Hi! I went MIA from the blog world at the end of last week while I was enjoying time with family and friends. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate)!
Since I last blogged just a few things have happened…
1. My official Jingle Bell Jog finishing time was adjusted.
Christmas came early for me when I received an email on December 24th letting me know the timing company for the Jingle Bell Jog had adjusted the official finishing times to account for their race day issues.
My official net finishing time…. 37:57!! WHOOP! Love that it’s in the 37s! 🙂
Now I only have to shave off 58 seconds to reach 36:59 and meet my arbitrary goal of running a 5K in the 36 minute range!
2. I signed up for the A1A Half Marathon.
On Christmas morning I woke up before everyone else in the house (aka Adam and Cecil) and signed myself up for the A1A Half Marathon!
I mean, just look at these medals and tell me they’re not BEAUTIFUL?
Normally I’m not a medal crazy kind of person, but this one represents Fort Lauderdale so well I’ve decided it has to be in my collection!
I haven’t decided what my goal for this race will be. As long as I get my PR at the Miami Half in January I’ll probably just run this one for fun… but that is still TBD!
3. I decided I’m going to start vlogging in 2015!
YEP! I’m going to start putting together blog posts in video form this year!
I really want to learn how to use video editing software better. Even though I don’t personally edit videos as part of my job, I think it’s a useful skill to have when you work for an advertising agency.
I’ll put up my first video in January. Please be gentle with me as I have no clue what I’m doing!
I’ll link to my YouTube channel as soon as it’s ready!
4. Family News.
Just the other day I learned that my dad has been diagnosed with t-cell lymphoma.
The doctor thinks he’ll need about two rounds of chemotherapy, after which he’ll move to chemo pills for about six months. It doesn’t appear to be life threatening (at this time).
I feel very fortunate that it was discovered early and will likely be very treatable.
Cancer has caused me way too much stress this year and I’ll be happy once my dad’s therapy is done and I can stop worrying.
5. I Shared My Fluffy Christmas Gift with Cecil.
In happier family news, Cecil and I are sharing the softest Christmas gift EVER!
Adam’s stepmom gave me this fluffy scarf, which I’ve decided to use as a hat while I’m in the house because sometimes my ears get cold.
Cecil said it looks ridiculous on my head though, and that he should be able to use it as a blanket.
Well you know the rules in this house: whatever Cecil wants, Cecil gets, so I’ve officially lost my new ear warmer hat/scarf.
What have you been up to? Staying on track with your mileage?
Any exciting holiday gifts?
– Adam got me a suite at the hotel we’re staying at for the Miami Half!!! WOOT!
So sorry to hear about your dad! I’m glad that its not life threatening and it was caught early.
That’s so awesome that you got your adjusted 5k time! Getting into the 37s is so exciting! And those medals for the half look so fun!
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Thank you, Lisa! I feel so grateful that my dad’s prognosis is good!
I love the medal for the A1A Half! I’m glad it’s the same as the one for the full marathon, just a little smaller!
So sorry to hear about your dad. What a rough time to get such news (like there’s a good time). Glad to hear it’s not life threatening and that it was caught early!
That’s pretty cool about your time being adjusted! I’ve never had a time adjusted, but for some reason in almost all the races I’ve done, the official time ends up being one second better than the one they print out for me as I finish the race. I especially enjoyed this when my 1:56:01 half got changed to 1:56:00 because I think it’s so cool when race times are right on the minute like that!
Vlogging will be an interesting adventure! I could never do it. I look and sound horrible on video
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Thanks, Hanna, I really appreciate it. My dad has known something was wrong for about three months but the doctors didn’t think it was lymphoma. He was misdiagnosed a couple of times. I’m glad we’ve got it sorted it now and that the prognosis looks good from here.
I am sorry to hear about your dad’s health. I hope he stays strong and the situation continues to be manageable!
I am VERY excited for your Vlogs!!!!!
A sub 37 5k is right around the corner, for you, Kristina!!!! 🙂
Author
Thank you! He is in really good spirits, still joking and talking sports non-stop. He seems more annoyed by the whole thing than scared, but that could just be his way of coping. I hope he really is feeling good!
Yay on the adjusted 5K time! Nice Christmas gift! And the race medals for the A1A half marathon are so cool. I can’t wait for your vlogs!!!
Cancer is so scary. I’m glad they caught your dad’s in time so the prognosis is good.
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Thanks Jenn! I think the adjusted 5K time was the best Christmas gift I got this year!
I’m so happy about your adjusted 5K time! What a great early Christmas present!!
And I will be praying for your dad! My and Henri’s fam are dealing with some cancer now too and it’s really scary/not a fun place to be in so I know what you’re going through! 🙂
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Thanks, Lauren, I really appreciate it. I am sorry to hear that your family is dealing with something similar 🙁 Cancer sucks!
Praying for your dad, so glad they found it early.
Awesome that they got your time right, you can cut off that :58, I know it. That medal for the A1A half is totally cool. Oh man your totally stealing my idea, I’ve always wanted to Vlog lol. I’ve wanted to do it since I started watching Sage’s videos and when I use to load trail videos to my blog. I can’t wait to see how it comes out, I’m sure it will come out fantastic.
I have NO DOUBT that you will reach your goal of the 36’s in no time. You are practically there. It will be fun for you to work toward that goal this next year – and likely set new ones.
I’m really sorry to hear about your dad and send my thoughts/prayers to you and your family. Chemo is no joke and I’ve witnessed my own dad go through treatment. Stay strong, girl!
I am excited about your vlogs!!
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Thank you Kristen, I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers. My dad being in good spirits is helping me to stay positive. He’s a trooper, for sure!
I’m so sorry about your dad. I will be keeping you guys in my thoughts!
Those medals for the A1A race are so awesome, makes me want to run it one day!!
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Thank you, Courtney!
Come on down for A1A this year! There’s still time to register 🙂 Just an advanced warning though, it’s been a HOT winter so the race may be just a tad warm!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad but I’m glad his prognosis is good!!
I might be running the A1A also!! I haven’t decided yet but it’s ON my birthday so it would be a fun present.
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Thanks, Ali!
Oh that’s so exciting that you might come down! My only worry about this race is that it might be hot since it’s been so warm lately!
Sorry to hear about your dad but really glad it was caught early. And congrats on the adjusted time for your 5K! I’m in Jamaica for the holidays and found a local running group to run with so I have been staying on target. It’s been a lot of hill work and my body (and knees) is trying to get used to that, but it’s been great!
Author
Ohhh I hope you’re enjoying every minute in Jamaica. I bet those hills are a killer!!!! You’re going to come back so much faster and stronger!
Awe. Thinking about you and your family while your dad goes through this chemo.
Glad to hear there have also been positives however.!!
That hat is super hilarious and those medals look awesome. You need to take a pic with that bad boy on. Both on.! Lol jk
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Thanks, Jessica!
That hat/scarf/blanket is so crazy, especially since we live in Florida. However, it is literally the SOFTEST thing I’ve ever felt in my entire life!!
Sorry to hear about your dad – glad they caught this early and that the prognosis looks good. Yayyy for the 37:XX 🙂 Look forward to your vlogs – Cecil make an appearance? Fun scarf – hehe looks like a hat the Mongolians or Russians would wear (I think I have Mongols on my mind since I finished Marco Polo).
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Cecil will be in about 99.9% of the videos I am sure 🙂
That hat reminds me of something Russians would wear too!
I am really sorry about your Dad Kristina.
I am glad the timing snafu got fixed. That’s a great time 🙂 You look great in your Portland shirt! Cecil looks pretty happy with the scarf lol
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Thanks, Karen!
I am glad someone spotted the Portland shirt 🙂 I wear it to bed basically every single night LOL.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad, but relieved to know that it is easily treatable.
I know someone else running the A1A half! She’s recently started blogging, so I’m sure she’ll be writing about the race: http://yogaontherun.wordpress.com/ Those medals are crazy!
I’m definitely not keeping up the mileage over the holidays… oh well. Maybe extra rest is a good thing??
Sorry to hear about your dad – glad that caught it early and hoping that the treatments don’t have too many nasty side effects!!!
Can’t wait to see your Vlogs!!!