Time for Some R&R (&R&R)

This blog brought to you by the letter R!


Running:
I'm back to having a routine with my running. I know, I know, in the course of this blog I've stopped and started 2-3 times, but I'm back in action and getting my butt kicked by my treadmill every other day (which comes to 3-4 times per week). My shoes and I have now logged 344.6 miles together. I logged into Nike+ for the first time in a long time (I've been uploading runs straight from my iPhone) and checked out my status in both my "Run Across America" challenge and progress to Nike Level Blue. Using my friend Google, I saw that I am almost completely across Washington and will be entering Idaho soon :)Doesn't seem like much when you zoom out and see the whole USA, but that's pretty far on foot! I am also 276.5 miles away from the next level, which means I'm over halfway there. It's the small victories.

In addition to running, I've been dabbling in yoga and pilates on my off days. I haven't been as dedicated with those since returning from Spring Training but it's been easy to get distracted with Rockies games on and a cute husband to cuddle. He's been working more mornings, so he's home when I get off work. A blessing to be sure, but it's hard to turn down cuddling on the couch in favor of exercise.

I have also been making an attempt to eat healthier. I'm watching my calories with the Loseit! app/website and eating a whole bunch more fruit. I love fruit, so I don't understand why I didn't eat more previously but I love my breakfasts of Cuties clementines, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. So good. I've lost a little weight, which is always a welcome side effect. Nothing to write home about, but people are noticing a little bit of a slim down (Stephen & coworkers). That's nice :)

I'm also looking to start trying new recipes including more healthy ingredients such as quinoa. I found a black bean and quinoa chili recipe online as well as a quinoa & tomato salad that looks pretty good. I located it at King Soopers and will hopefully be trying it soon. We've got our meals planned for the next two weeks (we're trying to save money and waste less) so perhaps after that.

Reading
Thanks to a snowy day last Sunday, some relaxing evenings at home and Stephen closing two nights this week, I made it through three books this last week! How crazy is that? Totalling about 1500 pages, I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Redeeming Love & The Unnamed. The first I found disturbing, the second I found redeeming (appropriately named) and the third I found interesting/odd.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was for my Colorado Book Club. The book was interesting as you follow the mystery plot, but call me old fashioned, reading about rape, sadism and murder are just not my cup of tea. I felt that the detail given to these sections of the book were excessive and that I wanted to know more about the family mystery than the sad society that exists in Sweden. Each section began with a depressing statistic about the amount of sexual assault in Sweden (I'm not naive enough to pretend there isn't plenty of sexual assault here in the US, but it makes me sad to think about, much less read about in detail) and every person in the book has had an unfortunate history with sex and it is largely portrayed badly or without importance. People in Sweden apparently give it away like it isn't a big deal (yes I know that happens here too, doesn't make it a good thing). Maybe I'm just a big old prude.

Redeeming Love was everything a girl could hope for out of a Christian historical fiction novel depicting the story of Hosea & Gomer from the Bible. Not going to lie, I couldn't remember the story of Hosea off the top of my head (for shame!) but this book does contain elements of sadness and forced sexual relations but the story also helps the character involved to deal with it. Whereas those who suffered in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo were not given any help following their incidents (unless death counts), this story follows a "soiled dove" as she is shown God's love through a man who, knowing her past, is willing to love her no matter what. A solid depiction of a man being "Jesus with skin on" as Pastor Ben used to say.

The Unnamed was an odd book. The premise is that a man has an unnamed, undiagnosable disease that causes him to walk without stopping until he reaches the point of total exhaustion. He has no control over this and it often occurs when he would least like it to. It follows his struggle to handle the illness, his wife and daughter's struggle to help him as well as understand it themselves, and his undying love for his wife, no matter where the disease takes him. He struggles with thoughts of suicide, questioning the existence of the soul/God, how to "beat" the beast, how to keep his job as a lawyer and how to be there for his family. It sort of reminds me of The Time Traveler's Wife in his inexplicable disappearances and waking up in random places. It wasn't a bad read, though I'm not sure it lived up to the acclaim it received. Here I go being a prude again, but I'm not sure that the F-bombs dropped throughout the book or the descriptions of sex acts between him and his wife helped advance the story. It sort of reminded me of The Human Stain in that respect. Swearing for swearing's sake annoys me. It only makes you cool if you're in junior high and think you're a rebel. And even then it doesn't make you cool, it makes you an idiot.

Reflection
Stephen and I are one week away from hitting our First Wedding Anniversary. It seems crazy that it's been a year and I've spent some time thinking about the days leading up to our wedding. I laughed to myself this morning thinking about my obsessive compulsive need to check the weather forecast for our wedding weekend literally every thirty minutes leading up to the big day. Having an iPhone is a blessing and a curse sometimes :) I was thinking about how many incredible people were praying for that weekend to be great... it was amazing to have so many people speaking into our lives in such a positive way. I thought about my amazing bridesmaids who threw me an incredible bridal shower, who helped me with invitations and favors, who gave me advice and love throughout the planning process, who are the best friends a girl could ask for. Man, I miss being close to them. I was thinking about how I wasn't nervous about marrying Stephen one bit before or on our wedding day- I was nervous the day of about the ceremony and things running smoothly, but never once did I get nervous about marrying Stephen. That was the easiest and best decision of my life. I was thinking about how extremely blessed we were by the people who came from all over to be there for our wedding-- family & friends poured out their love to us in person and through cards and gifts. I was thinking about how this is the first of a lifetime of anniversaries for us and how each year we'll be more in love and have more reasons to celebrate as our little family grows.

We'll be going to my first Rockies game at Coors Field to celebrate our anniversary. There's nothing I love more than experiencing life with Stephen by my side.

Really Exciting Upcoming Events:
April 18- Our Anniversary!
April 21-25- Mom is here to visit!
May 6-9- Gram and Grandpa Tom come to visit!

Flirting with the OR/WA border...

Just a little map to show my progress in the "Run Across America" challenge. I'm not 100% sure it's the exact route used originally, but close enough? I've gone 224.6 miles and am now in/around Roosevelt, WA (which there are apparently two of, by the way, this is the one in Klickitat County). I'm just about halfway across Washington/Oregon and will cross over into Idaho next. It'll be a long way to Idaho, but it'll be really exciting to hit a new state. Less than 400 miles (finally) until I hit Nike Level Blue. Green is a huge level (I think it's like 470 miles? ) but I'm chugging right along.

Stephen and I went up to Tahoe on Saturday and booked the bakery and semi-finalized plans with the florist. She's going to send me the estimate and if needed, we can change things. But she's got the basic idea. It was really nice. There was a light snow fall and all of our vendors are super nice. And they all have deposits paid so that's a big load off our shoulders.

While we were up there, we also saw some adorable mountain houses... of death!! Check out these ridiculous icicles!!

Booyah!

Today was a big day run-wise. I was really annoyed that the rain was going to literally rain on my parade, but thankfully there was a break in the storm for Stephen and I to get a run in. We ran 4.64 miles- just over the amount needed to push me past 200 miles :) My legs hate me, but I was not going to let a week of rain keep me from my short term goal. Take that, nature. You can't stop me when I get my mind set to it. I'm so lucky to have Stephen there to celebrate with afterward and to continually keep me going. Plus he's really handsome when he runs :)

Totals:
Since 4.10.09: 200.03 miles
Since 10.20.09: 105.54 miles

We went up to Tahoe yesterday and stopped by the bakery we're planning to use and met with the DJ we're going to book. We have an appointment to meet with the baker February 6th and will hopefully meet with the florist that day as well. The DJ is awesome- very knowledgeable, honest, and British. His accent is awesome and he already knows about the Vitamin String Quartet- he has like a dozen of their songs on his computer already. Based on his Facebook pictures, it really looks like he throws a good party. Looks like we're pretty set on the big things.

We mailed out our invitations on Friday, so local people have already received them and everyone else should be getting them in the next couple days! I'm excited to start getting responses back.

Stephen and I are getting married 3 months from today :) 90 short (hopefully) days until I get to be Mrs. Rabon. I'm getting really excited about getting to see family that I haven't seen in a while and spending time with close friends. It's going to be awesome. And a week in Hawaii with Stephen... I can't wait.

Book Club went on a field trip to Borders today and picked our next book: Julie and Julia. I've already read about half of it. There are definitely some differences from the movie, but I'm enjoying it. I'm also looking forward to our next meeting- we always talk about way more than just the books and there's Del Taco involved usually. To quote Ina Garten, "How bad could that be?"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my few devoted readers :) New Year's is particularly special to me as it is the day that Stephen and I had our first kiss and started the relationship I have with my future husband. You can see in the above picture the recreations of our midnight kisses from 2007 and this year. It's interesting to see how we've changed physically (my hair was so long!) as well as to think of how much deeper our relationship has become and how much more I love him each and every day. We'll be going out to Cheesecake Factory tonight for dinner like we did last year :) I love him so much. And you know the best part?

WE GET MARRIED THIS YEAR!!!
That's pretty much my new favorite phrase now that it's 2010.

We rang in the New Year with Sandi & Chris, Nikki & Aaron, and Carmen over at the Ady/Glass Compound. We played Wii Sports Resort and Progressive Rummy, as well as enjoying some Asti and Bean Dip (The Truth- because chips just can't handle it).

Despite the fact that I have still been unable to kick this cough I've had since right before Christmas, I went for a run today. It was just one of those things where I just had to start the new year off right. So, I went and ran a couple miles around my neighborhood. It felt good. It felt right. I just had to do it. I've taken too much time off for this cold and I just can't keep being sedentary. If I do, it increases the chances that running won't stick. And it has to stick. I've quit after 3 months before and I refuse to do it again. I don't do New Year's resolutions, but if I did, this would probably be it.

So, beginning 2010, here are my totals:

Since 4.10.09: 173.23 miles
Since 10.20.09: 78.79 miles

Here's to a year full of love, laughter, running, and a new adventure for Stephen and I :)

Green at last, green at last, thank God Almighty, I am green at last :)

In case the title didn't give it away, I finally reached Nike Level Green!! The last 15 miles seemed to drag out forever (and having to take 3-day breaks because of the rain didn't help) but I have finally reached 155 miles on my NikePlus shoes/sensor. I was so excited and love the new Mini background!

Only 462 miles until I reach Nike Level Blue! Crazy to think about but I'm running so often now that I'm sure it will come sooner than I'd have thought a long time back. I'm trying to do two days on and one day off, but sometimes life gets in the way (mainly because of my work schedule and the sun going down not being compatible right now). I've run Monday-Thursday this week to make sure I got in those last few miles to green and to allow for a night off with friends tomorrow night. Stephen, Sandi, Chris and BWW? Heck yes!

Totals:
Since October 20: 64.91 miles
Since April 10: 159.32 miles (not bad for taking July 24- October 20 off...)

Christmas is a week from tomorrow, which is crazy! December has just flown by and I feel like I haven't had a moment to take it all in. My birthday (which was only a week ago as of yesterday) feels like it was a month ago. Work has been busy with the 3rd graders choosing their instruments this week and Christmas programs in Early Education. Looking forward to 3 day work weeks the next two weeks :)

I've been reading "The Year of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs. It's pretty funny. I really like the outsider looking in perspective. I really enjoyed "The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at Liberty" by Kevin Roose so I am excited to see how this one ends and how the experience and immersion in the Bible changes Mr. Jacobs.

Stephen and I will celebrate three wonderful years together two weeks from tomorrow. He's so incredible and I am so lucky to have him. He gives me more reasons every single day to love him and be thankful for him. We've been counting down the days to our wedding by reading the Psalms backwards from 150. It's so awesome having that time together as he tucks me in for the night and he reads them to me. We read those and the daily Proverb. It's so wonderful to have a man like Stephen as my future husband :)

Speaking of which, I've been trying on the new last name a bit lately. As in (to Sandi) "Is it just the Adys and Rabons going to BWW or are the Glasses coming too?" I rather like it :) Plus it's like a million times easier than "Is it just the Adys and Padilla/Rabon faction going to BWW..." I can't wait until it's official. (Then I can change my blog title to "Quote the Rabon" officially too!)

It's December already...

New totals:

Since October 20: 50.31 miles
Since April 10: 144.72

I'm currently 10 miles away from Nike Level Green, which I'm pretty excited about. Today's run was a comedy of errors. First, it's only like 40 degrees outside. It was really, really cold. Stephen loves me and bought me a beanie and mittens (not gloves so I can wear my engagement ring comfortably) so that helped out a lot! Then I'm running and my keys fall out of my pocket. Problem is that I didn't notice until a while down the trail so then I had to go back looking for it. This really slowed me down because I didn't want to run past it. So I find them and get going. It's really starting to get dark and I'm thinking that my current lap would be my last. I get to where I have about half a lap to go and the iPod dies. Just turns off. I stop, check it, and sure enough, no battery power. So I finish the run (roughly .25 miles) without music and without it being recorded. I was rather frustrated by then, mainly because I wasn't sure any of it would save since I didn't get to close out the workout. Luckily, when I got home, everything before my iPod died was stored. Funny thing is, my iPod had almost full battery when I started. Better luck tomorrow, I hope.

Yesterday we had almost the entire fantasy football league over to celebrate week 13- the end of the regular season. It was lots of fun and lots of food. Between my family birthday party on Saturday and the Fantasy Football party on Sunday, I feel like I put on like 10 pounds. But it was soooo good. I love being able to have my closest friends and family all together in one spot having fun and enjoying each other's company. It just feels right.

Stephen and I went to our first premarital counseling meeting with Pastor Ben on Wednesday. It was nice- sort of a get to know you type meeting. He was pleased with how well-read we are on marriage and relationships as well as where we are financially and future-planning wise. I look forward to meeting with him again come February.

Two days until I turn 25- crazy how different life has become in the last year- but definitely in a good way!

Exciting Stuff

Exciting things have been happening on both of the major fronts that I write about:

Wedding:

-We got our amazing engagement pictures in! Oh, they are so great and I love them so much! They can be seen here: Charlotte Geary Online Gallery
-I tried on my dress with my slip and shoes and it was great. It had been so long since I'd had it on that it was like having that "oh wow" moment all over again. Plus, I remembered the earrings that I borrowed from Gram for prom and tried them on with the dress, so assuming that I don't find anything else that I simply must have, I have earrings.
-We've picked out some Save the Dates, so once we get the high-res files from Charlotte of the two pictures to go on them, we'll be able to order them and send them out.
-We have an officiant!! Mitch Ady called last night and said that he would marry us! We're both very excited about this and now we just need to set up our premarital counseling and we'll be set to go on that front.
-Sandi and Jen Mumaw both ordered their dresses in the last week, so I'm very excited about that. I can't wait to see Jen's in person and Sandi's is awesome. We had a lot of fun in Roseville picking it out and getting Mom and I some shoes :) I'm beginning to think that the "getaway" dress will be a honeymoon dress. We're literally going to be driving down the street to our hotel, is it really worth changing for a 5 minute drive? Plus, I can always send my dress back down to Vacaville with Mom or someone the next day. No big deal.
- We booked our flights to and from Hawaii for our honeymoon! We also rented a convertible Mustang to cruise the island in! It's going to be so much fun. We'll be living large for a week and I couldn't be more excited.


Running:
Since the last update, I hit a new low for average pace: 11:38/mi. I hit it yesterday. The crazy thing was that I didn't feel like I was doing that well (I think the cold weather and wind makes me feel like I'm going slower) but when I ran up to Stephen and looked at my iPod, there it was.

-I'm about 31 miles away from reaching Nike Level Green, which means that I will soon have passed through the first two levels (yellow and orange).
- I finished my goal of 5 runs under 12:20 in a month. It only took me 11 days. I really thought that I wouldn't be able to do it, or would cut it very close, but I continue to do better than I think I can. That's refreshing.
- On the Run Across America challenge, I have just entered Mount Pleasant, Washington. :)

New Totals:
Since October 20: 29.27 miles
Since April 10: 123.62 miles

I recently finished the second novel that my friend Nikki wrote and now have in my possession her first. I'm quite excited to read it!

I'm so excited about the Holidays this year... and I think that's mainly because I know that next year will be the first set that Stephen and I are married!!

The way you walk, way you talk, way you say my name It's beautiful, wonderful, don't you ever change

After taking off Thursday-Monday from running (in part because I was in Colorado Fri-Sun), I wasn't sure how today's run was going to go. It was pretty chilly when I left work and rather overcast, so I wasn't really feeling like it was going to go that well. However, once I started going, it actually felt like it was coming naturally to me. For the first time. I had some good runs in the past, but it never felt like this before. It was really amazing to feel like I actually knew what I was doing! I'm sure that it may not always feel that way and that I'll have some runs that aren't as great, but tonight, I felt like a runner. Running for Mortals really stresses the point that no matter what your body is shaped like (thin, muscular, and sleek like the runners in the Olympics or slow with more to love like us mortals) or what your time/distance is- if you're out there doing it, you're a runner. And today I really felt like it. I felt like little old me with my love handles and all was actually an athlete. I'm telling you, that book is a great read! I've read it twice and both times I felt like I gained a lot. So, without further ado, a picture of my iPod that I took while at a stop light showing the fruit of my labor:


I finally broke the 12 minute average mile time mark!!
I'm really proud and I was so pumped afterward. :)

My new totals are:
Since Oct 20: 22.94 miles
Since April 10: 117.29 miles

Our trip to Colorado was really great. Super quick turn around so it was slightly exhausting, but Brandon was an excellent host, I got to meet some of Stephen's fantasy football friends, and, of course, we took our engagement pictures! Charlotte is just awesome. We had such a great time and minus my brief fall down the mountain (haha), everything was really fun! Plus Charlotte said that we should be able to view our portraits tomorrow, so I'm pretty much dying to see them! Having worked with Charlotte for this affirmed our decision that she is definitely the photographer for us. She's super sweet, fun, easy going, not afraid to get dirty and very very talented! I'm looking forward to having her take our wedding pictures in April even more now.

Once I get a link to our online gallery, I'll be sure to post it here and on Facebook so that all parties involved can see them!!

Quick Update

Writing this on my phone so I am going to keep it brief.

My shoes for the wedding came today and they are even better than I thought they would be. I love them so much! Pictures will be forthcoming when I have a bit more time.

New running totals:
Since Restart: 20.85 miles
Since April: 115.20 miles

Taking the next four days off for the trip to Colorado. When I return, I will probably have to join a gym so that I can continue to run over the winter months when darkness and bad weather get in the way of my plans. I'd much rather run outside than on a treadmill, but considering there is only 30 minutes on either side of work that is light out, I'll probably have to cave.

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.

The above title is a quote from John "The Penguin" Bingham. He's a columnist for Runner's World Magazine and co-authored the book I'm currently reading, "Running for Mortals." I actually read it once already the first time I was attempting the running thing, but felt that it would be just as valuable a read as before. And it has been. The book is encouraging and inspiring to a novice runner who isn't full of confidence. It's great. It's got some humor and some real down to earth writing that doesn't come from a position of expertise in a sense that he is better than you. Instead it comes from someone who has been where you are. It's a good read.

I'm taking on a new challenge- running two days on, one day off. I ran yesterday with Stephen (playing basketball) and today with Sandi. My legs are sore and I'm very much looking forward to a day off tomorrow. But both runs were decent and they both ended with a feeling of accomplishment. I had some right calf pain both days- I think I just need to stretch it out better/more and I'll be fine. Morning runs are nice (Saturday was around 11 and today at 8am) because you get to start your day off with some activity and increased energy. Evening runs are also nice because you get to work off the day and have the time to think and clear your head from the work day. Due to the daylight savings time change, I'm not sure when I'll have light to run. I'm going to have to pay close attention tomorrow as to when the sun comes up/goes down to plan my course of action.

Our trip to Colorado this weekend is also going to throw off the running schedule. I'll run Tuesday and Wednesday, with a break on Thursday. I would be running Friday and Saturday but we leave for Colorado Friday and don't return until Sunday so I'll have to adjust for the week and return to steady running next week. After this week, however, I don't have any trips planned to complicate the schedule. I'll still have put in three runs this week before we leave.

Here are the new totals:
Since Restart: 16.65 miles
Since April: 110.99 miles

According to the Across America challenge forums, today I crossed a bridge over the Columbia River. Just 11 more miles until I hit Mount Pleasant, Washington. :)

Other than that, there isn't much other news to report. My sample invitation should arrive any day now and my shoes are supposed to be in on Wednesday. Stephen and I went and visited/ made a payment on our wedding bands and I totally fell in love with mine all over again. It's SO pretty. Debating whether or not to get them soldered together. I don't want to be without my rings for any length of time... but according to online sources they can wear each other down spinning separately. Sigh. I probably will get them soldered, I just need to find out from Shane Co. how long that will take. And decide whether to do it pre-wedding or post-wedding.

Book Club meeting tomorrow night with Sandi and Nikki to discuss "Eat Pray Love." Should be a good time.

It's a love story, baby just say yes...

So I have gone out walking/running 6 of the last 10 days and am feeling really good about it. I am making some progress in being able to run more. Between Sunday's run and Tuesday's run I shaved a whole minute off my mile time by running just a little bit more on each lap. It was really amazing and uplifting. Today's run wasn't quite so good but better than Sunday's. It's the little progressions that help make this more fun to do. Tuesday was also the first time that I let Stephen come with me. He didn't run with me, but he was there. I had been too embarrassed and self-concious to let him see me out there doing something that I'm not particularly good at. Plus, considering he has run competitively in the past, trying to run in front of or with him was daunting for me. But, it's a start, right? It meant a lot to have him there and to work on getting over some of my insecurities. He's been supportive the entire time and I am so lucky to have a fiance who cares so much. He's awesome. And it was so nice to run up to him on the basketball court and have that warm hug to collapse into.

So, my new totals are:
Since Restart: 12.48 miles
Since April: 106.80


Wedding Notes:

-Engagement pictures are a week from Saturday. I'm praying that global warming will hit Colorado so I don't die of hypothermia.
-I neglected to mention in my last wedding post that I have made an alterations appointment for January 9th. Yay more progress.
- My shoes are scheduled to arrive next week!!

I purchased an iPhone on Tuesday night with the help of Stephen and Mike. It's pretty much the coolest toy ever!! It also gives me the ability to track my fantasy football team on the go (like I need that...) and I love that. Sundays are saved!! I can do other things and still obsess about my team!!

On Running...

Nike was nice enough to give me the above certificate for (finally) going over 100 miles since I started using my Nike+ Sensor. It took 43 runs to get there, but I made it. Today was a 2.03 mile run (my 44th total). The park I run at is just beautiful right now. The trees (and there are many of them) are starting to change colors so it's this beautiful symphony of green, red, orange, and yellow. Plus, running there around 5pm means the light comes beautifully through the trees when I run the back stretch and I wish I had my camera at the ready. Running and taking pictures at the same time could prove to be impossible. I really enjoy running there more than anywhere else.

I realized that I didn't really set my running parameters at the start of this blog. I do not intend to run every day (at least not yet, maybe one day!). I plan to go every other day, if possible. My poor legs need that day of rest. I am still alternating walking and running, though I hope that as my endurance increases, I can run the whole time.

The most important thing though, is that I am not running for the purpose of losing weight. If I do, that's a great side effect, but obsessively tracking minor weight fluctuations has been part of the reason this didn't work before. The last time that I did this, I was also counting calories ( eating 1300 or less each day, per the recommendation of Livestrong.com for losing 1.5 lbs. a week) every day. When you are tracking your eating and exercising and not losing ANYTHING, it is very discouraging. Stephen told me that I needed to give it more time, but those who know me know I'm not a patient person at times. So, despite the fact that my Wii Fit so lovingly tells me that I'm overweight (Stephen and I did Wii Fit yesterday and my abs hate me today...jackknives are my friend and enemy in one), I'm going to do this to feel better. To feel healthier. To look healthier maybe, but not to get to a goal weight. Or a goal pant size. I think this is a much better way for me to do this.

Nike Running has challenges that you can take part in to make the process more fun and have some friendly competition. I'm not too competitive, so I joined one today called Across America. It tracks your total distance and plots where you are based on the cross country run done by Paul Staso in 2006. It goes from Oregon to Delaware. 3,260 miles in all. So, at my point I have just crossed over from Oregon to Washington. It started at Elsie, Oregon and I crossed over just past Portland. Here's the route: Run Across America. It took him only 18 weeks. It will most likely take me a few years, but it would be amazing to finish!

If anyone has song suggestions for running, let me know!

New Totals:
Since Restart: 8.32 miles
Since April: 102.63 miles

First Post

So I decided yesterday to create a blog to track a few things in my life:

the wedding planning process and my attempt to be in shape.

I suspect it will slowly become more than that as I have a tendency toward endless rambling, but it's a starting point.

I feel that we've made great strides in wedding planning in the two months (as of today) that we've been engaged. The next post will be a timeline and picture post of what we have accomplished/decided/received. I hope that by blogging I will be able to keep all of our loved ones in the know as well as get some ideas or input from people. Plus it will be fun to look back on later :)

The getting in shape thing... well that's a little trickier. I'm lazy by nature. I'm not one of those people who just loves to work out and has no motivation problems. I have LOTS of motivation problems. I get easily distracted and easily discouraged. If I have a better offer (such as spending time with Stephen or my family or friends), the work out is cancelled. I started running earlier this year. It was the end of March and then on April 10 (I believe, it was Good Friday) I tried out my cool Nike+ Ipod sensor. It was love... well puppy love. The fleeting kind. I like a good toy. I ran fairly diligently through July 24. And then I stopped. I can't recall why exactly (I took a week off once because my knees hurt, but that was earlier) but it just ended. The first week I no doubt made excuses (my knees hurt, I'm tired, allergies, it's too hot, etc.), but it quickly turned into quitting. And it was easy for me to do. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit (or something like that) but that sure didn't work for me.

I'm disappointed in myself to know how I might have actually been somewhat good at this thing if I hadn't taken a 3 month hiatus. I might actually be able to run the whole distance (I trade off walking and running). I might have been ready for a 5k. But alas, I did take the hiatus and now, I'm trying to bring running back into my life.

I ran for the first time since July 24 yesterday. I tried to the day before but was having a wardrobe malfunction so I walked instead. Note to self: make sure pants have a drawstring before purchasing. It wasn't my best time and I certainly couldn't go as far as I once could, but it's a start...right? Stephen is amazing and encourages me so much- he even puts stars on my calendar the days that I run. I'm so lucky to have him. And lucky he loves me even though I'm lazy and whine about my sore legs the next day.

Here's to a new start!

This will appear on the bottom of most posts...or at least the running ones- I have yet to decide.

Total distance run/walked since I restarted: 4.25 miles

Total since April 10: 98.54 miles