5k+ training - Week 3

It's -30 with wind chill and blowing snow right now and all I can think about is:
a) wanting to stay home from work on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, tea/Baileys and dogs asleep on my feet;
b) if the pipes in my house will freeze again; and
c) Running outside. Spring - come onnnnn!

Trying to train inside on a treadmill while watching reruns of Dawson's Creek (don't hate - it's my highschool obsession) at 6am just isn't the same as crisp morning air and pavement. I'd rather be laying on the couch watching TV - not running in front of it!

That being said, so far I'm slowly on my way to getting back into form. I'm hoping to be running a 5k by my birthday in April (or sooner) and a 10k by June. AND - if I'm seriously feeling it, maybe even a half-marathon in August.

Quite honestly though, if I can make it to the 10k mark without wrecking my knees/back again I will be beyond happy!

Vacation in a cup! (Mango & coconut smoothie recipe)

Mango and coconut. Something about that combination just screams tropical vacation.

After my run this morning (a short one, because it's -10 out there and I'm a little crazy!) I was really feeling the need for a vacation somewhere HOT! But, since it's not in my budget I opted to create something that would at least allow me to pretend I was sitting on a beach in Cancun for a few minutes. And it's super good and super healthy!

I don't have a fancy name for it (I'm open to suggestions) but for now I give you my Coconut/Mango/Avacado smoothie! Aka. - vacation in a cup!

(and for the record, the avacado makes it smooth and yummy - you don't really taste it)

- 1 1/2 - 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp protein powder (omit if desired)
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1/2 an avocado, peeled and chunked
- 1 tbsp agave (or vanilla would work too)
- 1/2 cup of ice as needed

(and now that I think about it - adding pineapple would also be amazing!)


Add a little umbrella, forget about the freezing temps and enjoy!
Aloha! :)

You've got skills! And I have no flexibility.

After work today I'm heading to my first yoga class in over a year. My
hamstrings are already crying out for mercy before I've even started.

I'll be that girl in class: the one cringing through a basic forward bend while the superstar in the front row is Namaste-ing her way through the poses like it's a leisurely Sunday stroll. Hey superstar? Namaste this!

I have a tendancy to compare my skills to others; to want what they have and not be content in the time, work and practice it takes to acheive that goal, skill, etc etc. The more I think about what I CAN'T do the less confidence and drive I have. Instead of focusing on the skills and gifts I have - I focus one the ones I don't. And then the jealousy creeps in.

Life circumstances aside (that's a whole other post), your skills and gifts are ones you've worked hard for and been given because they are uniquely yours! God doesn't give or do just anything without purpose.

And that my friends, is where I'm choosing to put my focus and trust.

Make a list of things you do well; your gifts and skills. You may be surprised at how talented you actually are! Now make another list of things you want to try for the first time or give another shot. Which ones stick out? If it's something you once gave up, consider the reasons why you quit and your incentive to start again. That little encouraging voice is most likely God whispering away. Lean into that - He's smart. :)

And the greatest thing about learning new skills and gaining confidence in them? The JOY you find in it! The sense of accomplishment and renewed faith!

So while you're finding every reason in the book to NOT take that surfing class for fear of falling every 2 seconds and looking like a fool....think of me in the back of my yoga class attempting to touch my toes. If it doesn't give you inspiration - at least it will make you laugh.

It's that time again...

...the obligatory New Years Resolution post.
And this time I'm making it public instead of hiding it away in my journal - because quite honestly it's way too easy to stuff that list away and pretend it never existed. This way it's up on my fridge AND the bloggity-blog. Internet - I'm putting it out there for you to see!

I've never been a huge fan of resolutions, because to me it seems like an excuse to make up some kind of obligation just because everyone else is, and then 2 months later you fall back into old habits. It's that time of year when goals are set because the New Year is a "do-over" and a chance to forget what was done or not done in the past year. Personally, I believe goals (or resolutions) can and should be set at any point during the year. Why do we wait until December 31 to come up with something? It seems like it's a form of procrastination. "I'll do this until December 31 and then January 1 it's allll over".

Do it now.

I'm guilty of being a horrible procrastinator. A couple months ago something happened that made me re-think my priorities and my path. My behavior is so often influenced by a desire to conform to the expectations of others rather than inner conviction. I was seeking attention and I had partially slipped back into my old habits of doing (almost) anything to get it. In one moment I realized what I was doing. God called me out on it and that part of my life I had refused to give up.

It's been an interesting journey since then. One that's forced me to really change certain aspects of my life. And now is the time to continue in that. It just so happens that the new year has come in the middle of it :)

So for 2012 - I'm continuing towards these goals and am excited to see where this time next year will have me:

- Focus more on my own path and not the paths of those around me;
- I'm often 5-10 minutes late for everything (except work). Punctuality will be a big focus this year;
- Commit to spending more time in the relationships that matter most (family and friends(who are like family), my students/leaders in youth ministry) and less time in those that are destructive and inhibiting. And of course forming new valuable relationships;
- Daily devotions. I really find every excuse not to spend time doing this in the morning, even when I recognize the great mindset it gives me each day;
- Run a 10k by the summer. Knees refuse to let me do more than a few km at this point, but I am determined to condition and train my body properly to reach this goal if I'm physically able to;
- Get the tattoo I've been contemplating for the past 4 years. Small, simple and extremely meaningful;
- Be happy in my work. I've recently reached a point where I can feel changes coming - this year will be huge for me in terms of my employment....;
- Start swimming and doing yoga more often again;
- Be thankful much more often and take more risks. I focus too much on things I consider to be hinderances (my allergies, certain personality traits and my past) and allow those to dictate my decisions.
- Trust in the gifts God has given me, and actively listen to Him more. My goal is to live out Psalm 119:33-40.

Fear has been a strong component in my life for too long. It's slowly becoming a less noticeable factor and I'm determined to work on it even more.

Happy 2012!