I Did It !!

I did it !  I ran the 15km race yesterday morning - in 2:10.  I think I would have finished closer to 2hrs if my right foot had played along - but it didn't - it mis-behaved - so I am going back to the podiatrist on Wednesday after work to see if he can sort it out.

I was up at 4am and ready to leave by 4.30.  A said he would come with me despite me telling him to rather wait at home instead of hanging around for too many hours waiting for me to finish.  But, being my biggest supporter, he was not about to stay at home.  So he came with.  And followed me along the route there and back - not in a creepy way - just driving ahead and waiting on the side of the road to check I was OK and encourage me along.  At one point he had a bottle of water for me which was great because although the water tables were supposed to be every 2.5km - they weren't actually that well spaced.  The next time I saw him I gave him the bottle back because it was awkward running while holding a bottle and it had got me through a dry patch so that was great. 

I caught up with Kate and Rachel from Operation Move.  Zoey had left by the time I got to the start - she ran the 50km in an amazing 5:50.  Kate ran the 15km in 1:29 and Rachel finished about 2mins ahead of me.  It was lovely to meet these amazing ladies in person.

I figure that if I can run 15km, I can run a half marathon so, I am now looking at entering some more races - an 11km race in January from Riverstage called the Resolution Run, the Convicts and Wenches half marathon at the end of January and then a half marathon at the Twilight Festival around UQ in March - but this all depends on what my coach says she thinks is reasonable for me to achieve.  I was telling a friend about the races I want to enter and she has said she would like to run with me so that is great - the parts of the race that I ran with Rachel on Sunday were really good.

Some other great news is I booked our tickets to go and visit K next year.  When we facetimed her to tell her, I thought her face was going to split in half her smile was so big !!! Then the tears came in her eyes and I asked if she was sad about us coming over - she laughed and said "No Mom, they are tears of joy." (I think she is pleased she is going to see us and not have to wait until she gets home again !!!)

I don't think I will be posting again before the new year. I am so looking forward to the break over Christmas - a break from the day to day grind of going to work - a chance to sleep in - run when I want - potter around the house - work in the garden - spend time with A and my folks.  Dad has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time - so far he has managed to fight it successfully twice.  Tomorrow he is going for another PET scan and then has an appointment with the surgeon so hopefully we will have some more answers by the end of the day.

For those with great plans for Christmas - I hope that they come off for you and that you have a wonderful time.  For anyone like us, with no children at home, and no plans for Christmas - enjoy your day whatever you may land up doing - I know that we are looking forward to a really quiet day at home.

And, because it is Tuesday, it's time to join in with Jess from Essentially Jess for #IBOT.

What are your plans for Christmas ?

Do you like having big plans ?

Would you rather have a quiet day at home ?

 

 TFTD : Accept this moment, without judgement or needless worry.  Remind yourself that all is well, and that you can handle whatever comes along.

 

Too Late

Who knew I would need to phone and book dinner on Christmas Eve before 20th November otherwise we would miss out and the place would be fully booked ????????

Oh well, now I know for next year - start looking earlier than the beginning of November and make arrangements before 20th November !!

Due to the size of our family, we have always 'shared' my parents on Christmas Day.  One year with us and one year with my brother and his wife's family.  On the years that my folks have come to us, we have our BIL, SIL, nephews and girl-friends as well.  Last year things were different and it was just the 5 of us - which was great - we didn't eat too much and we didn't have left overs for days afterwards.

This year my folks are going to my brother and extended family and so we thought we would go out to dinner on Christmas Eve.  That was we wouldn't have left overs for days on end and the three of us would just mooch around at home - enjoying the time off work.  The problem is I never thought we would have to book before 20th November !!! When I rang to book for 5 adults I was advised that they were fully booked - BUGGER POO BUM !!!

So we did the ring around of hotels and we had to either pay $150 each (not going to happen) or go with a normal carvery and seafood buffet (I'm guessing the difference is - no crackers, no Christmas pudding, possibly no mince pies) for $75.  K wasn't fussed about no crackers - she, quite rightly, pointed out that we could have crackers at home on Christmas Day (as I can Christmas pudding as I am the only one who eats it so maybe I'll just buy a little one all for me !!).  When I rang Dad this morning he said he didn't care about crackers and hats (especially the hats as they look funny on him !!!) the main thing is that we are all together.

Next year I will be better prepared.  Now to see if I can find the Christmas presents that K is wanting !!  A has asked for a 6 pack of beer and I have already got my present (Nikon D5100) !!  As we don't do Kris Kringle or have littlies in our family, I just need to find the multiple photo frame that my folks want, choose some photos to go in there and I am done !  (Apart from A because I can't just give him a 6 pack of beer no matter how many times he tells me that is all he wants - but what do you buy for the man who has EVERYTHING ??????????)

I am feeling a bit like the Christmas grinch - I am not putting up a tree this year and really can't be bothered with all the Christmas Hoo Haa (which is why I want to go out for dinner because I can't be ar*ed cooking !!!!) but I have noticed that without little children around, Christmas just doesn't have the same feel to it.  We are not religious people and to be honest, I am just happy to have a couple of days off work !!

Linking in with Jess for #IBOT.

TFTD : When you give it your best shot and you miss, it's not seen as a failure.  Instead, it's just another opportunity to step up to the plate and do it better next time.

Things I Know

Even though Kellie isn't able to host TIL today, I thought I would post things I know anyway (Mainly because I am battling to think of anything else to post about !!!!!)

• That I had a nice loss on the scales this week (1.2kgs) which proves to me (once again) that when I am careful about what I eat and when I do the exercise that I set out to do, the losses will come.
• That I am stronger than I thought - I have had two incidents in the past couple of days that have wound me up like you won't believe and on both occasions I have managed to find other ways to take my mind off what was going on without turning to food to ease the pain.
• That I really miss A when he is away and I can't wait for him to be home again.
• That I really really really want to get back into running but if I don't do the rehab work on my knee I won't be able to run - ever - and that would make me really sad.
• That I hate working in a noisy office.  We are busy with building additional floor space on a mezzanine level and the workmen are driving me nuts with the banging and drilling and nail gunning and sawing - for Pete's sake - a little bit of peace and quiet !!!!!!!!
• That K is making a name for herself as a reliable baby sitter and is increasing the family base that she regularly baby sits for.  This makes me happy because on other levels she drives me to drink but I take heart from the fact that she is a lovely girl who parents are happy to leave their children with knowing that she is taking care of them.
• That I am looking forward to redeeming a Christmas gift voucher for a facial tomorrow afternoon - bliss !!!!

I hope that you all have the best weekend ever - take care and go safely !

TFTD : One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive.  No matter who you are or what your position, you must keep fighting for whatever it is you desire to achieve - George Allen

Merry Christmas !

I am not sure whetheror not I will have a chance to post again before Christmas as I have a fair few things that I need to get done. Today I made the double chocolate hazelnut mousse - I hope that it tastes as good as it looks !!!

Just now we are off to get the alcohol and fruit and veggies. Tomorrow we have to go to get the turkey bon bons and the cob loaf and then, if I can't find the present that I bought for K and then hid so well that I can't find it now, I will need to go and buy her another one and hope that I find the other one soon so that I can use it !!!

Wishing all my blogging friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2012

Love, hugs and positive energy !