Training for Bay to Breakers

I am on board with training for the Bay to Breakers 10k. My goal is to finish the race before they close the race. If I can do that, I'll feel like I accomplished something as I am not a runner or a jogger. Yesterday I jogged for 30 minutes straight, going over just 2 miles. I know that's a slow jog, but for a girl who doesn't jog and who's body prefers not to move like that, it's quite the accomplishment! This next week I start with 35 minutes of walking/running. I forgot I had the choice at this point to walk for part of it! I was under the impression I just needed to jog the whole time, which was probably a good thing for me. I'm going to try and do the whole 35 minutes jogging. We'll see. The bottom part of my calves kills me after a while, so we'll see what I can do. Maddie signed up to do the half Boston marathon yesterday! Whoo hoo! And J Wo asked me to send her my training schedule, so we could do some local races. I'm just inspiring people left and right lol!

Getting to the MTC On Time

Elder Ames in SLC




















Elder Ames & Dad at airport
















Elder Ames & Mom at airport



























Elder Ames outside the MTC, ready to go in!


Elder Connor Ames reported to the MTC to begin his mission to Lansing, MI at the duly appointed time, but with last minute change of plans. Dad was the designated parental unit assigned to drop off Elder Ames to the MTC on January 20, but due to an onset of acute pain cause by a kidney stone, the anticipated 6:30 Monday morning flight was hastily canceled and Elder Ames spent his morning in the Emergency Room at Saint Agnes Hospital.

After receiving a shot of morphine to dull the pain, Dad was taken home and put to bed and Mom jumped on the internet to determine what last minute flight could be obtained to get her and Elder Ames to Utah in record speed.

A second set of tickets were purchased for a 6:30 a.m. Tuesday flight and after waking, and finding no one in pain, Dad drove the travelers to the airport for the Utah flight.

Tuesday afternoon found the two in Mr. Mac seeking to obtain a winter boot that would be warm, yet stylish enough to wear with a suit. Boot obtained! The rest of the day was spent picking up last minute odds and ends as they drove around all the miscellaneous road hazards from multiple construction areas in downtown SLC. The evening ended with dinner at a Brazillian steakhouse where Elder Ames could eat his fill of many different kinds of meat.

The next morning's breakfast continued the beef theme with t-bone steak and eggs at Ihop. The duo traveled to Provo in a very large (is there any other kind?) Suburban, missing only one highway exchange and arrived in time to visit University Mall and Mr. Mac's to obtain, yet another, last minute needed item.

A drive by of the MTC took place and upon finding the location quite easily, the twosome headed to Zapada's for soup and sandwich. Finally, the drop off time arrived! Down the long driveway to the MTC the Suburban flew, skidding to a stop alongside the curb under the direction of multiple Elders. Elder Ames was greeted by enthusiastic Elders who helped with getting his luggage out of the back of the 'burb. Mom snapped a couple of pics for Facebook and blogging purposes, a hug was exchange (with Mom pointing out her dry eyes) and Elder Ames was whisked off by his fellow compatriots. Task completed Mom drove off recognizing for the first time in 23 years there would be no children waiting for her arrival when she got home and gave a small satisfied sigh.

2010 Goal - The Year of Movement

I'm not big on setting New Year's resolutions. I prefer to make goals throughout the year and not focus everything on just one time of the year. Plus, it seems like New Year's resolutions are just made to break and what's the point of that?

One of the things I like to do is have a theme for a year. Last year was The Year of the Book. I had a goal to read 50 books during the year, which I surpased rather quickly and changed it to 100 books and then ended up reading 164! The year before was the Year of the Woman and I spent time doing "womanly" things.

This year will be the Year of Movement. I'm kinda feeling like I was sitting in one place (the couch) a lot last year due to all my reading :), so this year I want to move. My first goal is to participate in the Bay to Breakers 10k with Tiff. I've registered for the race and I will be in the third week of the training program beginning this week. The race takes place mid-May, so I should have a lot of movement for the first five months of the year. Tiff wants to do a half marathon later in the year. I'm not sure about that, but I'm keeping an open mind.

The second goal is to take salsa dance lessons with Randy. I have a teacher and friends that are willing to do it with us, now I need to call the teacher and set up the date.

Playing with our Wii at least twice a week is my third goal.

Golfing more frequently will be my fourth goal. I'd like to play a game at least once a week and hit balls once. Last year, because of the wedding, I didn't get to go out as much. Randy has started playing, so I'll have Tiff and Ran to play with.

My job will feel the affects of The Year of Movement. I'm going to do much more traveling than I've ever done before. I've scheduled myself to work at the Central Coast at least twice a month and I will be working in Visalia, Porterville and Hanford on a frequent basis.

Even though it's The Year of Movement, I'll still be reading as much as I can. I think reading keeps me sane and gives me a fantasyland to live in.

So those are my goals, so far, for the year. I'll keep you posted as how I'm moving.