I Cry Uncle!

I was so full of joy at recapturing my youth and athleticism back in August, but the cold of December has dampened that joy quite handily.  Losing my dog, my Dad's heart attack & surgery, tripping over the new puppy and tearing cartilage in my knee all wove together to stop me in my tracks.  Now I have had the flu for 8 days and probably can't go home for Christmas.  I don't want to take the chance of  my Dad getting sick as he is still recovering.  Probably just as well since I can't resist my Mom's cooking & baking!!

I think the wise choice will be to let go of my goal of running the half marathon by my Birthday, and focusing on the Vancouver half May 2, 2010.  I hate to say it but I just won't be in good enough shape in two months to make it feasible.  DAMN!  But I am not abandoning my running or healthy eating goals...I have just taken a sizeable detour for the last 2 1/2 months.  While the chocolate and other goodies did taste really good...the weight gain is something I can't tolerate anymore.

On a positive note my puppy is getting bigger everyday and is a little doll.

I JUST GOTTA RANT!!!

Today was the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk for the Arthritis Foundation.  I sent out a lot of donation requests knowing full well most folks don't have money this year and need it for themselves.  There are a few people, though, who wouldn't miss a few bucks.  My boss was complaining, LOUDLY, on Friday about his arthritic elbow.  Perfect!  I told him he should donate to my run on Sunday.  What did he say?  Oh sure, let me get you a check?  Nope.  He said..."HOW DOES THAT HELP ME?"  I said something about how he was standing there complaining about his arthritis and he said..."But what's in it for me?"  The owners of the company I work for have very nice homes, vacation homes, boats, and car collections - OTOH I live from paycheck paycheck.  Would $25 bucks have broken their wallets?  The one who responded to me probably had several $100 bills in his wallet at that very moment.  I guess that is how the rich stay rich, and I stay poor.  I guess I will never understand that way of thinking.  If someone is in need you give whatever you can and hope someone does the same for you down the line. 

OK.  That is the end of my rant.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakuh, or however you Celebrate.

Sunday is the Jingle Bell Run...

Although I will most likely end up walking.  The weather men can't make up their minds, so it will either be cold & dry, cold & snow, rain, or who knows what.  I'll just dress in layers and it will be all good.  I have been looking for a good elf or santa hat to wear, but haven't found the right thing yet.  I have plenty of bells.  Last year they had 12,000 people out there...can you imagine the noise of all those bells? 

I think we may have been above freezing today, but it sure didn't feel like it when I walked the dogs at lunch.  Check them out in the their festive red coats. Too bad they can't go with me. 

Jingle All The Way...

I signed myself up for another 5k today.  I will be doing the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis on December 13th in Seattle.  This one should be fun ~ they give you bells to wear on your shoes and encourage people to dress up in Christmasy costumes.  I think I will have to wear reindeer antlers at the very least ~ or a Santa hat.  I'm sure I'll figure something out.

Arthritis is something that has hit my family quite a lot.  My Mom's fingers are all gnarled and painful, and I have several joints that are becoming that way too ~ as does my sister.  I'm sure my hands will probably end up the same.  She used to play the piano so beautifully, and was always doing some sort of needlework or crafty thing.  That is no longer possible. 

So I will run for my Mom, and everyone else who is facing pain from arthritis.  This one isn't about time, it's about having a good time and raising money for a good cause!  Hopefully I can get a few people to jump on the donation bandwagon and I can raise some good money.

I run therefor I am...

I took an easy run on Sunday after 4 weeks of resting my knee, and it wasn't too bad.  I stayed in an easy pace and only ran a few 5 minute intervals, then a few shorter intervals, and then walked back home.  Knee didn't bother me ~ Yay!  I started back walking on the treadmill last night since I can't run my neighborhood in the dark - at least not safely.  It will take a while to get back to where I was, but not as long as I had thought.  I do need to get a new pair of running shoes though.  The pair I bought back in July just isn't the right fit for my skinny feet and narrow heel. 

Getting back on the straight and narrow eating path will not be easy either.  I let the stress of the last few months get to me and started eating my old higher fat and calorie diet.   I know what I have to do...just need to have the strength of mind to do it!!  Wish me luck.