Oak Apple Run

Cara and I before the race - 7:15 am!

Myself, Cara, and Natalie after the race!

My trusty old shoes.  They are ready for retirement. 

I have worn holes right through the soles on both feet.

Cara and I sporting our Oak Apple Run T-Shirts.  I'm posting this picture even though you can see my belly.  I'm still losing weight but this year I confidently ordered a Large instead of an XL ;) 

The Oak Apple Run is a certified course.  Once again, I think they were crazy for making the last quarter of a mile an uphill run to the finish!

Jenna (my weight lifting trainer from LA Fitness).  She ran the 2 mile race to encourage her friend who works the front desk!  She is a great trainer - always cheerful, knowledgeable, and always attentive.  We always have a great time!

This year's bib!

Here is a link to my official time

(just a few seconds different than my heart rate monitor!)

10K in 1:10:47

Drumstick Dash!

Dad and I ran the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Morning. The run was 4.5 miles long and it was a lot of fun! We ran it in 55:25. We probably could have done it a little bit faster but the course was PACKED with people. Dad and I probably ran at least a mile more zig zagging in between all of the slower runs (oh yes - we are so speedy :) )

A quick stretch before we hit the cold air. The temperature was 27 degrees when we started and was a balmy 37 degrees when we finished.

There we are in the crowd! There were so many people that it took us 5 minutes before we crossed the start line. Man it was frustrating but we eventually got some clear space to run free!

Here we are in the final mile. Mom and Lynne took pictures of us rounding the corner. Can you see their reflections on the pavement? Lynne grew up in the area of the race called Broad Ripple. She and mom had fun looking through the neighborhood.

Joining Weight Watchers Losing Weight & Getting Fit in '08!

Just like the millions of other folks around the world - it is time for me to join the "weight loss - get fit" movement. I am hoping and praying that it can be done this year. I am going to rely on my friends, family, and mostly God to help me through. I just don't have the resolve on my own! Aunt Linda and Aunt Carol have been talking about starting the "New Life in '08" too and I hope that we can all encourage each other.

How I am going to start this journey is with the "You on a Diet" plan by Dr.'s Oz and Roizen. If I need I will join Weight Watchers. I think that I am going to try the on-line version first before going to the meetings since that seems to add to my stress. Mom and Dad have been doing the "You on a Diet" plan for about a year and have had some really good results in terms of weight loss and overall "vim & vigor". I took the Real Age Test today and here are my results:

Calendar Age: 34.1
Difference: +5.7
My Real Age: 39.8

My Real Age was fairly accurate until I started typing in my exercise information. Zero - Zero - Zero - and I watched my age increase. I know that this is a big issue for so many of us. I always exercise (5/week) during the summer - and I actually REALLY enjoy it although it does eat up a huge amount of time! So I am going to pick up a pedometer and just try to start walking more often since I find it impossible to get into my schedule.

Feel free to post a comment, encouragement, information about how your are going to "lose weight & get fit" this year. If you want to post a comment just click on where it says # comments just below this post.

Love you, Tracy

April Showers bring May Flowers

Good Morning Everyone - Can you believe it is April already? This morning we had strong April showers that have continued on into the morning here. I am hoping that these showers will indeed bring beautiful May flowers.

I have been busy working on the trip to South Africa as of late. We only have 75 days until we leave. It sounds both so short and yet so far away. Thank you to everyone who has responded to my support letter - whether in prayer, finances, and/or medicine. It is really appreciated. I'll certainly keep you up-to-date on my progress! You can also check out my Team Blog.

Yesterday I went to a worship leaders meeting in which we analyzed our 34 strengths according to the Gallup company. It was really interesting. The whole idea is to key in and work with our strengths and surround yourself with people who have complimentary strengths in order to be most effective in your job, your life, and for us our worship teams. My top five were: Activator, Achiever, Arranger, Restorative, and Developer! I wonder what all of yours are?

I am contining on at weight watchers and still am at about 10# lost - I really need a jump start right now. My friend just sent me several links to some good websites that I thought you might be interested in too!
(1) Hungry Girl
(2) Aimee's Adventures
(3) Jaime's Kitchen
(4) Half My Size
(5) Dotti's Weight Loss Zone (This has tons of weight watcher points info!)

I hope you are all doing well.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Love, Tracy