Step One - Update the Tunes

One of the first things I decided to do when I started to focus on playing was to change what I hear. Not only did I change what I say to myself but I changed what I listen to while I'm having playtime.  I figured that most of us spring clean everything else - why not our work out music?  Fresh new music can inspire and energize giving that extra boost right when we need it.

The music I used to listen to while running was sorta angry and aggressive and I knew I needed to change that. I want to have fun and what I had been listening to didn't make me feel that way.

I went through the music in my iTunes library to figure out what I should add to my new and improved running playlist. My aim was to replace the harsh stuff with lighter, fun music.

The first thing I thought of adding was music from my days as a kid. I figured that if the song was attached to a fond memory then it would be perfect for the playlist. Rick Springfield, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and the GoGo's all found a new home on my iPod.

Next came the fun music that makes me dance in my car during rush hour traffic. Enter Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Pink, and, yes, Lady Gaga.

I added in some Kelly Clarkson, a healthy dose of Florence + the Machine, a splash of Beyonce, a dash of the Spice Girls (don't judge me!), and a few old disco tunes that remind me of being 3 years old and cruising with my Aunt Peggy.

I held onto Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Marvin Gaye, and Led Zeppelin because my list would not be the same without them.  And I could not leave off one of my favorite songs, No Rain by Blind Melon (it reminds me of college).

Now that my new playlist is complete, I am going to take it out for some playtime.  While I'm doing that, I leave you with this....

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Time to Play

I'm back.

After a long time away, I'm back. The past few months have been gray. Lots of things that have happened have made me question my life, my place in this world, and who I am. I won't get into details but believe me when I say that these have been some of the saddest, loneliest days I've had in my life.

Some of the gray was brought about by the anniversary of my birth.

When I was younger, I felt like my birth anniversaries were worth celebrating. The older I got, the more that feeling of joy morphed into one of dread. I've been told that one is only as old as they feel. If that's the case, the last six months have aged me 30 years.

Aging is hard. Anyone that says otherwise is not being honest with themselves. I don't mean the biological process of aging is hard - eating well and exercising can slow down the aging our bodies go through. No, instead, I'm talking about how difficult the psychological process can be. Being in that place where one is no longer, in the words of my father, a "spring chicken" but yet not quite old enough to drive around in a motorized scooter at a retirement resort isn't easy.

Again - stuck in that icky, gray space between.

In some ways, I haven't grown up completely. I still say silly things, think eating Nerds candy is awesome, color in my Hello Kitty coloring book, count on my fingers, and giggle when I splash in puddles - things a young'un would do.

There is part of me that gets annoyed with the twenty-somethings that can't (or won't) behave themselves and think the world revolves around them. I admit, the annoyance stems from a place of jealousy because they have a lot of life ahead of them and so much potential. When I look at them and then at myself, I see hourglasses standing side by side. The sands have shifted much more on my side than theirs.

Now that I am coming out of the life-sucking fog, I realize the importance of playtime and engaging in frivolity...sometimes...when appropriate since, after-all, I am kinda sorta an adult. I've watched those twenty year olds and how they live for the moment. They chronicle their lives on Tumblr and Instagram as though they are the hottest, most important people on the planet. And ya know what? They are. We ALL are. Each of us has value and relevance in this world no matter what our age is. It's up to us to remember that every day that we wake up.

So, when I turned the age I did on April 22nd, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to give my inner child more opportunities to play and enjoy LIFE. True, my form of play no longer involves dancing at nightclubs until 3 A.M. (not that it ever really did) but I can play on my terms, in my own way.

Playtime for me means blisters on my feet, sunburn on my nose and shoulders from grinding out miles during a run on a hot Texas afternoon, getting dirt on my face, and being covered in sweat. Making time to play is a priority for me again. It may not be the wild and wooly antics of a youngster but if it brings a smile to my face and happiness to my world, then it's the right kind of playtime for me. The only gray that remains in my world is on my favorite running shirt and shoes.

The world is my playground again.

Have YOU played today?

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Size Doesn't Matter

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. - Mark Twain

Though she be but little, she is fierce! - William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

To the casual observer, Big Baby is the obvious choice to be my running/wogging/trail buddy since she looks like the "athletic" one BUT...looks can be deceiving!  I've mentioned a few times that I don't look like a "typical" athlete but that I have just as much love for my sport as any other runner.  My little dachshund, Mimi, embodies that same attitude.

Mimi is chunky despite her best efforts to lose weight (she has a slow metabolism as diagnosed by her veterinarian) but she doesn't ever let that keep her from enjoying outdoor activities!  She tries hard to keep up with Big Baby during walks and will keep going until she just can't go anymore.  She has lots of fight and spirit and I love her for it.  

During a brief weekend getaway, she and I took a walk along a beautiful stretch of beach.  I watched her run and hop around with enthusiasm.  It made me wish I had a little more of that spunk!

The two of us ran our athletically chubby butts along the sand and had a blast!  She didn't worry about her jiggle and neither did I...which is exactly how it should be.  The joy of the activity should be our priority and not what we look like while we are doing it.  Size doesn't matter to her!  She just goes out, does her thing and makes the most of every moment.  

While Mimi cooled off with a dip in the ocean, I couldn't help but smile.  It's amazing the lessons we can learn from our pets when we really pay attention to them.  She reminded me that we shouldn't focus on what we look like or what OTHERS think our limitations are.  If we don't see obstacles in front of us, not only do we enjoy life more but we may even surprise ourselves and do some pretty cool stuff!

What do you think your obstacles are?  Now that you have acknowledged them, toss 'em away.  You don't need to impose limits on yourself especially the kind that keep you from doing fun things!

Mimi thinks you should give yourself a break and enjoy life.  Trust her - she knows what she is talking about!

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Road Tested - Canine Edition

One of the things that gives me great joy is taking Big Baby along with me on some of my trail wogs.  Everything out there is so exciting to her and she always sees something interesting that I would just pass by.  I have to make sure that her needs are met when we venture out for long outings on the trail.  Here are a few of the items that I keep on hand when I take her out for an adventure.

First and foremost, Big Baby needs lots of water.  I like using the Outward Hound Heavy Duty Adventure Travel Bowl (http://www.myoutwardhound.com/oh05389.html).  This bowl has held up very well for BB.  The bowl (that I fill with Smart Water for added hydration) is a bit more rugged than a regular canvas bowl because it does have a plastic bottom which is very helpful when using it in rocky terrain.  It has some handy dandy Velcro tabs so that it can be held closed when not in use.  Cleaning it is pretty simple - use regular dish detergent, give it a quick wash, rinse and let air dry.

Big Baby likes her treats even when out on the trail so I take her treats that I know won't upset her stomach (she has a very delicate tummy).  Fruitables (http://fruitablespetfood.com/fruitables_products.html) are one of my favorites for her and she loves them!  They are made with pumpkin (which is good for keeping a dogs tummy from being upset) and come in several different varieties.  BB loves the pumpkin/blueberry and the pumpkin/cranberry best.  They are small, crunchy treats and are low in calorie.  What I like best is that all of the ingredients are pronounceable!!  No crazy chemicals or additives.  Hey, if we are watching what we eat, shouldn't we make sure our furry friends are eating well, too?  I think so.

Since she is a German Shepherd living in the Texas heat, I do worry about her overheating.  I recently discovered the Kool Collar on an outing to REI (http://www.rei.com/product/790638/kool-collar-dog-cooling-collar-large).  It has been pretty helpful in keeping her cool.  I would prefer if it was a little bit larger and perhaps dropped down further on her neck but this has helped to keep my girl cool on our walks.  I fill it with reusable ice cubes so that I can swap them out as they start to melt.  So far so good!  

After our walk is done and we are home relaxing, I like to use Halo Herbal Healing Salve (http://shop.halopets.com/Grooming-Supplies/Herbal-Healing-Salve) on her paws.  It helps heal any nicks and scrapes she may have experienced out on the trail.  It's very moisturizing and smells nice, too.  I must admit, I use this on my hands sometimes as a moisturizer (works wonders!).  Big Baby loves getting her post-workout paw massage!  Now, if only Momma can get someone to massage her feet after a trail walk.....

One very important thing that I always take on a trail wog is a first aid kit.  I put one together myself and used an old cosmetic bag to store all of the items.  In the doggie first aid kit, I have many of the same things that would be in a kit for people - gauze pads, scissors, antiseptic, ice packs, alcohol wipes, tweezers, self-adhering bandages, anti-diarrhea medication and a small bottle of Betadine.  These are good basics and can be used for minor injuries.  Safety first!

Hope you and your four-legged friends enjoy some time out on the trails!!  

Happy Trails!

Valeka

Independence Weekend

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.  ~William Faulkner

Happy 4th of July everyone!  If you are off today, I hope you have had a wonderful day filled with family and friends.  My long weekend has been spent relaxing and trying to decompress from the stress of the last few weeks.  I didn't do any running this weekend but I did manage to do some hiking with my BFF and big puppy on Saturday.  I am slowly but surely adjusting to being active in this insane heat we are experiencing here in Texas.  I'm trying to be smart about how I expose myself to the high temperatures and for how long.  It seems to be working pretty well.  Gradually increasing the amount of exposure has made a big difference for me  and I am becoming more comfortable with the heat.  

Our Saturday afternoon hike took us to two different local parks - St. Edward's Park and Brushy Creek Park.  I really enjoyed my time at St. Edward's Park.  It's a more rugged, natural trail full of rocks and tree roots.  If the little creek there had more water running through it, the outing would have been perfect because the big puppy could have cooled off when she got hot.  We only stayed out there for about an hour or so since BFF is still getting acclimated and big puppy was getting a little hot.  I definitely want to revisit that trail.  It would be great to do a little trail running out there.  The pup will be able to enjoy it more when the weather cools down in the fall.  I can't wait to do some more exploring out there.  It is on my list of things to do come October. 

We left St. Edward's Park and headed to Brushy Creek Park to continue our hike.  This park is a bit more civilized with paved trails, water fountains, park benches and water pads to play in.  We did a bit of walking and then big puppy found a little creek to jump in.  It was fun to watch her splash around and blow bubbles in the water.  We laughed when she got scared by a piece of moss that had become detached from a rock on the bottom of the creek.  I jumped in with her and we splashed as we ran through the thigh deep water.  She chased me and, boy, did I get more of a leg workout than I was expecting (lots of resistance running through water)!  There was something very freeing about being silly and having fun.  I didn't think about work or my weight or that I was going to smell swampy on the drive home.  I just allowed myself the freedom to let my spirit enjoy the wonderful day in the sun.  By the time we left the park, my clothes were completely drenched, my feet looked wrinkly and white but man was it worth it!!!  We were all tired girls when we got home.  It felt good to have fun and get in a workout that didn't feel like a workout at all.  Those are always the best kind!  

I am very grateful to live in a place where I have the independence to venture anywhere I choose for as long as I like.  I love that I have the opportunities to enjoy life and live it to the fullest.  It's not something I take for granted.  Don't forget to say thanks to those who have made it possible for us to enjoy the lives and freedom that we have.  

Happy Trails,
Valeka

Joy

Joy delights in Joy - William Shakespeare

One of my favorite childhood memories is one of running in my grandparents yard and feeling the soft grass beneath my feet.  It was fun to play a game of chase with cousins and other neighborhood kids on warm Sunday afternoons.  The world was filled with laughter and fun.  Running was effortless and joyous.  Somewhere along the way, most of us lose that sense of joy.  We grow up and take on adult responsibilities that zap that joy from our activities.  When life throws you a curveball or knocks you on your ass, it's nice to do something that makes you  smile.  For me, that activity is running.  It does so much more than just bring me happiness.  Running relieves my stress, helps me lose weight and keeps my heart healthy (and it gives me killer gams, if I do say so myself!).  It's nice to run with purpose (training or weight-loss) but it's also nice to run just for the sake of running.  I don't get enough of those opportunites.  Most days, my activities are planned out which can take the fun out of things.  I look forward to going back home to visit my parents. When I go there,  I run for fun and never plan my route.  I allow my feet to be my guide.

I love running through my old stomping grounds, taking in the sights, seeing what has changed since my last visit.  It's like a trip down memory lane.  Running by my old elementary school.  Running past the giant oak tree that I use to climb and scrape my knees on.  Stopping off for a drink at the high school water fountain before I make my way towards downtown and past all of the little boutique shops that have existed for as long as I can remember (although some now have different names).  The laidback pace brings a relaxing element to any of the runs I do when I visit and restores that sense of joy.  My hometown runs always end with a big smile on my sweaty face.  Wouldn't  it be nice if joy could be regained in all aspects of our lives that easily?  

I will do my best to carry that sense of joy with me as I begin my half-marathon training in the next few months.  Once the hard work begins, I will have to make an effort to keep things light and relaxed.  I will have to do things during my training that make it fun for me.  Taking my big puppy with me during a run always makes me happy.  Jumping over rocks on the trails makes me smile.  Enjoying the sounds of nature soothes me.  Running is my happy place where I lose myself in the limitless possibilities that lay before me.  Knowing that I can do anything I want makes me happy and gets me through the hard times when I hurt and want to stop.

 
What gives you joy?  Seek it out.  Embrace it.  Try to hold on to that sense of joy as long as you can.  And never forget to enjoy the little joys along the trail. 

Happy Trails,
Valeka