Motivational Monday: Appointments I Intend To Keep

I just read my last blog post, dated July 6.  I guess can't use the same opening line about my absenteeism. 

My summer schedule has just changed…again…and this time, I’m more determined to put myself, and my fitness FIRST.  I’ve always heard the advice that you should write your own self into your calendar or appointment book, and keep your obligations to yourself just as you would anyone else.  Good advice, but it’s so easy to fall into the trap of tending to others before yourself.  The truth is, if I am not well (mentally or physically) my care for others will not be all it can be either.

So – here’s to my first Monday on the new schedule. 

UPDATE:

1.    I am done flushing fire hydrants for the city of La Grande.  I had planned on running in the early mornings before work, but that quickly fell away after days spent in the heat and the sun.  I didn’t want any more outside.

2.    We are in the process of moving – our house closes within two weeks, our move-in house is vacant and we have keys!  We’re sort of becoming squatters (but with permission).  J 

3.    I will have new running routes to map out, and far fewer trees and shady places to run. (Note to self: get more sunscreen!)

4.    In August I will not only be nesting a new home, but a new classroom.  I have to keep these in separate mental compartments and only deal with one at a time or I will go mad!  The school is in the process of an asbestos abatement project, so it’s on lock down while all the tiles are removed – I can delete it from my brain for now, but the minute I have the go-ahead, I will go paint my classroom before new flooring is installed.  After the floors are in, I will be a flurry of teacher-crazy as I decorate and prepare for my new little flock.

5.    I spend way too much down time on Pinterest looking for house/school ideas.  I saw something at a rummage sale that was clearly a Pinterest thing that is on my list of crafty projects to make – and I resisted the urge to spend $25 to bypass the craftiness and just buy it already!

6.    I have made a new goal of spending WAY less time on the computer.  I’m even working toward Technology Free Sundays (with the exception of checking in on the Bingham Family Blog – don’t want to miss news of a heart donor for Lindsey!)

So – I ran today.  It felt good, although a bit rusty.  In the time I have been off, though, I have completely reversed the foot issue that I had been having.  (I think that may be a complete post for later).  The dog loves me again.  My muscles are thanking me, and my brain is happy.  I have made an appointment with the road again tomorrow, and it’s one I intend to keep.


QUESTION: How do you manage your fitness when everything going on in your life seems crazy?

Running On Empty

As you may (or may not) have noticed, I’ve been absent from my blog.  I’m feeling sort of absent from my life right now, as the transition from school-year work to summer-work has shaken up my schedule.  My beer-man hubs is up at the butt crack of dawn to make sure the tri-county area is able to toss back a cold one with their summer BBQ’s.  Once he’s up, I’m up – whether it’s 3:30 or 6:00.  So…the days drag on.

In our personal lives we’ve lost two friends, Riki Anderson and Chris Fox Kohl.  I have a school family whose lives are in peril – with two children in a hospital – one waiting for a heart transplant, the other on a pacemaker (Lindsey & Gage Bingham).  All their children have the same heart abnormality, and most likely all of them will require heart transplants.  I can’t imagine it, and it weighs heavily on my mind and my prayer life.

Our house sold in five days, which normally would be a really awesome thing…but now, as we search for housing closer to my work, we’re finding we don’t have much to choose from.  I keep telling myself the right thing will present itself – as it always does, but it still sort of nags at the back of my mind…Oh yeah, we may be homeless!

I know that running is a reducer of stress, but I’m not such a hard-core runner that it’s become that kind of habit.  I envy folks who run every day like clockwork.  I still have to talk myself into it every damn day – and lately, I’ve been a slacker.  I’m not worried about the upcoming marathon, although, perhaps I should be.  I know I can drag my sorry butt over the finish line if I have to, but I also know I have a few more months to prepare.  I also know that I’m gritty and stubborn and I will do it if it kills me…I just would prefer not to die from it – I have work to do! 

I know I would mentally feel better if I drug myself out every morning, but with low-grade depression it’s harder to leave the house.  My sweetie and I have been getting out in the hills, and encouraging each other to get back on track, step by painful step.

Oh – the drawing for donors has been extended.  I need MORE donors – even at a few bucks a go!  Right now, I have more prizes than donors, so I’m going figure out another way to market this thing.  You may see me outside of Safeway hawking raffle tickets, we’ll see.

So today I ran.  I’m in that sweaty afterglow that I must remember TOMORROW when it’s time to go again. 

The Friday Five: True Confessions of an Average Gal

How did it get to be Friday already?!  I went out of town for a few days of family business, worked two whole days, met next year’s kindergarten class, and called it a week!

So here I am again at the Friday Confessional, which will now be The Friday Five…because last week I learned that ten was too much!

1.  I only worked out twice this week and I’m feeling really guilty about it.  I can't really count walking alongside of a four year old as she rode her trike, but believe me, I encouraged her to keep going...maybe a bit longer than she would've liked.  Sorry, Ava!
Oh well, there are still three days left…

2.  I found a swimming suit that FITS!  Hallelujah!  That’s really outstanding news, but what I realized, though, is that I really didn’t even take time to see if it’s remotely flattering.  All I know is that it pulled up all the way (over my apparently, freakishly long torso!) so that’s where my observation stopped.  Perhaps I’m not so ego-based that I’m worrying about how I look in a swimming suit.  I didn’t even turn around in the dressing room to check out the butt-horror!  Maybe this is a sign of maturity.  What’s more likely though is that it’s just a sign of pure laziness!

This is the type of suit I would really prefer!

          


    3.  After several days out of town and a couple long car trips, I feel the need for a major colon cleanse!  Why is it that spending six hours sitting on my butt in the car makes me feel like I should be in constant snack mode?  On the drive home, I had two lattes, a box of Red Vines, a snack sized bag of Gardetto’s, and an 8 oz. bottle of water.  I should’ve had a V-8!  What’s done is done.  I can only reclaim my colon and start over.

           4.  I’m getting really excited for my second turn at being a Foodie Pen Pal!  I was able to shop for mine at Saturday Market, and World Market while I was in Eugene, so I have some really fun stuff to send.  I also can’t wait to receive a foodie box in the mail!  This is so fun!   (I address this in my other blog.  If you’re curious, visit thekitchenrefugee.blogspot.com, and look at the April Foodie Pen Pal Reveal.)

5.   As the school year winds to a close, I know how much marathon work there is ahead of me this summer.  I am determined to keep it fun, playful, and varied.  Even if I’m walking or swimming, I know it’s all adding to my fitness level and using different muscles. I’ll get ‘er done a mile at a time!

Stay tuned – I have a Drawing for Donors in the works, and there are some fun prizes!!!

Friday Confessional

I am a reader of many health and fitness blogs, and an equal number of eating and cooking blogs. One thing many of them have in common is a daily theme, like What I ate Wednesday, or Fitness Friday. Cassie, at Back to Her Roots, backtoherroots.com, does a weekly confessional of personal oddities. The thing I really love about it, is that her quirks make me feel normal. Wait. I don't think that came out right. What I mean to say is that reading about her dirty little secrets makes me realize that I'm not alone in mine.

So in an effort to help y'all feel less weird, I'm going to hang out some dirty laundry, with the inalliterative title, Friday Confessional.

Here goes:

10. Sometimes I eat candy for breakfast. While I can be proud of myself for never starting the habit of cigarettes and coffee, I do enjoy sugar and coffee. NOT sugared coffee, mind you, but coffee with some sort of sugary treat. I always plan on granola or a decent person's brakfast, but, really, is there anything better than a Reese's Peanutbutter Cup and some Starbucks?

9. I've got some Justin Beiber in my running playlist. I'm not a creeper, I promise.

8. I really love shoes, and I'm not proud of fitting the stereotype of women who love shoes. I'm no Imelda Marcos, or Carrie Bradshaw, but I might be on my way.




7. I'm already thinking that ten confessions is too much. Don't want to let my crazy out all at once!

 6. I love getting real mail - not bills, but actual hand- written notes. It's a lost art with texts and emails. I just joined a foodie pen pal program because not only do I get to send and receive a food package in the mail once a month, but one of the components of the program is that you have to write something!

 5. I wasn't one of those parents who allowed our baby/child to sleep in our bed. That being said, I have a four year old border collie who takes up residence in the middle of our bed each night - not long ways, but sideways so she can kick us equally.  I've gone soft, what can I say.

 4. I love singing to really loud music in the car. I try not to get caught at it, but I'm sure other drivers think I'm nuts. Even moreso if I'm singing show tunes!

 3. I've definitely decided ten confessions is five too many.

2. I cry in the movie Stuart Little when that little Michael J. Fox mouse says he has an empty place in his heart, and at the first 20 minutes of the movie, Up, and in Toy Story Three when the big boy goes away to college. I cry when a child says (and discovers), "Teacher, I can read!"  Gets me every time. Yep. I'm a sappy crybaby.




1.  I LOVE being a teacher.  Yes it's hard work. There are kids I want to take home and feed, wash, and lavish with Christmas presents - and that breaks my heart on a daily basis.  But it's the job that is my heart's true calling.  When things fall off the rails in my daily life - teaching is the thing that always makes sense to me.  I know I belong to a community of others who show up every day to shape little people into big citizens.


What does any of this have to do with getting ready for a marathon? Not a thing, except that now you know just how average I am. I'm not an Olympian with a great training regime, a personal trainer, and a dietician.  I'm just a 46 year old, who trains despite my love for junk food, who is trying to raise money for families who do not have the luxury of time.

I can continue to put one foot in front of the other, giving thanks for my health and the health of my beautiful daughter.

I can keep lacing up and hitting the pavement...a mile at a time.