Baseline Data

Being married to Jeff has made me an all around better person. I've heard that the ideal partner and friend helps you to become your best self. Influenced by Jeff, there are things I do more regularly...and most of them are due to his positive influence rather than obtrusive force. (Sidenote: Jeff doesn't know I'm writing nice things about him right now and trying to have a nice calm time. He's forcing me to listen Ice Cube featuring Dr. Dre and MC Ren. It's a school night! It's too late for this offensive language!) I am a better person because of Jeff. I floss regularly (my dentist even complimented my flossing last week!), I eat healthy foods, I get 8 hours of sleep a night, I don't wear my diamond earrings in the shower or to bed (be proud, Mom!), I've struck a very nice balance between my personal and professional lives, and to top it off I've even completed a few triathlons since Jeff came into my life.

Right now, Jeff is injured and it's on my shoulders to carry on the Yoder name in the running world. Let's be honest...I am nowhere near the runner I once was in the olden days. It's time to get back into shape! Today I ran about 6 miles near my school on the rolling hills of southern Indiana. As I ran past the horse pastures and pickup trucks, I came to the realization that I am such a wimp when it comes to really pushing myself to be at a point where I'd be proud to post my running times on this blog. I also had one of those pivotal moments where I could feel my heart, lungs, and muscles cross over from being out of shape and still in the "I've taken the past 4 years of college plus a few more years" vacation and cross over into a mode where I feel motivated. Maybe it was the strangely warm January weather and sun paired with a great day at work. Maybe it was the handful of almonds that I ate before I headed out to run. Maybe it was these socks that I am still wearing because they feel good on my legs. Anyway, I've decided it's time to put the "s" back into runningyoderS.blogspot.com.

So to begin I need some baseline data. As a special educator, I'm pretty big into baseline data and setting observable and measurable goals. I've been working out at the Y regularly for awhile now, but not as much cardio as I'd like. I've just registered to run a 4-miler in Louisville on Saturday. Jeff will be my cheerleader and then we plan to get Hot Browns with my brother and his girlfriend. Sounds like a fun little Saturday. My goal is to complete the race with a semi-respectable time, but nothing too respectable because how will I otherwise demonstrate growth, right? Just a little educator humor. I will try my personal best!

The race I'll be running is the Snowman Shuffle in Cherokee Park.

Stay tuned - I think good things are coming!  Anyway, do you really want to see more pictures of the bottom of Jeff's foot or of insoles of his shoes?

High School - I caught this girl in front of me as 4x4 anchor for the win!
 My high school self would lap my current self if we raced right now...even in a 400.