fall – runningmere fitness

This weekend (Sunday, actually) marks Dani’s ninth birthday. Are you kidding me? Last of the single digit years. It can’t be. But it is!

I lost my own mother back in 1997. Dani would have captured her heart just as she has mine. Now I can understand every emotion I saw my mom go through when I neglected to do what I was supposed to or didn’t come home when I was expected. All out of love. When I first became a parent to this little girl, I couldn’t even dream of the love I have for her. Life changing. She is absolutely the best thing I have ever done with my life. When her dad removed himself from first my life, and then hers, I couldn’t imagine what I was going to do. Many days I questioned, but then I saw her. It wasn’t about living for just me anymore. In the darkest times, she is why I keep going. More than anything she needs to learn that life will knock you down, but you keep standing back up. Keep trusting God. Keep praying.

This kid. More personality packed into one place than should be allowed. Enthusiastic, generous (well except with ice cream), compassionate, and intense. Makes you laugh even when you don’t want to. This year has been a big one for her…. baptized, elected to student council, taking her first year of ballet. I seriously cannot wait to see how God uses her and what is coming next.

Dani, I am so proud of you. I love you very much and we are going to have such a great weekend celebrating you! -m

Absolutely favorite month of the year. Perfect weather. Leaves changing. Pumpkin errrthang. Boots. Non melting morning runs. And Scarves!

As fall begins, I’m smack dab in the middle of my second whole30 nutritional reset as part of a gym-wide challenge with GymFed CrossFit. So far, so good. No cheats. That’s pretty huge. My first one was last January and I completed without any non-compliant foods. If you’ve never heard of it, check out whole30.com. One of my favorite things about these challenges is that they get me back into the kitchen. I’ve discovered new recipes every time and how to make my own condiments! Hooray! This time around, while giving up my beloved preworkout concoctions, I rediscovered coffee. Oh coffee. Back in January I didn’t tempt myself because I only love my coffee loaded up with stuff, and that went by the wayside long ago. A friend of mine in our challenge group shared a non dairy, coconut milk based creamer recipe that is incredible and let me caffeinate responsibly once more! I also tried out a local Tyler-based coffee roaster (Porch Culture Coffee Roasters), amazing stuff. I’ve also decided this fall to enter back into a few races and pick back up some distance running. It’s a great time to start for all the upcoming spring races, such as our local FRESH15. Before tackling that, I’ve entered a local CrossFit competition called Festivus that is held in just a couple of weeks. I’ll be sharing more about that experience later.

Sometimes it’s easier to think of this time of year as approaching the finish line, things winding down. But I say, what better time that now to set goals. Start a plan. Find a rhythmn now before the holiday-you-know-what starts.

Happy fall, ya’ll!