17 and Full of Dreams

As I watched TV last night there was a sentence that started me thinking...alright more than one...but we will start with the one. The quote was something like (I'm paraphrasing because I didn't write it down word for word) "If one sentence helps a person through a rough time or gives someone hope that previously had none than that makes the hour of television worth it." I could not agree more. Do you know how many lyrics to songs or story arcs in a television show that I identify with? Because of something going on at work or at home or psychologically and here, since someone is singing about it or writing a television show about it they know the problem too...I'm no longer alone.

I'm not going to sugar coat and say that my days are full of unicorns and rainbows and everything is always perfect, but I will say that I have gotten through many of those non rainbow filled days because of a sentence or a song or whatever...Maybe it is as simple as 'I wish someone would say that to me' or how is it that a song knows just what I'm thinking?  Or maybe not, but I think we as a humans forget that it only takes a sentence or mantra or song to make life so much better or maybe just tolerable.

I remember working with a trainer one day...and obviously I wasn't doing the exercise the 'correct' way and she kept talking, rephrasing the same thing until I got it. And now, years later, I remember when I'm doing that specific muscle group I have her in my head telling me how.  I remember also, running the track in a particular difficult track workout that I had Katy Perry singing in my ear and so every time that song plays I go back to my day at the track and how the song helped me through and then I remember I've had much better days at the track after that. One last example, going through a difficult time during a relationship I was attracted to sappy, sad kind of songs and shows. I would listen to the songs over and over and watch the same episode of television over and over...And however it happened I moved passed the difficult time and moved on to much happier days. But still when those songs play I'm reminded how far I've come.

Last night it was also brought to my attention that when we are young we are always looking toward our dreams and becoming the person we want to be...And then somehow we grow up and we still look forward. We don't ever realize how far we have come or how we have somehow morphed into the person we once dreamed of. So today, I'm going to think of that person...That 17 year old high school graduate that couldn't wait for all of my dreams to come true! I encourage everyone else to do the same. To realize that we all grow everyday and to some of us we are too busy living in the future to realize how great things are in the present!

It takes an orthodontist to teach me...

I know...All of you have been wondering how the training is going right? I know, my exercise habits are so interesting that you run to the blog every day to check it out...I am kidding. But some days I've got nothing better to write about.

Today I had a giant reminder...you see, when there is a problem and you think you have the perfect solution for the problem, when in reality you are just scratching the surface. Perhaps the perfect solution is going to be simply a band-aid on the complete bigger problem? Well today I had that reminder yet again. Long story longer...The orthodontist that did amazing things to my teeth will now be making all sorts of money on me again, through my beautiful daughter. You see I'm not terribly upset by this at all because I appreciate the money my mom spent on my teeth and that now I have a presentable smile, so I know that Brooke too will appreciate all of this.

On to the training. I've had to make some modifications to the original training plan...You see my knee did not appreciate the running 4 days per week...and I was informed by some fabulous people 'in the know' that I will be alright with running 3 days per week...the gym and swimming. so we will see. So far this week I've got 2 runs down, 2 gym visits accomplished and that menacing swim taken care of. Just one more run that I'm planning tonight (yes again in the wind because I don't know what it would be like to run when it's not windy) and then only 1 more gym visit...I love when I get most of my work done early in the week so when I'm tired I can actually sleep.

Last night I did my first track workout of the year. And the report...well the next time you think that running on a mud filled track by yourself at a high school, in the wind I'm advising you to think twice before actually going. Not only is it difficult to run the workout by yourself, timing and such but then to add all the other variables...it just isn't that great. Anyway, my times were not that fabulous 3:58 and 4:05, so that didn't make my day at all but when Lou pointed out that I was dodging kids and running in a yucky surface I guess it isn't that bad. Then the wind...I love the wind. Hopefully next week I can join the club instead of going it alone.

Mind over matter...is it really all a mental issue?

Life is funny sometimes...How it just drops enough information in your lap to keep you going / motivated / learning etc...

You see, I posted yesterday that my 'official' training for the Grand Valley 1/2 Marathon starts on Sunday. While that all sounds great and a feat worth accomplishing. I started the training a week early...you know try and make up some of those works out that I'm bound to miss...I had planned on running 4 days a week, the gym 3 days a week for biking and strength training and swimming once a week. Doesn't sound too terrible and I had even broke it down to what days and times I would fit them in. Well workout number 5 into this week and my knee is kinda sore, I'm exhausted and many muscles are sore. It is frustrating first because I've been running and going to the gym. Granted not with a specific purpose but I've been there. I'm frustrated because of my knee...as I haven't run many miles, just 3 days in a row. Maybe fewer longer runs are going to be required. But the sore muscles...really?!

Well just today a blog I follow shared a post about your brain power...the whole mind over matter and if you put your mind to it, your body will follow. It all sounds great and that we train our mind the same time we train our body, but it just isn't true. We have to choose to visualize our training and our races and then our body will endure the training. Maybe my body is revolting because I said training doesn't start until next week and here I am trying to go a week early. It's the mind asking why are we enduring this torture for an extra week? Click here to check out the blog post.

Either way, I guess I'm going to have ease into this training thing. It is much harder to get used to than I thought.

Training starts...Sunday!

My official training for the Grand Valley 1/2 marathon starts Sunday...That sounds so crazy since I've been running and going to the gym...but I guess all of that was character training since it wasn't specifically aimed at a race or anything. During my run last night I devised a plan in my head of the workouts I need to get in each week in order to run a good race and I was kind of excited to tell Lou, because he is gonna have to push me out of bed...No more excuses that I'm cold and don't want to get to the pool. So for those of you that want to know here is my plan...

Sunday -- long run with the club
Monday -- pool in the morning or short run in the evening
Tuesday -- gym in the morning for cross training and strength and track workout with the club
Wednesday -- gym in the morning for cross training and strength and 3 mile run after work
Thursday -- pool if I ditched on Monday or short run in the evening if I ditched on Monday
Friday -- gym in the morning for cross training and strength
Saturday -- rest

I'm not super sure that I can accomplish all of this but I only have to last until May... And I'm still aiming for that sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon time...

And you know what...why wait until next Sunday...when I can start this past Sunday... I ran 5 miles Sunday...2.75 last night and made it to the gym this morning...It's that darn morning at the pool that will be the hard part. I'll keep you posted!

Valentine's Day Box Drama

Brooke and I had a conversation Sunday night that went something like this...

Brooke: " Mom, I need to make a Valentine's day box, there is a competition at school this year."

Mom: "Can't you just use the same one that you used last year that is up in your closet?"

Brooke: "No mom, I had some other ideas, do you think you can help me?"

Mom: (with a worried feeling growing in my stomach) "What are your other ideas?"

Brooke: "Well I was thinking a hexbug."

Mom: (laughing) "I don't think so, I don't even know what a hexbug looks like."

Brooke: "Well I knew you would say that, so what do you think about a box in the shape of a heart?"

Mom: "That sounds much more feasible, maybe when dad gets home we can talk to him."

Brooke: "Well I want it to have a post and stuff too mom."

Mom: "Babe, your getting out of my comfort zone on creativity here...maybe draw a picture of what you want and we will see what we can do...I would really like it, if next time we had a few more days notice."

Brooke: "I know mom, but look, this is gonna be great..." running off to get her supplies to draw a picture..."then we can paint it pink and white...maybe some red...this is gonna be great."

Mom: Defeated knowing there is Valentines box making in the very near future...

So after a conversation with her dad and more prodding of me here is the progress of her Valentines box that she will be using for the next 42 years...

Ok so maybe her dad went a little overboard...

Maybe her mom and dad went a little over board with the painting...

I'm thinking either she has the best parents on the planet...or we are just crazy for our kids...

How many of you worked on your kids Valentines box?

5k Racing...or running

I'm not sure why I am so consumed with 'facts.' Why can't I just be happy with how it happens. On Saturday I ran a 5k...and honestly when I went I didn't have any expectations for a lot of reasons...but mostly because of the weather. You can't honestly expect to run a PR when it is snowing and there is ice all over the course. So when they were handing out awards and called my name I was beyond surprised...

Yep, it says 2nd place female 30-39...I was initially excited, but then they said my time of 26:09...what? My excitement faded as I knew that couldn't be right. That time does not ever get you a second place finish...Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting the 26:09 (I know I had a tough run)...I just question the placement....When I was finally able to check the official results online, I found out why I was 2nd place... You see the overall female 1st and 2nd place winner was from my division...You can't win both the overall and the division so then my technically 4th place finish moves up to 2nd. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy! But wondering why we don't just say what it is...Lou just tells me...'Honey, I would kill for a 26:09 5k...you should be happy with that as well, especially in the conditions.' So I'm trying to put my mixed feelings aside and just be happy with the 2nd place award!

In this race Brooke also ran a 'fun run' of 150 yards...Keep in mind that Brooke has been in track for 2 years now, totally avoids any kind of track meet and really doesn't give too much effort. I still make her do track every summer because it is just so good for so many different parts of her life. Well after seeing the speed that she possessed during this 'fun run' I'm gonna be making this girl try so much harder. I'll run behind her and be that voice that drives her crazy but keeps her going. I don't want her to be 32 (like me) and have someone tell her 'I wish someone would have invited you to a track practice, you would have done amazing.' I want her to have the opportunity to be amazing and have the confidence that has taken me 32 years to achieve.

Artist

There are lots of 'types' of people out there...ones that are business 'types' some are more into the arts (both performing and creating) and the teacher type, the science type etc etc etc...My whole life I would classify myself into the business realm...give me numbers to crunch or processes to simplify and I'm there...I've discovered that my daughter is far different. She loves the arts, obviously with all of her dancing...but just recently I was shown that she loves to draw as well... Apparently her art teacher at school as known for quite some time that Brooke was talented but I was just informed...The teacher entered Brooke and 9 other students from her school of about 600 into a local art show...

The pink background with the sunflowers is Brooke's drawing.

Yes, my child is the shortest among all the 3rd grade!

Brooke is super excited (she totally shows her emotion here ;).)

When we got home from the awards show Brooke informed me that she thinks she will be an artist when she grows up...but she's not sure about selling her art work, 'that would be sad mom.'