Monthly Archives: October 2013

National Novel Writing Month

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So I signed up for National Novel Writing Month. My brother told me about it a few months ago. What is it? It’s this challenge where you write 50,000 words during the month of November. In other words, you write a short novel in a month.

The goal is to write the whole thing – the whole 50,000 words. It doesn’t have to be great or the final draft or anything, just 50,000 words. (According to the website, that’s an average of 1,667 words per day). They say that most people are too overwhelmed to write a novel even if they want to, so participating in a challenge like this is to actually just get something written.

I don’t understand exactly how it works but basically you do the writing on your own computer or in your own notebook and just peiodically post your word count to the website. Then, at the end of the month, you can upload your novel to the website to have it validated – the website will officially do a word count of the text you send in.  If you have written 50,000 words or more, you are declared a winner.  (Anyone and everyone can be a winner, you just need to write 50,000 words).

So I’ve done the easy part, I’ve signed up, and I’ve ordered a cool notebook from the website.  Now all I have to do is write the 50,000 words.  I’m kicking around a few story lines but haven’t pinned one down definitely yet. The website for National Novel Writing Month is www.nanowrimo.org.

Happy writing!

 

Running Journal, Entry 9

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I ran in a 5K today, one week since the last one I had run in. At the beginning of today’s 5K, I knew my mind was not in the right place, but I could not get myself out of that place. Last week I was able to run the entire race without stopping, and had my best time ever. My thinking for today’s race was that I wanted to top last week’s time. While that is a fine goal to have, I have found that it is the wrong kind of thinking for me. If I go out with something to prove, I’m assured not to have my best run. A better goal for me to focus on is just to do my best and feel happy about my run. Instead of focusing inward, I began concentrating on passing other people.  I wanted to get as far ahead as I could. It was a good way to tire myself out. Instead of finding my own pace, I started rushing. There were hills on the course, and my shins began to really hurt.

I had to stop a few times to take short walking breaks. I was disappointed that I had to stop but I just could not keep going. I had been frustrated that the path was a little bit narrow and that all the runners were on top of one another well into the first mile. I felt like I could have found a better pace if we were all more spread out. This might have contributed to my trying to pass people and find an open spot. I was surprised at myself though, trying to pass and get ahead of people. I guess it was a little glimpse of competitiveness within me. Instead of enjoying the beautiful surroundings of trees whose leaves were beginning to turn beautiful fall colors, I was trying to get ahead.

Around mile 2 I finally started thinking less about the others around me and more about finding my pace. I knew that if I wanted to continue running, and not have to walk the rest of the way, I’d have to stop worrying about the people around me and just concentrate on finding my pace. I was relieved that at least my earlier zealousness had finally calmed down and I could find my own rhythm, and settle into my own pace. Once I found my own pace, I was just fine. I came in a minute later than last week, but with the hilly course – a more difficult course than last week, and the fact that I was not able to focus well, I think it was still a pretty good time.

 

One Year

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One year ago today I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. One year ago I was scared and didn’t know what to expect. It felt like my whole life had been turned upside down.

The kind of cancer that I have is not what you think of when you think of the word cancer. The cancer that I have is non-aggressive and very slow growing. I haven’t had to have any treatment; the doctors just watch and take blood every three month to see if there are any changes.

Being diagnosed with cancer has caused me to examine my life and to ask what is important in life. If I hadn’t been diagnosed, I probably would not have thought about these things. I would have continued to be oblivious to the passage of time.

What is life all about? What is the meaning of life and the purpose that we are here on earth for? Although I have thought about it and read lots of books and done yoga to get in touch with my inner self, I still haven’t figured out all the answers. I’m grateful that things are ok and that I am healthy. I will continue to look, watch, and wonder. I will continue my journey.