My muse. I’m hoping that in writing down my thoughts I will act on my goals more effectively.Tumblr (3.0; @kerrduke)http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/<p>It wasn’t until I was out of college, that I first gave running a chance, and I owe it to Margy for even trying it out. I had finally started to work hard on making sure I was physically active, but relied heavily on the gym. Margy urged me to run with her, and that first run had me feeling so weak in process, but when we got home I felt so light, so exhilarated, and so it began. I ran here and there, three to four miles at a time, loved to push myself my adding crazy hills to my routes. I thought about how cool it would be if I could run marathons, I loved watching people do it, but I never thought I could do something like that. It wasn’t until my friend Laurie urged me to, that I ever considered actually doing long distance. She and I worked together to lengthen our runs, and without her determination, I’m not sure I would have gone as far as I have. I’ve now run 16 miles, still not a marathon, but it still feels amazing to me! My cardiologist has encouraged me not to do a marathon, to stick to half marathons due to a heart condition I have. Though I would love to have the experience and the feeling of success to have run a marathon, I understand that I have physical limits, and I am content to respect that and continue to do half marathons instead. </p> <p>When we moved running got put on hold, and I’m back to the running a few days a week for three to four miles at a time. On New Years Day, I ran six miles in the hills of Nelson, and it felt SO wonderful! I actually was sobered by just how out of shape I am, my friend Laurie was running circles around me I had to stop to walk so many times! Laurie, who got me started in the first place was helping me back into my running life. Thank you Laurie!!! She is working herself up for a marathon this spring, and will be running the 16 mile prep run in a few weeks, the one we did together last year. I loved seeing her looking so natural, running with ease and comfort, and I am grateful that I can live vicariously through her experiences as she continues to push herself to reach new goals. Running long distance has been something I have been missing, and wanting to have as a priority again; I think this experience is what I needed to get going again. So, you’ll see notes about my progress from time to time here, don’t let me get lazy!</p>http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571732238http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571732238Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:49:00 -0500<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leezu7R4nt1qfqxgdo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I feel SO lucky that I can still have Amelie experience winter despite living on the West Coast. I miss the extreme seasons, and am thoroughly enjoying wintertime here!</p>http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571530116http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571530116Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:32:30 -0500<p>I love to help the people around me to be happy, I love to see smiles break out spontaneously in the joy of moments in spite of all that might be happening to make life feel hard. Christmas time encompasses a time when family and friends break themselves away from the demands of life to come together and relish the fact that we have one another. Christmas, for me, is a favorite time of year. </p> <p>Things have changed for me, in many beautiful ways, having a child has sobered me greatly. I feel a sudden desire to simplify, so that I can really relish what we have, I have this great difficulty finding joy in finding things for people as gifts, knowing that we are all VERY rich in our materials, but some of us are quite ragged in emotional well being. I adore giving to people, I absolutely love the element of surprised and delight, the time that is spent thinking intimately about each of the people I want to give to is SO much fun, but the actual act of using material goods as the source of delight isn’t working for me as much as it used to. </p> <p>Right now, especially being so far away from so many of my dear and loved friends I just want to share in time, stretch out and be with everyone. </p>http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571396378http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571396378Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:21:29 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leezb8ovra1qfqxgdo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The candles burning on the tree at the Chalet, a Christmas I have experienced and cherished for 37 years.</p>http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571392916http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2571392916Sun, 02 Jan 2011 16:21:07 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcx2l6auID1qfqxgdo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Let the wonders begin!</p>http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2093153665http://kerri.goterkyourself.com/post/2093153665Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:41:29 -0500