Just Maybe Spring is Here...

Wow...I haven't blogged since February! Either life is very dull and not really worth writing about, or I have been pretty busy, and just haven't taken the time. Since life is never dull in a house full of teenage girls, I'll go with the latter.

Before I get to how my running is progressing, there have been some other events in our lives that are worth mentioning. Foremost on that list is that my oldest daughter, Morgan, has spread her wings and moved to Nashville. No, she doesn't sing, nor does she play an instrument (she said that is what everyone down there asks when she tells them she is new in town). She just loves the city. This is my child who has always hated large cities, and swore she would never leave good ole Perry County! She began a job at Ruby Tuesdays this week, and hopefully all will go well there. With Bethany going to Indianapolis for college in August, it is very odd to imagine my girls living six hours apart, and just having Addison here with us. As I look back over their lives, their childhoods seemed to have gone by in a flash. I pray that I taught them everything they need to know, and that they are happy, and they make a difference in the lives of others.

My in-laws also relocated last month. They had been living in South Texas in the winter, and traveling the rest of the year. They sold their Texas home and bought a place in Lawrenceburg, KY, just outside of Lexington. My sister-in-law and her husband live in Lawrenceburg. It is going to be great to have them within two hours. This past weekend we were able to go down to help them do some painting.

Running! I am still keeping up with it. I am so proud that I made it through the winter, and was able to maintain my distance and actually increased my speed a little. We ran our first race of the year on March 13 in Evansville. There were over 930 runners, and a couple hundred walkers. It was a fun race, although it was cold and dreary, even misting the last mile or two. The race was 7K, which is 4.34 miles. My time was 38:17, which is an 8:59 pace. I placed 11/47 in my age group, which was really exciting! Last year at this time, I was hardly running a mile! The next race that we plan to run is in French Lick in April. It is a 5K, and a flat course that winds through the French Lick Hotel and West Baden Hotel. Running in races helps to keep me motivated, and helps me to want to improve. I know that I will never be a competitive runner, but improving is enough for me (well, I do pour over times and try to figure out what I need to do to place if possible, and I am sort of competitive, but I am still realistic).

My sister, Bobbi, is trying to add running to her exercise program. Let me just say that this lady walks about as fast as I run! She is in great shape, so I am excited to see what she can do running. She has been working on the treadmill, and ran 1 1/2 miles without stopping, so she is well on her way. We are going to meet this evening to see what she can do outside.

I have worked really hard to improve my running, get into better shape, and just be healthier, but I still struggle with eating. I do not like many veggies, and I love pizza, burgers, sweets, and candy. I just can't give them up. I have tried to cut back, and I know that I need to have better habits so that Addison will develop better habits, but gosh, it is so hard. Last night was $6 pizza night; I can't cook for that! We are buying healthier snacks (which are way more expensive), and we don't eat much fast food at all, but a person can only eat so much grilled chicken! I think that it will always be a battle for me. Thus far I have managed to stay healthy, yet have never eaten many veggies or much fruit. I am trying to eat more applesauce and drink apple juice, and we always have bananas, but I still need to add more.

We are on spring break this week. While many of my friends are on beaches in Florida, I am home. I am enjoying time at home, and just doing what I want. Addison has to have a test done on Friday to see if her gall bladder is functioning. I am anxious to get that done so that she can begin to get some relief from her constant stomach pains.

Have a terrific week, and try something new! You will be glad you did!