Run Kara, Run!

So, running.  Turns out I like it...a lot.  I'll be honest, I'm not a natural athlete; I never really liked playing sports.  Ask Karl, he can vouch for me.  I'm not a particularly competitive or aggressive person and those qualities tend to be associated with athletes.  I was happy sitting on the side lines when it came to gym class or any other physical activity. 

Last Spring, my friend wanted to try the Couch to 5k program and convinced me to do it with her.  We agreed to meet 2-3 times a week at a nearby track, and our goal was to run in a local 5k in October.  The workouts were painful at best - I struggled to 'run' (word is used liberally) the beginning 30 second intervals.  At first, my lungs burned, my heart pounded furiously, my shins ached, and I had terrible side stiches.  And despite all the discomfort, I liked the feeling I had afterwards - I was sore, but I felt like a champion.  Each time I hit the track I did something I never thought possible - went further, went harder, went a bit faster.

I'm fortunate in the fact that my company has a gym on-site, free to employees.  My running regimine quickly went from 2-3 times a week to 5 and 6.  In a few months I could run for 20 minutes at a time...slow, but it was actual running!  The Summer months were brutally hot and our outdoor workouts took a backseat, and yet I was still working out faithfully on my lunch hours.

I signed up and ran in the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run in October; it was exciting and fun and more difficult than I imagined.  But, I loved the buzz of being around all those runners.  I ran 3.1 miles!  A feat of epic proportion in my mind, considering I couldn't run 30 seconds months prior.  As soon as I finished, I knew I wanted to do more and improve my time.  So, it turns out that my athleticism is just latent...I have mid-life athleticism, if you will. 

Now I've Gone & Done It

It's official, I'm off my rocker.  Why?  I've signed up for a half-marathon!  Yes, I've only just completed my third 5k but somehow I felt the pull to do more, to really push myself.  Actually, I've felt the tugging on my heart for awhile but wasn't brave enough to admit it.  Slowly, I put feelers out there to friends/family that have run a half, but always with a "maybe someday" caveat attached.  Today I decided to put my money where my mouth is and sign the dotted line. 

I'm giving myself 15 weeks to train and prepare.  Oddly enough, I feel like most the workouts need to go on in my brain - the mere idea of running 13.1 miles is a bit daunting.  As nervous as I am, I'm also really excited.  My workout schedule will be posted, with progress reports along the way.  Wish me luck!

Time To Get Personal

This (sorry excuse for a) blog was created for the sole purpose of documenting every precious moment of Haley's life.  Two and a half year later, this blog has fallen off the rails in terms of updates.  Haley is still precious and adorable and loads of fun...she is the single greatest achievement of my life.  However, in the two and a half years since her birth, a second achievement has been in the works (no, not another baby) - me. 

(It's true...it really works!)

I've been on and off Weight Watchers for approximately 11 years; ouch.  When I first joined, with the loving support and encouragement of Mom, I did well and lost weight.  A typical college student I then proceeded to follow the plan on my own...and did not succeed.  Next started a cycle of half-hearted joinings and dropping outs, all without any real success.  When I got pregnant with Haley, I was already unhappy with my weight - adding pregnancy to mix freaked me out.  I was conscience of my eating habits and was able to get my weight gain to 25ish pounds.  However, that added to my already overweight frame was not a good look, nor good for my health. 

Haley was born in August and I asked for a Weight Watchers subscription for my September birthday; my generous parents obliged.  I'm happy to report that I am closing in on my goal and to-date have lost 60 pounds!  I am beyond proud of myself - this has not been easy, but through out the past two years I have stuck it out rather than quit.  I've asked myself why and have a theory.

This time, the desire for weight loss isn't about vanity...that's a lie, it is to a small degree.  But moreso, it's about being the best version of myself for my family, friends, coworkers, dogs...everyone.  The people I love most in my life (husband, kiddo, parents, sibling) deserve more than an unhappy, unhealth, overweight me - and they're finally getting it.  I couldn't be more excited!

2011 Rewind

2011, a year full of stuff...vague, eh?  For better or worse, 2011 was good to our little family of 3.  Full of life lessons and love and fun.  Christmas was no exception.  Haley Bug was excited about Santa Claus and had a long wish list, which included a hula hoop, pink soccer ball, pink car, roller skates, books, and a computer.  (Really, our two year old asked for a computer...and money - that's another story.)  Haley's wishes came true with most of her wish list fulfilled.  It was pure sweetness to watch her pass out presents and open her own.  Having a little one really does put magic back in to Christmas. 

Our little family of three is looking forward to seeing what 2012 will bring!

The Christmas Story (HD version)

Amazing video!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a blessed 2012!

Cousins

I've been organizing photos and came across these; Haley meeting her baby cousin Izzy.  Both girls have changed so much in the last 6 months!

Haley is unabashedly in love with Charlie and Izzy.  She asks about playing with them no less than 10 times a day.  It's fun to watch Haley and Charlie race around at top speed and wrestle each other.  In fact, someone asked us if they were twins recently! 

Haley's baby doll is appropriately named, Izzy.  First order of business each morning is to feed Izzy - baby doll Izzy is placed in the highchair and 'fed' with a baby spoon.  It's fun to imagine this threesome grow up together.