GREAT DAY!!!

I had a great day today! Fun time shopping with my best friend and found a great dress for my niece's wedding this coming Sunday. Then had a wonderful time at our Draw Near service! God is good all the time sometimes we just have to open our eyes to see!!

This week has been a good running week. I had to take it back to the treadmill cause my legs would hurt SO VERY BAD when I ran on the road. SO taking it back the the treadmill has really help the pain and I've been able to up my miles. I'm not giving up on running outdoors just trying to work back into it slowly!!

Hey go over to Erica's blog she has a great book giveaway!!

Hope everyone has a great week!!!!

I Want to WIN!!!

Hey go over to Peanut Butter and Jenny she has a great giveaway! Oh and I SO hope I win!

Thankful

I'm so very thankful that I could actually run today. Yes running has been difficult AGAIN! I thought the new shoes had fixed all the problems but it hasn't. Although the legs are better the lower back has begun to hurt. So I've decided to take my runs back to the treadmill for a week or two and then slowly add some outdoor runs. Maybe this will help. I guess if you want to do something bad enough you'll do whatever it takes to do it. I really REALLY enjoy running and just refuse to give it up.

So today I ran 3.25 miles, walked 1.75 and did 25 minutes of pilates. I'm hoping the pilates will help strengthen me overall.

If I Look Like I've Gained Weight....

It's because I ate a bug!! YUCK!!! It's not the first. Can you run with your mouth closed??? I certainly can't which means eventually I'm gonna get to eat a few bugs. I guess this is one of the first lovely experiences of running outside instead of in the nice gym which is bug free...well except for a few that make my skin crawl...oh you know what I mean.

Today I went to the track and ran three miles then ran up and down the bleachers. It was a lil hard after the run but it felt good when I finished. I also did a small workout of high knees and butt kicks. Ummm I'm sure I looked really goofy but it was great and boy did it ever give my legs a workout!

Still LOVING my new running shoes! Well one more day of work and LONG weekend ahead. I sure hope to at least get a little sun!!

What A Difference.....

....proper running shoes make!!! I have struggled since February with lots of pain and soreness in my legs. I have been to the doctor, made sure I did some stretching, tried not running every day and a mixture of other things, none of which have worked. It's been a struggle to build up my mileage and pace. Well last week I went to a great store called Front Runner Athletics and they helped me find the proper running shoe. I can't believe how different my legs feel. I was certain that running was never gonna get any easier. I am even amazed that I can go farther without feeling like I'm about to collapse. It's SO great. Now I'm excited that maybe I can begin to run more miles, make less stops and run a little faster!

I want to share a song with you that we did on Sunday. It's an amazing song!! Just look below in the next post!

Kari Jobe- We Cry Out

WOW!!!

I had the best Mother's Day weekend! It started Saturday with a trip to Macaroni Grill by a very special young lady and then to Clumpies for some GREAT ice cream. Kimberly also gave me a book by one of my favorite authors, Ted Dekker called Kiss and also some favorites candies! It was a great day!!!

Then today I waked up to the most perfect coffee maker ever!!!! I was so excited. My daughter really surprised me with this one! We had the best time dranking our first cup of coffee together and just talking. Then we headed out to my mom and dad's where we have some great lasagna and Brittany's favorite dessert my mom makes called Chocolate Delight. We had a great time.

It was a great weekend and I felt very special!!!! It was the best ever!!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!

I got my Nike+ for my birthday and started my first run on February 18th well today I completed my 100th mile!!!!!! Look at my certificate!!!! I'm SO excited and I can't wait to get the next 100 miles in hopefully quicker and faster!!!!!!!!!! Nike+ you're the greatest gadgetever!!! And thanks Kimberly for the greatest birthday gift ever!!!!!!!!!

The Switch

After a few days of warm weather I'm thinking I need to switch to morning runs. Problem is I LIKE my sleep but I also HATE running when its hot and evening will definitely start being a lot warmer. I like the idea of getting it done in the morning which frees up the afternoons for getting all those summer tasks done. Now if I can just get my mind and body geared to get up and get going....early!

I did a little speed work Saturday and was very excited about it but was VERY tired when I finished. I will have to start putting that into the workout mix. I have also tried putting pilates in my workout mix but have fallen way short at being consistent. I REALLY REALLY need to get consistent with the pilates because I need the flexibility. I have neck and shoulder problems and my hips seem to be really tight at times when I run and I know that the stretching would really help all those areas.

I'm so thankful spring is here and I can sit on my porch!!!

Honest Foods

Run on over to Run to Finish's blog and check out the Honest Foods giveaway! Lots of scrumptious looking stuff!!

5 Miles??

Today I ran 5 miles this is my longest run yet. I'm so excited. I had to walk a lil but was surprised at how well I felt after 3 miles so I just decided to keep on going. I've had a real up and down week and not real sure why but the run helped my mind to be blank and my emotions to just lie dormant for a little while.

I guess another reason I like running is because it's just great therapy!

Weekend Fun

I had a great time Saturday just being with my most special friend and going to my favorite place. We had a great time just walking, talking and eating some Clumpy's Ice Cream. I guess my love language would be someone that spends time with me and is genuinely interested in me and my life. I'm pretty low maintenance but one thing I refuse to give into is being some one's casual friend. I think the most precious gift you can give is your time, quality time.

I didn't run Saturday because I had a terrible headache but the walking was great and was very relaxing. However I did get a fairly good run on Sunday. It was nice and cool and my legs felt pretty good. I did 3 miles and when finishing my 3 miles I stopped by and visited with my sister-in-law and then had to run 1.5 back home. I got a total of 4.5 miles in and it felt great. I still can't seem to up my speed much but I've just decided to just keep on trying a little faster each time and hopefully the speed will come.

Gratitude Journal

1. I'm grateful for a friend that gives me their time and love.
2. I'm grateful for long walks and great talks.
3. I'm grateful for excellent ice cream. :)
4. I'm grateful for legs that can run.
5. I'm grateful for relaxing weekends.

Biggest Loser

I am so into the Biggest Loser! It's just the greatest show ever! There is something about someone working hard to make a life change that just inspires me. Change is never easy and it requires lots and lots of hard work. I was so excited to see them run a half marathon. OMGOSH that was NOT an easy thing to do. Now when I run and feel tired after the first mile I think of them and it inspires me to push harder, to run further and keep on toward my goal.

I know change is never easy or fun and for the most part we don't like it. But there is something refreshing about making changes that better you physically, mentally and spiritually. It inspires us to become a better person, friend, worker, family member.

I'm gonna copy Run To Finish's idea of posting a Gratitude Journal. Hope you don't mind.

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

I'm grateful for good health.
I'm grateful for a very precious friend.
I'm grateful that my shoulder is not hurting today.
I'm grateful for a Savior that was willing to give His life for me!!

Go Check Out This Great Giveaway!

Head on over to n her shoes blog she has a great Dankskin ultra light pullover giveaway. And she has a pretty neat blog!

No Clever Title

Not much going on these days other than work, church and a little running. I'm still excited about being able to actually run 3 miles without stopping at least 3 times a week. I know that's not much but its a beginning. I'm loving my Nike+ Sensor and being able to keep up with my miles, pace and calories burned and not having to drive and map out the distance since it will tell you how far you've gone. It's the greatest gadget ever!!

I'm enjoying reading a new blog so click here "Run To The Finish" go by and check her out she has some great tips and some cool give aways!

Never Changing

"I feel like a sea captain learning for the first time to chart his course by the stars. Until now, I've tried to find my way by watching the clouds. But they came and went, changed directions on me, led me nowhere. It's good to finally have reference points that don't keep changing." A quote from Deadline by Randy Alcorn.


Why is it that we who know that God's Word is never changing and will always lead us in the direction we need to go will still look to the world for direction?

I loved Deadline! This is a great book and very thought provoking!

Blog Envy

I'm having a little blog envy. I LOVE to follow various blogs. It appears that they lead such interesting lives.

I especially enjoy running bloggers and the photo bloggers. My favorite photo blogger is 365 to 42. He has some incredible pictures! And then I like to sneek and see how Absolut(ly) Fit is doing with the job hunting and also her running progress. I also enjoy reading Between the Miles running progress. I'm so envious of those that really are true runners. They run half-marathons and marathons and travel to all kinds of places to run. It's just so exciting.

I guess you've noticed I have runner's envy too. I run at a snails pace, although its getting a little better (and I do mean little). On Monday I finally, FINALLY, ran 3.27 miles nonstop and then yesteday ran 3.29 miles nonstop. I was SO excited. It's been really hard running this year. I've tried to start running on actually pavement and I have had some extreme leg pain. It's getting better but I usually have to take a couple of days off between runs.

Oh and I absolutely LUV Fit Bottom Girls! They have so many great fitness tips, giveaways, reviews and just some great humor.

Now it's confession time. I am a Cupcake freak!!! I love to eat cupcakes, read about cupcakes and especially love Cupcakes Take the Cake's blog it is such a delight!!

Now for all you out there that are thinking I'm a little shallow my favorite blog that I have been using lately as my devotional is Vince Antonucci's blog. He has some very thought provoking blogs which are currently about the book of Acts. Some great stuff so please check it out!!

Oh yeah the newest additions to my blog stalking are Run For Life and Run to Finish and I think I'm gonna enjoy reading their running adventures!

So here is a shout out to all you great bloggers. Job well done!!!!!

Nuggets of Gold Found in Strange Places

"If you intend to quit running and you plan to somehow make the quitting stick, you have to be determined about it. You have to be focused and extremely consistent. You have to quit every single day for the rest of your life. That's actually a very tough thing to do."

This was from an article written by Mar Parent in the April 2009 Runner's World Magazine titled "Couch Bound"

It's one of those rare times when something oddly smacks you in the face and you have that ah ha moment. It's Saturday morning and my usual time for reading, doing a little house work and contemplating what's going on in my life or what's not going on in my life.

This quote was a real eye opener and got me to thinking about some things I've kinda neglected lately and it made me realize that it was an act of quitting. That each day that I didn't do "the thing" I was making a choice to quit.

Now I realize that there are all kinds of things each one of us needs to quit doing. But for this moment lets focus on those things that we have neglected, the good things, the vital things and lets stop and realize that each day we choose to neglecate those things we have made a choice, even a conscious choice, to quite those things. WHOA...that's a real eye-opener, well for me anyway.

So I guess the question to you and to myself is what have you consciously chose to quit doing that you should have never quit doing, something that is vital to your life. Are you couch bound?

Sometimes we can find nuggets of gold, even in runner's magazines.

Bloggers Block

I've tried several times over the last week to blog about something but somehow I just draw a blank. I would say I have writer's block but that would mean I actually have some writing skills, which I don't. Although I think it would be the greatest thing to write a book. If I could just come up with a title and words to put in it. Hmmmm....

This month has been good. I had a great birthday and got to spend time with family and friends and even got some neat gifts. Like this. To say I'm excited about it is an understatement. You would think I'm some ultra-marathoner but I'm just an average runner, might even say below average. Anyway I'm pumped and trying to up the running miles and the speed.

Well I'm all blocked up again so for now that's all I have.

Great Weather, Great Run

It was such a beautiful afternoon and I was SO glad that I had enough time to run outside before dark. Running has been a real struggle lately but today was absolutely perfect. I got about 3 miles in and feel great. Only in the South can it be extremely cold one day and the next be in the 70's!

OMGosh I LUV These Shoes!!!

These are my new running shoes and I'm SO excited!! Now before you think I'm some ultra-marathoner guess again. I'm mostly a treadmill runner, but I do enjoy it. I'm hoping to hit the road this year and become a better runner.

So back to my new shoes. Nike has come out with this Nike+ sensor (Check it out http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/) that fits into the bottom of the shoe and it will monitor your running and then will sync with your ipod or itouch to log your progress. I don't have the Nike+ sensor yet cause I'm still hurting from the purchase of the shoes but I CAN'T wait to have this little gadget so it will keep up with my miles.

Who knows with the help of Nike I could become at least 5k runner.

How Bout a Cup of Coffee?

I enjoy drinking coffee. I also love the idea of setting down with friends and enjoing a great cup of coffee, which is probably what ignited my love for coffee. In a time when most people only want to txt or email as a way to fellowship it just isn't the same nor does it make for meaningful friendships. So share a cup of coffee with someone and just enjoy the fellowship!

I'll leave you with a few coffee facts.

COFFEE FACTOIDS

Germany is the world's second largest consumer of coffee in terms of volume at 16 pounds per person.

Over 53 countries grow coffee worldwide, but all of them lie along the equator between the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn.

An acre of coffee trees can produce up to 10,000 pounds of coffee cherries. That amounts to approximately 2,000 pounds of beans after hulling or milling.

The percolator was invented in 1827 by a French man. It would boil the coffee producing a bitter tasting brew. Today most people use the drip or filtered method to brew their coffee.

With the exception of Hawaii and Puerto Rico, no coffee is grown in the United States or its territories.

Up until the 1870's most coffee was roasted at home in a frying pan over a charcoal fire. It wasn't until recent times that batch roasting became popular.

Each year some 7 million tons of green beans are produced world wide. Most of which is hand picked.