Getting Ready to Train

Some times people say or do something and it is exactly what you needed to hear..  So on the first of December one of my friends from high school started a "December Get Fit" FB Group.  I knew I needed to do something and I start training the last week in December for my half marathon so I wanted to be stronger and healthier to train harder then I did last time.  It was perfect timing.  I sort of started yesterday but today I started working out and following the eating plan.  I know I do so much better when I eat better and work out.  With the weather crappy and I am struggling with what to do with the kids in the winter I think working out will help me not feel so BLAH and have energy to do what I want and need to do.

I did it...Mission accomplished

I completed my first half in 2:58.  I did it because I can.  It was one of the hardest things I have every done I won't lie.  It was physically and emotionally draining but it was so worth it in the end.  My mom and Lee and the kids were all there.  I am so grateful that I didn't back out.  Goal for next one is not to stop running to walk.  I know it will be hard but I want to run the whole 13.1 miles.  I threw up right after crossing the finish line so I didn't get my medal like normal people.  I am sore today but I learned a ton for next time.  I need to take training more seriously and need to drink more the whole week before.  I need to get more then five hours of sleep the night before and eat healthier right before as well.  But I did it and it was pretty and it wasn't easy but I did it. 

I am so glad I had somebody running with me.  Made it go faster and she was a huge motivator. 

Next one is in April. 

Final Run

I did my final run before the race on Saturday.  It was good although short.  I am excited and over whelmed and confident.    Here goes nothing...

I jumped...

I was instant messanging Lee today at working discussing if I should register for the half marathon.  He said "do or die"  "What if I die?"  "Carpe Diem" was the response.  So I jumped and registered before I could talk myself out of it again.  I am scared and confident all at the same time.  I ran ten miles a week ago and although it was slow I did it.  I know I can do 13 miles.  I am strong enough and healthy enough and I can do this.  13 days...

Today was the last day of my second round of 21 day fix.  I am going to do one more round just so I can get through the race.  I am feeling healthier then I have in a while.  Life is good. 

Running with the kids

Today I went running with Jakers.  I love running with the kids.  Earlier this week I took the older kids on my bike ride.  It think we need to be out excersizing as a family but for now this is what we get. 

Monday I start 21 day fix.  I am nervous but excited as well.  Kids are on board and I think they are going to be helpful.  My only concern is right in the middle of the "fix" the kids and I are going to Lagoon.  I am really going to have to stay motivated being around all the crap food they sell there.  Also I am taking Jake out to lunch on Wednesday so I am going to really have to be careful ordering.  This could go one of two ways.  It becomes too much with the half training or as Lee thinks it could really help me get faster adn stronger.  Time will tell. 

But there are few things that will help.  The Cafe where I work use to be open until 7.  But now they close at five right when I get there.  So no more drinking umlimited soda for two hours.  So ordering pizza. 

I know I can do this but I am just going to have to keep telling myself over and over. 

Back to training

I decided against doing a marathon in August and I am going to do one in September. There are lots of reasons and I could do it but I think it will be too much with Lee gone for ten days to try and do some of the long runs I need to do,  but I think I can do the smaller runs with him gone,

  First day of 12 week training was today.  I like the new training I think.  Instead of running 5 days a week like I did for SLC I run three days and cross train two.  So I think this will be better, 

I am starting in a few weeks 21 day fix.  I have been doing tons of research on it and decided it would be a good fit to help me tone.  I have had it on the things to do for a while but with vacations I thought it would be to hard. 

I need to drink more water for sure and do some stretching. 

I have a plan

Memorial Day starts my new training schedule.  Super excited.  Which means I have a week to get mentally prepared to start a new training schedule.  Of course I have an 11 mile run scheduled when Lee is out of town.  But I think we can make it work.

I am excited and determined to conquer this half.  I am also started another work out/eating plan and I am hoping in the next month or so I will be able to shed some real pounds and inches. 

I am back

Went for my first run since Luke's accident.It was good but could have been better.  I am planning on a half on August 15th which is local.  Should be fun.  I need to have something to keep me focused during the summer.   

Now I have to restart my training schedule.  Maybe I will get a good tan this summer from running.  :)

Disappointment

Is the understatement of the year.....Crushed is more like it.  There is always next year. Maybe?  As my BFF said as I was bawling sitting in the hotel room "there will always be another race you won't forgive yourself if you don't leave tonight."  At least I got the shirt and some time with my sister.  The few hours in the hotel was cool.  I got to see Lee's cousin. 

I am drained and wondering what was the point.  Lots of wasted money and time.  Maybe after the weekend I will be thinking more clearly and come up with a new race soon.  Bur for now I just want to cry and go to bed. 

One Week and I finally did it

Talk about waiting for the last moment.  I just registered for the half marathon.  One week from tomorrow I will in Salt Lake running 13.1 miles.  I think that I need to remember that it will be mostly mental and less physical.  I am worried that my mind will quit before my body.  I have decided that for the next week I am only going to drink water.  We will see how it goes.

Runs have been good this week.  Tomorrow is seven miles and then just several short runs. 

Stay tuned....

Double Digits

Depsite the CRAZY stuff that happened at home when I was running.  I did it.  I ran 10.0 miles.  I did it.  I am so proud of myself. Now I know I can do 13.1. I ran some hills today and did pretty well.  My slowest miles are the middle ones.  I know that I could have pushed harder and maybe next week my 11 miles I will push harder.  Maybe I will do it faster.  Or maybe I will be just happy that I did it,   

My biggest concern was that I would not be able to complete the race in the time frame that I had.  But as I told Lee today in order for me not to finish the race in the time allowed I would have to be walking and stopping to pick flowers.  

I have started drinking a gallon of water a day,  The change has been amazing.  I feel so much better, 

Frustration: despite a series of longer runs I still haven't lost as much weight as one would have hoped. 

But this isn't about losing weight,  It is about.....still not sure. 

One Month to go

Not sure why I don't do work outs more in between my runs.  But I did a work out video today and I feel great. 

One month to the half marathon.  I am kind of freaking out.  Okay really freaking out.  What ever made me think I could do this?  I know I can.  I just have to really think positive and just do it. 

I was so frustrated when I stepped on the scale a few days ago.  My weight just isn't dropping like I want.  I still have 10-15 pounds before I am where I want to be.  But I am healthier and stronger then I was and that is far more important then a number on the scale.

Family and Time

One of the mom's in my MOPS group posted a link to Focus On the Family podcast.  So I downloaded a few of them.  I don't agree with everything they preach but the one I listened to tonight was amazing.  Just what I needed to hear.  It made the time I was running go faster then normal.  It was about being a mom who is stressed all the time. 

Also thanks to the kids telling me I could and should run faster and Lee telling me that if my lungs aren't burning I am not running fast enough I ran one of my fastest time per mile tonight.  I didn't go as far as I planned to go but running late and at dark sometimes creeps me out and I don't do my whole run. 

My weight loss is at a stand still and I am beyond frustrated.  Despite (for the most part) cutting out soda and juices and running more I can get to where I want to be. 

My kids push me to do better

The kids have been asking to run with me for a while now.  I usually run when they are in bed so I have never let them.  But last night I took the older kids with me.  It was great.  I didn't run as far as I would have liked but running with the kids made the time go so much faster and in fact gave me a much faster time. 

One more month until the half.  I am so not ready.  Not even close.  But I am going to try it.  I am going to cross the finish line.  At what time I am not sure yet.  :)

Amazing run

Heartbreaking  day at work.  Kids shouldn't die.  Nearly three hours of dealing with police investigations and emotional family.  

Came home at 12:30 am and went for a run.  Best time ever.  My  Neighbors are creepy.   Really creepy 

Booked hotel for the race.  Scared but my sister said it is better to have tried and failed then to never tried.  

Drinking lots more water feeling better about life.  Feeling better about the race.  

Wet run

Last nights run in the rain was great.  I ran with my new phone (thanks to my brother in law) and it didn't die and had plenty or battery left when I came home.  I need to speed up.  I need to push through it and just run faster.  I know I can and I know I should.  But as usual I sell myself short.  Hoping Lee makes it home in time for me to do a three mile run tonight.  He is working late today and tomorrow.  :(

Great Run

Last night's run was great.  I ran the whole thing and came home feeling so energized.  I felt like I could have done more but I don't want to over do and I want to stay as close to the training schedule as possible.  This morning I got up and did an ab work out and a cardio work out.    Plus I am drinking plenty of water today.  a little nervous about tomorrow's run but I know I can do it.  I just have to repeat that to myself about a million times.

Nice to be noticed

On Sunday we went to a family member's house for dinner.  We were talking about running when a family member asked if I was losing weight.  I told her I hadn't but I was pretty certain I was thinning out.  She said she could tell.  After I left this same person mentioned to Lee I looked like I was losing weight.  Okay so somebody noticed.  One thing I love about this family member is she calls it likes she sees it. 

I have skipped a few runs for one reason or another.  Work, Jake's party, work.  I wish I was more of a morning person but on the days I work I would have to be up by 4:30 to be back by 6:30 for Lee to leave for work.  And when I work until 10 or 11 the night before that just isn't going to happen.  Although on Saturday I need to run seven miles and Lee will be gone  snowmobiling plan is he leaves at nine so I think I will need to get up sort of early. 

I am kind of getting anxious the half is a little over two months away and I feel so unprepared. 

Mixed Run

My time still seems so slow.  But I ran all but .4 of a mile.  But I did cut the run a mile short.  Every car I hears every leaf falling made me jump.  I am still so paranoid.  I make Lees cousins dogs bark by running by the fence.  Hopefully they didn't wake up anybody.

I need to drink more.  I don't notice until I am running that I should have drank more water.

Lee got me some pepper spray.  I kept my hand on it for at least half the run.

My weight has dropped some just not as much as I would have hoped.

Going to try for a morning run on Saturday.

Horrible Run

Nearly got bit by a dog in the neighborhood so I decided to run over on a different street.  These two guys in a car who came out of the apartment complex slowed down and asked if I was Brittany.  I told them no but they kept following me asking.  So I turned down main fairly busy road and they asked one more time I turned around and started running the other way I knew I couldn't out run them my only hope was to get to Lee's cousin's house before these guys could turn around.  Either they figured out I wasn't who they were looking for or they gave up.  I tried to call Lee but the phone died.  I thought I was doing okay until I came home and told Lee about the whole story. Then I started sobbing like my world was crashing down.  He was most upset about the dogs,  Not the crazy stalkers. 

Both Lee and cousin said I should have just knocked on his door. 

Feeling like I never want to run again at dark.  Not scheduled until Thursday

What we learned about tonight's not so great run

That I can not eat horrible all day and expect to do a good run.  I actually only ate one meal and it was fast food.  I didn't drink any water today. Bad choice.  I didn't even do the whole four miles.  I feel horrible.  But tomorrow is a rest day and that will give me time to refocus.  Then Thursday I will run faster and stronger :).

To a new day and a better time.  :).

Major improvement

Last night I ran a mile in less then 10 minutes.  I think it had to do with the lack of snow and ice.  My last two miles weren't quite so fast but they were significantly faster then they were last week.  I am excited about today's run.  I am hoping I can do two miles in last then 20 minutes.  But we will see.   I really need to change my diet and eat better.  I am improving but nowhere near where I need to be. 

Weekend Fail

I didn't go running on Saturday. But I could barely get off the couch.  I feel it.  I need to get out and run.  Tonight I will after Lee is home but it will be late and with the inversion and this cold I am not sure I can run the whole three miles.  But I will finish it.   Since I will be working all day Saturday I am thinking I need to move my long run to Friday night or maybe Sunday.  I can't miss two "long" runs in a week. 

I am slowly turning into a runner.  

I did it

I just ran three miles.  It was slow but I did it.  Tomorrow I rest and probably do yoga.   I did it .  I am so happy.  Broke down and got a scale.  159.8.  Lee doesn't think I will lose much weight but I think he is wrong My goal is 129.  I also measured my waist but I am not sure I did it correctly 35.   My guess is that is where I will see the most difference.  But right now I am just focused on running.  I need to Get stronger and faster.  Did the three miles in 16, 17, and 17 minute miles.  Way too slow.  Need to get to ten minute miles.  Maybe 12.  I have to do it faster then 20 minute miles or I get kicked off the course.  Looks like I am way under that and I will only get faster. 

Icy and Frustrated

I went running tonight after work at 10:30 at night  The run started out so well.  It was warmer then had been.  I ran a full two miles something that I have never done and then when I went to start my third mile the roads were getting too icy for me to feel safe to run.  So I walked the last .6 mile.  I am frustrated,  The two miles were slow because of the ice and I know I could have easily ran three miles.  UGGGG.  Tomorrow's will probably end the same way.  But I ran,  I felt amazing the first two miles.  It feels good to be doing something for me although Lee says it benefits everybody. 

One down 15 to go

I finished my first week of training and it is amazing how much better I feel.  More energy less desire to eat unhealthy.  Craving water.   I have decided not to weigh myself but lee thinks I should at least do body measurements.  But that isn't what this is about.  It is about doing something I have wanted to do for years. I feel very inspired at this point.  I do know some days will be harder then others but I feel very blessed that I have support of my family to take on this. 

Week two starts tomorrow and I am ready to face it. 

First run of the year

Today was good.  I felt stronger then I did before.  I still can't run as long or as fast as I wanted and ended up walking some.  But it was less then the time before.  Tomorrow is a rest day.  So maybe yoga or a DVD.  The biggest frustration of all is that my phone doesn't hold a charge very well so it doesn't make it through the entire run with out dying.  This is frustrating for two reasons 1) I lose my music and 2) I don't know for sure how long I have ran so I just guess and my bet is I guess on the side of not running far enough.  Lee said I could borrow his phone which is fine for Saturday but when I run after work for safety reasons I need to have my phone work.  I am hoping to get an iPod off Craiglist and use that for just running.   We will see.