I've done some dabbling in 1/2 and full marathon running and always seem to get hurt toward the end of my training time or during the actual race.
I've set a goal of a HEALTHY 1/2 marathon. I set my training schedule and only allowed myself to sign up if I completed 100% of my training runs for the first 6 weeks of my 10 week training schedule.
I completed that, healthy none the less, and this Saturday marks the completion of my first healthy 1/2 marathon, right?
I did forget to mention one thing.... I signed up for the Whiskey Row 1/2 Marathon in Prescott, AZ. This is significant because it's considered to be one of the, if not THE, hardest marathons in America. For the 1/2, the race starts at 5,500 ft elevation and the turnaround is at 6,600 ft elevation. That's a lot of elevation change for 6.55 miles.
If you think of it on Saturday, say a little prayer for the race in the morning...that is right after you laugh at me for being so foolish.
:-)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The things we will do...
As we get closer to the summer, it looks more and more like we'll be moving to Surprise. With this comes lovely school choices (said sarcastically) The school district in that area is one that I used to teach in, but is one that doesn't have a great reputation for being solid. The problem is that the district is growing so rapidly (they've added 14 schools of about 1,000 each from 2003-2008) that they can't afford to bring in a ton of experienced teachers, so they have to bring in newbies, great for energy, bad for experience.
As I've been looking at schools out there I began to think of the teachers that I taught with and would want my kids to have. 3 immediately came to mind. I started searching and found that all 3 were independently at the same school. As I researched the school more, it's a great school that centers everything around Science, Health, Math and Technology, with my Master's in Education Technology, this really interests me.
I researched how to get in and apparently first-come first served on the day that they begin accepting the applications. I made plans to get up at 3am or so to be one of the first for "list". Now the list was no guarantee, as they don't know if there were going to be spots or not.
With that, I began getting nervous the night before, so I just decided to pack up the Mountain Dew, laptop, chairs, blankets and DVDs and show up. At 9pm. I only thought myself a nutcase as I sat there for 10 minutes alone, as #2 showed up at 9:10pm.
Kate is officially the first kindergartner on the list. We're praying that she's able to get it, especially after my 11 hours in line.
As I've been looking at schools out there I began to think of the teachers that I taught with and would want my kids to have. 3 immediately came to mind. I started searching and found that all 3 were independently at the same school. As I researched the school more, it's a great school that centers everything around Science, Health, Math and Technology, with my Master's in Education Technology, this really interests me.
I researched how to get in and apparently first-come first served on the day that they begin accepting the applications. I made plans to get up at 3am or so to be one of the first for "list". Now the list was no guarantee, as they don't know if there were going to be spots or not.
With that, I began getting nervous the night before, so I just decided to pack up the Mountain Dew, laptop, chairs, blankets and DVDs and show up. At 9pm. I only thought myself a nutcase as I sat there for 10 minutes alone, as #2 showed up at 9:10pm.
Kate is officially the first kindergartner on the list. We're praying that she's able to get it, especially after my 11 hours in line.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Happy Birthday to you.. and you... and you... and you... and you...wow
Today is a special day here. It's Kate and Ryan's cousin Makaila's birthday.
That's not the main reason for the post. It also happens to be the birthday of 9 new ducklings that have been incubating in our back yard. So adorable. Here they are interacting with our kids.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Willow Creek
As I type this I am sitting in the basement of Willow Creek Church in Chicago, IL.
This facility is something to see. I say basement, but I would guess that in the room, there are easily 200 people, and there is another just like it flanking the 3 story waterfall.
This conference (Children's ministry) has been a good one as they have kept Christ at the center. Yesterday's second session was over an hour of worship and we took communion.
One thing that I see in all of this that they put on is one thing; excellence.
They do not stray from doing everything with excellence with God. I agree that when looking at the waterfall(s) and escalators in the mall-like lobby of the main sanctuary, it could be easy to get lost in the awe of it and think of how all of the money could have been spent on something better.
I've tried to look at it from a different perspective. If we are reaching out to friends and family who do not know Christ, we want to create an atmosphere that they can come and learn more about Christ where they do not feel indimidated. They atmosphere should be warm and welcoming and make you feel like you belong here. I got that when I first arrived.
While I agree that there's no importance with numbers and size, way to go in creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, where the people of Willow Creek can bring friends and family to learn more about the Savior.
This facility is something to see. I say basement, but I would guess that in the room, there are easily 200 people, and there is another just like it flanking the 3 story waterfall.
This conference (Children's ministry) has been a good one as they have kept Christ at the center. Yesterday's second session was over an hour of worship and we took communion.
One thing that I see in all of this that they put on is one thing; excellence.
They do not stray from doing everything with excellence with God. I agree that when looking at the waterfall(s) and escalators in the mall-like lobby of the main sanctuary, it could be easy to get lost in the awe of it and think of how all of the money could have been spent on something better.
I've tried to look at it from a different perspective. If we are reaching out to friends and family who do not know Christ, we want to create an atmosphere that they can come and learn more about Christ where they do not feel indimidated. They atmosphere should be warm and welcoming and make you feel like you belong here. I got that when I first arrived.
While I agree that there's no importance with numbers and size, way to go in creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, where the people of Willow Creek can bring friends and family to learn more about the Savior.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Time is of the essence
In every real estate contract and lease, this line appears buried on the page of "lawyer isms"
I thought about it as I drifted off last night and how, as a Christian, I should take such a phrase to heart. Time is truly of the essence with every relationship you have. Whether someone has placed their trust in Christ as the Lord of their life, or whether they have bitterness toward Christians, the time you spend with them is truly significant.
I think back to time that I've spent with some of my high school friends lately and realize I need to concentrate on the essence of the moment and how I may lift that person up and point them closer to the foot of the cross.
Also, time with my family is of the essence. Too often, I take them for granted as I selfishly watch TV on the couch, rather than realizing I don't have an eternity with them at home and me with a flexible schedule.
That is my prayer, that I would have the wherewithal to realize the essence of every moment.
I thought about it as I drifted off last night and how, as a Christian, I should take such a phrase to heart. Time is truly of the essence with every relationship you have. Whether someone has placed their trust in Christ as the Lord of their life, or whether they have bitterness toward Christians, the time you spend with them is truly significant.
I think back to time that I've spent with some of my high school friends lately and realize I need to concentrate on the essence of the moment and how I may lift that person up and point them closer to the foot of the cross.
Also, time with my family is of the essence. Too often, I take them for granted as I selfishly watch TV on the couch, rather than realizing I don't have an eternity with them at home and me with a flexible schedule.
That is my prayer, that I would have the wherewithal to realize the essence of every moment.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Nice Surprise
About a month ago, I made my weekly trip to Sprout's (the local fresh food market) for our weekly supply of fresh fruit and veggies. I paid for everything, put the kids in the car and drove off (notice I did not mention put the groceries in the car-DOH) I noticed about 1/2 hour later (after my weekly trip to Trader Joe's) and came back to find that nobody turned the groceries in, so I re-purchased my goodies and wrote off the $15 as a learning experience.
Today was the first time that I made the trip since that incident. We always use Juanita to check out because she and Ryan have a special bond. She asked me today about what happened and if anyone took care of me. I told her that they looked, but nothing ever came of it. She then explained to me how she thinks that they need to take care of their clients better and proceeded to give me a $15 credit toward my groceries for the day.
What a nice surprise that she would think of it and that she would do something about it!
Today was the first time that I made the trip since that incident. We always use Juanita to check out because she and Ryan have a special bond. She asked me today about what happened and if anyone took care of me. I told her that they looked, but nothing ever came of it. She then explained to me how she thinks that they need to take care of their clients better and proceeded to give me a $15 credit toward my groceries for the day.
What a nice surprise that she would think of it and that she would do something about it!
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