But guess what? I also absolutely DO NOT love this time of year.
One minute I feel like I’ve got it all under control, managing my family and my responsibilities, my passions and my career. Checking things off my list – the things I want to do, the things I feel I need to do, and the things I actually need to do. Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell the difference between these things.
It’s overwhelming and time moves so quickly that I often feel like life is two (or twenty) steps ahead of me and I’m playing a never-ending game of catch-up with myself! Ultimately though, I try to stay in the present – to be right where I am – and appreciate the simple things and the real reasons behind everything I am trying to do in the first place.
This month is zooming by just as it does every year … but somehow it seems to be moving even faster this year? I think I say that every year. Wait, actually… I know I do.
So what have I been up to anyway? Here it is in bits and pieces…
I’m trying to make memories with and for my family. Keeping up with traditions and letting new ones unfold. We are having a wonderful time and I love hearing the laughter and seeing the joy and hope on my little ones’ faces. Being a mom is by far the coolest thing ever.
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| candy house heaven |
I’ve also been busy with Sugar Cone orders. I love this little business of mine so much and feel so lucky to have it. It’s a true creative outlet for me. The fact that I get to share it with a dear friend and make a little bit of money from doing it is like icing on an already super-sweet cake.
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| getting orders ready for Christmas delivery! |
The spring marathon training season has kicked off at =PR= and I am SO enjoying being a part of the coaching team for this amazing program. I’m really excited to witness these wonderful runners grow in strength and confidence as the season progresses. It is truly an honor to be a part of this!
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| Adam, Jojo & Me: assistant coaches ready for some fun! |
I’ve also been really busy with teaching Pilates at my sister’s studio once a week, leading lululemon run club on Monday nights and coaching clients individually. I feel so grateful for all of these amazing opportunities to help others and to be inspired by them!
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| wooo! run club rocks. |
My own running has been extremely laid back this month. I took it very easy in the week leading up to Rehoboth and then took an entire week off (from running) after the race. My legs felt incredibly good – I’m guessing because my GI issues had me running slow and walking so much – and really truly I did not feel as though I had run a marathon in the days following the race! Even still, I am gearing up for a REALLY special training cycle as I prepare for my first Boston (!!!!) and I want to enter that cycle feeling strong, refreshed and rejuvenated. Last week I did lots of Pilates, strength training and even took a spinning class for the first time in forever. I forgot how much I love spinning! What a great workout. I definitely want to incorporate a spinning class into my routine once a week from now on.
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| spinning class – black lights are awesome! |
This week I’m running a little more, but the mileage is pretty low and I’m taking an extra rest day (running 5 days a week instead of 6). I saw Dr. Wong on Tuesday – the first time since my race. He is the bomb!! My legs are feeling loose and strong and I’m so pumped about the training cycle ahead. I am going to continue with easy running – long runs of around 10-12 miles with some marathon paced miles mixed in but no real speed work just yet – until the New Year. I’ve got a 5k race planned for January 1st and I could not be more excited about it. Seriously – I cannot wait to give it all I’ve got on the first of the year! I really can’t think of a more fun way to start 2013 and it will also be the first official week of my Boston training. Hooray!
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| perfect reading while training! |
December is shaping up to be a really wonderful month in so many ways …. topping off one of the most magical years of my entire life. Though I have been SO busy and have moments each day when I am completely overwhelmed or feel like I need to press the “reset button”, the amazingness of it all is not lost on me. I am so grateful for all the things that are filling my cup these days. I wouldn’t trade any of it. And I truly feel so hopeful and open to all the wonderful possibilities around the corner for 2013!
How about you? How are you managing to stay afloat and grateful during this hectic time of year? Have you started training for your spring race season yet?
