Hello Friends! Over the past few weeks, and since turning 50, I’ve been really focussing on not overdoing it. Not because of the age, rather the way my body feels.
I’m trying to listen better in everyday life and conversations as I can become easily distracted and not be the ear people need me to be. This is true even with my exercising. Especially running.
With so many events on the docket this summer it’s super easy to let the ego take over and push myself beyond my abilities.
While coaching with Run Club Kamloops I realized that my ‘forever pace’ is what I’m really chasing. I do, however, get very caught up in the fun moments and just soar (in my mind’s eye, like an eagle), pushing well past my threshold, but it feels so damn good!
Then I’m left completely spent after it happens three or four times.
So this ‘forever pace’ is where I am most comfortable, injury free, still having fun and just coasting.
I haven’t really found it yet, so that too becomes a work in progress. It has become quite metaphoric for other areas of my life between my work, relationships and dreams. In those areas as well, a forever pace is necessary or we burn out if we aren’t taking care of ourselves, to be mindful not to burn the candle at both ends for too long.
To be selfless is such a gift, to give without expectation... yet to be selfish is also so necessary. The negative connotation it has is undeserving if we consider how important it is for our well being.
It’s referred to now as self-love rather selfish. To be self-absorbed is one thing, that’s not a stellar pace of life at all.
A friend and I were talking about how people become that way... self-absorbed and unaware.
They are not trying to hurt others, they just have no idea their ‘pace’ is obnoxiously out of control and damaging to those around them. Perhaps they can wipe the sweat off and call it their form of self love.
In my humble opinion, real self-love, aka selfishness, is not self-absorbed nor unaware. It is ultra kind and gentle, like a forever pace in the world of running.
Be good to yourself, the ripple effect is quite profound. Step out into our community and trust that your pace is yours no matter where you are or where you’re going.
So many wonderful events in our community these days where we are reminded how important giving back is to ourselves and others.
The 34th Blackwell Dairy and the walk/run for MS was this past weekend.
We are right in the middle of bike to work week, which is a fun way to get the province moving a little more with mindful awareness.
Skip’s annual charity run in Ashcroft is taking place this weekend. The Christmas Hamper is one of the local charities they donate to.
The Father’s Day Run at the wildlife park for prostate cancer. The Dirty Feet Crew offer both mountain biking and trail running, talk about challenging the forever pace idea! We’ll see how that goes.
Kamloops is also fortunate enough to have Dave Proctor making a pit stop here on his journey across Canada. If you’re not familiar have a read, his story will warm your heart.
No matter what floats your boat, or how you choose to move, work or love... keep your forever pace in mind and ditch the ego.
I’ll be working on it too, I kind of suck at it. I’m an all or nothing kind of person.
Either way, it’s your life and it’s waiting. Live it now!
At 50 years old, Dina McLeod has found full body wellness/awareness the key to embracing life. Born on Vancouver Island, her love of the fresh outdoors and genuine desire to stay grounded only grew when she relocated to Kamloops in 1998. She is proof that living a healthy, balanced life can be achieved at any age or fitness level. Her motto: Life is waiting, live it now!
