Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. It's the best one because it's all about family and food and you don't have to buy stuff. The only thing I don't like about Turkey Day is the fact that it's generally understood that it's the 'official' kick off to the Christmas season. I am not a fan of that holiday for many many reasons, best told over a cocktail. But mostly, I resent that as soon as the orange stuff and candy is put away, it's all candy canes and trees with lights. My birthday is Dec. 7th and the rule in my house is that there is absolutely positively no Christmas decorations until after said date. Hell, if I didn't have a kid, I probably wouldn't have a tree at all. But I digress....

I am not a super good cook, nor do I enjoy it as much as I wish I did. But on Turkey day, that rule does not apply. I actually love cooking this meal. It's my favoritest favorite of all. Like last meal before being executed favorite. And I'll be getting started on all that soon! We will do a little 'kick off to Christmas' activity tomorrow - we plan to go watch the Macy's Holiday parade downtown Seattle and then watch the tree lighting at Westlake that evening. But there will be NO shopping. Black Friday is a terrible terrible day and I will never ever be into it. 

Post Turkey Day activities, I plan to be a part of the brand new Thanksgiving Weekend tradition that I started last year. And it's the PERFECT addition because it has nothing to do with Christmas and involves running!! Woot woot - I plan to return to the place that started it all for me- my first Half Marathon last year, the Seattle Marathon on Sunday. And my little blog didn't exist then so I don't have a fabulous race recap to link to....but I'll be writing all about my volunteer experience this year! 

That's right - since I am not able to run, I am going to be there anyway because I just can't stay away. I have a few friends doing it and even though it's not an 'official' Wear Blue race, there will be many of my fellow Blue runners out on the course and there to support them. I will be volunteering twice - on Saturday at the Expo handing out bibs and on Sunday at the actual race - as a course marshal. I am super excited b/c I think that means I get stationed somewhere out on the course and I get to cheer people on all day. I already have my signs all planned - I can't wait to make them!

All in all, I think this will be an excellent weekend. We don't have to go anywhere, I get to eat my most favorite foods of all and I get to hang out with a bunch of runners! But this holiday is my favorite for another reason. It's a chance to reflect on just how fortunate we are and to be thankful for the wonderful friends and family in our life. I am thankful for so many things....the health of my family, a daughter who makes me laugh and burst with pride on a daily basis, and that I have a good job that pays me enough for us to have the things we need....

But as much as I am thankful for all these things specific to me, I am also aware that there are so many out there who are facing really difficult holidays. Families with a missing member at the table, men and women away from those families as they fight to keep up safe worlds away from here in the dessert. I am so grateful for the sacrifices these families make every day, but today especially, on a holiday that is all about family, it's got to be tough. I will choose to remember these brave men and women and their families this holiday and will be actively thankful for that service. 

Thanks for your giving. And to all of you reading - to you and yours- Happy Thanksgiving from me and mine.

21 Days until NYC Lottery Closes

 

Pick me! Pick me!

My entry # is  851181...

 

Yes

                                                    Even yesser.....

2012 Goals

I am new to this running business. Used to run in high school and college but that was over a decade ago....I've tried to start running again at various points in my adult life, only to quit after a few weeks. It was always hard to get over that 'getting into shape' hump. It's tough to build a base when you start out so out of shape....it's easy to see why people who are overweight have a hard time keeping at it. It's painful. And it takes some commitment to get past that on your own and get to a place where it's habit, where it gets easier and where you start to have fun.

When I made the decision to start running again this year, I wanted to set a goal and accomplish it but I also wanted to make a lifestyle change that would stick. 6 months now and I am sticking with it. That is something pretty big for me. Challenging myself and accomplishing things I set out to do-big ones and little ones along the way-brings more self confidence and erases some of doubt I carry around.

In 2011- my goal was to train for and finish my first half marathon. I not only finished- but I met my A goal of doing it in 2:22. I also met my goal of setting up a training plan and sticking to it-every day. 

In 2012- I want to run my first full marathon. And accomplish a few other things as well....

• Train year round - for the entirety of the 2012
• Run 1 race per month- 12 races for 12 months
• Run at least 3 half marathons
• Run my first full marathon
• Become more social with my running- join a running club, go to Fleet Feet group runs, connect with other runners to train and race with

First two half marathons will be the Mercer Island Half on 3/25/12. Following that 12 weeks later is the Seattle Rock and Roll Half on 6/23/12. Full marathon is slated for the fall. Entered the lottery for NYC so that is choice number 1. Next is Portland and if all else fails, it will likely be Seattle. Keeping my fingers crossed for NYC.....what an excellent first marathon that would be. 

Already have January's race taken care of with the Resolution Run....have March and June covered as well so next up is looking for Feb, April and May races....will probably do either 5 or 10k's those months. 

Not only is all this totally doable, I am going to try to meet some micro- goals as well.

• PR's throughout the year
• Working on pacing- staying consistent throughout a run, and pushing the pacing down to 8-9 min/miles consistently
• Doing more consistent speed work
• Incorporating cross training into my training cycles-yoga to start, perhaps spinning or swimming later in the year. 
• Blogging-I want to figure out all this stuff so I don't suck too much at it.
• Getting better at cooking nutritious meals so my body gets the fuel it needs to stay healthy and perform efficiently
• Taking better care of myself-getting enough sleep, vitamins, stretching, using foam roller and stick, getting massages when I can...

Well that is quite the list...I'd better get busy!