Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

Did a spectacular 4 mile run this morning in the sunshine!!  I found new trails through the Avon Lake woods and never looked back.  I had my iPod with me today and one of the songs that played while I ran was Seasons of Love from Rent.  It really made me reflect on the past year and the struggles that I have gone through.  It also made me focus on what it's all really about.  I know this and have always known, but I certainly need reminders just like everyone.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love

Seasons of love. Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.

It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!

Oh you got to got to
Remember the love!
You know that love is a gift from up above
Share love, give love spread love
Measure measure your life in love.

Getting on track

Between the trip to Flordia, the holidays, a cold, and just plan being down in the dumps, I've gotten behind in my training schedule.  I should be running 4 miles on training days, but I'm still on 3 miles.  I did get my 3 miles last night, which was great and I'm going to do 3 miles tomorrow, then increase my mileage to 4 miles starting Friday.  I'll be a week off through next week, but should be back on track after next weekend.  I do run on a treadmill right now because it's just too cold to be running outside!  I heard it's supposed to be in the 50's over the weekend (maybe that's just a rumor), so maybe I can run outdoors over the weekend, which I really prefer.
Picked up some veggie sushi from Heinen's, one of my favs and some Amy's Organic Vegetable Barley Soup for lunch.  I've been reading about the connection between diabetes and heart disease (both of which,Mom suffered from) and how diabetes is caused by processed foods, not just too much sugar.  On January 27, Dr, Caldwell Esslestyn will be a part of the screening of  "Forks over Knives" (information below).  Dr. Esselstyn's research and writing has been a big part of my move back to a plant-based diet.  I can't wait!!
"Forks over Knives" - This provocative film highlights the research of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. T. Colin Campbell and makes the claim that most degenerative diseases can be prevented, and even reversed, by consuming a plant-based diet. View the film, enjoy a healthy boxed-dinner prepared by Whole Foods Market and hear a panel discussion featuring Dr. Esselstyn, Rip Esselstyn (also in the film) and participants in Dr. Esselstyn's research who experienced remarkable results. Suggested donation to AHMA is $20. Buy tickets at www.holisticmedicine.org, or at Whole Foods Market stores, 13998 Cedar Rd, University Hts., or 27249 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere.

Just Do It

The last three years of my life have been spent going to doctor's appointments, filling pill boxes, sitting in ERs and hospital rooms, and trying to make sure my parents had everything they needed.  In addition to that, I work a full time job and raise two wonderful children who are the reason I am still sane today.  What I have gone through is not so differen than what alot of people my age are going through.  No one prepares you for this and you're pretty much on your own trying to figure things out when you are supporting your parents as they get older. 
The part that really sucks, is that both my parents died.  It's hard to put into words how this has affected me, but I am having feelings I have never had before and it's definitely shaken my faith.  When you watch people you love die, it's hard not to start to wonder what this life we are given is all about.  My parents were both phenomenal people and it seems wrong that they both went through such a difficult time before they died.  I feel they deserved better.
The way I typically handle challenges is to DO something.  I spent a lot of time trying to make sure my Dad was OK after my Mother died and I have spent many months trying to get my Dad's estate settled.  Now I am ready to start to DO some things for myself and work to avoid the pain that my parents went through at the end of their lives.
So in 2011 I am going Green.  I am eating only plant based foods and I am trying something that I have never done before - I am competing in my first marathon, May 1st.  I will be checking in here and documenting my progress, so check back often as I begin this journey.