November Foodie Pen Pal Box Reveal!

Recently I heard about Foodie Pen Pals.  A couple friends on Facebook were revealing the boxes they had received and I was intrigued…  I mean we all KNOW I love food, right?  How did I not know about this before????

So I went straight to the blog who’s owner organizes it and signed up.  Immediately upon arrival at The Lean Green Bean I became excited to get going on the box.  She emails a spreadsheet at the first of the month and you have until the 15th to get the box out (after emailing with the person you’re matched with to get a feel for what they would like).  Because this was my first month I was actually matched with two different people.

The person I SENT to was so sweet.  I actually got my box out a few days late (I CAN’T BELIEVE that happened), because my kids were all sick the week before it was supposed to go out and then I got sick!  UGH…  But, Emily was very kind about the whole thing.  Sorry Emily!  This was very humbling for me because I am a person who really has a thing about being on time….   AND, I was in such a hurry to get it to her I didn’t take a picture before I sent it!  But I actually had fun picking out items for her box.  I will admit it was a challenge, because she is gluten free, paleo, and allergic to chocolate….  The chocolate part was the hardest for me because I love chocolate so much and sending love that doesn’t include chocolate took some rewiring   Gluten free was no big deal because I have a friend who’s husband is a Celiac.  Anyway, I do hope she enjoyed her box as much as I enjoyed finding items for it

Now for MY box…

This is what it looked like when I opened the box…  Now when she asked what I liked best I said, Chocolate, or Coffee, or chocolate with coffee LOL…  As you can see she got the message on the Chocolate LOL

She included some delicious coffee and even a new mug for me to enjoy it in (and it’s just the right size----big ), a couple of different kinds of hot chocolate… YUM…  That chocolate bar was eaten within the hour, BTW..  I LOVE Dark Chocolate   The muffin mix was so great because my box arrived the day before William’s birthday, so I made muffins for his birthday breakfast   Then she added in this chocolate peanut butter stuff.  O….M….G….  I’m really not sure it’s good that she did that……  We may have awaken a monster in me…  LOL…  And a funny on the Triscuits- I never mentioned anything about Triscuits, but I really love them..  The garlic ones being my favorite.  I’ve eyed the Rosemary ones many many times and considered buying them, but haven’t because I ultimately buy the garlic ones.  These Rosemary ones are fantastic!  I bought some garlic cheese to go on them and YUM… 

So all in all I have a WONDERFUL experience with Foodie Pen Pals and The Lean Green Bean.  I will definitely continue to participate in this program.  I’ll have to wait until January to get another box, though, because she’s doing a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy victims in December.  If you’d like to participate in that, go to The Lean Green Bean and check it out

I’d also like to say thank you very very much to Emily and Leigh-Ann for making my first experience with FPP a great one!

30 Days of Thankful

Isn’t it funny how we forget?  Isn’t it funny how we take things for granted?

This morning I went for a run.  It was bad from the get go.  I’ve been struggling with possible exercise induced asthma among other things.  But I’ve been pushing through.  I know if I let one thing stop me I’ll just stop completely.

So, this morning I headed out for a quick 3 mile run.  My heart was ready to knock it out and PR it this morning.  My body was not.

Right off the bat my body was not cooperating.  I don’t know if it’s still tired from Saturday’s run of a little over 10 miles, or what.  But from the start my legs were heavy and sore.  I kept going.  I reasoned it was just a quick 3 miles.

About 2 minutes in (yes 2 freaking minutes) I started wheezing.  UGH!  I reasoned I would just do 3/1 intervals, but still make it work….

About a mile in my left knee started to hurt a little.  I thought ok maybe I’ll just run home and not do intervals for the way home….  It will still be 1 1/2 ish…

Then my hip flexor started to hurt, so I continued the intervals….  I cut the run short and headed home with intervals.  I was a little frustrated, especially after my high on Saturday of such a great run, but tried to remind myself that a bad run makes the good runs that much sweeter….  But seriously, 1.75 miles in 25 minutes!!!  SHEESH!  When I was starting out running this was great, but I’M TRAINING FOR A 1/2 MARATHON IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!!! 

So, I hobbled home trying not to feel too sorry for myself…..

Sat at the computer with a nice cup of coffee and some oatmeal….

November is a month that often people say something they’re thankful for every day…  I’ve been doing it this month, so I was thinking of some things I could post about it….

I was reading another page called Running 4 HIM and she was talking about God’s healing power….  And it hit me…..

I RAN 1.75 MILES TODAY.

I’M TRAINING FOR MY SECOND 1/2 MARATHON.

I RAN ALMOST 20 MILES LAST WEEK.

Why is this such a big deal?  Because, that handicap placard at the top of the post is mine.  From 2006.  I was diagnosed in 1986 with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.  By the time 2006 rolled around I was in bad shape.  I was barely able to walk, I was on several medications, including some used for chemotherapy, and my doctor had recently told me that I better get prepared because the medication treatments were failing and I’d be in a wheelchair within the year.

But God…

But God…

Here’s what I wrote in July of 2006:

“I have always believed that healings happen, but that I am not worthy and there are others who need to be healed more than myself. I have always had a very hard time praying for myself. Well, you know that my Rheumatoid Arthritis has been progressing significantly lately. I have been in an incredible amount of pain and have had to go through a round of steroids just to get by. I have been taking 3 800 mg Ibuprofen every single day in addition to the supplements that I take from Melaleuca. This is barely taking the edge off, and on more than one occasion I have had to hang that annoying handicap placard to go into the store. I have not been able to fully close my hands in at least 3 months. My ankles catch and I have a hard time walking. I was sitting in church the other day and my pastor felt led to talk about healing and the story he chose that day (a day in which I was in an incredible amount of pain and feeling particularly defeated) was the story of how his wife had been healed from Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was wheelchair bound. And after she had been healed her doctor who was not a Christian told her that her God had healed her. When it was time for the peace he came over to me and asked if I was ok. I told him I had Rheumatoid Arthritis and was in a lot of pain. During announcements he told us that they had decided to have a healing service. (Episcopalians don't do this often). He encouraged me to come.
So, over the next few weeks my pain continued to build. My friend Michelle said she thought it was so that I would know when I had been healed. I began receiving emails from people about healings that had taken place. Weird, because this hadn't happened before. Everything was pointing to the healing service. Fr. Desmond called the prayer teams to the altar. There were probably 15 or so teams that went up there. I didn't recognize most of them. Then he called those of us who wished to be healed to the altar. I got in line and followed everyone up there. Imagine how I felt when the person I ended up standing in front of was Fr. Desmond's wife! I told her what to pray for (we haven't met before) and she began to cry. We prayed and I felt a hand on my back. It was my oldest son laying hands on me and praying for me. (I have not taught him to do this, in fact I instructed him to stay in the pew, he was led by the Lord to do so). I went back to my pew and prayed for others I knew who were in need of healing and prayed in Thanksgiving for whatever was God's will for my life. Then the congregation prayed together. As I knelt there I literally felt warmth around my hands. I can't describe it, but it was literally hot around my hands and knuckles.
The next two days I slept a LOT. I am usually up around 6am every day. I didn't get up until about 8 and took a nap both days from 2-4! Guess what?! I have not taken ANY pain medication at ALL since Wednesday. My left ankle has had a catch a couple of times, but my hands have no pain. Where my index finger knuckle was so tender the last time I went to the doctor that he wanted to give me a cortisone shot there is no tenderness. And... I can completely close my hands!! I mowed the grass Friday night and I felt fine afterward. Last time I mowed the grass I was in such pain by the end of it I literally cried for an hour and could barely walk for several days afterward.”

So, today I had a bad run.  OH WELL!!!  Praise God that I was out there running! 

How quickly we forget how blessed we are….

Oh, and my month of thankful…..  It really reminds you of what’s important…  You know I’m on day 27 and I have yet to be thankful for any ITEM I have?  It’s all about relationship…..  Remember that

This just makes my RUN STREAK that much more important to me

January RUN STREAK Sign Up Starts NOW! (Free Level)

It’s time!!!
We’ve had our fill of turkey, pie, potatoes, etc.  Now it’s time to start thinking about our goals for 2013, and what better way to start the New Year off than with a bang!
This page is to be used to sign up for the FREE Level for the RUN STREAK.  No prizes will be sent, but I hope that you will join in on facebook to give and receive encouragement!  If you’re looking for the Medal Level Click Here.

The Rules are simple:

1. Sign up between November 23 and January 7 (but you must start running every day beginning January 1) using the forms provided, and pay (If participating in the Medal Level)
2. Share with your friends, running groups etc. The more people playing the more fun we’ll have
3. Like my page on Facebook to get all of the updates and encourage each other to make it the full month!
4. Get Ready to RUN!
5. Beginning January 1, you must RUN every single day.
6. Walking does not count for this challenge.
7. There is no required mileage, or time. If you run around your block you run around your block. If you run 5 miles you run 5 miles. If you run 5 minutes you run 5 minutes. The challenge is to RUN EVERY DAY.

That’s it! Why are we doing this? Well, for several reasons.

• We want to kick the New Year off right!
• To say we did it!
• To know we can!
• To set an attainable goal and accomplish it!
• To break down the walls that keep us from running (Not enough time, it’s too cold, I need a rest day, insert your favorite excuse here)

So often I talk myself out of running because I don’t have time to do the mileage I want. Why? This challenge is about encouraging the new runner and the seasoned runner alike. We’re running for the love of running. If you’re doing another race in January, great! That counts. If your participating in another virtual race you just got double duty! If you just need to remember why you loved running before you started that grueling training plan, this is for you! Don’t delay, sign up now while you’re thinking about it!
If you’re looking for the Medal Level Click Here.

On January 1 we’ll kick off our streak with sharing pictures of us running New Years Day.  Some of you have talked about running at Midnight!  I’d love to see pictures, and get an account of how you started your 2013 journey!
Thanks again for joining in with me on this crazy idea

January RUN STREAK Starts NOW!!! (Medal Level of Commitment)

It’s time!!!  We’ve had our fill of turkey, pie and potatoes, and now it’s time to start focusing on 2013 and our goals for the coming year.  I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than a Run Streak, so we’re going to do it together!  There are two levels of commitment for this Run Streak, the Free level and the Medal Level.

This page is for the Medal Level, if you’re looking for the free level click here.
The Rules are simple:

1. Sign up between November 23 and January 7 (you must have run every day in January even if you sign up between the 1st and the 7th) using the forms provided, and pay (If participating in the Medal Level)
2. Share with your friends, running groups etc.  The more people playing the more fun we’ll have
3. Like my page on Facebook to get all of the updates and encourage each other to make it the full month!
4. Get Ready to RUN!
5. Beginning January 1, you must RUN every single day.
6. Walking does not count for this challenge.
7. There is no required mileage, or time.  If you run around your block you run around your block.  If you run 5 miles you run 5 miles.  If you run 5 minutes you run 5 minutes.  The challenge is to RUN EVERY DAY.

That’s it!  Why are we doing this?  Well, for several reasons.

• We want to kick the New Year off right!
• To say we did it!
• To know we can!
• To set an attainable goal and accomplish it!
• To break down the walls that keep us from running (Not enough time, it’s too cold, I need a rest day, insert your favorite excuse here)

So often I talk myself out of running because I don’t have time to do the mileage I want.  Why?  This challenge is about encouraging the new runner and the seasoned runner alike.  We’re running for the love of running.  If you’re doing another race in January, great!  That counts.  If your participating in another virtual race you just got double duty!  If you just need to remember why you loved running before you started that grueling training plan, this is for you!  Don’t delay, sign up now while you’re thinking about it! 
How to get started:
Pay for your medal here:  The price is $10.

Please Enter Your Full Name

MRTT Members check with your leader for a discounted price!
Then fill out the form.  This will be matched up with your payment, so I can send out your medal.  Medals will be shipped by the middle of January, so you will have them by the end of the month.  If I have them earlier I’ll ship them earlier.  I will post on Facebook when they start shipping so you know when to be on the lookout!

Now that you’ve paid and filled out the form, we’re ready!  Some of you have said you will start your RUN STREAK off by running at Midnight.  Some will go in the morning, some will make it a family event.  Whatever you do, please post to Facebook and post pictures if possible!  Let’s get everyone excited!
Again, Thanks for joining with me on this crazy idea of mine!

January RUN STREAK MRTT PAGE

This page is for Moms Run This Town members ONLY!  If you do not belong to a chapter, click here to find one
It’s time!!! We’ve had our fill of turkey, pie and potatoes, and now it’s time to start focusing on 2013 and our goals for the coming year. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than a Run Streak, so we’re going to do it together! There are two levels of commitment for this Run Streak, the Free level and the Medal Level.

This page is for the Medal Level, if you’re looking for the free level click here.
The Rules are simple:

1. Sign up between November 23 and January 7 (but you must start running January 1) using the forms provided, and pay (If participating in the Medal Level)
2. Share with your friends, running groups etc. The more people playing the more fun we’ll have
3. Like my page on Facebook to get all of the updates and encourage each other to make it the full month!
4. Get Ready to RUN!
5. Beginning January 1, you must RUN every single day.
6. Walking does not count for this challenge.
7. There is no required mileage, or time. If you run around your block you run around your block. If you run 5 miles you run 5 miles. If you run 5 minutes you run 5 minutes. The challenge is to RUN EVERY DAY.

That’s it! Why are we doing this? Well, for several reasons.

• We want to kick the New Year off right!
• To say we did it!
• To know we can!
• To set an attainable goal and accomplish it!
• To break down the walls that keep us from running (Not enough time, it’s too cold, I need a rest day, insert your favorite excuse here)

So often I talk myself out of running because I don’t have time to do the mileage I want. Why? This challenge is about encouraging the new runner and the seasoned runner alike. We’re running for the love of running. If you’re doing another race in January, great! That counts. If your participating in another virtual race you just got double duty! If you just need to remember why you loved running before you started that grueling training plan, this is for you! Don’t delay, sign up now while you’re thinking about it!
How to get started:
Pay for your medal here: The price is $9 each or less for higher quantities

Be sure to chose the right option for the quantity you order!

1-5 $9.00 USD 5-10 $8.00 USD 10-19 $7.00 USD 20+ $6.00 USD

Please Enter Your Full Name

This Page is for MRTT Members only
Then fill out the form. This will be matched up with your payment, so I can send out your medal. Medals will be shipped by the middle of January, so you will have them by the end of the month. If I have them earlier I’ll ship them earlier. I will post on Facebook when they start shipping so you know when to be on the lookout!

Now that you’ve paid and filled out the form, we’re ready! Some of you have said you will start your RUN STREAK off by running at Midnight. Some will go in the morning, some will make it a family event. Whatever you do, please post to Facebook and post pictures if possible! Let’s get everyone excited!
Again, Thanks for joining with me on this crazy idea of mine!

G.O.H.A.R.D. and a Run Streak….

 

Do you know what today is?  It is “Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day”!  or G.O.H.A.R.D for short…. To some, this may sound silly.  To others it means something.  I’m one of those people.

I started running at the beginning of this year.  I’ve blogged quite a bit about it, it has been quite the journey.  I actually started running to lose weight.  I’d like to say I’ve lost 100 pounds since then, but, I have very successfully eaten ALL of the calories I’ve burned LOL…  Apparently you can’t out run a bad diet and I REALLY REALLY love food.    So, WHY in the WORLD am I still running?

Easy.  I like Runners.

Runners are some of the happiest, friendliest people I’ve ever met.

Runners are very good at encouraging each other.

Runners are not normal.

Runners tend to do weird stuff like have color thrown on them and crawl through mud for fun.

Runners compete and compete hard.  But, they are competing against themselves, and so are still able to encourage their fellow competitors

Runners like to live outside the box.

These are my people….

Has running gotten easier?  Yes.  Am I as far in my training as I’d like to be?  No.  Are there days when I want to throw the whole towel in and never run again?  Yes.  Am I glad when I force myself out the door and go for a run?  Yes!

When I began this journey at the beginning of the year I had no idea if I would even become a runner.  I committed to a 3 week program.  That was it.  I decided if I couldn’t do that program I would let it go.  If I did complete the program I’d decide where to go from there.  As I write this my 2012 mileage is 357 miles!!!!  I am in awe of that number and really beginning to think on my goals for 2013.  I’m also in the end stages of training for my second Half Marathon.  As my body becomes weary from the training I know I have to begin formulating my next goal.

Here it is:

JANUARY RUN STREAK 2013!!!!!

I’m hoping you’ll join with me as we kick the new year off right….

We will use facebook to encourage each other, because that is one of the things I love the most about Runners

Here’s how it will work:

Sign up and commit to run EVERY.SINGLE.DAY in January.  January 1-31.  Every day.

It does NOT matter how far you run each day

It does NOT matter how fast you run

It does NOT matter how long you run

The ONLY thing that matters is you lace up your shoes every single day in January.

There will be two levels of commitment-  Free and Medal ($10)

I find that if I have a medal I am more committed, but some people don’t need that to keep them going.  I also really, really like bling, and I think running every day for 31 days deserves some bling

If you are new to running, or thinking about running this is perfect for you.  One of the biggest rewards of running is setting a goal and reaching it.  It doesn’t matter how big your goal is because it’s yours.  This is a goal for you.  If you are new, you might say you’re going to run around your block every day.  Or you’re going to run for 5 minutes.  Or set a goal to ultimately run 10 straight minutes.  Whatever your goal, set it and achieve it!

For me, I know that I’m coming out of a long training season, and I’ll be racing a Half Marathon December 22 and a 5K December 23, and I’ll be taking a few days off for some much deserved rest.  I will admit to you that I’m a little more excited about this rest period than I am comfortable with, and that is why I will be doing this run streak.  Come January 1 I need to get back in the game before my rest becomes a long winter’s slumber

I hope you’re as excited about this as I am.  I’m working with a supplier now to get the medals produced, and as soon as I have the work up I’ll reveal it to you!

Sign ups will begin Friday, November 23 and will run Through December 22.  Medals will be shipped by Mid January.

Let’s do this thing!

Race Recap- The Color Run Houston!

Two words:  Holy Mess!

This was a BLAST!  I was so much fun!  I plan to do it again for sure, and my boys (teenage boys) even had a blast!  Here’s a before picture:

And the after:

I’m not sure there is much more to say….  But, I’ll talk anyway….

We raced ran walked the color run and got as much color as possible, even rolling on the ground in the color stations   (Those pictures are on the disposable cameras that I still need to develop LOL)

This is not a race you will run much of even if you want to.  So, just be aware of that going in.  For us, that was totally fine because we had kids in tow.  And my BRF Jessica and I also had 9 mile training runs yesterday, so our legs were tired anyway…  Probably wouldn’t have run much even if we didn’t have the kids   A special treat was my other friend Trishia joined us, and I do believe she had a blast   Trishia has run several runs with me too, but not as many as of late…  Life has a way of getting busy…..  Anyway, you see pictured my two oldest, TEENAGERS… TEENAGE BOYS in fact, who absolutely had a blast.  So, don’t count anyone out on this one   This was also Jessica’s girls’ first 5K, her youngest struggled a little, but nothing major.  All in all, a great day!

My only complaints are completely minor.  1.  We never did find the professional photographers, and Jessica paid for the pictures in advance.  2.  The Color Stations didn’t seem to really be set up at the Kilometers.  Again, no biggie, but the first color station was pretty soon and then it was a WHILE to the next one…  3.  Early Packet Pick Up was held at a location that is NOT easily accessible, and there is almost no parking.  Don’t hold a packet pick up for a race for 10,000 in a location where there is no parking.  There you have it!  That’s the extent of my complaints.  I will TOTALLY do this again!

Me and my boys   <3

Me and Jessica at the after party

Me and Trishia