Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn

It is happening. I am aging. I am happy with what I have become, yet still pause and wonder when it all happened. 3 kids? really? one who is 15 and in high school? how is this possible? I look at my skin, my hands, my hair and see aging. I am not displeased with what I see, just see change. I don't recall growing older, or feeling this change. I still feel as though I did years ago. If I close my eyes I feel as though I did when I was 18. Yet when I open my eyes and look down at my sad stretched stomach, when I hear these 3 children calling me mom, when I remember my responsibilities as an adult, it still baffles me how I got here. I love my life. I am blessed. I am complete and satisfied. Yet I look back and wonder how I got here. Why was I so lucky? You see my stretched belly, my few grey strands of hair, my aging hands and face. They are reminders of who I am and where I have been. They are the reminders to me of my past, the good times and bad. they are reminders of why I am what I am today. I have learned so much already on this great journey of life. I look forward to many more amazing rides, even the bumps and curves, for I have learned far more from the rocky times than the smooth. Life is an unbelievable ride, one we need to stop and cherish each day. As this new year begins I hope that my family enjoys the ride, that we remember to buckle up and hold on tight, for this year year has wonderful potential.

"Nobody said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it."

139 days until my first half. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Santa was very good to me, my wish list consisted of mostly running things. Could it be I am now a runner? Did it happen? I got more Bondi Bands. I LOVE these. LOVE. Santa knew and got me 6 more. I also got a medicine ball with work out DVD. I also got a home gym. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I really need to step up weight training and this will make it so much easier. We are also going to finish the work-out room (drywall and carpet). I plan to paint fun bright colors and write motivational quotes and words on the wall. It will make working out and the treadmill much more desirable.

I DID IT!!

I have OFFICIALLY signed up for my first half marathon!!!!!!

146 days!

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich

Anyone who works in a large office can relate to this. This time of year the office is overloaded with cookies, chocolate, fudge, cheesecake, candy, brownies, anything you can imagine dipped in chocolate, breads, catered lunches, and I was even given sauerkraut. I have managed to resist most. It is exhausting to try to stay on track. My goal this holiday season is to not gain. that is it.

Running is coming along. I am having some problems with my knees. They hurt medially. I know it is because I run indoors on pavement and I need to work on my gait. My feet fall flat on the ground, like a slap. I am loud and hard as I land. After a few miles it usually corrects. Occasionally my left hip gives me slight trouble. I am using Advil and an ace-wrap as of now. I have 146 days until the half. WOO HOO!

I know I need to add weight training to my work-outs yet not sure how and what to add in. Any advice is welcome.

‎"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the road and never cross the finish line."

Is anyone reading this??? ECHO!!!! I plan to officially sign up for the half soon. prices go up Jan 1st so I will sign up before then. What do I want for xmas?? I can't come up with anything!!

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
~Vince Lombardi~

I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. ~Jesse Owens

~160 Days~

I have 160 days to prepare for the half. To keep my motivation up, I have vowed to post a running quote or fact daily until then. to start things off:

If you can dream it, you can do it. -Walt Disney

Today is a treadmill day as overnight we got a good 8 inches or more. Things I need to do in the next 160 days:

Set a plan and stick to it (my wonderful friend Kim is helping with this)

strength/weight train

cut out the beer (one week down already!)

stay focused/motivated

watch my diet

encourage/motivate my friends that are also running

HAVE FUN! ENJOY THIS MISSION!