tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48153502634893570972024-02-18T22:24:47.646-05:00Make Every EffortAn honest portrayal of my journey as I make every effort to be effective and productive in this life.Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-17697692748902824192013-04-04T05:55:00.001-04:002013-04-04T05:55:20.903-04:00WinterIt's been awhile. I feel as though I have been in hibernation and am now just beginning to wake to spring. Winter, for me, is a difficult time. It's not just a season of cold temperatures, it's a time of depression and avoidance. I experience these times of "winter" not only in the cold weather months, but there are other times in my life, when I am in a spiritual or emotional winter. I have beenJennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-13376205424034125942012-12-29T03:05:00.001-05:002012-12-29T03:05:10.770-05:00Choose LifeMy dear cousin, Josh, has died. I've always said that I want to go "fast" when I die. And yet, being on the other side of a "fast" death, is agony. So many unanswered questions, so many unsaid "goodbyes" make such a passing difficult. There's a part of me that wants to shake a fist at God and say, "why him???" And yet, I'm reminded that each breath, each day is a gift. It's not promised. We tend Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-69144248087227617252012-12-21T05:38:00.000-05:002012-12-21T05:38:02.896-05:00Mantra"God is good." I need to be reminded of that right now as I am unable to make sense of my cousin's continued suffering. He entered hospice yesterday and there's a part of me that keeps asking why. And the answer I get is "I am good." I honestly don't doubt it. I don't doubt that God has a plan. My belief has not wavered. But, I'm not happy about his choice of plan, I can tell you that. I don't Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-72438616103927591012012-12-19T06:12:00.004-05:002012-12-19T06:12:48.412-05:00Taking StockMy cousin is sick.....really sick. And this has affected me in some ways that I never would have expected. I'm not one that is really huge on tradition. I'm not a keeper of stuff, so when my siblings and I discuss who gets what after mom and dad are gone (I know, slightly on the morbid side, but in our defense, our parents started the whole conversation) I'm not the one that wants the furniture, Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-42776620653083442732012-11-28T06:47:00.000-05:002012-11-28T06:47:13.329-05:00Thankful for SupermanI have difficulties looking at the big picture and problem solving my
way out of a situation. I tend to get caught up in the moment, and seem
to focus only on the problem and not be able to step back, take a deep
breath, and use logic to figure out a solution. As the saying goes: "I can't find the forest because I'm lost in the trees." Case in point: The Oven.
Two days before Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-90905454628049706992012-11-28T06:17:00.003-05:002012-11-28T06:17:45.148-05:00The QuitterThey say you learn a lot about yourself when you are training for a marathon. I think that's true, but I've learned or actually, re-learned a lot about myself during training, during the race, and after the race was over. It's been a month and a half since I ran the Chicago Marathon. People said it would be "life changing" and "amazing" and I'd "never be the same." All I can look at is what I've Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-38021663291671255082012-09-11T06:59:00.002-04:002012-09-11T06:59:52.707-04:00Waylaid Again!Poison Oak is a pesky enemy. I was initially exposed to the nasty thing sometime between August 25 and August 28th, I believe. I only had a few minor bumps for the first week but I now have huge welts of bumps ( there are individual bumps that are part of huge welt like bumps) down my neck, the back of both legs, my shoulder, behind my ear, and under my arm. This morning I noticed more individualJennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-43706287791471836872012-09-07T07:23:00.001-04:002012-09-07T07:23:16.099-04:00It's Been AwhileI apologize for the my absence! It's been a whirlwind around here and I'm just trying to keep up with everything!
The in-laws are in. They came last Thursday and were going to leave on Tuesday. However, on Friday, we shared with them some of the home improvement projects that we were facing and they insisted that they were happy to help/stay/etc. These things need to be done as it Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-75974046952304551172012-08-25T10:17:00.003-04:002012-08-25T10:17:24.011-04:00Redecorating PicsThe guest room is finished, the bathroom has some hardware changes that still need to be completed, but the painting and the new rugs and towels are there. So, here are the widely anticipated pics!
This is taken from the hallway looking into the bathroom
As you can see, one wall is red and the others are white. That gaping hole? The new mirror and vanity lights will Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-50605024636954021542012-08-19T08:15:00.000-04:002012-08-19T08:15:10.476-04:00The 16 mile NightmareFriday I was to run 16 miles as part of my Chicago Marathon training. I had nightmares leading up to Friday. I was truly dreading this run. One of the main reasons I was dreading it is that I also went caffeine free last week. For those of you who know my normal coffee intake, you will know this is no small feat. Getting through the first day was horribly difficult. I was to run 8 miles that day.Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-66658755766289325282012-08-13T05:42:00.000-04:002012-08-13T05:42:05.233-04:00Training/Diet UpdateToday I will attempt to run again after resting my shin splint over the weekend. It doesn't hurt anymore, so that's good. However, I've developed some pain in the arches of my feet. Not quite sure what that's about, but as I prepped the guest bedroom for painting yesterday, I crouched down to tape a section of border and when I stood back up horrific pain hit in the arch of my foot. It happened Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-71222540169924617572012-08-12T06:45:00.002-04:002012-08-12T06:45:30.731-04:00Fat, Sick and Nearly DeadNate and I celebrated our 5th anniversary yesterday. I can't believe it's been 5 years. I guess it's true when they say that "time flies when you're having fun!" We were both reflecting over the growth of our relationship and I am so pleased to be able to say that we really have grown closer as the years have passed. I purposely weighed in yesterday morning because I didn't want to have to Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-21915547070794938342012-08-09T06:31:00.000-04:002012-08-09T06:31:09.265-04:00InjuryJust yesterday, as I drove Nate to work, I mentioned how so many of the runners that are part of the World Vision marathon team have been injured. Just yesterday I told Nate how important it was for me to make sure I stretch properly to avoid injury. And, just yesterday, while running, I developed (I'm not sure if this "develops" or not, but it's the only word I could think of to describe what Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-16974961452298867962012-08-07T07:01:00.001-04:002012-08-07T07:01:48.778-04:00Two Months OutIn exactly two months I will be in downtown Chicago positioning myself to begin the marathon. I'm in the first heat, so my start time is 7:30 am.
As I look at where I am and where I need to go, I know there are some steep hills to climb to finally reach my goal. The weight loss is the big thing. I really feel that losing the weight will help me to run the race faster and with less chance of Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-57995739835408974302012-08-05T07:25:00.000-04:002012-08-12T06:09:37.563-04:00Lack of ProgressI've been feeling great about my training. I feel the difference in my legs and I feel how strong they are becoming. I've gotten into the routine of running two "easy" days, one "hard" day, and one "long" day. My average pace has increased from a 12 minute mile to a 10:30 mile. I see improvements all around - except in the area of weight loss. This past week, I really stuck with it in terms of Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-55249703962190002842012-07-19T11:22:00.001-04:002012-07-19T11:22:35.983-04:00The Long RunI prepared as best I could. I really did. I bought Gatorade, for goodness sake, and I don't even like Gatorade. But, they say ("they" is anyone I've talked to regarding running that has some sort of knowledge that I deem credible) that if you are working out beyond an hour, you need to consider the fact that you need to replace electrolytes and need an energy source. Well, suffice it to say, Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-82485088591037926302012-07-17T06:06:00.002-04:002012-07-17T06:06:18.030-04:00Just a Blah DayYesterday started so well. I ran for 3.35 miles, I had devotions, I did some laundry, and then... it's almost like a switch flipped in my brain and I went "blah." I basically watched tv the rest of the day. Don't get me wrong, I did have a to do list that needed to be accomplished. I had things to keep me occupied. Instead, I watched tv and ate popcorn and felt disgustingly gross the rest of the Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-56729163937010778492012-07-15T16:15:00.001-04:002012-07-15T16:15:30.545-04:00Timely Read!I just read this great article in the NY Times. I loved it when Ryan was asked who his coach was and he said, "God." That is an awesome reminder of why I'm running.Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-7587940098489406972012-07-15T06:57:00.002-04:002012-07-15T06:57:31.995-04:00Fun Saturday and Weigh In SundayAs my training has increased exponentially, I'm experiencing side effects that they warned about, yet you say to yourself, that won't happen to me. I haven't ever really been one who sweats a lot. However, I've evidently developed some prolific sweat glands in the last two weeks because I'm sweating like crazy. I did my long run (7.55 miles) last Thursday and near the end I turned my head and Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-81936383063685637232012-07-11T06:30:00.000-04:002012-07-11T06:30:04.046-04:00Seeing the Body as a MachineI was shocked to find out that someone close to me was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes this week. Shocked because this person is the picture of perfect health. He works out regularly and is thin - just not what you picture of someone being diagnosed with such a disease. It certainly was a reminder to me that my body is a machine. It propels us - getting us from one place to another. If a machine Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-49587388553165707012012-07-05T10:13:00.001-04:002012-07-05T10:13:38.128-04:00Faulty Thinking RevisitedMy ipod did charge enough for me to listen to my Christian Workout Music while running. It is amazing what a difference it made. I ran 15 minutes at a 5.7 mph pace, then walked for 5 minutes at a 4.0 mph pace, then ran another 15 minutes at 5.7 mph and then cooled down for another 5 minutes. I just need to have a reminder of why I'm running. The main reason I am running is to glorify God. That Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-63915826802652563732012-07-05T06:02:00.002-04:002012-07-05T06:02:32.116-04:00Faulty ThinkingAlthough I am running again, I am coming up with excuse after excuse on why I don't or shouldn't need to run as far. I keep giving myself a pass on the hard work. I tell myself that I lost a month of training and so, I need to "ease" back into it. Don't get me wrong, I've said the correct words out loud. I'm just giving you some insight on what's going on inside my head. Out loud I say things Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-39391742052489137002012-07-04T07:40:00.002-04:002012-07-04T07:40:57.727-04:00Happy Fourth!Happy Fourth of July! I'm excited to announce that my running program is, well, off and running! We joined the gym on Sunday and we've been going ever since and I've logged 11 miles of running/walking. We decided to rejoin Planet Fitness instead of the gym at Yale as Planet Fitness is so close to the house and the convenience will help us maintain our consistency.
As we continue to Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-91001544311297096662012-06-29T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-29T07:00:06.975-04:00It's been awhile!In the blogosphere, I'm sure that is a understatement. If you don't write a new blog post in a couple of days, your readers will go elsewhere. I've seen it happen; I've done it myself; it's just what happens. If I look back over the last few weeks - really the last month and all the changes from the move, to vacation, to illness, to Nate beginning his new job today, I realize that it has truly Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815350263489357097.post-48126505215301822292012-06-12T07:07:00.001-04:002012-06-12T07:42:49.834-04:00Back on TrackTo say I'm "back on track" may be a bit of hyperbole. I still am not running - I can't do too much before a huge coughing fit overcomes me - so I'm sticking with walking for the moment. Nate and I took a walk yesterday around the area. I really wish I had taken my camera, and do plan to take it today as we repeat the performance. We actually live fairly close to Joe Lieberman (or what used to be Jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11304250546950652397noreply@blogger.com1