Just let it happen...naturally.

For so much of my life, I was trying so hard. Trying so hard to force all the things I thought were "suppose to be". I was suppose to go to college, meet someone, get married and buy a house. Isn't that what everyone does?  Well, I did just that. I was forcing everything because I wanted it so bad, and I wasn't patient. I ended up pretending to be happy for many years. To make a VERY long story short, I went through two of the worst years of my life, went through a divorce, then dated someone right after and had the relationship from hell. Finally, I took a vow to myself to stay single for a year and train for Ironman. I did just that, and it was exactly what I needed. I became independent in everything I did and found out what I wanted for my life. I wasn't worried about finding someone else. I planned my life for me, as if I was going to be by myself forever. I worked five jobs and did everything I could to support myself financially, emotionally and spiritually.  Without looking, a new and amazing career came to me and an amazing man. I didn't have to try to move to Madison. Everything worked out naturally down to the last detail. I didn't have to try to find a guy. Things with Nate and I worked out naturally. We haven't had to try. It has just worked out. This is how it should be! If you let go, have faith, and focus on you and what you want, it will come to you. Make yourself some goals, but also don't look too far ahead that it makes you worry. I know how this feels, and it is a horribe cycle to be trapped in. Do something each day to work towards your big goals, but truly take it one day at a time. It will come to you. It will happen without you even trying.

I had a wonderful weekend with Nate's family. It was his brother's wedding, and it was the perfect day. It was really fun to get dressed up together, and I got to spend a lot of time with his awesome mom! I instantly felt comfortable with his entire family. It was like I had known them all forever. It was so natural. Another thing about Nate and I that don't have to try for! I don't know how it could get any better, but it keeps happening!

On Sunday, I did a half ironman relay with my friends Beth and Clare. I was the swimmer and swam 1.2 miles in 42:30. This is the fastest I have ever swam that distance, so I was real happy.  Beth biked her little heart out and Clare anchored us and was 4 minutes from her best time! It was a great day to spend with my two friends I hadn't seen in a while. Nate, his mom, and his mom's boyfriend, Tom, all came to watch me. I thought that was so thoughful because we were up pretty late for the wedding the night before, and I was just swimming, so they couldn't really even see me. It made me swim harder knowing they were there though. It made my day.

My week at work is busy, but not too busy.  One of my clients is moving to New York, so we are trying to work out every day before she leaves to use up her sessions. It has been really fun kicking her butt each day!  I am going to miss her when she is gone!

I swam 8.5 hours last week. My goal was 10, but I didn't have access to a pool on Friday or Saturday, so I did it in 5 days!  On Saturday, I did ride 25 miles, so I suppose I can count that as the other hour and a half.  Yesterday, I made the goal to do 500 push ups, and I did it! Boy, am I sore today! I broke it down throughout the day. I did 10-25 each time until it added up to 500. It was fun to do with my clients. I know what you're thinking... I am crazy!! And you are right!!!

Maybe Someday...

Maybe someday... maybe someday I will start a savings account. Maybe someday I will volunteer. Maybe someday I will start working out. Maybe someday I will start eating healthy. Maybe someday I will buy a house. Maybe someday I will visit that friend I haven't seen in a long time.  Are you a maybe someday person? Have you heard yourself say these words?  I was at church on Sunday, and this was part of the message. I know I am guilty of it. We have to stop saying maybe someday and go out there and do something. Set a goal and take one step each day/week/month/year to reach that goal. Write it down. Put it somewhere you can see it because a goal is just a dream until you write it down and give it a deadline. Nate and I took the time to do this together, and my motivation increased dramatically. I cannot function without a goal, no matter how large or small it is. This week, my goal is to spend 10 hours in the pool. My best friend, Melissa is going to run 75 miles this week. These are big goals, but by speaking them outloud and setting a deadline, they are going to get accomplished. They don't always have to be exercise goals, but that is just an example. What small goal can you set today to take a step towards your larger goals? Have you written your goals down and set a deadline for them? DO IT!

I had a great weekend this past weekend in Cedar Falls. I came back to go to my good friend, Megan's wedding shower and bachlorette party. It was so great to be a part of her day because I am unable to make it to her wedding. I also got to visit a lot of other people while I was in town too. Nate came with me, so he met a lot of very important people in my life, and they of course loved him!  He is pretty loveable! We didn't get home until 8:00 on Sunday night, so it felt like the weekend went by so fast. We talked the entire 3 hours home. We have the best conversations about life, and I am so glad I found a best friend to call my boyfriend. I love our lives together :)

Well, I have to get going so I can spend 2 hours in the pool again today then head to work! I hope you all set a goal today, write it down, tell someone, and go out there and get it done!



 

Weekend recap

I had a wonderful weekend here in Madison.  I started my Friday off at the terrace where I read my book, went for a swim, and had a few beers at happy hour as I waited for Nate to get off work.  I met him at his house, and we had a picnic together and went to the swimming pool and hot tub at his apartment.  It was nice to have some quality time to catch up because we don't really get that during the week as much. Being a girl, I need to talk about my feelings all the time, so he was wonderful about listening of course!  On Saturday morning, we got up at 6 and volunteered at a kid's triathlon, ages 3-14. It was really fun watching them!  They had training wheels, big wheels, and some of the older kids even had nicer bikes than me. No fair! I got to help at a corner of the run course and between the bike/run transition, and Nate helped with parking. We rode our bikes there, so on our way home, we stopped at Abuelo's, which is a Mexican resturant and smashed some good grub! When we got home, I was sitting downstairs and Nate brought down his mattress pad to put on the living room floor so we could watch the Olympics together. It was raining out, and we took a nap instead. We ended up sleeping for about 2 and a half hours!  It must have been needed because we both woke up feeling really good!  We made a trip to the grocery store and I made chicken cordon bleu, green beans with bacon and red skinned mashed potatoes for dinner. It was rather delicious.  We watched some more Olympics and went to bed.  On Sunday, I got up and went for a swim, then we went to church and then to the zoo.  Madison has a free zoo, and it was the perfect day outside. It was very enjoyable, and we of course, had a wonderful time there. Then, we drove around looking for houses we want to buy and got ideas. We finished our weekend by talking about our goals for the next year together and wrote them down. We are going to review them regularly to reach all the goals we have set for ourselves and for our relationship.  Here is another reason why he is so perfect for me!  I need someone who is driven and goal oriented, and here we are, writing down our goals together!  I can't imagine that our lives will be anything less than amazing. Well, that was the weekend!  Today has been a busy day at work and I got in a great swim work out. I plan on reading when I get home and waking up in the morning to do an open water swim at the lake.  Have a great start to your week, everyone!