accomplishments

I Am A Runner

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**cross-posted to my food/fitness blog, Eating Back to Good! )**

Hi.  My name is Melanie, and I am a runner.  I can’t run a mile yet.  Actually, I can’t even run ten minutes straight yet, but I am a runner nonetheless.  I am a runner because I run.  Not just because I want to run, but because I put feet to pavement (ok…to treadmill…seriously, it’s 100* outside with 110% humidity, and I’m not stupid).

I am a runner because I’ve almost grasped that moment where everything in my body is working in harmony and I’m humming along, feeling like I can conquer the whole world with the power in my legs and feet.  I am a runner.  I am a runner because, despite my frantically gasping for air (breathe through your freaking nose, you idiot!), being slightly off-balance, and mouthing the words to *NSYNC (thereby rendering myself a complete gym-dork to everyone around me), I keep on running.

I am a runner.  I am a runner because, despite the fact that I cannot seem to get my shoes and socks to fit right so that I don’t get blisters, I’m still going to run tomorrow (albeit probably with moleskin, bandaids, and duct tape).

I am a runner.  I am a runner because I know that, in some weeks, I’ll compete in my first 5K.  I won’t win.  I don’t expect to.  But I will finish.  And the next one will be easier.

My name is Melanie, and I am a runner.

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The Blur That Was 2009

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This year:

  1. I started graduate school and completed five classes, getting straight A’s in each.
  2. Joey and I went to the beach for a short weekend getaway.
  3. We spent every moment possible hanging out with James before he left for Iraq for the year.
  4. I made a lifelong friend in Shannon and we got to be a part of the Garzoni family.
  5. We camped in July and October, the latter in tents and with sleet.
  6. I sprained my ankle.
  7. We took James to Indy to report for duty and, for the first time, I had to say goodbye to a friend as he went off to war.
  8. I learned to knit cables.
  9. I finally got control over my depression and anxiety and found out that I’m stronger than I think I am.
  10. I made an almost-100% handmade Christmas.

I also started a food blog, started writing as a featured publisher for FoodBuzz, and I started writing for Examiner.com as Charlotte’s Frugal Living Examiner (yes, I’ve been super-slack this month).  And, one of the most important things that happened this year was that I became a vegetarian after we lost Lady in February.

Time always goes so much faster than you want it to.  I’ve noticed this already…last month, Joey and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary.  My ten-year high school reunion (which I couldn’t attend) was this past weekend.  Ten years.  I don’t feel that much older.  I don’t feel like my family is that much older.  It all went so fast.

However, this year, I think I’m ready for 2010.  While I am proud of what I was able to do in 2009, I also left a lot undone:

  1. I was not successful in my diet/exercise endeavors and, in fact, gained ten pounds this year.
  2. I continue to procrastinate at school, which makes me feel like I’m squandering a huge opportunity I’m being given.
  3. I let my frugality go for the sake of convenience…takeout, the grocery store near the house, etc.
  4. I did not declutter my house.

So, there are things that I want to tackle in 2010…a list will come later, but I know that I’m ready to let 2009 be the past and to jump headfirst into 2010.