Image courtesy of Josh Hallett, @hyku

As I stood there, allowing the Disney magic wash over me as Olympian Gabby Douglas stood aside Princess Merida, I started to think about whether or not I was brave…..on what it means to be brave as a mom, as a woman trying to make it in a new career and as an advocate for change and social good.

Being Brave

Was it brave for me to leave a career of twelve years, where I was considered an expert to forge ahead with dreams of a new life? Maybe. But actually, the being brave part is not the in singular act, it is in the actions that come after. The big and little things we do each day to advocate for ourselves, for our goals and dreams, and for our families.

Life is a constant transition…from one set of circumstances to another, from one series of events and experiences to the next ones. The question about whether or not we are brave, lies in how we navigate those transitions and the many choices that we face each day.

Chris Brogan, in his book, It’s Not About the Tights: An Owners Manual on Bravery, writes ”It’s your game. Life is your game. Set up whatever scores you want.” The idea being that we make our choices, we take our actions, and we determine what example or model we will be within our professional or personal space.

One thing I have learned while trying to carve out my new career is that life does not happen to us. We need to be proactive. We need to advocate for ourselves and our strengths. Brogan reminds us that ”You are the superhero you’ve been waiting for.”  He goes on to say ”But not unlike Batman, you’ve got to use whatever past you came from as part of the origin story that shapes the hero you will become.” This is a key point in developing goals, or at least has been for me. Realizing that I had a host of strengths and years of expertise that could be used in conjunction with my passions…was a HUGE aha moment for me. It seems obvious that we should use our strengths and our areas of past expertise, but sometimes it takes time to see how best to do that.

The reality is that it can take time to see where our path may lead us. It takes persistence to achieve our goals and turn our big dreams into reality.  It can even take fear and frustration and paths that lead to no where, to put us on the right track.  Chris Brogan talks about acknowledging where you are, in the now to figure out how to get where you need to be. There is no defeat in where we are. We do not give up because we are not where we wanted to be.  Brogan suggests that we “build a bridge” to get us from where we are now, to where we want to be.

Photo credit: Jon Person

A bridge…from one place to another. From one set of strengths and areas of expertise, to new ones.

Easy right?

Or not…and maybe that is the point? It takes work, effort, and dedication to being brave. It takes believing that we are unstoppable. It takes big dreams, honesty and time to be brave. No one is going to slap a superhero cape or crown on us. We are the only ones that have the power to make ourselves brave.

The question is….will we? Will we model being brave as professionals, as parents, as friends? Will we empower others to believe that they can be  their own superhero?

What are you doing to be brave today?

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I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. No compensation was received.  All opinions are my own. An Amazon affiliate link is embedded.

Are You Brave? appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Admittedly, gone are the days that I rush home and bring my film to the nearest two hour printing service to later put all the photos in an album. I cannot actually remember the last time I printed off digital photos from a trip.  When I had the opportunity,  to learn about Disney’s Story app, a (free) digital storytelling app from Disney Interactive, it occurred to me that this mobile app might be a perfect fit for telling the stories that accumulate during travel.

Disney’s Story app, takes all the images on your camera roll and “gathers those moments and helps you transform them into stories that are easy to personalize, save and share.” You can “shoot, create, and share“, as Leticia Barr of Tech Savvy Mama explains, with this “easy to use interface.”

What I love is that you can get as creative as you would like, or just let the app do the work for you.  Each “story” allows for 20 images, which is usually enough to tell a story (if you are like me and have too many images, you can create multiple stories like you would create multiple chapters in a book).

See for yourself with my story about three generations of women in my family at Disney during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration:

One word of warning about using Story. I like to try to be efficient and organize my images, moving them to my computer and off my camera roll quickly. With Story though, the images are assembled FROM your camera roll…which means, you need them there. There are ways to get photographs back to your camera roll…but trust me, emailing yourself 20 pictures so that you can open the image and save it to your camera roll is not a good use of time.

Once you have made your story, you can email it or share it on Facebook.

While the app is optimized for iphone 5, it can be used on other iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches and will be coming out for other phones soon.

So…who is ready to create their own travel stories with Disney’s Story app? What will your story be about?

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Story was shared with me as a guest of this year’s Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration . As an attendee, I paid a conference fee and travel expenses but received perks at a reduced rate. I was not asked to write about anything related to the app or conference. No compensation was received.  I just REALLY think that this digital story telling app will be a prefect way to tell the travel story.  All opinions are my own.

Travel Storytelling with Disney’s Story App appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Three Running Lessons

1. Say yes to porta johns

Porta johns or porta potties…whatever you want to call them. Every pre-race morning should start with a trip to the porta john.  Depending on the length of the race, there is a good chance, if you are anything like me, or your stomach is like mine, that you may have to go again. Waiting until your stomach hurts may save you extra time from waiting in a long line, but your stomach will not appreciate it.

2. Say yes when someone wants to come cheer you on or better yet, run with you

Running has always been the thing that makes me feel unstoppable or independent. But it is also the thing that during a a less than perfect race or training day can reduce me to a ball of insecurity (and tears).  Although I started running in a training group, my pace was slower than most, leaving me behind the pack, and alone on the trails. I wore this solo runner badge with pride, telling myself that I could do it on my own. There is also a part of me that does not like “feeling” like a burden to people–even friends and family. So when someone offers to come lend support on race day, on the streets of the course, my first instinct is to say, “you don’t have to.”

Here is the thing. Running with people, especially during a long distance, makes the time go faster. It distracts you from aches and pains. I learned this years ago during the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon where I ran with MCM Mama, and again during the Princess Half Marathon where I ran with a friend and mentor.  Even during short distances, like a recent runDisney two mile run during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, where I ran with women that inspire me and push me to believe in myself, running with others made the difference.

During the recent Nike Women Half Marathon, I was in quite a mood prior to the race. Not having felt well, not having trained well...a cloud followed my Nike pre race preparations, so much so that I tried telling my husband not to come to the race as my support crew.  Except that he did not listen to the chorus of “I will be fine,” or “You don’t need to come.” And then it happened….somewhere along mile six or eight…that I realized, having supporters, family, or friends on the course….to smile at you (and take the pre-requisite- never comes out well pictures of you running by) is like having an extra battery for your brain. Something about seeing those faces makes you keep moving.

3. In the end, you just have to believe

While good nutrition and training are keys to running, the most important running lesson that I have learned over the years, is that I have nothing to prove. Sure…runners want to improve their times, feel stronger, run longer….but in the end, the only person that matters in the end…is you.  The only way that I have learned to allow myself to run without comparing myself to others, is to believe in myself as a runner. It does not come naturally…knowing that my pace is slow, that the extra weight on m body is causing more aches and pains…but believing that we can achieve whatever goal we set, on our own terms, is the key to unlocking running bliss.

 What about you? What lessons have you learned as a runner or walker…..or your sport or activity of choice? 

Running Lessons appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Image courtesy of Keswick Hall

Walking into Keswick Hall at first made me think of the resort where the movie Dirty Dancing took place. One of those places that kids and families could travel to, full of experiences for everyone in the family, where you would go back to each summer. A place where you could relax, let children play and explore without worrying and feel pampered all at the same time. Except that Keswick Hall is of course real as opposed to a figment of movie magic imagination, making it an experience worth the road trip for mid-Atlantic travelers.

Four reasons to stay at Keswick Hall

Image courtesy of Keswick Hall

Driving onto the grounds of Keswick Hall, it is hard not be wowed by the mansion, with its 48 rooms and suites, nestled on a 600-acre estate in the  heart of Virginia’s hunt and wine country.  Although the beautifully appointed and unique guest rooms and suites are reason enough to stay, there are other reasons to make Keswick Hall your home away from home.

1. Recreation for the entire family
From tennis to golf to archery and croquet, a stay at Keswick will keep the entire family active.  The first thing I did after arriving on the property was to walk on one of the many trails that weave through the 600 acres (you can ask for trail maps at registration).  Getting up to go for a morning run or walk would be easy if I had the Keswick Hall grounds to navigate every morning.

The richness of the recreation line up does not end with the trails.  Other recreation activities:

• A newly renovated Pete Dye golf course with junior programs for children to re-open in 2014. (Even non golfers will be wowed by the views of the grounds from the course).
• Tennis center with programs for adults and children
• Swimming at one of three stunning pools (Even on a cloudy day, a chair at one of these pools would not be a bad place to sit perched for a morning or afternoon).
• Junior sports camp for children in the summer
• Archery range
• Croquet lawn
• The Spa at Keswick Hall for adults
• Family nights in the summer
• Dine in movies in the winter

2. Wine, wine, and wine

Charlottesville, Virginia is well-known for its vineyards and wineries, boasting over 30 wineries in the area.  In addition to the Treble Wine cellar, with 5,200 bottles of regional, national and international wines, Keswick Hall is home to Keswick Vineyards.   Not only can you taste the hotel’s private label wine, like Edith’s Chardonnay and Edith’s Petit Verdot, which pays tribute to Edith Fossett, Thomas Jefferson’s chief cook at Monticello in the tasting room or at one of the on site restaurants or bars, but guests can also take part in seasonal events like picking and harvesting.

3. Culinary experiences

From breakfast to dinner, at one of the bars, restaurants, or even in your room, eating at Keswick Hall is a culinary experience fit for foodies of all ages. One of the things that I love at any destination is an on site garden. Keswick Hall’s “Chef’s Garden”  boasts an extensive supply of produce year-round served in Fossett’s restaurant.

Having a glass of wine at Fossett’s Bar, with a selection of olives and nuts is the perfect way to start your stay at Keswick Hall.

Upon entering Fossett’s restaurant you will be wowed by the view as well as the light and elegant ambiance.  Stop and take it all in before heading to your table, because it is truly spectacular whether you are there for breakfast, lunch at dinner.  While an in room breakfast might help you get started before a busy day, breakfast at Fossett’s restaurant is worth the time at least once during your stay.  Whether you opt for the decadent French Toast stuffed with compote or home-made granola parfait for breakfast, looking out at the view from will fuel you for  a full day of adventure.

The good news about staying at Keswick Hall is that you can eat a decadent breakfast and then spend the day exploring and being active so that your stomach is ready for a scrumptious dinner back at Fossett’s that might start with Virginia harvested oysters or curried yellow squash soup.

4. All things Charlottesville

Of course, being steps away from Charlottesville offers guests ample offsite attractions.  Whether you are searching for off the beaten path itineraries with kids , culinary or wine adventures, history or college tours, there is never a shortage of things to do in Charlottesville.

The biggest question is, deciding what type of Keswick Hall experience you want to create since it is perfect destination for families, couples and friends looking for a girls weekend. Or maybe all of the above?

Even more reasons to experience Keswick Hall

 

So…who is ready to pack your bags for Keswick Hall?

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I was a guest of Visit Charlottesville during my trip to Charlottesville. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Experience Keswick Hall appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Even when you tell yourself that you should dream big, sometimes it takes a special moment to help everything click together. To help the pieces come into position until the light bulb goes off…and you realize that you are unstoppable.

For me, my unstoppable, came while listening to paralympian Dennis Ogbe, being interviewed by Jeannette Kaplun, and joined by the UN Foundations’s Aaron Sherinian. You see, Dennis Ogbe is more than just a spokesperson for Unicef and Shot@Life. He is a polio survivor.  And even more than being a polio survivor, he uses his voice to impact change.

Not only that, but Dennis, along with Jeannette and Aaron hit on something incredibly powerful. The work that we do to build awareness about the causes we care about it vital…not just to the cause and to the law makers or change agents that we hope to inspire to action…but to our children. Our daughters, our sons…they are watching us use our voices. They are watching us make change.

And in the end…they are the ones that matter. Their young tween voices are the ones that matter (I am choosing to focus on tweens because they are mature enough to understand, and young enough to make this part of their every day life). Because they are the ones that will continue to impact change when we cannot. I knew this when my own daughter recently took on the charge of being a champion, swayed to action because to her…there was no other choice.  I knew of the power of young change agents after seeing the movie, The Revolutionary Optimists.  But now…now I want to do something about it.

Because although change starts with us…we have a bigger responsibility to foster global citizenship in our children. Empowering tweens to use their voices.  To foster an understanding of what it means to care and to act…what it means to use a voice for good, intentionally…purposefully.

And that is exactly what I am going to do…who else is with me?

The Impact of our Voices appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Unstoppable girls.  Unstoppable dreams. Unstoppable voices and actions to save lives.

Unstoppable is my one word takeaway from the 2013 Mom 2.0 Summit held in Laguna Niguel.  But more than a recap of this social media conference, unstoppable is a symbol of why there is no choice but to dream big, why we must use our voices for good, and why whether we are bloggers, writers, moms, dads…we have a responsibility that is bigger than ourselves.

Unstoppable Girls

Did you know that six out of ten girls stop doing what they love? The why and how of this statistic goes back to self esteem, confidence and perspectives about ourselves. Except that as moms of daughters, mentors, teachers and neighbors to girls, we must do better. Girls must believe in themselves and have the tools to navigate through the ups and downs of life without giving up on what they love. Dove is ready to celebrate girls everywhere as part of their Girls Unstoppable campaign, celebrating girls everywhere that refuse to give up.   Get involved by sharing the story of an unstoppable girl you know, or by asking yourself if your actions are something that your daughter would be proud of.  Or maybe…try standing in front of the mirror with your daughter, each sharing things you LOVE about yourself.

Unstoppable Dreams

Another way to be unstoppable is to push through professional fears.  Too often, we let our big dreams fall by the wayside. What if instead, we reminded ourselves that as Elan Morgan said, that “you cannot give of what you have if you don’t know what you’ve got.”  Instead of undervaluing ourselves, we must as Meg Keene reminds us, bet on ourselves. Remembering that what we do has impact. Because of course there are going to be days that our dreams seem far away, or difficult. Of course we are going to meet nay sayers. But what if we focus on, “find someone who gets us” as Erica Ehm encourages us, instead of letting our dreams die. That is what makes our dreams unstoppable after all….being brave enough to push through, day after day.

Unstoppable Futures

Unstoppable girls and dreams lead to unstoppable futures. For us, but also for children that are born in developing countries. Children that have the potential to grow up and be everyday heroes, or athletes like paralympian Dennis Ogbe. Children that should not die from a disease that is 100% preventable by a vaccine. We live in a world, Aaron Sherinian of the UN Foundation says, that one day soon, girls will wake up and realize that all the rules have changed. They will have changed because they realize that their voice matters, that their voice has power. One day soon our children will realize that they themselves are the change agents. That their voice can help their global peers near and far.

We have a responsibility to be unstoppable. For our daughters, for our careers, and dreams, and for the futures of many.

The question is….how will you be unstoppable today? 

Unstoppable: Take Aways from Mom 2.0 appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Blogging has impact on goals

Setting goals, dreaming big…whatever you want to call it, we each have a vision. For some it is as simple as wanting to tell a story, while others use their blog as a platform to propel their careers…writing, consulting, public speaking, working with brands and more. Chances are, if you have been blogging for a while, your dreams and goals have changed.  I know mine have.

Starting out almost four years ago, blogging was an outlet to write about being a cancer survivor, getting remarried and motherhood. But now? Moving from teaching full time to writing full time, my dreams have changed. Dreams of getting published in a magazine. Dreams of using my voice to speak to groups about finding the silver lining, even when it is buried deep, about intention, and about impact. Dreams that are starting to come true…this weekend in fact where I will join a panel of extraordinary women to talk about and brainstorm ways to blog for impact and later this summer when I join at star studded panel at BlogHer’s HealthMinder Day to talk about self-care and social health.  Dreams that require honest reflection and take effort and persistence…but that came true.

Blogging has impact on change

Bloggers are change agents even without trying. Every time a blogger shares a perspective that a reader may never have thought of, change happens…or at least, could happen. Sharing a story about a cause that matters to you, highlighting efforts of campaigns to foster sustainable growth and self sufficiency in others, giving the microphone to the authentic voices of individuals that may not be ready or able to use their own voice…those moments have impact.

There are concrete ways to use blogging to impact change. Campaigns like Shot@Life’s Blogust that raised $200,000 to provide life saving vaccines against preventable diseases for children in developing countries, or the ONE Moms visit to the Fashionable ”factory” that raised awareness about the women who are building sustainable futures for themselves, leading to a rush of orders that necessitated hiring (and empowering) more women. Change happens when we share campaigns that inspire people to create life lists to help finish the fight against cancer or to give back by using a free app that donates to causes when we walk, run, or bike.

Blogging has impact on relationships

It seems obvious, but the impact that blogging has on relationships, is integral to what blogging is.  Connecting, relation, understanding….every time we reach or touch someone that is reading on their computer or mobile device, we are building relationships. Virtual worlds are colliding and become real through blogging with conferences and events.  Work groups and accountability partners are inspiring and supporting one another in facebook groups, skype chats and google hangouts. I am a changed person because of the impact that blogging has had on my relationships, with new friendships, mentors and role models that I never would have met, had it not been for blogging…women that inspire me, challenge me and support me to do my best, to dream bigger and make new realities.

Whether you are blogging for social good or just to tell a story, every time your words touch a reader to be inspired…to take action…to believe…there is impact. Sometimes we hear about it through a comment, email or tweet….sometimes we don’t. Sometimes the impact is big, sometimes it is small.

The question is…how will you use blogging for impact today, tomorrow, next week or next month? Or…if you don’t write a blog yourself, how has reading blogs impacted you?

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**If you at Mom 2.0 and want to think more about blogging for impact, join us on Saturday at 10:30 on for the Digging Deeper panel: Random Acts of Impact.

**If you are coming to BlogHer’s HealthMinder day join us at 10:45 to talk about Self-Care and Social Health: What is enough?

Blogging has Impact appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

College for my eight and a half year old daughter seems very far away. Except of course that we all know that time travels quickly and that the days of her college visits to explore and get to know campus life will be here before I know it. Which is why, after several days exploring Charlottesville as a guest of Visit Charlottesville, I am secretly hoping that she picks the University of Virginia in Charlottesville at the very least, as a college to explore for a tour.  More than being home to the orange and navy blue Hoos (short for Wahoos*), or Cavaliers if you ask my UVA alumni husband who spent more time studying than “wahooing,” Charlottesville is a destination for culinary delights, culture and adventure.  And… since her college tours and eventual college life are all about me (right?), I would be more than willing to take one for the team to continue to explore this Southern gem.

Three reasons to experience Charlottesville

Charlottesville is more than just the home of the University of Virginia or Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Situated amidst the Blue Ridge mountains, not far from the James River, exploring Charlottesville will surprise those that were expecting “just” a historical college town.

Exploring Culinary Charlottesville

Photo courtesy of Glass Haus Kitchen

Big cities like Washington DC, Chicago, and New York are known as foodie destinations with big name chefs. Except that cities like Charlottesville, that are attracting innovative and acclaimed culinary names, are giving these traditional foodie destinations a run for their money. Take Glass Haus Kitchen, located in the warehouse district of Charlottesville as a prime example. Chef Ian Boden, a 2013 James Beard Semifinalist delivers a culinary journey featuring local and seasonal food from nose to tail. Partners JF Legault and Francois Bladt, sparked by Chef Boden’s vision to pioneer foodie experiences in Charlottesville, making it a dinner destination that you will want to plan for and definitely worthy of a road trip….with appetizers like Halibut Ceviche and an entrees like Mole Bolognese with peanuts, cilantro, and botarga.  You can get a a feel for the ever changing menu and ingredients just by following Chef Boden on twitter or instagram, though the more you pay attention, the faster you will find yourself planning a trip to Charlottesville just to eat at Glass Haus Kitchen. Even Tom Sistema of the Washington Post thought Glass Haus Kitchen was worth the road trip.

Exploring Cultural Charlottesville

From gardens, to wine, to film festivals, to weekly events like Fridays after Five featuring live music, it seems as if there is always something happening in Charlottesville.

The Downtown Mall area is full of boutiques, galleries,and cafes that come to life on a sunny day with outdoor seating.  The University of Virginia also hosts an extensive season of theater  and its own Heritage Theater Festival.

I am just hoping that the Monticello Wine Trail Festival is still around when it is time to tour colleges, after all…my daughter will want some time to explore campus life on her own without her good old mom around, right? Although, the good news is that even if we miss the wine festival, there are plenty of local wineries, like the relaxed Blenheim Vineyard where it would be easy to spend an afternoon tasting wine and taking in the scenery.

Explore Adventure Charlottesville

One of the things that I look for in any destination is a range of adventure and activity, because there is just something unique about exploring a new place on a hike or from a kayak going down the river. Charlottesville does not disappoint thanks to its location nestled between the mountains and the James River.

One easy hike that is scenic and leads you to a historic attraction, is the Saunders-Monticello trail.  Starting at Kemper Park, you can hike on a trail and boardwalk path all the way to the gates of Monticello (about four miles round trip). The trail is located on Carter Mountain, which has a variety of other more in depth trails for hikers looking for a steeper climb.

Exploring Charlottesville, like a good glass of wine, is meant to be savored.  Whether planning a college tour visit or a road trip for a long weekend, this southern town deserves to be experienced.  Now to start planting the UVA seed of thought in my daughter…or maybe I could convince my husband that he needs to go back to his roots and relive, or experience Charlottesville all over again? Or maybe, since exploring the food and wine in Charlottesville is not something that one would grow tired of easily, we should start planning a weekend trip just because. Who wants to join us?

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*A Wahoo is a fish that can drink its weight in water.

I was a guest of Visit Charlottesville during my trip to Charlottesville. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Destination Charlottesville Virginia appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

Although I learned a few lessons while running the half marathon, my eighth attempt at 13.1, this race taught me to use the course….to take in the sights, the sounds, and the little moments that make running what it is.  Spending most of last week sick and allowing the voices of doubt in my head take over, my head was not in this run. Or at least, not in a good way. Emotionally beaten, feeling weak instead of 13.1 strong, I got myself to the starting line…but still spent the first few miles beating myself up.

Until at some point, my foot that had gone numb and achey hip flexor just became part of the journey. I could not fix them…so instead of continuing to think about the pain, I looked up. Just in time for mile 8, around Hains Point.

The first sign made me laugh.  Could this really be enough to lure runners toward the last five miles?

Yes…for some it was enough.

And then it hit me….

Until suddenly, I no longer doubted.

 And yes….there is something unique and exciting about finishing the Nike Women Half Marathon with the help of a tuxedo clad gentleman holding a tray of little blue boxes.

In the end, although yes…ok…that little blue Tiffany & Co. box is pretty extraordinary as far as race medals go, the real victory was the mental and emotional one that played out in my head and my heart. Finishing the Nike Women’s Half Marathon made not have been a personal best, but out from under the cloud of doubt, that young woman from 16 years ago that worked every day to fight for her life, emerged … mile by mile.

Which can only mean one thing…… time to focus on the next goal: training for the Marine Corps Marathon.

What about you? What helps you win the mental game with yourself? 

Finishing the Nike Women’s Half Marathon appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino

The hype is fun…but what about the race..and the preparations?

For me, that is where things get trickier. This was supposed to be my GO race. Having run two half marathons since the fall, knowing that I was not particularly well trained for either one….this race would be different. This race has a special meaning and purpose for me. Except that in the end, training for the Nike Women Half Marathon was….well..intermittent. And then of course, came a last minute surprise, in the form of a multi day fever that has left me wondering if I could walk up a hill, much less run 13.1 miles.

Final preparations for the Nike Women Half Marathon

For the first time in a long time, I am not packing a bag for a race weekend since I have started a pattern from the Runners World Half to the Princess Half, to travel for races.  Although this race is on my home turf, the part of me that likes to sleep in as long as I can on race day, wishes that we had made arrangements to travel into town for the night.  (there is always next year).

Sure I still need to do a few things to prepare for the Nike Women Half Marathon…I still pull my gear together, charge my gps watch, and add a few songs to my playlist (potentially walking more of the course means I need a LOT more songs on my favorite half marathon playlist)…but really, between my training and the fever earlier this week, I am approaching this race more like a regular long run day, with 14,599 of my closest friends.

The reality of ME

Except of course, that is a lie. Or a partial lie. My head knows that I cannot expect a personal best at this race. My head knows that I have nothing to prove to anyone. My head knows lots of things.

But my heart? My heart was counting on this race as a symbol of running DC 16 years after my first chemotherapy treatment. My heart was counting on this race as a symbol of me no longer taking my health for granted, after several years of sliding into a downward spiral that is now incredibly hard to climb out of. My heart was counting on the fact that I would feel strong…or stronger today than I did several months ago.

Which leaves my heart broken…because instead of feeling stronger than I was, I feel weaker. I feel frustrated with myself for not having done enough …for not having made myself a priority these last few months. For allowing myself to get to a point where I have to take TWO over the counter heart burn/acid reflux pills each day. To the point where a fever that I should have been able to bounce back from, knocked me off my feet for over three days. My heart aches when I walk quickly up the stairs in my house, and am winded.

Because running once or twice a week is not enough. Falling into a run/walk pattern and not pushing myself to extend the run times or decrease the walk times is not enough. Telling myself that I am active, because I am have been hiking or running half marathons..when really…most of my day is spent in a chair, at my desk…is not enough.

Because all of a sudden, that young woman who had a hard time walking up the hill from the metro to her apartment 16 years ago, fatigued from her chemotherapy treatment….is not that different from the now 38 year old woman. Except for one MAJOR difference. 16 years ago, my fatigue and lack of energy was not my fault. But now? In this moment…it is. And it IS NOT ok.

I am the only one that has the ability and control to make change. Just me. I have said before–often in fact, that I was fed up, and ready to take action..but then…never did, or never followed through. The difference this time is being sick this week, and as unhealthy as I feel….reminded me of a different time. A time where the only strength that I had, was on the inside.  Strength that got me through the hardest fight of my life.

(Luna Bars allowed runners to create their own cheers, this one spoke to me)

So maybe this race has the possibility of being symbolic in a different way…maybe it will be the catalyst.  Maybe this time will be different.

It almost has to be.

What about you? Have you ever committed and recommitted and recommitted some more? What has it taken you to finally impact your own change?

Go Time: We Run DC appeared first on Live.Do.Grow by Elena Sonnino