It all started back in September when I was in Moab. I was there for an expedition adventure race and the team I was with convinced me that a great way to keep in touch (they all live in San Francisco) was through Facebook. I thought "great, a way to keep in touch with these wonderful new friends." So I joined and the next day left on the great adventure of a 4 day race.
After 4 days of traveling around the Moab wilderness and having little to no contact with the outside world, I returned to civilization to find a zillion facebook friend requests - A ZILLION I TELL YA!! Quite the shock to find that people outside of my little group of San Francisco friends had found me. How did that happen? And honestly, how did I get this many friends??!!
I now blame my San Fran friends for introducing me to this new obsession, which has taken over my entire life. I have found and been found by friends that I haven't seen since my primary school years, or college, or even my previous jobs. And I can't get enough of it... my thoughts are consumed with who has updated their status updates or what celebrity they are most like or who posted their 25 Random Things list and heaven forbid that I miss reading that list! It's exhausting and I blame my insomnia on this new and grand obsession.
In all my searching and posting and poking, I found this video. And I laughed, laughed at my own obsession and because I love to share funny stuff, I decided to share it here. Because sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.
And then there is Twitter... but I'll leave that obsession for another post. Besides, I haven't updated my status in over an hour - I have some work to do!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
the need to connect
It was a year ago that I began this blog, all because I had decided to follow a dream and run my first adventure race. Looking back at this year, I realize I far exceeded even my own expectations. I've already written, in detail, about my amazing year, so I'm not going to make you suffer through it again. But I never in a million years could have foreseen what changes would take place in my life over the past year.
The changes in me physically are easy to see - losing 200 pounds can do that. But there have been other, more profound changes that aren't as noticeable. Sometimes I even have a hard time seeing it, which isn't a big surprise given my past (and all too present) self-esteem issues. It's always been easier for me to focus on my faults than my strengths.
What it comes down to is this... people make all the difference. More specifically, the people in my life have made a difference. For many years I lived in a very limited world of my own making - it was safe and secure and, well, boring. I had great friends but I kept them at arms length, not wanting anyone to disrupt my little utopia. I let my weight and insecurities rule my life and in the process I missed out on so much.
Now? My utopia bubble has been burst and I am left to deal with all the messy and glorious humanness that is a part of life. And while it makes life so much more difficult, it is unbelievably rewarding. My old friends have stood by me through all my ups and downs; my new friends have accepted me and all my quirks and challenged me to be a better version of myself. While my belief in myself is sometimes lacking, I know that I can tap into any of my friends and they will see things in me that I don't see myself. And isn't that what relationships are about - helping each other become the very best we can be? I am grateful and humbled by all of my friends faith in me and hope I am able to give back as much as I have been given.
Who would have thought that my 'little dream' would become the catalyst for so much change in my life? No one is more surprised than me.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
I heart San Diego
I got off the plane and immediately striped off my coat, threw on some flip flops and from then on, I was in love.
I've never been a summer person, my weight made any temperature above 70 a fairly miserable experience. But since I've lost the weight I have gained a great appreciation for the sun and warm temperatures that, unfortunately, are not happening in Colorado at this time. I wore flip flops in February!! How could you not love that?!
I spent the week working at a conference so my time outside was limited. But there was so much more to the week than just work and being in the warm sun:
- Spending time with my old and dear friend Kathy, who came as a volunteer - I can't remember the last time we got to spend this much time along together (it was probably way back in college!) but it was so nice to sit and chat about everyday stuff. I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing friend.
- Spending a glorious hour at the beach, where I got to walk barefoot in the sand, get soaking wet and flirt with a cute Italian.
- Meeting some kindred spirits in Joel and Kristen, a lovely couple that made me laugh and think, all at the same time. Those are the best kind of friends!
- Eating fresh fruit that actually tasted good! (that just isn't possible here in Colorado in the winter).
- Meeting and interviewing Phil Vischer (my creative hero)
The downside to this week? Having to come back to cold and snowy Colorado. Anyone know of a cheap, beach side property in San Diego that I could rent for a few months?
I've never been a summer person, my weight made any temperature above 70 a fairly miserable experience. But since I've lost the weight I have gained a great appreciation for the sun and warm temperatures that, unfortunately, are not happening in Colorado at this time. I wore flip flops in February!! How could you not love that?!
I spent the week working at a conference so my time outside was limited. But there was so much more to the week than just work and being in the warm sun:
- Spending time with my old and dear friend Kathy, who came as a volunteer - I can't remember the last time we got to spend this much time along together (it was probably way back in college!) but it was so nice to sit and chat about everyday stuff. I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing friend.
- Spending a glorious hour at the beach, where I got to walk barefoot in the sand, get soaking wet and flirt with a cute Italian.
- Meeting some kindred spirits in Joel and Kristen, a lovely couple that made me laugh and think, all at the same time. Those are the best kind of friends!
- Eating fresh fruit that actually tasted good! (that just isn't possible here in Colorado in the winter).
- Meeting and interviewing Phil Vischer (my creative hero)
The downside to this week? Having to come back to cold and snowy Colorado. Anyone know of a cheap, beach side property in San Diego that I could rent for a few months?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hmmm.....
“Exercise is done against one’s wishes and maintained only because the alternative is worse.”
-George Sheenan
I need some serious motivation right now so I'm going to put this up where I can see it everyday.
The alternative to no exercise? Not even worth thinking about.
-George Sheenan
I need some serious motivation right now so I'm going to put this up where I can see it everyday.
The alternative to no exercise? Not even worth thinking about.
Monday, January 26, 2009
25 Random Things
I was tagged on Facebook for this and had such a fun time writing it I thought I would share it here. :-)
1. I love to watch Blues Clues (despite having no kids)
2. My all-time favorite show is Northern Exposure and I have all the episodes on VHS
3. Growing up I wanted to be a lawyer
4. Now that I am grown up, I don't want to be anything but a ski/mountain/beach bum
5. My dad is my hero
6. The best job I ever had was working in a yogurt shop in college
7. I hate to admit this, but I saw Barry Manilow in concert...2 times. I'm such a geek.
8. Along that same line, I saw Village People in concert when I was 12 years old - I had no idea what the whole "YMCA" thing really meant. (no comments please)
9. I redeemed myself by seeing Elton John 4 years later - much cooler.
10. Even though I grew up in Colorado, I didn't climb my first 14er until I was 41. (hey, I just realized that my age then is 14 backwards - cool!)
11. I love Peanut Butter!
12. I also love popcorn (but not with Peanut Butter, although that's not a bad idea -hmmmm...)
13. I hate to Mountain Bike (yet I keep riding the damn thing) which brings me to my next random thing...
14. I'm a gluten for punishment
15. I'm an extrovert (big surprise, I know)
16. I take tons of vitamins
17. I hate wind - really, really hate it.
18. My family loves going to sporting events, everything from Denver Broncos, Air Force Falcons, etc. It's our bonding time.
19. When I was 14 I won the state championship in doubles bowling
20. One time in HS I was late to school because our house got hit by a hot air balloon - nobody at school believed me.
21. I had a huge crush on Donnie Osmond when I was growing up. those purple socks...
22. I stopped taking naps when I was 9 months old (my poor mother)
23. I really was a terrible 2's kid (I did things like eat tobacco, drink gasoline, scream till I was blue in the face, etc... (again, my poor mother)
24. My brother was the perfect 2 year old since all he did was follow me around and watch me get into trouble.
25. I'm addicted to the internet (long before Al Gore 'invented' it)
1. I love to watch Blues Clues (despite having no kids)
2. My all-time favorite show is Northern Exposure and I have all the episodes on VHS
3. Growing up I wanted to be a lawyer
4. Now that I am grown up, I don't want to be anything but a ski/mountain/beach bum
5. My dad is my hero
6. The best job I ever had was working in a yogurt shop in college
7. I hate to admit this, but I saw Barry Manilow in concert...2 times. I'm such a geek.
8. Along that same line, I saw Village People in concert when I was 12 years old - I had no idea what the whole "YMCA" thing really meant. (no comments please)
9. I redeemed myself by seeing Elton John 4 years later - much cooler.
10. Even though I grew up in Colorado, I didn't climb my first 14er until I was 41. (hey, I just realized that my age then is 14 backwards - cool!)
11. I love Peanut Butter!
12. I also love popcorn (but not with Peanut Butter, although that's not a bad idea -hmmmm...)
13. I hate to Mountain Bike (yet I keep riding the damn thing) which brings me to my next random thing...
14. I'm a gluten for punishment
15. I'm an extrovert (big surprise, I know)
16. I take tons of vitamins
17. I hate wind - really, really hate it.
18. My family loves going to sporting events, everything from Denver Broncos, Air Force Falcons, etc. It's our bonding time.
19. When I was 14 I won the state championship in doubles bowling
20. One time in HS I was late to school because our house got hit by a hot air balloon - nobody at school believed me.
21. I had a huge crush on Donnie Osmond when I was growing up. those purple socks...
22. I stopped taking naps when I was 9 months old (my poor mother)
23. I really was a terrible 2's kid (I did things like eat tobacco, drink gasoline, scream till I was blue in the face, etc... (again, my poor mother)
24. My brother was the perfect 2 year old since all he did was follow me around and watch me get into trouble.
25. I'm addicted to the internet (long before Al Gore 'invented' it)
Monday, January 19, 2009
4 days in a row
You can tell I have more time on my hands, can't you? My blog went from barely one post a month to 4 days in a row - I LOVE having free time!
todays workout: walked for about 30 minutes then did strength training for about an hour. this new program is whipping my butt but i know I'll see a difference soon.
Something kind of cool I saw on a friends site so i thought i would do it here...
2008 Trips
Moab, UT - 2 trips
Salt Lake City, UT
Rifle, CO
Breckenridge, CO
Leadville, CO
Telluride, CO
Kremmling, CO
Gunnison, CO
Ouray, CO
Great Sand Dunes, CO
Buena Vista, CO - 2 trips
Lake City, CO - 3 trips
Denver, CO - too many times to even list
Albuquerque, NM
Fenton Lake, NM
Amarillo, TX
San Antonio, TX
How in the world did I have enough time to visit all these places????
todays workout: walked for about 30 minutes then did strength training for about an hour. this new program is whipping my butt but i know I'll see a difference soon.
Something kind of cool I saw on a friends site so i thought i would do it here...
2008 Trips
Moab, UT - 2 trips
Salt Lake City, UT
Rifle, CO
Breckenridge, CO
Leadville, CO
Telluride, CO
Kremmling, CO
Gunnison, CO
Ouray, CO
Great Sand Dunes, CO
Buena Vista, CO - 2 trips
Lake City, CO - 3 trips
Denver, CO - too many times to even list
Albuquerque, NM
Fenton Lake, NM
Amarillo, TX
San Antonio, TX
How in the world did I have enough time to visit all these places????
Sunday, January 18, 2009
a lucky gal
I was thinking yesterday about the past year, in particular how fortunate I am to have added so many amazing friends to my already blessed life. I never would have imagined how much my life would change in just one year (actually, I've been in a perpetual state of change for a few years now so I guess I shouldn't be surprised).
Jerry and Linda - I met them at Adventure Race camp in the spring. We were all extreme newbies to this thing called adventure racing and on the first day were put in the beginners group for mountain biking (I'm talking BEGINNERS group - so much so that they split the three of us into a separate group with our instructor because we were going a little too slow). We bonded that weekend and ended up running our first race together down in Albuquerque a couple of months later. They are an amazing couple who I inspire to emulate in my own relationships. I remember meeting them in Lake City this summer to climb Handies Peak. We were to meet at a local restaurant and as I was walking up to the restaurant I got a glimpse of them in the window. They didn't look like a couple who had been married 25+ years, they looked like a couple on their first date. It gave me hope.
I also met Tim at adventure race camp. However, Tim was not a newbie to adventure racing - he had quite a bit of experience in all the disciplines and was there to get certification for the BIG race, Primal Quest. He was my partner for kayaking and impressed me with his patience and fun spirit. He was also an amazing instructor with such a great attitude and spirit. I got the chance to be support for a race he did in Moab in September and even under those type of extreme circumstances, he still had the same peaceful and calm nature. When I think of Tim I imagine how I want to live my life... to the fullest. He lives that example every day.
Jari - what can't I say about her? I've talked about her quite a bit on this blog but I think it's hard to put into words her influence on my life. I met her that first day of AR camp, she was our mountain bike instructor and took me under her wing. She is a natural teacher who loves to challenge people to be their very best. Despite her busy schedule of traveling and racing, she has always had time to encourage and advise me and just be my friend. When I think of Jari I see a person who lives life exactly the way she wants, with no regrets.
Wendy and Melissa - I had kind of met Wendy at, you guessed it, AR camp. But I didn't get to know her very well until this past September when I did support for her at the Moab race (she was on Tim's team). I am so glad I met her! She is warm and friendly yet tougher than nails. She really struggled through parts of the race yet never gave up and I have a feeling it never even crossed her mind. I just loved spending time with her, she is one of those people I feel totally at ease with and love talking to.
I met Melissa at the Moab race, she was on the team with Tim, Wendy and Kent. Melissa is what you would call an "exuberant spirit." She is a constant source of encouragement and has the most upbeat attitude I have ever seen. I had mentioned that I had a fear of racing with people, mostly since I feel I hold them back with how slow I am. She squashed that immediately and has decided that I will racing my first 24 hour race with her - she wants me to get over my fears ASAP! I get emails from her all the time asking me when I want to race and I love her for that - she's not going to let me get away with wimping out (even though I have thought about it!). I just love her to death and can't wait to actually do a race with her.
I met Jody (who I unfortunately don't have a pic of) at my first orienteering weekend. It was actually a training weekend and we got paired up in the same training group. You know those type of people you immediately feel comfortable with? That's what it was like with her, I just felt like I had known her for years. We both bike and hike and went to many of the orienteering meets together. The great thing is we are pretty comparable when it comes to any types of sporting events, not too slow, not too fast, just right. Jody is so creative and despite enduring tough times the past years, she still plugs along at life, trying new things and putting one foot in front of the other. She has finally moved to Colorado full-time and I can't wait to spend more time with her!
I met Kim through my friend Glenn, they were both involved in the same singles group. We have slowly gotten to know each other and I now count her as one of my closest and dearest friends. Despite enduring incredible heartache in her short life, she never lets that stop her and has an amazing outlook on life. I have learned so much from her and can't even imagine my life without her.
Do you see a pattern here? All of these friends have a love for life that I admire and respect. I am so fortunate to have them in my life and count them all as an amazing addition to my already blessed life. Thank you to all of you for what you have been to me.
Jerry and Linda - I met them at Adventure Race camp in the spring. We were all extreme newbies to this thing called adventure racing and on the first day were put in the beginners group for mountain biking (I'm talking BEGINNERS group - so much so that they split the three of us into a separate group with our instructor because we were going a little too slow). We bonded that weekend and ended up running our first race together down in Albuquerque a couple of months later. They are an amazing couple who I inspire to emulate in my own relationships. I remember meeting them in Lake City this summer to climb Handies Peak. We were to meet at a local restaurant and as I was walking up to the restaurant I got a glimpse of them in the window. They didn't look like a couple who had been married 25+ years, they looked like a couple on their first date. It gave me hope.
I also met Tim at adventure race camp. However, Tim was not a newbie to adventure racing - he had quite a bit of experience in all the disciplines and was there to get certification for the BIG race, Primal Quest. He was my partner for kayaking and impressed me with his patience and fun spirit. He was also an amazing instructor with such a great attitude and spirit. I got the chance to be support for a race he did in Moab in September and even under those type of extreme circumstances, he still had the same peaceful and calm nature. When I think of Tim I imagine how I want to live my life... to the fullest. He lives that example every day.
Jari - what can't I say about her? I've talked about her quite a bit on this blog but I think it's hard to put into words her influence on my life. I met her that first day of AR camp, she was our mountain bike instructor and took me under her wing. She is a natural teacher who loves to challenge people to be their very best. Despite her busy schedule of traveling and racing, she has always had time to encourage and advise me and just be my friend. When I think of Jari I see a person who lives life exactly the way she wants, with no regrets.
Wendy and Melissa - I had kind of met Wendy at, you guessed it, AR camp. But I didn't get to know her very well until this past September when I did support for her at the Moab race (she was on Tim's team). I am so glad I met her! She is warm and friendly yet tougher than nails. She really struggled through parts of the race yet never gave up and I have a feeling it never even crossed her mind. I just loved spending time with her, she is one of those people I feel totally at ease with and love talking to.
I met Melissa at the Moab race, she was on the team with Tim, Wendy and Kent. Melissa is what you would call an "exuberant spirit." She is a constant source of encouragement and has the most upbeat attitude I have ever seen. I had mentioned that I had a fear of racing with people, mostly since I feel I hold them back with how slow I am. She squashed that immediately and has decided that I will racing my first 24 hour race with her - she wants me to get over my fears ASAP! I get emails from her all the time asking me when I want to race and I love her for that - she's not going to let me get away with wimping out (even though I have thought about it!). I just love her to death and can't wait to actually do a race with her.
I met Jody (who I unfortunately don't have a pic of) at my first orienteering weekend. It was actually a training weekend and we got paired up in the same training group. You know those type of people you immediately feel comfortable with? That's what it was like with her, I just felt like I had known her for years. We both bike and hike and went to many of the orienteering meets together. The great thing is we are pretty comparable when it comes to any types of sporting events, not too slow, not too fast, just right. Jody is so creative and despite enduring tough times the past years, she still plugs along at life, trying new things and putting one foot in front of the other. She has finally moved to Colorado full-time and I can't wait to spend more time with her!
I met Kim through my friend Glenn, they were both involved in the same singles group. We have slowly gotten to know each other and I now count her as one of my closest and dearest friends. Despite enduring incredible heartache in her short life, she never lets that stop her and has an amazing outlook on life. I have learned so much from her and can't even imagine my life without her.
Do you see a pattern here? All of these friends have a love for life that I admire and respect. I am so fortunate to have them in my life and count them all as an amazing addition to my already blessed life. Thank you to all of you for what you have been to me.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Some Group Hiking
I spent the morning hiking at a local park, Palmer Park. I thought the hike would be pretty boring but it turned out to have some challenging parts, especially at the parts that had some snow leftover from last week. There were 18 of us and I ended up being the "rounder upper" - in other words, I went last so that if anyone had problems and slowed down, stopped, etc, I was there to help.
It was a pretty uneventful hike but I did get the chance to hike with a gal who had just set the goal to lose 100 pounds and this was her first hike. We took it nice and slow and I'm proud to say she made it up some pretty steep hills - a great start to her resolution!
So, that's my exercise for today - about 3 hours of hiking. Now I'm ready for bed, I'm tired.
It was a pretty uneventful hike but I did get the chance to hike with a gal who had just set the goal to lose 100 pounds and this was her first hike. We took it nice and slow and I'm proud to say she made it up some pretty steep hills - a great start to her resolution!
So, that's my exercise for today - about 3 hours of hiking. Now I'm ready for bed, I'm tired.
Friday, January 16, 2009
accountability
I've decided to post my workouts daily, more for me than anyone else. This will allow me to go back and track what I'm doing and how I'm progressing - I just realized that adventure race camp is only 3 months away and AR season begins soon after that - I need to be ready!
So, what was today's workout? It was a nice and long brick workout and a good way to spend the morning.
- ran 2 miles
- took a one hour spinning class (with one of my favorite teachers - she completely rocks!)
- 30 minutes of pilates class
Tonight is laser tag with some friends and I always work up a sweat when I do that, so I guess I can consider that hour as part of my exercise as well. Now if the snow would just melt on the trails I could get out and do some biking - I never thought I would say this, but I kind of miss my bike :-) (that, in itself, is a miracle)
So, what was today's workout? It was a nice and long brick workout and a good way to spend the morning.
- ran 2 miles
- took a one hour spinning class (with one of my favorite teachers - she completely rocks!)
- 30 minutes of pilates class
Tonight is laser tag with some friends and I always work up a sweat when I do that, so I guess I can consider that hour as part of my exercise as well. Now if the snow would just melt on the trails I could get out and do some biking - I never thought I would say this, but I kind of miss my bike :-) (that, in itself, is a miracle)
A Break!
After a crazy couple of months, I finally get a break (I even worked through Christmas and New Year - I haven't had a day off in a LONG time). I get a 4 day weekend and I plan on spending it outside - luckily the weather is suppose to be great, yeah!! I have a hike planned for tomorrow with some friends, hopefully a bike ride Sunday or Monday and maybe throw some snowshoeing in there as well. Funny how a break for me now means being active - a 4 day weekend use to mean a chance to sit on the couch and catch up on my tv shows - what a difference 3 years makes!
Just for fun I'm posting this youtube video - I try to watch it every now and then, it just makes me smile. I actually talked to my gym manager about him letting me do something like this with some of the treadmills and figure out how the heck they did it. He just smiled, shook his head and walked away - I guess that meant no.
Just for fun I'm posting this youtube video - I try to watch it every now and then, it just makes me smile. I actually talked to my gym manager about him letting me do something like this with some of the treadmills and figure out how the heck they did it. He just smiled, shook his head and walked away - I guess that meant no.
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