Hello Fresh, Milestone, and a quick glance at 12 months ago

For the price, Hello Fresh does provide an interesting assortment of ingredients and it is convenient. When I was thinking of doing it, though, I had not expected the amount of work to be equal or more than to making my own recipe after grocery shopping.  Also - Some of the ingredients were not in the best of shape.  Was this due to a delivery mishap?  Or are they like this?  Again - I am not sure, but I decided it was not for me, especially since I can get the recipes for free - how fun!

Twelve months ago - about - I started this blog, having learned that I have severe allergies.  Nope - 2015-2016 has not been the best year, but I am thankful to be feeling better than I was a year ago.  Saturday - I will do my first "race" in over a year.  I am just planning to cross the finish line and be pleased with having run the whole thing.  Walking might be faster, but this is one step closer to making my goal of returning to being healthy and living an active lifestyle.

300 miles - yay - yes, a lot of those were walking with some elliptical and running.  I am happy to have come this far and I will keep enjoying the process.

Happy Monday!

Perspective - Courtesy of Two Tornado Funnels and Heavy Rain and Thankful Thursday

The thing about relocating, starting something new, tying up lose ends, and getting familiar with a new place is insecurity reigns.  If you let it along with a not perfect experience, it can rule your life.  Sadly, I could not shake off a tough week and until last night, that insecurity and feeling of lost and not being good was prevalent.

So what did it take to finally shake it?  The key, so to speak, for me were tornado warnings and being in a building knowing no one and hoping to be alive.  It is the most frightening thing that has happened to me in years and I hope not to repeat it.

As I drove back to my place, a feeling of calm and cool headed thought appeared.  Suddenly, earlier news combined with this shocking event helped me prioritize what I could not previously.  It also made me so thankful to have the chance to regain this perspective.

While this might not last forever, it shook me and I am hoping to prevent the introspection - always an issue with me that is sometimes good - from lasting longer than it should.  Bad days, experience, meetings, happen.  Learn from it and prepare, if it is likely to happen frequently, as best you can, but once it is done.  Move forward and reward yourself for getting through it!

Happy Thankful Thursday, All!

Soon...feeling like myself will happen..right?

Hi All,

Yep, if this is what is appearing on your face, I believe it.  This is Monday, but you can all applaud that for the first time in months I am blogging.  Later this week - I will write about my experiences with, "Hello Fresh," but back to the agneda for today.

Exhaustion is still the word to describe me and the following is oh so tempting on the benches near my office:

I will have company this weekend and perhaps my energy will make an appearance?  I am still doing more walking than running, but my goal is to run one day this week.  I think that I can make it?  The 5k on September 3rd will definitely be a slow jog and walking might happen, but I hope to prevail with the slow jog.

Tying up lose ends is taking far longer than I ever anticipated or imagined.  In face, it might be time to do a car check-up before I get the official plates.  I remind myself daily that getting a new, energy efficient, quiet car is worth it.  Right?  It took me a good three weeks to find way so that I could drive in and out of my reserved space without panicking.  I almost have it down perfectly, now!

Beyond the normal adjustments, life continues.  I will be thrilled when the need to nap during the work day disappears.

Happy Monday, All!

And...I am back!

My goal for the past five days was to survive, but little did I anticipate the challenges of the week, when I naively set that goal.  Survive it I did and today I did a short run.

Yes, I dreamed of the following - particularly during the last 0.24 miles:

Two weeks from today I am supposed to run a 5k.  Note - I am running not racing it, but I will still happily wear my Oiselle gear.  After all, one of the folks (Dr. Lesko to the rescuse!) noted, "Getting to the starting line is a huge accomplishment."

I may not be where I want fitness wise, but I am back on track to reaching that point.  Don't forget to watch the 800 meter final tonight at 8 pmish Eastern (7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 5 pm Pacific) as Kate Grace seeks to medal.  Regardless of the outcome, her journey has been inspirational and knowing my participation in the Oiselle Volee supports her and other up-and-coming-athletes brings a smile to my face!

Until Monday - then - have a happy Weekend!

Training: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Not all training is fun and sometimes it is downright ugly.  Or the humorous aspects will keep your mind engaged, but the overall content lacks applicability.  After attending training for the past 1.5 days, I would not say ugly describes it, but dull and uninteresting for 95% of the time definitely do.

Similarly so, committees and rules can fall into this category.  Why then do many businesses, athletes, and people thrive on the training and committee routine?  It works.

To increase flexibility, many people stretch.  Some find stretching not to be useful, but the following - when I take time to do it - always helps me feel better.

This image is of a professional and I am not in that league, of course, but we each have ways of coping in not fun situations (ugly training sessions, seemingly pointless meetings) and, if we strive to make the most of it, we end up building strength and character not unlike the figure below.

Find your strength and focus on ways to improve your weak areas.  It never hurts to explore!

Happy Wednesday.

Dreams become real.

Four years ago, I learned of a career change my sibling decided to make.  At the time, I considered the course of action and had reservations.  On Sunday, this my sibling's dream - after four years of frustration, hard work, and my reservations coming true - became real and I could not be prouder.

In some ways, participating in the Olympics are the realization of a career or lifetime of dreams.  With the current scandals, name calling, unsportsmanlike conduct, and robbery; my enthusiasm for following it beyond You Tube clips and Twitter feeds is not high.  I am thrilled that 3 US women marathoners finished in the top 10!  A new US record was set in the 10,000 meter (10k), and today a US woman won a bronze medal in the Steeplechase.

What do these have in common you might ask?  Dreams - dreams becoming reality are the connecting point.  Not all of us can make the Olympics or have a dream job or career.  What we can do, however, is to always dream and use it as motivation to accomplish things we might not otherwise pursue.

Think about the dream trip, career, goal, or something unreachable and try taking a step to make it reality.  Yes, I am a dreamer, but it's that motivating factor, which keeps me going in times that are tough or not as I expected.

Happy Dreaming!

Getting back to it - slowly but surely!

Yesterday evening, I did a bit of a run to catch up with some people and then I walked for a total of 5 miles.  Today, my feet are not happy, since I did not wear running shoes nor did I stretch.  Eek - it was fun and getting back into it is always worth it.  Even if you look like this after the exercise is done.

Now I know of new place to exercise, which is close by, and they have places to change.  Is that a win-win or what?  Meanwhile, Saturday I am jetting off for some time with family.  My routine of daily exercise includes getting the mail and frequent trips to the library.  I would love to say that running will get added next week, but it might not happen until the following week.

The temperatures are hot.  Eventually, it will return to what I think of as normal temperatures.  On the 3rd of September, I will end up doing the 5k just due to lack of training and I am not deferring Richmond.  I would love to say I can do it, but it would not be smart to even commit for a half marathon at this stage.

Happy Wednesday!

Margaret

A Week Away, Instagram, New Phone, and New Car

This is quite possibly the summer of "new" for me.  I am all for it, but spreading out the "new" is more my style.  Last weekend, I drove about 20-23 hours total and 8 of those hours were in a new-to-me car.  Introducing - the Pearl 2014 Toyota Prius - although the monthly payment was not my idea of a fun time, getting a reliable and eco friendly car was.  So - I am trying out things and for the most part, I am adjusting well.  Note - Do not trust empty carts, because they will bump against your car.  Sigh - the car is ok and I was mortified.  Such is life with me, but I am reminding myself it was bound to happen.

Running news - well - I do not have any, since I did not do any.  That's what happens when you are worn out all week and spend the weekend playing catch-up, adjust, and make the most of what you can.  This would have been me, if the temperatures had not been in the 90s:

Or, if folks at work knew me a bit better and I could be trusted to take short power naps, this would have happened:

Exercise resumes this week and I am excited.  My planning for lunches/dinners still could be better, but I am improving.  Now off to read some more go I!

Along with new, my phone (6SE) is working and I can resume Instagram posting.  Instagram is so much fun.  It makes me smile and get excited in a way that most social media does not.

Happy Sunday & good luck with the challenges each new day brings!

All I thought of was Ice, Cold Water!

This morning, after 4 rough nights of sleep, I could not get myself out of bed in time to run before work.  I barely did so yesterday, but technology conspired against me.  So, I got home, did some stuff, and head out for a run around 7 pm.  Within minutes of heading into the 88-90 degree weather all I thought of was this:

Even the nearby pools at about 1.5 miles were sounding great!  I finished up my run, which at this stage is only 3 miles, and patted myself on the back.   I am covered in sweat and, if I jump in a pool, the temperature would be such a shock that I might get a cold.  This is not a joking matter.  I have Reynaud's, which means I change temperatures really quickly, but thankfully it is the minor version.

I am going to attempt 3 posts this week.  It might not happen, but we shall see.

Happy Exercising!

"Keep Moving" and Serious Training Starts

Yesterday morning, I checked out more books than I planned from the local public library.  Should this come as a surprise?  No - I might not get through all of them, but so far they are fun.  We need more fun.

At any rate, "Keep Moving" by Dick Van Dyke helped me gain some perspective about my current running progress.  Am I moving?  Yep - do I get a little better each time?  Yep - do I ever expect compete professionally?  No - I am running for me.  After chatting with a person at a running store, I nearly deferred or switched races for November 12th.  The computer malfunctioned, which gives me some additional time to consider if I can do it or not.

It also helped me realize that getting older is inevitable, which I knew, but that it does not mean the joys of every day life disappear.  My focus tends to be on advancing in my career and that's it.  This book is another reminder that it is possible to have a life outside of work and I can do this.  At one point in my life, it was not such a "big deal."

After completing 15 miles of running and cross-training, I am tired but overall I feel ok.  Given that I had not run much at all a week ago, this gives me hope.  So - the semi-serious training starts tomorrow with a goal of completing the September 2nd half marathon and not getting injured or losing the love of it in the process.

Let's give a big congrats to Tina Muir for doing so well in the European Championships today!  To those running for the Olympic Trials spots today, good luck!  I will be happily cheering for all of you from afar.

Happy 4th of July and 2 Running Recaps

It is hard to believe that today is the 4th of July.  A month ago, for instance, I was painting, selling things, and preparing myself for the last days of my previous job.  Today, I am settling in and preparing for my first day of work.  I have been in my new location one week as of this afternoon and that is frightening but good.

So far, I have gotten in two different runs.  The first one was in the neighborhood and the second was at a metro park.  I am still adjusting to when and to where I will be able to comfortably and safely run in the mornings and evenings.  My body is readjusting to life with running as a consistent part of it.  It got lazy and now it is remembering what it means.

Before moving in 2012, the fireworks at 4th of July were among my favorite parts of the holiday.  Now - though - I am done with it.  So - enjoy your fireworks and please cease setting them off starting tonight!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Running.

I'm Back!

Hi All!

The past few weeks (month really) have been insane.  Switching areas and jobs will do that, but I have to say overall the process has been smooth.  Big kudos to my brother and my family for helping me through this!

Before leaving, I managed to do the following updates in my house.  Now - let's hope it sells quickly!  Good selling times are July - October.

Before the update, the colors were really dark brown cabinets and a dark tan shade.  If you have not guessed already, light colors are my preference!

My new abode will work for a year and definitely until the house sells.  After that, I will begin looking for new places.

Running commences on Friday or Saturday at the latest.  I can tell my muscles have been getting non-running toning, which makes me hope the transition back into running will not be so hard.

Oiselle products continue to make moving, settling, and running better.  I am so excited to wear my singlet in my half marathon on September 3rd.  This half marathon might not be my fastest, but it will give me an idea of where I am fitness wise.

Also - at some point I hit 200 Miles, yay!  I am not recording that, since it was in the midst of the move.

Happy Running!

You know something's right, when....

Greetings!!

This post will not be lengthy and it will not have pictures, sorry!  I am taking a break and recuperating from two 12 hour driving trips (Thursday, Today), before tackling somethings on my todo list that do not require lots of energy.

Thanks to my lovely extended family, I had a place to sleep and a great side kick for scouting a new place to live.  After day one lead to multiple duds and then something closer, we decided I am a Luxury Apartment fan.  It makes me feel snobbish, but having quick access to a fitness center at all hours, two pools, sauna, sand volleyball court, and tennis courts are nothing about which to complain.  Plus - unless something falls through, the new place will fit my budget, even until and after my current house sells, and it is close to work, which is essential.

My schedule will vary as the weekly hours, depending on meetings and so forth, are also undetermined.  This could mean 60 hour weeks and 45-50 hours a week being normal.  A perk of the new job is that the group I will be serving is different from those I have been working with during the past 4 years.  I am going to miss some aspects of my current position, but it was time to move on and seek out those challenges.

Running wise, well, I have not done anything since returning from a professional conference.  Except, well, painting ceilings and packing.  I did sign up for a half marathon in my new abode for September 3rd.  Depending on how it goes, I will decide on what else to run this fall.

Question - for any runners and readers - how do you train for hills in flat areas?  This is a new problem I will be facing.  Most likely, I will travel to run in areas where I can access hills and visit people, but those trips can only happen so frequently.

This move is coming together well, which to me is another indicator that it is right.  It took 18 months of heartache and hard work to find it, but I am beyond excited about it all.

Happy Running!