The One Where I Review

Maybe it's too early to look back on 2015? I'm feeling rusty and it's only March 17!  Oh yea.  St. Patricks Day!  Ooops I'm not wearing green.

Although I wear it often enough.  Green with envy.   Like why can't I write like that, be funny like that, have a blog like that, be "that church lady" the one who seems to float on clouds and is kind to everyone she meets, be "that kind" of parent instead of #thatmom, have that kind of marriage, run a better race, figuratively and literally.

Instead I hobble along.... I have goals, lofty goals, maybe too many goals.  Perhaps it's more than I can realistically complete.    Now that I've left my job, perhaps I'll have better success at the "high-ness" of what I'd like to achieve.

In the book Goodbye Survival Mode, one I highly recommend, she encouraged you to look at the categories of your life and make goals based on those.  As well as time goals.

I'm pretty sure I didn't blog about my oneword for 2015.  But it's Progress (not Perfection).  I need to strive for progress because there's no road to perfection that doesn't leave me battered and worn.

Basic Goals:

Read More
Run More
Date More
Blog More

Breaking that down:

Read More:  The Bible In A Year, SRT Devotionals, 1 30-day book per month, 12 books

Run More: I'm on a team #HeySisterSoleSisters for the Run The Edge Challenge to run 2015 in 2015.  I've also decided not to race this year, but to get healthy and run better.  The Challenge keeps me focused without spending money on racing and really I'm just not that into it.   My Milage goal is 800 miles this year.  That's roughly 67 miles per month.

Date More: I'm not single so I don't mean "dating" but Dating Consistently.   Monthly date nights with my man.  One on one time with each of my kids.  Family Day with my siblings.  Meet my friends for coffee.   Hang out after runs.  Connect with the world around me.

Blog More:  The only way to blog more is to Blog More. It's not like I'm looking to make a career out of my thoughts, although that thought sounds nice.  It's that I need to talk about my kids, my family, my life.  I don't scrap book and I've never done well with keeping baby books filled out.  I journal, a lot, well I used to.  But now that I'm in that purging state of life... what I like to refer to as Clear The Clutter, Find A Life Worth Living.... so those boxes of journals in the attic need to go!  

There's only one thing left, Blog.

So how I am doing?  Well, I'm making progress.

Reading.  Weeeellll, I'm not exactly on Day XX in my bible in a year, but I've made it past Genesis!  I've read one 30-day book thus far.  I read SRT and occasionally participate in the forum.   I've read at least two books this year and three more books are in "process".

Run: Making Progress.  Not as much as I would like but Mother Nature hates me.  More accurately I dislike Old Man Winter.   Winter in Texas can be hit or miss.  Mild weather or ice, sleet, and snow.   This year was ice, sleet, snow and bitter cold  (for Texas).  And I just won't go out in it.  I.Just.Won't.

138 miles for the year.   Not where I'd like to be, but there's progress and Spring is coming!

Dating: Meh.  One Date Night, One Girls Night Out, Two Family Days, One Coffee Date, A few Hang Outs.  I'm making progress!


Blogs: Shrug.  There is room for improvement.  Lots of room.  This is my third blog this month!  My goal is 1 per week, per subject.  The One Where I... #iamTHATmom and Five Minute Friday


Which also brings me to less clutter.  I've been going through closets and boxes.  I'm purging around here.  I've made a lot of progress.  Things tossed, given away and shredded.  I literally have shredded paperwork from nearly 20 years ago!  Seriously, things have needed to be gone through and discarded.    I've taken multiple lawn and leaf bags to the recycle bins.   Progress for sure!

There's still more to do.  Clear more clutter.  Let go of more things that are holding us down. Shredding to be done.   Books to be read.  Miles to be run.  Dates to remember.  :)

Progress.  I like it.  :)

The One Where I Stopped Being Scared

My first Long Run of Dallas Rock N Roll Training. It was at this stage of training 3 years ago that I fell and busted my knee. A little closer to March, but I had just run my 8 mile training run..... on the treadmill. Wow, I remember the days when I did all my training on the treadmill because I was too scared to run outside alone. Scared to fall Scared of animals Scared of attackers Scared of people Just plain scared. All my spark peeps had faith in me way before I did. Y'all knew all along that I had this in me! Thank you for your positive force! Time and many more miles has changed a lot of things.... Sure I'm still scared... and yes I did fall and injure myself seriously. But I keep lacing up and heading out the door to log miles and smiles with my Sole Sisters! If you aren't part of a running club I encourage you to be a part of www.momsrunthistown.com You don't have to be a mom to join, You don't even have to be a runner. There are many walkers in our group. College kids. Women with no children. We ladies from elite runners to beginners. If you don't have a chapter where you are.... start one! That's what we did!!

The One Where I Have A Weak Butt

Soooo... I've been cleared to run. I've run a few times. I'm still scared but I do it anyway! I'm getting better and faster each time. I went to physical therapy Tuesday. It hurts. But I know it will help me along. I have some mobility but overall I have stiff, tight joints. My Thumb and where my thumb meets my wrist in particular. I'm typing a lot better and I've been driving about a week! WOOT!! 7 weeks out today, I'd say I'm making good progress! He initially said I wouldn't be ready for PT until after thanksgiving. The Therapist was impressed with how much I could move my hand/wrist. And I only have to see him 3 weeks. Oh and the best part is he looked at my hip and discussed how to improve my running! It's not my IT Band..... I actually have a weak butt! I'm not firing my glutes, I'm using other muscle groups. So I need to foam roll...he doesn't care if its trigger point or not. And I need to work my butt! Lunges, Squats....of all kinds. Trying to re-work a schedule to get my runs in and incorporate these exercises too. :) At the end of runs perhaps with more stretching too. My first race back is next week! Turkey Trot!! My first Turkey Trot- EVER! Eeeekkk!!! emoticon emoticon emoticon

The One Where It's The First Race of 2012

Yeah, Week 1. Although I went right back into my routine December 26th. Last week was really a better gauge for me as far as exercise. Monday I walked on the treadmill and I was within calorie range. Tuesday I went to FitKick and I was within calorie range, but barely because I was starving! Wednesday I ran on the treadmill and I was way under calories! I know that's bad Thursday School was back in session, I went to FitKick and got my butt kicked, it was a hard workout! Again I was way under.... Friday Rest Day, I managed to stay under although I had my usual pre-race meal, In-N-Out Burger! Friday Night I wasn't really nervous. I guess I though I would be or should be because it's the first race of the year. My usual peeps wouldn't be at the race, so I was gonna be alone. Going to Dallas alone sometimes creeps me out. But later that night I learned my oldest was coming to run! WOOT!! Soooo happy he's still running and that we get to run together! I got my race clothes out, a couple of different options depending on the weather. I got my water bottle filled up and ready, I got my sunglasses, my hat, my hair band, my socks, my shoes, my purse, my snacks, made sure my phone was charging, my alarm was set. I went to bed on time, I didn't lolly-gag around. I slept well. I drank a lot of water and herbal tea. The alarm went off, I jumped up, grabbed my pile of clothes and headed to the bathroom to get dressed. All dressed out I made coffee and taped up while it was brewing. Then I made breakfast. Oatmeal with walnuts and protein powder I put all my stuff in a pile on the counter, to be sure not to leave anything. I drank some coffee, made me a to-go cup, stuffed my purse full of my things and headed out. It was foggy. I was hoping it wouldn't be like this all the way to Dallas, and it wasn't! The sun was out it was warming up a bit. I made it to Winfrey Point and still was able to get a good parking place. I went to grab my things and realize two vital things are missing! 1. I didn't grab my water off the counter; and 2. No Headphones!! O M G I was worried about the water because there would only be 2 water stops around the mile point.... and I generally require more water when I run. I drink anywhere from 2-3 cups of water on a 5K run. So that dixie cup was gonna have to carry me through! I know what caused me to leave it. My future DIL left her jacket at my house over Christmas and I stopped to get it....saving me a drive to Denton. :) The Headphones.... Well, in my old car I kept a stash of headphones for talking while driving and for races. I have a new car. It's all technical and I don't need my headphones to use the phone..... so there are no headphones in my glovebox! Another thing I would have liked to have and thought about brining but didn't. Gloves. I'll explain more in a bit. I get out of my car a little disgruntled and head up the hill with the rest of the runners. I get in line to get my number.... the DRC has a new system for tracking and they this is the first run though. There was a long line. But I was in good company with the other runners, we became fast friends as we huddled together waiting our turn! I saw a friend of mine and we chatted, caught up. Then my oldest showed up just as we were getting to the porch and getting our instructions! They announced that they were pushing the race time back to 8:15, which was good cuz runners were still in line. It was gonna be a while before we could get through the line and get our number as well. He needed to get someone out of his car and we headed back down the hill. Got our gear on and ready to head to the start. The sun was out which was nice because i was a little chilly. But Hey, it the Frigid 5K, what did we think the weather should be!? We get there and I'm thinking....did the race start? Where are the runners? They delayed the race to 8:30. We notice this interesting cloud formation, it looks like mountain peeks, we're all discussing how odd it looks but enjoying the sunshine. We all get lined up again, most of the runners are ready to go. They announce we're just about ready, the computers are syncing with the bib tracker thing and we're gonna start!! YAY!! It's about 8:35. And the mountain peaked clouds are now hovering over us, the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees..... the wind off the lake....wow. Yes. This is what they mean by Lake Effect. Something as a Texan I don't have to deal with much. :) Annnnnd they announce the computers have crashed, it will be about 20 more minutes. If we want to have race results we'll have to wait until 9. They ask us if we want to ran anyway, we all cheered!! So they said if you wanted your race results to stick around and wait for a "second start" otherwise 3, 2, 1 GO!! Alex runs much faster than me so I told him "I'll see you at the finish!" My goal I guess was really to run it in under 40. I thought I'd do a bit of a run walk action, but really I had no plan. I know, did I really just say that? I had no plan. As I ran, weaving through some of the runners and walkers to be in the space I wanted to be in, I found that I was pacing really well with a woman about my size. She has a long dark pony tail coming out of her cap, she had a white running jacket on, she had headphones and water! I was matching her step for step. Sometimes in front of her, sometimes behind her, sometimes beside her. We were like a machine. Because I had no headphones, I had no idea what my/our/her pace was, I just kept running. I know I run much faster outdoors than on the treadmill though and was comfortable with this pace. It wasn't too fast or too slow. I decided to keep pace with the runner girl! We made it to the 1/2 mile mark and I wasn't tired and I wasn't feeling like I needed to walk. We made it to the water stop and well I lost her in the crowd, cuz I really needed a drink. Ahhhh the water was so cold and I was warmed up by now. I walked through the stop and drank the water....I didn't swish and spit. I drank it. And kept going..... now her comes the hill, not a giant hill, just steady. I kept looking for my pacer girl but couldn't find her. Bummer. But I just kept going. Listening to the conversations going on around me. I was near two couples who were doing C25K during the race. One who was doing very well, the other ummmm not so much. Which was a little frustrating for me. The woman was running too far ahead of the man, then would stop right in front of me. Clearly someone needs to explain some running etiquette! I made it past them and back to the water, I had a water AND a gatorade cup this time. I was thirsty. I walked thru and back to my comfortable pace. I was practically alone and I heard my run keeper say something. I thought it said 2.90 miles. I kept telling myself just two tenths of a mile to go! I was making good time! Then I saw around the bend this white tent top looking thing in the distance and was thinking, again not much further now, that's the finish! I kept running and running, thinking this is the LONGEST 2/10's of a mile I've ever run, when I see my pacer!! YAY I found her! But she was walking. She looked worn out. I tried to run to catch up to her, but there were too many other people around me to do that. She started running again and I matched her! :) That one couple came by and said to one another, how much longer it this! I said look at my phone....it'll say how many miles I've run. She said 3.02! YAY! I said, we're almost done now!! As I said that I look up to see the "tent thing" was an RV! LOL I had a chuckle to myself about it, cuz the tent at the finish is Green!! I'm really close to my pacer as we come across the finish, but I lost her in the crowd, bummer. I see my kiddo and we head to get some water and to buy some shirts!! :) Still I'm not tired. More importantly, I'm not hurting anywhere!! I feel good!! I could have kept running! :) Here are my stats: 3.22 miles 36.33 minutes 11.21 AP 5.28 AMPH Mile 1: 11.19 Mile 2: 11.36 (water stops) Mile 3: 11.11 Mile .22: 11.11 At 3.1 I was at 35.13! WOOT! The timing thing never worked so I have don't know what my official time was. Alex ran it in under 29! We got a snack and some muscle milk and headed back to our cars. He went home to denton and we made plans for next months race! :) I got home just in time to get ready for the scout hiking/service project. There is a great walking/biking trail near our house. It's 6 miles! Ups and downs, great place to run....but I'm a little leery of doing that alone, since is it wooded and secluded. I found my water bottle and packed some snacks for the hike! Went out to pick up trash and get some more exercise in! I went 1.87 miles with the boys, at a Much, MUCH slower pace! Week 1: I lost .80 pounds I ran 13.2 miles I burned 1753 calories I stayed on track nutritionally I read my bible Feeling pretty successful with week 1! Week 2 Sunday is a rest day, Monday I spent the day cleaning the house. After the long school break it was time for me to get things back in order. I mopped, dusted, vacuumed, wiped down baseboards, threw things out, did 3 loads of laundry and made Pad Thai for dinner! YUM-O The kiddo left this morning for 5th grade camp, it's bitter-sweet, Neither parent is with him. This is the first away from home trip he's taken without relatives and without a way to contact us. No electronics. No phones at all. :( We won't see him again until Friday late afternoon. I left the school about 7:20, headed home to get ready for FitKick. I got a good workout, but I still feel like I need something more. Crazy I know, but I'm thinking of hitting the elliptical here in a bit. Or a nap, Or more laundry, or well..... I do have a sink full of dishes to tend to. Better get started! To keep with the thankfulness of last week: 1. For a great run during the race 2. For the rain, we need it desperately 3. For the week (somewhat) off.

The One Where I Run With The Littles

Saturday I got up early. Got dressed. Had my coffee. Drank more water. Hubby and kiddo got ready too. Kiddo was running the 5K Race for the first time! At first he was gonna run it with his friends, then his teacher, then his friends, then me. Oh well, he'd run with whomever. 

The race atmosphere was great! I was excited! A friend of mine found me and asked if I'd run with her daughter and I said yes. I was hoping we'd keep a good pace but I was happy to just be running!! :D 

We started off and kept a good pace up to mile one. My running buddy wanted to walk a bit. So we decided we'd run/walk between the mailboxes. We'd run to one mailbox walk to the next one. 

I love this race route. It's awesome. It has just enough challenge and just enough scenery. 

Our Mile One Pace 13:05 

We made it to the turn around where I met up with my kiddo. He was really tired. He was sprinting... and walking and SPRINTING.... and walking. He didn't want to do run club this year so he was not prepared for this distance or the hills. 

He said I just can't run anymore. I said oh yes you can!! So my running buddy and I helped him to do the run walk, only this time we went between the telephone poles. :) 

His walking was reallllly slow. By the time we made it to mile 2 out pace was 14:38

Past mile two it was a struggle for my small people. They were done. And wanted to walk a lot. But I made them stick to the run walk. Our Runs were about 12mm pace, our Walks were around 17mm. 

We got to the bend where we were at the home stretch and I said OK, it's time to give it all we've got!! RUN RUN RUN!! 

My Running Buddy was in front of me and she ran fast!! Walked a bit but with some encouragement from her mom, darted off!! She came in 8th in her age group! 

I was right behind her! I came in 13th in my age group! 

My Kiddo was behind us by a few minutes, he came in 15th in his age group!! 

It wasn't an ideal race but I helped two young runners push through and achieve their goals!! 

My Time was 46:42 3.19 miles 
Official Time: 46.01 

Some thoughts along the way

Was posting with a friend back and forth about this being a journey. its a journey not a destination. That is what this lifestyle is....when you get down to it, that is what LIFE is. 

You can't (ok, well you can, i can, we all can) live from destination to destination. We can all live by the "I'll be happy when...." bone. But why? Why will you be happy in the future? Why not be happy today! It's Happiness, not Happen-ness, right. I don't mean gleeful, I mean content. 

I heard someone say this one time and its stuck with me. "Its simple, not always easy." 

Being happy today, its simple for me to say. Not always easy to live out. I think, well I'll speak for me. I used to live by "destination." By the "I'll be happy when" bone. Ya know the "wish bone". 

I'll be happy when: 

I'm married 
have kids 
change jobs 
retire 
move 
have ____ $$ 

I'll be happy when my kids are outta diapers, walk, talk, can dress themself, feed themself, stop fighting with their brother, start school, get outta school!! 


I'll be happy when I'm 30, 40, 50. 

Oooh how about this....I'll be happy when I'm _______ pounds! When I fit into ____ size. 

Again, why be happy (content) in the future? Why not today? For me it was because I lived by destinations. 

I'm not Noah Webster (yes he really had a first name and an actual purpose for his book google Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary) But here are my definitions of Destination and Journey: 


A destination is where you pack your bags with all your baggage (and I don't mean leather suitcases with wheels or anything else), old junk, old stuff, old you, old everything. You go to your "destination" spot, have a good time, eat too much, drink too much, relax a bit, get sunburned, purchase souveniers (which will be baggage someday) to take back with you to allllll your old stuff. 

A journey is much different. Cuz you leave your "stuff" at the docks. Maybe you take a backpack, but otherwise, its just you, putting one foot in front of the other to the place where you become and when you get to where you "become" you continue on the journey, because becoming isn't a destination. 

Becoming: here i'll get a little bit "greek" on ya! In the greek they have interesting grammar. One part is a present active imperitive (meaning of uncertain affinity), its like this "I see and I keep on seeing." It doesn't stop. Its not on a "walk/run" program, its only running. 

I become and I keep on becoming, taking each change of the road on. The highs the lows, the turns, the rest stops, the places with no decent bathroom, the bumps, the hills, the valleys, the intercestion where the light is too long, the stretch of the road where I put it on cruise control and turn up the radio! Its all a journey. Enjoy your journey to becoming. :)