Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Solo Hikes and Current Life Realizations
Hello and happy Friday 
This week sped by for me. I can’t believe it’s almost the weekend again!
Yesterday ended up being a really good day. It started with an early morning drive to the gym to teach a Core BLAST class. I’m seriously loving teaching group fitness classes – there’s just such a contagious energy and after each class I teach that I wonder how I get paid to do it. I also love training clients one-on-one, but teaching classes is such a great supplement to PT.
After I left the gym, I headed to my favorite coffee shop, Pekoe Sip House on 30th St.
What a view, right? Apparently the white tea I ordered is the purest white tea in the world. I have no idea about tea, but I do know it was pretty darn tasty, and the view was even better.
I had a few more hours before my next appointment, and really wanted to get out and enjoy the weather. So I did something that I haven’t ever done since I moved to Colorado – went hiking by myself!
I headed to one of my favorite Boulder hiking spots – Sanitas Valley Trails – and hiked for a little over an hour. It was the most fun I’ve had by myself in SO long. It was so peaceful, and the views were incredible, as always.
I also took this picture, just for my mom, who’s convinced I’m going to be a coyote’s lunch if I ever go hiking alone:
Don’t worry, mom. I fought him off 
When I reached the highest point of my hike, I had a seat on a rock and just prayed.
And ate beef jerky.
Anyway. As I was sitting on the rock, looking out over Boulder, I had a really pleasant realization. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve had to basically rebuild my entire client base for personal training (aside from online clients.) Things have been slow going, and because of it, I’ve felt stressed, guilty, and obsessed with getting more work. On my hike today, I had an enlightening thought – I’m so lucky to be here and able to do this. I came to Colorado to have fun. To live life to the fullest. To simply enjoy. NOT to feel guilty, stressed, or worried.
And with that, I made the decision not to feel that way anymore. I’m lucky that Shane has a really good job to support our lifestyle. I’m still going to do my due diligence to try and get more work, but I’m going to leave it at that and not stress out about it. Hey, this is probably the only time in my life when I’ll have this little responsibility in the day to day. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy life…to the fullest.
I got out on the trails before 9:30, so I was back home by 11:00. Since I had a couple hours before my next appointment, I took Niko for a little walk so she could enjoy the beautiful day we were having. Afterward, I (finally) showered up to get ready to head back into the gym. I had a couple of my regular clients to train at my other gym, and another appointment afterward. When I got home around 7:00, I met Shane at our neighbor’s for appetizers and cocktails. We had a blast hanging out and drinking some malbec (well, I drank malbec only, but there was also beer and scotch.) We ended up hanging out until past our bedtime (which is 9:00, sad) then headed home and made a pizza.
Yum.
And now it’s Friday – and it looks like it’s going to be another perfect day, weather-wise. Yay Except I’ve got a not-so-exciting doctor’s appointment, and a whole bunch of Colorado car registration on my plate. Not so yay. But then tonight I’m going to a yoga workshop on going upside down. Yay again! haha
When’s the last time you had a lot of fun by yourself?
PS – Monday’s post is going to be a doozy. I’m finally able to write that “life updates” post I keep promising.
I love when I can have those enlightening moments and really enjoy time to myself. Congrats on getting to have that moment and come to that realization, it’s really important to take some of the pressure off because I think in that moment, that’s when things can really start to HAPPEN. That doesn’t make it easier as it’s something I often fight, but I’m working on it too! 😉
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Fitness Friday (After a Long Day)
“…prayed… and ate beef jerky.” Hah! That’s fantastic 🙂
Solo hiking is great, though I’ve only done it a few times. When I was in college, my favorite hike was basically on the drive from home to school (like 10 minutes off the interstate,) so occasionally on the trip I’d make a detour and do some hiking. I love the solitude, but am always a little afraid of spraining an ankle or running into a bear by myself (not that running into a bear with another person would help the situation that much, but I think I’d feel a little better 😉 ) Glad the coyotes didn’t get you. Love your life realizations and new outlook!!
Catherine @ A Two Storey Home recently posted…Youth Retreat Weekend + Yet Another Easy Dinner
Enjoy your life! You’re so lucky to have that opportunity to discover what you love and what makes you happy, and just enjoy everything. Take advantage!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted…5 Things Friday
Great post! As a new Colorado resident myself, I am loving all the hiking etc., especially now that the weather is nice again. I haven’t ventured out on the trails alone, but now I will!
Good luck with your new venture!
Lisa (Mom to Marathon) recently posted…Into the Light
Let me know if you ever want a hiking buddy! 🙂
I live in Fort Collins, but sometimes make the trip down to Boulder. We should meet in the middle sometime. I have heard great things about Devil’s Backbone in Loveland! Plus, there is always Estes Park! 🙂
Lisa (Mom to Marathon) recently posted…Into the Light
I just absolutely love your life 🙂
Allison recently posted…Welcome to my life.
Oh, Colorado looks so beautiful! My husband and I are seriously thinking about going out there for our 5 year anniversary this October. 🙂
Annie’s makes pizza? Where did you find that?!
Alaina recently posted…Run For Boston
At Target!! Randomly on sale for $5.99. Pretty awesome.
And YES – you should come here! And If you stop in the Boulder area and want a hiking buddy, let me know 🙂
I love going for solo hikes like that. It’s a great opportunity to relax and reflect. Have a great weekend!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Feet Before The Fire
Oh wow, those views!! I’ve never been on a solo hike, I definitely need to do that. It’s been a long time since I have had that much fun on my own. Although, I have spent some time in cafes in the mountains while the hubby is out snowboarding. I really enjoyed it, but the weather hasn’t been good enough to go off on trails, too cold and snowy. And I fear the wildlife 😉 It’s finally getting warmer now though!
I’m looking forward to your updates… it’s been a rough few weeks for me, I certainly could use more time in prayer and reflection and allow the enlightenment in; thank you for that reminder to just sit and just be. I’m letting frustration and doubt take over far too much!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…The Skin I’m In… What I Wish I Could Tell You
LOVE your realizations! I hate how much pressure we put on ourselves to max out in life! I’m SO looking forward to Ireland next week where there’s no pressure and just 10 days of NO CONTACT with the US hahah its much needed. Enjoy life right?!
julie recently posted…lately…
you are very fortunate you can take such beautiful hikes during the week. I am sure it helps keep you centered too, I know it would me! I think slowly but surely your client base will build up! Keep doing what your doing, the clients you have are lucky to have you!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Fun Facts Friday
Oh that view is amazing! So jealous! 😀
Shannon ~ My Place In The Race recently posted…An Amazing Run
Aw! This makes me so happy to read — I am SO SO SO glad you and Shane took the leap to move to CO and are now fully realizing how great it is to have the opportunity to leap without looking. I can imagine it being very scary and daunting to do but it’s also SO rewarding to be able to take that leap of faith and go after your dreams. Love this!
Jess recently posted…*That* moment.
I love enlightening moments like that. They really lift you up, especially knowing you came to those thoughts on your own…on your own terms.
The views are GORGEOUS – a reason why I would move to CO if I ever had the ability to move anywhere I wanted. Simply beautiful.
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted…3 Ways a Partner Can Change Your Running.
Those moments of realization are priceless, it’s like everything finally aligns and you realize that you’re right where God wants you to be right now. So glad you had that moment. It’s going to be a great weekend!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…How Learning to Fence Makes You a Better Leader
I love that you have the flexibility (with Shane’s job) and the clarity and wisdom (thanks, Jesus!) to trust and therefore rest and therefore enjoy this new phase of life! I think that’s a process for all trainers, really, in the beginning of building up but when you can afford to not worry and underneath it all trust that God is in control you can enjoy the process (and the hikes). 🙂 So pumped to hear it! 😀
I love hiking! Going on one alone can be so calming and peaceful. I don’t know what I’d do if I saw a coyote!
E recently posted…W.I.L.L. – Fitness Edition: ProCompression {& a GIVEAWAY}
I can’t believe you’d never gone alone yet! Oh gosh I always hike alone, I LOVE it! So relaxing and perfect for self reflection, as you learned. Glad you had a great day!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted…Weekly Workouts & Baking!
I guess I just always thought about how fun it is to grab a friend and go for a hike! But you’re totally right, a completely different type of fun alone 🙂
That solo hike sounds amazing. I wish I hiked at all, let alone by myself. There aren’t too many places close by but if I made the effort there are some good trails in the area. It’s on my to-do list!
Kacy recently posted…Comment on Serenity by Megan (Braise The Roof)