Shalini's Sewing Space

We did it! This morning I woke up at 6:30. DH and Mehul were up a little while later. Quick breakfast, dressed up and out the door by 7:15. Turn back as I had forgotten the towel. It was pouring down rain. We reached the FairGrounds in Leesburg around 8:00. This is where the race was to be held. I met with Jenni and her husband Scott who were also there for the 5K. It was *cold* and wet. Most people were wearing jackets and caps. Some were even wearing garbage bags over their dresses to avoid soaking. Quite a deviation from what I had imagined! Jenni said around 2500 people had registered for the races. But there weren't nearly as many present. Many had bailed. Our race started at 8:40. We had to go on a bike trail half way through and then turn back and finish at the same spot we started. Jenni had done a 5K last year but it was my first. We started out together. Scott had gone to the front of the herd. We were not even 1 mile in when we saw some people returning! Yeah, they were...

Status of Running So, I have mentioned here that I can run/walk 5 miles now. I didn't say how long it takes me but what's the point in hiding that number? I'm not a seasoned runner. I have never been a runner. I started running more seriously in the beginning of this year and one of my resolutions was to run 5 kilometers i.e. 3.1 miles. I can do that now, even though I still walk inbetween, but I'm assured by a fellow runner that many people do marathons this way. I find that walking every 5 minutes or so lets me recharge a bit and keep going. It takes me 75 minutes to run 5 miles distance. Oh, and another fact that I have not mentioned here is that I now own a Treadmill! This one right here This is why I am able to spend so much time running. Earlier I used to run in my lunch time at the gym at work. The whole process of changing/exercising/showering used to take 45 minutes and exercise was only 25 minutes. This is so much better! I can watch Mehul while running and...

Reached home safely The roads were starting to get slippery. We got out in time! As far as tomorrow, they'll put an alert out if they're closed. My office will also put out an alert. We're getting pounded by snow and freezing rain. It's so cold rightnow. The Federal offices were shut down this afternoon! I got my purse today! And along with that I got a hand signed card by Michelle Coleman!! OMG I was so psyched! More about the card than about the purse, which is very nice! She had scrapped the card (ofcourse! Is there any other way?) The card is *so* pretty. DH says she didn't scrap it, it was pre-bought. Ha! He thinks this because it's printed on a differnt type of paper (cardstock?) I get my LOs printed on matte photo paper so that's what he's used to seeing. I've been bad about exercise this week. After my run on saturday, my legs started aching and it was so bad that night. Happened again sunday night even though I didn't run or even walk. D...

What day is it today? Today is the day when Shalini completes a 5K! Yeppers! I ran my usual 2 miles, and then decided to walk the rest of the distance. 5 minutes in, and I was ready to run again! And I did, right to the end of 3.1 miles. Jenni gave me some tips to go longer, and now I can! The key is to go slow. I took 41 minutes, though. This isn't ideal. Most athletes would do it in under 30 minutes. Once I get used to running this distance, I'll improve my mileage. But today, I'm happy! Thank you, Jenni! Jenni and I are going to run a 5K race in April. We live close to each other. She has already done (atleast) one, and asked if I was up to it. Sure am! The race is Stupid Little 5K I just looked at the course photos, and boy, it has quite a few up-hills. But the view is beautiful.

Looking forward to 2007 In 2007, I wish to focus on growth. Both personal and professional. Professional I have just cleared the certifications that bring me one step closer to where I want to be professionally. For anyone wondering, they are FileNet Enterprise Content Management and Business Process Management Java APIs (Mouthful). I want to be a Content Specialist when I grow up :) I am learning Filenet, and have experience with Documentum (FileNet's Competition, and a leading Enterprise Content Mgmt solution). A resume with both of these is really hard to find. Now, I need to get on a project with FileNet here, and I'm all set. Personal The fun part. I want to be a runner. I want to finish a 5K. I run at lunchtime sometimes, but I need to be more consistant. Currently, I can run 2 miles (3.2K) in 25 minutes, With a total of 5 minutes walking before, in-between, and cool-down. So, I'm joining the 100 miles by April 1st . Found it on ThermalGal's Blog The challenge ...