MILESTONES IN THE MOUNTAINS

Well I am finally moved in to my home in Murphy, N.C. The move has been really hard, so much unpacking, heavy lifting, etc. very tiring and hard on the legs. But it is so beautiful here I just can't put it into words. This has been my dream to move here since we bought this house 8 years ago. WOW, and here I am. I have had many Milestones since; but my two biggest ones are my first long run here last Sunday, 14 miles, and not one flat spot to be had. I am running from the bottom of my mountain down a main road. Now "main road" is very relative, not too many cars, but lots of dogs trying to become my new running partners and no bike or running lanes. So when cars do approach I have to jump off the side of the road. But anyway my 14 miler was truly a Milestone, I didn't know if I could make the full 14 miles without walking (but I did) and second, I had been stung by a bee the day before and my left inner leg was very swollen, I encountered many dogs on the way, ran some of the steepest hills I have run in many years, fell off the side of the highway and slightly twisted my right ankle (at 7 miles) and then ran the next 7 miles in driving rain!! But...I was so happy to be running in these beautiful mountains with the song birds, roosters, wild rabbits, turkeys, cows, horses, Dogs :-), and at the top of each hill another beautiful vista.
So now to my second Milestone... My first track workout alone. The fitness center near my house has a 1/4 mile track of sorts. It's really beautiful, sunflowers growing in the center of the track, I saw several wild rabbits, which reminded me of the tortoise and the hare story; I think that was a sign for me to be the "tortoise" :-). It was a great workout, 8-200's with a 200 rest in between, mile warm up and mile and half cool down. I was really stoked after my workout. I took some videos with my camera that closely resemble The Blair witch project photography. I was a little slower than my goal times but my legs are super sore from trying to adjust to so much hill running. I am just so thankful to be living in such a beautiful place.
I'm finally starting to get a bit organized, still tons to do, and looking forward to getting some gardening done. Hard work, but a big pay off. I will close with two list, "Things I love" and "Things I hate" here.
Things I love,:
The weather, The song birds, The views, the chipmunks living under my back deck, The quite, the darkness at night, all the cool things I see while running, people I don't know waving to me like a friend, drinking out of the stone water fountain at the church, the first half of my regular run is mostly down hill, having Bruce as a neighbor (he knows how to do everything), spending most of the day with my dog Maya and walking her on our shaded gravel path, the fresh produce at the "Old Well market", but mostly the peace in my heart.
Things I dislike:
THE SQUIRRELS, ticks, BEES, the few cars that don't move over when I'm running, and the last half of my regular run is ALL UP HILL (and I mean steep up hill) and I miss my family and running buddy Christine.
Not too bad; I'd say the good FAR, FAR out weighs the bad.
SO far I'm not lonely, too busy for that. I am looking forward to getting caught up enough that I can take time to sit on my deck and enjoy the view and get some time at the Lake and rivers.
Slow down my friends, Life just moves too fast. There's just so much to enjoy, and as the saying goes, the best things in really are FREE.
now go out and set your own Milestones.
and Speaking of Milestones....don't forget to visit my website and remember our jewelry makes great unique gifts. www.milestonessportsjewelry.com or you can e-mail me at info@milestonessportsjewelry.com
Stay tuned.....Chicago marathon is only 12 weeks and 4 days away. OMG!!
I have a 8 miler to run this afternoon, can't wait!!

ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS!!

So today I was packing all my "stuff" that has become so UNIMPORTANT to me NOW, and making the last minute plans for the permanent move to N.C. I am supposed to say I'm nervous but I'm not.....not about the move. I can't wait for the fresh air, the walks with my baby Maya, my new office, my new garden and tons of potted plants. Running the hills to make me stronger for Chicago marathon. The cooler weather, THE WHITE WATER..... I can taste the adrenaline !!!!

Yes, some would say one door is closing for me...... I don't see it that way, but OK, if it is, I'm ready, and and I see a huge sea parting for me to walk through at my leisure.....I am filled with hope and anticipation. I can taste the adventure of my new life. Not that my old one was anything I'd ever change a minute of. I have been so lucky, so blessed, and I have made the most of every thing I could in my life. I have the best of everything....the best mother, mother's husband, Papa (father), Papa's wife, my husband, brother, sister in-laws, brother-in law; the best friends, house, car, coach, but most of all I have what all these people have contributed to my life to make me ..well ME. With all my flaws, I can still look in the mirror and be happy with who I've turned out to be.

I am so blessed, and I know that is a term thrown around so loosely I hate even using it. But I must tell you that the growth I've experienced over the last 3 years or so is so profound that I could never find words to describe it.
Today something that touched my life very deeply is that my brother drove over an hour to see me for less than 30 minutes, I offer to buy him a camera for his computer so we can see each other and communicate on Skype when I'm in North Carolina and before I get home from our friends house he has bought the camera, and signed up for Skype. Maybe it doesn't sound like a lot to you but you should be lucky enough to know my brother.

So I could go on forever, because my heart is so filled up with Hope and joy. but I'll spare you. I leave you with, just this: "Look INSIDE yourself for happiness as it is the only place you will truly find it, be true to yourself and your dreams and most importantly be true to those who TRULY love you, and they are not always those that you think".
This post is dedicated to my brother Eric. I love you and I thank you for ALWAYS keeping me grounded and most of all for your unconditional love.
May "Skype" be with us!!! OK and The FORCE TOO!!!