Well, today I did it. I ran the Portland Shamrock run. I chose the 8K race to run, that’s 5 miles for us US folks.  I honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to really run the race since I haven’t been training for it. I also didn’t want to embarrass myself either by being the last person to cross the finish line. But I’m not one to quit something once I’ve committed to it so I had no choice but to do it.

Eric and I dragged ourselves out of bed this morning at something like 6:15am (really 5:15 w/o daylight savings) to go. Eric is such a trooper, he didn’t even have to go but being the best husband ever he went to support me. We got down to the race and I think that’s when it finally hit me.. as I was standing there ready for the 8K in the 10 minute mile or more group. I was honestly excited and terrified at the same time. I had my doubts if I could do this but I figured if I didn’t try, I’d never know.

So off I went at a nice little jog and feeling pretty good. It seemed like it took forever for the 1 mile sign to come up but I made it that far and kept going. I found a group of girls that were walking and jogging and decided then that I wouldn’t let them finish in front of me. I mean there had to be someone that finished behind me, I couldn’t be the last person. As I rounded Burnside and headed up Broadway that’s when it hit me. I really wondered if I would make it to the finish. Broadway is a slow incline for a LONG ways. Oh, FYI, it was about this time that the lead guy running the 15K that left the start link after us blew by all of use running the 8K. Oh, to have only a bit of that guys energy. I was battling with myself at that time too, super concerned about being last. I had to just keep reminding myself that my goals were to finish and to do so under two hours.

I did a lot of jogging and walking fast and jogging and walking fast. It was difficult with the drizzle of rain, the cold air, and my asthma but I was determined to do it. I finally got to the end of Broadway and headed down Hall back toward Naito, where the race started. I was feeling good, got some water and was thinking, “We’re headed down the hill, we’re almost done.” That’s when the 3 mile sign came up and I realized I was just a bit over half way. I think at that time I was like OMG! I’m going to dye right here… and yet at the same time my head was just telling me, “keep moving, don’t quit now, you’re not a quitter.” So I kept running hit 4th and kept running/walking all the way out to Barber Blvd and Naito Parkway. I can’t tell you how good it felt to turn that corner and know that it was downhill, and a straight shot to the finish line. I got a little more energy about that time. I don’t know if it was because I knew I was coming to the end, or what but I decided I was going to finish strong. I was going to jog until I couldn’t anymore… so I did. I jogged and walked and jogged and walked right past the finish line. While I was exhausted I also felt great because I did something I wasn’t sure I could do. As I was giving the guy my racing chip I asked him the time, “9:30am” he said. I just stood there amazed. My race started at about 8:05, there were a lot of people ahead of me that crossed the start line before me so I’m guessing I didn’t start until 8:15 or so.. and then to finish at 9:30.. WOW! Imagine what I can do with some training. I’m motivated now. I think I like this running stuff.

I want to say a BIG thanks to everyone that texted me, called me, sent me Facebook comments, etc. offering their support. It’s great to know and feel the support of family and friends.

Update: My official time is 01:07:44

Today I began my journey. When I got home today Eric and I headed to the gym. It was so easy I couldn’t believe it. As Eric drove us there I couldn’t help thinking, “This is so easy… why haven’t I been doing it for months?” I can tell you LAZINESS. For some reason I need to hold my hand to the fire when it comes to this whole exercising and eating better thing. Knowing that it’s on other  people’s radar helps me make sure I’m towing the line. It was really nice that Eric and I went together too. I’m so lucky to have such a supportive husband that gently kicks my but in gear when I need it.

Today I  ran 1.72 miles in about 22 minutes. It wasn’t wonderful. It wasn’t earth shattering.. but I did it. I have to say I’m really proud of myself and feel happy today because I started. I suppose to some they might think, “gosh, you didn’t go far”. To me this is a beginning, a baseline, a place to start. I would have loved to bust out and jog/run 5 miles but for me that’s not possible yet so I’ll take this little success and build on it. I think I’m going to try to get my endurance up so that I can run 5 miles by the time I head to Austin, TX in February to visit my friend Stephanie. I don’t want to embarrass myself if she asks to go running while I’m there. I’ve been thinking too that I’m going to try to run a 5K each month. I know there are a lot of them here in Portland. I found a TON at http://www.dailymile.com/events/search?q=Portland,+OR I just need to pick one each month and do it. Having that motivation and those mini-goals will help me stick to this.  I can’t wait to see what’s possible when I overcome my hangups and JUST DO IT!

Many people feel the need to come up with resolutions for the new year. I was reading a blog the other day and the writer used the word “intentions” rather than resolutions. I liked the term “intentions” because, to me, intention implies that I’m trying…. and that’s what change and improvement is all about… TRYING. No one is 100% perfect but everyone can try to give their best effort. So here are my intentions for the new year.

• BE KIND
• Journal every day
• Exercise 60 minutes a day at the gym, if not the gym.. take the dogs for a long walk (It’s all about moving.)
• Track the food I eat
• Eat no white food and keep the sugar low
• Limit TV to 8-10 pm
• In bed by 10pm and lights out by 11pm
• Continue to strengthen my relationship with Eric

That’s a long list,but I have to say I’m feeling really good about them. It seems every year that I have a list of things I want to change but I don’t really give it a 100% effort. This year is different. I’m not doing the same ‘ol same ‘ol thing to make the changes. I’m more committed than I have been in the past. I want to really get these things under my belt.

I’ve got a good way to implement them. Eric and I have been talking a lot over the holiday about how to REALLY change the things we want to change, both individually and as a couple. So here’s the plan, I’ve made separate calendar for each of us listing the “to do’s” for each of us. For each of us, each day we do all the things we’ve got on our list (3 each) we put a sticker on it and get a reward. When we have stickers for the whole week, another reward. These calendars are posted in the bathroom for us to see every day. In addition, we’ve also got our list on the frig and the mirror.

Wish us luck. I’m hoping to post more than before to let people know how I’m doing on my goals, share what I’ve learned, and keep myself accountable.

It’s hard to believe another year has pasted us by. I honesty can’t believe that 2011 begins in little less than two hours. 2010 went by so fast I can’t believe it. Just want to drop a short line to those that read my blog and say HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As if my last post wasn’t long enough.. here’s the rest of the story.. er… summer. Can you say busy?

The middle of July Eric and I headed up to Deer Lake, near Spokane, Washington for a wedding.  It’s a long story but Israel and Penny are pretty much like family to us. Israel and Penny have triplets and a onelet all 6 or under. My mom has been there for them and their kids, since the kids were born. The kids even call my mom “grandma Crosier”. Gavin is Penny’s son and it was Gav

in’s wedding that we were going to attend. Israel and Penny have a cabin on Deer Lake that Gavin and Heather, his wife, decided they wanted to get married at. I don’t think I’ve even gone to a wedding on a lake before. I have to say this one was beautiful. Israel, Penny and Israel’s family did such an outstanding job getting it all looking beautiful. When Mom, Eric and I got there they were wrapping the trees with white lights. It looked gorgeous at night with all those lights. I have to say it was a lot of fun being there. I got to meet more of Israel’s family and get to know them better. I think the best was seeing everyone all dressed up. The boys in their tuxes and the girls in their dresses looked beautiful. I can’t wait for the next time we all go up to the cabin for another visit.

Helping Steph move and trip to Saturday market

Stephanie, a friend of mine and Eric’s has lived in downtown Portland since February. She lives in this great new apartment building, Cyan with her two black labs, Frodo and Kelly. I helped Steph move in and even helped build the many Ikea cabinets she used in the place. Early this summer, when the weather was nice, Steph, Eric and I hit the Portland Saturday market. I haven’t been down there in ages. In some ways the place hasn’t changed at all and in others, it’s not even the same place. In any case… we all had a great day there. Later on in the summer, we helped Stephanie pack up a pod with all of her things. She was moving to Austin, Texas. I have to say I was really bummed that she was moving, Steph and I get along great, but I was happy for her too. It’s always nice to turn the page in life and start a new chapter. Now she’s in Austin, loving it and enjoying her new job!

July Relay for Life