Complete. Rest. & Running Birthday Flowers!

Complete. Rest. 
& Running birthday flowers!

Complete.   Finished.   Rest. 

To put it simply, it feels rather strange.
So much going through my mind, but no way to put into words. The past year of days and miles brought with it a myriad of emotions, thoughts, pains, respect and gratitude. It feels odd to be finished. I sit here feeling somewhat 'paused', almost confused having not run the past two mornings. Sure there is a sense of accomplishment at completing my goal, which if I'm honest, I wasn't 100% sure I could do but felt very determined to prove myself wrong. However, the end result is not what made the past year worth the effort. It was the many footfalls and adventures in between the days that ultimately matter. Looking back on the past 365 days posted here, I remember taking the photo(s), the reason for a certain shot, what running that day felt like, what I was thinking about (for the most part) and in combination it brings me back to that particular running moment that is now bookmarked in a digital world.
It was a very personal journey that I was happy to share with anyone who was curious.
A BIG THANK YOU to my family for putting up with my (not always convenient) running schedule. Thank you to friends, family and strangers for checking in and following, whether it was once, once in a while or everyday. Thank you for the flowers, the beer, the awesome sweatshirt and my new running shoes!
 I appreciate all the words of encouragement and kindness. In so many ways it made the experience more worthwhile and fun (if a little self-conscious at times :)

"I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time."  ~ Michale Phelps

"It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination." ~ John Bingham

 

Day 365: Tues August 12th - The last run.

Day 365 -  

The last run.....for now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

best running partner

Day 364: Mon Aug 11th - A heel of a morning.

Day Three Hundred Sixty-four - A heel of a morning.


Next stop after tomorrow.... rest and then making a doctor appointment.
This mornings run was literally a massive pain in the butt heel! 

Seriously, besides the beautiful blue toes.... that is one ugly heel.

Day 363: Sun Aug 11th - Funky Fuzzy Caterpillars

funky caterpillar crawling on Justin's hand

Day Three Hundred Sixty-three -   Funky Fuzzy Caterpillars

Had a nice family day at the large dog park / historic Parleys area. I hobbled running through the dog park and then hiked around with Siena while we checked out some of the historic ruins of buildings that were once thriving in the area. The inn / aqueduct and wine / brewery cellar were completed around the 1850's. This area had an inn, brewery, saloon, stores etc... and was supposedly a pretty hoppin place to make a stop when traveling through the area at the time.
The wine cellar that was built underneath the inn (the inn burnt down in the 1950's) was seemingly in great shape, if a little creepy looking.  Also it appeared at first that my daughters first name was spray painted over the doorway entrance which caught our attention. Upon closer inspection it spelled something else. But we got a kick out of it anyway.

It was pretty breezy outside, but not enough to dissuade this cute little fuzzy caterpillar from attempting to travel across the busy hill climb to / from the entrance of the nature preserve dog park area. Justin rescued it from being trampled by the many paws and shoes marching towards it.

historic wine seller

Day 361 & 362: Sat Aug 9th - Tired mind, tired body.

Day 361 & 362 -Tired mind, tired body.

Made it through another week. The past two mornings were a bit of a struggle to put one foot in front of the other and actually mean it. After the first mile or two my mind woke up, however my feet dragged (or rather shuffled). On a positive note, the sunrise was stunning early Friday morning. The clouds were heavenly colors ranging from dark blue to golden light yellow. Made me wish I could become weightless and float around high in the sky, away from the upcoming busy day.

Day 360: Thurs Aug 7th - Black Widows

Day Three Hundred Sixty - Black Widows

Black Widow invasion along an Eastern cement wall.  Such beautiful and creepy looking spiders.

Day 359: Wed Aug 6th - First Sunflowers of August

Day Three Hundred Fifty-nine

 - First Sunflowers of August

 

Day 358: Tues Aug 6th - Just

Day Three Hundred Fifty-Eight  - Just

'Just' seven days left. SEVEN?!  I can hardly believe it. 
 However I must share how I feel about the word 'Just'. Because, it's not 'just' another 7 days. They are 7 days full of potential, wonder and happy moments. 7 days to complete an idea that 'just' happened to pop into my head last year on my 39th birthday. But really it was not 'just' an idea, but rather something I felt compelled to do, to complete and to make my own. Now with 7 days left, I want each of these 'just' 7 days to count.

Just falls into the same category of words that for me feel limiting.  Similar to 'maybe', 'sort of', 'tried', 'trying' 'impossible', 'can't'  etc...  you get the idea.
As for 'Just'. It's not every use of the word 'just', but when paired with a phrase such as "just a dog", "just an idea", "just a goal', 'just a another day'.  Such a limiting perspective on something that can be great, powerful, personal and  positive, no matter what the 'just' precedes.

So for these next 7 days, I plan to celebrate each footfall, each photo and afterwards feel gratitude as I look back on the journey that 'just' a few steps out the door has led me. 

 

 

Day 357: Mon Aug 4th - Missing the snow

Day Three Hundred Fifty-seven -Missing the snow

Call me crazy, but today, running in the somewhat cooler (and humid) morning, I thought about running in the snow.  I thought of holly berries and icicles. Lights and the smell of an impending snow storm.
Quiet roads and sleepy fireplaces.
I came across this beautiful tree, with it's bright red bell type berries and for a minute....
I missed the snow.

Day 355 and 356: Sat/Sun Aug 3rd - The River...

Day 355 and 356:  The River.....

runs....

dances across the ground ....

and plays.