Finding My P(L)ACE

I am ever so slowly refinding my energy for training.

This post was a lot longer originally, but I realized I should just get to the point.

I am fortunate that my body is in shape to do all of this. I am blessed to have the time and resources available to run, strength train, swim, and bike, and to have the support from friends and family to make the most of those resources.

For anyone who is on a training path and looking for specifics:

*I ran 6.5 miles on Monday (walked for a total of 2 1/2 minutes during that - not totally pleased that I couldn't run the whole thing or do 7 total - but am reflecting on the afore-mentioned blessings)

*I strength-trained on Tuesday (and felt yummy afterwards - nothing like a little muscle action to make you feel strong!)

*I did intervals on the treadmill this morning for 27 minutes total, following a program mentioned in Runners World (and was pleasantly surprised that I didn't fall off of it! Seriously - had nightmares last night about running too fast and flying off backwards as the treadmill kept right on going)

I am learning so much from this process that I'm having trouble finding the words anymore.

Take a minute and admire your blessings, your strength. Drink it in. It is an amazing feeling to feel the strength that is inherent in your soul, and even more so to radiate that throughout your body.

Whether you run a marathon, walk a path in the park, or find yourself sitting on the front step of your home silent amidst the world around you, breathe in that miraculous beauty that is around you, on your skin, inside your cells, and vibrating in your spirit. "Live Strong"

Inhale Peace and Joy. Exhale your doubts.

Find your own pace.

Be strong with me.

The Artistic Mother!

I'm so excited - I finally got a copy of Shona Cole's new book, "The Artistic Mother"!

I picked it up this afternoon, came straight home and dove right in. Funny enough, her writing did its job: I was so inspired after chapter one that I put the book down and started making a card! I'm anxious to read more tonight.

Butterfly bookmark courtesy of my daughter who kept flitting around as I was reading on the couch.

Shona mentions in the first chapter to imagine we (she and the reader) are having a conversation while all of our kids are playing. I truly appreciated this...I felt ok from pardoning myself from the book to dance around with my daughter! Bizzare, I know...but mothers - you understand.

For those who haven't picked it up, I would highly recommend it. Check out the reviews on Amazon if you don't believe me. Though I'm obviously still at the beginning, I would guess this book would apply to anyone with a hectic schedule - not just mothers. (Hectic schedule - geez, who doesn't that apply to??)

I'd also recommend you check out Shona's blog, An Artful Life, at: http://shonastudio.blogspot.com. She is an amazing woman - one who inspires me to keep creating - a meal, a craft, a moment - even when the kiddos are at their whiniest.

Artistic Mothers Group

If you do have the book (or are interested in getting it), Trudy Callan at Artistic Creations With Trudy is putting together an Artistic Mothers' group (starting on Saturday, March 6th)! I am so excited to be a part of this community, following the techniques in Shona's book, and finding like-minded souls and support along the way. This is exactly the kind of discipline I need. :)

It would be a thrill to have you there with us! Just visit her blog and join in....

Speaking of discipline, I need to get back to my quickly-being-neglected Art Journal!

Wherever your day or evening takes you from here, Enjoy!

Art Journaling In Progress

Please excuse our mess.

We are currently updating our Art Department to give you the best possible experience when visiting LifeUnity!

For you, our special guest, please let us share with you a sneak peak into what we've been doing:

(That all sounds way fancier than, "This is what has been keeping me from sleeping, neglecting my husband and kids, ignoring the housework, and otherwise leaving me in a state of constant excitement and wonder." Take it whichever way you'd like.)

These two pages are foundational works - playing with color, texture, stamps, and oh-so-wonderful gel medium. Acrylic paints, secret tools for texture (didn't I tell you that you should sign up for Connie's workshop??), stamps, glitter glue...fun stuff. They will serve as a base for something more....

(That's just glare on the right side page...)

The following two pages are using printed photos. The color was removed from the photos before printing (except for the skin tone...I haven't yet figured out how to add that back in with the colors I have), then added back in with oil and chalk pastels. As before, there will probably be more added to these pages.

I took these photos during an amazing visit to the Indianapolis Butterfly Gardens. I had been walking past these plants when suddenly the wind picked up. I felt as if my entire body were in flow with the wave of the wind...my arm just became an extension reaching into the vastness. I love looking at these as I am transported back to that feeling of flow....

I added some bling back into my bracelet with some red glitter.

The following is work with a grid...I just haven't gotten around to completing it. Thus far, it's just a pencil drawing (I used a grid from one of my children's card games to create the drawing on the left).

The idea was spawned from another of Connie's assignments - using a grid. The premise is that the divided areas of my life (I'll add photos into the grid sections) are melting into a pool...becoming unified. That wonderful unity is evaporating (becoming one with the spirit) into a free, wild, "Mist"-ical being.

This is related to Connie's foundation of doodling...taken to an extreme I didn't even expect. I printed the picture in the middle (that wonderful image was done by a woman I believe is named Charolette - it is of the Temperance Tarot Card. It was the result of a Google search, and the image can be found here:
http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=1415 ). The original image is black and white - I used pastels to color it after adhering it to the page. The lines around were drawn free hand with a black photo marker.

The picture has a huge deal of significance - enough to warrant another post. The doodling around it is meant to be representative of stained glass...and will look much more like it once I get around to coloring them all in!

(Li'l bit of Art Journal Lovin', amidst oh-so-many other projects!!)

5K - Check!!

What an experience!

My sister and I completed a 5K this Saturday in Fishers, IN. It was to benefit the Fishers High School Cross Country & Track Team. I had no idea what to expect (hadn't seen the course, no idea how many people were going to be there, hadn't really checked the weather).

It's fascinating going into an experience with no expectations.

(A HUGE thanks to our wonderful mother who watched the kiddos - and manned my camera! - while we ran! This would not have been possible without you, mom!)

The environment:

There were close to 200 runners.

The weather was COLD. (Around 23 degrees F.)

Bless the Cross Country & Track team members (and coaches and parents!) who went out at six a.m. that morning and shoveled as much as they could of the course.

Even with all of their hard work, around 80% of the course was through neighborhoods and streets almost completely covered with ice. I believe this was my first time ever of running on ice.

While most of the course was flat, there was one hill in the first mile and a fairly large incline towards the end. I'm glad I didn't know about that last one until I saw it.

Myself, my sister, my kiddos and my niece before the race

The starting pack. I look at that picture and am truly glad I didn't know what was coming. Had I have been able to see this the night before, I would have seriously reconsidered just staying in bed!

The results:

Remember my comments that I was going to push this regardless of the weather or how I felt? My whole mental focus of this race was trying to beat a 10 minute / mile pace. I wasn't going to let a little ice or a couple of hills stop that.

My discipline was truly tested on the final hill. With probably 3/4 of a mile left, I was huffing and puffing up the hill. I had pushed the pace in the beginning and was now really feeling it.

About 1/3 of the way up, my legs decided they wanted to walk, so one foot plopped down in walk position. Thankfully, my mind knew I'd be rather pissed if that walk occurred. The result was kind of a little sideways stumble that made me look quite drunk...but I KEPT RUNNING. I remember even saying "NOPE" out loud and giggling a bit. That probably didn't help the whole drunk impression.

The final result?

I finished in 30:49 , meaning a pace of 9:55 / mile!

My sister totally kicked butt, too, finishing in 32:56, a huge improvement in her pace!

I am taking this all in stride (ha ha, *groan*). I know that this pace was on ice and with hills...which means I could probably go faster. But I also know that a few seconds here and there don't mean much (the course distance could be off, the timing chip not exact, etc.).

Basically I'm not going to let any pride sit like a big squishy lump; rather, I'm using the energy of the accomplishment to boost and drive me further. This is one step in the journey - it's like a road sign letting me know I'm going the right way! :)

My son and niece also completed a 1 mile fun run. They had a GREAT time!

This is my son's second 1-mile run. I'm considering trying to "train" with him (i.e. get him outside more, working on running at slower paces, having him ride his bike with me while I run with the jogging stroller, etc.) He has such an enjoyable time, but gets frustrated easily. He'll sprint, then walk, then sprint, then walk...then repeat. He hasn't quite grasped the concept of pacing yourself - or that winning isn't everything. He's only 5, though, so it's a great place to start!

An unhappy girl (she wasn't signed up to run and was quite upset. Note the t-shirt "dress"...I don't think she could have run in this even if she wanted to.)


It's the try that counts, and boy did he try....and had FUN!

The wonderful cross country team was out running with the kids - my niece (being the youngest and last of the crowd) got quite the escort through her race.

I ran the last two laps with our son, and our daughter joined us to cross the finish line.

Now THAT is one determined girl!! (Can you see the tongue?) :)

My niece and my son...winners!

I'll freely admit - the rest of the weekend has been about rest and indulging.

I am already feeling the call to get back to the run, though. Feeling the brisk wind while running outdoors was SO refreshing. I truly wish I had the strength at this point to get up early (I'd have to leave at 5 a.m.) to run my long run tomorrow outside before hubby leaves for work. I'm realistic and know that won't happen, so I'm "looking forward" to running 49 laps around the YMCA tomorrow. Hmmm. Discipline slipping quickly....

*UPDATE: This post was written on Sunday. I'll update in the next post as to what REALLY happened this morning!**

May you find the energy to accomplish the next step in your life!!

Awaken To Your Life

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

-Rumi
From Essential Rumi
by Coleman Barks