Things I can't live without

1. My children.  I have three sons, Jordan 21, Marcus 20, and Zachary 11.  They are my pride and joy, each one has a different quality that makes them unique in their own way.  Raising them has not been easy but I would not change a thing about them.

2. Candles.  I am always burning a candle.  I love the way they look and smell.  I particularly love the ones from Bath and Body works.  Right now I am loving their pumpkin caramel swirl.  

3. Internet.  I love the internet.  I can keep in touch with family and friends, conduct business, and explore endless opportunities to create new things.

4. NUUN.  I absolutely drink too much of this, but it is delicious.  It is a drink for active hydration and it comes in a variety of flavors however my favorite is the tri-berry.  What is better than this, being an ambassador for their company!!!!!!

5. Running.  I love running.  I actually hated running when I was in the Army.  How did I get into it?  Chasing suspects down.  It was like this awesome high when I could catch someone younger than me.  I always said "suspects run for freedom, police run to catch."  Suspects have more to run for.  I won't even tell you the hell a suspect would go through if I caught them.  I would use my age, sex, the fact that I was carrying at least 25 pounds of extra gear to taunt them.  I then realized that running could possibly save another officers life if they were in trouble.  So I always stayed in shape.  I started to run competitively in 2012. Now I run for sanity.  

6. Nature.  I enjoy anything nature.  Trail runs, birdwatching, walking in the woods, the smells, the sounds, the peace.  My father loved to be outside. I am a lot like him.  When I was younger I would spend as much time outside with my father as I could.  This was difficult because he was disabled from cancer when I was younger.  He instilled all my great values.  I miss him everyday, however feel like he is with me when I am outside.

What are your favorite things?

Have you tried blogging?  if so what is the name of your blog?

What motivates you?

What keeps me motivated

Several years ago, I hated running so much that if I looked at someone running I would start having trouble breathing.  I'm not sure if it was because for eight years I was forced to run every morning.  I remember taking my U S Army pt test and falling to the ground after two miles. How times have changed.

When I became a civilian police officer, I realized how important being able to run was.  My fellow officers needed me to be there for them. Many of them did not feel the same way, once they made it out of the police academy they let themselves go.  I specifically remember when I was in field training, jumping out of the patrol car and tackling a man who was running from us.  My training officer was so proud of me.  What did that do to me? Well now I had a reputation to uphold.  I began running regularly mostly for physical fitness, not racing.  When other officers said they would not chase perps on foot, I thought they were weak.  I loved it when the bad guys ran and I caught them.  Not only was I usually older then they were, I also had about twenty pounds of gear to carry.  I usually always caught them!!!!

After I got out of law enforcement, I thought well maybe I can run competitively. Wow, I was winning ALOT.  Then I thought I wonder how far I can run.  Well turns out I can run far!  So I fell in love with running for necessity, to test my limits, and for the improvement of my mental health.

My favorite motivational movie is The Gabby Douglas Story.  I can watch a few minutes of that movie if I am in a rut and find myself pushing myself further then before.

The admiration of my children always gives me a boost.  I have the most appreciative children.  They are my biggest fans!

Knowing that I have a full race schedule in 2015 is very motivating.  I find that if I have races scheduled I will push myself harder.  2014 proved to have a great start, followed by several cancelled races because of injuries. I finished a few difficult races CUMBERLAND PLATEAU STAGE race was by far the most difficult race of my life.  I had not trained for it at all. I was happy with finishing even though I came in third. 

I am fortunate enough to have my own workout room, which I love...

What motivates you?

Do you have your own workout area? 

Have you ever hated something and then turned it into a love? 

Turkey trot, trip to New York City in December!!!!

I am beyond excited to be running in a holiday run. I have had to work holidays for so many years as a police officer.  Eating Thanksgiving dinner at Ryan's, having to go to calls, leaving the kids with relatives. I don't think people realize the sacrifices law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS actually make.  I loved the career except for holidays.  This run is four miles through the Memphis Botanical garden.  I plan on setting a PR in this race!!!!  

This year I am making my own holiday decorations.  When I moved here from Atlanta I left my holiday things behind. There are so many cute ideas here are a few I plan on making:

Aren't they adorable?  

We went to a Mexican restaurant yesterday and I was not impressed.  Lack of seasoning, ruins an entire meal.  Salt and pepper people, it is that easy.  Their pico de gallo was horrible. Fail for El Mezicale.  

I have never been to New York City, let alone for Christmas!!!!!  This is something that is on my bucket list. I have been invited to a Christmas Party in New York City on December 13.  I am leaving Memphis on the 11th and returning on the 14th.  Any suggestions on what I NEED to see?  I want to visit ground zero, run in Cental park, and just walk around.   

My life has definitely taken a turn for the better, for the first time in years I am so hopeful and happy.  I spent a number of years dreading the holidays and wishing my life would end, just being honest.  With the help of positive people, new friends, and medication. I am functioning as a normal person.  I still have an occasional "bad" day.  My good days far outnumber my bad ones.  

Words to live by.....

Have you ever been to New York City at Christmas?

What is the worst restaurant experience you have had? 

What did you do this weekend?