Getting Back Into Training Mode

Dopey is almost exactly 7 months away and it is time to get my body and mind back into training mode. I haven't been there in that proper mind/body space for probably the whole month of May, getting just over 90 miles for the month, not quite where I wanted to be.

Yes, my mind has been on other things and things have been pretty hectic here, but I can't let that be an excuse. I am still able to get out there and run and it helps with the stress, so there's always that. To be completely honest, I'm surprised I got in as many miles as I did this past month.

But here we are in June and although it's a very exciting time, buying a house has proven to be a very stressful experience. Between the financial side and the packing of everything (and wondering how we accumulated so much stuff in such a small space), both Patrick and I are on edge. The next two weeks are going to be a mixture of excitement, fun and exhaustion. We have a tight schedule to stick to in regards to painting and it is going to be a difficult few weeks owning our house but not actually living there for 10 days.

It will all be worth it though.

Last month I allowed myself to do the bare minimum and although it was nice to not have to stress about the miles, I know that there was a difference in my mood and my body. I just feel better when I am able to get in a good run.

I have decided to loosely follow the Jeff Galloway training plan for the Dopey Challenge and will be starting on July 1st. Until then I'm going to give it my all for June to build up those miles and to enjoy the Mammoth half marathon. Communication is going to be key over the next 6+ months with training taking over a large part of my life. A lot of miles will be happening and I know from experience that without communication it's not going to be a good experience.

Unfortunately with all of the running goals I am currently working towards (running 1250 total miles for the year, completing 14 half marathons in 2014, running 500 days in a row, and completing the "Dopey Challenge") I have a tough decision to make regarding the pain I am feeling in my hip. It's been getting worse and I am feeling it on a daily basis. It's usually fine until I sit for a long period of time (for example, at work) and try to stand up, but once I get started it feels fine.

I have to stop being stubborn and just make an appointment with a doctor. I need to stop thinking the worst and not allow the fear of being told to stop running keep me from making sure I'm healthy. That needs to take priority over running...

In regards to training- schedule to come soon. I'm still going to move forward with my plans until I am able to see a doctor.

Motivation

Or lack thereof...

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I tend to feel this way when I take a day "off" from tracking. I also tend to feel this way when I stop blogging. I sometimes get these feelings that what I write about is not meaningful so there's really no point in typing it all out because more likely than not other people have already realized the same things. Sometimes I just don't know what to write about, other days I feel as though I sound like a broken record. Sometimes I have nothing exciting going on, other days I do but can't write about it, most of the time what's exciting to me is usually not to others.

Then I start thinking about it. I mean, really thinking about it. What I realize is that this blog is for me and if what it takes to keep my motivation is to brag about it then that's what I'm going to do. If I need to post about each run, workout, meal, or whatever it is that is going on then I'm going to in order to keep myself going. I figure that I'm not forcing anyone to read along and find that when I do write about it, no matter how short or long, no matter how meaningful/full of knowledge or how insignificant/full of rambling thoughts it may be, if I find it helpful then I'm going to do it.

So I left off with my last post on Friday with a loss on the scale. A small loss, but a loss none the less and at this point I'm going to take whatever I can get.

It probably comes as no surprise that I have fallen off the wagon. Hard.

I had this great idea for Easter. I was going to do exactly what I did for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was going to track my meal as an even 1000 calories, pick and choose the foods that I really wanted to eat, take a portion of those items and enjoy myself.

It's pretty obvious that that didn't happen. Multiple trips for appetizers, an unbelievable amount of candy and then dinner and dessert (including an amazing "heaven in a dish") I left my parents house with a stomach ache and a disappointment in my head and my heart. The scale and my stomach are feeling it today as well with a 6 pound gain overnight (most likely a lot of that is false.. hopefully) and with the way my stomach looks I'm surprised no one has asked me when I'm due (I'm not, just in case you were wondering).

So, I had choices today.

Track or not track?
Workout or take another rest day?
Dwell or move on?

I chose to start the day tracking but then stopped at lunch time when we went out for a coworkers birthday. It was not a good enough excuse to quit, but it is what it is and tomorrow is another day to try again.

I will admit that I was extremely tempted to take another rest day from strength training. This is why I need a training plan that has me doing something every single day. It's just how I work. If I take a rest day then I'm going to want to keep resting and it takes a long time to get back into it. I woke up around 4:20 this morning with my alarm with enough energy to get up and go do my workout, but I also had enough desire to go back to sleep. Then I thought I would just do the workout on my lunch, forgetting in my sleepy haze that I had lunch plans. It took a bit of coercing to get myself into my workout clothes when I got home when the couch looked so comfy, but I did the workout and am so glad that I did. And then I went for a quick 1.21 mile interval run when Patrick got home from work.

I am moving on. There is no point in thinking about what I could have done yesterday. I can't go back and change it. I can change what happens for the rest of tonight and for tomorrow, maybe even for the rest of the week. Beyond that, who knows what's going to happen.

So here is what I did last week workout wise and what I plan to do for this week:

Sunday 4/13: cross training/gym- stationary bike 30-45 minutes completed, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Monday 4/14: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1 completed, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Tuesday 4/15: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2 completed, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Wednesday 4/16: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1 completed, 2-3 mile interval run completed

Thursday 4/17: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1 completed, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Friday 4/18: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2 completed, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Saturday 4/19: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1 completed, 8 mile interval run did not complete

The only workout that I planned on that I didn't complete was the 8 mile run on Sunday. I realized pretty early on in the week that I didn't give myself enough rest time before my half marathon next weekend. I decided that I would rather split the mileage between Saturday and Sunday then to do it all on one day. So that's what I did.. To be honest, I'm thrilled with how this week went and would call it a major success. I can't remember the last time I completed so many scheduled workouts..

Sunday 4/20: 4 mile interval run

Monday 4/21: Body Revolution Workout 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Tuesday 4/22: Body Revolution Workout 2, 2-3 mile interval run

Wednesday 4/23: Body Revolution Cardio 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Thursday 4/24: Body Revolution Workout 1, 2-3 mile interval run

Friday 4/25: Body Revolution Workout 2, minimum 1 mile interval run

Saturday 4/26: Body Revolution Cardio 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

I have really been enjoying the Body Revolution workout so far. Granted the first two weeks are the same workouts and are the easiest of the challenge. They're considered to be easier in order to build your foundation, strength and balance. It's still Jillian, so it is by no means easy, but I really like the system so far and I am really looking forward to continuing and completing the full 90 days. I even talked Patrick into joining me one day last week. He may even join me again this week.

I don't feel too sore either, which is great because I was concerned it would affect my running, but in reality I have been finding that I already feel my legs are stronger and running has been a little bit easier. Hoping that the results are as awesome as they've been on other Jillian programs.

Here's to more writing and a better tomorrow!

Workout Schedule 4/13 - 4/19 & Mileage Update #12

Sunday 4/13: cross training/gym- stationary bike 30-45 minutes, minimum 1 mile interval run

Monday 4/14: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Tuesday 4/15: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 4/16: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 4/17: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Friday 4/18: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2, minimum 1 mile interval run

Saturday 4/19: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1, 8 mile interval run

Body revolution.. I finally decided it was time to start another strength training challenge. I find it easier to follow a challenge like this, for whatever reason it's too easy for me to give up when I plan different strength DVDs a couple times a week. 

I had wanted to wait until I got closer to my goal weight, but why? Other than the fact that I know I will end up gaining weight for a while because of the changes in my muscles, there really is no reason to not do what works best. 

I have always found that strength training is the best thing for me physically and mentally. I love the way I look regardless of what I weigh when I am following a workout that tones and my main focus will be my health and the way I feel, not what I weigh. 

I've done it before and I'm doing it again and I will see success. My hope is to workout in the morning before work. I get in first and we have a part of the back room that we use for working out. I figure it will be better for me to get it done first thing and since we currently live on the second floor of an apartment it will save our neighbor the pain of being loud most nights.

I know that schedules will interfere, so I'm trying to make sure I get it done either in the morning or on my lunch, but I think I was able to talk Patrick into working out with me one night a week (I asked for 2-3 days, he agreed to 1 and I took it). Those nights I will be more than happy to wait for him. I think it will be a good thing for both of us.

 

Bring it Jillian..

 

Mileage update: (including tonight's run)

 

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 4/13: 47.11 miles

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 4/13: 427.28 miles

34.18% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-4/13/14): 2177.29 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: day 175

This week's mileage: 25.90 miles
Sunday- 1.23 mile interval run
Monday- 2.04 mile walk, 2.44 mile interval run
Tuesday- 2.04 mile interval run
Wednesday- 2.05 mile interval run
Thursday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.08 mile interval run
Friday- 2.04 mile walk, 1.34 mile walk, 2.64 mile interval run
Saturday- 5.51 mile interval run
Sunday- 1.14 mile interval run 

Weigh In #18

Starting Weight: 189.2

Last Weeks Weight: 182.4

This Weeks Weight: 181.2
 

+/-: -1.2
Total +/-: -8

 

I am having a difficult time finding a balance between eating well and working out. I enjoy working out more and feel like I see more results to my body when I am strength training and I absolutely love to run, but I find that most of the time I waste the progress I've made through exercise by eating unhealthy foods.

 

I find that when I am tracking, eating healthy and staying within my calories then I am usually not putting in my all with working out. And the same can be said for when I am in full workout/training mode. I'm more focused on the workouts than I am the food.

 

It's a very delicate balance that I am trying to find for myself. I know it will help when I get out of the mind set that I need to do this all or nothing. I can workout 3 days a week and see progress. It does not need to be an extreme every time. Of course as I type that I am also considering starting the Jillian Michael's Body Revolution 90 day program...

 

I know for me that I need to set goals. Like tracking every day for a year or doing a workout routine that lasts 3 months. It helps me to stay focused, to feel determined and to accomplish something. If I take a rest day, as silly as it may sound, I fall completely off the wagon. Even if that rest day is planned.

 

I'm hoping that I can get on the same page about both so that everything will fall into place. 

Last weeks goals:

1. Track. Stay in the black more than half the week. I only went into the red one day and even then I stayed under 2,000 total calories. It felt great to see those positive numbers all week.

2. Water. This is the first week in a long time that I drank at least 6 glasses of water every day. I think this challenge at work is definitely helping!

3. Clean out closet and dresser. I finished cleaning out my closet, now onto the dresser.

4. Stick to workout schedule. Not so much, but I have been enjoying my running workouts, so half of my scheduled workout was done.

Workout schedule:

April 4th - April 10th

Friday April 4th: arm workout did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Saturday April 5th: Hollywood Half Marathon completed

Sunday April 6th: gym did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Monday April 7th: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed

Tuesday April 8th: strength DVD did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

Wednesday April 9th: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed

Thursday April 10th: strength DVD did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed

This weeks goals:

1. Track. Stay in the black more than half the week.

2. Water.

3. Cut down on sweets.

4. No fast food.

5. Make workout schedule.

 

Workout schedule:

April 11th - April 17th

TBD. I am going to decide today if I'm going to commit to doing the 90 day program and will post a workout schedule this weekend.

 

Progress Pictures: January-April

 

Okay, so I'm late in posting my progress photo this month. I'm not sure why I decided to not take the photo for so long, other than being forgetful or not having someone to take my picture in the morning (my ideal time to do this sort of thing). In all honesty, I'm not that disappointed with the progress, or lack there of. I know that in order to see progress then I actually have to be doing something productive to change what I don't like and I really have not been doing that. So, I'm using this as motivation to make that commitment to do something about the things that I don't like.

Hollywood Half Marathon- Race #4 of 14

This morning started bright and early.. Okay, not so bright, but very early. The alarm went off at 3:45 am so that I could press snooze once or twice before getting up and dressed for the race this morning.

My very awesome husband offered to stay up in order to take my running laundry out if the washer and put it in the dryer. He even took it from the dryer and set the laundry basket of clean clothes in the bathroom since he didn't know what I was planning on wearing. Lack of planning on my part won him some extra and major brownie points.

I picked my sister up at 4:45am and we made our way to Hollywood. We thought we had planned ahead and had given ourselves plenty of time to find parking and make our way to the start line. Unfortunately, the parking structure they had advised would be open for our use that morning was blocked off. There were so many people looking for parking and no one really directing anyone where to go. We eventually found a parking lot and decided it was our best option, even though we'd have to walk a bit to the start, walk a lot farther after finishing, and we weren't quite sure we'd come back to a car with a ticket.

Major frustration. 

I really do try to keep my frustration levels low at races, knowing that things happen, people make mistakes and that it is a learning process. In the grand scheme of things, a race not starting on time or running out of water is low on my list of things to worry about. However, this is the third year of this race and my sister and I both have a legacy status in this race. I'm not too sure we'll be coming back next year. Three years and three unorganized events later...

The race started about 15 minutes late an since we were in the second to last corral it meant we started 15 minutes after that. We started strong and kept a pretty good pace for the first half of the race. But the halfway point got us both. Rachel couldn't feel her right foot and on top of that felt like her feet were burning (later to be discovered the cause were two blisters). Her shins were also feeling tight and causing pain. My right knee was not happy and I was in quite a bit of pain no matter if I walked or ran. We decided to finish the race walking, although I strongly contemplated stopping at the first aid tent and not finishing. 

At that point I think it was more mental than physical though, so we walked 6.5 miles to the finish with occasional bursts of running when there was more of a downhill. 

It wasn't our best finishing time, but it wasn't our worst. It really was about finishing, and we did. 

On top of the 13.1 miles we had just finished for a medal, we then had to walk an extra 1.42 miles (partly uphill) to the car. No ticket though!! 

Another half is done. 4 out of 14 finished and the next one is in 3 weeks. I really like always being in training mode. It gives me something to work towards and keeps me more focused than if I was just running for pleasure. 

Good thing I enjoy it!

 

Thankful Thursday #4

1. I am thankful to my family and friends for making my birthday last week a wonderful one. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people and so lucky to be able to not just love my family because I have to but love them because I want to. It's like that saying about sisters.. "Sisters by chance, friends by choice." It's so true in regards to each one of these relationships. I couldn't be luckier!

2. I am thankful that I finally was able to talk to my boss and coworker that I work directly with about some things that have been bottling up for awhile. It was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I finally feel like we can make some forward progress. I held some things in that had been bothering me for awhile because I didn't want to step on anyones toes and because I truly didn't think anything would be done about it. Thankfully I was wrong about that last part and I may finally get the proper training that I deserve and need in order to be the best I can be at my job.

3. I am thankful that I am taking a couple days off from working out. Not that I was doing that much and not that I was actually in a routine that was exhausting or taking up too much time, but it was a good reminder for me to slow down and not jump in head first again. I tripped yesterday on my lunch break and ended up pulling something in my back. Yesterday's workout plan was 2-3 miles and an arm workout. I ended up going for 1.14 miles (to satisfy the streak), but skipped the strength. Today's workout is a strength DVD, cross training at the gym and a 1 mile run. I am adjusting it slightly to skip the strength DVD, but I will do the run and the stationary bike tonight. I do plan on doing my arm workout tomorrow but taking it easy with another 1 miler since the next half is Saturday.

4. I am thankful that I have decided to start journaling to Isabel instead of just using the journal to complain about daily annoyances. That was not my intention when I started journaling but it became so easy to focus on the frustrations in life (as petty as they were) instead of on the positives. I finally finished my second book for March yesterday and ended up crying at the ending. It involved a mother dying and leaving her 16 year old daughter a journal that she had been writing to her since finding out she was sick. I don't want to look back and think about the things I wish I would have done but didn't because I thought someone would think the idea was stupid or not start now because I wish I would have been doing this for the past 6 years. No, instead I started last night and I intend to keep going for who knows how long. It's a place to keep our story, our past, our present, hopes for our future, quotes, funny things she says or does, adventures we go on, adventures I hope for us to go on, etc.

5. I am thankful that I have so much in my life that makes me happy. I'm not happy 24/7 and I definitely have struggles in my life, but I think I learned awhile ago that it's better to focus on the good in your life then on the things you want to change. I'm working on improving my life in so many ways and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. I know that everything happens for a reason and I'm accepting of what's happened so far. To be honest, the person I am today is so different from who I was just a year ago. I can only hope that the changes (which I believe to be for the better) can be seen by those around me. I feel more positive, outgoing, and just all around happy. It's a good place to be.

Mileage Update #11

Mileage update:

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 4/1: 112.42 miles (March), 3.38 (April)

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 4/1: 383.55 miles

30.68% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-4/1/14): 2133.56 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: day 163

This week's mileage: 21.21 mile week

Wednesday: 2.04 mile walk, 2.52 mile interval run

Thursday: 1.09 mile interval run

Friday: 1.34 mile walk, 2.04 mile walk, 1.23 mile interval run

Saturday: 1.25 mile interval run

Sunday: 2.37 mile interval run

Monday: 1.34 mile walk, 2.61 mile interval run

Tuesday: 1.34 mile walk, 2.04 mile interval run

Weigh In #16

Starting Weight: 189.2

Last Weeks Weight: 179.8

This Weeks Weight: 182.0

+/-: +2.2
Total +/-: -7.2

Okay, so I weighed myself yesterday morning because I was feeling good and I knew that I would be eating a lot for my birthday (lunch out with my best friend, a cake at work, dinner out with the family, cake with the family..) I weighed in at 179.8, the same exact weight as last week.

This morning I step on the scale and it's up to 182.

I'm not worried or concerned or annoyed or frustrated. In fact I'm just happy. I'm happy that I had a wonderful birthday that I enjoyed and that I didn't go completely overboard. I had soup and salad for dinner and enjoyed a small pieces of cake. Nothing over the top or crazy. Just apparently a lot of sodium.

I'm sure it will all even itself out and I'll be back in no time. I mean, a 2.2 pound gain in one day is a little much to all be a true gain. Either way, it is what it is and there's nothing I can do about it now other than work on staying within my calories this next week and to continue to make the best choices for me as well as to up the workouts. I've been slacking and need to get back to it, if for no other reason it makes me feel fantastic and I miss those endorphins. I am definitely still trying to find that balance with all or nothing when it comes to workouts. Hoping to figure that out soon. 

Last weeks goals:

1. Track. You probably won't believe this, but I have tracked every single thing every single day this week. I went over on calories five of the seven days, but I tracked. And, to be honest, it wasn't an awful week. I mean, obviously it would be better if I hadn't gone over so many days, but the point of tracking is to track it all. And I did. 

2. Water. I drank at least 6 glasses of water 6/7 days this past week. I am getting much better about it and am feeling better too. I plan to keep going in order to make it the full 7 days a week. 

3. Clean out closet and dresser. I did not get to this goal this week but plan to soon because I have been doing a little online shopping this past week and need to clear out the old to make way for the new. I have purchased more business attire items because I want to be taken professionally. I can't keep doing the jeans and a t-shirt thing.

4. Work on training schedule. I also did not work on this either. I have looked into Jeff Galloway's training plan a little more and do plan on using this, but I need to sit down and realistically write it out so that it is on the calendar for Patrick to see so that he is aware of what days I'm going to need to be focused on training and will need extra help (mentally, emotionally, physically, etc).

5. Enjoy my birthday dinner. Definitely succeeded in this! I decided to go to Chili's and even though I was planning on splurging (slightly) and getting the margarita chicken with rice and black beans, I ended up going with the soup and salad because I was still so full from having Chipotle for lunch. It was delicious and I really enjoyed it!

Workout schedule:

March 21st - March 27th

Friday 3/21: 2-3 mile interval run completed (3.10 miles)

Saturday 3/22: 8 mile interval run completed (8.14 miles)

Sunday 3/23: minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.05 miles), cross train completed (15 minutes stationary bike)

Monday 3/24: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed (3.09 mile interval run)

Tuesday 3/25: 30 day shred did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.51 mile interval run)

Wednesday 3/26: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed (2.52 mile interval run), Ripped in 30 completed (warm up and circuit 1)

Thursday 3/27: 30 day shred did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.09 mile interval run)

This weeks goals:

1. Track.

2. Water.

3. Clean out closet and dresser.

4. Make April training schedule.

5. Stick to workout schedule for coming week.

Workout schedule:

March 28th - April 3rd

Friday 3/28: arm workout, minimum 1 mile interval run

Saturday 3/29: 5 mile training run, cross training

Sunday 3/30: minimum 1 mile interval run, cross training

Monday 3/31: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Tuesday 4/1: strength training DVD, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 4/2: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 4/3:  strength training DVD, minimum 1 mile interval run

Mileage Update #10

Mileage update: (Late again...)

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 3/25: 94.59 miles 

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 3/25: 362.34 miles

28.98% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-3/25/14): 2112.35 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: day 156

This week's mileage: 29.33 mile week

Wednesday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.04 mile walk, 2.29 mile interval run

Thursday- 1.34 mile walk, 1.35 mile interval run

Friday- 3.10 mile interval run

Saturday- 8.14 mile interval run

Sunday- 1.05 mile interval run

Monday- 2.04 mile walk, 3.09 mile interval run

Tuesday- 2.04 mile walk, 1.51 mile interval run

Pictures from this week:

Dopey Challenge Accepted! Sort Of..

The runDisney website has finally updated the dates of race weekend for 2015.

It is starting to get real. Unfortunately, so is the decision that I had to make.

I want to put out there that this decision was made solely on my own, however I had the support from my husband, my mom, my sister and my best friend. Throughout the course of the past few months I have been having an internal debate as to whether or not I should do the Dopey Challenge at Disney World. The pro and con list has gone back and forth and it's taken a very long time to make the final decision.

As much as it pains me right now, I know that the mature/adult decision would be to not participate in the Dopey Challenge and so that is what I have decided.

It was difficult, and I'm allowing myself to take a day or two to be sad about the idea of not actually running the race and then I'm going to get over it. In fact, I'm still going to train for it and I still plan on running all four days, all four distances. I'll just be in California running by myself instead of in Florida running with thousands of other runners.

It's not the same, but I know that in the long run it is the smartest decision for myself and for my family. And I know that with the support of my friends and my family I will be able to make it through the mileage with or without a medal at the end.

I've been looking into a training plan and the Jeff Galloway training plan on the runDisney website is the one I am leaning towards. For the most part, the training plan is three days a week. It's manageable and I'm fairly certain I can adjust it slightly in order to fit in my scheduled half marathon races that I'm already signed up for and still be able to run the same weekend as the real race.

I was also able to use mapmyrun to plan out a course for all four races. I tried to make them all a little different so that I won't be running the same course each time, but it's a little difficult when you're running in the same city four days in a row. I think it's going to be okay though. I also like the fact that I am able to be in control of where I'll be running and I know the hills that are a part of the course. In all honesty, now that I know that I am still going to run the distance and I have a visual of where I will be running I'm getting excited about it and less disappointed.

It's going to be a test of my mental and physical abilities. I'm sure I'm going to have to continue to tell myself over and over that this was the correct decision. I know that it is though..

Let the training continue!

Weigh In #15

Starting Weight: 189.2

Last Weeks Weight: 181.4

This Weeks Weight: 179.6

+/-: -1.8
Total +/-: -9.6

I have been off of the wagon for a while now. To the point where when I tried to catch up and jump back on I ended up getting caught and dragged. So, that's where I've been with that.

With my birthday coming up next week I made a deal with myself to not track or do anything special for the next week or so and then I would get back to it with 100% commitment on April 1st.

But then I woke up this morning. I thought about what I wanted, what I needed. I knew right away that what I want is to start tracking, start exercising and start caring about it again. I miss that feeling when you're giving it your all and it pays off. I can't expect to give it 50% and get the results you want.

So, I stepped on the scale and am moving forward with this new found desire to see results. I got a little too comfortable and even though I don't have all the motivation I would like at this point I am ready to fake it until I make it. 

I am hoping that whatever this new start is can kick my backside into gear to get more serious about training. I still have a lot of races coming up and I know I feel better when I'm in full training mode. Plus, it would be nice to see some successes at the end of the week in regards to my goals and workout schedule.

This weeks goals:

1. Track.

2. Water.

3. Clean out closet and dresser.

4. Work on training schedule.

5. Enjoy my birthday dinner.

Workout schedule:

March 21st - March 27th

Friday 3/21: 2-3 mile interval run

Saturday 3/22: 8 mile interval run

Sunday 3/23: minimum 1 mile interval run, cross train

Monday 3/24: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Tuesday 3/25: 30 day shred, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 3/26: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 3/27: 30 day shred, minimum 1 mile interval run

Measurements

Original measurements taken October 15th:

Chest: 41

Waist: 37.5

Hips: 45.5

L thigh: 26.5

L arm: 13

L calf: 14.5

Measurements taken on March 8th:
Chest: 40 (-1)

Waist: 33 (-4.5)

Hips: 43.5 (-2)

L thigh: 24 (-2.5)

L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

Current measurements taken March 22nd:

Chest: 39.25 (-1.75)

Waist: 34 (-3.5)

Hips: 43.5 (-2)

L thigh: 23.5 (-3)

L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

Mileage Update #9

Mileage update: (the photo is not correct, but should correct itself to the actual total mileage by next week)

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 3/18: 65.26 miles 

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 3/18: 333.01 miles

26.64% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-3/18/14): 2083.02 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: day 149

This week's mileage: 17.78 mile week

Wednesday- 1.15 mile interval run

Thursday- 2.04 mile interval run

Friday- 1.28 mile interval run

Saturday- 3.11 mile interval run

Sunday- 1.24 mile interval run

Monday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.05 mile walk, 1.47 mile interval run

Tuesday- 1.34 mile walk, 1.34 mile walk, 1.42 mile interval run

Pictures from this week:

Weigh In #14

Starting Weight: 189.2
Last Weeks Weight: 181.4
This Weeks Weight: 181.4

+/-: 0
Total +/-:  -7.8

I am a little surprised that I maintained. In a good way. I had almost a full week of not tracking and I can feel it. I am not sure what happened to make me fall off the wagon so hard as I watched it drive away leaving me behind in the dust. I'm not sure what took me so long to the wagon wasn't coming around for me, that I needed to get up, dust myself off and find the wagon. Nobody can do it for me.

It took something happening to make me decide to commit again, and to commit 100%. For a while now I've been tracking very little each day. Some days it's just my coffee, some days I track through lunch, very rarely do I track the whole day (and even then, once I complete my entry for the day I don't go back and track more if I continue eating).. Needless to say, it's no wonder I've been gaining. 

Add that to the lack of working out and it's just a combination for disaster.

But on Thursday I forgot to go in and log my coffee. I forgot to go in and log anything. One of the things I like about My Fitness Pal is that it tracks the number of days you've tracked in a row. Thursday would have been day 90. But, since I forgot to log in, yesterday was day 1. 

Last Weeks Goals:

1. Track: see above. I'm using this as a kick in the pants to start actually tracking. My goal was 365 days in a row, now it's 365 days in a row of actually tracking my food, not just logging in. It's not a difficult task.

2. Follow workout schedule: no strength training or cross training this week.
3. Do not go overboard at birthdays: we celebrated Patrick's birthday at Red Robin. I had soup & salad and ate a cupcake that I made. Isabel picked Outback Steakhouse for her birthday dinner. I had salmon & carrots. I indulged in appetizers too, but did not feel as though I over did it. Isabel's party is today. The plan is to keep myself busy so that I don't eat all the things. Pizza, pasta salad, fruit, carrots and an entire dessert table. I've got this!

Workout schedule:
March 9th - March 15th
Sunday: San Diego Half Marathon completed
Monday: streak completed
Tuesday: streak completed
Wednesday: streak completed
Thursday (Patrick's birthday): streak completed
Friday (Isabel's birthday): streak completed
Saturday (Isabel's birthday party): Hope4Kids 5K completed

Get in two strength training sessions (using any DVD I choose) and one cross training session at the gym of a minimum of 30 minutes. did not complete

This weeks goals:
1. Track
2. Follow workout schedule
3. Clean out closet of any clothes I no longer fit into or feel good in

Workout schedule:
March 16th - March 22nd
Sunday: streak
Monday: streak, strength training
Tuesday: streak
Wednesday: streak. strength training
Thursday: streak, cross training
Friday: streak
Saturday: 8 miles

Here's to a great week. I really think I can do it this week. I think I am going to be able to stick to it. I want to see results and the only way that can happen is if I work the plan. 

Mileage Update #8

(I'm a little behind schedule this week...)

Mileage update:

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 3/11: 47.48 miles

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 3/11: 315.23 miles

25.21% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-3/11/14): 2066.39 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: 142 day

This week's mileage: 31.72 mile week

Wednesday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.06 mile walk, 2.41 mile interval run

Thursday- 2.38 mile interval run

Friday- 1.02 mile interval run

Saturday- 1.31 mile interval run

Sunday- 13.22 mile interval run

Monday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.04 mile interval run

Tuesday- 1.32 mile walk, 2.05 mile walk, 1.23 mile interval run

Pictures from this week: (sorry if there are repeats!)