Hello 2012!

Hi there!

It's been a few days and lots have been going on.

First of, I'm so so so pleased with my new job and my coworkers. I feel so blessed. The head teacher is just an amazing human being and has congratulated me and encouraged me to keep going. We had our Christmas meal on the 16th and it was lots of fun. We shared a ride with 4 other teachers... we would have never left the car... we had such a great time, LOL!

On Sunday Dec. 18th I run a few laps of the marathon for the marathon (a TV program to raise money for different causes every year. It was transplants this year)

The kids did their Christmas Show at school and it went great. Then Paula and Jan did their gym show and it was very nice.

We went over to mom's on Christmas Eve and did the Tió. The kids were so happy with their little tokens... it was magical. Paula and Jan slept over at Lisa's and Pol came home with us. We spent Christmas day at mom's again and the kids had a great time again! We went for a lovely walk... we've had beautiful weather, no coats/jackets needed, the sun's been shining.... perfect!

On Monday Dec. 26th I run the Sant Silvestre Riudellotenca. A 7k. One could tell I hadn't been properly training. Finished 3 seconds slower than last year but happy with it!

I managed to go out training on Tuesday Dec. 27th and Thursday Dec. 29th when I went to Barcelona to by my trisuit and met with Eva to run around Montjuic... what a beautiful place and what great company! She's such a blessing!

Today is the last day of 2011 and I've run 2 5K races. One in Lloret in the morning, a 5K with 3 more ks of warmup and cooldown and one in Girona in the afternoon, another 5k with 2 more of warmup and cooldown. Did all my stretching and that left me feeling great! I did 35:38 in the am and 34:50 int he afternoon... Quite happy as I was extremely tired and sleepy by the afternoon! Eva and the kids came to Lloret in the am... it was great! Another lovely day with fantastic weather... we're so spoiled!!!! The kids, all 3, ran in the morning too, doing fantastic jobs! Paula was the 5th female runner in her group! I'm so proud! Jan did such a great run and was so eager... and Pol... what can I say... he knew he was in a race... that boy is so sweet... what champs! Paula run in the afternoon too and she placed 2nd! I am so blessed. I have a beautiful family!

So, it is HELLO 2012 in 44 minutes from now... what a year 2011's been... full of ups and downs but ending in a great way. I'm sure 2012 will be another great year. I'll make the most of it at least :D My word for 2012 is TRY!

HAPPY 2012: Health, joy, peace, kms, happiness, love and friendship!!!!!!!!

Challenges

I read on a blog I follow about small challenges, small in duration... instead of a year round or whatever, just a 30 day challenge or as tiny as one wants it to be. I think this is the key.

Only 21 days til the end of the year. The perfect time for a change. It also finds me injured (torn fiber on the achylles) and with strep throat. Could be a sign. Why not give it a try... not long to go until 2012, it's all up to me, obviously. Can I do it?

I've had a few great days off and got to meet with Eva a lot. It was so nice. So much in common and so much to share. Our kids get along great too... couldn't have it much better!

Ok... must get down to business. Maybe a new daily blog to keep myself accountable? It can be done anyway so... here I come. I want to feel lively and willing to do things and not a slob like now so... time to move on and stop looking back!

I'll try my best until the end of the year... it ain't that long. I'm sure I can do it!

Port Aventura, Sant Andreu, Christmas Shopping & wrapping, Cros de Malgrat...

What a hectic but wonderful few days it's been!

On Monday we went to Port Aventura with my dear friend Eva dn her children. We had such a lovely time. It was great! Hardly anyone about, perfect weather, great company... can't get much better than that!!!!

On the way back we slept over in Barcelona, at a hotel as on Tuesday, Paula and I (and Eva and her wonderful children) were running at Sant Andreu. We ran, went back to our hotel, we all took showers and then went for lunch together and then to a Christmas fair in Barcelona. It was great. Kids were very tired (mine) but it was great.

Back home Tuesday evening. Toni went to work on Wednesday and the kids went to school while I managed to finish all of my Christmas shopping and even wrapping up! I took the kids to school and I picked them up. They were soooooooooooo excited :D

Today, Thursday we went to a Cross Country race in Malgrat. I injured myself in Barcelona on Tuesday (torn/ruptured fibers on my achylles) so I wasn't able to run. We met with Eva and the kids again... it's been so great to be with them! All her kids and mine ran and she did too! All 4 of them got medals... they're such champs! Paula, Jan and Pol did great and had so much fun! They can't wait for their next race on Sunday!

Back home for lunch. I work tomorrow but Toni and the kids get to stay home. A busy weekend ahead... I love it!

Hope Endures 5K

Reading the blogs I'm subscribed to, I came across the Hope Endures 5K which I've posted about. I thought it'd be such a nice thing to do. I've not been there although I almost was but mine due to long labor and well... in the end all went well but it was close. Still these are those kind of things that just move me... I can't stay still, so I decided that, despite not having done anything in like 7 weeks, I'd run this 5K and so I did! I'm happy and proud to report that Ashlyn pushed me all the way so I didn't have to walk a bit (didn't have the need for it) and finished in less time than I estimated (I thought I'd run it in 40 minutes) finishing in 34:20. Pretty proud of it and happy to have run for and with Ashlyn!

Ashlyn, you've got a heck of a mom. You'll always be with us!

Hope Endures 5K

Always nice to run. Even nicer for a good cause!


Hope Endures 5k







After losing our daughter in 2008 to stillbirth, I decided it was time to change my life. The journey has brought me to a love for running, an adventure in health and fitness and a clean eating food lover.


On December 2, 2008 Ashlyn passed away and December 6th we had a memorial for her. For everyone else that was the end, but for our family, we live with it every single day and we grow. So in honor of Ashlyn, this year I want to celebrate her with a virtual 5k! Its not about winning or prizes, its for anyone who has to endure life after something they think they cant. Its about just enduring life each day when we are down. Its a celebration of change and a celebration of never-ending love.


Email me your name , email address and your blog so I can add you the the list if you would like to participate! Asocalledrunner@gmail.com





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2011 Participants

Emily at In The Between
Carrie at Family Fitness Food
Melanie
Penny at The Middle of the Pack, My Running Journal
Mandy at Running for Two
Christy at My Dirt Road Anthem
Kathy
Suzanne at Cows and Lasers and Everything In Between
Forward Foot Strides
Julia at The Bosky Blog
Jessica at Mommy Running Through
Amy at Running Around on Empty
Kara at Its A Dog Lick Baby World
Donna at Beating Limitations
Sarah Anne at From Survive to Thrive
Jennifer at Just Me and the Ones I Love
Nancy at Beyoutiful Fitstyle
Nancy at Little Fancy Nancy
Julia at Pain Pride and Perseverance
Stephanie at The Almost Runner
Kathy at Kathy Just Keeps Running
Kyria at Travel Spot
Lisa at Run Across the US
Kim at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls
Elle at Eat Run Sail
Courtney at Third Time's A Charm Runner
Jill at Fitness, Health and Happiness
XL Mic at Did you Get Any of That
Jill at One Tough Cookie and A Beer
Jill at Run with Jill
Jess at See How She Runs
Cassandra at Running For Three
Rachelle at Livin The Fit Life
Carrie at Prevail, Persist, Endure
Donna at Running on Heart
Nicole at Becoming a Mother Runner
Dianna
Jackie at I Can Do It
Darlene at My First 5k and More
Christine at Dream BIG Runner
Laura at I can walk as fast as you run
Melissa