If you run, you are a runner.

It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

No resolutions, just resolve

I do not believe in New Year's Resolutions, I do not believe you need to wait for the first day or the first month of the year to change something you do not like about your life. I think people who wait till Jan 1 or the month of Jan are just looking for an excuse. What happens in February? Do you then have to wait 11 months to change something about your life that you do not like? Excuse...

I believe if you want to make changes in your life, then just do it. Now. Not later, not Jan 1, not Jan 3, Now, Today. What are you waiting for?

Five tips for resolution success

1. Eat the frog: "Mark Twain said if you eat a frog first thing in the morning that will probably be the worst thing you do all day. So, start your day by tackling an important task, especially if it is a task you aren't crazy about."

2. Concrastinate: "If procrastinating means putting things off, concrastinate should be doing things immediately. Work in 15 minute increments. If there is a task you don't like, set a timer and do it for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, you will be amazed at how much you've accomplished. At that point, either stop or if you have built up some momentum, keep going."

3. Nix the multi-tasking: "We pride ourselves on being able to do two, three or four things at once, and that is fine if the activities are fairly simple, like stuffing envelopes while on a conference call or eating lunch while reading e-mail. But if at least one of the tasks is more complicated, like putting together a PowerPoint or writing a report, then it deserves your full attention. Set aside a period of time that you can devote to that one tasks. You will make fewer mistakes and get more done in less time."

4. Buddy up: "If your resolution is to do something simple like eat lunch away from your desk or go for a walk on your break time or keep your desk clean, make a pact with a co-worker who has a similar goal. Support each other in keeping your resolutions."

5. Plan it: "A few minutes of planning can save you hours of time. Either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, take a few minutes to plan. It doesn't have to be a long formal process, just jot down the things you want to do that day (or the next if you do this at the end of the day)."

Karyn Beach, success coach and founder of www.losetheexcuses.com

Life is better at the finish line

Whew, what a mental race the Scotiabank Half was, I was ready for it to be over with less than 800 metres to the finish line. It really was a test of my mental toughness and, I am happy to report, I passed!

I think all of us at the clinic were exhausted but extremely happy to cross that finish line. Weather was hot and humid (odd for late September in Toronto) so made the run more challenging but it made the race more rewarding when we finished.

See you next year!

There is no time to think about how much I hurt; there is only time to run.

Only 2 more weeks until the Scotiabank Half-Marathon...wahoo! I'm getting excited. Nothing like running for 2+ hours then crossing the finish line knowing you have accomplished something pretty darn cool :)

Wish me luck...or at least good weather!

Success

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

--Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Runway Run June 13 2009

GTAA opened up Runway 24L for its 2nd annual Runway Run and Team Pereira (yes I picked the name) participated in the 2K family walk...it was fantastic! We got to see 2 F18s fly by!

See more images in my Photo Gallery