30 Day Challenge & LT Goal: Happy 2012

It is crazy how the approaching New Year inspires me to cleanse, to revisit old habits, to continue to  make my life better.  Am I better off than last year?  YES:  better work situation, my son has a much better school situation.  I am part of a vibrant faith community, and I am blessed and love my husband with all my heart.
So, on an additional positive note, I completed a 5k this year, woo hoo.  And somehow signed up for a half marathon in May 2012.  Stupid mid-life crisis.  Some (younger, fitter) folks at church are doing it and encouraged me--who am I to say no? 

FYI, I completed a half marathon way way back in 2008.  In 3:02 (learned a tough lesson about dehydration that day).  I am 3.5 years older, now in my 40's, slower, a few pounds heavier--perfect scenario for a HM, no?  Major lol...

What I love about the long run is that it is ok to be slow.  I've been jogging (r/w to be honest a la Galloway) about 13 minute mile, on good days.  SO that is ok with me, really.  I am COOL with being in the back.  It's all good!  I work full time, am active in my church & its ministries, I am THE caregiver for my dear father with dementia, have two high-energy children with activities, and a hard-working husband.  I am cool with just finishing.

So I've eaten salad today, first time in too long.  And exercised.  And I aim to keep that going, here's how:

1. Joined my favorite internet community's "challenge" to lose weight and simply be healthier;
2. Joined a 30 Day Shred challenge on www.myfitnesspal.com.  I curse Jillian Michaels, don't know what I was thinking, ha!

I need accountability.  I had a great network of fellow runners when I was just starting running 5 years ago in my late 30's with a 1 and 4 year old--had never run in my LIFE!  I  checked in on a few of their blogs today--a few are off the map like I've been, but some are STILL GOING!  So exciting!  They inspire me.

Biggest reason to keep going--my kids.   I'll figure out how to get to the gym to run in the winter.  The kids want me to be healthy, we talked about it. 

Running 13.1 in <5 months.