Week 2, Day 1

Run for 3 min, Walk for 1 min, repeat 3 more times

• Even though I only had to do the cycle 4 times, I did an extra one for good measure. I also talked to my friend Sarah who is a running athlete and she made a training schedule for her sister who never ran before. I asked her how long it took her sister to run a half-marathon, just so I could later gauge my own time against something. She said her sister ran it in about 2 hours and 15 min. I think I can do that. I'm running at an average of 4.5 miles per hour on the treadmill right now and that's a comfortable slower-paced jog for me. I think I can work myself up to tackle 5 miles per hour or more. I feel great for doing an extra cycle. That way if the next run is too much for me, I don't have to feel guilty for cutting one cycle out. It's all about stocking up...just kidding. Seriously though, I'm feeling really good about this.
  

Week 1, Day 7

Day off

• But I did have volleyball so there was some exercise today. The team we played against were totally sore "winners". It really got on our nerves. They could have stuck their tongues out at us, waved their fingers beside their heads and sang "na na na na na na" and it would have been the same...very immature.
  

Week 1, Day 6

Run 3 min; walk 1 min; repeat 4 more times

• Today was much easier. This time I didn't run as fast; it was more a slower-paced jog. I also found that if I'm watching a cheasy tv show on the laptop, it really helps take my mind off things. I enjoy something with a storyline more than just running to music. In the future, I'm going to try listening to a tv series or even a movie for longer runs.
• Yesterday I printed up lots of other tips on preparing mentally for the race as well as nutrition information. I also printed up a different training schedule that I will switch to in a couple of months. It's more intense and specific to a half-marathon. The one I'm using right now is just to get me used to running as a beginner.

Week 1, Day 5

A day off

• I'm not kidding; that's what the training schedule says. I can totally do this. I did go ice-skating with the family today which could count as something even though I didn't have to do any exercise today. However, the hot dogs and fries for lunch and the Thai Express for dinner may have cancelled all my good work for the first four days. Oh well...as long as I break even at the end of the day.
  

Week 1, Day 4

Walk for 20 min.

• Well I can do this...anybody can do this!

Week 1, Days 1-3

One of my goals for 2008 is to run a half marathon (approx. 21 km or 13 miles). I have never run a race or even exercised by running in my life but I've been inspired these last few years by people I know who started off just like me and now they love to run.

I downloaded a training schedule from the Internet and have told many people of my lofty goal. I figure if many people know about it then I really can't wimp out.

So in order to help me, I'm going to be tracking my progress on my blog. Maybe it will inspire somebody else to start running or just totally scare them away from the idea forever.

Week 1, Day 1: run 2 min., walk 1 min., repeat 4 more times

• I was shocked at how "easy" this was. I wasn't overly tired or suffering.

Week 1, Day 2: rest

• Well this was easy

Week 1, Day 3: run 3 min., walk 1 min., repeat 4 more times

• First of all, how come it jumps all of a sudden from 2 min. to 3 min? Secondly, crap was this hard. Halfway through I had to slow down my running speed a bit because I started feeling pukey. Maybe I should've waited more than an hour after dinner before I ran. Anyways, I'm a little bit discouraged that adding another minute was so hard, I'm a little bit proud that I finished it and I'm dreading the next run a lot.
  

PS...
Other goals for 2008 include:

• taking a learn to row program in the summer with a volleyball team mate (to tone those chicken wing arms of mine)
  
• cleaning out and reorganizing the basement (already underway and near completion)
  
• saving up to renovate the kitchen (which will be hard not to travel anywhere this year)
  

Christmas Happenings

I got a little bit behind in my posts because we were having so much fun visiting with friends during the Christmas break. Here's a photo journal of all the Christmas happenings...











Christmas Eve at the Jakob's and then the Booth's





























Christmas Morning.
Holiday dinners wouldn't be complete without old man Monty.



















Boxing Day at the Collins' and then the de Souza's. Spencer just completed a hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Sheldon just completed a nap at the Collins' during the party. What a party pooper! At the de Souza's, we played cards until the wee hours of the night.















Dinner at the Clark's new home. They just returned from a posting in Beijing for a couple of years. During that time, they had two little boys.




















Ha ha...I love this picture. We were at a potluck and white elephant gift exchange at the Laycock's. Angelina is testing one of the gifts on Jen while it looks like Eric is just sitting back and lovin' the action.










Black and White Ball - Stake New Year's Eve Dance. It took us about 5 hours to decorate and only 30 min. to tear it down. Sigh.