegradable poop on the side of the road than see it sitting in a plastic bag on the side of the road...<br />
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WHATTT????!!! I don't get it <br />
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3) I love fall running. I started COLD with 3 layers on and by the time I was 30 mins into my run, I was stripping the layers off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOR3cHBeu2DkBL7C0GUawVNx_aZnNlzIJzFAsFCf1s53-K6j8c-fE3eQuGlA-TRvg0-nrxL3tzBrNnM6nZn5r8QQkJjTNsDBtkkpQMi9iwrB6TjqsG69YdLFV8wPVwyQP6yHZWTensPbQ/s1600/20151004_084351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOR3cHBeu2DkBL7C0GUawVNx_aZnNlzIJzFAsFCf1s53-K6j8c-fE3eQuGlA-TRvg0-nrxL3tzBrNnM6nZn5r8QQkJjTNsDBtkkpQMi9iwrB6TjqsG69YdLFV8wPVwyQP6yHZWTensPbQ/s400/20151004_084351.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">punk rock for the win</td></tr>
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Shout out to one of my longtime favorite swim/bike/run/rock gear companies <a href="http://www.punkrockracing.com/">PUNK ROCK RACING</a>. <br />
Check out this amazing trio of tee's from his collection. EPICLY AWESOME.<br />
Had to wear the RUN version today!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIp-OASOBxOCSWN9D7voyj5h0v429QwW8zR0G4iL_h9YXKHENnlUPRIFPAbfZcwntXMe4MWHywMQJZYk5dQjAyPgkhhp1QNg_9G1bNo5UKmHOWhkV1-baHTu38qeINOJGLVuqoIlJfjnk/s1600/20151004_095129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIp-OASOBxOCSWN9D7voyj5h0v429QwW8zR0G4iL_h9YXKHENnlUPRIFPAbfZcwntXMe4MWHywMQJZYk5dQjAyPgkhhp1QNg_9G1bNo5UKmHOWhkV1-baHTu38qeINOJGLVuqoIlJfjnk/s320/20151004_095129.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweaty</td></tr>
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<b>HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND? </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-91224985354002325582015-05-05T14:45:00.001-04:002015-05-05T14:45:17.099-04:00The Power of Vulnerability<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK...Im gonna put my serious hat on for a minute here and continue to talk about some real life stuff, not training and food and funny stuff. Yeah, it'll connect to training at some point...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My blog has always been a reflection of me and my life so today I am stepping out of my OWN comfort zone and writing about being Vulnerable, while building on my last post about <a href="http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com/2015/04/fearfear.html">FEAR</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FEAR: <span style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.375em;">to be afraid of (something or someone)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>VULNERABLE: <span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">open to attack, harm, or damage</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 <i>very </i>powerful words and 2 <i>very</i> powerful emotions. <b>Scary stuff.</b> Who wants to feel afraid and open to attack?? NOT ME. Im pretty sure you don't want to feel this way either...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">I have spent a lot of time thinking about these two things the last 5 months and I have been working hard to face certain fears -- trying to find my way to that fragile and scary thing called VULNERABILITY, which is surrounded by thick walls, build out of bricks of FEAR. It can be a very difficult place to access...at least for me. I've been building these walls for a LONG time. Mostly to protect myself, my feelings and my sometimes too sensitive heart. It's easy to keep things under wraps and protected if you don't let anyone TOO FAR in...which in and of itself it SO super confusing to me because there are certain parts of my life where I AM FEARLESS and can allow myself to be as open and vulnerable as you can be. It's a paradox for me...the ying & yang of fearful/fearless Jen. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">It's ALMOST like I wear my heart on my sleeve, open to the world on some things and yet still protected by thick mortar on others. It's a process and it will take time to untangle.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">As humans, we just want to be <span style="color: red;"><b>loved</b></span>. To feel connected to others. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">But do we allow our TRUE, authentic self to thrive? do we create a persona that we feel we need to be to be accepted and loved?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><b>EXCRUCIATING VULNERABILITY: the idea that we have to allow ourselves to be seen. </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQNrX9WvucaVWboqieitoD4NZ2hV-yc9YFNQSXoyi6aM5-I1wX4KIw_hN0Xn4gvkjagVqufI97l72jlSBEYIB9l4zxcot4FargFfYJYSfqZiExfkA6PMXCyBjxesn8QTjlbRQ1iA6rYIz/s1600/vulnerabilities-quotes-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQNrX9WvucaVWboqieitoD4NZ2hV-yc9YFNQSXoyi6aM5-I1wX4KIw_hN0Xn4gvkjagVqufI97l72jlSBEYIB9l4zxcot4FargFfYJYSfqZiExfkA6PMXCyBjxesn8QTjlbRQ1iA6rYIz/s1600/vulnerabilities-quotes-2.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">But this FEAR and VULNERABILITY comes into play in SO many areas-not just connections with other people. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">This can apply to training and racing too! </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">I see athletes do this ALL THE TIME when it comes to races and training...</span><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">If you don't truly allow yourself to believe that you can break 2 hours in a half marathon or really qualify for that BQ time, if it doesn't happen, you won't be disappointed...will you? If you don't put ALL of your HEART and SOUL into it, it won't hurt as much if it doesn't happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">I remember one year training for Quassy and I put ALL OF MY energy and heart into training for this race. I had very specific goals and I knew what I was going to do that day on the course. I had visualized it, my coach and I had it all mapped out. It was gonna be my day out there and I was going to finally PR that course and kick some major hilly ass. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">And it was my most horrible race ever. EVER. The temps all spring had been very cool and it was super hot on race day. My body shut down. And as my body shut down, my mind started to quit. I even considered DNF'ing. One the drive home to Maine, I sat there dejected. Hurt. Crushed. Disappointed. This wasn't the race I trained for...I called Coach and cried with her. I got over it eventually and I still race that course every year. But what if I left FEAR of that hurt stop me from ever racing again? That would be SILLY. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">Makes sense...right?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><b>It is the WILLINGNESS to do something that has no guarantees.</b> And if you have the willingness and ability to put yourself out there and into a place where you might get hurt, you might "fail" or you might even end up <b>winning </b>big time. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">I am trying to be more and more aware of when I "shut down" and go into <i>protect mode</i> and I am learning that's it's ok to step into that very slippery place where I could fall and get hurt. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">It's very easy to hide behind the "i don't cares" when you really care very much. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">It's safe to say you don't want something when you want it so bad you can taste it, feel it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">This is such an amazing breakdown of being vulnerable. I watch it all the time. It's a great reminder to me. Take time to watch this and think...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What makes YOU feel vulnerable?</b></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-15809336891926913562015-04-28T13:17:00.001-04:002015-04-28T13:18:05.532-04:00Fear<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May 1st is around the corner and my part of the world is starting to wake from it's winter slumber. The air is getting warmer, the sun sits higher in the sky; the living things around me are starting to turn green and burst forth with new life. I am feeling the same as the budding magnolia tree in my yard, <b>Im ready to embrace the sunshine and bloom. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the first day of this year, I talked about not needing a NEW YEAR to make new changes in your life and I want to remind you of that today. <a href="http://milesmusclesmommyhood.blogspot.com/2015/01/thursday-1115.html">Here's </a>that first entry of 2015 with a bit of summary:</span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Today is the first day of 2015. Lots of people will make resolutions to do this or do that.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Get organized. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Lose weight.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Get a new job. </b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Something</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Lots will follow that plan for a few weeks...or even a few months. Most will fall off and go back to what they know. Some will be successful with what their goals. Others will build habits that last a lifetime and inspire others to do the same.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I have a secret to tell you</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">. YOU DO NOT NEED A NEW YEAR TO DO DIFFERENT.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Guess what you need? A new moment.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> A new day</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">. A new hour. </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">A new week.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> That's all you need. You can decide to make a positive change in your life </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">ANYTIME </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">you choose.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">This past year has been one of learning and growing. At times, confusion and hurt. Loss.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I felt lost a few times...only to find my way back to "normal" as I always do. I am a fighter. A warrior.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I look back on my early days of change (which happened in September, by the way...) and I am so proud of myself for sticking with it...and I know that a new year wasn't needed. only a new attitude.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">And now that I face 2015 with honest eyes...I have to let go of things that do not serve me. Of things that do not bring me joy and embrace scary change. being uncomfortable. New starts and new relationships.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">It's easy to get stuck in comfortable just for the sake of being comfortable but when you take a deep, hard look at things...are you truly happy. or just in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">statis</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">? homeostasis is a very easy place to be.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">It's hard to be vulnerable. OPEN. abject to being hurt.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">and I guess that is where I want to put myself.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">But putting myself in the way of "harm" will also bring me to absolute happiness. JOY. Pleasure.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Being...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">So I open my heart to "what ifs" and the unknown. The mystery of what lies ahead and possibility of being hurt in the process.</span></i><br />
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<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">So...live fearless. Don't be scared of what the unknown can bring. Embrace the new. Work on yourself daily. There is no rest for improvement.</span></i></div>
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<i><i><span style="color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">______________________________________</span></span></i></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKSHMwmvncRWoA2Qppx1g95ORMy4GQvE1At81y7t_noBKdX6OLStePIyUS4N9X1k4bR49_GdGSMX93DLNorfoFMVBxFbK0r-jv3rbinC_VHR5Ey_fJz5dWBbO_OrtV2qkWw9MbVI0eUC-/s1600/fear2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKSHMwmvncRWoA2Qppx1g95ORMy4GQvE1At81y7t_noBKdX6OLStePIyUS4N9X1k4bR49_GdGSMX93DLNorfoFMVBxFbK0r-jv3rbinC_VHR5Ey_fJz5dWBbO_OrtV2qkWw9MbVI0eUC-/s1600/fear2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">One challenge I created for myself in 2015 is to try and live a <b>fearless life</b>. Making the harder choices, not the <i>easy </i>ones. It's been a learning experience and it has opened my eyes to many things. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzS8nZDJNDzLQnfaiHX4Of2w_i8GG-ameihr3Q8gbTrNFqfK3BoOyw4rAd9UpXKbmlbBZjpZleWwqYLV8OKrFlR211WXfhoa0_tku942v2qQNlxqZ6cc96biBIYnT4rzFgIR9k-InzwQj/s1600/fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzS8nZDJNDzLQnfaiHX4Of2w_i8GG-ameihr3Q8gbTrNFqfK3BoOyw4rAd9UpXKbmlbBZjpZleWwqYLV8OKrFlR211WXfhoa0_tku942v2qQNlxqZ6cc96biBIYnT4rzFgIR9k-InzwQj/s1600/fear.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">It has also forced me into situations where facing my fears was the only option. It is so liberating to to FACE FEAR and come out the other side stronger. Braver. A survivor. I have already conquered SO MUCH...this final chapter of metamorphosis is one I embrace. The journey is never ending and I continue to grow and learn. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181919; font-family: Cantarell;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Fearlessly - </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Fear in itself</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Will reel you in and spit you out</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Over and over again</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Believe in yourself</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">And you will walk</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Fear in itself</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Will use you up and break you down</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">like you were never enough</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">I used to fall, now I get back up.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">I'm up here</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">I'm looking at the way down there</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">I'm staring through the I don't care</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">It's staring back at me</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">The beauty is</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">I'm learning how to face my beast</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Starting now to find some peace</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;" /><span style="line-height: 19.1428565979004px; text-align: center;">Set myself free</span></span></b></span><br />
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What fears are holding you back?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-22963772206087915202015-02-19T08:02:00.001-05:002015-02-19T08:02:09.065-05:00You Gotta Know Your Own Crazy: Own It<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>yesterday while fumbling thru the newsfeed on FB, I found this gem posted by some of my Rev3 buddies (Tracey, thank you!).</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The last several months have been such a learning experience for me...processing things I thought I had let go of, learning what makes me tick...what I want and don't want out of life and those who are IN my life. It's been a difficult process and one that will take lots of time, but I am embracing it and love learning more every day. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>I had to share this (excuse the profanity if it offends you)...</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1713639760"></span>OWN YOUR SHIT<span id="goog_1713639761"></span></a> via Elizabeth Gilbert</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> (<span style="color: #4e5665; line-height: 16px;">the author of six books of fiction and non-fiction—most famously her memoir "Eat, Pray, Love")</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Ones -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh how I love this drawing, sent to me last week by a friend of this page who knows me so very well, and who thought I would like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hell yes, I do like it!</span></div>
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The artist is a woman named <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=255368821242096" href="https://www.facebook.com/stripedsocksphotography" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Carrie Hilgert, Artist</a> . From what I understand, the character shown here is somebody named Myrtle, who, in the words of her creator, "doesn't give two fucks."</div>
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I love this character. I love Myrtle's posture, her attitude, her self-assurance. "What Would Myrtle Do?" is perhaps not such a bad question upon which to base your life</div>
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One thing I can tell you about Myrtle? SHE OWNS HER SHIT.</div>
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You guys, for serious, it's very important that you learn how to own your shit. At some point in your life, you really have to get honest about the weirdest and most damaged and most broken parts of your existence, and take responsibility for it all...lovingly, but unblinkingly.</div>
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Or, as Iyanla Vanzant puts it: "I know my crazy. Do you know your crazy?"</div>
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You gotta know your own crazy. Can't own your shit without knowing your crazy.</div>
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For many years, I didn't own my shit because I didn't KNOW my shit. If you don't know your shit, people, then that shit will control you and make your life into Crazy Town. Until you own your shit, all you do is make excuses for the madness that is always surrounding you, while throwing blame around like confetti.</div>
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By this point in my life, though, I know the worst of me. I know the triggers that make me into a temporarily insane person. I know my vulnerabilities and my pride. I know the stuff that makes me want to deceive, and the stuff that makes me vindictive, and the stuff that makes me insecure, and the stuff that makes me just flat-out mean and ugly. And I definitely know all my demons by their first names.</div>
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This is what therapy does — helps you to learn your shit, inside and out. This is what meditation is for. This is what recovery is for. This is what reconciling the contradictions of your life is for. This is what radical honesty is for. This is what the courage of truthful introspection is for.</div>
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Owning your shit begins to happen the moment you finally recognize that the common denominator in all your biggest problems is YOU.</div>
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Not them: YOU.</div>
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It's a beautiful, humbling, necessary realization. It's an education. It's painful. It's the beginning of adulthood. It's pretty much the definition of maturity.</div>
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And then you take a deep breath and say, "OK, I admit it. It's me. That's my crazy shit. I own it. Now what?"</div>
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Then, the work begins.</div>
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You might or might not be able to change it, but at least you gotta own it.</div>
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That doesn't mean abusing yourself: it just means taking accountability. Own your shit with love and perspective and self-compassion...but definitely own it.</div>
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Don't worry if other people are owning their shit or not. That isn't your problem. Just own yours. Keep your side of the street clean and honest, and rest of it is none of your business.</div>
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Just be honest and real. Like Myrtle. Who I freaking love.</div>
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Please do check out Carrie's blog, too, where, JOY OF JOYS, you can order this as a t-shirt:</div>
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<a href="http://carriehilgert.com/2015/02/15/meet-myrtle/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://carriehilgert.com/2015/02/15/meet-myrtle/</a></div>
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Thank you, Carrie, for this fabulous creation!</div>
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Thank you, Myrtle, for being awesome.</div>
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ONWARD!</div>
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LG</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-80791722357853124302015-02-11T13:22:00.001-05:002015-02-11T13:22:08.395-05:00#TriDailyChallenge WIN FREE RACE ENTRIES to Challenge!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how stoked do you think I was when I found out that Rev3 would be joining forces with Challenge to become ONE giant, awesome family!!?? I was super stoked...being an avid fan of Chrissy Wellington, I was well aware of Challenge races, especially ROTH for a long time. Knowing the clout that this company carries around the WORLD of triathlon, I was excited to see what the future would hold...and what would happen to my beloved Rev3 Team.<br /><br />Lucky for US (the team) Challenge kept the team intact and we were able to expand our team to Canada and Mexico! Summit this year was again, amazing...and I did not suffer from food poisoning like I did last year!! UGH...it was a blast and I love the new additions to our team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Challenge Family is ROLLING right into 2015 with some fun stuff. On Monday, they started the #TriDailyChallenge. Check it out: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It Starts TODAY! Everyday for 30 days, we will present a NEW challenge for you. The FIRST Week is all about Getting Focused and Organized with the New Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2/9 TRI-DAILY CHALLENGE #1: List your TOP 5 goals you want to achieve in 2015. Jot it on a Post It, or add to your Notes App, or write it on computer and print it. Place it somewhere where you can look at it everyday to be reminded of your goals and what actions you need to do. Whether next to bathroom mirror, computer, or on refrigerator—take a PHOTO and and UPLOAD it to Instagram or Twitter or email/upload through this ENTRY PAGE <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.TRIDAILYCHALLENGE.com%2F&h=PAQHA2sPa&enc=AZPo_94N1Oz-pVnoHUg9Xcmm5BzW8S7P9HffzT13HjKus5d0dFaz4fEalaE9uQjCHa9cEn8zn_fNhSnZyUo_jHRJL2768RFflAbGHkXCQwBZBbC4iKQjms54Qh80qL__pCtkVEh-TsCuuJLUKSdXbQJn5NvDCKl7kMRMDhnFv5CklA&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.TRIDAILYCHALLENGE.com.</a> Be sure to use Hashtag <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tridailychallenge?source=feed_text&story_id=859903490719870" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl" style="color: #6d84b4;">#</span><span class="_58cm">TRIDAILYCHALLENGE</span></a> to be entered for chance to Win FREE <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=191169420918591" href="https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeFamily" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Challenge Family</a> race!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I just LOVE today's #TriDailyChallenge</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px;">2/11 TRI-DAILY CHALLENGE # 3: Wake Up Productive.</span><br style="line-height: 18px;" /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Now that you have your goals (do challenge #1)—how are you going to realize them? A trait that highly successful people have in common is having a morning ritual they follow every day. A productive morning routine will help clear your mind, energize you, and prepare you for a successful day ahead. </span><br style="line-height: 18px;" /><br style="line-height: 18px;" /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Whether your routine is waking up at 5:00 AM;</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px;"> drinking a glass of water to hydrate; meditating for 10 minutes; doing a morning workout, eating a healthy breakfast, walking your dogs, and starting work etc. — Your morning ritual will anchor you, keep you focused, and improve your PRODUCTIVITY.<br /><br />UPLOAD a photo of your new morning ritual to Instagram or Twitter or email/upload through this ENTRY PAGE: <a href="http://www.tridailychallenge.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">www.TRIDAILYCHALLENGE.com.</a> Be sure to use Hashtag <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tridailychallenge" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#TRIDAILYCHALLENGE</a> to be entered for chance to Win FREE Challenge Family race!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 18px;">________________________________________</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>Here is my entry for today:</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>I go to be early each night because I wake up early...way too early for most, every day. My day starts at 3:15am when I check emails, drink my tea or coffee, wake up and enjoy the quiet silence of the morning.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>I think of my goals for the day, the planned classes/clients and my own workouts. I do some positive reflection and think about my goals; for the day-the week-the month-the season. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>I pack up my giant gym bag with all the essentials I need for the day (water, electrolytes, snacks, protein shakes, gear for swim/bike/run/lift) then it's off the the gym for 5am most every day. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>I love getting up early and attacking the day. I enjoy having accomplished so much by 10am. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i>This month, the focus is on getting back to a normal training schedule, keeping the nutrition clean and getting to my body composition goals. IT'S BEEN A GREAT WEEK SO FAR!!</i></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-23520552364446716942015-02-09T12:46:00.001-05:002015-02-09T12:46:58.529-05:00Fitness & Fat Loss, Essential Tips<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow...so the last several months of life have been trying, chaotic, and <i>stressful</i>. I wasn't focused on the things that make my body <b>healthy </b>and strong-like training and nutrition. I LOVE these things and feel best when I fuel my body well and push myself or try new things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am happy to say that I have been back on track the last couple weeks and I FEEL AMAZING> it's funny how much it all impacts my daily being and how I feel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since my "return" to a training plan and eating clean, <i><b>I have dropped 9.4 lbs of body fat</b>. </i>All from working hard each session, a balance of cardio and weight training AND keeping the eats clean. I am also tracking what I am putting into my body. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YES...<i>and the abs are returning</i>. Hello my little friends...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7LWnI2r7O6xGQaH_QfB4_SZULl40F1nZZjTnYGqRwd37cMATHDamhS3Qp4ntBQzEp8SPQplGoFttB2WfKVWJ15oVJn8IbGOv190frztxnheIe6N17jQCJF3rKP8lsTN7d1KCemhZibf/s1600/20150209_043056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7LWnI2r7O6xGQaH_QfB4_SZULl40F1nZZjTnYGqRwd37cMATHDamhS3Qp4ntBQzEp8SPQplGoFttB2WfKVWJ15oVJn8IbGOv190frztxnheIe6N17jQCJF3rKP8lsTN7d1KCemhZibf/s1600/20150209_043056.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have started training for the <a href="http://www.challenge-family.com/">2015 Challenge Triathlon</a> season AND as well as the <a href="http://mainecoast262.com/race-information/39-3challenge/">Maine Coast Marathon 39.3 Mile Challenge</a> (half marathon on Saturday, marathon on Sunday). If you want to join us for the <b><span style="color: lime;">Maine Coast Marathon</span></b> (half, full, relay, challenge...use <b>DISCOUNT CODE JenSmall</b> and save some $$ off your race registration).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest factors in my nutrition is:</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A) meal prep and planning </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>B) clean supplements.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Meal Prep and Meal Planning </u></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwYGfIgaHMmktQLX__yttwY7E_jCS7zFvrVI-7BfMk1dzAhHwe72r0TCSVcj7JRxjEA-TAtxFJCaF0sII35DM3IHlzWuwVqPKNIngtFz0eq2g0ViqjkhN6VzfpoEZVjZ-iqw1KE9-x4Lc/s1600/cook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwYGfIgaHMmktQLX__yttwY7E_jCS7zFvrVI-7BfMk1dzAhHwe72r0TCSVcj7JRxjEA-TAtxFJCaF0sII35DM3IHlzWuwVqPKNIngtFz0eq2g0ViqjkhN6VzfpoEZVjZ-iqw1KE9-x4Lc/s1600/cook.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking to lose weight OR your are a time crunched athlete looking to optimize your performance, knowing what you are eating is KEY! When you "wing it" meal to meal with out a plan or an idea of what you are going to put into your body, that is when the pitfalls of unhealthy choices becomes a hazard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go into your week with a plan of what you will eat and invest some time into yourself to do a little preparation. Today (Sunday) is that day for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I baked a whole hormone-free chicken and then separated all the meat, cooking down the bones for stock. Hard boiled eggs are cooked & peeled, ready to grab & go from the fridge. Veggies are ready for salads, snacks and meals. I just LOVE Olivia's Organics baby lettuces and baby spinach. Easy peasy...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the stock, I will make <a href="http://www.cookingclassy.com/2014/07/chicken-avocado-lime-soup/">THIS </a>soup via Cooking Classy :</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfYMSstRPo1KFyl06X5uZweUgnVzWHQTyfUdbdHH2CAfAzlHg2hQrx8sb5E8lSWAKlfrAC4hyphenhyphenStYGXI1mvVu4iOm9CpJKRz_QKRhjfJYzShWhGClReYl4C1xlutdtGNxdnrymEthHF23Z/s1600/chicken-avocado-lime-soup6+srgb..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfYMSstRPo1KFyl06X5uZweUgnVzWHQTyfUdbdHH2CAfAzlHg2hQrx8sb5E8lSWAKlfrAC4hyphenhyphenStYGXI1mvVu4iOm9CpJKRz_QKRhjfJYzShWhGClReYl4C1xlutdtGNxdnrymEthHF23Z/s1600/chicken-avocado-lime-soup6+srgb..jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<div class="b-b h-1 strong" id="zlrecipe-title" itemprop="name" style="border: none; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chicken Avocado Lime Soup</span></div>
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<div id="zlrecipe-prep-time" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prep Time: <span content="PT15M" itemprop="prepTime" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">15 minutes</span></span></div>
<div id="zlrecipe-cook-time" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook Time: <span content="PT20M" itemprop="cookTime" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">20 minutes</span></span></div>
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<div id="zlrecipe-yield" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yield: <span itemprop="recipeYield" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About 6 servings</span></span></div>
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients" style="background-color: #f0faf9; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></div>
<ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list" style="background-color: #f0faf9; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts*</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp olive oil</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup chopped green onions (including whites, mince the whites)</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (leave seeds if you want soup spicy, omit if you don't like heat)</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp ground cumin</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 cup chopped cilantro</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Tbsp fresh lime juice</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 medium avocados, peeled, cored and diced</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-12" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tortilla chips, monterrey jack cheese, sour cream for serving (optional)</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-13" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-14" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add Swanson® Flavor Boost® For More Flavor</span></div>
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: #f0faf9; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions</span></div>
<ul class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" style="background-color: #f0faf9; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large pot heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add green onions and jalapenos and saute until tender, about 2 minutes, adding garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, cumin, season with salt and pepper to taste and add chicken breasts. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to medium, cover with lid and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken has cooked through 10 - 15 minutes (cook time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts). Reduce burner to warm heat, remove chicken from pan and let rest on a cutting board 5 minutes, then shred chicken and return to soup. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Add avocados to soup just before serving (if you don't plan on serving the soup right away, I would recommend adding the avocados to each bowl individually, about 1/2 an avocado per serving). Serve with tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream if desired.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*For thicker chicken breasts, cut breasts in half through the length (thickness) of the breasts, they will cook faster and more evenly.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Clean Supplements</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's face it. Im busy. You're busy. When I am burning 2-3k cals a day on a long training session, refueling is definitely important. How much is just as important as when when it comes to food. I keep it as clean as I can (veggies, fruits, lean proteins, complex carbs) but when you are eating 5-6 meals per day, that can be a challenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />For the last year I have been using the <a href="http://jsmall.isagenix.com/en-US/IsaProduct/isaproduct-detail-energy-performance">cleanest supplements</a> I can find and my body definitely knows the difference. My energy is always SO high when I am fueling well and recovering properly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite post workout shake not only delivers 36 grams of organic undenatured whey, but I am also getting balanced macros and replenishing my body so I can go and smash it again the next day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFfvZZAX15entv6EyV6SNOG2VRbUJ8IADBzeew78L-hCbvMon-rh7t-jzdhT4zAvNkST_Dh8HRWN__kJvLeNDVAPVAi7MnKDK61pps9SeFHzN8-HxZrUFr1f5rL2qT2nq4vCNpYz-aspO/s1600/food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFfvZZAX15entv6EyV6SNOG2VRbUJ8IADBzeew78L-hCbvMon-rh7t-jzdhT4zAvNkST_Dh8HRWN__kJvLeNDVAPVAi7MnKDK61pps9SeFHzN8-HxZrUFr1f5rL2qT2nq4vCNpYz-aspO/s1600/food.JPG" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what does a typical day look like for me?? Here is Sunday's food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Woke up at 3:30am, first thing is stumble to the kitchen and get my liquids in me! I had my <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/ionix-supreme">ionix</a>, (first thing! on an empty tummy) and a cup of Morning Thunder tea> I will also drink 16 oz of water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Pre-workout: 1 scoop <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/isalean-pro">IsaLean </a>PRO(vanilla), 1 Scoop <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/greens-antioxidant-dietary-supplement">IsaGreens </a>and 1 scoop <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/replenish-sports-drink">Replenish </a>(orange) mixed with water. I also had 20 oz of water. I took my daily vits and my <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/Products/beta-alanine">Powerbar Beta Alanine.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Off to the gym to run. It was snowing again so I opted for the treadmill. Today's run was 12 miles and then I did a quick/easy 30 mins<br />My fuel while running was 20 oz of water, 20 oz of <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/Products/powerbar-perform-sports-drink-mix-lemon-lime">Powerbar Perform</a> in Lemon/Lime, 1 <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/Products/performance-energy-blends-pear-blackberry">Powerbar fruit blend</a> (which I did not consume, did not need it felt really good) and 1/2 an <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/e-plus">e+shot</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Post-workout (meal #1): 1 <a href="http://www.jsmalltri.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/individual-items/isalean-pro">IsaLean PRO shake</a> (vanilla) with 1 TB coconut oil, 1 TB chia seeds, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meal #2: 6 oz chicken breast with chili/lime hot sauce, celery and a giant scoop of 12 spice hummus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meal #3: 4 Triscuits (Garden Herb), cucumber slices with 1/3 cup of salsa. So not totally clean here but I wanted a couple crackers with my salsa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meal #4: a bowl homemade soup (see above) with MORE salsa on top!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meal #5: a big salad with mixed greens, chicken, green chilis and salsa, avocado</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I was totally craving salsa all day!! I got this super awesome spicy cilantro salsa which was fantastic...I even added a bunch to my soup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My macros for the day:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Carbs 97g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Protein 194</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Fat 29g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sugars 28g</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-64378105236784227022015-02-02T10:19:00.001-05:002015-02-02T10:19:52.939-05:00Shimmer Suit Snow Angels & Soups! More snow in Maine today, expecting another foot or so. The entire area has cancelled school and the Y even closed so no work for me today...it's a SNOWDAY!<br />
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Yesterday, I took advantage of the sunny weather to play outside...<br />
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After a treadmill session of 8.5 miles, it was time to suit up and hit the pool BUT there would be one quick pit stop before swimming.<br />
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INTO THE SNOW!!<br />
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Have you seen<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeFamilyAmericas/photos/a.300140503518867.1073741828.272149246317993/327698107429773/?type=1"> this contest</a> on the Challenge Family page??<br />
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Of course, I had to join in on the fun!!<br />
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a post snow angel celebration and sprint out of the snow...here's the video of the whole thing.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8JAC1vupyfA/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8JAC1vupyfA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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So on snow days I cannot think of anything I like more than soups & stews! They are easy, economical. I wanted to share my very favorite veggie based soup/stew that is a staple in my home. Even lola loves it!!<br />
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I stumbled on this on <a href="http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-chickpea-sweet-potato-and-spinach-stew/">The Gracious Pantry</a> last year and it's in rotation since...click the link and it will take you right to the recipe!!<br />
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<img alt="Clean Eating Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Spinach Stew" src="http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chickpea-sweet-potato-spinach-stew-h-.jpg" /><br />
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want to up the protein content, add some chicken breast! So easy and versatile.<br /><br />Just a hint, I don't add spinach to the stew, I just put a big handful of baby spinach in the bottom of a big soup bowl and top with the hot stew. The spinach wilts and it does not get bitter in the left overs.<br />
<br />I love a squeeze of lemon, a dash of hot sauce and a little bit of cilantro on top. MMM<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1325532016786910647.post-71996671020518581792015-01-30T14:06:00.000-05:002015-01-30T14:06:01.220-05:00Got Snow? My NEW Favorite Way to CROSSTRAINSo living in Maine, it's no shocker that we get snow storms. Lots of them. Frequently. It actually makes me laugh when there is a Nor'Easter or Blizzard coming to town and everyone freaks out.<br />
You do know you live in Maine right?<br />
This isn't South Carolina!!<br />
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Anyway, it's been a pretty calm winter here thus far and we got hammered with our first significant storm of the year this week. Over 2 feet of snow, howling winds and some drifts that are quite big. Some spots, the snow is overhead.<br />
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A couple weeks ago I ventured out to try something new--<b>SNOWSHOEING</b>.<br />
I picked up a pair of Atlas running/race snowshoes last winter and only used them a few times, short little jaunts around my "home field" only. So when the opportunity arose to <b><i>really </i></b>go get out, I took it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3OIjC9uloRApphVCddZfQbLwhCazXwVUCaoVA0hQt2T1YTzMIZPtlfBHVEpxv4cgckfbMgskFiocjE6fgjpl0X0bZNfQBQJnxr0Nb4Hx4zs1kOsJ93Umo2QSJMgsfLLnHMhd5nruHsjx/s1600/20150114_114953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3OIjC9uloRApphVCddZfQbLwhCazXwVUCaoVA0hQt2T1YTzMIZPtlfBHVEpxv4cgckfbMgskFiocjE6fgjpl0X0bZNfQBQJnxr0Nb4Hx4zs1kOsJ93Umo2QSJMgsfLLnHMhd5nruHsjx/s1600/20150114_114953.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view of "Indian in the Mountain" from the frozen pond</td></tr>
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My first foray into the wooded mountains was spectacular! It was a bright, sunny day and sky was bright blue. I was in awe of just how pretty the Western Maine mountains were from my new perspective (vs. a ski lift or slope). I had an experienced Guide and we traversed through trails, blasted through the 3 feet of fallen snow to make our own, crossed a frozen pond and even jumped over a small brook. I had a blast and I could NOT wait to do it again.<br />
I am pretty sure I had a smile on my face the <i>entire </i>time. <br />
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I was excited to try this again...and SOON!<br />
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Sunday rolled around and I had 10 mile run scheduled. Another sunny day and I was feeling a bit nostalgic for the fun I had in the mountains. So I rallied my training partner to hit the trails instead of the roads. I figured a good 5 mile snowshoe trek would be great cross training & a good way for me to get lost in the woods.<br />
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I forgot to wear my GPS and track my distance on my first "real" time out but I wouldn't forget it this time!<br />
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We drove out to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and hit up the trails I run in the summer. It all started out LOVELY...some running on the snowshoes, some trekking, some getting off the trails to make our own in the deep powder. The trails are very well marked and easy to follow. Once we got a few miles into the woods, the trails disappeared but there were some lone ski tracks to follow.<br />
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Now, I am open about being directionally challenged. And apparently I cannot add either.<br />
What started out as a 5 mile adventure started to tick away the miles...and as I compared the map to what we had covered already, I was starting to see that we would be getting a bit more than 5 miles in...5 was 6, then 7, then 7.5...we finally got back to the trailhead a bit over 9 miles in.<br />
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The last couple miles were fatiguing for sure...especially considering we ran at the start for a bit...and we only brought 1 bottle of water with us.<br />
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That didn't matter. All I can say is, <b>I got lost in the woods for 2.5 hours</b>.<br />
<i>I pushed my body, which I always enjoy.</i><br />
<b>And it was a <span style="color: blue;">beautiful </span>day. </b><br />
<i>I was able to leave behind the stress of the week and simply enjoy the quiet of nature.</i><br />
The beauty of the fallen snow.<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>The sun on my face. </b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011009498623515710noreply@blogger.com2