"That's so dangerous!"

I just got home from a quick run. We only made it a mile since Ava woke up early, and fell asleep in the stroller.

On the way out a car pulled up to the gate so I didn't have to work my magic on the broken pedestrian gate. As it opened and I went through the lady opened her door and yelled at me "That's so dangerous!" I stood there stunned for a second, but before I could say anything her door was already slammed shut and she was back on her phone. Yes, I'm out for a run with my daughter in the stroller, being dangerous, while she is driving and talking on her cell phone. Awesome.

I did a 5k!

Last Saturday I did an official 5k, the Houston Race for the Cure. It was much more emotional than I thought it would be. I have been blessed, and no one I know personally has been effected by breast cancer, but my Mom and Gramma have had scares in the last year. Gramma's doctor even said she had experienced a miracle, since it had been there on two separate ultrasounds, and the third time it was gone. Seeing whole families running in memory of their mom, nana, aunt, and sister, was really hard.

My Mom, Dad, and Ava came with, and we had the best timing, getting there about 10 minutes before it started. They did the 1 mile family walk, and I had just enough time to get in the middle of the Competitive Timed Runners (me!).

Since my previous time on my own was around 43 minutes, I had hopes that I could finish under 40 minutes. I ran the entire first mile, which I had never done before, and set my fasted mile yet at 10'44"! The rest of it was mostly running, with a few breathers here and there. As soon as I would break to a walk I felt waves of people passing me and I had to pick it back up!

My official finish time, 40'28". My Nike+ time, 39'38. On the one hand, I am bummed that I didn't break 40 minutes. However in my defense, the actual finish line was kind of a blur. I had planned on killing the last few hundred meters, and had I known where it was I would have picked it up. By the time I figured out it was close, the timing mats were right in front of me. However, even knowing that the Nike+ system is a little generous, it's been what has been keeping my time so far, so breaking 40 minutes there is still an accomplishment measured next to my other personal 5k's I've done.

Everyone told me they were addictive, but I'm not a competitive person. But I can honestly say I can't wait to do another. I'm really bummed that I can't find anything in Alaska until May, but that's just training time, as Eddie says. I'm committed to do a half-marathon next year and I can't wait!

I can do anything for just a minute.

(Nike.com is being wonky, so a fuzzy picture of my iPhone through my webcam will have to do.)

In preparation for the Race for the Cure on Saturday, I put in another 5k this morning. I shaved 1:30 off my time from Sunday! And why not run a 5k a day? The weather is great right now, Ava enjoys riding in the stroller, and I can take 45 minutes out of my morning to take in the fresh air and push myself.

My new mantra is, "I can do anything for just a minute." Yes I'm tired, and breathing hard, but I can keep this up for just another minute, or until the stop sign, or where the bayou ends. Running does weird things to your head, and I think I like it.

I'm also going for Green in the morning. Only another 5k away from my next level. I know the Nike+ system isn't the most accurate, but it sure is motivating. Initially I thought I'd have a cruise day tomorrow with just a light run in the morning, then rest Friday, and race day Saturday. But with only 3.1 miles until my next level (Green is 155 miles - 65o miles or something) why wouldn't I give myself another 5k tomorrow? I can do anything, for just 45 minutes.

What the Wilson girls have been up to lately...

Skypeing with Daddy most days.

Tried out Ghengis Grill, yum.

More new tie dye. Running jacket, success!

Happy 2-year anniversary Mr. Wilson!

Play day at the play castle.

Size 18m skinny jeans, and shiny, new, velcro Chuck Taylors. Adorable.

Eating Freebirds so we don't miss it in Alaska. Running extra not to gain any poundage from it.

And 5 days until my first 5k!

Losing it

Today.

The scale was good to me.

Today.

I lost one pound.

Today.

I am 70 pounds lighter than I was 15 months ago.

Today.

I am proud.

I am in disbelief.

I am teary.

I am energized.

I am amazed.

I am focused.

I am still on this journey.

Digi Goodness

Journaling reads, 13 month milestone. You had been taking a few steps in a row, here and there for a few weeks. During the days leading up to us leaving for Hawaii, Papaw kept saying “She’s going to be walking when she gets back. She’s going to be walking down Waikiki Beach!” We were all waiting in aticipation, when all the little steps would string themselves together, and you’d take off running.

And take off you did, arms in the air, full speed across Gramma’s living room one of the first nights we were there. You’d run from one couch to the other, the short distance from the room squealing with pride. The next morning Mimi looked at me and said, “I don’t think she’s crawled since she woke up!” Since then, you have been upright and vertical any chance you get.

In the beginning your arms were always up in the air for balance, but then you learning you could carry things with you; sippy cup, corn on the cob, mum-mum cracker, and you’re off ready to conquer the world. Now you’re arms are down at your sides, without a care in the world.

This is still in my "to print" folder. I'm waiting to gather a few more digi-layouts to print before sending it out. I love the action of the shot, and how Ava looks like she's all alone on the beach. It's only been two months, but Ava has really changed physically since then. She's leaner than when this was taken, and she's definitely taller. It's true, it all happens so fast!

Start: C25K!

I went to the family reunion, and ate, and ate, and ate.

I came home and downloaded the Couch Potato to 5K app.

I got sick.

I hit my head.

I got in to a bad funk of frustration.

It took a week to be able to breathe deep enough to even think about getting to the gym.

Then I went.

Stepping on the treadmill I was full of negative thoughts. I was anxious to try out my new app, but I just didn't feel like working out. "I'll just do one set of running/walking." I thought. I got going, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. My eyes were watering up. I didn't want to be there, and I was so down on myself fornot working out for two weeks. Running the first 60 second stint was easier than I thought, but I was still full of negative energy. "I've just got to make it to 15 minutes. This has to be worth something." I thought.

I ran for 60 seconds, and walked for 90 seconds, then did it again. The app was great because I didn't have to keep track of the clock. It's so much easier to run when I'm not focused on every.single.second. After 15 minutes, I was congratulated on my halfway point. And it seemed silly to stop there. The negative energy was still there, but it had taken a backseat to my new feeling of relief that I was there, doing it, with 5 intervals down, and 4 more to go.

Running is empowering. I felt strong by the end of it. I have lost 69 pounds in 15 months. I finished the whole 31 minute workout. Something I never thought I could do. And I did it.

Week In The Life

I've followed Ali Edwards' blog for a few years now, and each year I've wanted to join in on her Week In The Life project. With Ava being so young and I staying home with her, I wanted to capture this special moment in time. Day to day, things can seem mundane, this project has taught me how very different each day is, if you just focus on the little things.

I followed Ali's basic formula for the album, using a daily opener, a baseball card holder for journalling, ephemera, and pictures, and a collage to complete the story of that day. I don't have Photoshop, or any of that, and I wanted more pictures in my collages than Picnik would allow for free, so I just uploaded them in to Costco's collage generator and mixed them up until I liked the layout. I think they turned out pretty well for my purposes. Album is We R Memory Keepers 8.5"x11", patterned paper are from My Minds Eye's Ooh La La collection, and the days of the week tabs and sentiments are from Ali's collection on Designer Digitals.

Cover

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Finished!

And it didn't even take forever! Only a week and a half, I think. I used 64 of Attic24's Summer Garden Granny Squares, an extra round of trebel clusters around each square, a round of treble stitches around the whole thing, then her Bobble-shell Edging. I love her patterns! They're super easy, and turn out great every time.

Ava approves also.

I think today will be a lazy day. Eddie's in Qatar now, he was able to call around midnight last night. We've got a Skype-date at 1 pm. Yay! Ava and I will go for a walk a little later when it warms up some.