I'll Never Win First Place

Last June, running a 5K seemed like it was an impossible goal to accomplish. I used to be a runner (sort of). I could at least hang with the ‘fit’ kids. But as years flew by, schedules got crazy and work consumed my life, I found myself not spending enough time being active. I looked in the mirror one day and found myself wondering - where did time go? What happened to my body? Research says after 30, the average person loses about a half pound of muscle per year and gains one pound of fat. For women, add hormonal changes, stress and decreased metabolism. I remember hearing that statistic in my 20’s and always thought, “No way. That won’t be me.” Never say never.

I’ve always had the desire to be active and eat healthy. I think I eat very healthy compared to others. (Another life lesson – don’t compare yourself to others). I was brought up to eat extremely healthy – no pop, water instead; fresh veggies from grandpa’s garden; and we rarely ate out. Although, I think we rarely ate out because we’d break the budget with a family of seven. I’m sure my mom would have much rather eaten out than cook for all of us.

On June 16, I was invited to attend a wellness class based on the book called The Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard. During the class, we were asked to draw a picture of what it looked like to achieve our wellness goal. I drew a picture of myself running a 5K, about to cross the finish line, and put my goal date to accomplish this in one year (June 16, 2012). I’m not an artist - as you can see – but I took my goal seriously and hung the drawing in my cubicle. In the meantime, I had already started walking 3+ miles since last spring and choosing the stairs instead of the elevator. I was determined to eventually run, even if it was only a mile at a time.

In July, a new colleague started at work. Erin is in her 20s, vibrant and runs 5K’s frequently. I found myself gravitating towards her – feeling confident that I could actually run a mile, at least on the treadmill. Somehow, we automatically became “workout buddies” and would often ask each other if we we’re going to go the fitness center after work. I became accountable. And in turn became motivated, even if Erin wasn’t able to workout with me.

In August, Erin “suggested” that we run the Ghosts n Goblins 5K on October 18. I agreed and thought this would be the day that I would actually accomplish my goal. Little did I know - I would run three 5K’s in less than two weeks in the month of October. (BTW – I’m not recommending this as a new runner. I have suffered severe shin splints - photo below).

Saturday, October 8 was the day I ran a 5K (I did not walk one time) at the Red Devil Roundup in Tipp City with Erin and her husband. My goal was to finish under 40 minutes. I crossed the finish line at 32:48, gasping for breath, crying and telling my husband “I did it! I did it!” I couldn’t believe I actually just accomplished my wellness goal. The last time I ran a 5K race was in 2005.

The next weekend I ran the Children’s Miracle March 5K on October 15 and finished third in my age group at 33:13. I even received a medal.

The Ghosts n Goblins 5K finally arrived on October 18. Four of us participated and dressed up in silly outfits. My knees and legs were sore and I was fighting severe shin splints, but I was determined to run the entire race. I was amazed at the size of the crowd (over 3,500 runners) and was hoping I wouldn’t get run over. To my surprise, I finished with a personal record (PR) at 31:53.

My next races are the Girls on the Run of Dayton 5k on November 19 and the 5-mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. I will never be a marathon runner or win first place, but I feel much better about myself and have a sense of accomplishment. Even my blood pressure and cholesterol is much lower since last checked in January.

Small steps, motivation and a "workout buddy” can make a BIG difference.

Wake Up Call

Recently, my husband and I traveled to Italy. I had been to Italy 15 years ago but this time it was much different and certainly a wake up call. A wake up call to how spoiled and self absorbed many Americans are. The luxuries we have at our disposal are many - we can get anything at anytime, whenever we want it. And if we can't have something immediately, we get irate and unhappy.

We don't value family and personal relationships. We're too busy to stop and take a moment to find out how others are doing, how we can help or make someone's life a little easier. We work too much, eat poorly and overindulge in big cars, big houses and look to unnecessary "things" to make us happy.

I'm not saying every American is this way, but many of us are, including me. I found myself at times longing for free wi-fi access (to log on to Facebook, email and Twitter) and wanting air conditioning to be available every where we went - both are rare, even in Rome and Florence, and it was over 100 degrees while we were there. If you want Internet, you have to pay for it and it's not available at every restaurant and cafe like it is in the US. If you want AC, you opened the windows.

Americans are also way too uptight. Europeans live by there own rules (or as I like to say 'lack thereof'). :) They live passionately, love much (PDA is not uncommon) and value relationships. Dinner is a three hour ordeal where they sit, eat slowly, savor the food and have long conversations with their guests. I experienced two of these dinners and found myself getting ansy and wanting to leave after an hour. We stopped at a little cafe in Florence and got a piece of pizza to go for lunch one day. The employee was beside herself that we were not sitting down to eat. It was definetly cute, but we honestly had to go meet our group.

The bottom line is this - we can learn a lot from other people and other cultures. Open your mind, open your heart and live each day to the fullest. It's a wide, wide world out there just waiting to be explored. Have fun!















A typical car in Italy. Makes sense since gas is $10/gallon!

The Best of 2010

I am stealing this idea from my sister-in-law, Erin. This is a reflection on all that happened in my life in 2010. It was a busy year and I'm so blessed.

• Spent New Year's Eve in Chicago and stepped out on the Sky Ledge of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower).


• Attended my brother and sister-in-law's graduation (on time) from Palmer College of Chiropractic after a long plane delay and crazy route from Dayton to Atlanta to Davenport, Iowa.


• My good friend, Jen, had twin baby girls in the Spring.


• My good friend, Sarah, had a baby boy on my birthday - which I kept telling her would happen, but she wouldn't believe me.


• Finally went to the Columbus Zoo on one of the hottest days of the year. I loved every minute of it!


• A little grey and white kitten showed up at our front door. I took her in, named her Joon and she was adopted by my brother and is living the good life.


• Visited my brother in West Hollywood and attended the gay pride parade down Santa Monica Boulevard. The top 10 winners of American Idol stayed in a hotel across the street from my brother's apartment. Attended an LA Dodgers game and sat right behind home plate.


• Spent a week with by dear friend Carla and her son Jonas visiting from Germany while my car was broken down. It was the best week of ever and a blessing that my car broke down.


• Spent our 9-year anniversary in Chicago biking along the lake shore and attending a broadway musical.


• Went canoeing down the Little Miami River over Labor Day weekend for the second year in a row. We did not tip over this time. Totally canoe pros!


• Was a bridesmaid in my brother Paul's wedding on September 11 at the Rialto Square Theatre - a beautiful day!


• Rode in a real NASCAR car around Chicagoland Speedway at 130+ miles an hour - crazy!


• Received a visit from the Matthews girls. I miss them dearly.


• Took a new job. I wasn't even looking.


• The Bates family moved to the Dayton area from Kalamazoo, Michigan and we have become great friends. Their cats Sophie and Professor Albert rock, too.


• My baby brother, Robert, graduated from Michigan State University.


• Spent New Year's Eve with my parents and visited the Dayton Art Institute.

I know I'm forgetting things, but I must say it's been an exciting year. I look forward to what 2011 has to bring. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey.