Getting Back to It

     It has been a million years since I have written a post on this blog, I am sure there is no one reading this anymore. I thought though, since I will be going back to running after pregnancy that I might start this up again. Especially since I will not be cleared for exercise for another 3 weeks still.  As most of you know, we were blessed with my amazing son, Jack, on 1/8/13. I was fortunate to be able to run almost all the way through my pregnancy stopping at around 37 weeks because of the weight imbalance.  I ran Disney's Tower of Terror at 7 months pregnant, and was still participating with my awesome PRC running group each Sunday.  Now, with a new year, and a new baby I have a few new goals. I'd like to finish a half marathon in 2:15 or less. Currently my PR is 2:23, and that was over a year ago. My return to halves will be Iron Girl on 4/14, which will be exactly 1 year since I completed my last half, also the Iron Girl. I want to reach 140 pounds, and drop all my pregnancy weight, which is already gone plus two pounds.  The goals are attainable, but I just have to change around my routines because of the new baby.  I will be training in the fall for my second full marathon which will be January of 2014. I'd like to do that around or below 5 hours.

I will be doing all of this for my family, my son who has had the roughest beginning to life that any little one should have to, and for my husband who is stronger than any person I know for what he has had to go through this first month with our son.

Here's to a great new year!  Stay tuned.

Back on Track

Hello all! 

It has been a long while since I last posted, but I have been lazy I guess I can say. I have been running still, 3x a week always training for something, or signing up for  a 5K. I have finally signed up for my next half marathon in preparation for my first full marathon. We signed up last week for the Disney Wine & Dine half in October.  I have a new since of motivation it seems all of a sudden. It must be because for the second time in my life I paid someone else to allow me to run 13.1 miles! I have new goals to lose some weight, and run a full marathon all the while thinking of the next phase in my life...a house? Kids? Who knows...the world is my oyster! So to all my runners...lets hit the pavement, to all my non-runners...join us anyways!

At the finish line!

Boy! Talk about feeling like I have accomplished something. I ran my first half marathon on February 27^th, 2011 at Walt Disney World. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done, including graduating from grad school, second behind getting married mind you.  I never thought that I would feel like a super star, wanting to laugh, cry, and shout from the roof tops after running any amount a miles not even counting 13! The feeling was amazing. So here is how it went!

The week before the race, every piece of writing on running I have read says carb up, hydrate, and don’t run the week of the race. So I listened. Especially the hydrate hydrate hydrate! The night before, JR and I drove down to Orlando and stayed at the beautiful Gaylord Palms hotel. Carbed up, and went to bed getting a full night’s rest the night before. 

I laid out my running outfit, including my studded headband (the biggest tiara type accessory I could stand while running). I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I felt, and how excited all at the same time.

I woke up and true to form I was nervous and my stomach was letting me know. I ate a small breakfast and drank water.  And headed out the door.

When we arrived to Epcot the place was full of excited “princesses” of all shapes, sizes, and genders J. The costumes were amazing! And ages…there were young princesses, and princesses who were in their 70s. Amazing!  There were huge screens set up, DJ’s everywhere, and the organization of it all was phenomenal!

We had to be in our corrals at 5am, an hour before the race even started. So I parted ways with JR, who got up at 230 with me to come watch me race even though he had to work that after noon.  I began my lone walk to the corrals (about a half a mile I believe). This is where doing a race like this with someone would be handy. There is a long time between walking to the corrals, and the start of the race. So do this with a buddy! Once you get to the corral, there is a long time to wait. You have people talking, taking pictures, singing, stretching, and some running to warm up. I took a seat for a few minutes, and then started to do some gentle yoga stretching. As we start getting closer to the start of the race, there are Olympic runners speaking, some celebrities, and DJ’s siking everyone up for the race! “Who’s running their first half?” “Who is from out of state?” And the crowd gets to know each other a little better, you make some friends…and the nerves start to go away.

As they count down to your start…the fireworks start, the fires are set off and its amazing! You start of with so much energy that you can’t help but run! JR and I had planed for me to run close to the left edge close to the spectators so he could see me. I saw him as I ran passed and go on my way.  I had planned to run the first 5K, without stopping. I got through the 5K by picking a couple in front of me to pace with. I get to the 5K, and just still had the energy and excitement to keep going. So I did. I kept going. I get to mile 4 coming into the  Magic Kingdom, and there is my honey cheering me on!  A few mintues down the way and all of a sudden you are surrounded by cast members on either side of you, cheering you on (store clerks, Mickey Mouse, everyone!) and encouraging you to keep going. You run down Main street, where in front of you is Cinderella’s castle…how amazing! The path goes through tomorrow land, back around FantasyLand, and then through the castle…THROUGH the castle! How awesome! During this time you feel no pain, nothing but excitement! Now throughout the race you can stop and take pictures almost every single mile. The mile markers were books with a different Disney theme (i.e. Beauty and the Beast, so Belle and the Beast were there to take pictures), so  you stay entertained while you keep going. There are DJ’s, cast members, fire fighters, choirs, health information…plenty to keep you distacted from what types of pain you have. Every so 1.5 miles or so there is water/powerade to keep you hydrated. There are also stops around mile 8 or 9 where they have power gels (which I highly recommend both on race day and any time you run long runs. After Magic Kingdom is a long way to the end starts about mile 8, so you have to dig deep because there aren’t a whole lot of distractions, and you have to keep going. About mile 10 is where I started to feel some pains in my right foot, right on top, and my left upper thigh. I changed up my run/walk intervals for a half a mile or so from 5:1, to 4:2 to give my body a chance to rest and build up for the end. This is also about the time my iPod was running low on batteries and I had to turn it off. As I started to run again, here came a hill! Leave it to Disney to leave the hills for the very end! As I came back into Epcot is when my foot and thigh began to pulse! I thought, “how am I going to finish this strong with so much pain?” My lungs felt good, I felt good…but those two spots hurt! I walked a little more, and as I had the last mile and a half to go…I just went for it. Boy could the choir from a near by church come at any better time? Because it took all of me, and an answered prayer for me to keep running!

Then you see the thousands of spectators round the corner, the DJ saying how close you really are, and then the finish line…crossing the finish line on my feet and running…there are no words.  With tears (literally) in my eyes, and a smile on my face thinking..”what did you just do?” I crossed the finish line at 2:29:58 (16 minutes below my goal)! I kept walking, received my medal, grabbed my food, took my picture, and reunited with my husband (who had a shirt “I did it”! made for me). 

To see the thousands of men and women running for better health, running for a cause, running for people who couldn’t run was an amazing event for me. To see people taking care of themselves, making huge strides in their lives was motivating! How spectacular. The sight of a sea of runners over an overpass, through a castle, and hugging at the end was like nothing I’d seen in my life before.

I encourage anyone, young, older, skinny, over weight, new/old exerciser, to sign up for a Disney run and be inspired. Start from day one, run a minute, walk a minute, until you can get to 30 straight minutes running. Buy the shoes, running gear, and take control of your health.

I cannot begin to thank the people who supported me during this adventure. Jenn, who started the whole thing. Who inspired me to even think about doing something like this. JR, who hates running, for starting running with me so I was not alone.  For all my friends and family who kept asking how the running was going….that kept me running!

What’s next? A full of course! I begin training for my full soon, I’d like to run 2-3 more half marathons, before the Disney Full Marathon in January of 2011. So anyone who wants to set a goal, there are a few Disney runs that should be amazing…5K, half, or fulls! I will run with you! 

XOXO everyone!

What Sidewalk?

I recently moved to The Villages, Florida (well around there). Here, they're motto is that it is America's friendliest hometown...

I am running one afternoon recently with my husband, we usually try to run against the traffic of golf carts, and bikers on the path for various reasons. One being that they can see us, and two so that we are not running in the street.  Now, the pathways are listed as multimodality pathways...meaning they are not just golf cart paths! JR and I try to run as close to the curb as we can, if we can we will yield to the golf carts and hit the grass where possible. But being as the Villages like to have manicured lawns and medians...there isn't always room for us to do so.

So we are running one day and a golf cart passes, very fast, and as close as he could get to us and shouts..."on the sidewalk," shaking his fists.  My first reaction was like..."what sidewalk?" There isn't a sidewalk, only these pathways. They are made for walkers, bikers, runners, and golf carts...not just golf carts. Share the road jerk!  So many times we get "good for you" thumbs up and what not while we are running, so much encouragement comes for us during runs on normal days...but this guy was irratated that I was running on his cart path and not in the road with the cars....get off your high horse buddy!


JR and I also got lights for running at night. They have been well received!

And...one week from now I will be done with my half...I am only planning two runs this week...wish me luck!

Fanny or no fanny

As I run closer to my princess half here in a couple of weeks, along with the change in location of my daily runs I have been checking out “running gear.”  The gear I am speaking of is a road ID in case a 90-year-old woman with legal blindness and an obsession with white wine on a Monday night decides to run me over with her golf cart here in the Villages. This way when the EMS scrape me out from under her battery powered vehicle and I am knocked unconscious they will at least know what my name is, and where to find my love ones.  Also to help in case White Wine Wilma and I cross paths during an evening run, a light that blinks. Preferably in a horribly annoying color and level of brightness as to help legally blind Wilma to see me as I am coming towards her golf cart.  Then there is the water fanny pack product. They are ridiculous to look at, but I have come to realize that carrying a water bottle is silly and a PITA! The runner’s pack also provides a place to store my car key.  However they seem completely ridiculous with my cute running clothes…hmmm it’s a problem. LOL. And to top off my list, new running shoes. Mostly as to start phasing out my current Brooks and to prepare myself for the multiple halves, and possible full marathon I have planned for this year.

What? Multiple halves? A full? Yes, when I started this blog, it was to track my training and help myself decide on whether or not to participate in a full marathon after I survive the first one.  Since then I have turned my husband, and my best friend Brandon into running maniacs who have decided all they want to do is run and plan races.  Depending on the state of my poor knees after the princess run, I have planned to do the San Francisco half, the Wine and Dine half at Disney in October, and a full in December down in Miami. Thus potentially preparing me for the goofy challenge in January of next year. Not only this but in order to get to all of those races, I will be able to travel more, and continue on towards a life of healthy living. 

So…anyone want to try a half? Walkers are welcomed!!!

Resolutions

Boy oh boy! Did I take on a new life!?! Things have been crazy at work trying to get my feet under me…the good thing about that is, I have so many wonderful mentors there! My co-workers are amazing! (Yes…my PTA people I miss you so very much! Don’t forget that!)  If you know me, you know I prefer busy! So I am glad to see I joined a company that is expanding, and a facility that is trying to grow not only in census, but also in quality of care.  Wish me luck!

As for the running, it is going. I participated in the Villages Resolutions 5K last Saturday, and took second in my age group! Yay me! I ran the 5K in 29:35, which beat my goal of under 30 minutes. I didn’t do intervals like I have been training to do for the half in February. I am setting a new goal, to run the 5K in 27 by the summer. I am sure that is an attainable goal, however I haven’t read up on what it takes to take of 2.5 minutes off your time. So we shall see.

I am starting to increase my strength workouts, I am shooting for 3x/week, and 2 yoga days…so yes, I am pretty much doing something active every single day. Which…by the way…what is so wrong with that? How much time do you spend in front of the TV everyday? Think about that? How much time do you play video games, or sit on facebook? The average American spends 151 hours a month watching TV! That’s like 5 hours a day!!! Really??? Holy crap? Wonder why obesity is so high, or why the divorce rate is so high? Wonder why kids go out and get pregnant, or get into drugs/alcohol…they are bored….no one is talking to one another, and there are sitting in  front of the TV eating chicken wings! AHHHHH!!!

With every day that passes, I realize how unhealthy I am, and I really am not that bad compared to most Americans. It is interesting how JR and I felt like there was this underground life of running…when in reality healthy lifestyles (eating organic, yoga, recycling) is all considered HIPPY, and people are made fun of part of the time because they are trying to do live a little better. (Seriously, got called a hippy for doing yoga, and not eating at McDonald’s one of the first trips home I made from Washington).

So the challenge…do something other than watch TV, play video games, etc 3 times this week. That doesn’t mean go out to eat something unhealthy, or go to a movie…do something active, and be creative!  Good luck!  Me? Well..I have a few miles to log on the road if the weather permits, yoga to do, walks with my husband to participate in, and old friends to call! See you out there!

XOXOX

My part...

      How wonderful and difficult life can be sometimes…it is amazing isn’t it.  What have I learned in the short amount of time that I have been on this Earth? That no matter what life has in store for those we love and for ourselves that you have to back each other up. That you can provide as much advice, and guidance as you can, but the best thing to do is to be there. To listen, to provide faith, to love, and that is it.  I have found that you can overcome anything, as long as you know that you have a foundation. Whether that is a foundation in a family member, a significant other, a friend, a colleague, or in faith, you can survive and find happier times.  That no matter what you decide to do in each situation or in life, it doesn’t matter what society thinks of that, it is what you chose, it is what makes you happy, and that is all that matters. The great thing about love ones, is that they should support any choice that you make. Sure, things like drugs and alcohol…not such a great choice…but deciding to be a mother, or not….deciding to adopt instead of having your own children…to work or not work, to get a degree or not, to believe in a Christian God, or not….to run a marathon or not….I am sure you get this picture.  I’d like to say that I have been one of the loved ones that does this…but I haven’t. Boy is that obvious now. But the decision to change is one I’d support now, and therefore I am making that change. I want to be a rock and strong foundation for my family, I want to support their life decisions, not compare them to my own. I want to be that person. That is who I want to be for my children…so there is no reason I shouldn’t be that person for my friends and family now.  And I encourage everyone reading this to take a look at the person they have been. Do you provide criticism, or do you provide support. Are you actively listening? Seriously?  The reason I did this blog was to seek encouragement…but I haven’t been providing the right encouragement to those who need it the most. So through this outlet…this is what I am doing.

Past the heavy….JR and Brandon both survived their half marathon! It was amazing…boy does Disney know how to do it right!  We woke up at 230 am, to drive down to Orlando and get them on the starting line at 540. It was in the 30’s. I saw JR pass me at the starting line, Brandon at mile 4 (right near the monorail entrance near Magic Kingdom), JR & Brandon (and a random Coug) at mile  8, and neither at the finish line (way to many spectators!).  How motivating to be there in the throws of a marathon weekend. I was so inspired to see the wheelchair racers start off, the people who were overweight making a change and trying a HALF MARATHON (how awesome is that!), and the seniors who walked or jogged the whole time…what an unbelievable experience! And I just watched!  The guys were on such a high afterwards, they were discussing which races across the country in the next year or so that they could sign up for. The changes that JR and I alone have made in our lives because of one person (Jenn) have been so amazing. We have taken a closer look at what we are eating, we miss running when we don’t get out there more than twice in a week.  To have a friend in Brandon who jumped on board and continues to encourage us to push ourselves to that next level (he wants us to run the goofy race next year…look it up…its insane) is a blessing and I thank him. I think about the fact that I have had a moment were I weighed almost 200 lbs…and now I am starting to live a lifestyle I want to. I want my children to start off their lives off healthy, not thinking it is ok to go to McDonalds and eat….and that sitting in front of the computer, or TV for the entire day is ok. No thanks. So bring on the races….bring on the healthy lifestyle…bring on the yoga!

Another great thing that has come out of our recent bumps in the road….today my mother-in-law (MIL) started walking with us this morning…and the course she chose? Almost 5.5 miles! And did awesome!  She has started to consider joining us for our next 5K. How amazing is that! How inspiring is that! So JR and I have decided to encourage that, to encourage her to motivate her friends….how much life we have to live these days with the medical knowledge we have! 50 is the new 30 or so it goes…if someone in their 90s can run a half marathon…then together we can all encourage each other! So if you are driving through Stone Crest, you may see the “Stone Crest striders” working on their walking!  Give us a wave!

Next race….The Villages 5K on January 22^nd…see you there! Hey everyone…get out there, be a rock, and live healthy! Namaste and God bless!