Wednesday, December 31, 2014
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.
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!
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!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Wow..I have had 6 views since I last posted...I know that sounds crazy...but really, who is even reading my blog...with one post?
I have not been doing well with training this week...feeling really down because I can't seem to find motivation...anyone else have this issue? I have been thinking about joining a running group and just read a great blog about someone else that was nervous about joining a group ...I just worry that I won't be able to keep up, I am slow, and don't feel like a runner...crazy right?!?
I also feel really stuck in where I am right now...one of the biggest parts of my journey has been losing weight. The short story is that I have been overweight for 20 years...bouncing between 215-245 pounds. I struggled to get pregnant (that's another story) and last August, 2014) I was at one of those bouncy house places. All these moms where in their little yoga pants and shirts, flitting around with their kids. I was too..but I was 245 pounds and with one step could easily take a kid out. That was my breaking point. I started with a dr. that asked me,"why are you here?" My answer was, "I don't want to be fat anymore". I went on to eating better, exercising, and lost about 60 pounds...then I got pregnant, lost the pregnancy, and gained about 15 pounds back...so here I am again...trying to get my shit together to find that momentum and support system to start losing again...it is such a slow and psychological process!
More on all that back story later (pregnancy, migraines..that's a big story, and losing weight...a perfect trifecta of a hot mess)...and whether or not I get my ass out of bed at 4:30 to actually go running...
~Ashley
I have not been doing well with training this week...feeling really down because I can't seem to find motivation...anyone else have this issue? I have been thinking about joining a running group and just read a great blog about someone else that was nervous about joining a group ...I just worry that I won't be able to keep up, I am slow, and don't feel like a runner...crazy right?!?
I also feel really stuck in where I am right now...one of the biggest parts of my journey has been losing weight. The short story is that I have been overweight for 20 years...bouncing between 215-245 pounds. I struggled to get pregnant (that's another story) and last August, 2014) I was at one of those bouncy house places. All these moms where in their little yoga pants and shirts, flitting around with their kids. I was too..but I was 245 pounds and with one step could easily take a kid out. That was my breaking point. I started with a dr. that asked me,"why are you here?" My answer was, "I don't want to be fat anymore". I went on to eating better, exercising, and lost about 60 pounds...then I got pregnant, lost the pregnancy, and gained about 15 pounds back...so here I am again...trying to get my shit together to find that momentum and support system to start losing again...it is such a slow and psychological process!
More on all that back story later (pregnancy, migraines..that's a big story, and losing weight...a perfect trifecta of a hot mess)...and whether or not I get my ass out of bed at 4:30 to actually go running...
~Ashley
Monday, December 1, 2014
First post of the journey...Run 40 races by the time I turn 40!!
For those of you that know me....I am not a writer. I don't really like writing, journaling, or any of the other things that a blog is all about!
My running friends encouraged me to start a blog about my journey. They said that I inspire them and can inspire others with my story... I started running about a year ago to help me lose weight. It seemed like everyone was doing it and I had some great people that helped me along the way. The walking, to run/walk, to running a 5K, then 10K and soon a 15K (in two weeks!) has morphed my confidence in what I stand for...that's what this is all about.
I am 38 years old...40 is upon me and I am determined to complete 40 races by the time I turn 40. My starting race includes my FIRST 5K in Charleston, SC. I didn't think I could even finish. I found that encouraging other racers who were struggling along with me was the key. I have completed a couple of other races this year. I joined the running club in my area...but I am still to chicken to go. I have signed up for the Charleston Half Marathon in January 2015 ( #firstsisterrun)...and my running friends have talked about what other races (including destination races) we can do this year. I want to keep the momentum, restore my confidence in myself, and continue to foster the relationship that I am making.
This blog is not just about me...it's my journey...there are so many things in the past 10, ok maybe 20, years that have lead me to who I am, what I stand for, and where I am going.
My running friends encouraged me to start a blog about my journey. They said that I inspire them and can inspire others with my story... I started running about a year ago to help me lose weight. It seemed like everyone was doing it and I had some great people that helped me along the way. The walking, to run/walk, to running a 5K, then 10K and soon a 15K (in two weeks!) has morphed my confidence in what I stand for...that's what this is all about.
I am 38 years old...40 is upon me and I am determined to complete 40 races by the time I turn 40. My starting race includes my FIRST 5K in Charleston, SC. I didn't think I could even finish. I found that encouraging other racers who were struggling along with me was the key. I have completed a couple of other races this year. I joined the running club in my area...but I am still to chicken to go. I have signed up for the Charleston Half Marathon in January 2015 ( #firstsisterrun)...and my running friends have talked about what other races (including destination races) we can do this year. I want to keep the momentum, restore my confidence in myself, and continue to foster the relationship that I am making.
This blog is not just about me...it's my journey...there are so many things in the past 10, ok maybe 20, years that have lead me to who I am, what I stand for, and where I am going.
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