Priorities

I have all these fabulous ideas and this blog was one of them.  Of course when you tack on being a mom, a wife and working full time while helping at church and all that... Other things go by the wayside... Like this blog.

How do people get everything done?  It comes down to importance.  If it's important to you it will get done.  I'm standing in my kitchen right now wearing my baby as I type this on my phone.  My priorities are God, family and then others so I'll do my best to update a few times a week and I hope that will be enough to encourage you from day to day.  Know that sometimes even those moms who look like they have it all together don't (don't worry I definitely don't look like I do).  No one is perfect.  That's the beauty of life.  We have grace and God to guide us.

It's getting cold outside so I am getting steps downstairs in the kitchen while typing this and wearing my sleeping baby.  (She likes to be held and sometimes I need to be hands free so my ergo has been a huge blessing.). I can't do all of the workouts I would like to do when wearing a baby but I can still get 10,000 steps a day!  I'd love to be using my TRX and running to prepare for my next marathon but it's worth it to me to be able to keep my baby close while I still can.  Soon she will be walking and won't need to be close to fall asleep.  It's all about those priorities and what is important to us.  

What's most important to you?

new direction

So, it appears that life has completely taken over and I haven't been able to write/haven't made time to write since 2012.  It's almost 2015!  If I make a real effort to write I can do it.

Let's catch you all up over the past 2 years of my life.  I had some amazing adventures last year in 2013.  Nathan and I traveled to Alaska in July.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to!  We did it all - explored Matanuska Glacier (with no cramp-ons, I highly recommend those!), flew over Denali and took a tour bus into the park, went deep sea fishing on a little charter boat (take motion sickness medicine if it's storming because the boat will rock - it was rough - literally), etc.  I found out I was pregnant at the end of August and in September we went to Glacier National Park in Montana and did my 48th state marathon just outside the park.  The following weekend I went to Nebraska and did my 49th state (it was getting more difficult to breathe even in the beginning for the Montana and Nebraska marathons).

In January of this year I finished my 50 states on Maui (about 5.5-6 months pregnant).  Nathan was right there by my side when we crossed the finish line - my slowest marathon ever but I didn't care.  I finished under the time limit and waddled my way there at almost 30 pounds over my normal weight.  Some people say if you have been running before pregnancy you will still be able to run... that was definitely not my case.  I could walk and that was about it.  I walked 4-5 miles a day since I couldn't run up until I found out I had gestational hypertension at 37.5 weeks and they told me to be on modified bed rest.

In May and we were celebrating the birth of our first child.  I can't even describe how amazing being a mother is.  I have never known any love like the love I have for my baby.  It just gives me a little glimpse into how our Heavenly Father feels about us - His children.

Fast forward to today - basically I wanted to write this post to let you know that I am going to try to make a better effort to write and I hope this blog helps to inspire other women, mothers and people to work on being healthier one step at a time.  You don't have to run or walk or even take actual steps with your feet.  The most important thing is to try to take steps to improve your health one step at a time, one day at a time.  Incremental changes add up over time.

So cheers friends (you can clink your water bottle with me - insert clinking sound here), here's to a new direction!

goodness me!

Okay, okay.  Apologies again.  It's been another 2 months since I've written and I'm SO behind.  A lot has happened folks!  Basically July-August was a rough time for my family with the robbery, my aunt's passing among other things.  My husband and I bought our first house on the 22nd of August and began a frantic painting and fixing of things so that it would be more 'homey' and contemporary since that's our style.  It's getting there, I'm waiting on my cabinets.  I can't wait to get them in and done.  That will be fantastic!  That painting and fixing and cleaning and everything with the house kept me busy, busy until the second week of September when I was wisked off to Rochester, Minnesota (who knew there was a Rochester Minnesota?  I have only heard of the one in NY though that doesn't say much since I had never even heard of Knoxville and now I live here).  I was there for a full week for Tobacco Treatment Specialist training at the Mayo Clinic which was pretty awesome!  I was in charge of choosing restaurants and I have to agree with my colleagues... I did a good job!  haha.  :) 

Friday after we took our test I flew out to Chicago and again (this is where the story actually starts I guess) was getting ready to run a double - in Wisconsin and Illinois this time.  My flight was delayed a couple hours and I didn't get to Chicago until 5 and then I had to rent a car and head out to Wisconsin... far far away.  As I was driving the check engine light came on and I called the rental car people... they said keep driving and they couldn't help me.  So I'm over an hour away from any major city with any other rental cars in the dark by myself.  Fun times.  I got to the Richardson's house and we all hung out for a little while eating ice cream and then I stayed up and talked with Kelly for awhile before finally falling asleep around 2AM.  I got up early to head to the start of the race since it said it was about an hour away and I hadn't picked up my packet yet I wanted to get there early... and I did.  I was 2 hours early and took a nap in the car before the race started... of course I was in the bathroom going potty as the gun was going off so I popped out and was the very last soul across the startinging line.

I started at the very back and was talking with a guy who was injured but just out with a friend from a Chicago suburb.  We ran together for the first 5 miles before he said 'good luck' and went on his way.  He was very nice and I was sad to see him go especially since there were few people running this trail marathon.  Oh, speaking of trail marathons... remember to bring a water bottle.  Brilliant me did not and there were probably 6 water stops total... by the time I got to mile 11 I thought I was seeing an oasis when I saw a blue tent appear in the distance, but by golly it turned out to be a water stop - just what I needed!  "Praise the Lord!" I cried as I reached the stop and chugged 3-4 small dixie cups of water before asking around for a water bottle.  God provided by having a firefighter on the course who just happened to have a 16oz cheap plastic bottle of water that was unopened and I thankfully took that with me for the remainder of the course. 

A couple of ladies and I hung out while we passed a few miles and we saw some horses on the trails we were on, which indeed were horse trails, so we took a picture with the horses of course of course!  I was trying to figure out where we were on our 26.2 mile journey but I was only guessing since there were 0 mile markers and I had not looked up to see how far apart the water stations were.  Super preparation I know!  I just sign up for these things and put the start time and location in my phone so I can find it on GPS... Maybe I should start training and mentally prepare for the course or something like the old days??  Yeah, yeah I know, especially if I'm doing them back to back that might be useful.

I started using my running buddy app or whatever it's called that tracks your distance and time so I could have a better idea of how far I had to go between stops so I could ration my water from my small small 16oz bottle.  I've always thought those bottles were tiny, but when you have 5 or more miles to run in powdery dirt that some how finds it's way to your throat... it seems like it's made for one of the Little family or is just a sip.

I hit mile 17 when my countdown begins and started to feel better... still dehydrated of course due to my earlier brilliance that I mentioned, but I knew I was going to get there and finish.  I talked to a guy who had picked up a feather for his daughter and was carrying it to the finish.  I had yet to see one and when I did at mile 22 or so, I was excited.  I saw some of the relay runners... and wish I had friends who wanted to do a relay... haha.  No, I really just wish I always could find someone to run with since it's way more fun to run with others.  It's nice when Nathan can come too, I wish it wasn't so expensive!

I cheered people along to the finish as I rolled to the line.  I grabbed a bunch of food... my eyes are always bigger than my stomach when I run.  I just can't eat a huge amount right when I'm finished.  Got my shirt and my arm warmers (thanks North Face Endurance Challenge in Eagle, Wisconsin) which I was excited to find that they were black since I already have a pair of white ones I got off my wedding registry (yes, of course I registered online at my favoritest store ever - REI).

I headed out to St. Charles to pick up my packet... but I was just over 2 hours away and I drive slow... and had to be there in 2 hours so luckily the other Jill was able to pick up my stuff since they didn't have packet pick up the morning of the run.  I headed straight down to their house in Wheaton and bought gas along the way.  I learned that my gas tank was on the right side (passenger side) after I had already parked at the pump.  Thankfully I looked busted and a nice man on a motorcycle who was in line next to me waved off some people who were trying to take my spot since I had to pull out and then turn around (there were long lines for some reason at this particular station... maybe because gas was way cheaper in Wisconsin than Illinois).  I have decided that Asian vehicles have the gas tank on the driver's side (my other cars - Jon Sampson and Lazarus were Acuras and they did, Gallileo who is a Toyota does, Hondas do... etc.) and the American cars like Chevys, Fords (like Nathan's Mustang Cobra), etc have them on the passenger side.  I learned that the hard way.  Oh and my rental car was a Chevrolet Impala which I would never normally drive.  I like small cars - Asian cars.

I wasn't as worried about jumping pictuers since I already have them in Wisconsin and Illinois but I did take a bunch of good pictures while running.  When I got there I took a shower and had dinner with the family.  It was really nice to see everyone again!  I'm glad it was on a weekend so Patrick was there too.  We played 'Sorry' after dinner before bedtime and I was off again...  Got a good parking spot since I was early and went to the bathroom before the run started... (hold that thought in the back of your mind for more on that later - pleasant yes??  You're welcome).

I wasn't feeling too hot since I was already dehydrated from the day before so I decided to power walk.  I saw a lady who was walking faster than some of the people were running/jogging and decided that I would do that.  She was from Chicago.  We walked and talked for awhile until I got a phone call... of course I was only walking a marathon so I took it and we chatted/caught up for about 2.5 miles and when I hit mile 13.1... I kept walking... haha.  Did you think I was going to run?  Please.  I decided I would walk until I hit mile 16 and had 10 to go... but they had already picked up some of the mile markers so I ended up starting to speed up at mile 17 and was able to sub my first walking half (which was a 3:05) and finish in 5:57.  Not fast, but not bad for a double, not training and being dehydrated I thought.  And the most important thing - I finished another state.  Wisconsin was state 32 and Illinois was state 33.  Getting closer.

I was kind of messed up at the end and hobbling around so a lady took me to the medical tent and they tried to work on my legs a bit.  Still sore.  Good job lack of fluids.  Another nice lady kindly offered to drive me to my rental car so I could make it to the airport on time since it was about an hour away depending on traffic.  I thanked her as I hobbled out and changed into cleaner clothes and went to the airport - bought more gas along the way to fill the tank and dropped off the car.

Now back to that thought I told you to hold on to before the race started.  Remember?  No?  Well I went potty before the run.  Okay, that's great you say.  Well yeah, that wasa before 7AM Central.  It's now after 3PM and I still haven't gone to the bathroom.  By now I've got to go so I waddled over to the rental car spot and went potty there.  That's the longest I've been awake and haven't peed!  I mean I can sleep like a rock and not go potty for hours but I literally drank 2-3 cups of water or Gatorade at each water stop during the Fox Valley Marathon which thankfully had stops at least every 2 miles if not a few more and STILL didn't go potty for over 8 hours!  And that's after I drank 2 bottles of water when I finished and was driving to the airport.  Man, talk about dehydration.  No fun.

I silently apologized to all around me on the plane for not having time to take a shower but I got back to Knoxville safely!  Thanks Jesus!

- run for life.

it's been awhile

I keep forgetting to write.  Sorry to my 3 readers I may have picked up along the way.  The journey has been getting a little bumpy and dense into the trees.

I guess it's been since my last marathon that I've written.  That was Michigan.  Boy state 31.  That was a tough one.  It was hot and humid... all up until I finished and it started pouring buckets on us on the way back to the car.  I was taking it easy for the first half of the race and then started picking up the pace and talking with other people along the way.  I was super impressed by a guy who was larger than average, running a minute on, a minute off and doing it with a purpose.  He had already completed 5 states and was on his 6th.  He was determined and doing it.  I was tempted to ask him if weight loss was part of his goal to do all the states, but I refrained from working or seeking out lifestyle change motives in others while they were running.

I did enjoy myself despite the heat/humidity and subsequent rainfall that was freezing cold!

So here we are... fast forward to August.  I started my 30 minutes of running/day on June 30.  I made it 8 days of at least 3 miles/day, then it got hot.  When I say hot, it was HOT.  And humid to boot.  Great combo for some wimpy California kid right?  Yeah, no.  So I started running/high stepping my 30 minutes indoors and was doing time on/off (minute on/minute off) to increase the intensity without the heat.  I got 30 active minutes/day for 30+ days in a row... to earn the 'Trail Blazer' badge on Health Miles.  Wow.  I'm a nerd.  I am trying to get all the badges I can and my next goal is the 'High Stepper' badge which will be quite a bit harder due to time constraints... of life.

I feel like it's easier than before to go for a quick run, but the heat is killer.  I still slather on my sun screen and everything, but those first few weeks of at least 30 weren't too bad.  I do need to increase the pace and get outside more... I can't wait until we move!  I am praying everything goes through for closing so we can move to the new house that has a nice long sidewalk down the main street and a grassy field next to the church in front of our neighborhood.  Then I can run outside and see something different each mile... instead of the same thing every 0.4 of a mile.  The square has gotten real old... and boring to boot.  Well, that's not true.  It was ALWAYS boring.

Here I truck along.  God willing.  God will help me.  I need to use the gifts He has given me and spread His joy and love to others and hopefully inspire and motivate others to lead a healthier lifestyle themselves... one step at a time.

after state 31

Well, Michigan was an interesting run.  Tons of people thought the course was a lot tougher than they expected.  I hung out with the 5:30 pace group for awhile and met a woman who was 47 years old and her goal was to run a marathon before she turned 50!  It was her first one so I hung out with her for the first 13 miles and learned about her and her family - they were all from Michigan, she currently lived there and was a Spartan in college (we were in Ann Arbor so that was where the Wolverines were).  Her husband and kids were going to the Tigers game later that day while she was running.  It was great to get to meet someone new and hopefully encourage them along.  She was very nice and highly educated as well as a fellow believer.  It was a pleasant 13 miles... I always wish I could see every one through to the finish and be there to cheer them on! 

The course was a lot of out and backs and Michigan has a lot more trees than I thought... though of course my only previous Michigan experience had been the streets and factories of Detroit... haha.  That was back when I was going to all the baseball stadiums... before I was doing marathons in every state.  So I suppose it was not the fullest Michigan experience.  With all the out and backs, I think I ended up cheering for every single person who ran the inaugural Ann Arbor marathon... haha.

I sped up a little at the halfway point and started catching people and hopefully encouraged them also.  I came across another girl who was not happy about the hills in Ann Arbor around mile 15 or 16 (there were a ton of turn arounds) and was not shy about voicing how much she disliked marathons and that she would not do another one.  I ran along side  her for awhile and tried to also encourage her.  We were on and off jogging/walking for a few miles together before she fell behind only to catch back up at mile 19-20.  At mile 20 I started running a little faster.  I had done the first 13.1 in 2:56:49 and finished the last 10k in 73 minutes.  Running around the mall was definitely not the most fun thing I have done in the world and I was still getting tired.  The humidity at least was getting better by the time I hit the mall since it was spitting a little and eventually sprinkled during the last 2 miles I was running.

We ran past the University of Michigan's football field and down ... and back on Main street and ended on a field on campus I believe.  Wow, there were TONS of out and backs.  I prefer straight runs or a big circle (not the 2 loops or what not) so that I can't always see everyone who's in front of me... hehe. (Though it was pretty fun cheering for people!).

Overall I finished pretty strong though the humidity had overheated me a bit in the beginning, the cooler rain... and the thought that if lightening started they may cancel the run sped me up quite a bit!  I was the last to cross the starting line and I finished in just under 5:40 at 5:39:58.  I sometimes wonder what my times would be like if I trained... or cared in the beginning and paced instead of hung out with people and talked... but that's not nearly as fun as getting to know people! :)

Now I'm back in Knoxville, TN... life is moving quickly and we just got a dog on Sunday (we named him Blitz) so I need to get back home and walk him.  Tonight I'll run a lap or two with him to tire him out before bed.

Time to get training.  I know I've said that before, but this is it.  I only have 11 months and 8 days before I turn 30 and I want to qualify for Boston before that!  God, please help me and give me the drive and determination to get back in shape and glorify You through my running.  Thank you for keeping me safe through the past 33 long distance runs in 31 states + DC.

-run for life