One for the Unplanned Blessings List

#25. Make a list of 25 unplanned blessings from my 24^th year of life.

a.     A definite unplanned blessing to include on the list would be completing my second Marathon with a PR and Boston qualifying time. (3:33:08). Thinking that my age qualifying time was 3:30, I did not realize that I had qualified until the day after. If I am able to run at Boston in 2015, I would be checking off a life bucket list item J 

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; Psalms 26:2

Me, Brett, Esgar, and Miriam- The training team before the race. We got so carried away taking pictures the gun went off and we had to hop the fence to start the race with a little delay…oops ha!

My fan club!- Jessica and Abby took pictures and cheered me on at multiple spots during the race.

26.2 to go!

View of the course

The start of the marathon- crossing Shasta Dam

A view down on the Sacramento River Trail- Redding Marathon course

13.1 done- 13.1 to go!

19 miles down and 19 degrees warmer!

Jessica ran in 3 marathons that day- meaning she ran with us 3 different times :)

The final kick across the Sundial Bridge

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Brett's final kick. He pushed me to hold my pace for 24 miles- until his legs seized on him. After having the flu 2 weeks leading up to the race, he rocked the race and pushed through the cramps to run the entire race and finish with a PR.

Marathon Stats:

Place Div/Tot  Agegrad No.   Name                     Age S City            Time     Pace   

 27   1/6      63.54   651 Betsy Reedy               24 F Redding         03:33:08  8:09 

 32   3/3      57.66   681 Brett Amstutz             23 M Shasta Lake     03:36:39  8:17 

Mile Break Down from my Garmin Watch: 

DISTANCE
PACE
ELAPSED TIME

1 mi
07:37 min/mi
7:31
2 mi
07:11 min/mi
7:06
3 mi
07:37 min/mi
7:34
4 mi
07:50 min/mi
7:45
5 mi
08:09 min/mi
8:00
6 mi
08:12 min/mi
8:10
7 mi
08:09 min/mi
7:59
8 mi
08:08 min/mi
8:01
9 mi
08:15 min/mi
8:09
10 mi
08:19 min/mi
8:11
11 mi
08:10 min/mi
8:09
12 mi
08:09 min/mi
8:00
13 mi
08:01 min/mi
7:58
14 mi
07:28 min/mi
7:22
15 mi
08:05 min/mi
7:58
16 mi
08:16 min/mi
8:04
17 mi
07:48 min/mi
7:47
18 mi
08:07 min/mi
8:02
19 mi
08:14 min/mi
8:05
20 mi
08:04 min/mi
7:56
21 mi
08:13 min/mi
8:08
22 mi
08:37 min/mi
8:32
23 mi
08:14 min/mi
8:03
24 mi
08:40 min/mi
8:36
25 mi
07:54 min/mi
7:46
26 mi
07:30 min/mi
7:29

1 mi

07:37 min/mi

7:31

2 mi

07:11 min/mi

7:06

3 mi

07:37 min/mi

7:34

4 mi

07:50 min/mi

7:45

5 mi

08:09 min/mi

8:00

6 mi

08:12 min/mi

8:10

7 mi

08:09 min/mi

7:59

8 mi

08:08 min/mi

8:01

9 mi

08:15 min/mi

8:09

10 mi

08:19 min/mi

8:11

11 mi

08:10 min/mi

8:09

12 mi

08:09 min/mi

8:00

13 mi

08:01 min/mi

7:58

14 mi

07:28 min/mi

7:22

15 mi

08:05 min/mi

7:58

16 mi

08:16 min/mi

8:04

17 mi

07:48 min/mi

7:47

18 mi

08:07 min/mi

8:02

19 mi

08:14 min/mi

8:05

20 mi

08:04 min/mi

7:56

21 mi

08:13 min/mi

8:08

22 mi

08:37 min/mi

8:32

23 mi

08:14 min/mi

8:03

24 mi

08:40 min/mi

8:36

25 mi

07:54 min/mi

7:46

26 mi

07:30 min/mi

7:29

Elevation GAIN: 1048.0 FT

The day after:

Hiking out the soreness at Whiskeytown Lake- Guardian Rock Hike with Jessica and Brett

 

Jessica made us a marathon cake- chocolate with poached pears- DELICIOUS!!!

Eating My Away Around the Big Apple

Mid-December HealthCorps announced they would be sending all 62 Coordinators to NYC for the mid-year Professional Development training with an option to stay the weekend (on our own dime for the w/e).  Brett and I left for the airport at 1:45 am Monday-and I arrived in NYC by the afternoon. Surprisingly I was full of energy after 3 hours of sleep! We trained in the basement of West Side H.S. of the Upper West side of Manhattan from Tuesday-Thursday, volunteered at the NYC food bank on Friday, and then on our own Friday- Sunday. The training days were long, but a good pump up for the rest of the school year- and awesome to be around the energy of other coordinators. On Thursday we had a surprise visit from Dr. Oz! When not in training- it seems my friends and I ate our way around the city from pizza in Greenwhich village, to a chocolate bar near NYU, Japanese in Soho and Indonesian and Cheesecake near Times Square. 
Highlights and crazy moments:

When getting into the cab to our hotel from the airport- the taxi driver shut the trunk on my head. I’m not sure why, but I apologized and he proceeded to cuss me out… We got into the cab dumbfounded by the situation. He must really have been having a bad day!

Dr. Oz Surprised us and came to our training on the last day.

I had my first USA Hostel stay at the New York Lofts in Brooklyn. Way cheap, free breakfast and fondue night- totally the way to go when traveling to NYC!

Marissa and I scored some discount tickets for Mama Mia on Broadway.

After Mama Mia- we found a hole in the wall Piana Lounge: Don’t Tell Mama. It was small and everyone had to sit close to each other, we made friends with all of the people around us- We now have a place to stay if we ever choose to visit Alabama! 

My friend Chrissy’s, boyfriends jazz show in Harlem- and Ragae show.

My first Henna Tattoo for free as a promo in Saks Fifth Ave for the Superbowl.

Superbowl craziness in Time Square!

Visit to the High Line walkway- an old railroad track that runs along the lower west side that was turned into a park/walkway then exploring the Chelsea Markets. 

 

25 by 25 Up-date

1.     25 by 25 update

I’m right on track to complete my 25 by 25 list for some, but am beginning to sweat on others. Here’s the latest update of completed items:

#20.  Volunteer &/or make at least 1 donation at least 1x/month:

a.     This past month I organized a MLK Day of Service for students. We walked to a park near the school to pick up trash and paint over graffiti.

b.     Volunteered at the NYC Food Bank with other HealthCorps coordinators. We packed over 15,000 lbs. of frozen Ham to be delivered to families in need.

#6 Watch:

a.                    The day after the marathon Brett and I knocked out two movies from the list- Casablanca and Pulp Fiction. I would probably watch Casablanca again, but the same is not true for Pulp Fiction. 

b.                   The final movie- Field of Dreams. Brett tracked down a copy and borrowed if from a friend… If you build it..he will come!

#21. Complete a challenge each month.

February- Cook/bake with a 1 ingredient I have never cooked with before.

On the horizon:

#3. Run:

a.     Race along Coastal HWY 101: I am registered to run the Big Sur Marathon Relay on April 26^th. The 26.2 miles is split between 5 runners- I created a team with other HealthCorps coordinators.

#13.  Get certified to teach group fitness classes- this past Saturday I attended an AFAA Group Exercise Instructor workshop, and took the practical and written exam. I’ll find out if I passed in 5 weeks! Fingers crossed!

#15. Practice a new sport or join a Rec sports league

a.     Brett and I are have created a co-ed indoor soccer team to join a 10 week rec league in Redding beginning Thursday.

#19. Create a piece of art

a. Abby gave me an extra canvas of hers, so it’s looking like I’m going to create a painting.

#22. Spend a weekend away volunteering or attending a retreat

a. I have decided to organize my own retreat. I’m looking into cabins for a weekend trip with friends where we all bring a devotional- spend time connecting with each other and growing our faith in nature. More details to come…

What I’m most nervous about completing:

#7.  Increase my flexibility to be able to rest my elbows on the ground when doing a v-sit. - Uh oh I better start today, I have a long way to go!

#9. Book a trip to Europe- Life can take unexpected turns, hopefully none that inhibit my trip J