Posts Tagged ‘I must be crazy’
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I completed my half marathon yesterday. Whew. It was intense. I’m glad I did it and I’m glad I’m done.
My original goal was to run in the Drake Relays in Des Moines which take place next weekend. But, between traveling with the girls and Jonathan starting a new MBA class that weekend, it just didn’t seem possible. I didn’t want to forgo all my training from the last 2 months, so I came up with a better idea:
Run for Haiti
I told Jonathan that we should organize our own run, inviting people to run various miles to raise money for Haiti to send to Compassion International. We wanted to make the run on a donation basis – ranging from $1-5 per mile. I talked to Leah, since she was the first person I knew who would be on board with it. She said she’d run one of the routes and I went from there. After doing a facebook event and sending out an email, we had 10 runners (including myself) who either ran or walked anywhere from 3, 5, 13.1 or 16 miles. I even was blessed to have company for the vast majority of my run. One of the girls who ran is training for a marathon and used today as her long run. God really knew what He was doing, because we turned out to run the same pace, which was delightful. Very nice to have a running buddy for a long run like that!
I ran the last 3+ miles on my own. I’ll be completely honest – I ended up walking about 1/2 mile or so. I started getting so dehydrated that I was feeling faint and starting to blackout. Not good. I stopping running and walked to a gas station that was on my route. I took a break while I got some water. After that I ran the rest of the way home, but at a much slower pace than before. Initially I was disappointed for having stopped, but realized it was the best thing for me. The last two miles were the most challenging, yet I stuck to it. My reward when I got home? Julia running to me full speed yelling “Mama!” as I was crossing the finishing line. Nearly made me cry.
My recovering has gone smoother than I expected. As soon as I crossed the finish line I felt like I hit a wall. The last 3 miles of the run I started getting a headache (most likely from needing more water) and it was pretty intense once I got home. We ate some pizza (my request – Papa John’s pepperoni) then I got cleaned up. After that I was pretty useless for about 2+ hours. I took a long nap, drank plenty of water and took some ibuprofen. Stairs are presenting some challenges, but over all, aside from the headache that last all day yesterday, I feel pretty great. I’m thinking I might be able to bump my recovering run up to Tuesday instead of Wednesday.
I am thrilled to say, that as for helping Haiti, we had spectacular support. We raised a total of $260 for Compassion International. How amazing is that?!
I want to say a big thank you to all the people that ran with me yesterday. I was, still am, blown away by your support and desire to be apart of this event. I also want to say thank you to everyone who has cheered for me along the way. This has been a great experience for me and I truly appreciate everyone’s encouragement and support. I can officially say “Been there. Done that.” Now to check it off my 30 before 30 list:
#1. Run a half marathon
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Or die trying.
I don’t actually think I will die. But, I will say this, I am really looking forward to my run being completed. I have thoroughly enjoyed running and pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable, but at some point I’ve started to lose steam. I wasn’t able to complete my run on Easter after the tire changing incident and have felt sort of deflated after that. Last night I went on a really awesome power run and felt some boost come back. I think it gave me the confidence I need to push through.
Come Sunday, the 18th, at 9 am, if you’re in the Iowa City area, you might see me running by. And if you do see me, I’d love a little cheer, a holler, or even a “go get ’em!”. Then when I wake up Monday morning, I hope to proudly say – “Been there. Done that.”
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I just bought my first pair of skinny jeans this weekend, despite swearing them off as “nothing I would ever wear”. You see, I firmly believed they would give me an upside-down pear look. But, they don’t. And I actually like them. Shocking, I know.
Even more shocking – Jonathan picked them out for me. They wouldn’t have been my first choice, but as some might know, Jonathan is the better dresser and fashionite then me. So over the years I’ve learned to trust his taste.
And here they are:
*Please pardon the lack of make-up and slightly disheveled look. After all, it is 9:30 on a Monday morning. I’ve only had my first two cups of coffee, so I’m proud to be out of my pj’s already. 😉
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I’m finishing off Week 4 of my 10 week weight loss challenge and I must say it’s been a little tougher than I imagined. After talking with my friend Jamie, I realized that my abs are still torn from Julia and/or Hannah. I had wondered a while back (like months ago) if something was up with my abs, since when I do sit ups they don’t look normal. I started doing some research on Diastasis and what exercises I should be doing to help repair my abdominal wall. While there was a little relief in knowing that my ab wall was torn (which explains why my abs just aren’t doing what I want them too) there was some pretty major disappointment. It’s hard knowing that my body just isn’t ever going to be “normal” again. I’m having to reprogram what normal means in a almost-30-mom-of-2 world.
Here’s the official update on my progress:
– complete the half marathon training on April 24th
I’m still training. I’m most excited about this update (if you want to read more, go here) and have been running about a 10 1/2 minute mile.
– stick with my daily/weekly points (Weigh Watchers)
Grr… I’ll be honest, this one is the hardest! Some days I’m super good and other not so much. My biggest problem is not tracking my points. Any suggestions on the best way to track??
– incorporate more yoga/stretching into my weekly workouts
I took off last night from running in order to do more stretching. After last weekends long run I noticed my body was getting worn down in different areas. Then Tuesday’s run took it’s toll, so I’m taking a longer rest period.
– actively work on getting ripped (or not so “fluffy) abs
I’m not doing the P90X version, but I’m still working on them. S-l-o-w-l-y. But in time, maybe they’ll be not so fluffy.
– lose 8 pounds and reach my “ultimate goal” weight
This one is most exciting! I’m 3-4 pounds away from my goal weight! Woot-woot!!
I don’t “do” chaos
Posted on: March 9, 2010
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Growing up I can’t recall one time I got in trouble for not cleaning my room. I do remember getting in trouble for rearranging it at 10 p.m.
My older brother would pay me $5 a week to clean his room. Let me tell you, I was sorely under paid . I can say with great certainty, my brother’s room had a lingering smell of dirty socks, mildew and spoiled food every time I cleaned. But I loved cleaning, and getting paid, and so I did it. Plus, during this stage of his life, my brother’s saving account was wadded up $20s thrown about randomly in his room. If I happened upon one (or two, or three) I helped myself to a tip. 😉
In college, I lived with two extremely messy not-so-neat roommates. Thankfully, I did not live with them at the same time, otherwise I’m sure neither of them would talk to me today because I would have been so mad all the time. Well, actually, only one of them still talks to me…. Perhaps the other one couldn’t stand that I would start putting her clothes away, rearranging her side of the dorm room, or organizing all her bathroom stuff. Without asking.
Once I got married, I think most of Jonathan and my first “fights” were about the state of our condo. Jonathan left me with the impression that he was a neat freak when we were dating. Any messes I did encounter, I promptly blamed on his roommates. Aww, love really is blind. But, after the honeymoon was over, I had the horror of discovering that Jonathan isn’t a neat freak. He’s one of those balanced people. You know the ones; they can live in complete order or complete chaos and still manage to function. I am not one of those people.
Then, in November 2007, total chaos came into my life in the form of my sweet (although some times trying) Julia. Quickly I started realizing that children produce more mess than any other roommate I’ve ever known including my amazing husband. And it drives me a little bonkers. I like order, I like clean, I like perfection. Chaos throws me into a weird funk, that results in a bad mood, lack of concentration and a feeling of helplessness.
Yet, slowly I’ve come to terms with chaos. While I don’t do my best with total dysfunction, I’m at a point where I don’t curl up in a corner crying because the bed hasn’t been made in two weeks days. I’d like to say, I’ve even gotten to the point that my kitchen can look like this:
And my living room like this:
And still I manage to survive. And even smile. Sorta.
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Want to hear something even crazier? I’m really glad.
Ok, I’ll give you a moment to compose yourself.
Better now?
The first time I toured the house, I didn’t notice the lack of dishwasher. But sure enough, it’s not there. The kitchen is a galley design, meaning it’s long and narrow. The house was built in 1959, and while other parts of the house are very up-to-date, the kitchen is not. The kitchen is something Jonathan and I discussed a lot before putting in an offer: could we live with it as-is?
Yes. And I love it.
We’re a family that hosts. A lot. In fact, I’m fairly certain Hispanic and hosting are spelled the same. So, why would I love “wasting” time in the kitchen? Because, and this is where things get crazy, it’s simple.
I didn’t have a dishwasher until my family built our house when I was 17. Actually, I take that back, my family did have a dish washer: me. And while at the time, washing dishes for my entire family was by no means fun, it was usually the only part of my day that was just to myself. I’ve been telling Jonathan lately, that in all the chaos, all the facebooking, blogging, playdating, 1/2 marathon training, news-updating world that has become my life, I’m really longing for something that takes it back a few steps. And hand washing dishes is one of those.
We do plan to remodel at some point. Since hosting is a big part of our lives and the kitchen is the natural place where we gather, we would like to make it more inviting for our “extended familia”. But, the ideas we have are going to take time to see through. Which means, in the mean time, I’m going old school.
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In January, my friend, Leah, set a goal to loose 10 pounds by her birthday. Now, my friend, Laryssa at Heaven in the Home, along with Mary at Giving up Perfect, are doing a 10 week weight loss competition.
And I’m signing up.
After Hannah was born, I was determined to get back in shape. I was tired of feeling overweight, sluggish and unhealthy. So, at my 6 week postpartum mark, I started running. 4 weeks later, I started two workout classes at Performance Fitness and did running on Saturdays. I was feeling pretty good and loosing weight. But, I feel like I’m hitting a rut. I’m feeling “fluffy” and a little a lot restless.
Here are my challenges/goals:
– complete the half marathon training on April 24th
– stick with my daily/weekly points (Weigh Watchers)
– incorporate more yoga/stretching into my weekly workouts
– actively work on getting ripped (or not so “fluffy) abs
– lose 8 pounds and reach my “ultimate goal” weight
No Cook November update
Posted on: November 17, 2009
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We are officially 17 days in to NCN.
How’s it going so far?
A-maz-ing.
Seriously.
I love “not” cooking.
I did actually cook this past weekend for house church, but aside from that my cooking has been pretty limited (I made breakfast once). Most of the recipes I have used are big hits. However there are a few duds. One night we had pumpkin soup. Dud. Well, in all fairness, it was much better once I added more salt. A lot more salt. But, I went into it knowing it might flop, so I grabbed a rotisserie chicken from New Pi as back up. Jonathan was grateful. 🙂
The best dinner (in my opinion) has been Maple Dijon Chicken or Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup. The first dish has sweet potatoes that turned into these delicious buttery morsels. The second dish has some nice kick to it and the chicken was so tender and juicy. We had no leftovers.
Speaking of leftovers… That has been the one down side to NCN. We aren’t getting as many leftovers as I planned. Most of the dishes have been consumed that same night or only enough is spared for just Jonathan’s lunch the next day. But that’s a nice problem to have when it comes to leftovers I suppose.
I’m not sure I could do a 365 crockpot plan, but I most definitely plan to keep using it more after November is up. We’ve got some crazy life changes coming in the next four months and I’ve no doubt the crockpot will be a staple in our home.
This is normal, right?
Posted on: November 11, 2009
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Normal people iron their sheets, right?
They sweep then swiffer, right?
They can tell you the contents of their entire freezer, by heart, right?
They choose to clean their house rather than take a “break” when their husband takes the kids for the morning, right?
Please tell me normal people do this.
Please.
Pleeeaasse.
One hour, thirteen minutes
Posted on: October 26, 2009
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I ran my first (and hopefully not my last) 10K this past Saturday.
It was exhausting.
It was exhilarating.
I hated it.
I loved it.
6.2 miles is the furthers I have ever run.
In. My. Whole. Life.
It was exhausting (did I mention that?!).
It was exhilarating.
Special shout outs to Jonathan for all his continued support, to Jamie for her encouragement to run and Derricca for running the race along side me!
Looks like I’m gonna start training for this run in April ’10.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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