Some days are good running days while others are not good running days. It is the nature of the beast. This is why a runner trains. You hope to get out those bad runs during training and be at peak performance during your race.
I started training for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon sometime in October. I was excited. BUT, the deeper we got into the holiday season, the harder it became to train. In the month of December I had a whole 7 days off. I was able to get a run in here and there but that was about it. I was able to get up to 7 miles. That was a painful 7 miles. Inconsistency in training aided in that pain. Add a cold on top of that and we've got an interesting road ahead. My cough kept hanging on and I was starting to worry I would have coughing fits during the race.
Mentally and physically I didn't feel prepared for this race. I was nervous. Really nervous.
My friend, Jamie, and I walked to and from the expo to pick up our race packets. When we got there I could feel a blister forming on the bottom of my foot. I was surprised. I was wearing shoes I've worn plenty of times. I didn't walk all that far. By that evening, there were blisters on each foot.
The race started and I stayed with Jamie for the first 2 miles or so. We got separated around the first water station so I was on my own after that. With each step I could feel the blisters getting worse. It is the most uncomfortable feeling!
I was actually on pace for the first 6 or so miles. At mile 7 the large blister on my right foot popped. First of all, that's a really gross feeling. Secondly, it stings! I knew it was only a matter of time before the ones on my left foot popped.
I was really starting to feel the fatigue and muscle pain. I tried doing a walk/run combo. 5 min run, 2 min walk. I really started struggling to finish those 5 minute segments. I walked most of miles 9-13. I didn't care how long it took me to finish. I just wasn't going to give up. During those last 4 miles I was really wishing Jamie was still with me. I needed the encouragement to keep going. There were moments when I started getting frustrated and disappointed with myself. I started to cry but quickly stopped myself. I was going to finish, no matter what.
I ran the last 1/4 mile into the finish line. I wasn't going to walk past the hundreds of people lined up. I was going to run. I was going to dig deep and have a strong finish.
This was , by far, the most difficult race I have ever done. My body was rebelling against me and reminding me that training is a necessary part of a long distance race. I learned that no matter what my body is going through, my mind will not give up. I learned that I can push myself to my very max, mentally and physically, and still reach my goal.
Showing posts with label Healthy Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy Living. Show all posts
Monday, January 20, 2014
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Elf Boot Camp
This year I am participating in the Elf4Health Challenge again. I had a great time doing it last year and I was so excited to be doing it again. We started 2 weeks ago but since I have been slacking with my blogging... I am sure you can fill in the rest ;).
These two weeks I am going to try my best to blog about my experiences. Yesterday's challenge was a circuit workout. Normally I just find one online and do what it says. I was feeling particularly "elfy" and creative yesterday so I put a little twist on it. I decided to call it "Elf Boot Camp". I don't know if there is any particular requirements for a circuit workout so I just did my best. I made this one up all on my own. I'm not going to lie... I am pretty proud of myself.
I did 3 sets of the workout last night before I started cough. I hope this cold goes away ASAP! I am over it. It is a pretty decent little workout.
These two weeks I am going to try my best to blog about my experiences. Yesterday's challenge was a circuit workout. Normally I just find one online and do what it says. I was feeling particularly "elfy" and creative yesterday so I put a little twist on it. I decided to call it "Elf Boot Camp". I don't know if there is any particular requirements for a circuit workout so I just did my best. I made this one up all on my own. I'm not going to lie... I am pretty proud of myself.
I did 3 sets of the workout last night before I started cough. I hope this cold goes away ASAP! I am over it. It is a pretty decent little workout.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Rock N Roll San Diego 2013
Today's race marked one year since I ran my first half marathon. I cannot believe it has already been a year! The days leading up to the race have been full of reflection.
We started the morning off with some laughs. When a hummer limo pulled up in front of the hotel just after 5am, Kari says "oh our ride is here". Funny enough... that was our "shuttle" to the start line.
Just before the national anthem there was a moment of silence for Boston. Sitting here now, I have tears in my eyes thinking back to April 15th. Terrorists tried to strike fear in our hearts. They tried to take the innocence of our sport away. They didn't. Today 28,000 runners united and ran. Nothing was going to stop us. I proudly wore my "Run 4 Boston" ribbon, "Beat Cancer" ribbon and "Boston Strong" head band.
There was a quiet reassurance before the race today. A large law enforcement presence. Look outs on rooftops and all sorts of dogs and handlers walking around. I was so thankful for that presence today.
If anyone tells you running is 100% physical, they are very wrong. You see, there's this little voice in your head that doesn't want to shut up. It wants to tell you how tired your body is after 3 miles, how the twinge you once had in your foot it going to come back, how you "only" ran 9 miles to get ready for this race and that wasn't enough. Around the 3 mile mark, those were the things going through my head. So I did what I normally do... rebuke that inner voice. I tell myself to snap out of it and to keep pushing. I pray and thank God for giving me His strength to run this race. I remember that this is something that I love and I was ready for. That inner voice lost today, as usual.
I checked my watch periodically and knew I was a bit slower than I had wanted to be but I was ok with that. There were a few more hills than I had anticipated. I normally walk hills. Not today. I powered up those hills. I wasn't going to let that little voice back in. I walked way less than I have in the past. I can't run and drink water at the same time so I try to pair the two so I am not taking extra breaks.
My favorite memories from today (in no particular order)
1) A marine running in full gear. Back pack, helmet and all. I made a point to tap him on his shoulder and tell him thank you. I actually saw a lot of runners do that. One lady might have misjudged her shoulder "tap" because it almost looked like she shoved his shoulder. I know she didn't. She was just running fast.
2) A US Navy fire fighter running in full bunker gear (the big heavy turnouts they wear on structure fires), helmet and BA (breathing apparatus they were on structure fires). I also tapped him on the shoulder, high fived him and said thank you.
3) Around mile 9.5-10 I was struggling a little. The race benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I turned the corned and it was lines with purple banners and white signs. Signs saysing "thank you" or who we are running for etc. One purple sign stood out to me. "Remember why you're running". It was at that moment that I thought about Kayla and all she has been through. At that moment I dug deep and remembered this was yet another celebration run because she continues to be cancer free. I also thought about a fire captain that works for CAL FIRE and my cousin Joshua that have both been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphona. It was for them that I ran. It is for them (and me) that I will continue to run.
4) I love seeing people on their porches, coffee cup in hand, cheering for all of the runners. They don't have to. They could sit inside with the TV turned up and be angry that their street is occupied for half of a day. There were people on every.single.street. Amazing.
5) I am a runner. I am still shocked by this. I am even more shocked that the farther I ran, the better and stronger I felt. I wonder if I all of that will every fully sink in!
6) Seeing Jimmy, Jessica, Justen, Alissa, Ali, Preston, Asher and Ansel screaming and cheering my name as I ran toward the finish line.
7) Running a major race with Michelle. She asked me if I wanted to do a 5K with her and Preston back in 2011. I have loved being on this running journey with her. We have different goals, training styles, paces etc but she "gets" me when it comes to running,among other things.
8) Ali was here!9) Free Jamba Juice at the fnish line. It was the bestest smoothie I've ever had!
10) Finishing my 4th Half Marathon in 1 year.
11) Being there to witness Veronica's first half marathon and Kari's second full marathon
12) Petting the black lab puppy after I picked up my gear :)
13) The enormous amount of support from my family and friends. You are all priceless
14) Riding to the start line in a hummer limo
15) Inspiring my brother Jimmy to start running. Who knew a baby sister could do such a thing?
I ran this race 12 minutes, 35 seconds faster than I did last year. My time was 2:32:34.
It was not my fastest half marathon (2:28:50 in Feb) but I am ok with it. I thought I would be disappointed but I'm really not. The course in Feb was completely flat. This one... was not. I think being only 3 min 44 sec slower than my fastest time while running hills is pretty darn good. I am proud of myself. It will just keep getting better from here!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Ragnar Relay, Run #2 & #3
I forgot to mention during the first leg of my race (5.4 miles in the heat) I was having technical difficulties withmy iPhone and the music I had planned for that leg of the race. It played the same song over and over. For 5.4 miles. Not annoying at all.
Second leg of the race was at night. Approx 230AM or so. It was a beautiful night. I had a short race of 3.8 miles. My teammates didn't have to stop. They could've gone straight to the next exchange. Much to my surprise, they pulled over just in front of me. ALL of them cheering for me as I powered up a hill. These people are amazing.
I killed that leg of the race. My fastest pace and fastest 5K time ever.
When we were done we headed to Torrey Pines to get some rest. We sprawled out in various parts of the van and "slept". Abby and I couldn't sleep so we were texting back and forth, planning the next portion of the day.
My stomach was not happy for the entire morning on Friday. I was extremely nervous about my final run of the day. It would be the longest and most difficult. 7.4 miles in the middle of the afternoon. It included a lot of turns, a steep hill and my team wouldn't be able to stop for me. Not to mention only having about 30 minutes of sleep in 36 hours. It was all part of the Ragnar fun though.
About 3 miles into the race I passed an adorable black and white puppy. I HAD to stop and pet her. I actually wanted to take her with me but I have a feeling her owner would've said no. I texted Abby when I was half way and I was right on pace. Then I got to Newport Ave.
I didn't see a sign to turn so I started up the hill. I could see another runner in front of me so I thought I was good. Until I got to the top. Here came that other runner. "This isn't right way" she said. Great. Anyone who knows me knows I am slightly directionally challenged. Long story short, I found the right hill. I ended up doing 8.6 miles instead of 7.4 miles. At the start of the second hill (the correct one) I met a woman named Linda. She wasn't sure she could make it so I told her we would do it together. We made it to the top and took a picture together. I remember thinking "this is what racing is about". Her teammate handed me a gatorade then I was off to finish the rest of the race. Later I handed another runner the rest of that gatorade when his legs started to cramp. I stayed by him and his teammate for the remaining mile and a half.
After I handed off to Abby, we headed for the finish line. The entire team met up so we could run into the finish line together. We wore Boston FD t-shirts to honor the first responders in Boston and pay tribute to everyone effected by the bombings. The finish line was emotional. I know Abby got choked up. I did as well. I am sure others did. We accomplished so much more than running a race. We pushed ourselves physically and emotionally. We stood for Boston and against terrorism. We survived Ragnar.
Second leg of the race was at night. Approx 230AM or so. It was a beautiful night. I had a short race of 3.8 miles. My teammates didn't have to stop. They could've gone straight to the next exchange. Much to my surprise, they pulled over just in front of me. ALL of them cheering for me as I powered up a hill. These people are amazing.
I killed that leg of the race. My fastest pace and fastest 5K time ever.
When we were done we headed to Torrey Pines to get some rest. We sprawled out in various parts of the van and "slept". Abby and I couldn't sleep so we were texting back and forth, planning the next portion of the day.
My stomach was not happy for the entire morning on Friday. I was extremely nervous about my final run of the day. It would be the longest and most difficult. 7.4 miles in the middle of the afternoon. It included a lot of turns, a steep hill and my team wouldn't be able to stop for me. Not to mention only having about 30 minutes of sleep in 36 hours. It was all part of the Ragnar fun though.
About 3 miles into the race I passed an adorable black and white puppy. I HAD to stop and pet her. I actually wanted to take her with me but I have a feeling her owner would've said no. I texted Abby when I was half way and I was right on pace. Then I got to Newport Ave.
I didn't see a sign to turn so I started up the hill. I could see another runner in front of me so I thought I was good. Until I got to the top. Here came that other runner. "This isn't right way" she said. Great. Anyone who knows me knows I am slightly directionally challenged. Long story short, I found the right hill. I ended up doing 8.6 miles instead of 7.4 miles. At the start of the second hill (the correct one) I met a woman named Linda. She wasn't sure she could make it so I told her we would do it together. We made it to the top and took a picture together. I remember thinking "this is what racing is about". Her teammate handed me a gatorade then I was off to finish the rest of the race. Later I handed another runner the rest of that gatorade when his legs started to cramp. I stayed by him and his teammate for the remaining mile and a half.
After I handed off to Abby, we headed for the finish line. The entire team met up so we could run into the finish line together. We wore Boston FD t-shirts to honor the first responders in Boston and pay tribute to everyone effected by the bombings. The finish line was emotional. I know Abby got choked up. I did as well. I am sure others did. We accomplished so much more than running a race. We pushed ourselves physically and emotionally. We stood for Boston and against terrorism. We survived Ragnar.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Ragnar Relay 2013, Run #1
I haven't blogged in nearly 3 months. Life has been good. Busy, mostly.
I am sure friends on Facebook got really sick of my posts about Ragnar. Oh well! Most people were probably thinking "What is Ragnar". So here you go:
Over a course of 2 days and 1 night, a team of runners run close to 200 miles between Huntington Beach, Ca to San Diego, Ca. The teams are either 12 person "Regular" teams or 6 person "Ultra" teams. The race is broken up by "legs" aka portions of the race. Each runner does 3 legs of the race.
For example, my team was a 12 person regular team. I was Runner 11. I ran legs 11, 23 and 35. Clear as mud? Good.
We, The San Diego County Firefighters Endurance Sports Team (SDCFEST), had 2 teams. A 12 person Regular team and an Ultra Team.
Our Team:
Runer #1 Ron
Runner #2: Jamie
Runner #3: Heather
Runner #4: Jill
Runner #5: Catie
Runner #6: Ahman
Runer #7: Chris
Runner #8: Melissa
Runner #9: Ramon
Runner #10: Katie
Runner #11: Me
Rummer #12: Abby (Team Capatin)
Thursday we picked up our vans and headed to J's house to decorate them. He was the captain of the Ultra team.
Our team was broken up into 2 vans. Van #1 had runners 1-6 and Van #2 (my van) had runners 7-12.
Poor Van #1 had to leave San Diego at 2am to be at the start line by 4:15. Van #2 left San Diego about 5:30am and got to our starting point about 8am.
I didn't start my first leg/ run until about 2pm. I was running along Temescal Canyon Road in Riverside. It was about 88-90 degrees outside. There was very little shade along my 5.4 mile route. It was very hot and dry. The course itself was mostly uphill. I was struggling. I've done 5 mile runs more times than I can count but this one was so different. Even running hills on a regular basis, this one was different. Our team vans were able to stop along some of the route so they could support their runner. My team stopped a couple of times but I was still doing ok. When I first started running I had a guy behind me and I was determined to stay ahead of him. When you pass another runner and they stay behind you it is called " road kill". He was my one and only kill for that leg. He'd get close and I'd pick up my pace. I finally told him " I'm not letting you pass me". He laughed and told me it was ok because I was pacing him (helping him keep a steady pace). We talked a little, joked around. We finally hit a small shady spot under a freeway. I walked that portion to savor the cooler temp. Thanks to my job I am aware of symptoms for heat stroke, heat exhaustion etc. I got a quick chill just before the shady spot so I capitalized on the other teams' offer for water or gatorade. It helped and I continued on. I had water and energy gels with me but I knew my body needed sodium. The last 1/2 mile or so was the hardest. I was really hot and the hills zapped my energy. I could see my stopping point at the top of the hill. I took a deep breath and dug deep. About the time I wanted to quit, a lady came up behind me, wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said "Let's kill this bitch. We've got this". I laughed. We powered up that hill and I handed off to our team Captain, Abby.
I was disappointed with my run. My mile pace has been in the mid 10's and sometimes dropping below 10 min/mile. For this leg I had an average of 12:40/mile. I cried once I got back in the van.
1) I completed a very difficult run that I never thought I could do.
2) I was really doing the Ragnar race
3) I felt like I let my entire team down because my pace was SO much slower than it should've been. I wanted to do better.
My amazing friend, Michelle, sent me many encouraging texts right after that leg of the race. I cried harder but my heart wasn't as heavy. Sometimes I need to remember that I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to have the fastest pace of my life. I simply need to give my all and leave it on the pavement. I absolutely did that on Friday afternoon.
Once Abby was done, van #1 was back on the course and we were off for a few hours. We grabbed dinner at IHOP, changed and headed to our next meet up spot. Lawrence Welk Resort was packed full of people waiting for their runners and/or their other van.
Friday was so much fun! We screamed, cheered, shook a cow bell and honked the horn for as many runners as we could. One guy was powering up a hill so we were cheering for him. Another team had a miser and sort of put mist on him. A second later he looked at all of us like we were absolutely crazy. Soon there after we realized he wasn't wearing a race bib. He was just some guy out running. haha oops!
We blasted music and joked about anything and everything. We supported each other. We asked each person "what do you need when you get to the exchange" and we had those items waiting for our runner when they arrived.
I talked to random people at the exchanges. Weather, courses, life, running... we talked about everything then went on our merry way to the next portion of the race, never to see eachother again.
Friday night we arrived at Lawrence Welk Resort to wait for Van #1 to finish. We attempted to get some sleep but it was just too loud. Sleepy conversations and a giggle fest broke out in the van. Everything and nothing was funny. I was so tired, I don't even remember what we talked about. Soon we were off on our second portion of the race.
I am sure friends on Facebook got really sick of my posts about Ragnar. Oh well! Most people were probably thinking "What is Ragnar". So here you go:
Over a course of 2 days and 1 night, a team of runners run close to 200 miles between Huntington Beach, Ca to San Diego, Ca. The teams are either 12 person "Regular" teams or 6 person "Ultra" teams. The race is broken up by "legs" aka portions of the race. Each runner does 3 legs of the race.
For example, my team was a 12 person regular team. I was Runner 11. I ran legs 11, 23 and 35. Clear as mud? Good.
We, The San Diego County Firefighters Endurance Sports Team (SDCFEST), had 2 teams. A 12 person Regular team and an Ultra Team.
Our Team:
Runer #1 Ron
Runner #2: Jamie
Runner #3: Heather
Runner #4: Jill
Runner #5: Catie
Runner #6: Ahman
Runer #7: Chris
Runner #8: Melissa
Runner #9: Ramon
Runner #10: Katie
Runner #11: Me
Rummer #12: Abby (Team Capatin)
Thursday we picked up our vans and headed to J's house to decorate them. He was the captain of the Ultra team.
Our team was broken up into 2 vans. Van #1 had runners 1-6 and Van #2 (my van) had runners 7-12.
Poor Van #1 had to leave San Diego at 2am to be at the start line by 4:15. Van #2 left San Diego about 5:30am and got to our starting point about 8am.
I didn't start my first leg/ run until about 2pm. I was running along Temescal Canyon Road in Riverside. It was about 88-90 degrees outside. There was very little shade along my 5.4 mile route. It was very hot and dry. The course itself was mostly uphill. I was struggling. I've done 5 mile runs more times than I can count but this one was so different. Even running hills on a regular basis, this one was different. Our team vans were able to stop along some of the route so they could support their runner. My team stopped a couple of times but I was still doing ok. When I first started running I had a guy behind me and I was determined to stay ahead of him. When you pass another runner and they stay behind you it is called " road kill". He was my one and only kill for that leg. He'd get close and I'd pick up my pace. I finally told him " I'm not letting you pass me". He laughed and told me it was ok because I was pacing him (helping him keep a steady pace). We talked a little, joked around. We finally hit a small shady spot under a freeway. I walked that portion to savor the cooler temp. Thanks to my job I am aware of symptoms for heat stroke, heat exhaustion etc. I got a quick chill just before the shady spot so I capitalized on the other teams' offer for water or gatorade. It helped and I continued on. I had water and energy gels with me but I knew my body needed sodium. The last 1/2 mile or so was the hardest. I was really hot and the hills zapped my energy. I could see my stopping point at the top of the hill. I took a deep breath and dug deep. About the time I wanted to quit, a lady came up behind me, wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said "Let's kill this bitch. We've got this". I laughed. We powered up that hill and I handed off to our team Captain, Abby.
I was disappointed with my run. My mile pace has been in the mid 10's and sometimes dropping below 10 min/mile. For this leg I had an average of 12:40/mile. I cried once I got back in the van.
1) I completed a very difficult run that I never thought I could do.
2) I was really doing the Ragnar race
3) I felt like I let my entire team down because my pace was SO much slower than it should've been. I wanted to do better.
My amazing friend, Michelle, sent me many encouraging texts right after that leg of the race. I cried harder but my heart wasn't as heavy. Sometimes I need to remember that I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to have the fastest pace of my life. I simply need to give my all and leave it on the pavement. I absolutely did that on Friday afternoon.
Once Abby was done, van #1 was back on the course and we were off for a few hours. We grabbed dinner at IHOP, changed and headed to our next meet up spot. Lawrence Welk Resort was packed full of people waiting for their runners and/or their other van.
Friday was so much fun! We screamed, cheered, shook a cow bell and honked the horn for as many runners as we could. One guy was powering up a hill so we were cheering for him. Another team had a miser and sort of put mist on him. A second later he looked at all of us like we were absolutely crazy. Soon there after we realized he wasn't wearing a race bib. He was just some guy out running. haha oops!
We blasted music and joked about anything and everything. We supported each other. We asked each person "what do you need when you get to the exchange" and we had those items waiting for our runner when they arrived.
I talked to random people at the exchanges. Weather, courses, life, running... we talked about everything then went on our merry way to the next portion of the race, never to see eachother again.
Friday night we arrived at Lawrence Welk Resort to wait for Van #1 to finish. We attempted to get some sleep but it was just too loud. Sleepy conversations and a giggle fest broke out in the van. Everything and nothing was funny. I was so tired, I don't even remember what we talked about. Soon we were off on our second portion of the race.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
50/50 Plan: Update
Week 50 has come and gone. I did not meet my weight loss goal in that time.
Strangley, I am OK with that. It was a goal, yes but it won't break me. I have lost over 38 pounds so far and I am still going strong. I've learned so much on this journey and I will continue it until I meet or beat my goal.
In the last year I have run 2 half marathons, multiple 5Ks, a 15K and a 10K. My mile time has dropped from about 11:20-12:00 min/miles to about 1045-11:15/min miles. A few seconds or even a minute may not seem like much but it means a lot to a runner. A PR (personal record) can be missed by 1 second. It is frustrating, trust me.
I've definitely learned the balance of eating healthy but enjoying what I eat. Most days I eat really well. I definitely have my days where all I want are cookies, crackers, chips etc. Occasionally I give in. I don't even feel bad about it. I work hard and I allow myself some freedom in what foods I eat.
The holidays were OK. I think I gained around 3-4 pounds. Honestly, I wasn't paying too close attention to it. I knew I could gain and I was ok with that, too. This is a life journey. I plan on eating well and working out for as long as I can. This means I can make those splurges and not feel guilty about it.
So, the journey continues. I am excited for what 2013 holds!
Strangley, I am OK with that. It was a goal, yes but it won't break me. I have lost over 38 pounds so far and I am still going strong. I've learned so much on this journey and I will continue it until I meet or beat my goal.
In the last year I have run 2 half marathons, multiple 5Ks, a 15K and a 10K. My mile time has dropped from about 11:20-12:00 min/miles to about 1045-11:15/min miles. A few seconds or even a minute may not seem like much but it means a lot to a runner. A PR (personal record) can be missed by 1 second. It is frustrating, trust me.
I've definitely learned the balance of eating healthy but enjoying what I eat. Most days I eat really well. I definitely have my days where all I want are cookies, crackers, chips etc. Occasionally I give in. I don't even feel bad about it. I work hard and I allow myself some freedom in what foods I eat.
The holidays were OK. I think I gained around 3-4 pounds. Honestly, I wasn't paying too close attention to it. I knew I could gain and I was ok with that, too. This is a life journey. I plan on eating well and working out for as long as I can. This means I can make those splurges and not feel guilty about it.
So, the journey continues. I am excited for what 2013 holds!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Ragnar Relay Series and 2013 Race Plans
I have an addiction... to running. I planned my 2013 vacation calendar around races. Yeah, that happened. In 2012 I conquered a half marathon. I never thought I would do that! So I needed a new goal for 2013.
Lucky for me I have friends like Abby, Kari, Missi, Michelle and Katie that push me to bigger goals. The newest racing adventure coming up in 2013 in the Ragnar Relay So Cal.
Q: What is a Ragnar Relay?
A: "Ragnar is the overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport. A team is made up of 6-12 individuals; each individual runs 3 legs. The legs of the race vary in difficulty and distance, from 3-8 miles, allowing elite and novice runners to run together. Over 2 days and 1 night, teams run across 200 miles of the country’s most scenic terrain. Pair that with crazy costumes, inside jokes, a great finish line party and unforgettable stories. Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it Ragnar." -from www.ragnarrelay.com We will start in Huntington Beach, Ca and end in Downtown San Diego.
There you have it folks! I am doing an overnight relay race. We are doing a 12 person team. This will be the first race Abby, Katie, Missi and I will do together. We went to high school together and each of us have had our own journeys in weight loss and running. I rarely use this word but I find it appropriate to say; this race will be EPIC! I am nervous but excited.
Other races on the Menu for 2013:
Jan 20: Tinkerbell Half Marathon
Jan 25 : Runs For Cookies Virtual 5K
March 2: Chelsea's Run
March 24: Hot Chocolate 15K
April 19-20 : Ragnar Relay
May 11: Girls on the Go 10K (maybe)
June 2: Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon
November 28: Lake Murray 10K Turkey Trot
December 26: Bumble Bee 5K
Wow. I didn't know I had so many lined up for 2013. There's a possibility I will do the Las Vegas Half Marathon with Kari and Abby in December but I will have to see how much it will cost and if I can work some overtime to cover the cost.
Lucky for me I have friends like Abby, Kari, Missi, Michelle and Katie that push me to bigger goals. The newest racing adventure coming up in 2013 in the Ragnar Relay So Cal.
Q: What is a Ragnar Relay?
A: "Ragnar is the overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport. A team is made up of 6-12 individuals; each individual runs 3 legs. The legs of the race vary in difficulty and distance, from 3-8 miles, allowing elite and novice runners to run together. Over 2 days and 1 night, teams run across 200 miles of the country’s most scenic terrain. Pair that with crazy costumes, inside jokes, a great finish line party and unforgettable stories. Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it Ragnar." -from www.ragnarrelay.com We will start in Huntington Beach, Ca and end in Downtown San Diego.
There you have it folks! I am doing an overnight relay race. We are doing a 12 person team. This will be the first race Abby, Katie, Missi and I will do together. We went to high school together and each of us have had our own journeys in weight loss and running. I rarely use this word but I find it appropriate to say; this race will be EPIC! I am nervous but excited.
Other races on the Menu for 2013:
Jan 20: Tinkerbell Half Marathon
Jan 25 : Runs For Cookies Virtual 5K
March 2: Chelsea's Run
March 24: Hot Chocolate 15K
April 19-20 : Ragnar Relay
May 11: Girls on the Go 10K (maybe)
June 2: Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon
November 28: Lake Murray 10K Turkey Trot
December 26: Bumble Bee 5K
Wow. I didn't know I had so many lined up for 2013. There's a possibility I will do the Las Vegas Half Marathon with Kari and Abby in December but I will have to see how much it will cost and if I can work some overtime to cover the cost.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
I have to say, I am kind of on a roll. I knew this weight loss journey wouldn't be easy but I have so much support, it almost seems easy. I have to do the work myself but it is great having others around me that are on a similar path.
This month I started a 6 week health challenge called "Elf For Health". Every 2 weeks we are paired with an "elf". During those two weeks we encourage each other, send recipes and work outs etc. My current elf is Amanda. She's just the sweetest! I love getting emails from her and hearing about her two littles! ( 6 weeks and 2 1/2 yrs). It always amazes me how moms have time to eat healthy and/or work out. I can barely find the time and I have no kids. hehe.
We also have daily challenges. So far we've had these challenges:
Day 1: Go meatleass monday
Day 2: Send a handwritten card or note to someone
Day 3: Try a new workout
Day 4: Get up 15 minutes earlier to meditate/reflect/pray
Day 5: How many different colors can you eat today
Day6/7: Clean out your closet1 Fill a bag and donate it
Day 8: Track your fiber intake. Shoot for 30g
Day 9: Have a salad today and make your own dressing
Today was the day we made our own salad dressing. I was pretty impressed with myself for making one. It was incredibly easy. Here's the recipe for you! I only made a small amount but it can be doubled or tripled even.
Apple Balsamic Dressing:
1 Tbsp Apple Butter
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
3 1/2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
fresh ground/cracked pepper to taste
Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or cup with a lid. Shake it up and serve!
I paired this with a salad that had: Mixed greens, pomegranate arils, shredded carrots, apple, walnuts and bleu cheese crumbles. It. Was. Delicious.
I don't know why I don't eat more salads like this. They are so incredibly tasty, good for your and very easy to make.
I don't know if I am 100 % on track to meet my 50lb goal in 50 weeks but I am getting SO close! I don't care if it takes me 55 weeks, I just want to get there. Running has been great lately. I ran my first 10K race on Thanksgiving day and did better than I had hoped. The Tinkerbell Half Marathon is in about 6 weeks. I feel mostly ready. I just need to get a few more long runs under my belt.
So here's where I am at right now:
Current weight: 158.8 lbs
Total loss: 37.2 lbs
Current size: 10
I cannot even explain how good I feel these days!
This month I started a 6 week health challenge called "Elf For Health". Every 2 weeks we are paired with an "elf". During those two weeks we encourage each other, send recipes and work outs etc. My current elf is Amanda. She's just the sweetest! I love getting emails from her and hearing about her two littles! ( 6 weeks and 2 1/2 yrs). It always amazes me how moms have time to eat healthy and/or work out. I can barely find the time and I have no kids. hehe.
We also have daily challenges. So far we've had these challenges:
Day 1: Go meatleass monday
Day 2: Send a handwritten card or note to someone
Day 3: Try a new workout
Day 4: Get up 15 minutes earlier to meditate/reflect/pray
Day 5: How many different colors can you eat today
Day6/7: Clean out your closet1 Fill a bag and donate it
Day 8: Track your fiber intake. Shoot for 30g
Day 9: Have a salad today and make your own dressing
Today was the day we made our own salad dressing. I was pretty impressed with myself for making one. It was incredibly easy. Here's the recipe for you! I only made a small amount but it can be doubled or tripled even.
Apple Balsamic Dressing:
1 Tbsp Apple Butter
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
3 1/2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
fresh ground/cracked pepper to taste
Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or cup with a lid. Shake it up and serve!
I paired this with a salad that had: Mixed greens, pomegranate arils, shredded carrots, apple, walnuts and bleu cheese crumbles. It. Was. Delicious.
I don't know why I don't eat more salads like this. They are so incredibly tasty, good for your and very easy to make.
I don't know if I am 100 % on track to meet my 50lb goal in 50 weeks but I am getting SO close! I don't care if it takes me 55 weeks, I just want to get there. Running has been great lately. I ran my first 10K race on Thanksgiving day and did better than I had hoped. The Tinkerbell Half Marathon is in about 6 weeks. I feel mostly ready. I just need to get a few more long runs under my belt.
So here's where I am at right now:
Current weight: 158.8 lbs
Total loss: 37.2 lbs
Current size: 10
I cannot even explain how good I feel these days!
Monday, October 8, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
Can you believe it is already October? Where has this year gone?
Honestly fall and winter are the toughest food months from me. Delicious pumpkin flavored breads, pastries, muffins, bagels. Apple muffins, scones, pie etc. Holy yumminess. Peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies, ginger snaps, pumpkin pie...
The thing is, you can still indulge in the goodness of fall and winter foods. Just sparingly. I've also started to make them myself instead of buying premade foods. 1) no preservatives 2) I know exactly is going into the recipes 3) I can cut back on sugars and fattening oils etc.
Just today I made jumbo banana nut muffins. I just tweaked it some so there's less sugar, egg whites only and unsweetened applesauce instead of oil. I haven't tried one yet but if they taste half as good as they smelled while baking, I am going to have one happy tummy!
I also just found an apple spice scone recipe on www.skinnytaste.com. Only 163 calories per scone! I cannot wait to try out this recipe!! Brew a cup of good coffee, add some warm cinnamon sugar cookie coffee creamer and we've got one amazing breakfast!
I've been in a kind of funk lately. I haven't given up or lost steam. I just have a "whatever" kind of attitude where this is all concerned. I feel great though. I know it will pass. A few of my friends have been in a similar funk lately so at least I know it's not just me.
I've been at this for 9 months already. It feels normal now, the counting calories and watching what I eat. It doesn't feel as labor intensive as it did at the beginning. I just strated training for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon coming up on January 20. I am really looking forward to the race. I am also looking forward to my 10K (6.2 miles) race on Thanksgiving Day and the Bumble Bee 5K (3.1 miles) on my birthday! Having races to do helps me stay consistent with running and working out. I have so much fun at the races. I am competitive but mostly with myself. So here are the most recent stats:
Weight as of 9/14/12: 165.7
9/21/12: 163.7
Difference: -2.0
Weight as of 9/29/12: 165.7
Difference: +2
Weight as of: 10/7/12: 163.4
Difference: -2.3 lbs
Total loss to date: 32.6 lbs
Yep, I gained 2 pounds one week. I don't sweat that though. If it starts happening multiple weeks in a row, I will take a look at what I am doing then tweak it. But one gain, no big deal. You have to accept that you will have weeks where you gain and you will have weeks where you lose 1/10th of a pound or lose 3 pounds. You have to keep pressing on. Look at the number, accept it, and move on. If you gained, check how much water you drank that week. Maybe you didn't drink enough. Or maybe you had too much sugar or not enough fruits and vegetables. Change stuff around and be more careful the next week. You can't take back or change that gain. What's done is done so move forward. It is a life long journey so there will be peaks and valleys. Stay motivated, friends.
Honestly fall and winter are the toughest food months from me. Delicious pumpkin flavored breads, pastries, muffins, bagels. Apple muffins, scones, pie etc. Holy yumminess. Peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies, ginger snaps, pumpkin pie...
The thing is, you can still indulge in the goodness of fall and winter foods. Just sparingly. I've also started to make them myself instead of buying premade foods. 1) no preservatives 2) I know exactly is going into the recipes 3) I can cut back on sugars and fattening oils etc.
Just today I made jumbo banana nut muffins. I just tweaked it some so there's less sugar, egg whites only and unsweetened applesauce instead of oil. I haven't tried one yet but if they taste half as good as they smelled while baking, I am going to have one happy tummy!
I also just found an apple spice scone recipe on www.skinnytaste.com. Only 163 calories per scone! I cannot wait to try out this recipe!! Brew a cup of good coffee, add some warm cinnamon sugar cookie coffee creamer and we've got one amazing breakfast!
I've been in a kind of funk lately. I haven't given up or lost steam. I just have a "whatever" kind of attitude where this is all concerned. I feel great though. I know it will pass. A few of my friends have been in a similar funk lately so at least I know it's not just me.
I've been at this for 9 months already. It feels normal now, the counting calories and watching what I eat. It doesn't feel as labor intensive as it did at the beginning. I just strated training for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon coming up on January 20. I am really looking forward to the race. I am also looking forward to my 10K (6.2 miles) race on Thanksgiving Day and the Bumble Bee 5K (3.1 miles) on my birthday! Having races to do helps me stay consistent with running and working out. I have so much fun at the races. I am competitive but mostly with myself. So here are the most recent stats:
Weight as of 9/14/12: 165.7
9/21/12: 163.7
Difference: -2.0
Weight as of 9/29/12: 165.7
Difference: +2
Weight as of: 10/7/12: 163.4
Difference: -2.3 lbs
Total loss to date: 32.6 lbs
Yep, I gained 2 pounds one week. I don't sweat that though. If it starts happening multiple weeks in a row, I will take a look at what I am doing then tweak it. But one gain, no big deal. You have to accept that you will have weeks where you gain and you will have weeks where you lose 1/10th of a pound or lose 3 pounds. You have to keep pressing on. Look at the number, accept it, and move on. If you gained, check how much water you drank that week. Maybe you didn't drink enough. Or maybe you had too much sugar or not enough fruits and vegetables. Change stuff around and be more careful the next week. You can't take back or change that gain. What's done is done so move forward. It is a life long journey so there will be peaks and valleys. Stay motivated, friends.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
In just about 2 weeks I will be training for my second half marathon! The Tinker Bell half Marathon is in Anaheim on January 20, 2013. I am so excited for my next big race!
I can't even tell you how much I have been learning on this journey. A couple weeks ago I gained a pound at my weekly weigh-in. You know what my reaction was? "OH well.. on to next week!" What a huge improvement. A couple year ago the one pound gain would have crushed me. I am learning more and more than this has to go slowly. It has to be a permanent lifestyle change.
Trust me, it isn't easy. I IS , however, totaly worth it. If you think you can't do it then you can't. It is just as much a mental game as it is a physical game. Counting calories isn't always fun but you get into a rythm and figure it out.
If you need some motivation to get moving and shed some pounds, let me know! I KNOW you can do this! If I can, you can. Here are my latest stats:
Weight as of 8/24/12: 167.4
Weight as of 9/14/12: 165.7
Difference: 1.7 lbs
Total loss to date: 30.3 lbs!
I can't even tell you how much I have been learning on this journey. A couple weeks ago I gained a pound at my weekly weigh-in. You know what my reaction was? "OH well.. on to next week!" What a huge improvement. A couple year ago the one pound gain would have crushed me. I am learning more and more than this has to go slowly. It has to be a permanent lifestyle change.
Trust me, it isn't easy. I IS , however, totaly worth it. If you think you can't do it then you can't. It is just as much a mental game as it is a physical game. Counting calories isn't always fun but you get into a rythm and figure it out.
If you need some motivation to get moving and shed some pounds, let me know! I KNOW you can do this! If I can, you can. Here are my latest stats:
Weight as of 8/24/12: 167.4
Weight as of 9/14/12: 165.7
Difference: 1.7 lbs
Total loss to date: 30.3 lbs!
Monday, August 27, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
I hope you're not bored with these updates. They are more for my benefit and a reminder of the journey I am on. I do hope you find it interesting and inspiring.
I am learning SO much on this journey. Thankfully I am not alone in this. My good friends Ali, Melissa, Michelle, Kristen, Crystal and Suzy are also on a journey of healthier living and shedding a few LBs. The nice thing is that we are all doing things differently but 100% supportive of each other.
There are so many ways to lose weight. Healthy ways. I , personally, don't believe in no carb diets, diet supplements etc. I don't believe those are all together healthy. Rapid weight loss shouldn't be a goal. One thing a lot of us talk about is how this is a lifestyle change. It is slow and steady, daily changes and awareness.
I haven't changed my eating in any dramatic way. I cut the number of calories I consume and I make smarter choices. One mini york peppermint patty is 50 calories. That is not going to fill me up. Not even come close. A medium apple is around 80 calories. So for 30 more calories I get something that tastes good, is nutritious and it fills me up for a while. I choose leaner cuts of meat, whole grain /wheat breads and pastas. You know what I also do? Allow myself a cheat day. *GASP* I know.. cheating goes against so many "dieting rules". But guess what.. I am not on a diet. I am changing my lifestyle. The thing is, I love food. I am not going to stop living and just chew on lettuce all day. I am going to cook fresh, good tasting and healthy food. I give myself a little bit of wiggle room though.
On Friday night, Jared and I had plans to go to a new burger place in Poway. "The Burger Joint". Knowing I would be pigging out on burgers, fries and onion rings, I ran 6 miles Friday morning. Even though it was my "cheat" day, I tried to at least exercise enough to counter some of what I would be eating. Believe me... it was SOOOO worth the calories consumed. The only problem was that I ate half the burger, 2 onion rings and a few french fries and I was full. I eat multiple times a day so my portions are small. Therefore my stomach can't hold as much as it used to. How I wish I could have expanded it that night. The unbelievable rosemary garlic fries would have been enough incentive to expand my stomach for an evening.
Jared has been so amazing during this process. Supportive , patient and encouraging. He doesn't even bat an eyelash when I am scanning bar codes or checking nutrition facts. He's trying to eat healthier as well. Maybe I have been a good influence on him?
I've become so comfortable with my weight and body.I am no longer afraid of the number. I have embraced it. I cannot even tell you how liberating it is. I am not longer embarrassed. I am happy with how I am doing, how I look and feel. So down to the nitty gritty:
Weight as of 8/3/12: 169.9
Weight as of 8/24/12: 167.4
Difference: 2.5 lbs
Total loss to date : 28.6 lbs
Current size: 12!!!!
Next month I start training for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon... I can't wait!
I am learning SO much on this journey. Thankfully I am not alone in this. My good friends Ali, Melissa, Michelle, Kristen, Crystal and Suzy are also on a journey of healthier living and shedding a few LBs. The nice thing is that we are all doing things differently but 100% supportive of each other.
There are so many ways to lose weight. Healthy ways. I , personally, don't believe in no carb diets, diet supplements etc. I don't believe those are all together healthy. Rapid weight loss shouldn't be a goal. One thing a lot of us talk about is how this is a lifestyle change. It is slow and steady, daily changes and awareness.
I haven't changed my eating in any dramatic way. I cut the number of calories I consume and I make smarter choices. One mini york peppermint patty is 50 calories. That is not going to fill me up. Not even come close. A medium apple is around 80 calories. So for 30 more calories I get something that tastes good, is nutritious and it fills me up for a while. I choose leaner cuts of meat, whole grain /wheat breads and pastas. You know what I also do? Allow myself a cheat day. *GASP* I know.. cheating goes against so many "dieting rules". But guess what.. I am not on a diet. I am changing my lifestyle. The thing is, I love food. I am not going to stop living and just chew on lettuce all day. I am going to cook fresh, good tasting and healthy food. I give myself a little bit of wiggle room though.
On Friday night, Jared and I had plans to go to a new burger place in Poway. "The Burger Joint". Knowing I would be pigging out on burgers, fries and onion rings, I ran 6 miles Friday morning. Even though it was my "cheat" day, I tried to at least exercise enough to counter some of what I would be eating. Believe me... it was SOOOO worth the calories consumed. The only problem was that I ate half the burger, 2 onion rings and a few french fries and I was full. I eat multiple times a day so my portions are small. Therefore my stomach can't hold as much as it used to. How I wish I could have expanded it that night. The unbelievable rosemary garlic fries would have been enough incentive to expand my stomach for an evening.
Jared has been so amazing during this process. Supportive , patient and encouraging. He doesn't even bat an eyelash when I am scanning bar codes or checking nutrition facts. He's trying to eat healthier as well. Maybe I have been a good influence on him?
I've become so comfortable with my weight and body.I am no longer afraid of the number. I have embraced it. I cannot even tell you how liberating it is. I am not longer embarrassed. I am happy with how I am doing, how I look and feel. So down to the nitty gritty:
Weight as of 8/3/12: 169.9
Weight as of 8/24/12: 167.4
Difference: 2.5 lbs
Total loss to date : 28.6 lbs
Current size: 12!!!!
Next month I start training for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon... I can't wait!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
This has definitely been a journey. One that I didn't know if I could stick with. I am a bit stubborn sometimes so I have never been willing to give up. Sometimes I think my scale is lying to me. It is hard to look in the mirror and think I look exactly the same as I did 5 , 6 months ago. Don't get me wrong, I know I look different. I certainly feel different. But sometimes I see the same old me in the mirror.
When I put on a running shirt that I've had for a while and I notice it is loose, that's when I realize my body is changing.
I know I am tracking my calories and what I am eating. You know what is awesome about my journey? I eat whatever I want!! I'm serious. Cereal, hamburgers, fries etc. The difference is I make good choices. Leaner meats, whole wheat buns, baked sweet potato fries. I also only eat those things on occasion. I like me some food but there is a balance between eating healthy and eating what you want. I incorporate more fruits and vegetables, more fiber and grains.
Most people think dieting is a death sentence to your taste buds. It doesn't have to be that way. You can have great food while eating healthy. One of my most favorite websites is Skinny Taste. She takes normal, every day recipes and tweaks them so they are healthier. She also gives the calorie amount and weight watchers points.
The fact of the matter is, you have to fuel your body. You can't live off fruits and vegetables alone. You can't go without carbs. Most of those fad diets are the quick fix. Shortly after you stop their diet, you slip back into your old ways and gain weight again. It has to be a lifestyle change. It is work at first but eventually you will get into a good groove and it will just happen.
I also don't deprive myself. Jared and I go out to eat a couple times a month. Most of the time I make good choices but sometimes I want a big ole cheddar bacon burger and a milkshake. And I have it. *gasp*. I also know that means I probably need a really good workout the next day or within a couple of days of that.
You also have to do what works for you. My friend, Melissa, is also on a weight loss journey but she is doing Weight Watchers. She has a fabulous blog and every Wednesday she has "Weight Watchers Wednesday". Hop on over there are read her post from last week then go back tomorrow to see her latest post!
Here's my newest stats:
Weight as of 7/27/12: 172.2
Weight as of 8/3/12: 169.9
Difference: -2.3lbs!
HALF WAY!!!!!
When I put on a running shirt that I've had for a while and I notice it is loose, that's when I realize my body is changing.
I know I am tracking my calories and what I am eating. You know what is awesome about my journey? I eat whatever I want!! I'm serious. Cereal, hamburgers, fries etc. The difference is I make good choices. Leaner meats, whole wheat buns, baked sweet potato fries. I also only eat those things on occasion. I like me some food but there is a balance between eating healthy and eating what you want. I incorporate more fruits and vegetables, more fiber and grains.
Most people think dieting is a death sentence to your taste buds. It doesn't have to be that way. You can have great food while eating healthy. One of my most favorite websites is Skinny Taste. She takes normal, every day recipes and tweaks them so they are healthier. She also gives the calorie amount and weight watchers points.
The fact of the matter is, you have to fuel your body. You can't live off fruits and vegetables alone. You can't go without carbs. Most of those fad diets are the quick fix. Shortly after you stop their diet, you slip back into your old ways and gain weight again. It has to be a lifestyle change. It is work at first but eventually you will get into a good groove and it will just happen.
I also don't deprive myself. Jared and I go out to eat a couple times a month. Most of the time I make good choices but sometimes I want a big ole cheddar bacon burger and a milkshake. And I have it. *gasp*. I also know that means I probably need a really good workout the next day or within a couple of days of that.
You also have to do what works for you. My friend, Melissa, is also on a weight loss journey but she is doing Weight Watchers. She has a fabulous blog and every Wednesday she has "Weight Watchers Wednesday". Hop on over there are read her post from last week then go back tomorrow to see her latest post!
Here's my newest stats:
Weight as of 7/27/12: 172.2
Weight as of 8/3/12: 169.9
Difference: -2.3lbs!
HALF WAY!!!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
It occured to me today that I haven't posted ANY updates of my progress during the month of July...oops!!
As of 6/24/12 I was 175.3 lbs
As of 7/27/12 I was 172.2 lbs
Difference: -3.1 lbs.
That may not seem like a lot but it is right on course with what my goals are. It has been slow going but I know that is I keep with it, it will be worth it. My body will continue to do what it is supposed to do. Will I hit my 50 pound goal by December 22? I don't know. I am not too worried about that though. I am happy with my progress thus far. My running has improved and I feel stronger and more fit. My clothes are loose and I feel a confidence that I haven't had in a long time.
So here I am, still trucking along in this weight loss journey. I must say, I am enjoying every step. Even the frustrating ones because they make me stronger and remind me that I have a fantastic support system. 1.2 pounds until I hit my half way mark!!! I can't wait :)
As of 6/24/12 I was 175.3 lbs
As of 7/27/12 I was 172.2 lbs
Difference: -3.1 lbs.
That may not seem like a lot but it is right on course with what my goals are. It has been slow going but I know that is I keep with it, it will be worth it. My body will continue to do what it is supposed to do. Will I hit my 50 pound goal by December 22? I don't know. I am not too worried about that though. I am happy with my progress thus far. My running has improved and I feel stronger and more fit. My clothes are loose and I feel a confidence that I haven't had in a long time.
So here I am, still trucking along in this weight loss journey. I must say, I am enjoying every step. Even the frustrating ones because they make me stronger and remind me that I have a fantastic support system. 1.2 pounds until I hit my half way mark!!! I can't wait :)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
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!
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update & May Challenge
Happy May Day everyone! It is a new month and I am ready for a new challenge. Let's recap on April though...
At the beginning of April I set out on a couple different challenges. You can read about that here.
I didn't do great. I made it through about half the month before I started slacking off and not making the time. I was busy, worked a lot, focused on my running. BUT, those are just excuses. I didn't make the time I needed to.
This will not be the case in May. My work partner, Ali, and I have teamed up. We are going to do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. We were going to do it for 30 days straight but agreed that a rest day is super important. We are also going to faithfully log our food for 30 days. We both downloaded the My Fitness Pal App on our Blackberry phones.
Our reward: NEW PURSES!!!!! I've had my eye on a new purse for a while. What's been stopping me? It is $100. I n.e.v.e.r. spend that kind of money on a purse. I usually stick around the $20 mark. Unfortunately they haven't been lasting that long. I've had my current purse for maybe 3 months and the seems are already stressed and frayed. So this will be my rewards. If we miss one day, we are out. Talk about incentive to get the job done right!
So here are my updated #s:
April 14: Starting Weight: 183.8
New Weight: 184.0
Difference: +.20 lbs
April 21 Starting Weight: 184.0
New Weight: 185.7
Difference: +1.7lbs
April 28 Starting Weight: 185.7
Current Weight: 184.7
Difference: -1.0 lbs
Total Weight loss: 11.3 lbs
As you can see, not a stellar weight loss month but that is totally ok! I still had accomplishments during the month and I am happy with that!
This month I will start taking measurements so I can track how many inches I am losing. The scale may not be going down but my clothes are definitely fitting better. I know I am behind on the 1 pound a week but I am confident I will catch up.
At the beginning of April I set out on a couple different challenges. You can read about that here.
I didn't do great. I made it through about half the month before I started slacking off and not making the time. I was busy, worked a lot, focused on my running. BUT, those are just excuses. I didn't make the time I needed to.
This will not be the case in May. My work partner, Ali, and I have teamed up. We are going to do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. We were going to do it for 30 days straight but agreed that a rest day is super important. We are also going to faithfully log our food for 30 days. We both downloaded the My Fitness Pal App on our Blackberry phones.
Our reward: NEW PURSES!!!!! I've had my eye on a new purse for a while. What's been stopping me? It is $100. I n.e.v.e.r. spend that kind of money on a purse. I usually stick around the $20 mark. Unfortunately they haven't been lasting that long. I've had my current purse for maybe 3 months and the seems are already stressed and frayed. So this will be my rewards. If we miss one day, we are out. Talk about incentive to get the job done right!
So here are my updated #s:
April 14: Starting Weight: 183.8
New Weight: 184.0
Difference: +.20 lbs
April 21 Starting Weight: 184.0
New Weight: 185.7
Difference: +1.7lbs
April 28 Starting Weight: 185.7
Current Weight: 184.7
Difference: -1.0 lbs
Total Weight loss: 11.3 lbs
As you can see, not a stellar weight loss month but that is totally ok! I still had accomplishments during the month and I am happy with that!
This month I will start taking measurements so I can track how many inches I am losing. The scale may not be going down but my clothes are definitely fitting better. I know I am behind on the 1 pound a week but I am confident I will catch up.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The 50/50 Plan: Update
I am completely slacking in these updates. I am about a week behind. Forgive me? Thanks!
April is full of new Challenges and I am excited! The first week went great and I am happy with my progress. I love having a small group of women on a facebook page to talk to and ecourage eachother in our journey. We are all doing different things to lose weight and be healthy. No one is right and no one is wrong. We are simply there to support each other. Love it!
Weight as of March 31: 185.7
Weight as of April 6: 183.8
Loss: 1.9lbs
Total loss as of April 6: 12.2 lbs
Next weigh in: April 14. We'll see how this week goes. Between 2 Family Easter celebration, easter dinner at work and a baby shower... I could be in trouble. But you know what? That's ok! because I am still doing this and I am not giving up.
April is full of new Challenges and I am excited! The first week went great and I am happy with my progress. I love having a small group of women on a facebook page to talk to and ecourage eachother in our journey. We are all doing different things to lose weight and be healthy. No one is right and no one is wrong. We are simply there to support each other. Love it!
Weight as of March 31: 185.7
Weight as of April 6: 183.8
Loss: 1.9lbs
Total loss as of April 6: 12.2 lbs
Next weigh in: April 14. We'll see how this week goes. Between 2 Family Easter celebration, easter dinner at work and a baby shower... I could be in trouble. But you know what? That's ok! because I am still doing this and I am not giving up.
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