The Changes of a Butterfly

I’m tired. It’s 1pm and I’m in need of a nap. I’ve ran 54 miles in the past 3 days, started picking up more hours at the Boys & Girls Club, and am getting busier working at the motel. To top it off I’m trying to find a new place to live (thank goodness I’m not doing this solo for once!), a new career, and trying to keep this blog somewhat updated. I realize the last thing may seem like unnecessary, but I really do enjoy doing it. I wish I had more time to work on it as I easily have enough ideas to post every day.

I’m not complaining though. I may be tired physically and mentally, but I am starting to really see some things pay off. A few weeks ago I posted a blog titled UNLIMITED. Two days after I hit rock bottom in another area in my life, the 2^nd rock bottom this year (the first was in running). That lovely Education Award I got from AmeriCorps after completing a year of service that helped me pay off 2 student loans cost me almost my whole bank account because of taxes!

Needless to say, I gave myself a day to “freak out”, and then refocused on what I wrote for my UNLIMITED post. I really had to commit to staying positive. It wasn't easy, but this week has brought me some great news and some hope.

First I would like to announce that I will get a chance to see my family thanks to things working out with the Cayuga Trails 50 miler in Ithaca, New York. While I do adore Colorado in the summer, I really enjoy an east coast summer as well. The course is everything I could hope for with a good amount of climbing, waterfalls, and beautiful green trees that Colorado just doesn't have (though makes up for in other ways). I even look forward to the humidity! There is just something rewarding about finishing a run looking like you just jumped in a pool. Most importantly, I really miss my twin and my family. I only got to see some of my family once last year at Christmas so seeing them twice will be nice (completely meant to rhyme there)!

The morning after this, I found out that I won the art contest for the Telluride Mountain Run. It was by default since I was the only entrant but I don’t care- I really, really wanted to run this race. The San Juan Mountains have a special place in my heart. It was love at first sight when I saw them last summer. I wanted to do this race not only because it looked like a cool race in the mountains, but because it looks like a beautiful adventure. I can already hear the San Juan Mountains calling my name.

Part of the San Juans in Silverton, CO

Then, to top it off, I got my fist offer to do some freelance writing for an outdoor blog. I have no idea if it will work out yet and I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but I would really love to start doing things like this. I love the creative side of writing and it would be a great way to let me have some great times exploring this summer.

So yes, I’m tired, and it was very hard to finish this post before work (2nd out of 3 shifts today), but I’m happy with how things are going and am completely grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me.

Since its Maya Angelou’s birthday today, here is a quote from her that I think is fitting for this post:

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”