Happy Birthday to my dear, loving, supportive, handsome 40 year old husband! Hope your day is special and your year is amazing... I've got a feeling 40 will be good for us! Thank you for being in my world, for loving me in spite of myself, and for allowing me the privilege of being your wife. I am a blessed woman, for sure... :-)
So, Drew's 40th is making me think about 3 months from now when it's my 40th birthday. I'm actually not worried about hitting 40. I'm not feeling old or depressed. I'm not fearing the best years are gone. I'm really thinking that I love birthdays (mine or others!) - and 40 is just another reason to celebrate life! I'm looking forward to the journey continuing and seeing what adventures life has in store for us!
I'm going to use this time between birthdays to challenge myself though. I have been pretty lax with my exercise and healthy eating, so I'm going back to tracking my points and scheduling my workouts. I am still training for the RBR 10K, so I need to keep that up too! Yesterday, I ran 2.25 miles before work, today is 3.1 miles at the 5K, and tomorrow is scheduled for 4 miles. Sunday - may be a day off or may be a cross training day. I'd especially like to build some better biceps by June. :-)
I weighed myself this morning, I plan to take measurements tomorrow as well as a picture - and then on my 40th, I'll do it again! (Maybe each month in between too - that'd be a good idea.) This gives me a fun challenge to see what I can accomplish with the proper mind set between our two big birthdays!
Thanks for stopping in - have an awesome weekend, all!
Angie
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The only thing constant is change.....
A friend of mine on a message board shared this quote last week:
"The secret to changing your life is in your intentions. Wishing, hoping and goal setting cannot accomplish change without intention. What is needed is a shift from the inert energy of wanting to the active energy of doing and intention."
—-Wayne Dyer
That totally hit home for me, as my hopes, dreams, and goals have been big and my intention has not moved from the dream into the action. I am not keeping up with my training schedule.... I'm running twice a week, three times if I'm lucky...totalling 9 - 10 miles on a good week. And, my friends, that is not going to get me to the 25K finish line. I can give all sorts of excuses... hurt foot, busy schedule, full time employment, family obligations, loss of my father-in-law.... you can see the list is lengthy. But, truth is - I just haven't moved it from dream to active energy of DOING!
So, with that being said, I am not going to beat myself up nor am I going to give up completely. What I am going to do is change the goal to one that I can achieve in the time I have left before May 8 - and adjust my bigger goal from there. I decided I will shift my 25K to the 10K, which is 6.2 miles. While that sounds so much shorter, and it is, I know it's still more than I am doing at this moment. This allows me to achieve a short term goal - and then I am setting my sights on a 1/2 marathon in the fall. There are several to choose from... Park 2 Park in Holland, Chicago 1/2, I've heard Lansing has a nice 1/2, Detroit has one and Grand Rapids has one! LOTS of options!
So, I will say, I feel like I failed. I set my sights on the 25K. I wanted that. I told so many people - my facebook world, my Weight Watchers world, and this blog world - and I am no longer going for that. I thought telling all of you would MAKE me do it, MAKE me be accountable. I still didn't create the time to do the training I needed. That makes me sad and a little frustrated, as this is my normal mode of operation and I was hoping to go beyond that.
However, I am feeling better than I have in a long time. I've learned that I CAN run, push myself harder than I thought, and I may just be able to teach an "old dog" new tricks after all! Physically, I haven't lost a lot of weight, but I feel good. Less tired and run down, as long as I'm not eating pure junk. :-) And, I know doing the 10K this year doesn't mean I can't do the 25K next year and the next and the next!
So, while I do believe the only thing constant is change, I'm going to go with the flow and keep on keepin' on. Forty is the new 30, right? :-) I still have plenty of time to conquer the world, one day at a time.... :-)
Hugs, all!
Happy Monday!
Angie
"The secret to changing your life is in your intentions. Wishing, hoping and goal setting cannot accomplish change without intention. What is needed is a shift from the inert energy of wanting to the active energy of doing and intention."
—-Wayne Dyer
That totally hit home for me, as my hopes, dreams, and goals have been big and my intention has not moved from the dream into the action. I am not keeping up with my training schedule.... I'm running twice a week, three times if I'm lucky...totalling 9 - 10 miles on a good week. And, my friends, that is not going to get me to the 25K finish line. I can give all sorts of excuses... hurt foot, busy schedule, full time employment, family obligations, loss of my father-in-law.... you can see the list is lengthy. But, truth is - I just haven't moved it from dream to active energy of DOING!
So, with that being said, I am not going to beat myself up nor am I going to give up completely. What I am going to do is change the goal to one that I can achieve in the time I have left before May 8 - and adjust my bigger goal from there. I decided I will shift my 25K to the 10K, which is 6.2 miles. While that sounds so much shorter, and it is, I know it's still more than I am doing at this moment. This allows me to achieve a short term goal - and then I am setting my sights on a 1/2 marathon in the fall. There are several to choose from... Park 2 Park in Holland, Chicago 1/2, I've heard Lansing has a nice 1/2, Detroit has one and Grand Rapids has one! LOTS of options!
So, I will say, I feel like I failed. I set my sights on the 25K. I wanted that. I told so many people - my facebook world, my Weight Watchers world, and this blog world - and I am no longer going for that. I thought telling all of you would MAKE me do it, MAKE me be accountable. I still didn't create the time to do the training I needed. That makes me sad and a little frustrated, as this is my normal mode of operation and I was hoping to go beyond that.
However, I am feeling better than I have in a long time. I've learned that I CAN run, push myself harder than I thought, and I may just be able to teach an "old dog" new tricks after all! Physically, I haven't lost a lot of weight, but I feel good. Less tired and run down, as long as I'm not eating pure junk. :-) And, I know doing the 10K this year doesn't mean I can't do the 25K next year and the next and the next!
So, while I do believe the only thing constant is change, I'm going to go with the flow and keep on keepin' on. Forty is the new 30, right? :-) I still have plenty of time to conquer the world, one day at a time.... :-)
Hugs, all!
Happy Monday!
Angie
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
DON'T PANIC!
Okay, so race day is 73 days away. Yep. 73 days! That's not many! And, I have not been a good little blogger keeping you updated on my progress.... Sorry!
So, short version.... life has been providing me some obstacles - and I have been providing my own mental obstacles. I feel like maybe I should pay anyone who actually reads this for being a free therapy session for me! It seems I use this blog(WHEN I write) as my cathartic place of reflection or something... I hope you don't mind! (and, to answer the question you're asking yourself...no, I am NOT going to pay you, although I said I feel like I should! HA!)
So - I am still training, although I am quite behind in my training. Drew has expressed some concern about the possibility of injury as I try to "catch up" on training. We've developed a plan... and that is I will continue to train as consistently as I can in the next 6 weeks or so. I have until April 16 to change my mind, if I want to go from the 25K to the 10K. IF I would opt to do that, which I do not plan on doing, I would then run the 1/2 Marathon in Charlevoix on June 26. So, I would still have a long distance goal for this year, but it would remove some pressure of doing it on May 8.
We just looked at that as a "what if" possibility. I plan to run the RBR 25K on May 8.... I am still going to make it happen!
And, you know, I just decided I'm not feeling nearly reflective as I once was.... I just want to let you know I'm still here, still reaching for my goal, and still not giving up! :-)
I will be back this weekend to write some more!
Later, all!
Angie
Oh, and today - didn't make it up early to run before work...but did come home and crank out 2.25 miles before dinner. WOO HOO! :-)
So, short version.... life has been providing me some obstacles - and I have been providing my own mental obstacles. I feel like maybe I should pay anyone who actually reads this for being a free therapy session for me! It seems I use this blog(WHEN I write) as my cathartic place of reflection or something... I hope you don't mind! (and, to answer the question you're asking yourself...no, I am NOT going to pay you, although I said I feel like I should! HA!)
So - I am still training, although I am quite behind in my training. Drew has expressed some concern about the possibility of injury as I try to "catch up" on training. We've developed a plan... and that is I will continue to train as consistently as I can in the next 6 weeks or so. I have until April 16 to change my mind, if I want to go from the 25K to the 10K. IF I would opt to do that, which I do not plan on doing, I would then run the 1/2 Marathon in Charlevoix on June 26. So, I would still have a long distance goal for this year, but it would remove some pressure of doing it on May 8.
We just looked at that as a "what if" possibility. I plan to run the RBR 25K on May 8.... I am still going to make it happen!
And, you know, I just decided I'm not feeling nearly reflective as I once was.... I just want to let you know I'm still here, still reaching for my goal, and still not giving up! :-)
I will be back this weekend to write some more!
Later, all!
Angie
Oh, and today - didn't make it up early to run before work...but did come home and crank out 2.25 miles before dinner. WOO HOO! :-)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Was it something I said?
Hey, peeps!
I'm thinking I must have scared you all with my introspective post last week.... it's been quiet as a church mouse on here. All I'm hearing is the sound of crickets chirping! No comments of any sort.
Well, that's okay. Life gets busy. Maybe you are all feeling introspective too. Maybe you're like my friend Bonnie who can't figure out how to post a comment. (I still love ya, Bon - no worries!) It's all good....
To bring you up to date - I ran my 5 miles last week...and then my running was like crickets chirping! Nothing was happening. I didn't get up early to run - didn't stay up late to run - didn't schedule time to run - didn't run! Period! It was weird too! Almost like running 5 miles without stopping made me feel like I was too close to a "real" runner, which I am not. So, then I had to go self sabotage or something. I ran a total of 2 miles last week.... didn't even run my long run over the weekend! And, I can feel a difference in how my life works when I'm not exercising or running.... I'm more stressed. Life feels more overwhelming. I eat like crap, mainly craving carbs, because I'm trying to get a fix from food to keep myself going. That's nuts.
Awareness is a good thing though!
So, tomorrow, I'm up early, hitting Tready, as my friend Staci calls it. I plan to get in two miles and then consult my training guide for what the rest of the week should entail. I know Saturday is scheduled for 6 miles...so I have a little work cut out for me! I'm on it, people!
Life may be throwing me some curve balls, but I can field them. (Ok, for those of you who saw me play softball in 2008...that's not true literally, just metaphorically) I'm still in the game and May 8, 2010, I WILL run the River Bank Run 25K!
WOO HOO!
Good night, gang....gotta rest for my run!
Ang
I'm thinking I must have scared you all with my introspective post last week.... it's been quiet as a church mouse on here. All I'm hearing is the sound of crickets chirping! No comments of any sort.
Well, that's okay. Life gets busy. Maybe you are all feeling introspective too. Maybe you're like my friend Bonnie who can't figure out how to post a comment. (I still love ya, Bon - no worries!) It's all good....
To bring you up to date - I ran my 5 miles last week...and then my running was like crickets chirping! Nothing was happening. I didn't get up early to run - didn't stay up late to run - didn't schedule time to run - didn't run! Period! It was weird too! Almost like running 5 miles without stopping made me feel like I was too close to a "real" runner, which I am not. So, then I had to go self sabotage or something. I ran a total of 2 miles last week.... didn't even run my long run over the weekend! And, I can feel a difference in how my life works when I'm not exercising or running.... I'm more stressed. Life feels more overwhelming. I eat like crap, mainly craving carbs, because I'm trying to get a fix from food to keep myself going. That's nuts.
Awareness is a good thing though!
So, tomorrow, I'm up early, hitting Tready, as my friend Staci calls it. I plan to get in two miles and then consult my training guide for what the rest of the week should entail. I know Saturday is scheduled for 6 miles...so I have a little work cut out for me! I'm on it, people!
Life may be throwing me some curve balls, but I can field them. (Ok, for those of you who saw me play softball in 2008...that's not true literally, just metaphorically) I'm still in the game and May 8, 2010, I WILL run the River Bank Run 25K!
WOO HOO!
Good night, gang....gotta rest for my run!
Ang
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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
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
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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
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
Sunday, January 3, 2010
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
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
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