Back on My Feet

Anne Mahlum, a High School classmate of mine, is the Founder and President of Back on My Feet, in Philadelphia. Please take a couple minutes to read about her and her organization that has worked to encourage self-sufficiency of the homeless population through running as a means to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem.

Back on My Feet has been chosen as one of the top 10 hero stories of 2008 by CNN.

Now, please take a couple minutes to watch an inspiring video, here, on Anne and this wonderful

organization. After you have watched the video, I encourage you to vote for her story.

I am sharing this with you because this is not only a person I know and have a connection to, but I feel that this is another reminder to all of us how a running can make such a difference in a community. Most of you, my fellow bloggers, are avid runners and know what running can do to the mind and body. This organization is just another example of the good that comes out of running.

She did find her love of running on the flat streets of Bismarck, ND.... and all the positives that come out of it.

The results of the voting will be revealed during CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE Thanksgiving night at 9PM ET.

A Challenge: 34 Days to a Better Me

With the stress of work and moving over the past couple of weeks, I know for a fact I haven’t been up to par in my workouts or proper nutrition and sleep, for that matter. I have been feeling sluggish, tired, and my body has been pumped with too much unhealthy food and high calorie beverages. With that in mind, I am going to join Borsch in his 35 day challenge (with a little tweaking) and work to improve my general well-being.

Have any of you heard of Bob Greene? I have read his book, The Best Life Diet, and found it to be very interesting. The next month or so is going to be very similar to his first month plan which is basically a time for cleaning out the system. Bob suggests cutting out the coffee, soda, and alcohol altogether, as well as increasing the healthy foods, supplements, and workouts. I am taking his suggestions and changing them a bit.

Here's what the next 34 days will look like for me:

• Absolutely no soda. I did this about this time last fall and was soda-free for almost 6 months and somehow got back into a little here and there. It makes me feel like crap.




• Only allowed coffee 1x/week. This is very manageable and I look forward to getting off the caffeine-roller-coaster-ride. I can’t tell if I am tired because I am tired or tired because I am coming off a caffeine-high. It’s awful.




• Keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum. I could totally cut this out, but that’s not realistic. I like to have a beer or drink here and there and I probably only have a couple a week if that. So I am not going to worry too much about this.




• Workout daily. This will consist of a minimum of 20 minutes per day, ranging from a long run, bike, or swim, to a short run, bike or swim sometimes including weight training; or something as minimal as a walk, yoga, stretching, Pilates, and Turbo Sculpting/Turbo Abs. I did this in June and found it to be very effective, and actually lost 6 pounds that month.




• Take daily supplements. I usually take a women’s multivitamin and fish oil. I am usually pretty good about doing this, but on occasion I will go a week or so without taking anything.




• A minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night. This should really be 8+ hours (for me), but that isn’t always realistic. This should be the easiest thing to accomplish… as I love to sleep.

So, anyone else in on this challenge?

Day 1 Workout:
Run - 2.92 miles, 34:00, 11:38/mile
Perfect 55 degrees, sun shining, no wind, and no walk breaks!

Today's Song: Creed - Higher

I got back just in time to see the sun set in the clear blue sky!

**Breast Cancer Awareness Information**

There are mixed-reviews on whether or not routine breast self-examinations are effective and necessary. Some say it is, and some say that it has led to more doctor visits but does not find breast cancer earlier than regular medical examinations.

I don't know about you, but I would rather be safe than sorry, right?

Click here for an excerpt on early detection at the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.

All moved in....

Thanks to my wonderful family, moving this weekend went fairly well, minus a couple moments of misery.

Thursday night when my parents and youngest sister arrived, we moved a few more things from the apartment, including the huge (old) tv and huge entertainment center. It took us forever to get the entertainment down the stairs because of the narrow stairs and hallway. Eventually we were able to maneuver it enough to get it down there.

Friday, we woke to rain and tried to wait it out a bit before tacking the rest. We picked out the paint for the rest of the living/dining/kitchen area. By the time my other sister, Steph, arrived in Fargo, the rain had stopped and we tackled the rest of my stuff... things in the fridge, a couple bookshelves, odds and ends, as well as the huge couch and chair.

After taking down two doors and trying to get the couch in the basement, where I wanted it, it was decided that it was only going to fit upstairs. Now I need to find furniture to go downstairs so I can watch tv!

Yesterday, us girls spent a good chunk of time painting, and Dad put in a light dimmer in my room and a sensor light on my patio. Later on we checked out some furniture at a few stores before grabbing a bite to eat for dinner. Now I just need to make a decision on what I want for a couch and dining room table!

Here are a few pics... but remember, it's still a work in progress and I need to do a lot more painting and hang up some pictures/art work.

Living room/kitchen/dining room:

Before

After

The green stayed the same, but we painted all the other walls a yellow-creamish color (Bavarian Cream to be exact)

My favorite, the master bedroom:

Before
(Remember the nasty red?!)

After
(The markings on the wall are from the glass fixtures around the lights in the ceiling fan.)

I will post more pics when I have more rooms painted, art and pictures on the wall, and things organized in general.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! My back is a bit sore from painting and moving stuff, but I hope to be back to the gym tomorrow! Only 5 days left in October!

Oh... and we woke up to the sight of this ...

Don't worry, it has already melted, but the 40 degree temps and 36mph gusting winds might be sticking around for a few days....

4 Day Weekend Kick-off

This 4-day weekend, due to ND Teacher's Convention (that isn't required), couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I was starting to reach my breaking point at work, due to paperwork, meetings, behavior issues, etc. On top of that, closing on the house, packing, moving, cleaning, and trying to be consistent with my workouts and nutrition has been hard. But, after this week, I hope to be back to my normal self. Whatever that may be.

To kick-off the 4 day weekend of craziness, I met a friend at the pool for a long swim. We did a lot of speed work and I probably only took 2 breaks. She was planning to finish with 2500M, and I just couldn't stop there; I wanted to push another 100M. So, we did.

Afterwards, I made breakfast for the both of us while we did some packing and loaded up both of our cars with boxes and hanging clothes. Good thing I am only moving a few blocks from my current apartment.

Now, I am going to do some more packing and cleaning before my parents and baby sis get to town tonight. Tomorrow Steph will be joining us and we will have a busy weekend full of unpacking, little cleaning, and more painting! I might have to put a few cold ones in the fridge to keep them all happy!

Have a great weekend y'all. I will catch up with you later and will hopefully have some pictures to post!

Today's Swim: 2600M, 58:00. 2:13/100M

Today's Song: New Kids on The Block ft. Ne-Yo - "Single"

Feelin' Good?

Definitely feelin' better.

Thanks for those kind comments in regards to my post yesterday. I think I am just physically and mentally drained right now. On top of that, my allergies ARE affecting me.

This morning I was able to make it to the gym, as much as I wanted to stay in bed. I got on the treadmill and did a very, very, slow 2.7 miles. I was struggling a bit, mostly due to the pain in my sinus due to the allergies, but I felt a helluva lot better afterwards. Even though it wasn't a great run, it was just what I needed to start my day and make me feel better!

Now, I am off to do some more cleaning at the house. I got my Norwex cleaning rags and I can't wait to use them. Look back for a follow-up post on the wonderful products, as I will post more information and testimonies!! It's will benefit your health!

Today's Run: 2.7 miles, 33:44, 12:29/mile

Today's Song: Michael Buble - Feelin' Good

What's this funk?

I knew I wasn't going to make it to the gym this morning, so I slept in until 5:45. I had to get to work early as I had a meeting and plenty of paperwork to try to finish up. I thought that if I felt rested and better this afternoon I would take advantage of the nice weather and run outside.

That didn't happen. Being locked up in the building all day I felt like my allergies were being aggravated. When I left work and headed to the house to do a few things, the fresh air felt good but not good enough to get me out and do something.

I feel like I am in some sort of funk. I cleaned up at the house a bit, unloading a few boxes that I brought over, putting the face plates back on the walls in the master bedroom, and headed home.

I just feel, icky.

I made my favorite post-workout snack, even if I didn't workout, it hit the spot.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie:

1/2 large banana

4 large strawberries

1 cup white grape juice

1 serving of whey protein powder (using the measuring cup with it ... I like to use chocolate)

1 cup ice

...blend well.....mmm.... it's so yummy!

Hopefully tomorrow I will make it to the gym. Tonight I will be doing some more paperwork... at home. There is definitely something wrong with this idea.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

I am trying not to revolve every post around this house thing, but I hate to admit it .. my life is revolving around it right now. That and work... but I am not going to even go there.

Yesterday I spent the entire day, at the house. I cleaned. Made some friends at the Home Depot. Primed the bedroom and then painted it with some very great help from Jill. Then I finished up a second coat, and went on to shampoo two bedrooms and a living room in the basement. Some of you asked what color I chose to paint the master bedroom (ridding of the vampire red) ... I am not going to show pictures yet, but here are the names of the two colors: polished silver and calm storm. Does that give you an idea?

I was completely spent when I got home last night and felt worse than I did after my half marathon. I don't know if I am going to be able to do a workout today. All I want to do is finish some necessary paperwork, check y'alls blogs, and watch some football.

Have a great Sunday!

Here it be...

Signed my life away on my first home today, a twinhome. Kind of like a townhouse.

Got my keys, did some minor cleaning, now it's time to get down to business... before moving all my stuff in next week.

The first thing on the list? ... getting rid of this color...