Keep that Youthful Spirit

I was listening to a song by Band of Horses in my car this week and when it was over I had a moment of sadness (that the song was over), then I hesitated for a moment before I pushed the back button and started the song over again. It's one of my favorite songs, I was alone in the car, so why not play it over again? and again, and again?

Here is the song for you to enjoy as many times as you would like:

When I was younger I used to play a song over and over again until I had it memorized. My poor parents! This week had me thinking that there are several things I used to do that made me happy that I don't really do anymore. Maybe it is because I am older and wiser. For instance, I used to be fearless. I didn't worry about what I ate or drank (more chocolate cake and cherry coke please!), I listened to whatever I wanted, watched scary movies, and walked around cities like Atlanta or New York by myself without a care in the world.

Top of the hill

It's hard to tell from the picture but this was one of the hills at my elementary school that we would ride our bikes down, trying to avoid the trees to get to the big field at the bottom. I landed in the bushes a few times. The telephone pole helps show the steepness. 

When I was 10 or 11 I would regularly put my bike at the top of the tallest, steepest hill I could find in our neighborhood and then sail down it as fast as I could. Sometimes I would crash and sometimes I wouldn't. I went home with bumps and bruises and perhaps a little more caution? Today, I will squeak the breaks all the way down a hill. I don't want to go too fast! Some of that caution I've learned is a good thing, but I think there are several things I need to revive from my childhood to make my life a little more fun, silly, and fulfilling.

 Here are some of the things I thought of:

• Writing down my hopes and dreams on a regular basis. I kept a journal from the age of 8 through college but stopped writing after I got married. 
• Singing and Dancing. All the time, every chance I could get. 

Doing the locomotion at one of our "dessert theater" productions for the neighbors

• Spending hours upon hours with my friends. It helped that we were in school all day together, but then we wanted to spend as much time together as possible after school. I remember walking my friend Ruth home and then she would walk me halfway back to my house. 
• Praying uninhibited. This is one where I think I've matured in my prayer life in a lot of ways because I'm more intentional, I don't just ask for what I want all the time, and I've grown to have a closer relationship with God. However, when I was younger I would just pray about whatever, whenever, and I never worried what I said or how I said it. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
• Getting bored. Ok, I don't think I've ever been bored in my life, but when I was younger I had time on my hands to just sit and contemplate the meaning of life, or the color of my walls, or the color of my crush's eyes. ;)
• Laughing as much as possible. My friends and I were always laughing and being silly. We would quote something funny and laugh hysterically. My friend Sarah was the best at this. She had a quote for every situation. Actually, I don't think it mattered if it fit the situation, we would still laugh. Here is my favorite Sarah quote that I still use today: Sarah was at a restaurant (Shoney's maybe?) and was coming out of the bathroom as a woman was entering and ran into her. The woman said, "Uh oh, Cooz me baby!" It's really better when it's said with some attitude. It'll make me laugh even though I wasn't even there when it happened! That also just shows that Sarah is a good story teller. 

The girls I went to Elementary School with

I'm sure the girls I went to school with will be very happy to see the pictures I've chosen to share of them! ;) It just portrays the silliness and fun we had together.

The girls I went to High School with

So, in the effort to share more fun and silliness here are two videos that will bring out your youthful spirit. The first one is from FemFusion Fitness and is about 8 minutes long. It is a great stretch to make you feel good and put a smile on your face.

 The next one combines my love of yoga and Harry Potter. This is a great one to get kids interested in yoga, but also is just a fun way to bring some magic into your day! She has several videos with other themes (Star Wars, Frozen, etc.)

Finally, Meet Meddy Teddy! With the intention to teach kids about yoga and mindfulness, this adorable bear will bend and stretch into every yoga pose imaginable. You know you want one!

From MeddyTeddy.com

Exercise should be fun. It shouldn't be boring, stressful, or something you have to drag yourself out of bed to do. It should push you and challenge you, but it should also motivate you, relieve stress, and have you feeling renewed and refreshed! I'm going to refuse to let exercise be a chore, but allow myself to enjoy it, have fun, and let go of my inhibitions.

Can we do that in life as well? Let go of anything that is holding you back and make time for what really matters! What's on your list of things that will help you revive that youthful spirit?

Get to Stompin'

This post has a theme song! Click here for some background music. Then you'll want to add this song to your workout playlist and thank me later.

I wouldn't call myself someone who is obsessed with shoes, but after reading this post you may not believe me. I don't understand buying shoes that you will never wear, but I do own a pair of shoes that are still in the box and have been waiting for over a year to be worn.

Brooks Launch

These are the shoes I will train for my marathon in. The Brooks Launch 3 are a lightweight running shoe. I buy my shoes a half size larger than I normally wear to give my toes plenty of space and prevent blisters or my toenails hitting the end of my shoe. I love lightweight running shoes. It feels like you have nothing on your feet. I don't want to drag a heavy shoe up a hill with me.

The Runner's Hub in Clarksville, TN

Support local and you can be awesome too!

I purchase most of my running shoes at The Runners Hub, a local running store here in Clarksville, TN. While you are there you can get a gait analysis (free if you buy shoes or $15). You will run for a minute on a treadmill while they video your feet. Then they will check to see if you turn your feet out or in when you run (underpronation or overpronation) and can tell you if you need more supportive shoes. Having the correct support can prevent injuries like knee and hip pain or tendinitis. Here is a breakdown of pronation from Runner's World if you would like to learn more.

The Runner's Hub also hosts a group run every Thursday and has info on running events in the local area. Check out their website for more information.

"I need two pair!" I bought a pair of trail running shoes during The Runner's Hub after Christmas sale. I was feeling a little snobby about wearing my road running shoes out on the trails, especially one day when it was muddy. Of course I bought a pair of Brooks because they are amazing.

Brooks Caldera Trail-Running Shoes

These shoes are specifically built for trail running due to the knobby outsole that provides more traction than a road running shoe. They are also pretty lightweight and have extremely comfortable cushioning. Apparently you can also secure gaiters to your shoes with an integrated gaiter tab. I don't own gaiters, but if I take these out in the snow I might have to get some and try them out.

Hope you enjoyed listening to Nelly. His song always makes me smile and I really thought it was crazy until I saw a documentary on Netflix called Sneakerheadz. Wait, I still think it's crazy, but the documentary was interesting. Here is the trailer: