A roller coaster ride......

Normally, I would say I LOVE roller coasters! What's not to like? You approach the top of a hill s-l-0-w-l-y, anticipating the moment you see that first car go over the hill...You know you'll be pulled along and quickly gain speed...The ride will only get faster and more fun as it continues! In my youth, I'd go to Cedar Point with friends and ride roller coasters all day - nothing but coasters - and have the time of my life. I also wrote a huge paper on it in a travel and tourism class in college. I put together a tour of great amusement parks in the US, which had the BEST coaster rides for the coaster enthusiast in all of us! (Got an A too -VERY original, according to my professor!)

Anyway, I digress. That was then and this is now. The roller coaster ride I've been on in the last two weeks has been emotional. It hasn't been fun at all, like those in my youth. I have been really torn up by the earthquake in Haiti - feeling so blessed to be in Michigan, where we're pretty earthquake and natural disaster free. Yet, my heart aches to read the news from Haiti and see the devastation! To know they are still looking for loved ones, that the death toll is still an estimate at 150,000 lives...well, it kills me. I've been accused at work of being obsessed with it. And, no, I'm not...but I am deeply moved and called to do something. I've joined with a group on facebook called Quakebusters, parent ministry for this group is GLOW (www.glowmi.org) and they've been in Haiti for over 30 years - they've got over 80 employees there, so they know how to have an impact. I'll be helping to raise some funds here. Having this in place makes me feel less hopeless, more hopeful. So - Haiti is one reason I haven't been updating my blog.

Another reason? I found out a friend from college was losing her battle with an aggressive cancer. She's been fighting for over 2 years... and her body just can't do it anymore. I haven't seen her in quite some time, but Laura is an amazing gal- full of faith, life, spirit, a gorgeous smile, enthusiasm and optimism abounding. She became a loving wife and doting mom- and a music teacher who shared an awesome gift with so many. I struggled this week with how this could happen? How can someone with so much going for her be afflicted with this horrible disease? Where is the fairness in life? I love God and I believe in His plans for all of us, yet I can't understand why a mom of 3 kids- a 12 year old 7th grader and 6year old twins in 1st grade - has to face this? What will her family do? I've been chewing on that this week, feeling sad and not shaking it. (Laura did lose her battle last night, January 23, at 920pm.) Rest in peace, girlfriend.

So, all that to explain that I've been MIA from my blog for valid emotional reasons.... yet I have not stopped my training. At times, it feels almost frivolous, like running on a treadmill when people in Haiti are sleeping under makeshift tents... how self absorbed can I get? Or, being worried about my weight or how I look physically when Laura was fighting for her life...how silly...

Yet, I kept training and used the time to pray, listen to worship music, thank God for the body He gave me and the time He gave me here to use it.

Yesterday, I hopped on the treadmill, thinking I'd run a mile or two and call it good. I just did NOT have the 5 mile run in me that I was scheduled for... I was sure of it. Well, as I started, I said I would just run for two and see how I felt. At two, I said I'll go to three. At three, I said I can crank out 12 more minutes, let's go for 4. At 4, I said - HOLY COW! I made it 4 miles without a walk break? Can I make it to 5? Lo and behold, I ran five miles for the first time with out a walk break at any time! I was beyond ecstatic with that accomplishment, as I've always stopped before once or twice to walk, telling myself I just "couldn't" run another second. Well, there's something quite empowering about doing that which one thinks one can not do. It makes me wonder - what else might I accomplish if I only set my mind to it?

Running 5 miles did not change the circumstances in Haiti nor did it save my friend Laura, but it did create a belief for me in myself, that who I am makes a difference and I CAN accomplish the goals I set.

Now I need to embrace that and,literally, run with it. :-)

Blessings to all of you! Thanks for reading!

Angie

It's official!

I'm signed up and ready to roll...I am officially a first time participant, registered for the 25K on May 8, 2010! Seems a little more real now..like I've been talking about it, but NOW it's real!

What's cool is that my friend Helen signed me up at the kick off event Friday. (Thanks, Darlin'!) Her husband decided to run too. Two friends of hers from high school are running, my friend Jerrie from Gentex is running, Drew might run, some gals from my Wednesday Weight Watchers group are running, Staci from my WW message board is training and I'm trying to convince her to come run with me....there is going to be a PARTY at the RBR this year! WOO HOO! Just me and 17,999 other people! :-)

Last week at Weight Watchers, I finally weighed in as a free lifetime member again. It's been since August that I've been free! So, running must help out in the weight control department! Who knew? :-)

I've been keeping up with the training this week, taking yesterday as a day of rest instead of today. My company Christmas party was Friday night and I overindulged a little. Not a lot...but needed some extra Zs on Saturday. :-) So, this morning was 3 miles before getting ready for church.

Training for the week looks like this:
Monday - two miles
Tuesday - run 10 minutes/walk 5 minutes/run 10 minutes
Wednesday - one mile
hursday - walk 30 minutes
Friday - run 1.5 miles
Saturday - run 4 miles

As I can, I mix in some weights and ab work...I know I need to round out the running, but time is sometimes hard to come by. To be successful, I will need to carve out more time for me and this training! I'm blessed with a family that understands, supports, and encourages. :-)

That's all I have for now, folks! More to come later in the week!

Have a GREAT Sunday!

Angie

2010, baby! It's here!

Wow... January 3, already! Where did those 3 days go? It's crazy to me how fast time flies...but I guess that means I MUST be having fun, right?

Actually, I've managed to get a nasty head cold, and it's throwing me off a bit. Yesterday was a day of rest and today I had planned to run my 3 miles from yesterday, but I still just have nothing to give! I may see if I have a little more later tonight...it's possible after I rest a little bit.

I'm getting to a point where I need to be making things happen, whether I feel good or not, whether I feel like it or not, whether I think I'm ready or not. I've been psyching myself out. I told Drew that maybe I should run a half marathon in Cleveland in mid-May (my in-laws live there). That's 13.1 miles, I'd have an extra week to train, and I wouldn't HAVE to run a particular speed to complete it. BUT, I would lose my local cheering section and I would have done less than what I said I would.

SO, with that being said, I am still training for the River Bank Run 25K!

Next question - do I join a local running club to assist with training? I'm NOT a cold weather girl and the thought of running in low digits in the Michigan winters - well, that doesn't thrill me. If I join a group, do I join the Gazoom group thru Gazelle for a $100 training fee? (local group) or do I join the Grand Rapids Running Club - drive a little farther, but have a minimal expense to join up with them? ARGH! I'm not sure what to do in that regard and it's getting to crunch time. Last option - train on my own - outside and on the treadmill - with Drew's input and encouragement. Save money, but possibly learn to dislike my husband.
:-)

Any input or feedback you can provide would be appreciated!

Hope your 2010 is off to a great start! :-)

Angie