Come Saturday Morning

The best of times.....the worst of times...

I think we have all heard that expression. And it came to mind that this is what I am living through right now. The best of times...my son has become engaged to a sweet and charming young woman that I already love like a daughter. They are getting married next August in Duluth MN where they both live and I could not be happier. David has started back to school and really likes his program. I got a great evaluation at work and am very excited and challenged with my upcoming projects. The worst of times...both my brothers have had unexpected cardiac events/issues. David, my husband, passed out face down at school and busted his face, his heart rate dropped to 36, and was taken by ambulance on a back board and cervical collar to the hospital. I set fire to the microwave and smoked the house and broke the washing machine. Since it was going to be $791 in damages we need a new one, so I have had to fit in trips to the laundromat until we can get a new one delivered. Saddest of all, my father in law passed away. I now have caught one of the worse colds of my life.

I have found it very difficult to stick with my eating plan and my exercise plan. During times like these, it is often hard to stay focused. My father-in-law's home is in Havre de Grace, MD, a quaint little town in the upper most part of Hartford County on the edge of the Susquehanna River.  It takes about 4.5 to 5 hours to make that trip from Cumberland, and I can't tell you how many times David and then David and I together made that trip recently. This is all not very conducive to healthy eating and exercising.

But this is life and so today I got up, got dressed and joined the rest of the 5K team this morning. And while a walk around the block was all I could manage today, Carey and I have plans Thursday for a practice run to get me ready for Saturday's GAR. I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!

I cannot come this far and not do this race. So come on out next week and cheer us on!!!

Our class at our dress rehearsal for the GAR on September 28, 2013

My Poor Little Body

So yesterday I met up with Carey at our WOC gym after work. I decided that I would do some training on the elliptical. The treadmill can be a bit boring after a while. So I did 5 minutes on the elliptical. OMG!! What a very different experience. Then I finished my routine 20 minutes on the treadmill. I don't know what was up with me but I decided to run a little bit as well!!

Well let me tell you, today my poor little body is really talking to me. My upper arms and shoulders are killing me. Just typing this hurts. And my back isn't terribly happy with me either.  I have taken ibuprofen  but imagine rest is what is needed. After I feel the pain, though, I start to laugh because when I think that it was from exercising that I hurt, I find it funny. Before I did this program I NEVER in a million years imagined doing this. I am so glad that I decided to take this challenge. (Thank you, Kevin). Glad I work for a place that cares about their employee's health.

Anyway, I think I will rest; but tomorrow if the weather stays nice, Snoopy is in trouble and we will walk to McDonald's again!!!

I DID IT!!

I have been feeling like I really want to see if I could actually walk the 5K. After all, the big day is only 4 weeks or so away.  I have decided that I am not going to run even a part of the race. When I do run, my heart rate shoots up to almost 160 and that is just too fast. Plus, to be honest, it really tires me out. So a fast walk is about what I can do. So I met Carey after lecture over at AC. And off we went.

We did the first 2 miles on the big track, but as the sun set the bugs became pretty active. I even swallowed one! YUCK!!!   So for the last mile we did the inside quarter-mile track 4 times. I was so proud of my self. It took me 67.25 minutes to do it.  Given that when I stared it took me 36 minutes to do 1 mile, I am very happy with my progress.

Here is a picture of me and Carey when I finished!! - Jo Wilson