Where's the Beach?

Do you ever have those moments when you really just need some inspiration, some words of wisdom? We all have ups and downs, we get sick, we get injured, we have bad days. I'm not going to bore anyone with my issues, annoyances, grievances. I do try to stay positive, as much as I can. Sometimes we need gentle reminders though. So today I'm going to try to think positively about problems. Care to join me?  

Well we made it to Friday! And while my general topic isn't fun (injuries), I wanted to turn it into something fun. Let me back up a minute (or 6 days). For a few weeks I was having a niggling pain over a bone near my ankle and the upper part of my arch was feeling really fatigued and achy. But not like plantar fasciitis. I started backing off my miles and make a very conscious effort to include more slower runs. I thought I was doing dandy. You know, playing by the rules. I've been adding in more strength workouts for deep core, glutes, and hips. I've been rolling my calves, piriformis, IT band, feet. However, I've been neglecting my feet again, with the exception of rolling the crap out of them. So, more specifically I've been neglecting strengthening the intrinsic muscles of the feet. By the end of my 10-miler last Saturday, I was starting to hobble. My foot pain had reached it's threshold telling me I was done. As most of us do these days, I turned ...

I've read some really amazing posts over the years about over-coming self-hate, self-doubt, negative thinking. I've also read posts where people are still struggling with inner demons. I don't talk about those topics often. I tend to keep my blog posts fairly light, trying to find positivity. However, when I read such posts, they almost always strike a chord with me. Why? Because I am human too. I have people make comments about being an inspiration, being dedicated, a machine, super fit. But you know what? I have my own self-doubts to contend with. I might be a fantastic cheerleader for those around me, friends, family, bloggers, co-workers. However, I often spend all that energy outward so as to avoid dealing with my own negative self thoughts. Sometimes I don't like what I see in the mirror. I pick myself apart, am too self-critical. Of course I want to ask, "Why are women so hard on themselves?" But that's rhetorical of course. You'd think it...