Author: melisajohnson

Paris Marathon Recap

The trip started out rocky with back pain and other issues that lead to surgery the week before heading to Paris for the marathon. I thought I was going to be ok to run the first few days in Paris, but unfortunately the pain came back. I reluctantly packed up all my race kit.

I did go to packet pick up to get my bib, but was not hopeful I would be able to run. I had a good chat with Kelly about the race. It was a hard decision because I didn’t want to give up and not try, but I also did not want to get another DNF like Dublin.

Race morning I felt ok, so I decided to give it a try. The state was one of the coolest starts for any marathon I have done, but within 5 miles I was ready to quit. I was just tired and didn’t want to run. I think the stress of the week had got to me. As I was getting ready to quit I asked myself what hurt causing me to quit… the answer was nothing. I was mentally quitting.

I chose to take the rest of the race easy. I walked when I wanted to, stopped for photos and just enjoyed the course (other than the dead rat).

It was not my fastest marathon by far, but I enjoyed the course and race experience probably more than any other marathon.

by Categories: Paris, Running Leave a comment

Why do you run?

I just finished Suzie Chan’s book and the last 2 minutes was probably my favorite part of the book and sums up the question- “Why do you run?”

Some days I run for fun, but other days it is a chore.

Running is going thru emotions, blank them, think about them, to avoid them,

Run to take yourself away from life

Run to numb feelings

Run to make yourself feel alive

Run to feel part of something

Run to feel spending isolation

It strips you down, builds you up, humbles you, it gives you confidence,

Running lifts you up, and breaks your heart,

Running expects nothing of you

Why do I run…  I run because I can

It is ongoing.  It changes with you and gives you back what you put in.

by Categories: Running Leave a comment

Dead Horse Point

Today I made my way from Boulder to Moab making a stop at Dead Horst Point Park. I wasn’t ready for the amazing views. Something I truly did not expect.

I brought some lunch and found a warm spot to enjoy the views and my lunch

After spending some time in the park I headed to my tent for the night. With temperatures getting close to freezing I hope I do ok!

by Categories: Hike Leave a comment

End of life

This is not an easy subject to deal with and I am struggling to deal with the fact that Cecil is not going to get better. I think back to February when this photo was taken and he was doing so well. He was alert we had a great few days with him.

They found cancer in his bladder just a few months ago and it appears to be back. He wanted to have surgery to remove it, but the doctors have said at 95 years old and with his current health they would not operate. I know it is the right decision, but still hard to face the fact that the end will be here sooner than I think I was ready for. He has good days and bad days… I just hope there are more good days than bad for him.

by Categories: Random ThoughtsTags: , , 1 Comment

Meditation/Yoga Goal

With everything going on in the world and life I found I was starting the day in a negative mindset, so after some research I decided to start everyday with a morning meditation followed by some gentle yoga. Typically I would wake up, pick up my phone and start scrolling through instagram followed by turning on the news. So I set a goal of keeping up this practice for 30 days.

After only one week I can already see a difference, so I decided to continue this practice until the end of the year. We will see where I am mentally on January 1st!

by Categories: Random Thoughts, Winter Garden Leave a comment