I Ran Like a Fool!

In January, one of the goals I set out to accomplish was running. At first I wasn't sure how I would accomplish that goal, but then I signed up for the Run Like a Fool 5k and made a running plan. I used the basic format a little, but I also deviated quite a bit. You see, I am fairly competitive. If I am going to sign up for a 5k, then I am going to make sure that I can run that 5k (or 3 miles) before the day of the run. So, I skipped a bit ahead in the running plan and ran my first full 3 miles about 2 weeks ago.

This morning, I woke up to a beautiful day. The forecast said showers, but I felt completely blessed to see sunshine and a mostly blue sky. I dressed, ate, and headed down to Heritage Park on my own. As I picked up my number and bag o' goodies, I realized that it was very windy and cold. Yikes! At least it was still sunny and not raining.

I started the race near the end/middle of the pack. I knew that I would not be one of those runners pushing to the front and passing everyone along the way. Even so, I did pass a few runners.

I have been wearing this great bright pink hat while running, but I had no idea how windy it would be today. The wind kept catching my hat and nearly causing me to sprint after it. (No, I have not been training for a sprint.)

The wind almost won the battle for my hat.

As I ran past the bridge on my first lap, I was surprised to see my own personal cheering squad. My parents were there as was my husband. But my most enthusiastic cheerleaders were my two little girls. They jumped, cheered and brought a smile to my face. They even ran this short little stretch with me.

I ran my second lap and as I came around toward the finish, I barely managed to grab my hat before the wind whisked it away. At this point, I just gave up on my hat and carried it to the end. With my hair blowing wildly about, I finished the race.

Again, my little girls were right there ready to hug me. They didn't "officially" record times, but I am pretty sure my time was around 33 minutes.

I did it! I ran a 5k!

Now, I am hesitantly considering the Capital City Marathon 5 miler...

Planning to Run

One of my goals for 2011 is to run a 5k. So far this year I have been working slowly toward that goal, but without a definite plan or deadline date. Well, now I have both a plan and a deadline.

On my own, it was difficult to figure out exactly how hard to push myself and how fast to add time/distance to my running. Another mom mentioned that last fall she used the Couch to 5k method and was running the 5k distance by the end of the training period. After searching for one online, I found a method I liked here.

After finding a good plan, I searched for local 5k runs. I didn't find quite as many options as I hoped to find, but the Run Like a Fool 5k looks pretty good to me. It is on Saturday, April 2, 2011. That only leaves me about 6 weeks to train. So far in my running jogging, I have made it all the way around Capitol Lake two separate times. My current plan is to skip weeks 1-4 and start at week 5 since I am not exactly starting as a couch potato.

Plan in place, date set, and ready to accomplish the first half of this goal! Now, who wants to run the Run Like a Fool 5k with me?

Goals for 2011

Many people make New Year's resolutions and thoroughly enjoy attempting to keep them. I know myself too well, though. Although I am great at making plans and knowing the "right" thing to do, I am awful at follow through. I procrastinate and put things off until the last minute. Why bother making a New Year's resolution I know I will break before January is even over?

Last night my husband and I helped in the junior high group at our church and the youth pastor, Sam Christensen, challenged the youth to set goals for this coming year. He said to stop and consider what decisions we are making and what direction we are going. I know the message was mostly intended for the youth, but it really struck me and challenged me. What steps am I taking? Where will those steps lead me? Is that really where I want to go?

A resolution is easily broken, but a goal is different. My Webster's dictionary defines a goal as "an end that one strives to attain." In that striving, there is room for both progress and failure. Even if I don't attain all of my goals this year, I can know that I at least moved in that general direction. I can make progress and that is encouraging to me.

I thought about my goals and the direction I want my life to go. These are the goals that I thought of so far. My list is probably incomplete and will continue to be tweaked, but it is a good starting point for me.

Life Goal

• Glorify God. Honor Him in all I do.

Long Term Goals

• Have a deep, growing relationship with the Lord.
• Be madly in love with my husband.
• Train our girls to be responsible, mature, loving women.
• Serve and love others in our church and community.
• Pay off our house and live debt free.
• Eat and feed my family only nourishing healthy foods. Prepare a balanced diet.
• Produce much of our food in our garden. Purchase remaining food locally.
• Be healthy and physically fit.
• Keep a generally organized and clean house.

Mid Term Goals (1-5 years)

• Read the Bible daily. 
• Continue serving in our church.
• In addition to monthly date nights, plan weekends away with my husband.
• Save for and plan a family vacation.
• Grow and correctly store vegetables from our garden.
• Run a 10k (2 years).
• Run a half marathon (3-5 years).
• Make and use a menu plan for our meals.
• Create and maintain a cleaning and organizing schedule for our home.

Short Term Goals (This year)

• Be faithful in WEB (Bible Study) to complete my lessons and thoroughly prepare for my teachings and leading worship.
• Schedule monthly date nights with my husband.
• Make our Monday family night a priority. Plan fun things to do together.
• Take the initiative in friendships.
• Run a 5k this spring/summer.
• Run a 5k this summer/fall.
• Fence the yard (wood deer fence, upper area and garden).
• Plant and maintain a vegetable garden.
• Continue GNOWFGLINS e-course.
• Write a blog post at least once a week.