Turkey Trot

Good morning! This morning I got up with some friends and did the non-timed 5K in downtown. It was great to be out there exercising with friends and celebrating the day. It burned just enough calories to cover the latte that I HAD to have afterwards. Starbucks is such an addiction!

So I got in a nice 3.1 miles today, not including the walk to an from the car :)

Yesterday, I really busted my butt on the treadmill going 4 miles but doing incline training and running more. I spent the last 5 minutes running, which is really helping build my endurance. Can you believe I went to the gym after work let out early instead of doing something else? Wow!

So today is the day to checkout circulars and see what gifts can be bought this Black Friday. I didn't even buy a paper to avoid tempation. Instead, I'll spend a few hours tomorrow doing gift wrap at a local mall to raise funds for Team in Training.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Whew

I squeezed in the 13 miles on Friday and even got in 30 minutes at the gym while traveling. It was good. I met up with the training team on Monday night to do 3.5 miles quickly. I even race the last 1/4 of a mile to help with endurance.
Kick butt!

All Alone

Today I trekked alone. 13 miles of me & my iPod. It was hard to get started, as I just saw a big number in front of me. Due to time constrictions, I could not fit in the 17 miles, but 13 is pretty good. It was a nice trail walk with lots of nature. The morning started out cool with grey skies and fogginess, but by noon was streaming bright sun. I felt good, hydrated and fueled myself through the journey. I even did some extra incline work by crossing a bridge 4 times; a couple times walking up backwards. Good little squeezed in workout!

Rest Day

Gotta love my rest day. Feeling a tad sore from the weights, but it's so good. This has been quite a journey so far, and I am so glad that I have friends/family that are there for the emotional support.
I am ready for a 17-mile walk tomorrow morning. It's going to feel a bit long I'm sure, but it's going to be SO good.

Fitness Training

Wow, 30 minutes of grrr today. weight machines for arms & leg presses too. Did creatively designed push-ups, arm exercises with weights and some crunches from hell. It was good!

Yoga

Massaged my organs tonight with some yoga. That's all I need to say.

Bit o Treadmill

Thought I would jump onto the treadmill this evening since my team workout was cancelled. 30 minutes of goodness. I did some running along with my fast walking, and even ended strong with running the last 2 minutes. It was hot...I was hot, but it was good. Hate going places just after exercise, but I tried to avoid people in CVS as I picked up a couple random items.

This experience has been so uplifting, harsh, good...

Pilates Mat

First pilates class...wow! From 3 minutes in until the hour was over, it was pushing to stretch myself...literally. My abs got worked out well, and I felt stronger yet tired at the end. It was a good class overall, and I'm so glad that I did it. Perfect salad afterwards too!

Hello 15 Miles!

Whew! Yesterday started a bit chilly but quickly warmed up as the muscles were moving. It was chilly for Florida people...57-60 degrees. We headed out to a trail on the east side of town to do our 15 mile stretch. Well, it took just over 3.5 hours, so I actually maintained a 14:37 pace...that's great for me. They want to ensure that I can go the distance on race day, so I need to be able to keep a pace like this to buffer my time later when I will end up slowing down. Disney is a great place, but they will sweep you if you don't hit the desired mileage at certain mile markers. So back to my 15 miles, it was good. Of course doing this amount of miles at one time is not a thrill ride, more of a slightly painful one, but it's expected. So I kept my pace and kept chatting. I had a buddy with me for most of the journey, so it helped me keep going. I probably only listened to my iPod for about 20 minutes total.
My coaches were there for part of my journey as well, and they got me to 'jog' for a couple intervals, so that was good too. I fondly called one of my coaches "Jillian".

After screaming into my arm to get some excess 'argh' out, I headed to a friend's house (sweet woman) and get changed, so I could enjoy a local festival. I hobbled around the rest of the day, even to the hospital to visit a sick friend. I was definitely happy to sit down and not move as evening came.

It's Sunday, and I feel good. The plan is to head to the gym for a pilates class and treadmill work, just to keep it interesting :)

Holy Thursday

Well, it was a rough Thursday afternoon. 30 minutes of hard core circuit training-I felt like one of those Biggest Loser people. My trainer was even getting a little loud with me; I guess he doesn't think I'm funny. Oh well. So after the brutal workout, I felt so nauseated. I had to attend a birthday party, and I really wanted to go. I ended up on the side of the road losing it for a few minutes, but continued on and had a nice evening :)

Today is my rest day, so I'm enjoying just coming home and doing random tasks. My quads are definitely sore from last night, but I just feel a bit stronger...that's nice.

Tomorrow is the long run day...15 miles of fun. Can't wait!!!

The Road I Am Traveling

It's amazing how much one can struggle to change. Change is constant, yet we fight against the flow. I have been challengd to exercise daily where it wasn't that often before, and to eat healthier. It sounds easy, but for me and many others, it isn't. It seems easier when I'm exercising with someone else, but when alone, I struggle more.
My friend asked me the other day if I have lost weight and am I am feeling energized. Nope. I'm slowly learning new eating habits, but the weight loss hasn't occurred. Of course I'm building muscle as well, but I haven't seen much change. I struggle with getting my sneakers on and not falling back into old patterns.
Last night, I hit a wall. I hit a point where I said that I need to re-dedicate myself to what's important and to simplify.

On Monday, it was a nice jaunt with the TNT group. A couple miles then cross-training, another mile then more training, then a final 1/2 mile. It was a nice change-up to do the cross-training between the miles - jump rope, jumping jacks, crunches, kicks.

On Tuesday, I took my cross-training at a different angle and attended a meeting on presence. It was a good exercise in study as well as being able to sit still for 7 minutes in a meditative state. All good!

Last night was the wall. No exercise, just some crying. I know it sounds pitiful, but I needed to hit the wall. Then I sat for awhile and put to paper what my real focus needs to be for the next couple of months...what's important. I asked myself why I was doing this race, and why was I involved with Team in Training. I came out with a couple positive results, and I feel renewed.

I got up this morning and did an exercise walking video for 45 minutes (3 miles) so get my day started. I have strength training later this evening, and I'm back!

You Spin Me...

Holy crap! I'm trying new experiences and today I did a spin class. Needless to say, my butt will be hurting for awhile. I went to my friend Kristin's gym to checkout the facilities. We did a 50-minute spinning class, and it kicked my butt. My knee was sore from walking the day before, so I didn't get up in the climb position everytime. I paced myself and sweated A LOT. I did it...I wasn't very good, but I did it.
It was good. Trying new experiences is good. However, now I need the experience of sleep.
Thanks for sharing life with me!

Tears

When you make average great, your dreams will become a reality!

Today I cried...oh Oprah. This week she did a show on Fearless Women and 'stepping out of the box.' I had it on DVR and didn't watch it until after I walked 13 miles this morning.

This morning was hard. I didn't feel energetic from the start, and I was nervous about 13. It's a half marathon distance, and I've only done that was before (untrained). I felt off, and it most of the time to try to find a rhythm. I just didn't feel great. I was even asked if I should step down to the half marathon in January instead of going the full 26.2. Today I struggled. The inner voices fighting against each other. "I can't do this! My legs are hurting, and it's so far to go!" vs. "I can do this! I am strong!" I felt so tired, hoping that my legs would go numb before I finished.
One of my coaches finished the last couple miles with me...helping bring me home. She was a lifesaver, as I don't know what I would have done by myself. Thanks Jen!

I came home today feeling defeated. Yes, I did the 13 miles, but worried about my ability to do 2 sets of 13 miles in a row. My dad was uplifting, talking about the courage to go out and do the race, and the fact that I could do it if I got my head in the game.

So I came home to watch some TV and rest before attempting a nap. I watched the episode of Oprah. I cried...hard. Women being put in fearful tests (skydiving, roller derby, running into the ocean nude), and how they overcame each one. The sense of accomplishment, of confidence, of rejuvenation. I now have a new picture in my head. I can do it...I can push myself physically and mentally, and I can do this damn race. I don't have to be naturally athletic, tall and skinny, and I don't have to come in first place. I just have to get out there and do it.

Thanks to my friend Julie who posted the quote above on her blog today, as it really touched me today.

Wednesday - Whew!

Man, Monday night was dark for an evening run, but it was good. Run a couple miles plus some crazy strength training. Variety of squats plus calf raises and push-ups too. I was definitely sweating but it was cool out too.

Last night was yoga. It's been awhile since I've done yoga, but it was good. Gentle and supposed to do hormonal balance by massaging kidneys, adrenal glands, etc. It was nice. I went to the same place where I had attended Laughter Yoga, which is SO very good, yay!

Tonight I hit the gym for a nice treadmill workout. I was there for just over an hour; I did some speed work as well as working inclines and even trying to walk backwards a bit.

Wednesdays are rough for me. I have been working out since Saturday, and my body is begging for a day off. But no, I keep trudging as best I can to meet my goals and kick butt for the marathon.

I really enjoy hanging out with my Team in Training coaches/mentors and fellow runners. Everyone is so spirited and excited about the racing. It's great to be involved with people trying to get healthy and train properly.

I have to say some athletic inspiration in from two sweet friends - 1 who is about to do a relay race weekend across the state and another that just finished her first solo biking trip from Savannah to St Augustine. These ladies inspire me!

Time for Bed!!

seriously, the longer you run...the more you smell

Well today was a trip. I defintely utilized my extra hour of sleep after celebrating a friend's birthday late into the evening.

Lesson 1: Get enough sleep
Lesson 2: Minimize the amount of alcohol before your 'long run' day

Since I missed my group run yesterday, I headed out to the same area they trekked yesterday to get in my mileage. I had planned to do 11 but only got 9.5 miles. My knee was hurting and so were my feet. I didn't want to push it and risk injury, especially being out there alone.

I was excited to have my iPod to keep the music pumping, except for the fact that somehow it was dead...darn it. At least a little bit lighter load, but nothing but my own thoughts to guide me...yikes. Just kidding, but it felt longer without that good vibe.

I tried my first actual 'Gu' gel, but it did nothing for me with regard to feeling an extra boost. I'm more of the fan for hammer and clif; I need to stop up with some as well.

I used my fuel belt today (all 4 bottles), and it was super handy. It's different carrying weight like that, but it was highly beneficial. Next time, I need to have 1 of the bottles hold powerade to ensure I have some electrolyte-fluid. It was quite handy, and I'm so glad that I bought it.

At the end of my trek, I was ready to crawl into bed. But no, first a very important shower. I don't understand how people enjoy sweating like this! Then my hope is to visit the World Showcase of EPCOT and enjoy the last days of Food & Wine celebration. Now for a bit of rest before even MORE walking.