Being a planner, it is in my nature to always be thinking and looking ahead. When I was a 16 year old junior in High School, I wanted to be 21, independent and free to make my own decisions. When I was 21 starting out as a business woman, I wanted to be 40 with years of experience under my belt so that people would take me seriously. Always wanting to be somewhere I wasn't.

I am somewhere in the middle now, between 16 and 40, and I am quickly realizing that I need to slow down, look down at my feet and appreciate where I AM. My son is rapidly growing before my eyes and every time I see a new baby born, I mentally go back to those first few months and miss them. Months and years are just flying by in my professional career. There is just so much that I want to do and I feel like time is ever fleeting. I worry about spending money today in my efforts to plan for the future and i am sure that i miss opportunities to escape and make memories with my little growing family!

I cannot even begin to count the number of times that people have said to me "boy does time fly". It certainly does seem to do that sometimes. But instead of letting it do that, what are we doing to make each day one to remember? I feel like time isn't quite as "fleeting" when you can recall memories made, a goal you accomplished, a challenge you overcame, a person that you spent some really special time with.

B2B Half Ironman... One of the greater physical challenges that I remember with great joy and appreciation.

It is time to be present in my health and fitness journey. I am tired of reflecting back on "glory days" of being young wild and free with little responsibility and all the time in the world to conquer new challenges... Competing in marathons and half-ironman triathlons. It is hard when you look back and remember how happy you were and how proud you were of your accomplishments. I am also tired of agonizing over where I want to be in the months and years to come... Running a 7:30 average pace half marathon and looking fabulous in a bridesmaids dress in December. A) How frustrating to constantly be wishing we were somewhere else. B) It is all about my beautiful little sister bride in December!!! Get over yourself, Ivey Baker.

This woman is marrying the man of her dreams... With a smile as genuine as hers... She is going to be such a gorgeous bride. I truly cannot wait to stand by her side... on her wedding day and in the MANY years to come.

Experiences teach us a lot and goals are crucial. I know today that I am a lot tougher because of the lessons that my past taught me and I want to plan for a strong minded and bodied future. I want A plan. But here is what I don't want. I don't want the most perfect plan with no enjoyment along the way. I don't want to beat myself up wishing that I was the person that I was years ago. I want to experience the journey today with the best group of people that provide encouragement, share in my sweat and tears, and party with me when I find success. I don't want to be on my journey alone and I don't want to skip over it either.

Too often I look back at the week and just see check marks for the things that I accomplished. I want to look back at my weeks and have memories of experiences that I learned from and enjoyed. I want to look back and think "Damn, that was one tough run with Jill this morning, but the conversation shared was incredible" or "I was exhausted and not my best on the bike this week but Robin kept me going" or maybe "That workout with Emily didn't push me to my limits, but boy did we have some laughs and I loved it".

Life truly is too short to waste time looking back on where we were or agonizing over where we are trying to get. Where are you today?

Find your feet and breathe...

-IV

Being Present