Still Running

I don't talk about it like I used to... but I am still running.  Not well, not alot, not routinely, not any of the things that I should be doing... nonetheless, I love it.  I love that it gives me an excuse to see some old friends.  I am heading down to San Antonio for what will be no doubt, the worst Half Marathon I have ever run.  This made me think.  The half marathon looming over my head led me back to a race I ran in March 2007, on Saint Patrick's Day.

It was just a 5k, it was just the prelude to a day full of drinking.  I took a picture that day, that I am sure if I looked hard enough I could find it... running that race with me was my running partner, his wife, one of my old coworkers and the ex.  All standing there, 4 years younger, in green, not knowing how we would all impact eachother's lives in the years to come.

If I took a similar picture at the finish line this Sunday there will be the old coworker, the running partner and me, three of the four.  I love that.  I love that I still have running and that I have rooted myself in some Texas friendships that I hope to always have.  You never know when you do something if the people standing around you will always be there... but you hope.  Two out of three isn't bad.

The running partner sent me our race agenda... just get me there, just get me to the start line.  This is the first race where I am not concerned about the finish line, I love that part of my personality that is changing (ever so slowly, but still changing).

Just Waiting

Two years.  Almost two years.  Think about that for a minute.  How much do you think your life can change in two years?  One year?  One day?  One minute?  I have learned that you can't stop what is coming, so try to enjoy it, all of it, everything.  What I love about this guy I am dating (and yes I want to give him an alias, so we are going with the Hockey Player) is that I am in a great place, to take everything I have learned about myself and what I want and try to bring that into this relationship. 

I am not in a place where I need help, need someone... he is not getting out of some ridiculously long relationship, he is not 24... we know enough about eachother going in that we have a level of trust established 12 years ago.  I like him.  I am starting to get excited.

The rate at which I am able to get excited about someone amazes me.  I assume the worst and hope for the best.  It takes him showing up on time for a few dates before I believe he won't stand me up.  It takes him talking about his previous relationships a few times before I believe that they won't impact me negatively.  It takes going out for a few drinks (sometimes alot of drinks) a few times to know that he won't get mad at me for talking to other people instead of him.  It takes laying on the couch, in his arms, watching football together to know that he will make me feel safe.  How many more rounds can I put the Hockey Player through... while I wait for something to go wrong?  Hopefully alot, for a long time.

Getting excited...

Treat Yo Self

There are those moments in life that are created because everything from everywhere just kind of came together.  My weekend in Moab was one of those moments.  It started when my old coworker sent me a youtube clip from Parks and Rec, outlining what "Treat Yo Self Day" is.  This was the theme as me and two other girlfriends set out for a roadtrip to Moab.  We were delayed, but so glad we were because one of my favorite hikes' trailhead was closed up until the point when we got there.  I did this hike as a kid, it is located outside one of my favorite cities (Glenwood Springs, CO) and is still breathtaking.

Hanging Lake

Hiking Buddies

After we treated ourselves to one of the best hikes in Colorado we headed to Moab.  The next day we spent the morning rock climbing sandstone, which was amazing.  Something I am slowly starting to fall in love with, I can't explain it, it is a rush.

Ice Parlor, UT

On top of work, dating, concerts, Moab, I am training for my third half marathon of the year, so I had to run 8 miles.  In the desert.  After rock climbing.  While my friends went to the bar.  This ended up being the biggest accomplishment of the day.  I did it none-the-less.  As I was waiting for their return with a pumpkin beer and a good book in hand, they return.  With a "Congratulations" balloon... that I would take to the bar with me that night. 

Later that night as I am in some amazing Utah bar, the day caught up with me and I just wanted to sleep.  But here were a few great quotes from that weekend, where it all came together and we treated ourselves:

• Friend: Do you have a quarter we need to buy jewelry?  Guy:  Fuck yeah you need some jewelry.
• Treat yo self.
• People at bar: Why do you have the balloon?  Me:  I ran 8 miles while my friends went to the bar.
• Girl I just met:  Should we save Morgan?  Friend Since College:  No.  She is fine.  I am sure she might make out, but I think that guy reminds her of her ex.
• Me:  I should stop spending money, so I can save up for my wedding. 

The 99 Percent

I had to do it.  I was on my way home when I passed the Occupy Denver movement.  So I did what anyone in my situation would do, I parked my car and witnessed it for myself.  I came up with my own opinion, created my own memories and agreed that I was part of the 99 percent.  However, I do feel like I am on my own 1 percent when it comes to the way I approach situations.  Is it glass half empty?  A way I protect myself?  Or am I 1 percent heart and 99 percent head?

At this exact moment, myself and two of my closest friends have all met guys that we like.  We are already planning triple dates, outings, concerts.  We are all starting out on this journey at the exact same moment in time, with some pretty fantastic guys.  This has brought to my attention just how reserved and pessimistic I am about new relationships.  I like this one.  I am nervous.  I am trying hard not to hold back or bring old issues into this relationship.  I feel like I am slowly sinking... am I looking for things to complain about?  Probably.  If he isn't perfect I won't be as upset when he leaves me.  Do I believe him when he tells me how great he thinks I am?  No.  You haven't known me long enough to know how great I am.  It makes sense in my head. 

Then I look at my friends.  I look how excited they are about the smallest things, and my heart gets a little smaller.  I want to feel that.  He does those things for me.  I never wanted anyone to feel sorry for me.  Ever.  What kind of self reflection do I need to do to get over this?  Why can't this guy think I am amazing?  When he asks if I am ok, maybe he really cares and will always ask?  Maybe when I open up, he will stay.  So, I keep trying. 

My ex told me after he left that he never felt like I loved him.

I loved him with all I had.

Maybe I am not capable of making others feel loved.

I Walked Away Smiling

I did it.  I submitted my story to my writing class, let them read it, read a section to them and sat there for 20 minutes while they discussed what it was about.  I think they liked it, I got some great comments:

Guy from Harvard:  I don't get this girl.  This is what, her second date?  She is already in love?  She should date more.

Older Lady in the Class:  I sent this story to my son.  I think you two should meet.

I loved every minute of it.  The story is loosely based on an experience I had, but it is fiction.  I love this class.  I am learning about people through their stories, but what part is them?  Do I already know?  Do I want to know?  What part of your story is really you?  What part did you allow someone else to invent for you?  I struggle everytime I start to date someone new; which part of my story can you handle and when can you handle it? 

I Was Judged

I wish I could create a timeline.  A timeline of my life, that outlines all the major events in my life.  I would star the events that were directly related to a decision I made.  There would not be many.  I dealt with all these things.  I never gave up.  I never became bitter.  And I tried to be a great person, hold myself to some ridiculously high standard in the process.  I paid for college, graduated, worked, bought a house, everything I was "supposed" to do.  I worked out two times a day and averaged 50 hours a week at work.  I was miserable. 

I am not that person anymore.  I am happy.

Throughout my 20s, I got alot of advice.  I dated some guys that would tell me what would make me a better person, listened to "friends" tell me what would make me a better person... After this about broke me, I raised my white flag.  This is me.  I am not going to defend it.  People might judge me for it, that is fine.  In the end the only one that has to deal with the decisions I make is me, finally.  It is going to be a ridiculous ride... I can tell. 

Signs

I believe everything happens for a reason.  "There is a purpose, a plan and a reason for all things.  What doesn't make sense, will make sense."  So after a Sunday evening "break-up" with the hot construction worker, I keep my tradition and enjoy way too much wine and pizza with some close girlfriends last night to hash it all out.  I survived.  I always will.  Then it hit me, all the heartache I have felt this week happened for a reason and I just got excited.  Try to follow my train of thought:

1. My old coworker and I set out to climb La Plata, 5th highest peak in Colorado Saturday morning.  We immediately get lost, set us back about 30 minutes.
2. I get home late to go to a book reading with the construction worker.  I don't have time to eat anything besides two granola bars.
3. We talk about food after the reading (9:30 pm) but he is house sitting and has to let these dogs out.
4. We finally set out to get food. (10:30 pm)
5. We can't find a place to park, he gets frustrated, I am tired and hungry.  We park.  And set off to get to the bar that we had to park blocks away from. (11 pm)
6. The time frame is important because we all know what a tired, hungry woman means... apparently he doesn't.
7. He goes:  I bet those heels are comfortable.  Me:  Didn't realize I would be walking blocks.
8. This comment ends the night.  He calls me annoying, I tell him it is forced fun, we part ways. 
9. I feel bad, go to where he is house sitting to apologize.  We start talking about whether I should leave or not and as this conversation is going a raccoon starts to attack a squirrel in a tree.  This is amazing. (1 am)  The neighbors come out, I just take off.
10. Sunday we break up. 
11. Monday sucks.  The fishing guy, friend's brother RSVPs for Casa Bonita.  So now I am forced to address how nervous I am about dating a friend's brother before I see him Saturday.
12. Tuesday, alot of wine and pizza.  Great bonding time that happened because I needed it thanks to the construction worker.
13. Wednesday.  My old roommate moves her birthday plans to a later weekend, I am sad that it is a weekend I already have plans, so I will miss it.  At this moment I get another invite to go to a friend's cabin on the weekend that became open.  I get a great email from the friend telling me everything will be ok if I date her brother, which you know what... why not?
14. Meeting the brother tomorrow to just talk and be upfront.  We will see.

Thank God we got lost on that hike.  I got to see how the construction worker responds to adverse situations, I got to bond with some great friends, I am now going to the mountains again and I might have met someone cool in an unsuspecting place.