Sedona Marathon Weekend! Ohhh my.

I have always wanted to run a half marathon.

So I'm going to.

Tomorrow.

I've been running my little booty off (literally)

since October when my sister convinced me to

run the Sedona Marathon with her.

We're all about reaching our goals this year, right?

There were so many times that I wanted to make excuses

so I could skip out on running for the day.

But, I never did.

You know what I'm REALLY scared about?!

Sedona has higher elevation,

is mostly uphill,

and is WAY colder than Phoenix.

Shoot.

I just hope someone doesn't have to push me in a wheel chair to the finish line :)

Husband keeps reminding me to have "good self talk",

which means to pump myself up positively!

Hey, when those miles start to wear on me,

it's nothing that a little Miley Cirus "It's the Climb" can't fix.

That's embarrassing. I just revealed my inner most seceret.

My tuned-filled I-pod and knee braces are going to be my life savers tomorrow.

Wish me luck :)

Have a GREAT weekend!

Don't forget to email me your CHALLENGE results- ashley.theshineproject@gmail.com

If I'm not back by Sunday... send a search party.

Do Hard Things.

This week has been extremely inspiring and motivating for me.

I l.o.v.e. writing.

Ever since, well...forever, I've wanted to be an author.

It's been my goal for years to have a book out by the time I turned 25.

As life has it, I turn 25 this November.

I started a novel last year,

and put it on hold due to schooling and what I felt was 'bad timing.'

As I was searching for answers and guidance this week,

the same answer hit me again.

This time, harder than ever.

WRITE.

Ladies and gentlemen...

The process of my first published work has officially begun.

And this time,

with NO excuses or procrastination.

Getting published is EXTREMELY difficult.

I've been afraid in the past to put everything I had into it,

and then be rejected.

I'm done letting my fear overcome who I have always wanted to be.

I shared a quote with my students last week that has

really motivated me...

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." - Muhammad Ali

I've kept my writing process a personal thing in the past.

But this time, you'll hear about it every step of the way.

What are you going to do today, to accomplish your deepest goal?

Are you ready to start doing hard things?

I am.

My Little Word Project.

I decided to chose a word for 2011,

to stand as a theme of what I want to accomplish.

After thinking about it, and the pivitol point in life that I'm at,

the word fit perfectly.

SHINE.

That's my word for this year,

and I'm working on my goals for how I will acheive it

in different areas.

I want to shine in school, my church callings, writing, teaching...

but most importantly,

I want it to rub off on others

who could use a little more

light in their lives.

I'm excited for the little word project to begin!

What will you do with one little word?