Thursday, January 28, 2010

>I love my Camelbak!!

>

Not too long ago (maybe a week), I won a water bottle just like the one pictured. It is awesome! I have done so well, in fact probably gone overboard, with drinking my water! It's a 24 oz bottle and I know I fill it at least 5 times per day!
So, I would like to thank Julie and Matt for hosting the awesome giveaway and picking my name out of a hat!

Monday, January 25, 2010

>Week in Review

>at the start of a new week! Ha. It's just like me, I know.

Last week was pretty good.
I missed one day (Sunday) in half marathon training, but I am ok with that. I am going to pick it up today. I will just be a day behind, but that's ok, right!?

Food wise last week I did ok, but there is ALWAYS room to improve in that department. And this week is a new week and has so far been great! I've done so good today. I logged all of my food in SparkPeople already so I know exactly what I need to have all day long. So far I am under on my calories but I plan to figure that out later on!

Anyway, workouts and training last week went well.

Tuesday -  ran 3.25 miles in 35:17 @ 10:51 min/miles pace
And I guess because that felt so good (ha ha)  I continued on with the following.
ran 2 miles in 22:17 @ 11:08 min/miles pace
I did that mainly because my hubby jumped on the machine beside me. It was great having someone to "pace" with. My workout only called for 3 miles but I went over. I think I was fine with that. :)


Wednesday -Ran 2 miles in 19:58 @ 9:59 min/miles pace
The training schedule called for a 2mile run or cross. I chose the run. I smoked it but I was in tears afterwards due to the pain in my legs. I went home, put ice on them and downed some ibuprofen. I was worried then about Thursday's scheduled 3 mile run.


Thursday - Ran 3 miles in 31:00 @ 10:20 min/miles pace
But I did great on it! Some days my pace is better than others! I was really happy with my workout. I also did a few kettlebell exercises. If you haven't ever used kettlebells... you should try them! They are a great workout!


Friday was a scheduled rest day and Saturday was supposed to be 30 minutes of cross training. Since I coach my daughter's basketball team and spent quite a bit of time pacing/jogging the court for an hour both Friday/Saturday, I skipped the 30 minute cross training at the gym. Does that mean I missed 2 days of training? In my mind, no.. so don't tell me different! Ha ha 


Sunday was a scheduled 4 mile run but I woke up not feeling well. I was dizzy and had a sore throat and achy ear. So, I skipped church (bad) and the gym. I downed some ibuprofen and rested. I think it was just what I needed as I woke up feeling much better today. Since I skipped the 4 mile yesterday that is exactly what I plan to do today!  Depending on my time at the gym and how crowded it is, I may just add the stretch and strengthen part of the training schedule today as well. That way I won't really be a whole day off as far as the workouts go. 


Here is my food log for today:
Breakfast - 1.5 slices of whole wheat toast, one egg, smidge of light mayo (I counted as a full serving though) and 24 ounces of water

Snack - Yogurt parfait and coffee
Lunch - Progresso Light Chicken noodle soup, 1/2 grapefruit, 24 ounces water

Snack - Rice cake w/thin tiny smidge of Nutella (the stuff is great, but the devil if taken overboard!!) and banana
Dinner - Grilled chicken, broccoli, and black beans, 24 ounces water



Yes, I do realize I am slacking on the veggies. I meant to bring a cucumber and tomato with me to add to my lunch, but I forgot to grab them this morning. I do have to run home to get workout stuff so maybe I will grab that then! Ok, I'm out... have a great day!!!


Thursday, January 21, 2010

>Would you still do it?

>I had planned out my race schedule for 2010.
In that included the first race coming up on March 13th. I *thought* it was a 5k but got the registration form today and it is just a one mile. Duh, it is called the Thin Mint Sprint, which now makes perfect sense! But would you sign up (read - pay $16) jsut to run a mile and get a t-shirt?

I have another 5k race planned on the 27th of March out of town in my home state and will be joined by my hubby and some childhood friends for it. So, I am really looking forward to that race! Plus hubby said we could go eat at The Marietta Diner afterwards (or later that day) and let me tell you, it is delish! It was even featured on Food Networks Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives.. so you know it has to be good! ;)

Anyway, back to my question...
Would you bother with the 1 mile race or just take that day off?
My half marathon training for that day is scheduled to be a 50 minute cross training workout, if that matters.


And I have one suggestion on changing the name/title of my blog, Thank you!! Keep the ideas coming. :)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

>I need a change

>and maybe you can help.

I am not liking the title/name of my blog.
At first it was all I could come up with and it seemed to fit. But now, I hate it.

So, anyone want to help me come up with something else???

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

>Half Marathon Training - Day 1

>I actually did day 2 today. And I broke the "rule."
I completed the first 3 (plus .25) miles in 35:17.
Not too shabby. I did as  Hal says and took needed walk breaks when I felt I should.
I felt good for the most part with just a little leg pain but I stopped and stretched my legs after the first 1.75 miles and that felt good. I felt after that I was able to run without the pain.

My hubby had finished his swim by the time I was done so I took a quick restroom break and came back. I once again stretched my legs and decided to just run until he was done.
So, I ran another 2 miles in 22:17.
Again, not bad but I found a good pace on the treadmill that works for me.
That being said my goal for tomorrow is to set the treadmill at that pace and get my 2 miles in.

I will not be worrying about time but finishing the whole run with hopefully no walk breaks.
I'm not opposed to walk breaks when I need them. And like Hal says, it isn't so much about how fast you cross the finish line but just about finishing! And that is what I plan to do!

>Throwing excuses out the window!

>I'm still here, in case you wondered!
Lately I have avoided blogging because I really don't have a lot to say. My eating has been so so and the scale hasn't tipped in the direction I would like for it to. And no there is nothing positive at all about the things I just typed.

I had some great runs last week and for those I am proud. Thursday  I had my mind set on just doing 5k on the treadmill in as little time as possible. I had considered some interval running and thought about just increasing my speed and allowing myself to run at the highest speed as long as I could with taking walk breaks if I needed. I guess I could say I did that but what surprised me was the fact that I ran 5.15 miles in about 55 minutes. This is not a bad pace for me. I was actually very happy with it. When I hopped off the treadmill my hubby was still working out so I hopped on a stationay bike for about 13 minutes and managed to go 3 miles. I have no clue if that is good or not but it sure beat laying down in the floor, which was what I really wanted to do at the time.

My legs killed me after my workout. I know it was from the running because they began to hurt during my run. I just pushed through the pain and told myself I could ice my legs once I got home. I ended up icing my legs for another 3 days. Boohoo. I'm not sure if the shin splints I have suffered in the past are creeping back up on me or if I have managed to put too many miles on my shoes since October. Either way, I have rested for far too many days. And I have found an excuse for too many days.

You would think that one would be sick of making excuses. I am, believe me. Yet, for some reason, I keep coming up with another one. Gah. What is wrong with me??? I have goals, right!? As if the one's I have set for this year aren't enough I have gone on and made yet another crazy goal. In fact, I will go ahead and say that it involves THIS. Crazy, I know. Part of me thinks I should just stick with 5k and/or 10k goals and be done (not done with running, just done with distance). The other part wants to push even harder for the simple fact that I like having a goal to keep me motivated. But there are some things that I let play with my head....

Well, here's the deal. I read all these blogs from skinny minnie girls who run and then hear them say things like their doctor has told them they are considered big to be a runner or when I tell people I run they look at me like I have 3 heads and I assume that they are thinking, "Gees, how does a fat chic like her run!?" Stupid, right!? There's the head thing. Who says "bigger" and/or FAT people can't run? Is there a rul saying we fat girls don't have goals too?  Eh, who knows. I want to show those people that I can and I will do it.

But what does all that mean? It means that if I really WANT to prove that to myself (or anyone else for that matter) then I have to quit making those pesky excuses. I have to quit saying that just because I ran hard one day and now my legs are in pain doesn't mean I can't do some form of exercise. So far this year I have ran a little over 18 miles! Not too shabby. So far this year I have lost a total of 2 lbs, which I am sure this week at least half of that has crept back on. And to put it bluntly, that's a complete pisser!!!

So what am I going to do about it?
Suck it up and move right along!
Tonight I have a 3 mile run planned as well as some strength training.
When I get home I will preplan and prep my food for tomorrow!

And with that I am throwing all those petty excuses out the window.

Monday, January 11, 2010

>Give Away alert!!

>Looking for an awesome give away??

Click here! for an awesome iFitness Giveaway! Hurry though it only runs through January 18th!

>It's a new day, a new week!

>And a fresh start, right!?
Yep!

I feel really good about this week.
I got on the scale this morning and was 198.4. It's only .2 down from last week but it is a loss, right!? I would much rather be down than be up.
I won't lie and say that this weekend's food choices were great, but I didn't do all that bad.
I had an awesome run at the gym Saturday and even wrote a post about it only to have it disappear into the world wide web some place after I hit submit. I hate when that happens and was so irritated by it afterwards that I just didn't rewrite it. Can you blame me?? lol

So anyway, my run:
6.45 miles
1 hour, 10 minutes, 35 seconds
It is by far my longest distance and time running yet. I was proud! I still am. My body (mainly hips and knees) felt it later that night and the next day but it was worth it. I think had I not eaten such high sodium content food yesterday I would probably be down a little more today (and I would credit such a great run for that) but alas, I am not.

So, today I won't dwell on what I could have done better, rather I will just do much better this week. I won't count a not so great breakfast this morning as a completely blown and wasted day in the department of food. Instead, I will do what the Beck book has taught me and move on with recommitting to plan on my next meal and the remainder of the day. :)

I am hoping to hit the gym tonight but have a last minute GS meeting to discuss cookie sales. Oh those blasted Girl Scout Cookies. I do admit, I will be buying them. I am the troop leader, ya know and it just wouldn't be right to not buy from my own daughter and troop, right!?! So, anyway, the gym... if I make it it will likely be later this evening (think 8pm or later), which is not my favorite time to go but it's the going that counts.

And I hope to make it count!

Friday, January 8, 2010

>Struggles

>I'm struggling this week.
Struggling in more areas than I can even think.
I have had emotional days, but managed to not turn to eating. So, that would be the good in this whole post.
And I think noting the good first is a plus. lol
I'm struggling getting all of my Beck book read.
I'm struggling with picking a diet.
I'm struggling with getting to the gym. This is due in part to the icy roads.
I'm struggling with the fact that it's nice to sit under my heating blanket and just chill.
I don't like any off this at all.

I want to get my Beck reading done.
I want to understand everything I've read and have it all just make sense.
I want the pounds to melt off.
I want my body to get toned up and look better.
I want to find a diet that will work for me so that the pounds will fall off.
I want to run. And I want to run far (even if it is only on a treadmill).
I want to not have days where I am stressed.

So, what am I going to do about all the negative?
I'm going to be proud to not turning to food and eating myself into an emotional binge eating coma.
I am going to get up in the morning and take myself to the gym.
I am going to run as far as my legs will take me (even if it is just on the treadmill) when I go to the gym tomorrow.
I am going to read and understand my Beck book.
I am going to make a diet work for me.
I am going to watch my body transform - less pounds, more toned = better health!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

>What I got for Christmas...

>Presents
I wasn't going to even post because I hate to be the type to brag about gifts and such, but I was just such a lucky girl this season! I am very blessed and thankful for the wonderful family I have (all through the year, not just at Christmas!).

These are just two of the fabulous gifts my awesome hubby got me for Christmas. I'm only posting these two here since the other gifts don't really (at all) pertain to running or losing weight or that sort of thing. LOL But I did get a fancy new Keurig (woo hoo!!) and back in the fall I got a new pair of Oakley's as part of my Christmas. My hubby is just too good to me.

Pictures


 Pretty pink Ipod Nano replaced my tiny little Zen Stone.

 
This was the one item I actually requested this year. And it came from Lift Your Sole. I love it and have worn it since I opened it. Well, I did take it off for the picture! I hope to add this charm or any of the other 1/2 charms to my necklace late this year or early next year.



Other stuff
This week is going well and flying by. I am still reading my Beck book and while on my lunch today picked up my index cards and a food journal. The food journal (mini notebook that fits in my purse) is more for my own accountability until I get my book all read through than anything else.

Yesterday I ran the treadmill at the gym. I had planned to take a BodyPump class but ended up not doing it. My run was pretty good. I did 3.2 miles in 37:35. My goal for a 5k race this year (March, actually) is 35-37 minutes but most definitely under 38 minutes! So, if I keep up it is quite possible I will meet my goal or even better.

Well, I hope you all are having a great week! Thanks for all the encouraging words. :) 


Monday, January 4, 2010

>Ahh, Monday!

>I have to say that when I went to bed last night I was NOT AT ALL looking forward to Monday (today, ya know!?). I had spent the weekend laying on the couch due to a stomach bug that got the best of me starting Saturday morning. It.was.rough!!!
But I got up when the alarm clock went off this morning! I rarely do that so it was huge for me. We all got ready, ate breakfast and were out the door by 7:40! Pretty good considering only one kid had to be back at school. I'm hoping the rest of the week goes just as well. It is so hard after so many days off to get back into a routine. BUT I am ready to be back in a routine.

And I am ready to re-start, jump start or just plain ol' start this whole new year and my weight loss/working out routine. Yesterday I started reading The Complete Beck Diet for Life book and I am really looking forward to putting it to use. So far what I have read makes a lot of sense to me.  I hope to be able to share more about the book and my "diet" the further into it I get.

I haven't posted my weight in a while so I thought now would be a good time to do so.
198.6
Okay, the truth is that isn't good and yes, I am up since the last time I posted my weight on the blog (11/6/09) however, I do realize it is a 3lb gain. I'd like to think I can convince myself (and maybe even you) that since I managed to get through the holidays with only gaining 3 lbs I was still successful. Ha ha. Realistically I plan to tell myself that it might have been easy for that 3 lbs to creep back on but it's going to be hard work to get it off in addition to the other 30 lbs I want to lose this year. 

It all starts now!