Well I officially became the person I hate. Sort of.
Two weeks ago, my friend Sara emailed me in regards to her marathon with TNT - she is running the San Francisco Marathon in October. Sara and I have trained for two (maybe three) marathons together and she is just a really GOOD person. She is one of those people that just are so nice that you want to be around them because they make you a better person.
So we were emailing back and forth and she invited me out to the team training run and I accepted (without knowing what the mileage was going to be - um, first mistake there). I haven't run with the team in a LONG time and it feels like forever since I had seen Sara so I decided that there was no reason for me to say no... oh wait. Except for the fact that the team was running 10 miles. Yes, 10. As in, one more than nine and eight more than I have run in about 2 years.
Not wanting to back down I warned Sara that I might die. Actually keel over and die - I hadn't run that much since my last marathon back in Oct 2009 (holy crap has it been that long?!). I have tried to commit to running but just like dating, I just can't seem to follow through. I get bored, scared, tired, whatever -- (yes - still talking about running here, not guys) Oh and wait, let's not forget the small issue of my blood clot and the ho. I've had so much trouble in 2011 with my stupid leg that running has been a difficult thing for me.
Needless to say, I was a little bit intimidated... but Sara was confident that I could do it.
That Saturday morning, I woke up, drove to Bethesda, met the team and ran. And I finished. I didn't die (obviously) and I actually had fun (GASP!). It was a BEAUTIFUL morning and it was just wonderful to catch up with Sara. It was actually a good time.
So, with that said, on that Saturday, I officially became the person I hate - the person who can just wake up and run 10 miles. Now granted there should be an asterisk to it because I have done a little running (not more than 3 miles on the treadmill) but who cares - I did it.
And you never know where that Saturday will lead me... maybe back to San Francisco?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thoughts from a cycle bike
I taught at Van Ness last night (note: I wrote this right after the class and didn't post it until now) and for some reason in the middle of the class there was a moment that kind of overtook me with emotion. Most of the time when I teach, I face the door to the room and I often find myself looking out into the gym periodically during class. Ever since working at Gold's I have tried to keep my cycling seperate from my position in marketing. By doing this, I am able to keep a consumer perspective and I find that I am able to relate to the members on a more personal level. I think that is one of the things that makes me "good" at my job - is that I am in touch with the gym on a consumer level in addition to a professional marketing level.
Anyway, the cycle room in Van Ness doesn't have much of a view - it sits in the back of the gym and it there is a small stretching area, and the only wall you really see it the wall of fame. In South Arlington, I can see most of the floor (which can be VERY entertaining at times), and in Ballston I am able to see other classes that are going on. So last week, I was teaching and I looked up and saw a guy looking at the Wall of Fame.
On this particular wall, it had the pictures and success stories of our Get Fit Challengers and even though he didn't stand there and intimately read each of the stories, you could see him move from picture to picture and take in the change that these particular people had made in the time they were working out. It was that movement from picture to picture that made me realize/remember how much I love what I do and who I work for.
Obviously the GFC is a very personal endevor for me and this particular moment was so tiny and short, but it really made me realize the span of how many people we touch, not only with the GFC but with everything we do at Gold's. I think what caught me off guard is something that I don't often think about - I know that this challenge changes the lives of the six contestants that are participating in it - but it also influences so many others. We will never be able to measure how many people are influenced or motivated by this challenge or the impact it may have but the fact that this guy took two minutes to look at each of their stories just made me happy.
(I wrote this last week right after the class, but didn't post it until today)
Anyway, the cycle room in Van Ness doesn't have much of a view - it sits in the back of the gym and it there is a small stretching area, and the only wall you really see it the wall of fame. In South Arlington, I can see most of the floor (which can be VERY entertaining at times), and in Ballston I am able to see other classes that are going on. So last week, I was teaching and I looked up and saw a guy looking at the Wall of Fame.
On this particular wall, it had the pictures and success stories of our Get Fit Challengers and even though he didn't stand there and intimately read each of the stories, you could see him move from picture to picture and take in the change that these particular people had made in the time they were working out. It was that movement from picture to picture that made me realize/remember how much I love what I do and who I work for.
Obviously the GFC is a very personal endevor for me and this particular moment was so tiny and short, but it really made me realize the span of how many people we touch, not only with the GFC but with everything we do at Gold's. I think what caught me off guard is something that I don't often think about - I know that this challenge changes the lives of the six contestants that are participating in it - but it also influences so many others. We will never be able to measure how many people are influenced or motivated by this challenge or the impact it may have but the fact that this guy took two minutes to look at each of their stories just made me happy.
(I wrote this last week right after the class, but didn't post it until today)
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Year of Diving: In Photos
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| Coming out of the water after my very first dive. This is what TRUE happiness looks like! That is Nick at the bottom of the ladder. Little did he know that he had just made history! |
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| Having some fun with in the OBX with my dive gear. What a GREAT weekend with some amazing people! Thank you Jason and Erin for hosting us! |
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| The Key Largo Team - just a few of the amazing people I have met because of diving. This was my very first dive trip with The Dive Shop and SO much fun! |
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| Scuba Barbie and Scuba Barbie - hanging out on the U-352 in Morehead City, NC |
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| Whitney and I hanging out during our safety stop in at the U-352. Another great dive buddy and friend that I've met through diving. |
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| Bubble Bubble Bubble. I love this! |
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| Checking out wrecks 100 feet down in NC. |
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| The Morehead City Crew from TDS - SO MUCH FUN! |
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| Another one from Morehead City - thanks to Whitney for taking such great photos. |
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| Getting ready to jump in at the U-352. This photo was taken by Mike Gerkin, an amazing photographer and boat captain with the Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City. If you want to check out some amazing underwater photos, check out his blog: http://evolutionunderwater.blogspot.com |
Tomorrow is a VERY special day.
Tomorrow is a very special day for me. For everyone else, it is just July 16 (and Kevin Brackens' birthday). But for me, it is the one year anniversary of a day that changed my life.
This time last year, Kristina and I were on vacation in the Cayman Islands. Even though my father told me that if we went to Grand Cayman I absolutely needed to dive, I was determined to do nothing but "sit on the beach and read"
As much as I wanted to do that (and I did) every time I walked past toward the beach, the Red Sail Sports that was in the hotel kept kinda calling me and before I knew it I had signed up for my DSD.
I was nervous to do this on my own - Kris and I had done everything together pretty much for the last two years and this would be the first adventure that I was going to be doing on my own. I remember signing in at the front counter and hearing this British dude talking and he made some sort of sarcastic remark to the other person there - and after laughing, the woman checking me in said "oh, that's your instructor" -- and that is how I met Nick.
A funny, sarcastic, but yet serious Brit who took me underwater for the first time. The pool was fine - I was super comfortable - and it wasn't until later in the afternoon when I did my first giant stride into the beautiful water that I truly felt complete peace and happiness.
That first dive was amazing. We swam around and enjoyed all that the GC diving has to offer. I remember at the end of the dive, Nick took me and the other girl I was with and first he did a somersault and then we each did one. It is because of that somersault that you will always find me doing somersaults in each dive - to remind me of how one small thing can change someone. For me, it was that along with the peace and happiness that I found with that dive. I loved it so much I went back for more the next day. :)
And ever since then I have done as much as I can to be underwater as much as possible. That week changed me for the better - it made me learn to take a step back and enjoy myself. Diving has shown me so much and taught me so much about myself and my life. I have never felt the peace and serenity that I find when I dive and I wish and want to share it with those around me.
Diving has opened a door to new friendships and travel that I otherwise wouldn't have. It has shown me love and some pain. Yes, it has caused heartache, but I wouldn't take back the time that I spent with Donny, nor would I take back the love that I had and always will have for him.
Diving has taught me so much about myself and the people that I surround myself with. I loved the experience that I had with the Best Dive Job and the support that was shown on my behalf from friends and family meant more to me than I ever could explain. Ironically enough, the winners of the BDJ are heading to Bali now and even though there is a side of me that wishes it was me, I know that it is okay that I am not packing up to leave. I wish I could spend seven months (or four) in Bali, I am happy with how my diving has progressed and I am so lucky to be associated with such a great dive shop here in DC.
I think back to how nervous I was this time last year - I had no idea what was ahead of me and how I would change just from that first breath underwater.
So to celebrate, tomorrow night, Martin and I are going to do some night diving in Millbrook. Even though it isn't Grand Cayman, it will still be wonderful for me to be able to celebrate the one year anniversary of the day that changed my life.
:)
A Year's Worth Of Diving:
July 16 - My first dive - Grand Cayman
9/18 - OW Certification
9/24 - Catalina
10/2 - AOW Certification (and my first cert with Mark P)
10/9 - OBX Diving
10/16 - Nitrox Certification
11/6 - San Juan PR Diving
11/31 - Catalina
3/24- Key Largo
5/30 - DIVE #40!
6/10 - Rescue Diver Certification
7/10 - Morehead City and Dive #50
7/16 - One Year Anniversary
Dives to date: 53
Minutes underwater: 1550
Minutes of happiness: 1550
This time last year, Kristina and I were on vacation in the Cayman Islands. Even though my father told me that if we went to Grand Cayman I absolutely needed to dive, I was determined to do nothing but "sit on the beach and read"
As much as I wanted to do that (and I did) every time I walked past toward the beach, the Red Sail Sports that was in the hotel kept kinda calling me and before I knew it I had signed up for my DSD.
I was nervous to do this on my own - Kris and I had done everything together pretty much for the last two years and this would be the first adventure that I was going to be doing on my own. I remember signing in at the front counter and hearing this British dude talking and he made some sort of sarcastic remark to the other person there - and after laughing, the woman checking me in said "oh, that's your instructor" -- and that is how I met Nick.
A funny, sarcastic, but yet serious Brit who took me underwater for the first time. The pool was fine - I was super comfortable - and it wasn't until later in the afternoon when I did my first giant stride into the beautiful water that I truly felt complete peace and happiness.
That first dive was amazing. We swam around and enjoyed all that the GC diving has to offer. I remember at the end of the dive, Nick took me and the other girl I was with and first he did a somersault and then we each did one. It is because of that somersault that you will always find me doing somersaults in each dive - to remind me of how one small thing can change someone. For me, it was that along with the peace and happiness that I found with that dive. I loved it so much I went back for more the next day. :)
And ever since then I have done as much as I can to be underwater as much as possible. That week changed me for the better - it made me learn to take a step back and enjoy myself. Diving has shown me so much and taught me so much about myself and my life. I have never felt the peace and serenity that I find when I dive and I wish and want to share it with those around me.
Diving has opened a door to new friendships and travel that I otherwise wouldn't have. It has shown me love and some pain. Yes, it has caused heartache, but I wouldn't take back the time that I spent with Donny, nor would I take back the love that I had and always will have for him.
Diving has taught me so much about myself and the people that I surround myself with. I loved the experience that I had with the Best Dive Job and the support that was shown on my behalf from friends and family meant more to me than I ever could explain. Ironically enough, the winners of the BDJ are heading to Bali now and even though there is a side of me that wishes it was me, I know that it is okay that I am not packing up to leave. I wish I could spend seven months (or four) in Bali, I am happy with how my diving has progressed and I am so lucky to be associated with such a great dive shop here in DC.
I think back to how nervous I was this time last year - I had no idea what was ahead of me and how I would change just from that first breath underwater.
So to celebrate, tomorrow night, Martin and I are going to do some night diving in Millbrook. Even though it isn't Grand Cayman, it will still be wonderful for me to be able to celebrate the one year anniversary of the day that changed my life.
:)
A Year's Worth Of Diving:
July 16 - My first dive - Grand Cayman
9/18 - OW Certification
9/24 - Catalina
10/2 - AOW Certification (and my first cert with Mark P)
10/9 - OBX Diving
10/16 - Nitrox Certification
11/6 - San Juan PR Diving
11/31 - Catalina
3/24- Key Largo
5/30 - DIVE #40!
6/10 - Rescue Diver Certification
7/10 - Morehead City and Dive #50
7/16 - One Year Anniversary
Dives to date: 53
Minutes underwater: 1550
Minutes of happiness: 1550
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