Resolutions

Boy oh boy! Did I take on a new life!?! Things have been crazy at work trying to get my feet under me…the good thing about that is, I have so many wonderful mentors there! My co-workers are amazing! (Yes…my PTA people I miss you so very much! Don’t forget that!)  If you know me, you know I prefer busy! So I am glad to see I joined a company that is expanding, and a facility that is trying to grow not only in census, but also in quality of care.  Wish me luck!

As for the running, it is going. I participated in the Villages Resolutions 5K last Saturday, and took second in my age group! Yay me! I ran the 5K in 29:35, which beat my goal of under 30 minutes. I didn’t do intervals like I have been training to do for the half in February. I am setting a new goal, to run the 5K in 27 by the summer. I am sure that is an attainable goal, however I haven’t read up on what it takes to take of 2.5 minutes off your time. So we shall see.

I am starting to increase my strength workouts, I am shooting for 3x/week, and 2 yoga days…so yes, I am pretty much doing something active every single day. Which…by the way…what is so wrong with that? How much time do you spend in front of the TV everyday? Think about that? How much time do you play video games, or sit on facebook? The average American spends 151 hours a month watching TV! That’s like 5 hours a day!!! Really??? Holy crap? Wonder why obesity is so high, or why the divorce rate is so high? Wonder why kids go out and get pregnant, or get into drugs/alcohol…they are bored….no one is talking to one another, and there are sitting in  front of the TV eating chicken wings! AHHHHH!!!

With every day that passes, I realize how unhealthy I am, and I really am not that bad compared to most Americans. It is interesting how JR and I felt like there was this underground life of running…when in reality healthy lifestyles (eating organic, yoga, recycling) is all considered HIPPY, and people are made fun of part of the time because they are trying to do live a little better. (Seriously, got called a hippy for doing yoga, and not eating at McDonald’s one of the first trips home I made from Washington).

So the challenge…do something other than watch TV, play video games, etc 3 times this week. That doesn’t mean go out to eat something unhealthy, or go to a movie…do something active, and be creative!  Good luck!  Me? Well..I have a few miles to log on the road if the weather permits, yoga to do, walks with my husband to participate in, and old friends to call! See you out there!

XOXOX

My part...

      How wonderful and difficult life can be sometimes…it is amazing isn’t it.  What have I learned in the short amount of time that I have been on this Earth? That no matter what life has in store for those we love and for ourselves that you have to back each other up. That you can provide as much advice, and guidance as you can, but the best thing to do is to be there. To listen, to provide faith, to love, and that is it.  I have found that you can overcome anything, as long as you know that you have a foundation. Whether that is a foundation in a family member, a significant other, a friend, a colleague, or in faith, you can survive and find happier times.  That no matter what you decide to do in each situation or in life, it doesn’t matter what society thinks of that, it is what you chose, it is what makes you happy, and that is all that matters. The great thing about love ones, is that they should support any choice that you make. Sure, things like drugs and alcohol…not such a great choice…but deciding to be a mother, or not….deciding to adopt instead of having your own children…to work or not work, to get a degree or not, to believe in a Christian God, or not….to run a marathon or not….I am sure you get this picture.  I’d like to say that I have been one of the loved ones that does this…but I haven’t. Boy is that obvious now. But the decision to change is one I’d support now, and therefore I am making that change. I want to be a rock and strong foundation for my family, I want to support their life decisions, not compare them to my own. I want to be that person. That is who I want to be for my children…so there is no reason I shouldn’t be that person for my friends and family now.  And I encourage everyone reading this to take a look at the person they have been. Do you provide criticism, or do you provide support. Are you actively listening? Seriously?  The reason I did this blog was to seek encouragement…but I haven’t been providing the right encouragement to those who need it the most. So through this outlet…this is what I am doing.

Past the heavy….JR and Brandon both survived their half marathon! It was amazing…boy does Disney know how to do it right!  We woke up at 230 am, to drive down to Orlando and get them on the starting line at 540. It was in the 30’s. I saw JR pass me at the starting line, Brandon at mile 4 (right near the monorail entrance near Magic Kingdom), JR & Brandon (and a random Coug) at mile  8, and neither at the finish line (way to many spectators!).  How motivating to be there in the throws of a marathon weekend. I was so inspired to see the wheelchair racers start off, the people who were overweight making a change and trying a HALF MARATHON (how awesome is that!), and the seniors who walked or jogged the whole time…what an unbelievable experience! And I just watched!  The guys were on such a high afterwards, they were discussing which races across the country in the next year or so that they could sign up for. The changes that JR and I alone have made in our lives because of one person (Jenn) have been so amazing. We have taken a closer look at what we are eating, we miss running when we don’t get out there more than twice in a week.  To have a friend in Brandon who jumped on board and continues to encourage us to push ourselves to that next level (he wants us to run the goofy race next year…look it up…its insane) is a blessing and I thank him. I think about the fact that I have had a moment were I weighed almost 200 lbs…and now I am starting to live a lifestyle I want to. I want my children to start off their lives off healthy, not thinking it is ok to go to McDonalds and eat….and that sitting in front of the computer, or TV for the entire day is ok. No thanks. So bring on the races….bring on the healthy lifestyle…bring on the yoga!

Another great thing that has come out of our recent bumps in the road….today my mother-in-law (MIL) started walking with us this morning…and the course she chose? Almost 5.5 miles! And did awesome!  She has started to consider joining us for our next 5K. How amazing is that! How inspiring is that! So JR and I have decided to encourage that, to encourage her to motivate her friends….how much life we have to live these days with the medical knowledge we have! 50 is the new 30 or so it goes…if someone in their 90s can run a half marathon…then together we can all encourage each other! So if you are driving through Stone Crest, you may see the “Stone Crest striders” working on their walking!  Give us a wave!

Next race….The Villages 5K on January 22^nd…see you there! Hey everyone…get out there, be a rock, and live healthy! Namaste and God bless!

Stone Crest

Good afternoon to all! With 2 days out until JR and Brandon’s half marathon at Disney World I thought that  I’d post.

I haven’t been able to run much with our recent move and then a nasty bug got a hold of my body. But during the holidays I had the privilege of running at a retirement community called Stone Crest in Florida. Let me tell you, it was such a pleasure!

First off the weather difference from Miami to Central Florida was huge! We left the sunny 80-degree weather of Miami to the 30-degree weather of Summerfield and the idea of running outside seems about the least exciting thing you want to do.  Somehow I muscled up some energy with the help of my MIL (mother-in-law) and her ear warmers, and gloves. I start on my way around the neighborhood, and start to slow up because it is just so cold…my nose is growing icicles, and my toes no longer want to be attached to my foot. As I slow, a golf cart comes down the hill in my direction (everyone here travels by golf cart…I know I want to too.) The older couple in the cart wave hello and send a cheer…”keep going honey!”  This gave me a little energy to keep on going, I round out the first lap, where normally I’d stop at this point….but I didn’t. I kept going. I decided, “what’s one more lap around this place?” I keep going and several more waves, and encouraging cheers keep me going, and eventually someone goes…”wow you are everywhere, keep going!” What an awesome running experience! I am so used to people in full hair and make-up running, the “penis lifters” (men or women that just go to look at themselves in the mirror working out), the dogs in strollers, the group of 5 people who refuse to form someone of a single line so that other runners/walkers can pass, the crazy stuff you see when running…

I ended that run feeling encouraged, by people in the community! A simple smile, eye contact, and or a wave go a long way. Not just for someone who is running, but for when you pass each other at Wal-mart, or on the sidewalk.  What happened to looking at someone in the eye and saying “good morning!”

The good and bad news (bad news because I wasn’t quite ready to leave my friends and patients in Miami) is that we have now moved to this area of the state. I am hoping that I will be able to find my runs to be full of smiles and encouraging thoughts! Perhaps they will make the decision to do a full marathon an easier one, perhaps I can start working on things like my pace/time? I don’t know there are so many things you want to do when you feel motivated and confident. Either way…I can’t wait to hit the road running!

Good luck to my husband JR, and my best friend B…as they embark on their first half marathons this Saturday. I will be back with pictures and an update!

Happy New Year!