Find Your Passion

I just spent half an hour searching the house for my iPhone headphones.  Half an hour.  My guess is that one of the little people who live with me has taken them.  I used to have two sets, so if one was misplaced (as is often the case in the disorganized world I live in) I'd have the other pair to wear. 

I finally decided it was getting too late in the morning to run and that looking for my headphones was not productive.  I needed them, because I'm doing this training program on RunKeeper and today I was supposed to do an 8x1 run: 1 minute Steady then 1.30 minutes Slow, Repeat 8 times for a total of 20 minutes.  I needed RunKeeper to tell me when to slow and when to go "steady."  I'm going to have to search the kids' rooms tonight, find my headphones, and then run.  I have to stay on my schedule.  It's my goal for the New Year.

One of my co-workers told me about a Kid's Marathon that W K Upchurch is sponsoring near us.  I went on the website yesterday, and I registered Number One (without asking him--how's that for parenting?).  I think this is such a great idea to get kids active.  They run or walk the first 25 miles on their own, leading up to the race day.  There's a sheet that can be printed off and filled in to show they've completed their 25 miles.  On race day, they (along with one parent) run the remaining 1.2 miles.  They receive a medal and the satisfaction of knowing that they've "completed" a marathon.  Such a great idea!!!  I'm excited to take Number One out running with me now. 

And speaking of Number One: He finally received his ultra-expensive gymnastics's uniform, and boy was he proud of himself!  He claims this is a Level 5 uniform.  He's a Level 4, but his coach says he will definitely move up after this season.  He can pretty much already do the back handspring.  He's just perfecting it.

 

 

And yes, the muscle pose is his typical pose.  So proud of my guy and how far he has come over the last year.  He's really found his motivation, and has made himself happier.  When you have a challenging child, you always worry about their mental well being.  I'm starting to worry less and less about Number One, as I see him dedicate his life to a sport he loves, making good grades, and starting to make the right choices. He's found his passion in life. I'm just wondering how the 8 years passed by so fast.

 

I remember when he was 6 months old telling my Mom I couldn't believe how fast the time went by, and she laughed at me and said, "You'll be saying that in a minute, but he'll be 20." And she's right.  Time moves too quickly to waste even a minute of it not doing what you love.  I've realized that this year, and I've poured my heart back into writing.

 

What's your passion?

Goals for 2013

I just pushed a button on my phone, setting a huge GOAL for 2013 for myself.  My goals for this coming year are similar and different from last year. 

Here they are, in no particular order:

• Run 315 miles this year: I set a RunKeeper goal to run 315 miles.  This is slightly over 2 miles 3 times a week.  Basically, this means I have to run on all my Taekwondo off days, plus maybe on a few Taekwondo on days.  I'm sure I can do it.

• Run a 5K: I'm setting a goal to run ONE 5K.  I actually hope I can do this somewhere around March or so.  I'm also doing a training program with RunKeeper, to get me prepared.  Now if I can just get over this cold and hit the pavement a little bit more.

• Finish my Novel: This is one of my biggest goals this year.  I should be done in the next month or so, I'm guessing.  I've already reached the climax and my main character is just floundering right now in between two large life decisions.  I need to get her settled and then put it away, returning to it to edit.  Some of you may be lucky enough to read the first draft!

• Start working on Short Stories: I've never been a short story writer, but I really think they are the key to getting novels published.  If you can get some short stories published, then you'll have recognition that will help you with a longer piece.  So I'm going to try my hand at it.

• Keep the Weight Off: Clean out my closet of all the too-big clothes and keep the weight off.  I'm going to do this by maintaining my healthy diet and incorporating exercise in my life every day (see above). 

So those are my goals this year!  I'm psyched to accomplish them and to see what 2013 holds!

Running on my Mind

Running on my Mind

I ran 1.5 miles today in 16 minutes 44 seconds.  I didn't feel like I was going to die at all, seriously.  Most of the time, when I start off a run I feel like my bones and joints are going to break and my breathing seems irregular at first, but today it just came.  I just ran, and it felt natural.  It felt amazing.  I wanted to go 2 miles, but I need to build up slowly.

I slowed my pace today, and I think that's why it seemed so much easier to me.  I want to make it to 2 miles, then to 3.  My overall goal is to eventually be able to run a 5K. I don't want to do anything crazy like run a triathlon or a marathon or anything.  Not.for.me. 

I love running. I love the way I feel when the music is playing in my ear.  I love how I can think about everything and let the thoughts flit through my mind like snowflakes.  Running allows me to let things go.  It allows me to clear my mind, as no other activity ever has.  I feel pure solitude when I run, but not loneliness  That probably sounds cheesy, but that's how it makes me feel.  Hard to explain.

The kids are starting to ask if they can go with me.  I love that they see fitness as a way of life.  I told Number One and Number Two they could run with me tomorrow.  They are looking forward to it.  I know that with them tagging along, my pace will definitely be much slower than it was this morning, but it will be worth it to share my love of running with them.

We're taking the kids hiking today.  They are excited.  We're going to have a picnic first, then hike a little bit. We will go easy, because Hubby is still nursing his ankle.  He does not need to overdo it yet. I remember, when I was little my Dad and Mom used to take us down to the riverfront, near the silo that was once an Amtrak Station and now a restaurant.  There was a playground there with tire swings, and we would sit and have a picnic by the river, play at the playground, and watch the boats as they sped by. 

These are the types of memories I want my kids to have of their childhood.  Memories of togetherness that will stick with them forever.

A Morning Run

I ran a 9.5 minute mile today!  This was the first time I've actually run a whole mile, without taking a breathing break.  I was super excited.  I walked at the beginning and the end, and with the extra .50 miles of cool down and warm up, I still averaged a 10.3 minute mile.  So exciting.  I really like the way running makes me feel.  I never thought I would.  I always complained when I had to run, but I enjoy doing it now.  I think it's because I'm in better shape, so it makes it way easier for me to do!

At the recommendation of some of my friends, I downloaded RunKeeper on my phone, and oh my God!, it is awesome.  You can save your workouts to track your progress.  You can set a minute per mile goal.  You can also set other goals: longest distance and weight loss goals.  Plus, while you're running a lady's voice keeps up to date on how you're doing: you have run 1.00 miles in 10 minutes.  Average time 9.5 minutes, or what not.  She is awesome and motivating too!

There are also training plans: 5K, weight loss, marathon, etc.  You can sign up for these, and it tells you exactly what workout to do in order to reach your goals. 

Here is what it looks like, and I've only had it for one day and I'm already a huge fan:

 



So my next running goal is to be able to run 2 miles without stopping.  I'm going to keep up 1 mile for a few more workouts (three or so), and then I'll try for 1.25 miles, and I'll build up.  Time to set aside some money for running shoes.