Not quite new year's...

What's my resolution? Well I wouldn't quite call it a resolution but more like a goal. I really want to run a half marathon. I set out to accomplish this goal last summer, but a string of ridiculously hot, humid weather bummed me out and I quit. Now, trying to run a half marathon is going to consist of a few challenges.

1. Running.
2. Long runs.
3. Not dying.

I'm reading a book right now (you can order it here, if you'd like) and it's really getting me motivated. In the book she talks about wanting to take naps on park benches during long runs, peeing in bushes without anybody seeing, and other funny things to get you really into running.

So I'm on week on. So far I have gotten in 3 runs. Monday and Wednesday I ran 35 minutes, about 3 miles each time. Today (Friday) was my "long run" of the week, 45 minutes and I managed to get in 4 miles. I think the gal that wrote that book must have been a pretty slow runner, because in a couple weeks my long run is supposed to be 4 miles. I don't know. I'm just going to try and follow it and not die, and not quit. So I'm really going to try and blog about my training... If I have the energy :)

Candy

This time of year the candy and treats... are... everywhere... Seriously. I work at the hospital, and patients bring it to thank us for the care we give, other nurses bring it because they don't want it at home, and sometimes it just appears randomly out of nowhere (OK, the carolers brought it.. but seriously, a giant box of candy?)...

I ate way too much of it yesterday and today it has left me feeling pretty crummy. But today is a new day and I'm not going to let a little chocolate get me down.

So I'm telling you this, candy: Today I will not give in to your temptations. Yes, you look and taste pretty delicious but despite what my taste buds are telling me, you are not worth it. Love, Katie.

Ha... I hope I can follow through on this. It really is annoying the amount of candy that's around where I work. Ugh.

a new plan...

So Weight Watchers has unveiled yet another adjustment to their classic "points" program. Last year it was the new PointsPlus, and this year is PointsPlus2012. So, my daily points allowance went from 29 to 26. Boo. But, it has given me kind of a new start so I'm trying to be on track better.

Spent some time last Sunday baking a couple of goodies with Sarah that would be WW-friendly. We made Pumpkin Cheesecake and peppermint bark fudge.

The pumpkin cheesecake I've made before and I find it to be delicious! The sour cream topping is soooo good, and the cheesecake is really creamy, for being so light. The peppermint bark fudge, however, I really wasn't crazy about... I thought it had a really "gummy" texture, and just kind of reminded me of overdone brownies. I don't know. It is good for a quick chocolate fix but I don't think I would make it again. I'd rather have the real thing. Yummmmyyyy fudge... But, I guess that's better to have in the fridge because it's not so tempting and at least if I eat it I know how to count it correctly.

A confession.

So... I'm up. About 8 pounds or so. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING!! I don't know why I can't control myself a little better. You'd think after 2 years of doing this I'd have it down... But sometimes life gets the best of me. So here is my committment... One day at a time, healthy eating, exercising. I told my trainer today that I really need to work hard so I hope that happens in our workouts. I'd also like to get in the gym a little more often.

This is the holiday season, of course, involving tons of food. Ugh. People are bringing crap to work every single day and I can't say no sometimes!! So, now that you know... keep me on track. I can do this. Today, and then tomorrow.

Good, good news!

So I didn't sleep very well last night. Anxiety about this day maybe or just in an unfamiliar place. So, I woke up a little early and hopped on the treadmill. Pounded out 3.0 miles on that baby! It feels so good/bad all at the same time. But proud of myself for not just saying, ah forget it today... I needed that.

My mom's tests went pretty well today. They went down and took biopsies again in her esophagus but didn't have to 'resect' anything (meaning: they didn't see any really concerning spots... they always take biopsies)... So that's wonderful news, but we still need to hear about the biopsies. We should know by about Tuesday or so.

She also had a chest CT today, which showed a nodule that has not grown in over 1 year. YAY! this means it is most likely not cancer, because cancer grows... and fast. So, another CT of the chest in a year and we'll be cleared from that scary thing.

It is definitely a day to give thanks. Appropriate, as Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Smiles today, folks :)

Here again...

I'm down in Rochester, MN with my mom again for about the 6th time. It all started a year ago last June when they found what they call "high grade dysplasia" in some of her cells of her esophagus. Since that time, we've been making trips down here about every three months, last time the time gap was 6 months, so she can have procedures done to find/remove these cells. Given enough time, these would eventually progress into cancer.

Ugh. I seriously hate that word so much. I see it all the time in my work and in my life. Generally speaking, I see two ways that people cope with cancer. Either their tough side comes out and they fight hard, or their weak, inner self comes out and they give up. Sometimes even the toughest people can't stand to fight, because the cancer is just that strong.

So far the news has been fairly good, the spots they find have not been cancer yet (high grade dysplasia is the next step before cancer). We are hoping this time that they won't find anything but... as the doctor so eloquently put it "It's sort of like rust on an old pickup... you think you've found the last spot and then it pops up somewhere else."

I so cherish this time I get to spend with my mom but emotionally it gets exhausting for me. My mom is my best friend in life and I am so afraid that one day we'll get the worst news ever and I won't know how to handle it. Being in the medical field also challenges me because I see these things all the time and know the challenges that cancer patients face. Ugh... I am just praying things go well.

We do make the most of our time away from "the boys" (it's just her and I that make the trip)... We went out for steak dinner tonight and then sat in the hot tub when we got back to the hotel. Just winding down before tomorrow. We always go out to eat the night before, because sometimes she's not able to eat much for a couple weeks after the procedures.

I guess if I want anyone to get anything from this post today, it's this: cherish those that you love... Life is only lived once, and there's certainly no guarantee for tomorrow. Peace :)

Selling my elliptical

So, I'm selling my elliptical.... Any takers?

It's really nice, and works well. I just can't justify the space that it takes up anymore. I go to a gym to work out and have found that it keeps me much more accountable than having this at home. Also, I mostly bought it for winter months so I wouldn't have to go out in the cold... But it seems like that's when I need to get out of the house the most. These ND winters can really drag you down...

I put this on Craigslist. I'm a little leery of Craigslist (kinda sketchy!!) but hopefully it will sell... Would be nice to have some extra $$$ in my pocket!

On Kathy Lee and Hoda today (on the Today Show) they said there was a study that found 20% of women would rather lose their ability to read than lose their figure. Seriously? That's a little wacky. Apparently they feel their looks are all they've got anyway... ha. I'm blessed to have both  ;) (sarcasm)