Goals - Running

Starting almost a year ago, after being inspired by one of my sorority sisters, Susan, I planned to start running.  My logic was you never see a fat runner, so running was as good a sport as any to help me get in shape and lose weight.  Also, I know there are all sorts of races that I could be a part of and feel like I'm doing something that I can be proud of.

Because of Susan's blog, I discovered the Couch 2 5K Running Program.  I downloaded the app on my phone and completed all the way through around week 6.  I even ran 3 days while I was on vacation at the beach which is UNHEARD of for me!  Unfortunately, I started out with the wrong shoes.  That, paired with probably starting out too fast, made for a lot of pain for me.  I tried to take breaks, walk more.  Eventually, I gave up.  My legs would cramp up so bad that I would almost fall coming down the stairs first thing in the morning.  It really scared me because I thought I had done something to really hurt myself.  I was also really disappointed in myself because I had lost only around 3 lbs in that 6 week time span.

With the new year approaching, I decided to give it a try again.  Chris got his mom's treadmill for me and starting on January 1, I decided to seriously try to stick to my running program, along with my diet.  I'm proud to say that almost 3 months later, I'm still sticking to my diet and exercise routine.  The Couch 2 5k program is only 9 weeks long, so I'm done with that, but my plans are to complete a few 5k's and then start training for a 10k!  In the past 12 weeks, I've lost 12 lbs which is not great, but it's average and for the amount of effort that I've had to put in, I'll gladly take it.  Also, I've noticed a much greater difference in my clothes than the numbers on the scale which is even better!  I have clothes that I haven't worn in two years that I'm able to wear now which is awesome!  I still have around 30 lbs I'd love to lose, but I'm happy with the progress I'm making.  

When I was around halfway through my 9 weeks, I decided to start looking for races.  I was scared to death, but I knew I'd never be able to forgive myself if I gave up again.  As soon as I started looking, I found the ZTA Franklin 5k.  I thought this one would be perfect since I was a ZTA in college.  It turned out to be a great event and I can't imagine pulling off an event like they did!  The cost was low..only $15 which paid for the race and of course a t-shirt.  Who doesn't love a good t-shirt?  Two of my sorority sisters, Susan and Kristin also came to run which helped to ease my nerves.

I was so nervous on race day, I felt like I was going to be sick.  i'm not a fast runner at all, but I managed to achieve all the goals I set for myself, most importantly finishing in under 35 minutes and not walking.  I did walk twice when I stopped to get water.  (I have no idea how those people run and drink water at the same time!)  My official time was 34:27 which I was very proud of.  I think I'm hooked already and can't wait to find another 5k to run!

Thanks Susan for inspiring me in so many ways!!

My Bucket List

Do you ever sit and think about the things you'd like to accomplish in your life?  I've been thinking about that lately.  There are some things I wanted, which I've done already, but a lot still left on my list.  Maybe writing them down will help me to actually accomplish some!

• Get my MBA
• Sit for and pass the CPA Exam (taking the prep course now)
• Read through the Bible
• Run a 5k
• Run a 10k
• Run a Half Marathon
• Lose 40 lbs which would put me at college weight or weight when I got married (Lost 9 so far)
• Have a big family (only one more baby to have and I think we'll qualify)
• Buy a house (we've actually purchased 3 in our 8 years of marriage)
• Pay off all of my Debt (working diligently on this one finally)
• Go to Australia
• Visit Alcatraz and take a night tour
• Have a job that I love
• Own a Beach House
• Visit Charleston, SC and stay at a Bed & Breakfast
• Learn how to work my camera so that I can take awesome pictures
• Learn how to sew
• Marry the man of my dreams (he couldn't be more perfect for me!)
• Completely organize all the kids baby items that we're keeping

That's all that I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll add some additional items as I think about them.  What things do you hope to accomplish?

My Goals for 2011

I'm choosing not to call them "New Year's Resolutions" on purpose.  Seems if you call them that, they automatically don't happen!  So, I have 3 goals for this year.

1. Lose 30 lbs.  I know this sounds like a lot.  But, if I lose 30 lbs, I'll be back at my college weight, the weight I was when I got married, the weight I still was when I found out I was pregnant with Landon, the weight I got back to 2 weeks after having Landon and the weight I haven't been since that 2 week period after Landon was born!  This has been a goal of mine for a while.  I've gotten about halfway there and then I lose my motivation and gain it all back.  This time, Chris and I are trying to "get healthy" together, so I'm hoping this is something that I can achieve in 2011!

2.  Pay off $6000 in debt.  Why this amount?  Well, I certainly have more than that in debt, but goals are supposed to be something that you feel you can achieve and with tax refunds, Chris's salary from the community college, and just plain sticking to a budget, I feel that $6000 is a very attainable goal.

3.  Read my Bible/do a Bible study at least 3 times a week.  I know, I know, I should do this everyday but with three small kids, a full-time job, and a husband with 3 jobs, it's hard to always find the quiet time in our house.  Right before Lily was born, I was doing this every morning before the kids got up, so I hope to start this again once she's on a more normal sleeping schedule.  I got a new Chronological Bible for Christmas and I can't wait to dive into my Bible study again!

So, those are my 3 goals for 2011.  I'm hoping by putting them out there for anyone to see that I feel the pressure to actually do something about them, instead of just letting them go a few months into the year.

A Letter to My 20-Year Old Self

Ever wonder what you would say to yourself if you could go back to a certain period in your life.  Well, here's how mine would go....

Twenty-Year Old Erica,
Hope things are going well..even though you probably think they aren't.  These are the best times of your life..no worries really.  Sure, you feel like the weight of the world is on you when you're deciding on a major or in your case whether you should switch for a fourth time.  But you know what you should do, take a step back..think long and hard, and decide what makes you happy.  You know you'll make the right decision..you always do..though you'll regret not trying harder at that whole medical profession, one day you'll realize local government is actually a lot of fun..you'll realize that in local government, anything goes and you can meet all kind of crazy, fun, smart, dumb, weird people!  They make life interesting!

Deciding on where to go on Saturday night won't seem nearly as stressful when compared to deciding on where to send your newborn to when you have to go back to work.  Finding the money to pay for that shirt you just HAVE to have doesn't seem nearly as stressful as finding the money to pay for said daycare.  It's all in your perspective, really.

I really think you should go to more football games and stay in Greenville a few more weekends a month.  There's no better time to be carefree and have fun than when you're in college.  I know Chris thinks he has to work 40 hours/more a week, but convince him to take off..tell him there will be plenty of time to work once you start having kids, mortgages..then you'll really need it.

Tell those credit card companies on campus that you don't need their free shirt..trust me, you'd be better off to go to the store and buy 10 than to open up that credit card for the free t-shirt that you only wear to sleep in anyway!  But I do know you're stubborn, so if you just have to have the free shirt, at least pay off the cards before you have kids.  Life is so much more easy and enjoyable without debt!  You should actually go ahead to www.daveramsey.com to see what kind of money you'd have saved up in 11 years if you don't pay those monthly credit card bills.  You'll be debt free, except for the house, and loaded by 29!

After you get married, think about moving away.  You and Chris should really get out and make some time for yourself before you have kids..maybe even move to somewhere like Boston so that you could have season tickets to the Red Sox.  Imagine working and then going to see ball games all summer long!  You won't be able to do that again until retirement, so might as well enjoy it!

Definitely don't buy that first house that you guys set your sights on.  Though you'll make money on it and it'll be a good investment, you'll go even deeper into debt trying to fill it up.  You know how you are..you have to have things when you want them, in your time frame!

I know you probably won't listen to a word I'm saying and that's okay.  Life is full of things we would've done different.  And just think, if you don't go through trials and tribulations, you definitely don't appreciate the joys and accomplishments, such as seeing your baby smile the first time, walking that baby into his kindergarten class and having that teacher tell you that she's impressed with how well he's doing.  Now that's what makes it all worth it..that's what makes your heart smile!