October 24, 2025: Random thoughts from Iris as I prep for NYC Marathon #8. Zen Mind, Beginner Mind…

Ok, so I respect that I’ve been away from Pilates for 10 days due to work and travel, but as I jumped into my first class back this morning and started the first move with a quiver and groan from my muscles, I actually yelled out “C’MON ON!!!!” As the lithe young bodies around me eased into their challenging plies on the reformer (I call it the Transformer), I found myself reaching for the support cane. A “tool” provided exactly for people like me, as my body seemingly forgot the 2 months of intentional 2x a week classes I’ve been committing myself to. My mantra is to learn something new; teach my body new tricks; and hopefully hone a different type of strength to support my 8th NYC Marathon next week.

Yeah right, my body snickered back at me.

And it occurred to me: If we intentionally and thoughtfully feed our minds, they grow wiser and more forgiving as we age. Right?

Unfortunately, my body does NOT seem to subscribe to the same philosophy and is doing the polar opposite, despite my extraordinary growing sober brain advising otherwise! It is definitely less forgiving and certainly none the wiser.

But there IS a reward, and of course, a lesson, in today’s courageous step of jumping back in and doing the work. When you do so trusting “the process”; that feeling of strength and power CAN and DOES return. That feeling of “possibility” that makes my limbs zing and my brain glimmer with thoughts of adventure, things to do, and long for new horizons and challenges.

It’s all about the reminder to stay committed to focus, perseverance, and ritual (oh yes, ritual), and the other pieces can fall in to place (with a large dollop of patience, of course). It strikes me as a timely lesson for me on this sober-minded path that whatever task or challenge lies ahead, including that black sheep cousin many times removed named “Data Point” (feel free to insert your chosen CURSE word, I won’t edit you😊), you HAVE to jump back in and just DO IT, as Nike urges us. And what I find today is that my muscles settle in, (although it may take a moment, remember that word “patience”), and when they do, they are even stronger because I allowed myself that falter, that quiver, and that reminder of how sweet pushing through can feel when you’re on the other side.

As I walk home from class, sweaty and glowing, I smile at the renewed perspective now gained; proud of myself for pushing past the “I’d rather….(fill in the blank)”, I pushed forward and THROUGH.  Here’s to keeping on keeping on!

Remember:

You must first be consistent before you can be extraordinary.  Do the work when no one is watching, knowing that you truly deserve to not only dream but to LIVE in color. 

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be” – Ralph Waldo Emerson