Retract

Nevermind! I take it all back. :)

Yeah, I'm still alive!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've "blogged." LOL! I posted that Christmas card pic because Shutterfly offered a deal that if you put it in a blog, etc you would receive a $25 off coupon. DONE!!! How could I pass that up?? Not that I wanted to share my Christmas card but what the hell, I saved $25 off my most expensive Shutterfly Blair memories book so far. (thank goodness for the coupon!and it was still my most $$$ book!)

So if I calculate correctly, I started this blog just about exactly 10 months ago. I started it to track my "new life." =) I'm super happy to say, I am still living in my "new life." I've kept off all the weight I lost as of returning from Mexico...ahhhh Mexico!!! I exercise so reguarly that I can't imagine not doing it. Okay, pick yourself up off the floor but yeah, I'm serious!!! I remember the day after Christmas feeling like crap. All bloated like and sluggish, so I put on my workout clothes when I got out of bed and ellipticalled (because I wanted to) and felt so much better afterward.

I'm still running about 3 days a week. Jenn H. registered us a few months back for a relay half marathon in Columbia on May 1 (6.55 miles ea)At this point we aren't sure how that is going to all work out. Something about her mom needing a kidney and Jenn giving her one. =) As it looks though, the surgery will happen mid-April and won't allow for Jenn to run at all for at least 4 weeks post-op. I am really looking forward to doing the Baltimore Running Festival half-marathon in October. Commemorating my one year of achievements. I'm not saying at all that every step will be run. I usually run 10-12 mins on and then 2 mins off. I like that a lot and don't feel so worn out. It really is very enjoyable. Who knows what will happen by October. One definite though, I'll still be running/exercising!!!

I feel good, damn good!!! I haven't even started tanning yet! Something I normally do mid-Winter to help my mood and my self esteem. Crazy thing though, exercise has done that for me. The other week I started incorporating weights into my routine. I'm hoping it will give me another boost in some weight loss. I haven't been doing a super good job with eating but the fact that I've been able to maintain since October is super awesome to me!!!

I've tried, pretty unsuccessfully though, to get my family involved with "moving more." I am proud to say though that Christopher will be on day 5 in a row of exercise. From walks to weights to cardio workouts he has kept motivated and says he likes it. SUPER GREAT!!!!

happy holiday

Dotted Collage Christmas 5x7 folded card

Personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

I DID IT!!!!

Yep, on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 9:16 AM I screamed to downtown Baltimore that I am a runner with a very loud, "Yeah!" as I crossed the Baltimore Running Festival's 5K finish line!!! Friends said they heard me in the runner's recovery area and I saw the photo on marathonfoto.com, I was super, super excited!!! (already purchased my personalized video of me crossing the finish line)

Friday night Jenn W. and I took a nice walk around UMBC just to "limber up." I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to sleep Friday night. Chris and I went for a ride and I talked and talked. Poor guy, I know I just rambled about running and emotions and running and well emotions. I decided to go to bed around 10:30, assuming I would lay in bed tossing and turning. Boy, I was wrong. My alarm went off at 5:25 Saturday morning and at first I was confused but then, "Oh my shit!!! It's 5K day." Out of bed for a shower to wake up and then I hopped into my runner clothes. The KFCFB team met at my house at 6:30 and we were off to the lightrail to downtown B-more on an ever so cold, never run in temps this cold, morning. When we arrived, Camden Yards was already a buzz with over 20,000 people. This was really happening. I was so excited about everything that was going on I kept forgetting that at 8:30 AM I had to do my part in the Baltimore Running Festival's 10 year anniversary. Runners lined the streets in an array of attire. One guy wore a 4ft Dunkin' Donuts coffee cup costume and another guy in a full, faced covered and all, green neoprene suit. One 10 time runner wore a tux the entire marathon (all this and I was worried about a sleeves cut of old Ravens t-shirt)

The marathon began at 8AM with a parachuter and tons of confetti. And they were off for 26.2 miles...WOW!!

Okay, now that they are out of the way(LOL) it's time for us 5Kers to get to the starting line. They have pace markers on poles so that you can line up with others at your pace. HA HA, the last one was 14+ minutes...guess that's me. We didn't go that far back but we were 3 minutes and 16 seconds walking from the start line. Anxiety has now turned to excitement and I am READY!!! And we're off....walking to the start line, starting my watch and start running. It's cold and crowded. Walkers in are front of us and bobbing and weaving is needed. (not to mention a group of blind people to our left with canes. please don't trip me) Everyone warned me of "the hill." Yes, it was a little difficult because it was as soon as the race began (but I'm not sure I'd call it a hill, long incline absolutely) The four of us stayed together and hit the 1 mile marker at exactly 14 minutes. Within a half mile, Jenn W and Jaime we gone, their bobbing and weaving was a bit More efficient than mine. Thank God for my long time friend who downgraded from tri's to a 5K to run RIGHT ALONGSIDE ME!! YAY JENN HOLLAND!!! It seemed like it took forever to get to mile 2 (actually it only took 14:28). Everytime I started to doubt myself, JH took over with a lovely, keep me moving story. After mile 2 I knew I had this!! My feet never stopped running. They slowed for every marathon foto photographer along the way but they didn't stop. I had loads of fun talking to the spectators. Saying things like, "You can't just watch you need to scream for me too!" That really helped keep me in a good mood. As we approached the warehouse at Camden Yards, Jenn told me that she was stepping back and I needed to let my adrenaline take over. No Jenn, not yet, it's not here yet. I couldn't believe when there was just a little bit of the warehouse remaining. Then I saw it, the clock at the finish line. Yep, you heard me right, the FINISH LINE!!! JH stepped back and there I went, I couldn't believe it. The next thing you know I'm singing aloud to "Pump Up the Jam" and sort of dance/running. I'm looking at the spectators. When I saw my crew, I slowed quite a bit and waved and smiled. (Chris said he saw me and was thinking, "Stop dancing and smiling and run!!") I knew I had done it. My goal was to run it all in under 45 minutes. The timer said 46:16 as I crossed but my chip time (and watch) were 43:45. I did it!! I was taking it all in...and then with a loud "YEAH!" I crossed that line!!!

I'm not gonna lie, after I crossed the line, I felt GREAT. During the run, especially the first two miles. I did think to myself, maybe running isn't my thing. What the hell am I doing here? Then the other part of me butted in..."hello, you can and will do this. OWN IT!!!" I'm about to sign up for the Jingle Bell Run 5K which is downtown on December 12. (this is all in my "own it" plan) Also in my plan is to cross the marathon finish line before I turn 40!!! (I'll keep you posted on that one)

From the Sofa to the Road

The other day (last day of C25K) I had a terrible mental breakdown, almost panic attack-ish. My legs hurt, I forgot how to breathe, I wanted to stop so bad and I was only about 13 minutes into my run. I didn't stop and I finished but I fought internally with my BRAIN almost the rest of the run. I was talking to a friend of mine later that day about it (she is a tri-athlete, completed 4 sprint tri's this season after completing her first 5K in 10/09. She is quite a motivation and she's been 'there.') We talked about how running is almost as mental as it is physical. She told me 'I need to want it more than I fear it!!' since that talk, this is now my mantra. I do want this and I will get this. I was on a running message board the other day and someone said that running never gets easy. We're always running a further distance or faster. Constantly testing and outdoing. It was 2 months to the day I started the program that I completed Couch to 5K. I am an overweight, 33 year old wife and working mother of 2. Now in addition to those things I am also a RUNNER. After this Saturday I will also consider myself an athlete. It's not so much about the weight anymore, it's more about what I know I am capable of. I want to scream to the world that I can and will do this. Last night I had my best run so far. I ran 3.06 miles in 39:50. That's a 14 minute mile, better than the 15 minute mile I had been running and most importantly so much better than the evenings on the sofa from just a few short months ago.

Post Mexcio

Well, it might have cost $1200 for me to get my ass in gear to lose some weight (and in turn enjoy some Caribbean Sea) and I think it was worth it. The Riviera Maya was truly the most beautiful place we've been to. It might have had something to do with our traveling companions - each other!!! Does that mean we should have never had kids? Nah, then we wouldn't know that we should appreciate our "down time." and boy, oh boy...that "down time" was AWESOME!!!

you can check out our pix here:

I ran in the morning (crack of dawn) before our plane left BWI (thx Jenn W). It was a tough one. We incorporated more inclines because we know the Balto 5K, which is on Oct 16, has a nice hill in the beginning. Needless to say the hills SUCKED! (we were then on w8d3, so 28 min runs) So that day's workout was out of the way and HELLO MEXICO. Saturday morning I awoke before sunrise and headed to the gym (CRAZY, I know!!!) Met a mexican elliptical there and we hit it off. (that was our last date however) I didn't work out on Sunday because I counted that as my day off. Plus when you don't get in from the discotheque until 4am, working out three hours later isn't exactly going to happen. In all honesty I had plans to run once we arrived back home Monday night but it was so late and I was whooped! Tuesday night 7pm, I hit the pavement. I know the first 4 mins of a run for me are the toughest to get through and that night was no different...hello week9day1....30 min runs!!!! (inclines included) Two more runs and I will be a Couch to 5K Graduate! WOOHOO me!!!

And that bring me to where I am today...not in the mood. WTF is going on with me? Wish I was still on vaca funk? I don't know!! What I do know is that I didn't exercise last night because I didn't feel like it. Not an excuse! I know I've got to get my head back into this. I only have 9 more days until my 5K. The 5K that I registered for before I even started running. The 5K I paid for hoping to run 30% of. The 5K I know I can run all of as of this point. But where is my motivation? and way am I so freakin' hungry??? All that being said, my running shoes and I have a date tonight, I just want to enjoy it.

The Good, the Bad and the Pepper Spray

I feel like I want to not only document the goods but also the bads. This last few days have been what I say "bad."

I did my first real run Wednesday night (which was my last post) and then Friday night I ran as well (even after ellipticalling in the morning....just call me Kimmy Bentley) completing the same run as Wednesday night. I did it again - that must mean I can really do it. I even gave the Stop sign a high five at the end of my run. I woke up on Saturday morning and took the dog for a walk. (a walk I would have done a month ago and have been proud.) Then I headed to the pool. I made a frozen pina colada and it was yummy, so I had another. At that point, I learned I was heading to the Ravens game at 5pm...let's drink some more. The fun and drinking (back to beer now) continued until about the 3rd quarter (10pm or so). So after 10 hours of adult beverages I was feeling great and having the best time. Fast forward to 6:45am Sunday....run day. I picked some friends up and we headed out to the tire park. Not my favorite route by any means but okay, I can do this....NOT!!! Lesson learned.....alcohol and running are not friends!!! Alcohol and walking were okay but running, ha....I died during my last 3 min run (w3d2). I could barely make it up the hill and out of the park so I just stayed in the park. It was not a good day and I felt like shit! Okay, blame it on dehydration...at least I got out of bed....whatever. Seems like a cop-out.

Yesterday, according to my schedule, was suppose to be my day off. I felt like since my Sunday run was so bad I needed to prove to myself I could still run. I didn't leave the house until 7:30pm....it was so hot!!! (mind you last week was BEAUTIFUL) So I completed my w3d2 AGAIN and didn't feel great. I almost said screw it and went to the car. But no, I started walking the loop, figuring I could just walk it or maybe even run it but I wasn't stopping. I can't believe how much I talk to myself and how I have to talk myself into things....like the loop. I still wasn't feeling the "run" so I started playing games. If an Elvis song comes on before I hit the dorms then I'll run. Apparently Elvis and the running gods were listening because next song.....ain't nothing but a hounddog....ahhhhh....run! I started running at my now "normal start spot." I felt wrong. It was hot, my breathing wasn't as deep. I was complaining to myself and in the next breath saying, stop, you can do this!! I passed my markers....wondering did they extend the loop distance. Were these markers that far apart on Friday Where is that feeling of greatness that I experienced on Wednesday and Friday....I don't know. What I do know is that I didn't make it all the way to the end. I was sure I was going to be laying in a mulch box if I didn't stop, so I did about 60 feet from the finish....damn!!! DEFEATED!!! I so hope I was defeated because of the heat. Whatever the reason, it's a good thing I didn't have the pepper spray with me that Chris bought me and encourages me to take each time....'cause I would have sprayed that shit right in my face to end that damn run!!! I sucked and I felt like hell!!!!

Now, do I get back on track and run tonight? It's no cooler. The weather isn't suppose to get better until the weekend. No, I can't hold off until then. Tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. Do I want to run and risk the possibility of making myself feel shitty? Do I want to run tonight so I don't have to tomorrow and only do the elliptical then? Do I want to just do w3d3 tonight and strength train then maybe tomorrow night just do the loop and run a bit? What if I do a great run tomorrow night and then feel AWESOME on my 33rd birthday???

How bad does the heat affect a run???