A Little of This & That

RUN
I really don't have anything pressing or inspiring to post. Just a little of this and a little of that.
I had a great run today! I ran 5.2 miles at a 9:30 pace.  It was beautiful out, 60 degrees and sunny.  Feels like an early spring day. I've been taking it kind of easy this week and have kept my daily mileage under 4 miles everyday, though today I just did NOT want to stop.  I have a 10 miler planned for Saturday and I'm praying the weather stays nice.

Dirty-Nasty
It finally arrived!  Our new couch!
It took us almost 6 months to decide on a couch that we both liked and that could also withstand 3 rough and tumble boys.  Our old couches were so nasty that when we had company over we would keep the lights turned down low so that they couldn't see "dirty-nasty" in all it's glory.  A word of advice for anyone buying furniture B.C.(Before Children), do some research.  When we first brought Dirty-Nasty home, she was beautiful!  She was a  light, sage green with soft cotton fabric and big overstuffed cushions.  We loved her...... until Tyler was born.  The first time his projectile spit-up hit the back of her cushions we knew we were in trouble! No matter what we did the spot would not come out.  Flash forward a few years, I woke up one morning at 5am and found Tyler, then 3yrs old, sitting on the couch eating a stick of butter, his reward to himself for the lovely artwork he had created on the couch out of butter.  Two whole sticks of butter MASHED into the couch!  We started tying the fridge shut after that!  That was just two of the many incidents and accidents that have happened on that couch.  Oh we have had Dirty-Nasty professionally cleaned several times but she was never the same.  The last straw was 6months ago when Sebastian had the stomach bug....just use your imagination.....YUCK!!
So this time we went with leather.  Hubby called me at work today around lunch and the delivery guys had just dropped it off.  I can't wait to see it actually in the house.  Would it be wrong to make the kids sit on the floor from now on? LOL! Just kidding........but really?

Today is the end of my work week! I am going to take advantage of the spa g/c that Hubby and the boys gave me tomorrow.  I'm going in for a sugar scrub body polish and a one hour deep tissue massage. OOOOhhhh I can't wait!  Then tomorrow night is "Ladies Night In"!  This is a night when several of my girlfriends and I meet and one of the ladies' houses and eat, talk, play games and just hang out with no kids.  We do it once every month or two.  Will be a good day!

I am really enjoying reading all of your blogs!  I have found inspiration, encouragement, and great tips on running and life!  I hope you all are having a wonderful week!!

*Oh almost forgot! I have been reconstructing my blog. Do you like?  I love green!  I am working on a design for the header but have not had time to finish it yet....so stay tuned! ;)
I really don't know what I'm doing and am surprised I haven't messed anything up too bad.


Grace and peace,

No Boundaries

 I was asked last week if I would help coach a beginners running program sponsored by Fleet Feet called No Boundaries.  It is a program designed to get people from the couch to 5k ready in 10weeks.

My initial reaction was total shock and disbelief. I wondered if maybe they had mistaken me for someone else. Sometimes I feel like I'm a beginner myself!  Once the initial shock wore off I was so honored that they would think of me.  I met Traci and her husband last August at a midnight 5k  and I have seen them at several races since then.  I had no idea I had made any kind of impression on them.  It feels good to have someone notice your hard work and dedication and want you to share it with others! I told them I would think and pray about it and get back to them.  I talked it over with hubby and he thought it was a fantastic idea and agreed to watch the kids on the nights he is home.  So I told them YES!

I started thinking about my goals for 2010 and I believe that God is revealing His plan to me little by little.  I know that part of my purpose is to encourage and lift up others in health and fitness, more and more lately I have had the opportunities to do that.

I'm super excited and nervous. I have already signed up 4 friends that I have been begging to run with me!  What an excellent journey I am on! I am very thankful for this opportunity and I am thankful to have the chance to see others change their life through running!!

My favorite quote:
"Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.." ~Les Brown 

 Grace and peace,

 

Up and running

Today, I am up and running. I ran for the first time today since the day of the race.  On Saturday, I REALLY wanted to run but I promised I would take it easy for at least a week.  My IT Band felt good today, a couple times when I was on a downhill I could feel it in my knee but other than that it felt good.  I only ran 3.3 miles today with a nice easy 9:30 pace.  I don't ever want to feel that pain again and I want to make sure that it heals properly so I don't have any future problems with it.  I have learned a ton in the last week about what to and not to do with ITBS(Iliotibial Band Syndrome) and some of the causes and preventative measures to take.
I went to the podiatrist on Friday and was fit for some custom inserts for my running shoes.  I have really high arches and apparently they are starting to sag.  I had to laugh! Hooray! Yet another body part that sags with age!
I have been wearing some inserts that I got from Fleet Feet and they felt great but apparently they weren't giving me enough arch support.  One of the problems with high arches is that I over pronate.  I already new this but what I didn't know, is that without the proper support over pronation can lead to ITBS.  So until I get my inserts the Dr. told me to tape my arches with 2" athletic tape to give them extra support.  I did that today and I don't know if it made my legs feel better, but my arches felt great!

Well I've joined the fitness center. Again.  I have a love/hate relationship with fitness centers.  I really need the strength training though. Especially in my hips, glutes, and hamstrings. My favorite gym to workout at is about a1/4 mile from my house. It's  an old, musky, building where old, musky, gym rats and meat heads work out(hubby is one of them). Seriously it is raw.  I like the fact that I can grunt and sweat like a sasquatch and nobody cares.  Also, surprisingly, it doesn't have the meat market feel.   The guys there are so focused on themselves that they don't even notice you. Perfect!  I worked out there for about 6 yrs, but left because they don't have childcare(the downfall).  They have a TV room where, in an ideal world, my kids would sit quietly and watch a movie. Unfortunately that never happens, instead they end up following me around begging for food and telling me how bored they are.
My other option was a fitness center about 5 miles away that focuses more on classes and nautilus equipment(I♥ free weights), but it does offer child care.  I chose #1.  I'm a gym rat at heart!
So here is the plan: to be more disciplined with my time.  Hubby works a swing shift, so on the days hubby works nights, I will go in the morning at 5am, before the kids wake.
On the days hubby works days, I will go in the evening.
We will see how this works starting tomorrow!  Plan will probably be modified at some point as I do NOT like to wake up before 5am! :)

Hope you are all having a fantastic Monday!!!

I have something to share with you tomorrow that I am very excited about!!

Grace and peace,

You Don't Have a Runner's Body.

"I'm not saying your fat," said Doc, "but your a big girl, you just don't have a runners body."  WHAT?! This is what my Chiropractor said to me as I lay on the table waiting for him to adjust my apparently HUGE hips.  Then he proceeded to say, "What are you...about 130-135?"  REALLY?  I wanted to say "Oh yeah Doc, I'm 130...give or take 35 lbs."  Instead I just nodded my head.  If he thought 130 was too much weight for my 5'8" frame to handle, he would freak if he knew I was 160!  Thankfully, I'm confident enough with myself that I won't let his misguided comment turn me into an anorexic.
   I explained to Doc that I am fully aware that I will never place first in the Boston Marathon. That is not nor will it ever be my goal.  My goal is to do my personal best with the body I was given.  I don't have an "Elite" runners body, but I AM a runner, therefore my body IS a runner's body.  The elite runners are born to run.  I was born to breed. LOL!! That is now a joke between my hubby and I.
I probably sounded a little too defensive, but most of the women I know who run don't have the body of an "Elite" runner.  They are everyday women and mothers who run for sanity, for peace, and for the sense of accomplishment.
Truth be told.. I like by big Italian butt!

Much love to all my running friends and your rockin' bodies!!

Grace and peace,

RACE REPORT-P.F. Changs Arizona R 'n' R Half Marathon

I am back in Alabama and easing back into my work load that has piled up nicely from my last two days off.  I arrived back on southern ground last night at around 10pm and  was greeted by hubby and three very excited boys! It is always so good to get away, but it is always so much sweeter to come home.

My race weekend recap
I arrived in Phoenix, Thurs night around 11pm. I stayed with my Andrew(13months older than me) and his family.  It had been over a year since I saw them last so it was wonderful to catch up and spend time with the kids.  I talked my brother into running the half with me about 6 months prior to the race.  He is a hockey player and so he figured he really didn't need to train.  We both tend to be a little overconfident in our abilities! :)  So three weeks before the race he started running. THREE WEEKS!! His first race ever and he didn't train! I told him he was crazy, and his wife was almost begging for him to not run for fear of him getting hurt.  My brother is a very determined man. We all knew that he would finish, injured or not. He committed to do it and he did.
The Friday before the race we headed to the Expo......WOW!! It was amazing! We got there early before most of the crowds so we were really able to experience everything.  I was like a kid in a candy store. I felt like I had ADD! I was bouncing from table to table like a crazy woman. My favorite purchase was the ifitness belt. I had been looking for a running belt for a while and got to try them on to see how they felt. I was sold immediately. It is very comfortable.  I also got my brother a pair of Mizuno Wave Nirvana running shoes(my faves) as a little gift for running with me.  He says they are the most comfy shoes he has ever worn. Seriously he won't take them off. He wore them to a business meeting with his shirt and tie!! I wish I had taken a pick of that!
Anyway, we enjoyed the Expo and walked away with a great goody bag, tons of loot, and a much lighter wallet.

IFitness Belt...So cute!

We pretty much relaxed the rest of the day in the hot tub and playing UNO with his kids.

 

My brother Andrew and I the night before the race...felt like the night before Christmas!!

     Saturday I did some light carbo loading and ran a quick 2 mile to loosen everything up from traveling.  Saturday night I felt great, I had everything laid out and ready to go, it was so much fun to see my brother getting ready for his first race. He was so nervous! We both planned on getting to be around 9pm but it ended up being more like 10:30pm.  I slept really well but woke up at 4am, and hour before my alarm would go off.  I was wide awake and finally starting to feel those excitement jitters.  I ate breakfast, oats and a banana with a cup of coffee to get "everything" moving.  My brother was up by 5am and we were dressed and ready to go by 5:55am.

Quick pic before head out!

Love the bondi-band but my brother say's I looked like Mrs. Potato head...where are my ears?!?LOL!

It was really chilly and I wasn't prepared for that. The only thing I brought that was warm was my running jacket and I really didn't want to throw it away during the race(I can't run with it tied around my waist).  I was praying that by the time we got there and parked it would be a little warmer so I could leave my jacket in the car.  It wasn't. It was 40 degrees to be exact.  So I sucked it up and brought my jacket. :(  It's not the fact that it was an expensive jacket, because it wasn't.  It was like $20, so buying a new one wasn't a huge deal, but I have been running in that jacket for over a year....I get very attached and a little neurotic when it comes to what I wear when I run.

Before the race....My last picture with my favorite jacket.:(

We parked by the finish line and took the 40min shuttle ride to the start.  I was overwhelmed at the amount of people. Of course I had to pee as soon as we stepped off the shuttles so we got in line for the porta johns...YUCKY!!  I hate porta johns!  #1 it is always too dark in there and #2 they are ALWAYS out of toilet paper! Plus, I think there should be separate porta johns for people who have to go #1 and people who have to go #2....just sayin'!  I almost threw up in my mouth twice!

We watched the Marathoners take off...beautiful!

We had over and hour for the race to start so we walked around a little, talked to some other runners, took some pics and then headed to our corrals.  I was in corral number 4 and my brother was in number 15.  My heart was pounding! They sang the national anthem, and off the first corral went!  My goal was to finish under 2hrs, but I was pretty sure I could pull off 1:50.  I found the official 1:52 pacer and stood behind him and his pack of runners.

RUNNERS TAKE YOUR MARK!We started moving and I started my Garmin.  A little too soon...oh well.  By the time I crossed the start line I was moving at a 6:28mile pace!! Crazy fast! I immediately started to doubt if I would even be able to keep up with the pacers if they were going to be moving that fast! I decided to ditch the pacers and stick to my original plan.  I settled into a nice pace between 8-8:30 min mile.  I ditched my beloved jacket at the 5k marker and almost shed a tear. Races bring out crazy emotions!
Mile 4 and 5 were a little tough. My legs felt heavy and I was having a hard time getting my breathing under control.  Usually by mile five I'm in the groove but I started to have crazy thoughts that I wouldn't finish sub 2hrs. I just could NOT find my peace.  During my training runs it's so easy for me to find my peace. I focus on Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."   Here there were a lot of distractions, the cheer leading teams, bands, and thousands of spectators that lined the streets almost the entire race.  Normally I love being cheered on, but I couldn't shake the funk. My pace stayed pretty consistent and by mile 6 I got it! That runner's high. My body felt great, my breathing calmed down, and my pace even picked up a bit.  Miles 6-10 flew by, I slowed twice for cytomax and GU, but was right on track for an awesome PR!

At the start of Mile 11, I felt a twinge of pain on the outside of my left knee.

I adjusted my step and my stride a little and it felt a little better.  About two minutes later a bolt of pain shot from my hip through my knee and down into my calf. I have never had that kind of pain. It took my breath away and I came to a dead stop.  I moved over to the side and massaged my leg for about 30 secs and tried to keep going.  I hobbled about 50 feet and had to stop again.  Thankfully I have a medical massage background.  I knew right away it was my IT Band.  I didn't know though if it was torn or just strained.  I spent literally 5 mins massaging and stretching it.  As I watched runners pass me by I felt the waves of disappointment over come me. I started walking and made it to a slow jog. Mile 11 took me almost 15mins to complete! By mile 12 my leg was numb and felt like dead weight but I was able to run with most of my weight shifted to my right leg.  I knew if I could run the last two miles at 8 min pace(normally no problem), I would still finish under 2hr. 1:59 to be exact!! I pushed as hard as I could.....I could not get my body to go faster than a 9 min mile.  I finished in 2:01:44... I have gone over the whole race in my head step by step over and over and over. I could have done so many things different.  I went to the race website and watched myself cross the finish line...not pretty.  I'm disappointed that my body failed me or maybe I failed my body.

I should have gone to medical and put ice on my leg right away but I didn't.  I waited at the finish line for my brother to finish. He finished strong at 2:23:48! I am so proud of him!

Finishers!

I think I have earned the right to have a little pity party....and I did.  Everyone keeps saying "you should just be happy you finished."  I am happy I finished. I am not happy that I finished in 2:01:44.  I'm not saying it is a bad time. It's great! It's a PR. I beat my last time by 10 minutes. I know what I am capable of. I set a goal of sub 2hrs and not only did in not meet that goal, I injured myself.  I allowed myself 2 solid days of pity party. Did it help..no, did it accomplish anything...no, do I feel better? A little.

I think it's okay to address the disappointment we runners feel after a bad race.  There are a lot of negative emotions that come along with not racing well.  For a few moments, I questioned my ability, desire, training, and dedication.  Sometimes we have a bad race and it's out of our control. Other times it's a result of something we could have done differently, and then it's a lesson learned.  I am dedicated to running.  I have the ability and the desire to be and do my best(Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...").  I could have stepped up my training and I will next time. Lesson learned.  Next time I won't go out so fast. Lesson learned.

My sister-in-law and good friend Amy met us after the race and I felt like such a wet blanket.  Everyone was so excited and I didn't want to ruin it for my brother. He was so proud! So I put on a happy face...

Just the girls

my neice Eleksi and nephews Dawson and Braydon

The pain in my leg and knee didn't really come to a head until about 4 hours after the race. JIMINY!! I sat in the hot tub and iced it down all day Monday.  It helped.  I was pretty sure it was just a strain because by Tuesday it was a little better.  Today I went to my Dr. and he confirmed it is an IT Band strain. Much to my surprise he said I only have to take one week off of running and then ease into it slowly.  He showed me some exercises and stretches to do and gave me the green light to run in another half next month.

 BOUNCING BACK

      So, I haven't talked to hubby yet, but if all goes as planned I will be running the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham, February 14 for redemption!  Of course I would NEVER push myself...I promised to take it easy for a week. I have been reading a lot of horror stories about IT Band injuries and I do want to make sure mine heals properly.  Amanda from Run to The Finish had an excellent post 7 Tips for IT Band Recovery she posted it yesterday! Just the info I needed!

ON A POSITIVE NOTE

 I'm grateful for the bonding experience I had with my brother and the precious time I had with his family.  I really enjoyed the whole Rock 'n' Roll Race atmosphere and plan on making it an annual event with my brother.  His wife was encouraged and says she might start running so she can run next year too!  I also learned that I need to listen a little closer to my body and not take it for granted.  Hubby and the boys greeted me with a $200.00 spa gift certificate, so I am going to pamper this body! My first massage is schedule for Friday!

So I had a bad race. Not the end of the world. This will help me better appreciate my great races.

Have you had a bad race experience?  How did you bounce back?

Grace and peace,

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.....

  In approximately 6hrs I will be boarding an airplane heading to sunny Phoenix, Arizona!!  The purpose of the trip: P.F. Chang's Rock & Roll Half Marathon. I am beside myself!  This Sunday I will hopefully set a PR and finishing sub 2hrs.  I've trained hard.  I feel ready.
I ran my first half in November of '09.  I didn't really even train for it. It was a last minute decision.  I felt pretty good the whole race, kept a steady 10min mile pace.  I didn't "waste" time at the food or drink stations(huge mistake). My legs didn't start to feel heavy until about mile 11.  My goal was just to finish. I told hubby to start looking for me to finish in about 2hrs 20 mins.  Much to my suprise I finished 2hrs 11 mins.  I was very proud of myself and I felt physically pretty good.  By the time I got home, I felt like I had just come off a 3 day bender and had the hang-over from Hades!! It was horrible!  I went straight to bed to try and sleep it off.  I found out later it was because I let myself get dehydrated.  It took me a couple days to fully recover.
Thankfully that is behind me,  I have spent the last few months reading about proper hydration and nutrition for halfs.  Starting with light carb loading 48 hours out.  Carb loading is something I have NEVER had a problem with.
Matt Fitzgerald writes a lot of articles for Runner's World, and he wrote a fantastic article about the 48hrs pre-race, it is posted on the website for the R&R Half.  Click HERE to read it. This time I am prepared.  I know exactly when to drink and when not too.  I will be armed with knowledge and  Tri-Berry GU!
•I'm wearing my running shoes and my favorite sports bra on the plane, just in case my luggage doesn't arrive when I do. Everything else can be replaced.
Have a happy Thursday! The next time I post, it will be from warm and sunny AZ!

GIVEAWAYS:

Check out the charming  Teamarcia's, I Declare giveaway . Ends Midnight January 22

RUN FASTER MOMMY  is raising money for a great cause by hosting a raffle for an amazing prize! If you have the chance, go check it out! It ends January 27th!

Eri-thon 0-26 is has a giveaway for a super cute Infinity Scarf. Ends January 17th

I want to know:
How do you prepare the 48hrs before a big race?
 
Grace and peace,

How does this relate to fitness/running??

It has been a crazy week! I prepared this post last week.  I don't have internet at home because we live in the "country" and can only get dial-up. Totally not worth it!!  It was all ready except for a few editorial changes. Then, what Alabama weathermen are calling “Winter Storm 2010” hit. Schools and businesses were closed for about 3 days!(All we got was a light dusting of snow that didn’t even cover the grass) during this “winter storm”, Hubby’s Uncle passed away. It was expected, we were all prepared, so we drove the hour to his home town to be with the family.  I returned to work Monday all ready to post but our internet connection was down!!! Seriously!!

 What. Is. Up?!

Today, internet is finally fixed. Editing is done.

 Here it is:

Emotional/Spiritual Goals and Accomplishments

I’ll start with my most meaningful accomplishment of 2009……..

At the beginning of 2009 I spent time praying and seeking God and His plan for me.  I tossed around the idea of setting a “resolution” but decided I didn’t want to box myself in.  I had become complacent in my life and though I work at a church and in “the ministry” I felt I wasn’t being stretched. I wasn’t happy where I was and knew God’s plan for me was bigger than what I was living.  So I made a decision/commitment to be obedient to God and to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I get so caught up in talking at God and asking God for His help that I forget to take the time to listen for His response.  That decision changed my life in a way I couldn’t comprehend a year ago.

So I spent a lot of time in the first 3 months of ‘09 just listening and meditating on God. My prayers went something like this: “Lord, I want to be used by you. I want to be a vessel of your love. Show me what it is you have for me.  Be it unto me according to your will.”  I have to be very honest; I started to get a little discouraged.  I didn’t feel like I was “hearing” anything.  Were my prayers going unanswered or was I being prepared. I believe the latter is true.

 In early March of ’09 while on my daily run, I was overcome by a wave of emotion so great that it literally knock the wind out of me. I had to stop running and instantly sobs of emotions just took over me. Now, for anyone who knows anything about me, I don’t cry (except if I laugh too hard).  My thoughts immediately went to my mother whom I had been emotionally detached from since the age of 7 or 8.  I can’t explain the inaudible voice that I felt within me, I knew it was God because it was the first time that I felt  peace when I thought about my mother.   This bible verse came to my remembrance John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” 

I had so much unforgiveness in my heart regarding my mother that I had been unable to love her. In fact, my dealings with her had become little more than business transactions (she babysits the boys).  I was hard and calloused toward her.  I knew that if I wanted to step into the plan God had for me I would HAVE to forgive, love, and honor people that I did not necessarily believe deserved it. My mother fit into that category.

I have to say, I was not happy AT all with the thought of talking to my mom about our “relationship” and I especially did not want to apologize!! In fact, at the time I would have rather scratched my eyes out. I deal a lot better with physical pain.  I decided it would be best to write my mother a letter, that way my tones could not be misinterpreted.  I wanted to be obedient to the Lord and that meant I would have to be 100% sincere with her.  It took me a month of writing and rewriting the letter to get it just right.  During that month, I cried more than I have ever cried in my life.  To see all of those emotions in writing brought me to a whole new level of emotional!

The letter was about 10 pgs. It took me a month to write it and it took me another month to get up the courage to give it to her.  I was so afraid of how she would receive the letter.  Would it be rejected? If it was, could I handle it with this new found set of emotions? I was a HOT mess!!  I decided that if this was really what God wanted me to do; he would give me the grace to handle her response, whatever it was.  I finally dropped it in her mailbox (I know I was a total chicken).  I waited for about 2 weeks with no response. Finally, after work one day; I was picking the boys up from her house, on my way out the door she said “I got your letter. Thank you.” And she gave me a hug. It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t cringe as she hugged me.  That was it.  That was all that was ever said about that letter that I had invested so much of myself into.  I had imagined a dialogue where she apologized to me for everything she had ever done, where she would say she was ready to change and be the mother I had always dreamed of.

That never happened. It didn’t need to.  I changed in this process. This wasn’t about changing her it was about changing me.  I believe the Lord used the whole process to bring me healing in an area that had been broken for a very long time.  Hubby didn’t even know the extent of it until this process. For the first time in my life I felt an overwhelming love for my mother.  It’s a very freeing feeling to be able to love someone with God’s unconditional love and to see my mother through God’s eyes.  This was my GREATEST accomplishment of 2009 bare none! 

When I committed to being obedient to the Lord it turned out to be one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done.

That was just one of several relationships that the Lord had me deal with in 2009.

         

My emotional and spiritual goals for 2010

1.    Be obedient to the Lord when he tells me to do something. Even if it’s not easy. It will be rewarding.

2.    Spend no less than 30 minutes reading the Bible. This is very difficult sometimes because of our crazy schedule; I’m going to buy the Bible on CD so that on days where I can’t read, I can at least listen to it in the car to and from work.

3.    Spend an hour in prayer. This is the easiest one for me. I am constantly praying. Especially when I run.

4.    Set aside at least one hour a week with hubby to do nothing but talk and share. We have completely different work schedules so most times he is leaving for work when I am coming home. When we are both home together we do EVERYTHING as a family. We need hubby and wifey time.

5.    Make an effort to create and foster a friendship with at least one new person a month.  This is difficult for me sometimes.

6.    Work on anger….not sure yet exactly on the “how” but I know the “why”.  I could blame my anger or hot temper on my Italian heritage and have most of my life. However, I know the blame game doesn’t bring results.  I’m a lot tamer than I used to be.  I haven’t thrown anything or put a hole in the wall in years!! (those times were rare and extreme) Seriously.  Mostly I yell.  That’s how we communicated in our house growing up. I am nothing like I was about 7 or 8 years ago, the birth of my first son created a desire in me to raise him differently, in a peaceful home.  So I’ve turned it over to God and doing my best to keep it in check when the issue arises.

I would probably still knock someone in the head if they messed with my kids though. I’m just sayin’! ;)

7.    Work on my love walk. To treat everyone, even people that I don’t want to, with God’s kind and love. This is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

How do these goals relate to fitness/running? Number one,It is because of my faith that I am even alive today (dramatic, I know).  I truly believe that God's plan for my life includes health and fitness. I love encouraging other women, building them up, helping them to meet and exceed their goals.  When I taught Pilates, I would often put my workouts on hold to help someone else get through theirs.  
Running also gives me the opportunity to build up my faith. It is the only time, as a working mother of 3 boys, that I get alone time to pray, meditate, and just talk to God.

So there it is.  I plan on doing one post a week dedicated to these goals. This probably won't "fit" in with the typical running blogs, but I have to be true to myself and include everything about my journey! 

 Grace and peace,

Btw- I have been reading everyone's blog posts but I have not able to post comments from my blackberry.  I want you all to know that  you are all such an encouragement!!

Arctic Blast=I'm a big baby

Let me start by saying I live in Alabama which is supposed to mean that I can run outside year long with no problems except a little rain.  The coldest it usually gets is 32 with a light dusting of snow maybe once a year. Yesterday it was 12 degrees! I went across the street  at lunch to the track with my normal winter gear prepared to do 5 miles. I had to quit. I NEVER quit!! I thought my face was going to fall off. Literally!  Thank God I brought my gloves! Otherwise, I wouldn't have had anything to wipe the tears and snot that were being forces out of my face by the blustery wind!(Sexy, I know.)  So today I am prepared! I drove straight to Academy Sports after my measly 2 miler and stocked up on some serious warm gear starting with a face mask!!  This "artic blast" as the weatherman calls it, is only supposed to last a week, but I have to run!  The half-marathon is in 11 days! Tomorrow the whole state will probably be closed down. We are supposed to have 1-2 inches of snow(yes I said inches).  That's how they roll in AL!  Coming from Chicago, it seemed so strange to me to close everything down for such a small amount of snow. That is until I saw how CRAZY these people drive in snow! They freak out! Seriously!Ha!  My boys are so excited about the snow. Today was their first day back to school after Christmas break and after today they will have the rest of the week off!
I can remember one time when I was in 7th grade and living in Chicago, it snowed about a foot and a half over night.  My brother and I thought school would be canceled, so that's what we told my mom. She believed us. Well, the school called around 10am wondering where we were and my mom told them she wasn't taking us to school today because there was too much snow on the ground.  So, the school sent the short bus to come pick us up!! We were mortified!! They hardly ever canceled school because of the snow! Down here, they cancel school if it rains too hard!
Anyway, this is my tangent post.  I'm supposed to be posting my Emotional and Spiritual goals and accomplishments, and I will.....later this afternoon....

New Year - New Me

I chuckle when I read that title! It sounds very Oprah-ish.

I was very lazy about posting while I was on Christmas break, but I enjoyed my time off with the boys SOOOO much! We slept in(8am), played outside, played video games(FYI-old school Mario Bros. for the Wii ROCKS!!), watched movies, and ate a ton of junk. Hubby was also off all week, so I was able to get in some great long runs and had some great quiet times and devotions. It was fun, but I was so ready to get back on a schedule this morning!

I started this blog one month ago with the intentions of documenting my physical, emotional, and spiritual journey.  I have been true to document my physical journey however, my emotional and spiritual journey have been left out for the most part. The physical part is easy for me. I have always been a physical person and I am thankful my body has cooperated, but the purpose was to delve deeper into myself and put those emotions and thoughts into words. I have been growing in those areas, but I have not been sharing it.  It is a lot harder than I imagined it would be.  I guess mostly I have been just putting my feelers out there to test the waters.  I am amazed at what I have found in this short month in the blogger world. I love to read about peoples personal victories and the joys in their lives. How they struggle but overcome. I have really enjoyed going along on their journey. The first blog I EVER read was Tall Mom on the Run.  I'm not even sure how I stumbled upon it, but as I read, I became inspired.  So I started this blog.

 I will post my New Year - New Me in 3 parts. Physical and goals, Emotional, and Spiritual. I start with the Physical because well....it's the easiest!

                               Physical Goals for 2010 

Running

1. I will run 1000+ miles total for the year.

2. To set a Half Marathon PR sub 2hrs on January 17th at the P.F. Changs Rock and Roll in Arizona. This will also be my big brother Andrew's first race ever!!!

3. My first 10k is on the calendar for 4/11/10- River City 10k in Decatur AL. My goal is to finish in 50mins.

4. Next 5k on the calendar is 4/17/10- goal is to PR sub 24 mins.
I  know that all of these are totally acheivable and I have ample time to prepare. 

*5. I am considering doing my first full Marathon next December. The Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville AL.  The decision is more of a mental one than physical. I will keep you posted. *
 

Crosstraining

1. I will incorporated Pilates into my workouts 3 times a week.  As a former Pilates instructor you would think this would be a no brainer!! It was easier when I HAD to do it because I was being paid to.LOL!

2.I will incorporate weightlifting back into my workouts no less than 2 times a week.  As a former figure/fitness competitor I am ashamed(might have to include that in an emotional goal too;) ) that I have gone so long without doing this. Someday I might post a picture from my competition days. It was only 3yrs and one baby ago, but that body seems like it's a lifetime away! I don't have the desire to be that hardcore, but my body will def benefit from weights.

Eating

This is a BIG one.  Eating is such a HUGE part of my physical struggle.  I eat real clean on the weekdays, on the weekends with no schedule, I eat out and nosh ALL weekend long! So, Hubby(who has also committed to this) and the kids(who have no choice) will only eat out one time per week and I will start planning meals for the weekend like I do for the weekdays instead of winging it. Plan, Plan, Plan!!! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

Weight

There I said it!! The dreaded word! Literally the only time I weigh myself is when the Dr. forces me on the scale at Dr. visits. I have always been tall-ish(5'8") with what my mother always referred to as a "big-boned" frame.  I was 130 in the 5th grade!  I was also 5'7"!

So I am very comfortable at 150. Any less and my neurotic mother(whom I dearly love) will start asking me if I'm anorexic and insisting on spoon feeding me.  I don't like to even say that number out loud!(another emotional goal possibly;) LOL!)  Last week I went to the Chiro and when he left the room I hopped on the scale bracing myself to see the effects of the puppy chow and chocolate covered pretzels.  162.  I was surprised that I was actually down 2lbs from my last weigh-in 4 months ago.  So I am pretty much maintaining between 160-165. I'm comfortable-ish where I'm at, but I have some jeans in my closet that would look outstanding on a 150lb me! Plus, my muffintops always seem to disappear somewhere around 155. ;)

Rest/Fun

We will continue Friday Free-Day.  It is a Pendegraph (that's my last name) tradition I started a few years ago to(mostly to make my life easier when Hubby works nights). On Fridays, the boys can decide if they want to bathe or not(mostly not.LOL!), they choose what they eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner(within reason), and that evening we always do something fun as a family.

I'm pretty sure this is more than enough to keep me busy this year.  I'm excited about what I accomplished in 2009 and look forward to stepping it up in 2010!

Tomorrow I will post my Emotional goals and accomplishments. YIKES!!

Grace and peace,