A Month of Friendships

This past month has brought time with friends in far-flung places...from the Czech Republic to Denmark, from Moose Jaw to Canmore, Dave and I had time with good friends...friends that count as family in our world.

It's nice to know they are there.

In Prague, I had the chance to room with one of the people I am closest to.  She and I shared time walking and talking about our successes and fears.  We sat at cafes and delivered workshops together.  We explored and ate, cried and laughed.  Most importantly, we got to know one another even better than we did before.  Friendship reveals itself in the nooks and crannies of unexplored territories and while poring over maps when you try to find your way home (yes, both literally and figuratively).

In Denmark, we spent oodles of time with people we love across the pond.  Over dinners and by the ocean, we talked and caught up...it having been almost two years since we last saw one another.  We got to know each other better, sharing stories and histories in places Dave and I had never seen before and over meals that won't be repeated.  It was in Denmark I learned the power of friendship...the fact that those who truly love you will do whatever it takes to make your experience the best one possible.

In Canmore, our friends from Arizona greeted us with open arms during their vacation.  Again, after almost two years of not seeing them, it was time to reconnect and just love on each other a little bit.  We solved the world's problems over some brews while basking in the shadows of the mountains.  They were there to support me on my first mountain trail run with words of encouragement.  Once again, true friendship reveals itself in those who will give you a high-five and hug when you are sweaty and dusty from over six hours on the trail.

I am grateful for the people that have let us into their lives.

Quick Pics...Love, Denmark

From Prague I headed to Copenhagen to meet up with Dave for a week-long adventure in Denmark.  

Denmark is magic and I have so much more to share, but I am in between flights as I am back on the road for work...so these quick pics (a la iPhone) will have to suffice.  

Let's just say I need more time to spend working on my relationship with Denmark..in the very best of ways.   Like, a good year in country...that should do it.

 That is all...for now!  I'll fill you in with more details soon!

Pics from Praha

Friends.  I've been in Prague since last Friday for work.

I know.  My job is tough.

Last Thursday I hopped a flight from Regina to Calgary, Calgary to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to Prague.  It sounds like a lot of flying, but in reality, I spent more time in the airports due to long layovers than on planes.  Luckily, because I travel so much, I have status on an airline and that gets me into lounges wherever I fly (that means free food and quiet spaces to catch up on work while I'm on the road). 

Like I said, I know...it's tough.

So, however many time zone changes later, I got to Prague late Friday afternoon and walked out to meet one of my closest friends, Sarah, at the arrivals terminal.  Sarah and I are delivering some trainings together in Prague and I am so happy to be here with her.  We've walked and walked and talked and walked some more.  We've sat at cafes and endured the unbearable heat and monster storms that have shrouded the city over the past week.  We've had amazing food and enjoyed learning more about this city (we've both been here before and are both committed to taking a much more relaxed approach to our visit).

We are staying in an amazing apartment in the Old Jewish Quarter which helps us save money on food.  VRBO, baby!  Make it happen when you travel!  

In short, it's been a great week.  I'll write more later.

Here are some of my favorite stops and events so far...

Nostress Gallery and Restaurant

Café Savoy

Můj šálek kávy

Running along the Vltava River

Pivo (beer) that is cheaper than water

Good friends coming over for a pasta dinner

Karluv Most (Charles Bridge) - so lovely!

Kampa Park 

The Long Run

I've been training for my two marathons and ultramarathon.  It's been a lot of fun, but also tiring as fitting in running when on the road 80 percent of the time means dealing with jet lag and running on treadmills in hotels at odd hours of the day and night.

Travel is a lonely business for me.  While I am surrounded by people in airport lounges and on flights, for the most part, I am on my own.  I move from place to place, eating the same food and listening to the same safety announcements time and again.  Smiling at others as they move through the same travel-induced haze that takes over after 70 segments of flying on one airline online this year...and it's not even fall yet!

That being said, I find my solace in the run.  It calms me, grounds me and puts my body back into a familiar rhythm.  Pair that with some yoga and I'm singing a good song.

While running, especially alone, is perceived by some of my friends to be a lonely endeavor, I never truly feel alone.  Take a 19-miler I did a few weekends back as an example. 

I started out the run, Camelback strapped on, energy chews in place and trail runners securely on my feet.  The morning dawned bright and warm and I was ready to get out there and tackle the miles on trail and road.  From the start, something was off.  I felt tired, I had landed the night before from a work trip and hadn't yet stretched enough to bring the jet legs back to earth. By mile four, I could tell I was moving pretty slow and that this run was going to be a grind.

I got down to Wakamow Valley in Moose Jaw where I have to do several repeats of trails.  The ground was super muddy, aided by some heavy rain that occurred the night before.  Coming out of the Valley, I decided to switch to the road off the trail to avoid some of the slippery ground.  In order to hop back on the muddy path, I needed to jump a low chain.

Chalk it up to tired legs and me just not paying particular attention, but instead of sailing over the chain, my shins hit it, tangled and tossed me face-first onto the ground.  I immediately got up, embarrassed and looking around to see if anyone captured my fall-from-grace-face-plant.  Lucky for me, it didn't appear anyone had and I limped my way over to a bench, sobbing and watching huge red and purple welts take over my lower legs.

I immediately called Dave and asked for a pickup.  I then texted my friend, Jac, who I was planning on meeting up with at the halfway point for a few miles together to let her know I wasn't going to be making it.  Dave came around and I climbed into the car, still crying and feeling stressed about how I wasn't going to complete the 19 miles I set out to do that day.  He drove me home and a battle ensued between my desire to get back out there, my unhappy mental state and large knobs that were coming up on my shins as the redness increased.  

I never run alone...and what follows demonstrated that in more ways than one.  Dave turned my head around, drove me back to the spot of the fall and sent me back on my way.  Jac texted and supplied some much-needed support in letters across a screen.  As I neared the halfway point, she passed in her car and gave a honk and a wave to let me know I was looking okay.  Her husband, Blake, ended up passing me in their other vehicle after the halfway point and he stopped and chatted with me for a good five minutes...enough to let me know there were friends out there who cared.  Dave checked in on me through phone calls and texts and even drove out with 6 miles to go to offer love and support the only way he knows how to do.

The day was really long...even though it was a few weeks ago, I still have bruises on my shins as a reminder of that day.  However the good vibes and love I felt carried me home and reminded me that even when I feel alone, there will always be family out there to support and carry you through the toughest times.

I love running...it keeps me grounded and feeling connected...even across the miles.

Clearing

[source]

I've been away at a large conference for the past week.  It took a lot of energy and being "on."  For this introverted extrovert, it means I come back a wee bit exhausted and feeling like I need a massive vacation.

This popped into my inbox today courtesy of Kris Carr, and despite it not being a real vacation, these are exactly the words I needed to see today...

Clearing by Martha Postlewaite

Do not try to save

the whole world

or do anything grandiose.

Instead, create

a clearing

in the dense forest

of your life

and wait there

patiently,

until the song

that is your life

falls into your own cupped hands

and you recognize and greet it.

Only then will you know

how to give yourself

to this world

so worthy of rescue.

The Long Run

I'm in full training mode these days.  I've got two marathons - one in the mountains and one in the city - and one 50-miler planned for the remainder of this year.  That means a lot of lonely stretches on the road, feet pounding the pavement, energy chews fueling my belly and legs and large expanses of sky - both sunny and rainy - to move under.

For the past two weekends, I've undertaken "brick" workouts of runs.  Two weekends ago, it was a 19-miler followed by an easy four with a friend the next day.  This past weekend, I did a 10.5 followed by another 19-miler.  I'm getting the miles in while I can.

Running is my meditation.  I tune into my surroundings, breathe and think about the randomness of life going on about me.  My brain peruses my marriage, work, racing, food, relationships with friends, the future and everything in between.  I sometimes feel lonely, but more often than not, I feel content while on the road and trail...me, myself and I.

Two weekends ago, the running was wonderful.  My 19-miler was motivated under thundering skies that drenched me with refreshing rain until the halfway point.  Dave had an errand to tend to and along the way, he stopped by to check in and give me some motivation to keep going.  I don't think I will ever say I run completely alone...I've got a pretty awesome support system of family and friends that keep my head in the right place and remind that I CAN do it, even when my legs are saying "quit."

The next day, I met up with a friend and we took some time running through a very muddy Wakamow Valley.  It was awesome chatting and having company and the best way to recover after 19 miles the day before.

This past weekend was a different story.  I decided to hit my 10.5 on Saturday.  It was a breeze and I felt awesome.  Strong legs, breathing was paced and my body felt like it could take on another 10 at the end.  Just the way I like it.  Sunday was a different story.  I laced up for another 19 on the trails and roads and my legs would not fire.  I felt as though quicksand had enveloped my body and mind.  I couldn't focus and had a hard time getting into a groove.  That groove finally came around mile 8.  I was running in Wakamow and decided to avoid a muddy section of trail.  In order to hop back onto the path, I needed to hop a chain.  

That did not turn out as expected.

I hit the chain with my shin and got caught up and tossed up on the grass beside it.  My shins immediately turned a nasty shade of red and swelled up.  In tears, I called my support system at home and he came to retrieve me from the trail.  Embarrassed, snotty and pretty upset with myself.  My brain took over and said - not your day.

Dave was having none of it.  After assessing that I was okay enough to walk, talk and breathe, he turned my head around.  With a pep talk, a drive back to the site of the chain incident (side eye - Wakamow Valley), he sent me back on my way.

5 hours after I started, I completed the run.  Sore, swollen, bruised and exhausted...I had done it.  Along the way, I got encouraging notes from a good friend and another friend who was driving by stopped and we had a nice chat that kept my spirits up.  Today, I was emailing my brother-in-law about the run...he is another piece of the arsenal that is my support system for the distance.

I never run alone.

I needed that run.  I needed to know that not every run is awesome and that I will feel defeat.  I needed to know that even when I feel as though I can't go on, I really can.  I also needed to know that I have support and love from those that know and care that I run.  From those that know how much running means to me.

In the end, it was the best run I've had to date...because it taught me so much.

An Expat 4th of July

Living as an expat gives you a different view of holidays, festivals and other such events.  

Today being one of those days.

Canada celebrated it's independence with Canada Day on Monday.  People had the day off, there were fireworks and barbecues and generally Canada-i-ness going around.  While others enjoyed their day off, I was working from home (I still work for a U.S. nonprofit) and pondered what I would do with my day off when it came time for Thursday to roll around.

So, while others are working, I get to lounge - although my version of lounging consists of two yoga classes, a long run in the morning and making lists of things I need to do in the future!  It's been a lovely day off so far and to celebrate my home country's Americana goodness...

well, I'll have Jimi do the talking.

Happy 4th of July!