Friday, March 6, 2015

Goals, what's the point?

This has been a crazy past couple of weeks..I haven't run.  At.  All.  I ran a 10K and a 5K in the month of Februrary...which was great.  Then all the snow and ice set in.  Life got in the way.  My attitude sucks and I can tell that I am not running. 

I LOVE that I have friends that are coordinating races.  We are doing the Shamrock 5K in Baltimore in March.  There are some coming in the next couple of months...like the Baltimore 10 miler..that I am signing up for this weekend.  I seriously need a sponsor!  I am worried about a 10 miler, since I have gone up to 8 miles...but what's 2 more?  It will be fun and also give me a chance to train in the next 90 days. I can't wait to run in the AM with my friend, Lia.

Speaking of Lia, we are coming up on her book launch.  Check out her website and blog.  She is writing a book that is about all different aspects of life...with running part of it.  I am happy to say that I am part of her "book launch team" and can't wait to get the word out there to support her.  You can find her and information about her book here.

I also just received an email from Stride Box.  I have been selected as an "ambassador" and will be getting more information in the next month.  Basically I will be getting the Stride Box and be able to blog about it and put out the products on social media.  Find out more information about Stride Box!

Here's to warmer weather and more running!


Monday, February 16, 2015

I really, really tried to run today...

I wanted to run today. I went out after Thom got home from work...I was all dressed in my reflective clothing, was warm, and ready to go. I love to run in the snow.  I was out for less than a mile and had to turn back.  It is so icy, people aren't stopping for stop signs in the neighborhood, and the snow was enough to make my face super cold:). I don't want to chance getting run over or slipping and getting hurt. 

I am trying the audible app to see if I enjoy running alone. I LOVE to run with people...even during the 50k relay I found someone to chat with. I sometimes don't even talk a whole lot...I love to listen!!  I just downloaded a book that I am hoping that I can get into while running.  I usually have pandora on..I am so tired of the music...it's so hard for me to run alone...I have always ran with someone....so this is a new adventure. 

Hopefully there will be fresh snow for me to run in tomorrow.. I guess it's me and the elliptical tonight!!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Motivation in running, blogging, and laundry...

I have had several (ok, 4) people tell me, "Hey!  You need to blog...you haven't lately"  Honestly, I didn't really think that it mattered...I am doing this for me...but I guess it helps my "people" stay connected!

It has been a rough couple of months in all aspects.  I joined my HIIT personal training group again and the first 4 weeks were awesome, then I bottomed out.  I just lost focus and allowed sugar and gluten back into my diet.  It took one, ONE, slip up and then I had to start over again...which

I have over and over and over again this past month.  I also stopped logging my food on myfitnesspal which has made it easy to ignore the poor choices that I am making.  I desperately want to get back to it...but the emotional aspects of the rest of my life are making it hard to make good choices... I know, I know, only I can control that!  More on that later!

I have been running... Not a lot... That's one thing that I think is really impacting me too...I need to run. Last week I did a 50k relay with my girls... Our team name is "I thought this was a 5k!"  Love it!  Anyway... A function of where my brain is lead me to believe that it was on Sunday, not Saturday... I had to work so I did the 10k trail run...went to work all day... And then back to meet everyone for drinks!  It was good to be surrounded by the girls. 

This weekend, yesterday, I ran the first of 10 in the Annapolis Striders Championship series.  The Valentine's Day 5k. My friend, Lia, and her daughter ran too. They both are signed up for the series.  It was fun and my times are slowly getting better!  

As for the other stuff going on... Work has been really busy and I have been dealing with difficult issues with my students.  I love being a counselor and feel like I am good at it... I can only take so much though. All the big things going on have been with my students... I am who they trust.  I appreciate that.. But when I am the " first or only" person they tell about something serious... Well...it just snowballs from there...

I also know that it sounds a little "woe is me", but we are getting to the March date of when I would have been having a baby if I hadn't of miscarried in August. Several friends are due around the same time, baby showers, etc.  I know that things work out for the best, there is a reason for everything, whatever... It still sucks and I am still thinking about it. Not sure how that is all going to play out. We are busy in March and April with trips, races, etc. hopefully that will help!

So it's the usual... Work, stress, eating and weight issues, running and motivation, and migraines... All things that need to just go away... All things out of my control and in my control...eating well, sleeping, and exercising take care of most of that stuff..it's just a matter of doing it!

Signing off for now... My goal is to blog at least once a week...good thing my friends keep me accountable!!




Thursday, January 1, 2015

Rest day...and I feel guilty

Today was a rest day for me...I ran 2 days and have a 8-9 mile run planned for tomorrow afternoon.  I really hope that I can keep up...it's one of my last couple of long runs before my half marathon.  I am running a half in 2 weeks!!  I am sure it will be slow...I am determined to finish it. 

One of my goals this year is to go to a running event put on by the local running group.  It's totally doable and one that I can accomplish this month.  I was going to go this am..but I chickened out.  I am so worried because (1) I am not confident in my running and (2) I am really anxious about going into a new group of people that all know each other!  I would be totally putting myself out there and that makes me nervous.  I just need to bite the bullet and do it!  There--it's out in the universe now--

I am currently tracking everything on my fitness pal...and according to them..if I eat the way that I have been I will lose 15 pounds in the next 5 weeks...really?!? Here's hoping...

Happy running!!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Some race photos...these are my girls..they push me to be motivated to run and challenge me to keep going...we completed a 10K recently...together..it was awesome!

2 days in the books..and registered for 3 races!

The past two COLD mornings have been graced with my (and my running partner's) presence.  It's hard to get back into it...but we did it.  6 AM is actually not a terrible time to run, I actually enjoy the peacefulness (when we aren't trying to get run over) and the quiet.  Both days I ran 3.9ish miles.  It was tough, it was more of a walk-run-walk.  My times were still within the 13 minutes that is usual for me when I am running longer.  Everything hurts...but that isn't because of running...

For the past 4 days I have been back to the "lifestyle" of no gluten, no sugar, no dairy.  I also have been drinking a gallon (or more) of water.  Last night...the urge to make tollhouse cookies took over.  I made them and ate some dough...I love cookie dough.  I then tried to eat a cookie after they were made and it tasted disgusting.  I also tried to eat M&M's and some other crappy food...I guess I was hungry, or bored, or in my "habit".  Today the inflammation in my knee was terrible.  It's what happens when I eat gluten.  I have felt great for 4 days (don't get me wrong...it hasn't been easy).  I also have lost a  lot of the swelling as I lost 8 lbs this week. 

The weight loss issue is a 10 lbs down, 15 lbs up roller coaster.  I get so frustrated because I know what I need to do (more calories out then in) it's just. so. hard.  I lose, I gain, I lose, I gain.  I have lost 55 lbs and have another 40 to go.  Starting "again" from where I was for an entire 10 months and then falling off the wagon or going off the rails..whatever you want to call it...it sucks to start again and again and again.  I need to do it for me, for my son, for my husband (but most importantly ME)!

Three races this week...I need a sponsor so I can complete my 40 races by the time I get to 40 years..it is expensive for sure!  One of the races I am really excited about.  It's though Run the Edge and you run 2015 miles for the year.  I am on a team of 4...so I have to run 503.75 miles for the year...it will take planning but it's going to be awesome!  I also registered for the Shamrock 5K in Baltimore...that's a new one for me...and I look forward to it.  I also registered for a 50K Ultra Relay in February.  Well, I actually registered for it a while back...but I forgot about it until I was reminded that it is the first week of February in Rock Creek Park...kinda crazy!

So my updated spreadsheet (I love spreadsheets!!) tells me that I am registered or completed a total of 18 races..for last year and this year.  I have a long way to go to get to 40 races (and a lot of money!).  I still have some races that I haven't registered for and hope that I can register for some cheaper races this summer:)

That's all for now...my plan is to keep on keeping on.  I have a lot of support with friends and family encouraging me.  It's New Year's Eve and I am spending it with family. I look forward to 2015.  I am working on setting realistic goals for myself and focusing on what's important.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Let's do this...running from myself

I totally feel that I need to RUN!!  Today was the first day in two weeks that I did...I had major anxiety about getting back out there.  I have found that I seldomly run alone...I think I need to practice running alone more often.  I haven't been running with my partner and that's the best excuse that I have...

Today was tough...I finally went running and other than a couple of bites (ok, maybe more than a couple..more like several...) of dessert at Carrabas's..I did well.  I am trying this "gallon" drinking thing...you drink a gallon of water per day and it's supposed to "help".  I have no idea what that means..my sister is doing it and says that it's helping her feel better...whatev--I am trying it.  At least it makes me think that I am full. 

My eating has been terrible for the past 2 weeks...basically everything in sight...which means gluten and dairy and sugar.  The three things that I know that my body can't handle and easily puts weight on my.  15 pounds down...and 15 pounds back on...it's just too easy to be lazy, not exercise, and not "care".  That's what I tell myself anyway.  But I DO care and I hate feeling like this...tired, lazy, cranky, and my clothes are too tight...So I went back to it today.  According to myfitnesspal...I have 500 calories left to eat...it's 10 PM..and I am hungry...what I am supposed to eat at this time of night?!? 

So here I am...back at square one...trying AGAIN to get my ass in gear.  I have a lot of support which I am grateful for!!  Here we go...2015 is going to be a year that I focus on ME and my family...stay tuned!