Back in Training: Lessons I’m learning the hard way.

April 6, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

I’m officially back in full training mode for the historic marine corps half marathon and let me tell you… I’ve already learned a few lessons the hard way.

This past week has been a mix of progress, setbacks, and a whole lot of reflection.

Lesson #1: Hydration Is Not Optional

A few days ago, I’m pretty sure I overlooked my hydration.

And my body made sure I paid for it.

I ended up violently throwing up and dealing with intense cold chills shortly after. It was honestly scary—and a clear reminder that hydration isn’t something I can afford to play around with, especially while training at this level.

That experience alone forced me to slow down and reassess.

Lesson #2: Preparation Changes Everything

Yesterday, I went on a practice “race day” run.

This time, I came prepared.

I made hydration a priority beforehand, and I could feel the difference immediately. My energy was better, my body felt more stable, and I didn’t hit that same wall.

I also had my music playlist ready—and that helped more than I expected. It kept me from starting too fast and helped me stay in a steady rhythm with my pacing and breathing.

Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference.

Lesson #3: The Wrong Gear Will Humble You Quickly

What I didn’t account for?

My socks.

I wore the wrong pair, and by the time I finished my run and got home, I realized I had developed painful, bloody blisters.

That was another tough lesson.

Because no matter how mentally prepared you are, the wrong gear can completely throw you off.

Where I Am Now

Right now, I’m focused on figuring out how to properly treat these blisters while still staying on track with my training schedule.

Because stopping completely isn’t the goal—but pushing through pain the wrong way isn’t smart either.

It’s about finding that balance.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’m learning in this season, it’s this:

Preparation matters.

Listening to your body matters.

And every mistake is a lesson—if you’re willing to learn from it.

This journey isn’t perfect… but I’m committed to it.

Book Club

I’m Not Behind—My Life Is Just Full

March 29, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m falling behind.

Not because I don’t have ideas—but because I have too many.

My garden is growing, my recipe book is coming together, and somewhere in the middle of all of that… my Tidewalker series is waiting for me. Book Two is still sitting in the early stages of editing, quietly asking for my attention.

And for a moment, I thought that meant I was failing.

That I wasn’t focused enough.
That I needed to “get it together.”
That I was somehow dropping the ball on something that matters to me.

But the truth is… I’m not behind.

My life is just full.

Full of things I prayed for.
Full of things I once only dreamed about having the courage to start.
Full of growth—both the kind you can see, and the kind you can’t.

I’m learning that not everything is meant to move forward at the same time.

Some seasons are for planting.
Some are for building.
Some are for resting.
And some are simply for living in what you’ve already created.

Right now, my hands are in the soil. I’m learning, experimenting, and finding joy in growing something tangible. My kitchen has become a space of creativity again, where I’m building recipes that tell a story of their own.

And my writing?

It’s still there.

Waiting. Breathing. Becoming.

I haven’t abandoned it—I’m just not forcing it.

Because I’m starting to understand that forcing growth doesn’t make it happen faster. It just makes it harder to enjoy.

The Tidewalker series deserves my full presence, my imagination, and my care. And when I return to it, I don’t want to feel rushed or disconnected—I want to feel ready.

So instead of criticizing myself for not doing everything at once, I’m choosing something different.

I’m choosing to honor the season I’m in.

To trust that everything I’m building is still moving forward—even if it’s not all happening at the same time.

To remind myself that progress doesn’t always look like productivity.

Sometimes, it looks like tending to what’s right in front of you.

Sometimes, it looks like pausing without quitting.

And sometimes… it looks like giving yourself permission to simply be.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re behind lately, I want you to hear this:

You’re not behind either.

Your life might just be full too.

Health & Fitness · Health & Fitness

Closing the Year with Intention: A Reflection on 2025 and What’s Coming in 2026

December 29, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

As the year comes to an end, I’ve been taking time to slow down, breathe, and look back at everything 2025 brought into my life — the growth, the challenges, the small joys, and the big victories. This year has been a season of showing up for myself in deeper, more intentional ways. It has been a year of rediscovering my voice, nurturing my creativity, strengthening my body, and creating traditions that reflect who I am becoming.

I entered this year wanting stability and connection — and I’m ending it feeling grounded, hopeful, and proud.

Here is a look back at the year through each of the four corners of this blog: health & fitness, reading, gardening, and recipes — the spaces where so much of my growth took root.

💪 Health & Fitness: A Year of Movement and Milestones

This year, I ran more races than I ever have before — and I pushed myself farther than I knew I could go. From the Turkey Trot I ran with my daughter to the Blue and Gray Half Marathon, each finish line taught me something new about my resilience, discipline, and joy.

I set personal records. I found strength in early mornings and in quiet miles. I learned to trust my body again. And perhaps most importantly, I found confidence — the kind that comes from showing up even when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure.

Running became a reflection of my healing: slow, steady, and deeply personal.

📚 Book Club: Choosing Courage, Creativity, and Connection

My book of the month, Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, could not have been more timely. Reading it reminded me to stretch, to take up space, and to lean into the opportunities that make me feel alive. Her voice pushed me to say “yes” to myself — yes to rest, yes to creativity, yes to courage.

And that energy followed me straight into my writing.

Book Two of my Tidewalker series began taking shape in new and exciting ways. I made progress on Ezra’s internal journey, deepened Grandmother Fatu’s backstory, and built the tension between the two worlds in ways that feel richer and more purposeful.

This was also the year I became more consistent with my blog — saying “yes” to sharing my voice, my journey, and my creativity with others.

🌱 Garden: Lessons from the Soil

My garden was one of my grounding spaces this year. From planting collards that ended up on our Thanksgiving table to experimenting with new vegetables and learning more about what my soil needs, gardening reminded me to slow down, stay patient, and trust the process.

Some plants thrived, some didn’t, and all of it taught me something.

Next year, I’m excited to bring the garden back to life in the spring — with new layouts, new crops, and a renewed appreciation for what grows when you nurture it with intention.

🍽️ Recipes: A Year of Flavor, Culture, and Tradition

Cooking has always been a form of connection for me — to my family, to my culture, and to my creativity. This year, I shared some of my favorite recipes, from sweet potato pie to sweet potato rolls (the only version my youngest gladly accepts!).

Food remains a place where tradition meets innovation in my home — a way to honor my Sierra Leonean roots while creating new memories with my children.

In 2026, I’m planning to share more dishes inspired by Mama Africa, more home-baked favorites, and possibly a cultural cooking series that highlights flavors from across the continent.

✨ Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in 2026

As I step into the new year, I’m carrying a deep sense of clarity about what I want — and what I’m ready to grow into.

Here’s a preview of what’s ahead:

📘 Book Two Release Timeline

I’ll be sharing more concrete updates early in the year, including sneak peeks, character insights, and details on when you can expect the next Tidewalker installment.

🌿 A New Garden Season

I’m already planning my spring planting: herbs, collards, vegetables, and maybe a few new experiments.

🍲 New Recipes + A Cultural Cooking Series

2026 will bring new flavors to the blog — including traditional dishes, West African favorites, and original recipes inspired by my roots.

📝 2026 Blog Themes

Next year, I’ll continue rotating through Health & Fitness, Book Club, Gardening, and Recipes — with a deeper commitment to consistency, reflection, and creativity.

❤️ Personal Goals

Above all, 2026 will be a year of:

emotional wellness
rest
travel
continued healing
and choosing courage, both quietly and boldly

Thank You for Being Here

Ending this year with gratitude feels right. Thank you for reading, for showing up, and for taking this journey with me. Whether you’re here for the recipes, the reflections, the stories, or the updates — I’m truly grateful.

Here’s to a year of growth behind us, and a year of intention ahead.

See you in 2026. 🌿✨

Health & Fitness

🏃‍♀️ What I Learned Training for My First Half Marathon

September 8, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

When a former classmate convinced me to sign up for my first half marathon, I didn’t exactly think it through. I only had about a month to prepare. I was cocky back then. I figured, “I’ll be fine.” Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. At least, not in the way I thought.

🏅 Race Day: The Wake-Up Call

Race day came, and I barely slept the night before. Still, I laced up my shoes and got my family out the door so they could cheer me on. My first half marathon was the Marine Corps Historic Half, and the energy at the start line was electric.

The first few miles felt amazing—I actually believed I could finish in around 2 hours and 30 minutes. But then came the hills. Big ones. Hills I hadn’t prepared for.

“Hospital Hill felt like Mount Everest after mile 10. I almost cried, but I kept moving.”

For those who have run the Historic Half, you already know that Hospital Hill is a monster. Trying to tackle it after 10 miles nearly broke me. I walked several times during that race—something I never planned on doing. By the end, I had lost a toenail. I could barely walk for days. I realized just how much I had underestimated what I signed up for.

And yet—I finished. And that finish line changed me.

💡 Lesson 1: Consistency Beats Confidence

My biggest mistake? Thinking confidence could replace training. I skipped workouts, ignored mileage, and assumed “being young and fit enough” would carry me through. Hospital Hill proved otherwise. Consistency, not bravado, is what builds endurance.

💤 Lesson 2: Rest Is Part of the Process

In my rush to train, I thought running hard every day would make me stronger. Instead, my legs were screaming by race week. Hospital Hill showed me that recovery is fuel. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s training.

🥗 Lesson 3: Nutrition Matters

By mile 9, I had nothing left in the tank. I hadn’t fueled properly, and it showed. That race taught me that food isn’t just fuel—it’s survival. Oatmeal, bananas, and water became my essentials for future runs.

🧠 Lesson 4: The Mental Game Is Everything

When my body wanted to quit, my mind had to take over.

“At mile 10, my legs were done. My mind had to run the race for me.”

Repeating mantras like “one step at a time” helped me push up Hospital Hill. Running is as much mental as it is physical. Another mantra that kept me going was, “pain is weakness leaving the body”. Something I picked up from my Drill Sergeants back in the day. The body can do almost anything your mind wills it to.

👟 Lesson 5: Gear Can Save You

Blisters, sore feet, and losing a toenail taught me the hard way that the right shoes and socks matter. Gear can’t do the running for you, but it can make the journey bearable. Back then I wasn’t wise enough to know that your shoe size for running matters. I was naive about running shoes. I didn’t know that long-distance runners need to get their shoes 1/2 size larger than their regular everyday shoes. I learned that lesson the hard way and I had to learn it again…apparently I didn’t learn it well enough the first time.

🎉 Lesson 6: Celebrate the Finish—Even If It’s Messy

By the time I crossed the finish line, I wasn’t running—I was surviving. But I finished. That medal means more to me than any “perfect” run ever could. One of my favorite memories from that race is the picture I took with my family at the finish line. I also remember thinking that I wanted to run that race again immediately after I crossed the finish line. I can’t explain it but most long distance runners will tell you that.

✨ Final Thoughts

My first half marathon humbled me, but it also transformed me. I went in overconfident. I was under-prepared. I came out with a new respect for the distance, for training, and for myself.

If you’re thinking about running your first half marathon, here’s my advice:

Train smart.
Give yourself time.
Respect the distance.

And if your race doesn’t go perfectly? Celebrate anyway. Every finish line is a victory.

💬 Your Turn: Have you ever jumped into a challenge unprepared? Drop your story in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on!

Health & Fitness

Born to Run? Maybe Not. But I Chose To.

May 3, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Running never came naturally to me. I wasn’t the fastest or the strongest. From the moment I stepped onto that dusty field in Sierra Leone as a kid, I felt inspired. I knew I wanted to run. What started as a way to follow in my siblings’ footsteps became a personal journey. It has taken me across continents and through setbacks. It has led me toward a deeper understanding of who I am.

Some people are born with a natural talent for certain things. Others have to work hard to excel at whatever they choose to pursue.

I fall into the latter group. Running has always been a part of my life, but it’s something I’ve had to work at consistently. My earliest memory of running goes back to grade school in Sierra Leone.

I believe I was in second grade. Back then, we had a huge event called Field Day. It was more than just a school event. It brought together the entire town. It felt almost like a mini Olympics. Students were divided into four teams, each represented by a different color. We trained for various track and field events leading up to the big day.

This is a great race to raise funds for Veterans.

I was on the same team as my older brother and sister. I was thrilled to compete alongside them. I was clearly one of the slowest kids on the team, but that didn’t dampen my excitement.

I don’t remember which team won that year. I do remember falling in love with the feeling of pushing myself. My brother and sister were standout runners, and I wanted to be just like them.

From that point on, I became my brother’s shadow. He was my hero. I watched him train with his friends and thought, I can do that too—if I put in the work.

Over the years, running became more than a hobby—it became a passion. Not sprinting or track events, though. My love is long-distance, cross-country running. I was never fast, and I’m still not, but that’s okay. What matters most to me is endurance and connection.

Long-distance running helps me feel connected—to nature, to myself, and to my limits. It challenges me in ways nothing else has.

I moved to the United States in 1993. By 1996, I had joined my high school’s cross-country team. In college, I pushed to help form a cross-country program. Later, my love for running helped me thrive during my time in the military.

I’ve had my fair share of physical setbacks. These include injuries, a surgery to repair torn tendons and ligaments, and bursitis in my hip. I’ve also had plenty of physical therapy. None of it has taken away my love for running. I continue to work at it because running is a part of who I am. I always feel most alive during and after a run.

Are you just as obsessed with running? If so, when did you get hooked—and what keeps you going?

Thanks for stopping by!