Pace Yourself

Is it really August?

This morning I walked outside before 6am and was hit with a blast of chilly air. The neighbor next door was huddled down in his sweatshirt, gripping his mug of steaming coffee as he trotted to his truck. My yoga pants (yes, pants) hugged my legs as I darted down the street to an early morning exercise time with a neighbor.

I saw the fields beginning to wake up, haze still clouding their detail. The blue sky conversed with the clouds as the sun peeked her tired rays over the world. In that moment I saw summer giving way to fall.

I felt energized.

And like ANYTHING was possible.

Which was a good feeling for me.

See, this summer has been only ok for me. Actually, it has been hard. Really Really. I won't tell you that if you ask. I'll smile and say I'm great.. because I am, mostly. And I am not terrible, nor am I sick or broken or miserable. I'll say I am great and attach it to a smile, because I can. Because it is real and authentic.  And each day I feel fine and I enjoy the moments. But, when I look back over my summer, I wrinkle my nose a bit. And sigh. I do not actually know why. I could tell you little things...... but, I can't go into detail ... because sometimes I need to ponder, quietly in my heart, before I have the words.

I do know I am learning ... about life. Love. Trust. About belief. And what the heck faith is.

I try to have a word a week that I focus on. One that spurs me forward.

The big word this week is PACE. And the value it brings to life. I am reflecting on the seasons of my life. Specifically on my pace of life. Asking myself, "where have you had a pace that has been too rapid?' And then writing down my 20/20 hindsight results of that time.

And times where things have gone too slow? (yawn) Results, both positive and negative, I experienced are being documented.





I want to learn from life, so I can continue growing.
I feel healthy when I do what I need to do to live a life that has a healthy rhythm.





As one who loves the pain of exercise, I have had to learn the value of pacing myself on the road, on the field, in the gym.  Fatigue, injury, unmet goals are a direct result of doing too much too fast or not enough too slow.

And once again I am having to apply what I know to life!
Here are a few things that I have learned about pace:

1.  Each person has a different one
2.  Seasonal adjustments are necessary
3.  Proper pacing will increase endurance
4.  Endurance is gained by focus; either on distance, speed or frequency
5. Developing it takes TIME
6.  Rest is essential
7.  Pace awareness alone can improve performance






As I ponder my current pace of life and recognize the coming change of seasons, I look forward to adjusting my stride to find the perfect pace for the coming moments. But, for now, I will live each day as fully as I can; learning and loving, hugging and cooking, running and (maybe) napping.