Why Can't You?

I can't. I don't want to. I don't have time. It's too hard. There are so many things we don't do because we have convinced ourselves we can't, that it is an impossible feat. Some things are impossible, others are improbable, but most things that we consider impossible are just difficult. They are out of the realm of our experience.

When I was in second grade, I assumed everyone had 3 sets of grandparents because I had 3 sets of grandparents. In 4th grade I thought everyone was Catholic, because I was Catholic. Until we are confronted with something completely outside of our experience and thought process, we have no reason to consider persepectives outside of our personal world.

I have never run a race. Not a 10K or a 5K or a half marathon, but I think that I can. I have no reason to believe I can other than my own thought that it is possible. Not only do I think it is possible, I think that I will enjoy it. I think I will enjoy it so much that I am adding to my "fitness bucket list" a new goal.

I will run 50 races in 50 states before my 45th birthday.

I know it won't be easy. I will have to train long and hard for them, and save up money to be able to travel around the country running races. That is why I am giving myself 11 years to do it. I figure that will average out to about 5 races a year - plus at least one Disney race a year. :) 'Cuz, come on, who doesn't want to run around Disney World and Disneyland. Not everyone? Seriously? Hmm, okay.

I will have to make significant changes to my life to do accomplish this goal. My eating will have to improve. My health will have to improve. My training will have to be consistent. I will probably lose weight, but if I don't change other things it is not garaunteed.

But I will do this. Starting with a 5K before Halloween and hopefully a 4.4 mile race on Thanksgiving. These races will be close to home, so New York state will be the first one checked off my list. Other states in the Northeast will be next. Possible NV if my mom stays out west. Florida and California will come early (those Disney races you know - and I want to do all of them including the Goofy Race and a Half challenge). But then I will need recommendations of what to try next.

So what are the best marathons/half marathons/10Ks/20Ks/50Ks/Mudders near you?
What races would you run?

What is on your bucket list - fitness or otherwise?

And, my Canadian readers, I am only a couple of hours from Ontario - any good races up north I should hit?

429 days

It is 429 days until I turn 35 (and 63 days until 34, for those of you who are counting :)). I am sitting here, thinking about that and trying to plot out what I want to achieve for myself before I hit that birthday. I want to have goals, to have a list I can cross off to see the things I have accomplished before I hit 35. So what do I want

1. I want to lose 100lbs
2. I want to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon or the Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon (preferably both)
3. I want to graduate college
4. I want to get a job teaching
5. I want  to get better at housekeeping

What do I need to do to accomplish these goals?
1. I want to lose 100lbs

• I need to eat clean
• I need to watch my portion sizes
• I need to eat when I am hungry, not just by the clock
• I need to get out and move everyday
• I need to plan my meals, and not just eat whatever because I am tired and bored

2. I want to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon or the Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon (preferably both)

• I need to train seriously for a race of this distance
• I need to come up with the money for the registration fee, transportation, lodging, and park passes for Jacques, the boys, and me
• I need a job that I can work around school, pay my bills AND save money for this (or friends and family that want to help me by all going in together giving me the trip for my birthday and Christmas hint hint!)

3. I want to graduate college

• study, study, study
• check with the registrar to make sure there are no other classes I need besides the ones I am planning for next semester

4. I want to get a job teaching

• I need to graduate college
• take my last 2 certification exams and the Praxis so I can teach out of state if necessary
• get my name and face out to area school districts by applying to substitute teach

5. I want to get better at housekeeping

• stop procrastinating
• devote an hour every day to keeping things picked up and organized
• get up early on Saturdays to power clean 1 room of the house before everyone else is out of bed

Sorry for the wordy post, but I needed to get my wants/needs/goals down in black and white so I could plan them out and really take a look at what I need to do to have the life I want.

Sometimes plans change

So I should have graduated this past spring with a degree in Adolescent Social Studies and Special Education. That did not exactly happen. I had hoped to be able to test out of subjects or take them in summer school. That did not happen the way I wanted either. I still need a couple courses to finish my degree, and there are no jobs out there for teachers right now. I mean really, like no jobs - a lot of the school districts within a 1.5hr drive from me have actually cut positions and laid off teachers.

Given this dilemma what did I decide to do? More School! I am going to add to my certifications and get a childhood education and Students with Disabilities 1-6 added to my certifications. It will only require one more semesters worth of classes. I might even add an adolescent English with classes next semester. At that point I could basically walk into a school and say, okay, I can teach kids from grades 1-12 in Special Ed, Social Studies, ELA or general classroom. Whatdaya got? :)

This does put another year of stress on my family that I didn't want, but I think that it will work out for the best in the end. And really, if I could get in a 6th or 5th grade classroom I could teach all the subjects I like!

The other newer development lately in my half marathon training has been the addition of a partner! My neighbor has been working out with my for the last few days - and we are doing some cross training this afternoon that I am excited about.

Sometimes plans change, but change can be good.

Finding friends in the digital world

One of the things I like best about blogging, and chatting and social media websites is the ability to meet up with people with similar goals or challenges. People like Emily  or so very many of the women on the Tosca Reno boards. People on the Blog To Lose site or my major support site of the last 5 years, Sparkpeople. My weight fluctuates up and down, I struggle with food, life, motivation, and in person support, but my virtual friends remain satisfyingly constant. I don't think I would have made it this far, signed up for a half marathon or gone vegetarian with out all the support I find online.

So thank you to all my friends I have never met in person. I value you all so much!

Dude, I so rock :)

Okay so I steamed rice in my crockpot and then made coconut rice with broccoli and left over baked falafels. I am so totally impressed with myself and this dish!

Okay, recipe for any interested (this is sort of a guesstimate as I just threw stuff in the pot)

1.5 cup steamed rice
2 cups frozen broccoli
1/2 C coconut milk
1/2 small onion
3 cloves garlic
dash of terryaki sauce
dash honey (maybe a tsp)
asian chili sauce, or 1tsp cayenne pepper
falafels, cooked chicken, steak or whatever protein strikes your fancy
Cooking spray, coconut oil, or sesame oil

In a medium sauce pan or large skillet
Using a small amount of oil or cooking spray cook onions and garlic until soft.
Add broccoli, cook until mostly thawed
add everything else

cook until heated through

Makes 2 servings, if you don't eat it all in one sitting


So I am now training for a trail half marathon in PA on October 15th. The girls on the Tosca Reno boards convinced me to do it. My plan is to run/walk MWSa, Zumba SuTR, and rest on Friday. I am really excited about this!

Half Marathon

Happy Father's Day!

So I got a tweet from PETA the other night about joining the PETA Pack and signing up to train for a half marathon in October. I signed up. I need to fund raise for the event (if you support the end of animal abuse or just have an animal you love, please donate even the smallest donation goes a long way!) I've never competed in any kind of race and I can't even run a mile without stopping, but I think this is a good cause and I felt like this would be a great way to focus on myself by helping others. And by training for this I can sign up for longer races in the future. I can work on my health, learn to trail run, shape my booty and save animals all at the same time!

My first 5K will be in Geneva in August!