10 wks to go

I have 10 weeks before I have to run in my first 5K. As of this morning Week 7, I no longer get to run in my C25K (except in my warm up and cool down). I will be running for 20 minutes without stopping. I can't belive that I have gotten to this point. Next week is a 25 min run, then 28 min, then 30 min, then 35 min until my 5K. It's still very hard, and I run at a snails pace, but I guess I will just keep getting better with time.

Now if my weight loss would just be as successful as my running is, I'd be in great shape.

Funny Sage story

This morning Sage drew Grandma Becky a picture. She used a pad of paper that is shaped like a rabbit that she got for Easter. She colored it and showed it to me. She said "look mommy this is a boy bunny because it has something sticking out down there". So without cracking up into fits of laughter I looked and sure enough there was a drawn on penis "sticking out down there". :)

I had my doubts......

Today was C25K week 5 day 3 run for me, which was a 20 minute non-stop run. I really had my doubts about it when I started but I thought I'd give it my best shot. There are 2 small hills on the route that I prefer to walk up (to save my ankles and knees), and other than those two hills (that added up to 45 seconds), I ran the whole way. Then on my walk back home I ran down one of those hills so I really ended up running about 30 seconds shy of 20 minutes non-stop. I really really really thought that I was going to have to stop early or take a break, so I am so amazed that I was able to do it. Now I must stop right here and say that my prayer through most of the run was "I don't have the strength Lord so I need yours". So I do have to give all the glory to God for allowing my body to do what I was so hoping it was capable of doing. He created it so of course he knows what it's capable of doing. :) 7 weeks ago when I started I ran for 60 seconds, and walked for 90 seconds and repeated that 6 times. My first day back I said "that was the hardest thing I've had to do in a long time"..........and 7 weeks later I was able to run for 20 minutes non-stop. So for anyone out there who wants to get into any kind of shape and things it's impossible then I say go ahead an give it a try. Start slow (I run at a snails pace), but don't let that stop you. I am still 40 lbs overweight, and it's still the hardest thing I've done in a long time. But I am still in shock that I am making progress.

Pictures

I just posted lots of pictures on my facebook account. If you don't have a facebook and would like to see the pictures please let me know. :)

Exercise

I never really thought I could say this and I am still a bit hesitant, but I finally belive that I have a routine going with my exercise. In the past 6 wks I have run 14 times. I haven't missed a day except for when I was sick and running a fever. I have had to rearrange my schedule to fit it in. I have had to work it out with my mom to watch the kids when Nick was out of town. I've even run as the sun was setting. I started week 5 tonight and was actually able to complete it without stopping (3- 5 minute runs). And although I am going to repeat week 5 day 1 again on Tuesday I think I might be able to do week 5 day 2 soon.

Now the second part of this is that I need to get the eatting undercontrol. I am in a new "weight decade" as my friend calls it. I haven't seen these numbers in over 7 years. But as Nick pointed out to me today (and he was joking with me, it was in a very nice context). I am always coming up with reasons I should be allowed to eat more. For example my excuse from today was that you can't count calories on a holiday (Easter).......lol And although I am not going crazy, thus my continual weight loss, I am still not doing the best that I can. I know if I keep up with the running, AND watch what I eat I will find sucess much quicker. It's still easier said than done. Plus a friend on facebook even pointed out that "When I exercise and eat well I feel better". It's possible to KNOW this but still not follow it. So I know a lot of you are praying for me and I really appreciate it, and I still need the prayers when it comes to the running, since I still have a long way to go. But I could also use some special prayers for my eatting habbits. It's no fun to say no to sugar, and eat more fruits and veggies, but as I tell Avery all the time "sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do".

Good Friday

Happy "Good Friday" to everyone. Today at lunch I took the opportunity to talk to the girls about what good Friday was. They know the story of Jesus crucifiction, and Resurrection but I think it really sunk in when I told Avery that this was the day many many years ago that Jesus died. It scary and exciting at the same time when I think about the "job" I have of helping my girls find their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They know that Jesus is God's son, and if asked they want to spend eternity in heaven, but I am not sure they truly understand yet. What an amazing blessing I (we) have to teach them what that truly means. So on this Good Friday I am lifting all my friends of small kids, or any children who haven't made the choice, up in prayer as we teach our children about God's gift to us.

Friends

I am so very thankful for my friends today. For years I have (and still do) pray for friendship. People to come into my life and help me along through the trying times, celebrate with me through that happy times, and just chat with me when life is "normal". My prayers have been answered through all kinds of people throughout my life. Some friends who come and stick around while others come and fit a need for a specific time and then fade away (although always remaining friendly). I have great friends who I can call on to help watch my kids when needed, to come and play cards with, watch a movie with, go to the beach with, and go to the park with. I have a great group of friends that I go to MOPS with, some great French lesson mommies, great playpark mommy friends, and some awesome friends from church. So today I am just lifting up a pray of thanksgiving for all of the wonderful friends that I have in my life. You know who you are. :)