At the age of 8, I was introduced to my first love. Softball. I played competitively until the age of 18. In the spring and summer, I was always on the field. There was really nothing, I loved more than playing ball, being competitive and my team.
It's this love for softball that kept me athletic and in shape. I always wanted to play my best. As an adult, I've continued to play softball in recreational leagues until I had Amelia. I've coached my older daughter's teams and hope to pass down the love of the sport to her. We have a lot of fun together and as a team. It keeps us especially busy this time of year.
Lately though, I've had so much stress and drama being involved with the softball board that I questioned my love for the game. Once we had our first practice of the season, it didn't take long to remember all the reasons I love the game. Coaching is a true joy. Spending the quality time with my daughter is a blessing.
However, I wanted more. I miss playing. I know I can't be as active as I want with my running but I can do somethings. I needed to do something for me. I joined a women's rec team. We will be playing on Friday nights. During the Spring, I will be substituting / on call when regulars can't make it. But come Summer league, I will have a regular spot on the team. I'm excited. I know subbing doesn't sound like much but it's perfect for me right now. Tuesday, I had my first practice with the rec league. It was great and so much fun just hitting the balls. It's been about 5 years since I played but it felt like yesterday. Hitting balls is such a great stress reliever too. Makes me want to go to the batting cages.
Today, Mariyn and I bought matching cleats. ha ha Silly I know. The cleats, I had were so old they litterally were seperating from the sole. Probably not from use, but from time. I've had them since I was 16ish years old. It was time for a new pair and Mariyn's excited to have the same pair as her mom. :0) I love my girl!
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Chocolate Festival 5K
Complete Success!
My niece and nephew spent the night last night, their mom had to work today and needed a sitter. We already had a busy day planned but I figured they could tag along. Mariyn enjoyed having them here, but boy was that a lot of work for me. I got up early, cooked breakfast and got 4 kids and myself out of the house before 7:30 am. Hey, I did all that and ran Three miles by 9 AM! Impressive I tell you, God was on my side today!
It's funny all the anxiety I felt about my first 5K was non-existent today! I knew I was capable of completeing the whole 3.1 miles. My heart was full because Mariyn wanted to run and I knew she could do it. She was so excited too! She found a friend along the way and ran/walked with her. I love that my seven year old daughter WANTS to be active. Such a blessing. To be honest though, I was more worried for her than for me. She did great though and of course, I'm a proud momma.
Mariyn running the final stretch to the finish line!
Just crossed the finish line - look past the guy in the blue jacket...
Nicole, one of my sister's friends wanted to run it too. It was her first 5K and as she crossed the finish line she swore it will be her last. I'm willing to bet she does it again. ;-) I'm trying to get her to join me in Sacramento for the Nike Women's festival. I ran into friends of mine too, Jill and Bryan. Bryan did great, probably one of the first 15 runners. It was Jill's first 5K and her goal was to finish - she did! So proud of her and Nicole.
My goal, well, my goal was to finish running. Yeah RUN the entire 3.1 miles. I want progress, ya know. I knew I could complete it, but I wanted to complete it running. I'm in better shape than I was a month and a half ago. I've been running more and more. Today, I'm happy to report, I completed the 5K running! It was rough, I wanted to make sure I paced myself. This course was a fast out and back, I wasn't really sure WHERE the course went out too, there was a turn in there but I knew once I hit half way, I would just turn and run back. A lot easier to pace with this style course. Once I made half way, I bargained with myself to keep pushing til certain marks... then I would just change the mark. I told myself I was going to run it, the entire time. I knew I would be disappointed if I had to stop and walk. There were some challenges though, this course had no water and less spectators cheering along the course and no water stops. I also knew people running and wanted to push myself even harder to finish my goals and encourage them!
When you're runnning it feels like you're a breath or so away from being breathless. You're lungs are fully open, pumping oxygen through your entire body. Inhaling and exhaling deeply because your body needs the oxygen to run. Twice along the run, I took in a deep breath of second hand smoke - GROSS GROSS GROSS!!! The first was probably a 1/4 a mile through, cigar smoke. The second was probaly 3/4 some nursing staff was on a smoke break and we ran past them. DISGUSTING, I tell you, DISGUSTING!! I will never understand how anyone in health care can smoke. But to breath in their second hand smoke while running - so not fun! I wanted to gag!
The best part, I had enough energy left in me to Sprint in at the end! YEP! I passed up a good 5-7 women because I sprinted in at the end. Although, Rich said it didn't look like I was sprinting at all, lol. I'm sure he is right, my sprint couldn't have been super fast at the end but I felt it! My legs are so sore now!
After I finished I waited to cheer Nicole and Jill as they crossed the finish line! Then, I had to run off to Mariyn's last softball game. I got a bloody nose in the car... kinda weird. She played awesome, as did my whole team. I'm really going to miss coaching this group of girls. My legs were killing me as soon as our game started! The season always feels too short. I'm already looking forward to next year.
I still have my niece and nephew over, so after softball, I let them swim. Busy, busy day, I tell you. I made them come inside and watch a movie around 4:30 - 5 o'clock. I'm exhausted, my legs are dead... and now that I'm finally almost done with this blog I think the movie is over... I've got a bit over an hour left on baby sitting duty...
Have I mentioned we are so incredibly blessed! Glory to God for all the things he allows us to do! <3
My niece and nephew spent the night last night, their mom had to work today and needed a sitter. We already had a busy day planned but I figured they could tag along. Mariyn enjoyed having them here, but boy was that a lot of work for me. I got up early, cooked breakfast and got 4 kids and myself out of the house before 7:30 am. Hey, I did all that and ran Three miles by 9 AM! Impressive I tell you, God was on my side today!
Before our runs!
It's funny all the anxiety I felt about my first 5K was non-existent today! I knew I was capable of completeing the whole 3.1 miles. My heart was full because Mariyn wanted to run and I knew she could do it. She was so excited too! She found a friend along the way and ran/walked with her. I love that my seven year old daughter WANTS to be active. Such a blessing. To be honest though, I was more worried for her than for me. She did great though and of course, I'm a proud momma.
Mariyn running the final stretch to the finish line!
Just crossed the finish line - look past the guy in the blue jacket...Nicole, one of my sister's friends wanted to run it too. It was her first 5K and as she crossed the finish line she swore it will be her last. I'm willing to bet she does it again. ;-) I'm trying to get her to join me in Sacramento for the Nike Women's festival. I ran into friends of mine too, Jill and Bryan. Bryan did great, probably one of the first 15 runners. It was Jill's first 5K and her goal was to finish - she did! So proud of her and Nicole.
My goal, well, my goal was to finish running. Yeah RUN the entire 3.1 miles. I want progress, ya know. I knew I could complete it, but I wanted to complete it running. I'm in better shape than I was a month and a half ago. I've been running more and more. Today, I'm happy to report, I completed the 5K running! It was rough, I wanted to make sure I paced myself. This course was a fast out and back, I wasn't really sure WHERE the course went out too, there was a turn in there but I knew once I hit half way, I would just turn and run back. A lot easier to pace with this style course. Once I made half way, I bargained with myself to keep pushing til certain marks... then I would just change the mark. I told myself I was going to run it, the entire time. I knew I would be disappointed if I had to stop and walk. There were some challenges though, this course had no water and less spectators cheering along the course and no water stops. I also knew people running and wanted to push myself even harder to finish my goals and encourage them!
When you're runnning it feels like you're a breath or so away from being breathless. You're lungs are fully open, pumping oxygen through your entire body. Inhaling and exhaling deeply because your body needs the oxygen to run. Twice along the run, I took in a deep breath of second hand smoke - GROSS GROSS GROSS!!! The first was probably a 1/4 a mile through, cigar smoke. The second was probaly 3/4 some nursing staff was on a smoke break and we ran past them. DISGUSTING, I tell you, DISGUSTING!! I will never understand how anyone in health care can smoke. But to breath in their second hand smoke while running - so not fun! I wanted to gag!
The best part, I had enough energy left in me to Sprint in at the end! YEP! I passed up a good 5-7 women because I sprinted in at the end. Although, Rich said it didn't look like I was sprinting at all, lol. I'm sure he is right, my sprint couldn't have been super fast at the end but I felt it! My legs are so sore now!
After I finished I waited to cheer Nicole and Jill as they crossed the finish line! Then, I had to run off to Mariyn's last softball game. I got a bloody nose in the car... kinda weird. She played awesome, as did my whole team. I'm really going to miss coaching this group of girls. My legs were killing me as soon as our game started! The season always feels too short. I'm already looking forward to next year.
I still have my niece and nephew over, so after softball, I let them swim. Busy, busy day, I tell you. I made them come inside and watch a movie around 4:30 - 5 o'clock. I'm exhausted, my legs are dead... and now that I'm finally almost done with this blog I think the movie is over... I've got a bit over an hour left on baby sitting duty...
Have I mentioned we are so incredibly blessed! Glory to God for all the things he allows us to do! <3
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Random Running
Clare and I had a running date at the gym. Since they changed the childcare hours, I've noticed our workouts are also getting shorter. Well, they really just have to. We ran today, or I should say Clare did. I attempted but my knee kept getting sore. So I walked a bit. I should take some ibuprofen, I don't want it to be sore on Saturday.
I'm really looking forward to Saturday's run. Mariyn is ready to do her mile and I'm really proud of how active she is in general, she wants to participate in EVERYTHING: softball, soccer, dance, you name it, my kid wants to do it! But probably like a lot of 7 year olds, she says she wants to do things and then whines about it later. I was hesitant in signing her up for the run, it's $20 and I didn't want it to be something she whines about come race day. I made her prove to me that she would run and could run the full mile and she has. I can't wait to see her run on Saturday. As for myself, I don't have any jitters that I had at my last 5K. I'm confident that I can finish, I've been training at the gym and am pleased with my progress overall. Hopefully, I can attain my goal, run the entire 5K. The course is a straight out and back, fairly flat too so I think I will be better able to pace myself. I'll be able to see the whole 3.1 miles. I probably won't run much more this week until Saturday. Especially because of my knees bothering me a bit.
On anther note, I've been elected to be a board member for our local softball league. I'm excited, I absolutely love softball and I have a lot of ideas. I have a big responsibility, registrar but I know I can handle it. Plus, I love being an involved parent. I love being able to be physically active in softball, coaching my girls and helping others learn to love the game like I do. Softball has been a major part of my life in shaping me to who I am. It coaching last season when I really realized I had a big weight problem. Don't get me wrong, I've known I was over weight for a while but a year ago I seen first hand how it was impacting my life and my physical capabilities. This year, I don't feel limited by my size. Yeah sure I'm still overweight BUT I'm willing to beat I have more endurance than most of my parents! I've come so far since October, and from where I was last year. I can't wait to see where I am next year. I'm excited to spread my love of the sport and fitness to the kids.
I'm really looking forward to Saturday's run. Mariyn is ready to do her mile and I'm really proud of how active she is in general, she wants to participate in EVERYTHING: softball, soccer, dance, you name it, my kid wants to do it! But probably like a lot of 7 year olds, she says she wants to do things and then whines about it later. I was hesitant in signing her up for the run, it's $20 and I didn't want it to be something she whines about come race day. I made her prove to me that she would run and could run the full mile and she has. I can't wait to see her run on Saturday. As for myself, I don't have any jitters that I had at my last 5K. I'm confident that I can finish, I've been training at the gym and am pleased with my progress overall. Hopefully, I can attain my goal, run the entire 5K. The course is a straight out and back, fairly flat too so I think I will be better able to pace myself. I'll be able to see the whole 3.1 miles. I probably won't run much more this week until Saturday. Especially because of my knees bothering me a bit.
On anther note, I've been elected to be a board member for our local softball league. I'm excited, I absolutely love softball and I have a lot of ideas. I have a big responsibility, registrar but I know I can handle it. Plus, I love being an involved parent. I love being able to be physically active in softball, coaching my girls and helping others learn to love the game like I do. Softball has been a major part of my life in shaping me to who I am. It coaching last season when I really realized I had a big weight problem. Don't get me wrong, I've known I was over weight for a while but a year ago I seen first hand how it was impacting my life and my physical capabilities. This year, I don't feel limited by my size. Yeah sure I'm still overweight BUT I'm willing to beat I have more endurance than most of my parents! I've come so far since October, and from where I was last year. I can't wait to see where I am next year. I'm excited to spread my love of the sport and fitness to the kids.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Crazy
Really that's all I can say is life has been crazy lately. Every day seems busy. Yesterday, I got up early got Mariyn ready for school and drove Amelia to my mom's. Which is a good 45 miles and made it back to Mariyn's school for her walking field trip before 9:30. We walked to the science fair as her field trip about a mile and a half round trip. My brother was at my house putting in a new double oven we found last weekend at a garage sale. Then, I went to the gym ran 2.5 miles with Clare. Next thing I knew, it was time to pick up Mariyn from school. Mariyn and I picked Amelia up from my mom's, then softball practice, a meeting with roofer and a board meeting for softball. I didn't get home until after 10pm! Crazy, at which time, I gave in and ate Mountain Mike's Pizza. I was starving and I know it wasn't the best choice but it was food and I was so hungry. I admit it, I ate Pizza. Sinful, I know but I am doing better with diet and exercise overall this week.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Busy Busy
It's been another great day. Amelia and I went to Costco this morning. Got tons of great food...and samples! Yumm... They had lemon cookies and chips. So delicious. I haven't had either in such a long time. I figured a sample was probably ok. It's not like I'm cheating on my diet and the sample seemed to be great portion control... ok ok, so maybe I feel like I cheated because I haven't had any of these type of treats for a long time. Oh but it was worth it! After school, I pitched a few buckets of wiffle balls to Mariyn. She really loves softball and I love spending the quality time with her.
While we were out, a dog wandered by. He was older, yellow lab seemed friendly so we took him in. It seems we're always rescuing dogs since we moved into this house. Mariyn says we have a dog rescuing business. Not any profit in it, but it is rewarding to help a doggy get home safe to it's family. As soon as we found the dog, it was time to get ready for the gym. Monday night is kickboxing, always a great class! After the class, I came home and walked the dog we found around the neighborhood in hopes of finding it's owner. I walked down my street until the end with no luck. Then I thought, I'll text my friend, she lives in my neighborhood and knows EVERYONE. If someone by her is missing their dog, she'll know. Funny thing is, it ended up being HER dog! What are the odds! I've been to her house a few times and didn't know they had dogs. Just Saturday she we were talking about dogs and I remembered she said she had 2. Had she not said anything, I probably wouldn't have thought to check with her. Anyways, she lives in the complete opposite direction that I was walking... so I ended up walking about 2.25 miles to help the dog find it's home. AFTER kickboxing. My legs are tired!
I noticed I forgot to blog again on Friday. Geesh, guess I'm slacking. I notice that when most of my friends don't blog about their weightloss/goal it's because they have temporarily fallen off track. Well, that is not the case for me. I've just been super busy between softball, family and the gym. But I will say, I've not been as careful with my diet this week. I have felt ravenous at times and well, too tired to cook. I think I've made good choices overall. Guess I'll know for sure tomorrow during weigh in :)
While we were out, a dog wandered by. He was older, yellow lab seemed friendly so we took him in. It seems we're always rescuing dogs since we moved into this house. Mariyn says we have a dog rescuing business. Not any profit in it, but it is rewarding to help a doggy get home safe to it's family. As soon as we found the dog, it was time to get ready for the gym. Monday night is kickboxing, always a great class! After the class, I came home and walked the dog we found around the neighborhood in hopes of finding it's owner. I walked down my street until the end with no luck. Then I thought, I'll text my friend, she lives in my neighborhood and knows EVERYONE. If someone by her is missing their dog, she'll know. Funny thing is, it ended up being HER dog! What are the odds! I've been to her house a few times and didn't know they had dogs. Just Saturday she we were talking about dogs and I remembered she said she had 2. Had she not said anything, I probably wouldn't have thought to check with her. Anyways, she lives in the complete opposite direction that I was walking... so I ended up walking about 2.25 miles to help the dog find it's home. AFTER kickboxing. My legs are tired!
I noticed I forgot to blog again on Friday. Geesh, guess I'm slacking. I notice that when most of my friends don't blog about their weightloss/goal it's because they have temporarily fallen off track. Well, that is not the case for me. I've just been super busy between softball, family and the gym. But I will say, I've not been as careful with my diet this week. I have felt ravenous at times and well, too tired to cook. I think I've made good choices overall. Guess I'll know for sure tomorrow during weigh in :)
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