Some other titles under consideration were "Megan's justification for three pairs of running shoes," or "How life changes when you have a child."
I ran a 5k trail race this morning, and it was a lot of fun! I wanted to run the whole thing without walking, but I took a couple minute walk break during a particularly rocky uphill section after I had tripped twice. I thought that was my feet telling me to give them a bit of a break. I finished in the third quarter of the field, and I was able to pass a bunch of people, which is always fun : ) I didn't finish ahead of the girl in front of me who was walk-running, and would inevitably start running whenever I caught up to her. Some of my favorite parts of the run were when we would hit a straight stretch and I could lengthen my stride and run a bit faster, and when we were in the woods and it felt like I was running alone. I don't run on trails by myself, because I have a horrible sense of direction in the woods, but I felt very confident with all of the race markers out there to keep me on the correct path.
When I signed up for the race, it was advertized to start at 8am. Jonathan had to work today (parents' weekend), so we had planned that he and Jon would hang out at the coffee shop near the race start, and I would just come pick up Jon (with the stroller) after the race and walk the mile or so home. Perfect. Then earlier this week, the race organizers let us know that the 10 milers would start at 8am and the 5k-ers would start at 8:20am. Since Jonathan had to be at school at 9, and I was pretty sure my time would be around 40 minutes, our original plan would not work. Thankfully, we have friends who live about half way between our apt and Jonathan's school, and they agreed to watch Jon while I ran the race. Here is where the three pairs of shoes comes in handy. I wore my trail shoes during the race, then to walk the two miles from the race course to our friends' house, I wore my old running shoes that were left at the start of the course (if they were picked up, no loss, I'd just have to wear trail shoes for 2 miles of concrete...not ideal), then I switched into my current running shoes (left with Jon and the stroller at our friends' house) to walk the 2 miles home. I essentially walked four miles and wore three pairs of shoes so that I could run three miles in the woods. Maybe a bit more complicated than it needed to be, but I'm still glad I did it.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Megan's love of dance pop
Yes, you read that correctly. I have a secret love of dance pop. Believe me, my husband laughs at me constantly about this.
I listen to pop music in two distinct situations: while exercising and cleaning : ) At the activity center in town, I take about three Zumba classes, two Spin classes, and 2 CRT classes a week, and we do all of our exercises to top 40 pop hits! (If you think that's overloading...I've lost almost 30 pounds in 6 months thanks to exercising 6 days a week). And there's nothing that can get me psyched up to clean a bathroom or tackle a pile of dishes after dinner like One Direction, am I right?
2012 was an awesome year for dance pop, so here are my favorites (along with the rest of the country):
Kesha, Die Young - Yes, it's full of debauchery, but it allows me to reminisce about my crazy clubbing nights in Aberdeen as an exchange student. I drank A. LOT. and danced with probably too many boys. But it's the only time in my life when I've been that crazy.
f.u.n., We Are Young - The best song for a hill in spin class
Psy, Gangam Style - Yes, I have done the silly dance in Zumba class. There is no way to dance to this song without smiling, and I love it! I also thought the backstory to the song was interesting, that Psy wrote it as a social commentary* on the consumer driven culture of South Korea and ridiculous rap stars.
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful - I enjoy this song because it makes me smile and we do a pretty awesome routine to it in spin class involving push ups. Slate also had a great comparison of One Direction with the boy bands of our adolescence here.
Taylor Swift, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - This is a fave of my cleaning routine, because you kind of have to bounce around while listening to it, and that gives me the energy needed to do unpleasant tasks.
Flo Rida, Good Feeling - Just a fun song, and you can't help but dance to it, even if you are washing dishes.
Maroon 5, Moves Like Jagger - Okay, I guess this was a 2011 song, but I really only started listening to it this year. This is one of my top songs because we do a kick ass abs routine to it in Zumba class.
So if you want to see me dance in public, come to the San Marcos Activity Center most evenings, but you'll probably regret it. It has been fun to mix up my usual prog rock and indie rock leanings with some good dance pop, and I hope 2013 brings with it some more awesome hits!
* Anyone who can reference my disdain for this term, and the person associated with it, earns a prize
I listen to pop music in two distinct situations: while exercising and cleaning : ) At the activity center in town, I take about three Zumba classes, two Spin classes, and 2 CRT classes a week, and we do all of our exercises to top 40 pop hits! (If you think that's overloading...I've lost almost 30 pounds in 6 months thanks to exercising 6 days a week). And there's nothing that can get me psyched up to clean a bathroom or tackle a pile of dishes after dinner like One Direction, am I right?
2012 was an awesome year for dance pop, so here are my favorites (along with the rest of the country):
Kesha, Die Young - Yes, it's full of debauchery, but it allows me to reminisce about my crazy clubbing nights in Aberdeen as an exchange student. I drank A. LOT. and danced with probably too many boys. But it's the only time in my life when I've been that crazy.
f.u.n., We Are Young - The best song for a hill in spin class
Psy, Gangam Style - Yes, I have done the silly dance in Zumba class. There is no way to dance to this song without smiling, and I love it! I also thought the backstory to the song was interesting, that Psy wrote it as a social commentary* on the consumer driven culture of South Korea and ridiculous rap stars.
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful - I enjoy this song because it makes me smile and we do a pretty awesome routine to it in spin class involving push ups. Slate also had a great comparison of One Direction with the boy bands of our adolescence here.
Taylor Swift, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - This is a fave of my cleaning routine, because you kind of have to bounce around while listening to it, and that gives me the energy needed to do unpleasant tasks.
Flo Rida, Good Feeling - Just a fun song, and you can't help but dance to it, even if you are washing dishes.
Maroon 5, Moves Like Jagger - Okay, I guess this was a 2011 song, but I really only started listening to it this year. This is one of my top songs because we do a kick ass abs routine to it in Zumba class.
So if you want to see me dance in public, come to the San Marcos Activity Center most evenings, but you'll probably regret it. It has been fun to mix up my usual prog rock and indie rock leanings with some good dance pop, and I hope 2013 brings with it some more awesome hits!
* Anyone who can reference my disdain for this term, and the person associated with it, earns a prize
Monday, December 17, 2012
Out and About (and excited about Christmas)
I was able to walk a little bit around town today, which I was so thankful for! I walked Jon to and from school, and I also went to the post office (as did the rest of our town, apparently!). I'm still a bit light headed, but my energy level is really good. Yesterday, I was still so weak, and some of our friends offered to take Jon home with them after church, so we gratefully accepted, and I came home and slept all afternoon! Since I felt much better today, I'm hoping this means the iron is kicking in, and I'm on the mend. On the way to pick up Jon this afternoon, I was feeling so good that I contemplated going to my aerobics class Tuesday morning. Then I stopped to wait for a walk signal, and felt my heart beating super fast and sucked some air...just from walking down the street, so I think I'll wait a little bit on the aerobics classes : )
In other news, I am super excited about Jon's Christmas present this year! We have ordered him a push bike, and I think he's really going to like it : ) We were able to get it from a locally owned bike shop on our town square, so I feel good about supporting workers in our town. We pick it up on Sunday, and I'm not sure how we're going to hide it from Jon in our tiny apartment for two days...any ideas? Jonathan's present also came in the mail today. It's more utilitarian than fun, but I think he'll like it all the same. My present was a new phone, and it is already in use...but Jonathan is going to wrap up the box so I have something to open up on Christmas morning : )
Time to go heat up dinner. Our friends from church have showered us with meals since I came home from the hospital - we are so blessed!
In other news, I am super excited about Jon's Christmas present this year! We have ordered him a push bike, and I think he's really going to like it : ) We were able to get it from a locally owned bike shop on our town square, so I feel good about supporting workers in our town. We pick it up on Sunday, and I'm not sure how we're going to hide it from Jon in our tiny apartment for two days...any ideas? Jonathan's present also came in the mail today. It's more utilitarian than fun, but I think he'll like it all the same. My present was a new phone, and it is already in use...but Jonathan is going to wrap up the box so I have something to open up on Christmas morning : )
Time to go heat up dinner. Our friends from church have showered us with meals since I came home from the hospital - we are so blessed!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Another long week
Hello friends,
I've spoken to many of you directly, but I did want to share this with my far away friends. We had another miscarriage last week. Similar to last time, the baby stopped growing around 6 weeks and did not have a heartbeat when I was checked at what should have been 8 weeks. Different from last time, I experienced significant contractions and excessive bleeding that led to going to the ER Sunday night. I fainted once we made it to the ER, and I ended up needing emergency surgery to complete the miscarriage and stop the bleeding. My wonderful mother drove down Monday morning and has been with us all week, since I have been very lightheaded and weak. I'm most likely anemic from the blood loss, so I'm taking iron supplements in addition to my other medications. Hopefully I'll be able to be out and about soon.
We are still in the grieving process, and as I get healthier, I am facing trying to get back to the status quo, but without the hope of a baby in the summer. I realize that in the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut today, our loss seems insignificant. We are very thankful for Jon, and very thankful for all the love and support sent our way. We are seeking God's will as we want our family to grow, and we are reliant on his timing and his sovereignty in our lives.
Just wanted to share our lives with our friends. I'm hoping all of you have a happy, blessed Christmas!
I've spoken to many of you directly, but I did want to share this with my far away friends. We had another miscarriage last week. Similar to last time, the baby stopped growing around 6 weeks and did not have a heartbeat when I was checked at what should have been 8 weeks. Different from last time, I experienced significant contractions and excessive bleeding that led to going to the ER Sunday night. I fainted once we made it to the ER, and I ended up needing emergency surgery to complete the miscarriage and stop the bleeding. My wonderful mother drove down Monday morning and has been with us all week, since I have been very lightheaded and weak. I'm most likely anemic from the blood loss, so I'm taking iron supplements in addition to my other medications. Hopefully I'll be able to be out and about soon.
We are still in the grieving process, and as I get healthier, I am facing trying to get back to the status quo, but without the hope of a baby in the summer. I realize that in the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut today, our loss seems insignificant. We are very thankful for Jon, and very thankful for all the love and support sent our way. We are seeking God's will as we want our family to grow, and we are reliant on his timing and his sovereignty in our lives.
Just wanted to share our lives with our friends. I'm hoping all of you have a happy, blessed Christmas!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
It's Cold Outside!
Cold weather has finally come to San Marcos! I am very excited - flannel sheets, sweaters, cute little boys hats, you name it! Who knows if the cold is here to stay or if it is just a short cold front, but I will take what I can get.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I voted! Have you?
Jonathan and I went to our neighborhood community center this morning to vote! Jon was very good - he asked several times where we were, what we were doing, and if we were waiting. He got to sit in Jonathan's lap at the voting machine, and if I hadn't been afraid that it was against the rules, I would have taken a picture of it - very sweet. After Jonathan voted, Jon hung onto my leg while I voted. I told him that it is very important to participate in the election to choose who will run our government.
Since we're in Texas, one could argue my votes for president and US Congress didn't matter all that much, but I did it anyway. I also voted for any of our local officials who said they wanted to put in bike lanes and make our town more pedestrian friendly.
So go out and vote today! Even if you're a Republican ; )
25 reasons from 25 people who are voting Obama:
1. "The Affordable Care Act is saving my daughter's life."
Stacey, Arizona
2. "Obama is for the vets. He helped us wind down in Iraq, he's improved mental health policy with VA benefits."
Joel, Minnesota
3. "Obama stuck his neck out for us, the auto industry. He wasn't going to let it just die, and I'm driving in this morning because of that, because of him."
Brian, Ohio
4. "Osama bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is alive."
Joe Biden, Delaware
5. "Supreme Court Supreme Court Supreme Court."
Andrew, California
6. "Arithmetic."
Bill Clinton, New York
7. "He cares for the 100 percent."
Shana, Texas
8. "When Obama came into office, he successfully renewed our country's place in the community of nations, making cooperation in tackling the world's challenges possible."
Willis, North Carolina
9. "The actions he has taken with respect to protecting us from terrorism have been very, very solid."
Colin Powell, Virginia
10. "I was really very grateful to him for standing up for those kids who are having a really rough time out there because of their orientation."
Jane Lynch, California
11. "For me, President Obama is our best choice because he has a vision of the United States as a place where we are all in this together."
Bruce Springsteen, New Jersey
12. "He has a real plan for rescuing the economy that passes the 'math' test."
Teresa, Virginia
13. "Having someone in office who understands how powerful our voice can be is very important."
Jay Z, New York
14. "I am voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden because I can trust them to care for the middle class and restore the American dream."
Steven, Florida
15. "The first measure he signed into law after becoming president was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- so a female high school counselor or physical education teacher can fight for equal pay for equal work."
Connie Britton, California
16. "I believe in the America he wants for my grandchildren."
Nancy, Michigan
17. "We need four more years of repair, of helping the middle class achieve a sustainable economy."
James Taylor, North Carolina
18. "I've watched him fight for our country, stand by the middle class, the working class, the military, the education of our children, universal health care, women, the environment, and matters of national and domestic security."
Susan, Virginia
19. "The gifted 12-year-old I taught, whose parents were deported and left her here with her grandmother, will be allowed to stay and finish her education. She's been in the U.S. since age one."
Jamie, North Carolina
20. "I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics."
Michael Bloomberg, New York
21. "I have four children who are under 26 and able to stay on my health care plan. That's been huge."
Amy, Pennsylvania
22. "He's fighting to defend and better Social Security and Medicare -- because millions of Latino seniors rely on them."
Cristina Saralegui, Florida
23. "Thanks to the President's efforts to keep student loan rates low, I can expect to save nearly $1000 as I work to repay my student loans. And I don't have too many of those, thanks to the Federal Pell Grant program."
Sam, Minnesota
24. "It's been wonderful to have President Obama as a champion for access to health care for all women in this country."
Cecile Richards, New York
25. "Re-electing Barack Obama would lead to a stronger economic recovery than would be the case were Mitt Romney to win on November 6th."
Jared Bernstein, Washington, D.C.
http://my.barackobama.com/25-
Since we're in Texas, one could argue my votes for president and US Congress didn't matter all that much, but I did it anyway. I also voted for any of our local officials who said they wanted to put in bike lanes and make our town more pedestrian friendly.
So go out and vote today! Even if you're a Republican ; )
25 reasons from 25 people who are voting Obama:
1. "The Affordable Care Act is saving my daughter's life."
Stacey, Arizona
2. "Obama is for the vets. He helped us wind down in Iraq, he's improved mental health policy with VA benefits."
Joel, Minnesota
3. "Obama stuck his neck out for us, the auto industry. He wasn't going to let it just die, and I'm driving in this morning because of that, because of him."
Brian, Ohio
4. "Osama bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is alive."
Joe Biden, Delaware
5. "Supreme Court Supreme Court Supreme Court."
Andrew, California
6. "Arithmetic."
Bill Clinton, New York
7. "He cares for the 100 percent."
Shana, Texas
8. "When Obama came into office, he successfully renewed our country's place in the community of nations, making cooperation in tackling the world's challenges possible."
Willis, North Carolina
9. "The actions he has taken with respect to protecting us from terrorism have been very, very solid."
Colin Powell, Virginia
10. "I was really very grateful to him for standing up for those kids who are having a really rough time out there because of their orientation."
Jane Lynch, California
11. "For me, President Obama is our best choice because he has a vision of the United States as a place where we are all in this together."
Bruce Springsteen, New Jersey
12. "He has a real plan for rescuing the economy that passes the 'math' test."
Teresa, Virginia
13. "Having someone in office who understands how powerful our voice can be is very important."
Jay Z, New York
14. "I am voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden because I can trust them to care for the middle class and restore the American dream."
Steven, Florida
15. "The first measure he signed into law after becoming president was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- so a female high school counselor or physical education teacher can fight for equal pay for equal work."
Connie Britton, California
16. "I believe in the America he wants for my grandchildren."
Nancy, Michigan
17. "We need four more years of repair, of helping the middle class achieve a sustainable economy."
James Taylor, North Carolina
18. "I've watched him fight for our country, stand by the middle class, the working class, the military, the education of our children, universal health care, women, the environment, and matters of national and domestic security."
Susan, Virginia
19. "The gifted 12-year-old I taught, whose parents were deported and left her here with her grandmother, will be allowed to stay and finish her education. She's been in the U.S. since age one."
Jamie, North Carolina
20. "I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics."
Michael Bloomberg, New York
21. "I have four children who are under 26 and able to stay on my health care plan. That's been huge."
Amy, Pennsylvania
22. "He's fighting to defend and better Social Security and Medicare -- because millions of Latino seniors rely on them."
Cristina Saralegui, Florida
23. "Thanks to the President's efforts to keep student loan rates low, I can expect to save nearly $1000 as I work to repay my student loans. And I don't have too many of those, thanks to the Federal Pell Grant program."
Sam, Minnesota
24. "It's been wonderful to have President Obama as a champion for access to health care for all women in this country."
Cecile Richards, New York
25. "Re-electing Barack Obama would lead to a stronger economic recovery than would be the case were Mitt Romney to win on November 6th."
Jared Bernstein, Washington, D.C.
http://my.barackobama.com/25-
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Trick or Treat!
Hope everyone else had a Happy Halloween!
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