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.

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!

Correction: Athlete!

So after I did the 8 mile run I posted that I was now an athlete. Apparently, I was wrong!
You see, I was working with my trainer this morning, it was a pretty tough routine today (and, I have trouble with the 10am workouts for some reason - I think I'm better at night).  Anyway, I was a sweaty, tired mess. I went into the locker room and rested for a while, drinking some more water and sipping on my protein shake. I stood up to put my track pants on, and darted off to the bathroom. I just reached the toilet, opened my mouth, and out it came! I threw up, 3 times!  Lots and lots of liquid.  Boy, that was a tough one. First time I've ever done that.


So, as my sister Kim said today... "Now you're an athlete, welcome to the club!"


I did 11 miles last Sunday... what is in store for this Sunday?  I think I will keep it to a 6 miler, weather permitting.

Shake It Out

So there's this song that I like, that has sort of become my theme song for this journey I'm on.  It's called "Shake it Out" by Florence & The Machine. (video above).  The song and video have nothing to do with what I'm doing really, but I've tailored the meaning to fit my journey.


To me, the song is about facing the demons of your past, realizing the darkest point, then making the changes you need to make. Shaking the devil off your back so to speak.


For me, this devil was my thirst, or hunger for fast food, junk food, bad food, and living a sedentary lifestyle.  Taking the easy way out, and thinking I will do something about it some day. I'm still young, I have plenty of time.  Well, when I turned 36 (if you've been reading this along the way, you will understand my "enlightenment moment") I decided to make that change and address those demons. Head on.  Sure, I've had my ups and downs, my good days, bad days, my triumphs, and my frustrations, but at the end of the day, it's about winning that battle each and every day, and hoping you have more successes than failures.  It's about determination, perseverance, pushing your limits, and adapting to the new reality of this new life I'm creating.


I listen to this song every morning, and every night before bed. It helps me remember where I've been, and where I'm headed.


I am now creating my future, creating a healthier me, and that feels great!

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?!