the treadmill diaries

Is there really a better time to get outdoors than now?  In my opinion, the answer is NO.

Fall is by far my absolute favorite time of year to be active outside – whether it’s running, hiking, walking or whatever.

In fact, it’s also the perfect season to sign yourself up for races or events that will not only make sure you take advantage of the lovely weather but will also keep you training.

Since I’m a big fan of practicing what I preach, I registered myself for a couple of events this month.

First, my husband and I will be heading out to St Louis, Missouri to take part in the Walk for Remembrance on October 15^th.  This 1- or 4- mile walking event is an opportunity for families to remember and honor babies they’ve lost way to soon in their lives.  The event will close with a balloon release ceremony in tribute to our children. (a BIG thanks to all who have generously supported us and this cause)

Next, I’ll be participating in the Annual Santa Fund Run in New Hampshire on October 30^th.  This 5 or 10 K race starts off on a high school track and then winds through the wooded trails of Mine Falls Park, which I’ve had the pleasure of running last year.  So much fun!  Plus, you have the option of wearing a lightweight Santa outfit while you’re strutting your stuff through the paths if you’re so inclined.  Should make for some interesting sights.

In addition to the above races, I’ve been on the hunt for a possible half-marathon to take part in (since I didn’t make mine last year) and am planning to get in some hiking at Acadia National Park the week of October 10^th.

October has the makings of a really good, active month. Love it.

How about you – are you planning any events or trips this season?

This past Saturday and Sunday were quite rainy and dreary.  So to keep myself busy, I decided to take part in several indoor activities like:

• loving up my new Mac Book Pro.  As a lifelong PC user, I have to admit this thing is so easy to use and SUPER FAST.  Once you go MAC, you never go back (or so I hear).  We’ll see.
• getting into the 31 Days of Halloween on Syfy.  Who really cares if I’ve seen Resident Evil about 40 times since it came out in 2001?  You better believe I caught the double-header on Sunday night again.
• watching cooking shows on the Food Network Channel.  I especially dig the new recipe episodes.  In fact, after seeing Rachel Ray’s 3o Minute Meal of Bourbon BBQ Pulled Chicken , I decided to try it.

I’ve never made my own BBQ sauce from scratch before.  I’m more of a squirt it out of the Baby Ray’s bottle kind of girl.  But since I had extra time on my hands, I figured why not?

I followed Rachel’s recipe to the letter with one exception.  I absolutely LOATHE mustards of all kind so I left out the Dijon.  Instead, I substituted in a dash of mustard seed figuring it was in the same family but it wouldn’t set off my ‘I hate mustard’ alert.

Poaching the chicken in water with oranges, onions, carrots and bay leaves did wonders for the flavor. Plus, it was very easy to work off of the bone once done cooking.

The BBQ sauce itself was a lovely reddish-orange color and the perfect consistency after it was reduced down.  However, I found it much sweeter than the bottled brands that I’m used to.  Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad just different.

Dollop a pile of the pulled chicken on a bun, top it with some pickle, and you’ve got yourself a hearty sandwich to enjoy.

Though I didn’t make the slaw as the sidekick to my sammy on this day, I did pick up all the ingredients to whip it up later in the week.  I’ll keep you posted on what I think.

Tell me…is there a food that completely grosses you out like my aversion to mustard?  I’ve disliked it as long as I can remember.

If you had asked me whether I thought I was a good person who truly cared for others prior to this year, it’s very likely that I would have answered that I tried to be without hesitation.

And what’s fascinating is that this answer would have been both the truth and not at the same time.

My life experiences are my frame of reference.  Based on what I’ve lived and seen, I’m able to put myself in the shoes of others and appreciate or feel for their circumstances.

Having been fortunate enough for most of my life to not have experienced significant loss or heartache, it was hard for me to relate at times, to understand what others may have been feeling, and therefore to be someone who could support others in the way that they needed during certain life events.

I wasn’t aware of this.  And looking back, I feel bad about it.

But now, I believe things are different.  I’m different.  I wish I could have made it here without having experienced our loss but that’s not the path I was meant to travel.

People said that out of this darkest day there could be some good. That I may not see it right away but that with time and healing, it’s there for the taking if I’m open to it.  Of course, at the time, I thought it’s just something people say to give you hope – something to cling to – though now I can see what they meant.

The good that I found and will look to foster and grow is compassion for and connection to other people.  To hear them out when they have something that troubles them.  To let them know that even though I can’t necessarily solve the issue they’re faced with, I can listen.

I can let them know I’m thinking of them by reaching out.

I can send them positive energy at their time of need.

I can show that I care.

And, I can feel for them – not just by saying the words that are expected                                                            – but by really feeling genuine emotion.

It would be great if by doing all of the above you could make things good and right for the people you know.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t rid us of all the bad that’s out there but it does help those in your life to feel supported, to feel connected to other people and not so alone, and it sometimes can strengthen their resolve to tackle what lies ahead of them.

When I needed them, I had a handful of people that I could count on to be there for me.  Now, I’ve learned that I can and want to be that person for others.

Have you discovered anything new about yourself recently?

At different points in our lives, each of us is hit by that feeling that says, “Hey.  It’s time for a change.”

Maybe you go out and get yourself a new wardrobe (which I think I might do).

Perhaps you decide to take your doo from this

  to this ….

Or maybe the change is a bit more substantial.  Some sort of life event has caused you to stop, reevaluate your priorities, and to start veering down a slightly different path.

This is where I find myself now.

It’s true for my life.  And it’s true for this blog.

Therefore, I’m planning to give thetreadmilldiaries a makeover.

How will it change exactly?  Not sure.  Though I do know that I want to make some basic design & layout changes while tackling the content too.

My goal of pursuing a healthy lifestyle isn’t going away so you’ll still see posts on recipes, fitness, and the like.  But, I plan to move beyond just this and to bring more of my other life experiences and thoughts to my writing.

It’ll no doubt be a good outlet for me to share more about my views and interests– and hopefully it’ll make for a better, well-rounded read for all of you as well.

Thought I’d give you fair warning.  :)

Now that I’ve discovered the beauty of dailymile, my workout log will be shifting from the site page to my dailymile profile. 

For a number’s gal like me, it’s extremely motivating to visually see/track my own results but it’s even more inspiring to see what others can do in a week and to use that to push myself even further than I may know I’m capable of. 

Plus, I get a burst of energy seeing the miles tally up in a week, a month, and the year.  I just wish I would have started tracking this info via the site much sooner. 

Anyway…hope to see you share your workouts through this very cool tool.  You know I will.