couch vs. running

I’m hiding from this gray day, watching the hours tick by as I stay cozy in my sweatpants. But I need to get up. I need to run. The Pittsburgh Marathon is only a week away and I’ve been slacking on my mileage.

Reasons to run: this is a relay and my teammates are counting on me, running 6.5 miles in shape feels much better than out of shape, there really aren’t any good reasons to still be in your sweatpants at noon on a Thursday unless your sick (which I’m not), running makes me feel good.

The final reason, is really the only one that matters or motivates me, so I’m going to get up and get going..

Day Three

“What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate.” 

-John Bingham, running writer and speaker

day two

Today a quote from the book I am reading, Jitterbug Perfume. It was written the year I was born–I’m not sure why that is a fact worth mentioning–is quirky, thought-provoking and enjoyable. So far a lot of lines are worth quoting, but I like that this one speaks to a theme discussed throughout the story, individual expression. 

Day Two:

“Our individuality is all, all, that we have. There are those who barter it for security, those who repress it for what they believe is the betterment of the whole society, but blessed in the twinkle of the morning star is the one who nurtures it and rides it in, in grace and love and wit, from peculiar station to peculiar station along life’s bittersweet route.” 

― Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume

this week

In an attempt to write on my blog again, I’ve given myself an assignment: post one quote a day for the whole week that inspires, excites or just generally entertains me (and hopefully you).

Day One:

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope that you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope that you have the strength to start all over again.

– F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

successful life

Yesterday, I was talking with a colleague about life.  I say life because it was a conversation about everything from traveling around the world to work stuff to starter homes. He shared how expenses and expectations can get away from us, and in some cases, get us in over our heads.

I have thought about this very thing many times.  I want to be smart about how I live.  To this point we have been cautious about taking on additional expenses.  We’ve kept our rent low, have only one car and no cable. I recognize that I am young and we won’t be able to maintain this forever, but I want to always strive to live within (or very close to) our means.

I am still working out exactly what this mean–maybe it is only buying one home and staying in it or keeping our cars until the wheels fall off. We’ll see. As inspiration or motivation I found the above Depression era inspired poster. I think it is sending the right message for what I am thinking about today. Enjoy.

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