A little motivation, for me, and maybe you, too!

Continuing on with my enthusiasm for running . . . I thought I would pull out some old pictures and remind myself HOW GOOD it is to RUN! It makes SUCH a BIG difference!

Below is a "before" picture. We had JUST left Alaska to move to Spokane for Law school. Daniel was one year. I had been trying to workout a little in AK, but limited by my neighborhood. (Living in a scary part of Anchorage took a toll after 4 years!) I would do Tae-BO and run occasionally, but nothing consistently! That, plus a few pregnancies, caught up with me!

August 2004

One year of living in Spokane was all it took. There was just something about it there that made me want to RUN! It was so BEAUTIFUL! I ran ALL the time, sometimes twice a day -- just for fun! It was such a rewarding experience to be there, and to run there. I felt REALLY good! (And I looked OK too!) This picture just goes to show what a difference running can make! (35-40lbs!)

Sometime in 2005 or 2006??

Now, I am somewhere in between the first picture and the second one. But I have begun my journey to reclaim the healthy and strong Mari again! I feel that same fire brewing within me! I know it will always be a battle for me, but it is a battle worth fighting for!

A HEALTHY, STRONG ME! ;-)

November 2010 (we will call this my new "before" picture)

(Can you tell how much Charles loves me? ;-) wink!)

Running has always been my saving grace. I am so grateful I started when I was 17 . . . it has made all the difference in my life! I thank my Heavenly Father for legs -- that despite their imperfections -- still carry me forward towards my goals!

Here is a picture taken just a little before Kary and I started running together, all those years ago . . . neither one of us has stopped since! Thank you Kary for dragging my butt out that very first day! Little did we know we were both "saving our lives" that day!

Notice the difference running has made for my sister Kary . . .

She is 42 and a total BABE! ;-) (And my inspiration!)

I know running is not for everyone, but I love it, and encourage everyone to try it! I have seen people run of every shape and size and ability. When I was in Spokane, I used to run past a man who would run daily, wearing a prosthetic leg. There was another woman there, who did not have any arms, and yet, she ran.

My sister (Kary) has been through several different ailments (NOT because of running!) including having to wear a heal lift in her shoes -- but she still runs, and is better and happier for it! My older brother had a degenerative disc in his spine, surgeries, and he has gotten into running and it helps him a lot! You just have to take it slow in the beginning, run steadily, and you can find out what amazing things your body is capable of! Anyone who has seen the Biggest Loser knows that anyone can do it! One foot after the other is how miracles begin.

One more motivational picture for me . . . this was me, 20 weeks pregnant, with William. I ran up until the 7 month. It made ALL the difference in the world. I literally "bounced back" right after pregnancy. If only I knew how good I was when I was it! ;-)

20 weeks

7-8 months

For some reason, leaving Spokane has made a difference for me. I have not been able to, thus far, break the barrier I want to break. I am not sure why? Is it age? Is it stress? Is it "real life" after school? Is it location? Is it school-aged children? Am I just less driven?

I admit, Spokane beats Boise in beauty hands down. It is just a fact. I WANTED to run in Spokane, just to be out in the beauty of it. Do NOT get me wrong, I love Boise, but it's beauty is different! Spokane's South Hill was magic for me. I would run just to look at the unique brick homes, cobble-stone roads, and beautiful tree-lined parks. I cannot go back, so I have to move forward. I will find my way to success, here in Boise, Idaho. Maybe I have just been eating too many Potatoes . . . :-)

Regardless of preferred location, I do love running outside in Heavenly Father's beautiful Earth -- it beats the gym any day, there is really nothing better! (I learned that last year!) So if you are considering an exercise plan for the new year, I highly recommend a quality pair of running shoes. Bundle up, step out the door, and discover the joy that running can bring! ;-)

P.S. Something else that enhances my "natural beauty" is hair highlights. Perhaps as a progress reward I will send myself to the salon. It has been a year. :-)

P.P.S. I may sound a little vain with all this talk about me and my body, but are we not ALL a little vain when it comes to appearance? I do not care what others think of my appearance (with the exception of Charles, but he thinks I am beautiful, always, of course) but I DO care how I feel about my appearance.

People will judge, regardless. But in reality . . . when I look better, I feel better. It is a fact. It even says that in a YW manual! ;-) That whole "paint your barn" thing.

(You know, give your old crusty barn a new fresh coat of paint . . . or give your old crusty hair a fresh coat of hair dye . . . or your old crusty body some exercise?) You should make of yourself, your home, you barn, etc., as beautiful and attractive of a creation as it can be. (It is amazing what a little make-up/hair styling/exercise can do!)

The concept is: If you live in a small cottage, make it the most lovely cottage on the block! ;-) I dare say that the most beautiful homes are not mansions, and the most beautiful people are not super-models.

Remember, we do not paint our barns just for the neighbors to enjoy, or envy, but rather, so we can enjoy being in the barn ourselves. ;-) And that, my friends, is why I run. My barn (body) needs a little repairing, a little paint, love, some flower boxes, and attention, so that I (my spirit) can feel good whilst I dwell in it! :-)

On to allowing my spirit to feel whole as I treat my body -- my personal temple -- with the respect Heavenly Father wants me to treat it with.