What a year it has been! I have learned a lot. Had struggles and setbacks. Had victories and successes. Been blessed continuously by long time friends and family. Been blessed to gain new friends. Overall it has been a very good year.
When I started this blog on New Year's Eve it was for me. I thought that by writing out my frustrations and successes it might help me through the process of becoming a healthier me. I also figured if anyone actually read it then I would be kept accountable because someone would be looking to see what I was up to most. I also wanted to be an encouragement for people like me who are working on getting healthy. Sometimes it is just nice to know there is someone else out there who is going through what you are going through. Somehow it makes it feel less like you are going through things alone.
In 2013 I ran in one 3K, one 10K, one 15K, four Half Marathons, one Relay race, three 5Ks, one 3.75 Turkey Trot and one Sprint Triathlon. I participated in an organized event every month except for March, June and September.
January
I was a very happy camper today when I got home from my hike and knew that I had reached my goal for getting 700 miles in one year. So much fun to do it with a hike with a good friend. Since I'm usually a solitary runner because of my speed (or lack thereof) I enjoying hiking with friends and getting the social part in. :-) That has been something I have enjoyed a great deal this past year as well.
I met a lot of my goals for the year. I didn't come close to others. Made progress towards figuring out the tired problem, although not quite in the way I wanted. I lost 38 pounds in one year. That is a little over a half a pound a week. Not the results I was hoping to get considering the amount of miles I put in. I want the outside to reflect the inside and all the effort I'm putting in. Everyone from my husband and my doctor to my friends and co-workers assure me that I'm heading in the right direction. That's fine but I would like to be heading there a little bit faster. I still feel like I'm on the stupid treadmill and going nowhere fast! Ugh! I thought when I started getting active three and a half years ago that I would get into shape and lose weight and get all sorts of energy. Life was going to be awesome if I could just get past the first few months. I am no where close to where I thought I would be by now. Sometimes it's very hard to look in the mirror and still see the fat girl. And I know that makes my friends and family mad at me but that's what I still see. Yes, I have changed this past year, yes, I have made progress. I realize that. But I'm still obese. I'm still fat. I am still a very long way from where I want to be. There are times when I wonder if I'm ever going to be able to look in mirror and see the healthy person I want to be. Seems very elusive at times. At this point I have to keep making goals and moving forward because going back to where I was is not an option.
Goals for 2014:
This is my favorite scene from the movie "Meet the Robinsons" I watched it with my 6th graders last week and it was a good reminder of what I need to do. Quit focusing on what I see as failures and realize that I learn from the unsuccessful times to get better for the successful times.
2013 was about committing, really committing to becoming a healthier me. No more wishy washy, half-assed efforts.
2014 is about moving forward. Even though things haven't gone like I envisioned and I haven't met many of the goals I thought I would by now I am going to keep moving forward. Now I get to take the foundation I have made this past year and do even better. I can't wait to see where I'm at at the end of the year.
When I started this blog on New Year's Eve it was for me. I thought that by writing out my frustrations and successes it might help me through the process of becoming a healthier me. I also figured if anyone actually read it then I would be kept accountable because someone would be looking to see what I was up to most. I also wanted to be an encouragement for people like me who are working on getting healthy. Sometimes it is just nice to know there is someone else out there who is going through what you are going through. Somehow it makes it feel less like you are going through things alone.
In 2013 I ran in one 3K, one 10K, one 15K, four Half Marathons, one Relay race, three 5Ks, one 3.75 Turkey Trot and one Sprint Triathlon. I participated in an organized event every month except for March, June and September.
January
- Hangover Run-3K-28:30, Average pace: 15'19"
- Cascade 10K-1:27:41, Average pace: 14'07"
- Shamrock Run 15K-2:11:06, Average pace 14'07"
- Corvallis Half Marathon-2:54:43, Average pace 13'21"
- Eugene Half Marathon-2:51:22, Average pace 13'05"
- No Limits Fun Run 5K-33:56, Average pace 10'54"
- Take Me Out to the Ballpark 5K-41:43, Average pace 13'25"
- Cascade Lakes Relay
- Leg 1-7.5 miles, average pace 12'46"
- Leg 2-5.3 miles, average pace 15'00"
- Leg 3-2.09 miles, average pace 13'32"
- Last Chance Sprint Triathlon
- Swim (750 yards) 27:42
- Transition 1 6:07
- Bike (12.5 miles) 57:24
- Transition 2 3:26
- Run (5K) 38:28
- Total Time: 2:13:05
- Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon 2:47:31, average pace 12'47"
- Silver Falls Half Marathon 3:28:42 Average pace 15'55"
- Turkey Trot-3.75 miles 44:02 Average pace 11'54"
- Ugliest Christmas Sweater Run/Walk 5K Not a timed event. :-)
Wow! I am looking at that list and I have to say that I'm proud of all I have accomplished this past year. Not every run was good. Many training runs were bad and many races were just plain awful. But I did them.
I was looking through my information on my Nike+ app and decided to look at where I started and see if there was any difference between the beginning year of running and this year. In 2010 I started running in June (barely running, more like wheezing, pain, life-threatening attempts to round the track). In July of that year I got the Nike+ sensor for my shoes and began tracking the numbers.
Year One-The Beginning 2010
Year Two-2011
Year Three-2012
Year Four-The Current Year
I was looking through my information on my Nike+ app and decided to look at where I started and see if there was any difference between the beginning year of running and this year. In 2010 I started running in June (barely running, more like wheezing, pain, life-threatening attempts to round the track). In July of that year I got the Nike+ sensor for my shoes and began tracking the numbers.
Year One-The Beginning 2010
I was a very happy camper today when I got home from my hike and knew that I had reached my goal for getting 700 miles in one year. So much fun to do it with a hike with a good friend. Since I'm usually a solitary runner because of my speed (or lack thereof) I enjoying hiking with friends and getting the social part in. :-) That has been something I have enjoyed a great deal this past year as well.
I met a lot of my goals for the year. I didn't come close to others. Made progress towards figuring out the tired problem, although not quite in the way I wanted. I lost 38 pounds in one year. That is a little over a half a pound a week. Not the results I was hoping to get considering the amount of miles I put in. I want the outside to reflect the inside and all the effort I'm putting in. Everyone from my husband and my doctor to my friends and co-workers assure me that I'm heading in the right direction. That's fine but I would like to be heading there a little bit faster. I still feel like I'm on the stupid treadmill and going nowhere fast! Ugh! I thought when I started getting active three and a half years ago that I would get into shape and lose weight and get all sorts of energy. Life was going to be awesome if I could just get past the first few months. I am no where close to where I thought I would be by now. Sometimes it's very hard to look in the mirror and still see the fat girl. And I know that makes my friends and family mad at me but that's what I still see. Yes, I have changed this past year, yes, I have made progress. I realize that. But I'm still obese. I'm still fat. I am still a very long way from where I want to be. There are times when I wonder if I'm ever going to be able to look in mirror and see the healthy person I want to be. Seems very elusive at times. At this point I have to keep making goals and moving forward because going back to where I was is not an option.
Goals for 2014:
- Run the Hangover Run with an average pace of under 12 minute miles.
- Run 1000 miles during the year.
- Do an Olympic Triathlon.
- Ride at least 50 miles in the Tour de Cure.
- Do a 5K in 30 minutes.
- Do a half marathon with an average pace of under 12 minute miles.
- Lose 50 pounds.
- Learn how to eat to accommodate my pre-diabetes and gluten intolerance.
This is my favorite scene from the movie "Meet the Robinsons" I watched it with my 6th graders last week and it was a good reminder of what I need to do. Quit focusing on what I see as failures and realize that I learn from the unsuccessful times to get better for the successful times.
2013 was about committing, really committing to becoming a healthier me. No more wishy washy, half-assed efforts.
2014 is about moving forward. Even though things haven't gone like I envisioned and I haven't met many of the goals I thought I would by now I am going to keep moving forward. Now I get to take the foundation I have made this past year and do even better. I can't wait to see where I'm at at the end of the year.
Before I finish off the year I want to say thank you to a few people that have helped me this past year.
- Thank you to all my family who have encouraged me this past year. Brothers and sisters, sisters-in-law (Teresa, you rock!) and all of my parents. And many other cousins, aunts and uncles and distant relations that have liked posts and said good job along the way. Every single time it has made me smile.
- Thank you to my friends and co-workers. Aren't I lucky to have co-workers that are friends? Both from old jobs and current jobs I have a lot of people that I am surrounded by at work who have been super encouraging and supportive as I try to balance out my life and my health.
- Thank you to all the people who have patiently read my silly little blog and have been interested in what I am up to. Seems weird to me that people actually read what I'm up to and are interested. :-)
- Thank you to my kids. My two older kids just think that it is a given that I will do what I set out to do. That is an amazing gift to have that unwavering belief directed at me. You two rock! Miss Meighan gets a big Thank you as the youngest of the kids because she is the one living with the day to day craziness that is her mother. And she goes out and does hikes and triathlons with me. I'm looking forward to many years of events to share with you!
- Thank you to the Dwayne and Faylene. Faylene is my bestie and was the first one to say "You got this" when I started on the running journey three and a half years ago. Never once have you and Dwayne been anything less than super supportive! Joe and I treasure your friendship!
- Thank you to the new friends in my life Josh, Wendie and Betsy. Wow! What an amazing addition to my life, right when I needed it. You are all amazing and you are now stuck with me! Thanks for all the advice and support this past year. Betsy, especially this past month as I wrap my head around a new lifestyle. You guys rock!
- My biggest thank you is to my amazing husband Joe. Wow! Can't do any of this without you. Thank you honey for being my biggest cheerleader. Knowing that you believe in me has made all the difference. Can't quit when I know you are there to help me through! You never make me feel inadequate or that my accomplishments are less than yours. That is an amazing gift from anyone, it's extra special when it's from my partner in life! I love you!!!
You have so much to be proud of in 2013! I am excited to see what 2014 has in store for you. Great things, I think! Love you!
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