Saturday, February 27, 2010

5 miles!

After slapping 5 miles in the bootay!

I woke up this morning to snow.  I really wasn't even going to run outside but part of me wanted to hop back on the proverbial horse and try it again after my yucky last run outside.  Well, it went pretty darn good!  I didn't look at my garmin too much and just went for it.  Today I was just in a better place mentally and it didn't really bother me that I took a couple walk breaks.  It really helped to finish my week this way.  It boosted my confidence back up. Followed that run up with some good stretching and I was good to go. I was a little giddy as I looked at my weekly mile totals....15 miles!

Back on night shift again tonight.  Sunday will be a time for me to reassess my week and plan my upcomming week.  I pow-wowed with my sissy and decided to re-do this week.  I feel I need to get the miles down before I continue.  I've given myself that time in my 16 week training schedule to be able to tweek things here and there.  Another thing I need to do is start adding cross training.  I have Tuesday's and Friday's open for cross training but haven't done it so far, and if I have, it's been very random.  So this week I need to fill those days up....what to do...what to do.  I'm thinking I might hit up some of my FIRM dvds for a little weight lifting.  I've been ignoring my upper body and abs.  I do sadly have a good excuse though for not doing anything on Friday.  My oldest daughter was up at Eaglecrest (the ski mt.) and was working on her snowboarding skills.  Well, she fell and banged up her wrist.  We spent a few hours at the clinic and thank goodness found that it wasn't broken, just sprained.  She walked out with a wrist splint to be worn for 5 to 7 days.  So far so good!

Well, here's to a good week comming up.  I've got a weigh in tomorrow and I'm excited about it.  I've really been on track with my eating and didn't go over points this week.  

 Thank you too all of you bloggers out there.  I have been getting so much inspiration from all of you and your runs and weightloss triumphs.  You all keep me going when I want to throw in the towels at times.  This is such an awesome journey I'm on and can't wait to share it with everyone!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

It was pretty bad....

Yesterday's run that is!  I knew I was due for a run where I just wasn't feelin' it, I just didn't realize it would be that bad!  It was weird but but was super pumped to run that day and felt I could whip it good - Devo style.  I was set to run 4 miles on the same route of my first outdoor run.  I don't know if it was the 4 mile number that got to me and planted that seed of doubt or the fact that it was raining and cold or that just as I was leaving I noticed that my garmin battery was low and would probably die on my or that I had an hour to run (one of my little ladies gets off the bus and we have to go pick up the other one)  So, with all of these doubts planted in my head, how could it not have been a yucky run?!?  I started off the run and instantly it felt like I was running on sand and then I became obsessed with how slow I  felt was going.  I tried to relax but just kept feeling tense.  The rain and cold were starting to get to me and I had to walk in a couple spots.  Next thing you know, my left lateral quad was hurting, my shins were killing me and my calves weren't liking me at the momment either!  And what do you know, my garmin died!  I pretty much gave up and walked the rest of the way.  I was defeated......and COLD and TIRED.
After that craptastic run, I called my bestie, my sis, my running partner in crime.  I love throwing ideas off of her and I love how she'll listen to me whine and then in the next breath give me some tough love.  She's my inspiration for all of this so I figure I'd better listen to her!  I did remember though from reading on of John Bingham's books that there is something to be learned from all runs, even craptastic ones.  What I have learned, I'm still not sure but I think it's this???
  • Charge the garmin before runs
  • Get a better stretching plan
  • It's okay to run inside on the treadmill durring a SE Alaska winter day even though there is hardly any snow and nothing but RAIN
  • Stop being obbessed with times!  I'm not there yet. I have one goal and that is to finish the marathon.
So all that behind me, I had a much better day today.  I ran inside on the treadmill where it was nice and warm not 30 something outside.  My shins were still a little sore but my left thigh felt fine.  I busted out 3 miles and was feeling like my head was back in the game.  Although me being me, I'm planning on getting back to that trail on Saturday to bring back that lovin' feelin'!
Tomorrow is a cross training day....hmmmm.....I think weights are just what the doctor ordered!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

First day of marathon training and a truly green monster...

Night shift really kicks my bootay!  I work 3 - 12 hour shifts so I pretty much prize sleep over computer time. I really wanted to blog about my first day of marathon training and my first official run outside.  It was on Monday and  it was pretty darn fun.  I know not every run will feel like this and I'll probably be writing about how difficult it is becomming but forget that for a momment.  I FELT GREAT!!
Here's a little pic from my phone.  This is what I saw when I started my run and the view when I finished.  Southeast Alaska has been unseasonably warm right now so I totally took advantage of the opportunity and ran outside.  All I can say is, why haven't I been doing this all along?!
Overall my first run outside was pretty positive. The day was beautiful.  I admit I was having doubts and my "morning" (I was awake at 2p...I work at 6:30p) wasn't going so smoothly.  I couldn't find my arm band for my iPhone, I worried about what to eat prior to running, I wasn't sure what to wear to not look too dorky and then my running play list dissapeared off my phone and my garmin was overwhelming me at the momment.  Why I let all of this get to me....I'm still not sure.  That being said, I suited up and did a quick warm up on the eliptical and then headed out.  I think what excited me the most was that I am actually at a point where I can run for 3 miles and not stop.  I felt like a runner for the first time.  Not that putting in all the hours on the treadmill isn't running but it felt pretty darn cool to be out there, bundled up in the cold weather and going for a run.  So, as you can see from my dailymile widget, I'm sure as heck not a fast runner, in fact I'm sure speed walkers are faster than me but I was out there.  I'm just giddy right now and pretty darn proud of myself. 

Me after my first outside run....red faced and still smiling!

The whole day after felt awesome on top of it.  Everything was better, even my dang Green Monster was actually GREEN!!!  No swamp water for me!  The only thing I've noticed is that I sure do feel my knees a lot more when I ran outside vs. running indoors on a treadmill.  We have an indoor track here and I was thinking of running on that when the weather is truly yuck and seeing how that feels vs the treadmill vs outside.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Kettlebells and my first day of off C25K

I need to give a name to that 20# kettlebell.....she's a vicious task master!  I did a 40 minute kettlebell workout yesterday and had my butt handed to me on a platter. I burned about 433 calories in that time.  The instensity drills at the end were rough!  I had to jump down to a 15# kb.  After that, I hopped on my trusty eliptical and busted out 20 minutes, burned about 227 cals.  So yesterday was a full hour of sweaty fun.  On that note, I was SORE!!!  Still am.  It was one of those, it-hurts-to-sit-on-the-toilet days!

Today I ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes.  My first day off of the C25K.  I love the fact that I can just jump on a treadmill and bust out a 30 minute run.  My body felt great and I probably could've kicked it up a notch but didn't want to get too carried away!  Burned about 553 calories and got a good sweat.

Well, starting Monday, (drum roll please!) I start my marathon training.  Seattle Rock 'N' Roll here I come!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Peanut Butter, Swamp Water and the end of Couch to 5K

Stirring my way to a delish bowl of whipped bannan oats.....











Not the best pic but let me tell you! the best bowl of oats this morning.  I had whipped banana oats sprinkled with 1 tbsp each of:
  • Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • Slivered Almonds
  • Smart Balance Creamy Peanut Butter
So my morning was off to a great start.  It had to be, today was the day that I was to finish the Couch to 5K.  Well folks, did I?  Did I ever!!!  I almost got a little teary eyed on the treadmill.  I finished! I finished!!!!  I am pretty darn proud of myself today.  I feel like today I can officially call myself a runner.
The first 10 minutes of my run were awesome.  I was running like it was the easiest thing in the world.  In my mind I was imagining the Seattle sky line and U2's song "Where the Streets Have No Name" intro started...some tears might've welled in my eyes.  The next 10 I spent convincing myself to not walk and the last 5....a lot of self talk!  But I made myself proud and sprinted the last 2 minutes even though I sure as heck didn't want to. Now that's done.  On to marathon training.

I came home and was pretty hungry so I decided to make lunch 25 min early.  I couldn't think of any snack and thoughts of fish and chips with mayo dipping sauce kept running through my mind.  Well, on that note, I whipped up a green monster.  Where's the correlation?  There is none. Sometimes deep fried greasy thoughts take hold of ne!  So back to my green monster.  I'm a bit bothered by my daily drink and I think I have green monster envy.  Everyone elses looks so green and vibrant while mine usually ends up looking like swamp water or ground up gremlins. (the girls and I just watched Gremlins the other night, sorry for the visual)  Angela's from Oh She Glows always look so green and vibrant.  Oh well, I still love 'em even though they look like sludge from a swamp.

Speaking of food...I have the biggest hankerin' for peanut butter and almond butter.  I CRAVE it somethin' fierce.  I've noticed my peanut butter mania increased  after I started to take my running more seriously.   Nut butters......yumm-o!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I promised a sweaty face!

Well.....here it is!
Pretty rough looking but who cares!?!  Brandi just got her grove back. I didn't stop....sure wanted to though.  The last 5 minutes were rough and I really just wanted to jump off.  It's amazing the mind games that go on during the tough parts.  The part that really kept me going was feeling like my body could keep running...aside from the side stiches that popped in for the last 10 minutes!  It was my brain telling me, hey, you ran for 25 minutes straight, it's okay to stop...you know you want to...no one will know....OR 10 minutes into it, I could hear myself say, you know you could walk if you wanted to...  It was like a REALLY bad after school special going on in my head!  Say no to peer pressure!!

After I ran, I had an epiphany (trumpets in the background please?!)   I ran the full 30 minutes with a  5 min warm-up and a 5 min cool-down...I was pretty darn proud of myself but a little bummed because I still haven't hit a full 3 miles yet and I'm still pitifully slow.  I was starting to have some self doubt about my ability to finish a marathon and why I even started this crazy undertaking in the first place.  Let's face it, I'm still over 200#'s, never been a runner, not really that athleticaly inclined and I'm slow.  To call me a penguin would be way to kind!  Hold on a tick, I'm starting to sound like a major Debbie-Downer!  Let me get to my epiphany...when I started the Couch to 5K, it hurt somethin' fierce to even be able to run for 60 seconds.  Each little interval was like a foray into h*ll.  My shins hurt, I couldn't catch my breath at times.  I hated it.  There was no way I was going to be able to run for 30 minutes straight.  I had started and stopped this program at least 4 times and hadn't finished.  Well, guess who is running for 30 minutes straight?  Moi!  That' who!  I've realized that I have to trust the process and myself.  When I started, it wasn't easy and I really didn't think that I'd be doing it eventually, but as I just pointed out earlier, I can now bust out a 30 minute run.  I have to think of the marathon training just the same. At the starting line (pardon the pun!), the journey ahead always looks intimidating.  I just have to trust the process.  I'm ready.

The only true failure is when you stop trying...

The right breakfast gets the day off in the right direction!  You can't see it very well underneath there but under that mess is a fabulous bowl of whipped banana oats.  I added a pear, sprinkled some ground flax, a tbsp. of PB and a tbsp. of whole berry cranberry sauce.  Delish!

So as my title suggests, I've been dealing with "failure".  Well, not failure really, just dissapointment.  I have had a bad week + a few days and it's really messed with my running/clean eating.  Excuses, I know!  I've been thinking that the whole week.  What had bummed me out the most was the week before I had just finished up week 8 of The Couch to 5K training program.  I felt GREAT I tell ya!  My brain and body were in total sync and I was LOVING running and my accomplishment.  Who'd a thunk....28 minutes straight running!!!  I was on fire!  I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and I was going to finish this program on the the time I had set.  That gave me a week to get some consistent running in and then next week would start my marathon training.  Well, just call up Murphy and tell him to move in with me!  "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong".  You name it, it happened....parent drama, baby daddy drama, ill child with a fever from H*LL, insomnia....I'm sure I could find some other stuff to add but for now, it'll have to do.  So recap of last week, I got one run in after 5 days of no running.  I don't know if it was mental or what but that was a TERRIBLE run.  I wasn't feeling it.  I was lucky I even got that run it.  This week, it's already Wednesday and I haven't run at all yet.  Haven't even worked out with any sort of equipment.  Eating was horrendous.  2.9 pound weight gain last week on top of all of it! Tried to rein it in yesterday and now today, as evidenced by my lovely picture above. 

So, all of this said...WAAAAAAAA! Somebody call the Waaaa-mbulance!  I'm done whinning and ready to jump back into it.  I've been reading running blogs and I'm feeling it again.  This morning's search for inspiring blogs really hit the jackpot for me.  I am loving all of the first marathon race recaps.  I've got a fever....and the only prescription is more running and running blogs!!!



Say hello to my little friend!  It came in the mail the other day.  It was my prize for finishing the Couch to 5K.  Technically I haven't finished the program yet so this little beauty sits and stares at me, singing it's siren's song. 
It's a new week....well, it's almost over but choose to look at it as half full right now.  I'm ready to lace my Brooks up and hit that treadmill.  I'll post when I'm done with a lovely red faced pic of me!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A little suprise in my email!

......Welcome to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. You are officially a member of a very auspicious club and about to embark on a life changing journey. We are honored to be a part of it.....

I'm in!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Drum Roll Please!

Today I signed up for the Seattle Rock 'N' Roll Marathon!  AAAGGGHHH! It's so real now. And that little medal will be MINE!!! (except it will say June 26, 2010!) 

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Eat, Drink and Be Aware: Salba Smart Giveaway!

Eat, Drink and Be Aware: Salba Smart Giveaway!
I've entered my second drawing! I have been really wanting to try this stuff and have told my sis all about it. I even have it sitting in my cart on Amazon.com for when I order my Garmin when I finish my C25K running plan this week. I can't even believe that I've almost completed it! Yeah!!!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

It's one of those I LOVE running days!

I honestly wish that everyday could be like this.  Tonight on my run I was checking for signs that my body wanted to give up but alas, I could find no signs!  My brain was sure wanting to quit though...
I will be finishing week 8 day three tomorrow.  I am soooo excited, I've actually finished this, or at least I'm on my way to finishing it.  I will admit that I'm liking what I'm seeing as a result of this...I'm getting that little diamond shape to my calves (never had that before!), I've lost around 8 pounds since Jan. 1, my clothes are loser, my thighs feel awesome and muscular, and my endurance is increasing.  Wahoo!