Poop happens

Instagram: Just ate cow poop! Thanks to the Easter Bunny
that gave Kyra a cow that poops jelly beans :) yum!

Two weeks ago, I had a new follower on Twitter. He wrote "I followed you because you used the word "poop". Funniest word ever.."

For my Daily mile entry, I described my 4/27 run as, "Lots of horse poop on the trail today made for exciting hurdles :)". And this resulted in Kevin saying, "Now that gave me a smile. Thanks Samantha!"

A lot of bad things have happened in the world and my life lately. Marathon bombing, my house flooded due to washing machine malfunction, being furloughed, my child being bullied, etc. I could write for weeks about life's challenges, but would prefer to turn it around and look at the bright side of things. Yep, I'm one of those.. an optimistic glass half full kind or person. Life is too short to not live it to the fullest and be as happy as possible.

The good news? I picked a Fall marathon, Ft. Myers inaugural marathon in November. I solicited my Mojo Loco friends to join me in Ft. Myers for a reunion of sorts, and most seemed interested in joining me. I needed a new goal race to help springboard me back into better shape, health and happiness. This is working :)

So when life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade.. Or for my poop loving friends.. As I learned on my trail run, when life gives you poop, find ways around it to remain on happy trails!

trail run bliss

Yellow River Park Trail - March 23, 2012

I felt like a kid again splashing in the many puddles on the trail today! I had hoped for a run in the rain, but the rain stopped just as I parked my car at Yellow River Park. It was so peaceful to weave along my favorite 2.6 mile loop, with the only noises being those of nature..




.. river flowing, wind blowing, squirrels scampering, owls hooting, birds chirping, deer darting away from the path..

Running is my stress relief, especially on trails. I let the worries float away as I focus on not tripping and enjoying the scenery. The amazing calm that washes over my mind and body stays with me for many hours after I return to reality.

So the question is.. why did I let excuses get in the way which drastically reduced miles run over the past 16 months? It brings me such release and joy, yet I let it virtually slip away. 

Now I'm motivated to get back to a healthy lifestyle. There are quite a few changes that I'd like to make, but I'm just going to focus on one at a time until I can make it stick as a habit. Running regularly is going to be the first healthy habit that I'm going to focus on. Having goals of running a race has worked for me in the past. So the new question is.. which Fall marathon should I pick?