Moments

"You never see the hard days in a photo album... but those are the ones that get you from one happy snapshot to the next." ~ Just Married

Did I just quote an early 2000s Rom-Com to start the blog? Yep, that I did!

I've recently been thinking a great deal about happiness in life. What does happiness look like? How is it achieved? Do we even know when we really are happy?

I used to believe that happiness was something that had a permanence to it. The perfect job, the perfect marriage, the perfect house. Life could just be perfect!

As I've gotten older I've quickly realized nothing is ever truly perfect. Jobs have stresses, marriage has tough times, and that perfect house costs A LOT of money (and its still not perfect).

So if nothing will ever be perfect then how can we ever be happy? The answer to that question is easy- We enjoy the perfect moments in our life!

The smile on your boy's face as he runs down the street yelling, "daddddyyyy!" as you walk home from the bus stop.

Going to bed knowing you have your best friend (who just happens to be the most beautiful woman in the world) laying next to you.

When your students knock a group project right out of the park!

Or when you get to go on a run during the first snow fall of the season...

It's these moments that help you make it through the tough times, like when a family member gets sick, when a friend's struggling (and you feel powerless to help), or when something on your life's wish list is just a little out of reach (baby, house, etc).

Life may never be perfect, but there are perfect moments, so enjoy them as the happen and be thankful when they do.

Here's the 411 on today's run:

When I'm 64 or 150...

"When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?"

The Beatles sang the song, "When I'm 64" nearly 50 years ago, but the lyrics (like so many of their masterpieces) still rings true today. I'm two years away from 40 and I can't help but think about what "64" will be.

I really started contemplating this when the keynote speaker at our Telluride in-service spoke on the importance of physical education. Now, I am not sure he helped my educational practices, but he did make one point that had a profound impact on my life. I'm paraphrasing here, but it was something like, "It's not the number of years you live- it's the quality of those years"

That one statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I have been working out more and eating (or trying to eat) better because I want all of the years in my life to be active and healthy. Do I want to live to 80? 90? 100? Sure, if I can spend those years with all of my mental faculties and physicaly fit. Do I want to live that long if I have to suffer through preventable diseases or conditions? No way! I've been in one too many nursing homes to want to see how that story plays out.

Which leads to a greater question- How long should we live? Or maybe even how long do you want to live? This thought provoking article from CNN.com responds to an ad claiming the first person to live to 150 years old is alive today. I know we all want to live a long and healthy life, but how long is too long? Too long for us or too long for the sustainability of our society... Put your thoughts in the comments below.

Here's some Beatles to make you smile:

And of course the 411 on today's run!

Setting yourself up for failure, while hoping for greatness

This morning was Telluride's Halloween Family 5k. With less than 50 participants, the thought crossed my mind I might be able to finish in the top three. Yes... Trophy! I mean I had been running regularly, had added strength training, and was acclimated to the elevation.  This was going to be MY race!

What could possibly go wrong?

Well... I did have 3 hot dogs at the cookout last night (which I never eat anymore), I also ate large amounts of the Hershey's s'mores stock, and then had two large glasses of wine for a night cap. Now, I'm not saying that led to stomach trouble on the course, but I'm not saying it didn't either.

Oh, and did I mention it was really cold before the start of the race? Did I take the time to warm up at all? Nope! I was blinded by the trophy I was sure was waiting for me. Well, when I may or may not have stopped to address the stomach issues every muscle in both of my legs may have tightened up like a rusted bolt on a John Deere, which always helps when your trying to find a running rythym.

I finished- but nowhere near the top three. In fact, my (maybe) hypothetical pits stop may have allowed James' (my other running partner) seven year old son to finish just ahead of me.

Moral of the story. Take every race as seriously as marathon. Nutrition, routines and good habits matter!

Here's the 411 on today's race:

You are what you eat...

 Oh... Oreos, Pillsbury cake, and peanut butter M&Ms- I love you all! But I hate you too.

Every runner knows that a huge part of your training is how you fuel your body. The better and more nutritious food you put in your body, the better your training will be; just as the better fuel you put in your car the smoother it will run.

I have been doing a (somewhat) better job on eating healthier since the move. Maybe its the fact the nearest fast food is an hour away or maybe its the fact that 95% of the residents in this town are health food nuts. Whatever the case, I am making (slight) improvements in my diet.

Here are some highlights of my dietary changes:

• Eating one or two salads a day
• Using bananas, apples and other fruits for snacks
• Been nearly soda free for a month (have only had two during that time)
• More veggies with lunch and dinner

But I have a weakness, an Achilles heel if you will, when it comes to food- my sweet tooth. I love cake, ice cream and cookies- I mean REALLY love them! Now, part of it is not my fault, as a recent study has suggested Oreos are as addictive as cocaine, but really that's a cop out.  No one is holding a gun to my head at the store- forcing me to bring the cake mix home. There's no rule at Clark's (our local market) stating I have to grab that bag of peanut butter M&Ms on the way out.

So what do I do? My faithful readers and friends know my brother is a personal trainer and he has clued me in to two key changes that should help me fuel better during training. Read 'em over and let me know what you think in the comments.

1. The mindset switch- I have to begin thinking of food as fuel. If it's not good for my body then I shouldn't be eating it. This worked with me with diet soda, as every time I thought about having one, I heard Chris's (my training partner) voice say, "that is poison." Do I still want a soda- yep! But I know its not good fuel and I grab my water bottle instead. The next step is to apply this mindset switch to sweets.
2. Cheat meals- It's not mentally healthy to deprive yourself totally- it may actually cause you to crave sweets more. My plan is to make my long run days my cheat days. My reward for running 10-20 miles is to allow myself to have a piece of cake (or two) or some chocolate chip cookies. If I allow myself to splurge once a week hopefully I can keep on track the rest of the week.

Look for more updates on how my fueling is going as my training picks up.

Here's the 411 on this week's "long run"  with Chris

Someday doesn't exist but Supermen do

"Someday doesn't exist. Never has and never will. There is only right now"

"Real supermen don't leap over buildings in a single bound- they take small determined steps, consistently over time."

My two favorite lines from the this inspirational running video from the Salt Lake City Marathon Facebook page (did I mention that's my spring marathon?) Take the next 2:32 and watch the video now! (Seriously, do it!)

Alright, if you haven't already laced up your running shoes and left for a run- then please finish reading, since, well, you're here anyway.

How many of us have had a fitness or life goal and said "someday I will..."? I know I have, but after the year I had last year I vowed that I would never say "someday" again. I love my job and strive to be a great teacher- but I refuse to sacrifice my health and happiness to get there. I refuse to push off marathon training, or an epic hiking trip for "someday."  If I wish to remain healthy and happy (both make me a better teacher, btw) then I need to run, hike and be active now!

But what about Superman? As my 15-20 faithful readers know, I have an awesome and adorable son, William. Now like most dads, I often wonder what he thinks of me or what he will think as he gets older. I viewed, or maybe still do view, my dad as the perfect mix of Einstein, Superman, and Plato.  What will William think?  I may never be able to "leap over a building in a single bound," but I can set a great example of the importance of being fit and working extremely hard to achieve your goals. If I can impart these two things William will be well on his way to being a great young man.

What do you want to do NOW?! Not someday, but now! Leave a comment on the goals you want to achieve.

Here's the 411 on today's run:

Keep Moving Forward

 I recently came across an inspiring blog post on the Salt Lake City Marathon Facebook page on the 10 things running teaches you. It is a must for all runners or anyone thinking about running, as it had me nodding my head in agreement while reading each point. I kept thinking about the post during my run on Friday and I knew there was a "lesson" I had to add, because it's the #1 lesson running has taught me.

Keep moving forward! It's my running and life mantra.

Whether its training for a marathon or dealing with a any major issue, there is only one way to get through: Keep moving forward.

Let's look at the options when we face adversity-

We could try and go back, but what good would that do? As my father once said, "those would haves could haves or should haves are all gone." We can't change the past. Nor can we try and go back to the "way it was." The past is the past and needs to stay there.  We can only control where we go from here, so keep moving forward.

We could also stop when faced with a challenge, but we remain where we are and the problem (or number of miles) isn't going to get any smaller. Stopping allows our mind to race, the problem to build, while the situation seems worse. Pain, sadness, and fear can be debilitating, but to overcome the problems we face we must "keep moving forward."

If we move forward we are able to put definite actions in place to overcome whatever we are facing. We can move past troubles in our past, fix flaws, or deal with any disappointment life throws in our way. Moving forward (literally running) helps us defeat anxiety, stress, and depression, while freeing our minds to think of positive solutions or paths that our lives can take to help us become better versions of ourselves.

In your toughest times go for a run and Keep moving forward.

Here is the 411 from today's run:

Rocky Mountain High- Colorado!

John Denver sang it so many years ago, but his classic song was in my head during my ten-miler with Chris today. I mean how could you not get a runner's high with this view in front of you?

Running up Fall Creek Road

Many of you are probably sick of me saying it, but it feels like we live in a never ending series of post cards. Mountains, forests, rivers, and rock cliffs provide endless views and awe-inspiring moments. And it's even more than that, because you can't help but feel refreshed, inspired, and humbled all at the same time.

Having a bad day? Step outside and watch and listen to the San Miguel River rush by. Need perspective? Take a hike and feel so extremely small compared to the towering 14,000 foot mountains created millions of years ago.  I have talked to so many residents and the vast majority are so laid back and chill, but how could you not be? The essence of Telluride is it's ability to ease your mind, strengthen your body, and refresh your soul.

At the end of my run I paused to give thanks for all of my blessings- health, family, friends, a great job and for being able to experience a daily "Rocky Mountain high."

Everybody sing-along:

 And of course the 411 on today's run: