Goal: I am so proud now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Thursday Action Steps ***** = Completed Action Step  !!! = Incomplete Action Step

    Mind: Journal for 10 minutes *****

    Body: Run 20 minutes *****

    Balance: Watch Football Game*****

Today was my first attempt at running since Monday when my knee gave me trouble. The first four minutes were not fun, but then I found a good rhythm. I could have kept going; however, I have a long run tomorrow and I didn’t want to over do it today. It has been a long week and the long weekend looks mighty good as it gets closer and closer.  

Mindfully, Martha

Goal: I am so proud now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Wednesday Action Steps ***** = Completed Action Step  !!! = Incomplete Action Step

    Mind: Journal for 10 minutes !!!

    Body: Walk for 30 minutes between jobs !!!

    Balance: Hang out with husband*****

On Wednesdays now through November my workout will consist of walking in between my two jobs. Today, I walked for 15 minutes. This was my first day back to my second job. I’m hoping I will be adjusted to this last change of schedule by next week. My husband had an awesome dinner ready for me when I got home tonight. We ate together while watching the U.S. Open. After I woke up a few moments ago, I realized we both fell asleep even with the exciting tennis match on right in front of us. I’m counting it as quality time together. We both woke up and laughed at each other about our mid-evening nap!

Goal: I am so proud now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Monday Action Steps ***** = Completed Action Step  !!! = Incomplete Action Step

    Mind: Journal for 10 minutes *****

    Body: Run 3 miles!!! Jogged/Walked for 30 minutes. Right knee hurt.

    Balance: Call Mom ***** 

I had a great weekend with my husband. However, I did not have a great training weekend. We stayed out late both Friday and Saturday nights which resulted in sleeping in late in the mornings. I was ready to get back to business today, but my knee started bothering me pretty much as soon as I started to jog. The lesson? Consistent training and rest are a must! I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll be able to go the distance.

Mindfully, Martha

Goal: I am so proud now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Thursday Action Steps: *****=Completed  !!!=Incomplete

    Mind: Journal for 10 minutes *****

    Body: Run 3 miles !!!

So I didn’t run today. I’m sad that I didn’t complete this action step today. I let my tired thoughts control my actions. I had to stay at work late and I felt so tired when I got home. I couldn’t imagine changing clothes and heading outside for a run. Plus, the daylight was starting to fade. The result? I let my excuses determine my actions. Honestly, I didn’t have enough daylight to complete the 3 miles, but I could have gotten a shorter run done. I’m bummed out about my decision this evening. Looking forward to starting a new day!

Mindfully, Martha

Goal: I am so proud now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Monday Action Steps J = Completed Action Step  L = Incomplete Action Step

    Mind: Journal for 10 minutes J

    Body: Run 2 miles J

    Balance: Spend time with family J

 Today I performed my first juggling act of the journey. I had to work and workout. Since I’ve been on summer vacation for the past two months, I have been able to workout whenever the mood hit. Now that school is back in session, I have to plan my workouts. Next week, the challenge will double because I start back at my part-time job! I found that mapping out my action steps yesterday (and planning my workout goals) actually provided me with the drive and energy to go for my run today. Yes, I did run the entire two miles. This might not sound like a long distance on my marathon journey. Well, it is not. But you must keep in mind that I still consider myself to be an aspiring runner and I’m still just taking it one moderately-paced step at a time. 

Mindfully, Martha

Goal: I am so proud  now that I have completed my first full marathon on December 11, 2010. 

Sunday Action Steps

    Mind: Map out weekly plan

     Body: Run 20 minutes

     Balance: Try a new recipe.

I officially have 16 weeks of training until I run my first marathon on December 11^th! I am both excited and nervous. I am not naturally inclined to go running (I am hoping this experience will develop an innate love for running). In order to keep my body moving, I have to commit to a specific event and train. This evening I ran for 20 minutes. My dog, Pepper, was so excited about seeing the running shoes I had to take her for a walk when I was done with my run. My new recipe was for beef stroganoff. I used venison because my husband is an avid hunter. I must say the recipe will make it into my cookbook and the leftovers will make for a yummy lunch since I return to work this week!

A respectable start today, but obviously many, many, many more miles to go on this journey!

Mindfully, Martha

I spent last week turned off. Well, I spent last week mostly turned off and I mean this in a positive way. Being in the mountains at Lutheridge allowed me turn off my tv, my computers, and my ipod. I did drive my car once about two miles and I did talk with my husband each day on my cell phone because staying connected with him is an absolute must!

By tuning out everyday distractions, I was finally able to tune into what matters most to me. Family. Laughter. Health. Nature. Peace.

Before, I struggled to articulate my life purpose statement because I was making it too complex. I wanted to it cover everything and lead me on a perfect path to the life I desire.

So, for my life purpose statement I have found it best to keep it simple:

Spread love and laughter whenever it is possible; strive to take care of my family and nature by making mindful choices; and have fun with the joys and wonders of life and the world around me.

Tomorrow: I commit to my goal for the next 5 months!

Our vacation was fantastic. However, it took me several days to find my land legs again after being rocked around on a big boat for 5 days! I thought about what I wanted my life purpose statement to say while I was away. I must admit that I believe I was making my statement more complicated than necessary. I was trying to accomplish and cover too much in a few sentences.

Today, I am headed to Lutheridge, a camp in the mountains of NC, to spend a week with Laura, Bella, and our Mom! I am beyond excited. Laura and I went to Lutheridge every summer growing up as campers and we both worked on staff as counselors. I even met my husband at this camp! Lutheridge is a place that fuels my heart and spirit. I believe I will be able to find the simple words I am searching for at camp this week to write my purpose statement and my goal! More later from the mountain…..

Mindfully, Martha