TreasuresInTerraCotta

Hooray for me! I ran a 5K. Well...it's a little misleading to say I ran because I didn't run the whole thing. But I ran a lot and I completed it (in about 36 minutes) and I'm still alive! Here's what I learned: -Don't register on line. I paid $8.75 in extra fees. -I am more fit for my kids. My fitness goals were motivated initially for personal reasons...I just want to feel better and look better. But I have discovered that it is very motivating to be able to keep up with my kids and to enjoy their active play. -I get bored. After just a few months running in my neighborhood I am bored with the scenery. -I need external motivation, but not a lot. I needed the motivation of having a race to train towards. I did not, however, need a daily running buddy. I needed the Couch-to-5K plan to give me some structure. I did not need to to have a running partner for the race. -There is always someone/something to race even if you're not at the front of the pack. I came in a...

I got some new running shoes today. Actually, this is my first pair of "running" shoes ever. Aren't they cute? They are New Balance 409. The price was right and they felt good on my feet...for the 3 minutes I had them on in the store. And do you know what? They are "Made In USA" which makes me extra happy. In fact, I'm going to write a letter to the company thanking them for actually offering products that are Made In USA. Maybe tomorrow I'll run in them and let you know how it goes. I am running 5-7 minutes at a time and then walking for 2-3 minutes. I do that cycle 3 times. Great for me...but I don't know if that will get me through a 5K very successfully. In two weeks we'll know.

I've been doing Beth Moore's "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman" Bible study. It has drawn attention to multiple ironies that fill the book of Esther. The downfall of the former Queen Vashti was her refusal to go before the king, yet Esther's destiny ultimately required her to go before the king uninvited. Mordecai saved the king from assassination, yet the king played a role in the annihilation plot of Mordecai and all the Jews. Haman built a gallows to hang Mordecai, but on those same gallows Haman would himself be hanged. I have a whole page of ironies listed in the back of my workbook and I still have two weeks to go! Honestly, it makes me smile when I look over them. I see God's hand at work in every turn of the story. This is better than the best fiction. So when I met with my own irony my senses were ready to see it. And this is a very little thing, so don't get too excited. But I wanted to share it. I was doing my Couch-to-5K running yesterday...

Today I started Week 4 of The Couch-to-5K running plan . Honestly, I thought I was farther along since I've been walking/running regularly for at least 6 weeks now. And I've seen some minor but positive changes...I have more endurance for household things like getting around on the floor with the boys, some of my clothes seem to fit better and I feel less "puffy." Anyway, today the proverbial rubber met the road with Week 4. The circut goes like this...jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes, jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes. And it was hard! Maybe that's how it's always supposed to be. But running for 5 minutes is not something I can do yet and today was the first time I physically felt like I just couldn't jog another step. And I feel nauseous. So maybe that means I'm doing something right. Have I mentioned that I'm not a runner. I do not like it. I do not enjoy it. I am slow. I doubt I have goo...

If I write it down and put it on my blog, do you think it will help? Since I know that about three people read this, there isn't much incentive. But I have to say that I created a tracking-calendar on my computer and it has been very motivating. I like to fill in the date boxes with check-marks for each fitness activity. I started June 1. I was inspired by Metropolitan Mama's simple list so I used it as my starting point. I was also impressed that the list included "additions" instead of "deletions." I liked that philosophy, so that's what I did too. Fitness Additions: 100 crunches or Pilates video – 3x/wk 30 curls (5 lb. weights) – 3x/week Train for a 5K – 3x/week Family walks or active play Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal Goals: 135 lb. by July 31 Run a 5K So far, I am seeing some positive results. The scale is trending in the right direction. I am happier with what I see in the mirror. I have been surprised how easy it is to fit in som...