Not Quite A Half Marathon

One of my goals for the year was to complete a half-marathon. I was all signed up for the Red White and Boom half-marathon on July 4 in Minneapolis.


The weather leading up to the event was quite hot - upper 90's and triple digits with heat indexes to 115 and higher. The event organizers made the decision to  shorten the event to 5 miles rather than risk health issues of the runners. At first I was very disappointed because I had been training and really wanted to knock this off my bucket list. As the week progressed and I tried running outside, I began to come to terms with the decision.
I went to pick up my packet the night before, and was happy to learn that at random, every bib number ending in a 7 would win a free pair of Fit Sox! Yay!

All prepped and ready for the race, I headed to bed around 9:00 as I needed to get up at 4:30. Needless to say, it was hot, and because of being the 4th of July fireworks were going off around the neighborhood all night. I fell asleep sometime after 12:30.

I awoke at 4:30, and checked the temperature. Here is what I saw:

What? 4:30 am and it's already 81 degrees? And to top it off, I looked out my window and learned that it had rained as the streets were wet. That sure wouldn't help the humidity at all! Time for a cold shower and I got ready... boy, I looked tired!

Off to the race! As we were waiting in line to start, I was already sweating. I could see those around me with sweat dripping off their faces already. The horn sounded, and we were off.  I kept a decent pace for the heat, but it was still quite difficult. I couldn't have properly prepared for these conditions. Around mile 4 I was getting tired, but kept plugging away. I crossed the finish line at 54:01.  Clearly not my best time, but I didn't want to go out so hard to put my health at risk in the heat.

Here I am after cooling off a bit after the race - the race ended by running across this Stone Arch bridge.

So although I didn't get to run the full half marathon, I did complete another race which is always a good experience. On Friday this week, I learned from a co-worker that I was on the NBC Nightly News! Just a quick clip of me walking by, but none the less, I'll take that one second of fame!  Don't blink or you'll miss me!

Click here to watch the news clip.

Measurements: Month Seven

So here we go, another month has passed and it's time for my measurements and pictures!  As I go each week, changes are less noticeable as there just isn't as much to lose. Overall I'm pleased with how training is going. I feel stronger, and I'm looking good.  I purchased my first fitted shirts this week at Express, and also fit into their slim fit pants and jeans!  Good feelings for sure.


Here's the results for the month (total change listed):


Weight:  222 (lost 59 pounds)
Neck: 17.5" (lost 2")
Right arm: 13.5" (lost 2")
Left arm: 13.5" (lost 2")
Chest:  46" (lost 5")
Waist:  42.75" (lost 8.75")
Hips:  42" (lost 5")
Right thigh:  24.25" (lost 4.75")
Left thigh:  24.25" (lost 4.25")


Here are my pics for this month:

And here's this month's random pose picture:

So there you have it.  Off to another month of training!  Just a few days and I'll be competing in the Red White and Boom Half Marathon on July 4!  

A goal accomplished!

It's been a long time since I've written because I've been so busy training, so this post it long overdue!

When I started my journey, one of my only goals was to complete a 10k run. At the time I thought that would be a stretch goal because I couldn't even run 30 seconds.  But, I knew that with a little determination, and some luck not getting hurt, I could do it... (maybe)

During my training, I've already run up to 11 miles so completing the 6.2 miles doing the Bellin Run shouldn't be too hard. I was prepared.  What I wasn't prepared for was the emotion that would follow once I crossed the finish line. More on that in a moment. 

It was a warm June morning and we were getting ready for our run!  Nikki and I had a light breakfast and headed over to Heidi's house to meet her, Mom, and Amber. Mom headed to Nikki's sister's house to watch the race and Nikki, Amber, Heidi, and I walked to the park to join the race preparation.

Amber and I did some light warm-up jogging and then I headed off to corral 4 while they headed for number 7.  While waiting for the race start, they played the national anthem - a simple saxophone version. I can be a very emotional person when it comes to stuff like that, so I did tear up just a bit. I tried to focus on the run rather than the emotion of it.

The race soon started - 14 minutes after the start of the race, I finally crossed the start line.  There were nearly 18,000 people in the race so it took some time for me to get there, and even longer for the girls.  By the time I crossed the start - the elite runners were already at mile 3.  By the time the girls crossed, the first place woman crossed the finish line!

I had a preset goal in mind for my first mile. I wanted to keep to this pace so I didn't go out too fast in the excitement of the event.  I was able to keep my pace quite well, but quickly learned that some others that had signed up to run faster than me already started walking with their children at 1/4 mile into the race.  I had to weave in and out which seemed to slow my overall speed and time (I had hoped for a personal best)

The first water stop arrived at mile 2 and I learned that running with water and trying to drink it at the same time doesn't go so well. I managed to take my GU energy gel with some water and dumped a cup over my head. I headed down toward mile 3 and came across Mom and Nikki's family cheering us on.  I knew where they would be so I tried to get their attention, but they didn't see me until I was right there and then gone. 

The wonderful people of Green Bay cheered us on, played music, rang their cow bells, and sprayed us with hoses and sprinklers to keep us cool. That was wonderful and much needed! As I headed into mile 5 - which was my hardest mile because it was in direct sunlight and I was starting to get tired, I thought of walking but I looked at my wrist and saw the Team In Training bracelet, which reminded me not to give up. I was no running for a cure!

Here's a picture of me running during mile 5, taken by their event photographers that the bring in.  I didn't know they were right there or I would have focused on my form and facial expression!

Notice how wet I am from all of the hoses and sprinklers! As I came into the final stretch, back in Heidi's neighborhood, the crowds were louder and they really helped pull me through faster and stronger at the end of the run. As I crossed that finish line and was walking through the cool-down area grabbing water and food, it hit me. I had just achieved my goal, something just a few months ago I thought wouldn't be possible, that it would just be another goal I set and would never finish. To actually complete it felt wonderful. I started thinking about all of the changes I've made in the past 6 months. The knee and shin pain, the good days and bad days training, the dietary changes, and the 50 pounds I've lost. It hit me, I did it. I walked back to Heidi's house as I didn't really feel like breaking out in public. I grabbed my water, sat on the porch and let it out. Nearly a lifetime of weight struggles, yo-yo fad dieting, body image struggles, and at times unhappiness came pouring out in the form of tears running down my cheeks. 

I had done it. I just overcame all of my previous struggles, and ripped that demon off my back in just 1 hour 3 minutes and 6.2 miles on a beautiful but warm Saturday morning. What an amazing feeling. I sat there and reflected on what this meant to me and soaked in the feeling of accomplishment until Amber arrived about an hour later.  

An amazing feeling indeed! (minus my nearly bloody nipples - lesson learned for next time) 

Not too much time to savor this moment, as I have had to continue my training for the 1/2 marathon on July 4th! (now, just a few days away because it took me so long to write about this.)

Tomorrow is my monthly weigh-in.  Tune in for an updated measurement and picture post!

Measurements: Month Six

Wow, how time flies when you're having fun!  Hard to believe it's been six months already!  Training is coming along well, and I have my first run this next weekend... the Bellin Run 10k.  Hard to believe that was my original goal when I started, and I thought it would be near impossible to finish it. I'm scheduled to run the Red White and Boom half marathon one month from tomorrow, then of course the Dublin Marathon in October!  Busy months and weeks lie ahead!


Here's the measurements for month 6 - midway through my journey:


Weight: 227 (lost 54 lbs lost 6.5 lbs from last month)
Neck: 18" (lost 1.5" no change from last month)
R and L Arm: 14" (lost 1" and 1.25" no change from last month)
Chest: 46" (lost 3.5" gained .5" from last month)
Waist: 43" (lost 6.5" no change from last month)
Hips: 42" (lost 4.5" no change from last month)
R and L Thigh: 24.75" (lost 3.75" and 3.75" no change from last month)


As you can see, there wasn't much change in my measurements this month. I attribute that to my body adapting to all of this training, and not doing quite as much cardio work as I have in the past. I'm on a set training schedule for the marathon, and I want to stick with that. I do need to find a way to add another day of cross-traininig in there ... like some biking or something.  


Here's my pics:

And now for this month's silly pose picture:

Ok, I'm off to go clean the house now.  I'm having a hard time finding time to keep up with that as I have some sort of training each night of the week. On a refreshing note, I did find time to lay out in the sun yesterday and work on my tan, so I can avoid that farmer tan look on my legs from my socks, and from my shirt too.

Have a good week!

Project: 365 Six Month Update

Hard to believe it's been 6 months since my birthday, and I'm halfway through my year long transformation project.  Much has changed in this 6 months, that's for sure.  I missed posting my 6 month pic update...so here it is!

First team training for the marathon!

It was a busy week coming off of a very relaxing and wonderful stay-cation last week. The week went super quick!
I was busy getting my fundraising letters (the first 101 anyway) ready to be sent out. That took about 3 hours actually signing the letters, folding, putting them in the envelopes, addressing them. I've since started my second 100, and hope to have them finalized this weekend.
On Wednesday night, I went to the Team In Training kick-off party at one of the local universities.  There were probably over 100 participants there - some of them couldn't make it.  I met my mentor Randall, and his step daughter Kelly who is also a mentor. I also met one member of the Dublin team - Ryan. It's his first marathon as well, but he's done quite a few half marathons, in fact he is doing one today which is why he couldn't make our first training session.  The kick off party was very inspirational. Our honorary team captain was there - a 4 or 5 year old little girl who was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in September. She's been through treatment, and is working through recovery. She was so full of life, running around, giggling, laughing, and making people smile. Her mother spoke about the experience, and how The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has helped her financially, as well as emotionally. It really was an inspirational night.
We posed for team pictures, and had a number of workshops about fundraising, the event, and met a few of our business partners where we can get discounts (my favorite store - Run 'n Fun is one of them!) Needless to say, I've already used that 20% off discount this week and bought a new pair of running shorts.  I used them today for the first time, and they worked great.  They're a bit shorter than what I had been using, and they are lighter and more airy as well.


After 2 tough workouts with my trainer Eric this week (we did a lot of leg work) and I even did "tire flips" with a big tractor tire out in the parking lot!  So, my legs were a bit tight this morning. I didn't get any running in this week with everything that was going on.  
We were scheduled to meet at 7:15 at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. Now, I wasn't really excited about this early start time, but I did it.  I met up with the team, we went through some housekeeping items, then we were off.  The path was pre-marked for a 1.6 mile run along Lake Calhoun to Lake Harriet.  My mentor Randall ran with me, and we led the pack of the middle group (seemed like people of different speeds end up in packs). He was great, not pushing me, but always asking how I was doing, and if the pace was ok.  We ended up doing a 9:49 pace for the first 1.6 miles.  When we got to Lake Harriet, we all did a boot camp for 30 minutes.  We were doing lunges, squats, sit ups, planks, knee-ups while jogging in a circle, jumping jacks, and some other sort of jump, I think it was called a power jump, I can't remember.
After bootcamp, we started the run back to Lake Calhoun.  I think we were all a bit tired after that bootcamp, but I found my way to a group of girls that were running a good pace for me. 6 people beat us back, we were in the 2nd group of 6 or 7, then the others followed in as they finished.  
They had water and gatorade at both points today, and one of the mentors made banana bread (which I didn't eat because of the eggs and milk).  We talked for a bit and got to know each other better, then slowly started filtering out.
All-in-all, it was a good experience.  We split into 2 groups on Wednesday (east and west, I'm in East Metro). I like my coach Jen, and Randall is a good guy too. Looking forward to what the summer will bring!


I've had energy after that, so I mowed the lawn, had lunch, went and bought flowers and planted them in the plants outside.  I feel like I got so much done already today!  Maybe a bit of a nap is in order though, just for fun! :)


Have a great day!

First running pic

I wrote my fundraising letter for the marathon the other day, and I wanted to include a picture of Jon (who I mention in the letter) and I running.
We went to the community center trails, where I've put on a number of miles on that pavement this year!  We snapped a few pics while running, and here you have it... my very first running pic!

A copy of this picture can also be seen on my fundraising page by clicking HERE.

Cheers, it's time to start fundraising!


Oh, on a side note (before taking these pics) I ran my best 10k time so far - 1:07.48.  I was hoping to get to 60 minutes for the 10k on June 9, but now that I've added the Dublin Marathon as my year-end goal, I've been focusing more on distance than speed.  I better start mixing some interval sprints into the mix to help build my speed.