26 Lessons...

Its been a rough year. I'd wanted to do the NY Marathon after I'd completed the Nike Women's in San Fran in 08. My friends and family didn't make it out to see me finish. It was the hardest thing I'd done in my life, but I made it.

I didnt train for the NY Marathon in 09, when the marathon was ON my birthday. I celebrated at Brooklyn Bowl and everyone was late due to the marathon. I passed folks running and wanted to be involved. I missed that. After running with Team in Training in 08, I wanted to support local kids in NY with Team for Kids. I was nervous about the fundraising... the training so late... but I made it.

Considering I have a November birthday, this was my 26th Year. It came with challenges - on all levels, work, personal, etc. And a lot of growth - spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

This year - I've met and reunited with new family I hadn't known in over 20 years, and got out of a toxic relationship that bordered dangerous. I've worked projects in industries I'm unfamiliar with, and gained a whole gang of new folks who've been great supporters, new accomplishments and new knowledge.

So - I've collated a group of lessons that helped me get through my year, and my training. They've served as Daily Mantras, Mini Reminders and just good words to reiterate to myself. Some may help, and some may not. Either way, Enjoy em.

26 LESSONS: 
Nothing in life is worth doing if you don't get butterflies in your stomach over it... 

Be Dope. Whether you're sweeping floors, flipping burgers, or running a full team and a large company, be your dopest at it.

Do Work. It applies to more than just your job. Prioritize, get focused, and get to work in whatever your goals n endeavors are. Choose what u are willing to sacrifice if applicable.

Stay Fresh. Sometimes it does take a woman an hour to get ready. But u appreciate the outcome. Take YOU time to feel your bestest and freshest - appearance, work out, dress up, travel, etc.

Pray. A lot of its mental, but a ton is on FAITH. You'll make it. You have no other choice.

Don't forget to breathe. Whether running, jogging, walking, stretching, working or whatever- take a second to breathe. We hold our breath and push thru often-- Make sure to EXHALE.

Dedication is more than a word. Chosing to do something and sticking to it is a part of focus. Be it a work out, or a hobby, it can help your mental health. Plus, even if you think u suck at it now, if u keep at it, you will get better. Its inevitable.

Commitment is not something to be afraid of. Simply saying what you mean and doing what you say can take you a long way.

Speak Up. People say it all the time, but communication is key. How will people know what's going on if you don't tell them?

Developing Patience sucks. But if you can learn it now, it'll benefit you in the long run. You'll get there eventually. Trust.

Love hard, but don't love stupid. If its not a good situation for you to be in, work your way on out. There's something better around the bend.

Follow your instincts. You have guts for a reason :) If it don't feel right, you're probably right.

No one benefits from a team of Yes Men. Keep a crew that can support you but helps you get better .

Get that checked out. Then get a second opinion. Coach Astaria yelled at me for not asking her abt my calf, bc the other coaches that advised abt my leg don't deal in physical therapy. Her advice could have helped treat it differently, sooner.

Ask what's wrong, not what's right. Find solutions by finding out what you could do differently, or what hasn't yet been done.

EAT. Sometimes we get so lost in work, etc, that we forget. If you're not healthy, you can't get it done. Take care of you.

Running's the easy part: Life is hard. It hurts, it sucks, its awful. Go thru it, let it go, and get over it. The pain is temporary. Dig Deep. It gets harder before it gets easier. (Miles 22-26 SUCK) Its in you. You can get through it.

Time heals all. I fell early in season, scraped up my knee and now have a nice lil scar to remind me to be careful. But it healed. It works like that for all things.

Some people are in your life for a reason. You may not have that figured out just where they belong or why, but know that they serve a purpose. It may not be now, but they will. And it works vice versa too- maybe you're supposed to be there for them.

Learn your lessons. The universe will kick u until you do. And you'll have to repeat them until you finally learn em.

Change is inevitable. Learn to accept. Once you acknowledge that all things change, you'll be less anxious about them.

All Things as MEANT. Everything happens for a reason, even if you're not aware of it right now. I was kicking myself one day for walking the wrong way, and taking the wrong train to training. I was cursing myself for being stupid. But when I walked out the train I found my girl who I run with- she was nervous about running on wet ground and was going to skip training. I told her not to worry and that we'd both go. Had I not been there, she'd have left. I was 'right on time'. It happens like that sometimes.

Open up. Its not easy, especially if you've been hurt before and have closed up. Once you're ready, open up and try something new. It could be cool.

Sometimes all you have is a leap of faith. Take it. You'll be alright.

Fight your lazy. A few times I've had to make my self get out of bed and do what I needed to. Running in the AM to avoid PM training is one of those. Not only did I feel good about the day, but it freed up my evening to do other things.
But- Embrace your lazy. Sometimes, people who stay busy (*points at self*) need some "sit ur ass down" time. Sometimes you have to force that as well. Rest up.

Be still. Learn to listen. The messages are there, and you'll get exactly what you need when you need them, even if not how u expect. Pay attention, and be open to hearing them.

Its the little things. Sometimes a small gesture of kindness can go a long way. You never know how you can influence a person. Stay positive.


San Fran was for Me. This One is FOR YALL. 

Thank you. 


Love, 
Is.