5K - Check!!

What an experience!

My sister and I completed a 5K this Saturday in Fishers, IN. It was to benefit the Fishers High School Cross Country & Track Team. I had no idea what to expect (hadn't seen the course, no idea how many people were going to be there, hadn't really checked the weather).

It's fascinating going into an experience with no expectations.

(A HUGE thanks to our wonderful mother who watched the kiddos - and manned my camera! - while we ran! This would not have been possible without you, mom!)

The environment:

There were close to 200 runners.

The weather was COLD. (Around 23 degrees F.)

Bless the Cross Country & Track team members (and coaches and parents!) who went out at six a.m. that morning and shoveled as much as they could of the course.

Even with all of their hard work, around 80% of the course was through neighborhoods and streets almost completely covered with ice. I believe this was my first time ever of running on ice.

While most of the course was flat, there was one hill in the first mile and a fairly large incline towards the end. I'm glad I didn't know about that last one until I saw it.

Myself, my sister, my kiddos and my niece before the race

The starting pack. I look at that picture and am truly glad I didn't know what was coming. Had I have been able to see this the night before, I would have seriously reconsidered just staying in bed!

The results:

Remember my comments that I was going to push this regardless of the weather or how I felt? My whole mental focus of this race was trying to beat a 10 minute / mile pace. I wasn't going to let a little ice or a couple of hills stop that.

My discipline was truly tested on the final hill. With probably 3/4 of a mile left, I was huffing and puffing up the hill. I had pushed the pace in the beginning and was now really feeling it.

About 1/3 of the way up, my legs decided they wanted to walk, so one foot plopped down in walk position. Thankfully, my mind knew I'd be rather pissed if that walk occurred. The result was kind of a little sideways stumble that made me look quite drunk...but I KEPT RUNNING. I remember even saying "NOPE" out loud and giggling a bit. That probably didn't help the whole drunk impression.

The final result?

I finished in 30:49 , meaning a pace of 9:55 / mile!

My sister totally kicked butt, too, finishing in 32:56, a huge improvement in her pace!

I am taking this all in stride (ha ha, *groan*). I know that this pace was on ice and with hills...which means I could probably go faster. But I also know that a few seconds here and there don't mean much (the course distance could be off, the timing chip not exact, etc.).

Basically I'm not going to let any pride sit like a big squishy lump; rather, I'm using the energy of the accomplishment to boost and drive me further. This is one step in the journey - it's like a road sign letting me know I'm going the right way! :)

My son and niece also completed a 1 mile fun run. They had a GREAT time!

This is my son's second 1-mile run. I'm considering trying to "train" with him (i.e. get him outside more, working on running at slower paces, having him ride his bike with me while I run with the jogging stroller, etc.) He has such an enjoyable time, but gets frustrated easily. He'll sprint, then walk, then sprint, then walk...then repeat. He hasn't quite grasped the concept of pacing yourself - or that winning isn't everything. He's only 5, though, so it's a great place to start!

An unhappy girl (she wasn't signed up to run and was quite upset. Note the t-shirt "dress"...I don't think she could have run in this even if she wanted to.)


It's the try that counts, and boy did he try....and had FUN!

The wonderful cross country team was out running with the kids - my niece (being the youngest and last of the crowd) got quite the escort through her race.

I ran the last two laps with our son, and our daughter joined us to cross the finish line.

Now THAT is one determined girl!! (Can you see the tongue?) :)

My niece and my son...winners!

I'll freely admit - the rest of the weekend has been about rest and indulging.

I am already feeling the call to get back to the run, though. Feeling the brisk wind while running outdoors was SO refreshing. I truly wish I had the strength at this point to get up early (I'd have to leave at 5 a.m.) to run my long run tomorrow outside before hubby leaves for work. I'm realistic and know that won't happen, so I'm "looking forward" to running 49 laps around the YMCA tomorrow. Hmmm. Discipline slipping quickly....

*UPDATE: This post was written on Sunday. I'll update in the next post as to what REALLY happened this morning!**

May you find the energy to accomplish the next step in your life!!

Awaken To Your Life

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.


People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.


The door is round and open.


Don't go back to sleep.

-Rumi
From Essential Rumi
by Coleman Barks

Oh So Thankful!

What a day it was!


Ironically, we pulled up to our house at the same time our lovely mail lady was arriving. T'was a good thing....because I got oodles of gifts in the mail today!

My fun, character-filled earrings arrived yesterday from the talented Debb (a.k.a. DaCraftyLady) at http://pbdesigns.blogspot.com/ . I mentioned when I entered her give-away that I already had the outfit planned for it - this shirt was calling out for some funky earrings! And voila! (The color matches way better in person)

(The sticker by my eye is courtesy of my daughter. Bling everywhere!)

Thank you so much, Debb - they will be worn with love and attitude!

Today - three gifts at once!

First, the oh-so-kind Jenn (http://justjenndesignz.blogspot.com/) mailed off the Kraft-i Roller and it arrived quicker than I expected! I have already been to the library - as well as gotten some helpful information from Jenn - to delve into my paper-crafting adventure. Jenn has been so wonderful to chat with, and I cannot wait to make my first bead! And seriously, how beautiful is this tool??

She has six different designs (found here) to add whatever zest you need to your crafting time. (I chose the Victorian Script) I'll definitely be posting the results of my work! Yippee!

Jenn, I'm looking forward to crafting "with" you over the coming months and years!!

And speaking of beautiful...

Look at THIS (from Cheryl at Artsy-Fartsy (http://cheryl-comfort.blogspot.com/))....a stunning antique tintype photograph.

Oh my goodness, it is truly a treasure. And look at how it was delivered!!

(It seriously took me about 10 minutes to unwrap because I kept trying not to tear the paper and doily!)

This antique tintype photograph has so many stories to tell. (You can see the inside photo at Cheryl's blog post here.) The lovely lady inside is already the inspiration for stories that will make their way into my art work.

Cheryl, I cannot believe you parted with this but I feel so fortunate that you did. Please know that she has found a loving home!

And whoa - speaking of art work....I am SO SO tickled to have BATCHES of new things with which to play - thanks to Joanie at Full of Bolognie (http://joaniebolognie.blogspot.com/).

Seriously, I had seen the photo on her giveaway post, but had NO idea at the SCOPE of what was included! This photo does not do it justice, but since I have all my other crafting supplies spread out over the dining room floor, I figured I'd better put these all back in the bag. (Gotta keep the husband happy and the kids outta my stuff.)

Papers, ribbons, stamps, antiquing paint, flowers, buttons, trinkets, ...the list keeps going. I am SO excited!!!

Joanie, you are amazing...thank you. I wish I could share with you the creative excitment that is stirring my soul - I can't wait to get started!

To each of you: THANK YOU. These gifts have put a smile on my face in the midst of a challenging week - that is saying a LOT.

***********************

I have more exciting photos to share of art journaling (as well as more stories about the STRENGTH and JOY!!), but need to get the kiddos ready for bed. I've already posted twice today - who knows, another might be on its way!

After all, with all of these new goodies, I'm not sleeping any time soon....

Training Update

On and on I go!

The 5K is coming up this Saturday, so my training this week is ever so slightly different.

What I Did:

Monday: Ran SIX miles - i.e. FORTY-TWO LAPS around the YMCA track.

Tuesday: Strength training (free-weights) at home

Today (Wednesday): Interval Training - random sprints in the midst of a 30-minute jog/run.

What I Learned:

*I can DO THIS!

Seems an odd thing to "learn", but as Bleubeard and Elizabeth put in a comment, I previously might have been able to run 5 feet if the house were on fire. (Ok, I would have run 3 feet then dramatically fainted and waited for my brave husband or a strapping young fireman to come and rescue me.)

During both my five- and six-mile runs over the past two weeks, I have been able to let my mind go. That is the biggest key. I'm not constantly chattering at myself that I have THIRTY laps left and how in the world am I supposed to do that or my that other chica is kicking my butt so I should speed up my pace and show her up....

Nope. Just running. Honestly the hardest part is the last mile or so when I do start counting down and my mind pipes up. Suddenly every step is painful - but at that point, there's no way I'm stopping to walk.

For others getting into running, I admit that this still isn't easy. But it is far easier than I ever feared it would be. Don't most things seem tamer than our fears once we face them??

* Still admitting I'm over a 10-minute / mile pace, I found out that my watch resets itself after an hour (i.e. starts counting back at zero). I stopped it after my 6 miles (or 42 laps * (1 mile=6.8laps) - you do the math), and found I'd only been running for "08:27". Eight minutes? Oh yeah, I'll be signing up for the summer Olympics.