I did it.

One week ago today, I completed what was the biggest physical and mental challenge yet in my 24 years. I finished a Marathon. For those of you who don't know how long that is, it is 26.2 miles. My friend Ashley told me she was going to do it and somehow, I found myself registering for the same run. Training starting back in December. When I first started, I could barely run a mile. I put my mind to it and I pushed myself harder. Running that first mile became easy and soon after that, 5, 10 and 13 miles became easy too. Don't get me wrong...it wasn't all a walk (or run! LOL) in the park. There were days when it was snowing, freezing and wet...I still pushed through. There were also days when I hurt really bad. My joints ached and my muscles begged me to stop. I still pushed through. A short 5 months blew by and the big race day came to be. I was nervous. So nervous my stomach hurt and my heart pounded out of my chest. The day of the race, I had to be up at 4 to give myself ample time to prepare and to "top off" my fuel tank with carbs and Powerade. We were shuttled up Ogden Canyon on busses. I sat next to a guy named Ryan. This too, was also his first marathon. I could tell he was nervous because he was singing all the way to the starting line. The starting line at 6:00 AM had a temperature of 28 degrees. I was in shorts and a tank top, so it was a bit uncomfortable. A stranger chatted with me...this was her 5th marathon and I listened closely to her strategies. I found Ashley and we chatted as we stood in line for the bathroom to try and keep warm and keep our minds off of the task that lay ahead of us. So many people wanted to win and to be #1...I just wanted to finish and feel good. 7:00 AM starting time came fast and we heard the boom of the starting gun. We were off!! I decided I would try one of the strategies that the stranger at the starting line suggested. I would run 1 mile, and then walk for 60 seconds...take it one mile at a time. If I felt strong at the end, I could push harder if I needed. The first few miles were great as my muscles warmed. I remember a gentleman and his 2 kids sitting in there front yard cheering us on with two huge speakers playing the song "Here comes the sun" as I ran by. It brought tears to my eyes...I felt that message was just for me. I then saw an older woman sitting with her husband on lawn chairs waiving an American Flag. She shouted out to us that she wished she had half the energy that we did!! At about mile 12, I saw my mommy. It was nice to see her and my dad as they cheered me on. When I reached the halfway mark, I stopped and took the Advil I had tucked in my sports bra. My hip was starting to really hurt. Within a few minutes I was feeling strong again. There was one big hill...I walked the whole way up with an older gentleman as we talked about the weather and what a great day it was!! At the top of the hill was another aid station...more Powerade and water. The sugar from the Powerade and the GU packets started to make my stomach turn. I pushed harder as I entered down into Ogden Canyon. The sun was getting hot...beating against the blacktop. At about the 20 mile marker, my Ipod died. I listened to the river rushing pass me...imagining my body being one with the flow of the water down the canyon. I pushed harder and harder as the pain in my hip returned. As I came out of the canyon, I entered the Ogden River Parkway. I had done a lot of my training on this parkway. It was the same path was going to deliver me to my finish. My victory. Another older gentleman stood at the side clapping and cheering me on telling me how great I looked..."You're a Marathoner!!" he cheered as I passed. I used that same phrase so many days as a positive affirmation as I looked in the mirror...I know his message was meant just for me. It was the last little boost I needed. I finally reached Grant Avenue...5 blocks away to the finish. It was the longest 5 blocks I've ever travelled. Time seemed to move slow as my dad walked behind me cheering me on. The crowd was still big as I closed in and all of my friends and family were there to welcome me. It took me 5 and a half hours...but I made it. I received a metal and my picture was taked. I finished the Ogden Marathon. I met up with friends and family and made my way home. My stomach turned to knots and I thought I was going to through up. I slept 15 hours that night. The next day, I could hardly walk. It was worth it...I will definitely do it again and again.

I tag anyone who reads this!!
All you do is answer these questions


1. Where is your cell phone? on the chair
2. Your significant other? outside on the porch. Having a man date with our friend Jeremy.
3. Your hair? copper
4. Your mother? silly
5. Your father? around
6. Your favorite thing? snugs and hugs
7. Your dream last night? i don't really recall!!
8. Your favorite drink?Sugar Free Red Bull OR black coffee with sugar in the raw
9. Your dream/goal? To FINISH the marathon and not hurt so bad
10. The room you're in? living room
11. Your fear? not being true to myself
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Portland, OR or traveling the world. :)
13. Where were you last night? home. I didn't do anything last night!
14. What you're not? a loser.
15. Muffins? mmmmm....yummy.
16. One of your wish list items? to get a six pack by the end of the summer!
17. Where you grew up? Ogden/Layton
18. What are you wearing? jammies
19. Your pet! a fish
20. Your computer? mac
21. Your life?changing
22. Your mood? sleepy
23. Missing someone? old friends sometimes...my puppy dog Indie
24. Your car? eco-friendly
25. Favorite thing to wear? jammies
26. Favorite Store? Target
27. Your summer? productive!
28. Your favorite color? Green
29. When is the last time you laughed? about an hour ago.
30. Where do you go over and over? Cosmo Prof....Salon....Cosmoprof....Salon
31. Where would you like to go right now? To our new house!!!
32. Who will re-post this? Maybe Lindsay?

I never thought I would see the day...

when I thought that running 5 miles was a piece of cake!

And it is!!! So you should run 5 miles too!!!

Heck! You should come run the Ogden Marathon with me!!!

lessons

I'm learning a lot of lessons right now. Things I thought I mastered or knew everything about. But, I'm human and everyday is an awakening and a new lesson. This week, I feel my lesson has been to learn to tolerate and accept people who operate from a lower vibrational energy. This past year, I've strived to better myself...not in a worldy manor, but spiritually. I've really become a lot more mindful when it comes to passing judgement on other people. This, along with Reiki and taking interest in things that nurture myself-mind, body and soul-my vibrational activity has shifted. I feel my light is brighter and I am on a mission to share the truth!! The past few days I've come across some extreme negativity that has shaken my being. Lying in bed the other night, I could actually feel the residue of the negative energy that I have absorbed from my resent experiences. I've become very sensitive to this energy and sometimes I feel like I just can't take it!!! This morning I meditated and it helped. I imagined all of my Angels circling around me. As they circled, I held my right hand out and imagined every worry and every negative experience forming into a giant bubble in my hand. When I felt like I got all of it out of me and into the bubble, I lifted the burden to the sky and released it to my Angels. I've released my worries and problems because I know my Angels have a better solution then for me to sit and worry!! Just as I did, I physically felt a weight shift and my whole body became covered with chills. (Angels bumps!)

Human life on planet earth is so violent. I am glad we have so many beautiful things to be thankful for to keep the balance. I wish and pray for peace and enlightenment for everyone.

Life is.

Today was a great day. I went to an Art of Channeling class today. Basically, it was a class on how to meditate and get in touch with your true Divine self. I learned out to show my ego out of the way and to silence my mind. The feelings and impressions I received, the images I saw, and the sounds that I heard were unbelievable. So unbelievable, that my life has been changed forever.

We are all beings of light connected to the same energy. The Divine love energy so many of us call God. We are this energy. When we silence our minds and relax our physical beings, we subject ourselves to receiving more energy. With this energy, comes messages from our higher selves, guides, Angels and Divine Father. The ideas, beliefs and systems that we have were not created by ourselves...these were given to us by someone else. Believe it or not...your self image is not yours at all!!! It was handed to you at a very young age!!! I finally got to see a small glimpse of my true soul today and I have definitely received a better understanding of the things that are blocking my path. The things I experienced today are beyond words and I feel as if every belief system I have had is crumbling beneath me. I know it's being replaced with a solid foundation...the truth. The truth is something I am seeking for my own self now. I am love. You are love. We all are love. At the end of the day, nothing matters but that. We must remember to look past the mundane in life and realize this on a daily basis. We need to rise above and shove aside our brains and egos to really experience this. Look at life as if you were looking at it through the eyes of an Angel. When we do this, we see only Love. I feel as if I am in a trance of cosmic Love right now. Something so indescribable. There is only the present. I am living in it now and I can feel the energy radiating in and all around me.

Robert Daniel Searle

18 years ago yesterday, my father, Robert Daniel Searle left this world. I was only 6 years old when he died.

Last night, he came and visited me in a dream. It was a very real, powerful dream. I truly believe it was not only a dream-it actually occurred-somewhere in another realm.

I was standing on some steps to a giant church with a great crowd swarming all around me. I was waiting for someone, but I didn't know who. Just then, I saw my dad walking up the steps through the crowd to meet me. When he reached me, I gave him a big hug. He looked exactly like he does in the few pictures I have of him. It was kind of funny, because his look was outdated. But it's how I remember him, so I'm sure that is what he thought would be most comforting to me. The hug was the thing that stuck out to me. It was a kind of hug that I think all little girls should get from their Daddy. It was fulfilling and I remember it warming my heart. (I still felt it when I woke up!!) This was a hug that I have never experience in my life. We then had a long conversation, where he proceeded to give me a lot of information about my life. This is the part of the dream that I don't consciously remember. I wish I did!

Rest in peace Dad! I love you!!

Thank God for change

Change has finally come. The Universe has blessed me with a new job. I've been able to say good bye to Wolf Creek Resort...for good. The salon has picked up wonderfully and I got a job at Cosmo Prof in Ogden. Cosmo Prof is a professional beauty supply. It's great because it's 3 miles from my house...no more long drives up Ogden Canyon on snowy days. It's also stress free and really laid back. I get to talk to people about my favorite hair products and I don't even have to cover my tattoos. I'm so grateful for this change.

I was terribly sick last week...flu, ear infection and sinus infection. I feel like my body was purging all the old. In a way, it was symbolic for me...a healthier, more resilient, stronger Alison has emerged! Tomorrow will be my first day running in 2 weeks. Let's pray my strength keeps me going without relapsing into sickness!

Now that I'm not working at the WC, I have more time for the things I love. Reiki is top on the list! I'm excited to be learning more, and growing. I feel like a completely different person since I've started my spiritual journey with Reiki. I feel at peace with things in life. Overall, I just feel happier and more secure. People close to me have even commented on the change.

I LOVE REIKI!!!!!!