Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Go Pre!

Quotes can be cliche.  They get overused and in turn, under-appreciated for the true tidbits of awesomeness that they really are.

I'm not the kind of person who spouts lines from movies ad nauseum.  Nor do I use lengthy quotes from important people to make me sound high and mighty.  But, there are a few quotes that I've taped to my computer or memorized to give me a little push when I need motivation.

The first is a no-brainer for a runner:

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
- Steve Prefontaine

This is a slice of magic.  I truly believe in what this quote says and while it can often be in reference to running, it has instead become my life mantra.  We each have at least one gift - how can we let it go to waste?


"A winner's strongest muscle is her heart."
- Cassie Campbell, Olympic Gold medalist, women's hockey

Each coach that anyone will ever have will tell you that your heart & spirit fuel teams to wins.  I bet Coach Taylor probably told his Panthers that as long as you put your heart into the game, everything else will fall into place.  Sometimes these sentiments fall flat - teams lose, no matter how much "heart" they showed.  But sometimes they make athletes (and people in general) realize that their motivation and drive will eventually, if not right away, bring them victory.



"Great effort springs naturally from great attitude."
- Woody Hayes, college football coach

I always try to have a positive attitude.  I've found that it makes everything else much easier: connecting with people, enjoying life, tackling projects.  When I have a good attitude, it is extremely hard to get me down and in turn, I want to do things.  I want to help where I can and affect change.  Everything starts from doing your best at keeping smile on your face.


"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin to Pooh


That Christopher Robin kid was brilliant beyond his young years.  We as human beings are burdened with doubt, something that other mammals do not have to deal with.  Doubt is an ugly, ugly thing and causes people to do crazy things, often giving up on themselves and others.  But as Christopher Robin says, you are better than doubt.  Do not ever sell yourself short.

Monday, August 29, 2011

No Matter How Far You Are

It's a fine Music Monday, peeps!  I realized something this weekend and found Ms. Alicia Keys to be able to put it into a gorgeous song.  I am a HUGE Alicia fan; I own all of her albums and have seen her in concert (which was a-to-the-mazing).  She has such a great sound and stage presence.  The combo of her classical piano background and soulful lyrics bring everything together.  So, let's take a listen and I'll explain why this song is special.


Alicia Keys - Distance And Time. LIVE by LeVitrail

Alicia starts this song with a shout-out to "all the lovers in the world separated by distance and time."  Over the weekend, I realized that I have suddenly found myself in that category,.

I live here.









My boyfriend lives here.

Ok, it's not quite like that.  It's more like 60 miles separating us.  Add in full-time jobs for both of us, LA traffic, a puppy to take care of (I seriously cannot write a blog post without mentioning Austin) and it all adds up to only getting to spend time together on the weekends, which is really, really hard.

Yes, we talk A LOT on the phone  - phone bills keep growing & minutes have to be added.  I do think this is a great way to build a relationship because if you are suddenly drawing blanks at the three-minute mark, then how are you going to get to know each other?  Our nightly conversations are lengthy and I've learned so much about him in a short span of time.

But there is only so much a phone conversation can do.  I want to be able to sit next to him, or hold his hand while walking down the street.  Being physically near each other is also important to building a relationship.  Seeing each other on the weekends is great because we can go out and catch baseball games and go shopping and hang out with friends and find cool restaurants and eat dessert (we like dessert).  Weekends afford us the flexibility of having days to ourselves.  BUT, if you hadn't noticed before, weekends are only two days long.  You can only stuff so much into two days.  This is where the struggle is.

The other sticky point is that while I want to spend as much time as I can with him, I don't want to monopolize HIS weekend.  He has friends and family in the area that he likes to catch up with.  I do like to hang out with his friends and that is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.  But as any girlfriend can tell you, we all want "only us" time.  But how can we do "only us" time without being totally insular and becoming "that" couple that only hangs out with each other?  Maintaining balance (in life and in a relationship) is a big key to staying happy. 

I guess I need to be patient and realize that things won't always be like this.  I need to embrace the time that we do have together and focus on the positives of our relationship.  This one's definitely worth working for and waiting on. 

"No matter how far you are
No matter how long it takes him
Through distance and time
I'll be waiting

And if you have to walk a million miles
I'll wait a million days to see you smile
Distance and time, I'll be waiting."

 

Friday, August 26, 2011

After You, Fine Sir

I found myself in a predicament at a corner the other day.  No, not that kind of corner, silly.  The kind that you cross at 6:12 a.m., just as you're getting into the groove of your 45 minute run.

So, here I was at the corner.  To my left, I see a car getting ready to turn right into the street that I'm about to cross.  I stop, because I don't want this car to sideswipe me.  The driver has slowed down and when I look at her, she waves me on.  And then I wave her on.  And then she waves me on.  And we do this back-and-forth dance a few more times.  No, YOU go!  I was going to give her the right-away because I had already stopped running (and in effect, lost my groove...Stella, how do I get it back?).  But she was almost insistent that I cross before she makes her turn.

For those of you still confused, I've provided a detailed graphic interpretation of the situation.  If you'd like to hire out my artistic services, please contact my agent.



This isn't an unusual circumstance for runners and walkers to find themselves in.  Who really has the right-away here?  Let's break it down and look at it from both perspectives:

1. The Driver
I see that runner, but do I really want to slow down and let them go across?  I need to grab that box of donuts for the office and if I don't get there early enough, my favorite ones, the chocolate sprinkle- covered ones, will be gone.  Well, now she's waving me on...no, I said YOU go!  You're already "running"...why not just run on across the street?  I bet she doesn't even eat donuts...

2. The Runner:
I see that car, so I'm going to slow down at the corner to see if she makes the first move.  I've essentially lost all of my momentum now that I've stopped, since we've been waving each other on for the past 20 seconds.  Does she not understand that it is going to take me longer to get across than it would her?  That's why I keep telling her to go!

I guess, because the car is the larger vehicle (and could easily crush me as a runner), they should have the final say as to who goes first.  I think that if the driver tells me to go ahead, I'm going to take 'em up on it and continue on my merry way.  Predicament solved.  Call in the hounds, Watson...we've figured it out.

P.S. I do eat donuts.  Actually had one yesterday because the boss brought in a warm box for the office.  Chocolate-covered cake donut....MMMMMmmmmm.  

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Momma Needs a New Pair of Shoes

The other day, I realized my Vibrams are torn on the area between my big toe and the next toe.  I guess I can't expect shoes to last forever, but I thought they would at least get me through a year and a half.  Soooo...you know what that means, right?! Shoe shopping, baby!

Ok, I guess I'm not really "shopping." I know what I'm looking for and there's not a whole lot of deviation; I'm going to get another pair of Vibrams.  Now, since I bought my first pair, Vibram has released several different styles of the "shoe."  The changes can normally be seen on the sole of the shoe (more tread) and on the upper (some lace up and are more sturdy than others).  What I'm really excited for, though, is the change in color.

Example One: My old Vibrams

Yeah, I know, they're kind of ugly. But they did the trick and eased me into minimalist running.  I was initially worried about them being all black, but because I was still self-conscious about running around in gorilla shoes, the color didn't scream, "Look at me."

Example Two: My (hopefully) new Vibrams



These beauts scream, "Look at me!!!"  I think now that I'm fully committed to minimalist running, I'll be ok with the stares I might get from people on the street.  And I have no doubt that people will look...these things are pretty flashy.  But it's not like other shoes aren't as bright:




I was told by my boss, who ordered these, that the color is "mango."  And still as ugly as ever.

Bright colors are hip & cool these days, whether it's in design or in fashion.  I find that I'm really comfortable in greys and blacks.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of adding a pop of color here and there.  That's why I think adding those rockin' pink & orange Vibrams will be perfect.

Side note: As I was doing some "research" on the Vibrams, I learned that they now are making them for kids.  And the first thing that came to my mind...how in the world are you going to get a five-year-old's toes in each little toe spot? Only a crazy parent would want to wrestle a kindergartener into a pair of feet gloves.

Monday, August 22, 2011

If I Just Lay Here, Will You Lie With Me?

(Quick note: I am thinking about making my Monday posts about music.  Music Mondays...very cliche, I know.  But I kind of like the idea of easing into Monday with some tunes.)

There are some songs that, regardless of where or when you hear them, whether it's a snippet or the whole song, you are immediately transported back to a specific point in your life.  That is the magic of music.  Here are two songs that teleport me back to 2005....Fort Collins, CO...to a simpler time in life.





In the fall of 2005, I ventured out into the wide world of college at Colorado State University.  I was about as green as they come, but was lucky enough to have met my very best friend the first day I was there.  Meaghan and I were inseparable after that.


These songs became semi-anthems that year.  We watched (and fell in love with Grey's Anatomy).  We went to see The Fray perform in our arena way before they became the national sensation that they are today.  We spent late nights talking & watching movies.  We went to basketball games, football games, volleyball games.  We went to dorm craft nights & cookie-decorating nights.  You name it, we probably did it.

We were so carefree then.  We didn't have to worry about bills or rent.  We could go to class if we wanted to, but with that, the realization that if we didn't want to, we didn't have to.  We learned about ourselves and about others and that relationships are hard, but definitely worth fighting for and cultivating if they are good.

I can't believe that this week, classes are starting at CSU.  Another year of freshman are moving into the dorms, hanging up movie posters & figuring out where their classes are.  Six years ago, that was me.  My, how times have changed.  CSU is still there, but there are more buildings.  Grey's Anatomy is still on, but it doesn't have the same draw as it used to (we never missed an episode back then).  I'm living and working in L.A., while Meaghan is living and working in Denver.  We're grown-ups now.

One thing, though, that remains a constant...Meaghan's friendship.  And the memories that flood my mind when I hear those two songs.


Friday, August 19, 2011

No One Likes a Grumpy Pants

Sleep.

Bedtime. Nap. Snooze. Zzzzs. Pillow. Blankie. Blanket. Comfy. Dreaming.

I'm a big fan of sleep and have always been able to fall asleep really quickly.  I actually think that my abilities are genetic - all of my dad's family are sleepers and can snooze at the snap of a finger.  It's an amazing quality to have.  Me and naps are tight - BFFs, if you will.  Austin likes them, too.

One downfall, though, is that I need a lot of sleep.  I cannot function on less than seven hours of sleep every night.  I get extremely grumpy if I don't get enough ZZzzz time.  I know, I know, I sound like an old lady (and the boyfriend actually calls me grandma when I tell him I need to hit the sack).  But, the National Sleep Foundation says that adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night.  So there.

But in all seriousness, sleep is such a vital part of staying healthy.  If you don't get enough sleep, you don't feel like exercising.  If you don't feel like exercising, you're gonna sit on the couch eating Goldfish and Popsicles and tortilla chips (oh, wait, that might have been me last night).  You lose any motivation to do anything when you are tired.  Then, your days become consumed with slipping in and out of consciousness or lounging or staring blankly at the TV as "I Love Lucy" and "Brady Bunch" reruns flicker.  Sure, it's fun to have a down day and sleep in late and stay in bed even later.  I'm not going to deny that.  At least for me, though, once I get in that mode, it's hard to peel my backside off of the comfy, comfy couch (just one more episode, I swear).

So, what's the point I'm trying to make in all of this sleepy gobbly-gook?  Just that.  Sleep.  It's vital for your body, it's healthy for any relationships you have (no one likes a grumpy pants) and it makes the world go round.  Yeah, that's right...sleep makes the world go round....I should market that...make it into a song...who's with me?


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Pain, pain, go away

I woke up this morning in pain.  What a horrible way to start the day.

This time, it was my calves.  They were about as tight as a rubber band on the biggest rubber band ball.  I felt a deep, bruising ache that made it hard to want to get out of bed, much less walk the dog.  But as all dog owners know, there are consequences when you don't let them relieve themselves in a timely fashion.

I am guilty of maybe the worst crime in running circles.  Hi, my name is Anica and I don't stretch.  I've just never been a big fan of stretching or taking the time to stretch.  I have these old memories of sitting on itchy, new grass on a track infield while the captains (usually cute, older sprinters) led us through a stretching routine.  It always involved some bouncing (reach those toes, kids!) and counting to 10...boring! Plus, I had a cross country coach who also wasn't a big proponent of stretching.  Sure, we did some at the beginning of practice, but he never spouted wisdom as to why stretching was good for us.

I even did a stint with a physical therapist who showed me the correct way to stretch out my muscles.  And I have to say, even now, some of them feel really, really good.  And I can see the benefits.  But I've never been able to get into the routine of stretching at night before hitting the sack, or getting up five minutes earlier to stretch before running.

And now, I'm paying for it.  Getting old sucks.

So, today I went up to the gym during lunch and did a solid 30 minutes of stretching and lengthening.  I felt better afterwards, but was really craving my Stick and foam roller, both of which I have at home.  While static stretching can help, I really like the way my body feels after rolling out.  The roller can pinpoint tight spots very quickly and can help release that tension, something that's hard to do while reaching for your toes.  I will definitely put both the roller and Stick to work tonight and see if I can get more of the kinks out of my calves, especially.

I think it might be time to splurge on a massage.  I've found that when my body gets too tightly wound, stretching & rolling & self-massaging & icing just don't help.  My body needs a professional's touch.  It might be that time. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A Coffee Barrel of Monkeys

First off, don't make fun of my monkeys.


Ok, I guess you can chuckle a little bit.  I am a grown woman with a job, an apartment and a dog who is drinking out of a monkey cup.  But you can't deny it...they are pretty cute.

Anyways, this post is not about monkeys or about my adulthood.  It is about the beverage that is in the monkey cup.  It's coffee, for those of you who suck at guessing.  Now, everyone should gasp in shock.

Shock, because I'm not a coffee drinker.  I don't need my morning fix or else...  I don't drink several steaming cups during the day just because there is coffee in the pot.  I actually don't like the taste of coffee.

I do, however, love the smell of coffee.  It reminds me of my grandparent's house and of lazy Saturdays at my house growing up (my dad would brew some after a long run).  I am also a HUGE fan of coffee ice cream.

Getting back on track...coffee.  Drinking coffee.  I've only recently started foraying into the coffee world.  And let me clarify that when I say I have been drinking coffee, I mean I'm drinking iced coffee with milk & lots of creamer.  Does that even still constitute as coffee?  Also, I don't drink it everyday; I usually only down it when I've gone for a run in the morning PLUS taking Austin for an hour walk (I've started to loathe 5:30 am).  It gives me a little boost of energy to get me through the morning meetings & email rituals.

But I've also realized that it kinda gives me the jitters.  And makes me feel a little buzzed.  Is this normal?  I realize that it definitely has some affect on my body, but I didn't think it would be as noticeable.  Maybe it's because my body is not used to a lot of caffeine (I'm not really big into soda).  Maybe I just need to start drinking smaller cups instead of a mondo-monkey cup...

I'm starting to rant and I totally blame it on the cup 'o joe I drank this morning.  It's even affecting my writing skills!  I'm backing slowly away from the monkeys...

Monday, August 15, 2011

When You're Happy Like a Fool...

Have you ever come across a song that embodies how you are feeling at the exact moment you hear it?  It seems to say what is going through your head in a perfectly succinct way that only songs can do.

I listened to OneRepublic's new song "Good Life" on repeat this weekend.  Every time I listened to it, I couldn't believe how it made me smile and gave me this warm, gooey feeling inside.  Let me allow you the pleasure of listening to it (and really listen to it...don't just watch the video):



My life is super good right now.  Have you ever been at that place where your heart is full and your mind is happy?  Here's why I feel the way I do:
  • Austin. He's a cute puppy who is always up to something. He makes me smile on a daily basis and when he comes to curl up at my feet, the world feels right.  I'm pretty sure God gave us dogs to remind us that life really is simple...they love unconditionally, and I believe that's the true meaning of it all.
  • Being able to run when I want, how I want and not let my body dictate (ie. stop me from doing something I love). The freedom of just going out into the world is exhilarating.  Our bodies are magical specimens that we shouldn't take for granted.
  • I've recently had the time and motivation to start reading again! And let me tell you...a good book sure does my soul well.  There's nothing quite like getting lost in the great words of brilliant wordsmiths.
  • My boyfriend, Dave, makes me laugh every single day. It doesn't matter whether it's through a text, on the phone or in person, not a day goes by when I don't laugh until it hurts with him (or at him, sometimes).  His mantra to life (live like you were dying) encourages me to wake up a little bit earlier, enjoy each moment a little bit more and don't stress the small stuff.
  • A job can be a job, or a job can be something you put your energy into and enjoy.  Mine falls into the latter category.  I don't ever dread coming to work.  I usually look forward to it (come on, now, I get the Monday blues just like everyone else).  My position allows me to work freely on projects I'm interested in, while helping others in departments that I'm not in, further broadening my work "education."  It's creative work that keeps the mind young, and fortunately for me, I do a lot of it.
  • Simply Limeade. A drink that makes my tastebuds jump (literally) for joy.  It's not very sweet like other limeades; this one has the tartness that a natural lime has.  I'm not kidding you that when I think about it, my mouth starts watering. It's that good.
  • I have friends that any girl would be jealous to have.   They truly get me.  Almost nothing can compare to a girlfriend who can finish your sentence or thinks the same thing you do at the same time.  In my mind, having one friend "get" you is much more important than having 10 friends "like" you.  Quality over quantity, people.  Find yourselves some good peeps.
  • My family rocks my socks off.  We've reached the point where my parents are still my parents, but they are now cool and hip and fun to be around.  They provide advice but let us make decisions on our own.  They understand that we are adults and are out in the wide world (but that doesn't mean my mom's not going to worry all the time or pray rosaries when we go on road trips). 
    Obviously there's more to my life than these few bullet points.  The beautiful thing about it all is that all of the things I've mentioned (plus the ones I didn't) meld and combine into a simple thing that we call life.  Isn't it crazy to think that we are here, living, breathing, thriving?

    "We are God of stories, but please tell me
    What is there to complain about?

    When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over
    When everything is out, you gotta take it in."

    Friday, August 12, 2011

    See Ya Later, Buddy

    My friend Matt is leaving California for good this weekend.  I only met him about a year and a half ago when he came to work at Creators Syndicate.  His college buddy (who hired me) urged him to come out and join the company.  Matt drove cross-country in his little red Jeep Liberty all by himself.  He was going to make a new life for himself in the sunny state.

    Matt is one of those people who is really, really easy to get along with.  He literally doesn't have a dramatic bone in his body and probably wouldn't hurt a fly.  It is with these amazing qualities that we became friends over invoice lunches and staff meetings, and even more so, over dinners and drinks.  His super-sharp wit and dorky sense of humor would make everyone at the table chuckle...it was hard not to.

    Sadly, Matt's family experienced a huge, unexpected loss in the last two months.  Although he didn't talk about it much when he got back, I could tell that it forever changed him and affected him each day.  With family ties weighing on his mind, Matt decided he needed to move back to New Hampshire.  I understand it is something he feels he needs to do, but it is always hard to say goodbye to a good friend.

    We're throwing Matt a going-away party this weekend and it will for sure be filled with lots of laughs.  Because, how else can we send someone all the way across the country? It's the least we can do.


    Thursday, August 11, 2011

    Get It On!

    It never failed.  On a daily basis, Abby Farson Pratt's face showed up on my newsfeed.  Every day, like clockwork, she posted a link to a new blog post on her blog, Little Stories.

    I thank Abby for those daily posts.  Not because I read every single one (or even one every week).  But more so because I saw someone who was blogging regularly and realized that I could probably do the same.

    You see, I want to be like Abby.  I want to have a consistently-updated blog that people find intriguing and want to read.  This blog started out strong but as of late, has been sorely neglected.  I fell into the trap of thinking that each post needed to be about running (because it started as a running blog, of course). But writing only about running pigeonholes me.  And no one likes to be put into a corner.
    Small aside: why would your nickname ever be Baby? As a term of endearment, sure. But other than that...

    Getting back on track here...the name of the blog is A Barefoot Journey.  Sure, I'll write about running when I get the urge.  That is, after all, a huge passion of mine.  But I'm also going to be writing about my journey through life (cliche, I know).  But there is so much out there to be explored and questioned and written about; how could I ever leave it by the wayside?

    So, armed with a trusted buddy and some jump-starting inspiration, I'm ready to begin. Let's get it on!




    Wednesday, August 10, 2011

    Wide Open Spaces

    "Tear down some two-lane country
    Who knows
    Get lost and get right with my soul
    Makes me wanna take
    Makes me wanna take a back road."

    These are the lyrics to Rodney Atkins' "Take a Back Road" song.  It speaks straight to my being, especially lately.

    I've been super homesick.



    Not only for my family and house, but for dirt roads and wide open spaces and amazing sunsets and chilly mornings and the coo of the mourning dove that always woke me up in high school.  I miss driving by rows and rows of corn and passing trucks piled high with potatoes.  I want to smell "the farm" smell and feel the backyard grass between my toes.  I want to be able to drive down main street and not get cut off.  I want time to slow down to a comfortable meander and not feel rushed by the person tailgating me.

    What I really crave, though, is to run on something other than pavement.  I want to cut through the quaking Aspens on a trail that is barely wide enough for me to fit on.  I want to feel a slight breeze and hear it rustle the golden leaves.  I want to suddenly come upon a rabbit or a bird perched on a fallen tree.

    I realized that I am constantly on man-made surfaces and in man-made buildings. Sure, getting from point A to point B without having to take side roads is great, but I'm pretty sure that 6-lane highways are in no way natural.  I want nature back.

    "So sick and tired of this interstate system
    I need a curve and wide-a-twistin'
    Dusty path to nowhere
    With the wind blowing through my baby's hair"