Monday, December 31, 2012

Sending 2012 out with a Bang!

So, for my final post of 2012 I decided to highlight some of my favorite posts from this year (a couple from my blog and then those from others that I read).  I'll start with others and then move to a couple of mine that I think are worth a second look...

Others:
Top 10 tips for running in the dark by Nutritionella
Making Fitness Fun by Lindsay's List
90 Second Breakfast sandwich by The Lean Green Bean (I'll have to try this with either G-F bread or none at all)
Hare Envy by Backatsquarezero

And probably my favorite of all at this point because she articulates exactly where I am
Mindy's Fitness Journey  and there are no bad words in the video- just the bleeped one in the title ;)

Now, for me- I think my absolute favorite post that I wrote- that I have to keep rereading it myself is this one: Beautiful





and some motivational pins to end your 2012!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Closing one chapter....

This post is going to be a trip down memory lane for the year 2012- unfortunately the journey really only took place from June to the present time.  However, there's still plenty of lessons learned in January-May.  As we close down 2012 I compare it to a book- it's time to close the chapter in order to open a new one January 1, 2013.





So- here we go:
January-March- I learned that I actually enjoyed running- began the couch to 5K program and got almost all the way through it until....
March-May- life happened- end of the school year hit and I ran around like a crazy person until...
June- I went on a hike and had these pictures taken- no sense in beating a dead horse but it shocked my system- I decided it was time- time to get serious and start making changes.  Took a spinning class for the first time and LOVED it.  Began the couch to 5K program again
July- Started taking spinning and regularly and watched some weight melt off- by the end of July I had lost about 10 lbs but it looked like more.
August- School started and I worried about my schedule not allowing me to go to the gym- BUT it did and I made time.
September- went to Atlanta at the beginning of the month and that was the first visual proof of change.  Went to a wedding toward the end of the month and pulled off a dress that had been hanging in my closet for a while (and got lots of compliments)
October- this was my first "run" where I participated in The Color Run in Nashville- I had a GREAT time- lots of fun and a good way to just do something healthy!
November- this month saw two races- my first "official" 5K in this particular journey at Dollywood (Light the Way) and my 5 mile Turkey Trot in Columbus, Ohio on Thanksgiving.  I also decided to sign up for the Knoxville Half Marathon...

December- Jingle Bell Run here in Knoxville (I just realized I never actually posted a recap so here it is- 3.1 miles in 34:00 minutes- I cut 6 seconds off of my time) and then just today I ran my last "5K" of 2012.  I signed up to do a virtual anywhere 5K and just resolve to run.  It was a tad bit on the chilly side so I ended up on the treadmill and finished in 35:55.  This goes back to my thought that I do better when people are around me.





So, here I am at the end of 2012- there are things I need to improve on- for example in the last month I have gained 4-5 lbs.  So, obviously I am NOT where I need to be.  BUT, in looking back, I can see lessons learned, perspectives gained, and a new lease on my life.  For the first time in a LONG time I am happy to be where I am and doing what I am doing.  The joy that is in me overflows from my relationship with Christ and knowing that He is giving me the strength to do what I should have been doing all along.




Tomorrow morning I am going to have a link up to some GREAT posts here in 2012, especially those that are still in my google reader that I keep going back to!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Thankful Thoughts!

Today's elf4health challenge was to make a list of 20 things we are thankful for.  I pulled out the notes section on my ipad and started listing them as they came to mind.  20 came pretty easy- 1,2,and 3 are in the proper order but the rest are in no particular order.




**What are you thankful for?

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A Look Back...

2012 in Review

My 2012


1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? I learned to enjoy running and participating in runs of various kinds (aka races).

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't know that I made any NY resolutions last year but I am making goals for next year (and they will be posted somewhere around Jan. 1)

3. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Complete contentment throughout the year.

4. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Completing the runs mentioned in number 1- especially completing the first one (I had tears in my eyes)
 
5. Where did most of your money go?  At the beginning of the year I would have said crafting stuff but at the end of the year there was a shift and it became more and more on running stuff (clothing, race fees, etc)

6. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Completing runs that I didn't think I could!

7. What song will always remind you of 2012? I have a couple depending on the time period- Toby Mac- Eye On It; Audio Adrenaline- Kings and Queens; Train- Brand New Book; and one more which will be part of my January 1 post.  Click the names of the songs for links to the videos.

8. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent more time with family and friends

9. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing over the little things that don't really matter

10. How did you spend Christmas? In Indiana with my parents, my sister, and nephew.

11. How will you spend New Year's Eve? With friends

12. Did you fall in love in 2012? Nope

13. What was your favorite TV program? I don't really have a favorite other than Biggest Loser- looking forward to that coming back on.

14. What did you do on your birthday? My birthday was on a Sunday so I went to church and then out to lunch with a friend.  The day before I went on a hike (which was actually the start of this journey)

15. What kept you sane? Exercising/spinning/running

16. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012. It's summed up in the following photo:

17. Quote a song lyric/movie/tv quote that sums up your year:
I have a couple (both song lyrics):
 
Britt Nicole- Stand-
 When I feel like giving up
When my heart has hurt too much
Feels like i've reached the end
No, I won't turn and run
This battle will be won
When I've done all I can
I stand, stand, stand
 
Matt Redman- 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
The sun comes up; it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I worship Your holy name
 
and a third- Colton Dixon- You Are

When I can't find the words to say how much it hurts
You are the healing in my heart
When all that I can see are broken memories
You are the light that's in the dark

Chorus:
You are the song,
You are the song I'm singing.
You are the air,
You are the air I'm breathing
You are the hope,
You are the hope I needed.
Ohhooohh
 
 
**I saw a survey like this on another blog (one that has more questions and is designed to be more personal) but I cut out some of the questions and decided to use them to bring my 2012 in review.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Perspective, Priorities, and People

This post is going to be a lot introspective, a lot of pondering, and a little bit of sap... (ha).  Seriously though, the last week and a half have been non-stop.  Last week I worked 3 straight 9-10 hour days AT work, then worked when I got home and 1 day of a 12 hour day AT work.  Just a long week!  But, it's over and we have moved on to this week which is a lot calmer and one where I can rest and run- or so I thought...(more on that later)

Perspective and Priorities- Let's see- I think most people have heard about last Friday's tragedy in Newtown, CT.  As a teacher and an aunt of a kindergartener, this one hit VERY close to home.  Just really showed me that what I do really does make a difference- and it also reaffirmed that no matter WHAT I do or WHERE I am- God can and will use me IF I surrender myself to Him.  On Sunday morning I also found out that a guy I graduated high school with (almost 20 years ago) had a heart attack and was on life support (he has since come out of that and had a defibrillator put in today).  Basically, with these two events, plus another thing going on that I can't discuss have changed my perspective and my priorities.  I am making it a point to spend time with friends and family.  I am making it a point to enjoy this Christmas season because we are never guaranteed tomorrow.  Through this I have also come to realize it's time to be a bit more public with some plans/thoughts/etc.  I have been thinking this over and praying about it for a LONG time and it scares me but like the above says- that means I need to pursue it. 

Bottom line-with the health changes I have made and the exercise habits I have tried to ingrain in my life have given me a new passion- a passion for sharing that healthy life/knowledge with others.  I am at the beginning stages of this journey but I am looking into different avenues to discover what it would take to pursue that passion and make it a reality.  So, I would covet your prayers as I figure out what step is next. 

I also know that means I need to focus on my goals for this journey to my healthy life.  I have let myself get lax in my habits and I am feeling the effects- So, my last two weeks of 2012 I will be looking at and naming (out loud) my goals for 2013.  I have some ideas which way I am going to go but I want to flush it out in my mind first.  I had big plans to get some running in this week (I actually had nothing going on during the afternoons) and on Sunday night I slammed my pinkie toe into my bed frame.  I have destroyed my nail (it's coming off) and it is extremely sore.  I'm not sure what my next step will be but I know that right now it hurts when I wear shoes (and those are somewhat necessary for my job) so I will have decide how to proceed (I desperately want to run the New Year's Day run I am signed up for).  Any thoughts would be helpful. 

People- this one is simple- as I mentioned my Christmas season plan- just make people a priority- if it comes down to gym time or people I will choose people any day.  Love on those close to you, hug those nearby, and give of yourself daily. 

Thanks for reading through this LONG LONG post (and my next post will actually have an update from the 5K on the 8th)

Monday, December 10, 2012

13 in 2013 plus busy busy

Things here are crazy, busy!  I have been working nonstop on school things (oh, the life of a teacher before Christmas break).  I did run in another 5K on Saturday- will have details and picture soon- just need to survive this week!  Observation tomorrow (Tuesday) so would appreciate your prayers and then lots to do the rest of the week.  The plan is to update on Thursday or Friday!

On another note- I signed up for a challenge to complete 13 races/runs in 2013.  They are going to be a variety- 5K's mainly, my half marathon (eek), and maybe a 10K or two just to mix it up.  These will be both "real" and virtual.  I'm excited about it and looking forward to this challenge!  I'm also working on some goals that will be monthly and for the rest of the year.




Monday, December 3, 2012

What's Going on?




Is it normal? I have done a 5K in 34:06, i did 5 miles in 55:50, and today, I STRUGGLED doing a 4 mile run. Now, granted I did this at a local park/greenway this afternoon (74 degrees and sunny- yes thank you) but here are my thoughts on why I did so poorly (meaning, I couldn't run the whole thing- not even close)

 1. The terrain/elevation. This particular greenway is extremely hilly- here are the details for it: Lakeshore Greenway now- the description says difficult with extreme slopes

2. I have had some difficulties managing my schedule and how I feel in order to get the run in- that MUST change- I have a half marathon to train for- EEK!

3. And here's the third reason (for the record- I think 1 and 3 are my two biggest reasons)- the two organized runs/races I have participated in have been in the cold AND there have been other people running.  For whatever reason I feel like I probably do better when I am running around other people- it keeps me motivated and my pace consistent.  I guess I'll find out Saturday when I take part in the Jingle Bell Run.  This will be the last 5K until New Year's Day!  woohoo! 

Oh, and another tidbit of info- I am working on 25 days of intentional exercise- but for me and my schedule- I am counting on the fact that if I at least get 15 minutes of GOOD stretching/foam rolling in then it works for me- sometimes that is what is needed.  For example, Friday- I am not going to want to run the day before my race but a brisk 10 minute walk and a good 15 minute stretch/foam rolling before bed will be good.  I need something even on those days that seem to go on forever.  I got the idea from the blog in this link; Advent Exercise Calendar I am tweaking mine though- I am die cutting a bunch of various colored circles out and on the back putting random things (not on all- just some)- such as: send a note to someone who inspires you, purchase a "deal" for a massage, look for a new race to sign up for, go to the thrift store and find a new pair of pants, etc.  Anyone have anything else I could add?  :)  I will be working on those for the next couple of nights so any help is appreciated.

And let's end our Monday with this: