5K a-coming!!

I did it!! I FINALLY registered for a 5K!! This may not be the marathon I planned on running this fall, but it sure is a big step towards that ultimate goal. Intermountain Healing Hearts is hosting this run and walk. You should come do it with me! You even get a t-shirt!! YEAH!! I cannot WAIT! Saturday, September 6th... I will be there celebrating my healthy heart. Who's with me?!

My name is Jenny McKinney. My heart is healthy and I am going to CELEBRATE... with chocolate!

Long, Hard Road to Success

I'll admit- I have been struggling. REALLY struggling. After the last outside walk I did, the cold hurt my joints so badly that I have not been back outside, except to run errands. I have exercised indoors a couple of days, but not anything more. I know I am slacking. I know I need to push myself. I just .... I don't know. Life has suddenly felt very overwhelming. I have used the excuse that I hate treadmills and working out indoors, which I do. Yet, if it is my only option, then shouldn't I do it?

A few days ago, my two youngest children and I started a gluten-free lifestyle. This was decided on by me after a lot of monitoring of our bodies, research, and prayer. For now it is right for us. countless hours are spent everyday talking to people, researching recipes, and planning out meals.  In 6 weeks, we shall see if it needs to continue at such a drastic measure. I did not realize how much I love bread products until this change. I am tempted to go full Paleo, but not just yet. All of this has added to my overwhelmed state of mind right now. Gluten-free is a difficult change- especially when you have a picky 6-year-old and an 11-year-old with severe sensory issues and the textures bother him so much. I pray this GF lifestyle will be a quick adjustment, that we can pinpoint the needs of our family quickly, and that I can get back to not being so overwhelmed in my tasks at hand. The biggest task: getting fit in order to fun a marathon.

I told you from Day 1 that there will be total honesty here, right? That is why I am sharing this with you. I am struggling, but I am going to pick up the running shoes again and make this week really count! I know I need to get out there and exercise everyday. I know these kids are depending on me. I know I am going to feel better in the end. Until I get used to a regular routine, though, it is not going to happen. It does my heart, body, and mind good when I work towards greatness. Only I can make it happen. It is going to be a long, hard road to success. I know I can do this... even if it is one step, one day at a time.

My name is Jenny McKinney. I am going to make this week count and.... I am not really in the mood for chocolate.

New Year JOG!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Isn't it wonderful- to have a whole year to improve before the next one rolls around? Isn't it GREAT to have a whole new year to reach your potential? I LOVE having a new year!

Today, I did something I was not expecting to do just yet. For the first time in four years.... I jogged. I JOGGED!!! I was going up the incline and thought, "Why not? You've gotta try sometime!" So there I went- jogging! I remembered my jogging posture and went about 20 yards before I started walking again. WOW! That felt AMAZING! Because it felt so amazing, I decided to try it again! I walked about 30 yards, then started jogging again! I heard a vehicle approaching, so I looked to make sure I was not too close to its path when I heard, "You can do it! WOOO!!!" It was my HUSBAND! How cute is that?!?! I yelled at him,
     "I'm jogging! I'm jogging! I'm really doing it!" all while passing the mark I had set as my goal. As I jogged and he drove, we chatted.
     "How does it feel?" he asked with a big smile on his face.
     "It feels AMAZING!" I enthusiastically responded. Do you know what? It did feel great! I continued doing the walk/jog/walk/jog rhythm, paying close attention to how my heart area felt. I want to weep as I write this. For this first time in adulthood that I can recall, my heart did not hurt when I jogged! 

I cannot tell you how awe-inspiring it is to think that 6 months ago I was told my heart was failing and I needed a life-saving surgery and today I was jogging without any pain. God is so Good! He lead the medical team to save my life. He performed a miracle in me. How can I not continue on this path that He has placed me on? How can I not think of my little heart friends?

My name is Jenny McKinney. I am officially a jogger (runner?) and I do NOT want any chocolate, because I had too much last night! ;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

    

WHAT am I DOING?!?!

This evening, as I was preparing a high protein snack to eat before my 2nd walk of the day (In fact, my 2nd walk in this journey) I thought to myself, "WHAT am I DOING?!?! I can't run a marathon! I am only prepping for my second WALK, not RUN and I am feeling tired already. TWENTY-SIX point TWO MILES?!?! Am I KIDDING myself?!?!" Then, I felt the tears forming, took a deep breath, and recalled the words a heart mama friend told me today. "I will be standing proud [at the finish line] with many happy kids as they see that a true heart warrior can do anything. I am so excited and hope with all our help we can make it a larger then life event. Because that's how big your heart and determination is larger-than-life." After that recollection, God whispered to my soul,   
"Because this is what you need to be doing. You are doing it for these children, my children."
"But Father," I replied, "I am not a runner. My heart is barely better. How can I do all those miles?"
"You can do it, because I am going to help you," He gently responded. "Those kids need you to do this for them."

After my conversation with my Creator, I had my snack, put on my warm gear (27 degrees that felt like 18 when I went walking this evening), got the dog on her leash and hit the dark and icy-in-many-places road to do my evening walk. The good news is that I did it. The better news is that I could have gone longer had my dog not been dragging me unsafely on the ice. Yikes! The best news is, I know God is by my side every step of the way in this journey. There are friends and family cheering me on and helping me prepare with planning eating and exercise habits. There are Heart Warrior Mamas that have offered to run with me. There are Heart Hero Warriors to keep in mind and from them I am already feeling the love. Best of all, there is my loving Creator who will be there at the finish line with those young Heart Heroes, knowing that by proxy of my legs and healthy heart, they ran this marathon too.

My name is Jenny McKinney. I am happy to be a Heart Warrior and I... really want some chocolate! Oh! Hubby just brought me some!! YAY!