Start Over Day

Monday Monday, can't trust that day. (Name of band anyone?) Every Monday I wake up and I never know how the day is going to go, let alone the week. This morning it was cold and rainy and I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed and sleep. Unfortunately the rational side of me kicks in and pulled myself out of bed and into the shower. Standing in the shower I was thinking about this week, how it's the last week of training really before my race in 13 days. Last week was suppose to be an easier week, only running 3 and 4 miles. Well I ran 3 miles Tuesday and Thursday, but the 4 miles on Saturday, ya I decided to listen to my body which was sick and took it easy this weekend. I also really didn't get in my cross training either. Normally I would feel bad about that and beat myself up a bit over it - NOPE I am actually A-OKAY with it.

I woke up Friday morning feeling terrible. I actually went home around lunch and got into bed and finished my work. Saturday I didn't wake up till 11:30 (went to bed at like 10) and still didn't feel very well. There was no way I was running! Sunday I slept again for like 13.5 hours and woke up feeling better but still not 100%. I had thought I might swim or lightly run, maybe 2 hours or something but I decided to get better and start fresh this week. I think it was the best decision I could have made. I even made home made soup last night which was delicious I have to say. I have some for lunch today I am really looking forward to.

This week I am going to get in everything. It's definitely a start over and get back into it week. I am not going to push myself too hard because I don't want to get sick again, nor hurt myself, or be tired too much in 13 days. Here is this week's schedule:

Monday - Stretch & Strength (instead of strength I think I am going to do 15-20 minutes light elliptical)
Tuesday - 5 mile run
Wednesday - 45 minutes Cross Training (haven't decided yet)
Thursday - 3 miles plus strength
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 8 mile run (I see and ice bath for legs and hips afterwards)
Sunday - 60 minutes Cross Training - probably swimming


GOAL this week - Stay under my calorie count ALL week!

Rough Week

I am glad this week is almost over. It has been a rough one and today is the cherry on top - I'm feeling terrible and sick! BLAH! Here's a quick update:

Wednesday - Really didn't want to work out but convinced myself that it was just swimming and I would take it easy and keep it long and aerobic for the 45 minutes I needed to swim. I got out of work around 5:15 and headed to the YMCA. A few minutes out from the YMCA a huge lightening bolt lit up the rainy sky - there went that idea! For whatever reason the Y shuts the pool down even though it is grounded. I went home to let out Wrigley since all I had was swimming gear, no work out gear so I couldn't just go and hop on the bike or elliptical or something. Once I got home that was it. I was really tired and just wanted to relax and that is exactly what I did. Part of me felt bad a first that I didn't stick to my training schedule and didn't do cross training for 45 minutes, but then I just brushed it off and realized it wasn't the end of the world and was okay with it.

Thursday - I had the worst run I think ever! First off mentally I wasn't into working out AT ALL! There was no part of me that wanted to exercise but since I didn't work out on Wednesday I didn't want to skip another one, especially a run. So I went down stairs, strapped my shoes and headband on and out the door I went. I realized from the 1st step that it wouldn't be an easy one. I decided to just take it easy, it wasn't about pace today it was about getting it down. Oh wow those words couldn't have been more true. It was only 3 miles but after 1.50 I had to walk a little bit, then again around 2.15 miles. I started running again at 2.25 miles and I ran the rest of the way. It wasn't fast but I told myself I could do 0.75 miles. The hardest part was that at 2.5 miles I was back where I started and had to pass it and then come back. There was part of me that really just wanted to stop at 2.5 miles and say screw it I at least did something. Thankfully something kicked in and didn't let me stop and kept me going. I finished and felt worse than when I started. Plus it was just not a good day. All in all Thursday just kind of sucked. At least I made a good decision for dinner - went by Chipotle for a bowl because I knew I didn't want to cook and I figured it might as well be something not too bad for me and yummy.

Friday - Today I woke up feeling like crap. I really didn't want to go to work but I had some important things to take care of so off I went work. I was freezing the whole time, even with a blanket around me. Finally after my 12-12:30 meeting and the follow up afterwards I headed up to finish up work around 1. I have been freezing and hot back and forth all afternoon! I hate being sick! It makes sense though now why this week hasn't been the greatest. Why I was soo tired Wednesday out of the blue and yesterday my body just didn't want to operate and I struggled through my run. I guess I just need to listen to my body more. Tonight it relax and get to bed early. This weekend I will play it by ear on the working out and see how I feel. My race is in 2 weeks from tomorrow so I need to make sure I get better and quickly!

Well I haven't been too bad, it's just been rough and that's why you haven't heard from me. Well have a good weekend - hopefully yours is better than mine.

The Ultimate Wager!!

This weekend I was with my boyfriend, which was great by the way! Anyway we got talking about me losing weight and getting in shape and how it's easier for guys to do it than girls, and that led us talking about our bellies and how we each wanted to lose them. That led me to suggest a little wager - let's see who could lose their belly 1st! There is no time limit, no set weight we have to get to, it is simply losing your belly first on an honor system. He sounded intrigued and asked what we would wager. I knew it had to be something good, something that had a little bit of an embarrassing quality to it and something neither person would want to motivate them to take this seriously. I asked him what he would want if he won and he wasn't sure. I knew then what I wanted and what would work to keep him motivated. I also knew I would get something bad in return that I didn’t want to do, but if I was going to dish it I had to be willing to take it!

Back story first - I grew up in Nashville, TN and my dad was a huge football fan so he raised us to love football. Since we grew up in Tennessee so he thought we should be Tennessee Volunteer fans, and that's exactly what I became. One of my favorite memories with my dad was in 1998 when the Vols beat Florida State in the 1st ever BCS Bowl game to win the National Title. I was only 12 years old and had already gone to bed. At half time my dad woke me up and asked me if I wanted to watch the game - easy answer YES! We went into the bonus room and he had snacks and sprite and orange soda and a football and we just "tailgated" in our bonus room yelling at the TV and throwing the football around. With only a few minutes left in the game my mom comes in the room and asks what we were doing and why I am up and we reply with watching Tennessee win the National Championship mom!! haha! It was a great memory and one that definitely formed my love for Tennessee football. My boyfriend is a HUGE Florida Gators fan. His whole family is basically. He grew up in Florida and since he was a little boy he has been a Gator Chompin fan. GROSS! hahaha!

As you know the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators don't really like each other. I don't hold this against my boyfriend that he picked the wrong team! :) haha Anyway, this is where my wager comes from. I told him that if I win I want him to dress from head to toe in Tennessee Orange and White and he would sing Rocky Top while being recorded, which then would be placed on Facebook for all to see! There is one other place too it would be seen but he has to ask a question first for that to happen. He wasn't too happy about it but accepted the challenge ONLY if he won he would dress me in Florida Orange and Blue and I had to do the Gator Chomp while being filmed which will be put on facebook for all to see and at one more place to view, but again he has to ask first.

I reluctantly accepted and vowed to myself that there would be NO WAY I was doing the Gator Chomp! Before picture need to be taken - most likely tonight. I'll have to get him to do it and send it to me so I know he did it! :) It's time to buckle down and lose this belly once and for all because I HAVE to win!!!

                                                                                                                                                

Catch Up

WOW I am soo behind on my blog this week. It has been so busy I just haven't had time. Wednesday I got to work and didn't even get to sit down until after 9 and then yesterday I was at part 2 of the training class I was taking from lat week. Today is going to be very busy as well because I am going to try to get out of here early to get on the road to Charlotte to see my boyfriend. Plus I have to go pick up Wrigley (my Golden Retriever - aka love of my life) at doggie daycare which is right down the road since he is coming with me. That saves me 45-60 minutes round trip to go home and get him and get back to where my work is - sooo worth the money!

Okay here is a quick recap of this week thus far:

Tuesday - GREAT run! I ran 5 miles around my work at 4pm. Remember how I was trying to break 49 minutes in my race? I did 5 miles on Tuesday in 46 minutes and 52 seconds!!!! Granted there were NO bridges and it is mostly flat but still I was sooo proud of myself. I then went home and had a FANTASTIC Valentine's Day with my sister. She made me this great dinner with homemade red velvet brownies - OMG yummy! These were both recipes I had tagged on my pinterest account that I wanted to try, so how cute and thoughtful to pick those. We also enjoyed some bubbly champagne and watched Glee together. All in all AWESOME Valentine's Day! Bar is definitely set high for my boyfriend this weekend . :) hahahaha

Wednesday - Oh wow I did not want to work out on Wednesday. I knew I wouldn't have time to swim after work because I had lots of errands to run so I had to work out during my lunch hour. There was absolutely no part of me that wanted to go and exercise. I dragged my butt down there though and got on the elliptical and off I went for 45 minutes. I kinda bitched the whole way but I did it, I got it in. Even after I was done I didn't get the "wow I am soo glad I did that" which I get a lot after I work out when I don't want to - there is just always going to be days like that. The good news is that I I am not letting myself talk myself out of working out when I don't want to which I have done sooo many times in the past. Definitely a small no scale victory in my book on Wednesday this week.

Thursday - I ran 7 miles starting at 6:30 AM! I know right?!!! I am not a morning person everyone knows this by now, but when I found out it was suppose to rain Thursday afternoon when I originally was going to run I had to do it in the morning. I had a training seminar at 9am so that at least helped and let me start at 6:30 instead of 5:30 - Thank God! My sister joined me which I couldn't thank her enough for. We set out and away we went. It was omg humid and I of course forgot to take my inhaler before I ran so that caused a few problems. Oh well I made it through. It wasn't my fastest run but it was definitely my longest run to date. 7.53 miles (7 running the rest warm-up and down) in 1 hour and 19 minutes. I was soo proud of myself there isn't words to explain it. Only problem is oh wow I am sore and I felt it right after too. I have funny hips which have never bothered me this much before, but I never have run like this before and swimming there wasn't the impact like running has on them. Definitely need to start icing them after I run. Just like the good old days in swimming. hahaha!


Well I think that officially catches everyone up. Oh last night I went to this social for an organization I am with. I wasn't able to go in December or January so this is the first one since November. Soo many people told me I looked soo skinny and good and asked me what diet I was following. I had a smile across my face the whole night. Talk about a great motivator right there. It's things like that that I need to hold onto when I get frustrated to pick me back up or get me out and exercising. I mean I am by no means doing this for other people - it is my journey that I am doing for ME but it does help when others encourage along the way. The best though is the support of others that are on similar journeys and the support we give each other - for that I want to say thank you and you know who you are!!!

Well have a great weekend! I doubt I will write on Monday since I won't be in the office that day. Until Tuesday have fun and smile :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day EVERYONE! Today is one of those days that is just a quirky day that honesty I think is nothing more than a Hallmark Holiday. However, with that being said I have an AMAZING Valentine this year and actually excited about it for the first time ever. I unfortunately don't get to see him today since he is 5 1/2 hours away, but I will this weekend and we are going to have a simple date night at home - making dinner together and watch a movie we have both wanted to see and been waiting to be together to watch. Like I said - simple but really excited about it since it is just want I want to do! I got him a Valentine's gift - a subscription to a Beer Club. (I know I am okay writing it here because he already saw it and LIKED it!) Not sure what he got me but I will find out later this weekend. :)

Today my Valentine's Day gift to myself is running 5 miles - Yippie! hahaha! I know not really a present but the good stuff is that I can maybe have some real desert and not "healthy" desert! hahaha! That's the present to myself. HAHA! Basically though today whether you have a Valentine or not do something for yourself that will make YOU happy! For me it is staying on my training program and showing myself I can do this. That makes me happy and I would do it even if I had my boyfriend here! What I am looking forward to after my run though is that I am my sister's Valentine today since she is single. We live together and going to spend dinner together tonight. I am not sure if she is going to cook something or we are going out, but either way I am really looking forward to it!!!

BTW - got on the scale today and was 163.2 lbs! I am almost back to my weight in October of 162.8 lbs - YIPPIE! Hopefully I will see 15-something soon. The good news is I know I am losing inches because my clothes are fitting much better. I haven't measured in a while so maybe I will do that today; we'll see.

Inspiring Weekend

This weekend was great in soo many ways!

Saturday my sister and I set out to run 6 miles! I was nervous but at the same time excited about it. We plotted out a course that was a mile and a half out over an inter coastal bridge and then back, so 3 miles total that we would do twice. We did this so we could leave water at start, 3 mil, and finish line. This gave us the opportunity to rehydrate a bit in the middle of the run. The funny part was it was right in front of this mini-park place called Adventure Landing (one of those places that has mini-golf, go-carts, a small water park, etc) and we both had to pee at 3 miles so we ducked behind a bush, well when I did it as I am finishing and pulling my pants up a car turns in and I definitely mooned them! haha! Oh well, everyone has a butt :) It was soo windy that day and when we ran West it was the worst, and that 3 leg over the bridge was brutal but I just gritted through, pumped the arms, put my head down just a tad and told myself one foot in front of the other and I made it up. Coming back I actually felt really good and coming down the last bridge I decided to just take it and go and caught back up with my sister! She goes up the bridges much much faster than I am able to, so I was happy when I caught her.The best part is that when we finished I probably could have just kept on going. I wasn't hurting too bad, I wasn't all that tired (yes tired but not zonked yet), and I still had some energy to go. I was soo pleased with myself for running 7 miles. When we were done we went to Engine 15, one our favorite bars for a beer and lunch. That beer was AMAZING! Plus it was a great morning/afternoon with my sister!

Sunday morning in Jacksonville was marathon to benefit beast cancer. It has become a really large event, bringing people in from all over and also used a a Boston Marathon qualifier. My boyfriend's mom runs it and his dad is the champion for the 14/15 mile water station. It is at the same location since they loop back around and hit it again but from the other side of the street (we are on he grass island running in between the streets). I had a fun time handing out water for all these amazing people working to complete 26.2 miles. Talk about inspirational!!! The worst part about it and what made it even more inspiring is that it was something like 31 degrees in the morning when they started at 6:30am and felt like 23 degrees! I had on 3-4 layers on my whole body and was still freezing so I can only imagine running. I know your body temperature goes up when running, but still it had to be soo cold, especially waiting at the starting line to start. I wanted to go inside and warm-up but I just refused because if these people were out here doing this in the cold, I sure as hell could stand there and give them the water and gatorade they wanted. We finished up and was back inside by about 11:45am or so and it was definitely a great way to start a day! We found out later that my boyfriend's mom completed it in 5 hours and 17 minutes! That is amazing and definitely so proud of her! Looking at the results what I was just blown away with was the woman who won it did it in 2 hour s and 40 minutes, but the real kicker is that she is 42 years old! You typically think the late 20s to mid 30s is where the winner would be age wise, which is where the male winner was at 2 hours and 20 minutes, but she was 42! That is just fantastic and I was so happy for her. It was also great to see all the pink in the crowd of runners. Both women and men were sporting it proudly in this effort to help cure and stop breast cancer. I am not really a huge fan of pink but that was just awesome.

Sunday made me look at my schedule this week and rethink how I was going to tackle it. I am supposed to run 7 miles on Saturday to continue in my training, However, this weekend I finally get to see John and am traveling to Charlotte! It will be 5 weeks that we have gone apart by the time I finally get to see him. I know I have to stick to my training schedule and will run the 7 miles but won't want to because I want to spend all the time I can with him. Therefore I looked at my schedule and decided that on Thurday which is 3 miles and strength I would switch the 2 days. That means I miss a social function, however, it is better for me this way and a sacrifice that I need to make. This way too I know I will get all my running in and will stay on track. It does mean that I do 5 miles tomorrow and then 7 2 days later but I know I can do it so that is all that matters!!!

Here is to an interesting week and that it flies by!!!!

Tested

It's funny, my 1st blog yesterday couldn't have come at a better time as I was tested right away last night. Here is what happened - I am sure everyone can relate to this story if you are on a journey to becoming healthy.

My mom was in town and took me and my sister out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day, the 3 girls! We went to this nice Mexican Restaurant that I really love - Cantina Laredo - if you have never been and there and there is one around you I highly recommend it! We started off with their guacamole, OMG it is fantastic! They make it with fresh avocados right in front of you with lime, fresh tomato, red onion, cilantro, and jalapenos - Delicious! I don't mind eating that even though it is high in calories and fat, but it is all good for you fat, avocados are just so good for you (they are even called a "power" food)! I ordered the Mahi Mahi tacos on corn tortillas with black beans and grilled veggies which was zucchini (YUMMY). They were also having lady's night which is 1/2 priced margarita's. This was test #1 - I typically now get skinny margaritas, less calories and sugar and honesty I like them better because there is less sugar in them. The alcohol is still the same so WIN in my book. However, the 1/2 priced margs didn't include the skinny ones so I didn't want to be difficult, especially since I knew my mom was going to pick up the bill so I got the regular. I enjoyed it, didn't let it bother me, except I only had 1 instead of 2 if I had had the skinny. No biggie in my book, I was really only feeling like 1 anyway so Yay passed the first test!

Test #2 came when the table of 4 ladies next to us ordered Mexican Brownies. You see they "make" them by the table like the guacamole - great marketing/ selling scheme because they place this big hunk of browine down on a hot fajita plate so it sizzles and then they pour this hot brandy butter sauce over it so it sizzle, bubbles, and steams like crazy - you can't miss this "show" if you are near it and talk about making you want one too! Well that happened to my mom and sister since it was literally done right in front of our table, seriously like you would have thought they were making it for us not the table next to us. Next thing I knew my mom ordered 1 for the 3 of us. When I tell you it is a huge hunk of brownie I am not lying, it's a brick of a brownie. They top it with that brandy butter sauce, omg it was amazing and then they scoop a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I am not a big fan of vanilla so for me that part was just like whatever, haha. It came to our table and I looked at and my mind immediately went to omg how many calories do you think just 1 bite is, how many have I already eaten tonight, how many do I have left, and I just when I was convinencing myself that I didn't need the brownie, which I might add that brownies are my FAVORITE my sister looked at me and just said enjoy it it's valentine's day with our mom. That little sentence made me smile and the spoon dove into the brownie for a big bite with lots of sauce and OMG HEAVEN in my mouth! I immediately scooped up another big bite and enjoyed a couple more after that too. :)

I left and I haven't even calculated the calories from last night - I just don't care I really enjoyed myself with my mom last night. Granted I did have a small, little mental fight with myself over desert, but after I decided to take the bite that all left and I just enjoyed myself. This morning I feel fine and yes it is still on my mind, but not because I am upset for eating it, but because it was soo damn good I want another bite! hahahahahaha! Life is definitely too short to not enjoy the sizzling, bubbling, delicious brownie from time to time. It's not like I eat that all the time, in fact I honestly can't remember the last time I ate desert like that. I am definitely someone that enjoys life and I have made it clear that I am not going to let food tie me down. I originally said that in that I wasn't going to eat and eat and be unhealthy, but I also need to realize that it goes the other way too. It can't let you not live and not enjoy good times because you are afraid of the calories or the fat because it isn't on your "diet". I am sure I am not the only one that needs to remember that from time to time. I think the best way to become healthy is to realize that you can control all normal routine times, but the special moments, the times we can't control, and just the random times too, let life intervine and just go with it, enjoy it all!

That's my lesson from last night. I am happy this morning and looking forward to the weekend! I hope you are too - ENJOY IT!

100% MADE MY DAY

Today's run was by far one of the best runs I have ever had for so many reasons! I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to share it all.
#1 - I felt really really good. I was moving along very quickly and wasn't even phased by it at all!

#2 - I ran my fastest 5K EVER --> 27.23! WOW!

#3 - I ran 3.25 miles in 28.40, that just blows my mind that I ran it that quickly!

#4 - Here is the part that just was amazing and has completely made my day. I was running and just slightly under half way and I noticed this SUV driving slowly next to me. I thought it was a colleague but when I looked over I recognized the guy for a business down the street from mine where he is always eating lunch outside when I run by. I pulled out one of my headphones since he was talking to me and I had my music up loud and he told me that I had inspired him about 2 months ago to get out and start exercising. He has seen me and my friend that I always run with all the time running and that if we could make time for it so could he. He can't run like I do, all fast (I laughed because I don't think of myself as a fast runner), but he gets out there and does it and has lost 13 pounds already! (Damn guys and their ability to lose weight soo quickly - but yay for him!) He thanked me and I just told him to keep on going, he'll get to be a fast runner too with the right motivation. It was a short conversation that I had while I was just running, I didn't stop and the guy even told me not to, he didn't want to interrupt my exercise, so just drove slowly next to me. I do admit it is a bit strange and kinda creepy, but I mean I have been running on this exact same path for a year now so if you are always outside you are going to notice 2 girls running along the roadside all the time. Anyway, this 100% made my day and just fueled me that much more. I really couldn't believe that me and my friend just running along the roadside during our lunch break inspired someone else to get out and exercise, and even more he took the time to thank me! This has completely made my day, hell my week!

Here is my challenge for me and everyone - If you are ever are inspired by someone to really make a change in your life, big or small, whether you know them or not, take the opportunity to thank them if you ever get the chance. It really is a powerful phrase - Thank You and one that is not used enough in my book.

Changing Habits

I think I briefly mentioned on Tuesday that I gained a little bit of weight last week and jumped up 1.2lbs to 164.6lbs. Nothing huge but also just felt blah - yesterday I found out why, Hello mother nature! (sorry guys that are reading this - skip to the next paragraph if you want and I stop talking about it) Now it makes sense why I am bloated and gained a little bit and just have felt like blah this week. I originally didn't log it into MFP because I was a bit upset about it. Then today I realized that was stupid (a friend's voice popped into my head and told me I need to stop beating myself up over every little thing - thank you chica!) and logged in the weight and fixed the date to Monday. I also got on the scale again this morning and down a bit to 164.2. Hey I will take it. The only thing good out of all of this is that I sorta was surprised by it and had to go home early to get my clothes into the washing machine so they wouldn't get stained. Okay that isn't the good thing, in fact that was embarrassing! The good part was that I was home when my mom got into town! Granted I had to keep working a bit after she got there but I got to be there, help her unload, and greet her when she drove up! YAY!

Okay so I haven't really thought about this too much until lately when a friend brought it to my attention, I really do beat myself up a lot over a lot things I shouldn't. She always jokes about when I am craving say pizza or something she tells me, eat it but I better not hear about it in your blog the next day about how you are soo pissed you ate the piece of pizza! It didn't really click until about the 5th or 6th time she said it and then I realized she was right. I have been doing soo much better working out, my motivation level is a lot higher than it has been in a long time, but my eating habits could definitely use some work still. People at work have asked me what diet I am following and I tell them I am not following a diet. I use MyFitnessPal and track my calories instead. I try to make the healthier choice most of the time but if I want to have a slice of pizza or cheeseburger I am going to have it, just in moderation. The problem though is that I am not listening to myself at all! I am working really hard to change myself, not just on the scale, but my habits in life and I have been viewing that slice of pizza as a fail, as a set-back and then beat myself up for it. Okay yes eating 4 slices of pizza from papa johns, probably not the best idea and really why didn't I just stop after 2 or even 3 slices - did I really need that 4th slice? (direct reference to this day - Disgusted, check it out) Those days okay I can understand why I am not too happy with myself because not only did I do something a bit stupid, but I also felt like shit the next day because I am not use to putting that kind of food into my body anymore. However, if I want a slice of pizza I should have one, just stop at 2 pieces, add a small side salad and even have that low-calorie beer too! Just track it all and be happy that I have made changes, I am still enjoying the pizza, just in moderation! I have to start seeing the small victories in things and NOT look at the negative and beat myself up about it! I told myself in my New Year's Resolution blog that I was only going to worry about the things I could control and measure - okay measure the successes of how far you have come instead of the negatives! That is what I need to focus on and not beat myself up anymore. Thanks Chica!

PS - I am not beating myself up for beating myself up over little things I promise. This is me recognizing that I have been doing this, becoming aware of it, and wanting to change that habit. Just FYI :)

Motivation & Dedication

Yesterday was one of the best runs I have had in a while! I set out at 4:15pm to run 4 miles (0.25 mile warm-up and cool-down so just at 4.5 miles total. I decided to not push myself and just run at a nice comfortable pace that would be quick but something that I could hold the whole time. I stayed around 8:50-9:20 mile pace basically the whole time. Fell below that pace a few times but picked it up and got back on track immediately. I had a smile on my face the whole time and even sang out loud a few times. When I finished I wasn't too tired at all, I just felt really really good!

The best part was I got sooo many cheers and comments while I was running from so many of my friends and family members. It really put a smile on my face and helped me along. I love when I get those and honestly can not tell you how thankful I am of everyone's support for me. I am by no means a runner! It definitely doesn't come easy to me, nor is it natural for me. I have funny hips and my legs always seem to hurt when I am running - typically I can fight through it and it just eventually numbs or dulls out. It's the athlete in me to push though it and not let it bother me. I set a challenge for myself to do something I never have - complete a 15K. Not only complete it but train for it - I have never trained for anything really in running (except the year or so I did cross country in middle school which I think was like 2 miles or something like that). Liek I said running really isn'y my thing but it is something I can do and challenge myself at. Plus it is cheap which is right up my alley. :) haha! The key is picking something that you are interested in and that can keep you motivated and this is working for me.

Small change from what I said yesterday about my training schedule this week. My mom is coming into town today, leaving on Friday morning on her way to Miami. We are her "pit-stop" since she is driving. My sister works tonight so when my mom gets to our house around 4-4:30 no one will be there. With that being said I was suppose to go swim tonight after work for at least 40 minutes. That would mean I wouldn't get home until 6:45 or later. I feel bad leaving her by herself for that long at our house, so I have decided to work out during my lunch hour today doing with the elipitcal or stationary bike for 40 minutes. I also thought about switching my rest day from Friday to today, but after thinking about it and posting a poll online about it, just switching out my cross-training from swimming to something else is definitely a better option! No biggie! The key here is still getting it done regardless. Not letting changes in plans get in the way and using it as an excuse. I like that my head is finally back to wanting to work out. It's nice to have motivation and dedication again!

Found 2 pictures with quotes that I really like and want to share: ENJOY!

   

Proud of Myself

Wow it has been a week since my last blog - it's been that busy for me lately! Last week was just insane with all these people in town for training. It was something like 15 or so and then going out to dinner was 22-30 people. Of course it all fell on the Marketing team so we became the "hostesses of the mostesses". I did more little odd end jobs, can you do this can you do that for me than I ever have. I barely got anything of my work done last week I was running around soo much. Then there were all those evenings too, which weren't working dinners but were still social work dinners so you are still "on". By the end of the week I was exhausted! I actually skipped the Wednesday evening event that was bowling and crap food. Oh ya ALL the food we ate last week - OMG it was insane! I did gain 1.2lbs but looking back I am definitely surprised that that is all I gained. I really did try to do my best about keeping to my diet but it is soo hard when you "eat out" almost every single meal the whole week. I did make good decisions most of the time and was even called the healthy girl! haha!

What I was proud of most was that I made sure I made time for ALL my work outs. Yes it was my recovery week so the time commitment wasn't as intense - Thank God! But the fact that I got up early on Tuesday morning because I knew that was the only time I would have and on Thursday I made the time at lunch and ran, and on Monday and Wednesday I swam after work too. I really was impressed with myself because I could have very easily let the busyness of last week win and get in the way. I do have to say that morning workouts just aren't for me - that Tuesday morning just about killed me! However, on Thursday I was exceptionally proud of myself because I didn't want to run, well that's a lie, I wasn't really thrilled nor in the mood to exercise period but at the same time did - not sure how to explain that one. Anyway, my point is that I got downstairs and changed and put a smile on my face, I told myself that I wanted to run, I turned the music up loud while running and sang out loud, yes I really did sing out loud while running, I looked up at the beautiful sunshine and just took it all in. Before I knew it I had finished my 2 miles and was happy and glad I did it. I tricked myself into enjoying my run, into just being in a good mood and it worked! I loved every minute of it! :)

This week is back to the grind. Today I have a 4 mile run and I have already found a route around my work. Last time I had to do 4 miles around here I picked a route that I won't do again. This time I am sticking around the area that I know and know has large shoulders so I feel safe while running. Here is my schedule this week:

• Monday: Stretching & Strength
• Tuesday: 4 miles
• Wednesday: 40 minutes swim
• Thursday: 3 miles & strength
• Friday: Rest
• Saturday: 6 miles
• Sunday: 50 minutes swim

Here goes nothing - definitely can't lie, I am nervous about Saturday! I will just have to go out and do it. Like my boyfriend tells me - You can do it you know you can! :)