Starbucks is still killing me!
I am still struggling with not eating pastries at work. I have also slacked with my calorie logging. I need to hold myself more accountable if I want to see the change that I want. What I am dong now is making myself stagnant.
New gadgets.... Is it a good thing?
I got a new running watch recently. It is GPS and tracks my miles, splits, and total time. I think that it's great to track my time, it is wonderful to not have to constantly be looking at my phone, but I'm not so sure that it is helping my relaxed running. I think it is something that my mind cannot let go of and I don't now if that's good for my running. I think that it is something that I really need to not be as concerned about. My time is something that will come with time, I need to focus now on running consistently, and comfortably. There are days that I will push myself for a harder workout, but that doesn't need to be every day!
Another race scheduled!
I think that these monthly races are helping me to stay motivated. I found another race in a month that is an 8mile race. It is close enough that I can drive in the morning or go home the night before because it is in Illinois.
I am just glad that it these races are fitting so nicely into my training program!
I am just glad that it these races are fitting so nicely into my training program!
Race Day... Again!
Well another month, and another race down. I ran another 10K on Saturday and had a new best time. It was only second quicker than my first race, but it was still quicker! My official time was 1:02:29! I was pleased with this time, but not overjoyed. I wanted to break the one hour mark, but I wasn't able to do it. However, I did place 2nd in my age bracket!
I think there were two factors that caused me to not meet my one hour time goal.
One was the mud. The race was on a championship cross country course, which meant grass. There had been about an inch of snow earlier in the week, and with all of that melting, the course was extremely muddy, it was basically the equivalent to running in sand at points. Much harder than asphalt running that I am used to. This factor was something that I couldn't control.
The second factor, to my dismay, was one that I can control and failed at. My pace. I started out too fast and got tired. By midpoint I was extremely winded and had to start taking more walk breaks than I intended. This is something that I will have to work on because I cannot let this happen!
I think there were two factors that caused me to not meet my one hour time goal.
One was the mud. The race was on a championship cross country course, which meant grass. There had been about an inch of snow earlier in the week, and with all of that melting, the course was extremely muddy, it was basically the equivalent to running in sand at points. Much harder than asphalt running that I am used to. This factor was something that I couldn't control.
The second factor, to my dismay, was one that I can control and failed at. My pace. I started out too fast and got tired. By midpoint I was extremely winded and had to start taking more walk breaks than I intended. This is something that I will have to work on because I cannot let this happen!
It's Cold, I'm Hungry, Do I Really Have To Do This....
I have been having problems finding the time to get out and doing my daily running. I also have to stop making excuses and realize that the reason that I haven't been finding the time to do the running, or eat the best that I know I can, is because i haven't wanted to.
It is hard to always eat properly, but I feel that there are just too many ways to make excuses in my daily life!
The biggest problem that I face, on almost a daily basis, is the fact that I work at a Starbucks. Not only do I work at a Starbucks, but I work at nit when all of the food is being marked out that we can't sell. Every night there is a huge plate of delicious pastries that are going to be marked out and they are fair game for me to eat. When I first started my healthy journey, I decided that for every evening that I worked at Starbucks, I would allow myself to eat one pastry. This would allow me to still have the tasty treats, but limit me to the amount of calories I could consume each evening.
This worked for a while, until I started counting my daily caloric intake, and then I realized just how many calories were in those pastries that I was eating, even if it were just one per night. I decided that I could no longer have one per evening worked. I really needed to stop eating the, altogether. The only problem was that they were still so good, and they were so readily available.
I find myself saying "I can't have any pastries", which is what I need to say. The problem lies when I give in. I will do good for three days, but then I will have had a not so good eating day already, and then I make the poor choice to gorge myself of the delicious pastries. I make quick, impulsive decisions, and that is one of the reasons I am having such a hrs time with these last five pounds.
I need to do something different. Indent know what though. I think that starting today (since it is Monday and the start to a new week) I will not say I can't have them. In will just force myself to log the calories in my daily caloric intake journal before I start chewing down. This will hopefully do two things. Since it will take time to go put it in my phone, I will be discouraged to take the time, and also if I log the food first I will be able to see how many calories I will actually be eating and that will make me not want to eat it. Hopefully.
To combat the problem of not wanting to find the time to run, I am going to try and start running in the morning. It will be hard to wake up early and run, but it will feel much better to get it out of the way and not have it to worry about than to struggle to find time to fit it in after school or work.
Today is a new day, and a start to a new week. I started it off with a 5 mile run, a great (healthy) lunch with the girlfriend, and now to finish the day out in a positive way!
It is hard to always eat properly, but I feel that there are just too many ways to make excuses in my daily life!
The biggest problem that I face, on almost a daily basis, is the fact that I work at a Starbucks. Not only do I work at a Starbucks, but I work at nit when all of the food is being marked out that we can't sell. Every night there is a huge plate of delicious pastries that are going to be marked out and they are fair game for me to eat. When I first started my healthy journey, I decided that for every evening that I worked at Starbucks, I would allow myself to eat one pastry. This would allow me to still have the tasty treats, but limit me to the amount of calories I could consume each evening.
This worked for a while, until I started counting my daily caloric intake, and then I realized just how many calories were in those pastries that I was eating, even if it were just one per night. I decided that I could no longer have one per evening worked. I really needed to stop eating the, altogether. The only problem was that they were still so good, and they were so readily available.
I find myself saying "I can't have any pastries", which is what I need to say. The problem lies when I give in. I will do good for three days, but then I will have had a not so good eating day already, and then I make the poor choice to gorge myself of the delicious pastries. I make quick, impulsive decisions, and that is one of the reasons I am having such a hrs time with these last five pounds.
I need to do something different. Indent know what though. I think that starting today (since it is Monday and the start to a new week) I will not say I can't have them. In will just force myself to log the calories in my daily caloric intake journal before I start chewing down. This will hopefully do two things. Since it will take time to go put it in my phone, I will be discouraged to take the time, and also if I log the food first I will be able to see how many calories I will actually be eating and that will make me not want to eat it. Hopefully.
To combat the problem of not wanting to find the time to run, I am going to try and start running in the morning. It will be hard to wake up early and run, but it will feel much better to get it out of the way and not have it to worry about than to struggle to find time to fit it in after school or work.
Today is a new day, and a start to a new week. I started it off with a 5 mile run, a great (healthy) lunch with the girlfriend, and now to finish the day out in a positive way!
New Kicks
So not only am I starting my training for the 13.1 in May, but I also am in the market for new running shoes.
I have been so happy with my Omni 11 shoes, but I think that I want something a little lighter on my foot. I am going to stick with the same brand and get the Hurricane 14. There is a newer model, the 15, that is out, but I can get the 14 online that are dramatically on sale. With the discounted shoes, I will be able to buy the new pair now and start with my training in the new shoes instead of having to wait until I can save up a little more for the newer model.
I have been so happy with my Omni 11 shoes, but I think that I want something a little lighter on my foot. I am going to stick with the same brand and get the Hurricane 14. There is a newer model, the 15, that is out, but I can get the 14 online that are dramatically on sale. With the discounted shoes, I will be able to buy the new pair now and start with my training in the new shoes instead of having to wait until I can save up a little more for the newer model.
10K Training Completed!!
Today I completed my 10K training from the app that I had downloaded onto my phone. I am so excited to have this behind me because yesterday I registered for the Indy Mini-Marathon. It's non refundable so I am locked into doing it! I know that I will be ready, but now I have something holding me accountable. I am not going to be using an app meant for the 13.1, instead, I am going to be following a training guide I purchased at the locale bookstore.
I was slightly concerned yesterday because I was talking to my manager at Starbucks (a runner) and I mentioned that I was planning on doing the Indy Mini, and that he should do it too, and he said that registration was sold out already. This wouldn't have been a huge deal except for the fact that I had not registered yet. What would I do if I couldn't do it after telling everyone I was going to? So I quickly got onto my phone and registered while on break at work. Lucky for me this is the slowest registration the race has ever seen!
I am registered, so no worries there, and I am ready to start my official 13.1 training sessions! I know that I am not going to have to worry about doing well in the Mini as far as finishing, what I am going to be pushing myself towards is a faster time. My goal is going to be a steady 10 minute mile. If I can successfully run the distance with an average 10 min/mile I should finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes roughly. This being said, I am shooting for a time of round 2 hours 20 minutes give or take three minutes.
I feel that as long as I am consistent with my training and push myself to do what I know my body is capable of, I will meet my goal, if not exceed it!
I was slightly concerned yesterday because I was talking to my manager at Starbucks (a runner) and I mentioned that I was planning on doing the Indy Mini, and that he should do it too, and he said that registration was sold out already. This wouldn't have been a huge deal except for the fact that I had not registered yet. What would I do if I couldn't do it after telling everyone I was going to? So I quickly got onto my phone and registered while on break at work. Lucky for me this is the slowest registration the race has ever seen!
I am registered, so no worries there, and I am ready to start my official 13.1 training sessions! I know that I am not going to have to worry about doing well in the Mini as far as finishing, what I am going to be pushing myself towards is a faster time. My goal is going to be a steady 10 minute mile. If I can successfully run the distance with an average 10 min/mile I should finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes roughly. This being said, I am shooting for a time of round 2 hours 20 minutes give or take three minutes.
I feel that as long as I am consistent with my training and push myself to do what I know my body is capable of, I will meet my goal, if not exceed it!
My first 10 mile run...
So yesterday I ran my first 10 mile run. I started out with just the idea of completing an hour worth of running. While I was running, I started thinking of how far in could run in one stent. I know that I have to start pushing myself if i want to be able to complete my first half marathon in a good time. I also know that I need to be able to run the 10 miles regularly to condition my body and mind. My goal is to complete the 13.1 mile distance in 2:30:00. I feel that this is a time that I can meet if I work hard. I also know that I will have to work hard and press myself. To meet that time I need to get to a pace of around 9min30sec per mile.
When I was roughly half through my initial 60 minute run, I decided that I would try and go 10 miles. I was thinking about how to make myself go the distance even if I got a little tired. I decided that I needed to not do laps around the ISU campus or my neighborhood, I needed to go strait away from my apartment so that no matter what, I had to go the distance to get home.
That idea worked well! I know that if I had just been doing laps around my neighborhood I would sort likely have stopped before I got to 10 miles. But because I chose a course that I had no choice, I was forced to go the 10 mile distance.
I was shocked when I was done! I felt great!! I think that if I had more time, I could have continued on and made it the whole 13.1 mile distance. My time yesterday for 10.1 miles was 1:54:00 roughly. That time also included a five minute warm up walk.
My ending goal will be to run 5 miles, take a 1 minute walk break, run 5 miles, take a 1.5 min walk break, and then power through to the end.
My training has somewhat been based on a 10K distance up until this point, but now I am going to ramp up my training. I am going to start on a 13.1 mile training plan. Ai want to be able to successfully run the 13.1 mile distance without any problem so that I can continue right on into a 26.2 mile training plan. My ending goal, roughly October, is to be able to run a marathon. I am hoping that before Halloween I will be able to successfully be complete a marathon and be able to go to Halloween parties dressed as a runner with my marathon medal as bling!
The half marathon that I will be running is the Indy Mini Marathon. It is the largest half marathon in the nation. My family is planning on being there to watch me take off and then cross the finish line! I cannot wait to party with them after the race and celebrate my accomplishments!
When I was roughly half through my initial 60 minute run, I decided that I would try and go 10 miles. I was thinking about how to make myself go the distance even if I got a little tired. I decided that I needed to not do laps around the ISU campus or my neighborhood, I needed to go strait away from my apartment so that no matter what, I had to go the distance to get home.
That idea worked well! I know that if I had just been doing laps around my neighborhood I would sort likely have stopped before I got to 10 miles. But because I chose a course that I had no choice, I was forced to go the 10 mile distance.
I was shocked when I was done! I felt great!! I think that if I had more time, I could have continued on and made it the whole 13.1 mile distance. My time yesterday for 10.1 miles was 1:54:00 roughly. That time also included a five minute warm up walk.
My ending goal will be to run 5 miles, take a 1 minute walk break, run 5 miles, take a 1.5 min walk break, and then power through to the end.
My training has somewhat been based on a 10K distance up until this point, but now I am going to ramp up my training. I am going to start on a 13.1 mile training plan. Ai want to be able to successfully run the 13.1 mile distance without any problem so that I can continue right on into a 26.2 mile training plan. My ending goal, roughly October, is to be able to run a marathon. I am hoping that before Halloween I will be able to successfully be complete a marathon and be able to go to Halloween parties dressed as a runner with my marathon medal as bling!
The half marathon that I will be running is the Indy Mini Marathon. It is the largest half marathon in the nation. My family is planning on being there to watch me take off and then cross the finish line! I cannot wait to party with them after the race and celebrate my accomplishments!
What a surprise!
There is nothing quite as shocking as stepping onto a scale and seeing a number you weren't expecting. I do it most days to make sure that I am not gaining any weight, and hoping that I can loose more. After not seeing a much difference for several weeks I had gotten out of the habit of stepping in the scale so when I did yesterday, I was hocked at what I saw!
I know that the calorie counting has only been happening for about a week but I think it is really going to make a difference. I stepped onto the scale and saw that I had lost more weight. Not only a few more pounds, but it got me to another milestone in my weightless journey!
Officially 60 lbs lost as of February 10, 2012!
I think that the biggest change has been a two parter. First was my 10K race I ran. It reinvigorated me and got me back on track making running a higher priority again. Second is the calorie counting. It is making me very aware I what I am eating and keeping me in a fairly strict 1500 calorie diet.
With the new weight loss I am only 7lbs away from my goal weight! I am so excited about this!
I know several people that tell me counting calories doesn't work. I think that they think that because of what they are eating. If I were eating McDonald's or pizza all day every day, I'd be able to eat only once a day, but with the smart choices that I make with my food, I can have three balanced meals and still have some room for a few small snacks. That's why it works for me.
With weight loss, if it isn't working and you're not getting results, you can't be expected to continue. The only reason that I have been successful is because I have continually been seeing results.
Tomorrow will be the seventh month mark if when I started this long journey. If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever be a runner and be able to loose 60lbs, I would have laughed and continued eating my McDonald's. I look back now and can't think of how I ever let myself be like that. It's easy to look back and see the fault, but it only took that one decision, that one step on my first run to get me to where I am today!
I did it and I was the fattest, most out of shape person! I know anyone can do it when they make the decision and commitment. It isn't when they make the decision, it's if they can. Anyone can do it, but not everyone can make the decision.
I know that the calorie counting has only been happening for about a week but I think it is really going to make a difference. I stepped onto the scale and saw that I had lost more weight. Not only a few more pounds, but it got me to another milestone in my weightless journey!
Officially 60 lbs lost as of February 10, 2012!
I think that the biggest change has been a two parter. First was my 10K race I ran. It reinvigorated me and got me back on track making running a higher priority again. Second is the calorie counting. It is making me very aware I what I am eating and keeping me in a fairly strict 1500 calorie diet.
With the new weight loss I am only 7lbs away from my goal weight! I am so excited about this!
I know several people that tell me counting calories doesn't work. I think that they think that because of what they are eating. If I were eating McDonald's or pizza all day every day, I'd be able to eat only once a day, but with the smart choices that I make with my food, I can have three balanced meals and still have some room for a few small snacks. That's why it works for me.
With weight loss, if it isn't working and you're not getting results, you can't be expected to continue. The only reason that I have been successful is because I have continually been seeing results.
Tomorrow will be the seventh month mark if when I started this long journey. If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever be a runner and be able to loose 60lbs, I would have laughed and continued eating my McDonald's. I look back now and can't think of how I ever let myself be like that. It's easy to look back and see the fault, but it only took that one decision, that one step on my first run to get me to where I am today!
I did it and I was the fattest, most out of shape person! I know anyone can do it when they make the decision and commitment. It isn't when they make the decision, it's if they can. Anyone can do it, but not everyone can make the decision.
Can I really eat this??
As a follow up to my last post about tracking calories, I think there are some flaws.
Today I went for a run. I logged the time and pace into my app and it then tells me how many extra calories I can eat to make up for what I used running.
Even though I have these "extra" calories, should I really use them on a 420 calorie cheese Danish from Starbucks?? My feeling is no, yet I already ate it as it tasted amazing!
The app doesn't take into consideration what I am eating. If I only ate healthy things great, but if I only had a few horrible foods, it would think I'm still doing well because I met my caloric intake goal.
Long story short, I'm still going to have to try hard to make right food choices, even when the bad ones can fit into my calorie goal!
Oh the qualms of a fat runner!!
Today I went for a run. I logged the time and pace into my app and it then tells me how many extra calories I can eat to make up for what I used running.
Even though I have these "extra" calories, should I really use them on a 420 calorie cheese Danish from Starbucks?? My feeling is no, yet I already ate it as it tasted amazing!
The app doesn't take into consideration what I am eating. If I only ate healthy things great, but if I only had a few horrible foods, it would think I'm still doing well because I met my caloric intake goal.
Long story short, I'm still going to have to try hard to make right food choices, even when the bad ones can fit into my calorie goal!
Oh the qualms of a fat runner!!
Did I really eat all that?
Yesterday I downloaded an app for my phone that allows me to keep track of my calories I consume in a day, and it also calculates how many calories I should intake to lose the weight I need to and meet my goal.
I first thought this was great. I could see how many calories I was eating in a day. Then I realized I didn't want to know at all. I couldn't believe how many calories were in the food items I was eating. I knew that some were unhealthy but I didn't realize how unhealthy.
To meet my weight loss goal, the app says I should be eating 1500 calories a day, and when I run, I get to eat more. Yesterday I burned around 1000 calories with a run, so I got to eat much more than I did today. Today I only had my 1500 calories and I thought I was going to die! I know I am not really hungry, but when I am at work (Starbucks) all I want to do is eat the delicious pastries that we sell.
With my app, I can really see how many calories are in those sweet things I love to eat. Needless to say, after finding out just how unhealthy my favorite treats are, I didn't eat anything from the store tonight. It will be much harder for me to eat the food when I am having to watch it e deducted from my calorie bank!
I am so glad I started tracking my calories. I know that that alone won't help me lose weight, the exercise still has to be there, but I will definitely be eating a lot less than I was previously. I recommend that anyone starting on a healthy lifestyle or weightless journey to look into some type of food log or calorie counter. It will ell you see exactly where your big calorie loss is every day. Mine is at night. And I will stop it!! Goo luck!
I first thought this was great. I could see how many calories I was eating in a day. Then I realized I didn't want to know at all. I couldn't believe how many calories were in the food items I was eating. I knew that some were unhealthy but I didn't realize how unhealthy.
To meet my weight loss goal, the app says I should be eating 1500 calories a day, and when I run, I get to eat more. Yesterday I burned around 1000 calories with a run, so I got to eat much more than I did today. Today I only had my 1500 calories and I thought I was going to die! I know I am not really hungry, but when I am at work (Starbucks) all I want to do is eat the delicious pastries that we sell.
With my app, I can really see how many calories are in those sweet things I love to eat. Needless to say, after finding out just how unhealthy my favorite treats are, I didn't eat anything from the store tonight. It will be much harder for me to eat the food when I am having to watch it e deducted from my calorie bank!
I am so glad I started tracking my calories. I know that that alone won't help me lose weight, the exercise still has to be there, but I will definitely be eating a lot less than I was previously. I recommend that anyone starting on a healthy lifestyle or weightless journey to look into some type of food log or calorie counter. It will ell you see exactly where your big calorie loss is every day. Mine is at night. And I will stop it!! Goo luck!
First Race.... What did I get myself into........
I had found this race online back in December, and told myself that I would do it. When I sent in my registration I was running a distance of 5K a few times a week, so I thought that I would be ready for that distance of a race. Recently, as the race got closer, I had been increasing my mileage some and was able to run the equivalent of a 10K. I was torn as to what to do. The race that I had registered for also offered a 10K and 15K option, but I had only registered for the 5K. I knew that I could run a longer race, but would that be smart?
I was torn as to what to do. I could probably set a really good personal best time running the 5K, but would I feel good about that? I could run the 10K and finish it, but what if my time wasn't very good, would I feel discouraged, which would lead to slacking off on running because I wasn't happy with what I had been able to do? I knew that whatever I did, it had to be my decision, but the problem was that I didn't know what my decision was going to be.
Friday night before the race I drove home (my parents were going with me to the race and my mom was going to do the 5K) and told my parents that I was going to switch to the 10K race. I wasn't sure what would happen, but I was going to give it a try.
When we got to the race location, I told the people at the packet pickup location that I wanted to switch races, and they said it wouldn't be a problem. That was the easy part. I got my bib on, my timing chips tied to my shoes, all my warm clothes on, my iPhone to track my distance and also for music, and I was ready to go.
The nit before the race it had snowed some, so the roads were lightly snow packed. That was one factor working against me already because I had never trained on any other pavement except dry asphalt. There were other people that would make me unconsciously try to keep pace and that might wear me out quicker than I would at my own pace, so another problem. All in all, I was scared I was going to fail, at least in terms of my personal goals for the day.
It was a small race, only 44 people in total running the 10K, and I started in e back of the pack. I didn't want to feel stupid if all the people passed me and I was dead last. I figured it would be best if I just started there.
To my surprise, when the race started, I was able to focus on my own pace, get into a groove, and get moving. And I was actually passing people. I was feeling pretty good, and the snow on the roads wasn't giving me any problems. I was feeling great. That's when I realized that the course wasn't quite what I was expecting. There were hills, and not small hills; hills that had long, steep inclines as well as some a pretty steep downward drops as well. I was feeling ok, but it started making myself freak out about the hills. What if I couldn't make it without walking a lot? What if I was the last one to finish? I would look stupid, at least in my eyes. But I was able to continue. It hurt. I used a lot of muscles that I don't normally have to utilize, and that was worrisome, but I continued on. I was determined to walk less than 5 minutes total the whole time.
I was tracking my distance with my phone so that I knew how much father I had to go, and when I realized that I was almost done I got a little more pep in my step. I wasn't overly familiar with the course and the end point kind of snuck up on me. I finished hard, with my parents cheering me over the finish line.
When I got stopped and caught my breath, I saw that my phone was giving me an unofficial time around 1:08:30. I had estimated my time to be about an hour and five minutes, but with the hills and snow I was feeling pretty good about that time.
I grabbed a drink, dropped my timing chips into the bucket, and went inside (the race started and ended at an elementary school), and went to look at the official time sheets.
I was shocked. My official time was 1:02:34 and I had come in 4th in my age division. I was only a few minutes away from the person that finished 3rd. Shocked didn't even begin to cover how I was feeling.
What a great first race experience, and skipping the 5K and jumping strait into a challenge was exactly what I needed to kick start my running again. I am fully engined and ready to make the push for the Indy 1/2 Marathon in May. I know it will be hard, but I'm going to do it!
The picture is of me and my Mom before my race started.
I was torn as to what to do. I could probably set a really good personal best time running the 5K, but would I feel good about that? I could run the 10K and finish it, but what if my time wasn't very good, would I feel discouraged, which would lead to slacking off on running because I wasn't happy with what I had been able to do? I knew that whatever I did, it had to be my decision, but the problem was that I didn't know what my decision was going to be.
Friday night before the race I drove home (my parents were going with me to the race and my mom was going to do the 5K) and told my parents that I was going to switch to the 10K race. I wasn't sure what would happen, but I was going to give it a try.
When we got to the race location, I told the people at the packet pickup location that I wanted to switch races, and they said it wouldn't be a problem. That was the easy part. I got my bib on, my timing chips tied to my shoes, all my warm clothes on, my iPhone to track my distance and also for music, and I was ready to go.
The nit before the race it had snowed some, so the roads were lightly snow packed. That was one factor working against me already because I had never trained on any other pavement except dry asphalt. There were other people that would make me unconsciously try to keep pace and that might wear me out quicker than I would at my own pace, so another problem. All in all, I was scared I was going to fail, at least in terms of my personal goals for the day.
It was a small race, only 44 people in total running the 10K, and I started in e back of the pack. I didn't want to feel stupid if all the people passed me and I was dead last. I figured it would be best if I just started there.
To my surprise, when the race started, I was able to focus on my own pace, get into a groove, and get moving. And I was actually passing people. I was feeling pretty good, and the snow on the roads wasn't giving me any problems. I was feeling great. That's when I realized that the course wasn't quite what I was expecting. There were hills, and not small hills; hills that had long, steep inclines as well as some a pretty steep downward drops as well. I was feeling ok, but it started making myself freak out about the hills. What if I couldn't make it without walking a lot? What if I was the last one to finish? I would look stupid, at least in my eyes. But I was able to continue. It hurt. I used a lot of muscles that I don't normally have to utilize, and that was worrisome, but I continued on. I was determined to walk less than 5 minutes total the whole time.
I was tracking my distance with my phone so that I knew how much father I had to go, and when I realized that I was almost done I got a little more pep in my step. I wasn't overly familiar with the course and the end point kind of snuck up on me. I finished hard, with my parents cheering me over the finish line.
When I got stopped and caught my breath, I saw that my phone was giving me an unofficial time around 1:08:30. I had estimated my time to be about an hour and five minutes, but with the hills and snow I was feeling pretty good about that time.
I grabbed a drink, dropped my timing chips into the bucket, and went inside (the race started and ended at an elementary school), and went to look at the official time sheets.
I was shocked. My official time was 1:02:34 and I had come in 4th in my age division. I was only a few minutes away from the person that finished 3rd. Shocked didn't even begin to cover how I was feeling.
What a great first race experience, and skipping the 5K and jumping strait into a challenge was exactly what I needed to kick start my running again. I am fully engined and ready to make the push for the Indy 1/2 Marathon in May. I know it will be hard, but I'm going to do it!
The picture is of me and my Mom before my race started.
Just Run With It.....
It is so hard to keep a resolution to run everyday when you are busy. I normally have a lot of free time that I can squeeze my running into, but I have been so busy the last two day!
I have moved into a new apartment. It is a lot of work unpacking all if my stuff. Mainly because I have way too much stuff. The last two days have been extremely difficult because I have worked on moving all day, and then I don't want to run. I made myself though. Yesterday u ran 1.48 miles, and today I ran .38 miles. It isn't much, but I am glad that I made myself get up and do it.
Something else that is extremely difficult that I am having to deal with is my lack of Internet at the new apartment. I am posting from my phone (thank goodness for the Blogger app). I can't wait to be back up and running off my computer!
I am completely moved into the new apartment though, and I work in the afternoon and evening tomorrow, so I am going to go for a good long run tomorrow morning around my new neighborhood.
I have moved into a new apartment. It is a lot of work unpacking all if my stuff. Mainly because I have way too much stuff. The last two days have been extremely difficult because I have worked on moving all day, and then I don't want to run. I made myself though. Yesterday u ran 1.48 miles, and today I ran .38 miles. It isn't much, but I am glad that I made myself get up and do it.
Something else that is extremely difficult that I am having to deal with is my lack of Internet at the new apartment. I am posting from my phone (thank goodness for the Blogger app). I can't wait to be back up and running off my computer!
I am completely moved into the new apartment though, and I work in the afternoon and evening tomorrow, so I am going to go for a good long run tomorrow morning around my new neighborhood.
Lemon Pepper Brussel Sprouts
I decided that I wanted to try brussel sprouts. My great grandmother loved them, and my parents always hated having to cook them for her. Since I share a birthday with my great grandma, maybe I also share some similar tastes in food. So I recently set out to try brussel sprouts.
I got some sprouts. Fresh not frozen. I don't have a problem with frozen, but I think that they probably taste better fresh. I read on Pinterest how other pinners had cooked their brussel sprouts. I cut off the ends and then cut them in half.
I placed halved pieces into a pan with some olive oil. I moved them around until they were completely coated in olive oil, and then I sprinkled on some Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning, salt, lemon juice, and about a pinch of minced garlic. I brought the pan up to a medium heat and sautéed the brussel sprouts until they were golden brown around the edges and had begun to soften up in the middle.
I then transfered the contents of the pan into a small glass baking dish. I sliced a lemon and put the slices on top of the brussel sprouts, placed a lid on the baking dish, and placed it into a 350 degree oven for roughly 35 minutes. I don't know the time exactly, but I just cooked them until they were nice and soft, easily cut up with a fork.
I had some chicken breast, and mashed cauliflower to accompany my brussel sprout experiment.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were good. The lemon juice gave them a tartness, along with the garlic, and the flavor of the brussel sprouts themselves combined to a great side dish.
I won't say that they are my new favorite vegetable, but I will definitely continue buying and eating brussel sprouts!
New Year, New Resolutions!
So today is the first day of 2013. When the new year rolled in this morning, it also set my mileage to zero. It gives me a chance to set new goals as well as remember back to all of my accomplishments from 2012.
I know that I have to realize what a realistic goal is. I am going to set several goals and resolutions for this year, but I know that they are all achievable!
#1 Run every day!
I'm not going to set a distance or time constraint on this, I am just going to hold myself accountable for running some everyday!
#2 Race!
I am not going to set a certain number of races that I will enter, but I am going to try and race as much as possible. I will aslo register for races that push me to become better, and not just stay stagnant!
#3 Eat More, Lose More!
I am going to eat even more healthy fruits and vegetables this year! I am going to hold myself more accountable as well, so that I will continue to loose the weight.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know that there will be more goals than these, and they will all be posted when I come up with them, but these three are the main three for the year. Most things can fall into these categories.
I know that I have to realize what a realistic goal is. I am going to set several goals and resolutions for this year, but I know that they are all achievable!
#1 Run every day!
I'm not going to set a distance or time constraint on this, I am just going to hold myself accountable for running some everyday!
#2 Race!
I am not going to set a certain number of races that I will enter, but I am going to try and race as much as possible. I will aslo register for races that push me to become better, and not just stay stagnant!
#3 Eat More, Lose More!
I am going to eat even more healthy fruits and vegetables this year! I am going to hold myself more accountable as well, so that I will continue to loose the weight.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know that there will be more goals than these, and they will all be posted when I come up with them, but these three are the main three for the year. Most things can fall into these categories.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)