Category: moving forward

dedication, goals, moving forward

And sometimes, well, we wonder…

Movin' it with Michelle

Why didn’t they call me?
Why am I still searching for my place in life?
Why do I find myself reaching out to people who don’t reciprocate the love?
Why, do I care about said listed people above?
Why I have I worked so darn hard my ENTIRE life, just continue to struggle?
Why is it so hard to see people go on trips, vacations, shopping, and living care free?
Why can’t I look in the mirror and just be happy?

Wait. Stop. KNOCK IT OFF!

LIFE. Is a blessing. It’s hard, and we all tend to wonder at times….

but we find our joys, and we keep moving forward.

WE let go of what ails us, when we can, and we make the most of each and every day.

We text our friends at 10 p.m. on Valentines day to ask for a run date….well…because we know the person on the other end of the text needs that run just as much as we do….

pic from last summer!
pic from last summer!

We hang ON to what matters most…friends, family, relationships and passions, and we find forward movement.

We take those 2 “I’m sorry the position has been filled” emails with a grain of salt, and realize that our dream passion is out there….somewhere….these rejections are simply openings to more opportunities in the future.

This weekend I am looking forward to family time, cleaning, and running a few miles with a friend who’s been there for me through a lot…a person who takes the time to text me on her worst day. Yeah…I am lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

So with that, I lay my wonders to rest. Tomorrow is a new day.
#keepmovinforward

food, moving forward, running

Meatball and veggie soup recipe and running

Movin' it with Michelle

I spent the weekend with my two daughters, embracing fun, shopping, errands, and even housecleaning (to include laundry, ACK). But even though the hubby had reserve duty, I am proud to say my girls were troopers and pitched in with helping around the house.
Both Saturday and Sunday were filled with errands and chores, but we managed to make it fun.
Today, I decided to make a simple soup for dinner, and I am so glad I did after running a very tough and frigid almost 4 miler. I set out today to go for 5 miles, as I did 4 for my longish run last weekend, but the bitter winds slapping me in the face caused me to cut it short….3.8 miles in 37:15. Not my best, but not my worst either.
During this run, I tried….tried so hard to lose myself in the run. But I just couldn’t settle in. I couldn’t lose myself in nature, or my music. So I trucked along, did a second loop in my neighborhood, and finished strong at an average 9:46 pace. I need to get my pace back to under 9:15 or so if I want to run a strong half marathon in May.
frozen4miler

For the soup-here is what you’ll need…First, preheat oven to 450, and get your crock pot out and ready.
Meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb lean pork sausage
2 eggs
1 handful of panko bread crumbs (can omit if preferred)
kosher salt and pepper to taste
pinch of parsley
pinch of cumin
pinch of cayenne pepper

Mix well, and form meatballs. Bake at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside to rest.

Soup:
1 box of sodium free vegetable stock
Additional 4-6 cups of water
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4-6 ribs of celery, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
pinch of sage, thyme, cumin, and season with kosher salt and pepper to taste
4-6 splashes of hot sauce
2-3 splashes of liquid smoke

Combine all soup ingredients in your crock pot and cook on high for about 2.5-3 hours, allowing your veggies to still have some crunch. In the last 30 minutes before serving, add your meatballs, and let warm through.

Easy peasy and warms the soul! Enjoy!
1-IMG_5624

dedication, food, goals, moving forward, running, strength

Monday Musings

Movin' it with Michelle

Monday musings
A forewarning, this post will be all over the place, and probably not full of unicorns, glitter, or butterflies. I caveat that, with the fact that I am FORCING myself to keep moving forward, regardless of the current situation.
I find it almost ironic that just a few weeks ago I posted about the fact that while although I am thankful I have a job, I don’t love my current career. My career was chosen for me by the Air Force, 23 years ago, and during my 20 year career serving in the military I was at least able to delve into so many other areas of the Air Force, which made actual career as a histology technician tolerable.
I was blessed to march in the Korean War Memorial dedication parade. I was a part of many organizations, and served under the Commander and Chief as an executive assistant for almost a year. I was a fitness instructor. I served on many service member of the quarter/year award boards. I was a training instructor. I even did other aspects of the lab such as Point of Care testing. I led training runs, memorial runs, and more ceremonies than I can count on one hand.
91bad-5-25stone
Yet for the last 2 ½ years…I’ve simply gone to work, punched in, did my job, and came home each night. While completely thankful to HAVE a job, this JOB no longer brings me joy.
And now, knowing my job is being eliminated, I have been on the job hunt for nearly 3 weeks without a single bite.
I’ve remained faithful, with constant forward movement and self-talk that involves a lot of yelling, crying, and begging for God to show me where the heck I am supposed to be in life at the ripe age of 41.
I thought by now I’d have it figured out. But nope…
I do know these few things.
I love to run, and running with friends makes me even happier when the mileage increases.
1-026
I love to cook, invent, and inspire others with the foods I prepare.
133ce-xmas2012b
I love to take pictures, and although I’d never call myself a photographer, I love being behind the lens.
1-IMG_3446-001
I love inspiring and helping others. It not only makes my crap, well, less craptastic, but it brings me such joy to help someone through a difficult time in their life.
a7790-11-12-13sign
I love to write. I have been writing since the age of 12, and although I am just an amateur, I truly love the written word.
Yet, none of these passions will provide for my family currently…yet…

With that, I have to keep plugging along, searching for a new job at least 2-3 hours each night, praying that right fit will come along. My family needs my financial, and happy mental support.

goals, moving forward, running, strength

Why I run…

Movin' it with Michelle

For more than 2 1/2 decades, I’ve used running as a source of therapy. I started running in junior high school as a way of trying to find my place in a time where I felt very OUT of place (who didn’t as a young teen, right?).
From a young age, I never felt like I really ‘belonged’ anywhere, and for most of my teen and adult life I suffered from sometimes, quite severe depression.

In 2007 I hit my WALL in life. That moment where in a marathon you feel you just CAN’T take another step, where it hurts to breathe, and even blinking seems painful….Yes…I was there…and it was scary to say the least.

Yet the love I have for my family came bounding to the forefront, and I knew I had to change, to lift myself up, and to start moving forward.

So I signed up for my first half marathon in September of 2007, with only 8 weeks to train. The San Antonio Rock and Roll half marathon will always hold a special place in my heart.

I could barely run ONE mile without walking, but I was moving…My training brought me a new found respect for running, and re-ignited a fire that had been lying dormant for many years. I would work all day, come home to make dinner and feed my then 8 and 1 year old daughters. As soon as my husband got home from work, I’d pass off the kids, and head out the door to run. And after 8 weeks of hard and grueling training, I completed my first half marathon in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Just typing this recap brings tears to my eyes. THIS choice, to train for a half marathon despite my hardships that I was going through, was life saving.

Since then after retiring from the Air Force in 2011, I have completed several more half marathons (Half Fanatic #3915), and 2 full marathons, with my PR’s being 2:02/4:25 respectively. My favorite race of all time, is the Fox Valley Marathon. The Fox River trails are my home away from home, and also volunteering for this race has made it near and dear to my heart.

My goals for this year are to focus on my half marathon speed, but regardless of the race, you’ll be sure to see me smiling.

Why?

Some say running has saved their lives, and I piggy back that sentiment, partially.

Partially?

Yes. Because for me, MAKING THE CHOICE to run, to train, to race, THAT has saved my life. And this ongoing choice, has made me both stronger, and happier all around.

I don’t run to win races. I run, to keep movin’ forward. #pacesetter @womenraces #keepmovinforward

goals, moving forward, running, strength, training

Three things Thursday on my birthday eve

Movin' it with Michelle

Life is short.
All too often we get caught up in THINGS. But life isn’t about STUFF. It’s about moments, lives, love, family, friends, and moving forward. This week I was told I am losing my job in the spring due to cut backs in budget, healthcare, etc…I found myself heading in a downward spiral, and it terrified me. But instead of throwing in the towel, I maintained my work out schedule after coming home from work, preparing meals and keeping my crazy household maintained.

Life is good.
I have my health so far…and I have made it through almost 41 years without any major illness’s. At work today, I had to process a specimen on a very young (40’s) man that has stage 4 cancer. It never gets easier….23 years in the same field, and it. never. gets easier.

Life is meant for living.
People often ask why I continue to put the work and effort in to my Facebook page, when I am not making a profit from the efforts.
Why?
Because just today, I received two messages in regards to my efforts.
The first:

“Cheers to you my friend. I know this birthday will be filled with lots of emotions. What a great year, you’ve made so many new friends, Moved so many people with your page, food, photos….just remember that you do not have to be defined by what you ‘do’, be defined by what you ‘love’, and who loves YOU. May all your wishes come true.
The second:
I wanted you to know that you have a follower (keeping name private), she does your AB challenge with her daughter, she reads your posts every day and loves your page. Your page is awesome, she loves it. Just wanted you to know you have a strong reach…
Touching lives, inspiring others, MOVIN’ forward is such a joyous part of living to me…

Despite a rough week, my heart is full tonight. And I realize…Life…IS. What it IS, is up to YOU.
1-026

dedication, moving forward, running, Uncategorized

Polar Dash Recap, and more!

Movin' it with Michelle

Today was my first race in over 3 months since I tore my Achilles tendon. Yet when my friends asked if I wanted to sign up for the Polar Dash race series, I was excited to have a race to look forward to again.
We headed out early, despite the challenges of slippery roads, time set backs, and yes, me forgetting my trail shoes and having to run home to get them.
We got to the starting point literally less than 10 minutes before the 14 mile start. I missed meeting up with some amazing women, but did catch Penny from 26.Yikes and SarahJeanne from In Mid Stride.
1-11-14fbpageladies
Lots of laughter, hugs, and chatting and we were FREEZING, but happy.
We headed to the start corral, and I realized WOW…I am doing this. BRRRR….
1-11-14mestart
Not a 1/4 mile in, and we were faced with standing water, ice, and detours through snow banks. But we were HAVING FUN. Crazy right? I mean, really, who signs up for any sort of distance in JANUARY, in CHICAGO? Yup…we did.
So we took a lot of pictures. Stopped to walk the icy parts, and the best part? I didn’t look at my Garmin, at all.
1-11-14carolynme
Several comment were made about our attire…and the best being named the “Polar Princess’s” and the “Tutu crew.”
We stayed together.
No runner left behind.
We finished happy.
1-11-14Polar Dash finish
And afterwards we all met up for lunch, and of course the traditional Bloody Mary. Yup. I drank that.
1-11-14postracedrink
And in the end, people can question our pace time, our finish time, or how we placed….

But guess what. For THIS race, NO ONE cared. It was about being together as friends, laughing, talking, reconnecting, and just RUNNING to be free.
While eating lunch and shortly there after, I found myself laughing…laughing, and smiling so hard I had tears streaming down my face.
THIS is something I don’t do often enough…

But I did it today. And I’m better for it. I thank all of my friends and family, both near and far, for giving me a reason to smile, laugh, live, and run.

food, goals, moving forward, strength, training

Monday’s Movin’…who’s cookin?

Movin' it with Michelle

Image

Tonight’s dinner was off the cuff, and I was plainly just trying to be creative.  Was I completely successful?  I’d say no….but the dish turned out regardless; I simply missed the ‘wow’ factor.

Ingredients:

4-6 pork chops, thick cut

3 oranges, to include the zest/juice

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 gloves of garlic, minced

1 tablespoon of organic honey

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

Kosher salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (pinch), basil, and parsley

Mix the above ingredients together in a food processor, pulsing until completing incorporated.  Coat your chops, and let marinate for about 30 minutes to an hour.   Save about ½ cup of the mixture to drizzle over the chops for baking.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees

Seer your chops on high heat in a pan coated with extra virgin olive oil, both sides.  Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with remaining mixture, and finish baking in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes. 

 

Serve with your favorite veggie; I choose zucchini and mushrooms tonight!  Quickly sautéed them in a pan and VOILA!  YUM!  Gogolowcarb!

Tonight’s work out was a great #TDF start…

Day 6 of the AB challenge done:
25 Sit ups
15 crunches
15 leg raises
25 second plank

Added with:
30 second wall sit x3
3 sets of bicep curls
3 sets of tricep extensions…

A great Monday, all around! #keepmovinforward

food, goals, moving forward

Exciting times!

Movin' it with Michelle

I currently have a terrible head cold. You know, the kind where you feel like you are living on a cloud, but not the fluffy, white, whimsical type of cloud. No…the kind of cloud that is fog laden and makes your head feel like it weighs more than a ton of bricks.

Yup…that kind.

With that said, I still have managed to work nearly the entire holiday ‘break’ despite looking a bit like Rudolph from blowing my nose so many times.
I did manage to get my AB challenge done, and was satisfied with that despite wishing I was outside running in the newly fallen snow.

Regardless, I promised myself I would write more with the New Year, so here I am…aimlessly writing about a whole lot of nothing.

With all that, I pray for quick healing so I can rock the Polar Dash 10K with my friends next weekend. No matter what, we will look cute in our tutus and penguin hats.

My holiday decorations are nearly put away, and my weekend will be that of organizing and cleaning as I ready myself for a new year full of adventures.

My cook book project will start THIS weekend, and I have the hubby on board in researching starting our, wait for it, very own RESTAURANT. Those that know me, know this is my dream. He’s studying the business side, as am I, as well as we plan to research American cuisine paired with regional wines. Just. wait.

My running will continue, but I plan on holding back to the half marathon distance so I can have time for my family, and ME. The last two years of full AND part time work, along with marathon training taught me that I can ONLY DO so much. And although I love the 26.2 distance, I have found it almost silly to try and do with all I have on my plate. I just can’t give it my ALL again a third year in a row, so stay tuned for some rockin’ half marathons.

With that, I bid you all a wonderful evening. May your hearts be full, the wind at your back, and wonderful food on your plate.
#keepmovinforward3-10souschef