tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38267730725125655132024-03-04T23:37:35.032-05:00Hecks YeahUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-60117145259571491792020-04-22T20:07:00.000-04:002020-04-22T20:07:18.974-04:00What Birthdays Look Like Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><div>My bff's birthday is today. She probably would have had dinner with her husband, just the two of them, and we wouldn't have seen them anyway. But this year is different. We put her favorite beer on our bi-weekly shopping list and dropped it off at her house this evening with some home made face masks.<div><br><div>It killed me to not run up and give them both big hugs. I got the beer and masks and started to walk up to them when I remembered we are in a pandemic. I stopped halfway and put the beer on the ground and backed away. It was so weird. </div></div><div><br></div><div>I think that little bit of face to face interaction upset the balance we've cultivated. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-14929019303681730672020-04-03T22:35:00.001-04:002020-04-03T22:36:31.583-04:00HeavyEverything feels heavy today.<div>My head feels heavy.</div><div>My chest feels heavy.</div><div>My heart feels heavy.</div><div><br></div><div>I don't really have a reason. Well, a new reason. I'm just off. I had a good conversation about work with my supervisor so I guess I feel like I have some direction. I rescued my plants from my office. (Who knows when we will be back there?) I had a nice solo walk with some good music. Good things.</div><div><br></div><div>Still.</div><div><br></div><div>I've had a headache since early afternoon. I'm feeling sad. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I will try to do some things. Maybe dig out my sewing machine, and get Maggie's going. Do some yard stuff. Get out of bed?<br><div><br></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-25871242148669634342020-04-02T20:12:00.001-04:002020-04-02T20:12:01.218-04:00The Status if the World<div>Copied from a Facebook post and sums everything up.</div><div><br></div><div>Just so I NEVER forget..... April 2, 2020</div><div><br></div><div>-Gas price a mile from home was $1.40</div><div>-School cancelled - yes cancelled (students left March 13 and wouldn’t return)</div><div>-Self-distancing measures on the rise.</div><div>-Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.</div><div>-Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.</div><div>-Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.</div><div>-Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.</div><div>-Entire sports seasons cancelled.</div><div>-Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.</div><div>-Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.</div><div>-No masses, churches are closed.</div><div>-No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now no gatherings of 5 or more.</div><div>-Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.</div><div>-Children's outdoor play parks are closed.</div><div>-We are to distance from each other.</div><div>-Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.</div><div>-Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.</div><div>-Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.</div><div>-Shelves are bare.</div><div>-Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.</div><div>-Government closes the border to all non-essential travel.</div><div>-Fines are established for breaking the rules.</div><div>-Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.</div><div>-Press conferences daily from the President. -Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.</div><div>-Government incentives to stay home.</div><div>-Barely anyone on the roads.</div><div>-People wearing masks and gloves outside.</div><div>-Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.</div><div>-Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.</div><div><br></div><div>This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.</div><div><br></div><div>We have so much!</div><div>Be thankful. Be grateful.</div><div>Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-44885266269772456252020-04-01T11:30:00.000-04:002020-04-01T11:30:15.946-04:00Mark This Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Wednesday, April 1, marks the day that I have given up. My pants do not have a button. I am wearing leggings....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-40712144866963825852020-03-22T17:59:00.001-04:002020-03-22T17:59:56.776-04:00COVID DiariesWe are in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic and life is tough now. The news is full of news about the COVID-19 virus and the entire world is in a panic. I feel like a record of how my world has changed will be valuable to look back on: for myself and for future generations.<br />
<br />
I am a terrible writer but I feel this needs to be done so here we go....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-21930264867573815132020-03-22T17:56:00.001-04:002020-03-31T09:19:01.965-04:00Pre-quarantine TimelineI have to say that we saw this coming. The events of the spread of COVID-19 are all there to search. Here's what has been happening in my little corner of the world. <br />
<br />
Thursday, March 5: Matthew came home for spring break. COVID was in the news but at this point it was all somewhere else. We spent the night out of town at a hotel, shopping, eating out. We knew there was something going on but it was "not here"<br />
<br />
Wednesday, March 11: WMU announced that all classes were moving to distance ed (online only). We report to work as usual. Matthew's school announced that all classes were moving to online only.<br />
<br />
Thursday, March 12: Maggie's last finals and also what we later learn is her last real day of school of her senior year.<br />
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Weekend of March 13-15: We had a friends weekend planned to go out of town with 2 other couples, staying at a hotel, eating out, drinking beer. At the time, we were worried but not enough to stay home. We washed our hands obsessively and didn't share beers like usual. COVID was on our minds but, at the time, we had no idea. We came home to a different world.<br />
That Sunday, we all got groceries and bought a little more than we usually would. Thursday before we left, I realized we were just about out of dog food so I bought two 40 pound bags instead of just one, and did the hoarder thing and got toilet paper.<br />
<br />
The following week, employees in high risk groups were given the option of working from home. Some took the opportunity but I continued to go in. It was very quiet and was very hard for this extrovert.<br />
<br />
Friday, March 20: Went to work and got news that the University is closing and we all are going to be working from home. Supervisors had to decide how essential each of our jobs are. I am 50 % essential for the week of the 23rd-27th, and 25% essential for the next 4 weeks. For the 200 working hours of the 5 affected weeks, I am allowed to work (and required to show proof of) 60 hours and need to use my time off for 140 hours. We have been given an 80 hour COVID leave balance, so I will be taking 60 of my sick and/or annual hours. *As of 3/27, we have an additional 48 hours of COVID leave to use.*<br />
I'm feeling confused and bitter and very GenX about the whole thing.<br />
<br />
Saturday, March 21: Matthew and Sydney were on spring break from the 5th to the 15th. They left school expecting to be going back for the rest of the school year. They spent the week between our house and Sydney's and drove to Houghton and back to get what they needed to take online classes for a few weeks, again, expecting to go back. Then, it was announced that the online classes were for the rest of the semester and they have to clean out their rooms by April 12. They decided to get it done sooner than later and made the 10-hour each way trip for the 3rd weekend in a row to clean out their rooms.<br />
<br />
Sunday, March 22: Everyone is home now and, while we miss Sydney, her family needs her to be home. The quarantine is official.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-62641437044898851412017-01-11T15:06:00.001-05:002017-01-11T15:16:16.045-05:00Moving Matters. Representation Matters.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU9FL0Bh1JJW6w1qjyllSI6oeT_3F7p7cben7eNZ_goDa5BdFF3_-ogIrNjQGHk31X2YUFYih_QBuPQUFoR3ofGxrblAargwrfKN0v9X5INtA65agz3a1Iriy1cwQe4QnE_sTpFnmsmw/s1600/KIMG0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU9FL0Bh1JJW6w1qjyllSI6oeT_3F7p7cben7eNZ_goDa5BdFF3_-ogIrNjQGHk31X2YUFYih_QBuPQUFoR3ofGxrblAargwrfKN0v9X5INtA65agz3a1Iriy1cwQe4QnE_sTpFnmsmw/s320/KIMG0016.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-50ddd7f1-8f1f-4437-19f0-bf3630f4f9c1" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As I’ve seen in the recent years since I’ve become a runner and gained an interest in fitness, I know that we come in all shapes and sizes. I know how very daunting it is to know you need to make positive changes through fitness but not see anyone that looks like you. Sometimes it is easier to </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">not </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">walk through that door into a running store or gym where I now know are welcoming and inclusive environments. As a person of size, I know how much representation matters. Fitness is not only about being thin or even about losing weight above all else. The number on the scale (or on the tag of your pants) is but one number to use to determine health. Better numbers are your PR times, how much you can lift, improvement in your cholesterol, or even how great you feel every day. I have met so many wonderful, supportive people through my local running community and I hope to share the love and help everyone learn how much moving matters.</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-17820479843938791972016-11-10T08:32:00.003-05:002016-11-10T08:32:49.773-05:00Radical Empathy and Steadfast Compassion<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-456c2688-4e6a-75d0-cc71-37c822e57e06" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsyKbmE7TfiW7GDcvrdDU8g9RrrXLb_vgFuSFqnGHcxjmeQtg1M7T4WGviyzmks6Nm5fWM1VdKr173OGda-OqLWRDMBE4N6Y_J_-l9vxU7GZlsnzgp-6Q2usJk_tI549NTLdBZJHmjtc/s1600/KIMG0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsyKbmE7TfiW7GDcvrdDU8g9RrrXLb_vgFuSFqnGHcxjmeQtg1M7T4WGviyzmks6Nm5fWM1VdKr173OGda-OqLWRDMBE4N6Y_J_-l9vxU7GZlsnzgp-6Q2usJk_tI549NTLdBZJHmjtc/s200/KIMG0039.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Right now, I’m feeling very angry but I am choosing to hold onto hope. This is</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> my country</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> I am not going down easy. Because of my white, hetero, middle class privilege, the shit storm to come won’t have the effect on me that it will on my “OTHER” brothers and sisters who don't have that luck. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s time to suit up, folks. It’s time to move forward together. It’s time for radical empathy and steadfast compassion. Let’s show understanding those who come from such place of fear.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I love you... even, especially, those who are hardest to love.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The sun is up, the world still spins. Let’s get to work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#stillmycountry</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-50854055202882717242016-08-02T10:38:00.001-04:002016-08-02T10:38:47.606-04:00My Big Why<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0W61BApoOONDaZXLb3_zl4suuY8MVHxE6w33Dj6NTpdepzYQsAHiEwkvbDt6Ouvfbqq5LXmvXT95BBpoFTrI5-dml8r8I7pvIjhpRp6VrMFKIqk46gpGztmYJQMhndjYgNWDLNJZwsI/s1600/jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0W61BApoOONDaZXLb3_zl4suuY8MVHxE6w33Dj6NTpdepzYQsAHiEwkvbDt6Ouvfbqq5LXmvXT95BBpoFTrI5-dml8r8I7pvIjhpRp6VrMFKIqk46gpGztmYJQMhndjYgNWDLNJZwsI/s320/jump.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how cute I am.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This post has been sitting here, unpublished, for years. It was full of self-hate in the disguise of "backstory". Forget that. DELETE. It's time for moving forward. Shit happens (and happened) and I have only myself and my future to own.<br />
<br />
I wake up every day in my body and with my mind. I start my day with no confidence
from the first few moments and I’m sick and tired of it! I don’t want my daughter growing up having poor fitness and eating habits
modeled after me or my son's continued embarrassment of me. And hell, I want to be able to see them get married –
and not only have energy for them, but pfor my (far in the future) grandkids
too!<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
I'm fat but feel pretty awesome about myself even though I don't....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-27907741232356548572016-08-02T10:26:00.002-04:002016-08-02T10:26:52.573-04:00From May 4, 2014, the day of my first 10k:<br />
<br />
DAY-UM! Look at these legs!<br />
These legs just ran 6 miles. In a row!<br />
<br />
What an amazing race. At times, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it. Mile five was a killer. My thighs were shouting at me for a sandwich. My magic beans got me through. Kalamazoo's running community is amazing. The last three miles for the marathon, half marathon, and 10k were all the same route. That was also where the first of the half-ers started passing me. Almost all of them had genuine words of encouragement as the passed me by. It's such a simple thing that meant so much to me as I was struggling along. I finished at exactly the time I thought I would, thanks to these few simple words. My family waited for me at the finish line. I had the best beer of my life at 11 a.m.<br />
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As I continue my journey as a runner, I'm so excited about what my legs can do. They have moved me around for over 43 years. They carried me around playgrounds and neighborhoods. They walked me to classes and through graduations. They walked me down the aisle to marry my best friend. They have helped me carry two babies. Now they carry me on my journey to fitness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-53271036434904469042016-08-02T10:26:00.000-04:002016-08-02T10:26:31.909-04:00Didn't your mama tell U life was 2 good 2 waste?I spent my early teen years like most do, listening to Top 40 Radio. songs from 1999 were played, I liked.<br />
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When I was 13, Purple Rain came out. My friend Tammy and I snuck into see it. (It was NAUGHTY, y'all!) I had a boom box in the bathroom and listened to the cassette every morning. I had to turn the volume way down when Darling Nikki came on. It was NAUGHTY, too.<br />
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I had the advantage of having a cool older sister who was up on all the cool stuff she had Prince's older stuff on vinyl so that's how I first heard For You, Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy<br />
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Senior year in high school, I played It from Sign O' the Times over and over while programming my final project in BASIC. I'd get to the end of the song and hit rewind on my walkman in the computer lab.<br />
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In college, I got my hands on a bootleg copy of The Black Album. Not sure if I actually listened to it more than once or twice. But I had it!<br />
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For my 20th birthday, Steph took me to see Graffiti Bridge and gifted me with a bottle of Everclear. Now, that was a birthday! <br />
<br />
<br />
That's when I became a Bad Prince Fan. The music wasn't my style. The songs on Come felt too personal, like I was reading his diary behind his back. I know he was stuck in a contract that he wanted out of.<br />
<br />
For every time in my life there is a Prince record to go along.<br />
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Now it's time to purify myself in the waters or Lake Minnetonka.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-14748446810717577002014-05-28T11:29:00.000-04:002014-05-28T11:29:02.850-04:00Hot Dog!Last Friday was the <a href="http://www.hotdogwalk.com/" target="_blank">Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk</a>! I learned that there is a bigger difference between 5 and 6 hot dogs than one dog....<br />
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<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/treat-street-kalamazoo" target="_blank">Treat Street</a> I forgot how to math and ordered the 1/4 pound dog so I only had half. They have the best buns but just eh dogs.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/nagles-top-dog-and-malt-shoppe-kalamazoo" target="_blank">Nagle's Top Dog & Malt Shoppe</a> They have an incredible variety of toppings and some interesting combos. This year, I stuck with Chicago dogs when they had them.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/dogs-with-style-kalamazoo-2" target="_blank">Dogs with Style</a> These guys were new to me and were amazing! The best Chicago dog I've ever had! They also have a huge variety including pretzel buns, bacon wrapped dogs, and mac-and-cheese as a topping.<br />
<a href="http://www.coneyislandkalamazoo.com/" target="_blank">Coney Island</a> My favorite place. They have the best atmosphere and great hot dogs.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/ray-rays-italian-beef-and-sausage-kalamazoo" target="_blank">Ray Ray's Italian Beef & Sausage</a> reminds me of the "No Soup for You" Seinfeld guy.<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/root-beer-stand-kalamazoo" target="_blank">Root Beer Stand</a> Meh. They have been very accommodating to the walkers and the car hops are fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-41173335813608242952014-05-21T15:01:00.000-04:002014-05-21T15:01:00.224-04:00S.M.A.R.T.Over the next 14 weeks, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I plan to meet several goals with my running group.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Lose 10 pounds. This is really the minimum of what I'd like to lose but I don't have a great track record of losing weight quickly and I'd like to be able to achieve this one.</li>
<li>Meet with the group for at least 12 times. This means both big runs with the whole group and little one-on-one runs.</li>
<li>Mix it up! Do at least 3 different physical activities each week. Most likely that will look like a couple of runs, riding my bike to work, and attend my Thursday class. I'll need to get creative when I'm on my 2-week vacation!</li>
<li>Just schedule a damn massage already. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
Make it SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-79229387925871235172014-05-20T12:00:00.000-04:002014-05-20T12:00:00.469-04:00Running for My LifeLast year as I was training for my first 5k, I realized that I had another one scheduled a month later. I took the opportunity and set a goal for myself to run one race per month for 12 months and I did it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>April (Actually May 5) Borgess Run for the Health of It: I ran whole thing. I ran slowly but I ran it all!</li>
<li>May 23 GOTR Celebration 5k: I ran this one with and for Maggie. She set our pace and it was awesome!</li>
<li>June 20 Cheetah Chase at Binder Park Zoo: Maggie came along for this one, too. It was a fun race, very cool to be in the zoo before it opened. It would have been nice to have some water stations on the course, though. this was also the first non-Kalamazoo race. I tell you, I missed Chris Lampen-Crowell's voice!</li>
<li>July 4 Volkslauffe in Frankenmuth: This was a long, hot race! Well, not actually any longer than any other official 5k, but the heat and humidity made it feel long! </li>
<li>August 2 Color Run in Grand Rapids: This was so much fun! I was invited last-minute by my running buddy and had a great time. </li>
<li>September 14 Peacock Strut: I trained with Gazelle Sports all summer and it paid off: I PRed this race. It was a lovely early fall morning and a really nice course.</li>
<li>October 12 Campus Classic: Somehow the course planner managed to make it 90% uphill an 90% into the sun even with the start and finish at the exact same place. Good run and another PR.</li>
<li>November 23 Turkey Trot: Still on campus but a slightly different course. It started snowing and I loved it!</li>
<li>December 5 Run Through the Lights: Not actually a full 5k, but so much fun! The whole family joined me and we all dressed in costume. I also won my Run Camp by having the most illuminated costume!</li>
<li>January 18 House of Hope: My birthday and Christmas present from my parents was a trip to Florida and I took advantage by running a race that happened to be taking place that weekend! I got to see some lovely residential areas of Panama City and had a great race. It was about 40 degrees and I wore short sleeves and capri pants and was a perfect temperature. All the Florida locals were worried about me being cold, though. All I had to say was, "Michigan," and they understood.</li>
<li>February 2 Girls on the Run TuTu run: Again, not officially 5k, but lots of fun! Ran this one with my neighbor and Maggie.</li>
<li>March 2 Winter Blast: This was a tough one for me. I was super sleepy for some reason and the snow was really hard to run through. I finished strong, though!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
And, the icing on the cake, in May I ran my first 10k!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-1084750152852665512014-05-19T11:08:00.001-04:002014-05-19T11:08:12.794-04:00Making it MemorableWhere do I even start? I've completed my second <a href="http://borgessruncamp.com/" target="_blank">Run Camp</a> and ran my first 10K and it seems like a good time for reflection. There's so much bouncing around in my head. I need to start somewhere!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4l08WPbLA7C0A_XB1YRC0pT7gA4wYpEhtJfGuuqTTcl7LLGVatBT9toJkaSiBPoLEGP8VYTybXOCIZkLRJYh7JBtIC8wsCaW7vdwIyFVgSsdHZQTTUICOmaDRz4pOzhUuUM9NLxFsRM/s1600/run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4l08WPbLA7C0A_XB1YRC0pT7gA4wYpEhtJfGuuqTTcl7LLGVatBT9toJkaSiBPoLEGP8VYTybXOCIZkLRJYh7JBtIC8wsCaW7vdwIyFVgSsdHZQTTUICOmaDRz4pOzhUuUM9NLxFsRM/s1600/run.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>The idea of running has been bouncing around in my head since high school but I didn't think I could do it. I had so many terrible elementary school gym teachers that emphasized sports over fitness and I have to say it wasn't one isolated town: I went to school in seven different states during those years. We weren't a sporty or active family. I was never taught to love exercise. Add to that many years of happy marriage, work stress, and a couple of kids and I find myself very out of shape and overweight. I needed to do something.<br />
<br />
Running started to pop up everywhere. Bloggers, friends, neighbors: everyone was running. In the fall of 2012, I downloaded a Couch to 5k app and started taking walk/runs. I'd do it after the sun went down so no one could see me. But then I started talking about it and I heard about Run Camp. Some very good friends talked me into signing up. At the orientation meeting, I had a full-on anxiety attack. I was sweating, my heart was racing, I couldn't breathe. I was a mess but I got some good shoes and went to the first official meeting. I was placed into a fabulous team and now I'm a runner. After 3 months of early, snowy Saturday mornings I ran every last step of my first 5K. It was an amazing experience and I'm still running!<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-24904270851615295272014-05-08T16:45:00.002-04:002014-05-08T16:45:25.532-04:00It Begins Again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoL-vCqkUVDgN1aytKS_Ek1wJGl61ANSSKgLHIWDcDchaTzrktB75PBqb9MD76TMfSS57PB7fBVTppO9KszAizpjXCNQmSmC8sIgchxkVfes3zi9uV7lot_GnyDZHFsftdkI_NesgPf4/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoL-vCqkUVDgN1aytKS_Ek1wJGl61ANSSKgLHIWDcDchaTzrktB75PBqb9MD76TMfSS57PB7fBVTppO9KszAizpjXCNQmSmC8sIgchxkVfes3zi9uV7lot_GnyDZHFsftdkI_NesgPf4/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Research suggests it takes 28 days to develop a habit. In the interest of remembering what I've been doing with my life and having some accountability for my goals, I am going to write something each day. I need to cement my goals and get to it. At least my FB friends won't have to be subjected to all my running stuff!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-21536662621881805152013-04-09T14:36:00.000-04:002013-04-09T14:36:22.720-04:00Kindness of Strangers<br />
When the first thought of running popped into my head, I immediately
dismissed the thought. I <i>knew </i>that I would be laughed at and
ridiculed. After all, isn't that what happened all through school? (Wow -
Let's put a pin in this for later!) <br />
<br />
As that seed germinated in my head, I found many of my friends and neighbors
were already runners. These were people I very much trust. When I
quietly mentioned that I was thinking of running, I felt overwhelming
support, so I joined my run camp and started running. Going to camp each
week, meeting with my team, has brought such joy to the whole
endeavor. I expect to be encouraged and respected for what I do when I
am there.<br />
<br />
Now I take mid-week runs along a popular running path near my
house. Living in a college town, I see lots of twenty-somethings flying
along my path and I don't really expect those same warm-fuzzies from the
students. When I cross paths with (more like, get passed by) female runners,
I get a smile or a nod. What really made my day yesterday was
when I crossed paths with some young men. They both smiled and nodded
and gave me a thumbs up. It felt really good to get that validation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-19189498744418963402013-02-26T02:00:00.000-05:002013-02-26T02:00:39.130-05:00Goals for the week of February 24-March 2<ul>
<li>6 workouts</li>
<ul>
<li>3 runs</li>
<li>3 cross training</li>
</ul>
<li>weights</li>
<li>eat well and on plan</li>
<li>get Maggie excited to exercise with me</li>
<li>get the damn house cleaned</li>
<li>do some laundry</li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-60388842073892643242013-02-25T14:09:00.002-05:002013-02-25T14:13:50.410-05:00I feel AMAZING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4l08WPbLA7C0A_XB1YRC0pT7gA4wYpEhtJfGuuqTTcl7LLGVatBT9toJkaSiBPoLEGP8VYTybXOCIZkLRJYh7JBtIC8wsCaW7vdwIyFVgSsdHZQTTUICOmaDRz4pOzhUuUM9NLxFsRM/s1600/run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4l08WPbLA7C0A_XB1YRC0pT7gA4wYpEhtJfGuuqTTcl7LLGVatBT9toJkaSiBPoLEGP8VYTybXOCIZkLRJYh7JBtIC8wsCaW7vdwIyFVgSsdHZQTTUICOmaDRz4pOzhUuUM9NLxFsRM/s320/run.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
What an amazing run! I am feeling better and went to run camp and just had an incredible run.<br />
<br />
The plan was for half of the group to run 5 and walk 1 and the other half to run 2 and walk 1. I started with the 2/1-ers and planned to stick with them. I had my headphones on listening to Not Blood, Paint and couldn't hear Karen's prompts to run or walk so I just went with my C25K app. Next thing I know, I don't see any of the blue group in front of me. I turned around to find everyone from my group behind me. I didn't know what to do but everyone shouted out, "Keep going!"<br />
<br />
I kept going at my pace and felt really great. I pushed my self but didn't exhaust myself. I really felt amazing. I ran/walked a little over 2 miles in a little over 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
I have to say, I get it now. I know why people are so passionate about running.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-48476795168945837362013-01-24T14:42:00.001-05:002013-01-24T14:43:15.953-05:00So I did this thingLast night I broke a 15 month streak. I had a full-on panic attack. I went to my run camp orientation and the waiting freaked me right out. I left in a good place, though. Their goals for all of us align with what I want and I'll make some new friends to boot.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-68478493284456711682013-01-23T11:11:00.000-05:002013-01-23T11:20:54.021-05:00Messes with My Mind!Anyone else an Pinterest-a-holic? I find myself feeling the pull. I actually unfollowed most of the people I was following because I was getting sick of seeing the same recipes and diy stuff that aren't really my bag so I find myself looking at the "Everything" tab.<br />
<br />
Before I go on, I need to say that fashion mags have never been and still aren't really my thing. And I guess I have been in my own little burrow feeling outraged at the "Media" and their promotion of poor body image, etc. without actually viewing it. Because I wasn't looking at Vogue or Elle or... , having the airbrushed models in my eyeballs, I didn't get the damage it can cause having those unrealistic expectations in your eyeballs and into your brain.<br />
<br />
Until I started Pinteresting. All the "Thinspirition" photos of skinny girls talking about how great it is to be skinny. I look and feel jealous! I can't even explain it. I haven't ever really felt thin or loved the body I'm in but now I'm green with envy. I want to look like these girls. At any cost. It's completely crazy! I don't even get it. While I'm not entirely in love with my body, I'm relatively confidant about myself most days. Especially when I love my outfit. I can see how young people can't filter out the messages and resort to eating disorders. I'm a "grown-up" and I can hardly do it. I'm trying to process it and spin it positively but, while I am doing healthy things, I am more filled with self-hate than I ever have been.<br />
<br />
My greatest efforts have been to keep things positive in my life and to embrace whatever comes my way. I'll continue to waste time on Pintrest ('cause that's how I roll) only I'll filter what I look at better while at the same time seeking out positive stuff.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-43133288998076728002013-01-17T14:34:00.001-05:002013-01-23T11:18:46.026-05:00What have I done?I signed up for a run camp. I can't even run for 3 minutes straight. I am going to make an ass out of myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-85696734433904859442012-08-03T15:22:00.001-04:002013-01-23T11:18:46.032-05:00Step by StepI am tying to journal and this is the place to do it! I just don't really think I have done anything worth writing about. My mind is always churning thinking of self-helpy things; Of goals to make and achieve. And when I am in a position to put it down, I don't' have anything to say. So, boring.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5wceCTmtu3GsmBc6b154mru9iMTh3kk14VT9dfQbr2WbRGAAXHEII1te_mAFCNVw_r12gclZP6ddPEoCwjf7S9Zr_ll7dhvXf0I_1bStDkITgziPKxWTSRbp1a4lhkffbW7qSROygbM/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5wceCTmtu3GsmBc6b154mru9iMTh3kk14VT9dfQbr2WbRGAAXHEII1te_mAFCNVw_r12gclZP6ddPEoCwjf7S9Zr_ll7dhvXf0I_1bStDkITgziPKxWTSRbp1a4lhkffbW7qSROygbM/s320/IMG_0606.jpg" width="320" /></a>I really want to get fit and run a 5k. It is always in my thoughts but I'm afraid to be embarrassed by actually running. In public. Where my neighbors can see me. Which is so silly since I have awesome neighbors who would be nothing but supportive of me. I also know that running isn't the only thing do do to get fit. I have DVDs, there are exercise videos on Netflix and on Sparkpeople. I just need to do it! One step at a time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-53698224547521979542012-07-31T09:45:00.002-04:002013-01-23T11:20:54.020-05:00get healthy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrtCqmduZT-N3zoKuxY3OyHMC3nJvliKvDNHQzj-_e7wHBz69wRnBCZ1-myxrmo4DFaTi6eox9lhoTgHm5l1j8UaRuW-t97775CYYql6bp6ZNtu8A2fyO7fUtPP1XSozBXYMEz8FS2pE/s1600/PICT0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrtCqmduZT-N3zoKuxY3OyHMC3nJvliKvDNHQzj-_e7wHBz69wRnBCZ1-myxrmo4DFaTi6eox9lhoTgHm5l1j8UaRuW-t97775CYYql6bp6ZNtu8A2fyO7fUtPP1XSozBXYMEz8FS2pE/s320/PICT0524.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, 5 years and 40 pounds ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Who am I kidding, I want to lose weight. That's not a popular thing to say. Thing is, I completely agree with health at every size movement and fat acceptance but I can't assimilate it into my "self". I feel so bad about my self lately. Clothes don't fit. My chins are rapidly doubling and tripling. I am not healthy.<br />
<br />
After vacationing I vowed to eat the right things and I did great for the week. Then I went out of town and was stuck with vacation food again. I felt awful. Pukey, constipated (sorry) and generally crappy. Back to good foods for me! Fruit and salads! Exercise!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826773072512565513.post-77577293402010419982012-07-30T11:17:00.002-04:002013-01-23T11:18:46.030-05:00Wheaton's LawMemorial Day weekend, 1988. I had just graduated from High School. My parents were out of town. I was watching Wil Wheaton on Star Trek: TNG. A friend called inviting me to to the beach. That evening at the beach (oddly enough) was a pivotal event for me. It will always be mixed up in my head creating a big part of my personal story.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a couple of decades and I see <a href="http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Wil's Blog</a>. I wasn't one of the Wesley Crusher Haters. I thought it was awesome to have someone my age, someone like me, on the bridge of the Enterprise. I started internet stalk him. I read his blog, twitter, tumblr... He was always positive. He promoted <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law" target="_blank">being nice</a>. Then I read <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5921655/the-snarky-voice-in-your-head-is-killing-your-productivity-heres-how-to-stop-it" target="_blank">this article</a> and was inspired. I have so many thoughts and it has all been bouncing around in my head for weeks and have been trying to live my life with kindness in mind. Making me a better person.<br />
<br />
And then I saw <a href="http://dontbeadickday.com/" target="_blank">this</a>. So, here is my braindump.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday, Wil! You'll never see this but it's out there. Thank you for being on TNG, for being the catalyst for all those happy memories of that summer, for being so open and available on the innerwebs, for <a href="http://ruleoftheinternet.com/" target="_blank">Wheaton's Law</a> and for being awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0