Saying Goodbye to 2018

Evening Run in the Rain

I began my jog in a light drizzle. I figured, it had been like this all day, why would it change now. Well Fate has a twisted sense of humor. I like her! I was on mile 2 when she let loose her sorrows, and she nearly swept me away in them. But I had stuff to get off my chest, too, so I let my own woes be gone. And now that I am sitting here, I feel gratitude for the down pour. And maybe a tickle in my throat, too.

Amazing Things Happened

I got home drenched with soggy shoes, and my clothes were sticking to me. Blah! I felt disgusting! But I felt a nearly overwhelming amount of relief and happiness. Since my baby girl was born in March, I have been at war with my weight. A lot of this is in my own head; of course, but I still have not come to grips with my mom body. My run tonight helped me see humor in this, though. As I mentioned before, I returned home completely soaked. What came to mind was how Hollywood would try to have you believe that a woman running in the rain would be a beautiful thing.

Imagine:

Beautiful lady...... running in her form-fitting yoga pants, and she's stunning with her make-up perfectly ruined and hair still somehow straight. Maybe she's laughing prettily like a musical instrument, and you can't help but want to be her; or near her if it's a thriller and you're a stalker.

Further imagine:

Me, in my old PT pants; they're a bit tight on my butt, and my soaked shirt perfectly accentuates my mom rolls. My hair managed to work itself into a huge knot, and a family of birds probably could have found it quite homey. And while I was laughing, it was more like a lady ogre guffawing.  

What I got that Hollywood doesn't, though, is substance to my story. 2018 was full of events, like the birth of baby #5, the end to my BAH from the VA (sad face), student loans, the summer visit with my oldest, and the holidays. Ah, but there is so much between that to be grateful for! The birthdays, the school milestones like A+B honor roll, picture day, etc. How do I explain it all without boring you? Just look back on your own 2018, for reflection purposes, and take it all in. You got through it! Maybe with tears of joy, tears of sadness, and tears of boredom, but here we are with the opportunity to remake ourselves again. Maybe not a completely clean slate, but where is the fun in that? What I reflected on during my run was:

1. I am almost finished with school.
2. I will go on my first ever family vacation in 2019.
3. When I have graduated, I will be the first in my family to hold a Bachelor degree.
4. I will finish my first book and hopefully a second in 2019.
5. Each of my children will be a year older.

Reflect and Share

What are you most proud of from 2018? What are you looking forward to in 2019? What is your #1 resolution for the new year?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Pace Your Problem Tuesday

I paced a few problems this morning. From characters I'm writing about in a fun fiction online and sickly kids at home to how the heck I'm going to juggle the holidays with school. You can probably guess that I have many thoughts to keep me company when I run, but Nike wanted to take the cake again today. I was on mile two when I noticed I missed the normal mile and pace tracker from Nike. Anyone who uses the Nike app can testify to the voice that tells you in real-time what your pace and distance is. She was silent as can be this morning. So my problem literally paced along with me today, silently NOT tracking my performance. Grrr! My question for you all today: what run tracking app do you use? If any?

Jessi

Slay It Saturday

I began my run this evening with every intention of crushing my run. Whether it was my time or my distance, I wanted to see improvement somewhere. I started Nike+ Run, tucked my phone into the arm sleeve, and waited for the nine second countdown. When Nike said, "Beginning workout" I took off. After I passed what I knew was mile 2 it occurred to me that I haven't heard from Nike since the start. So, I awkwardly pull my phone from the sleeve to see that Nike didn't start my run. At first I was mad, but after I had gotten my phone into the sleeve again (seriously, I have a love-hate relationship with my sleeve), I thought about how free I felt from worrying about crushing some personal best or another. I found myself feeling liberated and enjoying the run on a mentally cleansing level. It was so cold outside but I could feel my runners-high rushing through my veins and warming my soul. After I sprinted to what I knew was the four mile mark, I walked home feeling light as a feather. I have no idea if I destroyed my run time but I am happy with my run, regardless.

Anyone have a faulty app or awkwardly irritating run gear to bash?

Jessi

Thursday Run Saturday Post

It had been over a week since I last ran. With so much on my plate and schedule wars with Jeff's work hours, getting out for a run is proving to be difficult these days. Ugh! I know how excuse-y that sounds, though. Today, however, I am two days early with all of my school for the week, so I finally get to post about Thursday's run. Hopefully, I will get to run this afternoon when Jeff gets home from work. I typically listen to 10 Years Radio on Pandora when I run, and today I'm looking forward to turning it up.

Do you have a favorite playlist or radio station for running?

Pace Your Problem Tuesday

Happy Halloween

The loop I run around in my neighborhood is slightly more than one mile. I was running past my house after lap one, and I glanced over to my porch and front yard. It felt like slow motion as I watched the hanging ghoul in the yard sway with the wind. It was almost as if he was silently screaming at the squirrels going about their nutty business in the yard. It made me think about my current situation at home.

The Terror

My two year old is currently potty training. She has it all figured out except for the cleaning herself part. It is that awkward stage in every two year old's life where they are done with diapers and pull-ups but still can't wipe their own behind. This is the problem that I paced this morning as I ran my four miles. By the time I got to the end of my run I concluded with myself that this is one of those really "crappy" situations where I have to let her figure it out on her own. Of course I will be there for her and help her go through the motions, but I must stand back at some point and let her be more independent. Yes, she will have her tantrums and emotional set-backs, but in this I think she will learn a valuable lesson. Otherwise, my terror of a two year old will never gain her independence and I will still be folding her laundry in fifteen years.

Pace Your Problem

What is causing you stress? Anything that a good run can fix?

Slay It Saturday

Race Day

I ran my first race today, and I can't believe how fun it was. Everyone was nice and smiling and the atmosphere was full of excitement. I got to the event location early and got my number, which I discovered today is called a "bib".  I pinned it to the thigh part of my pants and paced like a nervous first-timer. Come 9:00 a.m. we were all piled out by the meter strip awaiting the start of the race, and I was pleasantly surprised by the pre-race prayer. When everyone agreed they were ready, the race began and the runners stepped off. It was so chilly out so I didn't need to worry about overheating, and the view was amazing!!! We ran by cows and a very curious donkey in their individual pastures; also, residents of the area came out to watch the runners. The route is simply magnificent. 

Before I list my race results, I want to thank the police officers who guided the run and made the route safe. I also want to thank the entire community involved with the event, as everyone I spoke with were friendly and made me feel welcome. A special thank you to Bradley and Susan, who took the time to introduce me to the pro-racers and other members of the Gadsden Runners Club.

 

My Results

My finish time as clocked by the meter strip was 24:43, averaging me at 7:58 a mile. We ran 3.1 miles; a 5K. Out of the 75 racers who participated, I ranked 18, and I was the 3rd female to cross the finish line. In my age group, I was the 1st out of 7. I was very surprised when they called me up for a cute little pumpkin trophy for 3rd place female. It took me a slow second to realize it was my name they called.

Throwback Run Thursday

Time Honored Tradition

Today I want to throwback on my old unit, HQ 82nd DSTB. This unit has changed a lot since my time in the service, but one thing that will always remain the same is the higher standards for running. I will never forget the old saying, "No walking on Ardennes." Not just because it was a saying, but because it was for real. You are not permitted to walk on Ardennes, especially not during the morning hours allotted for PT. So this post is for my battle buddies and brothers and sisters that served with me, and all the armed forces for their sacrifices and their traditions that mean something to them. 

All The Way!

I would love to hear a throwback about your run experiences and run companions.