Hey there

So I'll admit I've been a bit preoccupied lately.  You see despite loving what I'm doing with Team in Training it is not my life or even my life's work.  Outside of all the training and FUNd raising I do have a life.  I'm a mom of 2.  I have a husband who has his own business that I attempt to help out by dong the book keeping.  I have a household.  I have church and friends.  I have a relationship with God.  I have all these other balls that I must juggle that sometimes my bloggy ball gets left in the corner for a while & you know what they say, "out of sight, ,out of mind."   So I know its been a while since I've posted.  So what is going on?  Have I resorted to my old couch potato ways?  By no means. 

I get up at 5:15 at least 5 days a week.  I either go to the local high school field house and do my couch to 5k (aka C25K), go to Curves and to a couple laps around the circuit there or if its Saturday I head out to where ever the Team in Training Group Training (GT) is being held that week.  Tomorrow we are at Ft Ben.  So i will actually get to sleep about an extra half hour.  YIPPEE!   Oh and by the way sign up for the fall training season have begun.  I'm already signed up for the Indianapolis half marathon.  My goal for that is to run the majority of it (lets say  about 75% or 10 miles).  I have a long way to go to get there.  I still and sucking a lot of wind when I run.  Don't seem to recall running being so intense when I was a 20 something.  Any hoodle.  I digress. 

So I'm still tracking.  Walked for 2 hours (on a treadmill) last weekend.  I was in Cincy for the Great Mid-West Home School Convention & since I don't know Cincy very well I felt it better if I stick to the hotel fitness center.  It was also nice because I could very accurately monitor my pace.   There is less than a month until the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.  So please pray for some good weather so I can get more walking/jogging time in.  Also that the weather the day of the race would be cooperative (read overcast and about 60 or perfect running weather).  So that's where I am. 

There is still time to donate if you have not done so already.  Tim is still a little short of his goal (about $150)  so spread the word.  You can use the link at the top right column to go directly to his fund raising page and donate via the secure site.

The Beginning

Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start.  When you read you beginning with A-B-C (alright I digress) 

I am sitting here pondering the beginning of my voyage in being physically fit, raising money for charity, etc.   I had almost forgotten about riding my bike for the American Diabetes Association when I was a kid.  It started when I found out about a friend at school having juvenile diabetes (now called type 1)  I researched this at the library because yes this was in the days before Internet and one had to go to the library to do research (unless you were one of the lucky families that owned an entire set of Encyclopedia Britannica).  I found out all the things she had to do just to live a "normal" life and all the things she had to abstain from.  This was also back in the days before pumps and testing meters and such. 

I think I did my first ride when I was nine or ten.  I rode 18 miles to raise money for ADA.   I had to go door to door asking for pledges and then I had to go back and collect my money when I was done.  One poor guy pledged $5/ mile.  I asked him if he just meant to pledge a flat $5.00.  He said no he wanted to pledge per mile.  I guess he figured since i was only 10 I would only be able to ride a couple of miles.  he was a bit taken aback when I told him he owed $90, but, he did honor his word & pay.  I've long since given up my bike for running shoes.  It is after all much cheaper and easier to be a runner than a cyclist.  Although I'm sure some one could argue against that.  What ever you do be it run, walk bike or swim, Id encourage you to find out if your favorite not-for-profit has any kind of program that you can support through your preferred means of physical fitness.  Putting hte two together is a win-win combination. 

I now have two good friends battling leukemia.  I have been wanting to get back into running since Elias was born.  So this seemed to be the perfect fit.  I could help raise money & awareness and also get some great mentoring, encouragement and training to get me back into road running. 

Rest

I have goals, both short term and long term goals.   My short term goal is finish the mini-marathon on May7th 2011(a 13.1 mile race) by walking, jogging and/or crawling if need be.  It is only 2 months away.  I also have a long term goal of training for & completing a full marathon before the end of the year in which I turn 40.  Well that is 2 1/2 years away.  I also want to lose 35 pounds by the end of this year.  So I'd consider this a mid range goal.  If I lose a little more than a pound a week on average I should be able to attain this goal.  Why do I put this out there to you so openly.  ACCOUNTABILITY!  So far my friends have been great asking me how my training is going. This helps me to stay motivated.  I"m competitive my nature that is just the way God made me.

Rest is for the wimpy, right? I mean if you want to lose weight & get into shape you've got to exercise and exercise a lot, right? You know the old sayings
"No pain, No gain."
&
"Pain is just a sign of weakness leaving the body."

So since I'm training for an endurance event I should exercise a lot right. I should be running daily & lifting weights at least 3 times/week. I should be cutting calories and watching my fat intake or was it my carbs or protein. Well anyway its all wrong.   Of this I have to remind myself.  My competitive nature tells me to push the envelope, workout even though the training schedule says take the day off. 
However, I must remember that I am not my own.  That my body is the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19)  So I must rest because if I fail to rest my physical body it often has ramifications not only in the physical but spiritual.  A tired body tends to have less patience with children (& husbands)   Which can lead to raised voices or anger that can lead to sin.  A tired physical body can want to eat more than is necessary to fuel it.  This can lead to gluttony.  A tired body can lead to a body that doesn't want to move at all which leads to sloth.  So I must bring my body into subjection and rest it.  I must

Moderation in all things is truly the key to success in anything. Your body needs to eat a variety of healthy foods and it needs rest. Days where its not being physically stressed so that muscles have time to repair themselves from the stress placed on them during workouts. Rest days are just as important to a training schedule as the workouts themselves. Sometimes its difficult though. Especially when  I am seeing changes & improvements.  I question, will I back slide & not come back to my training schedule for the next workout. Will a day off cause me to forget what I'm training for.  Perhaps you have the same competitive nature.  A desire to feel your body move, improve & transform.  

I've done a lot of reading and the experts seem to agree that you can successfully train for & complete a marathon by training only 3 days/ week.  The 20 something, single & no kids me would have scoffed at such a schedule.  I would have said you must log time & lots of it to complete a marathon.  After all to run a marathon takes time. 

But in March/April issue of Women's Running one of the cover articles is "Marathon Made Easy: Train in 3 days a Week!"  As I mentioned before my goal is to run a marathon so of course I bought said magazine.  The program they present consists of 18 weeks of training, but, before you can begin that there is a catch ah yes the catch.  This is not for someone that has worn a spot on their couch so deep that no one else can sit there because their contours don't match.  This program is for those that:

                       "have a strong mileage base.  The stronger the foundation, the more successful it will support the demands of marathon training.  When starting this three-day program, you should already be running six to seven miles, at least three to four times per week."

Whoa! What did they say?  I should be running 6 miles 3 times per week (at a minimum) before I embark on this program.  Okay well let's see here uh I'm still having to take walking breaks when I'm out for my 30 minute jogs.  So I guess I'm not quite ready for a running marathon training program, yet.  So I finished the article.  Perused the rest of the magazine, look at the pictures of all the smiling happy runners with great admiration and recall a time in my life when I was once one of them.  Will I get that back?  Will I once again reach the place where I feel confident enough to call myself a runner?   I'm sure trying stay tuned and find out.
       Hint:  I still have the magazine & I take it out at least once or twice a week to remind myself of my goal.
       Disclaimer:  I was not compensated by Women's Running Magazine for my presentation of their article nor was I asked to review or otherwise discuss this article.  The statements made are strictly my views and do not represent the views of Women's Running Magazine.  The article I quoted was in the March/ April 2011 issue of Women's Running Magazine (on stands now).  I purchased the magazine for my own personal use and knowledge.  In case you want to get a copy I purchased mine at The Blue Mile in Broad Ripple. 

Euchre Tournament in Pictures - sort of

And of course I got so wrapper up in the excitement once game play started I forgot to take anymore pictures.  I even forgot to get a picture of the champion with his trophy. 

Once of these days I will get myself camera focused.

Oversight

Please forgive my oversight.  I failed to mention the donation of some yummy Truffles by Granola Mom 4 God. 

Euchre Tournament

Yesterday was the Euchre tournament.   We had fun.  We ate some great food.  We raised money for a very worthy cause - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   We raised over $200 by playing Euchre and having fun.  I'd call that a success in my book.  This was the first annual, so I've learned a few things so it will be a bit different next year but there will be another next year (if not sooner).  Stay tuned for a posting of pics & more details. 

I would like to thank these area business for their contribtions in making the event a success:

Big League Barber (Geist)

Chicago’s Pizza (McCordsville)

Good’s Candies (The Original)  (Kennard)

Harbour Salon & Spa (Geist)

KKBB Hair Salon (Fishers)

Mama Bear’s Bakery & Café (Geist)

McAllister’s (Fishers)

Moe’s Southwest Grill (Fishers)

Tasteful Times (Fishers)

The Original Pancake House (Fishers)

Wal-Mart (Greenfield & New Castle)

Behind!

Yes I know I'm a bit behind on keeping you all up to date on my happenings. So here goes a marathon long post. Just kidding. I'll try to keep to my even and only make this a half marathon.

1 - found & purchased a double jogging stroller from Craig's List. Now if we could just get the weather to cooperate fro more than 4 days. Although I did love the few brief jogs I did get last week.

2- I get to go back to Curves tomorrow. I haven't been in I think 3 weeks. We had an ice storm so they were closed, then I was terribly sick, then last week the one day I tried to go my car wouldn't start. So then my car was in the shop all last week & we still don't know what the problem is.

3- Went to training this past weekend. We were in Broad Ripple. Walked on the Monon for an hour with my training buddy Jen. we both needed new shoes so walking was best. I think next week we may start jogging.

4- Momma got a new pair of shoes. This past Saturday our training site was moved to Broad Ripple because after our training we meet at the Blue Mile (formerly the Running Company) to have a footwear & apparel clinic. They talked about why its important to wear the proper clothing, shoes & accessories.

Then we had the opportunity to have a short gait analysis - basically they put you on a treadmill and video tape you running from the knee down. (If you've not had this done and you like to do a lot of walking and/or running I highly recommend it.) Then they tell you what your gait type is & what type of shoe will help make you a more efficient runner. I'm a pronator (my feet roll in when they strike the ground). I need a stability shoe. The ones I had were very old and the reason the probably hurt so much was they were a bit small.

Apparently your feet can grow with every child you have & not just the first. Okay i knew that but was living in denial. So I got a new pair of shoes that are yes a half size bigger & way more comfortable to run in. I can't wait to take them on their maiden voyage.

5- Plan are in full swing for the Big Euchre Tournament on March 5th at 2 pm. I've got prizes, lined up, food planned, and lots of fun. I hope you all can make it. Check your inbox for your invitation and/or your messages on Facebook.

Funny story/embarrissing moment: during our walk Saturday morning Jen & I meet up witha gentleman from England. Out for his "morning constitutional." Those are his words. So I say, " oh, we heard that word used on 101 Dalmations" to which he promptly replies in his very English accent, "Oh I have had that earlier, I am after all civalized." I was speechless, I know me speechless is almost unthinkable. After we parted ways - he went to meet some of his friends at the Monon Coffee Company for breakfast. I said to Jen I didn't mean to insinuate that he was not civilized I just meant they used that term when the couple went out for their evening walk. She said she understood me to mean that also and that she thought it funny & that perhaps the term has two very different meanings. So of course this inquiring mind wanted to know. So I googled the term. Here is what I found constitutional. So Jodi, maybe that will be the title of my NEXT blog. Just kidding.

training update

I spent most of the week recuperating from a nasty sinus infection that hit me out of no where on Monday. Had me walking around like a drunken sailor. So I didn't really feel much like training this week at all. Plus Eliana had her first (& hopefully) last bout of strep throat and is still recovering from that so I've been giving her a lot more TLC. I'm looking forward to getting back into my grove this coming week.

Training Update: Today was our second Saturday morning training as a team. We actually got to do our training at Eagle Creek Park. I only been there once before and it was almost 6 years ago. A very beautiful park even in the throws of winter.

Since I was still recovering & didn't want to over do it, i thought it best to only walk today. I walked with another newbie to the team (Jen - a school teacher turned stay at home mom. Its too bad we didn't' have more in common) and an experienced participant (John who is a wealth of information about training for endurance events). So we did a lot of talking.

We did a 5k in just under 50 minutes. I know some of you out there thinking that is like 16 minute miles, she actually is slower than a turtle. Well, my rebuttal would be I was the oldest of the trio, I didn't train all week due to illness and the pace was very comfortable, I never once felt I was overexerting myself. So I can't wait to see what I can do in a couple of months with some more training and a new pair of shoes (more on the new shoes next Saturday - you'll see why then)

Of course I won't mention the 60ish year old male & female on our team that both finished walking the 5k before my group. i could ramble on about how he was almost a foot taller than me and used to be a runner. I could talk about how she has done 10 marathons and this was literally a walk in the park for her. But I no longer feel a need to justify myself. My pride can handle this. I simply mention them to let you know the type of awesome people I get to train with.

Of I almost forgot; the parking lot was covered with ice (imagine that) and I fell as I was getting back into the car. Hit my knee & scraped it up a bit but mostly hurt my wrist, please pray it heals quickly. It is really hard to wrangle my rascals with a bum wrist that hurts whenever its moved.

FUNd Raising update: I've already met MY minimum fund raising goal. Thanks to everyone for their contributions. Tim however, since he got a bit of a late start is behind. Ha, ha, Seats - behind. sorry I've been up since 0500. So until he reaches his minimum goal our focus will be on his fund raising campaign. Please visit his site (link at the top right). You can make a donation using your credit/debit card or you can mail a check made payable to LLS or if you prefer to write it out Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Then mail to Tim or Renee Seats at PO Box 206, Kennard, IN 47351.

Also mark your calendar for the 1st Annual Team Seats Euchre Tournament to Benefit LLS. It will be at Horizon Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall. Game play will start at 2. There will be a concession available for snacks & beverages. There will be prizes. There will be good times with great people. More importantly all proceeds to go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Plus you'll be helping Tim raise his funds so he can come do the mini with me. If you'd like to make a donation or your time or talent please let me know. You can email me at reneeseats@gmail.com

The Quest

When Eliana was about a year old I purchased a jogging stroller from my friend Jodi.  Boy did she give me a great deal.  We got a ton of use out of that stroller.  Unfortunately about 6 months after purchasing it we found out we were expecting Elias.  So after Elias was born we sold the stroller in a garage sale.  Now that I'm taking up jogging again, I'm on the quest for the perfect jogging stroller for me & the kids.  I've looked on Craigs list, nothing. 

I've looked on line & found several but they are rather pricey.  I mean seriously have you seen the BOB double jogging strollers. For $700 the stroller out to run for me.  I'm sure they are worth every penny, but, unless BOB wants to donate one to me in exchange for me to review it for them, (thought I'd throw that in just in case anyone from BOB is scouring blogs in search of someone to bless with a wonderful jogging stroller to review) that is way more pennies than I have to spend.  

I've seen a couple in the reasonable price range. One stroller I was considering had mostly favorable reviews but several purchasers complained about the tires not holding air & going flat on runs.  Uh to me that is a problem.  I don't want to be 3 miles from home & have to push my 2 children (with a combined weight of 60#)  back in a stroller that weighs 35# by itself and that has flat tires.  Admittedly that would be a great workout though. 

The one pictured on the right is an In Step Flash Fixed Wheel Double jogging stroller.   This is the one that I'm leaning towards.  I just want to wait a bit & see if by some miracle someone posts one similar to Craig's List in the next week or so.  If not I'll have to buy a brand new one.  Which means saving my allowance for several weeks.  But it will be well worth it once Spring arrives and me & the kids can get out & enjoy more easily.  Spring is coming right?

So the quest continues.

the post with no title

Okay today was the first day of training.  The original plan was to meet at Eagle Creek & do our team training there.  However, due to the illustrious ice storm of 20-11.  The venue was moved to an office park complex over by W 71st & 465.  So I woke up at 0500.  For you civilian types that would be 5am.  I left the house at 0545 and arrived at said destination just in time for sign in at 0715.  Yes it took me an hour & a half to drive to a practice that last about 30 minutes.  Of course there was breakfast afterwards at Le Peeps (all I can say is YUM-O.) 

While driving in the near treacherous conditions I was reminded of how I've been made white as snow by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I listened enjoyed some time of uninterrupted worship listening to local Contemporary Christian music on the radio.  So this morning was not just a morning of strengthen my physical being but also my spiritual one as well.  Looking forward to the next practice. 

So you ask how did practice go:   We had the option of running or walking for 20 or 30 minutes.  I opted for 30 minutes.  I started out walking but quickly realized I 'd warm up a lot faster if I jogged.  So I jogged for about 10 then took walking breaks of about 45seconds to a minute.  then would jog again.  So I'd say I jogged about half & walked.  I was told the loop was about a mile & I completed the loop in about 20 minutes.  Which for today I was satisfied with.  I was after all running on snow, which if you've never done is much like running in the sand and I've learned not to compare my almost 38 year old body with my 25 year old body.  Because although I am a new creation in Christ, I am no longer the youth I was.

Thwarted? Read Hebrews 12:1-2

Okay I'll admit that this time of year is not exactly the best time to take up training for an endurance event.  Especially when one lives in Central Indiana, where the motto is; "If you don't like the weather just wait 5 minutes & it will change."  The trouble with that is that it most often changes for the worst & not the better.  Our recent ice storm is no exception. 

I've not seen a sidewalk in this town for at least a month.  There is at least 2 inch of solid ice covering most horizontal surfaces around here.   I'm not quite as fast as the speeding trucks that zip through town driving well over the 30MPH posted speed limit, so I am reluctant to move my training outdoors.   I will attempt to attend the first official team training tomorrow.  It has been moved from Eagle Creek Park to some nearby office park that has manged to clear the roads through out.  However, my car which we park outside (we don't have the luxury of a garage, yet) is stuck in the same layer of ice mentioned above. 

I will not be thwarted though.  I'm keeping my eyes on the finish.  I continue to workout here at the house.  Jogging in place on my mini trampoline to the Wii Fit Plus jogging program.  I know its not the same but at least I'm moving.  Just not in a forward direction and Curves has even been closed since Tuesday due to the layer of ice in their parking lot.  What's next?   Oh yeah snow is in the forecast for tomorrow & Monday.   Anyone have a treadmill they want to lend me for the next couple of months: -)

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight & sin which so easily ensnares us , and

LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE WHICH IS SET BEFORE US.

Amazed

The slogan for Curves is "The power to amaze yourself.'  Well I'm amazed at all of you.  I just can't get over how much everyone is rallying around me to help encourage & motivate me to stay the course for this challenge I've undertaken.  I also continue to be blown away by the financial generosity of those around me.  Thank you all that have already contributed and those that will either make a direct donation or attend one of our fund raising events.

Training update:  Not much to report here.  I've been continuing my circuit workouts at Curves and love they way they make me feel.  I also love starting my day with some time in the word and sometime working out.  I do however, struggle on the days that I don't go to curves getting up before the kids and getting my endurance workouts in.  I'm motivated on the days I go to Curves because the owner has graciously offered to come in early on those days and open early so I can workout.  I need to start thinking of my Wii as my training partner and since I have an appointment keeping it.    Please help hold me accountable to those workouts.  I tend to find them a bit tedious towards the end of the week, but until the weather improves I don't have a lot of other options.  My official training program starts this Saturday, although I may be stuck training at home depending on how bad this storm we're supposed to get is.  So please pray that the storm is not as severe as predicted and that winter weather abates soon. 

Sorry there isn't much more exciting things to report.  I imagine as the season begins my posts will hopefully become more intriguing.

Sleeping Late?

This was my last Saturday to sleep "late"  for a while.  Elias let me sleep until 7:30.  Next Saturday I'll be getting up at 5 so I can head out the door at 6 to make it out to Eagle Creek by 7:15.  Since I've only been there once I'm making sure to allow some cushion time to arrive and find where the team meets up.

Yes I know that is probably strange that I've only been to Eagle Creek Park once & have lived in Central Indiana for almost 15 years.

Training Update:  Today is a rest/ active work day.  Read no actual "exercise" but massive amounts of house work going on.  We have just emptied the remaining contents of our previous home into this one & now must find places to hide store it.  So in short a lot of lifting, moving, pushing & pulling will be going on around here today.  When its all done the house should be presentable.  Just don't ask to see the garage.  That will be a project for warmer days.

I'm So Excited & I Just Can't Hide It...

Okay this post will cover a lot of territory so please buckle up for safety.
1st - Team in Training Kick Off Party last night was a blast.  We're going to be waking/running with a great group of people.  Who are both positive & encouraging.  Not to mention we've got some top notch coaches to train me.  Ever heard of Ashley Johnson, he's the head coach for Indy Mini-Marathon?  We also have a great Staff Lead Jessica to help us with  

2nd - There was also a chance to sign up for the Team last night at the party.  Guess who joined the Team?  Oh come on take a wild stab in the dark?  Okay, I'll give you a hint.  He's the other two legs of my Seat.  Wow! You guessed it Tim.  Yes that's right folks.  Tim is going to train & complete the mini-marathon with me.  He & I will also be FUNd raising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

3rd - We're planning a Euchre Tournament for March 5th to start about 1:30.  More information to come.  Please save the date.  

Bottom line there will be lost of things going on in our live over the next few months.  So you just might want to click the little button on the right over there that says follow so you are certain not to miss any of the news.

Training Update:
Did my Curve's circuit today. 
The official training schedule starts next Saturday.  What I like is that each workout is based on training for a given amount time & not distance.  This is how I've trained in the past with my running.  I find for me it is very effective.  Plus most of the workouts (at least until March) are under an hour so I should be able to complete these at one time and not have to break them in half. 

FUNd Raising

You see I need some donations to start coming in.   I'm supposed to be at 10% of my goal by February 9th. 

My overall goal is a mere $3000. 

So by 2/9/11 I need to have raised at least $300.00   

I'm gong to be wild & crazy and make a CRAZY offer to anyone that donates $50 or more before Tuesday 2/1/11. I will come watch your kids for 2 hours.  Make a donation & sign up to follow me I'll kick in a third hour.  You can follow me my clicking the follow me link on the right.  If oyu have questions about how to do this let me know. I'm here to help.  No kids at home? I'll clean a bathroom of your choice in your house & wash, dry & put away dishes or one load of laundry.   If you have kids & prefer to take option 2 you may do so.  Use the LLS box on the right & please make a donation to this WORTHY cause. 

Training update:  My goal is to post this daily jsut so I have some accountability. 
Slept late today thanks to AWANA last night causing the kids to sleep until 8.  I didn't realize how much I needed it, but, the extra sleep seems to have done my body good.  It allowed me to step up the intensity of my workout today.  Because the kids were already up I had to shorten the time a bit. So I ran for 20 minutes on the mini-trampoline today at my race pace, of course I'm not too certain how accurate the Wii is but it claims I ran just under 2.5 miles in 20 minutes.  Which would be a little over an 8 minute mile.  Sooo, I'm guessing it is a bit off.  But I do know I was moving pretty quickly and best of all it felt great.  Looking forward to my workout at Curves tomorrow please pray for no snow to delay the club opening.  I'm also looking forward to the snow melting and be able to go outside for walks/jogs.  Pray that next week the groundhog doesn't see his shadow & get spooked back into his hole for 6 more week.  I really could benefit from an early spring this year.

Save the date:  March 5th  - Euchre Tournament.  Prizes will be awarded & all proceeds to go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   Time & location to be announced. 

Yeah, I'm sore!

I've been getting up 3x/week at 5:30 to go to the Curves in New Castle to workout before Tim has to leave for work.  They don't actually open until 7 but the owner come in at 6:30 to let me workout.  I have to say that I was very surprised when she said she'd do that for me.   

If you've never done a Curves workout & are a woman I highly recommend it.   Its fun, fast & effective.  I really pushed it today & now I have that nice healthy sore muscle feeling. 

I hope tomorrow I'm not too sore to do my cardio only workout.  On my "off " days I sleep in until 6:30 & get up and run on my mini-trampoline.  No its not the same as walking or jogging, but, I figure its safer than going out in the dark & trying to walk on the edge of the road since the sidewalks here are all snow covered.  I guess I need to find a school with a track my official training calendar starts in 8 days.    I think.  I guess I better drag it out & double check.

Along with all this physical training I'm also working on letters to mail out to potential donors & planning a Euchre Tournament for March.  I've never endeavored to raise so much money on my own.  I have to admit I'm a bit daunted by it all.  I just hope that I can at least make my minimum goal.  So if you're reading this don't hesitate to check out my LLS Team in Training Fundraising page.  You are able to donate right online.  Every little bit helps.

Good Intentions

I've been plodding along quite nicely, sticking to my self made training schedule.  My official Team in Training schedule doesn't start until February 5th.  However, yesterday I slept right through my alarm & once I woke up at 8 it was a crazy busy day; had a chocolate tasting at 1, and preparations trying for a baby shower today at 3.  So I decided to let yesterday be my rest day & I was going to get up today to work out.  Well what do they say about good intentions. 

Staying up until 11:30 with my loving hubby (LH) makes it very difficult to wake up at 6 to work out.  What makes it even harder is that I'm using my cell phone for an alarm clock & the battery went dead in the middle of the night.  Guess I'll have to work out twice as hard tomorrow & will definitely be in bed before 10 tonight.  So back on track I go.  I hope.  Plodding along. 

Won't be going to church today since neither kid should be in Sunday school.  They both have exchanged their noses for leaking faucets.  So as not to spread the health.  We made the decisions to keep them home.  So this does free up some time for more baby shower preparation & perhaps I can fit in a brief workout.  I'll have to see if their is room enough in our living room with everyone up.  This wouldn't be an issue if the weather would just warm up and melt some of this snow & ice & I could walk outside.    I'm eager for spring.

A Speeding Turtle

Okay confession time:  Up until about 3weeks ago I was not exercising regularly (read I was a certified organic couch potato).  The worst part of that is that not only am I prior service army, but my bachelors degree is in Exercise Science and Wellness from BSU.  So in short I should know better.  Not only was I couch but I am also overweight.  I don't mean I put on a few pounds over the holidays over weight but need to lose a significant amount of weight.  My goal right now is 50 lbs.  Which will put be within about 5 lbs of what I weighed at the end of college & about 10 less than what I weighed when I got married.  What I think would be a healthy weight for me. 

I decided that 2011 will be the year I start to get back on track with some of my goals.  One of my goals is to run a marathon.  I don't expect to win or anything but to start & complete a marathon before the end of the year I turn 40 (Aug 2014) was a goal I set for myself back at 25.  My actual goal was before 30 but I got injured and then I gained all my weight.  So I moved the goal out to 40.   I've had a couple of children in my thirties so that has slowed progress a bit also.  So here I am 37 with only a 2 1/2 yrs left to reach my goal.  So I have to get serious.  I've joined Curves, I workout at home some and I've signed up for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) (More on this in a later post).  My event is the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon (May 7th, 2011)

So I'm a certified couch potato who will be completing a 13.1 mile race in less than 6 months.  I don't move fast but I am moving.  Just like the turtle in the fable I will finish the race through my steady, constant, plodding along.  A speeding turtle that is what I feel like.  I feel as though I'm  zooming but know that in reality I'm just inching along. They say every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  So pull up your chair and come follow along on my journey and lets see if we can get me to a run a marathon before the end of 2014.  Assuming the good Lord tarries.

Off to go train,

The Speeding Turtle