10K??

Well I ran 25 minutes this morning and 3 days total last week. Not the 4 I'm aiming for, but still not bad. I'm just shocked that I got up early and went to the gym 2 Mondays in a row! It's a great way to start the week and get in that first workout. I ran a 10K 2 years ago (my one and only) and that same one is coming up at the end of April. I'm contemplating signing up for it. It would definitely motivate me to keep running regularly, I just don't know if 12 weeks is enough time to prepare for it. I think I have more experience this time around and know how to train more efficiently. Plus it's a really fun race with lots of great food afterwards! Well I've talked myself into it- guess I better go sign up before all the spots are gone! I'll keep you posted on how the training goes.

Back on the treadmill

Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm definitely not a morning person. I usually hit the snooze for about a half hour each morning and get up at the latest I possibly can to still make it to work in time. So the fact that I got up today an hour earlier than usual to go to the gym should be shocking! I work 2 jobs so 3 nights a week I'm busy with my second job and on the other nights I just want to relax. I've tried starting a morning workout routine in the past and it's lasted maybe a week. My goal is to workout 4 days a week, maybe a couple mornings and a couple evenings. I think this is a good start! Today I worked out on the treadmill for 35 minutes total and ran for 15. I'm happy with that considering I really haven't been in the gym since the fall. I'm looking forward to running some Spring and Summer 5k's. That should keep me motivated!!

Happy 2008!

I guess I'm a little late with the New Years wishes! I've been so tired lately and don't feel like doing anything. I'm starting to get back into a regular workout program and I think that will really help. I'm sick of feeling like crap!! Plus, I'm 26 and starting to think about having a baby (don't worry dad, it won't be anytime soon!!) and I want to get healthy now so that I'll be able to have a healthy pregnancy and be an energetic mom when the time comes. I have to start thinking about the future- very scary! I guess you could call that being responsible. :) This is going to be the year I jump over the hurdles and change my life. I'm getting back on track and I'm on my way to getting healthy. I also plan on cutting my debt in half this year. It won't be easy, but like I said I have to start thinking about the future. Wish me luck and please don't ask me to go shopping with you!! :)

Dear Santa

I found this somewhere and think it's great.

The No Impact Dear Santa letter

Dear Santa,
I was thinking about how much I love playing with my little girl Isabella and talking to my wife Michelle and joking around with my best friend Tanner. You know what I realized? There is nothing more fun than just laughing with the people I love. There isn't a gadget or a game or a toy or any sort of thing you and the reindeer could possibly bring me that I would rather have than a couple of hours of laughter.

I was thinking how when I talked to a bunch of third graders a while back and I said to them, "How many of you know the feeling of really wanting something and then when your parents finally get it for you, instead of feeling excited, you feel kind of disappointed and sad?" Three-quarters of the kids raised their hands. By age eight, these kids already knew that more stuff doesn't really make you feel better.

I was thinking, too, how that wanting feeling I get in the pit of my stomach is never cured by getting the object of my desire. Once I get what I want, instead of feeling satisfied, my want just moves on to the next thing. And I was also thinking how most of my stuff has the effect of pulling me away from my friends and family--because I use it alone--when joking around and having fun with them actually is really effective at making that wanting feeling go away.

Finally, I was thinking how all this stuff that doesn't really make me happy also has the effect of hurting the planet as clouds of carbon are produced as the stuff is manufactured, delivered, used and finally disposed of. I was thinking, on top of that, how so many people get stressed out by the debt and high costs of a Christmas full of presents. In other words, all the Christmas junk not only harms the planet but it kind of harms the people too.

So anyway, Santa, I was thinking how, since joking around with my friends and family gives me a lot more pleasure than more stuff, maybe you and the reindeer could just drop a few envelopes down our chimney. Like maybe I could have a couple of comedy tickets so I could take my friend Tanner out. Maybe we could have some symphony tickets, so Michelle and I could hold hands and listen to great music. You get the drift.

What I'm asking for is gifts that, instead of causing me and mine to separate from each other, instead cause us to bond together and enjoy each other. Experiences we can share that have the effect not only of giving us a good time but, say, supporting the arts and helping to build and strengthen community. They have the benefit, too, of not consuming a lot the planet's resources.
Thanks so much Santa. Sorry if I won't be coming to the mall this year to sit on your lap. I'll leave the cookies in the kitchen as usual.

All the best,
No Impact Man

End of Summer

I definitely thought I would be better at writing more regularly. The summer came and went so fast, I can hardly believe it! I ran my 3rd 5K of the year this past Saturday and finished in 31:30- my best time this year! I'm in a 10K training program right now and we run twice a week together. I really think that has helped a lot. The 10K is November 3 and we've been training since July. I really like the structure of the workouts. Between working 2 jobs and running 3-4 times a week, I'm keeping myself very busy. There isn't much time for anything else so there really isn't much else to talk about. I plan on running about 5 more races this year and I'll keep you all updated on how they go! My next big goal: a 10 Miler next April.
Oh, and here's a picture I took of my dad on his new Harley!