21-Day Fix

Hello All! How are you? How's your week been? Mine's been good - still fighting the cold I had since last week. Hoping it completely goes away soon!

Today hubby and I started the 21-Day Fix plan. We have both been a little too casual about our diets lately and I am not happy with how I look. In the last three years I've gained about 50 pounds. Yea...

June 2012 - Baltimore Women's Classic

March 2015 - Shamrock Half Marathon

Odd how both photos have me in orange... Anyway! That's not the point. The point is I weigh way more than I should and I'm trying something to change that.

I have a couple friends who have done it and had good results. Nothing I've tried lately has worked, so why not try something that talks about portion control and more real food than processed. I'm not a packaged food diet or shake kinda person {yes, I know the 21-Day Fix has Shakeology, I chose not to use it}. Give me a diet that talks about eating real food in real portions and I'm all for trying it.

So, today we started and for the next 21 days we will be eating real food in smaller portions. Breakfast was eggs with peppers and onions, 1 slice of toast with peanut butter, and half a banana. Not bad. All real and all good. I have my meals planned out through Easter currently. Over the next few days I will plan out next week as well. The planning is rough, but it does make things easier....knowing what I'm going to eat for each meal.

Let me say here and now that we will not be 100%. Our plan is to eat healthy 6-6.5/7 days. I know we may not see the same results as others with a day off, but in order to make this work as more of a life change than a diet, we have to be true to ourselves. We will want a beer. We will want a burger. We will want a doughnut. It may not be exactly the way it is planned out, but we need it to work for us.

We also start the workout portion tonight. The goal is to do the workouts, plus our training plan for the Wild Half Half Marathon in May. They are only 30 minutes each, which isn't much. We should be able to swing that. ;-) After work, first thing we work out.

Have you done the 21-Day Fix? What do you think? Tips? Suggestions?
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Motivational Monday

It is Shamrock Marathon {Half Marathon for me} week! Shamrock Virginia Beach is one of my favorite races. They do such a fantastic job and give out some sweet swag. How can you not love a race that's:

• Flat
• Fast
• Gives a medal for every race
• Gives a shirt for every race
• Does a challenge and gives a medal for completing it
• Gives a hat for finishing the half and full marathon
• Gives a finisher's gift for the half and full marathon
• Awesome tent party post-race on the beach
• Free beer
• Great expo

In 2012 I PRed this race and the 8k. Maybe that has something to do with why I love this race so much. LOL! I had high hopes about PRing this race in 2015. This race is practically designed for PR's because of how flat it is.

But for some reason in January I stopped training for three weeks. I ran twice in three weeks skipping my long runs. I lost focus. I lost motivation. Sure, I could blame it on the cold and snow. It would be easier than admitting I didn't do what I needed to do to meet my goals.

Sadly, I know it all comes down to me. But, I found this quote by Arthur Ashe and thought how appropriate for this week. While I can't go back and change what I didn't do, I can go forward this week and do all I can to prepare myself. I can do a last training run, I can eat lots of protein and make sure I'm hydrated, I can get in enough sleep each night.

That is where we all are. Maybe we have been great about our goals and following through on what we planned. But, I'll bet there's something you said you would do and haven't. Well, today...now is the time to get back to it. It's not too late. It may not be perfect or how we thought it would be, but if you do something today it will do better than if you hadn't.

That's where I am. I can concentrate on all the things I can control this week and hope for the best. What can you do this week?
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Went for a run

Sunday I decided to go for a run. It had been a week since I ran. A week that included a lovely stomach/intestinal bug that made me so sick. But, it was now two weeks until Shamrock race weekend and three until The Love Run weekend. The training schedule stated 9-10 miles, but I knew that wasn't happening.

I left the house telling the hubby I didn't know how far I was going or how long, but probably not long. I parked the car and realized I forgot Garmin. Yea... I had my Nano, but I can't get it calibrated so I didn't bother with it other than for music. I did put it on the run setting, but other than that hit go and off I went.

The neighborhood I run in has three streets that are about half a mile long one way. I ran in and just went. No idea how far I was going to go, just see how the body felt. I was going pretty well. I decided to run each street up and back. I figured that would get me about four miles.

When I got that far, I felt pretty well so decided to run two streets more. Why not? I felt good and could stop anytime I wanted. At four miles I ran further than I thought I would. After those two streets, I ran the main street then back to the car.

I had no idea how far I went but I knew I ran for 1:56:45. Way longer than the 20-30 minutes I figured I'd run. The run felt stress-free. No distance requirements. No time requirements. I could stop whenever I wanted. I could run as long as I felt good. It was liberating!

I can home and plugged the run into Map My Run. Why not? Let's see how far 1:56:45 got me. Shockingly, I ran 8.15 miles. Wha????

Here's why I'm shocked by this. Last Saturday I ran 7.5 miles in 2:02:--. Ummm... I ran a half mile faster this week after being sick for a week. I'm under 15 minute miles for the first time in ages on a longer run {I run faster for 1-2 miles, but slow up as I go along.}.

Apparently, the lack of direction for this run worked. I won't PR my races this month. I won't come close, but I feel much closer better about running them. This run did a lot for my mental state than any run I've had to date. I may just enjoy my four races this month.

How has your training gone? Are you prepping for races this spring? Which races are you running?

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Weekday Training Runs

For the past year, maybe more, I've been awful at getting in my weekday training runs. I scheduled them for Monday and Wednesday for 30 minutes. Then on the weekend would be my long run. But, I would only get one run in during the week...if I was lucky.

This year I switched up when I do my weekday training runs; I scheduled them for Monday and Tuesday. These are my days off during the week from work. My reasoning being I'm off all day, I can run in daylight, and not worry about running behind schedule for getting ready for work.

I went out Monday around 4:00 p.m. for a 2 mile run. I decided that right now I'm running about 2 miles in 30:00. I like the idea of just going out for a certain number of miles and seeing if I can get it faster.

I have a 2 mile run perfectly mapped out with 1 mile out and 1 mile back. It wasn't as cold as it's been around here, but I was all geared up.

I picked up this jacket over the weekend at T.J.Maxx for $24.99. This run was my first time taking it for a spin. Let me tell you, it's awesome! I'm debating going back for a second one. LOL! It's Avalanche, if you're interested and I'm getting nothing from either T.J. Maxx or Avalanche for saying that.

The last time I ran 2 miles only, it took me 29:30. On my long run Saturday, it took me about 32:--. I really hoped I could break 29:30 honestly. It's been so long since I've been consistent in my training that I know I'm in for a long way back.

Woot! Hello! I'll take it! That made me exceedingly happy. LOL! I know my 2 mile time isn't as fast as most people's, but right now that time is thrilling! I admit, I knew I could beat 29:30 at 1.5 miles and I booked it as much as I could. Who knew I would beat it by that much?

I apparently overdressed because by the end of my run I was hot! So, I had to strip a bit... {get your mind out of the gutter! I run near a middle and high school!}.

Then I actually went out for my run on Tuesday! Went back out at the same time {4:00 p.m.}, but this day the sun was shining bright! Needed the sunglasses for this run.

Yes, I'm wearing the same jacket. It's so comfy and warm! I believe it is my new go-to running jacket. I'm totally in love with it!

The run on Tuesday was 10 degrees colder than Monday's run. Though I remembered gloves Tuesday, I should have had something around my neck and should have doubled up on pants. Those were the two parts of me that were sooo...cold....

I decided I wasn't going to push this run like I did on Monday. Just 2 simple miles. Nothing fancy. Same course, same me. Nothing too crazy. Plus, the sidewalks were much better than they had been Saturday and Monday.

In the end, I was really consistent with Monday's run. Kinda surprised because I know I didn't push as hard in the last half mile Tuesday as I did Monday.

Fourteen seconds slower than Monday. I'd say that's pretty consistent, especially since I busted my butt Monday for that time and felt Tuesday I was just running normal. This is a mental boost. Good to see I can hit these times consistently. Maybe by next month I can hit the 27:00s?

Since it was 10 degrees colder Tuesday, the hood did not come down!

Plus, look at that sky! So pretty! The color is great. So nice compared to the fogginess from Monday!

How has your training been going so far? Is it cold where you are? Have you found gear that lets you run in sub-freezing temperatures?

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8 Mile...7 Mile Run

All last week I fought back pain. I talked about it in my Friday post and had been dreading my 8 mile run for Saturday. Not for my normal reasons of having to run 8 miles, but because I was scared my back would go crazy and leave me crying on the side of the road cursing myself for trying to run {I'll end your curiosity now...I didn't end up crying on the side of the road cursing myself}.

I went out  a bit later than I wanted. I had hoped to get out about 9:00 - 9:30 a.m., but I didn't actually get out until 10:15 a.m. Eh. It was cold no matter when I was going to go out, so really what did it matter?

What fun running temps! LOL! I'll be honest, I kinda feel like a badass going out in temperatures like this. I had so many layers on though {wear all the clothes!} - two pairs of pants, knee high socks, a cami, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve cold weather shirt, two jackets, a hat, gloves, and over the ears headphones that cover the entire ear. Running in the winter is my favorite time to run. I much prefer running when it's cold because it keeps me from getting too overheated.

I started out with my fingers in so much pain. It wasn't until I was 1.5 miles in that my fingers felt normal. I ran slow. But, because of the back issues I decided to just go slow and see what happens. I ran in the boring neighborhood that I hate having to run long distances in, but it's only a mile from my car at the furthest if my back kicked in.

Happily I felt good for almost the entire run. I was slower than I would have liked. Not 100% sure if it was due to being careful about my back, all the ice/snow that people hadn't cleared from their sidewalks I had to walk through, or I'm just this slow. I'm hoping it's 1 & 2.

I had some technology issues at mile 4 that I had to stop to fix. Stupid technology. Then off to finish my 8 mile run. Until about 6.75 miles in. I started to have left leg pain as I ran, which turned into a limping run. Since the pain was on the same side as the back pain, I got to mile 7 and called it a run. I am sure I could have gutted out another mile, but I didn't want to make whatever the injury was worse. So, I walked at least a quarter mile back to my car in temperatures that are not conducive to walking. LOL!

So, I finished my shortened run. Not happy with the time, but at least in less pain overall than I thought. I didn't think I'd get two miles in, so seven was pretty nice.

Did you get out this weekend? What it a cold run?



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Les Mills Combat

Last week I was talking with a friend who is a Beach Body Coach and who included me in a challenge group she organized in Oct. We were chatting about working out and how I know I need to get into better habits. I'm better than I was a year ago, but still I can improve.

She suggested a few things and I looked at the Beach Body website. I saw the Les Mills Combat program and thought it sounded interesting. I really like the kickboxing classes at the Y I've taken and I did karate for a couple years in high school. I thought this might be a good thing to have at the house...since my Tae Bo videos are VHS and we are lacking a VHS player. LOL!

Starting Monday, Nov. 3 I will be starting Day 1 of the program and I've already put every workout in my planner. The 60-day Warrior program goes all the way through the end of the year perfectly.

Here's to a successful two months, plus a November challenge, 5 races, and the start of half marathon training!

Have you done this? Did you like it? Did you have success?

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A test of endurance

This coming weekend I have a race....well I have two races. On Saturday I'm going to run the Baltimore Running Festival's 5k and on Sunday I'm running the Kid's Chance 10k. I ran the BRF Marathon Relay in 2010 and had a blast! I had some fun running friends with me and I ran the farthest I've ever run at 7 miles. It was what got me to run my first half marathon that following February.

Sunday I'm running the Kids Chance 10k in Harrisburg. My co-worker had been looking for a 10k to run as she had mastered the 5k {meaning she wanted a challenge} and I asked if I might run with her. I didn't want to take away her first 10k thunder. She said no, she should love for someone to run with her, so come Sunday afternoon {yes, it's a 2:00 p.m. start...thank heavens!} I'll lace up and run 6.1 miles.

This is a good thing because I need the challenge. I have a double race weekend in March that's really important to me - Shamrock 8k and Shamrock Half Marathon. My goal is to set PR's at both distances. So, getting in a double run weekend, even when I'm not running well, is good practice.

I have a feeling I'm gonna be a bit tired come Sunday afternoon. LOL!
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Hard decisions

This past week I celebrated my birthday. I've always loved my birthday, who doesn't? LOL! It's the one day a year that's all about you. We spent the day at the Baltimore Aquarium and dinner at the Owl Bar. Both were lots of fun! And I spent the day with my hubby, who is oh so good to me.

But, it made me think about things. I guess I'm at the age where people have those mid-life crises. I'm don't think that's where I am, but this birthday did make me think about my life. That's why I posted the above photos. The one of the left from 2012 was me at the Baltimore Women's Classic. I love that race and have run it five years in a row. The one on the right is from this past August 2014 at Chickie's and Pete's Boardwalk Run 5k. Can you see the difference?

I can. It's so obvious to me. I have let my workout desire and my diet just crash in the last 2 years. Horribly.

I've gotten to the point where I'm having trouble finding clothes I own that make me look good. I just look fat. Yes, it's relative. But to me, having been 40 pounds lighter, I look fat and I don't like it.

I need to make changes. I've been saying this for two years. But, after trying to find things that flatter me for two weddings in the last three months, not liking how I looked on my birthday, and knowing I have a wedding next month and gasp! half marathon training coming up, I gotta do it.

I have a notebook to keep track of my food, water, and workouts. I had a running trainer for the month of September that helped me get back into a workout grove. I need to keep moving with the workouts and add in healthy eating. I'm in a challenge group for the next 21 days and I'm going to put my all into it. I blew off the warm-up week, which is my fault, but I can come back and rock the actual challenge.

So, what have you put off doing? What do you need to work on to make yourself happy?


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Run Coach Meeting

About a year and a half ago, I ran a local race where a local sports training company was involved. I liked them on Facebook, partly because the owner lived literally in the next town next to me {meaning he lives about 5 minutes from me}.

He recently opened a store front and I've been following along with him and his new place. It sounded good, but always a bit pricey. But, I've been trying to find the right combination of things that will get me on track to losing weight and working out regularly.

The first thing I decided was I like the boot camp classes I've been going to. So, I will be continuing those 1-2 times a week.

The second thing I decided was I need to go back to personal training sessions at the Y. I was probably in the best shape of my life while having my 30 minute sessions once a week. It's a good chunk of my monthly pay, but I can do it.

The last thing I decided was if I want to accomplish my running goals, I need someone to help me figure out how to do it. So, I decided to do one month of run coaching. The thought was I would go in September to get back on track, December to work on a plan for my Half Fanatics goal {I've failed to mention this haven't I? Oops!}, and March to figure out how to prep for my third half in May.

So, this morning at 11:00 a.m. I meet with Don. He sent me a list of questions to think about when we meet. I typed out most of the answers so I would remember all I wanted to share. Hoping that this works and I get my running mojo back!

Have you hired a coach? What did you think?
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I need your help

I am addicted to ModCloth. Seriously addicted. I love their stuff with a passion, but sadly most of it is out of my price range...except when things are on sale. And I was suckered into buying a dress because it was 70% off...

Is this not gorgeous???????? It was so reasonable and I've been following it for a long time. It was normally $104.99, I picked it up for $31.99 + s/h. I'm ok with that.

The issue? It was a size 14UK. What does that mean? A U.S. size 10. I am no where near a U.S. size 10. I was close in the summer of 2012, then I gained weight and now....yea...no...

So, I need your help. I need to lose enough weight that his dress fits. I need as much encouragement as you can give. I am going to start this weekend to get myself back on track with food and working out. The working out I'm getting better at, I've actually been running! It's the food I've been struggling with.

If you wouldn't mind, help me stay on track. Question me. Needle me. Bug me. However you want to phrase it so that I keep myself accountable. I really want this dress to fit by next summer. Which means a weight loss of about 45 pounds.

Thank you for listening and thank you to those who will get on my case about eating right and getting those workouts in. I will need the accountability and I know you are just the ones to dole it out!

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Opposite of what I thought

At the beginning of the month I had the opportunity to speak to a certified USA track and field coach, certified athletic performance trainer, certified nutrition consultant with a degree in exercise sports science. I had a very informative 30 minute conversation with him that gave me more confidence in my abilities and made me think about a few things.

The biggest is that I should focus on my workouts first and that nutrition will follow. You see, I always thought it was the opposite. I always would say, I can get the workouts in. I know what classes I want to take, I know how far I need to run, I know I should stretch, I have back-up workouts if my plans fall through. I always felt that I needed to concentrate on how I ate first since that's where I am the weakest.

Instead he said I should work on my training. Get in my workouts. Because by doing so I start doing something positive for me and eating healthier will follow. I will want to eat better to make the most of my workouts. I will carefully look at what I put in my mouth in order to make the most of the time I've spent training.

While I can't say for 100% it is working, the past two weeks have definitely made me look closely at the foods I eat. I started training for The Love Run last week and while I haven't been perfect in what I eat, I have been trying to eat the healthier options. Hubby went out twice last week with friends and I stayed in. Rather than buying hoagies or pizza, I stopped at the grocery store and picked up Lean Cuisine, Amy's, and Weight Watchers frozen meals. I was pretty proud of myself for that. Sure, the sodium might be high, but it's better than fast food. I didn't pack lunch one day last week because I was running late, so I grabbed a salad and fig newtons (as a side, this really was the healthiest option after the salad).

Do I have work to do? Yup. Lots of it, but I am seeing the wisdom in his comment and thoughts. Following my training plan has made me want to eat healthier just like he said. It's really strange how I always thought I needed to get my eating together in order to do my workouts well.

While I would love to have this gentleman as a trainer, I sadly cannot afford him. But, I am grateful that he reached out to me for a phone conversation. He is a genuine person and even for 30 minutes really listened to my situation to helped me. Thank you sir. I am working on putting that 30 minute conversation into action!

Have you had someone with experience and knowledge help you? What have you learned to put into practice?

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One month

One month from today, I'll be running the Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon! Eep! I haven't been as successful with my goals so far for the race, but I'm feeling ok about things. I haven't lost the amount of weight I wanted to and at this point I won't. I can still lose some, but not be where I wanted to be by race day. I've been working on lifting more and trying to incorporate more core. I got back problems people. Need that core solid!

I haven't been getting in my weekday runs as much as I should. I haven't kept up with all my hill repeats. I haven't always gone to the gym at night.

The positive is I still have a month to change things around. I have 8 miles this weekend. I'm looking into TRX classes at my gym next week (they are doing demos to determine interest). Hubby and I are still working on lifting and core. I start a new program tomorrow called Creative Change Bootcamp, which I'm hoping to delve into my food issues.

So, one month til Z day! I'm still chasing that PR. I'm still chasing a strong run. Here's to a fantastic May!


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Hill Repeats

I've heard rumors that Zooma Annapolis has some hills. While I run in a hilly area, I really don't do hills. I hate hills to be honest. I'm just not a strong runner, so hills hurt. I could obviously fix this, but I haven't...until now.

The past two weeks I have gone to a local park and ran hill repeats. Yes. Hill Repeats. There is a path that goes about a mile around baseball fields and children's play grounds. One section of it is very, very steep. This is where I ran during the week when I first started running and this hill killed me every.single.time.

So, this is where I am going for my hill repeats. I started on April 2 and decided once a week will work. The first week I was only able to do 4 hill repeats. My goal was 5, but on the third and fourth I had shin pain. Not worth injury. On average, I ran the hill in 45:50. Not great, but you gotta start somewhere.

Yesterday I went out for day 2 of hill repeats. The temperature was 40 degrees hotter than last week. Hello spring! Apparently, the mid-Atlantic goes from winter (Sat.'s 5k was 32 degrees) to spring (Tues. hill repeats 80 degrees) like that! Ugh. I was able to run 5 hill repeats without pain. Yea! My average time on Tuesday was 43:24. Not bad for one week! A decrease in 2.26 seconds. Yea!

Then I saw an article from Runner's World that said all hill repeats improve 5k time! This made me very happy! I not only want to decrease my half marathon time and be prepared for the hills, but I do want my 5k time to improve. I would love to see it get under 35 minutes.

I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of hill repeats. Never have been. But, if I can speed up my time and run a steady hill at Annapolis, then it's worth doing it.

Do you run hill repeats? Have you seen an improvement in your speed?


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Weekly recap

Week one of Zooma Annapolis training is in the books. It did not go as well as I would have liked. I had all good intentions. I got my 3 mile run in on Saturday and ate basically what I knew I would. I did well on Sunday, even hitting the gym for a walk/bike/core workout. Monday, I didn't get my 30 minute run in due to a snowstorm that lasted literally all day. We were able to get to our training session Monday night and get in a 15 minute stationary bike ride.

And that's where my week went downhill. I talked about that failed training session earlier in the week and how it effected me mentally and emotionally. I appreciate all the support you guys gave me! But, I let it take me down the wrong track. Hubby had to go into the office Tuesday/Wednesday (he works from home and only goes into Philly a few times a year) and I just didn't handle myself well. I snacked all day on Tuesday and didn't work out. Wednesday, I went to work and did ok all day, but killed myself afterwards. I skipped the gym, then had McDonald's for dinner. It wasn't pretty.

But, I learned something this week. Actually a couple things.

1. My diet (what I eat) is my downfall. It really is. I may not like to exercise, but it's really what I eat that's holding me back from reaching my goals. I am an emotional eater and no matter what, I fall back on it. I have yet to find something to replace reaching for that Tastykake or Snickers. I need to spend time on this. I need to find a way around this. I need to find a way to make meals that I want to eat throughout the week. My diet is my focus next week.

2. My job is physical. I didn't just figure this out. I've known it for months. But, I am seeing that 6 hours on my feet does not make me want to go to the gym after work. Many a day the bottom of my feet hurt and I'm tired. All I want to do is go home, eat dinner, and chill. This week I am re-working my training plan so I am not going to the gym on my full work day. I know that sounds funny, but if I am exhausted and bail on a workout, I feel like I failed my plan. So, rather than failing my training plan, I can re-work it so it works for me. I can play with how I plan my workouts so I get them in, but I listen to my body.

So that's this week. A bit of learning. This weekend I have a 5 mile training run. Sunday, the gym is closed for Easter, so if the weather is decent maybe I'll break the bike out and hit the trail. It's something I want to do more of this year - take the bike on the trail and ride.

With all this, did I manage to lose any weight? Well...

Goal for June 1: 15 pounds
-/+: -1.4
To go: 13.6
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Motivational Monday

Impossible isn't a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible isn't a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is nothing.

I've always felt as if my attempts at weight loss have been an impossible battle. I'll lose weight, then gain it back (hello last 8 months). I've never felt that I really could do it. It's always been in the back of my head that to reach my goal weight was an impossibility and that all my efforts wouldn't amount to much. How do you explain being 12 pounds away from your goal, then gaining 20 pounds? 

Ugh. But, I got my butt handed to me when I think about how badly I trained for this past weekend. I knew what I had to do, but didn't really do it. I half-assed it. In my head I felt it was impossible to improve on last year's results and let that color my workouts. I let it color my eating habits. I didn't give it my all. 

Well, I signed up for the Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon in June. I've never done that. I have been doing two halves a year, but one in the spring, one in the fall. This time around Zooma is 10 weeks after Shamrock. Zooma has a 3.5 hour time limit. Zooma has a couple nasty hills (I've seen the pics!). It means I have have to do the impossible. It means I have to buckle down and say impossible is an opinion, it is a dare. And you know what? I'll be damned if I don't complete the dare!

Have you felt your efforts are impossible? Have you done the impossible? Share! I'd love to hear about it! 

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If this existed...

...I would do hill repeats

And we revise

So, this whole upper respiratory infection put a damper on my training.  I did neither of my 30 minute runs last week, nor did I do my 4 mile run on Saturday.  There was just no way I could do them.  I couldn't breathe.  I couldn't stop coughing (I was on two different cough meds too!). I had a headache for most of the week.  So, I didn't.  I rested.  I took my over-the-counter and prescription medications. I healed.

Where does this leave me?  Good question.  My original training program from here on out looked like this:

October 22: 12.5 miles
October 29: 4 miles
November 5: 14 miles
November 12: 5 miles

Ummmm....I don't see this happening.  I see something more along the lines of this happening:

October 22: 4 miles
October 29: 12.5 miles
November 5:
November 12:

It's those last two weeks I'm not sure what to do.  Maybe 6-7 on the 5th and 5 miles on the 12th?  I believe that 14 mile run is getting dropped.  It's ok.  I've already run an 11 mile training run and have the 12.5 mile one scheduled.  For my first half, I only ran one double digit training run and I crossed the finish line.  While ideally, I would have gotten that 14 mile run in, life happens.  I didn't want that upper respiratory infection, but you handle what gets thrown your way.  This is how I'm dealing.  Hopefully, it will be enough.

Mental Mindset (running)

The  last time I ran 10 miles it looked like this.  Yup, snow everywhere.  It was the end of January and I was 6 weeks out from the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  I was nervous, but kinda excited.  Not only was I going to run 10 miles for the first time, I was going to do it in the snow.  Bad-ass baby!

And I did. It was kinda boring. I had to run around lots of snow, un-cleared sidewalks, and watch out for ice.  But, I did it.  And it would be the longest run before the Princess Half Marathon.  For reasons I can't remember, I never managed to get my 12 miler in.  I would like to say it had something to do with snow, but I have a feeling it had more to do with being lazy.  I didn't run that week.  The following week I ran 8 miles.  I had high hopes of running my 12 that day, but uh, it was the windiest day ever. Windy as in siding was coming off someone's house, a mailbox came out of the ground, and someone's lawn ornaments were rolling down the street.  That 12 mile run went down to 10 then 8.  I decided I wanted to live to see the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

And I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon the following Sunday.  Ran the whole thing with only having run 10 as my longest training run.  And last Saturday I had a 10 mile training run.  Now, I have no desire to run.  I feel like it's time to run the Philly Half Marathon.  I am ready to go.  I'm not prepared for another 8 weeks of training, of running, of not racing in the Philly Half Marathon.  What's up with that? 

As I've said in the past, I love this program.  I love how it works with my lazy running attitude.  I'm just not sure I was prepared for being this  prepared for Philly already.  I'm going to need major motivation for the next 8 weeks...

First Week of Half Marathon Training

Well, today marked the completion of Week 1 of Philadelphia Half Marathon training.  My schedule is a Tuesday/Thursday 30 minute run, with Saturdays being long run days.  Week 1 had me run 3 miles for my long run.  It still boggles my mind that I can start a half marathon training at 3 miles.  There was a time when 3 miles seemed like a joke.  Who could start out at 3 miles?  Why isn't it 1 mile or even half a mile?  But, I am now one of those people who look at three miles and say "only" three miles or "only" a 5k.  Wow.  When did that happen?

This is my path today for my long run.  Tuesday's photo is the same intersection, just going the opposite direction (same side of the street).  I decided I was going to run the hill (you can see it in the distance) so I wanted to do it when I was fresh and not at the end when I would be tired.  I also wanted to push myself a bit today.  I feel like I could go faster if I pushed, so today was a move your ass faster day.

Started out at 79 degrees, which was not pleasant.  LOL!  And since I was pushing myself and going up a big hill, it seemed even less so.  But, I got my butt moving and got up the hill.  I did use the run half a mile, walk 1 minute like I've been doing.  I felt like I was running faster than Garmin was saying, but for the first mile and a half it didn't seem to reflect on my times.  Then, at the 2 mile mark, it showed.  I was at 27:38 for 2 miles.  Wow.  I know that's not much to most runners, but Tuesday I hit 2 miles at 28:35 and Thursday I was at 2 miles at 29:15.  What an improvement!  In 30 minutes (which is the T/TH schedule), I ran 2.17 miles, .08 miles better than Tuesday and .12 miles better than Thursday!  Nice!

The rest of the run went well.  I had high hopes I could do the 3 miles in under 40 minutes, but it was not to be - 41:30.  It's ok.  I stopped 4 times for water and walk breaks.  When I finished I still felt good.  Which I think is the point of the walking breaks, to not feel depleted at the end.  So, not a bad first week.  :-)

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For those interested in the weight loss component of my little blog, I gained .4 pounds this week. Bah!  I knew it was coming.  I ate crap Friday/Saturday/Sunday, which is a no-no for me when trying to lose.  I just need to get back on track Sunday to have a good week and I didn't.  Ah well, I'll survive.  It's less than half a pound.  I can lose that and more this coming week.


Total Down Since May: 12.2
Total Loss for Dec. 23 (21 weeks): 37.4
To Go: 25.2

Exercise: 30 Activity Points/4,142 Calories burned

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If interested in the Archives part of my life, I am almost finished my 1918 Influenza Epidemic research.  I have a couple more things to look up, then I can start organizing it for publication on the website.  I'm sad to see it come to a close because it is so fascinating.  I got to look through cadaver receiving books this week, which are so neat.  I know, a bit morbid, but really interesting.  Especially the patients that come from mental institutions.  Once I finish off the last few places to look at (which I have a feeling won't have much, but I still want to check them out), I will then start writing up a finding aid that will be published on the Archives website.  Kinda cool.  :-)

I also cleaned some Muster Rolls this week.  We didn't clean last week, so it was great to get back to it.  It also looks like I'll be able to continue cleaning them once the official interns have left.  I was asked if I would be interested in continuing and of course I said yes.  :-)  Looks like I will be able to go and clean them without oversight come late August and into the fall.  Woohoo!

2 Months

Two months today I will be competing in my very first duthlon - Keystone Warrior Memorial Triathlon/Duathlon.  I'm still very excited about it and still anticipate coming in last.  LOL!  I'm ok with that.  Doing multiple sports in one race?  Yea, that's just asking for last, but it's aaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllll good.  Seriously.  I'm not being negative here at all.  I'm being realistic and if I come in last, I am totally ok with that. :-)  The fact that I am doing something totally different is the true first place.

The bike training is going well.  Really, really well.  I'm still excited and having a great time with the bike. Maybe it has to do with continually getting faster on each training run, but whatever.  It's fun to get out on the bike and move.  I'm so much faster on the bike than I am running.  Seriously.  In the time it took me to ride 5 miles yesterday (28:31), I would have only run 2 miles.  I <3 the bike!

I've got myself a training schedule all set in my planner and so far it's working well.  Needing to punt a tad this weekend, as I'll be visiting my very first college roommie and her family in NJ, but I'm accounting for it, so it's all good.  :-)  Good training, good planning, and visiting a good friend?  Life doesn't get much better.