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!

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.

Measurements: Month 5

April seemed to be a tough month for me, at least in the weight loss column. I have to keep my head high though, because there are a few big wins I had this month:

• My lab results came back and I'm healthier than ever!
• I ran 8 miles for the first time!
• I started working with a trainer and I'm building more muscle!

As you'll see in a minute, I didn't lose much weight this month... only 3 pounds. But I need to remember that I'm working with a trainer and building muscle now, and I added a 2nd protein shake to my diet each day to help my body recover from my runs and workouts. I'm convinced that that is making a difference. Also, I didn't get quite as much cardio in previous months due to my knee hurting and trying to take it easy.  Anyway, enough excuses. I need to remember that sometimes the results won't show in a picture or on paper, but they show in how I feel, and how my clothes fit.

Here are the numbers:

• Weight:  233.5 (lost 47.5 lbs)
• Chest: 45.5" (lost 5.5")
• R Arm:  14" (lost 1.5") no change from last month
• L Arm:  14" (lost 1.5") no change from last month
• Waist:  43" (lost 8.5")
• Hips:  42" (lost 5") no change from last month
• R Thigh:  25" (lost 4") no change from last month
• L Thigh:  25" (lost 3.5") no change from last month
• Neck:  18" (lost 1.5")

So there you have it.  Some change, not a lot, but any progress is better than none!

Here are the pics!

I also thought it would be fun this month to give me a reminder that although short term progress may not always seem apparent, adding up a little progress each and every time makes a difference in the long run!  Here's my very first pic, and a "fun" pic I did today to be goofy.  Gotta laugh too, right?!

     

A Monday Mile...

What a nice and relaxing weekend.  Lots of food, family, sleep, some exercise too.  Unfortunately it seemed every bit of food I love was available (except for pizza, tacos, lasagna, and... LOL, so maybe not everything).  I ate and ate and ate.  I even picked out all of the mini Twix candy bars from the bag of candy!


All in all though, I think I still did pretty good.  I got some walging (walking/jogging) in with Amber on Saturday and we both did our ab workout.  Then we walked the dogs for a short time that night through the park.  Heidi and I then took a few of the other dogs out on Sunday for about 45 minutes.  Those both qualified for enough exercise for my workout plan.


I did eat a lot of sodium this weekend, so I felt really bloated.  I was determined to change that.  I drank a ton of water at work today.  So much that I was running to the bathroom quite a bit.  One time... my zipper even broke!  Thankfully that was at the end of the day!


I didn't deviate from my eating plan today, I had no chocolate, no chips, no snacks other than my apple and orange that I had planned.  Woo hoo, it's been a while since I've done that!


At the gym, I was determined to make the most of my cardio today.  The plan was for 15 minutes cardio...I wanted to push myself.  I warmed up for 5 minutes and then jogged what I thought would be a 5 minute interval.  Then I thought heck, let's try for 6.  6 turned to 7 minutes, and soon I was at 10.  I figured I would just go for it and finish off 1 mile in 12 minutes.  I know, for those of you that run a lot 12 minutes may seem lazy but for me being just short of 250 pounds (down from a high of 312 in October 2005) and not used to running at all, I was proud of my accomplishment today... my first non-stop mile of this short spring season.  Time to build on that and work my way up to 2 miles then 3.


Every success starts with a small gain... What were you successful at today?

Fitness Update

One of my recent goals was to lose 7 pounds over a 3 week period... and not step on that scale at all during those 3 weeks.  Well.... drum roll....  I did it!  7 pounds exactly!  Woo hoo! That's a good feeling to reach a goal and know I'm on track.  Before I would always have one goal...that was my end goal, and it always seemed so difficult and so far off, it became discouraging.  I think I like the short term goals better! :)


My next goal will be to lose 15 pounds over the next 6 weeks (by April 29).  I think I can do it! I have another tough workout plan from Thomas that I will start next week.  It's important to change your routine every so often so it keeps your body from slipping into a routine and seeing decreased results.  Thanks to Thomas for encouraging me and supplying the knowledge and routines!


With that said, I'm so excited the spring weather has arrived.  It was in the 60's a few times this week and it's great to get outside!  Although it's only in the 40's today, I plan on getting out into that sunshine and walg (walk/jog intervals) along the river.  It should be fun, the river is high and moving very fast.  It will be fun to look at.


Anyway, wishing me luck as I start the next 6 weeks!  Just think, if I achieve this 6 week goal, I'm only about 10 pounds away from what I feel is a real good healthy weight for me.


Here's to a good week!