Week 3 Day 1 to Week 4 Day 3

Maybe posting isn't my strong suit but I have been running. I'm using the RunDouble app, Couch to 5km program on the time setting (not distance) since I'm running on the treadmill.

Week 3 Day 1-3
5 min warm-up walk
90 sec running
90 sec walking
3 min running
3 min walking
x2
5 min cool down walk
Warm-up walk and interval walking is at 4.0 miles/hr. Running is at 7.0 miles/hr. Cool down walk is 3.5 miles/hr. This wasn't bad. 3 min. I can do.


Week 4 Day 1-3
5 min warm-up walk
3 min running
90 sec walking
5 min running
2.5 min walking
x2
5 min cool down walk
The first two days I could not sustain 7.0 miles/hr during the 5 min intervals. I had to slow down to 6.0. It was so very hard. Then I had the weekend to recuperate on today (Monday), I am elated to report that I was able to sustain 7.0 miles/hr throughout all the running intervals. IT WAS SO VERY HARD during the 5 min. run. It was a total mind game, especially during the 2nd cycle. BUT I DID IT!!!!! I kept repeating positive thoughts to myself, telling myself my legs weren't that tired and my breathing is ok and it was all in my head. I even pretended Nancy Henry from my McMillan days was cheering me on and telling me I could do it. Boy, was it hard to not slow down my pace but I did it!!!

Now I need to figure out how I'm going to stay in shape when I am in Morocco for 2 weeks. Yikes!

And so it is done.

Has It Hit You Yet?

In these last few weeks, many people have been coming up to me asking me if it's hit me yet; the realization that Connor will be graduating this year, going on his 2 year mission for the church, and then going away for school. To be truthful, it hadn't. I knew it was coming. I was excited for him and I just figured the emotions would hit me the night before we would have to take him to the airport in a few months, or possibly at the airport.

Nope. Today it hit me. We were attending the Baccalaureate ceremony (an interfaith celebration for the graduates at the school) where Connor was asked to give a talk on behalf of our faith (a huge honour). The graduates wore their cap and gown and watching them all walk in and take their seat, it hit me like a ton of bricks. This was really happening. My son is graduating and leaving our home. He's entering the next huge phase of his life. How did we get here already? My emotions were tender and I pushed my husband away as he tried to comfort me, knowing that if he continued, the tears would flow freely. There will be plenty of opportunities for that later but for now, I will enjoy our time together and reflect on what a fine young man he has become.

Blessings from hard work and sacrifices

Eeek, has it really been that long since I last blogged? So much has happened but the most exciting thing is today UT Dallas offered Connor a full ride scholarship! I'm so proud of him. All his hard work is now showing the results. He was so stressed out last night too. Oh, what a blessed thing to hear today! It just makes all the sacrifices and the crazy move here worth it. I'm so thankful for Heavenly Father's help in guiding us through our choices. I'd like to think we listened to His promptings most of the time and if we didn't, we gently guides us back onto the right path. It's just up to us to act upon his promptings.

Oh, I'm so happy and proud of Connor. I'm one proud mama today.

(and, whew, we must have done something right as his parents)

Aidan's first music video

Record Breaking Runs

Aidan ran his first 1km race this last Thanksgiving.

His fastest training run was 7 min. His race time was 5 min!

I was expecting to finish the 10km in just under 70 min. I came in at 62 min.
Early enough that the family didn't see me finish.

Our friend, Spencer Collins, recovered from a heart attack last December.

As a part of his training for his 2nd climb up Mt Kilimanjaro, he walked the 10km and decided to run the last 3km.

Checkmate

Connor is a part of the Ashbury Chess Club. The club decided to take part in a chess tournament against nine other schools in the city. Not only did Connor make it onto the team but he won 8 out of 9 chess games and tied the last game. His school won the whole tournament. I am a very proud mama. Props to Dad, Brian Booth, and Gong Gong (i.e. my dad) for teaching Connor how to play chess when he was little and instilling in him the love of the game.