Inspired by the Impossible...

Hearing loss is something that feels “normal” to me since I can’t remember a time that I could hear.   Learning of my hearing loss devastated my parents, but as a child, I was innocent and didn’t know any different.   It’s a challenge I live with daily and few truly know the walk I take in life.    To some, my life seems “happy.”   To my family it may seem frustrating.   To children it creates curiosity.   To the public eye it may seem like a disability.   To me…it’s a battle of highs and lows.   Quality of life is not tangible, is not on green paper, and is not a possession.   Nothing else matters when it comes to your quality of life.   For the first time, I’ve decided to share what the world sounds like from an active deaf girl… Having approximately 50% hearing loss in one ear and 70% loss in the other labels me as “severe to profoundly” deaf.    Without my hearing aids, I basically hear muffles and with my hearing...

It was a glorious, beautiful Christmas Eve morning with the sun rising above the steam hanging over the blue/green waters making me anxious to slip into my 2013 running shoes - I say 2013 because I get a new pair of running shoes each year – kind of like treads wearing on tires.   The coastal breeze was cool enough to put a sting on my bare legs when I stepped outside.   I never liked running on the beach, in fact, I can only remember attempting it twice, but since I’ve picked up trail running, the anticipation of the challenge grew on me.    My brother-n-law made me feel more excited when he told me the sand was compact and hard.    Mentally, I was ready to run 10 miles.   God's marvelous beauty - like a fine oil painting (no filter!) According to my Garmin watch, my heart rate rose as I stepped both feet on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the gulf coast.   Physiologically, my body was excited for the change of scenery.   I found...

At this time of the year…there is less sunshine bringing on gray skies and bare-naked trees.   Nature looks naked in general.   Most outdoor enthusiasts and athletes are in off-season (except for those cold-natured freaks).    At times, the air is simply too cold to bear unless you work your body to produce enough heat in order to enjoy the cold, winter breeze as a cool down.   The sun sets so early it causes many to hibernate and bypass anything fun after 6pm.    So, I like to call this time of the year, the “season of blues.”   This may look so dreary, but this is my favorite spot on our family farm.  Running through this wilderness is surprisingly beautiful and peaceful (except when the wolves start howling!). It’s not uncommon to experience days of “blah” when our bodies lack Vitamin D from Dr. Sunshine.    The thought of getting up early (because running after work in the dark is too late – it’s bedtime) to run in 30-d...

Trail runs, cyclo-crossing, mountain biking, Crossfit, hiking,…laziness!   I’ve decided to try trail running, leisurely because maybe I can overcome my clumsiness and strengthen muscles that have never been used road running.   Plus, I just recently registered for my first trail race so I guess I better get started especially since it’s supposedly the most challenging one in the Midwest!   Cyclo-crossing or mountain biking sounds fun but not when I see how small a space you have to bike on the trails.   That equals a dangerous disaster waiting to happen.   I envision myself taking a tumble down the hill with my bike.   Crossfit would make me superwoman if I could overcome the severe consequences I faced the first two times I completed brief (like 11-12 minutes brief) workouts.   I couldn’t even raise my ribs to breathe without pain!!   I fell in LOVE with hiking while in San Diego on the Torrey Pines but there’s nothing like that in St. Louis. ...