NovemberTraining Log

I am going to attempt to put up some training updates each month rather than a week by week update - mostly because I find training updates boring to write about (and I don't have fun pictures to go with it) - however, I do need to be accountable for what I am doing.

I am a bit nervous about the upcoming triathlon, mostly because it is a bit out of my realm of reality at this point. I have been massively focusing on the biking aspect. If I am truly honest I am a bit nervous about the entire next season, I feel sooooo out of shape at this point. Uggggg.

• Running
• I am averaging about 3 runs a week
• I am no where near the distance that I would like to be at, but slowly but surely I am building my mileage back up - while I have been able to log lots of miles outside - I am fearing these days are numbered and the treadmill and I are about to become bffs
• I REFUSE to run on ice. I hate running on ice, I hate the fear of slipping and getting hurt, I hate how nervous I am when running on ice and don't enjoy my runs when on ice - so I just don't do it
• I currently go the the local YMCA to run on the treadmill - Marc and I have discussed using some money we have been saving up to buy a treadmill and think we will probably bite the bullet and get one so that we can have one in our basement.
• The YMCA isn't bad currently, however, at some point they start to become strict about the half hour per machine rule and that drives me nuts
• Biking
• I have been putting in a TON of time on the bike
• my legs are feeling it too
• I have been attending one or two cycling classes a week
• my first few classes I am fairly certain I was about to die several times throughout class - that is a ridiculously good workout
• We also have a bike trainer in our basement
• we are able to hook our road bikes up to here and bike in the basement - it has been fun to be able to go downstairs while Lucy is napping and ride for an hour or so and get a good sweat happening
• I think this will be super handy in the winter months
• Swimming
• Honestly, I haven't been focusing much on swimming - why, because it probably is the one aspect that comes most naturally to me, thanks mom and dad for putting me in swimming lessons before I could even walk, and the distance required is not that far for this triathlon - 600 meters
• I also feel like this is not where I will gain that much time, yes, I have ways in which I can improve upon my swimming (I am no Michael Phelps), however, in terms of gaining time my best option for cutting time on race day really is on the bike. Yes, I can swim faster and run faster but due to their short natures, the amount of time I will cut is not at the same level as in the biking
• Not to forget I am now back to teaching swimming lessons (this is bitter sweet and I have a love hate relationship with it) - which means that I am hauling around the pool 30 to 70 pound children for an hour and a half every Tuesday night and this is a RIDICULOUSLY good workout - if you doubt it you go tread water and semi swim while lugging around a child, particularly one who is afraid of the water.
• Nutrition
• I have been logging what I eat in the myfitnesspal app in hopes of getting a better look at what I am eating and where my calories are coming and that has been helpful to point to where my needs are
• In the app I also have been able to log my water intake (which had been severely lacking) and I am finally coming back around to decent water intake (at least 100 ounces a day)

Getting back in shape is hard work, and results always seem so slow when at this point, however, I know the perseverance will pay off. I find myself jealous of my husband at times, he trains for a couple days and starts to see results and loses weight and what not. Ugggg boys. But slowly but surely I will get back at it.

This Weekend

I just realized that this weekend is my introverted heaven.

Marc and I have had a couple of house guests living with us for the past three weeks, which has been marvelous for sure and without a doubt, however it does take some getting used to having two more adults living in our house. This weekend they are out of town for one reason or another and Marc is off to Madison, Wisconsin to volunteer and watch the IronMan race (which I am semi jealous that I don't get to go watch) - which leaves me home alone from Friday around noon till late Sunday night!!!! INTROVERTED HEAVEN.

Now, don't hear me wrong I don't totally have a free weekend, Friday night I do have a camp out with a bunch of church families and Sunday morning is booked full with church stuff, but Saturday from when I leave the camp out until Sunday when I show up to work - unless there is some type of an emergency - I wouldn't have to see another human being unless I wanted to.

I have begun a list of the things I hope to do:

• Laundry
• lights
• darks
• sheets
• towels
• rugs
• deep clean the bathroom
• bleach everything down
• vinegar the tub (we have a jetted tub which we rarely actually take advantage of but they said to run a vinegar solution through the tub every so often to clean it out)
• deep clean the living room
• can you say doggy hair palooza
• write some snail mail
• I have four snail mail letters I am hoping to write
• I LOVE sending snail mail
• Baby Gifts
• Apparently after the countless weddings I have attending in the past several years my friends are now moving onto babies rather than weddings
• and I like to make baby gifts
• I am hoping to make some:
• pacifier clips
• headbands
• hats
• fabric alphabet
• appliqued onesies
• Make freezer food
• I want to freeze a couple batches of cookies just to have on hand for potlucks and other such things or when guests show up unexpectedly
• I want to make some freezer burritos for quick meal options
• I want to freeze up a couple of loaves of bread as well
• banana, pumpkin, and who knows what else
• shutterfly
• finish Summer Ministries
• catch up on 2013
• start my wedding album
• Run errands around town
• deposit my paycheck
• pay bills
• pick up my wedding dress from the cleaners (which has been done for a couple weeks but I keep forgetting)
• return some random things to Menards
• parts of projects we bought too much of or didn't need
• Watch movies while cleaning and doing projects
• I have Anna Karenina coming on netflix
• I am borrowing Les Mes from a friend
• and I plan on going to the library Friday while I am out and about just to make sure I don't want something else too
• I also have netflix live streaming (I love this feature)
• I also am planning on going on a couple of good runs and getting a swim in

I realize this is a long list and some of it won't get accomplished, however it is my goal to see how much I can get done.

IT WILL BE AN AMAZING INTROVERTED WEEKEND!

What are you up to this weekend?

What are in your plans?

Do you like weekends to yourself or dread them?

That Moment When......

Today, was full of things that I am going to label "That Moment When...." - while nothing horrible or even major happened it was full of "that moment when" type moments.


That Moment When:

• I wanted to be able to call up my WTS classmates and say "Let's meet at Los Aztecas for lunch and a margarita. It has been a long morning already and I need time with you all."
• I wanted to throw my computer out my office window after I restarted it for the 18th (literally) time today because it wasn't doing what it was suppose to be doing
• I wish and longed for an easier way to pay off debt rather than slowly but surely (it student loan debt and we just want it gone)
• I wanted to be able to call a friend who has been distant as of lately - and it is hard when I have sent countless facebook messages, made many a calls and left messages, and have text frequently - with no response
• I wanted to meet up with friends for dinner or drinks afterwards - just to shoot the breeze and catch up on life 
• distance sucks
• I wanted to go back to summer 2005 and spend time with that group of people
• I wanted to know if/when (it is beginning to feel more like an if at this point) our house will ever sell so that I can try to plan some time to move and I knew if I could dream about other houses or other places to live or if I shouldn't even be looking (I look at houses online about once a week in the pipe dream hope that our house sells)
• I daydream about having a "traditional" job with 8:00am - 5:00pm hours with weekends and major holidays off
• I wished my to-do list was finished
• I wanted the camp I am co-directing to run itself

I did also have several great moments:

• I crossed many a thing off my to-do list
• I booked a flight for my favorite continuing education event and it was only $208 and it is a direct flight and the time of the flights are awesome (I didn't even know amazing flights at a decent price existed anymore)
• I thought I had to write a sermon for this weekend and my colleague is actually doing it (this saves some serious time - I do enjoy preaching it is just a matter of budgeting my time to give it what it deserves)
• I went on a fabulous run tonight with my favorite golden retriever
• I books a group campsite for a group from our church to go camping the first weekend in September
• and I have people who are interested in going 
• this is a first of this type of event for our church
• I got into the mission trip site & the week I was hoping for for next summer 
• it is crazy how early you have to book this crap
• We served our 1,000 pb&j sandwich (sack lunch w/ veggies, sandwich, fruit, and whatever else we put in them) during operation sandwich with the aid of over 450 volunteers
• take that hunger - take that people who said there wasn't a need - take that people who repeatedly told us we will fail - eat up kids!

How is your day going?

Do you ever have "that moment when"?

What was the best thing that happened today?

Wine and Dine Training

We are now under the 100 day mark for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon and I suppose it is time that I get serious about training (I was serious before, semi-serious). I have one trip left at the end of August to throw a wrench into my plans, but I think I can still make it work. Anyways...my training update

August 2: Hauled a lot of gear into our backpacking camping site (we were about 2 miles in) - I had a pack fully loaded with a lot of gear - I should have weighed my pack before we went
August 3: Hike, Hike, Hike, and Hike some more
August 4: Hike the morning away & then haul above noted backpack back out 2 miles or so
August 5: REST - my legs were exhausted from the previous weekend
August 6: 45 minute run &30 minute bike ride
August 7: 60 minute lap swim
August 8: 60 minute run


Here. We. Go.
I will improve my time from Tinkerbell - I am determined to be better trained and to not have the flu (although I am not certain how much I can control that)

Fargo Half Marathon Review

Love race bling

Confession: Winter got the best of me this year and I freely admit that I wasn't as well trained as I wish I was. The treadmill and I are no longer friends. I need a good long summer and fall to forget my hatred for the treadmill before next winter comes. I am full excuses for this one. Blah.

With that being said I ran the Fargo Half Marathon - I love running Fargo, it is soooooo gloriously flat. I love the people in Fargo, I love that it is a Rock n' Roll Half Marathon. I love that many of my friends participate in many different races - I love that we are supportive and push ourselves to do what we can and push just that last little bit.

My friend Suzi and I post race
Please ignore my afro - I had been sweaty & in the rain

The Running Reformers - our self proclaimed name - a group of graduates from Wartburg Theological Seminary who meet (generally in Fargo) to run races, we even made shirts. We come together to work on our health and fitness, we come together to unite, we come together to try to make a dent in the statistic that often claims clergy as one of the most obese professions in the USA. I love this group of friends, we span several different graduating classes from WTS and are inclusive to wives, husbands, and children of graduates, as well as anyone else who wants to join our tomfoolery. I am a little sad that I didn't actually get to see many of this group this time due to having to rush back to church for a wedding.

2013, 2012, 2011 Fargo Marathon Finisher Medals

The race was what it was. The course had been altered a few times due to flooding and so I wasn't certain what to expect in terms of the route, it wasn't one that I had run before - although it wasn't as horrible as it could have been. I didn't PR this race - and going into it didn't think I would. However, given the circumstances I did run better than I anticipated and not as well as I wanted.

It had been thunder storming all night before the race and rained buckets for about the first six miles or so. Not to mention there were places along the course that we had to jump through some pretty big puddles. It was worth it and it was lovely in the end I am ALWAYS thrilled to have finished and have that medal hanging around my sweaty neck.

I had to book it home from the Half Marathon to attend my office manager's wedding. See tomorrow's post for a full report on that.





Do you have any favorite races you run every year?
What is your favorite distance to run?

Race Director

My fellow race director and I

This past weekend I had my first stint as a race director - sort of fell in my lap in a crazy fashion - I learned a lot and have a whole new appreciation for race directors and race volunteers (remind me to volunteer more often at races - volunteers make or break it). Our race was held at our NEMN synod assembly (read a bunch of church folks who get together to talk about church stuff and what God's doing in the world and how we are called to participate in it). Last year there was a 2 mile walk to raise funds for malaria and a friend and I said wouldn't it be fun if we had a full 5k during the assembly to  promote wellness and raise funds for something. And we got put in charge - the money we raised went to our outdoor camps in the area.

Chalking sidewalks at 4:30am

My most favorite pre-race/registration email is as follows:
"I’ll plan to participate in the 5K run, under the giddily optimistic  assumption that I can move one foot in front of the other  that early in the morning with enough persistence to find my way back  to the finish line at Zion before the opening session Saturday am. Good idea, this walk/run venture. I’ll get the check and the registration form in the mail tomorrow ."

I seriously laughed aloud at this email as I read it. How funny is that?!

It was a smallish race - 90 people ran and I couldn't have been more excited and massively consider it a success. Money was raised for our camps and 90 people got in a little bit of exercise before sitting in meetings all day. I was doubtful when we began this endeavor and thought we wouldn't have more than about 30 people.

Prepping some volunteers

Lessons learned:

• people will register past the deadline
• always order way more shirts than you think you'll need - you will have plenty of people sign up the day off
• there are a TON of details that go into a race
• it is fun to watch races where people are running for the first time and to celebrate their victories 
• I desperately wanted to run it - when volunteering for a race run a ridiculously good run the day before so my legs are nice and tired and don't want to/can't fathom running
• keep a notebook of the things we want to change next year

Have you ever been a race director?

What is your favorite post race food?

Dreaming of Summer

While sitting in room looking out at my April snow drifts (never in my wildest imagination would I have guessed that I would have April snowdrifts to stare at) I am thinking/dreaming of summer days and my summer to do list.


Sarah's Summer To-Do List:

• Get Married
• Paddle in ten new locations around my area
• thrive through a middle school mission trip
• thrive through a high school mission trip
• run copious amounts of miles outside - enough that I can forget how much I hate the treadmill and when winter comes again I will be able to talk myself back onto the treadmill
• swim in the lake
• learn to wake board
• Go camping at least four times
• Learn how to use pedals (the ones that you snap your feet into that scare the poop out of me right now) on my bike
• take thousands of pictures
• watch the sunset and the loons fish
• grill most nights of the week
• bike to work as often as possible
• enjoy summer stretch - a Thursday ministry with 6-8th graders
• lay in my hammock at least weekly
• Rollerblade the Paul Bunyan trail
• eat my weight in ice cream - seriously I LOVE ice cream
• have a bonfire at least weekly
• roast a s'more from time to time
• finish the retaining wall around my bush in my yard
• master some new marinades for meat and veggies on the grill
• spend more time outside than inside
• visit Itasca State Park - headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River

What's on your summer to do list?

2013 Goals - Check In

Here are my goals for 2013 in no particular order - below in blue is the updates with how I am doing on my goals:

• Earn my Walt Disney Coast to Coast Medal
• This will require me to complete two races, one in Disneyland and one in Disney World in the same calendar year. I will be running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Disney World
• I have finished the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland in California and I have registered for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida this coming November - I dare to say this is going to happen! Super excited
• Learn how to fold fitted sheets
• Seriously, I have tried, but haven't been committed to it- my fitted sheets always just look like crap when they are folded - more like balled up sheets even if I have tried to fold them nicely - youtube here I come
• totally spaced this one out.... Time to get on it.
• Get Married 
• June 8, 2013 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church I will be getting married and couldn't be more excited about the whole thing - minus the dress wearing crap - seriously my least excited piece
• All the details seem to be coming together. Whoop Whoop.
• Make a fruit pie from scratch
• No real reason for this one other than I just want to do it
• I am waiting for yummy fresh fruit season to embark on this challenge, however I have practiced making a pie crust and made a pie crust with pie filling and that was pretty good so I am jazzed to try this with real fruit filling
• Paint one of the bedrooms upstairs
• I have the colors picked out and I know what design I want to do it - I am currently waiting until a little further into spring so I can open my windows and not get high off of paint fumes!
• Run 5 half marathons [I am tempted to say six because I think it would be sweet to say I averaged one every other month but that maybe too lofty of a goal]
• I have Tinkerbell Half Marathon, Fargo Half Marathon, Fargo Mini Marathon, and Wine and Dine Half Marathon on the docket already - I'd like to add one in Minnesota to my list
• One down four to go
• Finish going through all of my boxes 
• I haven't gone through all the boxes since I moved to Brainerd in June 2011, it's time to do some serious giving away
• This is seriously one of the best projects I have come across, I am LOVING IT - I am going through nearly everything I own - it has been super fun to be able to give away a ton of stuff I just don't need any more
• Organize my craft space in the loft
• Yeah haven't started this one! Looks like a tornado went through it right now
• Read 12 books for fun [I love reading but sometimes I get in a rut and do all my reading for work, which I don't totally mind, but I want to read for fun too] so far I am on track with reading one book per month for fun
• Emma - Jane Austen
• LOVED IT! 
• Red - Ted Dekker
• Found this to be a marvelous book and it kept me a bit on the edge of my seat
• Plain Truth - Jodi Piccoult
• I love all of her books and this one did not let me down
• 7 - Jen Hatmaker (in progress)
• Make my bed 90% of the time
• I am not horrible at this one - I am probably currently at a solid 50% but would like to increase this goal - I don't want to go to 100% because seriously some days I really don't care - however I LOVE to crawl into a made bed
• I would bet I am getting close to 90% maybe only at about 85% but getting MUCH better than I was before, I am reminded how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE to crawl into a bed that has been made - I don't really care what it looks like I just love crawling into it at night
• Learn to to tunisian crochet
• My friend Lindy has inspired me to do this - thanks Lindy
• We are actually working a blanket with this style of crocheting in 2013 which will demand I learn 9 new stitches, I am jazzed and praying I can figure it out
• so far I am totally on track with this project - although my squares are looking a ton like burritos!
• Run 500 miles this year
• bike to work 30 times
• swim 100 miles
• yes I know these are loft goals - but why set low goals
• My miles have come to a hault as the treadmill and I are so annoyed with each other that we are not even on speaking terms - I have gotten in a ton of miles swimming in turn due to the serious lack of running these past couple weeks
• I haven't yet biked to work - the roads are still an icy mess
• Finish the stacks of projects that I have begun and have never gotten to for whatever reason - and if I decide I am not going to ever finish them then I need to disassemble what can be disassembled and move on - no reason to have all these half finished projects
• slowly but surely this is happening believe it or not - although I suppose I could use a kick in the butt to get this goal done a little quicker
• Settle into married life
• or begin to... really this goal is all about making the transition to married life intentional
• obviously not started since we haven't gotten married yet
• Make a quilt
• it has been way too long since I have made one
• I have picked out a design and am beginning to pick fabrics
• Finish the three clergy stoles I have started
• one done two to go
• Shoot over 250 pictures a month on my Nikon D60
• I LOVE this camera but I get lazy and don't take it out to take the photos I should, I really do want to improve as a photographer, so I must practice
• TOTALLY have done this so far! Some months have been better than others - while I was in California I took thousands for January - February I shot probably just over 300 pictures with my D60 - March is lacking a ton so far but I did get some at the lock in last weekend
• Catch up on photobooks
• yeah, I am way behind, finish 2011, 2012, Summer 2012 Mission Trips book
• 2011 - DONE
• Summer 2012 Mission Trip book - DONE
• 2012 - DONE
• update 2013 photobook monthly
• I actually have found that I am best off to update this book every couple of weeks - so far so good
• Create and Finish Summer 2013 Ministry book (finish before the end of the year)
• overachiever moment here: I actually have picked out the style and size and have set it up with different sections so with each activity I only have to fill in the pages - Summer Stretch, Middle School Mission Trip, High School Mission Trip, and VBS
• Create and finish a wedding photobook (finish before the end of the year)
• I haven't done anything on this one yet
• Order 366 in 2012 photo book
• DONE and it is soooooooooooo much fun! I LOVE IT! Seriously. I hope to do another photo a day book sometime
• When books are finished order: 2011, 2012, Summer 2012 Mission Trip book
• 2011 - Ordered and on my shelves
• Summer 2012 Mission Trip Book - Ordered and on my shelves
• 2012 - Waiting for a good sale to order

How are your goals for 2013 coming along? 
                 It is ridiculously crazy to think we are already mid-way through March!
Have you altered your goals for the year at all?

Spring PLEASE come

Dearest Spring,
   While I have loved your predecessor Winter, I am more than ready for you to make your appearance. I know you have lots of work to do by melting the tracks of Winter, she conveniently just dropped about six inches on us last night and continues to drop snow on us today. I am sick of running on a treadmill and spending hours on the elliptical machine. I want to leave my car parked in the garage as much as I can and ride my bike to work, go for good long runs OUTSIDE without fear of falling flat on my face (twice last week when I attempted to run outside - note to self: still WAY icy outside don't be deceive). I want to go walk my dog and not have to put on my snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, long underwear, and my winter coat. I want to be able to go sit outside and throw the ball with her and enjoy it without my fingers falling off or losing Dakota's beloved orange ball in a snow bank somewhere.
    Let me not forget that my dog is nearly going nuts, she sits in the bathtub almost nightly and BEGS for me to fill it with water so she can play in the water. Seriously, my dog is begging for baths just so she can play in the water. Please come, melt the snow and ice so we can be outside again for long periods of time. Push, shove, be mean if you have to, it would be great to see you around here.
    Also please note that Winter's continual presence is having an effect on people around here, everyone is just a bit crabbier, a bit more cranky due to serious vitamin d inefficiencies, we need you to come and make your appearance. In fact, I am crabbier, I am more short tempered, I am frustrated by you, I am over you. 100% done with you and I would more than welcome spring.  I do love winter, I do love snow, I don't love ice that causes me to fall flat on my face, I do love you too spring, PLEASE COME HERE.
    My fitness level is not improving by you sticking around, I am trying to get in shape and I am trying to go for long runs but I can't lie to you and say that Winter is helping at all, in all reality the idea of another quarter mile on the treadmill makes me want to nearly cut my legs off. Please come and remedy my problems. I am over Winter, Spring please arrive now.

Love,
   Dakota and Me

Overwhelmed with life.

It is ridiculously rough to be my dog.
I include this picture just because I think it is hilarious
how she is sleeping on the chair. I LOVE my sweet puppy.

Seriously. I don't know what it is that has put me over the edge but I am there and Lent is just beginning.

I feel like I have 12,000 things going at once and all of the things are happening simultaneously. All good things, but 12,000 of them at once. This post is a venting post.

Life at church:

• Ash Wednesday is tomorrow
• My colleague has a flight to Hawaii for 3 weeks starting this weekend
• 7th & 8th grade retreat Friday night
• Leadership retreat Sunday afternoon/evening
• it's Lent (enough said)

Life outside of church:

• Miscellaneous projects that occupy my life
• I became a co-director of a camp here in town with a friend and seriously it hasn't been updated in about 15 years and massively needs it to bring it back up to code - seriously who doesn't keep a camp up to code - will be amazing when it is finished
• Swimming lessons - I actually really enjoy teaching swimming lessons about 98% of the time despite the fact that 70% of the parents drive me batty and assume I am there to cause serious fears and damage to their child in the pool - seriously people getting your kids toes wet won't kill them - you signed them up for swimming lessons not standing next to the pool lessons - take a chill pill

Life at home:

• I am getting married in 4 months and there is so much done and yet it seems like so much to do
• I am officially over the snow, I need to be able to be outside - I want to run outside - I hate treadmills
• My house is never clean - or so it feels
• I feel like I have 15 projects going at home for a variety of things and can't manage to get any done
• My dog needs to be able to go for a long run - she is starting to go stir crazy too
• I feel like my house stinks due to a lack of fresh air - I tried opening the window yesterday just to air it out a bit and was freezing cold so had to shut them after about fifteen minutes

Life personally:

• I am annoyed at the 30 minute limits on the cardio machines at the YMCA - how am I suppose to get in a long run in 30 minutes and switching machines is lame [although I am happy that many of the "new years resolution people" are slowly but surely fading out - while I am sad for them they aren't making their goals - I am happy to have some time back on the machines - I am evil and mean apparently]
• I am jazzed about getting married this summer but it feels like there is a lot I need to do before Marc can move in - clean out half my closet, and make space for his stuff somewhere - I must keep purging things and giving them away
• I want a floo network [as in Harry Potter] so all of my friends can quickly and easily get together - I could use a good hangout with some of my favorite people. Not to mention I would love to be able to meet up with my family more frequently. I hate that my call is so far away from friends and family. 
• I am saddened that I don't know when my next vacation is or where I will go
• I wish when the schools in town got a snow day it meant that adults did too [although that wouldn't help with getting my massive to-do list done]
• I have been taking a ton of pictures - hence the instagram explosion on the right - and I have had the chance to take a ton of pictures with my "nice camera" of different mostly church related events and it has been wonderful - I feel like I have already shot about 5,000 photos this year which is close to catching up to last years measly amount. I dare to even say there has been at least 10 decent ones. Whoop Whoop.
• I got a new (technically 2nd) cousin this week! I can't wait to meet her - I need to figure out a way to get home to meet her. From the pictures my cousin has been texting me she is beautiful! [another good reason for the floo network]

California

I seriously can't believe I am actually here in California! I remember when we were booking our vacation and continuing education event thinking about how far away these ten days were and now we are here, loving every minute of it.

I am thankful for the sunshine and the chance to run and be outside without feeling like I am heading out into the antarctic. I am thankful for time with my parents (who now that I am not a teenager any more I actually adore), friends both new and old, and time for myself. It is glorious. While I miss people and things back
home I am still jazzed to be out and about.

The Extravaganza is by far my favorite continuing education event each year, I love the diversity of people, I love the freedom to ask questions, I love the chance to gather with colleagues who are wresting with many of the same issues I am wrestling with at work. I love the variety of speakers and the chance to worship without having to lead.

Side perk: we are in Anaheim, so I was able to run the Tinkerbell Half Marathon last weekend and we all are frequenters of Disneyland when we have some free time. WHOOP WHOOP.

I am certain when I return home you can bank on being overwhelmed with tons of photos.

2013 Goals

Here are my goals for 2013 in no particular order - some are more trivial than others, however I am still adding them to the list {because this is my blog and I do as I please}:

• Earn my Walt Disney Coast to Coast Medal
• This will require me to complete two races, one in Disneyland and one in Disney World in the same calendar year. I will be running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Disney World
• Learn how to fold fitted sheets
• Seriously, I have tried, but haven't been committed to it- my fitted sheets always just look like crap when they are folded - more like balled up sheets even if I have tried to fold them nicely - youtube here I come
• Get Married 
• June 8, 2013 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church I will be getting married and couldn't be more excited about the whole thing - minus the dress wearing crap - seriously my least excited piece
• Make a fruit pie from scratch
• No real reason for this one other than I just want to do it
• Paint one of the bedrooms upstairs
• Run 5 half marathons [I am tempted to say six because I think it would be sweet to say I averaged one every other month but that maybe too lofty of a goal]
• I have Tinkerbell Half Marathon, Fargo Half Marathon, Fargo Mini Marathon, and Wine and Dine Half Marathon on the docket already - I'd like to add one in Minnesota to my list
• Finish going through all of my boxes 
• I haven't gone through all the boxes since I moved to Brainerd in June 2011, it's time to do some serious giving away
• Organize my craft space in the loft
• Read 12 books for fun [I love reading but sometimes I get in a rut and do all my reading for work, which I don't totally mind, but I want to read for fun too]
• Make my bed 90% of the time
• I am not horrible at this one - I am probably currently at a solid 50% but would like to increase this goal - I don't want to go to 100% because seriously some days I really don't care - however I LOVE to crawl into a made bed
• Learn to to tunisian crochet
• My friend Lindy has inspired me to do this - thanks Lindy
• We are actually working a blanket with this style of crocheting in 2013 which will demand I learn 9 new stitches, I am jazzed and praying I can figure it out
• Run 500 miles this year
• bike to work 30 times
• swim 100 miles
• yes I know these are loft goals - but why set low goals
• Finish the stacks of projects that I have begun and have never gotten to for whatever reason - and if I decide I am not going to ever finish them then I need to disassemble what can be disassembled and move on - no reason to have all these half finished projects
• Settle into married life
• or begin to... really this goal is all about making the transition to married life intentional
• Make a quilt
• it has been way too long since I have made one
• Finish the three clergy stoles I have started
• Complete the Grantieman Triathalon in Clearwater, Mn
• Shoot over 250 pictures a month on my Nikon D60
• I LOVE this camera but I get lazy and don't take it out to take the photos I should, I really do want to improve as a photographer, so I must practice
• Catch up on photobooks
• yeah, I am way behind, finish 2011, 2012, Summer 2012 Mission Trips book
• update 2013 photobook monthly
• keep up with 365 days of 2013 book
• Create and Finish Summer 2013 Mission Trips book (finish before the end of the year)
• Create and finish a wedding photobook (finish before the end of the year)
• Order 366 in 2012 photo book
• When books are finished order: 2011, 2012, Summer 2012 Mission Trip book

What is on your 2013 to-do list?

Any books you recommend?

Home again Home again Jiggity Jig

It is true that all good things must come to an end. We are coming off the boat (really I suppose I should call it a ship, it is enormous) today and heading back home. It is bittersweet to be leaving but I miss being at home too. I miss Marc, Dakota, my friends, and family. While on the one hand I loved being out of the country and not having and cell service because no one could call me or interrupt me or anything along that line, but at the same time, I missed being able to text people to call people and to have the connection with folks. I missed the kids I work with (yes even them I missed) on a weekly basis. I missed my sweet puppy who loves to snuggle (I hope she is exhausted and wants to snuggle lots when I get home.).

I am thankful that when we planned this vacation we planned it so we didn't instantly have to go into work tomorrow. I am thankful to have a day to do my laundry, clean my house, walk Dakota a ton, go for a run, rest, breathe, and then jump back into it. I am thankful for a couple days to sleep in, chill around my house, and then head back into work. I am thankful for my friend Vicki who has taken care of my sweet puppy while I was on vacation. I am thankful for Marc who is checking my house while I am gone and picking up my mail. I am thankful for a congregation who believes in vacation time for their staff.

I am thankful that God calls us to rest. I am thankful that I had the chance to run, play, read, crochet, eat, sleep, and have a marvelous time on vacation. I'm sure in the next few days you will be seeing tons of vacation photos uploaded on here. I took hundreds of pictures. I am excited to look at them and share them with you.

What is your favorite part of vacation?
Where did you go on your favorite vacation?
What from home do you always miss while on vacation?

November's Dream List

Here is a list of things I hope to get accomplished in November:

• have a clean house when I leave for vacation so I can return home to a clean house
• Have a marvelous vacation
• Register for the Fargo Half Marathon
• Run at least 55 miles
• Participate in at least 6 Group Power Classes
• make dinner reservations for Disneyland in January
• Clean & Organize my loft space
• Make cutout cookies (a tradition on Marc's family that they always decorate Christmas cookies as a family the day after Thanksgiving, it is apparently Marc & I's turn to make the cookies for everyone to decorate)
• Thanksgiving Trip to Wisconsin
• Middle School Gathering
• Mail Christmas Cards
• Get curriculum written ahead of time (I am writing curriculum for our Family Faith Journey at work and I would like to be more than a week ahead)
• buy new running shoes (yes, I am finally committing to it)
• Keep 2012's 366 project life up to date
• Finish my 2011's (yes, you read that correctly 2011, yes, yes, I am way behind on this one) shutterfly book
• Make progress on 2012's shutterfly book
• Finish 2011's (yep way behind on this one too) Disney trip photobook
• drink at least 100 ounces of water every day
• walk at least 15,000 steps a day (I have gradually been increasing this, when I began in September my goal was 10,000 steps, October 12,500 steps - some days these goals are totally easy and other days they take some serious commitment to getting my steps in - will be an interesting challenge while on vacation)
• Begin working on summer 2012's mission trip photo book

What's on your November dream to-do list?
Has November arrived ridiculously fast for anyone else?
Do you have any fun projects you are working on?

Post Race Hangover

I seriously feel like for about a week after a good race I have a bit of a hangover. It is a sacred window of time when the world seems totally conquerable and I can do anything. I am living in it right now. Before the race I was debating on which race to run in Fargo come May, but about a half hour after the race it was set in stone, I am half crazy, I enjoy the half distance as much as I hate it. My mind continues to race with fitness goals and my muscles ache slightly still reminding me of the joyful run this past weekend. For me a good run/workout seems to be the cure to any crankiness I maybe plauged with, I saw somewhere (my guess is pintrest) a sign that said "you are only one good run away from a good mood" and seriously it is so true for me. Note to self: this is one of the reasons you run, you love the post race feel good about life feeling.

My new quest before my run in January is I need to find new shoes! I hate this process, I want my old shoes, I have now finally come to grips with it isn't going to happen. I am not going to be able to get my beloved shoes back, so it is time I get over it and start the search. I semi-started looking at shoes on Friday before the half marathon and I tried on a couple pairs, at a big store that was super busy, so the staff didn't really have time to help me try on several pairs. None of them fit quite like I would like them to. One pair was too tight, one pair my foot sloshed around from side to side (no I don't have narrow feet), one pair was super heavy, and yet another was just uncomfortable. I am committed to finding a new pair of shoes. I am planning on going to an actual running store that specializes in shoes and I am going to try on a ton of them until I find something else that will work. Note to self: next time you fall head over heals in love with shoes buy a ton of them and just keep them on your shelves so you have them forever and never have to go through this process. I seriously think I am going through a bit of a grieving process over shoes [talk about first world problems here].

I also think it is time to update my ipod again. For some reason I hate the process of updating my running music. It is a fine balance of having music that is fast enough but not too fast and not getting any lame songs in there that drive me nuts after about three or four listenings. I also have discovered that I can't have slow songs, they break my mood and I seriously want to slow down when listening to them. It is strange, my music dictates my speed to a certain degree. I think my goal is to try and change my music at least between every half marathon. That is a lot of running and sooooo I listen to much of the same stuff time and time again. Note to self: go update your ipod even if you hate the process and you know that the first few runs with a new playlist won't be great until you get the playlist fine tuned and take out the songs you thought you'd like to run to but really you can't because they are too slow.

The Runner's High

I absolutely live for the runner's high. After being sick for a couple weeks I finally got back in the swing of running and it is starting to feel good again. While it usually takes me a a good half mile to really get into any run, the after effect is always amazing. I love the feeling post a great run. Mind you the first few steps of going to get my running shoes, putting them on and running that first half mile is always a struggle, some days I think nearly anything can distract me from getting in a run. Some days it is not an issue at all and others, are just rough.

Once I am into the run I enjoy the process, I enjoy challenging myself to go just one more mile, and pick up the pace just a little bit, I enjoy pushing myself to see exactly how far I can push myself. Half of running for me is a mental game, can I overcome the mental game is the general battle I wage. Don't get me wrong it is a physical game as well, I must overcome what my body tells me I can and cannot do but more importantly I fight against my own mind telling me that what I am doing is not possible.

The runner's high at the end of a race, I look forward to it, I crave it, I enjoy it while it lasts, and it is enough to motivate me to get up the next day and do it all again.



What motivates you to get up and run?
What do you fight against on your way to workout?

A note to the man shared the road with me today

Dear middle-aged man driving a old dodge ram,
     Yes, you are 100% correct I could hear every comment you were saying to me as you drove along nice and slow beside me for just over a mile. Yes, you are correct that I was ignoring you. I chose not to respond to you because I knew I didn't want to say something I would later regret and saying nothing seemed like the best option. Sorry if I offended you in the midst of ignoring your, what I felt like, rude comments. You frustrated me.
     Yes, it is true that I will never be a Sports Illustrated bikini model, nor do I ever dream of it. I actually am in a call that I love, I get to walk alongside people in a wide variety of life situations and speak grace, truth, and hope, and share the story of a triune God who created all people and created us diverse and different. I am thankful for our creative God who calls me and showers me in grace and love and in my baptismal waters am claimed. I am sorry that you don't know this message of hope, truth, unconditional love, and salvation.
     Yes, it is true that I won't ever win a gold medal running. Yes, I know I run a little slow. Yes, I know I have a long ways to go, but each step I take is moving me toward my goals. Yes, I am sure you do have six pack abs and you could see my belly jiggle as I ran. It's okay, I am working on it. Although I would love to tell you the story of all the amazing food that I choose to eat and share with friends and family. I enjoy food, yes, I am working on watching my portion size and eating more fruits and veggies, however I do still enjoy many foods that aren't healthy for me. While I love running I also run so I can eat foods I love, like ice cream, chocolate, and pasta.
     Yes, it is true that I am running with my dog and you think that my hair flying all over the place makes you think we look alike. I was hot and sweaty and have zero care that my hear has fly aways going every which way at mile six. In fact I am proud that my hair looked like crap and was filled with sweat and dust from the road, I was thankful that I was able to make the hardest steps - walking over to my shoes, putting them on, and getting out the door.
     Yes, I know I was wearing tall socks which are out of fashion and my bright orange gym shorts from college and a blue shirt, I know it didn't match and that tall socks are out of fashion when wearing shorts. All morning I have been working on my laundry because it has been a crazy week, although I wouldn't change my week so that I could look good while out for a run. Instead of doing my laundry earlier this week I chose to: watch a sixth, seventh, eighth, freshmen, jv, and varsity volleyball game one night, teach swimming lessons, attend worship, go for two other runs, play with my dog, hang out with my fiance, and write a few letters to friends who I miss.
      Yes, I know that you think I am wasting my time because I won't ever run "worth crap" - I am sorry you feel that way. I actually really love running and running for the fun of it and the feeling I have during and after a good run. I also love the excitement of my sweet puppy every time I get my running shoes out and we hit the road, I love the way her tail wags faster than I ever thought possible and I love the way that she motivates me to keep running. I love running with her.
       I pray that whatever frustrations or internal struggle you are having is resolved and that you feel better after verbally harassing me today while I ran. I pray you meet someone who shares with you the story of grace and love of God who made you too, and loves you too even thought that may seem like a crazy idea at the moment. I pray you come to a place in life when you don't need to say harsh comments to random people you pass on the road, I pray you become and encourager to the world and use all that time and energy you waste saying rude things to serve the world. I pray that you learn the love of a God who created you and become one who shares that message with the world.
       Sorry I couldn't come up with the words to say to you while I was out for a run and you out for an early afternoon drive, I wish I had a way to share this message with you. Since I am not optimistic that our paths will cross again, I pray someone will share a message of grace and love with you. I am sorry I ignored you but I couldn't say anything that would be kind in the moment, so I chose to say nothing. If we meet again, I pray for the strength to not think harshly about you and rather remember that you too were created by the triune God and you too are a beloved child of God.

Peace to you-
  a broken, beloved, sinful, and redeemed child of God just like you

Evening Run

    Most eveings my fiance and I take Dakota (my sweet one year old golden retriever) for a walk. Last night as we were getting ready to head out on our walk we both happen to put on our running shoes to walk in (this is probably more rare than you anticipate, generally I am in flip flops, Marc is always in shoes). As we were starting out leaving my house, Marc began to jog, I think as a joke at first and I joined in. It was marvelous - the evening was cool - we both love a crisp night for a run and so we began to run together. It was fun to go out for an unexpected evening run. It wasn't record setting paces and we talked the whole time. Dakota thought she had died and gone to heaven, a second run in a day.
    Last night's run was liberating to a certain degree, I get caught up in what time I need/want to hit, and how many miles I need/want to run. I get caught up in the details of the run. I forget what first made me fall in love with running, the simple joy of being outside running, not the time or the distance, rather the love for running.
   We ran a good forty minutes or so (without the watch we sort of had to guess what time we left and we think we ran about forty minutes). I had a drawstring bag on my back (I was carrying my keys, cellphone, and bags to pick up after Dakota) - it was a little awkward and I would never choose to run with it - however last night in the midst of the improptu run it hardly phased me. I ran without an ipod (also a bit of a rare occurrance).
    I am thankful for last nights run for several reasons:

• it reminded me that a run doesn't always have to be about time or distance
• I love running short distances with Marc (he doesn't quite have the endurance or desire to go much further)
• the cool crisp air was a welcome guest after a hot and muggy summer
• I had an exhausted dog on my hands when we got home
• I enjoy running just to run

Crosslake Dam Run Review

Crosslake Dam Run 5k or 10k is race number 2 in the Crosslake Run series. I wore my run series shirt and was entered for extra prizes. One thing that I have loved so far about the 2 races that I have run in this series is that there are quite a few people but it isn't at the overwhelmingly large race size yet. I do enjoy some of the big races that I run, however there is something fabulous in the simplicity of some races too! The people who have organized these two races have been spot on and the details have fallen together wonderfully.
I will admit that I was a little confused when there was not an address given for where registration and the start of the race would be, it said it would be in the town square north of the business district, and I am not all that familiar with Crosslake. My fears were gone when I saw all the beautiful signs directing me where to go.
Before the race was chilly (which I prefer over the wicked hot weather we could have had) and I was slightly concerned about rain. I felt bad for the race organizers with about ten minutes to race time a ton of people showed up & were upset with them for having a line to pick up bibs. I am not certain why they thought they could show up at the last minute and still make the start on time.
Thankfully for the late comers the race organizers delayed the start about ten minutes for all these people. The start was about a half a block from the registration and finish line.
The race went well for me, there was a 5k and a 10k race, the races were well labeled and there were a few individuals standing at the splits to direct people. On the 5k race there was a water station about half way through, which was plenty.
I was happy with my time in the end which is good, I needed a good run. They do door prizes and prizes for those who come in the top of the age brackets. Part of the perk of running the race series is you get entered into a bonus prize pool with some decent prizes. I won a free car wash from the race series prizes, I would guess about half the people who were in the race series got a prize.

Nikon D60

I love my Nikon D60 and I have not gotten to use it nearly enough. I have realized that my go to camera is my point and shoot for sure, I don't know if it is because I don't want to carry the weight of the bigger camera or what, but I want to commit to using that camera more often. I want to take fun photos and be able to edit them and use them for stuff.
I should see if I can find a photo challenge type a deal online that suggests something to photograph each day to add to the challenge and fun. Sometimes I am stumped on what to take photos of, my puppy gets lots of photos taken of her (which I am not totally against, but I feel like I should have more than just pictures of my sweet puppy). I know there is a photo challenge of the day on instagram so maybe I will just borrow the topic from there and use my D60 to take photos rather than my phone.
Must use fun camera more often.
Unrelated side note: It is August 3 and I haven't drank any soda yet. Seriously, I know it is only three days but it is about two days longer than I thought I would make it. YAY for small victories (yes I celebrate small victories frequently)
Unrelated side note #2: I wish I had a group of people to run with in the morning before work. I enjoy running by myself but from time to time I would love to run with folks. I may sign up for the early morning swim group this fall through our community education just so that I get my butt out of bed still in the fall and swim with a group of people, I think I would push myself harder if I did. We'll see, community ed calendar hasn't come out yet for the fall.
Unrelated side note #3: I got a new pair of shoes the other day that I am over the top jazzed about, they are giraffe print Toms. Yes, some folks probably think they are ugly for sure, but I LOVE THEM! (I am fascinated by giraffes, and so in turn love that giraffe print has become trendy. I have loved giraffes since I was a little girl and am not certain what exactly made me fall in love with them.)

New shoes that I love
Generally I am a barefoot or flip flop type a girl
but these make me excited to wear shoes