Doing Something Phenomenal

I kinda want to do something phenomenal today like write a book or deliver a baby in a taxi cab, but I'll settle for scrubbing all the toilets in my house. That's life-changing enough, right? No? I didn't think so either.

I feel like I've got a million things I NEED to do and like three things I really WANT to do. The grown up in me is all, "Chores before playtime! Set a good example for your children! Grocery shop! And for Pete's sake do some laundry, Woman, so your husband isn't left wearing the holey socks this week!" On the other hand, the kid inside of me is screaming, "Hush that nonsense, Crazy British Lady (I don't know why, but the adult in me is ALWAYS British)- let the kids fend for themselves. I wanna read a REAL book that doesn't involve Elmo or primary colors. And go run 3 miles while listening to anything but Barney songs. And go shopping, but not for groceries. And I'd really like to take a bath ALL BY MYSELF". And nowhere in my kid brain does it mention cooking, cleaning, bathing someone else, reading to someone else or laundry. NOWHERE. What to do? What to do?

Then we've got the third list of "Things I Both Need And Want To Do". Posting this blog was one of the two things that fell on this list. My dedication to you all led me to post this before doing anything else so consider that a big group hug. Your welcome. Plus, MP practically cattle prodded me to update with his friendly reminders of "People are going to quit following you if you never update." Wise words, indeed, but updating takes time, yo. Time that I have to sacrifice elsewhere. Methinks that "elsewhere" will be laundry today. I feel better already. I think we all know how much I hate "the laundry".

The only other thing that fell on both lists is running. Sigh. Running.... how I curse thy name upon thine lips and hate thee with a passion that burns brighter than that of ten thousand suns, yet strangely adore the way you make me feel immediately after. It's perplexing really. So, here's the thing. I have GOT to get healthy. I know I've posted before about the importance of healthy body images. Having said that, let me say this. I am not entering a downward spiral of unhealthy eating and excerise habits for the sake of "looking good". Not at all. In fact, I am perfectly comfortable with myself (AND the extra 15 lbs generously gifted to me by my children). However, I am NOT comfortable with the fact that I will be 31 years old on Tuesday (gifts not required, but always appreciated. Thx) and have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Not cool. Not cool at all. I have always been "borderline" even back when I was eating like Bob & Jillian, running regularly and training for half marathons. It's hereditary (Thanks mom and dad! I would have preferred a trust fund, I'm just sayin'.) so it's something that I've dealt with, BUT I have been allowing myself to excuse exercising because I am "too busy". I have been eating "junk" because it's convenient and that alone is not healthy at all. If I lose weight as a by-product of exercising and eating clean, then great- so long as I am healthy.

Getting started again has been tough though. When I first started running several years ago, it was exciting and new. I couldn't imagine what running 13 miles would be like, but I was determined to find out. Then when I did it, I was stoked because I'd just conquered a mountain. Now, four years later, I KNOW what it feels like to run 13 miles and I distinctly remember how much it hurts. Knowing that makes it much harder for me to commit to another half marathon, but I did and I plan on running the New Orleans half in Feb 2010.

So, now that I've had a minute to myself, I am going to put my running clothes on and am logging 3 miles today. That's not a lot, I know, but I have 16 weeks to race time and am starting back out as a newbie. I've been running 1.5 a couple days a week, so I'll just be thankful if my heart doesn't give out at mile 2. Wish me luck!