It's been awhile since I last updated my blog and I thought I would share what has happened since the last time I wrote.
I officially signed up to run on behalf of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Running for an organization I believe in gives me a sense of purpose. Our oldest son, Jericho, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 3. He's coming up on having Type 1 for 1/2 of his life. Needles, blood sugar checks, insulin, quarterly visits to a pediatric endocrinologist, and a pump are all apart of Jericho's life. That's not even mentioning the low blood sugar episodes of feelings dizzy and sick as well as checking for ketones when he is sick or has extremely high blood sugar. While we are grateful that there's so much technology that allows Jericho to live, we would love to see him cured! JDRF is the leading research organization for Type 1 Diabetes. There's so much being done in regards to finding a cure and other technology to keep the blood sugar in range without as much equipment. Knowing that insulin wasn't developed until 1923 (before that, they would give a newly diagnosed Type 1 child one year to live with a complete diet change), I have so much hope for the innovations to continue making it easier for Jericho to live a long life. If you wish to donate directly to my Team JDRF page, please let me know and I will send you the link.
We had a bake sale at Mangelsen's that went well. I'm so grateful for our generous friends who gave baked goods and supplies as well as those who helped the day of and those who came to purchase something. It was fun to have Jericho involved...he was pretty excited about raising money to find a cure. On the way to Mangelsen's, Judah was sitting in the back of the vehicle with the posters and some of the baked goods. He was messing with one of the posters so Jericho turned around and said, "stop doing that Judah, you're going to ruin it and then they won't find a cure for my diabetes." These kids always have me laughing.
I've recently contacted some restaurants that do fundraising for organizations after hearing from a fellow JDRF runner that they did a night at Chipotle. So far I'm in contact with 4 restaurants and have Chipotle officially booked for December 11th from 4-8 pm. Anyone who comes in and mentions JDRF or shows them a flier (or image of the flier) will have 50% of their sale donated to JDRF. What a great way to raise money! I'm also talking with Freddy's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Noodles and Company for a fundraising night as well.
As far as my training goes...I've had some trouble with injuries. Initially I was so excited to be running again that I started doing too much, too soon. Going from 0 miles to 15 miles a week was too much for my body and I injured my ankle. I thought it was a stress fracture due to the swelling, redness, tenderness, and inability to put pressure on it. I wore a boot for a couple of weeks and noticed it was starting to get better. I stopped wearing the boot and started walking on the treadmill. After a couple of days walking a couple of miles on the treadmill, I started running again. Very little though. I don't want to injure myself to the point of not being able to run in January. My heel started bothering me and I thought it could be planters fasciitis. I went back to Randolph's Shoes where I bought my Asics about a month ago. Art Martinez (the best shoe salesman ever) had me stand on the machine that shows pressure points and the arch in your foot. Sure enough, my left heel was all red which didn't surprise me since that was the foot and the area that my foot hurt. It also showed a higher arch than my right foot. Art got some arch/heel support inserts and put them in my shoes for me. I'm hopeful that they are helping! My body sure took a toll when I had 4 children in 5 years. I hardly ever had an injury before kids, now I can't seem to run without something hurting. I've thrown the thought of being able to run all 26.2 miles out the window. At this point, I hope to just finish. Even if I have to walk the majority of it. I mean, it's Disney World so at least I'll have some great sights to look at!
Friday, November 3, 2017
Monday, September 4, 2017
Small Beginnings
Less than a week ago, I signed up for the 2018 Disney Marathon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then the training started. It's been almost 11 years since I ran the Chicago Marathon and I thought it was going to be a one and done type of thing. A bucket list challenge that was a great experience but I didn't necessarily want a life goal of completing multiple marathons.
Enter 4 children later and a marathon seemed like a great way to get back to running AND have a fun girls weekend away. After a little convincing to Myron, I was securing my spot in the marathon and booking my flight before his mind could be changed.
Then the training began. I started off on a treadmill and of the 3.5 miles I ran, I had to walk 1/2 of it. Now, I haven't been completely sedentary but I'm not in running shape. When I go to the gym, it's mostly for the child care and the fitness portion is probably 25% of it too. I usually do the elliptical and some weight training while there.
Next were the outdoor runs. I prefer running outside, it just isn't always possibly with 4 children to care for. Then there are the challenges that come with running outside. Hills. Hot weather. I'm not going to lie, I was a little discouraged during my long run of the week which was 6 miles. I had to walk about 2.5 miles in and did a combo walk/run the rest of the training "run". Here's my take away from this past week, I already have several but I'll be posting one at a time...
Don't underestimate the small beginnings. We all have to start somewhere. I was reminded of when I first began running at the age of 16. I traded participating in sports at school for a job a Wendy's and gained about 30 lbs. My sister, Rachel, saw that I wanted to be more healthy and helped me out. She decided to go running with me. On our first run, we set out to do 4 miles. One mile into it and I was ready to walk. She was slightly annoyed at first but then decided to make small goals that were easy to accomplish. After walking for a little while, we would start running again. When she saw that I was tired, she would pick out an object and make it our goal to run until we passed that particular object. This is how I began to get in running shape which ended up changing my life. I lost the 30 lbs I had gained and joined the cross country team at school. Running and working out were a way of life after that.
What are areas in your life that have you discouraged? In what ways can you start small and continue to build on to gain momentum in your life? Small goals become habits within time. Dedicate yourself to completing small goals and they will become habit. I've heard it said that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. That's only 3 weeks! Do you want to be more healthy in the way that you eat? Start by swapping those M&M's for some fruit. Or that soda for an unsweetened iced tea or water. Do it for 3 weeks and you have a new habit. Do you want to deepen your spiritual life? Start by increasing the amount of time you spend in prayer/worship. Even if it's getting up 30 minutes early to set apart time with the Lord. Do you want to have deeper friendships? Start by texting an encouraging word to someone. Take them to coffee and hear their story. I could keep going but you get the idea. Whatever area you want victory in, take small steps and be consistent.
Enter 4 children later and a marathon seemed like a great way to get back to running AND have a fun girls weekend away. After a little convincing to Myron, I was securing my spot in the marathon and booking my flight before his mind could be changed.
Then the training began. I started off on a treadmill and of the 3.5 miles I ran, I had to walk 1/2 of it. Now, I haven't been completely sedentary but I'm not in running shape. When I go to the gym, it's mostly for the child care and the fitness portion is probably 25% of it too. I usually do the elliptical and some weight training while there.
Next were the outdoor runs. I prefer running outside, it just isn't always possibly with 4 children to care for. Then there are the challenges that come with running outside. Hills. Hot weather. I'm not going to lie, I was a little discouraged during my long run of the week which was 6 miles. I had to walk about 2.5 miles in and did a combo walk/run the rest of the training "run". Here's my take away from this past week, I already have several but I'll be posting one at a time...
Don't underestimate the small beginnings. We all have to start somewhere. I was reminded of when I first began running at the age of 16. I traded participating in sports at school for a job a Wendy's and gained about 30 lbs. My sister, Rachel, saw that I wanted to be more healthy and helped me out. She decided to go running with me. On our first run, we set out to do 4 miles. One mile into it and I was ready to walk. She was slightly annoyed at first but then decided to make small goals that were easy to accomplish. After walking for a little while, we would start running again. When she saw that I was tired, she would pick out an object and make it our goal to run until we passed that particular object. This is how I began to get in running shape which ended up changing my life. I lost the 30 lbs I had gained and joined the cross country team at school. Running and working out were a way of life after that.
What are areas in your life that have you discouraged? In what ways can you start small and continue to build on to gain momentum in your life? Small goals become habits within time. Dedicate yourself to completing small goals and they will become habit. I've heard it said that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. That's only 3 weeks! Do you want to be more healthy in the way that you eat? Start by swapping those M&M's for some fruit. Or that soda for an unsweetened iced tea or water. Do it for 3 weeks and you have a new habit. Do you want to deepen your spiritual life? Start by increasing the amount of time you spend in prayer/worship. Even if it's getting up 30 minutes early to set apart time with the Lord. Do you want to have deeper friendships? Start by texting an encouraging word to someone. Take them to coffee and hear their story. I could keep going but you get the idea. Whatever area you want victory in, take small steps and be consistent.
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