That was the sound my dreams made, just for a brief moment, yesterday. *squish* As many of you may know, I have a dream to run a full marathon prior to my 30th birthday. This blessed event is to take place on November 19, 2012. I am settling for being registered for a marathon taking place soon after my 30th birthday since I am lucky enough to live in Sacramento, home of the California International Marathon. It's held the first weekend of December so it will be about two weeks after my 30th birthday, which I can compromise for.
As many of you may not know, my husband is super duper protective of me. Yesterday while I was gushing over my big plans for the half marathon later this year followed by a half marathon in May-ish of next year followed by THE BIG FULL in November, he stopped me. And divulged that he isn't really comfortable with the idea of me running 26.2. My jaw dropped, and I was completely speechless. But only for a second. "WHAT??? What do you mean?" Turns out he knows someone that has run a marathon. Well he knows a few, but this particular individual really did a number on himself during the marathon and somehow caused himself to become diabetic.
The full story on this is unknown, but my husband (I suppoooooose) has reason for concern. Diabetes runs absolutely rampant in both sides of my family. I have a grandparent on both sides and several aunts and uncles that suffer from complications due to diabetes. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my daughter which increases my risk of contracting Type II diabetes even further. So for him to hear of this person becoming diabetic immediately following the marathon freaked him out. More than freaked him out. He is insisting that I am under a doctor's care for my entire training cycle. He wants me to bust out my blood tester and start using it. My husband, my dear dear husband is known for his dramatics and over-reacting, but this surprised me. So how am I going to handle it? If anything this makes me want to do it even more. To prove that I am stronger than this condition. To prove even further that I can do it. If he wants me to be under a doctor's care, well, I guess I'll be visiting the doctor a lot next year. I'll be doing a lot of research and monitoring everything very closely.
For a brief moment, my dreams went *squish* but they're back. I just have more obstacles in my way, and that will make my victory that. much. sweeter.
Has anyone else heard of anything like this happening before?? I never have, so any input is welcome!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Slim Calm Sexy
A few weeks ago, I received an email from Rodale Books offering a FREE TRIAL of this new book/DVD program. Skeptical, I clicked on the link and checked out it's claims. Slim Calm Sexy Yoga. It sounded pretty decent, so I went a little bit further and filled out the form to have it sent to me. After this point what typically happens is a new form pops up asking for my credit card information at which time I promptly "X" out of it and say forget it. Not this time! The next screen informs me that my items will be shipped soon. Shocker!
I received the ginormous package yesterday. It contained all kinds of goodies, which I LOVE. Mostly just little pamphlets about eating and a special Prevention nutrition booklet. I like thumbing through these, even though it's mostly just a teaser for what you can order. The bread and butter of this package was the DVD and book. The book is no joke. I started reading it yesterday and also scanned through to the end. It has all the poses broken down from the base pose all the way to more advanced poses that require freakish looking flexibility. Also at the end of the book it gives you routines that can help with things like preventing depression, enhancing your "big O's", boosting your metabolism, and even clearing up your skin! Amazing! I can't wait to try out some of the routines, especially the one designed for first thing after you wake up and supposedly there are moves that can assist with memory. We shall see.
I also tried out the DVD yesterday for the first time. This girl is a maniac. I was huffing and puffing through some of the moves and she's carrying on a conversation like we're out at brunch or something. The good news is that it was definitely challenging enough to get me to break a serious sweat. The bad news is that it was a total wake up call to my absolute lack of core strength. I made it through the whole session, which left me feeling very loose and stretched (I'm talking the most amazing stretch of my life) and can't wait to do it again!
I am really looking forward to continuing to do this program. I think it will be a great cross-training tool to keep my body limber and strengthen up my core. I know it's too early to really see results but I gotta tell ya, I was really motivated this morning and went out for a run instead of scrambling back into bed. I ran a 5k in 35 minutes, which is just a few seconds quicker than my best race time. And this was just a training run, where I had to stop multiple times. Those darn cars, can't they just get out of my way?!?!? ;)
I received the ginormous package yesterday. It contained all kinds of goodies, which I LOVE. Mostly just little pamphlets about eating and a special Prevention nutrition booklet. I like thumbing through these, even though it's mostly just a teaser for what you can order. The bread and butter of this package was the DVD and book. The book is no joke. I started reading it yesterday and also scanned through to the end. It has all the poses broken down from the base pose all the way to more advanced poses that require freakish looking flexibility. Also at the end of the book it gives you routines that can help with things like preventing depression, enhancing your "big O's", boosting your metabolism, and even clearing up your skin! Amazing! I can't wait to try out some of the routines, especially the one designed for first thing after you wake up and supposedly there are moves that can assist with memory. We shall see.
I also tried out the DVD yesterday for the first time. This girl is a maniac. I was huffing and puffing through some of the moves and she's carrying on a conversation like we're out at brunch or something. The good news is that it was definitely challenging enough to get me to break a serious sweat. The bad news is that it was a total wake up call to my absolute lack of core strength. I made it through the whole session, which left me feeling very loose and stretched (I'm talking the most amazing stretch of my life) and can't wait to do it again!
I am really looking forward to continuing to do this program. I think it will be a great cross-training tool to keep my body limber and strengthen up my core. I know it's too early to really see results but I gotta tell ya, I was really motivated this morning and went out for a run instead of scrambling back into bed. I ran a 5k in 35 minutes, which is just a few seconds quicker than my best race time. And this was just a training run, where I had to stop multiple times. Those darn cars, can't they just get out of my way?!?!? ;)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Fit Family
First, I hope everyone had an amazing Easter! We had a fun-filled weekend with friends and family. We got a little bit of sleep, enjoyed a lot of sun, and endured sticky fingers and sugar hyped children from Friday evening on until Sunday night. It was great!
Over the past several weeks, my husband has been riding his bicycle to work. He has wanted to do this for years but has never actually sacked up and done it. It's 9-ish miles to work so it's around 20 miles round trip. He has to get up an hour and a half earlier to get prepared to head out. He gives himself 45 minutes to ride there and about 15 to change into his work clothes and boots. On the way home he takes it a little bit easier, but it still takes him no longer than an hour. This is very exciting for him and being that he has a slightly obsessive personality he started spending a lot of time perusing Craigslist for street bikes (he currently is doing his riding on a mountain bike) and parts. He stumbled across a few decent deals on a bike for me which lead to a obsession with finding me a bike. Long story short, he built himself a new-old bike (new to us, but used parts and a ten year old frame) and I am now the proud owner of a new-old bike of my own!
My new baby is a 2001 Specialized Stumpjumper, red and black, full suspension beast. My husband bought it brand new and it's mine now. Alllllll miiiiiiine. Naturally, this meant that I had to actually, you know, like, ride it? Anyone wanna guess when the last time was that I actually rode a bike? My age still ended in -teen. Probably seventeen to be exact. You know how they say you never forget how to ride a bike? Turns out I was riding my bike wrong my whole freakin life. In my own defense I never actually had a nice mountain bike, I always rode cruiser-esque deals where your hands are above your butt. I felt like I was going to flip over the handlebars of this bike. It was awkward and nervewracking riding it, and after just a few little turns around the front of the house I called it quits. Next day I gave it another try and almost ate it in my driveway. There's a nice little skidmark on the concrete as evidence. Jacob tried not to laugh, but I heard a little snort come out.
Eventually the goal is to have me confident enough to actually ride around town on the bike without running into poles or parked cars. We would like to get Justice a trailer or something since Isaiah is big enough to ride for shorter distances. Jacob took him out yesterday for a nice cruise around the neighborhood. It was so cute hearing them laughing together outside as they returned home. I can't wait until we are the family that pulls up at the frozen yogurt shop on our bikes and goes for outings on the bike trails. I love our new fit family!!!!
Over the past several weeks, my husband has been riding his bicycle to work. He has wanted to do this for years but has never actually sacked up and done it. It's 9-ish miles to work so it's around 20 miles round trip. He has to get up an hour and a half earlier to get prepared to head out. He gives himself 45 minutes to ride there and about 15 to change into his work clothes and boots. On the way home he takes it a little bit easier, but it still takes him no longer than an hour. This is very exciting for him and being that he has a slightly obsessive personality he started spending a lot of time perusing Craigslist for street bikes (he currently is doing his riding on a mountain bike) and parts. He stumbled across a few decent deals on a bike for me which lead to a obsession with finding me a bike. Long story short, he built himself a new-old bike (new to us, but used parts and a ten year old frame) and I am now the proud owner of a new-old bike of my own!
My new baby is a 2001 Specialized Stumpjumper, red and black, full suspension beast. My husband bought it brand new and it's mine now. Alllllll miiiiiiine. Naturally, this meant that I had to actually, you know, like, ride it? Anyone wanna guess when the last time was that I actually rode a bike? My age still ended in -teen. Probably seventeen to be exact. You know how they say you never forget how to ride a bike? Turns out I was riding my bike wrong my whole freakin life. In my own defense I never actually had a nice mountain bike, I always rode cruiser-esque deals where your hands are above your butt. I felt like I was going to flip over the handlebars of this bike. It was awkward and nervewracking riding it, and after just a few little turns around the front of the house I called it quits. Next day I gave it another try and almost ate it in my driveway. There's a nice little skidmark on the concrete as evidence. Jacob tried not to laugh, but I heard a little snort come out.
Eventually the goal is to have me confident enough to actually ride around town on the bike without running into poles or parked cars. We would like to get Justice a trailer or something since Isaiah is big enough to ride for shorter distances. Jacob took him out yesterday for a nice cruise around the neighborhood. It was so cute hearing them laughing together outside as they returned home. I can't wait until we are the family that pulls up at the frozen yogurt shop on our bikes and goes for outings on the bike trails. I love our new fit family!!!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Two choices
I found this quote in this great book I just finished. (It's called The Seven Faith Tribes, and I totally recommend it.) Ready for your mind to be blown? Here goes: "Every living thing has two choices: grow or die. If you're not doing one, you're doing the other. My advice: choose growth!!" Is your mind blown yet? Mine was.
My goal every day is to do something that I can be proud of, that I can say, "yes, I did that". Yesterday I framed and hung some pictures that I have been meaning to handle for a long long time. This finally got me started on the wall collage that I have been envisioning for almost as long. I put some more miles on my shoes. Today I worked some more on the blanket for my friends. I took the kiddos to the park and soaked up some sun. I did some reading and copied down some yummy looking and healthy recipes. Anyway, so I'd like to do something every day that enriches my life and allows me to GROW in some way. Whether it be artistically with painting or crocheting or playing guitar or physically or spiritually, I will do something every day that will lead to something bigger in myself. I even feel like crossing things off of my checklist makes me feel good inside, like I am overcoming hurdles or something. Dog flea and heartworm medicine? Check. Selecting/purchasing my son's suit for his cameo as ring bearer? Check. It's the little things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Now I'm off to fold some whites, my least favorite job, and then finish this darn blanket square. But before I leave, let me ask you: What did you do today that made you feel good??
My goal every day is to do something that I can be proud of, that I can say, "yes, I did that". Yesterday I framed and hung some pictures that I have been meaning to handle for a long long time. This finally got me started on the wall collage that I have been envisioning for almost as long. I put some more miles on my shoes. Today I worked some more on the blanket for my friends. I took the kiddos to the park and soaked up some sun. I did some reading and copied down some yummy looking and healthy recipes. Anyway, so I'd like to do something every day that enriches my life and allows me to GROW in some way. Whether it be artistically with painting or crocheting or playing guitar or physically or spiritually, I will do something every day that will lead to something bigger in myself. I even feel like crossing things off of my checklist makes me feel good inside, like I am overcoming hurdles or something. Dog flea and heartworm medicine? Check. Selecting/purchasing my son's suit for his cameo as ring bearer? Check. It's the little things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Now I'm off to fold some whites, my least favorite job, and then finish this darn blanket square. But before I leave, let me ask you: What did you do today that made you feel good??
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hooray for running buddies!!!
I have a confession to make. I have been totally slacking in the working out department. The good news is I've been holding steady weight-wise. The bad news is I've been holding steady weight-wise. Zero pounds gained or lost. Oh well, I can't expect a miracle and magically start losing weight by myself. I'm at a magic number right now. Want to know what it is? 156. Last time I lost weight (back in 2005) I got down to 156, and then went back up twenty or so pounds from there. Yikes. And here I am again, teetering at the edge of untouched territory. Once I drop this last pound, I will be the lightest I have been since there was a "1" in front of my age. And I still have a ways to go before I think I'll be done.
It's not like I haven't been doing anything. I have dabbled in artwork and created a really pretty trio of paintings for my living room. I have been crocheting like a madwoman. To date I have made one scary looking scarf, one darn decent scarf, a super cute hat with ears for my daughter, and I am halfway through a giant baby blanket for my very good friends (this was quite the undertaking. I have to admit that I started and restarted this blanket about five times because I kept effing it up). I have taken up reading again and have discovered that yes, I do LOVE reading! I have been learning guitar. Again. I have been working on puppy training. I have been taking better care of my house than ever, and have been making minor changes every day that make a big impact on how I feel about our home. All in all, I am super happy with what I've been up to.
And I have been working out, in a spotty sort of fashion. A walk here, a weights session there. I've probably lifted weights about twice a week since I stopped going to the gym. It's just not with the intensity or stick-to-it-iveness that I used to have.
My husband's best friend from high school sort of fell away from us a long time ago. We didn't have a big falling out or anything, we just sort of stopped hanging out. He went his way, having fun and partying and we went our way, making babies and becoming all domestic. We would hear from him every now and then and after spending some time together he would disappear again. He now has a girlfriend. A serious one. And SHE RUNS. So now HE RUNS. I could not be more excited about this amazing turn of events. So far this year they have participated in three 10ks and a 12k. She is planning on running two half marathons and the CIM this year. So they are now a new motivation for my husband and I to run. She has also introduced us to another couple that lives in town and THEY RUN. OMG I'm surrounded by runners!!! More motivation. She is training for her first half marathon in October so that's perfect. I am so incredibly stoked. Jacob wants to run and is once again seemingly bitten by the running bug. He asked me today if I was ready to start half marathon training again and of course I said hell yeah!!! So as soon as he walked in the door this afternoon he told me to change my clothes and get out the door. I banged out 2.7 miles in 32 minutes, which is certainly not a record but I will only get faster. I hope. =o)
It's not like I haven't been doing anything. I have dabbled in artwork and created a really pretty trio of paintings for my living room. I have been crocheting like a madwoman. To date I have made one scary looking scarf, one darn decent scarf, a super cute hat with ears for my daughter, and I am halfway through a giant baby blanket for my very good friends (this was quite the undertaking. I have to admit that I started and restarted this blanket about five times because I kept effing it up). I have taken up reading again and have discovered that yes, I do LOVE reading! I have been learning guitar. Again. I have been working on puppy training. I have been taking better care of my house than ever, and have been making minor changes every day that make a big impact on how I feel about our home. All in all, I am super happy with what I've been up to.
And I have been working out, in a spotty sort of fashion. A walk here, a weights session there. I've probably lifted weights about twice a week since I stopped going to the gym. It's just not with the intensity or stick-to-it-iveness that I used to have.
My husband's best friend from high school sort of fell away from us a long time ago. We didn't have a big falling out or anything, we just sort of stopped hanging out. He went his way, having fun and partying and we went our way, making babies and becoming all domestic. We would hear from him every now and then and after spending some time together he would disappear again. He now has a girlfriend. A serious one. And SHE RUNS. So now HE RUNS. I could not be more excited about this amazing turn of events. So far this year they have participated in three 10ks and a 12k. She is planning on running two half marathons and the CIM this year. So they are now a new motivation for my husband and I to run. She has also introduced us to another couple that lives in town and THEY RUN. OMG I'm surrounded by runners!!! More motivation. She is training for her first half marathon in October so that's perfect. I am so incredibly stoked. Jacob wants to run and is once again seemingly bitten by the running bug. He asked me today if I was ready to start half marathon training again and of course I said hell yeah!!! So as soon as he walked in the door this afternoon he told me to change my clothes and get out the door. I banged out 2.7 miles in 32 minutes, which is certainly not a record but I will only get faster. I hope. =o)
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