January

I ran 38.11 miles this month, including two runs that were over 4 miles. I'm feeling good! I'm feeling confident! But my favorite thing is seeing how much I have changed in a year.

My friend is in the Emergency Room today with a kidney stone. I feel awful for him, no one should have to be in that pain! But for me, it was a great moment in my life...the beginning of a great change. As much as it sucked, I am very thankful for my kidney stone, because it changed my life.

I was walking with a friend of mine the other night, and she reminded me that 30 was my year. At the time, it didn't seem like MY YEAR, being as I had the kidney stone, lost both my grandparents, and ended it as single as when I started. But then I realized that it really WAS MY YEAR!!! It was just in a different way than I imagined! Everything that went wrong, ended up being used to better myself in a different way. Who would have guessed a year ago that I would have signed up for a half marathon. Or even just have run a 5k.

What a year! It's been a wild ride! February marks the one year anniversary of the kidney stone, and my start to good health. I shall celebrate with a cruise to the Bahamas!

Really? A runner?

Well, I just did something crazy! I signed up for the Portland Half Marathon! Really? Me? Running a half marathon? I can't believe it! But a good friend was with me, encouraging me, and helped me to see that I can do it! So now, the training begins! I already talked another friend into running with me! Good times up ahead!

I just can't believe it! I'm filled with excitement and nervousness! What a crazy year this has been, and what a change from only 10 months ago! In fact, Even since September, there has been quite a change.

I just can't believe it!

I'm doing it!

Home

Today is my last Saturday at home for a few months. I may be "home" but the calendar is filled. So today, I am enjoying my house, peace and quiet, and doing nothing. I have deemed today "PAJAMA DAY!!!" My only plan is to get out for a quick run, and then to come home, put on sweats, and nap the rest of the day. I don't feel too bad getting excited about this, because I live a busy life. So, I'll take the rest when I can get it. Time to stock up!

The day is already going by too fast!

Treat yourself

3 years ago, my church gave me a gift certificate to spawish.com. I've always been afraid of massages, because I'm so sensitive. But, this week I hurt my back at the gym, so I thought, why not. I'll finally use it.

Unfortunately, because I waited so long, I wasn't able to use it, but I went ahead and got the massage anyways. I have to say, it was a nice treat for all of the hard work I have done lately! While I was "dreaming" I set up a few new goals. I decided on my ultimate health goal, and went ahead and made a plan of when I will get my next massage. I'm going to treat myself to a massage on July 24, as a treat for completing another great week at camp, and the Manzanita 10k. I'm pretty excited about this plan!

A good friend pointed out that 30 really was my year! It just wasn't "my year" as I thought it would be. But it did turn out pretty wonderfully! 31 is going to come in as a close 2nd. I think I have a great year ahead!

Feeling Good!

I'm feeling good today, and quite accomplished! I ran my farthest distance since high school today, 4.32 miles! I'm pretty excited! It gives me hope that I will be able to run the 10k in July!

A year ago today, I was in such a different state of mind. I guess it's true, once you start running, you'll learn to like it! Really, it's more that I don't want to go back and lose this ability! I could stay where I am and be quite content. But I think I will keep pushing myself instead, and see what happens.

Resolutions?

I just read a blog that said we shouldn't share our resolutions, because we get the same satisfaction from sharing our goals as we would achieving them. Good in theory, but when I told people that I was going to run that 5k for my grandma, I felt like I couldn't just talk anymore, I had to follow through. Same with the New Years eve run. I feel like sharing actually keeps me accountable. However, I can also see the other side and say sharing is just a fun way to talk. So, I have a new goal for the year. I actually have a few goals, but one in particular. Do I share it, or not? If I reach this goal, it will be after a week of camp. I'm half way to signing up for it. My only hesitation is that it is the morning after a week of camp, which is really tiring.

To share or not to share, that is the question.

Either way, I'll tell you that I'm back on track! As soon as I kick this nasty cold/flu bug, I will be back to training. And, I think I'm starting to enjoy the run!

I need to figure out a way to log my miles.

Until next time...

Race Results

I PR'd at the race last night! Feels pretty good! I didn't think I did a very good job, I felt really slow, and started cramping at the end. But I made it the whole way! Now I'm busy looking for that next race! I don't think I'm ready for a 10k yet, but I'm going to start training, and hopefully by the end of the year I can do it!

This race felt especially good! A year ago, I could barely last 15 minutes at the gym without getting bored, and worn out. Now I'm loving running these 5k's. Who am I? The best part, is that my new year's resolution for last year was to not lose weight, but to enjoy the year to the fullest. Well, guess what? I enjoyed the year to the fullest, and part of it was by losing weight!

It's fun to have some new goals that I never thought I would achieve. Tomorrow we are wearing our shirts to show off our accomplishment!