Clarity

I should preface this post with a warning that it has hardly anything to do with running.  It is essentially a journal entry and I won't blame you if you click that little X in the corner right now.  :)  

***

I begin every yoga practice with an intention.  My intentions vary from themes of acceptance, love, and forgiveness to healing, heart-opening and joy. As of late, I have been seeking one thing in particular from every  yoga practice: Clarity.

Do you ever feel like you don't know what you're supposed to be doing with your life?  

Do you ever wonder what thoughts are true and which are lies?   Because we all know, not everything we THINK is necessarily TRUE.  

Are you ever unsure whether to listen to your heart or your head?  And which is telling you what?

I struggle with all of these.  Often!

I have practically been begging the universe to clear the clutter in my mind, open my eyes and wash away all confusion. Well, the mind is a powerful tool and the universe is a great listener.  All my focus and intention have not been in vain as I've gained a tremendous amount of clarity these last few weeks.

The clouds have parted and my vision is crystal clear.  Everything seems so obvious lately.  Uncertainty has turned to conviction.  And everything that was confusing the hell out me, now makes perfect sense.

With this new found clarity and 20/20 vision comes a shift in perspective.  I love when I can feel changes on the horizon.  A new season is around the corner which comes with a shift in the energy around us.  I am also moving into a new home!  I couldn't be more excited for a change in environment.  I am unhappy with my current living situation and am thrilled to move into what I consider to be a perfectly humble abode by every definition of the word.  I have been eyeing my friend Rebecca's studio since she moved in and she just so happens to be moving out right as my lease ends.  How's that for timing?  I love the energy of her place, the abundance of plants and the private gated patio.  With the small space comes a great deal of charm and warmth and I look forward to making this place my home!

On a lighter note, I also received a little bit of clarity on my health.  I've been fatigued and drained for many months now and finally decided to get a blood test.  The results are in:  I am once again anemic.  It's time to get back on that supplement!  Vegetarian and vegan friends, please remember to supplement with Iron and B12.  It's so important and I have completely failed at supplementing for the past 8 months or so.  Don't make the same mistakes as me.  It will probably take a month or so before I start to feel normal again, and I can't wait!  I miss my bountiful energy and ability to run long and strong.  At least now I know how to get back there.

I can't wait for my runs to feel easy and wonderful again.

I have gained such great perspective on my friends through this process, as well.  I am almost overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the love and support around me.  I have to say, I have the greatest friends on the planet.  I've been up and down and all around this year, and they've done nothing but support me, listen to me and love me without an ounce of judgement.  Yes, at times they were concerned but they never once made me feel bad or guilty about where I was at.  For that, I love them.

just a few of my beloved ladies

We are always seeking an understanding of this life.  We want answers.  We want clarity.  I've come to accept that I am a student of life and this process will take a lifetime.  However, in this very moment, this is what I know to be most true:

Life is all about living with purpose, appreciating the beauty and wonder around us and accepting who we are.  It is also about knowing, understanding and speaking our truth and living as authentically as possible. 

This is where I am at.

In ONE word, what are you seeking at the moment?  

Note: I promise to return to my regular running related posts very soon!

Travels that Reignite the Light

Oh, happy day!  Every other Monday I am off work and free as a bird.  Today is one of those days.  I am on my third cup of coffee, the sun is beaming and fresh air is wafting through my dusty old windows.  I am happy.

I've been feeling like a million bucks since I've returned from Portland.  My trip to the lush, green, lively land of Oregon was exactly what my soul needed.  To be perfectly honest, I was kind of a mess prior to hopping on the plane.  I was thrilled to have six full days off of work to get my mind right and to find some balance.  Sometimes, you just need a break. 

Portland is a magical city.  I had a similar feeling upon visiting Portland as I do when I visit San Francisco.  It felt like home.  There were numerous moments where I thought to myself, I could live here.  The people of Portland seem free and uninhibited.  There is a certain energy in Portland that is lacking in San Diego.  It's the same energy I feel when I am in San Francisco.  Stuff is happening there.  Progress is being made.  Things are in forward motion.  San Diego is quite different. It feels like everyone around here is just hanging out.  I love San Diego for that very reason:  People are enjoying life.  Living in the moment.  I strive for a balance of the two. 

My favorite way to see a new city is on foot -- running.  I was able to run on the coast of Oregon, through Kristen's historic neighborhood of Irvington, and once through Forest Park with my beloved Zoe. {I wrote a post awhile back about Zoe and her influence in my life}  Every run was beautiful and I experienced serious joy in those moments.  My run through Forest Park kind of set my soul on fire.  I don't know if any other trail run will ever compare.  I write about "soul cleansing" runs a lot, and this was most definitely one of them.

all things green

I had a lot of time to myself while in Portland, drinking coffee, reading, and exploring.  I think this solitude was exactly what I needed.  I find so much joy in a great cup of coffee, a brand new book and people watching.  Those three things (along with running) are truly some of my favorite things in life.  My conversations with Kristen, playtime with her beautiful children and time spent with Zoe were all part of the magic of this trip, but that goes without saying.

 Coffee with the kiddos

 

Zoe and the baby goats.  

what joy looks like. smells like. tastes like.

Source

Life has been crazy and my mind has been cluttered.  I've returned feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and focused.  I am once again ready to take on the world.  Hallelujah!

I've been avoiding getting started on some very necessary projects, such as writing a business plan for my fabulous business idea.  Just writing that sentence made it seem so real.  I finally feel ready to conquer it.  Fear often gets in the way.  Rather than let it stop me, I need to acknowledge it and move on. 

because...

 

I am eternally grateful to Kristen for allowing me to stay in her warm home with her beautiful family.  This trip wouldn't have been possible without her.  She probably has no idea how necessary those six days were, but hopefully this offers a glimpse.  I desperately needed to get back to myself, the Kate that has been missing as of late.  I found her in Portland, and she is grateful to be home. :)

 

I am off to enjoy this day, be productive, run without a plan, and absorb some sunshine.  Happy Monday!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm back from Portland and missing that magical city already.  I need to write an entire post on my Oregon trip and I promise I will soon. 

In the meantime, here is what I am digging at the moment:

Picky Bars

 

Speaking of the northwest, here is a product straight out of Oregon!  I've been dying to try these bars for some time and the lovely folks at Picky Bars finally sent me some.  Thank you!  They are Ah-Mazing and even better than I expected.  They're created by the lovely Lauren Fleshman.  They're ooey gooey and fabulous.

 

 

 

Gluten-free.

Dairy-free.

Real Food.

Complete Deliciousness.

 

www.pickybars.com

 

Alpha Warrior

As you know, I'm a little burnt out on marathons and races at the moment.  That is precisely why Alpha Warrior piqued my interest.  This isn't a mud run or a 5k, it's a bad-ass obstacle course. 

 

 

From the website:

 

Alpha Warrior is a new type of obstacle course that will push in ways that you've never been pushed before. Alpha Warrior is about having fun with your friends and attempting obstacles you've rarely seen in real life. Alpha Warrior is not measured in miles or distance, but focuses on the obstacles themselves. Alpha Warrior is one insane obstacle after another - pushing you to your physical and mental limit. The objective is to complete each obstacle on the course and finish with a 100% completion rate to become a PROVEN Alpha Warrior.

 

 

Alpha Warrior events are happening all across the country and if you're in San Diego, it's right around the corner: June 15-16!  Registration is 92% full for the San Diego event! 

 

If you still want to register, use coupon code ALPHAKATE for a $5 discount. 

 

 

Sophia Grace's Music Video

 

 

You're probably tired of the little British girls who somehow managed to steal my dream and become besties with Ellen.  Even I'm a little tired of them, but I still had to watch Sophia Grace's official music video.  Enjoy.  

The Newport {Half} Marathon

I should preface this post by stating, there really is no such thing as the Newport Half Marathon.  But if I was going to show up to a race all the way in Oregon without the ability to run the full 26.2, I was going to make a half marathon.  And I did.

The pants-over-shorts look.  Hot stuff.

The insanely gorgeous race start

Since the moment I arrived in Portland, I haven't shut up about how lush and green it is here.  I was pleasantly surprised when we drove 2 1/2 hours to Newport, a coastal town in Oregon, and the scenery continued to get more lush and even more green.  The entire race course was lined with huge trees leaving me in awe the entire way.

I didn't wear a watch.  I had no idea what I was doing.  I decided I would try to run half and then hop on a spectator shuttle back to the finish.  It worked out seamlessly.  I finished at mile 13.1 as if that was truly the finish.  I got some strange stares as I casually talked on my phone on the side of the road with my race bib still pinned to my shirt. I was smiling and laughing, clearly not upset or terribly injured.  I was actually pretty happy to be done.  In that moment, I didn't envy Kristen one bit. 

Where my race ended

I took the incredibly slow shuttle to the finish line and then walked and ran the 2 miles back to our hotel to grab the car and meet Kristen at the finish.  I knew I was cutting it close and thought that if Kristen was on track to run her sub 3:30 I could potentially miss her finish. 

Sure enough, just after I (finally) found a place to park and stepped out of the car, my phone rang and it said "KRISTEN LABARCA."  I can't even tell you how excited I was to see her name pop up.  I knew that it meant she had run a sub 3:30.  I quickly learned that she blew 3:30 out of the water with a 3:25:25 finish time.

In that moment, I was so happy for Kristen while a part of me ached for that feeling of success and triumph.  When we had originally signed up for Newport, we both had a goal of sub 3:30.  I knew I was definitely capable of it as long as my body could withstand the training.  Prior to Boston, I was right on track.  I fell apart in Boston and my so did my training afterwards.  I know one day I will get there.  I am in no hurry to sign up for another marathon and plan to take it really easy this summer.  Maybe next winter I'll start training again, but I can't even think that far ahead at the moment.

In this moment, I am celebrating Kristen and her crazy success in the last 7 weeks.  She first PRed in Boston with a 3:30:30 and then PRed again with a 3:25:25.  Can you please note her crazy perfect finish times?  Kristen is so incredibly humble and she completely underestimated herself in both races.  To see her come out on top has been so much fun.  It is time for her to bask in all of her marathon glory.  I plan to remind her of her 3:25 every chance I get for the remainder of my time here until it sinks in.  I think she's still in shock.  Head over to her blog or Facebook page and congratulate her. 

Kristen rocking her super cool running gear post-marathon

The view from our hotel room

Pure Flow twins

I didn't run a marathon today.  Heck, I don't even know the "finish time" of my impromptu half marathon.  Yet, I sit here in an adorable coffee shop in Portland feeling perfectly content.  I ran 13.1+ miles today in a perfectly picturesque, serene coastal town that I otherwise would have probably never visited.  Running brings us so many unique experiences like this one, and I am supremely grateful. 

Welcome to Friday Faves!

I decided to start a little something new here on the blog.  Fridays are usually the day of the week when I do the most mindless perusing of the internet, so I thought I would do my part and contribute some material. 

Friday Faves is a new weekly installment where I will share what I am loving at the moment.  If I hear a kick ass new song that I know you'll love running to, I will share it.  If I try a new product and it knocks my socks off, I'll tell you all about it.  If I learn about a fun race or event around the corner, I'll be sure to give you all the deets. 

So, welcome to Friday Faves.  Don't expect every week to be this fancy.  This is my first ever vlog and it is all compliments of Teresa at Eat, Drink and Be Skinny.  If it weren't for the fact that she took the time to edit this bad boy, I wouldn't even be posting it because I am horrified by myself on video. Please excuse my messy hair, fast speech and lack of preparedness.  This was taken after a long work day-- Cut me some slack!

  Bare Mixers

To learn more about this product, visit www.baremixers.com

Happy Friday, Everyone!



Portland, Here I Come!

Tomorrow.

One more day.

I will be visiting a new city that I am expecting to fall madly in love with.

Portland.  

The Pacific Northwest.

Finally!

I have been dying to visit Portland for ages now and the time has finally come.  I get to see Kristen and hang out with her beautiful family.  I get to taste what I expect to be some of the best coffee I've ever consumed.  I am going to devour a Voodoo doughnut, eat delicious vegetarian fare, peruse Powell's book store and traipse through the magnificent Forest Park.  I can't tell you how many times I've typed "Forest Park" into my  Google image toolbar just to drool over photos of serene running trails.  I would kill to run there on a regular basis.  

Bookstores are my sanctuary

 

Forest Park -- AKA Heaven on Earth

Kristen is going to run the Newport Marathon this Saturday, and I am going to be her wing woman.  It's finally sinking in that I won't be running alongside her, and sadness comes with that realization.  I really wish my body could have held up for this race.  I wish I had the energy, the strength, and the guts to have made it to this race after the madness that ensued in Boston.  I would have loved for this to be my redemption race.  I realize that nothing positive will come from wallowing.  Instead, I will live vicariously through Kristen.  I will surround her with positive energy and encouragement and celebrate HER when she finishes.  She is one amazing woman and I feel lucky to have the chance to spend time with her and to watch her complete yet another marathon.  I'm just overflowing with gratitude over here.

Kristen's little girls.  I really hope they will snuggle me like that.

Any recommendations for Portland?

Any advice for Kristen on running a 2nd marathon in 7 weeks?

My New Care-Free Approach to Running

It's been a little while since running has brought me pleasure or joy.  If it's not enjoyable, why do it?  Right?  I run for so many reasons and suffering is not one of them.  I run because it's cheaper than therapy.  I run because it elevates my mood, relieves my stress, and leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment.  I run because it's a challenge, and let's be honest, it also gives me nice calves and allows me to eat more than I otherwise would.  Yes, it can be painful and awful at times, but in the end it provides so much satisfaction.  The lost toenails, bloody blisters and achy muscles are all worth it. 

However, since Boston, running has been one big suffer fest.  I was starting to think it might be time for me and running to break up.  Our love affair has been anything but hot and heavy and I've been left feeling deflated and insecure after every run.  Who wants to feel like that? 

But lately, things are starting to look up! 

I've decided to take a completely care-free approach to running for the time being.  I've been hitting the roads without any expectations.  I've been listening to my body and breath instead of a GPS device. Fancy that!  Pace and distance are irrelevant at the moment.  I head outside, hit the road, and just run.  I can't even remember the last time I ran without any idea how far or fast I was going.  If I had to guess, I'd say 2009!

 

This newfound approach has helped me to experience the joy that only running can bring.  I've missed this feeling.  I can honestly say that my last two runs have not only been incredibly cathartic, but also euphoric.  I was thrilled to catch a runner's high the other day for the first time in awhile.  There is nothing else like it, and I will probably chase that feeling for the rest of my life.  If a non-runner experienced that euphoria, I truly believe they would start running immediately. 

I'm not sure how long I'll stick with this approach.  I don't want to train for any races this summer, so I would venture to guess I probably won't incorporate any structure until this fall.  Until then, running and I are just having fun.  We're taking it easy.  Playing it cool.  And let me tell you, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Do you experience a "runner's high?"

Is your running structured or do you take a more care-free approach?