Staying Active and Having Fun

With most gyms closed, many out there are changing up their workout routines. Personally, I have not been a member of a gym for almost three years because I prefer getting outside for a walk or a run. My favorite workout spot is along the Dunedin Causeway because it is right outside my door. Unfortunately, it is a favorite spot for many people, and the last few times I went for an evening walk, I found it difficult to maintain safe distances from people.

As a result, I started looking for creative ways to workout at home on those days I don't wake up early enough to walk before everyone else. The free app Zombies, Run! is something I have used in the past. As the website describes it: "Run in the Real World. Become a Hero in Another. Only a few have survived the zombie epidemic. You are a Runner en-route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their home."

This app turns your run into a game, and who doesn't love games? If you are able to get outside for a walk, jog, or run and stay safe, this app will add a new level of fun to your daily workout. There are over 200 missions, and the app has made many of them free right now in light of current events.

If you are unable to get outside everyday, they have added some new stay at home missions. Essentially, you're all stuck inside because of an increase in zombie hordes outside (a little relatable, yes?). The 30-minute workout includes beginner and intermediate exercises. The first mission includes a lot of dance breaks (and who doesn't love dancing?!) with some other at-home exercises mixed in.

If you are interested in downloading the app and adding a new level of fun to your workout, download at the links below. Have fun!

Day 2 - The Tower Life Continues...

Today was Day 2 of social distancing. It was the third day I didn't have to go to work, and it started to feel a bit weird. Another day at home, another day of finding ways to keep away the boredom.

First of all, as was pointed out to me yesterday, Rapunzel did meet her husband while living in isolation in her tower, so maybe there was hope for me yet. I decided this morning I would wait to see if my future husband would come bust me out. At 7:45 am, I was tired of waiting and busted myself out for a morning run/walk along the Dunedin Causeway. There were not too many people out that early, so it was fairly easy to maintain social distances. It was a gorgeous morning for a run. It was not my best run, but it was better than being stuck inside all day.

After breakfast, it was time to tackle a new project on my list: adding a second shelf to our laundry area to provide more storage. Proving once again that I don't need no stinking man, I hung these shelves myself with assistance from my mom. (Future Husband - if you're reading this, of course, I need you. Don't abandon me!)

With one of the at home projects complete (this social distancing thing is going to last for a couple weeks, don't want to do it all in one day), I turned to one of my favorite activities to do when passing the time - puzzles. The first one I picked to do was fitting given the recent themes of my blog posts. In the short time I worked on it, I made some decent progress. Yes, I am putting it together on the floor, on top of Magic Carpet. It's the perfect puzzle mat because it flies out of the way when I'm done working on it.

Before you start thinking I forgot about my other job as a Realtor, don't worry I did not. I made a few phone calls today, and in the afternoon with the assistance of my team leader, I had photos taken of a new listing and returned to the office to post the listing in the MLS. That reminds me...

NEW LISTING in New Port Richey, Florida! End unit condo in a wonderful 55+ community! Click on link for info and to contact me to schedule a showing!

I returned home in the early evening ready to relax and prepare for tomorrow. Each day we don't know how things may change, so although I am doing all that I can to "social distance" myself, I am also working hard each day as much as I can to keep my real estate business going.

Since I am not a quitter, I devoted most of the rest of my evening to finishing that puzzle, and while doing that, to catch up with a friend via video chat.

How was your social distancing today? Stay safe, friends!

#MedalMonday - Will Run for Bling

Confession: I don’t love running. Some… most days… I almost hate it. When I run, I am usually dragging my feet out the door. However, even when I say I am going to stop running, I keep doing it. 

For most of my life, running equaled failure to me. Every time I ran a mile in gym class, I always came in last. I eventually stopped caring and would just walk it. I excelled at other things, and I determined I just wasn’t a runner. That became my mindset. When I saw people running, I would think “I want to do that” and then quickly remind myself that I was not a runner.

About ten years ago, I was in Walt Disney World with friends, and it was the day after the Walt Disney World Marathon. I saw people of all athletic abilities, ages, and shapes and sizes walking around with finisher medals. My only thought was “if they can do it, why I can’t I?” At that moment, my mindset began to shift from “I’m not a runner” to “I can be a runner if I really want to be.”

After that trip, I did not go home and buy running shoes. To be honest, my focus was on finishing law school (I had one and a half years left) and then it was passing the bar and then it was finding an attorney job. The excuses piled up, but I never stopped thinking “I can be a runner if I really want to be.” 

Following years of excuses, I finally made the decision I was going to run my first 5K. I started a Couch to 5K program on my phone and got moving. I did a couple local 5Ks, and in November 2014, I traveled to Walt Disney World to run the Jingle Jungle 5K through Animal Kingdom.

After that 5K, I was hooked on running. I did not love it, but I still wanted to keep doing it. That runner’s high was real, the bling was awesome, and despite the pain and exhaustion involved, I still finished every race wanting to do more, and after only a few 5Ks, I set a goal to finish a half marathon.

A few months after that first Disney 5K, I signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon in September 2015, and shortly after that, I signed up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November 2015. My mindset had completely shifted from “I am not a runner” to “I can be a runner if I really want to be” to “I am a 5K runner” to “two half marathons? Let’s do it!” 

Every finisher medal I have received is a constant reminder that no matter how difficult something may seem, anything is possible. You just have to have the determination, the motivation, the drive, and the proper tools/methods to get there. 

I have learned to stop saying I can’t do something. Running has taught me that if I really want to do something, I can do it. I may choose not to do something, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it if I really wanted to do it. I only needed to put in the work to get here. The sky really is the limit. Don’t hold yourself back with the mindset that you can’t do something. Believe me, you can. 

I sometimes think back to my younger self. After she struggled to finish “running” one mile, would she believe me if I went back in time to tell her that one day she would run 13 miles? Probably not. She would probably think I was mental. However, that girl who believed she was not a runner and never would be is now that girl who has ran in countless 5Ks, several 10Ks, and five half marathons. She just had to believe that she could.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney