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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Training with a friend!
The past month, my good friend Terrie and I have been meeting on Saturday's to walk in preparation for the Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon on February 12. We both knew the other was planning to do the half marathon, but it was by chance that we started getting together weekly to walk together. She has a hip injury that reared it's ugly head and her usual training took a back seat. She just happened to get ahold of me one day and asked if I wanted to meet up with her to walk. Sure! I am so glad we did.
Since then, we have walked 5 times - three times along Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa, we did a 5K in Wesley Chapel, and last week we walked our farthest together, 11 miles over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and Sand Key.
Walking has always been a stress-reliever for me and walking with a friend is an added bonus. Just like my walks with Jenna, it is always wonderful! Terrie and I have a common goal in mind with the half marathon coming up next week. I am super excited that we will share this experience together, our first half-marathon. Whatever our finishing times are next week, we will be cheering each other on. it's not about who will finish first or last. Even if we get separated, we will support each other to the finish line. I can't wait!!
A few of my favorite pics from our walks....
Since then, we have walked 5 times - three times along Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa, we did a 5K in Wesley Chapel, and last week we walked our farthest together, 11 miles over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and Sand Key.
Walking has always been a stress-reliever for me and walking with a friend is an added bonus. Just like my walks with Jenna, it is always wonderful! Terrie and I have a common goal in mind with the half marathon coming up next week. I am super excited that we will share this experience together, our first half-marathon. Whatever our finishing times are next week, we will be cheering each other on. it's not about who will finish first or last. Even if we get separated, we will support each other to the finish line. I can't wait!!
A few of my favorite pics from our walks....
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| A glorious sunrise at Ballast Point Park in South Tampa |
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| Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach |
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| Sunrise over downtown Clearwater |
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| View of Sand Key from Memorial Causeway in Clearwater |
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| View of downtown Tampa from Ballast Point Park |
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Beautiful Byshore Blvd. in Tampa |
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Day 2: Run/Walk Method
Today was my second day to do the run/walk method of Jeff Galloway. When I did it Sunday, I ran for 30 seconds and walked for 30 seconds for the entire 3.11 miles. I felt pretty good and decided to bump it up to 1 minute:1 minute to see how I did. It is amazing to me how close my times were. But, it was a harder run for sure.
Now, I take a Zumba class on Monday evenings, and this being my second run after a Zumba class, I am here to tell you that I can definitely feel it in my legs. Whatever muscles are used in Zumba are screaming at me while I'm running but geez it feels fantastic. No joke. It makes me feel like something is working. So I'm not totally sure if it was a harder run because I bumped it up to 1:1 or if it was because of the Zumba. Or both.
Tomorrow is a rest day. THANK GOD. I'm not gonna lie, I like my rest days. My legs like my rest days. I NEED those rest days.
Because I love visuals, I am going to post the comparison of today's run and Sunday's run to show you how close they were.
Now, I take a Zumba class on Monday evenings, and this being my second run after a Zumba class, I am here to tell you that I can definitely feel it in my legs. Whatever muscles are used in Zumba are screaming at me while I'm running but geez it feels fantastic. No joke. It makes me feel like something is working. So I'm not totally sure if it was a harder run because I bumped it up to 1:1 or if it was because of the Zumba. Or both.
Tomorrow is a rest day. THANK GOD. I'm not gonna lie, I like my rest days. My legs like my rest days. I NEED those rest days.
Because I love visuals, I am going to post the comparison of today's run and Sunday's run to show you how close they were.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
I want to be a runner
A few of the blogs I read have mentioned the training methods of Jeff Galloway. I decided to see what all the buzz was about so I went to his website, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/. Jeff Galloway was on the 1972 Olympic team and has coached thousands of runners for marathons and more. He also writes articles for Runners World and has written many books.
His method is based on taking "walk breaks", stating that runners will have better times as they will not slow down at the end of their run. When breaking up a run, especially long runs, into segments, it makes it "easier" to endure.
By no means have I ever proclaimed to be a runner. When I run, it is not pretty. I picture myself lacing up my cool running shoes and running around the park like it's no big deal. That is FAR from the truth. It is not pretty when I run. I huff and puff and sound like I'm about to keel over. I hunch my shoulders forward and I think eventually it will get better. It never does and my attempts at running usually end with me hurting all over. You'd think I'd give up by now because clearly, my body is not made to run.
Several years ago, I could run 3 miles. I worked my way up to it over time. Well, what happens when you stop? If you don't use it, you lose it. This time around, I'm having a hard time pretending to be that runner that I strive to be.
So, after reading about Jeff Galloway's method, I decided that this morning when I went to the park to run,I would give it a shot. Based on an optimistic pace of a 14-minute mile, it is recommended that I run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds. So I did this. Thanks to my nifty Garmin watch on my wrist (which I'm not sure how I've not had one all this time....), I was able to easily glance down at the big numbers and see when every 30 seconds was up.
The first thing I noticed was that I did not feel fatigued as quickly as I normally would. I felt like I could run farther if I tried, but I stuck to the 30 second intervals to see how it worked out in the end time wise. I beat my best time ever, finishing in 38:14. And bonus, the third mile was my fastest one. Normally if I try to make myself run longer than I should, I slow down at the end and find that it is a real struggle to finish.
I am not necessarily trying to beat times, but it was pretty neat to see that even with walk breaks, I finished quicker that if I tried to run as long as I could. My optimistic guess of a 14-min mile was proven to be a 12:18 minute mile. I am faster than I think when I use this method. And according to Jeff Galloway's site, with this pace, I should be running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute. The next time I run, which will be Tuesday, I will go for 1 minute running and 1 minute walking to see how I do with that.
Ultimately, I would love to be able to run a full 5K. That is one of my biggest goals for 2012. And I think with this method, I have a pretty good shot at reaching that goal, sooner than later.
If any of you have any desire to run, I suggest you visit www.jeffgalloway.com and read up.
His method is based on taking "walk breaks", stating that runners will have better times as they will not slow down at the end of their run. When breaking up a run, especially long runs, into segments, it makes it "easier" to endure.
By no means have I ever proclaimed to be a runner. When I run, it is not pretty. I picture myself lacing up my cool running shoes and running around the park like it's no big deal. That is FAR from the truth. It is not pretty when I run. I huff and puff and sound like I'm about to keel over. I hunch my shoulders forward and I think eventually it will get better. It never does and my attempts at running usually end with me hurting all over. You'd think I'd give up by now because clearly, my body is not made to run.
Several years ago, I could run 3 miles. I worked my way up to it over time. Well, what happens when you stop? If you don't use it, you lose it. This time around, I'm having a hard time pretending to be that runner that I strive to be.
So, after reading about Jeff Galloway's method, I decided that this morning when I went to the park to run,I would give it a shot. Based on an optimistic pace of a 14-minute mile, it is recommended that I run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds. So I did this. Thanks to my nifty Garmin watch on my wrist (which I'm not sure how I've not had one all this time....), I was able to easily glance down at the big numbers and see when every 30 seconds was up.
The first thing I noticed was that I did not feel fatigued as quickly as I normally would. I felt like I could run farther if I tried, but I stuck to the 30 second intervals to see how it worked out in the end time wise. I beat my best time ever, finishing in 38:14. And bonus, the third mile was my fastest one. Normally if I try to make myself run longer than I should, I slow down at the end and find that it is a real struggle to finish.
I am not necessarily trying to beat times, but it was pretty neat to see that even with walk breaks, I finished quicker that if I tried to run as long as I could. My optimistic guess of a 14-min mile was proven to be a 12:18 minute mile. I am faster than I think when I use this method. And according to Jeff Galloway's site, with this pace, I should be running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute. The next time I run, which will be Tuesday, I will go for 1 minute running and 1 minute walking to see how I do with that.
Ultimately, I would love to be able to run a full 5K. That is one of my biggest goals for 2012. And I think with this method, I have a pretty good shot at reaching that goal, sooner than later.
If any of you have any desire to run, I suggest you visit www.jeffgalloway.com and read up.
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| My motto for today... |
Saturday, January 28, 2012
I've been bitten...
...by the racing bug. Since signing up for the Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon coming up in just 2 weeks from tomorrow, I've been doing alot of walking and running. Last week, I did my first "official" 5K, getting a shirt and race bib and all. I am BEYOND excited about the RNR Half Marathon, it's just about all I can think about.
Last week I came super close to signing up for the Gasparilla Distance Classic Race weekend in Tampa in March. There was a promotion at Sports Authority, if you spend $85 in Nike running gear, you get free registration for certain events. I knew it would be going on this week as well, so I decided to think about it. Today, after our 11-mile training walk which went FANTASTIC, I decided I would splurge a little and buy some new running gear and get that free registration for the 8K on Sunday March 4. I bought a pair of super cool pants, a pair of shorts, a super light top, and a nifty water belt. I am all set and I will look fantastic doing it!
I am so excited about taking the time for myself and making the commitment to do these races. I certainly won't be the fastest or the best, but I will be out there doing it and giving it MY best shot. I am extremely proud of myself for doing this. I CAN DO IT!
Last week I came super close to signing up for the Gasparilla Distance Classic Race weekend in Tampa in March. There was a promotion at Sports Authority, if you spend $85 in Nike running gear, you get free registration for certain events. I knew it would be going on this week as well, so I decided to think about it. Today, after our 11-mile training walk which went FANTASTIC, I decided I would splurge a little and buy some new running gear and get that free registration for the 8K on Sunday March 4. I bought a pair of super cool pants, a pair of shorts, a super light top, and a nifty water belt. I am all set and I will look fantastic doing it!
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| Super cool event shirt I got for registering for the 8K! |
I am so excited about taking the time for myself and making the commitment to do these races. I certainly won't be the fastest or the best, but I will be out there doing it and giving it MY best shot. I am extremely proud of myself for doing this. I CAN DO IT!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Approaching 40
As my birthday is quickly approaching, just a couple weeks away, this coming week I am reminded why I dread turning 40.
I know, it's just a number. Itdoesn't shouldn't mean anything. But it does. It is a reminder to me of how much I dislike my body and what it cannot do.
Five years ago this week, I had a miscarriage. Since then, my body has been poked, prodded, medicated, tested, operated on, and more, all to no avail. Five years ago this week, we lost the baby we were supposed to have. We should have a 4 year old child. But we don't.
Everyone has reasons to dislike their body. Before being momentarily pregnant and then losing it in the blink of any eye, I would tell you I didn't like my body because I wasn't thin, I didn't like my butt, legs, whatever. While I STILL dislike those things about my body, it seems so minor compared to not being able to have a baby, to be labeled "infertile" by doctors.
The last several years have been rough. ROUGH in all capital letters. Losing a baby, running two businesses at once, the crash of the economy and all the stress from that, the above mentioned poking and prodding, losing our Sweet Sammi dog, and losing Daddy last year. My body has taken a beating, - physically, emotionally, and mentally.
I do my best to not think about the very real fact that we likely will never have a child. It is an awful thought to think about. Our resources are tapped, we have no alternatives, so I do my best to focus on everything else. Hence, one of the many reasons I am making 2012 MY year. The year to take care of myself. I am determined to make the year that I turn 40 the one to remember by losing the weight I've put on the last several years, to do not one but two half-marathons this year, and as many 5Ks as I can. I want to take control back on my body and show it that I am in charge, not it.
It's a struggle, it always will be. It's so easy to not care about what I eat or drink or if I sit on the couch every day and not walk or workout. It's easy to fall into that trap. My body can't do what I want it to do, why should I be good to it? But that won't get me anywhere, except depressed.
I am changing that. And somehow, someway, I will one day learn to accept the other facts. Maybe.
I know, it's just a number. It
Five years ago this week, I had a miscarriage. Since then, my body has been poked, prodded, medicated, tested, operated on, and more, all to no avail. Five years ago this week, we lost the baby we were supposed to have. We should have a 4 year old child. But we don't.
Everyone has reasons to dislike their body. Before being momentarily pregnant and then losing it in the blink of any eye, I would tell you I didn't like my body because I wasn't thin, I didn't like my butt, legs, whatever. While I STILL dislike those things about my body, it seems so minor compared to not being able to have a baby, to be labeled "infertile" by doctors.
The last several years have been rough. ROUGH in all capital letters. Losing a baby, running two businesses at once, the crash of the economy and all the stress from that, the above mentioned poking and prodding, losing our Sweet Sammi dog, and losing Daddy last year. My body has taken a beating, - physically, emotionally, and mentally.
I do my best to not think about the very real fact that we likely will never have a child. It is an awful thought to think about. Our resources are tapped, we have no alternatives, so I do my best to focus on everything else. Hence, one of the many reasons I am making 2012 MY year. The year to take care of myself. I am determined to make the year that I turn 40 the one to remember by losing the weight I've put on the last several years, to do not one but two half-marathons this year, and as many 5Ks as I can. I want to take control back on my body and show it that I am in charge, not it.
It's a struggle, it always will be. It's so easy to not care about what I eat or drink or if I sit on the couch every day and not walk or workout. It's easy to fall into that trap. My body can't do what I want it to do, why should I be good to it? But that won't get me anywhere, except depressed.
I am changing that. And somehow, someway, I will one day learn to accept the other facts. Maybe.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Weight Watchers...
Dear Weight Watchers,
Once again you have proven to me how the program DOES work. After going back to your meeting last week and committing myself to making it work, I jumped back in with both feet, making smart decisions whether I was eating at home or out, testing my willpower in some instances (i.e., no chips and salsa at Chili's!), and making new recipes that I have enjoyed all week long. I never once felt deprived or hungry or like I was missing out on something, even when choosing not to have the evil delicious chips and salsa at Chili's. To me, the points weren't worth it. I stuck to my points, walked a total of 24 miles since last Thursday, drank a lot of water, and took my vitamins.
Needless to say, I had high hopes when I went to the meeting this morning and got on the scale. Since last night I was thinking "oh no, what if despite all my hard work this week I didn't lose anything?" You never know with my body anymore. But, I was proven very wrong and I was very happy when I stepped on the scale and saw a 4 pound loss. GO ME!!!!
I walked out of there feeling very empowered, happy to have some sort of control over my body again after it has had a mind of it's own the last several months. I have a long road ahead of me and a lot of hard work to get it back to where I want to be, my "happy weight". But seeing that loss this morning tells me I CAN DO IT. My hard work will not go unnoticed.
It's only a matter of time that I will be more comfortable in my clothes and feel better in my skin. Thank you for once again showing me that I can eat healthy and enjoy it and that I don't need all that bad stuff that does nothing for me except stick to my hips.
Love,
Me
Once again you have proven to me how the program DOES work. After going back to your meeting last week and committing myself to making it work, I jumped back in with both feet, making smart decisions whether I was eating at home or out, testing my willpower in some instances (i.e., no chips and salsa at Chili's!), and making new recipes that I have enjoyed all week long. I never once felt deprived or hungry or like I was missing out on something, even when choosing not to have the evil delicious chips and salsa at Chili's. To me, the points weren't worth it. I stuck to my points, walked a total of 24 miles since last Thursday, drank a lot of water, and took my vitamins.
Needless to say, I had high hopes when I went to the meeting this morning and got on the scale. Since last night I was thinking "oh no, what if despite all my hard work this week I didn't lose anything?" You never know with my body anymore. But, I was proven very wrong and I was very happy when I stepped on the scale and saw a 4 pound loss. GO ME!!!!
I walked out of there feeling very empowered, happy to have some sort of control over my body again after it has had a mind of it's own the last several months. I have a long road ahead of me and a lot of hard work to get it back to where I want to be, my "happy weight". But seeing that loss this morning tells me I CAN DO IT. My hard work will not go unnoticed.
It's only a matter of time that I will be more comfortable in my clothes and feel better in my skin. Thank you for once again showing me that I can eat healthy and enjoy it and that I don't need all that bad stuff that does nothing for me except stick to my hips.
Love,
Me
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