I've been trying to space out the updates so I don't bore my readers to tears. I'm sure one of the last things you want to read are my ramblings about weight loss and fitness. This is mostly a journal for myself so I can look back on my journey. If I inspire people along the way, even better!
I haven't really done much running since the half marathon. I think I have gone twice. I've done my best to let me knee injuy rest and heal. I am happy to say it felt great while I was on the stair stepper tonight at work! I am ready to hit the pavement again.
The weight loss has been slow but consistent. Overall I am very happy with the numbers.
Starting weight 5/25/12: 179.5
Weight as of 5/31: 180
Difference: + .50 lbs
Weight as of 6/9: 179.3
Difference: -.70 lbs
Weight as of 6/15: 177. 5
Difference: -1.8 lbs
Weight as of 6/22: 175.3
Difference: -2.2 lbs
Total Weight Loss overall: 20.7 lbs!
I'm almost half way and I am about 3 pounds away from the weight I was when I met Jared. Feels great to be back!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Rock N Roll Half Marathon Pictures
Friday at the expo:
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| Abby signing up for the Las Vegas Half Marathon |
Saturday Night Pre-Race Dinner:
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| Katie lives on the East Coast so she was with us in spirit |
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| Back: Missi and Abby Front: Me and Kari |
Race Day:
The Runners...
The Runners...
My family and friends:
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| My love. He's been so incredibly supportive during my training! |
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| My youngest niece, Peyton. She was pretty proud of her auntie! |
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| This is my favorite picture. We didn't purposely make funny faces but that's how it ended up. Hilarious! |
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| My Parents |
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| One of my big brothers. The other one couldn't make it but he was there in our hearts. |
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| Kaelah, me, Mindi. Mindi's mom has leukemia. I ran part of my race in her honor. |
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| My sis in law ,Katie. Her sister Kayla had Lymphoma. I ran my race in honor of Kayla too. |
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| My sweet friend, Summer. I've known her since 3rd grade. |
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| Jared's family came too! |
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| Jared's Mom and I |
Homemade signs for Auntie Shannon:
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Rock N Roll Half Marathon
I did it!!!! I ran my first half marathon!
On Friday Abby and I went to the expon to pick up our race packets. We had a good time checking out all of the booths and merchandise.
Saturday evening Abby, Kari, Missi and I went out to dinner to the California Pizza Kitchen. Delicious! I love carb loading! Our friend , Katie, lives on the East Coast but we had her there in spirit.
My hotel wasn't stellar. The room was nice but lacked a microwave eventhough on their website they said every room has one. The shuttle to the start line was full. Imagine my surprise when I found that info out during check-in. The person making my reservations in March failed to mention a separate reservation had to be made for the shuttle. Thankfully a very nice person checking in cancelled her husband's spot on the shuttle (he wasn't running the race) so I could have it.
Race day I woke up bright and early at 415. I got on the shuttle no problem and to the start line. On the shuttle I met a woman that is a "Legacy" runner. Meaning she has run in all 15 of the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathons. It was her 65th marathon over all. Her goal is to run her 70th Marathon on her 70th birthday in August. Pretty amazing!!!
I met up with Abby and Kari at gear check and everything became real. It was happening! Kari went ahead to her start corral while Abby and I waiting in a very long line to use the restroom. Running has broken many of my germaphobe rules. At races there are only porta potties. YUCK.
The waves went a lot faster than we thought they would. We projected our start time to be around 7:03am but we started at 6:50am. Abby and I stayed together for the first mile but then went at our own pace. I knew I had to leave her early or I would want to stay with her for a long time. I love running with Abby. I am comfortable with her and the pace we run together. I needed to get into my own pace early. This day, the half marathon was mine and mine alone.
I was feeling so good through most of the race. My pace stayed mostly in the 11-11:30 min/mile for the majority of the race. The slower paces are when I stopped at the water stations. At about 5.5 miles I got really emotional. I was running along the 163 freeway and I looked up at the bridge. There were people lining the bridge cheering, holding signs and I was listening to a Britt Nicole song about making love your legacy. I nearly broke down sobbing but i held it together. I still had 7.5 miles to go! Mile 11 was the hardest for me. My knee was hurting for some unknown reason so I walked most of it. I started back with the running in mile 12 and wanted to run through the finish line.
There were spectators everywhere. Most of them lined the streets to give out high-fives. There were a few awkward high fives when someone washolding out their hand, I go to high- five them and I realize they are looking at someone behind me that they know. oops.
There were a ton of signs along the way. Some of my favorites:
"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon"
"This is a motivational sign" next to a person holding a "This is another one" sign
"If you're reading this, stop. You should be running"
There were also a ton of different running shirts:
"If they can do 9 months, I can do 13.1 miles"
"Sweat is just fat cells crying"
"Dear God, Please let there be someone behind me reading this"
It was the "Rock N Roll" series so there were bands and DJs along the way. Some of the volunteers at the aid stations dressed up for the occasion. Some of the runners did too. I saw Mario (as in mario and Luigi), KISS, Gem (or she atleast looked like Gem), Elvis (like 3 of them), Barbie, Wonder Woman etc.
My goals were to have atleast one negative split time (run a mile faster than the previous one) and finish under 3 hours. My goal time was 2 hrs 45 min. My official time was 2 hrs 45min and 33 sec. Spot on!
I was greeted by a huge group of my family and friends at the end. I was handed homemade signs and all kinda of beautiful flowers. I am so thankful and blessed that they were all able to make it. A few couldn't for various reasons but there were definitely there in my heart! Surprisingly I didn't cry until well after my finish. I was hugging Jared and it all started to hit me. Delayed reaction much?
When I got home i found two pieces of paper taped to my door. My best friends little boys had made signs for me. It was the perfect ending to the day! SO incredibly sweet!
I have a ton of pictures but I will post those in a separate blog.
Today was incredible. I can't even tell you how amazing I feel! I accomplished something I never thought I could or would do.
If you care, here are my times:
Mile 1: 11:27
Mile 2: 11:48
Mile 3: 12:09
Mile 4: 11:29
Mile 5: 12:26
Mile 6: 12:20
Mile 7: 11:19
Mile 8: 11:51
Mile 9: 12:46
Mile 10: 12:37
Mile 11: 13:42
Mile 12: 14:31
Mile 13: 13:27
On Friday Abby and I went to the expon to pick up our race packets. We had a good time checking out all of the booths and merchandise.
Saturday evening Abby, Kari, Missi and I went out to dinner to the California Pizza Kitchen. Delicious! I love carb loading! Our friend , Katie, lives on the East Coast but we had her there in spirit.
My hotel wasn't stellar. The room was nice but lacked a microwave eventhough on their website they said every room has one. The shuttle to the start line was full. Imagine my surprise when I found that info out during check-in. The person making my reservations in March failed to mention a separate reservation had to be made for the shuttle. Thankfully a very nice person checking in cancelled her husband's spot on the shuttle (he wasn't running the race) so I could have it.
Race day I woke up bright and early at 415. I got on the shuttle no problem and to the start line. On the shuttle I met a woman that is a "Legacy" runner. Meaning she has run in all 15 of the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathons. It was her 65th marathon over all. Her goal is to run her 70th Marathon on her 70th birthday in August. Pretty amazing!!!
I met up with Abby and Kari at gear check and everything became real. It was happening! Kari went ahead to her start corral while Abby and I waiting in a very long line to use the restroom. Running has broken many of my germaphobe rules. At races there are only porta potties. YUCK.
The waves went a lot faster than we thought they would. We projected our start time to be around 7:03am but we started at 6:50am. Abby and I stayed together for the first mile but then went at our own pace. I knew I had to leave her early or I would want to stay with her for a long time. I love running with Abby. I am comfortable with her and the pace we run together. I needed to get into my own pace early. This day, the half marathon was mine and mine alone.
I was feeling so good through most of the race. My pace stayed mostly in the 11-11:30 min/mile for the majority of the race. The slower paces are when I stopped at the water stations. At about 5.5 miles I got really emotional. I was running along the 163 freeway and I looked up at the bridge. There were people lining the bridge cheering, holding signs and I was listening to a Britt Nicole song about making love your legacy. I nearly broke down sobbing but i held it together. I still had 7.5 miles to go! Mile 11 was the hardest for me. My knee was hurting for some unknown reason so I walked most of it. I started back with the running in mile 12 and wanted to run through the finish line.
There were spectators everywhere. Most of them lined the streets to give out high-fives. There were a few awkward high fives when someone washolding out their hand, I go to high- five them and I realize they are looking at someone behind me that they know. oops.
There were a ton of signs along the way. Some of my favorites:
"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon"
"This is a motivational sign" next to a person holding a "This is another one" sign
"If you're reading this, stop. You should be running"
There were also a ton of different running shirts:
"If they can do 9 months, I can do 13.1 miles"
"Sweat is just fat cells crying"
"Dear God, Please let there be someone behind me reading this"
It was the "Rock N Roll" series so there were bands and DJs along the way. Some of the volunteers at the aid stations dressed up for the occasion. Some of the runners did too. I saw Mario (as in mario and Luigi), KISS, Gem (or she atleast looked like Gem), Elvis (like 3 of them), Barbie, Wonder Woman etc.
My goals were to have atleast one negative split time (run a mile faster than the previous one) and finish under 3 hours. My goal time was 2 hrs 45 min. My official time was 2 hrs 45min and 33 sec. Spot on!
I was greeted by a huge group of my family and friends at the end. I was handed homemade signs and all kinda of beautiful flowers. I am so thankful and blessed that they were all able to make it. A few couldn't for various reasons but there were definitely there in my heart! Surprisingly I didn't cry until well after my finish. I was hugging Jared and it all started to hit me. Delayed reaction much?
When I got home i found two pieces of paper taped to my door. My best friends little boys had made signs for me. It was the perfect ending to the day! SO incredibly sweet!
I have a ton of pictures but I will post those in a separate blog.
Today was incredible. I can't even tell you how amazing I feel! I accomplished something I never thought I could or would do.
If you care, here are my times:
Mile 1: 11:27
Mile 2: 11:48
Mile 3: 12:09
Mile 4: 11:29
Mile 5: 12:26
Mile 6: 12:20
Mile 7: 11:19
Mile 8: 11:51
Mile 9: 12:46
Mile 10: 12:37
Mile 11: 13:42
Mile 12: 14:31
Mile 13: 13:27
Friday, May 25, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
I am pretty happy with this week's results. I've been a good girl all week. Eating right, tracking my food/calories and continuing my running. One more week until the Half Marathon... holy crap!
Starting weight: 182.8
New weight: 179.5
Weekly loss: 3.3 lbs!!!!!
Total loss: 16.5 lbs.
Yes.. I'm stoked!
Starting weight: 182.8
New weight: 179.5
Weekly loss: 3.3 lbs!!!!!
Total loss: 16.5 lbs.
Yes.. I'm stoked!
Monday, May 21, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
I can't believe how quickly the month of May has gone by! Or that it has been 3 weeks since I posted an update.
At he beginning of the month Imentioned doing a few challenges like The Shred and The Arms Challenge from Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I started out the month pretty good but as Half Marathon training increased, my dedication to those challenges decreased.
I decided to forget about the challenges for this month and focus on my running and my training plan. I don't feel one bit guilty because I am still working out. I've been doing great on tracking my food though. Honestly I am pretty proud of that fact. Tracking calories and logging your food can be pretty tiresome. I started using MyFitnessPal to track my food and I love it. The App on my phone makes it super easy to quickly add your food. The data base seems to be pretty big too. I've found just about everything on there.
So here's where I am at:
Starting Weight as of 5/11 :184.2
Current Weight: 182.8
Difference: -1.4
Total loss: 13.2
It is going a lot slower than I had hoped and I am not quite averaging a pound per week yet but I am losin gand that is the most important thing! I will remain positive and stay focused on my goal Here's to another fantastic week!
At he beginning of the month Imentioned doing a few challenges like The Shred and The Arms Challenge from Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I started out the month pretty good but as Half Marathon training increased, my dedication to those challenges decreased.
I decided to forget about the challenges for this month and focus on my running and my training plan. I don't feel one bit guilty because I am still working out. I've been doing great on tracking my food though. Honestly I am pretty proud of that fact. Tracking calories and logging your food can be pretty tiresome. I started using MyFitnessPal to track my food and I love it. The App on my phone makes it super easy to quickly add your food. The data base seems to be pretty big too. I've found just about everything on there.
So here's where I am at:
Starting Weight as of 5/11 :184.2
Current Weight: 182.8
Difference: -1.4
Total loss: 13.2
It is going a lot slower than I had hoped and I am not quite averaging a pound per week yet but I am losin gand that is the most important thing! I will remain positive and stay focused on my goal Here's to another fantastic week!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
More Blankets
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| Front of the Brochure |
Crocheting blankets definitely takes some time. Depending on the pattern/size it can take weeks. I've made a few fleece tie blankets but they have always been with two pieces of fabric. I noticed some of the ladies were mentioning tie blankets with only one piece of fabric. I googled the "how to" and realized it is incredibly easy and quick!
1) Measure the fleece to the size you want
2) cut a 2in x 2in square out of each corner
3) Cut 2in strips along each side of the fabric. It shouldn't go past the bottom of each cut out corner
4) Cut a small slit in the bottom of each strip you just cut. It should line up with the bottom of the cut out corner and the end of the strip.
5) Take each strip, put it through the slit and pull it through.
I hope that makes sense! It really is very very easy. I bought 3 pieces of fleece.
I got 1.5 yards of each pattern. I thought I could make 6 blankets total out of the 3 pieces. When I started measuring I realized I could make 12 blankets total!
I finished another crocheted blanket as well.
When I dropped off my blankets to my friend, Becki, I had made a total of 17 blankets. 12 fleece and 5 crocheted. It does drive me batty bug me just a little that it was 17, not 18. I like even numbers. I know, I have issues. Good thing you love me anyway!
OH and I got a few brochures for "Blankets For Brianna" in the mail the other day! I love them. Let me know if you'd like one so you can spread the word about this amazing organization.
Happy Birthday Maci!
My friend's baby girl, Maci, turned 1 on may 6th. She's an adorable little girl. I just love her to pieces!! I was privileged enough to make her very first birthday cake. For first birthdays I always make a small cake just for the birthday kid. That way they can smash, smear, drool and eat all they want withouth sharing. I try to be kind to the parents though...white or light colored frosting :). I think she enjoyed her cake...
I wasn't sure how the cow print and the "Cow Jumped Over the Moon" theme would work together. Sometimes you just have to jump in, do it and hope for the best. I actually really love how the cake turned out. One of my favorites.
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| My fondant animals need some work. He's quirky cute. |
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tyler is 2!
My youngest nephew turned 2 on April 22nd. I love his cheesy little smile and that he's figured out how to say my nickname "tee tee".
He's such a sweet little guy and always ready with hug. Unless he's in the mood to tease you. Then he gets a big smile and shakes his head no when you ask " can I have a hug?".
The day of his party was seriously the hottest day in April. The older kids had a great time shooting each other with squirt guns. They had even more fun shooting the adults and surprising them.
And of course i had the honor of making his birthday cake...
Boot Drive 2012
Each April members of the fire service in San Diego County line the streets to raise money for the San Diego Burn Institute.
The annual "Give Burns the Boot" drive has always been a huge success. This year I joined my brother, Brian, and his fire fighters in Jamul. It was the same intersection we were at last year. Unfortunately the school at the corner was on Spring Break so the traffic was a lot lighter this year. last year we raised about $3200 at our intersection alone. This year was about $2000. Still pretty awesome! All together, CAL FIRE raised about $25,000 for the Burn Institute. I'm not sure how much the other fire agencies in the county raised.
All of the money goes towards sending burn survivors to "Camp Beyond the Scars". It was a great morning. The guys were especially excited for the coffee and blueberry muffins I brought them.
The annual "Give Burns the Boot" drive has always been a huge success. This year I joined my brother, Brian, and his fire fighters in Jamul. It was the same intersection we were at last year. Unfortunately the school at the corner was on Spring Break so the traffic was a lot lighter this year. last year we raised about $3200 at our intersection alone. This year was about $2000. Still pretty awesome! All together, CAL FIRE raised about $25,000 for the Burn Institute. I'm not sure how much the other fire agencies in the county raised.
All of the money goes towards sending burn survivors to "Camp Beyond the Scars". It was a great morning. The guys were especially excited for the coffee and blueberry muffins I brought them.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Dispatcher Appreciation/Recognition Week
Every year there is a week set aside to honor Emergency Dispatchers and the job they do. It is usually the second full week in April.
I don't talk about my job and its stresses very much. I try to spare my friends and family the details of all we go through.
Let's be real though.. it is a hard job. Sure, I sit there for 12 hours and that doesn't seem tough but that's all we get to do. Our job is to wait for the next 911 call. There is no running to the store, walking outside, working out etc. We are there in that room for 12 hours. Especially at night.
We are the first people that the caller talks to. We are their link to hope when their world is spinning out of control. They are angry at us, scared, frustrated, thankful people. We are asked constantly "why aren't they hear yet?". Every time they ask that I want to say "I wish they were already there too". We hear people beg their loved ones not to die. We hear teenagers that have been in car accidents screaming for their friends to wake up. You don't forget those voices. Sometimes we are the first to hear a new baby cry. It has only happened twice in my career but those are sweet, precious sounds that I love. We have to figure out where you are when you have absolutely no clue. Remember the 911 call that was released in the media last month where the guy shot his girlfriend (by accident) with a cannon. That was a 911 call that I took. The female voice on the line? That is me.
We listen to multiple radio channels and answer in a timely manner. All of us have side projects too. Soon I will be training to review our medical calls to make sure we remain at the national standard. We have to worry about getting every call out in 60 seconds or less and face the ramifications if we drop below that. We have to remain CPR certified and have 24 hours of medical dispatching training per year. We have mandatory ride alongs with Battalions Chiefs so we are familiar with the areas we dispatch for. We are called in in a moments notice when there is a large fire or event. We go to training exercises, work a lot of overtime behind vacations and have meetings.
All this being said... I LOVE my job. I work with 8 other incredible dispatchers. It is the most difficult and rewarding job I've ever had and I am so thankful God opened the door for me to do this job. In honor of Dispatcher Week, I made everyone in the office a mini loaf. Some Banana nut and some Orange Cranberry. They loved it.
I don't talk about my job and its stresses very much. I try to spare my friends and family the details of all we go through.
Let's be real though.. it is a hard job. Sure, I sit there for 12 hours and that doesn't seem tough but that's all we get to do. Our job is to wait for the next 911 call. There is no running to the store, walking outside, working out etc. We are there in that room for 12 hours. Especially at night.
We are the first people that the caller talks to. We are their link to hope when their world is spinning out of control. They are angry at us, scared, frustrated, thankful people. We are asked constantly "why aren't they hear yet?". Every time they ask that I want to say "I wish they were already there too". We hear people beg their loved ones not to die. We hear teenagers that have been in car accidents screaming for their friends to wake up. You don't forget those voices. Sometimes we are the first to hear a new baby cry. It has only happened twice in my career but those are sweet, precious sounds that I love. We have to figure out where you are when you have absolutely no clue. Remember the 911 call that was released in the media last month where the guy shot his girlfriend (by accident) with a cannon. That was a 911 call that I took. The female voice on the line? That is me.
We listen to multiple radio channels and answer in a timely manner. All of us have side projects too. Soon I will be training to review our medical calls to make sure we remain at the national standard. We have to worry about getting every call out in 60 seconds or less and face the ramifications if we drop below that. We have to remain CPR certified and have 24 hours of medical dispatching training per year. We have mandatory ride alongs with Battalions Chiefs so we are familiar with the areas we dispatch for. We are called in in a moments notice when there is a large fire or event. We go to training exercises, work a lot of overtime behind vacations and have meetings.
All this being said... I LOVE my job. I work with 8 other incredible dispatchers. It is the most difficult and rewarding job I've ever had and I am so thankful God opened the door for me to do this job. In honor of Dispatcher Week, I made everyone in the office a mini loaf. Some Banana nut and some Orange Cranberry. They loved it.
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