Let the running begin

I skipped out on Pilates today and decided instead to go running. I set out to run a 3:1, my old ratio that I trained with last summer. I wanted to run three miles to just see what time I could do it in. After a few minutes I decided I would just try to run as much of the three miles as I could instead of doing a run walk ratio. 36 minutes and a few seconds later I stopped running. I did three miles without stopping which for me is a huge feat. Only once did I ever run 2 miles without stopping and today, after not running for months I did 3 miles without stopping and averaging slightly over a 12 minute mile which is a minute and a half faster than what I trained for the 1/2 marathon at. My goal is to do my 3 mile "trail" and finish with my 2 mile corbin loop to make 5 miles. If I can do 5 mile maintenence runs without stopping throughout the week I will be thrilled. It is amazing what running minus 20 pounds will do! Thinking ahead to my two 1/2 marathons in September - I should be running with at least another 20 pounds off my body. I cannot wait to see what I will be able to accomplish without all the added weight.
Today just showed me that I am indeed a runner and got my excited to start running again...bring it on!

I'm done with running

Well, not really but the novelty of it has worn off. I went on a maintenance run this afternoon - 3:1 pace for 36 mins - faster pace than normal - and I did not enjoy myself. Nothing hurt, although I was huffin and puffin, sweatin and super thirsty (note to self - take water bottle on run when it is over 80 degrees.) And to be perfectly honest I don't feel like running anymore. I only ran for 36 minutes - Saturday's run will be slightly less than 4 times that. YUCK! I don't know - maybe I should drop back a pace group and do it a little slower - or maybe I should just suck it up and do it without complaining. Regardless I am feeling less than motivated to run, but go figure I am motivated to eat well and exercise. Ha. I've already dropped 4 of the pounds gained during fried food and sweet tea extravaganza. I am enjoying eating healthy and going to the Y. I guess I am just in some need of running motivation. This is where it's getting hard for me - mentally and physically.

Wasting Money

So my theme for today was stop wasting money. I pay $38 a month to be a member of the YMCA. Several months ago (maybe February) I stopped going to the Y because the parking was ridiculous. OK so that was an OK excuse for a while but then I just got lazy. When running started I enjoyed doing so outside and continued to donate $38 to the YMCA every month without using their services. So today I went - for the first time in a LONG time. So long that I hadn't seen the renovations. After being slightly intimidated by the new machines and layout I had a great workout. I only did 15 minutes on the elliptical because my main purpose was to weight train. I sucked up the embarrassment and read the instructions on most machines because they are so different from the old ones. I lifted for about a half hour - I have a feeling I'm going to be quite sore tomorrow. I've certainly missed working out and will continue. When I did the hip abductor and adductor machine I could feel I was working the area that has been bothering me during my run. I am going to faithfully do that machine and hopefully strengthen so that the hip pain does not continue. The stretching I did yesterday and today has certainly helped with any post run soreness. I can barely tell I ran 9 miles yesterday. Apparently I was not stretching well enough before!
My other wasting money realization was my weight watchers online donation. I pay to use their services online to track my points, find recipes etc. and lately because I've been eating so poorly I haven't tracked my weight or points. I did so today - I logged my weight in and cringed when I saw my pounds lost go down with my weight gain. I restarted my week today and ate wonderfully! I did well on fruits and veggies and ate balanced meals. I ate totally on points today and even had ice cream without going into any flex points. I even earned 3 points in activity at the Y.
So...no more wasting money - I WILL go to the Y more faithfully and use my weight watchers online subscription. I am actually going to a gentle yoga class tomorrow morning that says it focuses mainly on flexibility. I'm hoping I don't look like a fool and that I enjoy it. While tomorrow morning is suppose to be HUMID, tomorrow evening shouldn't be bad so I'll do my maintenance run then. Two workouts in one day?? Who is this person? :)

9 miler eve

Tomorrow morning is the 9 mile run at 6am. Have I mentioned that lately? For some reason this week is freaking me out a bit. All along I've been very positive about this running thing. Two weeks ago after eating poorly and being sore I punked out and walked the 7 mile. Two days later I did run the 7 miles with Nicole. Last Saturday I was driving back to NC and missed the 8 miler. Tuesday morning Nicole and I ran the 8 miles. This will be my first week back with my pace group and for some reason I am really nervous as doubts start to set in about being able to run for nearly 2 hours - keeping a consistent pace - and not being super sore in my hips. Maybe the nerves come from the fact that I didn't do any maintenance runs (minus the 8 miles on Tuesday). Or maybe it comes from the fact that I still am not eating totally on track. Maybe it's the massive life transitions lately - summer vacation - 2 grad classes - friends moving to NC - getting ready to move myself etc. Maybe it's because this is the last single digit mile week. Tomorrows run is only 4 miles shy of a half marathon - can I really do this? I know I can - I'm over half way there but it's still a bit of a mental battle. I wanted to be in a much better place physically at this point in training. I'm sure tomorrow will be just fine (even though our two coaches won't be there). I just need to silence the negative thoughts and just prove to myself tomorrow that I can do this.

my priorities

This morning I was slated to awake at 6:55, get dressed and go on a 40 minute maintenance run. This morning at 6:55 I hit snooze. I hit the snooze again at 7:04, 7:13, 7:19, and 7:28. My alarm was shut off at 7:37 and I finally rolled out of bed at 8:35. Hmm...definitely not going to get in a maintenance run, breakfast, and shower before leaving for Jay and Ellen's at 9:40. It's summer, sleeping is important right?? I shouldn't feel too guilty about missing the run right?? If I don't get a chance to run tonight I will attempt again tomorrow morning since I cannot hit the snooze Saturday morning otherwise I'd miss my 6am 9 mile run.
On an eating note: Today is the new start of eating healthy again - back to points - back to fruits & veggies - back to being better at working out.

8 miler

This morning Nicole and I woke up at 6:15 and got ready to run. I fought a bad mood about having to run. After not running for a whole week and gaining a ridiculous amount of weight I felt slightly less than peachy when we started out. I was huffin and puffin and I could feel the fact that I had put on weight. My hips keep getting super sore but they are not popping anymore. The weather was perfect - mid 60s and slightly breezy - great for a run and it did help my mood. Overall the run went well - we finished right on target time - 1 hour and 44 mins. My goal today is not to sit too much since I am S O R E already. I have so much to do before I head back to the land of fried food and sweet tea on Saturday, including a 5 and 12 page paper for my grad classes. I figure I'll so my maintenance run Thursday and then the 9 miler back with my pace group will be on Saturday at 6am - eek (not in reference to the running but the time change).

slacka

I am back from the land of fried food, sweet tea and BBQ and am only 3 pounds (eek) larger. Ugh. I did do a maintenance run Wednesday morning in VA but once we arrived in NC and began to eat the world, running or for that matter eating healthy was not a focus. I was going to run my missed 8 miler this morning but Nicole and I decided it might be better to get back on track more with what we're eating then run the 8 miler Tuesday morning. I am also still super sore from painting - my hamstrings remind me of the hours of painting and swatting to do trim work in E and J's awesome new house.
I won't miss any more Saturday runs until my family reunion which falls on our 14 mile run. The only other time I will be eating not so wonderful will be next weekend and early week when I'm back in the land of fried food to help E and J move. Then it's back on points, maintenance runs and cross training at the Y. I'm looking forward to focusing on being healthy and in shape this summer.

7 miles again

After wimping out on the 7 mile run on Saturday, I ran 7 miles this morning. I started on rails to trails at my apartment and did the 7 mile loop ending back at the apartment. Nicole and I ran together since she was away on Saturday and we did my 3:1 ratio and finished the 7 miles in 1 hour and 26 mins - 5 mins faster than my set pace. I'm still in a state of shock that on the first weekday of summer vacation I woke up at 5:45 and ran 7 miles - who is this person??
Since I'll be leaving tomorrow night to go to NC I'll miss next Saturday as well so I'll do the 8 miler Sunday morning. I'm hoping that I can do my maintenance runs this week and attempt to eat well while eating out every meal (ACK!). I've worked so stinkin hard to loose weight and with all the school year ending mess I've gained 4 pounds back - I know I'll gain some this week because I won't be able to control where I eat - I just hope that I can stick to making the best choices possible. I don't want to set myself back too much!!!
Off to get my toning workout as I finish moving and putting my classroom back in order. I have SO much cleaning and organizing to do at school and home so I better get to work - after a cool shower of course.

holy blister batman!

So I chickened out and walked the 7 miles today. When I woke up the last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed, let alone run. My stomach was iffy from the lovely food I've been eating, including pizza last night and I was SORE. I figured walking 7 miles was better than nothing. Walking was great - although my hands got totally swollen - such a weird feeling- and I got a blister! Normally blisters wouldn't be a huge deal and this was isn't really either but it's between two of my toes. I fussed with it of course and although I want it to air out I put a band aid on it. Just sitting here it rubs and hurts so band aids and I will be buds for a little while. I'm hoping to run the 7 miles tomorrow with Nicole. I also need to get myself back on track with eating right! I cannot wait to be back in a normal routine with eating and working out. Summer here I come!! 7 miles...more than half of a half marathon...WooHoo!

an hour ago...

An hour ago I was dressed to run and on my way out the door. I arrived back home 10 minutes ago! Who is this crazy person who inhabited my body this morning and caused me to get out of bed at 5:10? It only took 4 days to actually get myself out of bed early enough to run! This morning was a gorgeous 67 degrees. With my dying Ipod on I started with a 4 min. walk then ran for 11 min, 2 min walk, 9 min run, then decided to actually do my run walk ratio of 3:1 for a few cycles and finished with a 3 min walk. The Ipod lasted until the last minute of my final walk! The first thing I did as I came in the door was get a glass of water and a bottle of G2. Currently sipping those after stretching while cooling off. Normally at this time of the morning I've just woken up and eaten breakfast with Nicole - if I even am awake.
So today I've decided I'm not counting points - I stopped yesterday after I ate half a donut, a cookie, some appetizers at Chilis, and a Mint Mocha Chip Frappachino. (Oh yea and crab dip from the Pub)...It was the last day of kids...I had to celebrate. I am the same weight this morning as I was yesterday morning so running should help that not to catch up with me. Today is our staff party and our celebratory Shorebirds game tonight. In the grand scheme of life these 2 days off points won't kill me. I'm not even going to attempt to count - although I'll control what I can. Friday is back on points and being good - especially since I don't want to feel the effects of eating poorly while running 7 miles on Saturday!
Off to make spinach dip, shower, and grab breakfast - hm...do I get a bagel or just stick with cereal at home.???

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

...but I feel fat. So, I'd love to know how one can eat on points and exercise consistently but yet feel fat and not lose weight. Ugh. I know I just need to be patient but come on! Anyway - I had a great run today - a little short but I have a lot of work to do tonight and was feeling a little overwhelmed. Nicole and I ran a 4:1 for 25 mins but at a faster pace than normal. It felt great! We are going to run again tomorrow and do a longer run, as long as I don't punk out after field day. The thought of the 6 mile run coming up on Saturday is a little daunting but I can do it.

For anyone interesting - Sunday from 2-4 at EES Dobson is a Women on the Run expo - I'll be selling my Stampin Up stuff and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Dobson runners. They'll be LOTS of other demonstrators - door prizes - 50/50 - and Chinese raffles etc - So come and support the Dobson Easton ROCKS runners!

almost half way there

That's right folks - I ran five miles today which is almost half of a half marathon! :) hehe. Today was the first day wearing water belts. While it did bounce around and annoy me for a few miles it was wonderful to have water to drink whenever I wanted it. Next week we also have to have a snack with us - I think I'll try my sport beans (jelly belly jelly beans made for runners). My pace group and I (name still to be determined by my students) ran a little fast - we finished in 62 mins but were slated to finish in 65. We need to slow it down a bit but I'm sure that'll happen next week with 6 miles. I felt it this week! My hips were tight/sore/bugging me and at times I just wanted to slow down. I never felt the need to stop altogether though - I wasn't out of breath just sore. I feel good - I might go for a walk tonight though if it isn't storming just to keep my muscles loose!
A few of us stinky runners went to the bagel bakery after and sat, ate and talked for about an hour and a half. It was so nice to talk to each other and not run at the same time. Some of my fav girls who are in the pace group ahead of me :( came along so it was nice to spend time with my old running buddies. Too fast for me!
On a training/diet update: I've been hydrating pretty well although I should up my water intake more during the school day. I've been on points but after craving Chinese on Thursday, it took up the majority of my flex points so I certainly can't cheat this weekend! Must be good...must be good. My next weigh in is Monday and I'm hoping to have lost more than 50 lbs. I hit the 50 lb park last Saturday but gained some after eating at panera bread, although it was totally worth it! As of this morning I have 12 days to lose 4 pounds. Tough but doable if I don't cheat! We shall see. I didn't cross train at all this past week but I did get my 2 required maintenance runs in -thanks to Nicole. Thursday we were slotted to run but I didn't want to and I wanted Chinese. She bribed me - we ran a shorter amount in exchange for going out for dinner. :) I love bribery!

OK...I stink and the shower is calling my name. Pray I don't get too stiff today and I sit at the PERK!!!! and do grad work and grading. I have almost a marking periods worth of grading to do before I can start my report cards. Oy! Today is a work work work day so I can have FUN tomorrow!

And the winner is....

Glenda! Glenda bought some last minute tickets and was the gran prize winner of a week at The Pelican in Avon, NC. Together we made almost $1,000 selling the tickets. So each of us will get almost $250! That puts me over my $1,000 requirement to race and closer to my new goal of $1,310.

Thanks this week to ALL who bought raffle tickets and my Aunt Nancy, my latest supporter!

I am being good tonight - ate on points - drank plenty of water - ate my pasta - and have a evening planned at home which will include going to bed at a decent time. Hopefully all that will help me be prepared for tomorrow's 4 miler. No update after the run tomorrow - a bunch of us are headed to Ripken Stadium to watch St. Michaels HS baseball play in the state tournament. A day of fun in the sun!

Iran with my Ipod

Lovin the Ipod! I did run today - 45 minute run walk ALL over town. I am a bit sore - probably since I hadn't run since Saturday. Bad bad Carolanne.. I know! I will run again tomorrow then await my pace group 4 miler on Saturday. Nothing new really - just watching some American Idol then heading to bed. Still eating on points and working out - I can't wait to see how this pays off.

Booked

Well...I am really going to do this now. The official race weekend hotel is booked. (sorry folks - I went up in price and went for the hotel on the boardwalk at the finish line!). Jen had found a cheap hotel with a kitchen (which is awesome since we need to watch what we eat prior to the race). However it was about 25 blocks from the finish line/concert area. I'd love to save money but the thought of booking it and being unhappy with comfort etc just outweighed the savings. I mean truly - how often do I stay in a hotel Labor Day weekend in Virginia Beach. SO....Nicole and I opted to spend a bit more and go in on the block of rooms LeaAnn had at Surfside Oceanfront Inn & Suites. The pictures are nice - and it does have a fridge and microwave - so "cooking" at the hotel will be possible. Now that I'm spending gobs of mula on the hotel - if anyone wants to pamper the runner with a gas card for the trip that would be wonderful - nothing like a moocher right? hehe.

I've been a slacker on the running this week - well to be honest I haven't done anything since Saturday but I've eaten really well - doesn't that count for something? I swear - If I am on target with the exercise I'm eating handfuls of M&Ms - If I am eating right I am lazy. Someday this will match. It better! I just set my end of school year weight loss goal - Which would mean 7 pounds by 6/12. It's a stretch but possible if I work hard - SO...do not buy me candy or chocolate - NO inviting me out to eat - Let me lock myself in eat on points and exercise - I have to do this for me!! The tempting food just truly isn't worth me feeling uncomfortable. Plus - my goal gift arrived and Nicole is holding it hostage until I reach the goal and I REALLY want to show it off before school lets out. So...7 pounds in 23 days - woohoo!!! Here I come!

update

Now that I've been up for 14 hours and have been done running for 12 hours I thought I'd update you. I'm tired. My legs are tired! They are actually kind of restless from hip to ankle! I definitely have to walk a while tomorrow to stretch them out. So..a little sore and tired but doing well (even though I'd like to pig out a bit on ice cream or something but I only have 2 points left for the day...that won't be happening. grrr.)

drooling...

I want this. I would love to know how far I run and determine my pace. It's on sale at Amazon for only $88. I can't justify spending the money but I want it. hm... I'm drooling! (Also drooling over the awesome banana chocolate chip coffee cake I'm eating).

8 points

I earned 8 activity points today and I'm gonna go get a reduced fat banana chocolate chip coffee cake from Starbucks to get rid of the 8 activity points. :)
I did a bit of pilates and yoga earlier today then ran tonight. I am certainly tired - sore muscles - definitely going to take it easy tomorrow. I'll probably just do an easy run tomorrow and then rest Friday to prepare for the timed 3 miler Saturday morning.
On the weight loss side - I'm ALMOST back down to my 50lb weight loss since I started WW. I had reached that goal a few months ago and quickly gained 12lbs. back. If I work hard my weigh in on Monday could put me back to my 50lb loss. Then it's all smiles from there. That will make me the lightest I've been since freshman year of college! It took me long enough but it's SO worth it. This marathon thing is so helpful in forcing me to workout in addition to eating right!
I also just bought my 10% weight loss gift from life is good. WW encourages people to reward themselves every time they lose 10% of their body weight. I used to reward myself with food...DUH - could be the reason why it took me so long to lose. My next 10% is only 6 pounds away - so it's ordered but I can't use it until I reach the goal. :)

Training Day 1

LOVE IT! Let me say it again - I LOVED this morning. But let's back up a bit. Amy said to eat healthy the day before - hydrate well - get enough sleep - and get up about an hour before the run and move around. Hm...didn't so a lot of that. Let's start with yesterday - Debbie bought her girls donuts - I ate a few mini frosted donuts...then went to Rams Head in Annapolis for dinner. It was the first day in 3 weeks I've eaten off points. I had a bacon cheeseburger, french fries and a glass of beer...oh and peanut butter pie. Whoops! I paid for it this morning a bit in the bathroom, which I assumed. I was a little worried that I would also pay for it on the run but my stomach eventually settled down and I was just fine. Having so many people running together was encouraging. I was also encouraging to set the pace for a group of 3 milers and feel good about the pace. I have come a long way in just a few months. It makes me excited to see how much farther along I'll be come race day.
We ran today at a 4:1 ratio for 3 miles - which took about 38 minutes. I felt so good when we were done, I totally could have kept running. That fact alone made me feel tons better about this training. I don't have to increase milage for another 2 weeks so I'll be more comfortable at the 3 mile by then and definitely be ready to increase milage. I'm also loving being awake and alert so early on a Saturday. I have the whole day ahead of me - running done, breakfast done, shower done and normally I've only just woken up by now.
On a fundraising note: I'm now are 33% of my goal! :) My newest supporters are: Becky, Mary, & Debbie! Love them! Cards are on the way...gotta make some more today. Off to the outlets with Nicole then home to be productive!!! Many smiles today from the happy runner. I promise next Friday I'll eat healthier (at my fundraising Cookie Lee party.....anyone wanna come???).

NEW SHOES!!

So... look at my cute new shoes! Huge props going out to Fleet Feet in Annapolis! Some of the crew headed there this evening to get fitted for running shoes. They were totally knowledgeable and low and behold told me I am NORMAL (or at least my foot is!). These sneaks are totally comfortable - love the color and the fun wave in the heel! I am actually excited to go running tomorrow to officially try them out. I also got a new bra - gotta protect the ladies (sorry gentlemen). It was from a company called Moving Comfort. I have never felt more comfortable in a sports bra before. Totally need to check out this company more.
On another exciting note - today was my Weight Watchers weigh in day - I lost 3.8 pounds last week. Still have a few pounds to go until I am back to my 50 pound weight loss...I can totally be there within the next two weeks (I hope). I just can't express how much better I feel physically, emotionally and mentally lately. I'll be even better in 31 more school days. :)