*Slow the Train Down*

WOW WOW and WOW! Almost a year and not one blog! I wish I could blame it on traveling the world, shopping the streets of Paris, riding the backs of camels, backpacking the highest peaks, going on safari in Africa....... (you get the picture!) I have nothing more than life has been busy! As I'm sure it has been for everyone! At times I feel as though, We are on a fast train - so fast that we are oblivious to the view outside the window. Today there is a pit stop and I am getting off the train to really embrace my life over the past few months! A lot of ups and downs, a lot of surprises, and definitely A LOT of what I am thankful for!

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely
to be thankful for what he's going to get.
~Frank A. Clark

I lay awake most mornings before my alarm even goes off - and think about what needs to be done at work, what needs to be done around the house, when and what I can fit in when it comes to my training - however yesterday morning it was not the normal thought process. I thought of how amazing my life is. How lucky am I to have a body that takes the hour after hour, day after day - pushing to new levels of pain and sweat for my training. How lucky I am to have the most amazing friends that are ultimately the core of support. I have family that I can turn too, that not many in the world have. I could go on and on about how lucky I am for a lot of things! (however to avoid the boredom in the readers I will stop!)

::Training for triathlons vs Life:: Is there a difference? I am reading one of the most amazing books I have ever read. "The triathlon guide to Mental Training". I think I have highlighted more thoughts, quotes, and pages in this book then I have in any other book - including for my school studies back in the day!

"Without your desire and determination to train and compete,
all of the other mental factors - confidence, intensity,
focus, emotions, and pain- as well as the physical and technical
elements of triathlon, are meaningless"

The moment I read that, I applied that to my everyday life. Why do I put so much time and effort into the things I do? Why do I put so much time and dedication in aspects of my life, some of which others call a "waste of time" or "insane"? Call me crazy, call it a waste of my time, call me insane--- ultimately it is "my time". I am full speed ahead and going 500 different directions and 467 different speeds. I do my best with accomplishing my goals, my hurdles and my road blocks. Do I think what I do in my life is a waste of time? Absolutely not! My mind ultimately is the conductor that keeps my body going. Strong mind = Strong body.

This is what I've worked so hard for. I will not give up. Whether it's crossing the finish line 27 minutes slower than my last race, or finishing one of my workouts - at the end of the day - I accomplished something that I have put my mind too. Setbacks teach me humility and an appreciation for what it takes to be successful. Though it may not be pretty at times - these are the moments that I have time to gather thoughts, work through things, process past conversations, learn from mistakes.... ultimately this is my time to really learn from life. This is my time to realize all that I have and all that I have learned. These are the moments of solitude that I have time to be grateful and really embrace that my life is above all a true blessing.

This is one of the many quotes that I have highlighted in the book. I have read this over and over and have applied it to my everyday life- outside of racing.

"Too often, success and failure in our culture are defined narrowly; if you win, you succeed; if you don't, you fail. A wonderful aspect of triathlon is that, in any race, everyone can be a success."

I love my life and all that I am able to do with it. I love the people that add to my life. I love the trials and speed bumps that I experience. I am learning to embrace moments and roll with what is handed.

Here's to another run when I have my moments of laziness! Here's to the blisters that make it difficult to put my shoes on. Here's to the water that drowns me of my oxygen. Here's to the miles of road I ride. Here's to the life that I am able to live and experience.