Ever ask yourself, “What inspires me?”

February 22, 2012

I received unbelievable news earlier this week from the top-ranking female administrator in athletics at my collegiate alma mater. She called to let me know I will be receiving the school’s Leader for Life award on May 3, an honor that she herself had received in 2007.

To say I was caught off guard is an understatement. In fact, I believe my immediate reaction went something along the lines of, “Seriously?! I thought people had forgotten who I was after I had kids.”

This annual award is given to an individual whose actions have made a lasting impact on women’s sports at Creighton University.

I don’t know why, but hearing this news made me flash back to my senior year of college when a teammate of mine thanked me for everything I did for her. She confessed that she didn’t know if she would have made it through the softball program had it not been for me. I looked at her dumbfounded, completely caught off guard.

She has no idea, but that remains one of the best compliments I have ever received.

I didn’t really think about what I wanted to become post-college other than a wife and a mom (those roles I knew for sure). I was fortunate to secure a job in a field that fit my educational strengths. I could easily answer the question, “What am I good at?” but never paused to ask myself, “What inspires me?” Over the years, I’ve discovered there is a vast difference between those two questions and finding an answer to the latter has become more important to me.

So upon hearing that a committee voted me to be the recipient of an award for having a lasting impact, I felt truly humbled. It solidifies my belief that I am inspired when I can make a connection with people. It reminds me to take the time to thank those who have rallied behind me to help me become the person I am today.

Earlier this year, I asked my boys to build their “walls of importance,” which simply are poster boards that they’ve glued pictures and written words on to symbolize what is most important in their lives. I built one too.

Things I've done that make me happy and people I love who make me complete.

We went through this exercise to remind ourselves that whatever we place on those boards are the things/people we value the most. The boards also serve as a visual reminder to avoid those situations in life that might jeopardize what is important to us.

To quote Oprah, “What I know for sure is that you feel real joy in direct proportion to how connected you are to living your truth.” I don’t think I’m living my truth 100 percent yet, but I’m getting there slowly and surely.

If you care to share, leave a comment about what inspires you.

In Awareness, College, Honor, Inspiration, Passion, Strength , , , , , , ,
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It’s 6 o’clock in the evening; where are your kids (eating)?

February 20, 2012

I know I am solid at a lot of things, but cooking is not one of them. Meal planning, grocery shopping, ingredient mixing, table setting, post-meal clean up…I would seriously prefer to sit through a root canal while having my legs waxed.

To all the natural born chefs out there, my competitive side both envies and dislikes you. I cannot stand it that you are so much better than me in the kitchen. Yet, at the same time, I count my blessings that you are part of my life. Otherwise, I would surely starve or be incredibly obese if left to fend for myself.

My husband bears the brunt of the culinary work in our household. He doesn’t mind it, but I don’t blame him for not wanting to cook every night. On those nights when he wants a hot meal prepared for him, we opt to eat out. It’s not that I don’t try. I do. But I always come back to the same impulse: Eat out because it’s easier.

So here’s a couple of snapshots from our evening out tonight.

Almost every kid is happily waiting for their meal to arrive.

"Sure wish mom could cook like grandma."

I know I’m not alone in admitting we eat out more than we should. Feel free to rat yourself out, if for no other reason than to make me feel better.

In Dining, Home, Restaurant, Shame , , , , ,
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If you’re into running, read on…

February 19, 2012

Notice I didn’t say, “If you like to run…” because I don’t know too many people who admit to loving the act of running itself. No, it’s the post-workout high, the release of stress, and the feeling that you are in total control that keeps many runners coming back for more.

I was never a distance runner growing up. In fact, my workouts rarely included running in the first 33 years of my life. While I cannot recall a day of my childhood when I wasn’t on a sporting team and thriving on competition, my level of focus and ability to train independently had never been tested. Then came the summer of 2010 and the Omaha Triathlon, when I knew my husband and I were done having children and I yearned to reclaim part of my pre-baby self. I decided to compete in my first-ever endurance race.

I could barely run a mile without getting seriously winded when I started my conditioning. I was not in bad shape. Both my weight and Body Mass Index were in normal range for my height. I just did not have the lung capacity or proper frame of mind for endurance running. Chalk that up as an excuse that repeatedly ran through my mind: I will just never be able to run long distances. My body isn’t made for that kind of exercise.

Now I have a couple of years under my belt and can confidently claim that I can complete a five-mile run rather easily. Do I enjoy the act of running any more today than I did when I started to build up my endurance? Well, I can definitely claim to enjoy the time I make for myself to run and to clear my head. Every mom needs that mental escape.

I’m registered to complete my second half marathon on May 6 in Lincoln. For anyone else out there who also plans to run a half-marathon this summer, here’s a little guide to help you get in your proper training miles. (thanks to marathonrookie.com)

10-Week Half Marathon Training Schedule
Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Total
1 3 Rest 3 3 Rest 4 Rest 13
2 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 5 Rest 15
3 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 6 Rest 16
4 3 Rest 5 3 Rest 8 Rest 19
5 3 Rest 5 3 Rest 10 Rest 21
6 4 Rest 5 4 Rest 11 Rest 24
7 4 Rest 6 4 Rest 12 Rest 26
8 4 Rest 5 4 Rest 9 Rest 22
9 3 Rest 4 3 Rest 8 Rest 18
10 3 Rest 3 Walk 2 Rest 13.1 Rest 21.1

Printable Schedule (PDF)

In Fitness , , , , ,
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