Thursday, November 25, 2010

Finished in 37 min!!!
On th way to gallup!!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Kennetts and the Joneses are getting ready for a restful night before the big gallup.

Monday, November 22, 2010

3 days to go

My plan for this week was to run fast today, take it slow tomorrow, not run on Wednesday and do well in the 5K on Thursday.  Today, I didn't feel like it at all and I had a bad attitude to boot.  Just feeling kind of blah!  Decided I couldn't not run, so I headed out...ran a little, walked alot and decided just being out there was what was important.  Tomorrow, I am going to just do a slow run/walk again, take Wed. off and give it my all on Thursday.

I had a wonderful conversation with Emma today--we were talking about the 5K and I asked her how we are going to do this.  Her response, "I think we need to all just go at our own pace and we will see each other at the finish line."  I commented, "You are ok with that?"  Em said, "I am ok with that...the question is are you ok with that Mom?!"  I am ok with that, I was pleasantly surprised that she would be ok with that.  My baby is growing up and this is a place where she can be a little independent. 

The sewing has stalled....my plan is to do much of that tomorrow.

Now the update on the HP Club:
The Harry Potter Club has been meeting at Abi's school (she and some of her friends started the club) for about 6 weeks now--they do not meet every week, but regularly enough that the club has grown and they are making plans of "fun" things they can do together--quidditch games, yule ball, etc...

After a few weeks of being organized, the administration told them they could not be the Harry Potter club, they needed to be the Book Club.  The students understood that admin. thought the name might be offensive to some.  Abi assured her friends that her parents would have a word with administration.  We did, at a gathering at school that very evening.  The Prinicipal we spoke with, heard our concerns; said the students misunderstood the reason for the name change, admin. felt the students might be bullied if they were the HP Club.  Jay and I tried to help him understand that it was much less likely they would be bullied as the HP Club rather than the book club; he said he would take it back to administration.

He did, Administration stood by the original decision and the students called and asked me if I could talk with administration.  I have been--however, it took several tries to get through.  Basically, we have moved to the understanding that the school needs a written protocol on establishing clubs.  It does seem that the school cannot deny a student initiated group the privilege to meet on school grounds, even if they are not a recognized club of the school.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting with the principal....which only came about after my rather lengthy conversation with the Asst. superintendent for Secondary Education.  My child has been at this school for 2 1/2 years and I have requested meetings with the Prinicipal in the past, she finally has agreed.  Thank you asst. super.

Maybe an upate tomorrow.

Friday, November 19, 2010

3 miles in 34 min and 30 sec.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Oh No....2 days without running!

Tomorrow, I must get back on the run! Literally! In meetings all day on Wednesday and Pastoring and coaching all day today meant I did not get a chance to run yesterday or today. It is ok, because tomorrow is another day.

Another thing I dealt with today...the Harry Potter Club at Abi's school. The club has been denied club status due to the name Harry Potter. It all seems very silly, but the administration has suddenly become ridiculous about the whole thing. When I get a chance, I will fill you in and write up the whole story. Administration at WHS has not been overly impressive to me in the 2.5 years we have been at that school, but today they took away any vestiges of respect.

Will fill you in later! Maybe after my run tomorrow!

I finished the party boy suit, with the exception of some handstitching that needs to be done!
Whew!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Registered for the Gallup

We are now officially registered for the Gallup for the Gravy on Thanksgiving Day!
It was a tough weekend--no running on Saturday, forced by my 16 yo to run on Sunday evening--did a pitiful job, so just took it slow!

Yesterday (Monday), I came to the conclusion that it is ok not to run the whole 3 miles. I would like to run it all, but in the larger scheme of life, it just doesn't matter! So, my training took a little different turn yesterday---I ran as much as I could, then walked just to catch my breath and went back to running; did this more frequently and finished 3 miles in 35 min. and 54 seconds. Down a 1/2 minute from Friday!

Today it is raining! looking for an opening in the rain or either heading to the gym. I think running in the rain might actually be fun!

Sewing update---finished a design for the butterflies. Almost done with the party boy suit. Dew drops are haunting me--I just need to DO them! Delegated the 7 Spanish tops to another "sewer" (I know "seamstress" is probably the correct word to use, however--I like "sewer"! It looks like sewer--the place to where your toilets flush--but it means SOOOOOOO much more! :-)

Pictures:
Beginning of the "party boy suit".









Old tutus that will be "refreshed" to become beautiful butterflies!
Design idea for the butterflies, and the fabric to make it happen.

Friday, November 12, 2010

I didn't make it running the whole distance; however, ran farther and reduced my time to 36.5 min. That is for 3 miles.

later in the week and catching up

It is Friday! I am about to go for a 3 mile run in new shoes; they are very cushiony so I am not worried about them not feeling good.

I just discovered that I had not set up my blog to send me the comments by email, so, I thought no one had responded! msrevolution and Carrie--I am honored that you are reading and giving me encouragement!!

I have a busy day ahead, cutting, sewing, probably dying and appliqueing. Should be a fun day!

So far, I have not finished anything new on the costume front, but I have made lots of repairs....I have lots more to go!

Now, for the running update---I last posted on Tuesday morning--Tuesday evening, Emma and I went for a run in late afternoon--it got dark quickly and we were out running in dark clothing! Not a good idea! We made it home safely but it made me very aware of how unsafe we were being. Went to the fabric store yesterday (to purchase costume stuff) and bought some reflective tape to pin to our shirts!
I ran again on Wed.--I made it at least 2 of the 3 miles, but still not consecutively.
I am confident that today is the day that I make the full 3 miles RUNNING!!!! I think I can!!!! I think I Can!!!!! I believe I can!!!!! I believe I can!!!!!!! I know I can!!!!!! I know I can!!!!!!
I KNOW I CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, today and throughout the weekend, I am sending positive energy for my dear friend (and parishioner) Melissa Hobgood who is running a half-marathon this weekend! I am so proud of her!!!! I want to be like her when I grow up (she is way younger than me.....but still!).

I will check back in later with an update on the run and some pics from my sewing room (ok that is the dining room table!)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Day 9 OR 16 days to go

This morning, I went for a 3 mile run--ok, I walked part.....on the day when I run the entire 3 miles, there will be great celebrating going on. I was tired and didn't want to go, but I knew that I had to do it. The bad thing is, 3 miles really isn't that far. I did the full 3 miles in 38 minutes. Which isn't so bad given that I really did not want to do it today....but, having a goal is a good thing. When the girls are home from school, maybe we will do it again! and I can feel better about my day!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday, Day 8

Today is a beautiful day, and a day that I will not have an opportunity to run or exercise at all!



I started my day off with a wonderful coffee date with my dear friend and colleague, Nora. We solved most of the problem's with Church in the 21st century while we shared some wonderful coffee together! (I do wish it was that easy.)
Then, a couple of coaching related calls/sessions.
At HUCC, getting ready for Advent! Music & Worship will meet tonight and we will finalize plans for HUCC in worship during Advent and Christmas...ok, finalize is a strong word for adding more details to an outline that will continue to evolve until the particular worship service is over.

Awareness point for me--the sun was up at an earlier hour (because of the time change) i should have gone for a run before everyone else was up! Tomorrow, I will work on that.

Yesterday, Em shared with me how she and Lynda have worked together--run 30 seconds, walk 15 seconds or some similar variation; to which Em and I ran/walk together for 1/2 mile sections. It was great, and boosted my confidence in what I am able to do. Thank you Em for helping me out!

Kudos to my dear husband--who ran 3 miles in 33 min. this morning!!! Woohoo! Go Jay!!!!

Day 7 (Sunday)

3 mile walk/run with Jay and Em....Abi keeps managing not to participate!
It is not easy for me to exercise with other people!!!!
Everyone goes too fast or too slow.......what will I do when I start out at the actual 5 K event????

Also, I realize that, If I am on day 7--there is only 18 more days! YIKES!!!!!!!

I must get serious this week!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Days 5 & 6

Friday--I attempted the 3.1 mile run....I probably ran close to 2 of the 3 miles, but not consecutively. My new theory, if I can continue to lengthen the amount of time that I run and shorten the amount of time that I walk, eventually the running times will blend together and I will be running the whole time! I have a ways to go.

The fun thing is that I am "training" almost every day, and in the evenings we are doing a family run or run/walk. Not always the whole family, but most of us.

I didn't sew on Friday, like I had hoped. However, the family went to the grand opening of the Tanger Outlets in Mebane! We wanted an opportunity to meet Stacy London ("what not to wear"). We stood in line for approx. 1 hour, were about 5 people from getting pictures made with her....and they whisked her away to accomodate her very tight schedule!
Abi was horribly disappointed!!!! (we all were.)
We got a couple of pictures, but we didn't get to meet her. We did overhear her comments to folks, she was very positive and affirming of everyone she spoke to.

Day 6, Saturday--Nutcracker rehearsal for the girls, all day long. Nutcracker rehearsal for Jay all morning! Costume work for me, all day long. Although, I have wonderful people who work with me and are doing a beautiful job!

Wonderful conversation with a group of Nutcracker workers and cast, about a 5K to support the work of the theatre---next year.

Did not want to run or walk either one! However, Em wanted to go for a run, so I put on my clothes and off we went, Jay and Em went about 2 miles, I went one and came back home. Guess I am not in a very good mood, have been around too many people for too long.

Hope today is a better day!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 4

Today, I "cross-trained"! Went to the gym, did some "sprints" on the elliptical and did some strength training...then my favorite---squats with a weighted ball on the bosu ball!

I will be sore tomorrow! It has been a while since I was in the gym for weight training.
My plan for tomorrow is a 3.1 mile run at a slow pace. If I can make it, then next week, I will work on my speed.

Also, tomorrow, I must sew! Fritz needs a new suit, because he is a growing boy, and we cannot send him to the party in an ill-fitting suit. Also, he must be comfortable! This year, he will have a secret pocket in his jacket, so that he can easily find the mouse.

Another sewing task, that I may work on tomorrow, is butterflies! This year, the flower dance will be visited by a lovely butterfly! Now, I must make her lovely! My plan--two old pink tutus that had partially dry-rotted...rot has been cut away, and the tutus will be dyed, repaired and added to. The end result--if I am good--will be 2 lovely monarch butterflies with a little bit of Degas inspiration. I will attempt to post pictures.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Day 3

Today I thought I completed 3 miles in 35 min. This was walking and running--about 1/2 running. I went back and checked the mileage....it was only 2.8 miles.
But, I will take that. That is still a reduction in time for me, and greater endurance in the running part.

Last night, Em (check out her blog at http://emscorner-ejk.blogspot.com) and I had a conversation about the Gallup for the Gravy 5K. She asked me what kind of time one would need to win...she wants to come in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in her age group. I told her that I just wanted to complete the race and run the whole thing. Maybe I should have bigger goals! I must say, I am having fun! I used to run, years ago, while I was in college. That was my form of exercise. I would run 2 - 3 miles about 3 or 4 times each week.
Now, i am wishing that I never stopped!

Tomorrow, I need to head to the gym and do some strength training. I will take a break from the run/walk for tomorrow--or maybe I will use the elliptical...
Yesterday was day 2 of training for 5K--the day went by and I had not had a chance to exercise, so the whole family went for a "run" after dinner. It was fun!

Monday, November 1, 2010

update

AND now it is 14 mos. later!!!!
Life is crazy and I can never think of anything to write here!

Something new that is happening---my family is training to run a 5K on Thanksgiving day we have 24 days left to get ready.

I have been walking 2 - 6 miles at least 3 times each week, but I haven't been running...although I can walk as fast as I can run. I can easily do 3 miles in 45 min. I would love to be able to do 3 miles in 30 min. I know that I can knock some time off, but I do not know if I can knock of 15 min. in 3 weeks, but I guess i can work on it.

24 days.....i want to do this and do it well so that my family and I can be proud!!!!