Mantra Monday

10k week is here.  The crazy surrounding this week has been nothing short of amazing, as I find things turning on their head once again.  Why does life do that every so often? 

Probably because we need it to.

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Mantra Monday

There are less than 14 days until the 2013 Ukrops Monument Avenue 10k.  Thats really hard to believe, especially when I think back on when things like my running streak started, or when Tim and I started planning the Masquerade for Massey.  Even thought we've only been fundraising for 5 months, plans have been kicking around for a lot longer than that.  Which makes 13 days seem like such a small number.

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Mantra Monday

This week's mantra comes from my dear friend Stacey, who never fails to make me feel like I am taking life by storm even when I feel more like a wet puddle than a bolt of lightening.  She randomly posted this on my Facebook wall Saturday night - making reference to an event that occurred a little over seven years ago:

You're the only girl I've ever met who let a hibachi guy

try to fling the shrimp into your mouth.

And you caught that mf-er.

 

I'm planning to treat this week like its one of those flying shrimp. 

Mantra Monday

Amen.

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Mantra Monday

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Mantra Monday

Patience.

As I roll into the final week with Courage as my focus word, I cant help but notice how clear it has become to me that patience and courage are so utterly intertwined. 

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Mantra Monday

Note to self:

I bogarted this from Rachael's Facebook page, so sadly I have no source link for you.  If you know where its from, email me and Ill throw some props up to its creator here.

Monday Mantra

I can't remember if I mentioned before (I just made a really lame attempt at digging through the archives to figure it out) that I have selected six words to be focuses for me in 2013, with two months devoted to each.  For January and February that focus word has been COURAGE.

One of the compliments I receive fairly often is that I must be courageous for having battled cancer and turning down recommended surgery in favor of being monitored like mad by the folks at Massey.  But I'll tell you a secret - when it comes to big changes I'm the most cowardly lion around.  I get so wrapped up in the what-ifs that I usually end up deciding that the devil I know is preferable to the one I dont.  And then I stagnate and grow frustrated.

But in reflecting on the past this weekend, one thing became glaringly true - Each and every time I have followed my heart and my gut (or when I've been shoved forcefully in the direction they were telling me to go anyway) I have never regretted the outcome.  And I when I haven't listened so well - well, thats generally where a lot of heartache and pain came into the picture.

So in that vein - a few words for the week:

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You all know we passed a HUGE milestone last week, reaching the $10K mark on the way to $25,151.  Next stop?  The half way point!  I cant believe how close we are (just $2,317 away for anyone really counting)!  Even if you've already donated, you can help push us even further along.  Forward a link to this blog to your friends and family and encourage them to join the fight too.  All they have to do is click the button above and add their $10 to the pool.  We'll see $25,151 before we know it!

Mantra Monday

2013 has been remarkable so far.  And it makes me want to live my days even more passionately and with more purpose than I have in my 30-something years to date.

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If there is still some crazy reason why you are unsure about signing up for the YMCA 10k Training Team, catch Coach Dan and I tonight at 5:30 at the James Center YMCA or at 730 at the Tuckahoe YMCA (extra bonus at Tuckahoe - my dear friend Brooke is the head coach there, so you'll get to train with her!).  The price increases on February 1, so stop waiting!

Mantra Monday

"Manifest" is the word of the week in the 40 Day Yoga Challenge.  After reflecting on 2012 and gaining clarity with respect to what we want 2013 to look like, its time to determine how to get there.  Which makes this quote particularly poignant:


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I have a feeling there are some first steps coming my way.  And goodness knows I have no idea where on earth this staircase is going.  But my personal focus word for January and February is COURAGE, so I'm going with it.

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This is a busy week in Challenge-world, folks!  Tune in tonight at 5:30 pm to the University of Richmond Coaches Show where Jay and I will be chatting about the Massey Challenge as a preview to the VCU / UR basketball game on Thursday night! You can listen in at ESPN 950 or via the web here.

Once I scoot out of there, Lauren and I will be over at the John Rolfe YMCA for its 7pm information session.  Join us to learn all about why the YMCA training teams are such a great way to get ready for the Ukrops Monument Avenue 10k!  And you'll hear more about the Massey Challenge too (of course!).  Come out, say hi, and join this awesome program!

And if you're training for the 10k and find you need some new kicks to get yourself going, head over to see our friends at 3Sports. This week and next, let them know that you are supporting the Massey Challenge and they'll donate $10.00 from each pair of sneaks you purchased to help put cancer on the run!  Whoot!

Mantra Monday

Our focus for the week ahead in my yoga challenge is clarity.  I feel like moving into 2013 I am able to see more clearly that in many years before.  Maybe more clearly than ever.  But my eyes are still adjusting to some of the things I am now able to see.  Which is both exciting and frightening. 


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I'm working my way toward the $10,000 mark and would love to hit it by the end of January.  Click the "donate now" button above to make your contribution in the fight against cancer!

Mantra Monday

Happy Monday!  It was a good weekend of wrapping up the holidays and returning some semblance of order to my home and life.  Its strange to have the house all to myself again! 

As I mentioned here, I started Om On's 40-Day Yoga Challenge yesterday and I already love it.  I convinced Lauren to do it with me and even though we are clearly the newest newbies in the group, its such a supportive atmosphere that I know I am going to come to the end even more addicted than I already am!  Its a good way to start 2013, and this week holds the promise of more doors opening as this new year makes its entrance.

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As part of the 40 Day Challenge (I just realized that I have way too many challenges being discussed in this blog.  Oops.) we focus on a word each week as we strengthen our practice.  This week's word is "reflect".  And in doing so already - and sorting through 2012 and the years before it - I've come to realize that I have ingrained in my mind the idea that being strong means sticking with something until the very bitter end.  In 2013 I hope to overcome that, and to realize sometimes its okay to call it a day. 

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Don't forget to plan to join us at Ellwood's on Wednesday night for some yoga and cancer awareness!  The yoga class is filling up fast, so drop me an email if you are interested in taking part!

Mantra Monday

Happy New Years Eve!

Becky sent me today's words for the week after a talk we had yesterday.  And its so fitting for tonight in so many ways.  The last year was a doozy for many reasons.  Hell - the last three years have brought along some kick-me-in-the-ass challenges I never saw coming.  I feel very ready to welcome a new year.  Not because I am eager to leave 2012 behind.  But because for the first time in a long time, I feel very excited about what 2013 holds.

So while there are still some uncertainties hanging out there, and while I see some big struggles lying ahead in the next year, I'm crazy excited for them.  Because for the very first time, do feel strong, fearless, and wise.

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Mantra Monday

Happy holidays from Connecticut!  Its been a very spiritually, emotionally, and mentally fulfilling Advent season over here and I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas tomorrow and putting some of my plans for 2013 into effect.  Wishing you all a happy, healthy season, and some quiet time to reflect on what the last year has brought and what is to come in the year ahead.  

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Mantra Monday

True to form, this weekend brought folks out to celebrate Massey, and the holiday season, at Chris Hanners Movie Day.  More to come on that later this week, along with the much-anticipated round of of RVA businesses who have already lent tremendous support to the Challenge, and a look ahead to ways you can plan to come out to support us in 2013.

In the meantime, some words to inspire the week ahead.

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Mantra Monday

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