Hello, again.

So, it's been about 6 months since my last blog post.  I would feel bad except A) my only known follower lives with me and B) I'm kind of a private person by nature, so writing about my life and publishing it for all to read is a challenge for me.  That being said, I'm going to try this again, because I want to share some of the things that are happening in my life.

So, while lots of things have happened since June 7th, the two major developments are that I moved halfway across the country and that I got a new job.  In June, JD was offered a job at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico.  He accepted and in July we put all the stuff we had in storage in a box truck and headed west to our new home on the Colorado Plateau.  Shortly after moving in I was offered a job teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade at a charter school in the area.  The move, life in Farmington, and learning how to be a teacher have made the last few months a bit of a bumpy ride, but I think I'm learning a lot from these experiences.

Anyway, enough for now, but I promise to be back very soon.

This is the hole I've been hiding in for the last 6 months:)

Sitting on top of Half Dome in Yosemite was one of the items on my "To Do by 30" list. Here is a picture of me, in front of Half Dome on my 30th birthday...I checked it off the list shortly after this picture was taken.

I am the type of person who really likes to set goals. I always make New Year's resolutions...I do not always keep New Year's resolutions. Putting pen to paper and figuring out what I want to do with my life is how I stay motivated. A few months ago, I came across a list that I made when I turned 25 called "To-Do by 30." I made the list, stuck in in a book, which got packed away and I didn't see it again for about 5 years. So, I was surprised that I had actually accomplished quite a few things on the list (go surfing, take a big road trip, run a half-marathon). There were also a few that didn't get accomplished (get married, climb a really big mountain, run a marathon). I can't help but wonder what else I could have ticked off the list if I had actually looked at it every once in a while.

Well, I found a great "goal-setting" tool at Lululemon called GOALTENDER, that I want to share. It basically asks you to visualize what certain aspects of your life (career, self, health) will look like in 10 years, 5 years, 1 year.

Anyway, I got really into it and printed out my goal worksheet and am going to put it someplace I can see it everyday. I feel like the "big" goals are too personal to put up on here, but I am thinking that I might start posting weekly goals as they relate to health and fitness.

Wardrobe Malfuntion

After spending the past 10 days traveling/working, I discovered that I didn't have much to choose from apparel-wise as I prepared to go jogging this afternoon. "No big deal," I said to myself as I reached for my only clean sports bra, a pair of running shorts that I've had forever (but never wear), and a t-shirt that was a give-away at a conference I attended a few months ago. To make matters worse, I couldn't find my running shoes (lost in my luggage hopefully), so I slipped on a pair of new trail-running shoes that for whatever reason hadn't made it into rotation yet.

Minutes into my run I discovered that my new shoes were too tight, but I kept going. Then I realized that there was a good reason that the shorts and sports bra I was wearing were neatly folded in my dresser instead of being crammed into my luggage, they are the two most uncomfortable items that I own. The sports bra was simultaneously too big (in the cup) and too tight (in the band) and the sweatier I got the more my shorts rode up. Anyway, I finished my run, but spent much my time "adjusting" my wardrobe, which kept me from getting into the zone.

I am now inspired to clean out my closet...a friend of a friend just opened a consignment shop for slightly used sports apparel. I have a feeling that pretty much any "running" clothes not in the hamper will wind up in the consignment box.

What should I do with all that extra space??? I have my eye on this trail runner from Patagonia...the Tsali, which is made with some recycled materials and I'm kind of feeling the green.

First post...

After a little nudging from friends and family, I have decided to start a blog that focuses on what I like to call "nature-centered" fitness. "Nature-centered" fitness is a broad term that basically means heading outdoors and using your natural environment to get really fit. I enjoy pretty much any type of outdoor activity and while I have a few activities that I usually gravitate towards, I'm always game to try new things. I hope to use this blog to share ideas on many of the things that I am passionate about, including fitness, travel, adventure, family, friends, food, nature, etc. I also hope to document some of my favorite workouts, recipes, fitness successes (and maybe some failures), and other things that inspire me.

I promise there will be lots of fun posts to come, until then, what are some of your favorite ways to work up a sweat when you're outdoors?