Get to Goal

Goals? What Goals?

2012-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Where should I start this post? Maybe with my failed attempt at yet another bunch of goals? Getting down on myself is not going to help the situation though, so I'll just do what I always do and move on. What were my February goals and how am I doing on them 9 days into the month?

February Goals Update

#1 - Take my multivitamin and iron pills daily. Wow, I started this one out great! For 3 days I took all my vitamins! And the last 5 days...nothing. I'll start over today.

#2 - Not eating any candy/sweets or chips this month - Jodi made herself a list of challenge goals for the month (read about them here). I decided to partake in this one particular challenge. And I did great for 4 days! Until last Saturday when I was out to dinner. Someone ordered coconut cream pie, which was the "special" pie of the day and of course they shared it. Without thinking...I took a few bites. Didn't even realize what I had done until I was driving home! And can I tell you, it was the most delicious few bites of pie I ever had in my whole entire life! Light, fluffy, fresh, mmmmmm.... (drool). But even though I was upset that I accidentally broke my challenge, I wasn't going to let that deter me from doing the challenge for the rest of the month! Until it happened again a few days later. And then the next day...I just said "screw it", the challenge is ruined. Ugh! I'm so disappointed because I was really excited and into doing this challenge! What I think I might do now is wait until after my birthday and just re-start the 30 days over. I'm not happy that I blew this challenge. Not at all!

#3 - Find a strength training program - I haven't found a steadfast plan to do. But I have tried to incorporate a few things into my routine a couple times. And I did find online a list of core exercises that are good for runners. I've done some of them before and I think it will be a good thing to incorporate. When I try it, I will share with you all. I don't want all the work I did with my personal trainer last year to be ruined! Runners need good core muscles and good shoulder strength.

#4 - Start Swimming again - Ha! Something I actually did right! I joined the local fitness center for 4 months bc they have a pool. It's a small pool but didn't seemed to be used very much when I went there last week. I did the stationary bike for 25 mins and then went to the pool. I decided to swim for 30 mins and see how much I would do. My dad and I used to swim laps at the gym many years ago and we would typically swim for 30 mins or so. The pool at the Ballys gyms were actually 19 meters long (weird but true). I found out after swimming at the fitness center that the pool is 25 meters long, which is pretty standard. I was happy with that length. After about 4 laps in the pool, my arms felt so tired! I was definitely not used to swimming laps! But after a while, I felt better and got the hang of it again. And in the 32 mins that I was there, I swam 50 laps/lengths. I took about 3 short breaks and didn't do any flip turns. I was actually a little bit scared to try! lol. I haven't done flip turns in the pool in a really long time. The last time I tried and did a few, I became really breathless and tired! Plus there was a family in the pool at the time and I didn't want to look like an idiot...come to close to the wall and scrape your feet, too far from the wall and can't touch the wall when you try to push off with your feet! I thought I would just save the flip turns for the next time I went there and I try them then.

#5 - Complete my mini indoor triathlon - I have no doubt I will complete it. It's not very long.

#6 - Be more conscience of my eating - here is another one I was completely on track for at the beginning. Somehow over the last few days...I dropped it all together. I'll try and pick back up.

#7 - Lose 5 pounds - Ok, I did get a little crap for this one from a couple people. I'm not supposed to try to lose weight while marathon training. Actually I know this. I just forgot I was marathon training! lol. How did I forget this? Because I just know that I gained weight and freaked out because I didn't want to be that statistic where you lose weight and gain it all back. Yes, I'm far from gaining it all back but it starts somewhere. So in my mind...I needed to lose weight. And I also thought that 5 pounds a month was not too drastic of a goal. But right...it was brought to my attention that I was marathon training. So, my goal is to just try not eat as much crap...and be healthier so it's easier to train and run the marathon. If I lose 5 pounds (or 3 pounds) as a side effect of eating better, that's acceptable in my mind.

#8 - Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day - Another goal that started strong and has fizzled out the last couple days. I'm back to it today.

#9 - PR my 5k on February 11th for my birthday - So...this is another one that I got a little crap for. You are not supposed to try to PR anything while marathon training because you could injure yourself. Right. I know. I also know that I'm stubborn. I also know that the people who gave me a little crap for this (you know who you are) are also stubborn and probably speaking from experience...So, here's to getting a 5k PR on Saturday!

That's all for my goals. Now for an update on my calf issues. I did end up going to a chiropractor who ~~subsequently beat the ever living crap out of me!~~ gave me some adjustments and massaged my calf. She just said I had a minor muscle strain. I actually went back to her earlier this week and she did some more adjustments. Definitely a strange thing if you've never been to a chiropractor! But I ran 3 miles on Tuesday and my calf felt great! And ran 6 miles yesterday and after a few miles, my calf felt a little tight but afterwards I stretched and foam rolled it out. Doesn't hurt today so that's good.

I also went and bought new running shoes. When I went to the doctor in December, he told me my arches fall inward (and my knees point outward) and that puts a lot of pressure on my knees to compensate. He told me that I needed a motion control shoe to prevent my arches from falling in. But he said until then, that I could just buy arch supports, which I did. I can definitely tell a difference in my foot strike with the arch supports. And after buying them, I can totally tell what the doctor was talking about! So I went to the running store to buy motion control shoes. They actually only carry one pair of motion control shoes, which are Brooks. But he also brought me a stability shoe (my old shoes were cushion shoes). I tried on the motion control shoes and could definitely tell they did not let my arches fall at all. But I'm so used to a cushion shoe that this shoe didn't have that same cushion feeling. I tried on the stability shoe but even then, it just felt like there was no arch support in them and I'd probably just buy arch supports for them too. So after much consideration, I decided to try the Brooks motion control shoes. I wasn't 100% sold on whether the shoes are the "right" ones for me...but I think it's just because I'm so used to the feel of my old ones (the last 3 shoes were the same cushion shoes). And last night, I went for a run in them...

New Brooks shoes - and my huge feet!

Not the most glamorous shoes but it's all about function. The shoes felt pretty good while running. The only slight issue I have is that I have other issues on one of my feet and I could feel that a little bit. But I'll see after a few more runs what I think.

Actually my run last night wasn't too bad. I was kind of dreading doing the 6 miles by myself in the dark and decided to change up the route a little bit. I pretty much try to stay on busy streets while running alone in the dark for a multitude of safety reasons. Changing the route definitely helped a little bit. And with 6 miles to do, I wanted to make sure I would have a long enough route to do 3 miles out and 3 miles back (so I didn't have to run past my house and think of quitting). It's funny...when I run I think of a million things! In fact, I pretty much write about 10 different blog posts in my head (that never get published!). lol. But what I have trouble with is analyzing and over analyzing everything...every single step I take, every single pain I feel, my breathing and how out of breathe I might feel, and the million things I'm dealing with in my every day life. I have negative thoughts about how I suck at running and that I want to be faster, better, stronger, etc. It's hard because I try to push all that out of my head...but sometimes those negative thoughts creep back in.

I wasn't too worried about my pace last night. I just wanted to make it through the run after my little injuries and skipping two runs last week. So when I looked at my watch after 1.5 miles, I realized I was running a little fast for me to keep a comfortable pace for 6 miles. I generally try to stay as close to 10 mins/mile for "longer" runs. The next few miles were around 10:15. During the last mile, I noticed that I was running faster (10:04), then faster (9:54)...so I just decided with less than a mile to go, I would just give it my all...and I was feeling really good that last mile! I wish I felt that way my whole run! So when I finished and looked at my last split compared to the rest of the miles, it put a smile on my face. Yes, it wasn't super fast but when looking at the rest of my splits...it was pretty good. These were my splits from yesterday's 6 mile run:

Mile 1 - 9:47
Mile 2 - 9:59
Mile 3 - 10:07
Mile 4 - 10:13
Mile 5 - 10:16
Mile 6 - 9:42

My splits told me a few things...I need to start out a bit slower and maybe be more consistant in my splits. And it also tells me I have more in me than I thought by pulling a 9:42 split at the end and feeling great! But after just trying to make it through the run, I was pretty happy with my overall pace of 10:01 (I was shooting for 10:00).
I also ordered compression sleeves for my calves online. I ordered them online because I had points that I could use on my amazon credit card. So I got the compression sleeves (and a kindle and kindle case) for free! Super excited about all of that. But I won't get the compression sleeves until Monday.

February Goals

2012-02-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

I feel like all I'm doing now is making goals…and making goals…and not really accomplishing many of them. I guess the good thing is that I keep making them and starting over and not quitting. It can definitely be frustrating when you set a goal and don't do what you have to do to achieve it. It's not like I'm setting a goal, doing all I can do to accomplish the goal and it just doesn't happen! I'm just not doing what I have to do to accomplish the goal.

But in true fighter form…I keep pushing on. I'm not a quitter and I want to accomplish the goals I set out. So I just will keep going after them. Of course, sometimes you have to change things up a little bit, maybe take a new direction or seek extra help. So first things first, I bought a notebook to write my goals in and write my food down to be more conscience of what I'm eating. But if my goals are in writing, I can make a decision to look at them every day/evening and then I have no excuses!

February Goals

Take my multivitamin and iron pills daily! I can tell that my nutrients are lacking. My nails are brittle and my hair is a mess. From low iron, my arm tends to get numbness and I'm constantly tired. Yeah, definitely need to move on this one for sure!

From Run Jodi Run's monthly challenge, I'm not eating any candy/sweets or chips this month. The only exception is that I may have a piece of cake for my birthday, so I'm giving myself an exemption day. It's allowed. I checked! Haha!

Find a strength training program to do (and do it). Since I'm not in personal training anymore right now, I need to make sure I do some strength training!

Start swimming again. I swam in HS for only one year but I've always been a fish. I love to swim. My dad and I used to go every Monday to the gym and swim laps but when they bought the restaurants, that went out the window because they were too busy. I let the swimming stop because at the gym I used to go to, there were always creepy men that just sat in a chair at the side of the pool and watched you swim. I didn't like it and felt really uncomfortable when I was by myself. Plus I hate sharing lanes with anyone other than my dad. I'll have to suck it up if I want to go. I'm going to check out the local fitness center because they have a pool and the price to go there is pretty reasonable.

Complete my mini indoor triathlon…another reason I would like to start swimming again. And seriously, there is almost nothing more relaxing than swimming laps in the pool…although I'm a slow swimmer.

Be more conscience of my eating…hence, my new notebook. I find that when I know I have to write things down, I tend to not eat as much crap simply because I don't want to write it down! Weird mental thing!

Lose 5 pounds. I want to try to set a goal to just lose 5 pounds every month until I'm back down to my goal weight. I stepped on the scale this morning, which I haven't done in a month and WHOA! The number was scary! Yes, I did lose 90 lbs before but if I'm not careful, I'll gain it all back and THAT will not happen. So I wrote my start weight in my notebook…5 lbs to lose this month.

Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day. My water intake has SERIOUSLY been lacking! I never used to have a problem with water but since the marathon, I might only get 4 glasses in a day! Not acceptable for sure. I bought a 34 oz water bottle to have on my desk at work and I will try to refill that at least once while there.

PR my 5k on February 11th for my birthday. Well, this may be rough as…well, see my calf injury explanation below. But because I'm determined to PR a 5k, I'm still going to try for it.

These are my February goals. Looks like a pretty hefty list of goals but it's completely attainable!

As far as injuries go, this marathon training has been slightly rougher than my first one last summer. I haven't had major injuries thankfully, but I think it's because as soon as I feel something is "off", I panic and try to take care of it immediately. I don't want injuries to sideline my marathon goals this year.

A little over a week ago on a Saturday, I did a 7 mile long run on hills (not baby hills, mind you. Big, ginormous, monstrous, huge hills! Lol. Well, ok, maybe not Mount Everest or anything but to a "non-hill" runner, it seems like it sometimes! Anyway, enough of my drama. That Saturday, I didn't stretch at all after my run. I'm a bad stretcher. Bad. I rarely do stretch. But I usually try to stretch a little more while marathon training because, well, you should! So I didn't stretch that Saturday and later than day, I noticed my calf was hurting. I've never had calf problems before so it caught my attention. The rest of the next week, I tried stretching it more and foam rolling it out. I did do all my runs that week. There is minimal pain while running.

Then I had another long run on Saturday for 10 miles. I was able to run it. I could feel some pain in my calf but not major and I didn't stop the run. But as soon as my run ended, I could definitely feel the pain! I stretched it when I got home but after napping resting on the couch that day, I could barely walk on it! And it hurt for the whole weekend! Granted it's better when I moving as it doesn't stiffen up like it does when I'm resting, but it still hurts. And at times, I was limping. Not good.

Well, because I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed and because my dad was catering a chili run for the local run group at Running For Kicks, I had to run Monday instead of my normal Tuesday. First…a stolen group photo.

It was a great turnout and a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I was running with some speed demons that had jets on their shoes and after 2.5 miles, bailed on the 4 mile planned run. I only had to do 3 miles for training anyway and I was a half mile away so it worked out perfectly. I could tell during the run that my calf was pretty sore and felt I was pushing the run a little too much. And sure enough, when I stopped running, I immediately felt that calf pain!

Of course I know any out of the ordinary pain is not good. So I consulted with my friends at this run, my running groups on facebook and a few other running friends on their opinions. So I decided a couple of rest days were in order, which means skipping a couple of runs during the week. I do not like skipping any runs during training. Makes me panic a little inside. But I know that it is better to skip a few runs than to injure yourself and not be able to run the marathon at all! Also, due to a recommendation by a fellow running friend Jenny from I Blame the Shoes, I made an appointment with a running chiropractor to help with the situation. Sometimes I think I overreact when it comes to any pain while training. But I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

Getting To Know Me!

2012-01-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

There has been a game going around on the blogging network fittingly titled "11 Things." It's kind of a chain game where people answer questions and ask questions and tag their blog friends for them to do the same. I'll be honest, I'm not really a "chain game" kind of person. But I like reading other people's responses and thought I would play along a little.

I actually got tagged 4 times!! I'll answer the most recent two sets of questions (sorry to the first two...but no one really needs to know THAT much about me!!). The two bloggers that tagged me were Amanda from Too Tall Fritz and Jeni from A Sparklish Roar.

Amanda's Tag Questions:

1. Favorite race/event & why? I would say my favorite race has to be the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. It's pretty much the first major race of Chicago and is hugely popular! People generally have a great attitude and wear interesting clothing!

2. Were you a princess or TomBoy? Actually neither. Maybe more TomBoy. My mom did put me in a few dresses when I was younger but they were not all "fru-fru" dresses (with the frills and lace and stuff). And until a few years ago, I probably didn't own a dress in at least 10 years. I wasn't really a TomBoy either because I can't play sports. But I always did outdoor stuff like camping, rafting, etc while growing up. And always wanted to hang out with my older brother and his friend.

3. Who or What inspires you & why? I think this is always a hard one. I don't have one specific answer. Many people inspire me for different reasons. I think anyone that goes out and tries to do something that seems "impossible" to them, but put in the dedication/commitment to succeed at it, that's always inspiring to me. An old friend/former coworker of mine never ran ever. Started running last year when she signed up for the Chicago Marathon. She was on a plan that started you from the beginning, like working up to one mile to start! And she trained longer than me for the marathon (since March since she was a beginner) and finished it! I know what her time was, but you know what? It's doesn't matter! She never thought she was going to do it and actually didn't tell her family or anyone because she thought she would fail. She told me and a couple other people and that was it. But she did it and finished! And wants to do it again! That's inspiration!

4. Do you have more "online" friends or real life friends? I guess I have more online friends due to facebook and blogs. I love my online friends and online running friends because they show so much support. But nothing can replace the few "real" friends I have.

5. 20 Year Class Reunion...Are you going, legitimately busy or you wouldn't be caught dead stepping in the door? I'm going. I went to my 11 year reunion (yes, my high school never did anything right). When I went there, even though I had already lost 15 pounds from my highest known weight (and felt good, dressed up, the whole 9 yards...and even got asked out...I think we were the only two single people there though...lol), wait, where was I...oh, for my 11 year reunion, I had lost 15 pounds. But since then I've lost at least an additional 65 pounds or so. So yes, I'd love to go so everyone can see how great I look! Haha!

6. Do you prefer Flowers or Candy from the significant other or should they save the $? Flowers for sure. I don't want to eat the candy, so please don't buy it! It will just make me fat! I love flowers and really have only gotten flowers from two other people besides my father ever. And my dad always bought my mom flowers, for a special occasion or just because. So sweet! But don't buy them for me because you did something wrong. That might just piss me off more!

7. If you were rich and famous and had the ~~balls~~ guts to name your kid something outlandish, what would that be? First and Middle name, please! Nothing...I'm not really an outlandish name person. I can't even make something up right now! lol

8. You're in a marathon, in first place, on world record pace...You have to "go". Do you stop for a port-o-pot, and possibly lose the race and miss the world record or do you go in the street for the world to see? I mean, really? I wouldn't stop! If I could, I would find a bush or something quickly if I thought I had the time, but first place, world record, marathon? I would try to hold it as best I could.

9. Why do you run? I run because I can. I never used to run. I hated the mile in gym at school! I'm not an athletic person at all. So to think that I run half marathons and marathons? Pretty unbelievable and that's why I do it. It's hard for me and I like the challenge of it. Those good run days make up for all those bad run days!

10. Favorite type of run: Group, Solo, Tempo, Long Run, Speed Work? Group runs for sure (even just one other person). It makes the time pass so much better and I keep my pace up better (if the person is faster than me). And I like to chat (have some bonding time). But there is nothing like a 5-6 mile run solo on a beautiful summer day in the forest preserves! Really helps clear your head and is so peaceful!

11. Most adventurous "out of character" thing you've ever done? To me, it's not out of character. To others, it totally is and people usually can't believe it. That I've been skydiving...twice. I'm a pretty quiet person with a pretty quiet life. But I love those adrenaline rush things. I think I need it in my life to shake things up, get the heart pumping and the blood flowing.

Jeni's Tag Questions:

1. What's your sign and do you think you are a typical ____? I'm an Aquarius and no, I don't think it's really accurate for me. The accurate things are friendly, honest, sarcastic, intellectual. Inaccurate: Rebellious, unemotional, detached, inventive. Makes me think of some fiercely independent, rebellious, aloof person! I don't think that's my personality.

2. What is your go to meal for energy? Uh, I don't really have one! I know what is "healthy" to eat or what to eat to lose weight...but I need to brush up on my energy food knowledge.

3. What is your top ten bucket list? I haven't made a bucket list yet. I've actually been meaning to but never got around to it...I'm a procrastinator. I've done a good number of bucket list items already though. I guess getting married and have kids is on my bucket list...but I can't wait until old age to do the kids thing (and don't want to for the married thing).

4. One thing you do every day without fail? Go to the bathroom! Well, it's true! That's also the first thing I do! :)

5. Favorite font? Um...really? I don't care! lol.

6. How many Facebook Friends do you get before you "clean house"? I've never cleaned house on my facebook. It's probably because I don't add people unless I know them (usually) or know them through my running group, charity group, etc.

7. Do you text or call? Well, I used to say call. In the past year, I've gotten more into texting even though I used to hate it! lol. It really depends on who I'm calling/texting. Different for different people.

8. One thing you do to make yourself look better on those days you're just not up for looking better? To tell you the truth, I'm really low maintenance. So if it's a day that I'm just not up for looking better...I probably won't even try!

9. What kind of vehicle would you drive, if you could drive anything? I'm not a car person, I don't know makes and models. I currently drive a convertible and have for about 11 years. I love them and would probably get a really nice one!

10. Do you have a nickname? Now, my real nickname is Mandy. That's an obvious one. My whole family calls me that and a few friends. But my other nickname is Beena. My dad calls me that and even got my nephew calling me "Auntie Beena" when he was little. I don't know where it comes from or why, just one of those things.

11. This year I want to accomplish _____? Well, it's obviously running related! I'm planning two marathons. I would like to accomplish that goal! And PR at least one of them.

My questions:

1. If you could travel to one place, where would it be and why?

2. What is your favorite distance race to run and why?

3. You are in a foreign country and are asked to try their delicacy which is some horrible bug type thing...do you eat it or pass?

4. What would your ideal job be (if money or location wasn't an issue)?

5. If you could be one animal, which one would it be and why?

6. Funniest thing that's every happened to you during a race?

7. You are working out with the weight machines at the gym and a big muscular guy comes up to you and asks if he can work out with you. Do you work out with him or politely decline his request?

8. How tall are you and do you like your height or would you change it? If you would change it, what would it be and why?

9. Have you or would you ever dress up in a strange costume for a themed run (example, like turkey for a turkey trot)?

10. What is one thing people would be shocked to know about you?

11. Uh...yeah I got nothing! lol

I'm supposed to tag friends, but many of my friends are already tagged. I'm going to be a party pooper and not tag anyone! I know, I know! If you would like to answer my questions, feel free to do so! Let me know so that I can hop on over to read the answers!

Did you learn anything new about me??

Aliens and Changes

2012-01-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

First things first. I was recently notified by email that a follower of my blog could not post a comment. This was the second time I've heard that, but the first was a while ago and so didn't think much of it. If you can not post a comment on my blog...please send me an email at beena1979@yahoo.com. If it is a problem, I'll have to figure something out.

Second things...uh...second. I bought on ebay a reflective vest so I can be ~~a nerd~~ safe. The one I bought was really cheap ~~and probably looks it~~ but I figure, I wouldn't use it too much anyway. And I tend to wear a lot of black while running and run in the evenings during the week. The neighborhoods around me don't really have sidewalks so I'm constantly running in the street and definitely do not feel safe with the cars. My marathon jacket I bought does have a reflective zipper and other small things but I feel it's just not enough safety. And I finally wore my reflective vest last night for my run. Nothing sexier than a runner in a reflective vest! And then you get a bunch of runners together in reflective vests and I think they look a little like aliens, don't you??

So...in true geeky runner form, I took a self picture (with flash to get the full alien look) of me in my running vest prior to my run last night.

Could that be any sexier??

And I stole a picture from my running group showing what a group of reflective vests look like all together...aliens, I say! (No, I'm not in the photo).

Running Aliens?

Now for the whiny and crying and sad and depressed and "my life sucks" part of the blog. Didn't know this blog had that section, huh? Well, I try not to. I try to be a relatively upbeat and happy person, because all in all, things really aren't that bad! But sometimes you just feel "blah". And all these stupid issues come into your head!

I'll just focus on one of my many "problems" on this blog. For those that are recent additions to my blog, my blog technically started out as a weight loss/healthy eating blog to help me get off the last 10 pounds I was struggling with so I could get to a "goal" weight. I finally got them off (for a total of about 90 pounds lost). After that, since I became more into running and found some running blogs I enjoyed, and also while training for the marathon last year, my blog turned kind of into a running blog.

But in the past year +, I've probably gained back 15-20 pounds! What started with 5 pounds turned into 10 and last I checked was 15! But I haven't even weighed myself in about a month! And I've been eating crap! And this is all just so depressing for me! So I really want to lose about 20 pounds. And it all started again the other night when Janet Jackson was talking about Nutrisystem on Jay Leno. No, I'm not doing Nutrisystem. I know that's not the right way to go (at least for me). But sometimes you just get so frustrated that you think thoughts like "Maybe I just won't eat all day!" or "Maybe I'll just do Nutrisystem because then I won't have to worry about figuring out what to eat." But actually, I'm kind of a mini-pro at knowing the "right" things to eat. You have to be to lose 90 pounds in the first place (if you did it the right way).

So I just need to start implementing good eating behaviors again. I emailed my cousin because she has always had her struggles with weight too (although she is pregnant so it's not too much an issue for her right now). Anyway, I emailed her and she gave me some ~~ass-kicking~~ good suggestions and advice. It's funny because she usually asks me for help and I always give her the advice. Weird to have the tables turned!

So, that's that. I have a 10-mile run to do Saturday with my running group. And we do it in a very hilly neighborhood. And I haven't run more than 7 miles since the marathon (did 7 miles twice this month though)...so I'm a little nervous about these 10!

It's Official

2012-01-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's official. I signed up for the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon on April 28th. This is the second marathon that I will be running (of course the first was the 2011 Chicago Marathon).

I needed to sign up right now for a few reasons. First, the price increases after January 31st (granted it's only a $5 increase but I'm cheap!). Second, if I'm not signed up for it, I still have in the back of my head that I may not do it. Maybe with the guarantee now that I'm doing it, I can have that mental push in the back of my head while training! Mentally I have been completely unfocused this marathon training as opposed to the last one.

Until recently, I didn't really have a reason why I was so unfocused. After thinking about it for a few weeks now, I've come to the conclusion that the winter training was throwing me off. Running in the evenings after work, it's dark and cold. Maybe it's also the snow and ice. I've been running more on the treadmill (I absolutely hate running in place!!). In the summer, it's ~~unbearably hot and humid~~ gorgeous out! I look at the houses and the lawn decorations that I'm running past which distracts my mind. I don't have to worry about just running on busy and well lit streets. I love seeing the animals and running in the forest preserves. I just love being outside in the summer. And even though some people would rather run outside in the cold, I'd rather run outside when it's hot.

But all this is a moot point. It's winter marathon training. It's dark at night (and in the mornings). It's cold and snowy. I may have to run on the treadmill. Suck it up! It's what you signed up for! And that's the reason I signed up for it. I figured it would give me a 100% reason to run through the winter months. Normally, I put running on an almost nonexistent back burner for January and February! I may run once a week on a treadmill or outside on a nice day but that's it! I wanted to keep up the good mileage even in the winter and this was the way I could think to do it. After all, I've become somewhat addicted to running since training for the marathon last year and want to keep running! And I would like to get better and the only way to get better is by continuing to do it. And I can use the treadmill for speed training. I can use my Saturday running in Palos to get better at hills. And maybe come spring, I won't feel like I'm just "starting" again, because I will have still been running for months on end!

And then there is of course my marathon goal! I finished the Chicago Marathon in 4:53. Not the time I wanted but not bad considering it was my first marathon as well as other conditions of that day. Basically, I wanted to finish. I ran conservatively. I learned some things that may help in the later miles. I would like to finish as close to 4:30 as possible (with an ultimate goal right now to break 4:30). April weather in Chicago is definitely unpredictable (as is any other time of the year...temps have ranged from 30's to 80's in very recent years for the October Chicago Marathon). Of course I would love to have perfect weather in April when I run the marathon. But I have to be prepared for any weather. Will it be hot? Cold? Rainy? (I think I can eliminate snow but you really never know). After my 20-miler run I did in preparation for the Chicago Marathon, it rained almost the entire time and I knew I was miserable! So my fear is that it will be rainy! I've run in the rain plenty of times but usually it's not more than 3 or 4 miles.

The only thing I can do is train. Ok, the other thing I can do is have confidence in myself that no matter what the circumstances are that day, I will be able to do it. Nothing ever goes as planned. The key is how you handle those situations.

Goal Recap

2012-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I would fill you in on how my goals for the year are going so far. I'm actually only doing it to get a kick in the rear (don't worry, I will kick myself) and get moving on them.

The goals and my progress so far:

2012 Goals

1. Make at least 1 recipe a week.
- So far so good! I wasn't home this weekend to cook but I have all week to make my 1 recipe! By the way, I cook but it might be egg sandwiches or something. I wanted to start cooking more actual recipes. Good way to try new things, see what I like and don't like and make my own recipe book with the successful meals!

2. Do my daily stretching and knee strengthening exercises.
- Wow, I was doing so well the first 4 days on this! I have now just realized I haven't been doing it at all for the past week! I'll start again today.

3. Take my vitamins daily.
- Again, total FAIL so far on this.

4. Stop drinking pop. - No pop at all since the 1st, not even a sip! I'm pretty proud of that!

5. Drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water a day.
- I need to go buy another water bottle. I don't have one and the little bottles of water are not cutting it with getting me to drink enough water. I'm doing "ok" on this but not 100% successful.

6. Track all the miles I run this year.
- Daily mile and I are friends. I like tracking my running and giving my thoughts to how my run went and why. Success.
7. Get a PR for my half marathon in July.
- TBD

8. Get a PR for a 5k.
- TBD

9. Get a PR for a marathon.
- TBD. I should be able to get this one. I will see in April.
10. Another goal which shall remain nameless....
- This was something I wanted to stop. I've slipped a couple times but it's early and habits are hard to break. Work in progress here.

So overall, not the most fantastic start to my goals. The good thing about goals is that you can always keep trying until you are successful.

I'm going to add a goal to the list. I want to get back down to my goal weight of where I was in October 2010. I need to change a few things right now in order to accomplish this goal. I have no doubt that I will get back there.

Have a good week!

Please Vote for Me!!

2012-01-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

"I ain't to proud to beg!" (Courtesy of TLC)

As I said yesterday, I was picked as a finalist for "Athlete of the Month". This is where I need YOUR help! If it sounds like I'm begging for votes, it's because I am! :)

My picture is listed on CARA's facebook page. Click here for a link to the page. I am the first runner shown. Click on my photo and then "like" it. That's it!

But if you are an extra special friend of mine...(and you all are, right?), then please do me a favor and post this on your blog for me! It would be truly appreciated!

Leave me a comment on here to tell me you did! And if you have a blog that I don't know about, you can be sure I will check it out!!

I have until Sunday to ~~beg~~ ask for votes! So be sure to tell all your friends, spouses, kids, etc!

BE ON THE LOOKOUT WEDNESDAY!

2012-01-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

Short post...

I'm going to be asking for some votes tomorrow through Sunday and wanted to give you all a heads up.

I'm not sure when, but I'm thinking it was about a month ago, I must have received an email from CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association - who I trained through for the Chicago Marathon, read about it here) telling people to submit a story to them to be picked as "Athlete of the Month. Now, I don't really remember much about it at all! I mean, I probably just figured "What the heck, it won't hurt to submit something!" I really didn't think I would be picked for anything!

I do vaguely remember it saying things like you don't have to be the fastest runner or even have completed a marathon or anything. Basically (I think) they wanted to know your story, how you started running, maybe challenges, etc. I'm pretty sure I wrote something about running, losing weight, running, marathon....blah blah blah! lol.

Low and behold, yesterday I received an email from CARA telling me that I was chosen as one of the five finalists for Athlete of the Month! Really!?! Me? I mean, I guess I do have a semi-good story. I still didn't think I would be chosen for anything!!

SO HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO STARTING WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY:

Check back here and I will post what you need to do (haha!!). I'm not sure yet. I think it will be posted on the CARA facebook page and you have to "like" my photo. The person with the most "likes" will win.

And because you are all so very special to me, I know you will all post it on your blogs so as to help get me more votes, right?? I love you all! Just remember that! lol :)

So please check back tomorrow!! I'll give you all the details! How cool would that be if I was Athlete of the Month! I guess this just proves that it doesn't hurt to try for things!

New and Old

2012-01-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

I'm warning you ahead of time, this may be a messy post with lots of things thrown in. After writing it all down however, I may edit as necessary. Do you write your posts ahead of time? I tried and can't. I change it all when I sit down to type! I guess I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl! I digress... (and it won't be the first time)...

Where to start? Um...how about let's start with how my goals for 2012 are doing. I'm only going to talk about a few...

1. Make at least one new recipe a week. I made a new (old) recipe this week. It's a Ratatouille Polenta Bake. You can get the full recipe here. I'll just list the ingredients and mention the changes I made this time around (not planned changes).

Ratatouille Polenta Bake

Ingredients
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 medium bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
1 small unpeeled eggplant, (1 pound), diced (2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 tube (16 ounces) refrigerated plain polenta (or any flavor)
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese (3 ounces)
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

Basically you put the polenta on the bottom. They tell you to use the polenta rounds. This time around, the 2 grocery stores I had gone to for my normal groceries didn't have the polenta rounds. I bought cornmeal and just made the polenta myself. Then I just poured it into the bottom of the baking dish. I liked this better except making the polenta is not as quick and easy as buying it. Whatever, I save a few bucks and also some gas for not traveling to another store. Then I let the polenta set in the fridge while I went to the gym. This way it would harden.

The other change I made was...well, I couldn't find the eggplant I bought! I just bought it earlier that day! I remember putting it in the bag with the bananas! Checked my car, not there. checked the bags again, not there. Checked the fridge again, not there! Luckily I had some baby bella mushrooms in the fridge and decided to use those in place of the eggplant. Is a ratatouille still ratatouille without eggplant??

The other change I made was not using Parmesan cheese. I didn't have any, didn't want to buy any...just didn't care about it. So I made up for it by increasing the amount of mozzarella to 1 full overflowing cup! :) Everything is better with cheese! Oh and actually I didn't use mozzarella either! I forgot the exact name of the cheese but it was mexican related. They didn't have the mozzarella cheese in a small bag and I was not buying a big one! I don't trust myself around delicious cheese!! Mmmmmm!!!!

Anyway, here is a photo of my completed dish!

Ratatouille Polenta Bake

Seriously, could that look any more delicious! And it's really good and healthy! Since I live alone, I get all the leftovers too!

Still wondering what I did with that eggplant? I know you are! I thought maybe I just really forgot to put it in the bag with the bananas. The next morning as I was walking to my car, I was wondering what this mess on my driveway was, until it dawned on me...

Eggplant anyone?

It's my missing eggplant! What happened was I must have dropped it when bringing in the groceries. Then I went back out to the gym. I actually remember that when I backed out, it seemed as though I rolled over something but didn't see anything in my driveway (and frankly didn't care). Apparently I backed out and rolled over my eggplant! I'm glad that mystery is solved! Not that I lost sleep over it or anything!

2. (We were talking about my goals, remember?)...Stretching. I'm doing much better in the stretching department. I am not a stretcher! That's bad, I know! I've never been much of a stretcher. But when I went to the doctor in December and he basically threatened to shoot me (it's true, he did!) because I had the worst flexibility in my hips he has ever seen in his 28 year medical career (including himself), I realized I should take stretching more seriously. He also said I had an incredibly tight IT band, and with a small previous IT band issue, figured that stretching will only help that issue too. I have been trying to get in the full amount of stretching the doctor prescribed (I'm close to getting it all in), I have also been more conscience of stretching on my own too, especially after a workout or run. I actually will take the time to go up to the front of the gym (more on this in a minute) and sit down and stretch for a little bit. I'm hoping when I go back to the doctor, he notices a difference. I'm not sure if I do but I thought I was ok before!

Let me just say, the gym I go to, the floor area where we can do abs or stretch or whatever, is all the way in the front. This gym was newly built a few months ago. Why would they put this area up front? So that all the people walking up to the gym can stare at you (I do it too, so I know everyone else does it). Maybe it's so that the people at the front desk can just stare and laugh at you (you know they do!). Whatever it is, it's kind of an awkward place for it! Why would they build the gym like that?? Again...I digress... At least I'm taking some time to stretch. I think there is still room for improvement but something is better than almost nothing!

3. (Remember...goals) No pop. I have not been drinking any pop since the first of the year. It's going well except there are a few times (like around lunch) when I would have grabbed a pop from the fridge at work (it's free). Old habits are hard to break.

4. 6 glasses minimum of water per day. Why am I still struggling with this? I am getting the 6 in but it's still hard. At 10:30 pm, I might have remembered that I only drank 4 glasses that day and chug down 2 full glasses right before bed! Not the way I want to do it. Baby steps...

I guess the only other thing that I am going to talk about here is running (surprise, surprise!). I'm almost finished with week 2 of my second marathon training. It's going well. There are some slight knee issues but nothing major. I think I'm just afraid of hurting myself so I try to be extra careful and sometimes when you are too careful, you overcompensate and other things become injured! Trying not to let that happen!

Because I'm trying to be extra careful, I'm not going faster. I feel slow! I want to get better and maybe improve some of my race times. I also feel that I'm short of breathe right now when I run too! I don't know why as I work out all the time! I feel like it shouldn't be that hard! Granted I've been doing more treadmill runs lately since I've been a little on the sick side and treadmill running is actually harder for me. I think it's something about running in place with the same scene that I don't like! When I'm distracted, I run better!

I decided I needed to do something about it. On Monday, I was pretty sick (just a cold but sick nonetheless). My personal trainer had cancelled on me and my running group was going running! The temps were cold and windy (20 for a high and really windy). I really wanted to go to this group run but felt that I would be best staying inside and running on the treadmill so as not to make my cold worse.

I know I've been running at a 10 min mile pace. That was my marathon training pace. I'm not happy to be running 3 miles at that pace. On Monday, I tried very conservative intervals just to get a feel for it. I know people do speed training, frankly I'm an idiot when it comes to that. I don't really know what to do. Monday I did 5 intervals of 400 meters at 10:00 and 9:13. I felt like my breathing was heavy. But my knees actually felt better at the faster pace than the slower pace. Weird!

My 3 miles ended up being a 9:43 pace. I still wasn't happy with that because I felt my lungs couldn't handle it!

So yesterday I decided to try it again. A little faster but still conservative. I started with a 10:00 warm up of 400 m, then started an interval of 400 m at 9:13 and 9:40 (instead of 10:00). After one round of those intervals, I felt that it was a little too easy and I wanted to just push myself a little more. I did the next intervals (I don't remember how many) 400 m at 9:05 and 9:40. I did this until the end when I still felt pretty good (breathing was better than Monday) and decided to do my last 400 m at 8:49 pace.
My 3 miles ended up being a 9:26 pace. Felt much better about that. Would like to move consistently into the 8:00's but one step at a time. Actually, I'm extra happy about this run as I did it after my personal training session where we worked on legs.

One thing about getting faster is you have to have the endurance to do it. Since my lungs were giving me problems (could have something to do with the cold I'm fighting), I was unsure if I had the endurance to do it. The other thing is mental. For me, I don't want to injure myself. I have knee issues and I'm extra protective of them! I've always joked and said "I'm going to run until I can't run anymore!" That's true but I'd rather the "can't run anymore" to be later in life rather than sooner.

Pressing on! I have a 7 mile long run Saturday. I know I can do 7 miles. The problem, I'm running with my old running group (my marathon training group). That's not really the problem! I'm excited to be running with them. They created their own marathon training running for the winter to prepare for the Illinois Marathon that a lot of us are doing in April. It's awesome to think I will still have people to run my long runs with! My problem is that a lot of them are faster than me...the other problem is the location we are running in is in Palos and it's a hilly neighborhood! I do NOT do so well with hills! Probably good to train on them but I feel as though I won't be able to keep up with the group! I guess I will do as good as I have to and if I have to slow down, I will.

Until next time...

A New Year!

2012-01-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful new year! I'm actually feeling really good this year! 2012 is going to be my year!

Do you all make new year's resolutions? I normally don't. I don't understand why people do and just break them. It really doesn't ever seem to mean much.

This year, however, I did make a few resolutions. My resolutions are more like "goals" or things to do to improve me and my fitness, things that will make me feel better and will improve my training for the marathons I have planned this year.

2012 Goals
1. Make at least 1 recipe a week. I live alone and cooking isn't always the first thing on my list.

2. Do my daily stretching and knee strengthening exercises. Since my doctor visit, I have become lazy and haven't been doing his prescribed exercises to help my knees, hips, IT band and hamstrings.

3. Take my vitamins daily. I have not taken my multi-vitamin since the marathon! I also need to take iron pills (since I'm borderline anemic). Right now, I should be taking vitamin C also.

4. Stop drinking pop. My stomach feels much better when I'm not drinking any pop, especially diet coke! Also, drinking pop ends up interfering with the amount of water I drink (see #5).

5. Drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water a day. I've really been slacking on my water! I used to be one that drank water all day long! Now it's hard for me to get in the min. 6 glasses every day! Especially since running the marathon, I think I got burned out on drinking water!

6. Track all the miles I run this year. I started using dailymile.com and I'm really excited about this for some reason!

7. Get a PR for my half marathon in July. My old PR was 2:13+. Right now, I'm just going to shoot for under 2:10. Due to training for my marathons, I don't want to injure myself with pushing too hard with going for a half marathon PR that's too tough. Any PR will be acceptable for this! Ultimate goal PR for a half is to get under 2 hours! Maybe I'll shoot for that next year (although it's really hard not to try for it this year!).

8. Get a PR for a 5k. My quickest 5k time was 27:55 (Nov 2010).

9. Get a PR for a marathon. I'm planning on doing the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon in April and also the Chicago Marathon again in October. I'd love to PR for both but especially for the Chicago Marathon since that was the first one I did last year! My goal is to get as close to 4:30 as possible. Ultimate goal is to break the 4:30 mark.

6. Another goal which shall remain nameless....this is for me only...I know, it's like a cliff hanger!

When I decided on these resolutions, I didn't realize how many of my goals are daily goals! It makes it a little tough to remember everything that I have to do daily right now (vitamin, stretching, water, pop, etc.). It's also really hard not to drink pop because I'm so dependent on it for caffeine since I don't drink coffee. But I know it takes a little bit of time and all these things to become habit. And I know my running will improve too.

In other news, when I was thinking about goals after last years marathon for this year, one of them was doing a triathlon. Triathlons scare me! When someone tells me they are a triathlete, I get a look of awe on my face! The biking scares me and the transitions scare me. I should be good with the swimming and running.

But when faced with the idea of running two marathons and trying to do a triathlon, it got a little daunting. It seemed like too much. Until I was talking to my hair stylist last time. She mentioned an indoor triathlon that is just based on time, not distance. And it's small, so it will be easier to complete. This seemed like a great idea, not only because it was small but because she wanted to do it too, so I didn't have to do it alone.

Registration finally opened and we are signed up! I'm doing this triathlon on Feb 25! Yes it's small but I think it's a perfect opportunity for me to get a "feel" for doing a triathlon. I also think it's perfect that it's based on time. You see how far you can go with 10 mins of swimming, 20 mins of biking and 15 mins of running. This makes it seem more manageable. I won't be the last one out of the pool or the last one on the bike! I'm really excited for this!

Did you make any resolutions or goals? Share some with me!

It's the Happiest Time of the Year!

2011-12-28T08:09:00.000-08:00

It's the happiest time of the year! Christmas? New Year? My dad's birthday (Dec 29th)? Well, ok, all of those are great in their own way (except for the New Year, I'm still out on my feelings for that). But I'm not referring to any of those. I'm referring to marathon training! That's right, it's marathon training - part 2! I'm training for the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon at the end of April. Since I'm going to follow the same 18 week training program that I followed for my first marathon, the 2011 Chicago Marathon, training officially starts this week!

I was really excited to start marathon training again! It's like when you have a baby (well, I've never had a baby, but this is what I've heard), when you have a baby and even though you are in agonizing pain, you forget it all afterwards when you hold your little bundle of joy! Training for my last marathon started great and pretty much continued great, even though there was that 5 week period of time when I was so tired of running that I thought I would never (ever) run again! But holding my little bundle of joy (the finisher's medal - lol), made it all worth it!

Holding my little "bundle of joy!"

So much so, that I couldn't wait to run another one! After a few bumps in the road with my knee, I felt I was ready to start my training this week!

The first week's schedule calls for weekday runs of 3 miles, 3 miles, 3 miles and a weekend long run of 6 miles. After much debating, I figured I would start my 3 miles on Tuesday. But on Monday, December 26th, after learning that my friend Kelly from Running (Kell)ometers was going to run with a running group out of our local running store, I was torn. This running group runs every Monday night at 6:00 pm. I am never able to go because I don't get home from work until 6:00 and I have personal training. Even though I didn't have work that day, I still had personal training. I decided that I was not going to go. Then my friend Mike called me (Marathon Man was from date #2 I had before) and said he was thinking of going and wanted to know if I wanted to go. Now I knew 2 people going and I had already really wanted to go. So as I was sitting in the parking lot of the gym (couldn't marathon man have called me sooner?), I had to decide right away what I wanted to do. Should I be responsible and go to my personal training or ditch it and run with people I'm never able to run with! I opted for being irresponsible for a change and ditch my personal training (I felt really bad when I texted my trainer!).

But I went for the run and decided to call it a marathon training day - day 1! Even though my schedule called for 3 miles, I ended up running 4.3 miles. My knees actually felt really good! The only issue I had was that I was running a little too fast for me right now. I haven't been running much since my little knee issue. And the hills in the neighborhood were killing me! If not for the fact that I was running with Kelly and her dog Pepper, I would have stopped to walk for sure!

After the run in front of Running For Kicks
Kelly, Pepper and me

Tuesday was marathon training day #2! I thought that the 3 miles would go pretty easy. Weather was not too cold. Luckily the rain had stopped. But as soon as my foot hit the pavement, my knee was in trouble. Then I realized that I didn't have my knee strap on and went back in to get it. But again, my knee was not feeling too well. I was going to do 2 laps around my neighborhood which is about 3 miles. But after close to one lap (about 1.36 miles in) I realized I was running at an 11 minute mile pace and also felt a pain in my knee. I decided to stop and walk for a minute. I thought about cutting my run short (this loop passes my house) and I was going to stop at 1.5 miles. I decided even if I walked a little bit, I should at least try for 2 miles or 2.5 miles.

However, I changed up my path a little bit as I passed some ~~obnoxious little shits~~ teenagers that ~~had nothing else better to do~~ were hanging out. Yeah, the teenagers were out last night since they are all on Christmas break! And running past them in the dark was just not so much fun! Let's just say the word "assholes" shot out of my mouth at some point. I know, very lady-like!

I ended up stopping at 2.75 miles figuring it was close enough to 3 miles. Bad knees, not listening to headphones (since it was dark and I needed to pay attention to my surroundings), and little shits made this run the worst run I had since my mini meltdown after Thanksgiving!

In fact, I started re-thinking marathon training for a split second too. It was training day 2 and I was having problems! I have 17.5 weeks of this left to go! It shook my confidence a little bit to say the least. But as the wise runner once said (actually, it was Kelly on Facebook last night), "Tomorrow is always another day. There will be good days and bad days out on the trail, but the good outweighing the bad is what keeps us asking for more!"

Training day number 3 will be on Thursday as a cousin wants to go to the gym with me. I'm hoping for the best!

The Ultimate Before!

2011-12-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got an email from Marathonfoto.com about a local Chicago 8k I do every year, the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. They combined all the pictures from 2006 on of the Shamrock Shuffle 8k into one site for your viewing (and re-ordering) pleasure!

They actually only had 2 years listed, 2007 and 2009, even though I ran this run since 2004, missing only 1 year. I happened to pull up 2007 and WHOA! That was a sight! This run is either in March or April every year. I'm guessing this was late March or early April. I started Weight Watchers in May 2007. Therefore, these pictures were taken about 1 or 1.5 months prior to starting the weight loss process. This is most definitely my heaviest weight to date! And the pictures do not disappoint! How about I throw in a 2011 Marathon photo after, just for shits and giggles.

2007 Shamrock Shuffle 8k

2011 Chicago Marathon

Now, as much as I want to delete those previous run photos from the existence of this planet, I have to look back and smile for a few reasons.

#1 - Look how far I've come. And even though I have rough patches and I gained a little weight back, it's still an amazing accomplishment that I sometimes forget about.

#2 - In the 2007 picture, I'm running. I'm running an 8k! And to think I even ran my first half marathon the year before in 2006, still overweight! I did it back then. All too often, I hear people say they can't do something until they lose weight. They think they are too big, too heavy. They don't even try. This proves you can do anything you set your mind to. Do you think running an 8k (or half marathon) or even a 5k was easy for me back then? No! I walked parts of it. But I finished! And I didn't give up! Again, this is also an amazing accomplishment!

I hope you all have a happy holiday season!

Merry Christmas!...and Running News

2011-12-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time! It seems that no matter the chaos or stress of shopping, decorating, preparing, etc., I get in an extremely happy mood this time of the year (especially the week right before!). I love looking at the lights on houses, I put lights on my own house, I love seeing the tree in my living room. It's such a festive time of the year! (Can you tell how happy I am?? lol).

In preparation for Christmas, there is one (and only one) type of cookie I make. Pizzelles! I probably posted about them last year. They are delicious and a favorite of my family. I have since inherited the pizzelle making process. Pizzelle's are Italian waffle-like cookies. Traditionally I think they are anise flavored, however, I do not like anise flavor and our recipe is a vanilla recipe. My favorite! This year, my cousin wanted to help me make them. They are her favorite cookie and I always give her some. She thought she could share in the joy! I warned her that pizzelle's are labor intensive cookies, you make the batter but your arm just about falls off from trying to stir the thick mess! Then you have to drop two balls of batter on the pizzelle grill and press down for about a minute. You can only make two at a time and we make about 100! Here are a few pics to commemorate it!

My cousin making pizzelles

A few of the finished product!

Luckily, my cousin had a good time making them and she made about 90% of it for me this year! Woohoo! I may enlist her help every year!

Afterwards, I did something totally out of character, I made more cookies! Actually, I helped my cousin make some. We made some sugar cookies and frosted them, some macaroons and some chocolate covered pretzels. I have never made chocolate covered pretzels and was amazed at how easy they are!

Me making the chocolate pretzels.
Yes, it was a sweats kind of day! (And laundry day!)

Some of the finished product.

A few nights before my cookie extravaganza, I was invited out for another cousin's birthday. How about a photo op! I clean up kind of well, huh??

Me on the left and a cousin on the right.

How about some more Christmas pictures?

First, I'm not a crafty person AT ALL! I usually hate even doing crafts! But a friend showed me an ornament wreath and even though she offered to make me one, I decided to be bold and try this myself! After I had it all done and was trying to hang it up, I dropped it and all the ornaments went flying! Luckily they are shatter proof. I almost gave up and threw it out but persevered! It actually didn't take long to fix it and I like it better than before. It just needs a bow and maybe some garland weaving through it but I'm pleased with my results! Nothing beats making something yourself! Especially when you don't think you can!

My ornament wreath! Not bad for a not-crafty person!

Now for some other random Christmas pictures!

My grandmother always made our stockings when we are born. Here is mine.

Here is the whole family's stockings. I leave mine at my parents with all the rest!

Picture of my Christmas Tree. We spent a whole $30 this year instead of the normal $15!

Running News:

I started running again! Yay! I was out for 3 weeks while waiting for a doctor appointment. When he told me it was runner's knee (full recap in this post), he gave me some exercises to do but said I can still run!

I started out slowly though. Last week, I ran 2 miles (about 11:00+ min pace), then 2.5 miles (10:30 pace), then 3 miles (9:58 pace). Actually I didn't look at my pace for the entire run. I don't want to go fast, I just wanted to run at a nice, easy, comfortable pace so I don't hurt myself. I can pick up speed later. So when I finished the 3 miles at a sub-10 min pace, I was a little surprised and happy. That was a comfortable pace! Nice! So getting back into some faster paces shouldn't be too difficult hopefully!

My marathon training starts next week. Therefore, I haven't wanted to run too much right now just to give myself a break. But I did want to get a few miles under my belt. I figure I will have to run enough once I start training again! And can I tell you, it felt SO GREAT to be running again! I missed it! I almost can't believe how much I miss running when I don't do it! It never used to be that way! When I started running last week, I had to stop myself from running every day! And my knees felt pretty good too. Hopefully it stays that way!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! I hope you all have a great one!

Yup! I'm a badass!

2011-12-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

I think when you officially get diagnosed with a running related injury, you should be considered a badass runner! Don't you all agree? When you can start pulling out terms like "IT band" and "runner's knee", I think it's official. Ok, maybe not a badass runner. I guess it just means I have some work to do to get back into good running shape!

Yesterday, I went to see a doctor about my knees. He's a regular doctor but I was referred to him by my marathon pace leader. She had seen him previously and he is a marathoner. Runner's know it's best to see a doctor that knows specifically about running. Other doctors will tell you just not to run. Runner doctors (yes, it's a technical term) will see what you have to work on so you can get back out there to run. By the way, my dad told me he was going to tell me that I had to stop running. I said "No Dad, runner doctors don't tell you to stop running!" When I told the doctor this, he said he has only ever told 3 people to stop running in 30 years of practicing and he said he thinks he cried more than they did!

If you read this post, you will remember that I had a mini-meltdown after Thanksgiving. After deciding to go for a 6 mile run on Saturday after Thanksgiving, I quickly realized that the pain I was having in my knee was still there. As I typically do, I decided to run through the pain. Almost after that, I decided I might have to only do 5 miles or 4 miles instead of the scheduled 6 I wanted to do. Within the first mile, I cut it down to a definite 4 miles (2 miles out and 2 miles back). As I got to the halfway point (2 miles out), I stopped to walk for a minute. Now, I never usually stop to walk on a 4 mile run. But the knee pain was still there and I wanted to assess the situation. I quickly decided that I should stop running. I thought if I continued running and doing the same thing as I always do, I could permanently injure myself. So I thought the best thing to do was to stop running now and see a doctor about the issue. I don't want to permanently injure myself since I want to start training right after Christmas for the Illinois marathon at the end of April.

But now I was 2 miles away from home. Sure I could have done a run/walk home, but I had a pity party on my walk home instead. I was frustrated and started to cry! If you know me, you know I cry when I get really frustrated. And I get frustrated when I feel like I can't (or shouldn't) do something.   Let me sum that up for you... ME + CAN'T = FRUSTRATED = CRY. Now we are all on the same page? So I haven't run a single mile since that day.

Back to my badass-ness (again, technical term) and the Dr. visit. In a nutshell, I have runner's knee. For those that like long medical terminology, Runner's Knee is also called Chrondromalacia Patellae or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. And for those that like medical definitions, you can google it. For now, I'll just tell you what it means for me.

The doctor put me through a series of tests which involved taking off my shoes and socks, standing on one leg (several different times), laying on my stomach, laying on my back, laying on my side, put your leg this way, stretch it that way, blah blah blah. And over and over I heard, "This is the worst I've seen!" or "Oh my god!" or "We need to take you out back and shoot you because it can't possibly be that bad!" (Seriously he said that!).

He did say I was young (thanks Doc!) and healthy (thanks again Doc!) so my issues are completely fixable!

DIAGNOSIS
1. My knee points outward instead of forward. And my arch rolls inward (fallen arches), which is the opposite of the way my knee points. Therefore this puts added pressure on your knee and instead of your bone or something (uh, yeah, I'm not a doctor) moving nice and smoothly through your femur bone, it tends to snap across it which can cause a popping or grinding sound (and my knees grind horribly!).

2. I have incredibly bad hip flexibility. This is why he wanted to shoot me. He said he had the worst until he's seen me. Therefore, I have to fix it or he has to shoot me. I told him I will fix it!

3. I have weak butt muscles (insert your own joke here)! He had me stand on one foot and he put his thumbs on my spine and grabbed my waist. When I stood on my left leg, he said I passed. When I stood on my right leg, he said I failed. I found out that my butt when I stand on my right side dips down instead of staying straight, which means my butt muscles are weak. I wonder if it means though that they are only weak on my right side and I have unbalanced butt muscles?? Hm... Anyway, runner's need a strong butt and core section.

4. Incredibly tight IT band.

To make a long story...uh...long...he told me I could either see a physical therapist or try a few exercises he gives me and see him in about 3-4 weeks. He said with the exercises he gives me, I should show an 85% improvement within 3 weeks. I think I may just try that first instead of physical therapy.

TREATMENTS
1. One exercise that I have to do is to strengthen a muscle on the knee. The doctor pressed down on the side of my knee with his finger and said "Flex this muscle." My response was "Uh, muscle? Uh, I don't know how!" He said "Exactly!" Frankly, I didn't know that there was a muscle there to flex! I basically have to do the following exercise 50x in the morning and 50x in the evening with both legs every day. It is called the Terminal Knee Extension. The exercise can be described as follows:   "To perform a terminal knee extension exercise on the floor, sit upright with your leg straight and place a rolled-up towel, foam roller or other cylinder-shaped object under your knee. Flex your toes toward your shins and straighten you knee as far as possible." The doctor told me to focus on lifting the leg up by pushing the knee downward. Here is a video I found on you tube but I do it sitting up.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as0u8caBrXA

2. The other exercise I have to do is a stretch for my hips. This is called Psoas re-sets. The Psoas is a muscle at your hip. For stability and to make sure I'm not turning my body, I have to stand facing a wall with my hands on the wall for stability. When I get better at it, I don't have to hold on to the wall. Then simply, take one leg and while keeping it straight, lift it to the back as far as I can and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat 1 time. Then bend the leg at a 90 degree angle and repeat the exercise 2x. I have to do this stretch with both legs 5 times a day every day.

3. Arch supports or motion control running shoes. Basically the running shoes that I got fitted for at a running store prior to marathon training are the wrong shoes. They are cushion shoes and I need motion control shoes that won't let my foot/arch fall inward. He said right now to just by some arch support inserts and next time I get new running shoes, buy motion control ones. I actually believe the trail running shoes I purchased are motion control shoes with good arch supports.

NOTE: He said the Patellar Tendon Strap was probably a very good thing for me to use while marathon training and running the marathon because it absorbed some of the stress that would have otherwise have gone to my knee due to the arch issue.

FINAL OUTCOME
I'm a badass! Ok, maybe not a badass! The good new is that I can run. He said there is no problem with me continuing to run! He said just try to go at a slightly slower pace for now until I do some of these exercises.

MORAL OF THE STORYIf you have a pain and it doesn't go away, see a doctor. And for runners, see a doctor that knows about running. I feel much better now that I saw the doctor and can get exercises to help me prepare for my upcoming marathon training!

Women's Self Defense Seminar

2011-12-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, my cousin Toni and I went to a Women's Self Defense Seminar. I saw the link for this seminar posted on facebook on one of my running groups group pages. I've always wanted to go to one of these seminars and thought this was a great time! There was a Christmas special he was offering, $10 for 2.5 hours! Sweet!

At first I was a little freaked out to find that it was in a residential neighborhood instead of in a gym somewhere. Then I found it was in someone's garage. I was wondering how serious this was going to be. Also, my cousin and I got there right at 2:00 when it was supposed to start, we were trying to get there early but that didn't happen. When we walked in, there were no other women there, just 4 guys! Uh, yeah, we were a little freaked out. But then the women showed up and the instructor started the class.

The point of the seminar is not to learn all kinds of kickboxing moves. The point of it is to learn some moves that you may be able to use in order to defend yourself if you are being attacked. They are defensive moves. Back when I was about 11 years old, my dad signed my brother and myself up for some Judo classes (we went to like 8-16 weeks, I can't remember because it was a long time ago). Judo is a defensive form of martial arts that is supposed to subdue or immobilize someone. This self defense class was a combination of different defensive martial arts, including Judo. Therefore, I remembered the purpose of it and some of the moves I learned way back when.

The fun part? We actually practiced on live people! When appropriate, they wore helmets, pads and cups for protection. A few things we learned:

1. The wrist grab - if someone grabs your wrist, you pull your arm towards where their thumb is and twist out of the hold. This will work for either arm.

After you remove your arm, you can try to defend yourself (basically hurt or immobilize your attacker so you can get away). So the next thing we learned is to poke their eyes with our thumbs. After that, take the bottom part of the palm of your hands and hit your attacker repeatedly in the face with force moving them backward. Now, you can either get away or do my favorite...kick in the groin! Ouch!

2. Grab from behind - if they grab you from behind, there are a few things to do. The first, if their arms around around your body and arms, you do a move that resembles the superman! You thrust your butt back as hard as you can as you fling your arms forward (in kind of a superman position). Then to immobilize them, you take your elbows (reminder, they are behind you) and elbow them in the ribs/chest several times as hard as you can, then do a backward kick (cuz we can and we are awesome!).

If they grab you from behind but your arms are free, you put your hands into fits and hit the tops of their hands with your knuckles as hard as you can (it really does hurt) and they will let go. Then repeat the above steps (elbow and kick).

3. If they are coming at you to grab at your neck - Poke them in the eyes with your thumbs before they grab you! Then grab behind their heads and pull down. Take your knees and knee them twice in the chest. The next is hard to explain but you cub one hand by their chin and the other at the top of your head and twist them down to the ground.

4. Grab around neck from behind - take both of your hands and pull their arm down a little (so they don't choke you). Step with one foot to the side of them and simply bend over. They will do a little flip and end up on the ground. Then you can take your foot and slam it into their ribs.

There may have been more things we learned. These were just some basics. He actually had us each stand in the center of the mat for 3 minutes while the "attackers" came at us from the front or back and we had to try to defend ourselves using our new moves. It was a little intimidating at first to think we had to do this for 3 minutes! It seemed like it would be such a long time! Actually it went by quicker than I expected.

Our instructor then put together a video montage of us doing our 3 minutes. I have attached the You Tube video montage! Note, the face masks are pretty hard but we were getting so much into it and afterwards, I had a sore side of my hand from the hammer punches to the mask and it got all bruised and swollen! lol

The lady in the yellow shirt was awesome! Basically she towered over these attackers and just started pushing them out of her way. Pretty funny! I'm in the purple t-shirt. My cousin is in the gray v-neck with sweatpants. Enjoy! See if you can recognize the moves I explained above! Look closely and you will see some groin kicks!!

All in all, we had a great time and learned some great moves. Will we remember to use them if being attacked? Hopefully we will never have to find out. But the key is to just do something! There is no real wrong way to defend yourself. If it gets the attacker away from you, you did the right move! Maybe I'll have to test it out on some of my dates!

Was I being punked?

2011-12-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

Off topic blog post: Dating 101

First, let me apologize to my blogger friends that are also my facebook friends as you may have heard some of this already. Of course, have no fear, I will poor my heart and soul out on here and give you ALL the nitty-gritty details!

It's no secret I'm not married. It's also no secret that I HATE dating! Especially in my early 30's! It's fun in your 20's as there are no expectations of "Why aren't you married yet." I imagine it's fun in your 40's or 50's as I would think people have moved past the fact that you aren't married. But in your 30's? You get this a lot: Why aren't you married? What's wrong with you? Are you crazy? Are you gay? (Yes, it's true, people think it, they just may not vocalize it, although I have had it vocalized too! lol).

There is this underlying assumption and expectation that by a certain age (usually no later than 30), you should be married, about to be married (aka engaged), at least in a serious relationship that will eventually end with engagement and marriage, or at least have a kid (even out of wedlock)! lol. If you are single and 30, there must be something wrong with you!

So in true form, after my last relationship didn't work out (aka Mr. Nebraska), I decided to get back into it fairly quickly by joining Match.com. I soon realized that it was a mistake. I thought I was ready to date or at least it would help me forget about Mr. NE. It didn't. And a few months into it, I realized every single person that showed interest in me, I turned down. I did try to show interest in a few others with no luck. But as some family/friends pointed out, I wasn't giving ANYONE a chance. I would see their email and roll my eyes and either dismiss it altogether or respond with a polite "not interested" email. (With Match.com you can pay for 6 months and get an additional 6 months free. But with this you have to send at least 5 emails to new people every month. Therefore, I would use my "rejection emails" to people as part of my 5 emails so I wouldn't have to pay for the second 6 months).   It's a way to cheat the system! lol

After about 4-5 months of this, and with the suggestion of my cousin, I decided to give one a chance. My cousin was thrilled ~~and told me to get drunk, naked and make bad decisions or at least naughty ones~~. We will call him Mr. Lithuanian (my cousin and I always give them names so it's easier to remember them by, i.e. Veggie Man, Marathon Man, etc.). Mr. Lithuanian made reference to a Lithuanian dish they were eating on Thanksgiving, hence the name.

DATE DAY. It wasn't confirmed we were going out that day. I emailed him with the suggestion of going out that day (Sunday) or next weekend. He emailed me at about 10:00 a.m. telling me he was going to call me in a "few moments." I guess that meant about 3:00 p.m. (problem #1). Fine, I'll look past that. He was watching the Bears game with his dad. He asked me if I wanted to go out for and early dinner "like right now." Uh, sure...I'll be up for that. We decided to meet at 4:30 (as I was traveling out his way). He suggested meeting in a church parking lot and taking a walk to look at Christmas lights on the way to the restaurant and then also walking back a different way to look at more. I thought that sounded kind of nice!

Wait, did I tell you want almost the first thing he said to me was on the phone? After the initial, "Hi, this is (Mr. Lithuanian), he proceeds to ask me, "Why aren't you married? What's wrong with you? Are you crazy? I assume you are relatively intelligent so what's the deal?" To which I respond, "What? Why aren't you married?" Turns out he was joking as he proceeded to ask me if I had good balance, etc. I was just a little taken aback (this should be problem #2 but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since I'm incredibly sarcastic myself).

I rush to get there on time. I was actually about 2 minutes late. I assumed he would be there already because he said he lived right by this place. I hate being late on a date! Well, it turns out he was late, at least 10 minutes (problem #2 but I can easily overlook this!).   He also mentioned on the phone that he would bring some hot tea (since I mentioned I liked tea) for our walk (ok, bonus point #1).

We get there and go on our walk. It was getting dark at this point and I probably should have been walking in a more well lit area but I didn't feel threatened by him and I had just gotten down with my self defense class the day more (more on Self Defense 101 next post) so I felt I could take him out! lol

Our walk was ok. It was kind of a little too long with not enough Christmas lights to see. Luckily the weather wasn't too cold so I wasn't completely freezing! He did go past houses and make comments on who lives there, what is up with them, etc. lol. Ok so he knows the area well. There were no sidewalks to walk on and we had to make sure we didn't get hit by a car on the way!

Finally we get to the restaurant which was Italian food (bonus point #2 for picking Italian). Normal date conversation proceeds.  After dinner, well of course the bill comes. He doesn't say anything when he looks at it and proceeds to mess around with getting money out. Now, what I typically do it offer to pay for my half. What I expect on a first date is for him to tell me, "Oh no, I got this! Don't worry about it!" So here is what happened:

Mr. Lithuanian: (Reaches in pocket for money)
Me: Oh well, I'll pay for half!
Mr. L: Ok.
Me: (Completely speechless, would have started to laugh if he weren't there)
Me: Oh well, I wasn't sure what your thoughts are on that topic.
Mr. L: (Says nothing).

Uh, really? He just let me pay for half? On the first date? (Problem #3 and 4...because it's such a big problem!). I have no mind paying for myself when we are several dates in. But I think the way it goes on a first date is: he offers to pay, female offers to pay for half, he definitely DOES NOT let his female date pay for half! He even came back after leaving the tip, had $2 left and gave one to me and kept one.

Fine. I got an inside chuckle out of this and we left. Walked back a different way that had more sidewalks ~~so as not to get run over~~. He proceeded to tell me where he went to elementary school, which window was his third grade class and what his teachers name was, showed me where just about all his old childhood friends lived and gave me their names (first and last), showed me where he used to skateboard, etc. Really, I am NOT making this up! (I really think this is Problem #5 actually!).

I could tell he was trying to get a feel for my comfort level with him as while giving me a rundown on his childhood, he was more touchy with my arms and even tried to put his arm around my shoulders and keep it there for a minute. I made sure to keep my hands nice and warm in my pockets so there would be no attempt for him to grab one!

I forgot to give you problems #6, 7, and 8! He lives with his parents! He's 35 and lives with his parents! Ok, he has a semi-good reason for this: he cut back on his work and is getting his PhD. But really, in my opinion, at 35 years old you should NOT move back in with your parents unless you ABSOLUTELY have to! (It really does put a wrench in dating, btw). In this day and age and with the economy, some good reasons are: you temporarily got laid off, your parents are ill and you need to care for them, your parents lost their job and you are helping them out...

We finally get back to our cars after ~~making it through his entire childhood~~ looking at Christmas lights. I was relieved because I really had to use the bathroom (note to self: always use the bathroom before you leave the restaurant). We talked a little more by the cars and he asked if I wanted to go bowling next time (since I said I liked bowling and he does too). I said sure as I try not to be too judgmental (can you tell?) and thought I would give him another chance.

Now before the awkward end of a date where someone is deciding if they should go in for a goodnight kiss, I usually make it a habit of going in for a goodnight hug! I also make it a habit of turning my head so as there is no question I am not interested in said "goodnight kiss". So in true form, I go in for my hug, he plants a big kiss on my cheek (lol) and gives me a bear hug of all bear hugs that I didn't think he would ever let me go! And in which I thanked him for dinner (I should have instead thanked him for letting me pay for my half of dinner) and the walk and said goodnight and which he finally let me go! I got in my car played with a few things, turned my car on and looked up to see him half hanging out of his car waving at me! Uh...of course I waved back! You can't not no matter how strange that is.

I mean, seriously! Am I being punked here? Where is Ashton Kutcher? Where is Candid Camera? Where? Where I ask you! It's got to be here somewhere!

Of course, he texted me later to thank me for the date and to inform me of a good Hallmark Christmas movie that was going to be on at 9:00 p.m. that night. lol. (Really, where are the cameras?)

Did I miss anything here? I really don't think so. That just about sums it up. Yes, I will give it another chance. First dates can be weird, especially blind first dates! I really don't think my opinion will change much but hey, you never know. Maybe he will let me pay for the entire second date??

December 1st? Goals!

2011-12-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

(First, my friend Kelly was featured on Run, Jodi, Run's blog. You can check out her post here!).

Wow! It's December 1st already? Where has this year gone? (And if you find out where 2009 and 2010 went, let me know that too, ok?).

Many people this time of year say Adios, Ciao, Au Revoir, Sayonara to healthy eating and exercise! I see it every year at the gym and at my weight watchers meetings. The gyms become a ghost town. My meeting centers will contain about 6 die hard members!

Not me! I always think this is the BEST time of the year to incorporate these healthy lifestyle goals! Eating healthy is not about the 1 or 2 holiday meals you eat, or the night you get together with your friends to celebrate, or even your work party lunch/dinner. There are 31 days in the month of december.

Yes, there are parties. Yes, you have to spend time Christmas shopping (unless you are one of those crazy black friday shoppers that get it all done before December! Who are you people!). Yes, you have to spend time decorating your house and tree. But with 31 days in the year? Even if you only ate right 20 days out of 31 days. Even if you worked out 15 days out of 31. Isn't that better than nothing?

What better way to not feel guilty about that Christmas dinner than with a little run? Or an exercise class? Or some weights at the gym? Or even just a walk with family or friends? You can gain 10 lbs, you can remain the same, or you may be able to lose a little weight (if that's your goal).

So, these are my goals for December
1. Get back in touch with my online weight watcher group of ladies I know. In doing this, they create challenges to help you maintain your healthy eating goals. I plan on doing their December challenge, which essentially means counting my points, getting in the required amount of water, dairy, um...I forget what else! See! I need help! lol. Oh well, eating grains and protein, etc. Oh and exercise!....brings me to #2...

2. I am going to do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 6 days a week. Now, this can be 30 minutes of hard exercise at the gym or 30 minutes of walking or anything in between. As long as I do extra movement for 30 minutes, I'm covered. The only exception I'm going to make is that I'm not going to count my walk to the train in the morning. I feel like that could be cheating!

As for running, well, I said it before. That's going on hold temporarily. I did make a doctor appointment just to have my ankle and my knee/IT band checked out. But the appt is in 2 weeks. I think the rest will do some good. Although it will do some "not so good" as I will be a little out of running shape when I get back into it. My aches and pains are completely minor at this point. The doctor appointment is just a preventative measure so I don't make things go from minor to not-so-minor.

Actually, I almost didn't make the appointment. Sometimes I feel it's not bad. It's hardly anything! Maybe it will heal itself and just go away. But I listened to others and I think at least seeing the doctor is good. I'll keep you posted!

Have a good December! What are your goals?

Being Smart

2011-11-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! I spent the day at my cousin Angel and Brent's house. Also in attendance were my Aunt and Uncle, my parents and a few "strays" (their word, not mine!) They always invite a former neighbor. This year there was also another strange man there. I still don't know which family member he knew and I don't even remember his name. Since it was a small crowd this year, it's always nice to have a few more people there. There was the usual Thanksgiving grub. I managed to only make one trip to the table. I thought I did pretty well with the food except an hour later, I felt like I ate 4 lbs of food! I didn't even eat the pie (I took it home because I can't pass up my Aunt's homemade pumpkin pie and homemade peach pie with peaches she picked herself)! How does this always happen?

I did have a turkey trot run on Thanksgiving morning. It was a hilly 4 miles. I decided that I was going to take it easy. I wasn't trying to break any records. So I just jogged along. I don't even remember my finishing time right now. I'm sure it's just a click away on the computer but when you know you did crappy time-wise, you really just don't care! My pace ended up about 10:50's. Eh...

Friday, I went into work ALL day. Technically we were closed but my boss was going on vacation the following day and we needed to get stuff finished for a deadline.

Saturday, my friend Brenda invited me over to her house for a late Thanksgiving. When she asked me on Friday, I really didn't want to go for more turkey! I was still stuffed from Thursday's meal! But I couldn't refuse as I don't see her often and I'm godmother to her 8 month old daughter. It's a good thing I went because her mother cancelled and her brother and his family cancelled! So it ended up being just Brenda, her husband Anthony and myself! Oh, and let's not forget the 20 pound turkey! FOR 3 PEOPLE!

Sunday, I had a baptism to attend for one of my other cousins Tina. Her baby Nicholas was born a month ago and I hadn't seen him yet. One word: Adorable!

Also on Sunday, I went to my other cousin (whoa, lots of cousins!) Jessie's house. We want to start eating healthy again (although she is pregnant and has some leeway here! lol) so we made a vegetable soup and a roasted red pepper hummus. Two words: SO GOOD! The hummus is the best batch we have ever made!

Now for running. On Saturday, I went for a run in the morning. I've done 6 miles on Saturday recently so I thought I would keep with the 6 for my long runs for now. Needless to say, when I started running, the same old issues arose. The IT band around my knee area was bothering me immediately. Also, my ankle has never felt better for the older issues I was having. As I have been doing lately, I thought I would just run through the pain. It usually goes away or I just run anyway. I noticed after a mile that I was running slow (about 10:30 min miles). I thought about shortening up my run, thinking of doing 4 or 5 miles (instead of 6). Since my knee was continuing to bother me, I decided to just do 4 miles, 2 out and 2 back. When I got 2 out, I decided to walk for a minute. While walking, this is what went through my mind:

Why are you running? Your knee and ankle aren't any better! If you keep running for the next month, it won't get better and you will not be able to train for the spring marathon like you wanted! You should just stop right now! Don't be stupid and injure yourself more!

So I decided to walk home. After cutting some corners, it probably ended up being about a 1.5 mile walk. Needless to say, I was pretty depressed on my walk. After thinking about not running for a month and possibly seeing a doctor in the meantime, I started to cry. (Unfortunately, this wasn't going to be the only time that day I cried!).

Now, I feel like such a big baby when I cry over little things. But I was frustrated and I have a tendency to cry when I'm frustrated. And having to walk 1.5 miles home, I was left with my thoughts, which were pretty depressed at that moment! During the walk, I did stop crying. But 5 minutes later, I said to myself, "All I want to do is run!" And I started crying again! Haha! I can laugh now because it is pretty funny looking back on it.

So the plan is to be smart. I'm going to stop running temporarily and contact a doctor. I asked my marathon pace leader for a recommendation and she mentioned a doctor not far from where I live that she went to before who is also a marathoner. I might look into that.

By the way, the other time I cried that day? Let's just say it involved me and my tire. Again, nothing serious. Just frustrated!

Today, I'm so sick! My stomach is so upset. I've barely eaten anything all day. I would have stayed in bed but I have to finish up work for a deadline today. I'll probably skip out a little early. I'm also contemplating not coming in tomorrow. I'll see how things go. All I want to do right now is curl up in a little ball in my bed and not move! Guess I have to cancel my personal training for tonight.

New Goal Changes

2011-11-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

The title of my blog has really been bothering me. When I started the blog, the title meant "getting to my weight goal" since I had been struggling with losing the same 10 lbs for a year! It worked! I made my goal!

So after that...my new goal was the marathon! For about 10 months, the title of my blog was "Get to Goal - 2011 Chicago Marathon". Well, that's over. I finished. By the way, look what I got in my email!

That's right! It's really official now!

What I want to do is get some sort of frame and put my bib, medal, picture and possible this certificate (although that might just go in a scrap book of some kind). But I'm not a crafty person so I hope to get on this soon!

Back to the title of my post. I could continue to try to get back down to my weight goal, since I put on a few pounds. I could count down to my next marathon, but I haven't made that official yet so I don't want to do that.

I don't know what goal I'm trying to get to now!

I know some people completely change their entire blog and restart completely over. I don't want to do that either! I guess I just have to get my mindset right. I need to figure out the next important step in my life! Maybe "Get to Goal - finding the perfect husband!" lol!

I am also rethinking doing a Triathlon this coming year. It's something I really want to do but the other thing I really want to do is two marathons. I think with the training for the marathons, I won't be properly trained for a triathlon. But I'll continue to think about it. If I don't do the triathlon in 2012, maybe 2013.

Switching gears. My new trainer, Jordan, is not a runner. In fact, on the last training day with Mike, she was observing and said "I don't like to run." Yesterday, after mentioning my hilly 6 miles last weekend and my upcoming hilly 4 mile turkey trot, she said she wanted to do a 5k but has never done one and is a little nervous (she then said she did run a little but not since starting at this gym). She said she didn't want to do a 5k alone. I told her I would do one with her. She seemed excited and actually wanted to know about the upcoming 5k I was thinking about doing on December 18th. I told her I would give her the info. My only issue is that I was thinking of trying to PR. But if she signed up, I would be running with her. So I might not be going for a PR then. Although, she might actually be a fast runner and I could still PR!

I just thought it was ironic and kind of nice to be helping my trainer with something instead of the other way around! We will see if she actually signs up for her very first 5k!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

**Don't forget to check out my friend Kelly's new running blog! Click here!

Back!

2011-11-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

Hi my fellow blogger friends? Did you miss me? No need to answer, I know you did!!

First, let me share a new running blog with you. My friend Kelly started a new running blog! Check it out here and show her some support! You may remember Kelly from this post. Hope she didn't mind me posting that! Too late now! I met Kelly at the start of my marathon training group. We were both first time marathon runners. She's definitely not new to running. And it's been great getting to know and run with her. I've said it before, running friends are awesome!

Now for vacation talk. Have you ever been on a cruise? This was my first time being on a cruise. It's a strange feeling not having anywhere to go. You are stuck! It was fun though. It went out of Long Beach, CA and we sailed to Catalina and Ensenada. We didn't have my time on Catalina. My friend Wayne and I decided to spend it zip lining! I've always wanted to do this and now was the opportunity!

Wayne and I

Me zip lining!!

We had a great time! We were nervous at first. Wayne was nervous because he was afraid of heights. I was nervous because there is actually SO MUCH you have to know in order to go zip lining! Things to do and not to do! But I didn't mess up and we lived to write about it! And we got to bring our cameras which is how we got these wonderful pictures!

Ensenada could have been better. There wasn't much to do. We did a little sightseeing and more drinking (lol).

I did manage to work out twice on the ship. Yes, I'm one of those ~~crazy workout freaks~~ dedicated workout people that works out on vacation. One day I ran 3 miles on the track at the top of the ship. I hate running in circles but with the gorgeous day and the fantastic view, there was no way I was heading to the gym!

The running track (around a mini golf course)

The view I had while running!!

I mean seriously! Could the view be any better?

On Thursday I did manage to go to the gym. This is a picture of the view that you get on the treadmills.

Also not a bad view!

Here are a few more random vacation pictures.

The cruise ship

The entire group. We went for a wedding of my friends cousin.

So, that's the vacation in a very small nutshell! Eating, drinking...more eating...more drinking. Do you see a theme?

With that said, I really need to get back to the healthier eating! I've definitely gained some weight and I feel it! I can't use the marathon excuse anymore! So I've got to hit the bricks! It's just so hard to get back into it when you have fallen so far off the deep end! lol

I also ran a couple of runs since you saw me last. The first was the hot chocolate 5k. Due to an incident, the course was rerouted at the last minute. The results came in and my time was 29:49. I was NOT too thrilled but chalked it up to a few factors: it was very crowded and I hadn't run much since the marathon due to my ankle. Later, I came to find out the course turned out to be 3.25 miles instead of 3.1. So they estimated our 5k results and my estimated 5k time turned out to be 28:26. Better but not a PR.

Then I ran a 5k in my neighborhood. The Tinley Park 5k. This was a run that I PR'd in last year (which is my current PR of 27:55). I had my heart all set on earning a new PR! Well, they changed the course, it was super windy, etc. Needless to say, I did NOT PR. I was extremely upset. I gave that run all I had but only mustered a 28:19. Sigh!

So, my new goal is to PR at a 5k! lol. I'm going to sign up for a run in December although I'm unsure which one.

Hope you all have been having a fantastic November. I can't believe it's almost over and Thanksgiving is next week already!

On the Horizon

2011-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a nice Halloween yesterday! Can you believe it's already November 1st! Where did this year go?

First of all, I'm giving a shout out to my poor friends in the East who had SNOW! Ahhhhh!!!!! That word should never come in October! Ever! I'm just glad it didn't come here! I'm not ready for it.

Well, I'm going to be a busy girl! All fun stuff, of course! I have scheduled 3 short runs this month and I'm going on vacation next week (much needed!!).

First, let me tell you on the happenings with my ankle. I cut it off. Yup. That solved the problem. No really, I went to a free screening with a physical therapist that I have access to through my run group. After several exercises, she told me that I have incredibly flexible ankles and feet. I do remember my podiatrist telling me once that I have really flexible toes (the best he's ever seen! Whatever that means) and asked if I was a dancer. Uh, can I get a "hell no!" Definitely not a dancer!

So I have really flexible ankles. She said it almost appears that I have absolutely no ligaments in my ankle with how far they bend, but of course, I do have ligaments. Well, as much as you think flexibility is a good thing, apparently too much flexibility in your ankles in a bad thing. You are more prone to injuries because your ankles are weaker. And actually, the ankle that hurts was one that I injured at college ~~dancing drunk on tables~~ in a parking garage due to uneven pavement.

But I've laid off of running for 2 weeks hoping to see an improvement. I think it did help but I still feel the injury. The therapist said as long as the pain stays low (level 3 or less out of 10), she said I should be fine to run. I did a short 2 mile treadmill run after my personal training yesterday.

I'm almost a little afraid to run though. I was really nervous the first mile of my run yesterday. I think I just need to get back on that horse. After all, I signed up for a 5k this weekend.

After much peer pressure from a friend and my old trainer, I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 5k in Chicago this Saturday. I mean, the name says it all! Chocolate! A girls best friend! That and diamonds. lol

I did the Hot Chocolate last year but it was the 15k that they have. I did not sign up for the 15k this year. Too much for me right now. Needless to say, you get chocolate in your goodie bag, chocolate after the run (fondue) and hot chocolate. It was so cold last year that I actually ended up getting sick from the run! I think it's going to be about 20 degrees warmer this year.

Next week, I'm going on vacation! A cruise! I've never been on a cruise and I'm super excited! It's out of Long Beach and goes to Catalina and Ensenada. A friend invited me. They are going because of a family wedding and he has to pay for 2 tickets regardless of whether he brings someone or not, so I was the lucky invitee! I know him and his sister (I've been friends with them since I was in 6th or 7th grade) so at least I know a few people there. I will definitely post on how the cruise goes!

So I have the hot chocolate run before I leave, and I have a turkey trot run, the Sunday after I get back! No room for the lazy! Actually, the cruise ship has a gym and I'm crazy enough to use it. I do work out on vacation!

Then I have another turkey trot (4 miles) on Thanksgiving morning. Is it just me or is the best time for a run Thanksgiving morning! You know you will eat a lot of food that day no matter how hard you try not to. I love running on Thanksgiving morning!

So, that's my November happenings in a nutshell! Let's just hope the weather stays decent and that horrible 4 letter S word stays away until at least December!

Injuries and Goals

2011-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

INJURIES

First of all, let me say I've been a little uninspired! I think it's a normal feeling to have after training for such a huge goal as a marathon and then it's over and, then what? So I'm trying to get my mojo back. Let's just say it's difficult right now because I've banned myself from running for a little while.

I've had a pesky sore ankle since about 2 weeks before the marathon (which makes it now about 4 weeks). It doesn't hurt all the time and it's not even a major pain. It really doesn't hurt when I run but that doesn't really mean anything. So, I've taken the advice of my trainer and decided to give it a rest. It's been about 1 week since I've run (although I only ran 1 mile and 2 miles last week). I'll give it a rest through this week and see how it feels. I really don't want to stay away from running though and may take it back up next week.

I've toyed with the idea of going to the doctor but that's no fun! lol. Actually, I really do think it's just minor and needs rest. So going to the doctor would be a waste of time, in my opinion. But I may consider it if it doesn't seem to get better or gets worse.

I did call the injury prevention and rehabilitation number that we had through our running group, so I'm just waiting for a call back from them.

Another injury? That pesky IT band. Can we just get rid of that? Do we need it? Anyway, my knee was hurting and after telling my trainer and mentioned where it hurt, he said it was the IT. First of all, I didn't realize that that knee pain could be IT related! So we did some stretching for it. You may find me occasionally sitting on the floor at work stretching it! I hope no one sees me! Haha!

GOALS

Other than that, I have some pretty lofty goals for next year. I want to try to do two different marathons. I was thinking of doing one in late April/beginning of May. Then another in October (most likely Chicago again). I also want to try a triathlon. I'm undecided if I should do a sprint one or regular one. The biking part is what gets me. But I will check out all triathlons and see what the dates are and decide which works best with my schedule and go from there.

Combine all of this with the Warrior Dash in June and a few half marathons sprinkled in...it's looking pretty busy. I will keep you all informed on how my schedule ends up looking.

Life After...

2011-10-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Life after the marathon. What can I say? It's been a strange feeling. I was working out minimally the first week. I didn't run. Personal training was light. My eating was still not stellar.

For me, working out is a stress reliever. It puts me in a good mood. If I've been grumpy all day, I kick my butt in the gym or running and I feel 10x better!

But I really wanted to work on recovering so I didn't want to push the activity. But...

Minimal activity + less-than-stellar eating = depressed Mandy!

Yes, I like to use my nickname when I talk about myself in the 3rd person.

After talking with my personal trainer Mike (more on him in a minute), I was complaining about my lack of self control with my eating/snacking. He always preaches about eating good. So I finally asked him, "What did you eat today?"

Mike's menu: Oatmeal with raspberries/blueberries, Fiber One Bar, Turkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread (loaded with veggies), yogurt, veggie burrito bowl from Chipotle (no cheese/sour cream, light guac and brown rice). What!?! Brown Rice? Apparently they have brown rice now! Sweet!! lol.

Anyway, the moral of the story. First of all, that is one healthy menu! Secondly, it sounds delicious to me! I love all that stuff. That's the way I ate (mostly) when I lost all my weight in the first place. And it sounds better than the crap I've been eating that I don't really even care for or like that's high in fat and calories!

So I was completely inspired. Funny how one thing can turn your whole thinking around. It just made me remember that it is possible! Granted, our daily lives are different because he is up all day and has no time to snack, whereas I sit at my desk all day where I can snack whenever I want! But I'm still inspired. So, today has been a good day so far. And I'll make it continue all week.

I really need to focus on my eating right now since I'm not running as much as I was! I went from running 35-40+ miles a week plus personal training plus another day of cross-training to maybe working out 5 hours a week!

But I did have an awesome weekend. Oh wait, the rest of the "Mike" story. He's leaving my gym. I still have PT sessions left for a few months. He does want me to come to the new gym (of course) after I'm done and will give a reduced rate from their normal session price. But I'm not sure I will do that. So he is recommending I get the trainer, Megan. I've seen her workout and she is pretty good. I think it will be a good change for me to work out with a new trainer. I think Mike came into my life at the perfect time, right before marathon training, to help me prepare for the marathon (since he is a marathoner). But I am getting a little tired of some of the sessions, so even though I was sad that Mike said he was leaving because we get along great (sarcasm and back and forth banter), I'm looking forward to a change in my sessions.

Ok, last weekend.

First, my dad's restaurant had a charity chili eating competition between the Chicago Fire Dept and the Police Dept. It went to the charity of their choice. 2/3 to the winning team, 1/3 to the losing team. The Police Dept won. It was a fun competition and the local news channels were there. You did see me on a clip of a few of the news casts but not much. I ended up helping pass the bowls of chili to the firemen when they needed more.

I'm in the green shirt (putting my waitressing skills to good use). My dad is in the back standing up in the black chef's coat. My mom you can barely see, but she is on the upper right, near the doorway looking at the guy with the camera phone.

Anyway, the other part of my weekend? A trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to see my friend Kelly run the marathon. She was the one that ended up not finishing in Chicago the other weekend because she threw up. She wanted to finish a marathon and signed up for Grand Rapids.

In a nutshell, I think she started this marathon out too fast. I saw her at mile 7. I ran with her from 17-18. Then at mile 22, she told me she threw up after mile 18 and couldn't continue running. But being determined to finish, she walked from 18.5 to the finish (I walked from 22-finish with her). She threw up at least another 4 times. I felt really bad but just tried to stay encouraging. She was really grateful I went to help her along. I was really glad too because I wasn't sure if I should or not. But it ended up being only a 2.5 hour drive, and considering the rough time she had, I'm glad I was there to try and help her through it. And she got her medal!

Kelly and I after the run!

Congratulations Kelly! Never gave up!

So, that's life after the marathon. A little dull. A little exciting. Now I just really have to find new goals to work towards. Right now, it's getting my eating in check. And getting ready for my vacation in November! It's a cruise! Nice!!!

2011 Chicago Marathon - Part 2

2011-10-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Part two of my marathon experience started at 4:30 am. My plan was to go to bed by 10:00 pm the evening before. However, I didn’t get home Saturday night until 9:00 pm (after leaving my parents restaurant for dinner). Then, because I’m a procrastinator, I decided that I should make a “2011 marathon” playlist on my phone. See, I had started doing this back in July, but about 1 week ago, I got a new phone. I was able to put some songs back on but never made a new playlist.

After playing with that for an hour, I decided I should at least make an attempt to get my stuff together for the next morning, since I had to get up so early! Finally 10:30 pm rolled around and off to bed I went!

4:30 came too fast! No normal person should have to get up when it’s still that dark outside! But up I was. I carefully put everything I needed to bring into a bag and crossed it off my checklist! I didn’t want to forget anything like I did for my 20-miler (where I forgot my garmin and my headphones!!).

5:15 came and I headed downtown. My plan was to leave at 5:15 to get to my parking area at 5:45. That left me enough time to walk to the hotel where my charity group was going to be at so I can take a team photo.

UPS for DownS Charity Athlete Team Photo

A couple funny stories here. Well, the grapes at the bottom? There really is no good reason for that. These were people from Australia that picked to run for our charity. There was no good reason for the grapes. They just said "We are going to have a 'grape" time" and " 'Raisin' awareness for UPS for DownS." Cute!

The other funny story about this photo? Well, I am smack dab in the middle near the top. No, that's not the funny part! Do you see that my body is slightly turned? Well, we were joking around how horrible it would be to fall off and hurt ourselves right before the marathon. The woman behind me grabbed my arm and said she wasn't going to let me fall (I don't know this woman). I laughed and said thank you...and waited for her to release my arm. And waited... She wasn't going to let me go! So I joked, "I think it's awesome that you are still holding on to me!" hoping that might make her realize to let me go. But no! She said "I'm a mom!" And continued to hold me for the entire photo shoot!! I was actually annoyed but I wasn't going to say anything!...I wanted to say "Look lady! Let go of my arm already!!" lol

Back to the marathon! After the team photo, I went back to the hotel to meet up with my running group (who ironically was at the same hotel as my charity group). I caught up with them and had a nice time finishing getting ready for the marathon...you know, bib on shirt, timing tag on shoe, writing on my arms!

Part of the 10 min mile pace group I ran with all summer.
(Me, Kelly, Christine and our pace leader Jeanne...left to right)

On my arm to remind me to smile at every mile!

Then it was time to go down to the marathon! While running around trying to get to the start (I thought I was supposed to be relaxed!!), my trainer called to find out where I was and what I was wearing. Get your mind out of the gutters people! He wanted to know what I was wearing so he could try to find me before the run!! I kind of said where I was (I really wasn't exactly sure as it was SO chaotic)! He said he was there too! I was not about to look for him! I had to find the start! After about 20 mins and going completely out of our way, who do I run in to? My trainer! We were not in the same location when we talked on the phone! How in the world did we come upon each other with ALL those people there! So he gave me a hug and wished me luck!

My friend Kelly and I were going to start together. We made a pact that if at any time either one of us had to slow down, the other one would keep going and not wait. We were both running our first marathon and wanted to get as good of a time as possible.

Trying to get into the starting area was a nightmare. We couldn't! There were fences to keep runners in the street and spectators outside with only little gaps every now and again to let the runners in. People were trying to hop the fence and we saw one guy get snagged and practically fall over the fence! I was hoping he didn't badly cut himself! Kelly wanted to hop the fence too. I was a little hesitant. For one, I was never good at climbing fences. Secondly, I just saw that guy fall over it! We decided to wait as close to an opening gap as possible. I told her once the line started moving, we would be fine, which is what happened.

After the start sounded, Kelly and I walking to the starting line

And we were off! Kelly and I kept a nice 10:15 pace to start out. We run really well together while pacing ourselves! We weren't going to listen to our music while running together so that when we really needed music, we wouldn't be bored of it by then!

I noticed there was a problem around mile 8. The weather was too warm for a marathon (it was in the upper 60's and sunny by this point and would be in the mid-70's by the finish! With pure sun!!). So around mile 8, Kelly seems to be struggling a bit and simply says, "this is going to be a bad run day for me." During our training, when one of us was having a problem on a long run, we referred to it as a "bad run day." Well, I wasn't happy to hear that from her because we were only at mile 8! I tried giving her a pep talk, "Take deep breaths Kelly. Keep your head up. Slow the pace if you have to." She said she was ok but that soon she would have to back away from me. My parents were going to be around mile 10 and asked if she wanted to try to hang in there until we saw my parents. She said yes. Finally around 10.5, we saw my parents! My dad was almost too slow to snap the picture but he managed to!

Looking and feeling strong at mile 10.5!!

My mom holding the sign for me!

Immediately after seeing my parents, Kelly put her hand out to give me five and told me she was slowing down. I wished her luck, told her to stay positive and keep her head up and went on my way. I didn't want to leave her but that was the pact we made. I just thought it would be the other way around. I always think Kelly is the better runner but as she told me around mile 8, I do better running in the heat than she does. Throughout the whole marathon, my mind always thought of Kelly and hoped she was doing ok.

I felt really strong through the first half! But between mile 15 and 16, I started to struggle just a bit. My quads were starting to feel sore. Also, by mile 15, I received a text from Dave (see my first post, he and Jodi were in from Ohio cheering on some friends of theirs). Read Dave's blog and Jodi's blog to see how it is to be a spectator at the Chicago Marathon.

Anyway, Dave told me he wasn't getting any of my runner tracker information. I told him I was at mile 15. He said he and Jodi were between 16 & 17 and they would look for me. My parents also told me they were between mile 16 & 17 (in fact, they told me to slow down because they couldn't keep up!! Haha!!). So I knew I just had to make it to that point to get some family and friend support. My parents told me they were on the north side of the street. Dave and Jodi told me they were on the right side of the street. I wasn't sure if at that point the street went north/south or east/west. I thought my parents were on the opposite side of the street from Dave and Jodi! And they both said they were right over a bridge. I stayed on the right side when I noticed the street went north/south and that people were on the east or west side of the street (thanks for nothing dad!! haha!). I didn't think I would see my parents because there were so many people around! I took my headphones off so that I could listen if someone yelled my name! And finally I saw them!

See me in the black? In fact, I'm pointing and smiling thinking, "oh there they are!"

Right after my parents gave me some water and wished me luck, I was on my way. And not long after (about 10 seconds), I saw Dave and Jodi. I ran over to say hi and they gave me a little hug and hopped on the course. I was stunned. I didn't know what they were doing. In fact I think I said, "What are you guys doing? ... Are you guys running with me?" And they said they were running with me to mile 18 where they were going to meet their other friends. I was thrilled. To this point, I had people that were supposed to come down and one was supposed to run with me but they backed out at the last minute. So when Dave and Jodi jumped on the course with me, I was so happy!

And in true runner form, they knew exactly what to say, "You are doing great! Need some gu? Do you want to listen to your music? How are you feeling? Are you smiling at every mile? (that would be Dave!")

By the way, I was smiling at every mile. If I didn't smile at the mile marker, I smiled immediately afterwards. I told Dave I needed to smile at mile 17 and he told me we passed it! Ironic because for an entire week, Dave has been harassing (yes Dave, harassing!) me to remember to smile at every mile and the one mile I was with them, I forgot! So I smile a little late and went on with Dave and Jodi.

Mile 18 came and Dave and Jodi gave me a hug and got off the course to wait for their friends. I was sad to see them go because my quads in my legs were starting to get angry at me! Yes, quads can get angry at you! So mile 18.5-19.5, I lost the mojo a little. I started to walk. I went to the bathroom. I tried to mentally regroup. I felt a little like I was quitting because I stopped so soon after running with Dave and Jodi. But after 19.5, I shook it off. I needed to keep running!

Originally my parents were going to be around mile 20, but they had a little mishap with the train and went the wrong way, so they texted me and told me they would be at mile 23. By the way, in Chicago during the marathon, spectators all get around using the trains (aka "El" for elevated trains or Subway if it's underground). My dad snapped a picture of the mayhem of the trains that day!

One of the subway stops. The trains come pretty regularly so it's the best way to get around the marathon.

From mile 20 on, my quads were so sore. I don't even remember any other pain or even being really winded or mentally tired. I just remember that the only reason I ever stopped to walk was because my quads hurt so bad!! Also from mile 20 on, I'm not sure if I smiled at every mile! I tried. I didn't swear at the mile markers like I did during my 20 mile run so that's was a positive!

Coming up on mile 23 and I knew my parents were close! I was going to stop, grab another water and regroup and continue on. In true form, my dad snapped a photo! My favorite photo of my life!!

Mile 23! I look like I'm rocking this marathon out!

Seriously, I look like it's only mile 1 in this picture! I think I'm going to have to frame this one! I love it because it's near the end of the marathon and I have a huge smile on my face! No one needs to know I was hurting and really not this happy at this point! Haha!!

My dad also took a video (which I have to get for you all) at this same point. I did NOT know he was videotaping! He's cheering and all I'm saying is "Do you have water?" When they said it was in the bag and I didn't ask for water ahead of time, I responded "You should be prepared!" lol. Then I waved bye and off I went! My cousin told me later she kept replaying that video for her family because she was shocked that was how I looked at mile 23! She told me I didn't even look like I was tired!

Now, I had texted my trainer because he promised to run the end with me. But after not receiving a text in a while (I knew he was running part with a friend of his), I figured I would not see him and I just had to mentally prepare to run the end by myself.

Mile 24-25 was really hard. I walked often. My legs hurt. It was hot. I was done. I knew the end was near. I ran as much as I could.

In Chicago, 90% of the runs end right after a bridge (aka hill). It's the worse thing ever! I was about mile 26 and here is the bridge (aka hill of death!). I ran up half and started to walk up the other half. So close to the finish, that was the last thing I wanted to do! I didn't want to stop and walk! So at the top of the hill of death, I took a deep breath, told myself I just had to round the corner and run the straight to the finish! It took everything I had to want to start running again.

There was no sprinting to the finish. I didn't care. Did a few seconds really make a big difference at this point? No way! There were signs saying 800 m, 400 m and 200 m (was there a 600 m??). And at the 200 meter sign from the finish, there was a guy on the ground with medics around him. In fact, throughout the whole second half of the race, I saw people down on the ground, going down, throwing up. I didn't care too much about time at that point, I just wanted to remain upright!

And cross the finish I did!! Yay!! I smiled, I didn't cry! I was happy I finished and I was now a "marathoner!!". Then they put the medal around my neck and I almost lost it. I almost started to cry.

My original goal was to finish in about 4:30. I knew that would be difficult and really wanted to try to finish under 4:45. I knew my time was around 4:50. Considering the heat, I was thrilled. I didn't care! I was under 5 hours. When I started training, I just wanted to finish. Then, I thought under 5:30. Then I thought I wanted to finish any where in the 4's! So 4:50 was just fine with me!

The way the marathon was set up at the end was horrible! They had things blocked off to the spectators so it made it difficult to get to my family! I've never seen a run set up like this! I finally got to my parents. They didn't have a lot of time because they had to get back to their respective restaurants but we talked about the run a little and posed for pictures in front of the signs that one of their workers, Kitty, made for me!

They left and I went back to the hotel to meet back with my running group and get my gear. Everyone congratulated me on my first marathon finish. Then I saw my friend Kelly. She tells me that she did not finish and burst into tears. I was shocked! What happened? Kelly is the better runner (in my mind). She said she threw up at mile 15 and they put her on a stretcher, put in an IV and hauled her to medical.

The one thing the marathon doesn't mess around with in Chicago is when runners are ill. Especially when it's that hot. I felt really bad for Kelly. She said after they released her, they dropped her off right by the finish line where she saw people crossing (and she burst into tears again). I hugged her, told her it was ok. I told her it was better to be safe that sorry! I said there are always other marathons. I tried to say all the right things but I knew how disappointed and upset she was and I knew I would feel the same way if the rolls were reversed. It had to be hard for her too because people kept coming up to me to congratulate me and I knew that made her feel horrible. She told me how proud she was of me though and she was glad I had a good first marathon!

So sorry...there's more!

I talked to Dave and they were still waiting for their friends to finish. I decided to head back over to where they were and wait with them. I was glad I was able to catch back up with them before they left and to thank them again for running with me! Running friends and blog friends are so awesome!

Unfortunately for Dave and Jodi, their friends no longer had their phones with them and had no way to contact them. And with the way the marathon was set up, it was virtually impossible to randomly try to find someone. After waiting for a while, they decided maybe they should go back to the hotel and wait for their friends there. As I was walking to my car and only being gone from Dave and Jodi for 5-10 minutes, I hear "AMANDA!" In fact, I heard, "There she is! Amanda!!" I look and it's Dave and Jodi's friends! I was on the phone with my cousin, I told her I had to call her back and immediately told Deb and Mellisa that I just left Dave and Jodi and that I would call them. I called Dave and told him I found his friends. I walked back with Deb and Mellisa to make sure they found Dave and Jodi. I gave them all hugs again and left.

This was Deb's first marathon and she was running for Determination for Cancer in memory of her mom. Mellisa had run several marathons before and has also done triathlons (can you say "great shape!!"). Deb was a little upset on how her marathon went, she finished later than she wanted and wasn't feeling well from a cold. I think she did awesome! I mean, she ran a marathon! That's more than most people did that day!

I showered and went home. I mean, I went home and showered! lol. Then my cousins picked me up to go to my parent's restaurant for my marathon meal! I usually try to eat healthy and there are things there I never eat! I decided to have...a mint chocolate chip shake, 3 hot wings and 3 poppers (it helps to know the owners!!), and a cheeseburger! Delish!

Oh I forgot to mention. You know how I said Dave didn't get my runner tracker updates? In fact, no one got mine! Later that day, I got worried, what if my shoe tag wasn't working! What if it didn't register any of my times?? In fact, that's exactly what happened. There were no results online for me! It was as if I didn't even run the marathon! I emailed the marathon peeps and two days later emailed them again. They responded and said they were reviewing these on a case by case basis and would let me know.

I was pretty upset. I knew I ran it. I knew I finished. I had the medal and the pictures! And everyone kept telling me the same thing! But I still wanted it to be official.

I didn't think the marathon peeps (yes that's their name) would do anything about it. So I talked myself into believing it was ok. But Wednesday I got an email saying...

"Congratulations from Bank of America on finishing the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! Your recorded finish time was 4:53:06 and you placed 21771 out of 35,628 finishers."

I was at work and was in a meeting and when I returned to my desk, that is what I saw! I literary said out loud, "You have got to be kidding me!" Then I almost started to cry! If I wasn't at work, I would have! I went and told my co-workers what happened and they could tell how happy I was. They were thrilled for me!

By the way, I forgave my trainer for not running with me. He did a great job training me and preparing me for the marathon (even when I didn't know it). He's not my marathon trainer, he is just a personal trainer. I just got lucky that he runs marathons and knew the proper way to train me so I was as prepared as possible for the marathon.

So my official time is 4:53:06! I'll take it! I had a great first marathon experience and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I was thrilled that I felt as good as I did throughout the marathon too. My half marathons are worse than that! lol.

So it's official. I will definitely do more marathons! I wish I could do another one right now! And a side note, my friend Kelly signed up to do a Grand Rapids marathon this weekend to try to claim her marathon glory! I'll be rooting for her from afar!!

Now I just have to figure out my next goal and update the title of my blog!

A little side note, remember from last post that I was nervous and didn't think I could do a marathon. I didn't think my knees would hold up. I didn't think I could do it if my cousins didn't come down and physically help me do it?

I realized that I could do it. I just had to put in the effort and believe in myself. I never ever thought I could run a marathon. I mean, really. I never ever thought I would ever be able to do it and I was never going to even try!! And I did! I ran it! And I finished. The next day a friend of mine said my statement reminded her of a wizard of oz story... It's as follows:

Dorothy: Oh, will you help me? Can you help me?

Glinda, the Good Witch: You don’t need to be helped any longer. You’ve always had the power to go back to Kansas.
Dorothy: I have?
Scarecrow: Then why didn’t you tell her before?
Glinda, the Good Witch: Because she wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.

Chicago Marathon 2011 Recap - Part 1

2011-10-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

The weekend for the Chicago Marathon 2011 was finally here. For 18 weeks, I followed a training program running 4 days a week starting with 15 total weekly miles and ending with a total of 40 weekly miles. Until this training program, I typically ran 2-3 days per week max!

My fears when embarking on my marathon challenge were the following:

1. Will my bad knees hold up?

2. Will my bad feet hold up?

3. Will I actually be able to run 4 times per week?

4. How will I ever survive the long runs from 16 miles to 20 miles because I can’t run that far!

5. I will never be able to run a full marathon!

I would say my first concern was my knees and feet. I didn’t want to permanently injure myself. I did buy the Patellar Knee Straps for both knees as soon as my long runs hit double digits. I believe they really did help. If I didn’t wear them on my shorter runs, my knees were really sore later that evening.

Now for the questions of whether I would be able to run those really long runs and would I really be able to run a marathon? The thing that really helped me was the training runs and my group long runs. I’ve never followed a training program before and I’ve never really had running friends. The training program is designed so that you gradually build up your endurance so you ARE able to run the longer runs. Who knew? It actually worked!

And running with my new training group was one of the best things I could have done. I made some new running friends. It also provided me with support and encouragement during the really long tough runs that I never thought I could accomplish. Sometimes I needed encouragement from someone in my group and sometimes a friend in the group actually needed my encouragement!

The week leading up to the marathon had me on edge. I was disappointed some people weren’t going to be there at the marathon for me. It really rattled my nerves. It got me thinking, “If they don’t come to support me, I may not be able to do it!” Serioulsy, that crossed my mind, more than one time! Once I got that thinking out of my head and realized that the marathon is for ME and no one else, I was the one that put the 18 weeks of training in, and the only way for me to get through the marathon was to KNOW that I could do it, my week got easier. Less stress, more excitement. I didn’t want to be upset leading up to my very first marathon!

I went to the Health and Fitness Expo to get my packet on Friday. Later that evening, I had my charity pasta dinner. I had an amazing time and the event always makes you feel like a very special person because you are doing an amazing thing by running and raising money for a great charity.

Some of the charity athletes at the Pasta Dinner - there actually are a total of
54 runners this year (up from 6 when they started in 2005)

Charity Dinner - My friend Liz and her son Josh
(the reason I started running for this charity)

Saturday I had a few things planned. I had some running around to do (buy oatmeal and bananas for race morning), visit my cousin to say my goodbyes (in case I never returned!! Lol) and have a blogger meet up! Yup, that’s right! I met Dave from Experience Life and Jodi from Run Jodi Run. They were in town to support two of their friends that were running the Chicago marathon. So downtown I went to meet them! I was pretty frazzled from my morning when I got in to see them. But after chatting a while, getting something to eat and talking some more, it pretty much helped calm my nerves for the marathon! Of course they took a picture!

Me, Dave and Jodi (left to right). This must be my "pose".
I stood this way in my charity picture too! Haha!

It was great meeting them and their friends Mellisa and Deb!! I love meeting people that I've known for a while due to the blogs and finally meeting them in person!

But the night had to come to an end. I went home, played with some music on my phone to make an impromptu marathon playlist and off to bed I went! I had to wake up at 4:30 am on Sunday to head down to the marathon! My first marathon ever!!

...to be continued...

What!?! A cliff hanger? I'm so mean! Tune in tomorrow to find out how my marathon actually went and to see some pictures of the big day! I'll let you in on a preview...I finished and I lived to tell the story!

CHICAGO MARATHON T-2!!

2011-10-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Mbili...That's Swahili for "two". Which is so that I can tell all the Kenyans out there that they have two days left to get ready for the BIG DAY!!!!

THE CHICAGO MARATHON!!

That's right, I'm two days away from my first full marathon! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! I was really nervous Tuesday and Wednesday. But I'm better now. As better as I can be!

I'm picking up my marathon packet today!

I've also been having marathon dreams the last three nights.

My first dream was that I finished at 5:15 (which is 45 mins past my goal time of 4:30).

My second dream was that I just decided to skip the first 4 miles. (That should save me those 45 mins! lol)

My third dream (last night) was that I found out I was pregnant and couldn't run the marathon! Seriously!?! My mind is going crazy!

I can't wait to blog about it. I hope I have good things to share with you! I wish anyone luck that is also going to be running it!

Weigh In Results

2011-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

As my struggle to get back down to my weight watchers goal weight continues, I weighed in today like a good little weight watcher. I was down 1.2 lbs! I'll totally take that.

Given the marathon training, I have laid off of beating myself up with the lack of weight loss. It's not easy to lose weight when training for the marathon. You have to eat more food. You have to eat more carbs and protein. But I have gone down a few lbs here and there since training. I'll take it! I've gone down many inches though. Whether that be from all the running or working out with my personal trainer (or a combo of both), I'll take it!

Speaking of my trainer. My gym has been closed all week because they are switching locations. That's fine with me, I run and I can use another location this week. But I haven't seen my personal trainer. That would be ok except starting last Friday, my hamstrings were really REALLY tight! All the stretching in the world wasn't helping. Tuesday, my trainer texted me to tell me gym info and I told him my problem. He had 2 words: Hot Tub!

After rolling my eyes and thinking "Where am I going to get a hot tub at??" I realized that I have a whirlpool tub and can fill it with hot water! Duh! (Yes, I said "Duh"). That night, soaked in a hot tub. The next day my hamstrings were 85% better! Like magic! I swear, I think some people come into your lives and certain times for a reason! And I think it was meant to be for me to hire Mike as my personal trainer soon before starting marathon training! And I hired him without knowing he's a marathon runner! Perfect combo!

Of course, I can't forget all of you either. I've gotten helpful words on this blog, through personal email and on facebook from all of you with regard to the marathon! It helps so much!

There is less than 9 days left. LESS THAN 9 DAYS! Can't wait to blog about it!

What am I going to do about my blog name then? After I run the marathon, I'll have to think of a new goal!!!

Home Stretch

2011-09-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

It's that time. I'm in the home stretch before the marathon. My runs are now tapering back. And I'm so glad! I've never run so much in my life! And I never want to run so much again in my life!! :-P

Last Sunday, my running group was going to run the last 6.2 miles of the marathon course for prep. They must do this every year. They think it helps to know the course because at the end, you are mentally and physically drained. So it helps to know the turns or the hills.

My friend used her phone to track our run.

Last 6.2 miles of the Chicago Marathon course

We started on the left side (near the Dan Ryan Expressway). I guess what my pace leader says always gets people is the small turn going south away from the finish (see the turn near The Gap that goes down to 35th street), I guess a lot of people think we should be going straight but then you do that extra little turn south and it goes away from the finish and mentally that gets people. Also, for those that don't run any runs in Chicago, there is always that hill on the bridge!! Oh you know THE HILL!! It's that little turn from North to East right near the finish (before you start going North again). There is a bridge that goes over the train tracks. It's the hill of death. It's always at the end of the runs (5k's, 8k's, half marathons!!). You always feel like you are going to die! And you always curse Chicago and the course designers right about that time!

Did running the end of the course help me in any way? That has yet to be determined but at least it got my mid-week 6 mile long run out of the way early in the week. And there is only about 1.5 weeks left until the marathon! Seriously?? I can't believe I made it through the training program in one piece! Just a minor ache here, an IT band issue there. But I'm here. And I'm ready to rock out the Chicago Marathon!!

Ready to Run 20 Miler

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I had my first marathon panic attack! I started getting nervous about family and friends not coming to help support me! That's actually not true. My personal trainer said he would run some of the end with me. My parents said they will come and support me and my cousin Nick said he is a maybe. I'll also have my running group running in it, which I will start with one of the girls and run with her for a while. My charity group will be there also cheering us all on.
But I still found myself short of breath thinking of the marathon and possible failure! I actually know that there will not be failure! I know I can do the run. Sure, it will be tough physically and mentally, but I know I can do it.

Then I get home and what do I find in the mail...

The marathon confirmation and participant guide! Haha! Just what I needed to come home to after my panic attack. Now it's getting really real! Only 2.5 weeks left! Only 19 days left!

This past Sunday was my "Ready to Run 20-miler". This run is supported by the running organization that I'm a part of. It's to help prepare you for the marathon.

The morning was a little cool. I also had to get up at 3:30 am! But the night before, I went to bed early. I had eaten the proper foods that day and drank a nice (but not too much) amount of water.

About 6 am, while in the city, we saw a rainbow. It's rare to see one in the city. I thought it was good luck. Others thought it meant there will be rain. I said that it wouldn't rain because it wouldn't rain until the evening (I was wrong). Then right before my wave group got to the start line, a bird pooped on us. It got on about 3-4 of us (myself included). Now I was for sure thinking that this was most definitely good luck! Right?? Had to be!

It started to rain about mile 3 and was pretty much raining about 75% of the run. It was fine at first but after about 10 miles, I pretty much had enough of it! I also felt tired. I was hurting. I was just tired. I had been on my feet a lot on Saturday and a lot the morning of the race standing around. I think that played a huge part in it.

I also left my headphones and my garmin watch at home! I couldn't believe it! I really wanted those two things! Note to self: make a list for marathon morning!

I stayed with our pace group until about mile 12. I was running with a running friend. We were both getting a little tired. We kept our pace group in our sites until about mile 14. I had to use the bathroom and my friend needed to stretch. We decided to let the pace group go on ahead. I thought, we could just spend a few minutes doing this, bathroom and stretching, and maybe that will help us get through the last 6 miles.

Didn't really work. We had a rough run. I was tired and getting cranky. I kept saying "I don't want to do this anymore." But I kept running. We stopped at the water stops for the water/gatorade. And we stopped to walk maybe 2 other times. But the last 2 miles, I just kept running. I wanted it to be over. It hurt for me to stop and walk. Running felt better. But I was so tired of running. It was a catch 22! My friend told me to go run ahead. Since there was less than 2 miles, I did go.

I finished the run. The run wasn't timed so I really don't know my official time. I think I finished around 3:30 or so. Not bad. If I stayed with my run group, I would have finished at about 3:20 so I wasn't too far off.

I'm just a little mad at the way I felt. My body felt ok but my mind was crazy!

Overall, I'm glad it's over with. I know that that was not a typical 20 mile run. It was an "off" running day. It's ok. I felt great when I had done the 16 and the 18 mile runs before.

I posted on facebook the status of my run. With all the "miserable" stuff I put in there, I got a lot of "That's great!" or "Great job." But it was my cousin's comment of "I knew you would do awesome!" that got me! I was perplexed. Awesome? No where in my post did I say anything about the run being remotely awesome!

So I responded with "Awesome? I never said I did awesome. Unless awesome is to keep going when 90% of you wants to quit!"

And then I thought about it. Wait?? That is pretty awesome isn't it? I did want to quit. I wanted to stop running and sit down. I wanted a bus to come pick me up! But I didn't stop. I kept going. And I even ran the last two miles. That actually is doing pretty awesome!

So I made that my quote of the day...

"Awesome is when you keep going even after 90% of you wants to quit!"

26 Days & Post Marathon Goals

2011-09-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Only 26 days left to my very first ever full marathon! I'm 14 weeks down in the training program and only 4 weeks left! I remember when I first started training, I would count the weeks...1 week down, 17 to go...2 weeks down, 16 to go! I thought back then, "when I'm finally past the halfway point and I have more weeks finished than left to complete, it's going to feel surreal!" And it does! ONLY 4 WEEKS LEFT! It's amazing. And now that I've completed the 18 miles and I have the 20 mile run this weekend, I know I can do the marathon. I KNOW I CAN. It's an amazing feeling actually!

I'm a little depressed though. You only run your first marathon once! You will never run your first one again! So I'm going to really make this one count! I'm going to remember this training and I'm going to remember the marathon. I'm going to make a photo collection of all photos I took while training for the marathon. I'm going to take pictures that day. I'm going to write down things that happened during training and also what I remember while running. I never want to forget this feeling because it won't happen again! (At least with a marathon, I may have other "firsts" though).

Now my mind is set to "after" the marathon. What am I going to do after? I've been so focused on training. What days do I have to run this week? How can I arrange my schedule to fit it all in? What's my long run on the weekend? No friends and family! I can't go for a drink on Friday night! (haha). It's time to start setting new goals. It's time to start cleaning my house again!! (Haha! Too tired to do it now after all this running!!).

So, I have signed up for two post-marathon shorter runs in November just to keep me running! I've got a 5k Turkey Trot in my neighborhood for November 13th. I also signed up for a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning that is 4 miles long.

I have thought about trying a triathlon. Maybe that should be a new goal for next year. I'll see how I feel after this marathon. I may just want to sign up again and try for a better time (as my new goal).

I also want to say thank you to all of you that have given me advice or encouragement throughout this training! It's been so helpful! I can't wait to share my marathon time with all of you on October 9th!

I'm amazed!

2011-09-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Seriously, it's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something, train, and have complete determination!

Never when I started running back in 2003, the little 5k's I did when I was about 230 lbs, did I ever think I could run anywhere NEAR 18 miles! But that's what happened this last weekend!

The last 4 miles were rough for a friend of mine and I walked a little bit with her. But the stopping and starting was hurting my knees so I asked if she minded if I ran the last 1.5 miles and she was fine with it. I did go back for her and run in with her at the end though. But yes, 18 miles complete!!

Only about 1 month until the marathon!

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend!

Half Marathon meet up?

2011-09-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

A goal of mine is to do a half in as many states as possible. I've only accomplished two: Illinois and Ohio. I was throwing this around at a fellow blogger on facebook the other day and it got me thinking about it again. With the marathon training, my mind is full and I haven't been thinking on much past this coming October!

But I would love to meet a few of my fellow blogger friends, say...at a half marathon in 2012?

Do any of you want to help arrange something? Any ideas on a good half marathon meet up? Throw the idea around with some of your blogger friends too and let's get started!

In Marathon training news:

This week is a big running week. This will be the most miles in a single week I've ever done (and my body is feeling it). My pace is slower. My knees are sore. My ankle is sore. My toe is sore. I realized the other day, the only thing that wasn't sore after my 9 miles was the IT band that was hurting me! Maybe I had too much else to worry about. My miles this week were 4, 9, 5 and Saturday I'm doing 18!

I was starting to get whiny about the training. "I'm tired!" "I can't run anymore!" "My whole body hurts!" Whine, whine, whine!! Then I read something in a magazine and it hit home. I just have to survive the next two weeks (after this one). September 18th, I will be doing the 20 miles but after that...we taper back until the marathon. I actually saw a glimmer of light! And the magazine article also said this is the point in training when your whole body DOES hurt. It's the point where your runs might be slower! It made me realize that what I'm feeling is normal. I almost felt like maybe this was just too much for me! But I feel better after that article! I'm sure glad I saw that and read it.

Moment of (Weigh in) Truth

2011-08-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I lost all my weight with Weight Watchers. I love the plan. I think it really doesn't feel like a diet if you do it the way it's intended. It also helps keep me on track with food.

After about 6-8 months of slipping and not counting points, I was finally back on track! For a good 3-4 weeks I was couting all points all the time! It felt good. A few of the pounds I had put on since November were slipping away slowly but surely.

Then came the dreaded work trip to Atlanta with the all you can eat buffets all day long! See my last post about that trip.

As much as I tried to eat healthy, I definitely got lax and didn't count and ate some things I shouldn't have or ate a little too much at times.

I wasn't able to weigh in last weekend after I got back from Atlanta, and frankly, I didn't want to. What would be the point of the scale showing pounds gained, which could be anything from eating too much food to retaining water from sodium. So I decided to wait and just eat right this week.

I weighed in today and the scale showed 0 pounds lost! Hey, I look at that as 0 pounds gained and after Atlanta, I was fine with that! Plus, nasty ol' TOM (Time of Month) snuck up too.

So, if I keep doing what I'm doing, I'm heading in the right direction.

In other news: Running.

I had to run 5 miles yesterday for training. I decided to run in the City. I love running in the City. There are other runners, the City is beautiful, there is a nice Lake breeze!

I can't help but stop and take pictures sometimes with my phone. I scene will strike me. Here is one I took yesterday.

Tomorrow is a cut-back running week and we "only" have to run 12 miles. Sigh. When your cut-back weeks are double digits, you know you are in trouble!!

Have a great weekend!

Work Conference & 16 Mile Run

2011-08-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Atlanta for classes related to my job. The classes were 4 days. Included in the price was all-you-can-eat food from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Not good for someone trying to maintain and/or lose weight! We got a breakfast buffet (3 rows of breakfast foods and pastry), unlimited snacks all day, and 3 rows of lunch buffet. We had to get our own dinner.

The food was actually really delicious!! Another problem! But the good thing was, they had healthy options too, such as fruit, salad, oatmeal, veggies. But tons of other bad food too: burgers, pizza...one day was Italian food, one day was Chinese food. Well, you get the picture.

I started out every day pretty well. Oatmeal and fruit or an egg white omelet and fruit. Lunch started good with salads, as lean of a protein and I could find, veggies, maybe more fruit. But by Wednesday, I HAD to try a burger (because I heard they were delicious, and they were). I had a little dessert one day (they had their own dessert row too!!).

Even with the healthy food, my stomach was screaming the whole time I was there. I was definitely eating more food than normal, even if it were healthy.

I drank tons of caffeine: hot tea and diet coke were favorites! Also not good for the stomach.

I did manage to get most of my running in on the gym treadmill. I got 4 miles in last Tuesday and did 6 miles on Wednesday. The 6 was supposed to be 8 miles but I couldn't bare to be on that treadmill another minute! When I got home Thursday night, I did my other 4 miles for that day!

I decided not to step on the scale when I got back. Added sodium among other things would make it show I gained about 10 lbs and that would not help me one bit! I decided to wait a week before I stepped on the scale. Well, I waited until this morning instead and stepped on it just to see where I was at. I may be up only a pound, not quite sure. I'll take it!

In other news...

I had to run 16 miles last weekend. The longest I've ever run was half marathon distance (13.1). I knew a month ago that I wouldn't be able to run on the day that I normally run with my training group. I arranged it so that I would go with my personal trainer. He said he would do it.

Well, low and behold, on Thursday he hurt his back. So he needed to take some time to recover. I was freaked out! I didn't think I could do 16 miles by myself! That's a long time and sometimes the negative thoughts in my head take over!

I started trying to find someone to run with me, at least some of the distance. Maybe my cousin could run the last 4 (that's better than nothing), but he had plans that day. I emailed my hairdresser because she has a running group but she didn't respond in enough time. My last ditch effort was to send an email to MY running group (why didn't I think of that before).

One person responded. I wasn't sure who he was but I know I run with him (I haven't talked to everyone in our running group).

It turned out perfectly! We met early on Sunday morning. He had placed water and gatorade every 1.5-2 miles along the course for us so we could still have our water stops.

Turns out, he is in his 50's. He ran his first marathon in 2007 at the age of 53 and has run a total of 9 marathons since 2007!! Wow!!

Even though 16 miles is a long time and it was hard (especially those last 3 miles), it went by incredibly fast. We talked to each other the whole time! He seemed equally glad that I sent the email out because he also would rather not run alone.

My IT band is holding up ok. There was just a slight pain on my 16 mile run but not much. I'm trying to stretch and use the foam roller and hoping it doesn't get worse. It seems ok for now.

This weekend is a cut back week for our long run, it's "only" 12 miles. But the following weekend is 18 miles!! 2 weeks after that is 20 miles!! Then Oct 9th is the Marathon! It's getting so close! I can't believe it! I've got a nervous excitement going on right now!

The dreaded IT Band injury!

2011-08-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm back!! Did you miss me? (P.S. the correct answer is "yes!").

Ok, now that we have that straightened out, I have lots to talk about. But I may split it up into two shorter posts.

First: The Chicago Rock N' Roll Half Marathon, August 14, 2011

I was pretty excited to do this half marathon last weekend. This half was the first I had done back in 2006 (when it was called the Chicago Distance Classic). My time back then was 2:55:55. I was thrilled to break the 3:00 mark for my first half marathon!

I have done this same run every year except for 2007 (because I hurt my knee that year). So I have a special place in my heart for this one. It's a hard half to do because it's in August and the last two years have been brutally hot! I also run this half for the charity group UPS for DownS. Click here if you would like to donate. I have been running for them for about 4 years now.

Anyway, this half is super early in the morning. The run starts at 6:30 a.m. and it's in the city. This means I have to get up at 4:30 a.m.

This year, I had a wedding to go to the night before. It was my co-worker's wedding. My goal was to limit myself to 2 (count them...2!!!) drinks and leave my 10:00 p.m. That didn't quite happen. I had 2 glasses of champagne before sitting down, 2 vodka and juice drinks (1 before and 1 after dinner), 2 glasses of red wine during dinner and later a martini. Whoops!! And we didn't even get done eating dinner until 9:55! How was I supposed to leave at 10:00! So I set another limit to leave by 11:00. I finally dragged myself out of there at midnight!! Whoops (again!). I just had such a good time that I didn't want to leave.

I got home at 1:00 a.m. and went to bed at 1:30 a.m. and subsequently got up for the half at 4:30 a.m. to leave the house by 5:00 a.m.! Wow! That's right. For those mathematically challenged, that's 3 hours of sleep!

But I got down to the half. The weather was perfect! It's was cooler and less humid than normal. We took a group photo and off I went.

My charity group. I am second row, second from right.

The weather was overcast and looked like it might rain. And it did but it only sprinkled a little so it wasn't too bad for for the run.

The problem? Around mile 7, I noticed my IT band (it run from your hip down your leg) was starting to give me a little pain. I tried to stretch it out and then kept running. By mile 8, it started to really hurt! A million things went through my head:

Oh no, not an injury!
Keep running!
I'm training for a marathon, I can't get hurt!
Just make it to the next water break and then stop and walk or stretch it out again.
I don't think I can finish this half!
I have 5 miles left!
Should I walk the last 5 miles?
I want to beat my previous best time!

I ran to the next water break after mile 9 and the pain was pretty bad at that point. I knew I didn't want to injure myself bad because of the marathon training, but I didn't want to give up on my favorite half marathon!

I took a lot of time between mile 9 and 10 and tried to stretch. It didn't seem to help. And when I got to mile 10 and looked at the clock, I lost 1.5 minutes on my pace that mile! I was so upset and disappointed. There was NO WAY I was going to be my old best time for half marathons!

I suffered through the remainder of the run. I think I ran the rest of the time. I had set a goal in the beginning to stop at every other water station to hydrate (since I drank the night before). And I kept that goal up.

With the last two miles, I looked at the clock and it appeared that if I kept about a 10 minute mile pace the last two miles, I probably could beat my time. I wasn't sure on the time because my garmin wasn't working properly at all! But 10 minute mile pace with a pain in my leg seemed brutal!

At the finish stretch, I looked at the time and halled ass!! (Sorry for the language, but it's true!). I sprinted as hard as I could trying to make every second count!

And guess what?.....I finished and I got a new PR!! My old best time was 2:14:11 and my time for this half was 2:13:31!

My feelings were two fold: First, I was thrilled that I got a PR with the injury that I had! BUT...I was disappointed because I think about the 1.5 minutes I "wasted" on that mile between 9-10 and the fact that if I weren't injured, I may have come in under 2:10!

But I tried not to be too upset and give myself some joy over the new PR!

Here are a few pictures of my friend and her son Josh with me after the run (I look horrible and it was raining). They were the reason I started running for this charity group.

Later that evening, I had to go on my work trip (more on this trip in the next post). Monday, my IT band was still hurting pretty bad. It hurt when I walked and when I went up stairs.

Because I'm part of a running group through CARA (Chicago Area Running Association), we get free injury advice from a group called Nova Care. I called their injury hotline number and told the lady my issues. I told her my foam roller was at home and I'm on a business trip. I asked if there were any stretches I could do to help with this injury. I also asked her if it would be ok to run on the treadmill at the hotel to continue training for the marathon. I didn't want to further injury myself.

She gave me some stretches and emailed me some information. She said with the stretches and strength stuff, I should be able to run.

I did continue my runs this week. I was supposed to do 4 miles, 8 miles, 4 miles. I did that all except I cut the 8 miles to 6 miles. I cut it, not because of the injury but mostly because I hate running on the treadmill and it was pure torture!! Haha!

This weekend is 16 miles. This is the most I have ever run and I'm a little nervous. I can't run with my training group so Mike, my personal trainer, said he would run with me. But I ~~stalked~~ looked at Mike's facebook and it appears that he hurt his back so I'm not sure if he will be able to run. If he doesn't, I almost don't know how I will make it through 16 miles! I will keep you posted on that run!

Have any of the runners in the group here ever had an injury? Did you keep training or did it sideline you?

Compliments

2011-08-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hey there! How's the blogger world? Seems I'm only able to post about once a week right now with the hectic August schedule I've got going on right now. Probably fine as I'm at a loss for words anyway!

I had my friend's daughter's dedication last weekend (for those unfamiliar, it's like a Christening). Anyway, I wore my new dress. And even wore a little makeup! The results?... How about a before and after picture?

BEFORE

Around Summer 2007. I think I had lost around 20 lbs so it's not a true before picture. But it's bad enough!!

AFTER

Whoa? Where's Mandy?

I clean up well! Actually, its weird for me to look at a picture of myself and say "Hm, I look pretty nice in this picture!" For years and years, I hated every photo taken of me!

But even still, I look at this picture and, even though I know I look nice, I see the flaws. I see the wrinkles in the dress because I had already been in the dress for 5 hours. I see that my face looks shiny, maybe because my car has no air and it was hot out. I see that it looks a little bunched at the waist and I should have pulled it down a little bit!

Funny, how we notice the little negative things when NO ONE else would notice that. In fact, I've been getting a lot of compliments on this picture! And it is SO HARD for me to take compliments. But it's nice to hear and so I accept them now and just say "Thank you!"

And I've been getting compliments from my personal trainer Mike at the gym too! Well, granted he is complimenting his work! "Wow Amanda, your arms look great!" or "Wow Amanda, your back looks really good too!"

Me: "I've been doing really good on my eating lately!"

Him: "You can really tell!"

Oh that is so nice to hear!! lol

But I have been trying pretty hard! With an off eating day here or there, mostly I'm doing really well.

I think what it is is that I know the marathon is now less than 2 months away! I want to make sure my body is as healthy as it can be. Which means I do NOT starve myself. I eat a good mix of carbs and protein and fat. On weight watchers, I always eat all my daily points and all my weekly points.

Training is going well for the marathon. I have a half marathon this weekend. My trainer Mike is running with me the following weekend for my 16 mile long run. That is the most miles I've done by almost 3 miles! I can't do it with my group so I asked him and he said yes! I think that should be lots of fun! Oh who am I kidding, I'm going to be dying! But I love the support! Thanks Mike!

And yes, now comes the busy time. I have a wedding Saturday night. I have a half marathon Sunday with a start time of 6:30 am! Then my flight for Atlanta for work is at 7:00 pm! I'll be there until Thursday night. Then next Saturday I'm having a yard sale! So I'll be working hard moving boxes around! And Sunday morning, 8-21, I'll have that 16 mile run!

Phew! I'm pooped just thinking about it! So, I'll let you know how all this craziness goes!

Have a good weekend and a good next week!

T-64!! Plus WI Results

2011-08-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

What!?! I can't believe I only have 64 days until the Chicago Marathon. My very first ever full marathon! In fact, I'm exactly half way through my training program, 9 weeks down and 9 weeks to go! I am actually getting really excited! I was terrified when I started the training program. T-E-R-R-I-F-I-E-D!

Now, not so much! Sure, I'm still worried about actually making it through all 26.2 (don't forget that miserable 0.2 at the end!) miles, fear of the unknown is the worse!! But the training is going so well! I have my off run days where just 1 mile feels like torture! But I have other days when I feel like I can breeze right through 10-12 miles!

The Chicago Rock N' Roll Half Marathon is next Sunday. I have a wedding the day before (not too excited about that!!) but I'll be leaving early since I will ONLY know the bride! I will tell you though, I am planning on meeting my future husband there! Just sayin'... Anyway, I'll try to get to bed as early as possible. The half starts at 6:30 a.m.!! Which means I have to get up at like 4:30 a.m.!! And I'm leaving for Atlanta for work for those classes that evening!!

I'm not really looking forward to the food I may eat that week. I will try to be good but we will be provided with food for breakfast, lunch and a snack and then have to get our own dinner. I will try to eat the healthiest options possible. I don't want to blow my progress I've been making this past month. I actually feel like I'm going in the right direction for a change!

Ok, let's get to my week of food. It was an "off" week to say the least. I did track every single point though. I just felt hungrier than usual! We all have those weeks! So I gained 1 lb. I'm not really worried about that gain though. I lost almost 5 lbs in the last 3 weeks and I think it's my body's weigh of holding on to things. We will see after next week. By the way, I'm not planning on blowing ALL of my weekly points in the first two days this time!

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys about my new workout! On Sunday, I borrowed my cousin's bike (because I needed to get air in my tires) and decided to try bike riding. Now let me start out by saying, my cousin and I tried bike riding for exercise a few years ago. This type of exercise was SO HARD for me! I would go two miles and be dying! Yet I could run half marathons! Perplexing!

So, when I grabbed the bike (and my garmin to use for something other than running for a change!), I headed out for 6 miles! I ended up doing 16 miles! I went 8 miles out. I wanted to go 10 miles out and 10 back for 20 total but since it was my first time doing this, I decided to play it safe! So I went 8 miles out and 8 miles back! I was riding the bike for about 1 hour and 20 mins! It was fun! So I will be trying to incorporate this exercise in my schedule. It's actually a good cross-training exercise on my "rest" days from running!

WI Results & Goals

2011-07-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

Since recommitting, the first week I lost 2.8 lbs! It was a new me! I was ready to go! Tracking, check! Working out, check! BRING IT ON!!

The second week...house sat. Made excuses. Tracked about 3 days. Binged on food until I felt sick. Felt depressed because of it. Didn't weigh in because I didn't want to see that I had gained all that weight that I just lost back and then some!

Here I am on the third week. Tracked every single day! Overate last Saturday at parties. Tracked it. Worked out every single day! Felt pretty good. Felt back in control. Even though I used every single weekly point, I earned a butt load (technical term) of activity points and hadn't gone through any of them (yet). My points reset tomorrow. And what did the scale reward me with?

DOWN 2.0 POUNDS! I'll take it. It's for two weeks (since I didn't weigh in last week) but considering I did horrible last week, I was only expecting to break even this week. So down a total 4.8 lbs in 3 weeks? Yes, please!!

Now, I'm at 170.6. Next week I could be back in the 160's!! Maybe it could have been this week if TOM wouldn't always show up the day before weigh in! Why does that always happen?? I can't wait to get back down to my goal weight! "When will then be now? Soon!" (A little quote from the movie Spaceballs!) If you've never seen Spaceballs, you don't know what you are missing! Funniest movie ever!!

Ok, click HERE to see that clip on you tube! FUNNY!!

I have a goal today. Since I have been weighing in on Friday but my points reset on Saturday, I've been using Friday as a "free-for-all" eating day. I usually have exercise points left and just figure it really doesn't matter. By the way, I've been weighing in on Friday's because of my Saturday long runs. I feel that my weight was all over the place by running many miles on Saturday and eating and drinking for refueling, and then having to weigh myself afterwards. Too much stress, and not really accurate.

But binging on Friday's just because I can, is not a good way to think. So today, I will think before I eat! Even if a use a few extra points today, it's ok. As long as I track and don't just binge.

Exercise will still also be a priority this coming week. As long as I track and exercise, I should be good to go!!

Update

2011-07-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon fellow blogger friends!

I've been a little MIA. I was just not posting because I really don't have much going on! What!?! A blogger with nothing to say? I know, I know! So I thought I would just give you a little update on Eating, Working Out, Marathon Training and Personal Life.

Eating

Last week my eating was HORRIBLE. Which was disappointing because I came off such a great week where I tracked EVERYTHING! But last week, I was house, dog and plant sitting and, with fear of making it my excuse, I just didn't track or eat properly! And which case, I didn't weigh in. I never do that, not weigh in just because I know I've gained! But I couldn't do it last week! I didn't want to see that I gained all the weight back that I lost the previous week!

But since my new week started on Saturday, I have been tracking again. Just get right back on the horse. Saturday was a bad day food-wise. Lots of parties and functions going on! But I tracked it and I think I used about 60 pts that day (normal daily points are 29). At least I had my long run that day and I have all those weekly points, so I wasn't going to fret.

Sunday, I did great! Monday, I had a run-in with some sugary glazed bread at work. But otherwise, did great! So, I'm staying on track this week and hopefully the scale will be kind to me!

Working Out & Marathon Training

Let's just combine these two, shall we? I'm working out like a crazy fiend! On top of marathon training, phew! I'm tired! lol. Last weekend, my long run for marathon training was 12 miles. Was it easy? No. But I was able to finish it. Figuring that I've run 6 half marathons, I knew I could do the 12 miles. And the rest of the week's runs were 3 miles, 6 miles, 3 miles.

This week is 3 miles, 6 miles, 3 miles, 13 miles. In a few weeks, I won't be able to run with my running group for my 16 mile long run (the most I've ever had to run). So, I asked my trainer on a little date! A little running date that weekend! And he said he should be able to. 2.5+ hours of running with a hard-core runner?? Sign me up, please! Hopefully he will be able to do it for sure when the date gets closer because thinking of running that alone is down right scary!

Personal Life

First off, I joined match.com. Not sure if I mentioned that. Oh I think I did. And it's just...ok. I probably should be investing more time and energy in it but I'm half doing it right now. That's ok. It's only been about 3 weeks. I have about a whole year of this!

I also scheduled a massage this weekend after my 13 mile long run. I figured that would be a great time to have a one-hour deep tissue massage! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!

**Don't forget, if you would like to make a donation to my charity for the marathon, see the tab above for the information! Or send me an email! Thanks in advance!

Mind Games!

2011-07-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for the wonderful words of encouragement after my great weight loss last week! I was definitely excited not only to have lost weight, but to have actually tracked my food intake for the whole week. That always helps me with weight loss!

But I need to keep that motivation up. I didn't track the last couple days! Oops!! Ok, I'll track the rest of the week. It's the only way for me!

Anyway, I think I'm losing my mind! The marathon must be getting to me! I keep have strange dreams about why I can't train for the marathon or actually run the marathon.

The latest dream was last night. I went to the doctor because of a slight pain near the Achilles tendon. After test results came back, I was advised that if I stepped on that part of my foot wrong, I could rupture (whatever the problem was) and I could bleed to death! All I kept saying was, "But I have 12 miles to run this Saturday for training!!" Oh my goodness, the mind is a crazy place!

Another dream I had was that I went to the gym and the gym had removed ALL of the treadmills!! I just kept thinking, "That's weird, why would they do that!" Funny thing is, I run outside at least half the time so that really wouldn't be too bad.

I know I've had a few more dreams of this nature but I can't remember what they are. I think I'm going to have to write a running journal for this marathon so that I can keep track of all of these crazy things that are going on!! I track the miles right now but that's all. This might be an interesting journal!

How was your weekend? Ours was HOT. And it's just going to get HOTTER! Is that possible? Yes, yes it is! Actually, it will be in the mid-90's with a heat index of 110 or so. Some of you may be hotter. Is anyone hotter or colder? What's the temps like for you guys this week?

Also, do you guys have strange dreams when it comes to a major event such as running a marathon?

First week back to tracking!

2011-07-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

I recommitted to tracking on weight watchers this week. I'm the kind of person that needs the structure of tracking in order to be successful at losing weight.

I made goal and then lifetime on weight watchers after 3 years last July. I maintained until November to which a few things happened and I derailed. They changed the points plan to points plus. And I started dating "that guy" in November after a LONG period of not dating (in fact, really didn't date the whole time I lost weight on weight watchers).

Now, I never blamed these other factors for me putting back on 15 pounds. I knew it was all up to me. I was the one not tracking. I was the one overeating and snacking at night. Me! There was no one else to blame. Since I knew that much, that was the first step. Every week I would try to get back on tracking. And every week I failed. And some weeks I just didn't even try!

With the help of an online weight watcher group that I met in 2007, I have since recommitted this week! I actually tracked all week! ALL WEEK! Every beer I had on Saturday. The cake and ice cream I had yesterday. I tracked it all. Yes, some of it is guess work. Sometimes you don't know the nutritional information. And in recent months, when that happened, I just gave up on tracking the rest of that day (and week).

And in fact, this week, I used every single weekly point I was allowed. I even had to dig in a little into my activity points. But I have always been ok with using the points that I'm given. I was never afraid to use my weeklies if I needed to. That's what makes this plan manageable for me. As long as I track everything, I'm usually golden!

So what did the scale say today?

drum roll please...

Down 2.8 pounds!!

Oh yes, the scale was good to me this week. And I was good to myself for recommitting to the plan!

I hope this can give someone inspiration that is having a rough time with losing weight and recommitting to whatever plan they are on! Just keep trying!

Tomorrow I have a nice and easy (compared to the last two weeks) 7 mile run! Then it really gets hard with the next two Saturdays after that being 12 miles and 13 miles respectively!

In anticipation of the 13 mile run (and because my cousin has a gift certificate), I scheduled a deep tissue massage for that day after the 13 miles! It will be so nice! (And so painful!) :)

New Running Toys!

2011-07-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

I may be a little behind the times when it comes to buying some running stuff (or exercise stuff for that matter). I don't like spending money on myself. I'm incredibly frugal!

But lately, in light of being fully prepared for the marathon, I decided to try a few things out.

Running Toy #1: The Foam Roller

I know most of you know what this is! It's a large hard piece of foam that you roll your hips, thighs, quads, calves, back and even butt on! What!?! And people spend money on this? Why, yes they do! I first heard it on these boards but was NEVER going to buy it. I didn't doubt it did what you all said it did, I just wasn't going to spend the money on it. But I did use it in my personal training sessions at the gym a few times.

It hurts! Yikes! But it's supposed to stretch out your muscles and helps prevent injury. It's supposed to be great for runners! After a few people in my running group bought one and loved it, and after having some tight muscles myself, I decided to get one. I only got a small one so it was less money. And I can't say that it's my favorite thing in the world, but that's only because it hurts! When I use it more, I'll get more used to it. I like how my muscles feel after I use it.

And on last Wednesday's personal training session, he decided to kick my butt and try to simulate "hitting the wall" during a run. What this entailed was a horribly difficult circuit training routine with no breaks! But I enjoyed it and kept a smile on my face almost the whole time. He was totally impressed with my ability to persevere through the exhaustion I felt. I had lots of determination. But later that night and the next day, I felt a little pain in my hip. It wasn't constant. I only felt that pain a few times, but I have been trying to focus on that muscle with the foam roller and I think it helps!

Yay for hard pieces of foam!!

Running Toy #2: Patellar Tendon Strap

Well, this isn't actually a toy. I asked at the running store what this is used for because I've seen people with it and only heard great things about it. He said that it's mainly for knee caps that move. I was told several years ago by a doctor when I hurt my knee that I have floating knee caps which are more prone to injury. And my knees do hurt. I just run through the pain and it's not totally severe. I can deal with it.

But with the long miles (last week was 10 miles) that I have to run to prepare for the marathon, I decided to purchase them in hopes of trying to prevent future injury.

I tried them out on my 10 mile long run last week. It's so weird! Just this little band around my knees! I did buy one for each knee because the feeling in my knees are the same. My knee cap felt supported the whole time I was running! I still felt only slight discomfort in my knees but I think it really did help support my knees! I ran 3 miles yesterday without it and I think I could really tell a difference. I'll keep you posted on this.

Running Toy #3: Body Glide

Is this a toy? I've heard about Body Glide before, mainly by men. (Did you know men's nipples can chafe? True Story! Weird huh?). Anyway....lol

I decided to buy body glide and used it the last two long runs. Works like a gem! No chaffing from my shorts, on my arms rubbing my shirt or sports bra, very nice! I even used it last week under that patellar strap on my knees to make sure that didn't dig or rub weird.

Already owned running toy: Garmin Forerunner 305.

I love my garmin. I got it for Christmas last year. But the last few weeks, it wasn't getting signal and one day, I couldn't turn it on. I was going to call the company but now it's working fine. Unsure what to do about that. I still might call because it's fairly new and shouldn't be causing problems. But again, I love my garmin!

**What running "toys" do you have that you love?

Personal Training in Review

2011-07-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

Almost 3 months ago, I signed up for personal training. I had wanted to do personal training for a few years now but ~~I'm cheap~~ it's expensive so I never signed up for it. I had decided to switch gyms and the gym near my house had a sale on personal training. Each session came to only $25! That may seem expensive to some people but personal training typically runs about ~~$1,000,000~~ $50 per session depending on how many you buy.

I signed up with my personal trainer Mike and then found out he is an avid runner and runs marathons and all that nonsense! Perfect! He has given me tremendous running support. But my personal training was not for running, it was for toning and core work.

So how has it gone now that I'm nearing the end of my sessions? Pretty well actually! I feel like I'm stronger when I'm in my sessions. Yesterday he made a comment about my arms that went like this..."Look at those bicep muscles! Do that again! Look how much definition you have!" To which I giggled like a little girl and said "shut up." I'm such a weirdo sometimes! I actually hate when people look at me and so I got all self-conscience about my BIG new bicep muscles. Haha! I have "graduated" up levels from where I started. He now pushes me really hard because he knows I can do what he gives me to do.

My sessions go something like this...

Mike shows me something to do.
I look at Mike like he has 4 heads.
I say to Mike, "You are crazy! I can't do that!"
Mike says to me, "Yes you can! Don't say you can't!"
I do the exercise and then almost pass out, but I complete it.
Mike looks at me with that cocky smile and says, "See, I told you you could do it!"

I hate when he is right!

So what are some of the things we do in my sessions? It's always really hard for me to explain so I'll just summarize a few things.

I go twice a week to personal training. Both days, we do some type of core work in the beginning. The core work may involve planks (both regular and side planks...kill me now!). Or the core work might involve something on the bosu ball that makes you work really hard on balance and in turn, you have to tighten your stomach and butt. We may do ab work on the exercise ball (this may involve regular crunches or crunching up while tossing a medicine ball). We do all sorts of stuff for core work.

Then usually on Monday's, we do arm toning work. Again, this may involve so many things! I told you before that we use the TRX. This machine is good because you are using your own body weight for the weight. (We also use the TRX for the ab work, the lady in the picture on the link I showed you is doing something for abs that I did yesterday). For arms, we may do pull ups, flys, push ups, bicep work, tricep work. It's actually really good! You can use it for almost anything that you would use regular weight machines for. Another exercise that I did just yesterday was on a machine. I've used this machine on my own before but it's so hard to do!  We did tricep dips and pull ups. 3 sets of 10 which again, I didn't think I could do and thought I would die and made all sorts of faces to which Mike kept teasing me about! Sigh...again, he was right, I did it. For arms, we also use weights and resistance bands. With the resistance bands, I'll put it under my feet and squat down. One exercise may then involve bench pressing my arms up as I stand up. Another may be bicep curls while in a squatted position. Tricep push backs are another exercise. So many things, so little time! Sometimes I will stand on that dreaded bosu ball and do the arm work with weights on there, which then also works my core muscles.

Today is legs (most likely).  I will post leg exercises in a later post so I can see what we do today on those.

Since my personal training is coming to a close, I'm faced with the decision to keep going or not.  Do I renew for more sessions or say "Adios" to Mike!  I was undecided when Mike asked me but I think I may see how much it would be again (becuase they always have some sort of deal going on) and possibly sign up for 2 more months. I really think it is doing some good. And if I could just get my eating 100% under control, I'd be good to go!

98 DAYS!!!

2011-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Only 98 days left until the marathon?? AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Now that my mini-freakout is over! Up until I looked right now, it's been over 100 days!

So how is my training going? Not too bad. Today was what I considered my first really long run. And it's only going to get worse! Today's mileage was 9 miles! I've run 9 miles twice before on my own. Of course, I've run 6 half marathons, so I've done a total of 13 miles before. But 9 is the most I've run prior to a half marathon.

And it was H-O-T today! It was about 80 while running but HUMID! We run at about 7 am. And I run with a running group that has water and gatorade stations throughout so that's nice. We are specifically using what they have at the marathon so we are prepared.

And I went into today's run with a ton of self-doubt! "It's so hot!" "It's so humid!" "Can I do this?" "What if the pace group I'm running with is too fast for me?" "My knees hurt!" "My toe hurts!" Would you like some cheese with your wine Amanda?

So I decided that having negative thoughts in your head will only affect your run negatively! Training for the marathon is not for the weak-minded! So as I started to run, I tried to push the thoughts out of my head. And running with a group definitely helps! They are always looking out for you. It's like a little running family!

And as I was running, and even though it was hot and humid, and even though my toe was hurting a little (and my knees), I felt alright! Physically, I really felt fine! And the last two miles, you have to push through mentally. You have to tell yourself, "I'm ok! I'm physically fine. My legs feel strong. It's just mental!" And it works! It has to work. Because there is a goal and I have to make it there!

And guess what else? My garmin crapped out on me! Really?? I've only had it since x-mas! So I'm going to call them and see if they can just send me a new one if I send the old one back.

I'm also trying to decide if I want to buy those knee band things. There here...I was told by a doctor before that I have floating kneecaps. And my knees hurt and crack for everything. They don't hurt a lot but there is pain and I don't want to make it worse with the longer mileage coming up.

I went to a running store just now to buy some GU Chomps to try out and I asked him about them. He said they are for people that have knee caps that move around. I told him about my weird floating knee cap thing and he said that's exactly what they are for. So I said I would ask around with people that have them (there are some in my running group) and possibly come back. I've heard they are good. Anyone know anything about them?

Want to know what else I did today? Treated myself to a manicure. One of the no-chip ones! This is only the second manicure I've ever gotten in my life! I'm so low maintenance! lol

Anyone doing anything for the 4th of July? I'm just going to my parent's house for dinner then they are coming over to mine so we can go up to the fireworks.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!!

**Other blogger news: Check out Tami's giveaway HERE! I'm all about free things, but also trying new things! Thanks Tami!

Spicy Black Bean Soup Recipe

2011-06-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

I bought ingredients for this soup about 3 weeks ago when our weather was unseasonably chilly. However, since I'm a procrastinator, I made it Monday evening when it was about 80 degrees outside!

This soup is actually really delicious! Has a nice spicy kick to it. It's from the Weight Watchers Cookbook "Best Eats." This is a pretty fabulous cookbook actually.

Spicy Black Bean Soup
Serves 8

1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 (15.5 oz) can black beans, undrained
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (14.5 oz ) can vegetable broth (I used Chicken broth, low sodium)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (I used a 10 oz can of rotel and a few tablespoons of tomato paste)
1 (11 oz) can sweet corn, drained (I used "no salt added")

1. Spray a Dutch oven (I just used a skillet, I don't have a dutch oven) with nonstick spray and place over medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 mins.

2. Place the onion mixture, 2 cans of the beans, cumin, red pepper in a blender (I used a food processor) and pulse until smooth, return the mixture to the Dutch oven. Add the remaining can of beans, the broth, tomatoes and corn to the Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 20-25 mins.

Per Serving (1.5 cups): 186 Cal, 2g fat, 10g fiber, 10g protein, 31g Carbs

**Do you eat soup in the summer?

Week 3 Training done!

2011-06-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

My week 3 marathon training is complete. We had a cut-back week for our long run last weekend so we only had to do 5 miles. There is a cut-back week every 3rd week so that your body has time to recover. Next Saturday is a long 9 miles! But so far the training is going well! I will keep you posted.

So what else have I been up to? Hm...are you sure you really want to know?

Ok...here goes...

My new tattoo!

Ouch!

I mostly laughed through any pain

My foot and my cousin's foot with her new tattoo too!

That's right folks...little old me got a tattoo! I never wanted one. Ever. Don't really care about tattoos.

But a few months ago, I came up with the bright idea of getting one on my foot, to which my cousin Toni said she wanted to get one as well!

I had no idea what to get. I'm an indecisive person. Finally, I brought all my ideas to the tattoo place and they drew this up. I liked it.

My cousin got the autism ribbon on her foot and a heart with flowers on her back for her husband.

I almost cancelled my appointment two days before because I heard you couldn't workout for at least a week. My first thought was, "I can't miss a whole week of training for my marathon!" My cousin called the place and the woman doing her tattoo has run a marathon and said I can still workout and train for it. She would send me home with all the proper instructions.

Everyone that I knew thought it was really odd that I was getting a tattoo! Little, innocent old me! And they were equally surprised that it was my idea.

I know some people are totally against getting a tattoo. I wanted it on my foot. I figured it's easy enough to cover up if I need to.

And it doesn't even hurt really at all now. My foot may be slightly swollen (because my shoes are fitting a little snug), but otherwise, it's totally fine!

It hurt a little while getting it done. But I thought it would be worse from what others were telling me. The foot is a painful spot because there is no meat there.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. Maybe it's an early mid-life crises? lol. I do some crazy things every now and again (can you say sky-diving twice, bungee jumping, roller coasters, white water rafting). I'm an incognito dare-devil! lol

It's in the Measurements!

2011-06-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

For those of my blogger friends that were here (or are here) because they were attempting to lose some weight, did you take your measurements before you started?

I never did. I started weight watchers in May 2007. I reached my goal weight in July 2010. It took me 3 years but I wouldn't trade a day of that for anything. I lost about 90 total pounds. Since last November, I gained a few back and am now about 10 lbs above the goal weight range.

In April, I decided to join a different gym and also get a personal trainer (that gym was having a special on training sessions at that time). My personal trainer's name is Mike. He is 26, very nice guy and a runner as well! He runs marathons also.

I'm a pessimistic person about myself. It's very hard for me to congratulate myself on things. I can be very optimistic when it comes to others, however. And Mike is very optimistic! He is very encouraging during our sessions, makes me try to believe in myself and also is a great support for my running.

Mike also took my measurements when we started training together two months ago. For the last few weeks, he has been telling me that he wanted to re-take the measurements and see how it was going. He kept forgetting and I didn't want to remind him for fear there was going to be no change!

I had only lost about 3-4 lbs and was disappointed. I told him I didn't want to see the results. I said he could look at them but I didn't want to see. To which he responded, "Are you SURE you don't want to freakin' see this???" Well, of course then I said I would! And I lost about 1.5 inches everywhere! Waist, hips, legs, etc. He added up and the total inches lost were 9 inches! He was very pleased. He also tested my cardio and I moved up in that 9 points (whatever that means) and went from the "poor" category to the "fair" category. Seriously, how was I ever in the "poor" category anyway! He said moving up 9 pts was very good. My BMI was down a few and everything was better!

So if you are struggling to lose a few lbs, maybe take your measurements! The scale isn't the only factor in getting healthier and losing weight.

My small change goal this week from Tami at Nutmeg Notebook is to not eat after 9:00 pm. The only exception to that is a glass of milk (if I still need a dairy), or I can eat a small dinner if I haven't yet because I got home late, or veggies for a snack. That's it!!

Small Change & Music

2011-06-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

My small change last week was to really monitor what I was eating before I ate it. Assess whether I was hungry or not. And did I really want the item. Sometimes I even took as long as 1/2 hour before eating the item, to make sure I really wanted it. It helped! I lost 3.4 lbs last week (although I also kicked butt in exercise). I did start slacking at the end of the challenge last week though so I give myself 70% success rate overall. I'm kind of disappointed that I start slacking at the end but it's not perfection I'm after, it's progress.

This week my small change challenge will be to incorporate the same challenge last week but also to make sure I get all my vitamins in!! I haven't been getting any in for the last 2 months or more! I've been sick for 2 months (the past 1 month with just a cold) and I still have the cold! Everyone keeps asking me if I've been taking my vitamins. I say every time, "No, but I know I should be!" Then they roll their eyes and laugh!

My full load of vitamins include:
Multivitamin
Iron (I'm anemic)
Vitamin D
Fish Oil Pills
Vitamin C (Which I should really be taking right now!!)

I think I need one of those "old people" vitamin cases for the days of the week!! Haha!!

Next order of business. I need to update my music on my phone. What music do you guys have on your playlist for when you are working out and/or running?? Please give me your suggestions!!

Weekend Run and Family Party

2011-06-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday evening everyone!

My small change challenge must have worked last week because I was down 3.4 lbs which is good because I was up 3 lbs the week before!! It's a never ending cycle!! lol

This weekend was my first long run of my marathon training schedule. It was 6 miles. I decided to run with CARA (Chicago area runners association). In my area, it meets at 6:50 am!! That's early but since it was the first one of the training, I didn't want to miss it. I wanted to meet everyone.

And can I say, it's really nice to run with a group of people. I think it will be handy when we are up in miles, any of the long double digit miles!! There are people that keep the pace for you so you can train at a certain pace. It should be interesting to run with them. They also have water stations and Gatorade throughout and some food afterwards.

Today we had an early Father's Day celebration and b-day celebration for my grandfather. My dad picked the meal...Chinese takeout! lol. I guess it reminds him of his childhood. I made pina colada cupcakes from Gina's blog and key lime pie. Click on the above link for Gina's recipe. They were really good!!

The key lime pie is a low fat recipe you may have seen before.
1 box sugar free jello
2 - 6 oz. containers of light key lime yogurt
1 - 8 oz. container of cool whip (I used fat free)
1/4 cup water
Reduced fat graham cracker crust

Boil the water and then dissolve jello
Mix in yogurt
Fold in cool whip
Pour into crust and refrigerate for a couple hours

Pictures please!! Well, I tried to post the pictures and was having issues!! I'm tired of trying, so no pictures!!

Hope your weekend was great.

Half Marathon, Full Marathon and Small Change News

2011-06-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I'm posting and eating lunch. Killing two birds with one stone! It's not always the best thing to do but it's the only time I have right now and afterwards, I'm going to take a walk in the nice 90+ degree heat!! :) I love the hot weather! We get so much cold weather that I'm not going to complain.

I had a half marathon near my Aunt and Uncle's house over the weekend. It was VERY small. There were only a max number of about 50 people there! I'm used to the big Chicago runs where there are thousands of people. This was in a small Western town called Plano.

The temperature was about 60 degrees but very humid. After about mile 1, my garmin wasn't charged and died on me! It was charged a week before so it shouldn't have needed charging but I didn't check. My fault. So I couldn't use the garmin for pace or mileage or anything. Then my headphones when out on me about half way through. Note to self: Charge all electronic devices prior to 13 mile runs!!

This run was HARD! I didn't anticipate beating my best time since I didn't have my garmin. Also, there were hills. LARGE hills!! About mile 10, I stopped dead where I was, looked around, said "Oh F--K!!" Then I realized I had nothing to do but finish. Since there were only 50 people and this was a long run, we were so spread out. At mile 10, no one was around me. But I kept going. My only goal was not to come in last. I think I was about 10-15 people from the end.

I did finish. When I checked my time...I was only off of my personal best by 38 seconds!! Really!?! If I would have known that!!!!! My best is 2:14:09 and this half time was 2:14:47! Wow. I was pretty impressed with this time. Normally, I would get mad not beating my old time and coming so close, but with the hills on this one, this was harder than any other half I did! So, I'm a winner! lol

I also went to a running clinic for the half over the weekend. They gave advice on hydration and fuel, shoes, stretching, etc. It was long but good information was provided. I also got a free book by a Chicago Marathon runner that has run over 100 marathons. It has to do with training for a marathon. Seems pretty good so far.

My marathon training starts this week. Since I ran the half on Sunday, I'm skipping my first 3 mile run today. Then I will run 3 miles tomorrow, 3 miles on Thursday and 6 miles on Saturday for the long run. I will be running the long runs at 6:50 am on Saturday's to run with a training group! I do not want to get up that early but running a marathon takes discipline!!

For the Small Change Challenge that Tami at Nutmeg Notebook has going for the month of June, I'm still keeping my "no pop" this week that was my goal last week, but I'm adding food for this week. I'm going to "think", really think about it before I grab something to eat or snack on. I tend to do mindless eating so this week, I will be mindful. If I'm hungry, I'll eat it. If not, I won't. Seems easy enough! :)

I hope you are all have a nice summer! So sorry, I've been slacking on blog reading!! I'll pick it back up one day!

My life status update!

2011-06-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday afternoon everyone! I've been MIA. There has been much going on with me. Good things of course.

First topic of the "My Life" series: my new job.

I was nervous taking a new job. I knew I wanted to move on from my old place but starting somewhere else can be scary. You wonder if you made the right decision.

Well, I started on Tuesday. From what I can tell right now, I made the right decision. The attorney I will be working directly for is 1 year younger than me (haha) and very very nice and patient. Another girl started at the same time for the other attorney.

And I actually get my own office too! Nice right? Pretty big for a small time girl like me!

My office!

Anyway, other new in the "My Life" stories: Running.

I had a 10k run with my cousin Nick on Memorial Day. I do this run every year and I love it. The only problem was, it was hot!! But here is Nick and I before the run.

We were pretending to run here, but it looks like we are going to chest bump each other

I finished the 10k in a personal best. 6.2 miles in 59.48 min. Great job! Pace of 9.38 per mile!

Nick also made a personal best by cutting his previous time by 11 minutes! Way to go Nick!

My next run is a half marathon this weekend by my Aunt and Uncle's house. I almost forgot I had this one because I only signed up 3 weeks ago. Wish me luck!

Other running news: Marathon Training.

I start my marathon training officially next week. I'm really nervous about doing the marathon. I know how physically and emotionally draining it is on people. But I have my personal trainer's running schedule that he made me. This month is not too bad. Here is a really bad, sideways copy of it....so sorry!

I will be running 4 times a week. 3 smaller runs and 1 longer run. I will post more as I start this.

"Small Change Challenge"

This week starts the small change challenge from Tami at Nutmeg Notebook. Click here for the most recent post about it.

My small change that I will be working on this week is to not drink any soda/pop. We get pop free at work and I tend to start relying on it too much. It's free, it has caffeine, I use it when I'm hungry. But instead, it makes me feel bloated. I don't drink enough water. It probably makes me hungrier. So this week, that's what I'm working on.

Still going to my personal training too. I will post a separate post more about that another time.

Have a great summer everyone! I love that Chicago warm weather is finally here!!

Small Change

2011-05-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, thanks to Tami from Nutmeg Notebook for calling me "kiddo". I've been feeling old in my 32 long years on Earth!

Second, Tami let me know that she is hosting a small challenge. It's called the Small Change Challenge. Click here to find out more details on this challenge! It starts June 1st, so don't delay! You even have the opportunity to win a few prizes!

Basically the analogy that Tami used was when you get change and put it in your change jar, it all adds up. The same is with pounds. Every little ounce will soon add up to pounds. Small change adds up to dollar bills!

Great analogy Tami!

And I don't know about you but since November, I've gained back 10+ pounds and would love to take them back off and get back down to my goal weight (if not even 10 more pounds from there!).

So, I'm in on this challenge. Go to the above link if you are in too! It's a great way to get a good start on summer!

R.S.A. - Need Help!

2011-05-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

R.S.A. = Realty Show Anonymous. I wish there was a meeting like this! I need it!

There will be no spoilers on this post from any of this week's results, so if you DVR'd the shows and haven't watched them, you are safe here!

I am really getting annoyed at facebook because everyone post the results of something right after it airs but I haven't watched it yet and forget and hop on my phone on facebook and there are the results!! Grrrrr!

Seriously, I watch far too much realty tv. Not the "16 and Pregnant" type shows, but the American Idol, Biggest Loser, Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars kind of shows. The competition shows. I love them!

I'm not so big on American Idol anymore but was watching it this season. I'm also not a huge country music fan and that is who the final two are. I'm not thrilled with this season. I think they voted off some great singers already. I guess from the final two, I would like Scotty to win.

Biggest Loser. Can I just say the finale show was awesome! I won't tell you who won. But so many people lost over 40% of their body weight. The finalist looked AWESOME! I wish I had 5 hours a day to workout so I could look that good! I've lost a total of 90 lbs but have put back on 10+ pounds since last November. Watching that show gave me a renewed sense of commitment. Uh, although I still didn't do as well today as I would have liked. I didn't do horrible either. I didn't even recognize some of the contestants!

Dancing with the Stars. Out of the final 3, the right person won. And without telling you who won, can I just say Kirstie Alley looked awesome! She lost a ton of weight too, although she will probably say it was because of her new weight loss supplement line, which is a total lie! It was all the hours of dancing she did! She also did great on that show for being almost 60 years old!

Well, sorry for the off-topic post!

On topic, I ran 5 miles last Sunday according to my schedule that my personal trainer wrote up for me. It was hot out that day and I'm not used to running in hot weather right now. Also, since I'm still sick, that didn't help. Those 5 miles were PAINFUL! lol. I wanted to quit so many times but I'm not a quitter when it comes to working out so I pushed through. My time wasn't too horrible but it was worse than normal. I did 5 miles in about 50:18. I should be under 50 minutes for 5 miles.

And can I tell you, my personal trainer Mike was bragging about his run the other day. He ran 6 miles in 39 minutes. Uh, what!?! Mike, you are crazy!!!

Have a great week everyone.

Congratulations to the Marathoners!

2011-05-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I signed up for my first marathon this year. And ever since before I signed up, ever since I thought that I was possibly going to sign up for it, I've been extremely nervous about it. My marathon is in October of this year. My official training doesn't start until June.

I've signed up for 3 half marathons this year just for some extra training. The first was the Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus, Ohio (Yes, I do live in Chicago). I completed that run and had a PR of 2:14:11 (9 mins ahead of my best time!). The 2nd half this year will be in a small town of Plano, Illinois. My Aunt and Uncle live there and I can spend the night before at their house. I just registered for this run and it's on June 5th. The cost was only $35 and I figured that I couldn't beat that! Half Marathons generally cost over $70. Then the last half marathon I registered for this year is the Rock N' Roll Half Marathon in Chicago in August. This is the half marathon I run every year.

Then the BIG run, the Chicago Marathon. To say I'm nervous is an understatement! I'm terrified actually. But I'm just going to do my training and hope my feet and knees hold up.

Before I started running half marathons and before I lost any weight at all, my friend (that I started running 5k's with) was doing the Chicago Marathon. This must have been 2005. I was going to meet up with her at mile 13.1 just to run a few miles with her for support. I was not a registered runner. I was just a spectator." With the way the Chicago Marathon is laid out, if you don't get out of the middle of the run by maybe mile 17, then you are stuck with it. It continues WAY south and then back north to the finish. So as I was helping my friend run, I had to make a decision by mile 17. I could stop at that mile and wish her luck, or continue running the entire second half with her.

Well, she was hurting by mile 17, tired, exhausted. And since she was running fairly slow and also walking, I could keep up with her pace just fine. I decided to help her finish. And I'm glad I did. By mile 19-20, she started crying and said she couldn't finish! I told her she could! Let's just walk a little. You will be fine. Just keep going!

At the end of the run, I moved out of the way and let her cross the finish. I wasn't registered and didn't want to cross the finish line. She has repeatedly thanked me since that day for helping her finish. She said she doesn't know if she couldn't do it without my support. I'm sure she would have found the determination to finish somewhere (she had family and friends cheering at certain mile markers), but I feel glad that I could help.

Also, that day gave me the strength and knowledge that I could do a half marathon. Because I did! It was an unofficial half and I didn't time myself, but I did do 13.1 miles! Well, 5 half marathons in, my times have moved from 2:55:55 (first half in 2006) to 2:14:11 (last half in April 2011).

I'm not running with anyone for the Chicago Marathon. I'm solo. For my first official half, I ran with someone the whole way and feel if not for her, I wouldn't have made it! So my goal is to have a support group. I need to make sure some friends and family come to support me along the way. I'm going to need it.

I'm trying to convince my cousin's husband Nick (aka Mr. Anonymous) to run the second half with me like I did with my friend Nelly. Nick started running 1.5 years ago and is doing great! The longest run he has ran is a 10k, but he is getting the itch to do a half. I thought, this will be perfect because he won't have to register, I will be running extremely slowly at that point and he can support me!! I'll keep you posted on this! I'm also going to recruit some additional people to have between mile 19-26!! I'm going to need it!! (Oh, I said that already!!). Well, it's true!

So, who are the marathoners that I would like to congratulate? Dave from Experience Life (read about Dave's Marathon experience here) and Jodi from Run, Jodi, Run (read about her 2011 Marathon experience here). You both showed incredible strength and determination! Congratulations to both of you! You inspire me (and make me even more terrified!). Haha! And it was eerily weird reading both of these reports because they ran together and it was almost like they were written together! But it was fun to get both perspectives on what happened that day!

And congratulations to the millions of other runners out there that do crazy things like running 26.2 miles for the shear fun of it!! (Crazy people!!) :-)

Breaking News

2011-05-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

News is on the horizon. I’ve been wanting to mention this to all of you for a little bit now but with the blogging online world, you don’t know who might read it ahead of time that you don’t want to. So I’ve been biting my tongue until I could tell you. Now it’s open news!

I received an offer for a new job and I took it. My last day at my current job will be next Friday. The new job does the same type of law that I currently do. I was hoping for a larger company than the one I work at now but it’s actually slightly smaller. I hope it’s a good change for me. The pay is better. Most of the benefits are similar but they do offer a matching 401K. Nice! My place now offers a 401K but it’s not a matching one, so it’s really no more than a savings account. And I will get a review and raise after 6 months!

When I told my attorney that’s retiring that I was going to leave, he did say that if I wasn’t happy at the new place, to let him know and he can put a good word in or try to get me in somewhere else. I love him! He was the best boss I ever had! The nicest guy ever! If he weren’t retiring, this decision would have been a lot harder for me. I will let you know how it goes after I start there.

In other news, my personal training has been going pretty good. Here were the highlights on Monday’s session: he offered to take off his pants, he said I reminded him of his girlfriend, and I called him my ex-boyfriend’s name! (Oops!!)

Ok here is the real version of that story: I left my workout pants at home so he offered me his pants. When I looked at him funny, he volunteered that he had shorts on. I still declined. I thought that would be too strange! Haha!

Then later, I yelled at him to pay attention to me. It was out of fear that I was going to fall doing something and he was looking away. “PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!” lol. Afterwards, he told me I sounded like his girlfriend…”Pay attention to me!!”

And lastly, well, I called him Matt. Which would be fine except his name is Mike! I’ve been fighting calling him Matt since the first day. He just reminds me of a Matt instead of a Mike. But he looks nothing like my ex-boyfriend.

Lastly, my attorney pulled out an article in the Chicago Sun Times this morning for me. Back in 2008 before I knew all of you, I had a friend that was murdered by two gang members. He was not in a gang. It was around 5:25 am on a Sunday morning and he was making sure a friend got home safely (they had been at a wedding and party that evening prior). He was hailing a cab and was shot 3 times. They didn’t know until about 6 months later who did it. The two individuals were arrested and finally the trial started this week. You can read the article from today’s paper here. I hope they get put away for life. Such a shame and a terrible tragedy! He was 29, 1 week short of his 30th birthday. When this happened, I was probably only about 3 miles away because I had just gotten downtown to run my second half marathon. He was smart (just received his masters), had opened a pizza place about 6 months before, and was an overall nice guy! Sorry, to be a downer at the end of the blog!

**Blogger News: Marisa at Loser for Life is having a Subway Giveaway! Check it out here to enter!

Anyway, that’s all my news for now! Have a great end of the week!

Mother's Day! (?)

2011-05-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

Our Mother's Day was postponed last weekend. I was in Columbus and my parents both had to work at the restaurants. And my grandparents had just gotten back from their half year stay in sunny Florida!

So today is Mother's Day! We are having it at my parent's house and my grandparents are coming over. Just the 5 of us. Nice and cozy.

But this morning I did a 5k! I was running with Nick (aka Mr. Anonymous, aka my cousin's husband). And he did great!! I was there for the 5k for running support! And we did it in around 29 minutes! That's great! I think the best time Nick ever ran a 5k was 31-32 minutes back in April! Great job Nick! Actually, I think the course was about 300 ft short according to my garmin! This was a really small run (around 100 people).

I am catching a cold again. Can you believe it? A few weeks ago I had the flu for two weeks, now a cold?? It's the weather! 80-90 degrees for several days, now 50's and rainy!

But we just celebrated Mother's Day. My dad made a famous meal that my grandmother used to make all the time...Oxtail Stew! Oh, it might sound gross but it's so good! I made a blueberry ice tea that I got through Marisa at Loser for Life too. Here's a really bad picture from my phone...

Anyone have Oxtail Stew?

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Capital City Half Marathon

2011-05-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great mother’s day weekend! Since I was in Columbus, Ohio and my mom and dad both had to work at the restaurants they own, we moved Mother’s Day to this coming Saturday!

Speaking of Columbus, I did the Capital City Half Marathon there this past Saturday! I’ve only done the Rock N’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon (formerly Chicago Distance Classic) so to do another one in another state was a lot of fun! My goal is to try to do half marathons in as many states as possible (unless I upgrade to full marathons, but let’s not get crazy here!).

Since I had the flu for two weeks a few weeks ago, I was not anticipating a very good time. I know I can run but I’m still coughing and mornings are the roughest. Also, after working out, I have a little trouble with coughing and breathing. But I just figured that I would at least finish and if I don’t beat my best time, I would try to beat it in Chicago this August.

Guess who got a new personal best half marathon time? No, come on! Guess!! Give up? Me! I did! Having a garmin really helps. Before, I just tried to judge every mile how I was doing based on the race clock. But with the garmin, I can keep track of my pace throughout. I know that definitely helped me to keep going!

I started at a nice and easy pace, around 9:34 mins/mile. I kept that pace for a few miles. Then I noticed every mile or every two miles, my pace was slowly slipping (9:40, 9:42, 9:46, 9:50). As I slowly started to see my pace slipping, I was getting nervous. I think maybe around mile 8, is was around 9:50. I hadn’t stopped to walk and didn’t want to stop until at least mile 9 if I didn’t have to. But I was really feeling tired around mile 8 and when the water station at 8.5 came up, it took everything I had to say, “No, don’t walk yet, wait until the next water station!” So I did. The next water station was around mile 9.5. I decided to take a small water break. As I started walking with the water, my hip and my knees started to really hurt. It felt worse to walk than to run. Well, that did it. I tossed out the water and started to run. So I maybe took a 30 second walking break.

I had set my garmin for a time to do the half no more than 2:15 and therefore, it said what the ultimate pace for that would be (I can’t really remember now). My previous best time was 2:23:02. That was in 2009. In 2010, I missed beating that time by 43 seconds for a final time of 2:23:45. So I really just wanted to beat 2:23.

Around mile 10, I always get a small second wind. I just think to myself, “You can do it. Only 3.1 miles left, that’s a 5k! You can do a 5k!”

Around mile 11-12, I was really feeling tired (where did the second wind go?). The space between my shoulder blades was sore. I’m not sure why. Maybe I tense up my shoulders? It doesn’t feel that way though and I try to shake them loose. There was a rather large hill somewhere between mile 11-12 and I ran up most of that. Then I decided to take another small walking break and also stretch my shoulders out to try to relieve that pain. So I took another 30 second walk. I didn’t want to walk too much because at that point, I was over a 10:00 min/mile pace. My competitive nature kicked in. I really wanted to beat my time at this point. It was almost over! So I gave it everything I had to finish the run.

And I finished! My time was 2:14:11 for a final pace of 10:15 mins/mile. I was thrilled to finish under 2:15! But I was still a little disappointed with my final pace time! What is wrong with me! That’s a great time for me! Especially with limited training from being sick.

Here is a picture of me before the run and a picture of the finisher’s medal that I got. I actually like getting the half marathon finisher’s medals!

Dave, from Columbus, who emailed me last week and was also doing the run beat me by 32 seconds!! Ha! That must be one of those walking breaks I took! Great job Dave! I didn’t meet up with him during the run. I hadn’t thought to try to meet up with him probably because I really had no idea what the half in this town would be like. The thought just never crossed my mind! Maybe next time Dave! You can do a half out my way! Haha!

I did take the normal “post-run nap”. My knees were starting to hurt and my bad toe was hurting. An hour nap seemed like just the thing. You would think that I would have taken it easy the rest of the day but nope! My nephew wanted me to meet his girlfriend, so we went bowling that night! A new pain crept up too! The crease at the top of my leg started to hurt! That was a new one! My nephew kept calling me an “old lady” when I would walk up and down the stairs!

Sunday, I was feeling much better. I did have a 5.5 hour drive to get home that night too. But before that, my nephew and I hit the mini-golf and batting cages! (Yes, I’m crazy!). It was an action packed weekend! Since I don’t see him that often anymore, I like to spend as much time doing stuff with him as possible. I got the mini-golf game for me free because it was mother’s day and mother’s play free. What? I’m not a mother? Sssshhh!!! Here’s a picture of us after playing mini-golf.

It did kind of start getting annoying when everyone was wishing me a happy mother’s day, including the guy at the gas station because I was with my nephew. I mean, he is 16! How old do I look anyway! J

I left around 5:10 pm and made good time going home. I arrived home around 9:30 pm (excellent!!). And as I opened my front door and stepped inside…I froze!

My…my…uh…what??? My living room was spotless! And my kitchen was too! I didn’t move from the front door for like 5 minutes! Then I smelled something unusual! I flipped on the light and my living room was completely painted! Now, I painted 80% of one wall about a month ago, never to pick up the brush again! Hey, it’s a lot of work! And I got sick. And I’m lazy!

My cousin Jessie, her husband Nick (aka Anonymous on here), and their friend Stuart came over to my house since they have my key, took pity on my poor soul and worked their butts off!! Living room and kitchen were cleaned, tv was mounted on the wall (which I heard was a huge project and therefore, I must love it!), and the living room was painted!

I think I have the best family ever! Really!! Thanks again guys. My house was a huge pigsty! I’m a little embarrassed they dug through that mess! But I’m so so so so grateful! I shall keep it clean (and buy more paint to put a second coat on and paint the hallway!) I promise!

WWMD?

2011-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

WWMD? - (aka What Would Mike Do?)

Mike is my personal trainer. I like him. He's nice and funny. He knows about running and therefore, trains me accordingly. He signed up for seven (yes, seven) FULL marathons this year! Last year, he did three. He has a goal of trying to qualify for Boston. In fact, his best full marathon time is 3:30. Wow!! How awesome is that! He's about 26 years old.

Mike is pretty awesome in the sense that he understands that I run and am trying to go for my first full marathon this year. He isn't my personal trainer for running. I'm there for toning and core strength. I apparently have HORRIBLE balance! I never knew that! He works a lot on balance with me with the Bosu Ball. We even tried the dreaded squats on there again. I can do squats on the floor normally. When he had me try on the bosu ball around my second personal training day, I couldn't do it! My balance was way off and my legs were jumping all around. He wanted me to try again yesterday and told me to just go down a little. I actually was a little scared to try it! I don't like to NOT be able to do something. But I tried and you know what? I did it! My legs were still jumpy a little and I could only go down about half way but it's improvement.

Like I said, Mike isn't training me for running but he does give me some helpful, friendly, non-trainer advice. He even made me a running schedule through July which gets me through part of my Marathon training. He said he would re-evaluate in July. I appreciate the support and advice he gives me on running.

I have the Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus this weekend. I'm excited to run somewhere other than Chicago for a change. I got an email from Dave who lives in Columbus and is also doing the run this weekend. I wish Dave luck on the half this weekend! Thanks for the email! I love blogging friends!! :) You can check out his blog here.

I will post maybe Sunday or Monday to let you all know how my run went. My best half marathon time is a little over 2:23. I would really like to beat that time but with limited training the last three weeks due to being sick, and still having a little cough, I'm not sure I can do it. But if I don't, it's ok! There is always my half marathon in August!

One Week to Columbus

2011-05-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the weekends always seem to go by so fast! I did absolutely nothing productive this weekend! Well, almost nothing. The weekend was beautiful in Chicago. Around 70 and sunny yesterday and 60 and sunny today. I was feeling much better after being sick with the flu and a cough the last two weeks. I still have a cough but that's mostly it. I still don't have the lung capacity when working out but it will get better as I get better.

I went to my weight watcher meeting yesterday after not going for two weeks and I lost 3 pounds. I was pretty happy considering I wasn't able to work out much the last two weeks since I was sick but I was still able to eat! It wasn't one of those illnesses that you can't eat and you lose tons of weight! lol.

I probably botched all of my weight loss last night though with a night at my cousins and friends! Wine, wine and more wine!

I have one week until the Columbus Half Marathon. I'm a little nervous because I've only run about 2 miles a few times the last few weeks. I'm procrastinating a "longer" run today. I cough too much in the mornings right now to run so I was waiting until this afternoon. I'm going to try a 5 mile run today and see how that goes. That will be my longest run for this week before the half. A week ago I didn't think I would even be able to do it but I think I can, even if I can't do it as well as I would normally be able to. I'm a little scared though. It's a tough run and it's tougher when you have been sick!

Have a good Sunday evening. I'll catch up later in the week!

Update

2011-04-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. I went to my cousin's house. She made all the good ol' fattening fixings: Ham, bacon and cheesy potatoes, egg and sausage casserole, bowl of fruit (yes a bowl of fruit!). It was delicious! And of course my Aunt made the famous bunny bake. I love the bunny cake!

I've been sick for about a week and a half now. After about 6 days, I ended up running a fever of 101 last Thursday and went to the doctor on Friday. I had a fever for 3 days! The doctor of course said everything looked ok. I don't have any congestion or head cold stuff. I'm just coughing, headache, I had body aches, shaky. I have good days and bad days. The bad days are really bad! I can't do anything but crawl into bed and sleep!

But I feel a little better today. I have no cardio endurance right now at all. Hardly working out. I get winded walking from the train to work (about 6 blocks). This is really driving me crazy!

And I'm supposed to run a half marathon in Columbus next weekend. I almost feel like I may not be able to. Right now I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm waiting to see how I feel next week. If nothing else, I'll still go to Columbus to visit my nephew and brother. I'll keep you guys posted.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to wish you all out there a very happy Easter tomorrow.

I've been fighting the flu unfortunately but went to the doctor yesterday and got some medicine. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better soon.

What's your favorite thing to eat on Easter? My favorite thing is the bunny cake that my relatives make!

Personal Training Session #1

2011-04-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

I had my first real paid personal training session last night. I haven't been feeling well though and even took half of Monday off of work. But I wasn't feeling too bad yesterday and decided not to cancel on my PT session.

My trainer is named Mike. Good looking guy. I think he may be around 26 years old. Like I said before, he is a runner and is doing the Nashville Marathon next weekend.

I will share my workouts with you when I can. Sometimes it may be hard to explain. I'll just give a brief rundown on how his workouts are for right now.

They have a TRX system, which is just straps, but you can do almost any toning workout on it. While doing these workouts (triceps, biceps, pushups, abs) you use your core muscles to keep you stabilized.

He also has me do a lot of workouts on the Bosu Ball. Do you know what that is? It's a half ball. We flip it upside down so the ball is on the bottom and the flat platform is on the top. Then you stand on it and balance. I'd never been on one of those before so I had a really hard time keeping my balance at first. But I am getting better at it. He then might throw in some weights for arm exercises to do while I'm balancing on it.

Yesterday was funny because he wanted me to do squats on this ball. Well, as I went down, my legs went crazy! They were shaking all over the place. I tried twice but couldn't do it. That was the only thing so far that I couldn't do. He said we will graduate up to that. lol. I want to go buy one to practice!! I hate not being able to do something.

But he also took all my measurements and weight and all that good stuff yesterday. Um, yeah. That did not put me in a happy mood. I was in the "poor" category on everything. lol. Thanks a lot!! He was trying to be supportive, "Those are not the most important numbers!" Or "That really doesn't mean much!" Oh well. I know I'm really fit actually even though my hip measurements are high or something!

And actually, I think he is really surprised that I can do a lot of the stuff he throws at me. He can tell I push myself. I did tell him to make sure he is tough on me. I can handle it.

My training sessions will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. I will let you know how it all works out.

1 down...23 to go!

Guess what I did??

2011-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday. I guess. I'm not feeling too happy today. It's been an off weekend for me. Woke up yesterday feeling a little under the weather. I think the up and down weather is to blame. It's really the only time I don't feel well.

I did manage a 5 mile run/walk this morning. I really shouldn't have gone. I ran 3 miles and walked the last 2 miles. I finished in 1 hour 4 mins which really isn't too bad considering. My mind and body wasn't in it today.

But guess what I did on Friday? Want to know? I signed up with a personal trainer! Oh yes I did! I had a free session last Friday at Cardinal Fitness. I belong to Bally's but my membership will be up in a few months and personal training there is about $50 per session. I cannot afford that. But cardinal was having a special for tax day and if you bought the sessions last Friday, they were $25 per session. For a full hour!

And did I tell you the personal trainer I ended up with is actually a runner? He ran the Chicago Marathon in 2008. He was really excited when he found out I am a runner and signed up for the marathon this year. He asked if he could write my training program for it because he is trying to get certified as a running coach! What!?! How did I end up with this guy! This is perfect! I'm there mostly for toning right now but toning, especially your core section, is really important for runners. I'm excited! And it doesn't help that he is pretty cute! I have a workout crush! Doesn't hurt.

I'm excited to see if this helps me. I've wanted to do personal training for about a year and a half!

And guess who I met yesterday? My newest future goddaughter! My friend from 7th grade had a baby and her name is Genevieve. Want to see a picture? Of course you do!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Sunday! Can you believe next weekend is Easter! Wow!

Workout Update & Recipes Needed

2011-04-13T15:02:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

How is everyone doing this week so far? I’ve been just ok, nothing to brag about, nothing to complain about. I really need to find something different to do once a week or so. I go to work and I go to the gym. On occasion, I may hang out with family or friends. But I need to do something different. I’m thinking maybe join a team of some sort, maybe a summer sports team? The problem is…I’m horrible at all sports! … (yes, all sports!) I’ll ponder this issue and get back to you.

I kind of miss taking my sign language classes. I may look into that again for the fall semester.

I did start to paint my living room. The key work here is “start”. I painted about 85% of one wall a few weeks ago and stopped! Note to self: Finish home improvement projects!

As I posted on Sunday, I did the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. My official time was 48:04. That’s a definite improvement from the previous two years of 50:27. I actually think I could have done better. It was solid people almost the whole way through. I kept having to try to dodge around people and several times (even after 4 miles) would have to stop running because I couldn’t get around all the people!

It was such a gorgeous day that it seemed every runner that registered showed up! I finished in 12,500^th place out of 32,000 finishers! That’s better than half, I’ll take it. My cousin Nick improved his time too! By over a minute! Way to go Nick!

In other workout news, I went to a new gym class last Monday night. It was a kickboxing boot camp. I do another kickboxing class at the gym, but it’s always good to try something new. And she KILLED me! Boot camp it was! We were up doing kickboxing stuff, then the next minute we were down on the ground doing pushups, mountain climbers (do you know what those horrible things are?), and jacks in pushup position! Then back up to kickboxing and so it repeats! Pure torture! And I’m feeling it! This will be a definite Monday class for sure!

NEEDED: Recipes! Easy ones with little ingredients. I need to start cooking more. Any recommendations on your favorite ones? I don’t eat any seafood though. Other than that, would love to hear your suggestions!

Shamrock Shuffle 2011 Race Recap

2011-04-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Today was the Shamrock Shuffle. I was really excited. I was dying to beat my previous time of the last two years of 50:27! It was actually a really nice day, but just a little too hot to run 5 miles! The last two years it was 30 and snowy. I was welcoming the warmer weather.

I wore my garmin and my unofficial time was 48:02 with an average pace per mile of 9:36! I'm very happy with that considering I was dying from the weather! The last mile I just repeated to myself "Just keep running, just keep running!" You have to do what you have to do!! lol

My cousin Nick did great too. His time last year was 58:29 and his unofficial time this year was around 57:00. Great job Nick!

Official results to come later! They are not posted right now, or there are too many people trying to get on the site because it's just crashing.

But it's a gorgeous day in Chicago. I wish it was going to last but it's not. It's about 80 degrees and sunny. Later in the week it will be 50's and rainy. Oh well. I'll enjoy it while I can. Here are a few pictures from the Shamrock Shuffle and of my wonderful convertible (how I will miss it when I get a new one soon!).


The Crowd! The start line is all the way up there!


Me and Nick Pre-Run


Going Topless in Chicago!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!!

Shamrock Shuffle Weekend!

2011-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

It's been one of those weeks! Not feeling the greatest. Weather could (and should be better!). Foot hurts. Knee hurts. Complain, complain, complain!

So, I'll move on. Ran 6 miles last night. I actually was supposed to run with my cousin Nick in preparation for the Shamrock Shuffle this weekend, but he wasn't feeling the greatest, so I went solo. I decided to do 6 miles. And I complained to myself EVERY.STEP.OF.THE.WAY!

My thoughts..."...maybe I'll just do half of it running and half of it walking....maybe I'll stop at mile 4 and walk...maybe I'll stop and mile 5...maybe 4.5? ... Fine, I'll do all 6 miles!" This is the argument I had with myself the entire run! Right from the first step, my feet and knees were screaming at me to stop. But I didn't. Because that will get me nowhere. And my time was 59:04 for an average pace of 9:51 mins/mile. Not bad considering I was a baby the whole time.

I love running the Shamrock Shuffle every year. It's the first major run in Chicago to kick off the running season and everyone is in a great mood! The last two years, it was in March and it snowed and was cold and miserable! This year it's in April (April 10th) and it's supposed to storm and be 80! What!?! I can't win. But hopefully the rain will hold off. I'm going either way.

Do you give in to yourself when you are whining and crying because you don't want to workout?

"My Run" and My Run

2011-04-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

"My Run" (movie review)

Last Thursday night I went to see a one-night movie special with my hairstylist and her running/exercise group. The movie was called "My Run." It was a documentary about a guy who loses his wife to cancer and is a single parent to three children. He realizes there is not a lot of support for single parents and wants to do something that will bring media attention to this issue.

He decides he wants to run from Minnesota (where he lives) to Atlanta, Georgia for the 1996 opening ceremony for the Olympics. That's where the "75 marathons in 75 days" came from. He figured he would run X amount of miles, sometimes 28, sometimes 30, etc., every day for 75 days and that would get him to the opening ceremony in Atlanta. This man was not in shape. He was getting older. He never really worked out. People said this was an impossible task. They said he could not do it. He hired a trainer, saw the doctor, tried training for it.

Eventually the day came for him to start, and he did. He didn't realize the amount of pain he would be in. He was in so much physical pain every day that he wanted to quit. But along the way, there was always someone that he would meet that would inspire him to keep going. His son would drive and park every mile. The father would then be able to stop and re-fuel and keep going.

He later said he didn't look at how many miles he had left. He just looked at 1 mile at a time. Let me finish this one mile and I'll figure out the next one when I get there. He also said he didn't realize how mental running really was. He thought it was ALL physical. But he was wrong and said he realized that much of running is mental.

It was a great documentary. It was sad, uplifting, motivational, inspirational. It really made you feel like you could do anything you put your mind to. But go to the theater with a bunch of women and there is a LOT of crying!

If you ever have a chance to see this documentary, I highly recommend it.

My Run (Sunday, April 3, 2011)

On to my actual run. I thought yesterday that I would do a long run today. I was thinking about 9 miles. The last long run I did was 7 miles about 2 weeks ago. This morning I woke up to windy conditions. But it wasn't raining so I decided to head out. Now, I tried to talk myself out of doing 9 miles even before I began. "Maybe I should do 6 miles, or 7 miles. I'm too tired to do 9 miles!"

But I set my garmin for 9 miles. That's it. If I set it for 9 miles, then I have to do 9 miles! My garmin says so! I also set a pace of 10 mins/mile. This was just my goal. If I came in over that time, that was ok. It was just a time to shoot for.

And I did it. I ran the entire 9 miles! Here is my garmin to prove it!

My garmin says so, therefore it must be true! I did the 9 miles in 1:28:07 for an average pace of 9:47 mins/mile! I did not expect to be under 10 mins/mile! I think I'm ready for my half marathon in May!

And lastly, my nephew was in town for the past week. It's always so good to see him! He's 16 now and driving. He does well in school and is the best 16 year old kid. Here is a picture of us yesterday before he left to go back to Ohio. Sorry for the quality of the picture. It was taken with my phone and it was bright outside. Makes for a bad combination!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! I have a birthday party to go to now for my 1 year old cousin Elise!

I am breathing, I am calm.

2011-03-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people really test your strength! Your internal strength! I realized a few moments ago, that I was chanting, "I am breathing, I am calm. I am breathing, I am calm" over and over again today at work. It is taking everything in my power NOT to go and beat my coworker down. And I am NOT a violent person.

So I got up and went and ate my yogurt. I will control myself and not give in to this woman's baby attitude. It's so hard sometimes! lol. Sigh!

I'm looking forward to the Shamrock Shuffle coming in less than 2 weeks, on April 10th. It's the first major run of the running season and it always has such a positive energy to it! It's an 8k (5 miles). I'm looking to beat my previous time of 50:27, which I had for the last 2 years! Who ties their old time to the second anyway?? *Raises hand!

I'm still keeping my running log. I've been a little low on the mileage. I want to pick it up. Once the weather remains nice (I hate running in the cold), I'm sure that will happen. My miles per week are only about 10-12 miles. That sounds kind of sad. I'm shooting for 13 this week for a minimum.

"My Run"

2011-03-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Good Tuesday morning!

I was informed by my hairstylist that there is a movie special in Theaters for one night only on this Thursday, March 31, 2011. The name of the movie is My Run. It's about a 57 year old man who loses his wife and is a single father. He decides to do 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days to raise awareness for single parents. It's a true story, a documentary. He is not a "runner" and certainly doesn't fit the stereotypical look of a marathoner who can accomplish such a feat!

I think it sounds very motivation and inspirational, especially since I'm going to be doing my first marathon this year. So, yes, I'm going with my hairstylist and her running group to the theater. That should be interesting! lol

So if you want to be inspired, check out that movie this Thursday!

WI Results!

2011-03-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for listening to my crappy whining the past week. I promise not to dwell on it on here anymore! I'm trying to get over it. I mostly am doing good but I have my moments of weakness.

On to the results!

I knew I lost weight this week. I tracked most of the week. I stepped on the scale a few times and knew I was down at least a little bit. I was hoping for a pound (secretly hoping for two pounds but didn't want to get greedy!). And .... drum roll please....

Down 3 lbs!

My cousin told me it was 3 lbs of dead weight (meaning Mr. Nebraska). I concur.

I did was I set out to do this week since Monday and that was control what I can. I can't control what others are going to do so I decided to control what I can! And it worked!

I've been feeling kind of snacky today. Didn't work out either, although might go bowling with Tony (my nephew) tonight. But hopefully I can reign in my eating and just track it all and we should be good to go. Also meeting my cousin and her family at my parent's restaurant tonight for dinner. I usually get the chicken sandwich. There isn't a whole lot of healthy options and I really like the grilled chicken sandwich. I will also probably have 1 scoop of the most delicious ice cream on the planet for dessert while I'm there too!

A shining light...

2011-03-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

My nephew is coming in from Ohio tomorrow for his spring break. He is 16 years old and a sophomore in high school.

A brief history, I was 15 years old when my nephew was born. And I lived with him, my parents and my brother until he was 12 (I moved out when I was 27). I was kind of like a mother for him. My parents and I did everything. I would pick him up from day care and feed him dinner and read him bed time stories. He and I were inseparable.

When he was about 14, his father moved him to Ohio. I miss him, but he does so well in school. He is about the best 16 year old kid ever! It's really the truth. I see him a few times a year. He comes out here, we might go on vacation, or I might go there to visit him.

So he will be here for a week. Couldn't have come at a better time. A bright light to cheer up my broken heart.

In other news, Oprah's peeps contacted me again yesterday. This time by phone. I was trying to get on a weight loss success show. They just asked me some more questions and some of the same questions as in the email. They said they don't know if they are really going to do a show yet or not, they are trying to get their database all squared away and they will evaluate. That would be wild if I was on the show!

Also, my weigh in is tomorrow. I've done pretty good since my heart was broken in a million pieces, well, I've done good with eating, I mean! lol. So I'm expecting a loss, hopefully at least a pound. I'll take anything!

Lastly, mother nature is cruel! It was 60's-70 degrees last week, now is C-O-L-D!

New Motivation!

2011-03-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,
Thanks for your kind words about my break up. I since sent him a message saying that I didn't want to "take a break", that we needed to completely break up because one of the things that he said to me was that he "was looking forward to our visits anymore." I think he meant all the stress with the traveling issues, but I took it personally. It would be too hard to overcome him saying that to me if he wanted to continue seeing me. So I ended it completely. No further contact.

I'm debating on being a "total girl" and sending EVERYTHING he ever gave to me back, even the Ipod Shuffle I got for my birthday. I actually really like it but don't want to be reminded of him every time I listen to it. People keep telling me to keep it. Not sure what to do.

But in further "healthy eating" news, due to the stomping of my heart, I'm actually eating WAY better! I'm tracking all of my food for a change (since Monday).

Also, get this! Last fall I sent an email to the Oprah show to see if I could be in a weight loss success show for their final season. In all truthfulness, I rarely ever watch her show. But I thought, it's worth a shot! How cool would that be!

Well, after forgetting about sending this email months ago, they contacted me for more information! They are doing a weight loss success show for their final season! Wow, wouldn't that be cool!!

I'll tell you something, it really motivated me at the gym last night too!! Must get these 10 extra lbs I put on back off!

I figured I can't control Matt and the relationship aspect, so I will focus on things I can control. Eating and exercise is one of them. I can feel myself getting back down to goal in no time now! (I hope!!)

Thanks everyone for all the support!

Off Topic Relationship Post

2011-03-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

So sorry, I'm going off topic for a minute.

Matt and I have broken up or taken a break or something. I think it's for good though.

I think the long distance thing has taken it's toll and I asked for honesty, he doesn't really look forward to our visits as much anymore (ouch!). I asked and I wanted to know. So that's that. I'm not going to cry (if I can help it). I told him he knows how I feel but I can't change his feelings on it. I'm not going to beg. I'm going to move forward.

I guess it's time to refocus on myself again. No distractions.

Thanks for listening.

New Best Run Times

2011-03-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

How's everyone doing this weekend? I'm doing pretty ok.

My office is still at their temporary location. The dates to move back to the old office keep getting pushed back. Here's a few pics of my temporary digs:

The office I'm currently sitting in. Four of us crammed in one small space.


My temporary desk!


But I have this awesome view!!

Anyway, I've been trying to run a little more. I have that Columbus Half Marathon in May that I have to work up to. I normally don't have a big run like that so early in the running season.

But I've been doing great on my runs this week!

Wednesday, I had an unplanned run due to a dinner cancellation with a friend. I decided to do a 10k. Since I have that wonderful Garmin Forerunner 305 (which I love, by the way!), I can schedule it for me to do a 10k! I love that. No guessing how far I'm running.

And I ran that 10k (6.22 miles) in 1:00:38 for an average pace of 9.45 mins/mile! Whoa!! Really??? That's my best pace ever! And for a run of over 6 miles? Well, I was elated! I was happy the entire rest of the evening! It helped that the weather was warmer Wednesday and Thursday too.

I had run plans for Thursday with Nick but he couldn't make it. I decided to try to go for a short run even though I really wasn't feeling it after the prior day's run. So I did a 5k (3.11 miles). I did good for this run too but since it was a shorter distance, I wasn't as thrilled as the other one. I was still happy about it but, well, you know.

Now, I was trying to figure out if I should run today. It's going to be the last really nice day for at least a week. It's going to be rainy and going to get colder later in the week. That made up my mind.

After my weight watcher meeting (and my gain, cry, cry!), I decided to go for a 5 mile run. I wasn't sure how this run would go because I'm kind of beat from the 10k and 5k in back to back days. I decided to try anyway.

I ran 5 miles today, in 47:43 mins with an average pace of 9.33 mins/mile! Uh what?? Is my Garmin broken?? I seriously did that!


My running log.

I guess I did do it! My Garmin seems to be working. The miles are correct. The time seems correct. Wow, I'm really impressed with myself actually! The warmer weather definitely helped my running mood!

Now I have the Shamrock Shuffle in a few weeks. If I keep the pace of today's run, I'll definitely beat my old times.

Now, the only thing I need to get in check is my eating. I'm starting over again today. The 1000th time is a charm, right!?! Tracking...check! I can do it. I need to stop gaining weight every single week! I've gained about 15 lbs! Enough is enough!