I hate to be negative, but my January goal of running 26.2 miles, the equivalent of a marathon, is just not going to happen. I have beat myself up over it a little bit lately, but when it boils down to it, I just have to accept that it isn't going to happen. Call it poor planning, poor time management, too much going on in my life/on my mind, etc...but it is what it is.
This setback doesn't mean that I'm giving up. I am really looking forward to my February challenge: 20 Zumba workouts! Since I started running, I have really missed Zumba. It's a high calorie burner, so maybe that will get me motivated with some sort of scale movement. I think that was what actually slowed down my running this month. I was going strong the first week and most of the second week, but then I hopped on the scale for my Tuesday weigh-in two weeks in a row, only to find that the scale went up BOTH TIMES!!! I was actually eating less food and even better food, plus the running. I should know full and well that those things happen, especially when you start back exercising, but it was just too big of a disappointment.
So, it's time to pick myself up off the ground, dust myself off and just keep going. I'm going to try to incorporate that philosophy into my life just a little bit more. I focus too much on the negative a lot of times and forget to look at the positive. Tomorrow is a new day and this is a new week! Who knows? Maybe I can still get in a few miles before Friday!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Atlanta Hot Chocolate 15K & 5K
Sunday was race day! I woke up at 4:50 in the morning and we left the house around 5:20am to drive from my house to Atlanta. The traffic was pretty good until we got to Turner Field, then it was a little backed up, but we had plenty of time.
After parking the car and gearing up, we walked from our parking lot to the race site and did a quick sweep of the area. There was a place to check bags and a few vendors and merchandise tents. I actually did look at merchandise, but there weren't any shirts left that I like. (I have since learned on Facebook that there will be an online store soon!)
I have to admit, this was a very well organized event! They had corral letters on our bibs based on the pace that we entered at sign up which matched ordered gates to stand in. The only thing that took a while was actually starting the race. We were in corral F, which was five from the front. Once they corralled us, we had to wait for the race to actually begin (about 15 minutes). First, was corral A. The horn sounded for them and they took off. Then, we all moved forward in 3 minute intervals, so it was about 30 minutes of standing around waiting to actually race.
The course was hilly, and by hilly, I mean steep hills! The very first one had my calves on fire!! There was a point when my toes actually went numb and I couldn't feel them at all! Once we got to the finish line, we were given Gatorade and then a bottle of water. Then, off to the after party...
There was a tear-off strip on the bottom of the race bib for our "finisher's mug," which consisted of a brown coffee mug with dividers in it. There was a spot for a cup of Ghiardelli hot cocoa, a packet of sugar wafers, two marshmallows, some pretzels, a Rice Krispy Treat and a banana. There was a DJ and SO many people. In fact, there were just over 19,000 (yes, thousand) people signed up for this race.
After parking the car and gearing up, we walked from our parking lot to the race site and did a quick sweep of the area. There was a place to check bags and a few vendors and merchandise tents. I actually did look at merchandise, but there weren't any shirts left that I like. (I have since learned on Facebook that there will be an online store soon!)
I have to admit, this was a very well organized event! They had corral letters on our bibs based on the pace that we entered at sign up which matched ordered gates to stand in. The only thing that took a while was actually starting the race. We were in corral F, which was five from the front. Once they corralled us, we had to wait for the race to actually begin (about 15 minutes). First, was corral A. The horn sounded for them and they took off. Then, we all moved forward in 3 minute intervals, so it was about 30 minutes of standing around waiting to actually race.
The course was hilly, and by hilly, I mean steep hills! The very first one had my calves on fire!! There was a point when my toes actually went numb and I couldn't feel them at all! Once we got to the finish line, we were given Gatorade and then a bottle of water. Then, off to the after party...
There was a tear-off strip on the bottom of the race bib for our "finisher's mug," which consisted of a brown coffee mug with dividers in it. There was a spot for a cup of Ghiardelli hot cocoa, a packet of sugar wafers, two marshmallows, some pretzels, a Rice Krispy Treat and a banana. There was a DJ and SO many people. In fact, there were just over 19,000 (yes, thousand) people signed up for this race.
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| Here I am with my finisher's mug! |
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| And, Jessica with hers. |
It was a great experience and I will definitely repeat it next year. It was well worth the 5am wake up. I had to work right after the race and I didn't get to bed until later last night, so I am super tired. I have logged nearly 8 miles so far this month. I still have a lot to go!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Hot Chocolate 5K Atlanta Expo and Swag!!
Today, after work and watching martial arts, the fam and I drove to Atlanta to the GA World Congress Center for the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Expo and packet pick-up. The race is on Sunday at Turner Field at an insane time of morning!
I have to say, the pick up was extremely smooth moving. There were lots of vendors there. I refrained from purchasing everything I wanted, but I have had issues with my ears being cold a lot, so I splurged and spent 10 bucks on an ear warmer band. I already love it!! I don't know if I'll use it on Sunday, though, because the weather here in Georgia has taken a turn for the crazy and it's 70 degrees outside right now!
I met up with my running buddy, Jessica while I was there and we walked around for a few minutes together. We even stopped for a picture:
Right next to the "marshmallow man," was a table full of deliciousness:
After I left the expo, we took the kids through downtown Atlanta to eat at one of the greasiest, yummiest little treasures of the city, The Varsity! They serve hamburgers, hotdogs, chili/slaw dogs and burgers, fries, onion rings, ice cream and the beloved Frosted Orange! It was delicious and I think the kids really enjoyed themselves!
I have to say, the pick up was extremely smooth moving. There were lots of vendors there. I refrained from purchasing everything I wanted, but I have had issues with my ears being cold a lot, so I splurged and spent 10 bucks on an ear warmer band. I already love it!! I don't know if I'll use it on Sunday, though, because the weather here in Georgia has taken a turn for the crazy and it's 70 degrees outside right now!
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| Who wouldn't love this? |
I met up with my running buddy, Jessica while I was there and we walked around for a few minutes together. We even stopped for a picture:
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| Yep, this is us, standing in front of a marshmallow man's crotch! |
Right next to the "marshmallow man," was a table full of deliciousness:
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| If you've never tried this before, it's available at a lot of stores and it is like CRACK! You will eat it with a spoon! |
After I left the expo, we took the kids through downtown Atlanta to eat at one of the greasiest, yummiest little treasures of the city, The Varsity! They serve hamburgers, hotdogs, chili/slaw dogs and burgers, fries, onion rings, ice cream and the beloved Frosted Orange! It was delicious and I think the kids really enjoyed themselves!
Here is one last pic of all the swag from the Expo. I'll post again after the race on Sunday!
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| A hoodie instead of a shirt, a hat, a cute bib, a bag, the headband and the biscoff spread |
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
One Week In and A Little Disappointed
I am one week into my January challenge. So far, I have run 4.36 miles. Not too shabby since I hadn't run at all since last month and that was only a mile! Of course, when I woke up this morning, I was eager to see if the scale had moved. I haven't been logging or really working hard to reduce my calories or even change my eating habits all that much. I don't want to take on too much at once and end up getting burned out, so I have just tried to be more aware of the snacking and how much I am eating. You know, no pressure. So, I hopped on the scale and prepared for success.
Epic. Fail.
I am UP 1.5 pounds from last week! I am hoping hoping hoping that it is due to extra water retention in my muscles from starting to run again. I mean, I have stopped nibbling on chocolate at night. I even started drinking a cup of tea in the evenings to curb that craving all together (and it's been working!) I have been choosing to eat more salads and fewer sandwiches/chips!! What the frig???
I'm not going to let it really get me down. It's only one week. It takes 12 weeks to really notice a change and I'm just working up to a real routine. I am, however, going to try to increase my water intake a bit more from here out. I am usually dehydrated because I just don't think to drink water. (I am currently sipping on a glass of water with a splash of lemon juice in it as I type this.)
Less than one week until the Hot Chocolate 5K. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill this morning after I dropped the kids off at school. I'm really glad they are back in school now. It helps me get things accomplished easier, both with housework and working out.
Epic. Fail.
I am UP 1.5 pounds from last week! I am hoping hoping hoping that it is due to extra water retention in my muscles from starting to run again. I mean, I have stopped nibbling on chocolate at night. I even started drinking a cup of tea in the evenings to curb that craving all together (and it's been working!) I have been choosing to eat more salads and fewer sandwiches/chips!! What the frig???
I'm not going to let it really get me down. It's only one week. It takes 12 weeks to really notice a change and I'm just working up to a real routine. I am, however, going to try to increase my water intake a bit more from here out. I am usually dehydrated because I just don't think to drink water. (I am currently sipping on a glass of water with a splash of lemon juice in it as I type this.)
Less than one week until the Hot Chocolate 5K. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill this morning after I dropped the kids off at school. I'm really glad they are back in school now. It helps me get things accomplished easier, both with housework and working out.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Tick, Tick, Boom and A Run
My next race, the Hot Chocolate 5K, is in one week. My "training," thus far, has been atrocious. Today, I had one of my "de-stress" runs. I had less than 30 minutes to squeeze in a run and I ran nearly a mile and a half. The first mile was at my comfortable pace of 5mph and for the remainder of the run, I turned it up to 6mph and ran until I was tired. It wasn't too far, but it was sufficient.
I'm not sure how the race on Sunday will go. I am, of course, extremely nervous about it. You'd think after completing a half marathon last year I would be more comfortable with the short races. I think this one has me all wound up because it starts at 7:30 in the morning. That is EARLY for me! That's what time I wake up on the mornings I have to get the kids to school. To even get to the location for this race, I will have to leave my house at 5am and I'll be running at 7:30!! Then....then there is the post party which is an expo of chocolate!!! Not too sure how my body will be handling chocolate that early in the morning.
Moving on to the not so fun part of this post. The car I drive to work, which is a clunker, has been acting up as of late. We have been trying to brainstorm as to what the problem was with it. On Friday evening, I drove from work over to the martial arts studio to watch my son. After that was over, the four of us went over to Walmart and purchased a few small groceries and parts for the car. We decided to change the spark plugs, the air filter and the oil filter/oil. Then, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. I was almost home, driving the kids in the family car, when my cell rang. It was my husband calling to tell me that I needed to turn around because the car quit running and wouldn't start back up. Great. Just great. Here we are on the way home with parts. Just our luck, right? We decided to have the car towed home the following morning and he would look at it then.
Well, he jacks the car up and comes into the house to get me. "It can't be fixed," he says. Yeah. I go outside and peer under the car and into a hole about the size of my fist in the engine block. So, needless to say, I don't know what in the world we are going to do. We just spent nearly 500 dollars putting new tires on that car! Happy New Year!!!! It's always something, isn't it?
I'm not sure how the race on Sunday will go. I am, of course, extremely nervous about it. You'd think after completing a half marathon last year I would be more comfortable with the short races. I think this one has me all wound up because it starts at 7:30 in the morning. That is EARLY for me! That's what time I wake up on the mornings I have to get the kids to school. To even get to the location for this race, I will have to leave my house at 5am and I'll be running at 7:30!! Then....then there is the post party which is an expo of chocolate!!! Not too sure how my body will be handling chocolate that early in the morning.
Moving on to the not so fun part of this post. The car I drive to work, which is a clunker, has been acting up as of late. We have been trying to brainstorm as to what the problem was with it. On Friday evening, I drove from work over to the martial arts studio to watch my son. After that was over, the four of us went over to Walmart and purchased a few small groceries and parts for the car. We decided to change the spark plugs, the air filter and the oil filter/oil. Then, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. I was almost home, driving the kids in the family car, when my cell rang. It was my husband calling to tell me that I needed to turn around because the car quit running and wouldn't start back up. Great. Just great. Here we are on the way home with parts. Just our luck, right? We decided to have the car towed home the following morning and he would look at it then.
Well, he jacks the car up and comes into the house to get me. "It can't be fixed," he says. Yeah. I go outside and peer under the car and into a hole about the size of my fist in the engine block. So, needless to say, I don't know what in the world we are going to do. We just spent nearly 500 dollars putting new tires on that car! Happy New Year!!!! It's always something, isn't it?
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Goals and Lists
Looking back on 2012, I logged on to My Fitness Pal today after I took my measurements and weighed in. I also looked at where I am today as opposed to where I was a year ago. I regret to inform that I am 6.5 pounds heavier and I have gained 11.5 inches all over my body. However, I think I am in the right mindset to start back on the road to a healthier me and I am sure that my monthly goals will help me get there. At the very least, the first few will help tone me back up and take care of some of those nasty little inches that have creeped up!
I've seen this picture going around on Facebook all day today:
I've seen this picture going around on Facebook all day today:
I think it couldn't be more appropriate. So, on page one of 365 in chapter 2013 of MY story, I ran (more or less) a mile on the treadmill. I say more or less because I set the treadmill for the "weight loss" program that I used to do when I first started losing weight a couple of years ago. It used to kick my butt on a regular basis, but today I just found the program to be super boring. I think, in the future, I will just do the manual program at whatever speed I'm up to. Either way, I got my first mile of the month down. Only 25.2 to go!
I titled this post, "Goals and Lists" for a reason. I thought that on this day 1, I would jot down some lists of races I want to run and books I want to read this year. So, without further ado, here are some lists for 2013:
Races To Run in 2013
The Hot Chocolate Atlanta 5K
Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K
5K in Paradise Atlanta
GSO Noteworthy 5K
Area 13.1 (hopefully I'll be more prepared and so will they!)
The Spooktacular Chase 5K
The Anything Is Possible 5K
I may add more as time progresses if I see a race I'm really interested in, but these are the definites.
Books To Read in 2013
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris (this one is bitter sweet for me)
Cold Days by Jim Butcher
Lover At Last by JR Ward (comes out on my BIRTHDAY!!!)
Rapture by JR Ward
Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Again, I may add more or there may be less as time progresses. I know for sure I'll be reading the ones from Charlaine Harris, JR Ward and Jim Butcher!
Oh, and there is one last goal. Just a little something I thought would be fun. I think it would be awesome if I could run at least 365 miles this year! One a day can't be a bad thing, right?
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