Friday, December 14, 2012

I Ran (yes, really) in a Virtual Race

I got inspired by a friend's blog I follow, Taking It On, to run in her annual virtual race - Jingle Bell Hell. The requirements were simple: had to be at least 5k, be challenging, and I had to laugh at some point.

So first, the total mileage that I ran/walked: somewhere around 3.5+ miles. I walked probably about 1/4 of the time. This was 42 laps at our YMCA including warmup and cool down. Since the only real running I've done in a long time is the Jog-A-Thon at the kids' school in September, this was HARD. I have never called myself a "runner." My walking laps were spent panting, and towards the end, trying to keep my stomach calm. My "training" for this consisted of 3x/week Zumba classes and 2x/week weight lifting. Which is not the same thing as running. At all. I timed myself for an overall count of 35 laps (about 3 miles), and that took me 35 minutes. Not fast. At all.

 Yeah, I'm sure I looked somewhat like this. Except white. And take away all the muscles.



So, the laughing. I wish I could say that I laughed out loud. I didn't. I didn't have enough breath to. But I did smile and do a voiceless laugh more than once. The first was around lap 12. I was convinced that I was absolutely crazy for even attempting this. Was I even going to finish? I think some people as they saw my face wondered if I was going to pass out. I know it got flushed more than once. What really surprised me, though, was that by mile 3, breathing actually started to get a little easier. I couldn't get my legs to move much faster, but I wasn't dieing (as much) during my jogging laps. The walking laps got much worse instead. Second laugh was when I decided that I was done jogging. I totally did it! I did more than 3.5 miles in a total time of about 45 minutes. Hopefully I'll be able to walk tomorrow, but I did much more today than I thought I could. I may have to run again. (Did I just say that?)

Friday, January 6, 2012

UFOs!!!!


I'm surrounded by them! I've counted about 100. Yikes!

For the uninitiated, UFO = UnFinished Object. That means some sort of project that was started (or in my case, about to be started), but not completed. The list includes:

5 Block-of-the-Month Quilts. I don't think any have all the blocks completed.
About 30 sets of pajamas. Um, yeah.
13 skirts and dresses for me and the girls.
3 more quilts, 3 x-stitch Christmas stockings, and more.

I hope to make a big dent in this pile this year. I've joined a Facebook group that was created just to encourage each other to finish things this year. I need to be accountable to someone!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Goals for 2012

Most of these goals will be a stretch, but if they are too easy, what's the point, right? They are categorized by the many "hats" I wear.



Child of God:
read the entire Bible
read the Book of Mormon (multiple times? or read at least 20min/day?)
read the Relief Society lessons each month

Wife:
(keeping these goals private)

Mother:
help my Scouts earn their next ranks
help Anna learn to read
potty train Zeke and Lydia
help Zeke learn all his letters, numbers and some sounds
get kids to all Dr needed (this is more than just check-ups)

Visiting Teacher:
100%

Housekeeper:
deep clean house
do weekly cleanings



Repairman:
repair all the currently known issues, including: light switch, broken door, mirror, mixer
Begin kitchen remodeling

Cook:
start making sourdough bread
dinner by 6pm



Blogger:
3 posts each week

Bookkeeper:
reconcile all accounts
update accounts weekly
create a budget we can follow

Daughter/Sister:
call at least 2x/month

Friend:
participate in a social group (book club? sewing club?)

Artist:
Finish at least 30 projects, focusing on ones previously started

Student:
Read 30 books, including at least 12 classics

Individual:
Aerobic exercise at least 3x/week
Eat more fruits and vegetables