A Day In My Life

I had an unexpected change of plans this evening.  A perfect opportunity to catch up a bit on the things that have already fallen behind - decorating, laundry, cleaning, maybe a little yoga.  Instead, I talked my husband into taking me out for dinner after work and when we got home I put on my jammies, grabbed the Swedish fish and my laptop and snuggled up on the couch ready to blog my heart out because really, what would you do without my witty prose to delight and entertain you?  What can I say, I'm procrastinating a giver.

I have often wondered what a reality show about my life would be like.  I'm pretty sure it would be summed up in one word - boring.  People would be turning the channel before the first commercial break.  Before you start protesting and trying to tell me I'm not boring let me say that I think the world would be a better place if we all strived to live our lives in a manner that would make for boring reality television.  While I sometimes find it difficult to turn away from the drama of other people's lives I am relieved that drama is not my reality. 

At the same time, I think there is some curiosity surrounding my life.  While it wouldn't make for great reality TV the fact that I am married - without children - seems to be a point of interest.  I've actually been asked what it's like to not have children on more than one occasion.  So for you voyeurs out there here it is - a day in my life!

5:00  - My alarm goes off and with any luck at all I actually get up and head to the treadmill.  More often than not I hit snooze a couple of times and then turn the alarm off completely.

5:15 - Let's assume I've managed to get myself out of bed and into my workout clothes.  It's time to run!  I'm currently watching Friday Night Lights while I run on the treadmill.  I can usually get about 5 miles in before it's time to stop - this is a HUGE win for my day when I make it happen.

6:15 - Time to stop running and hop in the shower.  I walk into the bedroom and say "time to get up buttercup" to my dear husband and then start getting ready for the day.  I know, my sweetness kind of makes you want to gag - but the endorphins are running high at this point and it's one of the rare times I'm actually tolerable in the morning.

7:00 - Chris packed my lunch while I was getting ready (he's a keeper) so all I need to do is make my coffee and head out the door.  Chris will drive to work so I get to relax a bit before the work day begins.

8:00 - The work day begins - if we left around 7:00 and there wasn't any weather we'll actually get to work pretty early but things don't always run smoothly and sometimes we don't get to work until after 8:00.  It all evens out in the end but on a good day we'll make it to work right around 8:00.

12:00 - On Wednesdays and Fridays it's time for Pilates!  I'll eat my lunch at my desk when I get back but the next 45 minutes are all mine. 

4:45 - The work day is over.  This is were variety enters my day.  I'll give you the run down for a typical evening for each day of the week

• Monday - Bible study at church.  When we get home from work I grab a quick bite to eat and then head to church.
• Tuesday - Volunteer at the food shelf.  The shift starts at 6:00 so we go to Chris' parent's house after work (they live about 5 minutes from the food shelf), I grab a quick bite to eat and then head off to volunteer.  When I'm done I pick up Chris and we head home.
• Wednesday - Bible study with friends.  I'm a bit of a Bible study junkie : )
• Thursday - I try to keep Thursdays free - a little down time.  I often run on Thursday nights if I need to catch up on miles or just cross a few errands of my list. 
• Friday - Free Pizza Friday!  This could be a whole post of its own but basically, Friday's are Family night - my designated time to get my niece and nephew fix and connect with my sister and parents. 

8:30 - Most nights my evening activities are over and I'm home by 8:30.  From here it's all about preparing for the next day.  I make my lunch (which Chris will pack in the morning), choose my clothes for the following day, pack my gym bag and get the treadmill ready for my run the next morning.  Now would be the time to respond to emails and waste a little time on the Internet.  This is also when I'll work on my Bible study "homework".

9:30 - I try to be in bed by about 9:30 (I don't always succeed) - a little WWF and a few chapters of my current read typically end the day.

10:30 - Lights out!  Ideally, lights are out before 10:30 (if I'm planning to get up and run at 5:00) but a busy day or a good book doesn't always allow for this.

There you have it!  Obviously, each day is its own but this is a pretty accurate picture of the general rhythm of my life.  I think it's pretty normal and balanced - and maybe in that sense it's not normal at all!   
 

On my mind

1. On Wednesday my new cell phone arrived.  It's a fun little gadget that's hard not to enjoy but I have mixed feelings about it.  I'm sure I'll warm up to it over time.
2. I miss my dog.  He's been gone for three months.  It's as bad as I thought it would be.
3. I'm still on track to achieve my running goal of 800 miles this year.  My goal is 25 miles a week and I've been pretty consistently meeting (or beating) that.
4. I recently started volunteering at a local food shelf.  I've been working with new clients - getting them set up to use the food shelf.  It's very humbling to sit across the table from someone who is in a situation that requires them to seek our support.  I go home very grateful for my what I have and very aware of how fleeting it can be.
5. I named my treadmill Lulu.  Now I can say thinks like "I'm going running with Lulu!" or "Lulu and I kicked out 5 miles this morning!".
6. I'm in a really good place with my fitness right now.  I run about 25 miles a week and take a Pilates class twice a week.  Finding time to workout can be challenging but when I have time I'm ready to go. 
7. I'm still trying to run in the morning before work.  I'm successful about 20% of the time (one day a week).  Increasing my success rate here would really go a long way toward balancing out my days but 5:00 AM is soooooooo early.
8. I'm really looking forward to the holidays.  I know a lot of people dread the holidays but I'm not one of them.  One of my favorite traditions is getting Chinese takeout for dinner on Christmas Day and eating it while we watch "A Christmas Story".
9. I got a new Le Creuset baking dish (In September I got a French Oven).  It's basically a 2.5 Qt casserole dish but it has a much fancier name.  I'm going to make a sweet potato casserole in it on Thanksgiving.  We made a special trip to the outlet mall to get it and ended up saving $80 over retail - totally worth the drive.
10. Chris and I are taking Mondays off in December.  It will be nice to have a an extra day each week to prepare for (or catch up from) the holiday festivities.  It will be hard to go back to working 5 days a week in January.

Race Report - 2012 TC 10 Mile

The TC 10 Mile absolutely lives up to its reputation.  Before I ran this race I read several reviews by people who had run the race in previous years.  Every reviewer commented on how well run the race was, how beautiful the course was and how awesome the crowd support was.  I wish that I has a fresh word for you but I'm basically just going to echo those thoughts throughout the rest of this post. 

On Sunday, October 7th I ran the 2012 TC 10 Mile race. This race is part of "Marathon Weekend" in the Twin Cities and while the marathon and marathon runners obviously get top billing the 10 Mile race and runners definitely get some time in the spotlight. The race course starts near the Metrodome and heads over to the Franklin Avenue Bridge where it follows the last 7 miles of the marathon course. The course is nothing short of breathtaking and the crowd support is unparalleled for a Minnesota race. Throw in cool temps and a little sunshine and you have the makings of a great race.

The race started just after 7:00 AM. Chris and I took the light rail to the Metrodome and found our way to the sweat drop and starting corrals.  Chris came to keep me company and watch me start the race (he's pretty much the best husband in the world) and then rode the train back to the car and headed to St. Paul to meet up with my parents and watch me cross the finish line.  Did I mention it was about 30 degrees at this point?  Gotta love Fall running in Minnesota.

It was still quite dark as I crossed the starting line but that just meant I got to watch the sun rise as I ran through the streets of Minneapolis - not a bad way to start your morning. Shortly after the start we hit a big downhill that leveled out before returning as a big uphill around mile 3. The terrain evened out as we crossed the bridge and made our way down East River Road. Before I knew it we were turning onto Summit Avenue. I was particularly excited for this part of the course for several reasons.

• While there is crowd support along most of the course, the crowd is noticeably larger all the way down Summit Avenue to the finish.  
• I've never run down Summit Avenue before - I'm pretty sure this qualifies as a sin for a Minnesota runner but it's the cold, hard truth.  
• Summit Avenue is home to the dreaded hill - a long, slow climb that is infamous in running circles for the excruciating pain it causes in the last crucial miles of the race. 

I'll be honest, I didn't really realize we were going uphill.  I'm sure if I had been on mile 21 instead of mile 5 it would have been different but I kept waiting for the hill to start and then I started hearing people in the crowd yelling "You made it up the hill - way to go!". Really? Don't get me wrong - I'll take it - I am not fond of hills - I prefer flat terrain or a a slight down hill to any kind of incline but I was a bit disappointed by this notorious hill that didn't even register on my internal altimeter.

Back to the race - it seems mile 6 is turning into a bit of a curse for me.  You may remember that my ipod died on me at mile 6 of the WRTC race.  Well, my shoelace came untied at mile 6 of this race.  It had been loose since about mile 3 and I kept hoping it would just hang in there.  But 3 miles later it was completely untied and with 4 miles left in the race I had no option but to stop and tie my shoe.  Bah!  Anyway, after the "big hill" the course is basically flat until you hit the last mile which is basically ALL DOWN HILL! This is race course design at its best. As you near the finish line the crowd thickens and you begin to hear the announcer reading off the names of those crossing before you. You're legs are tired and your breathing is labored but you are going fast and finishing strong. The sun is shining bright, the state capital looms in the distance and you know there are people who woke up early, bundled up and are now waiting, watching just for you to cross that line. It's awesome - almost surreal really, a bit out-of-body. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. This is where you smile - BIG - with your entire being.

I finished the race in 1:32:03 - a full 1:40 FASTER than two weeks earlier at the WRTC race despite the fact that I ran an extra .14 miles and had to stop to tie my shoe!

1 - 9:29 (nice, easy, crowded start)
2 - 9:22 (still pretty crowded)
3 - 9:31 (big hill)
4 - 8:53 (crossed the river - feeling good!)
5 - 9:02 (Half way mark, approaching the notorious hill)
6 - 9:21(stopped to tie my shoe - bah!)
7 - 9:03 (wait, where was the hill?)
8 - 8:51 (legs are feeling good)
9 - 8:49 (almost there)
10 - 8:42 (fast downhill finish - BIG smile)
.14 - 1:06 (this is what we call not running the tangents very well - though not horribly either)

If you ever have the opportunity to run the TC 10 Mile you really should take it.  It's an awesome race - all of the amenities of the marathon with less than half the miles!  It's definitely the best race I have every participated in and one I hope to run many times in the future.

 

Special thanks to my number one fan - my sweet husband - who once again sacrificed sleep, endured the chilly temps and was there to encourage me before and after the race and to my mom and dad who drove down from the country to watch me cross the finish line.  I'm very blessed to call them all mine.

Race Report - 2012 Women Run the Cities

On Saturday, September 23 I ran the 2012 Women Run the Cities 10 Mile race. I ran this race in 2010 and at that time it was the first 10 Mile race I had ever run. It's fair to say that this race started my love affair with the 10 Mile distance and for that reason, this particular race holds a special place in my heart.

The race started at 8:00 am which was nice in that I didn't have to get up at a cra-cra early time.   Chris joined me for this race so I had a travel buddy and someone to keep me company until the race started. He also came in handy as a personal heater to keep me warm until it was time to head to the start. By 8:00 am when the race started it was still quite chilly but the sky was clear, the sun was shining and the air was calm - Fall running in Minnesota at its finest. The race course basically follows the Mississippi River along West and East River Parkway. It's a relatively flat course overall but has some pretty good size hills scattered throughout to keep things interesting. My primary goal for this race was to enjoy the run and feel good at the finish.  

The race started out like most - crowded and slow. Since I wasn't really concerned about my time I didn't bother weaving through the crowd too much. My first mile came in at just over 10 minutes which is actually right around normal for my first mile. By mile 2 my hands had warmed up enough to let them peek out of my sleeves for the rest of the run. The next 4 miles flew by in a relatively uneventful manner. And then, just as I passed mile 6, my ipod konked out on me - it just stopped playing. I could have stopped or tried to fiddle around with it on the run but I chose to just stash my headphones in my shirt and finish the race without music. Luckily, I've been running without my headphones more frequently so this wasn't a big deal. In fact, I actually run faster without my headphones as my split times below show.

Split times:

         Mile                    Time

1	10:09
2	9:29
3	9:27
4	9:12
5	9:22
6	8:47
7	9:06
8	9:05
9	9:07
10	9:02

I had a really good race. I felt strong the whole time, I managed the hills well and I passed more people than I was passed by. I crossed the finish line with my best 10 Mile time this year. My official time was 1:33:43 (9:23 pace) - 460 out of 1129 runners (all women).

I have two more 10 Mile races on my plans this fall. Next up is the TC 10 Mile. It will be my first time running this race and I am really looking forward to it. Based on the reviews I've read from previous runners and my personal experience with the Women Run the Cities race I'm leaning toward not wearing headphones. I'd like to shave some time off my finish but my primary goal will be to enjoy the race and finish strong. In addition to running the TC 10 Mile I'm looking forward to watching the first finishers of the Twin Cities Marathon finish the race - should be a REALLY good time.

Special thanks to my number one fan - my sweet husband who sacrificed sleep, endured the chilly temps and was there to encourage me before and after the race. I'm am blessed to share my life with him and call him mine.

On my mind

1. It's going to be a chilly start for my 10 Mile race tomorrow - like temps in the 30s chilly.  Here in Minnesota we call that "brisk".  I'm actually looking forward to digging out some of my cool weather running gear!
   
2. Since I'll be running tomorrow morning we're going to check out the Saturday evening service at our church tonight.  I'm interested to see how this service compares to the two Sunday morning services.  Should be fun!
   
3. I really miss my dog.  A lot. 
   
4. I started getting up before work to run.  I'm running on the treadmill because it's still very dark outside at 5:00 in the morning.  Yes - you read correctly - I am getting up at 5:00 in the morning to run on the treadmill.  No - I don't know what they've done with the real Jessy.
   
5. I bought a pair of cowboy boots at Kohl's last night.  They are probably technically fashion boots but they look like cowboy boots to this city girl.  I felt very "country" when I wore them today.
   
6. By some miracle of God it is still feasible that I will hit my goal of running 800 miles this year.  I'm nearing the 500 mile mark and if I can average 25 miles a week for the rest of the year I'll be golden.  Don't ask how many miles a week I have averaged up to this point.
   
7. I bought an FM transmitter for my laptop so I can watch shows on Netflix while I run and listen to the audio through my headphones.  The transmitter actually serves two purposes - 1) I can actually hear the audio over the sound of the treadmill and 2) Chris can't hear the audio over the sound of the treadmill.
   
8. We're going to drop our land line and I'm going to break down and get a cell phone.  At first I was torn between keeping our current number and getting a new number.  Then I looked at the calls we've received in the last two weeks - yeah, I'll be getting a new number.
   
9. I bought a 5.5 QT French Oven at the Le Creuset outlet.  I made pot roast in it last weekend and it is now officially my favorite piece of cookware ever.  Let me know if you have any great French/Dutch oven recipes I should try out.
   
10. I discovered Cherry Berry a couple of weeks ago and have turned into a bit of an addict.  I'm pretty much in love with banana yogurt and firmly believe that everything tastes better with sprinkles on top. 

Race Report - 2012 Minneapolis Duathlon

On Sunday, August 25th I ran the 2012 Duathlon as a relay with my aunt. A duathlon consists of three legs, Run-Bike-Run. The Minneapolis Duathlon consisted of a 5K run, 15 mile bike, 5K run. I ran, my aunt biked. This was our second year competing together as a team and while our primary goal was to have fun we both hoped to improve over last year.

I was up at 4:30 am on race day (I'm pretty sure the last time I was up at 4:30 am was a year earlier on the day of the 2011 Minneapolis Duathlon). I had packed my race bag, pinned my number to my shirt and prepped my breakfast the night before so there wasn't much I needed to do in the morning - just get up, get dressed and head out the door (much more than I normally do before 5:00 am mind you). I met my aunt at her house at 5:30 to drive to the race. The weather was damp and foggy but it was not actually raining - it was about 70 degrees which was nice but a bit troublesome given the sun wasn't even up yet. The transition area was set up differently than it had been last year but the volunteers were out in full force and were very helpful. We racked our bike, talked through our first transition (which I kind of flubbed up last year) and hit the port-o-potties with plenty of time to spare.

First Leg - 5K (3.1 mile) Run
The race started at 7:00 - we were in the 6th wave which was scheduled to take off at about 7:06. The fog had lifted but it was still cloudy which helped to keep the air cool - pretty perfect running weather, actually.  The first run went well, it's a mostly flat course that starts with a 1.5-ish mile loop and finishes with a 1.5-ish mile out-and-back. There is one noticeable hill just after mile 2 but there is a water stop and the turnaround at the top which was both motivating and rewarding. I finished the first run in 28:14 - 9:05 pace and 42 seconds faster than last year (Yeah!).

Transition 1
One of the benefits of having run this same course the year before was that I remembered how far it was from the end of the run to the transition area.  Like most people I push hard for the last few tenths of a mile in a race which is great unless you are running a duathlon and there is an additional few tenths of a mile to run after you "finish" the race. This year I didn't go all out at the end of the first run and the transition went much more smoothly. My aunt was standing right at the front of the chip-exchange area when I got there and we were able to quickly make the exchange. Before I knew it she was off and biking. We managed to complete the first transition in 1:29 - 11 seconds faster than last year (Yeah!).

Second Leg - 15 mile Bike
While my aunt was out killing it on the bike course I had about an hour to kill. I grabbed my bag and copped a squat on a nice little piece of sidewalk. I entertained myself with stretching, snacks and phone calls for about half an hour. At that point they asked everyone to head to the chip-exchange area and being the rule follower that I am, I did. It was at this point that I realized we had not discussed how we would find each other for the second transition. Laurel finished the closer-to-16-than-15 mile course in 53:22 (Yeah!).

Transition 2
Since we had racked our bike within a few feet of one of the entrances to the chip-exchange area, and she needed to rack her bike again before we could make the exchange, I decided to stand at the entrance and just yell her name when I saw her. I saw her riding in and watched her rack her bike - in a different location than we had started in (crap). I watched her start running toward the chip exchange area and then - I lost her! About 10 seconds later I heard her call my name and turned to find her standing exactly where we had said we would meet for the first transition. I strapped the chip onto my ankle and was off. I always seem to be the weakest link on the transitions. We completed the second transition in 2:36 - 56 seconds slower than last year (Boo).

Third leg - 5K (3.1 mile) Run
The second leg followed the same course as the first leg (with a slight deviation at the finish). I felt good and could tell I was running fast even without looking at my watch. I tried to focus on running a smart race and not burning out. When I hit the 3 mile mark I kicked into high-gear and sprinted to the finish. I finished in 26:58 - 8:40 pace, 47 seconds faster than last year and a personal record (Yeah!).

Overall
Our overall time was 1:52:37. We placed 12th out of 42 teams in our category (2-person, female teams). We improved our overall standing as well as the times for each of our legs (and one of our transitions) as compared to last year!

2012 Results - 12th Place out of 42 teams
Overall - 1:52:37  
Run1 - 28:14   
Tran1 - 1:29
Bike (15.8 miles) - 53:22
Tran2 - 2:36
Run2 - 26:58

2011 Results - 17th out of 35 teams
Overall - 1:59:20
Run1 - 28:56
Tran1 - 1:40
Bike (18 miles) - 59:21
Tran2 - 1:40
Run2 - 27:45

Beauty in Ashes

Two weeks ago we had to let our sweet little pup go.  While we have figured out a way to continue on with our lives a cloud of grief is constantly upon us.  It's a sad time in our lives - one that we will not likely pass through quickly.  The pain is still very raw and very real - too close to the surface to attempt to share without risking a breakdown.

But...

Amidst this devastating sadness and grief the evidence of God's love and hand in our lives has been abundant.  At a time when we are struggling to "hold it together" and maintain our composure we are also prospering.  At a time when logic would have us lying on the ground mired in a puddle of grief we are being raised up.  At a time when anger and doubt and discontent could easily prevail over us we have been covered in peace.  We are being given beauty while covered in ashes.

And...

I am certain that this outpouring of God's love is the result of the prayers and thoughts of our family and friends.  Not because God needs their help but because He desires to let others be a part of what he is doing in our lives - so they too can be blessed.  If you have prayed for us know that your prayers have been answered in very real and tangible ways.  If you have prayed or left messages or sent cards or spoken kind words or given us space to breathe - know that you have played an active role in God's plan to bless us.  Know that God's love has been poured out from you.

I have found words insufficient to express so much of what I have experienced and felt in the last two weeks and this is one of those times.  To be loved on so graciously by our God, our family and our friends is an indescribable feeling.

Don't be upset with the results you didn't get from the work you didn't do.

Before I start let me just say that this post is not targeted at anyone in particular.  I didn't have a recent encounter that stands out or triggered this post nor was I thinking of anyone in particular (with the exception of myself) when I wrote it.  If it resonates with you I think it's because we share a common human condition expressed best by Paul in the 7th chapter of the book of Romans.

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

What a tantalizing intro - I bet you can't wait to read on!

Joyce Meyers has often said she believes we are educated well beyond our level of obedience.  She points to the fact that most Christians know that the Bible condemns gossip.  In fact, most Christians have been taught this lesson over and over and over - yet most Christians are guilty of gossipping.  It's not that we don't know what to do (or what not to do) it's that we choose to do what we know is wrong rather than what we have been taught is right.  We could get into a big philosophical discussion about this statement on many levels but that's not really what this blog is about so we wont.

When Joyce says we are educated beyond our level of obedience she is speaking of biblical knowledge and obedience to God.  But I think the statement holds true in other situations.  Most recently I have been thinking about how it pertains to making healthy choices - specifically eating well and exercising.  I know which foods are healthy and which foods are unhealthy.  I have unhindered access to all the healthy food I could possibly desire - yet I frequently choose to eat unhealthy food.  And not just unhealthy food but food that might be considered toxic if broken down into its individual ingredients.  I also know that I need to exercise.  I know how to exercise, I have everything I need to exercise including numerous opportunities to workout each day - yet I often choose to spend hours watching mindless television or "catching up" with people on Facebook rather than going for a run, walk or bike ride.

I have heard people suggest that the media or the government have caused the epidemic of obesity and lethargy in our society.  Really?  I can tell you that neither the media nor the government made choices for me regarding what I would eat or how I would spend my time today.  And I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this statement is true for basically everyone reading this blog  Again, we could get into a big philosophical discussion about this on many levels but we wont.

Another common excuse I have heard (and possibly used myself a time or two) is that we are too busy to eat well and exercise.  It sounds like a good argument until you take a good look at how we spend our time.  Yes, we are all busy but I think if we are honest with ourselves we have to concede that we are able to make the time to do the things that are important to us.  And if it's true that being too busy is stopping us from eating well and exercising are we to assume that people who do eat well and exercise aren't busy?  NEWS FLASH!  Everyone is busy!  It really doesn't take much longer to prepare a healthy meal than it does to pick up fast food at the drive-through on the way home.  If you value the spare minutes more than your health then by all means - have a Bic Mac & fries for dinner.  There's nothing wrong with opting for unhealthy options here and there but own up to your choices - don't pretend you're a victim.

The bottom line is there are a million excuses for not doing what we know we ought to.  Many of them are even really valid excuses but they are still just that - excuses.  They don't give us a free ticket to whine and complain that we feel gross and fat - unless of course you feel gross and fat after a sustained period of eating well and exercising.  I'm not suggesting this is easy - taking responsibility for the circumstances we find ourselves in rarely is - but lets face life isn't easy and if we really think about it we don't really want it to be.

I'm choosing to stop complaining, blaming and making excuses and instead, take responsibility for the decisions I make.  Day-by-day, hour-by hour, even moment-by-moment I will try to choose the best of the options presented to me - get up and run rather than sleep an extra 45 minutes, skip the donuts my coworker so graciously brought to work, go to pilates over the lunch hour instead of surfing the internet, drink water instead of soda, take a walk after work instead of watching TV.  Small decisions throughout the day that over time will make me feel better than the extra sleep, donut, internet, soda or TV ever could.  And when I choose to sleep in or eat the donut (which I absolutely will do on occasion) - I will own that choice and any downstream ramifications (my business background just made an appearance on my blog!) whole heartedly.  After all - I am the one making the choice.

Stepping off my soapbox... : )

Thoughts on my mind... Things in my life...

A few of the thoughts on my mind - a few of the things going on in my life...

1. The Soldier Field 10 Mile is THIS Saturday!  I've had a couple of weeks of solid training runs so I'm feeling pretty good about it.  I'm most nervous about navigating my way around Chicago on race day - I'll most likely take a taxi from our hotel to the stadium to keep things simple. 
   
   
2. Apparently, the shirts for the Soldier Field 10 Mile are hideous - huge blow-up on Facebook about it.  I suppose it's hard to pick a design that appeals to 17,500 people.
   
   
3. PRAISE GOD!  I did not end up in a wave of runners that need to be lined up by 6:40 AM.  Nope, I don't have to be lined up until 7:10 - 10 minutes after the official start of the race.  This gives you an idea of how long it takes to get 17,500 people off and running!
   
   
4. I just bought the cutest shirt at Old Navy! 
   
   
   
   And mine is even cuter than the one pictured above because it's - get this - ORANGE check instead of red. I know, you can hardly wait to see it. 
   
   
5. I also bought 6 pairs of flip flops at Old Navy.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for a $2.50 shoe.
   
   
6. My sister and I took my mom to see Chonda Pierce last weekend.  Chonda is beyond funny but also has a very unexpected, quite tragic, yet inspiring life story.  Another reminder that yes, we all have trouble in this life - and you never know what the person next to you might be going through - so be nice to them.
   
   
7. YouVersion released The Bible App for the Nook - I'm beyond happy about this.  If The Bible App is available on your device you should definitely check it out.  Love The Bible App - simply love it.
   
   
8. I still don't know if I passed the test I took 2 1/2 weeks ago.  It's not uncommon for it to take 4 weeks or more to get your results.  When people ask how the test was and if I passed I tell them "I have received no indication that I didn't pass."  I'm considering ignoring the email that reveals my results when it arrives and sticking with this response for the remainder of my career.
   
   
9. Speaking of my career, in June I will celebrate my 15th anniversary with my employer.  Isn't that crazy?  There are very few things in my life that I have done for 15 consecutive years.  Going to school is the only thing that come to mind.
   
   
10. 800 miles is a lot of miles.  You may remember that I set a goal to run 800 miles this year.  I have had to re-read the post that I announced this goal in to confirm the number of miles several times.  I keep thinking "maybe it was 600 miles..."  Nope, the goal is 800 miles.  Eight.Hundred.Miles.  Guess I'll keep running!

It's been a long time

It's been a long time since I have posted!  I think it's interesting when bloggers warn their readers that they wont be posting for a week or even a few days.  Do blog readers really get worried when bloggers don't post for a few days?  What exactly do they think may have happened - and why on earth do they think it's any of their business?  I really don't get it.  Maybe if I was an uber-blogger with thousands of followers I would feel obligated to let you know when I was taking a break.  As it is I'm not sure I'm even at the tens of readers stage so I'll just continue to come and go as I please thankyouverymuch.

So anyway - how about a running update?

I am currently two weeks out from a 10 Mile race.  This will be my first "destination race" and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'll be running the Soldier Field 10 Mile in Chicago on May 26th.  To make things a bit more interesting I just came off of a three week hiatus from running.  Back in April I had a brief but painful calf injury that eliminated my ability to run for just over a week.  Immediately following the injury I became fully consumed with studying for an exam I would be taking a week later.  I was literally studying every.waking.moment.  The exam was this past Monday and it took me a good four days to return to normal life after my self-imposed sequestering. 

Prior to my hiatus I was running about 20 miles a week including a long run of 8-9 miles on the weekend.  This past Friday I opened my door and started out on my favorite little 4 mile route.  3 miles in I was dying and stopped to walk for a half mile.  Not what I was hoping for but probably not an unexpected result after such a long break.  The good news is that I was dying from lack of cardio-vascular endurance (and let's face it - maybe being a bit wimpy) rather than any physical pain.  I had planned to rest on Saturday but it was sooooo beautiful outside I couldn't help myself and I ended up running the same 4 mile route - only this time I actually ran the entire distance.  Baby steps.  The plan from here on out is to continue to baby step my way to 10 miles in the next two weeks.  I don't have a very solid direction other than to listen to my body and avoid injury at all costs.  I'm hoping some sort of muscle memory will kick in and I'll be able to up my mileage pretty quickly.  If not, well - let's not cross that bridge unless we have to.

On a related but different note - as a result of my latest injury I visited with a physical therapist who (once again) diagnosed me as weak - specifically weak in the hips and core.  She prescribed several stretches and exercises that I can do at home but also suggested that I take pilates classes.  I found a place close to my work that offers classes over the lunch hour and I'm going to give it a try (though probably not until after the 10 Mile race for various reasons).  I'm quite excited to try something new and to see what kind of results it offers.  I'll keep you posted.  

Oh - check out my sidebar - I just passed the 200 mile mark!  Only 400 miles left to reach my goal - did I really just say only 400 miles? 

Keep breathing... and running!

Thoughts on my mind... Things in my life...

A few of the thoughts on my mind - a few of the things going on in my life...

1. I'm a wee bit behind on my running goals - okay, more than a wee bit - but I have high hopes for March!  I have a few things going for me in the month of March that should give me the mileage boost I need and help get me back on track:
1. Momentum - on Sunday I hit the 100 mile mark - can I get a "woot! woot"?!
2. I'm running a 10 mile race on March 10th.  That's basically 1/7th of my monthly mileage goal in one day.
3. Daylight Savings Time goes into effect on March 11th and will bring with it the ability to run outside after work.  I love my treadmill but nothing motivates like the outdoors.
4. I start training for a Half Marathon on March 12th.
   
   
2. I'm running a 10 mile race on Saturday!  I'm just running this one for fun so there is no pressure to make a certain time and I've been training pretty consistently so I don't anticipate any difficulty completing the mileage.  Bonus - I get a sweet sweatshirt and a medal!
   
   
3. My Father-in-law is having shoulder replacement surgery on Thursday - keep him in your thoughts and prayers if you are so inclined.
   
   
4. Chris and I are totally addicted to Downton Abbey.  We feel a little old when the Masterpiece Theater intro runs.  I am pretty sure I would have made a fabulous heiress - what do you think?
   
   
5. I'm hosting a Stella & Dot Jewelry show this Saturday (after the 10 mile race).  If your looking for champagne (or sparkling grape juice), cupcakes (or fresh fruit) and fabulous jewelry you should be at my house from 2:00 - 4:00.
   
   
6. I'm trying a new skin care line.  It has only been three days but I'm really liking it.  We'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks after the novelty wears off.
   
   
7. A very special little girl in my life is turning two next week.  Two!  We're getting her a bike.  A bike!  She is going to be two years old and riding a bike!  I don't know if I can handle this...
   
   
8. I used up the last of our home-made laundry soap last week.  This week I spent 97 cents to make another batch that should last about 6 months.
   
   
9. I have warmed up to the iPad a bit since experiencing its utility in the kitchen as an online recipe book.  It's very convenient though I'm always worried I'm going to spill something on it - not that that has ever happened - nope, never happened...
   
   
10. Last night I stayed up way too late reading.  I'm reading a book that I've actually read once before (but oddly have almost no memory of).  It had been moving a bit slow for a few days but last night I had to force myself to stop reading it and go to bed.  Free time and a good book a happy Jessy makes (channeling my inner Yoda).

He's Amazing!

You'll all be glad to hear that my sweet pup is doing well. What's that?  You didn't know there was any reason to believe he wasn't doing well?  No worries. He's doing well again so we'll focus on that. In fact - he just had a yearly check-up and his vet continues to be amazed at just how healthy our 13 year old Little Black Angel is. I'm pretty sure he used the word "amazing" to describe our dog at least 10 times during the appointment. Yes, his hearing is not what it used to be, his eyes have clouded over a bit and he moans and groans a little more than he used to - but as far as 13 year old dogs go he's amazing. Of course, this just serves to feed my belief that Dash is actually an "eternal dog". Chris worries when I talk like this but really - all evidence points to Dash being with us forever so why deny it?

Dash may not be the most well behaved dog in the world. His reputation for destruction in his youth may have been well earned. He may not come when we call him or retrieve objects we throw for him. He may have a supernatural ability to seek and destroy every bit of cardboard in the house. He may eat his poop and roll in stinky things outside. We may have to live with the shades drawn to avoid his piercing bark with every passing squirrel and bunny. It may take 20 minutes to walk around the block as he dillydallies and wanders, stopping every few feet to sniff and mark his territory. We may cover the furniture with blankets so that he can sit with us and contort our bodies around him while we sleep.  He may - in fact - have us wrapped around his little puppy paw. 

Dash may not be the most well behaved dog in the world - but he is without question the most loved.  Oh, how we love our sweet dog. He is a special dog - a true gift from God.  It brings us joy to care for him - to be his owners - to call him ours. He brings calm to our souls - our home - our lives. God has used him to teach us patience - responsibility - love.  He is sweet, funny, loving, snuggly, protective. He's our dog, but more than that - he's the third member of our family - he has been with us as long as we have been - longer, actually.

I pray, with all my heart, that he is a happy dog. In fact, I measure our success as his owners not by how well he behaves or how obedient he is - but by his level of happiness.  I realize there are many people out there who disagree with this approach - who believe good behavior and obedience are in fact at the very root of happiness.  They are entitled to their opinion but I'd be willing to bet their dog isn't as special as ours.

Just breathe

On Friday, my grandma stopped breathing.

Since the moment we received the call informing us of this tragedy my focus on breathing has been almost obsessive.

• Just breathe - repeated over and over in my mind, as we drove to the hospital Friday evening.
  
  
• Just breathe - as I stood in her hospital room responding "I'm her granddaughter" when the doctors asked who I was and then decided whether or not to give me information.
  
  
• Just breathe - as I stood beside her hospital bed trying to calm her before they removed her breathing tube thinking "Am I old enough to be the person here with her now?  Maybe I should go find an adult?" and then realizing - crap - I am an adult.
  
  
• Just breathe - as they took her off the ventilator.
  
  
• Just breathe - on your own, grandma.  Don't fight it, don't struggle, be calm, relax.
  
  
• Just breathe - every time I speak or write or read the words "she stopped breathing" and lose my own breath for a moment.
  
  
• Just breathe - with each new moment, each new piece of information, each new day.

Praise God everyday for giving you the breath of life.  Be thankful for every breath you are blessed to take.  Marvel at the complexity - the life giving necessity - of a simple breath.  And when life gets too overwhelming to process - too painful, too difficult, too tragic - just breathe.

Thoughts on my mind... Things in my life...

A few of the thoughts on my mind - a few of the things that are going on in my life...

1. I was doing really well with my training program until last week.  I didn't fall totally off the wagon but I wasn't very consistent either.  Still, as of January 31st I have officially completed 58 miles toward my 800 mile goal.  A bit shy of the 66 miles needed per month but not too shabby for January in Minnesota.
   
   
2. Speaking of running in January in Minnesota - I am LOVING my treadmill.  This is quite possibly the best outcome of my parents move to the country last year (they gifted their treadmill to me when they moved).  Thank you mom & dad!
   
   
3. I am slightly addicted to Words With Friends.  My user name is Little Black Angel if you want to start a game with me : )
   
   
4. We paid off a credit card this month!  We are working our way toward debt free.  We're committed but not obsessed so this will be a fairly long journey but we took a giant step toward our goal this month.  Woot!  Woot!
   
   
5. I started a Bible study at our new church this month.  It's a little bit scary because I really don't know anyone but the study material is really interesting and the small group I was assigned to is great.
   
   
6. I have the cutest dog in the world - I really do.  Cutest.Dog.Ever.
   
   
7. I also have the most precious nieces and nephews in the world.  I did not see nearly enough of them in January.
   
   
8. I LOVE tinyprints.  I got my Christmas cards through them in December and this month I and took advantage of a FREE Valentine offer and got 50% off a cute set of personalized note cards - can't wait for them to arrive!
   
   
9. I demonstrated extreme restrain during a recent shopping trip and managed to leave the store without purchasing any of the fabulous pieces I found - including the ones I tried on and carried around the store for half an hour. 
   
   I am content with what I have.  I have more than enough.   (wash, rinse, repeat)
   
   
10. In the spirit of full disclosure - I did not exercise restraint upon discovering the ATHLETA store on 50th & France.  I {heart} active wear!  

My own personal crazy

You didn't really think I would let the begining of the year come and go without making some plans to "tear it up" on the local running scene - did you?  After all, this blog started as a record of my journey to complete my first Half Marathon (nope - Stillwater wasn't my first).  And really - while at certain moments during certain workouts I will deny it - I really enjoy running.

10 miles is my sweet spot.  I feel good after I run 10 miles.  I feel like I could run another 10 miles (to be clear - I don't run another 10 miles I just feel like I could).  For some reason, 13.1 miles makes me cringe a little.  I feel good when I finish 13.1 miles but miles 7-10 are torture.  Like - I stop running and consider not starting again - torture.  When I finish 13.1 miles I feel like I may never run again.  Those of you reading this who don't run may think "it's only 3.1 miles more" (may I suggest you go run 3.1 miles right now - then come back and re-read this post) but those of you who do run know exactly where I'm coming from.  So what's a girl to do?

Well, she starts by signing up for a 10 mile race in March - because she likes herself and wants to do something that will make her feel good.  She follows up the 10 mile race in March with the dreaded 13.1 mile race in June - because a good challenge is hard to resist and after finishing a 10 mile race she'll feel like she can do it.  She wont plan too far in advance - because you just don't know what will happen after those first two races - but she'll think about running a few more 10 mile races throughout the summer and into the fall.  Along the way she'll run a few shorter races - for training and for fun - and when all is said and done - she'll hope to run about 800 miles this year.  Eight.Hundered.Miles! 

That's a lot of miles (66.66 per month / 16.66 per week - in case you were wondering).  I might be a little crazy - I think we're all a little crazy in our own way.  Running is my own personal crazy - what's yours?