Being Epic!

beam of sunlight

I have recently been inspired to reassess my bucket list and goals.  As I reviewed some of my previous posts, I realized that, WOW, I actually achieved some of those things!!
And although it would be silly to say that I didn’t “intentionally” achieve them, I will admit that many of them were achieved in a more “organic” and less conscious manner than I had anticipated.  Why is that?… the psychotherapist in me understands “why” but still gets excited by how the mind works to create what the heart desires.

The simple act of writing out your goals makes them more tangible.  You’ve declared it. You’ve engaged in the physical act of writing it down and now you have a visual reminder of what it is that you want to achieve.  Its no longer just in the corner of your mind.  Its right there in front of you! Now, what you do with what is right in front of you is up to you.  You could dismiss it as a silly fantasy or you could actually commit to the belief that these things are a possibility for you.  I chose to believe that they are a possibility… in fact, I chose to believe that nothing that I truly want is IMPOSSIBLE.

On that sentiment, here is a list of things I am sending out into the universe, with full belief in their possibility.  Some I’ve already achieved, some I still need to check off the list.  I hope to build this list up to 100 soon 😉  Those which have been crossed out have already been checked off my list.  (Disclaimer, I have not written these in any type of order of importance.  They are simply in the order in which they occurred to me as I sat at my desk a few days ago… distracting myself from doing what I should have been doing which was grading essays, lol.)

  1. Visit Japan while cherry trees are in full bloom
  2. Run the Paris Marathon
  3. Write and publish a novel
  4. Go on an air balloon ride
  5. Have children
  6. Live in a home with a view of the ocean (awesome retirement!)
  7. Do the Ragnar Relay from Miami to Key West
  8. Complete a 1/2 Iron Man
  9. Run a full marathon
  10. Get my Scuba License
  11. Go on a photo safari in Africa
  12. Visit the Pyramids of Egypt
  13. Napa Valley 1/2 marathon
  14. Sell my travel photos
  15. Find a loving partner who reciprocates my devotion
  16. Raise over 1.5K for paralysis research (Help by donating here!)
  17. Show up at the airport and just take the next flight to WHEREVER!
  18. Spend an entire summer vacation in a home in either Spain or Italy
  19. Crochet a garment, not just an afghan or accessory (thats hard!)
  20. Learn to speak French FLUENTLY (not so choppy)
  21. Teach English abroad
  22. Go whale watching in Alaska
  23. See a baby sea turtle hatch/ go into the ocean
  24. Go to a Michelin star restaurant and eat the chef’s 10+ course “tasting menu”
  25. Swim in the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico
  26. Be able to do a yoga headstand (without breaking my neck immediately thereafter)
  27. Attend a mass at the vatican
  28. Stay home with my kids until they start pre-k
  29. Do a “century” on my bike
  30. See Paul McCartney in concert
  31. Visit the Great Wall of China
  32. Visit Chichen Itza in Mexico
  33. Visit Machu Picchu in Peru
  34. See the Colosseum
  35. Visit Taj Mahal in India
  36. Visit Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
  37. Get my graduate degree
  38. Hike the entire length of the Inca Trail
  39. Go hiking and camping somewhere in the western US
  40. Go to a U2 concert
  41. See Pavarotti in concert
  42. See Toni Bennet in concert
  43. Break a two hour half marathon
  44. hmmmmm…….

🙂

 

 

Wings for Life

wingsforlife

Dear friends & followers,

Like all runners, I have had a love/hate relationship with this sport since I began 7 years ago. There have been many runs during which I have deeply questioned my sanity and ultimately conceded to a level of masochism not shared by most. Despite these feelings, however, I have always, ALWAYS given thanks to God for giving me a sound body that is capable of such a primal and liberating act. How beautiful it is to exercise my privilege to run!

Wings for Life Foundation’s aim is to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Promoting advancement in spinal cord research is important to me. This year, I have decided to not only run for my own sense of happiness and freedom, but to dedicate myself to a greater cause. I want to run for those who can’t and would greatly appreciate your help in achieving my fundraising goal of $1500.

I will be logging my weekly mileage and posting it on my blog this season. You can either pledge to donate a certain amount of money based on my mileage logged during race season from October 1, 2014 to March 1, 2015 (i.e. 10 cents per mile logged during this time @ 250 miles = $25) or simply make a general, and hopefully generous, donation now.

100% of your donation goes directly to spinal cord research since the foundation’s administrative costs are completely covered by Red Bull!

Please join me in supporting this great organization by making a donation today.

Thanks,

Cristy

Just click on the link below!  Also, check out the Wings for Life page on this blog!!!

www.wingsforlife.com/walkruninspired

 

Do… Epic… Shit

doepicshitI consider October 1st to be the official start of running season here in South Florida and I’m so excited I can barely contain myself… This is evident to all of my friends and co-workers who are just about at their wits end listening to me squeal with excitement each time I register for another race or realize how few days are left until my first 1/2!!!!

I have been training HARD this summer and its payed off because I’ve gotten FAST. Well, faster than I have ever been personally at least.  I’m both scared and excited to begin the season and often wonder… Will I achieve my goal?  Last year, my goal was simply to improve my time by a minimum of 2 minutes each race and I achieved this. Actually, I not only achieved it, I surpassed my goal by decreasing my time by 3+ minutes a race, ending my season with a 2:03 half marathon at the Orlando “Best Damn Race” 2014.  This, ironically, WAS the best damn race I had ever done.

What this year, then?

This year, I’ve decided that I want to achieve what one of the strongest and most knowledgable lady athletes I have ever met, Nicole, taught be about this summer as I took a class with her at a triathlon training center.  Its a little something she calls “Epic Shit.”  Yeah, that’s right… I want to achieve some Epic Shit this season, people, and I have decided that I will be doing this by breaking a 2 hour half marathon.  I want to run with the big girls and I only have to shave 3 minutes off my best time to do it.  But what a long, tedious and frightening 3 minutes it is!    

Just as I fear injury, I fear failure.  But, my excitement and belief in myself are stronger than any fear that I may have.  Let the season begin!!!!

P.S. I have also decided not to just run for myself this year.  I’ve put together a page with a great organization that I’ll tell you all more about on October 1st!!

 

 

A Sign of Peace

Sorry I have left you for so long,  my friends.  I have had so many amazing changes occur in my life and I’m excited to fill you in! I have a new career,  new amazing friends to share my life with and new goals to achieve.

I’ve continued to run and feel that I’ve gotten stronger.  This summer,  I have kept my schedule pretty regular.  I have treated myself to several recovery walks along the ocean afterwards and these pictures are from my greatest of discoveries while on one of these walks… a baby sea turtle making its way back to the ocean.

It’s brothers and sisters had left it much earlier in the day and it was stumbling around trying to figure out which way to go.  So precious and tiny!

When I posted this on Facebook,  a friend of mine informed me that turtles traditionally represent peace in one’s life.  How fitting that I should see this now.  I am happy and at peace… there are so many adventures to look forward to in the upcoming months.  I can’t wait to find my way to the ocean and experience the successes of all my efforts!