Good morning and happy Monday! 
First things first: BREAKFAST!
Breakfast
Breakfast was split into two parts this morning. When I woke up, I made a piece of whole wheat toast and topped it with Teddie peanut butter and a few raisins.
This combo is so delicious! It’s also great for hunger control.
I also had a glass of iced coffee with vanilla soy milk.
Then, I headed to the gym, where I did 45-minutes on the elliptical. I alternated the resistance between 5 – 12 and kept my strides per minute between 140-160. It wasn’t the hardest workout I’ve ever had, but I was a sweaty mess by the end!
My second breakfast was sliced apple and Greek yogurt with cinnamon for dipping.
Apple + cinnamon yogurt = apple pie! Delish!
Life’s To Do List
So, I have a little story for you guys this morning. Don’t worry the big announcement is coming soon! 
When I graduated college and moved to Boston, I had a really tough time. I didn’t have a full-time job, I gained 20+ pounds, and my boyfriend of 1.5 years broke up with me. Obviously, I was not a happy camper.
I felt so lost during this time. In college (and even high school), I always had a plan and direction, which kept me on track with achieving my goals. This was the first time ever that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
If you’re a long-time reader of CNC, you know that I’m not the type of person who sits back and just complains about life. Of course, I feel sorry for myself for a little bit, but don’t let it last for long. I get it together and DO something about it.
So, in the Fall of 2002, I stopped sulking and gave myself some direction by created this Life’s To Do List:
Life’s To Do List
- Own a dog
- Drive across the country
- Ride in a gondola in Venice
- Gamble in Vegas (April 2008)
Run a marathon- Learn to make really great chili
- Make a wish on a shooting star
- Take a wine tasting class
- Go on a tropical vacation (July 2008)
- Drive Route 66
Take mom on a sweet vacation- Visit California wine country (January 2007)
- See the Grand Canyon
- Go to Mardi Gras (March 2004)
- Register as an organ donor
- See Niagara Falls
- Visit the Eiffel Tower (June 2006)
- Live in a city besides Boston
- Brew my own beer (2007)
- See the Hollywood Walk of Fame (January 2007)
- Ski the Swiss Alps
- Ride the NYC subway
- Plant a tree
- Visit a psychic (August 2003)
- Fall in love and get married (July 2008)
- Be a mom
- Become debt free (November 2005)
- Attend at least one major sporting event (i.e. Super Bowl, Olympics, World Series)
- Be a member of a TV audience (February 2010)
- Visit Ground Zero
- Visit Pompei
- Swim in the ocean at night
- Go skinny dipping
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen
- Create my own work of art (October 2006)
- Sleep under the stars
- Go upside-down on a roller coaster (August 2010)
- Shake hands with a celebrity
- Ride in a hot air balloon
- Have dinner at the Top of the Hub (August 2010)
- See an active volcano (July 2004)
- Try snow-shoeing
- Try snowboarding
Own a house- Find a job I love (October 2009)
Grow a vegetable garden- Visit Nantucket
- Earn a Master’s degree (December 2005)
- See the Mona Lisa in person (May 2006)
- Sing karaoke on stage
- Learn to knit
- See Michael Jackson in concert
- See Madonna in concert
- Spend a summer on “vacation”
- Visit the White House
- Have a beer at Oktoberfest in Germany
- Go white water rafting
- Sit on the Green Monster at Fenway
- Ride a cable car in San Francisco
- See the Full House houses (December 2009)
- Visit Hawaii
- See a Broadway Show on Broadway
- Vote in a Presidential election
- Go on a whale watch
- Build a house with Habitat for Humanity
- Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge
- Go to the top of the Space Needle (July 2006)
- Go to the top of the Empire State Building
- Visit the first Starbucks (July 2006)
- Go on a pub crawl
- Learn to make sushi
- Stay awake for 24 hours in a row
- Go on a cruise
- See the Hollywood sign (January 2007)
- See Mount Rushmore
- Visit Graceland
- Experience a Key West sunset
- Visit at least 3 different continents
- Stomp grapes in a vineyard
- Ride the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Gardens
- Meet Ellen DeGeneres
As you can see, I’ve crossed-off a number of items that I have accomplished since the Fall of 2002. I started adding the month and year that I completed some of these things, but others I just crossed-off. Every few months, I add new things to the list. Meeting Ellen DeGeneres is my newest goal!
Anyway, the whole point of telling you guys all of this is that I am hopefully going to cross #5 off my list. (Feel free to scroll up and check what it is! )
Yep, that’s right! God willing, I AM GOING TO RUN A MARATHON!!!!!
Ok, so you’re probably thinking that I am absolutely crazy. Well, I am. You know this! But, running a marathon is one of the top life goals.
As you know, I’ve had bursitis in my left hip for over a year now. (You can read the whole story here.) In recent months, my hip has gotten better. I can run 3-5 miles without pain. However, when I get past 5 miles, I pay for it the next day. 
Bursitis is the worst injury. It gets in deep and it takes forever to heal. Of course, running a marathon has been out of the question… until now!
Recently, I’ve been in touch with an integrative health center, called OMBE, here in Boston. For the past few weeks, OMBE’s founder, Jessica Molleur, and I have chatted quite a bit about my hip injury and long-term goal of running a marathon.
After discussing my sitation with her team at OMBE, Jessica has offered to help me chose an integrated treatment plan for my hip. OMBE offers a number of services from acupuncture to massage to naturopathy to yoga and pilates. Basically, I’m going to work with the team at OMBE to get myself in marathon shape!
My initial session is a complimentary evaluation, where the OMBE team will check me out and decide what is the best plan of attack for me. Then, keeping in mind all of their different services, the team will work together to form an integrated treatment plan. Pretty cool, right? It makes me think that physical therapy isn’t the only way to deal with an injury.
Of course, I’ll be blogging about my entire experience for the duration of my recovery. I figured you guys would like to learn more about an integrated approach to injuries, especially the runners. I know there’s a lot of you who are also plagued with reoccurring injuries. I feel you pain– literally!
My first appointment with OMBE is on Thursday, so stayed tuned for this journey! It’s no doubt going to be interesting!
Question of the Day
What’s on your Life’s To Do List?
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Love the list. I have my own and have crossed many many things off over the years but I still have some wonderful things to look forward to, one thing is to walk a half-marathon. I’ll be looking forward to reading about your marathon experience.
Wow, I love your long list of life goals. I think I need to do something like this! Talk about inspiration and motivation, holy cow!
And yayy, marathon! I’m excited to hear more.
I made a list of 101 things I want to do a few years ago and have been steadily crossing things off every few months. I love it and it’s a great way to plan vacations! You’ve inspired me to post mine!Are your #17 and #55 the same? Some things are definitely good enough to shoot for twice
Good luck! I hope it all works out and we see you crossing the finish line!
Dude this is awesome!!! I ironically just started working on my “bucket list” (stupid name… i like life´s to do list much better) last night… and then I saw this post!!! amazing! First off, CONGRATS on your decision : ) I am sure I speak for many readers when I say I can´t wait to hear about your adventure. That´s on the TOP of my list right now too! I am living in Africa for now (cross that off of the to do list…) but I just started “training” for my marathon (running at least a couple times a week, including over 2 hours if i can swing it, nice and slooooow) so I have something to motivate me until I move back to the States! I can´t wait!!!
I love the idea of making a list like that!! I think I’m going to start one today
. Among the things I’d like to do still are visit Asia, go to wine country, get a job in food and/or wine and have a baby…or 4!
I love your list! I think you should probably cross Michael Jackson off though, for obvious reasons…haha (is it bad to laugh at that? – RIP).
I only have a few on my list, but now I want to add to it!! Number one is drive cross country and I have a few others that I forget…
This is was a very exciting CnC morning post! That’s so great to hear you’re going for it! Lots of people have proved to doctors that their bodies are actually capable of running 26.2 mi. despite physical ailments, and you can be one of them! Your Bucket List is awesome! Did you know you have Eiffel Tower written twice? Maybe you’ve been lucky and have seen it 2x : )
Love that you have a “life to do list”
Recently made one of my own – it feels so great to look back on list and remember my accomplishments/experiences 
I might have to add a few new ones to my list that I’ve seen on yours!
Owning a house is definitely on my list and hopefully will be crossed off very soon.
A marathon is also on my to-do list but with IT band issues it’s been put on the back burner……can’t wait to read about your new form of treatment!!
-emily
Good luck on the journey, it will be an amazing accomplishment!
I recently started running over the last couple months. I’m training for my first 5K which is on May 1. The last couple weeks have been really painful with a pain in my hip that hurts even when I walk.
I feel like I shouldn’t have any running injuries because the most I’ve run is 3 miles and I haven’t been over training at all. It’s so frustrating because I’ve really started to enjoy running and now I’m having to take a break to try and figure out what is going on.
I’ve decided that I’m taking this week off from running but will still run the race on May 1. The race is for a great cause and I’ve been looking forward to it for too long to back out now.
Injuries are so frustrating!!!
That’s so exciting! Congratulations!
And, just fyi – you have seeing the Eiffel Tower on there twice. Although I agree that it’s amazing enough to reference it more than once.
Congrats!!
Congratulations on the marathon! You’re list is so impressive. I’m always amazed at how much you accomplish
I don’t have a to do list but seeing yours is a huge encouragement. If I had to say one thing though off the top of my head it would be to see Europe, Rome, Venice, Paris, Seville, etc. Lucky for me Jeff is big on travelling, but I guess its time for some goals. Thanks for the constant inspiration!!
That’s a great list! I think we can all relate to living in limbo at some point in our lives. I think that’s what our 20′s are for.
My goals are more immediately. 2010:
Bike 55 miles in Reach the Beach
Run in Hood to Coast (197 mile relay race) in August
My goals for 2011:
Compete in a triathlon!
Run a half marathon!
YAY!
this is so great! I am going to create my life to-do list TONIGHT – I can’t wait!
Tina, please keep us updated! I’ve been struggling with bursitis in my right hip for about a year now and while I was able to do a half marathon in January with minimal training, I’m nervous about doing my first full, the Marine Corps Marathon, in October.
Number 54 might be a little difficult now….
I’m envious of your To Do list. My “Bucket List” only has two items crossed off! Of course, I only wrote it last month, so you have a bit of a head start
I didn’t have time to read the whole post yet so I scrolled to the bottom — THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO YOU!
I think you can safely take off “See Michael Jackson in concert” off your list
YAY!!! That’s awesome!
Meeting Ellen is one of my life goals too!
I love your list, and some of the things on it really cracked me up!”Stay Awake For 24 Hours”, that has never crossed my mind! And I guess you’ll never see MJ in concert, either. You’ve definitely inspired me to make a list. I do write down big goals, but some of those were just fun things, and a little more easily achievable. And of course, awesome about the potential to be healed and run your marathon!!
That’s wonderful! Can’t wait to follow in your footsteps as running a marathon is one of my goals too! I also want to sky dive as well, but that’s going to take a LOT of courage as I am terrified of heights! Way to go and good luck with your hip!
I have a to do list on my blog that I want to accomplish. I have other things on a bigger list but that is my most immediate stuff. And running a marathon is on it.
I can’t wait to hear about your process because I am plagued with recurring injuries and would love to hear more about other ways to treat them.
Love the idea of a Life To Do List. It looks like you have accomplished a lot! Look forward to hearing about your training plan.
congrats – that is exciting! we’ll be rooting for ya!
Go tina! I guess you can cross seeing Micheal in concert : ( Watching the movie would be the closest thing I guess ! : P The list is excellent! Inspiration for sure
wow love your list! i think its funny that you want to see mt. rushmore:) im from SD and been there a handful of times. it is pretty cool when you actually get to see it!
someone once asked me if it really looks the way it does in pics, uhh yes..
and my dad has that brusitis in his hip too.. very painful! good for you for running a marathon!!
Congratulations on announcing your latest goal to be accomplished! Running a marathon is a really huge accomplishment!
Awesome list!!!
On my list is taking class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris!
Congrats on the marathon!!
Yayy for a marathon!!
That is awesome! Which marathon are you doing to run?
I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever commented on a blog (though I’m definitely an avid reader!). But I love your blog even MORE, knowing that seeing MJ in concert was a part of your To Do list. It was totally on mine, too–I even had a ticket. Since the concert didn’t happen (but an awesome trip to London DID), I’ve decided to count seeing the movie This is It as seeing him in concert
you should run the Newport marathon!!! It’s absolutely gorgeous and in October, so completely appropriate because I know you said big things happen on your annual trip to Newport in October! I’m planning on running it too!!
so exciting!! have you picked a race yet? I can’t wait to hear about your training. you’re a strong runner, i’m sure you’ll do well at the marathon.
This post made me really sad. There is a reason so many bloggers are dealing with injuries – because they keep pushing themselves to run marathons just because everyone else is. The human body is not meant to push that hard if it has already shown you so by getting an injury. It would have been nicer if you could have framed this idea another way – that you are going to explore treating your hip in various ways without integrative medicine. Maybe when it fully heals you can consider a marathon, i just think doing it this way sets a really bad example. I have gotten injured and havent been able to even walk my dogs, lift weights, anything but swim lightly for over a year. Do you really want to end up like that just to check off a to-do list? This makes me scared for you! I don’t want you to end up not being able to do anything or for anyone else to think this is a good idea.
That’s so great! Congratulations! I’m definitely interested to see how the training goes!
Good luck!
One of my life goals is kind of an ongoing one – to continue taking classes and learning throughout my life. I’m currently in school for a masters degree and can’t wait to start taking French lessons again after I graduate.
Great list. I need to write one of these bucket lists.
So many fun things on your list. OMBE sounds like a very progressive place. Good luck with the healing process!
Congrats! What an awesome list. It might take me a while to think of what would be on mine. You have such fun stuff on there! Number 54′s kinda impossible now though.. :/
I meant WITH integrative medicine
Yay! That list looks amazing! Aww on #54 though
Congrats! Your life’s goal list is very impressive. You have accomplished so much in your short time, that’s fantastic.
Only you know your limitations. Do what makes you feel best and makes you happiest.
Jenn
If you do not mind me asking, how long after you graduated..did you find a job? (I will be in a similar boat soon, so I am always looking for other’s stories of graduation/career beginning!)
Also, I hope you get to fulfill your goal of visiting Nantucket. It is just so wonderful there. They have the cutest and most delicious cafes and bakeries there!
great list- thanks for sharing! it will be interesting to see how your treatment works out. marathon is on mine as well. i almost ran one last year, then got injured. i may run hartford in october!
Good luck on your training. I know you’ve been wanting to do this for awhile and with the proper support and training you can be great! One of my life’s must is probably visit Paris!
What a great goal! I wish you all the luck in training! It’s time-consuming, but so worth it! Running a marathon is an experience any able-bodied person should experience
I want to go to Thailand!
That’s great Tina – good luck with your recovery and training.
I would love to start my own company, hopefully within the next 10-15 years.
Congrats, good luck, and you’ve inspired me to make my own list!
Good luck with the marathon! I have a long list of goals, but a few are: go to Greece, be a mom, improve my food photography, and get a dog-golden retriever or husky:)
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