Get it!

It's amazing what a difference a few weeks can make! Over the last three weeks, I have put in over 30 miles. Last week alone, I got 18.25! Also, last week was the first time I ran 4 miles without stopping in years. My 4 mile run was meant to be my long run for the week, and that's exactly what it ended up being. Starting my week off like that was awesome, but I didn't really end up having anymore lengthy runs the rest of the week. I had a 3.1 miler on Saturday, but that was about it.

So, for this week, I've decided to bump up my milage a bit. Monday night, I did 2.25 as an interval run on the treadmill. I forgot what an amazing workout that is! I literally had sweat dripping off my face when I was finished. Last night, I knew I needed to work on tempo, so I set out for 4 miles again at a faster pace than last time. I killed it! My last 4-miler was 14 minutes per mile. Last night's....drumroll please...12:27 per mile!!! I had to stop at the half way point because my shin was killing me and my quad was starting to cramp. I stretched for maybe 20 seconds and kept going. My last mile split was actually 12:01! I was definitely tired afterward, but felt like I could do anything!

My hang up now isn't time. My hang up is the fact that I LOVE food, so, even though I'm ramping up my miles, I'm not losing any weight. :( I started a Little Black Dress 30 Day Challenge on Monday because I have a LBD and can't fit into it anymore. Plus, my arm jiggle could knock someone out. Also, wall push-ups have become my new best friend. My wrists hurt too bad to do actual push-ups, so wall push-ups are right up my alley. Each workout for my LBD Challenge is short, so I do 2 sets of everything. I should probably take some before pictures and measurements, so I can see the change.

Another thing I'm doing is #100bysummer. The goal is to run 100 miles by the first day of summer. I'm already 30 miles in for this challenge, and there is still 6 weeks until summer. Woot woot!

Until next time...
Happy running!

4 miles

So, my desire to run a half marathon by my 30th (ugh!) birthday has taken me to a new level. On Monday, because I was sore on Sunday from running 5 miles in two days and planting flowers on Saturday and Sunday, I set out for my 4 mile long run. Please keep in mind I had also really psyched myself out on Sunday with the fear of not being able to actually run 4 miles, so I was a little nervous. I knew that if I wanted to run the whole thing, which is ultimately my goal every time I lace up, I was going to have to keep my pace slow. So, that's what I did. 14 minute mile slow. However, I was able to actually run the whole thing! By mile three my big toes were starting to cramp, so I really had to push through. At mile 4 I met up with a friend who was just starting her walk, so I ended my run and did a short cool down with her. Now, for some reason I am constantly hung up on my time. I'm not sure what this hang up is or where it came from, but I just can't seem to shake it. I want to be a fast runner, but I just feel like that is something that will probably never happen. It is for that reason that I always end up running solo. Oh well!

Last night I did a quick recovery with my neighbor and was able to knock out a short 12:30 mile. I didn't run far, but I knew that if I didn't run I would regret it when I crawled into bed. So thankful I did! Tonight, I'm going to go for 3 miles or so. I need to lead up to either a 4.5 or 5 miler on Sunday, so I can't keep running short distances. I seem to have plateaued on my weight loss. I'm not eating as good as I was, and I'm just doing cardio. I know this is the problem, but I haven't had time to go get my gym membership. If I don't get it before school is out, I will have time to do it this summer. I just have to keep pushing myself and stay motivated. I know I can do it!

Until next time...
Happy running!

Almost back to normal

So, I'm finally seeing a decrease in the number on the scale!!! While I know that doesn't mean much, it is nice to see it finally going down. My pants and shirts are all starting to feel looser, and I was able to get back into a pair of shorts and a skirt I could barely get into last summer! I've been running regularly, with the exception of the last two weeks, and it's beginning to feel like Spring in Kansas.

In order to keep up my momentum, I am starting the Tone It Up Bikini Challenge today! Doing only cardio isn't going to get me down where I want to be, so I'm going to do this challenge in order to, hopefully, start toning things back up. I'm tired of being jiggly! I'm going to take some before pictures tonight. Most likely won't be sharing those, but I'm excited to see the changes. I'll be posting regularly on here and on Instagram with #createyoursummer and #100bysummer. Help me stay motivated!

Until next time!
Happy running!

That moment when...

So, running every day, as of right now, is not something I'm pushing myself to do. Once upon a time, running every day was something I couldn't do without. Now, that I'm trying to get back into it, I don't want to burn myself out. After running 1.5 miles the other night (farthest distance in a while without stopping!), I hit the exercise bike last night. My goal was 10 miles, but I ended up pushing it to 11.1 miles in about 45 minutes. Felt good, but I didn't feel like it was much of a workout.

Now, let me tell you how I gauge a good workout vs a mediocre workout. If I am dripping sweat, it's a good workout. However, if I'm barely sweating I don't feel like I've really done much. In all honesty, it felt pretty good to know I wasn't beat after my workout because it felt like I'm getting more in shape, but I was a little bummed and felt like I needed to do more. Until...I had to walk back up the stairs to get some water. Holy moly! OUCH! Yep. 11 miles on the bike was a heck of a workout, even if I wasn't dripping sweat. :)

Until next time...
Happy running! :)

The Plague and a Mile and a Half

So, thanks to the plague, last night was the first time I was able to workout since my last post. I came down with a terrible, awful, snot slinging head cold. I knew I wasn't dying, but I pretty much felt like I'd been hit by a train. My nose was raw and my head throbbed for about a week and a half. After that, I was just out of energy and didn't feel like working out. Last night, as I was standing outside with the dog, I realized it had been two weeks since my last workout. I decided that was enough of that crap, and hit the treadmill. I covered everything up, set my speed, turned on Biggest Loser, it was triathlon night, and started running. I had to step on the rails a couple times to catch a quick breath, but stayed with it. At 1.1 miles, I checked where I was and I felt pretty good. My goal was to run farther than last time, so I kept going. At 1.25 miles, my legs started feeling heavy and I had to coach myself through the last quarter mile. I knew it was all in my head, so I talked myself through. (Good thing my hubby wasn't home because he would have thought I had lost my mind. Even the dog was looking at me funny!) I kicked up the speed every .1 mile and made it to a mile and a half! Super proud moment! Haven't done that for a while! :) The only bad thing was that I gave myself a headache. I tend to do that sometimes. I realized it was because I haven't been guzzling the water like I had been. Today, I'm back on my ACE and drinking as much water as I can. My headache is better today, thank goodness, and I'm feeling good! One of the girls I work with even told me I look like I am losing weight! Whoop! Ready for another good workout tonight, but will probably hit the bike and give my legs a little rest from the treadmill.
Until next time...happy running!

2014: New year, new goals

What a lazy lard I have been over the last few years! It's hard to believe, but since I met the love of my life my exercise has screeched to a halt and I have put on 50 pounds. Ugh. I can't believe I just put that out there...

However, it's a new year, which means time for new goals. After hearing my mom rave about ACE, her "skinny in a bottle", I decided to try it. My first go 'round with this "miracle pill" left me sobbing in my cereal and for some reason I couldn't stop. Didn't take it anymore. Yikes! I'm enough of a bawl bag as it is, I didn't need any help. About three months ago, Mom tells me that there is a new formula for ACE and it shouldn't make me cry anymore. After carrying a bottle around with me in my purse for about a month, I decided to try it. Lo and behold...it works! I have more energy, I'm not starving all the time, and I'm actually starting to see a decline in the number on the scale!

Pair that with actually using my treadmill and exercise bike for more than a dust collector and I'm seeing results! Last week I was able to run 1.25 miles on the tread before I stopped. College basketball is what helps keep me going, so hopefully that will last until Spring when I can get outside. I was hit with the plague last week, aka a head cold/sinus infection/grossness. I haven't done much since last Thursday, but I'm starting to feel a little more normal and I have to get back at it tonight.

Maybe posting here will help hold me more accountable...I don't know. I do know, though, that I can't keep giving up. I run at a snail's pace now and feel like I did when I initially started running 5 years ago. I can't let that stop me. I'm done comparing myself to others and I'm ready to start comparing myself to me!

Until next time...
Happy running!

Getting my groove back!

Wow! 2 posts in 1 day! I'm on a roll!

As I said this morning, I got on the scale and realized I have a LOT of work to do. So tonight, after going to town and getting a few things at Sam's Club, I came home and forced myself onto the treadmill. I really wasn't feeling too bad about the day and was pretty energized to get a workout in (since I skipped all weekend). One of my friends posted today about quality over quantity. I took it to heart. After warming up walking .2 miles, I started my run. Shins were feeling good...breathing nice and easy...and I started thinking.

You know, I use to use a half mile jog as my warm up. What has happened to me? There is no reason that I can't get back to that. Run your half mile without stopping.

The inner monologue continued throughout, mixed in with the words to some of my favorite songs, and I hit my half mile mark. Wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. With the first half mile done, I wasn't stopping. At the mile mark, I started feeling a bit slower.

Man, my legs are getting tired. Wait...no, they aren't. Quit whining and keep running, fatty! You can easily run a mile and a half without walking. Don't quit!

At about 1.2, I had to step off real quick and turn on the fan because I was drowning in my own sweat. Yes, I sweat like a disgusting man and there is nothing I can do about it! I got back on and kept going. I checked my time and wanted to keep it under 18 minutes, so I pushed my speed from 5mph to 6mph and really ran my last .1 mile.

What a great feeling! I wasn't gasping for air and I had hit my mile and a half without feeling like dying! I'm getting my groove back and it feels GREAT!

Tomorrow, the forecast is calling for temps around 50, so I'm taking clothes and running after school.

Until then...Happy Running! :)

Life...

You know how, sometimes, life just gets in the way? I'm starting to feel that way...

I've been doing really good at getting my workouts in a few times a week, so far this year, but life is speeding up. Sweetie and I are getting married on September 15. I really want to be back down to 115 pounds by then, so I got on the scale today and now know how much I need to lose. Last week, I was able to fit in 4 workouts. But life got in the way the rest of the week. School is crazy busy trying to prepare our students for the dreaded state assessments in April, track season starts in March, and I'm trying to plan our wedding. With all the stress, you would think that working out would be the best thing for me. But at the end of a long stressful day, all I want to do is curl up on the couch with the love of my life and our pets and veg. I can't continue to do this!

Starting today, I have to start working toward my goal! I have almost 20 pounds to lose and it's not going to be easy. I have to start eating better, drinking more water, exercising, and not giving in to temptation. If I want the incredible body I once had back, I have to WORK for it!

I didn't put the weight on over night, so it won't come off over night. I can DO this!!!

Happy Running! :)

We kicked that hill's butt!!!

Whoever decided that it needed to be almost 70 degrees on January 5th in Kansas is amazing!!! What a beautiful day! Today we took the temperature as a chance to hit some impressive hills...that is, impressive for two girls who haven't been running much lately. ;) We did a 3 mile out and back in 39:58. Considering the terrain, we kicked those hills' butts! Also considering we haven't hardly run for 3 weeks (or more in my case), we are feeling like rockstars!

Found out my headphones are shot at the beginning of my run and only one side works, so I guess I'll be investing in new headphones this weekend. Tomorrow is going to be a rest day for me after those hills. Or maybe I'll just do the stationary bike. What do you think?

Until next time...happy running! :)

Running with my bestie

Today was my first run of 2012. I was planning on starting on Sunday and doing something every day, but it didn't happen so I'm not beating myself up about it. I figure with work during the week the only way I will get my run in is to take my gear to school with me and run right after school. It just so happened today that my partner teacher/partner in crime/bestie had her gear as well! It was meant to be!

After school we changed and went for our run. We each had a headphone in one ear and were able to push each other. It was a beautiful day out for a January Kansas day and we made the most of it! We were able to run 2.5 miles in 32:15 and only walked a total of 3 times. After we got back to school, I did my squats for the day; 2 sets of 25.

As we were running, I flashed back to three years ago when I started running and she told me I was crazy and that she would never run. Oh how times change. :) A great way to start my 2012 workouts!

My goal is to be back in the shape I was in when I met my fiance and that will only happen with determination and hard work. Until my next time...Happy Running!

Long time, no post.

So, it's been forever since I've blogged about my running. A year ago, I met the man that is now my fiance. I was in the best shape of my life. I had lost weight and was down to 108 pounds and ran most days. Then, life and dating got in the way and I let me running be pushed aside. Now that we are engaged and have our date set, I have a new goal. I need to lose all the weight I've gained back since we started dating. He tells me I'm beautiful and I don't need to lose weight, but I know that I'm not comfortable and I'm not happy with the way I look. I will be trying to post regularly and get in wedding shape. Especially since we have decided that we want to go to the Virgin Islands for our honeymoon! I need to look great in a bikini again!!! ;) So...here's my first post.

September 6, I started my Running Club with the students at my grade school again. We started slowly and I realized just how out of shape I had let myself become. We run twice a week and that's all I've been doing. This week I came across a blog about running injury free and it included a 10K training plan. I've decided that this will be the way I'm going to build up to being able to run that half marathon that I've always dreamed of running. I am going to follow the plan and build up my running. This week my plan said to run 3 miles 3 days. On Tuesday with my group I ran 3.2 miles. Yesterday with my group I ran 3.25 miles. We run/walk, but I'm going to build up to being able to run the whole thing without stopping again. I only have one more day of running 3 miles this week and I'm confident that I can do it. Running with my kids has really been a lot of fun. The conversations I have with them are amazing and it's so much fun to see them grow as runners. I was told by another teacher who runs with us that I should be given a motivator award. I don't need an award, but I'm really glad that I've been able to motivate others to get in shape and find something they love.

That's all for now. Be looking for my post on Saturday.

Happy running! :)

New Goal!

Okay, so I've totally been slacking lately. My lack of energy due to the massive amount of time I've been putting in at work is really bringing me down. I HAVE to get back on track. So, tonight, I'm making the goal to get my lazy butt out of bed in the morning at 5am and go to the gym. It's going to be tough. I'm NOT a morning person. Never have been, never will be. This is definitely something I need to do, for myself, for my sanity, for my students. ;) Wish me luck!

~Happy running!

As I was running on the treadmill today, I started thinking about when I first started running. It was about a year ago. I had been going through a really rough time. Was sick for almost a month. Everything finally started clearing up and I was feeling better. When I looked in the mirror for the first time in a month, I realized how gross I looked. I'm sure others didn't think the same thing, but I sure felt it. So, I headed back to the gym. All I used to do was get on the elliptical, lift a little, and then get back on the elliptical. That night, for some reason, I decided to get on the treadmill. That night, I was able to run my first 1/4 mile. I started small and worked my way up. Before long, I was able to run 3 miles without stopping. I wasn't fast, and I'm still not, but the rush of being able to do it is something I will never forget. I challenge all my friends to just try it. I was never a runner, and now it's one of my favorite things to do. I'm so glad I'm able to run. It's something that releases me from all the stress in my life for just a little bit and I can't live without it. :)

~Happy Running!

Mission 10 Miles A Week

At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to run 10 miles a week for the entire year. After almost not completing my goal the very first week of the year, I decided some sort of milage is better than no milage. Last week, I ran 8.5 miles and biked 2. This put me over the 10 mile mark. I feel like I accomplished my first goal because since January 1, I've already run 14 miles.

After biking 2 miles directly after running 2 miles, I really felt the workout in my legs. I'm going to add to my workout routine biking at least 2 nights a week, as well as running. This works a different muscle group and I think it will improve my speed. I'd love to be able to run a half marathon this year, and at the rate I'm going, it will take me 3 hours to finish the 13 miles. LOL!

Rested last night, but headed back to the gym tonight! Sure can't wait until the warmer temperatures get here, so I can run outside again. Not a fan of the treadmill.

~Happy running!

Some days a good run just isn't in the cards

After getting into somewhat of an argument with my ex earlier today and having to deal with him acting like a small child, I was super ticked. I decided to go channel my anger at the gym. Didn't go quite as I had planned. I warmed up on the elliptical first. Not a great idea. I should have just warmed up running on the tread. After a 10 minute warm-up, I moved to the treadmill. Starting running...almost immediate ankle pain. Not sure what that was all about. Paused at the half-mile mark to stretch it out and changed to an interval run. I was sucking air BIG TIME! I was able to get to the 1.25 mile mark before I stopped. A friend once told me, "Anything over a mile is good." I took his advice and stopped for the day. I am refusing to let this run get me down. I'm feeling a little dehydrated, so I'm refueling tonight and gearing up for my run tomorrow.

2010: New Year, New Goals

A year ago, my cop buddy challenged me to run 5 miles with him. He's insane. He runs all the time and practically lives at the gym. I told him there was no way, but I could probably do 3. I've never been a runner in my life. I tried running track when I was in junior high...that lasted all of two meets before I decided that running wasn't for me. I never could understand how someone would find it fun to run. I mean, come on. How could it be any fun to go out and run 3 miles? It takes forever and would be really boring. How wrong I was. On July 18, 2009, I ran my first 5K and finished. My sister in law ran with me and we ran the whole way. And you know what? It felt great!

As 2009 came to a close, I decided that I wanted to see what I was really made of. I'm a teacher and very determined. When I get something in my head, it takes a near hurricane to keep me from it. I don't like failing, so this has made me a very determined person. I've decided my goal for 2010 isn't going to just be 3 miles; I'm going to be able to run a half-marathon by the end of the year. This is going to take a lot of work and a lot determination. As a teacher, I know my schedule is going to be packed through spring. I am determined to not let this keep me from going to the gym and getting a run in. 10 miles a week is my goal. If I run 10 miles a week, that will put me at over 500 miles for the year. WOW!

My first run of the year was tonight. I went to the gym, got on the treadmill, and just ran. 2.25 miles in 27:09. It felt great! I hate running on the treadmill, but with tons of snow on the ground, that's the way it's going to have to be for now. I'm heading into the new year with a positive outlook, a new running goal, and the determination to make it happen. Wish me luck!