Forever and a Day

Since I've been able to blog about anything. With the restrictions at work I can no longer blog or check blogs at work. It was actually part of my morning routine that I would complete so I kind of miss that.

But anyway, The 1/2 is coming up really soon and I'm very excited and feeling strong. I ran yesterday for 2 hours (I'm guessing a 10 mile run or so). I was stuck indoors as I don't have appropriate running gear for cold/snow. I felt strong and I definitely could keep going. My outdoor runs have been strong. I'm around a 10 minute mile (which is good for me). I know that my first miles are stronger than my last miles. At this point I don't care. I'm just there to finish and to believe in myself again. I'm looking forward to that feeling, the feeling that I can conquer anything.

Now off the topic or running....I am possibly looking at a vacation in Colorado....Estes Park area and definitely some time in the Rocky Mountains...any recommendations or information anyone can share.

Thanks!

Irritated

I got my annual increase today and it's 2%. Now I don't want to seem grateful because I am. I'm happy and thankful for my job and I have gone without a raise in the past. But I kicked ass in my performance last year and I'm not the only one and all we get is 2%. The company is making money so it's not for lack of a profit. It just is really disheartening. Why would I want to work so hard if I'm not going to be rewarded.

Well I will work hard, it's my nature. I have a very high work ethic and won't accept anything less than my all.

I just wanted to vent so thanks for listening.

On the running front, I got another new pair of shoes, the other new ones were no good, these new ones are a keeper. I really am excited to see the temps on the rise so I can hit some pavement baby!!!

New Shoes

I finally got myself fitted with some new running shoes. Only trouble is I'm not sure that I like them just yet. When I run they feel like my feet are falling asleep. Not sure if I just need to break them in or what. I've also been trying different pairs of socks incase that's the issue. I have one more pair to try and then I may need to take these back. But I do have to say the extra padding is very nice and refreshing!!

I did book my room for my 1/2 so I'm excited for that. I'm staying the whole weekend which should be very nice. I also booked a trip for Vegas coming up soon as well. Then in May I'll have Myrtle Beach. I'll be a traveling fool this year and I'm very happy about that. I do need some time away from the stresses at home. They continue to build up. I'm trying to stay on top of things and not let the little things bother me but it's frustrating falling over baby toys, the extra clutter that gets left laying around etc.

Tomorrow is weigh in...I'm hoping for another weekly loss so I can increase my speed.

Feeling Good

So for 3 straight weeks, I've been following my training schedule, I've been eating better and the scale is showing that my hard work is paying off. Typically I'd be up and down and would never have 3 weeks of a loss so I'm feeling very optimistic that good things are happening.

Now the weight I'm at (sorry, I'll never share that number)I haven't been able to crack this number now for months and months and months. I'm hoping that next week, I'll move below this number and get past this "hump".

My training has been going good. I've taken it upon myself to run an hour my weekly runs. The training says 4 miles (usually Monday's and Wednesdays) but since I'm trying to get healthy and strong I decided an hour would be a good idea. Saturday I ran 80 min and I felt really good. I still need new shoes and then I'm sure I'd feel GREAT. I don't know why I just won't go and get them. It's the cost that is keeping me from going and I know I shouldn't let that be a factor. I just need to go and do it.

And it's the start of Lent today, I've given up coffee and soda. I've been having too much of each lately. I am also going to try and cut down on my sweet intake as well.

20 years ago.....

Thanks to Joy for today's blog topic.....What was I doing 20 years ago.

The year 1991.....

Let's see, I was a Junior in high school. I was dating my now husband. I was thinking about college and life after high school.

You know it's funny. I was very active in H.S. On Student Council, 2 sports, prom court, planning committee's the whole 9 yards. I thought it was so important and that all revolved around my friends and school. Looking back, I was above the influence of drugs and drinking. I was friends with everyone and left no one out of conversations or activities. I did though didn't fully participate or hang around with kids from H.S. on the weekends. I was so busy taking care of things at home, or volunteering at church or just being with my boyfriend. Honestly, by 1991 I couldn't wait to get on with the rest of my life. I felt "too old" to be in H.S.

Now fast forward to 2011. I have some of the same traits that I did back then, I volunteer at church and teach Sunday school. I am friends with all kinds of people and I'm a better person because I'm open and form my own opinions of people. I put in my time at work, I do have a couple of good friends from the work place that I do hang with outside of work and on the weekends. I continue to be busy and have a lot more to take care of at home.

The differences I have now....I think I'm a funner person (bad grammar I know). What I mean by that is I know things at home need to be taken care of but all work and no play is not fun. As a kid I was so worried about things at home and taking care of everyone and everything that I didn't allow myself to have fun or to take care of myself. I was very reserved then and now I feel I'm more free. Life needs to be lived. It's too short not to enjoy everything life has to offer. There is so much to be learned from others, so many gifts to be shared with all that I really want to live my life and pass down to my kids that life is about hard work but enjoying each and every moment, large and small.

70 minutes of Bliss

Yesterday I completed a 70 min run. It felt so good. I felt strong and energetic, a feeling I haven't had in awhile and certainly a 180 degree turnaround from Wednesday.

I pulled a Biggest Loser moment as well, my last 30 seconds of the run I pushed the speed up and ran at full burst and you know what....I didn't fall over. I did it. Just as the contestants push themselves I did that too and I had such a feeling of satisfaction.

What I really did learn is that I need new shoes big time. I really need to get in. I was waiting for my REI dividend check but I don't think I can wait that long. So I will head out to get my new shoes and spend my dividends on a swanky new running outfit :)

Stressed

I'm officially stressed. I have been ubber busy at work, which is a good thing but when I come home there is just so much going on I'm unable to relax. I stay tense and irritable and I don't like it. Does anyone have any stress relieving techniques they use that help?

I'm just so wound up inside that my stomach isn't well, my neck and shoulders are super tense and I'm getting cranky. I almost started crying yesterday because no one liked dinner. I think I was more frustrated because I had a tough day I really didn't want to cook dinner for 7 and I was telling everyone I didn't want to cook but I did it anyway. And what did I get for it....no one really liked it. Well then YOU MAKE DINNER NEXT TIME THEN.

OK, so as I'm typing this I'm chuckling, it's funny. I shouldn't be stressed over dinner. I mean I don't care that they didn't care for it, it just I would have liked to hear you know thanks for making dinner, even when you didn't want to. That would have helped the "sting" of the meal not being to my normal standards.

Oh well, I will need to figure something out. My family will be staying with me for at least a couple more months so I need to suck it up.