9/8/2023 Let your mind runToday's run was a long and challenging hill session, yet fantastic.
All because of one simple but powerful thing: good attitude. A good attitude towards ourselves, each other and the workout. Our words of encouragement echoed through the air, pushing each other forward. The high-fives exchanged between repetitions were more than just gestures; they were bursts of positivity. Even as the perceived effort became more intense and the hill steeper in the last few reps, the camaraderie kept us all charged with determination. This reminded me of a book I've read multiple times – "Let Your Mind Run" by Deena Kastor. By altering her mindset and adopting a "good attitude" towards training and herself, she transformed her performance. Not only she managed to tap into her full potential but also grew to be a positive and happy person and positive influence to so many others, including me. Our attitude shapes not only our experience but also our outcomes. 8/8/2023 I live a millionaire's life
I live a millionaire's life, filled with moments of joy, love, and fulfillment. It's easy to get caught up in the dream of winning the lottery and associating wealth with happiness, but the truth is, I already have everything I need to feel rich.
This morning I woke up a little earlier than usual, filled the coffee machine with freshly roasted beans, and prepared a cup of coffee for myself and Lidia. I brought her coffee to bed, as an incentive to join me outside on the cozy bench. In the crisp winter air, sipping our warm coffees, we chatted and giggled, and discussed plans for the weekend, the month, and even the years ahead, envisioning the future we want to create. Next, we gathered for breakfast with the kids. Lidia had baked delicious homemade blueberry muffins and milk bread last night which were simply delicious. We each selected an "intention card" for the day, a simple game that sets a positive tone for our mornings. On the way to school, I ran alongside Lorenzo, breaking from our usual discussions of basketball, to talk about... running! We contemplated how many more months I have before Lorenzo's Parkrun times surpass mine, and the thrilling prospect of racing each other in the future. We even whispered about his ambitious goal of running 100 kilometers or embarking on an epic running journey from Noosa to Sydney, keeping it our little secret of course. Meanwhile, Allegra and Lidia pedaled behind us, with their own secret conversations on their bikes. After dropping off the kids, I ran back home with Lidia on my side, another opportunity to deepen our morning connection, chatting and laughing. After a hot shower, I brewed another cup of coffee, and with a renewed sense of energy, I moved onto my workday. While work is.. well.. work and it has its challenges, I consider myself fortunate to be doing something I am passionate about surrounded by positive people and a supportive work culture. As the late afternoon approaches, I anticipate spending more time with the kids. We might shoot hoops together or climb the monkey bars. Later, we'll get the fire pit going, for a warm dinner under the stars. When I reflect on these precious moments, it strikes me that this is exactly what a millionaire's lifestyle would feel like to me. It's not about material possessions or extravagant experiences; it's about love, connection, and the simple joys of everyday life. Today I see the wealth I have and the richness it brings to my world. 8/8/2023 Moving forward
As I reflect on my journey through the lens of my inner fan, I can clearly see the evolution of my character.
It is not about perfection; it's all about progress. I've harvested patience from failures, built resilience by overcoming setbacks, nurtured empathy through battling challenges, harnessed belief in my unique abilities, and fostered humility by acknowledging that no one truly has all the answers – we're all just doing our best. These, I believe, are the fundamental building blocks of character. I move forward one step at a time, sometimes with leaps and sometimes with baby steps. The pace doesn't matter as long as I'm moving forward.
7/8/2023 A magic mondayToday kicked off just like any other typical Monday.
As I settled in at my desk after dropping off the kids to school, I noticed something strange – an eerie silence in my work chat. No pings, no new emails, just the sound of... well, nothing. At first, I thought maybe something was wrong with my connection but after a little while I worked out it was a bank holiday in NSW, which meant, a surprise day off for me too! Honestly, it felt like finding money in a old pair of jeans! In bout 10 seconds flat I had a plan for the day and got in motion. With my unparalleled powers of persuasion (which wasn't really necessary), I got Lidia to take a few hours break as well. Together, we embarked on a delightful escapade – a stroll through the National Park, a plunge into the ocean, and a wholesome beachside salad. I then followed with an afternoon solo run along the beautiful trails, followed by a delicious BBQ dinner and red wine. This unexpected gift has reaffirmed my belief in the sheer beauty of life's simple pleasures. Even in the grown-ups world, there's always room for an unexpected positive twist 4/8/2023 CrossfitIf you've been within earshot of me this week, you'd know I've embarked on a brand-new adventure: Crossfit! Lidia has been rolling her eyes and teasing me all week, and I'm glad of it. It means I'm diving headfirst into this exciting journey, enjoying every bit of it - from the process and the aches to all I'm learning about my body. What a revelation it's been!
As a runner, I've definitely let my strength take a backseat for far too long. I mean, let's be real, I'd rather tack on an extra half-hour of running than spend that time on exercises (or dare I say, stretching?). So, sure, I can run for miles, but ask me to do a few pull-ups or lift some weights!? Not that impressive. So, here I am, dipping my toes in the wild world of Crossfit. Because I realized that if I want to keep running, and running strong, well into my later years, I need more than just endurance. I need a body that's stable, balanced, and ready to strong throughout. After all, I've got my sights set on the "80 years olds ultrarunning world championship"! After my first week, even with minimal weights and simplified versions of the workouts, my muscles are whispering "we've been awakened!". Actually the tone is way louder, they are practically shouting it to me! And sure, my deadlifts look like a clumsy dance move right now, but I'm embracing the journey. Rome wasn't built in a day! |
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