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.

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 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.

Wind Tunnel

It was a beautiful day for a run today... sunny, warmer than it's been, and no rain! (it's been raining for what seems like a week straight) I'm on vacation from work this week, so I had a nice relaxing morning, then got ready for what I wanted to be a pretty easy 6 miles. I put on my new Team In Training tech shirt, my Garmin watch, and my ipod shuffle and off I went.

The sun felt great! My first 3 miles were clipping right along, at a near 10 minute/mile pace. 
I was nearing 3 miles, and my mind started to play tricks on me, telling me I was tired. (I guess I may have been, because that was my best 3 mile time yet!) I rested on a bench for a bit and soaked in the sun before heading back the remaining 3 miles to get home.  I don't know what it is about this path I took along the river in downtown St Paul, but the last time I ran this path in 2009 I also had a problem.  It was like running into a wind tunnel again. Head on, with what seemed like 30 mph winds right at me. (lesson learned, stay away from this path next time).
I ran mile 4 at an 11 minute pace, then walked the remaining 2 miles home - jogging, walking, jogging, walking etc, into the wind. 
My total time was 1:07.47, which included the walking.  Here's the link to today's run. I felt pretty crappy about this, but when I looked back to the time I ran my first 6.2 miles - my time there was 1:12:14 and I ran that full distance!  That helps put things in perspective.

 

So, today I wasn't at my best. What if I wake up in Dublin on race day and I'm having a bad day there too? I just have to hope I can overcome it!


Another positive thing about today... this is the BEST STUFF EVER! Not kidding! :)

Milestone!

Although this isn't my official weigh-in day, I do step on the scale quite regularly. Today, I hit a milestone.  I'm under 230 pounds! This is significant in many ways, but first, I can't remember a time I was under 230. Second, this puts me at the 50 pound mark for weight loss!  (51.5 actually from where I started).  That feels great!
I feel I still have more to lose, but I'm not sure what my end number will be. I keep reminding myself that the weight was not the primary goal here :)
But it feels good!

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?!

     

Rainy day

I was hoping to get in a decent 4-6 mile run outside yesterday, but it was cold and rainy out so I took it inside to the gym for a cardio only workout.  While stretching, I decided to take what seems to be an obligatory picture of me in the gym mirror.  Here it is:

I like this orange long sleeve running shirt. It's size XL :) and slims me up a bit, or so it seems.  Makes my shoulders look pretty good.  Anyway..

I did a 60 minute cardio on the treadmill and burned 1135 calories.  Felt great, and I was so sweaty.  The gym will be closed this next week for annual maintenance, so I'll need to be sure to get some good workouts in elsewhere. My trainer is on vacation, so I won't get to work weights until next Saturday.  Maybe lots of pushups, crunches, and what not?

Have a good week! 

Finally!

So I haven't run in 10 days due to the soreness/pain/issues with my knee.. I've been icing it and stretching it religiously.
This afternoon my trainer texted me to see how my knee was, and if I thought I'd be able to do some cardio work.  It's been feeling better so I said sure, let's give it a whirl.  He's very good about making sure I don't overdo it, and has no problem adjusting the work if it bothers me.
So I get there and warm up on the treadmill, not knowing what's in store. After my 5 minutes, he said we're staying here... time for some cardio! (will also hopefully help me break through this plateau I've been in)


So, we started doing 30 second intervals running on the treadmill.  I started at 5.2 mph for 30 seconds, then jump off to the sides for 30 seconds. Then I increased .2 mph and ran for another 30 seconds, then off again for 30.  I kept doing that for 2 miles, eventually making my way up to 8.2 mph!  That's the fastest I've ever run.  Clearly I wouldn't be able to sustain that pace for too long, but if I can build that into my normal routine once per week, that should help my overall speed improve over time.  So needless to say, after 2 miles (I really only ran 1 of them), I was already all sweaty!  Here's what else I did tonight (in no particular - we did 1 set of the whole routine, then the 2nd set):

• 2 sets of 20 oblique twists with a medicine ball (lean back, balancing on my butt with my legs slightly bent and elevated)
• 2 sets of 15 crunches on the decline bench throwing the medicine ball back and forth to my trainer with each repetition
• 2 sets of 15 push ups
• 2 sets of 12/hold 12/12 Superman exercises (lay on my stomach with my arms stretched out like a flying superman. raise arms and legs 12 times, then hold for 12 seconds in the raised position, then 12 more reps)
• 2 sets of 10/10/10 leg lifts (lay on my back with shoulders slightly elevated, extend legs straight out, then raise upward for 10 reps, then rotate each leg one at a time for 5 each, then another 10 together)
• 12 push ups resting one hand on a kettle ball (6 push ups with one hand on the kettle ball, and the other on the floor, then another 6 switching hands)
• 15 squats holding a kettle ball at chest level
• 20 lunges (10 on each leg holding a kettle ball in each hand at my side)
• 30 swinging squats with a kettle ball (squat while swinging a kettle ball in right hand and swinging it from in front to between legs while squating, then swing it with both hands while squating, then the left hand while squating, for a total of 10 with the right hand, 10 with both hands, and 10 with the left hand)
• 1 minute plank

To finish the night, we went back to the treadmill walking at 3.2 mph.  We started at 15 degree incline, and reduced the incline 1.5 degrees every 2 minutes. This continued for 15 minutes.

Wow, when I put this down and see it it sure looks like a lot!  Hard to believe that just a few months ago, doing something like this would have put me out of commission.  Oh wait, just a few months ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to complete this at all!  It's amazing how your body grows and develops and gets stronger with a little work!

I'm getting a physical next week, and am going tomorrow morning to get my blood drawn for my fasting lab test.  Curious to see what my results are for my cholesterol, triglycerides, etc to see how the exercise and vegan diet have impacted that stuff, after nearly 4 months.  I also want to make sure I'm getting all the nutrients I need, so I can adjust my diet if necessary.  Will post once I get those results back!

Ok, time for bed!  Have a good week. 

UGH!

So... things have been plugging right along. Almost too much of a routine for my taste now that I've settled in on running as my main cardio source (to train for the half marathon I've now signed up for - more on that later I guess I may have forgotten to mention that). 
When I cranked out the 6.23 miles a few weeks ago, my knee bothered me just a bit, nothing major.  Then I went to do a free workout with a trainer that Saturday, and I was doing squats, and think I may have hurt my knee somehow. I continued to run the following week, and it didn't really hurt, but I had been icing it quite a bit.  
Felt good the last 2 days, and I went back to the trainer tonight.  Seems to hurt again.  Icing it again.
I've taken this week off from running to help it rest and heal.  I hope it works!
I really don't want, or need a set-back right now.  I've come too far, and still have a long way to go, to get discouraged over an injury.
To top it off, I think I've hit a plateau with my weight.  I'm not showing any weight loss for 3 weeks in a row.  In fact, I gained 2 pounds over the last week. That's the first time that happened since I started this journey!  I'm chalking it up to Easter, salt, and lack of water for now.  But I really want to see a decrease soon, so I don't become discouraged. (I'm the person who needs to visualize the result to know my efforts are paying off).
On a positive note, my clothes do fit better, I've decreased a size in my shirts (to an XL now) and am close to going down a size in my pants. I guess that's progress, I need to keep that in mind too, and hold on to whatever positives I can.


I REFUSE to let myself go back to this!

Are you high?

Yes.  High on whatever chemical exercise releases into your body.  It feels great!

So, I've been in a bit of a rut this week. I had 3 days off last weekend to take a little road trip to visit with Mom and Heidi. I came back on Monday and decided to do intervals on the track, because it had been a while. I did 2 laps jogging, 1 walking intervals which I haven't done yet. Being on the harder surface rather than the treadmill bothered my knee a bit.  So I decided to not jog this week, to change it up.  My workouts started to seem routine, so I changed it up.

I was thinking I hit a plateau today, but then I checked my weight tracking chart and I'm still losing weight, so I figured it's just my routines.  Progress does feel good.

So in my spirit of shaking things up this week, I started with the leg machines, and added 40-60 pounds onto each exercise on top of what I normally would do.   

Then, I decided to do a full 60 minutes walking on the treadmill, at an incline, which I haven't done in forever. I worked to a 3.7 mph pace, and up to a 12 degree incline!  I burned a total of 931 calories during that hour.  (not sure if you will be able to see that in the pic) That felt really good, but I have a feeling with all this leg work, they will be quite sore tomorrow morning, or the next day.  Cheers to pushing yourself!