Glass Half Empty / Glass Half Full

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Let's start with the "half empty" part of this post.

• I've been sick on & off for the past five or so days. This means no running (too weak).
• This means I'm a week behind schedule on the Couch-to-5K progam.
• This means that I'm wondering if running my first 5K a week from Saturday is realistic.

[context/background information]: On the Couch-to-5K program, the runner can either go by time or distance. I've been doing it by time. I decided to download an app to my iPhone so that I could see what my distance is like. I chose Map My Run.

• The distance I had in my head that I thought I was running was wayyyy off from reality.

[context/background information]: I know that I run slowly (both recognized by myself and others), but I guess slow is an understatement.

• In 28 minutes, I ran 3.22km. There I said it. That means I'd be up near 45 minutes for "running" a 5K.

[context/background information]: I've been doing some research, and for females in my age group, this time is not out in left field. It's toward the bottom of the times, but it's within the times.

• Now that I haven't met my [potentially unrealistic] expectations, I'm wondering if I should wait on the 5K and build up some speed/stamina.

"Half full:"

• I'm feeling much better and am happy for the fact that I was able to run 28 minutes tonight, which was what I had planned.
• This "calendar" is of my own making. I want to complete the Couch-to-5K before I turn 41, which is is in February. So, plenty of time.
• My time is IN THE BALLPARK. If it had been say, 2 hours to run 5K, then this would ALL probably be "half empty."
• I'm exercising.
• I've never sustained any type of formal exercise in my life up until now, but I AM doing it.
• I LIKE going to the track 3x week.

After getting that all out in writing, I'm thinking I should wait to run the 5K. There are plenty of them over the next few months, so finding one shouldn't be a problem. It's just the perfectionist in me. The program is 9 weeks. In my mind, I was going to immediately run a 5K the day after I finished week 9. It won't happen that way, but it WILL happen.

Thanks for listening.

Memorial Day

I wasn't sure if I should entitle this post, "Happy Memorial Day" or not. Is prefacing "Memorial Day" with "Happy" appropriate? Due to the solemnity of the holiday, I'm going to go with "no" (but I've been wrong before.)

If a person could embody a holiday, it would be my Papa and Memorial Day. My Mom's Dad served in WWII  in the Air Force and received many commendations and medals -- five oak leaf clusters, three battle stars, and probably more that I'm embarrassed to say I don't know about. He was the master of the Memorial Day parade in his small town (population 3,000) and loved getting together for reunions with his service buddies. I remember one time while visiting him, he proudly got out a mission map that he had and showed me where he taken off from and where he had landed. I have a picture of him standing in front of a restored plane that he flew, but of course can't find it. (Another reason to organize my photos!)

Here he is at a family wedding. This is how I remember him -- a smile on his face.

He & I at my college graduation. (Excuse the crazy eyes on me.)

Thanks Papa. Thanks to all the men and women who have put their lives on the line for the citizens of this country.

BQOTD: What Five THINGS Would You Bring to a Deserted Island?

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This is one of the many questions I ask myself when trying to fall asleep at night. I've spent a lot of time trying to fall asleep over my life (sleep was never one of my strong suits when I was a child -- ask my Mom!), so I pretty much have this question down pat.

You're going to a deserted island and you can bring five THINGS with you (no people, no pets!).

What do you bring?

Here's my list:

1) Marian Keyes Omnibus: I read EVERY night. I'm guessing I'd have a "bit" more free time on my hands. Marian Keyes is one of my favorite authors and her books make me laugh. Having two of her best books would be good "company" on the island.

2) My pillow: I lurve my pillow. I'd probably have to take the pillowcase off, though, as I would be freaked out about scorpions, snakes, critters getting in while I'm sleeping...or not sleeping. It would be nice to have something comfy even if I'm sleeping on the sand.


3) A case of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese: Mac & cheese is my favorite comfort food. Homemade/baked mac & cheese is the best, but I'm thinking that might be a bit tough on the island. I'd have to cook this with just water and it might not be exactly the same, but I'd make it work.

4) A family & friends photo album: Even though I'd carry memories in my mind of my friends and family, I'd want to have photos that I could look at and touch. I'm sure it would help to make me laugh and smile when I felt lonely.

5) My fleece robe: I envision it getting awfully sandy on the island, but I'm willing to take that risk for comfort and a piece of home. It's somewhat worn, but I love wearing it during the Winter when it's chilly or if I'm going to take a nap and want to be all bundled up (regardless of season.)'

So, what would YOU bring to your deserted island?

Let Me Win, But If I Cannot Win, Let Me Be Brave In the Attempt

My stepdaughter G. has become more and more involved in Special Olympics as the years have gone by. She started soccer at a very young age and has forayed into basketball, cheerleading, softball, and now track & field.

After having multiple hip surgeries, we weren't sure what her running abilities would be, but she's in the game, just like everyone else.

At practice, she does the 100m dash, turbo jav (a less dangerous version of the javelin throw), and the softball toss (a lighter version of the shotput.)

Last Sunday she went to a regional qualifier with her team and competed in the 100m dash and the softball toss.

She took the silver in both events. We couldn't be prouder of her.

Here she is with her silver from the softball toss (unfortunately, we arrived a bit too late to see her actually compete in the event):

In between events, here are (l to r): M., coach, K., athlete, and K., coach. (daughter, daughter, father!)

B. getting ready to do the standing long jump.

The gang! L to R: D., special partner, G., B., & E., special athletes.

Here are John & I, ready to cheer the team on!

G. with her "game face" getting ready to run the 100m dash.

And here she is running her way to the silver!

She did it!

Pamper Me Friday Night

As of 6:38 tonight, I officially completed Week 6 of the Couch-to-5K program. That means I'm 2/3 of the way done and have only three weeks to go!!!

This is big. HUGE. I've NEVER been a part of a formal exercise program, or ANY exercise program, and I often have trouble with follow through on ideas I cook up.

So, the fact that I've gotten this far and WILL finish is truly an accomplishment for me.

OK, enough of that.

I figured that this milestone was reason enough for pampering and treats!

I broke this out (which I've had for a few years, but had only used once prior to tonight) --

I added some Tangerine milk bath to this bad boy and filled 'er up with hot water. (Similar to the first time I used it, I wasn't sure how much milk bath to add and all I could envision was a TV sitcom where the washing machine exudes millions of soap bubbles...) Alas, there was no overflow this time, luckily.

I soaked and massaged my feet and even used the loofah pads to slough the dead skin off of my heels. (TMI? Sorry.)

After the soak, I broke out THIS bad boy that I bought earlier in the night --



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Essie's Turquoise & Caicos. Isn't it pretty? I love it. Makes me think of the beach. A tropical beach. (Oh, I guess that's the point based on the name...)

Here's the first coat ---

While waiting for my first coat to dry, I broke out the NEXT bad boy --

I was a bit skeptical if these would be "treats," as they're real-sugar-free (flavored with Splenda), but I must say that I couldn't tell the difference between these and the "real" things.

Yum!

All's well that end's well!



On Bended Knee

Let's just say that I ended up on bended knee...but not on purpose.

Ugh.

Just walking down the sidewalk in between buildings at work, minding my own business (but of  course with a group of people), I went down. Hard.

Ugh.

It's in my genes. My Mom, though I love her dearly, is a bit, how shall we say? Clumsy?!

Balance is neither her forte nor mine. (Me on a bike = disaster.)

To add insult to injury? I ruined my new sandals. This is only the second time I've worn them.

Of course, they probably contributed to the fall, but hey -- fashion before function.

::sigh::

Happy Mother's Day!

To my Mom -- Thank you for your unconditional love, laughter, and just plain "goodness." I love having you as my Mom!

To my mother-in-law -- Thank you for having a fourth child and raising such a wonderful son that I could fall in love with.

To my stepchildren -- Thank you for being you. I am so lucky to share in your life and to have watched you grow into the two wonderful young adults you both are. There are no words to describe how you've enriched my life.

Nerdy Friday

Yeah, that's me.

Yeah, 28 years later, I still use the dictionary that I won for this little contest. (I even keep it in my office and most frequently look up "former" vs. "latter." I don't know why, but I can never keep them straight...)

Yeah, I only made it one round and then was bumped out by an "i before e" word.

Yeah, I'm still kind of proud. (I never win anything.)

Yeah, I'm a nerd for still having this dictionary. And for taking a picture of it. And for posting in on my blog. On a Friday night.

My Patience Is So Thin, You Can See Through It

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This is me.

Am taking a deep breath and envisioning myself here:

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I'll be on the beach in Aruba with a frozen raspberry margarita and a bucket o' shrimp...in my mind.

Something's Fishy Here

I came home from work the other night, parked the car, and headed down the driveway towards the mailbox.

I glanced over to the right and something caught my eye.

Dead center in the middle of this photo.

A fish.

Yes, a fish.

Not the swimming kind or the kind you can cook.

I'm talking the stuffed kind that you find in the mouth of your beloved dog.

Hard to believe, but one of our beloved Max's toys was buried under snow/leaves/detritus since he's been gone.

With Spring upon us, a time of rebirth, the fish is unearthed.

I stared at it for a minute or so and got sad.

My next thought?

"I wonder if our new dog will find it if we leave it there?"

I think I'll leave that spot untouched until early Fall, when hopefully we will welcome a new member to our family.

No dog will ever replace our Max, though. We love and miss you, dude.