Winter

I must admit I have not done well with running lately but I have walked on the treadmill consistantly.  DH and I started a half marathon training schedule right before the bad weather set in.  I never thought I would say I missed being able to exercise outside but I am missing it. 

I have lost last year's Christmas photos!  While searching for them I came across this photo taken at Glorietta October 2009:

And then this photo taken at Glorietta October 2011:

The first photo while in Glorietta we drove everywhere, went to Santa Fe (and ate at Olive Garden) shopping during our free time and ate what we wanted in the cafeteria.

The second photo we parked and walked everywhere and walked extra during our free time (hills).  We brought healthy snacks and ate as healthy as we could in the cafeteria after walking there and walked to chapel after.

I needed to find these photos.  I am within 3 pounds of my average weight, 5 pounds from my lowest weight but that's still 30 pounds from where I wanted to be at this point. 

Mind games:  I made a deal with myself while on the treadmill this morning.  Christmas movies are killing me!  I sit too much and watch way to many movies during this time of the year.  So... as of today if I want to watch a movie I will walk an extra mile on the treadmill and drink an additional bottle of water. 

Previously in my dieting career I would of never actually written these things down much less shared it with anyone...I have progressed in this area as well...I am counting these things as leaps and bounds NOT baby steps!

It seems we have all gone MIA in blog world and I am wondering...how are you doing?

A Very Proud Aunt

My nieces Jill and Jodie ran the Rock and Roll San Antonio Marathon this past weekend.  You can read  Jodie's story here.  I was so proud Sunday as I got updates (can you believe Jodie was Tweeting as she ran) and got a bit teary eyed (very hormonal emotional I know).  I have two brothers so don't exactly know what it would be like to run with a sister but know it was a very special day for them and they looked so cute in their race garb! 

Jill / Part 1 is here.  Jill not only ran a marathon but drove 8 hours to get to San Antonio and eight hours home and then went to work on Monday morning, what a woman!!!

I read a lot of blogs, people I don't know, now I can hear up close and personal stories from people I know...exciting.  I can't even imagine being with 30,000 people much less running a marathon with those 30,000 people.

I am a very proud Aunt...Jill and Jodie you are very special girls!

Tuesday Tells

It's harder to stick to a schedule when you don't have a race on the calendar.  After missing, skipping, ignoring Sundays workout and painting the laundry/craft room yesterday I got up this morning determined to get my workout out of the way first thing!  Workout completed.

I know this is not a decorating blog but since I have mentioned painting I want to show you the progress I have made re: laundry/craft room:

This is embarrassing / the catch all place

Walls painted



Next on the agenda the doors and cabinets and sorting/trashing all the stuff that was in the room.  My plan is antique white distressed.  I would love to take up the carpet and get tile installed but that's not going to happen...shopping today for blinds and rug.

I have been reading and watching news about the Chicago Marathon last weekend and thinking about Jo Jo and Jilligan racing in San Antonio this weekend.  Rock n Roll girls - good luck!

????Wondering if I will be ready for a 15k in February???? 

 Should I give that to myself for Valentines Day?

Compliments

I am by myself a lot.  Sometimes by choice and most of the time by means of the life style we lead.  Friends are working, kids are working and at school, and husband is a teacher/coach.  Being alone for long periods of time I do a lot of pondering...sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it just wastes my time...useless head games that are nonproductive.

I am currently pondering this:  why do I feel when given a complement that I have to make excuses that belittle my accomplishments? 

I have worked hard to get to where I am...diet, exercise, losing weight, running, races, personal growth.  I have gotten out of my comfort zone in many ways.  Invariably when given a complement instead of accepting it and thus accepting my victories I make excuses; how far I have to go instead of celebrating how far I have come.  Am I not worth accomplishments, am I not important enough to deserve victory?

We attended a number of activities this weekend, seeing several people that complemented my weight loss progress and running/races.  Instead of being happy that I look and feel better, I felt the need to explain how much more weight I need to lose or how much more I needed to train to get to a mileage that seems worthy. 

Why do I feel the need to make excuses?

Are you able to accept a complement graciously?

First Snow

As I sit here drinking my second cup of hot tea I am thankful that I am able to be at home and sorry that so many of you had to get out in this weather for jobs and school. 

That first wave of sickness is running rampant through the school and my DH came home and very shortly after dinner hit the Nyquil and bed, feeling a bit better he headed out all bundled up this morning.

I had originally planned on taking off this entire week until the scale changed my mind and I hit the gym yesterday morning for an upper body workout and cardio.  My armpits are screaming this morning, hairdo is definitely going to be simple today.  In fact a hat sounds very good for the football game this afternoon.

Photos for 24 The Hard Way were up last night confirming I am the same weight now as I was at the first of summer.  A picture is worth a thousand words and in this case a picture is proof of no progress in 4 months.

Enough talking, closing now to get my workout done on the treadmill. 

Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure

Failure is NOT an option!

24 The Hard Way / Jill

As promised I will link J's 24 The Hard Way race posts"

My Race In Pictures

My Race

24 The Hard Way OKC

24 The Hard Way - Ultra Race - 1 hour - Oklahoma City, OK

with niece and sister-in-law

Beautiful day to start a road trip

Setting up camp

Our camp site

Pre Race

Starting line

And we're off

Don't know why this didn't rotate but it's mile 1

ME - 5th line

Finish line

Awards

4th Race, 4 miles

Beautiful end to the day

Not knowing what to expect we took off to OKC, girls road trip with lots of laughing from the beginning to the end.  We got to the hotel and then despite the directions of the hotel manager and thanks to the race director directions we found the park and got our race packs.  After checking around decided to set up our camp so we wouldn't have to worry with that in the morning as my race started at 7:30.  Ate and went to bed.  Not much sleep due to the record in my mind going over and over what I needed to do and what I wanted to accomplish. 

Up and to the race site in plenty of time to have lots of butterflies but felt pretty calm at the start.  The course was a mile loop with three hills that weren't that steep just went on for a long time, the good part was several down hills and a lot of level course.  Great weather and surrounded by trees and everyone very friendly.  My group was one hour but interspersed with us were the 24 hour runners.  There were camps set up all along the course starting point and ending point with the medical, massage, computer board, and drink/food stations in between.

I felt really good throughout the race and the hour was over really fast.  My goal was 5 miles but I got 4.  The bad part is my hour was over too fast, I felt like I could of gone on for 6 (that's what I trained for) but felt like I accomplished a lot of what I had worked on:  sticking with the intervals, not shuffling my feet, not looking at the garmin just listening for the beeps, and trying to enjoy just being able to be a part of this event.  All in all I was happy with my race.

Here's my race history - 2nd race 2 miles, 3rd race 3 miles, 4th race 4 miles.  Next goal is a 10K. 

I posted some photos that I really am not proud of but need for inspiration.  I have been basically the same weight since the beginning of the summer.  I had really wanted to see a difference from the Lubbock race photos in these photos but did not and am disappointed in myself.  I am going to have to do some real soul searching ... I don't want to be the fattest person/racer any more ...I deserve better.   (Note to self - until you have lost this weight you stick to all black and get a tan girl!)

My niece ran the 6 hour race later in the day / when she posts her race story I will link it.  I am very proud of her, she did great!

Working on a training schedule for the next phase which will for sure include getting back to the gym for strength training but right now just gonna enjoy a couple days off.  

Packing Day

I have been mentally preparing a packing list for this trip trying not to stress over the race too much but it's like a record in my mind going on and on and on.  I know what to do but nervous about 1) new type race, 2) new State 3) eating enough to have energy but not so much I have extra to lose when we get home 3) packing for either dry weather or wet weather and temperatures anywhere from 50's to 70's, and other random issues. 

On a good note I finished my team shirt (skirts didn't work out - not impressed with Running Funky). 

Training schedule completed yesterday with speed work.  Felt good to get to the end of the training schedule. 

New playlist on my Sony, now I have to decide whether to run with or without music. 

24 The Hard Way

Excited to go to another race with J, I will run at 7:30 1 hour, J will run at 12:00 6 hours!!! WOW!!!  Sister-in-law going so we will have company at the campsite.  We always have lots of laughs when we are together, it's going to be a great trip!

Now I'm rambling which is just putting off the packing....better get with it!

Weekend Retreat

Wonderful weekend with Matilda in the mountains.  How could you not relax and rejuvinate here?

We drove up on Thursday, parked and unpacked the car and then kept to our plan to walk everywhere.  The weather was wonderful and our room was situated perfectly to where we could walk to meals, walk to the chapel then back to our room full circle.  On Friday afternoon we had some free time so we walked all over the campus which included ALOT of hills!  Meals were an issue but worked through it and was pleased to find that I had gained -0- pounds when I got home, no loss but no gain, I'll count that as success.  Hills caused a bit of an issue with the knees, nothing that I can't deal with.  (icing knees as I write this)

Up this morning back on training schedule, short run this morning and speedwork on Wednesday and then off to Oklahoma City on Friday.  Adding some carbs to diet this week which makes me very nervous but will deal with it as I go. 

On a totally unrelated subject I will be doing my first photo shoot session this afternoon, wish me luck! 

Getting Ready



Possible for OK (can't tell if the scarecrow in the background likes it or not!)

Working on a new playlist/green tea/water...hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Put new playlist on my old MP3 player to check it out before putting it on my Sony (forgot what a pain the cords were, I love my wireless Sony player)

Tuesday I wore new skirt, not impressed, now not sure what I will wear at OK.  Want to be comfortable but want to feel good about the way I look also.  Run was great, felt good and my knees are better. 

Yesterday was my first speed (me + speed = not pretty) work.  Planned this run for after football practice so we could use the track.  I do much better on morning runs, thankful that most races start early in the morning.  It wasn't really hot but way hotter than we are used to (mornings have been in the 50-60's).  Nervous about running distance instead of time/intervals just because I had never done it (new things make me panic) and I had been stressing about it all day.  Started off a little fast not going with the music tempo, until later in the run.  Playlist worked out great but now I need to figure out how to put it on my Sony someway to get it to start at the beginning every time I use it. All I have to say about the workout is that I finished, period.

Knees are better, back is the same, weight has been the same all week (yuck)

Leaving for a retreat today.  Looking forward to being in the mountains and going with my friend Matilda.  We have already planned to park the car and walk everywhere, then on Friday afternoon we have some free time and the plan is to do the hills around the retreat.

Hope you are having a great week!

New View

After M finished working Saturday we took off for Amarillo for the rest of the weekend.  We walked through the Country Peddler Show and then went to Saltgrass to eat.  Left there to go to a movie but really didn't see anything we wanted to wait another hour for so went to Academy and then checked into our motel.  This time of the year is so busy we were just going to watch tv, read and chill out, next thing I knew I woke up around eleven.  Read a while and then zonked out again.

We had made plans to run a trail that the "My Get Fit Place" guy had told us about that was right next to the motel.  Excited to see new scenery and not a circle.

This is a picture out our motel window you can barely see the trail right behind the red SUV.

We slept late (8am oh yeah!) and headed out.  The schedule called for an easy 4 miles so we were going out and back.  It was very cold to begin with, in the low 50's with the wind in our face.  Nice flat trail for about the first quarter mile and then a easy hill and we ended the two miles here

Notice my new shoes which are great, Brooks Ghost 4

 No new blisters this morning and the heel cup is fabulous!

I thought the run back would be easier, the wind would be at our backs and ...OH NO, the whole way back was a steady incline (with one huge big hill) leveling out the last 1/4 mile.  Good news is we finished and the run felt really good.  Started out slow, increased gradually (except for the steepest hill) and finished strong.  Felt great until about an hour later when I tried to get out of the truck at Target lol! 

My thought about mile 2 1/2:

 "there is only one letter that changes hill to h, e, double hockey sticks"

Back home now, icing my knees is the next agenda after posting this.  Nice to get away, nice to get home.

My first speed work will be this week - should be interesting

I really need to totally redo all the music on my player.  Something like this:  http://23imaginaryfriends.blogspot.com/2011/10/half-mary-playlist.html  Want to do it before going to OK

Great weekend, hope you had a great weekend also!

It's The Little Things

This morning was chilly, not sure how cold it was when we ran but when I was checking my email at about 6:30 it was 54.  Fall has arrived, at least in the morning.  Now the sun is shining 71 degrees and the forcast calls for wind,  yuck.

It's the little things that either begin your day on a high note or a low note.  This morning was good, first time since I had the "mystery flu" that I ran all my intervals.  Proud of that.

Stomach issues better

Back issues better

I'm at my lowest weight since starting this mission

Finally got to talk to the treadmill folks and although I have to wait until my DH gets home to help me take the cover off, she thinks it may be the controller and they will replace that.  Whoo Hoo!

Test - today I made a pact with myself that I was not going to "stalk" my garmin.  I had the intervals set and looking at the watch was not going to change anything.  I even think sometimes the more you look at it makes the run/intervals seem longer.  I knew how many laps we needed to run and "it is what it is"  just run till it's over. 

While running this morning I was thinking (scary I know).  The people that say run with easy knees and light feet have never had short stumpy legs with thunder thighs and a big butt.  Just saying

Feeling a bit better about the 24TheHardWay in OK which is in only 2 1/2 weeks.



New Week

Did an ugly 3 miles Sunday afternoon after dealing with stomach issues all day.  Felt like finishing any way pretty or ugly was an accomplishment. 

The last few workouts have been very trying so decided this week would try a run day, walk day, run day, walk day...see how that goes.  So this morning I did an easy 2 mile walk.  I will add miles each walk day.  I'll get this down one way or another.

I also walked with my camera because the day before the prairie dogs were everywhere!  At first I thought maybe my headphones were messing up and then realized it was the chatter of the prairedogs.  Today I got photos:

Also got photos of this:

You would think it's pretty self explanatory BUT...I guess it's for everyone except those certain folks that don't think it means them...oh boy!

Very pretty morning and I enjoyed being by myself and just communing with nature (how deep huh?)

Back issues tonight, will be going to bed with the heating pad.  "The heating pad is a very good friend of mine!

Hope you have had a great start to your week.

Seasons

August after a morning run.

Today at the end of the morning run.  

The seasons are changing and this morning the weather was perfect.  Cool but not too cold with a slight breeze.  I always start off a little tight and nervous (???) takes about 1/2 mile to calm down and get my mind in the right place.  Wore a different pair of shoes this morning (New Balance 1/2 size bigger)  but forgot to put in my inserts.  Didn't realize what a difference they made, shins are hurting but toes are better.  Will run in these until I can get a new pair. 

Haven't heard from the treadmill service folks so I will work on that again today.  Although we haven't been using the treadmill a lot lately I need to know it's there if I need to use it (and it just chaps my butt that it's not working).

Football 7th and 8th today and Varsity tomorrow.  I still haven't gotten my eating together for football weekends.  I have to work it where I either eat a late lunch and then light snack after the games or get a grilled chicken salad on the way to the game (need to order Waldon individual dressing packs) and have my fruit after the games.  That's for the home games.  Away games are another issue.  I try to eat just before we leave (usually between 2 and 3) and take an apple and tea with me.  After the game I'm at the mercy of Coach where we eat and just hope it's some where I can either have a salad or eat the meat out of the hamburger.  I just have to be careful that I don't get home starving.  Working on eating issues is a job in and of itself...I get so tired of worrying about it.  Yesterday I really really wanted to get candy corn and peanuts and eat the whole thing...but I didn't, that's progress.  I still have sugar cravings ALOT!

On a totally unrelated subject I'm thinking of dying my hair one color (no highlights)  thinking about a medium blonde, what do you think?

I'm Back (nearly)

4:30 run this morning, a nice 64 degrees.   Although the run was not comfortable I made it through it at the planned intervals and just a few seconds off scheduled time.  Just couldn't get to a comfortable rhythm.  I do seem to do better in the am than in the pm.  The sun hadn't even begun to show itself when we finished.  Really need to get reflective wear especially when daylight savings time begins even though we are the only ones on the track at that time of the morning.  Sometimes you can hear voices outside the trail but don't see anyone which is really freaky.

Having some real body issues not sure why.  Have had to cut out the morning hot green tea until I can get past this nausea issue and really having to watch what and when I eat to not get nauseous or dizzy.

I need new shoes, sorry about the visual, also looks like I need a pedicure!  This means a trip to either Lubbock or Amarillo cause I feel like I need to try some different brands...I love Asics but when I did the Runners World Shoe finder I need Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 13.  Not sure I want to spend that much money but need to try on to see.  Probably need to go to Get Fit in Amarillo (the only running store around these parts) and let them suggest a shoe.  I found this shoe at Big Five, Saucony Stratos 4 but not sure it's what I need.  I like a grey shoe not a white shoe which I feel you can see a block before you actually get there, my feet are big enough without bringing any attention to them!


Got all ready to treadmill it yesterday and the treadmill is dead.  Everything works on it but the belt.   Just five months old, I have a call into the service department to see what I have to do.  Really hoping I don't have to haul it back to Academy.

Have you ever been fitted for shoes (or a sports bra) at a running store?

Bad Week

It's been a bad week
No workouts since last Sunday
Tonight run was bad
No excuses
No photos
Just going to have a better week
Then end.

1st Rain Run

First rain run this morning!  I found out that you need to wear a visor under your hoody to keep the light up and I need to get reflective gear cause this was all you could see of me

Ran thru the dry spots, walked thru the water puddles.  I am suffering this morning from the weight workout yesterday, really sore, but I will work thru that.  Pain makes you stronger (irony intended) and my muscles are screaming this morning.  That's what I get for staying away from the gym so long but the run this morning worked out a few kinks.  Hope the rain continues thru the day, we really, really need it.

Back to the Gym

Gym workout this morning.  I hate carrying a paper with me so thank goodness for my arm.

3 sets of 12 each:  squats, seated row, step up, dead lift, bench press, wide grip lat pull down, lunges, plank, 30 minutes on the eliptical bicycle.  I like to have a plan so I can go in do what I need to do and then get out.  Good times to go to the gym are 8:30 or 9ish in the morning and 1:30 or 2ish in the afternoon.  I like morning and was pleased when I got there this morning there were not many folks there and more than pleased to find that there were no muscleheads (no offense but it's hard to get on the free weights when they are there).  I had half an apple on the way to the gym, glutamine drink while at the gym, and the other half of the apple after the gym.  No nausea today....oh yeah!  This is our gym: 

and a sign on a piece of equipment that I took just

because I thought it was neat! 

My weight was down this morning, a great way to start the day!

Hope your day is going great too!