This has been the decade of change. In 2010 I was finally able to secure a job where I could collect my hours towards my LCSW. That was also the year I started with the prison population. When DMH turned into DSH & 2 years later I went to the dark side aka CDCR.
I also started speeding up in my marathons & halves. Learning more of what I could do with my body, how hard I could push & what I wanted to do.
I collected all my hours while @ CDCR. But that test was the death of me. So I made a decision to try something different. Applied to Monterey County for the Crisis Team & ended up working the NOC shift for 18 or so months, then finally I passed both new exams. So thankful the BBS changed the exams.
So I went back to CDCR & learned even more when I joined the MHCB team. Just a quick recap. I worked in a Level IV prison for 7.5 years. DMH, EOP, MHCB & as CIT. In mental health, there’s lots of acronyms. I made a lot of friends in prison, some of which I’m still close with. I even got a letter at home from an inmate, @ at my desk in CTC. Thankfully that person has a life sentence, so we’ll worry when that changes.
I didn’t break any PR’s until I figured out how to get stronger all over. That started in 2017. I learned about VSU first, Iron Strength by @drjordanmetzl, then the @sweat app. I always did weights, but for some reason that wasn’t enough. It didn’t challenge my body like what I’m doing now. So once I started doing that I started beating myself.
In 2018 I finally broke my 8 year old marathon PR, then I did that 2 more times & broke a course PR by an hour at @bsimevents. Trust me, that was a big deal. 🏃🏻♀️🐶🐾
In 2019 I finally sub 2’d @ a half marathon. Not just once, but 7 times, one in my Newton’s & the rest in Vaporflys or Next %’s. 🏃🏻♀️
We also lost very important special people. @kcesporo, I miss you so much. You always treated me like a sister. You were the person for my brother. It was always a treat to be near you. When I first met you, you treated me like family.
Then on February 6, 2018 Jersey lost his fight with Cancer. That broke my heart more than anyone would ever know. I didn’t know how I would keep going. He was my first son. I couldn’t run, didn’t want to work, couldn’t really focus. I eventually did, I used a lot of distractions, which is why I worked out a lot & I eventually got faster. But I know whenever I’m out there, he’s with me. Not just on my right thigh, in my heart.
This year I stopped being a Padawan, & became a Master. Well, I went back to Monterey County as the Supervisor of the Crisis Team. I was recruited & after I accepted the position, I was told they wanted me back since I left. I’m ending my 8th month as of today.
“It has to challenge you to change you. “ - Becs Gentry
This was the decade of change & believing in myself. I stopped needing other people’s approval, ended friendships that were bringing me down. Cut the fat. Love my people hard. Started to be kinder to myself in the process.
So 2020, let’s see what you bring. Looking forward to it.
