Things I'm Loving Friday LIII

Happy Friday from Portland, Oregon! I arrived here late last night, and I am actually on my way out the door for a little day trip to Cannon Beach. It was recommended to me by multiple people, and it's on all of the "Portland To-Do Lists." So, how could I possibly resist?Though it is hard to believe that my spring break is already winding down, I am so incredibly grateful for this little getaway. I was craving an escape from the Houston chaos, and I have absolutely loved exploring this part of the country. 

But, before I go, I had to share a list of the Things I'm Loving lately. Enjoy!

How To Develop Mental Toughness

Mental toughness. This word is thrown around by many, and it's one that I've really been reflecting on as I tackle this marathon training plan I've embarked on. I've learned that it's not just about your ability. It's also about your mindset. And this doesn't just apply to athletics - it applies to anything. For me, running is where it's most applicable. I've got a clear vision: Boston. It's lofty, and I've got a tough road ahead of me if I want to make that a reality. But I've also accomplished more than I ever thought possible, and I can carry that with me going forward. And while every statement on this list resonates with me, the last one - particularly Coach Sommer's response - resonates with me the most. I've hit bumps in the road, and I've had my "this is too hard" moments. Only to be reminded that it's supposed to be hard. The hard is what makes it great. 

Teachers: The Only Mode They Have is Action

Okay, I am not one to talk about politics. I tend to keep quiet when people start discussing politics. I will share something about politics on social media every once in a blue moon, MAYBE. And while I have opinions, I tend to keep them to myself. And while I have opinions on Trump's Secretary of Education hire - Betsy DeVos - I think this response to DeVos' comment about how teachers are in 'receive mode', puts my thoughts into words pretty well. I suppose I'm biased, being a teacher myself, but I'm inspired every single day by the people I have around me. I see how hard they work for their students, and I see how much they give to their students. And it makes me want to do the same for mine. They're worth the money that I spend on school supplies each year. They're worth the few extra bucks it costs to get into a playoff game so that I can watch them do what they love to do. They're the reason I wake up in the morning, and while I certainly don't always (or ever) do my job perfectly, they're the reason I'm happy to be absolutely exhausted at the end of each day. Because they're worth it.

An Open Letters to Runners Who Think They're "Too Slow"

Open letters are all the rage these days, right? Well, I happened upon this one as I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and I couldn't help but read what it had to say. And I loved every word of it. Because so often I have people say to me, "Man, I could never run like you do. I'm way too slow." As if that gives them an out. It's like they say, "Well, I can't run fast, so I may as well never do it at all." And I get it. I'm so guilty of scrolling through Instagram and seeing posts from women who run sub-7:00 miles for an ENTIRE marathon. And I'm working so hard to run 8:00 miles. But just because you think you're too slow doesn't mean you're not a runner. Whether you're running a 6:00-mile or a 10:00-mile, you're still reaping the benefits. You're still lapping everyone on the couch. You're still going to experience the runner's high (and the lows...), and you're going to feel so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it. Whether it's one mile or 26, you are a runner. So lace up those shoes and get to running.

When I Play
March is Women's History Month. But I think every month should celebrate the incredible achievements made by women, and this video does just that. This short film, created by women, honors women who see their movement as a movement. It celebrates women who are proud of their athleticism, and who find freedom in the sport. It gave me goosebumps as I watched it over and over and over again because, as someone who has been an athlete her entire life, it's so important to me that girls remember why we play the game. It's really not for anyone else. It's for ourselves. It's pulling our hair back into a ponytail and not being afraid to sweat and be tough. Because we love the game and we love the adrenaline rush it brings. I used to be so afraid of not being seen as 'girly', but now I know that playing "like a girl" can very much mean "win the race".

8 Things Happy People do Every Day

Okay, call me a millennial (because that’s exactly what I am), but I love article lists like this one. They’re organized, they’re focused, and they’re relatable. Anyway, there are many different types of people in this world, but I think we can all agree that we know at least one person who just seems to find the negative in every situation. A woe is me, the world is against me kind of person who is exhausting to even be around. And then there are those people who are seemingly always in a good mood. While I definitely have my days, I like to think of myself as someone who falls under the latter category. And I can attribute it to every single item on this list, and then some. Drinking plenty of water? I have my 40 fl. oz. to thank for that. An adult bedtime? I try my best to be in bed by 9:30pm every night. Teacher life, am I right? I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have skipped breakfast in my 25 years of life, and the me-outside-music time comes in the form of running or walking my dog each day. I live and breathe by to-do lists (there’s just something satisfying about being able to physically cross something off of a list), and though I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit, I was at one point super consistent about writing down three things I was grateful for at the end of each day. I tend to wear people out with my high energy levels and mostly positive attitude, but I know for a fact that I can attribute my consistent good moods to these consistent habits. 

Catch you Goonies later!