Couch To 5K: Weeks 3 & 3

30 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Uncategorized

When I started this thing, I was fully aware of just how out of shape I am. But, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to accept.

When I started this thing, I was very honest with myself and others that it would take me longer than the 9 weeks. I just didn’t realize that I would hit a wall this early.

The first time I started week 3, day 1 I got about half way through the workout and had to give up. A couple of days later I tried again and finally finished. However, the second time I ran inside the gym at the church where I work and apparently the gps feature on my app that keeps track of my pace and how far I’ve gone didn’t work while I was inside.

I started week 3, day 2 and, again, I had to give up a little over half way through the workout. Because of my schedule, it was quite a few days before I could try again. I was able to finish the workout the second time around, going 1.77 miles at 15:49 minutes per mile.

Again, because of my schedule, I didn’t get a chance to run again until this morning. I finished week 3, day 3 on the first try going 1.78 miles at 15:45 minutes per mile.

I know I’m not ready to move on to week 4 yet, so I’ve downloaded an app that’s another version of the same program. Thankfully, for week 3 both programs are the same. So I’m going to use the other version to repeat week 3 again this week and then, hopefully, I’ll be ready to move to week 4.

The good news is I went to the doctor last week for my yearly check-up and discovered that I have lost a little bit of weight since starting this. Three pounds isn’t much, but it’s a start and at least I’m doing better about getting off my lazy rear-end and being active.

 

It’s A Good Tired

29 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Everyday Stuff

It’s Sunday morning. I’m enjoying the cool morning on my balcony, coffee in hand. I’m tired, but it’s a good tired. It’s one of those days where I just keep saying, “Thank You, Lord, for giving me this wonderful life.”

Last night was Confirmation. It’s a beautiful Sacrament that our teens get to experience. Last week I was pretty stressed, trying to make sure everything was in place for Mass with the Bishop. But seeing those wonderful, young faces, so eager to welcome the Holy Spirit into their life in a new way makes it all worth it. The icing on the cake is those teens who, after Mass, came up to me to give me a hug and say thank you. I don’t do this job for the thanks, but I appreciate it when it comes along.

Some people think that now that I’m wrapping things up for this school year, I get to relax for a few months. I wish! Things will slow down for a week or so, but then it’s time to shift focus to the next event. Not to mention I’ve already started planning for next year.

The next event is the special Mass and luncheon for this year’s high school seniors. I have a love/hate relationship with this event. I love getting to honor these wonderful teens, but it breaks my heart to know that I will soon have to say goodbye to these people I’ve grown so attached to.

So, while I’m feeling pretty tired this morning, I’m thankful because it really is a good tired. And I’m so thankful that my life is so very full of blessings for me to be tired in such a good way.

Forgiveness

18 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Lessons

Forgiveness is more about the person offering the forgiveness than the person they are forgiving.

I firmly believe that is true. Mostly because I’ve seen how true it is in my own life. Unfortunately, it took me a quite a while to realize how true it really is.

An example….

I’ve alluded many times to how, in many ways, my job in NC was horrible. When I left NC, I carried a lot of anger, bitterness, and hatred with me. I held tightly onto all of those bad feelings for a couple of years. I refused to forgive the people who hurt me so deeply.

Then, last summer, I had one of the best confession experiences I’ve ever had in my life. That was the point I was finally able to forgive the people in NC who hurt me. It was so freeing.

For me.

I realized, in that moment, that me holding a grudge did not change the lives of those who hurt me. It had eaten away at me in many ways, but it did not affect them in any way whatsoever. I had wasted so much emotion and time on them for two years. Time and emotion they didn’t deserve. Time and emotion I should have invested elsewhere. All because I wanted them to hurt as badly as they had hurt me.

A couple of months ago, one of my teens became very angry with me. It was a situation that I couldn’t change. It broke my heart, because I was especially close to this teen, and I knew this was going to hurt our relationship. But, it really broke my heart, because I knew that by her holding onto that grudge and refusing to forgive me would only eat away at her and hurt her.

Last night, I received a text from this teen that simply said, “I forgive you.”

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what it took for her to reach that point to offer me forgiveness. But, other than offering me some hope that we can begin to repair our relationship, that forgiveness did not change my life.

It was the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of that kind of freeing forgiveness. It was an interesting perspective change, as I’m usually the one extending the freeing forgiveness after holding a grudge for far too long.

It was a good reminder for me, though. The next time I want to hold on to the hurt in the hopes that it will hurt the person who hurt me, I will more easily remember that holding onto the hurt is like grasping a knife in my hand–it’s only going to hurt me, not the person who handed me the knife.

Couch To 5K: Weeks 1 & 2

16 Apr 2012 2 Comments

by socompletely in Everyday Stuff

An update on my Couch to 5K adventure.

The first week I tried to start, I only managed to fit in the first workout. I started the second, but it was 90+ degrees and I only made it half-way through before I had to quit. Since I live in the desert, I’ve learned it’s best for me to run first thing in the morning instead of waiting until I get off work. I don’t have access to a treadmill, so I run either at a park or in the neighborhood near my apartment.

The next week I started again with Week 1 Day 1. I’ve done two full weeks now. I was surprised at how much easier it was than I had anticipated. It still wasn’t “easy” but I didn’t die like I thought I would. I’ve impressed myself with what I’ve been able to do so far.

Today I started with Week 3 Day 1, but couldn’t finish. I’ve had shin splints plaguing me on every run, and today they were just too bad for me to keep going. I even have a new pair of shoes that help support my stride. I over-pronate, which makes sense considering I have very low arches. It also explains why I have weak ankles.

I’m hoping to go by the local running store tomorrow and get a compression wrap, as I’ve been told it should help.

Here are my “stats” for the runs I’ve completed so far.

Week 1 Day 1: 1.86 miles at 16:06 min/mile
Week 1 Day 2: 1.86 miles at 16:05 min/mile
Week 1 Day 3: 1.81 miles at 16:32 min/mile

Week 2 Day 1: 1.87 miles at 16:34 min/mile
Week 2 Day 2: 1.88 miles at 16:28 min/mile
Week 2 Day 3: 1.93 miles at 16:01 min/mile

My friend and former co-worker–who happens to be a runner–has been my personal cheerleader, which has been a great encouragement.

I’ve surprised myself with how much I’ve enjoyed it. This coming from the girl who HATES running. Just proves that miracles still occur!

#40

14 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Family, Music

I’m not sure this weekend could have gotten much better.

I mentioned earlier in the week that I would get to combine two of my favorite things on Thursday….spending time with my niece and going to a concert. I didn’t mention that the concert was some of my favorite bands….Trevor Morgan, Matt Maher, and Third Day. I also didn’t mention that it would be my 40th Third Day concert.

To be completely honest, considering there was all of 10 people at the meet & greet, it wasn’t that great. But, my niece got to meet everybody and have her picture taken. She was pretty excited. She told them she wanted a “crazy” picture.

After the meet and greet, we went to our seats. As we were sitting down, I discovered that I had met the ladies sitting next to us at the last Third Day concert I went to. We had stood in line together in Lubbock back in November. I shouldn’t be surprised, as I’ve met some of my best friends thanks to Third Day. As we talked, I learned the ladies are friends of Trevor Morgan, so we talked about how much I adore him and his music.

Trevor, of course, did great. My niece was very impressed. My new friends and I were the only ones who sang along, but I think Trevor gained a lot of new fans that night.

I love Matt Maher every time I see him perform, whether it’s been a youth event, leading music at Mass, or putting on a concert. Yes, I’m probably a little biased because he’s a fellow Catholic. He and his band put on a very high energy set. He had a fill-in bass player since his normal bass player was at home with his wife who was in labor with their new little girl.

Despite such a small crowd, Third Day put on as energetic of a show as they could. You could tell they were pretty tired after a long day of traveling, adjusting to a new time zone, and a late start to the concert. (It didn’t start until 8:00).  It was a good show.

I did laugh when my niece and I accidentally made Mac forget the words he was singing. He had everybody sit down during Blessed Assurance and Cry Out To Jesus. Then they went into Surrender. As they started, I stood up, followed by niece. Literally everybody else in the place was sitting down. Mac says something along the lines of yes, we need to get out of our seats, as he points us out. Then he couldn’t remember the words. I told Mom later that some of us have tried, intentionally, to make Mac forget the words, but I’ve never done it on accident like that.

I also got a shout out from stage for it being my 40th show. It was nice, even if Mac had to ask David to remind him what my name is.

The best part was sharing it all with my niece. She was exhausted and came straight from golf practice, so she still had on her golf shoes on. But we both agreed it was worth it.

Friday was also a good day because I had lunch with one of my best friends from high school. I hadn’t seen her since her wedding almost 8 years ago, so it was nice to spend time catching up with her.

It was a pretty great weekend. Now it’s time for me to head home and get ready for tomorrow’s long, busy work day.

Favorite Things

12 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Everyday Stuff

First….

What the heck?! This is the second time in about a week that I’ve been awake ridiculously early on a day that I can sleep as late as I want. Not cool.

Now, on to the more “important” stuff….

One of my favorite things in the whole world is being an Aunt. I adore my niece and nephews. My niece, R, and I have a sweet relationship, which I especially love. She’s 17 and I hate to think of her growing up, graduating high school, and going off to college. But, I’m excited to see what God has planned for this amazing young lady. And I’m sure we’ll just get closer as she gets older. I love, love, love getting to spend time with her.

Another one of my favorite things is live music. Love going to concerts. Which you know if you know me at all.

Tonight, I get to combine these two favorite things. I’ve been looking forward to it since December. That’s when, for her Christmas gift, I told R I would be taking her to this concert. We’ve both been counting down since then.

A night spent with R at a concert? Life doesn’t get much better.

Now if the venue website, printed tickets, and artist website could all agree on what time the concert starts tonight, that would make things that much better.

Easter Weekend

09 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Everyday Stuff

How did I spend Easter weekend? Lots of reading and eating. Not much of anything else.

I’m a pretty low-maintenance gal. Thankfully, so is my Mom. So, when we spend a weekend together, it’s pretty low-key. And I love it!

Mom got into town late Friday afternoon. Friday evening we went to the Good Friday service at church, out to dinner, and then a quick stop to get stuff for breakfast the next day.

Saturday I did my C25K workout. We had a late breakfast, then we went to a local running store so the “Easter bunny” could buy me a new pair of running shoes. After a stop at the grocery story, we went home and spent time reading before going for a very late lunch. After lunch, it was back home for an evening of reading.

Sunday morning we went to Mass, had lunch, then read for a little while before Mom had to head home. After she left, I continued to read and then watched Army Wives before going to bed.

In a matter of three days, I finished all three books in The Hunger Games series. (I’m naturally a very fast reader.)

A pretty quiet weekend, but it was great. The best part?

Easter is not over! We celebrate for 50 days. I love that the Catholic Church does not celebrate Easter, or even Christmas for that matter, for just one day. We enjoy a whole season of celebrating. (50 days for Easter, 12 for Christmas.)

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. Alleluia, He is risen!

Easter People

08 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Inspiration

Every year, when I wake up on Easter morning, the first thing I think of is a wonderful quote by St. Augustine.

“We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song.”

This year, I added a quote that our pastor used in his homily on Good Friday.

“We are an Easter people, living in a Good Friday world.”

I am so thankful to be counted among the Easter people. Alleluia!!

Good Friday

07 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Inspiration

Every year on Good Friday, I think back on one of the most profound Good Friday experiences I ever had. A guided meditation/prayer service that focused on the last seven words/phrases spoken by Jesus during His passion.

First Meditation: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
                  How often do we do something, say something, think something without fully realizing what we are doing. Just like those who crucified Jesus did not understand the full extent of their actions, we too have times when we do not understand the full extent of our actions. We are not always mindful of how our words and actions affect others. How often do we hold a grudge, refusing to forgive somebody for something they have done to us? Do we follow the example of Christ and forgive them even when they may not realize what they are doing is hurting us? Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.

Read the full post here.

Holy Thursday

06 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by socompletely in Totally Random

I’ve mentioned it numerous times that, liturgically speaking, Holy Week is my favorite week of the year. Why? Because it contains all the most important things in the world to me.

I especially love Holy Thursday.

Don’t get me wrong, Good Friday and Easter are wonderful and I’m so very thankful for them. I understand that without them, Holy Thursday wouldn’t be what it is. But, it’s Holy Thursday that draws me in and….well, I just cannot put it into words.

This probably won’t mean as much to most of you. Maybe it’s a Catholic thing. But Holy Thursday? That is the day that Jesus established the Eucharist. The day He gave us Himself in a whole new way. The day He made it possible for me to become a living tabernacle, to have Him present in my life everyday in a real, physical way.

The Eucharist has changed my life. So to have the chance to celebrate that in a special way every year? Well, it just does my soul good.

It especially did my soul good to see the church packed for Mass last night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crowd that big for a Holy Thursday service. It’s not even that full for most Sunday services.

What a beautiful thing to see the Eucharist draw in so many people.

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