Spinning Myself Silly

I went to my tenth spinning class today. People tell me that it just gets easier, but it definitely wasn't easier today. The teacher was mediocre, and the music was awful. It was basically just techno music with no words for the entire hour. Some people may feel like that's energizing, but I just got bored. I was sitting there watching the sports conditioning class going on and just hoping that the class would end. Let's just say it didn't motivate my best efforts. I will not be going to that class again.

Oh but I did get rewarded for my hard work. We splurged and got pizza for dinner (healthy pizza), and when I got there I found out that Tuesday is buy one get one free day. Score two pizzas for me. Good thing I stuck out the mediocre techno obsessed man.

Georgia or Bust

I've tried this before, but I'm serious this time. My half-marathon training begins today and ends in 14 weeks in Albany, GA at the Snicker's Energy Bar Half-Marathon followed a week later by a cruise (not a bad reward/motivator).

My training is going to include three days of running (two normal runs and one long run), two spinning classes, and two days of strength training a week. I've been doing almost this same plan for the last four weeks and now I just have to up the mileage with my Saturday long runs.

I'm going to try and make this blog what I started it to be, a running journal. For now, I'm going to get dressed and go to the gym for my first day of training.

My Perfect Running Playlist

I’ve already posted about how good music can make such a difference in whether or not I can through and enjoy a workout. I base my satisfaction with spinning instructors on their choice of music, and I can just keep running if I have good music. I did a Google search looking for running playlists, and a lot of the stuff I found was either older music or slower. Not quite what I was looking for. I’ve got some good song that I love to run to but have been looking for new stuff. I’ve added a few new songs to the playlist and decided to organize my playlist into “intervals.” Most of the time I run one song at my slow pace, one song at a medium pace, and one song fast and then repeat. I decided to make the music match my interval paces. So I did. And I don’t like to listen to the same songs all the time, so I created a 52 song playlist (17 songs at each pace) so I can just go to my playlist and start running. Here’s what I came up with. They go in sets of three (slow, medium, fast). I’ve put stars by my all-time favorite running songs. If you’re looking for good running music, those are the ones to go for first. And if you’re wondering, this is about three hours total of music.

1. Almost by Bowling for Soup
2. Don’t know the name- Track 5 on Lisa’s CD J
3. *Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne

4. I Miss You by Blink 182
5. Too Good to Be by New Found Glory
6. *Move Along by All-American Rejects

7. Over You by Daughtry
8. Tell Me That You’re Alright (not sure who sings this, Lisa’s CD again)
9. Pump It by Black Eyed Peas

10. N.J. Falls Into The Atlantic by Senses Fail
11. When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls
12. *Rompe by Daddy Yankee

13. Here by Hello Goodbye
14. Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects
15. Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira

16. Low by Flo Rida
17. Counting the Days by Goldfinger
18. **I’mma Shine by Youngbloodz from the Step Up Soundtrack (if this doesn’t get you going I don’t know what will)

19. My Happy Ending by Avril
20. Up Against by Taking Back Sunday
21. Shake It by Metro Station

22. Freak Out by Avril
23. The Young the Hopeless by Good Charlotte
24. Misery Business by Paramore

25. All the Small Things by Blink
26. American Boy by Estelle
27. See You Again by Miley Cyrus

28. 1985 by Bowling for Soup
29. Disturbia by Rihanna
30. Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy

31. Some Hearts by Carrie Underwood
32. Sugar We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy
33. Crazy in Love by Beyonce

34. Save Tonight by Eagle Eyed Cherry
35. Better Life by Keith Urban
36. *Red High Heels by Kellie Pickler

37. Sophomore Slump or Comeback by Fall Out Boy
38. Womanizer by Britney Spears
39. Check On It by Destiny’s Child

40. Somebody Like Me by Keith Urban
41. Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
42. So What by Pink

43. Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson
44. Hot N Cold by Katy Perry
45. That’s What You Get by Paramore

46. Ohio (Come Back to TX) by Bowling for Soup
47. Single Ladies by Beyonce
48. *If You’re Going Through Hell by Rodney Adkins

Not Too Bad, Not Too Good

Last week I was just too busy to get any workouts in. I did some weights on Monday and played competitive volleyball for a good hour on Saturday (and wow am I sore!!), but that's it. It definitely showed at my WW meeting on Saturday (I stayed exactly the same).

So this week is going to be better. I went and ran 3.1 today and felt great. I've already got a workout scheduled with my friend on Weds night and am going to a spinning class right after work tomorrow. This weekend I'm meeting up with friends in NYC and one of those friends is the one who initially got me into running. I'm planning on at least one run while there with her.

I picked out a new half-marathon to train for, it's at the beginning of March in Albany, GA and sounds like a great one to try for. It gives me a month to get back in shape (I'm getting there now) and then start training hard in December. It means a lot of treadmill running or freezing outside, but I'm determined to make it this time. Thanks to inspiration from my friend Melanie, I'm going to be tracking the number of miles on my sidebar along with the amount of minutes I've worked out total.

Skip to My Lou

I've been trying out new things with my running routines. This week I tried what I call, "Skip To My Lou," workout. It was in this month's issue of Self Magazine, one of the two magazines I subscribe to, and really effective. I never knew skipping could be so hard. Try it out sometime if you want to change things up a little.

The instructions say to load 30 minutes of music onto a playlist and then change every song. I didn't have 30 minutes exactly; I just played my running playlist and went through each interval 3 times and then did an extra skip and extra sprint section to finish it out. Here's the workout.

Run 1 song (I ran at a 5.5 pace)
Skip 1 song (I skipped at a 4.5 pace, but you can definitely go faster)
Sprint 1 song (6.0-6.5 pace)

Repeat until your playlist ends or you've been doing it for 30 minutes (typically 9-10 songs). I worked out at paces comfortable to me, but you can definitely push yourself more if you want. I definitely felt it and didn't get bored with just running. If you have any other fun running/interval type things you've done, I'm always up for trying something new.

Mixing It Up

I've been paying for a gym for the past year, and I've only been a couple of times in the past six months because I didn't feel like driving 15-20 minutes to workout when I have a treadmill downstairs.

I realized today that there is a gym five minutes from my house! So since I'm paying for the gym, I might as well start taking advantage of the things I can't get in my apartment gym like the classes. I love trying out new classes even if I feel like an idiot the majority of the time.

Every book or article I've read about staying motivated to workout says to keep your workouts varied so you don't get bored. So I'm going to take advantage of those classes and go to two classes a week- one on Tuesday and one on Saturday. I went to spinning tonight and LOVED it. It kicked my butt, but I feel great now.

Not sure what I'll try next, but I'm excited to be out doing new things again. It really does make working out more fun than just running on the treadmill every day.

Interval Training= My New Best Friend

I made a decision today. I have to keep running. No other exercise does for me what running does. I just need to suck it up and get out there, slow and steady. So I did it. I did a 45 minute hill interval workout on the elliptical then jumped on the treadmill to run a mile to finish out the workout.

And.I.Ran.Three.

Three miles broken up into half mile chunks. I ran half a mile, walked .1 mile, ran half a mile, etc. I ran a total of three miles and walked another .5. And after a nice stretch, I felt great!

I may not be able to run 13.1 miles without walking anytime in the near future, but I'm not going to give up. I'll keep going until I can run 13.1 miles even if I have to walk between every mile. It's better than not running at all.

Long Time No See

After the raving review from the doctor about my shin splints, I decided to heed his counsel and stop running for a couple of weeks. Too bad I stopped running, walking, and any other form of exercise I could think of. Probably not the best idea to strengthen my muscles, but oh well it's too late to go back and change it right?

So I'm going to start working out again this week and try and throw some running in every couple of days to see how things are going. People say one of the most common causes of shin splints is pushing yourself too hard too fast, so I'm going to take it nice and slow. I joined Weight Watchers this week (since I can't run, which is normally my trick to losing weight) and as part of my Sunday routine I'm going to be planning out weekly meals and an exercise schedule so I can actually fit everything in. I did a 30 minute Biggest Loser sculpting DVD tonight that was rough but felt great and am going to get some cardio in hopefully before bed or maybe tomorrow morning. I really think morning workouts would do me wonders, but will they do me more wonders than more sleep?

Oh well, I just wanted to give everyone an update. I didn't fall of the face of the earth. I'm not running a half-marathon in December but am going to keep running and keep posting on this blog about my progress. My goal is to be able to run 5 miles without stopping because I'm out of breath or in pain by the end of October. Slow and steady wins (or finishes at least) the race.

I Got My Massage But I Didn't Deserve It

Good news and bad news. I got my massage last Friday thanks for my great MIL. The bad news is that I didn't earn it. And the even worse news is that I can't run at least not for right now. I've got really painful shin splints in my left leg, and the doctor wants me to get a bone scan to make sure I don't have a stress fracture before I run anymore. I ran two miles on Saturday morning and was still in major pain on Monday even after icing, heating, and stretching the area. So it looks like the half-marathon in December isn't really an option at this point. I'm not giving up on running though, just as soon as I figure out what's wrong, I'll come back slowly and take better care of myself.

In the interim, I'm not going to get rid of this blog. It will just be more focused on my overall exercise not just running. I'm planning on putting together a workout schedule for the next few weeks to include spinning, step classes, and other stuff to get me through. Oh and I'll get back to the weight training videos that got me so tone this summer before I gave up on them. That's the plan for now. I'll keep you posted. Hope that everyone else keeps running, be grateful you can.

One Down, Nine to Go

That's how I track my running when I'm outside and have no idea how far I've gone. I normally run about the same speed so I'll track my miles based on how many songs I'm run to so far. Three songs typcially equals about a mile so at the beginning I just tell myself I have to run for 10 songs and count down as I go.

I haven't been running with music lately; I've been watching TV instead, but today I mixed it up a little while on the treadmill. It was 11:00 when I started running so all I could find on TV was Lingo on the Game Show Network. I decided to listen and run to music during commercial breaks, and it really helped keep me going. I ran three miles today without stopping in a little over 30 minutes, and I felt great. No red face, no hard breathing, no wheezing aftewards. I'm not quite back in shape yet, but I'm getting there. Getting into - it's time to actually start training for this half-marathon - shape. And it feels just as good as I always tell people it does.

And that massage is going to feel even better. I may miss Richie while he's in TX, but for that hour, I think I'll be able to hold myself together.

Grand Prize... A Massage

I got a coupon in the mail the other day for a $39 hour long full-body massage, and I decided to make good use of it. I'm making it a reward for working out. Richie's going to TX in two weeks, and I need something to do while he's gone. So we made a deal. If I work out ten times in the next two weeks (before he leaves on the 18th) I get to schedule and go for a massage while he's gone. We went to dinner last night and determined the conditions of the deal because it has to actually be hard to get or I won't appreciate it quite as much.

The fine print...

• A workout consists of either running 3+ miles or one hour of another type of working out (cardio, strength training, videos, classes, etc.).
• At least five of the workouts have to be running (to stick with the half-marathon training).
• Any dessert I eat (more than 50 calories/fudgesicle) negates one workout.
• Any food that I eat that has no nutritional value (aka ramen noodles) negates one workout.
• I can get more than one workout credit a day by working out longer or multiple times.

That's it. That's all I have to do. It shouldn't be too hard other than the fact that he leaves in approximately 11 days, and I don't workout on Sundays. So that means I have to workout once every day this week and once every day until he leaves the next. Piece of cake (that I can't eat). All I can think about is how bad I want that massage. I'm switching up my workout log on the sidebar with a countdown of the ten workouts. Counting down is so much easier than counting up. Rewards/competition really is a huge motivating factor for me so hopefully this works.

Dancing Through the Hallways

I remember a couple of years ago I was training for my second half-marathon in college. I mostly ran outside that year, and I remember vividly the home stretch of a 7 mile run. I was running down the sidewalk and literally dancing while I ran. My strides felt more like I was bouncing along, and my spirit lifted right along with my steps.

I got that same feeling today. There is just something about the combination of music and running that lifts my spirit. I got off the elevator after my run and bobbed my head and body back and forth to the beat as I walked back to my apartment. But it didn't stop there- I kept the IPOD on and cleaned up my kitchen and cooked dinner, something I haven't done in a long time. And even now I'm in a much better mood than I have been all weekend. Thanks running.

I Almost Like Running Again

It's been almost two weeks since I started running again, and I'm getting to the point where I almost remember why I started in the first place. It just makes me feel so good. When I get off the treadmill, my abs feel tight and my tummy is all sucked in (and not because I'm sucking it in). I want to make better choices when I'm eating because junk food just doesn't sound good (well except for my nightly craving for raw ramen noodles ). Maybe it's just the fact that I can watch TV without feeling bad or the endorphins talking, but I'm definitely feeling better about everything right now, including myself; that's a biggie.

I ran again tonight while watching Grey's Anatomy. When we finally get into a house someday, my housewarming present to myself is going to be a treadmill. Or dad, I'll let you buy me one. :) I always tell people that if I had a treadmill in my house I'd run every day because I could just sit and watch TV. Now that there's a treadmill kind of in my house (just downstairs) , and I can watch my own personal TV, I'm all for running and/or walking. Normally I'd be off the treadmill as soon as I was done with my required miles but now I stay and finish out the show and just walk up an extremely steep hill while doing so. It makes me feel much better about watching TV when I'm running rather than sitting on my butt.

I can do it. I can run this half-marathon, especially with the new fall season starting soon. Thank goodness the strike is over.

My Running Buddy

My husband has been working out with me lately, and it really helps. It's another person (other than myself) telling me that we should go work out. This is three times in the past week that he's worked out with me and gotten me to go. A workout buddy really does make a huge difference... as does a TV. I'm getting back into running mode, and my body is telling me that it's ready to start adapting to be a runner again. Hopefully my mind agrees.

Week 1...Again

It seems like I just keep starting over with this whole running thing. I run once, twice, or maybe even three times a week and then get too busy and just don't go the next week. It really isn't working for me at all. I sat down today and planned out a sixteen week training schedule that really seems doable (2-3 miles 3x a week for the next two weeks then moving up...).

My dad and I made the decision to sign up for the Memphis St. Jude half-marathon on December 6th, hence the 16 week training. I'm really going for it this time. No more excuses. I'm so sick of starting over. This time I'm running the half and signing up for another one in April so I don't lose it all over again because I just can't get myself started again and again.

Well enough rambling, just wanted to write a quick update for myself and whoever reads this blog. I did run today, only two miles, but it was more than yesterday or the day before. And it was what I'd scheduled myself to do so I'm on the right track. Tomorrow is strength/XT and then back into the running shoes on Wednesday.

My New Favorite Trail

There is something about running outside that makes it so much more pleasant. And running five songs out and being able to turn around and say, oh hey I'm almost done (or at least on my way back). I think maybe I had just gotten so sick of having to drive to the gym to run on a treadmill and then drive home. This whole running on the trail by my office after work seems to be working. I almost didn't go today- I was really tired- but then I told myself if I run today, I only have to run 2 days out of the next five. Two!! I'm going to try and run more but two sounds so easy.

One day down, two to go. I ran 38 minutes, probably about 3.5 miles (haven't measured yet) today. I'm thinking about asking for a Garmin running GPS thing for my birthday so that I can actually track my distances. Either way, I ran the entire time and felt great! My confidence is returning little by little. It's definitely a love week.

Dedication Meets Stupidity

I brought my stuff to work yesterday or at least most of it. I forgot socks but because I didn't want to skip running I decided to run anyways. Probably one of the dumbest things I've ever done. I was really just asking for blisters, and blisters I got. I've got a row of blisters on the inside sole of both feet. They don't hurt a whole lot until I run again.

But.I.Ran

I walk/ran a total of 35 minutes and ran 9 songs (so probably about 30 out of the 45 minutes), and it actually felt great, other than the blisters of course. I'm loving this whole trail outside of my office that I can run on every day. It's beautiful, the miles are marked, and there's actually shade about half of the time.

I'm hoping to make nightly runs a part of my weekly routine, at least until it gets too cold out. Then I'll make morning runs the weekly routine. Either way, I'm going to keep running. I already have more confidence and am feeling better. Not sure if I'm actually losing weight, but I feel stronger every single time I run.

So.I'll.Keep.Going.

Get out there this weekend and enjoy the beautiful (if it is beautiful) weather. I'm planning on running tomorrow again if these blisters aren't too bad. If not, I'll be back on Monday.

Committment

I'm doing it. I'm running right after work today! This is my committment post. There's no turning back now!

Edit: I got dressed in my running clothes, put on my running shoes, and got on the trail today right after work. And then I ran 2 miles. It may only be 2 miles, but that's better than the past couple of weeks.

And.it.was.great.

It's so much nicer to run on a trail outside in the beautiful weather and see all of the different people sitting near or walking on the trail. I think I may have to make running outside a weekly event. I'm going to try and run again on Weds. I've gotta go to dinner tomorrow night but Weds should work out well.

Oh and an update on the pushup challenge- I got distracted when I went to Kansas so I'm going to start again on week 2 because I don't think I can go to week 3 after taking two weeks off. I'm almost motivated again.

My First and One of Only a Few Weight Loss Posts

I may throw a weight loss note in here every once in a while. I hate to go on and on about weight loss so it will be an infrequent occurrence. I’ll still make this blog mostly my exercise/running blog so no worries. But last night was monumental.

Mom and I made a deal last night- if we lose 10 lbs by October 1st, we are going to do something extremely fun together to reward ourselves. I’ve got 10 weeks. Better get on it. Now. I think I might go to a Weight Watcher’s meeting on Saturday. I think the only way I’m ever going to actually make any changes is if I have someone (not myself) keeping me accountable. I’m not a very good liar so it’d be much easier if I had to go to a meeting and tell someone yes I worked out, because I actually did. $40/month is a small price to pay for my mental and physical well-being.

Great News!!!

I started my new job today and they told me my schedule is going to be from 9:30-6:30 rather than the 8-5 shift I'm used to. That means I can actually get up and run in the morning, shower, be ready to work and still get to work on time. I love to workout in the morning but couldn't drag myself out of bed at 5:30 for any reason let alone run. 7:00 sounds much more doable. Oh and did I mention this doesn't start until we move in a couple of weeks. The gym is still too far away for me to drive and go before work in the morning. When we move, there will be a gym on the ground floor of our new apartment. Then I really won't have any more excuses :)

Back and Ready to Go

While I was gone last week I exercised more than I have in the past couple of weeks, and I remembered how much I love it. I went for walks, ran (once), played racquetball (for three hours), and watched basketball and baseball. Sports have always been a part of my life and it's about time I put them back in.

I went to the library today on my last day off before the new job starts tomorrow and checked out two books on running. I skimmed through them both quickly and realized that it really is just about getting out there and running. Almost everything I read in the book about the benefits of running I already knew. All of those benefits (weight loss, feeling better, more energy, eating better, etc.) are things that I want so it's time to go get those benefits.

I looked up some new half-marathons since this summer's training just didn't work out. There are three great options on Saturday, December 6th that are within driving distance of my place in DC. December 6th is about 4 1/2 months away. My typical training plan is about 12 weeks or 3 months. That gives me a month and a half to get back into the groove of things slowly. I'm getting back into it gradually this time so I don't have the excuse of injury anymore.

One part of the book that I really liked was the part about setting goals. It talked about setting goals for each year then setting short term (2-3 months) goals and then setting intermediary goals to lead up to reaching that short term goal. I like that idea.

So here are my goals to lead up to the half marathon on December 6th. These may have to adjust based on my progress, but these are the goals for right now. I'll cross them off on my sidebar as I hit each of them.

Long Term: Half Marathon on December 6th, 2008.

Short Term 1: Run 6 miles (10K) by October 18th, 2008.

• Intermediate Goal 1: Run 3x3 (3 miles 3 times a week) by August 15th.
• Intermediate Goal 2: Run 4x3 by September 15th.
• Intermediate Goal 3: Run 5 miles by October 11th.

Short Term 2: Run 13.1 miles (half) by December 6th, 2008.

• Intermediate Goal 1: Run 5x3 by November 1st.
• Intermediate Goal 2: Run 10 miles by November 22nd.

On to Week Three

Two weeks ago I started the One Hundred Pushup challenge and have been very optimistic about everything. I started only being able to do four pushups. Last night I did 16 without stopping so I guess you could say it's working and I was excited to be able to do 100 push ups a month from now.

Until.I.looked.at.week.3.

Week 1 and 2 had me doing intervals of 3-6 push ups; week 3 has me doing intervals of 16-20 push ups. I can do 16 push ups without stopping but don't know if I can do 16 then sixty seconds later do another 16. We'll see how it goes. I may have to do week 3 a couple of times to get through it. Either way, it's working since I can do 4x as many push ups now than when I started.
If you haven't joined in on the challenge, you should. It only takes about 30 minutes, and I already feel a little stronger. As for the rest of my workouts lately, they've non-existent. I'm hoping to get back in the mode next week while I'm in Kansas. My brother and dad have been running, and I'm hoping they'll be the motivation I need to get the ball rolling. When I get back, I'm going cold turkey into working out and eating better.

I know there are at least a few of you out there doing the challenge with me. How's it going? Have you seen any progress since you started? I'd love to hear it's getting easier (or harder) for everyone else too. Good luck in week 3.

In Theory, If You Roll a Ball It Will Keep Rolling

There have been very few time in my life when I have felt completely content with my life. Well that's kind of a lie. There have been very few times in my when I've felt completely content with myself. More specifically content with my body. It's amazing how if I'm not content with myself, it makes everything else just a slight shade darker in my eyes. Every one of the times that I've felt completely at peace with myself I was doing two things. I was taking care of myself physically and spiritually. I've never felt better about myself then during those three 12 week periods of half-marathon training.

Why am I writing this today? Because I realized today that I'm not content with myself. I'm not even close to content with myself. So many great things are going on and all I can think about in the morning is how bad I look in anything I put on or how thin the girl ahead of me in line is. Or maybe it's something else. I'm sure everyone has days this like, but what about months, years maybe? I'm going on a year now.

And you know what -I've done absolutely nothing about it. Nothing other than let the weight continue to pile on and continue to get more and more out of shape. This time I've really let it get too far, and it's taken a pretty big toll on my confidence and really every other part of my life. I don't know how I let it get this far, but it's time to take a stand for my physical health.

I'm not gonna make the Virginia Beach half marathon in August (who was I kidding??) but I'm going to run a half-marathon by the end of this year. And after that one, I'm going to sign up and run another one the next year, and the next year after that. I am not going to let the ball stop rolling again because like the law of physics, a body in motion stays in motion. I'm ready to get back in motion.

Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

Here's a typical day in the life of me.

7:00-11:00 AM- Eat a good healthy breakfast and snacks.
Noon- Eat a healthy lunch and take a walk around my office (or my block).
2:00 PM- Crave, buy, and eat [enter junk food here] something.
5:00 PM- Go home and make a healthy dinner.
7:00 PM- Sit in front of the TV or computer thinking about how I should go to the gym.
9:00 PM- Work out (or not).
11:00 PM- Stop for a Frosty on the way home from the gym.

It seems like I can't make it through an entire day or being good, let alone a week. I keep taking one step forward (eating healthy and working out) then taking two steps backwards (gummy bears, not working out for three days). I'm pretty sure I won't make it to the top of the stairs anytime soon (or anytime for that matter).

So my goal for next week is to start taking two steps forward and only one step back. It might take me a while but at least that way I might eventually make it to the top.

One Hundred Pushup Challenge

I started the one-hundred push up challenge yesterday. In six weeks, I'm supposed to be able to do one-hundred push ups. I did the initial test yesterday and could do four in good form. I'm going to do my push ups on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Let me know if you're joining in so we can support each other. Only 10 minutes, three days a week, and you should be able to do 100 push ups in a row, even if you're like me and starting out in level 1 (0-5 push ups). Oh and I'm going to the gym after work to run today. It's only three miles, piece of cake right.

Revised Training Plan

So I'm beginning to think I like this whole 10K idea. The training plan looks much less intimidating than a half-marathon training guide. 2M + strength just sounds so much better then 4M + strength, at least starting out. I'll still do the half-marathon after the 10K, but it's much less to start out with something that actually seems achievable. Thanks to Hal Higdon, here is my five week 10K training plan that starts Monday (oh and I'm starting on week 4!).

Oh and if anyone wants to run with me, I'm planning on running the 10K in Vienna the end of July and would love a training buddy.

My First Race

Did you know that the only races I've ever run have been half-marathons? People say that signing up for races actually gets you moving. I'm not sure why not, but I've never signed up for any shorter races as part of my training. Well that trend has been broken. I just signed up for a 10K that is five weeks away so I better get my butt in gear and start running. I can run at least 3 miles now so hopefully 6.2 isn't an unreachable goal. I searched for 5Ks, but there weren't any listed in my area in the next month or so. So 10K it is. My first ever non-half race and hopefully a boost to reaching that final half marathon goal. I'll keep you posted.

Goal #2- Three Days

So goal #1 wasn't actually ever written down anywhere but in my head, but it was to run 3.1 miles (5K) without stopping. I got up this morning, got on the treadmill and just kept going. And guess what, I did it. My face may have been bright red (still is actually), but I probably could have even kept going.

I think it's about time to get serious about this whole running thing so my next goal is to get in three days of running a week. I'm hoping to accomplish that goal this week and work towards another goal (called strength training) next. I've learned that big goals come by setting up smaller ones that add up to equal the big one. Kind of like 1+1+1=3. Obviously my ultimate goal is to run another half-marathon so I've got to just keep coming up with smaller goals that will get me there.

I'm writing it down this time. This week's goal is to run three days a week.

I Must've Tired My iPod Out Last Night

This morning was one of those worst case scenario days. One of those days that you have every excuse not to work out (and not just excuses I'm make up). Richie had to be in early, so I dropped him off at the metro and went to the gym with the motive to run outside then shower at the gym before work. I remember distinctly putting my iPod and head phones in my gym bag this morning, but somehow the headphones didn't quite make it. I HATE running without music. I need some type of distraction to keep me from thinking about how far I've gone. And music just gets your feet moving when your mind and heart can't.

But I sucked it up and ran anyways. I only ran a little over 2 1/2 miles (without walking!!!), but that's better than not running at all, which is I almost did. After my run tomorrow, that'll be three days this week!! Three days the next two weeks and then I think I'm ready to officially start my training.

Oh and here's a fun story. Except for the fact that it's not fun at all. While I was on my last 1/2 mile, all the sudden I hear my name (never a good sign when you're running) and this guy on his bike stops and says, "Britni. I thought it was you." I'm staring at this guy because I sort of recognize him but really have no idea who he is. He starts talking and then notices me staring and tells me it's Milo (I remembered as soon as he said his name). Milo, my best friend's buddy that took me to Homecoming junior year of high school. Milo that I haven't seen since my junior (maybe senior) year of high school six years ago. We chatted for a minute and then I politely excused myself so I could finish my run and get to work.

The worst part of seeing him was that he recognized me. I always hope that I've changed so much (in good ways) since high school that people won't recognize me. I guess not if a guy I hung out with maybe two times could pick me out running on the street, which by the way is my #1 reason for not liking to run outside. I without fail see people I know. And nobody really wants to see me when I'm running- it's just not a pretty sight.

Another Day

Didn't end up having time to workout yesterday like I'd hoped. I sat in traffic for 90 minutes instead because the metro was having delays. Then we had a going-away get together for some of the girls in the ward. I ended up getting home around 11:30 because we just chatted away. Not a big deal, but it didn't leave me with time to workout. I was supposed to get up and go this morning but decided to come into work early and go to the gym after work instead. Probably not the best choice, but I'll get there and get on that treadmill. Started tracking what I eat yesterday with WW online and realized that some of the things I put in my mouth without even thinking about it are killers. Like that KitKat I took out of the candy bowl on Tuesday. I think that was like 10 points. Good thing I didn't start until yesterday. It really is making me be more conscious about what I eat though because I don't want to eat anything that has more than a few points. We'll see how it works out. I just keep telling myself that it can't hurt right. Slowly but surely I'll get there.

That Girl

Two years ago when I was training for my half marathon and getting ready for my wedding, I went and got a pedicure. The lady working on my nails kind of laughed and smiled. I thought she was smiling because my feet were so gross or because I hadn't shaved before coming. But then she said, "Strong calves. Soccer player?" I told her I wasn't a soccer player but that I ran a lot. She smiled again and massaged my calves (the best part of a pedicure by the way).

I want to be that girl. I want to be the girl who gets told she has nice calves by the pedicurist. The girl who warms up for a volleyball match with a seven mile run. The girl who says she's training a half-marathon like it's nothing at all. The girl who plans and actually runs her runs.

That girl was me once. It's about time that I'm that girl again.

Today's Appointment

The plan is to hit Best Buy tonight and then the gym right next door after work. It's on my Google calendar, and I'm not gonna miss this one. Time to start treating myself like I treat all of my clients. That Treadmill is calling my name.

Only Twice, But It's Progress

Even with all of my good intentions I only worked out twice this week. But hey that's better than the one time the week before, and not going at all for the month before that. Two is definitely better than zero in any book. I'm repeating last week's training plan this week and hope to actually stick to it. As an added bonus, I'm going to start writing out everything I eat with my daily calorie intake. It's more for my benefit because supposedly if you have to write everything down, you are less likely to eat the handful of M&Ms or third piece of pizza. Supposedly. But it can't hurt to try. This week should be a lot less busy, and I'm about to go sit down with my husband to plan out some goals and our weekly schedule, which will include my daily workouts. Slow and steady makes it to (I'm not trying to win right now) the race right. I'll get there eventually.

Healthy Snacks

Since I started working out again, I've been in dire need of food like all the time. I'm normally starving by lunch and have eaten all of my snacks by then. What am I supposed to do after lunch? Oh and my husband takes a huge lunch and somehow eats it all and is still hungry. I'm looking for some healthy snack ideas other than the typical ones (yogurt, fruit, veggies, nuts, string cheese, jerky, whole grain crackers) to keep from taking an entire box of crackers or bag of carrots. I want things that are simple to make or that I can just throw in a Ziploc bag and in my lunch box.

So here's where you come in. What are your favorite healthy snacks? What do you eat to keep yourself from starving throughout the day?

Daily Changes

One of the features that I love about Self Magazine (one of the only magazines I subscribe to) is a 30-day makeover. They've done things like losing weight, getting in shape, having more energy, being more charitable, etc. I realized that I can't just go healthy cold turkey; it's just not going to work. So I've decided to take Self's idea and add in one healthy thing a day and continue adding things in until it becomes easier to make the right decisions. Some things just aren't going to work, and I'll deal with that, but it can't hurt to try right. I'll post my healthy change on the sidebar each day and try to stick with the ones that work for me. Who knows maybe I'll eventually love eating healthy after all. I'm not promising anything but at least I'm trying.

It Must Be A Fluke

After two days of running, I already have more energy and feel stronger.

I've dominated in the past three office foosball games. Normally I'm the weak link.

Just another reason to keep running.

I Can Do This

I ran again today- 3 miles with only a few walk breaks in between the miles. I'm beginning to think that maybe I actually can do this. I made it through the final mile with breath to spare. I've just got to continue to take all of the necessary steps to make it happen- plan my weekly training schedule, plan a time daily to workout, and finally the most important, go.

I actually did pretty good eating wise today too... well other than the two handfuls of Peanut M&Ms I stole from the office candy bowl. Oh, how I wish that wasn't there. There's no hope for me when free chocolate is available. I'm gonna have to stay away from the front desk from now on. But other than the chocolate I had a fruit smoothie and Fiber One Bar for breakfast, snacked on a peach and caramel rice crisps, had a chicken vegetable stir fry for lunch, and chicken divan for dinner. So no it wasn't all extremely healthy, but it wasn't too bad. Baby steps right. Tomorrow I'll walk right past the candy bowl.

Oww

Man I'm sore today, but it's a good sore. The sore that comes from a good workout, and I'll take that kind of sore any day. I'm gonna do weights later tonight and gives my legs a break. It's back to running tomorrow. There's nothing better to start off a weekend then a nice Saturday morning run. Or sleeping in until noon, which I may do as well.

One Down Billions To Go

I did it. I got up and ran today before work. My husband just started his internship and part of that means getting to work twice a week at 6:30 AM. We only have one car, and the shuttle to the metro doesn't run that early so it means I have to drop him off. The plus side of this is that I can go to the gym before work twice a week. I always said I would love going to gym in the mornings, but I think I meant like at 8:00 or 9:00, not 6:00. Like running it's kind of a love/hate thing.

Love: Getting my workout done early so I can stop thinking I have to go all day.
Hate: It's 6 AM and once I'm done with my workout I have nothing to do other than go to work so I get to work at 7:30 instead of 8:30.

Love: The gym isn't incredibly busy in the morning so I don't have to wait for a treadmill.
Hate: There isn't anything on TV other than the news.

Love: Being able to jump out of bed and throw on my workout clothes without getting ready.
Hate: Showering at the gym.

Love: It gives me more energy during the day and gets my metabolism going.
Hate: I'm dead by about 9:00 PM and need to go to bed by 9:30 to get my necessary eight hours of sleep.

Love: I don't have a choice in the matter so I'll keep going twice a week.
Hate: I don't have a choice in the matter.

Sounds like just the kick I needed to get going. I ran three miles today with short walking breaks between miles and realized how out of shape I really am as I climbed the stairs to the locker room trying to keep my legs from collapsing.

But. I. Did. It.

Day 1 is supposed to be the hardest. I guess I'll have to get through day 2, 3, and 4 to find out.

I'm Back

May was insane, and I had every excuse imaginable to not run. Well June's almost here and I counted all of my viable excuses and came up with absolutely nothing. I'm finally back into a daily routine and am going to start scheduling my workouts in my day. Monday's the big day. Wish me luck.

SparkPeople

I found a new website through another blog called SparkPeople. It's not much different than other exercise/diet websites, but I liked it. When you reach certain point goals, you get virtual trophies- kind of like my stickers at home. There are also teams that you can sign up for that have weekly and monthly challenges. I think any type of challenge or competition is a great motivator so here goes. I'm going to try and track what I eat and how much I exercise every day to give myself a good idea of what I need to do to become healthier. Check it out.

It's All About Hate Today

I'm sitting at my office reading blogs, branding websites for work, and trying to figure out anything else to do. You want to know why? Because the other option is going to a hotel where I am supposed to be using their gym to run. Why is it that I will do anything, even things I really don't want to do, just to avoid running? I really do want to start running, I just can't get myself there.

The.truth.is.I.am.scared.

I'm afraid to start running again because I'm not going to be any good at it. Two years ago I could run five miles without a second thought. After seven, I was skipping home and singing to my IPOD. Now I don't think I can go out and run two miles without walking in the middle. I've tried starting back up again twice in the past year and failed miserably both times.

So it's more than just getting motivation to go to the gym. It's getting motivation to overcome a fear, a fear of failure. I know that I just need to start, but there's that little voice inside of me that just keeps saying, "You're going to fail."

Where's the voice that says I can?

Count By Numbers

I decided that if I'm going to actually go through with this blog, I better do it right. I'd better track my progress in more than just words. So I'm going to track my progress in numbers as well. So on the side bar you may notice that I have a date and some numbers. I'm kind of weird about it and don't want to post my actual measurements so I posted my measurements times a particular number. I'll keep an update on my measurements (using that same particular number to multiply the measurements) over the weeks so I can always have a solid reminder of what running does for me physically. So check it out every once in a while and hopefully the numbers will be go down.

Not a Good Start

Today was not a good day to start training again. I got to the office at 7:00 AM and got home at 9:00 PM, just in time to eat dinner and get ready for bed again. Richie starts class again tomorrow night, so I'm gonna go to the gym while he's at class. Tomorrow should be a better day. One step after another. One day at a time... that day is tomorrow.

Motivation Material

I think that one of the hardest things about running is starting. Once I get outside or to the gym, I love it and am really glad I've gotten there. But getting myself to put on gym clothes, get into my car, and drive to the gym is tougher than anything ever should be. In the past, I've found some great sources of motivation that actually get me moving. And one of them is not the fact that when I run, I feel better even though it probably should be. Here are some of my favorite motivating tactics:

1. Stickers- There is something powerful about putting a WOW or BEST IN CLASS or GREAT JOB sticker on a box in a calendar after a good workout.
   
2. Competition- A friendly competition always gets me going.
   
3. Big rewards- Things like a new jacket, shoes, clothes, etc. if I reach some big goal (workout for a month).
4. Small rewards- I get to sleep in, get a pedicure, eat dessert, etc. if I reach a small goal (workout all week, run a particular number of miles, etc.)
   
5. Family- I have great family that is always bugging supporting me in my workout endeavors. My dad will actually be running the half-marathon with me in August.

So those are some of my favorites. What do you use to motivate yourself?

Oh and by the way, I know I'm scheduled to run 3-4 miles tonight but my legs hurt incredibly from walking and standing at Disneyworld on Saturday so I'm gonna switch things up a little. I'm going to do my cross training tonight and get in the running tomorrow. That's the beauty of creating my own training plan, I can do what I like as long as I get it done.

There's No Turning Back Now

I'm off for one more weekend of sanity eating yummy food and not exercising (other than walking from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain). When I get back, the training begins. And it's not going to be like the last three times, it's actually going to happen this time whether I feel like it or not. Wish me luck.

P.S. Dad that means you can start training too. Feel free to use my training guide as your own. August 31st, we will be running by the beach listening to rock & roll.

Training Plans

There are so many half-marathon training plans out there that you can definitely get confused about which one will work the best for you. But most of them have very similar elements- two or three shorter runs, some type of cross training or strength training, and a long run on the weekend. They all include at least one rest day a week, which is actually probably one of the most important parts of training.

Here are some of my favorite training guides I've found. They vary in length but have all of the elements above.

• Hal Higdon's 12 week half-marathon training plan: novice, intermediate, advanced, and walk. I used the novice training plan for my first two half-marathons, and it worked well.
  
• Runners World 9 week ultimate half marathon training plan
• Jeff Galloway's 17 week half-marathon training
• Josh Clark's 12 week half-marathon training (includes beginner, intermediate, advanced, and competitive.)
  

After looking at these four different plans, I've decided to try Jeff Galloway's 17 week plan and just skip the first two weeks. I really like the setup with cross training and running because I get bored with only running, but I am going to shoot for actual distances rather than time so it'll really be a mixture of Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway's programs. Also, I'll probably add in strength training on the days with cardio cross train and switch the long runs from Sunday to Saturday.

So my schedule will be short runs on Monday and Wednesday, cross and strength train on Tuesday/Thursday, stretch on Friday, long runs on Saturday, and off on Sunday. I'll keep track of my weekly training plan on my sidebar for anyone that wants to train with me.

Virginia Beach Rock & Roll

I did it. I picked out the perfect half-marathon today, and it almost got me excited to begin my training next week. There's a rock and roll half-marathon Labor Day weekend in Virginia Beach. It's two hours away from home and right by the beach, who could ask for more. There's even bands playing everywhere on the course, and running is so much easier with music. I've got seventeen weeks (starting Sunday) to get my butt in gear. If anyone wants to join me in training, I'd love the company. I'm gonna work out my goals and training plan in the next few days and will post them this weekend.

Wish me luck. The last two times I tried to start training, I got injured in the first two weeks. This time I'm going to take it nice and slow. Seventeen weeks should about do it.

A New Start

I've been writing on my other blog for almost a year now, and I write almost daily. That is my happy and playful blog so I don't want to bog it down with my rants about exercise and eating better (you'll learn quickly that I don't like the word diet). That's what this blog is for. It's something to track my progress as I get back in shape.

Friends and family still say I look great, but I don't feel great. I actually don't even feel good. Almost exactly three years ago I ran my first half-marathon in Athens, OH. That same year, I ran my second half marathon in Death Valley, CA. Right before my wedding in 2006, I ran my third in Boise, ID.

Then I got married.

I think that since I've gotten married, I've maybe run 20 times and that may be pushing it. While in college, I was also playing volleyball three times a week and playing racquetball at least once. Those were also traded in for the wedding band. For some reason I am just not motivated. As another added bonus to marrying a husband who can eat like crazy and burn more calories in his sleep than I burn in an entire day- I started eating more.

Not working out+ Eating More= Not feeling very good about myself.

So I'm starting this blog to turn over a new leaf. I love writing in my current blog and think that maybe if I have this one, I'll do things (whether it's exercise or trying new healthy recipes) to give me something to write about.

I've found that I can't love and hate something at the same time. It works for some people but not for me- hate always wins. So my goal for this blog is to turn that hate into love- love of running, love of healthy food, and hopefully a greater love of myself.