Quarter one... done!

It's been much longer than I expected since my last post. That is common for me though. Sometimes I feel the desire to write everyday and other times it takes awhile to get back to it. Actually, just as I'm writing this I am realizing that is how I am with all the areas of my life... including this journey I've set out on during this year.

This has not been an easy 4 months for me. I set off with such high expectations of where I would be at this point. And to be perfectly honest, because I haven't accomplished all that I wanted to at this point, I have had some very stressful days. I am not a stressful type person by nature. However, my usual coping mechanism to not stress is avoidance. I am very good at avoiding what I do not want, and therefore, don't usually take on much stress! It works :))

In this bigger, more public declaration of my New Year's resolutions though, I really haven't been able to avoid as much as I have really wanted to. Of course, while it has been perfectly within my right to quit or give up at any point, I was determined to stay on track. For me, moving forward with my intention of becoming "a better me" continues to be the inspiration to keep going this year. It is important for me to be happy and to feel good about myself. So, despite the couple of things that are going to spill into the second quarter of this year, I am still very proud of myself and what I have been able to accomplish.

Quickly, the things that didn't get done... I didn't lose the weight I wanted. As I mentioned, I started off strong, but when the more intense training for the half marathon began, I hadn't gotten enough of my good eating habits down. I could easily eat lighter and healthier, but then I didn't have enough energy to train. So, instead of working on learning how to eat better while training, I just let it go. I ate whatever I wanted, and so even with the training, did not lose any weight. Yet!

I also did not raise all of the money I committed to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by the deadline. I did raise $1,205, which is 50% of the $2,400 I need to raise, but will still need to either raise more or pay the difference myself. Also, as a result, TNT is not allowing me to run as part of their team. This was very upsetting, but at the same time I realized how much I hold myself back from always being my best. I'm an Empowerment Coach so I know that it was totally within my own power to meet that goal. The economy or my getting laid off or any other reason I could come up with is really no excuse. I simply didn't enjoy fundraising or asking people for money. And because I didn't go full out, where I am now with that is the consequence.

Ok, enough about that!

The greatest news is that I will still be running the half marathon. I always knew that if I didn't meet my goal of raising all of the money in time, I would simply pay the $60 race fee and run it on my own. And so, that is what I will be doing! I will be there, with the kids... in different t-shirts, but in the end no problem at all. Also, it's no small thing that I was able to raise $1,205 to help find a cure for cancer! That is definitely a glass half full opportunity if there ever was one. Wonderful people donated on my behalf, including anonymous donors (three donated $100 and one $50!!) I definitely felt the love and from some I don't even know who they were!

Regarding my training, the more significant miles I have completed to date was a one 9 mile outing a few weeks ago and finally a 12 mile walk/run this past Saturday. The 12 miles was a big deal for me. While I'm not a full out runner, I was so proud when I was able to go further than I ever have in my life. I never imagined myself even wanting to do such a thing, much less actually doing it!

So this coming Sunday is the big day. I am very much looking forward to the experience and feeling the energy of the day. It's bittersweet for sure as it won't exactly be as I had imagined. But who knows? It may be far better than I even could imagine! I am definitely happy, will be happier on Sunday, and will be even sooo much happier on Monday as I begin the second leg of my journey for this year. I have ideas for my next goals, but I will wait until Monday or so to clarify them for myself. And as usual, I am sure I will be sharing.

More to come in May! Yay!!