Since I was a child, I've always admired anyone who could run with speed or endurance. It's always seems like a super human power to me. And I've always wanted to "be a runner." Well, at the age of 30, I decided to actually give it a go. I sort of ran out of excuses...had the money to get the shoes I needed, a work at home job (flexibilty!), and 3 iPods to choose from! In high school I could run a pretty quick mile and not feel too badly, so I thought it wouldn't be too difficult. I learned quickly that a 30 year old body is very different from an 18 year old body. I've had a baby by c-section and laparoscopy in addition to being 12 years older and almost 20 lbs heavier.
My new journey (I say new b/c I've tried running consistently several times) in April of this year. When I began, I ran intervals...tried the Couch to 5k, which didn't work too well for me. Then at the end of April, I had a laparoscopy, and that put me on the couch for more than 2 weeks. I started walking after about 2 weeks and the first time I broke out in a jog, I felt something in my abdomen pull that didn't feel normal, so it took me a while to get back to just running/walking intervals.
My first 5k (Jason Hicks Memorial 5k) was at the end of May. While I had started running some before, it had only been a few weeks and I again had a strange pain the day of the race, so I walked it. My friend, Hope Bell, walked it with me and still probably thinks that I could have run it if I had wanted to, but really, I couldn't. My dr said to listen to my body and that day my body said, "running will be dangerous today."
At the first of June, I started running intervals again and have run/walked every week for 3-4 days except one week, where, frankly, I was just lazy. My step dad, Haskell Manly, and I are doing a 5k this Saturday and I'm so excited. I can tell my body has responded to me pushing it. And Haskell has given me great advice on how to run with endurance. He asked me, "Why do you stop?" and that was probably the best thing anyone could have said to me. I was stopping because that's what Couch to 5k said; I was stopping because I was giving into my body's cues telling me I was too tired or too weak. Haskell has built up to running 5 miles a day, which is awesome. I'm not there yet. I'm still doing 3 miles and still have to walk about .5 - .75 miles in the middle of the run.
Tonight though, I ran the best I could, and finished 3 miles (I know...need to get that last tenth in there for the 5k) in 34 minutes. I know to most runners, that may be turtle speed, but to me, it was a huge accomplishment. When I started in April, it took me almost an hour to run/walk 3 miles. I felt exhilirated and like I would vomit at the same time.
It may take me signing up for a 5k every month or so to keep motivated, but something tells me, running may just "stick" this time.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Top Ten Reasons I Love Working From Home
Since Kevin and Griffin have been home this summer, I've been thinking about why I love working from home. Here's my top ten list:
10. I can sing as loudly as I want...usually. Kevin and Griffin do not appreciate my singing so much.
9. I control the temperature, except when Kevin makes it really cold.
8. I can wear whatever I want as long as I don't get little hints like, "Baby have you showered today?"
7. I can watch TV on my couch on my lunch break. It's usually Avatar, but hey...
6. I can take a conference call any space Kevin and Griffin are not using.
5. I get home cooked meals daily because somebody has to feed Kevin and Griffin.
4. I am only interupted when Griffin wants to show me a new trick.
3. I get to do all the laundry and dishes.
2. I get to wake up a few hours before everyone else in my house.
And, my number 1 reason:
Every day I get to see two of my favorite people all day long.
What a blessing in our very busy, hectic, overly scheduled world.
10. I can sing as loudly as I want...usually. Kevin and Griffin do not appreciate my singing so much.
9. I control the temperature, except when Kevin makes it really cold.
8. I can wear whatever I want as long as I don't get little hints like, "Baby have you showered today?"
7. I can watch TV on my couch on my lunch break. It's usually Avatar, but hey...
6. I can take a conference call any space Kevin and Griffin are not using.
5. I get home cooked meals daily because somebody has to feed Kevin and Griffin.
4. I am only interupted when Griffin wants to show me a new trick.
3. I get to do all the laundry and dishes.
2. I get to wake up a few hours before everyone else in my house.
And, my number 1 reason:
Every day I get to see two of my favorite people all day long.
What a blessing in our very busy, hectic, overly scheduled world.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Cheap vs The Expensive
I love a good deal and (ask anyone who knows me) historically have always sought out deals for everything. A great value empowers me. Some may call me cheap. I don't like that term, sounds trashy. I, of course, prefer frugal. But there is something I'm learning. There are some things worth their higher price tags. I don't believe you always get what you pay for as I think somethings are way overpriced and others really are a good value.
My best example of this is running/walking shoes. I've owned several pair of tennis shoes -- one pair I just donated to charity, and they were 15 years old! And I remember what I payed for them, $35, and the town where I purchased them, Spartanburg (on Highway 29). I have this strange ability to remember the approximate costs of almost all of my purchases (except groceries) and their relative stores. Anyway, I also bought another pair of "fashion" New Balances several years ago at Kohls at Myrtle Beach while Kevin and I were away for the weekend. We had been shopping all day and my feet were killing me, so I bought these very cute gray and white NB athletic shoes. They were $49.99, quite a bit in my frugal mind. Last year I found a pair of Nike's in my size at a consignment sale for $5, so obviously, I bought those too.
Then...
then...
Two weeks ago I was properly fitted for running shoes and holy cow!! They are amazing...in comfort and the ability to make my feet feel awesome. What they are not is cute, but I don't even care AND they were $100! I assumed I would eventually feel guilty for this purchase. Two weeks have passed and there's not an ounce of guilt. Just a sense of wonder...wondering what I've missed out on by buying the cheap stuff. My core value remains steadfast. It is my definition of value that is evolving. A simple t-shirt for $8 at Target, well, that's cheap and a good value. Brooks running shoes that feel like they were made for my feet -- expensive, and still a good value. My past purchasing habits indicate that I thought value = cheap.
If there is anyone out there actually reading this, I would love to hear other items that may be pricey but worth it...specifically interested in sunglasses, home decor, televisions, furniture, and of course clothes!
My best example of this is running/walking shoes. I've owned several pair of tennis shoes -- one pair I just donated to charity, and they were 15 years old! And I remember what I payed for them, $35, and the town where I purchased them, Spartanburg (on Highway 29). I have this strange ability to remember the approximate costs of almost all of my purchases (except groceries) and their relative stores. Anyway, I also bought another pair of "fashion" New Balances several years ago at Kohls at Myrtle Beach while Kevin and I were away for the weekend. We had been shopping all day and my feet were killing me, so I bought these very cute gray and white NB athletic shoes. They were $49.99, quite a bit in my frugal mind. Last year I found a pair of Nike's in my size at a consignment sale for $5, so obviously, I bought those too.
Then...
then...
Two weeks ago I was properly fitted for running shoes and holy cow!! They are amazing...in comfort and the ability to make my feet feel awesome. What they are not is cute, but I don't even care AND they were $100! I assumed I would eventually feel guilty for this purchase. Two weeks have passed and there's not an ounce of guilt. Just a sense of wonder...wondering what I've missed out on by buying the cheap stuff. My core value remains steadfast. It is my definition of value that is evolving. A simple t-shirt for $8 at Target, well, that's cheap and a good value. Brooks running shoes that feel like they were made for my feet -- expensive, and still a good value. My past purchasing habits indicate that I thought value = cheap.
If there is anyone out there actually reading this, I would love to hear other items that may be pricey but worth it...specifically interested in sunglasses, home decor, televisions, furniture, and of course clothes!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Birthday Week
...so, I've decided to give blogging a go (again...2 years after I started this blog)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Last week was very eventful for me and my family. Sunday obviously was Easter and also my 30th birthday. Tuesday I had a laparoscopy, and Thursday was my husband, Kevin's 32nd birthday.
I can't say that I loved turning 30 but it certainly didn't bother me. I am very blessed and really can only be thankful to celebrate another birthday. I've always enjoyed celebrating my birthday, probably because my parents always made sure they were a big deal...not necessarily by giving me lavish gifts but by spending time with me and letting me do things, like skip school. Since my birthday was on Easter this year, I decided to take a random day off work to celebrate with Kevin and Griffin, my five year old son. They took me to buy running shoes (more to come on how those work out), a new Easter dress, and seriously good cupcakes (SAS Cupcakes).
Just a few days after my birthday, I was scheduled for a laparoscopy to treat endometriosis. While I was concerned about surgery, I was also ready to get this done. I've been told since I was 19 that I probably had endometriosis, and a laparoscopy is the only way to confirm diagnosis. Turns out mine is stage 2 and as of right now, I'm free of it. My wonderful surgeon cauterized all of the endo he found and I have pictures to prove it! I'll keep those to myself though since they are, well...kinda gross. I am simply amazed that on Tuesday a surgeon put four cuts in my abdomen (one in the navel...yes, ouch!), stuck medical instruments into my body, burned stuff on my organs, and here I am today...fully functioning and writing this blog entry! Science and technology are amazing, but what is even more wonderful to me is how the Lord made the human body. It makes me so grateful.
Two days after surgery was my awesome hubby's birthday. I didn't do nearly enough for him, especially considering how he courted me around Charlotte wherever I wanted to go on my day. If he reads this, he will surely wish I hadn't written it; however, I must say he is a great man. I mean a really, really great man. He's not perfect and he's not even the "knight in shining armor" type. He's the "I love you so much, and will always be here for you" type, and that's real. And also seems so rare. So again, I am thankful.
Finally and most importantly, I am eternally thankful for the ressurrection, and my salvation in Jesus Christ. When I really ponder it all, I am overwhelmed at what He did for me and how little I do for Him. It's very humbling and again evokes an attitude of thankfulness in my heart. As I reflect upon everything this week offered, I wonder if I should have called it Thanksgiving Week rather than Birthday Week. However, it is just April. And I didn't have any turkey this week.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Last week was very eventful for me and my family. Sunday obviously was Easter and also my 30th birthday. Tuesday I had a laparoscopy, and Thursday was my husband, Kevin's 32nd birthday.
I can't say that I loved turning 30 but it certainly didn't bother me. I am very blessed and really can only be thankful to celebrate another birthday. I've always enjoyed celebrating my birthday, probably because my parents always made sure they were a big deal...not necessarily by giving me lavish gifts but by spending time with me and letting me do things, like skip school. Since my birthday was on Easter this year, I decided to take a random day off work to celebrate with Kevin and Griffin, my five year old son. They took me to buy running shoes (more to come on how those work out), a new Easter dress, and seriously good cupcakes (SAS Cupcakes).
Just a few days after my birthday, I was scheduled for a laparoscopy to treat endometriosis. While I was concerned about surgery, I was also ready to get this done. I've been told since I was 19 that I probably had endometriosis, and a laparoscopy is the only way to confirm diagnosis. Turns out mine is stage 2 and as of right now, I'm free of it. My wonderful surgeon cauterized all of the endo he found and I have pictures to prove it! I'll keep those to myself though since they are, well...kinda gross. I am simply amazed that on Tuesday a surgeon put four cuts in my abdomen (one in the navel...yes, ouch!), stuck medical instruments into my body, burned stuff on my organs, and here I am today...fully functioning and writing this blog entry! Science and technology are amazing, but what is even more wonderful to me is how the Lord made the human body. It makes me so grateful.
Two days after surgery was my awesome hubby's birthday. I didn't do nearly enough for him, especially considering how he courted me around Charlotte wherever I wanted to go on my day. If he reads this, he will surely wish I hadn't written it; however, I must say he is a great man. I mean a really, really great man. He's not perfect and he's not even the "knight in shining armor" type. He's the "I love you so much, and will always be here for you" type, and that's real. And also seems so rare. So again, I am thankful.
Finally and most importantly, I am eternally thankful for the ressurrection, and my salvation in Jesus Christ. When I really ponder it all, I am overwhelmed at what He did for me and how little I do for Him. It's very humbling and again evokes an attitude of thankfulness in my heart. As I reflect upon everything this week offered, I wonder if I should have called it Thanksgiving Week rather than Birthday Week. However, it is just April. And I didn't have any turkey this week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
