Week 4, Thursday

I did remember both the Tylenol and the headband today. No problems with the hair, but my hips were still stiff. Gotta think more about that challenge. (fyi, I ran inside today, but I'm trying to motivate to get outside to run!)

I tried something else new today. I thought that since the training required two miles run at about a 12 minute pace, I would just do my best on the two mile run and skip the 5k today. I expected to really kick butt, but here's what happened: I did my jillion situps (as I start up every workout), then warmed up by stretching before running. I walked for 5 minutes at a fifteen minute mile pace, then reset the treadmill. I set it for a 12 minute mile pace, and started running. I made .7 miles and my body started to feel too heavy. Maybe it's because of the workout on Tuesday (can that be an excuse?), or .....not sure. Be that as it may, I gutted it out....I'm a competitor! I walked a little, ramped up to an 11 minute mile and ran, and back and forth. I finished my 2 miles in 24 minutes, so the average running rate fit the goal for the day. Yeah! It wasn't pretty, but it was functional. I did it. I still have one more run to do this week, so my goal is to compete against myself and try to run straight through on the 2 miles on either Saturday or Sunday.

Just to add: my pedometer for Tuesday read 12,004, and today's is already at just under 7,000.

I'm still going to play volleyball tonight, so that will add steps and more cardio training. And bonus! I just talked someone else into training with me, so hopefully we'll keep each other motivated. SHE lives in Dallas though, so she can train outside! I'm jealous! I'm just making excuses...I could train outside as well. I just haven't tried it yet. Welcome to the training team Wendy!

Week 4, Tuesday

Two words: headband, and Tylenol. Let me explain. I discovered that I really need to use a headband when I run because those fashionably long bangs that I "sweep" to the side are really annoying when they fall in my face for several miles. Second word: Tylenol. Those same annoying bangs will be ignored if the aching in my hips from running starts early and stays around for the whole run...unless I take Tylenol before I run. Henceforth, both items will be in or on my body before running.

The plan for this week is running three times for two miles at a 12 min mile pace. I did one of the two mile runs today (within my 5K run) AND cut another minute off my 5K time so I finished in 42 minutes. Moving along like a herd of turtles here,....slow and steady.

This run is a stretch, but hey, if it gets my butt out of the house to move around...it will be worth it. Besides.....NYC! Now that's what I call motivation! A trip to NYC (without kids!)

My pedometer is already over 9500 steps at 3:00 pm. I'm sure I'll make 10,000 steps today!

Week 3, Sunday

This has not been as impressive a week as I had imagined on Monday. I started with a great workout and big excitement. Two blog entries later and it's the end of the week. As you read, I did do other physical activities that got me tired enough to produce naps (you know that moms never usually get to nap!). Yesterday, I worked with my kids to clean their rooms which unfortunately hadn't been done in a while. They are now really clean and I'm thrilled. I logged over 7000 steps "helping" with the cleaning, and have four bags of stuff to donate to Goodwill. Yeah!

I promise that this is not a weakening of my resolve to do the half marathon. I know that there are many of you reading this blog regularly and cheering me on, so that really motivates me. Thanks.

Forgot to mention....I couldn't give blood again. My iron count was still too low. Rats!

Week 3, Thursday

What happened to this week? I've been busy and I know that I started the week off well with a great workout. Then on Wednesday, I had a workout cleaning out an old house....and that counts as work! 16 garbage bags hauled to the curb from the kitchen! I'm working there again tomorrow for another three hours or so. This evening, I played a good sweaty game of volleyball and picked up about 7000 steps on the pedometer.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to try (again!) to donate blood. If it doesn't work this time, I'll give it a month off.

I'm still motivated and active, but I need to get to the gym again. It's a bummer training for race in the dead of winter. On a positive note, the days are getting longer, so more sunshine keeps me in a more optimistic frame of mind. I can feel myself getting stronger!

Week 3, Monday

"(singing)...And I'm walkin' on sunshine....oh oh! I'm walkin' on sunshine....yea-eh!... And it's startin' to feel good!" (apologies to KC and the Sunshine Band) (that is who wrote it,...isn't it?)

Two minutes....I knocked two minutes off my 5K time! That's not even the part I'm proud about, even though I'm pretty excited about that. I went to Bally's, stretched, warmed up walking for 2 minutes, then ran 2.25 miles without stopping!!! (the treadmill said that it was a 12 min. mile pace) I finished up with walking a 15 min. mile, finishing the 5K at 43 minutes! Time was short, so I concluded the workout with a bunch of sit ups and got home to the kiddies hopping off the bus.


Lastly, my pedometer reads 9,420 steps at 5:00.

Week 2, Saturday

Ok, killer workout today. It's amazing the motivation you get from negative emotions. No, they weren't negative emotions about the training....they were about something else, and I knew that I had to get them out of my system before I could deal with them rationally. I think you've all been there. However, now I did a long workout and am sitting here at the dinner table snatching pieces of sushi and enjoying a little white wine while I write this blog. That's a "feel good" moment.

Details quick and dirty: 30 minutes on the elliptical for 2.25 miles, 25 minutes hard lifting, and 3o minutes on the treadmill for another 2 miles. Do ya' think I might be sore tomorrow?! That's ok. It's Sunday. I'm supposed to have a 4th workout in this week according to the schedule, but I may just make it an easy stretch of the legs around the block if it's warm enough.

So physically, I'm doing well....and emotionally, I'm calmed down a little. I won't bore you with the details. Maybe I'll just watch a chick flick tonight to finish clearing my head....or as the picture shows, some yoga.

Lastly, my pedometer is currently reading 11,000. Score!

Week 2, Friday

It all about the changes........

"Muffin top?" It happens when the waistband is too tight and the belly spills over the waistband creating a.....you get the picture.

The point being, after working hard and making a serious effort to make some changes in my eating, I am starting to see some changes. My favorite jeans are suddenly fitting differently....not a lot mind you, but enough to wear them all day without a muffin top. That's progress.

I don't want to give you too much of a visual, but my thighs are definitely more toned, as is my backside (or butt if you want to call it that, but my Mom would never let me use that word--too unladylike.) I like that! Gotta say, however, that it will take a few more pounds lost and several more work outs until those jeans are actually sitting on my hips the way that they are supposed to.

Changes with food.....my downfall is the kids' leftover Halloween candy! Is that not pathetic?! It's those little "fun size" (who really believes that's fun?!) that I can pop in my mouth. Rats! They need to be dumped! (can I do that without admitting it to my kids?)

There are some good changes with food. I had a salad almost every day this week topped with this yummy concoction of salsa (1 can each of: black beans drained and rinsed, Mexican corn, and Mexican spiced petit diced tomatoes) Darn yummy! (oh wait,...can I say "darn?")

I am still hoping to get a work out later today when all the play dates are out of the house from the cancelled school day. I'll write about that tomorrow....the work out, not the play dates.