I'm very proud to say that I'm 39. I don't hide behind my age I get better with age. I'm like a fine red wine, I get better with age. OK so enough of me and my obnoxious self.
At first when I set out 2012 it was about what this year was going to do for ME. All month leading up to today it's been about how I'm going to change this and I'm going to change that and I'm going to do it for me. Well today I had such mixed emotions knowing that I really can't just do this for ME. It has to be about others. Today I realized that I want to improve my health, wellness, waistline, and athletic ability for myself but also so that I can be around a long time for my wonderful husband, so we're able to grow old together and have a fun life, watch our kids grow from babies, to toddlers, to school agers, to middle school, to high school, college, first heartbreak, first time they fall in love and when they get married and have their own kids and finally figure out how GENIUS mom and dad truly are (Yes, Tom & Cathy Syferd...you are genius) ...but seriously this is what I want in my life. I don't want to be tired because I am to heavy, I want to be tired because I worked my tail off all day and at the end of the day I truly need rest so I can be strong and serve.
Serving to me is showing others love and showing God's grace and mercy. Serving is taking care of my body so I can serve the way I feel the Lord calling me to serve. I really don't know what this looks like in a year, 2 years, etc but I know God does.
Today while running I was really not having a good run. I really just wanted to kind of mope and fizzle. About half way in I said to myself..come on you can do this....just do it and own it. Then I remembered my good friend, Connie and her husband, Don and how they started their weight loss journey and their passion of running exactly 2 years ago. They have come so far and have gained so much of their lives back this is what I want for myself and for Andy.
I realize that while I take time for myself to work on my health and physical appearance that it's not selfish and it's not just about the year of ME it's about the year of you and how on this journey I hope to serve as many as needed.
Thanks for letting me share this with you and thank you for all the well wishes on my facebook wall, emails, texts, and phone calls. I really like to use my car as a reflection tool and like many I use this time to talk to God. Just talk. I guess you'd say prayer but God wants a personal relationship so I talk and He listens and when I am quiet long enough I hear him whisper and I know when I hear that whisper I really need to listen. I'm so blessed....just beyond measure.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year!!
Hello...I haven't seen you here in a while. What happened to you?
I am so proud of achieving my goal of completing my half marathon last October. What I failed to do after doing that was to right away have other events in line to train for and to help stay on focus. I experienced the post race blues. The week after the half I was in so much pain there was no way I could work out in the least. Then I would go to the gym and the pats on the back and way to go's wore off and so did my spirit for running and really for any kind of fitness or weight loss because let's face it...this skinny girl is still trapped in a fat body.
I won't bore you with excuses of why I didn't work out, why I didn't eat right, why I gain 15 pounds from the half to 12/26/11 when I decided that was it. I'm DONE. Funny how life comes and goes. Christmas comes and goes...you have the parties, the food, the wine, cookies, etc and life is just bliss but when it's all over and you're lying in bed on Christmas night reflecting on how you're so thankful for all you have and what events transpired to give us Christmas and as the house is quiet and things are scattered the tired sits in and you start to reflect...man I fell really fat. I need to get on the scale tomorrow morning and just see the damage and re-start and re-focus.
Side Note here: Don't you love the idea of a new year? Maybe I'm just corny that way and if so...I really don't care but I love the thought of a new year. You get to start fresh and new. My daughter has been sick this last weekend and I was home with her today and watching the Today Show on NBC and there was a woman on the show talking about willpower and how we all have it but we have to train it. It's just like training for a race...You don't just say I'm going to run 13.1 miles and do it tomorrow, it takes time to be able to build up to the point of being able to do that race and it takes willpower. We have to flex our willpower muscles. I thought that was just a brilliant idea!
The morning of 12/26/11 I get on the scale and see the dreaded number and think holy Sh*t what have I done!?!?!?! The past me would have started crying and internalized telling myself how much of a failure I was and how sure I did this half marathon thing but you didn't "run it" you're not a real runner you had to walk more than half of the race, blah, blah, blah ....self hate, self hate, self hate.... Rather than do all that I said this is it I'm taking myself back. NO MORE EXCUSES. I told Andy, my husband, the number on the scale and I said I'm not telling you this for pitty or for you to coddle me and try to fix it but I'm telling you so you know where I'm starting and you can help hold me accountable the way I'm going to hold you accountable. I came to the realization that I either do it or I don't and you know what if I don't I'm only hurting yourself and those that love me the most. Since December 26th I've worked out daily. I've ran 6 miles total and I've worked out (non-running) for a total of 110 minutes.
So my plans for 2012 are to train like there is no finish line. Life is a daily race and I have to endure it and finish it. I am hoping to have an event planned for every month in 2012 so that I can stay focused on the event and know what is coming and know what I have to train for physically and mentally. January I'm going to train like no other. I'm going to kick my own A$% in the gym (by the way my gym got a rowing machine...I can not wait to kill that thing), The annual red flannel run is on Feb 11th, American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb is in March. This will be my 3rd year doing this climb. April, Loop the Lake, May..Not sure...June Dam to Dam and I want to do the 20K, July, August and September not sure but October RUN (not walk at all) The Des Moines Marathon (for me the half).
To help aid in my weight loss I'm currently doing an online challenge on SparkPeople doing the January Jump Start and that combines strength and cardio together. I will win the iPad 2 as the grand prize (yea right but a girl can dream can't she??), In February the gym I'm a member of is starting a Kosama type work out program and I'm going to join that and of course run as well.
So that is where I've been and where I'm going. I have claimed 2012 to be MY year! I will be 39 years old on January 17th and I will not go into my 40's being obese. So bye bye you great little girl who is almost 39 and chubby and here's to 40 and fabulous!!! I can't wait to see how 2012 unfolds.
I am so proud of achieving my goal of completing my half marathon last October. What I failed to do after doing that was to right away have other events in line to train for and to help stay on focus. I experienced the post race blues. The week after the half I was in so much pain there was no way I could work out in the least. Then I would go to the gym and the pats on the back and way to go's wore off and so did my spirit for running and really for any kind of fitness or weight loss because let's face it...this skinny girl is still trapped in a fat body.
I won't bore you with excuses of why I didn't work out, why I didn't eat right, why I gain 15 pounds from the half to 12/26/11 when I decided that was it. I'm DONE. Funny how life comes and goes. Christmas comes and goes...you have the parties, the food, the wine, cookies, etc and life is just bliss but when it's all over and you're lying in bed on Christmas night reflecting on how you're so thankful for all you have and what events transpired to give us Christmas and as the house is quiet and things are scattered the tired sits in and you start to reflect...man I fell really fat. I need to get on the scale tomorrow morning and just see the damage and re-start and re-focus.
Side Note here: Don't you love the idea of a new year? Maybe I'm just corny that way and if so...I really don't care but I love the thought of a new year. You get to start fresh and new. My daughter has been sick this last weekend and I was home with her today and watching the Today Show on NBC and there was a woman on the show talking about willpower and how we all have it but we have to train it. It's just like training for a race...You don't just say I'm going to run 13.1 miles and do it tomorrow, it takes time to be able to build up to the point of being able to do that race and it takes willpower. We have to flex our willpower muscles. I thought that was just a brilliant idea!
The morning of 12/26/11 I get on the scale and see the dreaded number and think holy Sh*t what have I done!?!?!?! The past me would have started crying and internalized telling myself how much of a failure I was and how sure I did this half marathon thing but you didn't "run it" you're not a real runner you had to walk more than half of the race, blah, blah, blah ....self hate, self hate, self hate.... Rather than do all that I said this is it I'm taking myself back. NO MORE EXCUSES. I told Andy, my husband, the number on the scale and I said I'm not telling you this for pitty or for you to coddle me and try to fix it but I'm telling you so you know where I'm starting and you can help hold me accountable the way I'm going to hold you accountable. I came to the realization that I either do it or I don't and you know what if I don't I'm only hurting yourself and those that love me the most. Since December 26th I've worked out daily. I've ran 6 miles total and I've worked out (non-running) for a total of 110 minutes.
So my plans for 2012 are to train like there is no finish line. Life is a daily race and I have to endure it and finish it. I am hoping to have an event planned for every month in 2012 so that I can stay focused on the event and know what is coming and know what I have to train for physically and mentally. January I'm going to train like no other. I'm going to kick my own A$% in the gym (by the way my gym got a rowing machine...I can not wait to kill that thing), The annual red flannel run is on Feb 11th, American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb is in March. This will be my 3rd year doing this climb. April, Loop the Lake, May..Not sure...June Dam to Dam and I want to do the 20K, July, August and September not sure but October RUN (not walk at all) The Des Moines Marathon (for me the half).
To help aid in my weight loss I'm currently doing an online challenge on SparkPeople doing the January Jump Start and that combines strength and cardio together. I will win the iPad 2 as the grand prize (yea right but a girl can dream can't she??), In February the gym I'm a member of is starting a Kosama type work out program and I'm going to join that and of course run as well.
So that is where I've been and where I'm going. I have claimed 2012 to be MY year! I will be 39 years old on January 17th and I will not go into my 40's being obese. So bye bye you great little girl who is almost 39 and chubby and here's to 40 and fabulous!!! I can't wait to see how 2012 unfolds.
Monday, October 24, 2011
One Week Post 13.1 Miles
One week ago today I was almost in tears due to the amount of pain I was in due to the run/walk I did the day before. If some one would have said you're going to be so sore you will not sleep the night you finished your race and the next day hardly be able to walk chances are I would have said thanks but I guess this isn't for me. Sunday night my feet hurt so bad it felt like some one was stabbing me with a knife in the bottom of my feet. I would drift off to sleep only to feel the jab in the bottom of my feet. I was in so much pain there was no amount of Advil to take the pain away and I had to move from my bed to the couch so I wouldn't deprive Andy, my husband, of the sleep he needed to get the week off and going.
Monday I get up to get ready for work and it's all I can do to move. The pain is so bad in my butt, legs, hamstrings, and feet that I'm in tears. Not crying but just tears due to pain. It literally takes me 15 minutes to walk from my car in the parking lot at work to my desk (usually it's about a 3 minute walk from the car to my desk). I see my buddy at work and she tells me congrats, asks me how it went, and I start crying just like I did the day before. The flood of emotions just came over me again.
Monday morning as the day goes on I think, never again will I endure a half marathon let alone a full marathon who am I kidding thinking I'm cut out for this. So Monday comes and goes. Tuesday still in a lot of pain and I find out from a co-work who is also a track coach that the soles of my feet are probably having an allergic reaction due to being in the shoes for 4 hours, pounding pavement, sweating, etc. She gave me a helpful hint that if you're going on a really long run to spray your feet with deodorant, spray the inside of your shoes too. This will help your feet not to sweat hence no itchy, stabbing feelings on the bottom of your soles. Wednesday I'm still sore but moving around a lot better. I take my little foam roller into work and use that as my foot rest and while working just roll my feet up and down the roller, stretching out my legs. Thursday I'm about 95% back to normal and I think I so can do this again. I can't wait to do another half marathon and I'm back to thinking I can maybe, just maybe do a full marathon when I'm 40 (2 years from now). Thursday I go for a brisk walk and do about 2 miles in 30 minutes. Friday feeling 100%, the day was PERFECT and I was kicking myself for not bringing my running clothes to work so I could go for a run during lunch. I planned on walking but then work got crazy busy and no walking for me.
Over the weekend I thought what is my next goal? Because I'm the person that if I don't have something I'm working towards it can quickly fizzle out. So my new goal is to increase my speed and run at a faster speed for longer periods of time. Keep in mind I'm short and stocky...as my dad likes to say "Us Syferd's are built low to the ground and for endurance" (LOL). I'm 5' 3" and in the past the fastest I could run was about 4mph. Starting today I re-started the couch to 5K program and rather than just trying to run I'm going to run from 5.5mph to 5mph and walk at 3.5mph when the man on the iPod says in his monotone voice "WALK". So today was my first day of this program and it felt so good. I got nasty pig sweaty gross. I think I left a pound of sweat on the treadmill. I love it!!! There is really nothing better than just getting sick sweaty!! Most read this and think ewww gross but there are a few that I know will say awww *beep* ya...I love it too!!!
On the days I'm not running I'm going to be focusing on strength. Strength training and core training is something I neglected in preparing for the race so I'm going to be doing that.
So here's to one goal down and many more to go!!!
Monday I get up to get ready for work and it's all I can do to move. The pain is so bad in my butt, legs, hamstrings, and feet that I'm in tears. Not crying but just tears due to pain. It literally takes me 15 minutes to walk from my car in the parking lot at work to my desk (usually it's about a 3 minute walk from the car to my desk). I see my buddy at work and she tells me congrats, asks me how it went, and I start crying just like I did the day before. The flood of emotions just came over me again.
Monday morning as the day goes on I think, never again will I endure a half marathon let alone a full marathon who am I kidding thinking I'm cut out for this. So Monday comes and goes. Tuesday still in a lot of pain and I find out from a co-work who is also a track coach that the soles of my feet are probably having an allergic reaction due to being in the shoes for 4 hours, pounding pavement, sweating, etc. She gave me a helpful hint that if you're going on a really long run to spray your feet with deodorant, spray the inside of your shoes too. This will help your feet not to sweat hence no itchy, stabbing feelings on the bottom of your soles. Wednesday I'm still sore but moving around a lot better. I take my little foam roller into work and use that as my foot rest and while working just roll my feet up and down the roller, stretching out my legs. Thursday I'm about 95% back to normal and I think I so can do this again. I can't wait to do another half marathon and I'm back to thinking I can maybe, just maybe do a full marathon when I'm 40 (2 years from now). Thursday I go for a brisk walk and do about 2 miles in 30 minutes. Friday feeling 100%, the day was PERFECT and I was kicking myself for not bringing my running clothes to work so I could go for a run during lunch. I planned on walking but then work got crazy busy and no walking for me.
Over the weekend I thought what is my next goal? Because I'm the person that if I don't have something I'm working towards it can quickly fizzle out. So my new goal is to increase my speed and run at a faster speed for longer periods of time. Keep in mind I'm short and stocky...as my dad likes to say "Us Syferd's are built low to the ground and for endurance" (LOL). I'm 5' 3" and in the past the fastest I could run was about 4mph. Starting today I re-started the couch to 5K program and rather than just trying to run I'm going to run from 5.5mph to 5mph and walk at 3.5mph when the man on the iPod says in his monotone voice "WALK". So today was my first day of this program and it felt so good. I got nasty pig sweaty gross. I think I left a pound of sweat on the treadmill. I love it!!! There is really nothing better than just getting sick sweaty!! Most read this and think ewww gross but there are a few that I know will say awww *beep* ya...I love it too!!!
On the days I'm not running I'm going to be focusing on strength. Strength training and core training is something I neglected in preparing for the race so I'm going to be doing that.
So here's to one goal down and many more to go!!!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
I DID IT!!!!! 13.1 DONE!!! 4:01:39
I did it....OMG just amazing. I just couldn't ask for a better day and a better race. The day started very early, we were out the door by 6:45am. Andy and the kids said farewell after they dropped me off and headed to their destination where they would see me at mile 4 and 8. Shockingly I was very calm the entire morning before the race. In every race I've done before (which I've only been able to do 5K's before today) I was a ball of nerves and just so emotional.
7am until the start of the race I spent with my friend Becky and met some new friends as well. I tell ya runners are the nicest group of people. We are all one another's biggest fans. I was starting to get a little nervous but not to bad. I had to use the ladies room 3 times before the gun went off. Before the race began they played Jimi Hendrix's version of the National Anthem. Instantly I thought why didn't I think to download that to my iPod. The gun goes off and it takes 6 minutes to get from where I was to the start line. Cross the start line and it starts to sort of break up and who do I see....Daniel from the Biggest Loser season 8. I said to him Daniel so good to see you do you mind if I run with you for a little bit. He was the sweetest kid (I can say that because I'm 38 and he's way younger than me LOL). We ran together for about a half mile. Awesome!!! He really is just so wonderful!!!
Mile 4 I see my husband, kids, mom and brother in law and instantly I'm balling...Hello it's me we're talking about, the BIGGEST cry baby EVER! I run off the side to give them all kisses, hugs, high 5's. After I saw them I kind of teamed up with a gal who speed walks half marathon's. She just did one 2 weeks ago in the Quad Cities and it was super hilly I guess. She said she still had blisters on her feet. Around mile 6 my hands are so swollen and I notice the bottom of my feet starting to hurt. I walked probably close to a half mile. Prior to that I was running 8 minutes walking 3. Here comes mile 8 and I've looped around the lake and back to where I was at mile 4 where I saw my family. My husband and kids were still there of course, along with my mom and now my dad was there and he had his video camera. I can't wait to see his video! Again I'm sobbing and run off telling them I loved them, thank you and I'll see them at the finish line.
Oh I forgot around mile 4 here comes the Elite runners. I'm on mile 4 and he's on mile I think 20 for his marathon....Over achiever (HA)! He was being escorted by a police motorcycle team. It was the coolest thing to see. My mom said he was ear to ear smile. It was so awesome to be lapped by the Elite!!
By 3 hours into the race my Nike+ sensor was like yea, thanks for playing but I'm done. HA! Miles 8-11 were tough. Lots of walking in these miles. The soles of my feet were killing me. Nothing else just my feet. Note to self...NEVER wear new socks you've not ran in before the day of a half marathon. So I'm truckin' along and running and walking and marathon runners are coming down on miles 24 and 25 and they are starting to hurt. My heart just went out to them but I'm also thinking WOW you are just amazing. What endurance you have to have to run that long. I'm truly in awe of those that do run the 26.2 miles. Some day I might just join you! So I'm running along and the marathon runners who are passing me are cheering me on. It was awesome. It was so uplifting and just what I needed to make it to the finish.
I'm coming down the last turn and I see my dad with his video camera with my son and again I..... you guess..HA. Yes I cry. I say come on Jack want to run with mom a little bit. Of course he's on it like white on rice and grabs me by the hand and wants me to go in an all out sprint. I was like whoa buddy mommy can't go that fast right now. He had a hold of my hand, I'm crying, he then goes back to my dad and her comes this woman whom I've never met before named Krista. She's already finished and she grabs me by the hand because she can see how emotional I am. Of course the crowd at this point is roaring and I'm just overwhelmed with emotions. She says you're doing awesome. You're doing it, wait until you finish you're going to feel like a million bucks. Then we have some talk and coming down the barricades into the finish she lets me go. She said, "there you go, finish it, finish strong, you're amazing" and she lets me go.
I did it!!! I crossed the finish line, I got my metal!! I'm just in awe. Truly in awe. I did it!! I did it!!! I still feel like that was all a dream and really this race isn't happening until next Sunday and today was a dream. Everyone was there to give me hugs, kisses and words of encouragement it couldn't have been more amazing.
I have to tell you that honestly all of you that have supported me were there. It's because of you I was able to finish this. In the times where it was the toughest your good thoughts and your support got me to the finish line.
I can't wait to do this again...Not sure if this time is official but according to my text alert my final time was 4 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds.
7am until the start of the race I spent with my friend Becky and met some new friends as well. I tell ya runners are the nicest group of people. We are all one another's biggest fans. I was starting to get a little nervous but not to bad. I had to use the ladies room 3 times before the gun went off. Before the race began they played Jimi Hendrix's version of the National Anthem. Instantly I thought why didn't I think to download that to my iPod. The gun goes off and it takes 6 minutes to get from where I was to the start line. Cross the start line and it starts to sort of break up and who do I see....Daniel from the Biggest Loser season 8. I said to him Daniel so good to see you do you mind if I run with you for a little bit. He was the sweetest kid (I can say that because I'm 38 and he's way younger than me LOL). We ran together for about a half mile. Awesome!!! He really is just so wonderful!!!
Mile 4 I see my husband, kids, mom and brother in law and instantly I'm balling...Hello it's me we're talking about, the BIGGEST cry baby EVER! I run off the side to give them all kisses, hugs, high 5's. After I saw them I kind of teamed up with a gal who speed walks half marathon's. She just did one 2 weeks ago in the Quad Cities and it was super hilly I guess. She said she still had blisters on her feet. Around mile 6 my hands are so swollen and I notice the bottom of my feet starting to hurt. I walked probably close to a half mile. Prior to that I was running 8 minutes walking 3. Here comes mile 8 and I've looped around the lake and back to where I was at mile 4 where I saw my family. My husband and kids were still there of course, along with my mom and now my dad was there and he had his video camera. I can't wait to see his video! Again I'm sobbing and run off telling them I loved them, thank you and I'll see them at the finish line.
Oh I forgot around mile 4 here comes the Elite runners. I'm on mile 4 and he's on mile I think 20 for his marathon....Over achiever (HA)! He was being escorted by a police motorcycle team. It was the coolest thing to see. My mom said he was ear to ear smile. It was so awesome to be lapped by the Elite!!
By 3 hours into the race my Nike+ sensor was like yea, thanks for playing but I'm done. HA! Miles 8-11 were tough. Lots of walking in these miles. The soles of my feet were killing me. Nothing else just my feet. Note to self...NEVER wear new socks you've not ran in before the day of a half marathon. So I'm truckin' along and running and walking and marathon runners are coming down on miles 24 and 25 and they are starting to hurt. My heart just went out to them but I'm also thinking WOW you are just amazing. What endurance you have to have to run that long. I'm truly in awe of those that do run the 26.2 miles. Some day I might just join you! So I'm running along and the marathon runners who are passing me are cheering me on. It was awesome. It was so uplifting and just what I needed to make it to the finish.
I'm coming down the last turn and I see my dad with his video camera with my son and again I..... you guess..HA. Yes I cry. I say come on Jack want to run with mom a little bit. Of course he's on it like white on rice and grabs me by the hand and wants me to go in an all out sprint. I was like whoa buddy mommy can't go that fast right now. He had a hold of my hand, I'm crying, he then goes back to my dad and her comes this woman whom I've never met before named Krista. She's already finished and she grabs me by the hand because she can see how emotional I am. Of course the crowd at this point is roaring and I'm just overwhelmed with emotions. She says you're doing awesome. You're doing it, wait until you finish you're going to feel like a million bucks. Then we have some talk and coming down the barricades into the finish she lets me go. She said, "there you go, finish it, finish strong, you're amazing" and she lets me go.
I did it!!! I crossed the finish line, I got my metal!! I'm just in awe. Truly in awe. I did it!! I did it!!! I still feel like that was all a dream and really this race isn't happening until next Sunday and today was a dream. Everyone was there to give me hugs, kisses and words of encouragement it couldn't have been more amazing.
I have to tell you that honestly all of you that have supported me were there. It's because of you I was able to finish this. In the times where it was the toughest your good thoughts and your support got me to the finish line.
I can't wait to do this again...Not sure if this time is official but according to my text alert my final time was 4 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
24 hours from right now....
I will have completed my first half marathon. As I look back over this last year I'm just in awe. I can not believe that one short year ago I was a volunteer taking off the runners timing chips and giving them their metals as they crossed the finish line. I remember seeing some people just come in ear to ear grin, some come in with pure agony and pain, some with tears streaming down their faces, some very stoic because this is what they do for a living. It's endless...
I'm telling you anyone can do this and if you don't think you can I dare you to try. Prove to yourself that you are a failure and that you can't do this and then realize about 3 weeks into training the light goes on and you say you know what..I can do this!!! Prove yourself wrong. Anyone starting out I urge you to start with the Couch to 5K program. That is the BEST way to start and avoid injury and then build from there.
I can't believe how much I've grown personally. I'm not nearly as thin as I'd like to be but you know what this is a life and my metobalism stinks but you know what I will get to my goals. I'm reaching for the stars and you know what while I'm not hitting the stars right now, I am on top of the world.
I want to end with thank you...Thank you to everyone for all your support, words, thoughts, prayers, etc. Really I feel as if I'm cheating you with just a simple thank you but that really is all there is. I'm humbled by the support. Truly, my heart is so full of sheer joy and it's because of you!
So for now I bid you farewell, I'm off to sleep, wake up at 5:15am, shower, get all dolled up to sweat it all off, eat some oatmeal, have a cup of coffee, stretch, start and finish my first half marathon.
I'm telling you anyone can do this and if you don't think you can I dare you to try. Prove to yourself that you are a failure and that you can't do this and then realize about 3 weeks into training the light goes on and you say you know what..I can do this!!! Prove yourself wrong. Anyone starting out I urge you to start with the Couch to 5K program. That is the BEST way to start and avoid injury and then build from there.
I can't believe how much I've grown personally. I'm not nearly as thin as I'd like to be but you know what this is a life and my metobalism stinks but you know what I will get to my goals. I'm reaching for the stars and you know what while I'm not hitting the stars right now, I am on top of the world.
I want to end with thank you...Thank you to everyone for all your support, words, thoughts, prayers, etc. Really I feel as if I'm cheating you with just a simple thank you but that really is all there is. I'm humbled by the support. Truly, my heart is so full of sheer joy and it's because of you!
So for now I bid you farewell, I'm off to sleep, wake up at 5:15am, shower, get all dolled up to sweat it all off, eat some oatmeal, have a cup of coffee, stretch, start and finish my first half marathon.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Hip Hip Horray For The Non-Scale Victories!!!!
Let's face it, I'm doing this blog, sparkpeople, running, healthy eating, etc to lose weight, get healthy, fit and support.
I'm a part of a biggest loser competition on sparkpeople.com and was kind of disappointed that I only lost 1 pound this last week. There is always room for improvement and I wasn't die hard all 7 days but still I thought more than 1 pound should be lost.
So today I head to the gym...I didn't want to go to the gym but I went anyway. My knee is giving me a little bit of a hard time so I decided I was going to do the stationary bike for a half hour just to get my heart rate up and sweat out some frustration.
As I'm on the bike grumbling under my breath I look down at my legs and I think to myself...Dang these old legs are looking pretty good! Then I realize the biggest change of all.
In the past when ever I would ride the stationary bike my stomach fat would move up and down about as fast as my legs. Well there was no stomach jiggle!
So what was a grrrr kind of work out pepped me right up and made me realize that while the scale doesn't tell me what I want it to doesn't mean that I'm not making progress. So hip hip hooray for non-scale victories...What are yours?
I'm a part of a biggest loser competition on sparkpeople.com and was kind of disappointed that I only lost 1 pound this last week. There is always room for improvement and I wasn't die hard all 7 days but still I thought more than 1 pound should be lost.
So today I head to the gym...I didn't want to go to the gym but I went anyway. My knee is giving me a little bit of a hard time so I decided I was going to do the stationary bike for a half hour just to get my heart rate up and sweat out some frustration.
As I'm on the bike grumbling under my breath I look down at my legs and I think to myself...Dang these old legs are looking pretty good! Then I realize the biggest change of all.
In the past when ever I would ride the stationary bike my stomach fat would move up and down about as fast as my legs. Well there was no stomach jiggle!
So what was a grrrr kind of work out pepped me right up and made me realize that while the scale doesn't tell me what I want it to doesn't mean that I'm not making progress. So hip hip hooray for non-scale victories...What are yours?
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Dream Almost Gone
Today I thought my dreams were done. I decided to run to lose weight and prove to myself that I can do this. Sure I'll never be the skinniest or the fastest but I do deserve to be healthy and fit.
October 2010 my friend and I volunteered at the Annual Des Moines Marathon sponsored by the IMT insurance group. I made a commitment to do the half marathon this October.
In April I registered for the half. Today an email comes out saying friends, family, etc can get text messages of how you are doing in your race. So I go to search for myself and I'm not there. I freak out. I call getmeregistered.com and he tells that yes I did register but it wasn't for the race it was for the pasta dinner the night before. He then tells me to call the person who organizes this race. So I get a hold of him and he said he will honor the $50 price (I would swear on my life I paid for this but every financial record from April to now shows that I did not). Right now is not a good time for me/us to shell out $$ for this race. I was sooo upset. I thought everything I've been working for is gone. Yes I know anyone can go out and run 13.1 miles and that there are many other half's I can do but this one is special to me. This one is like my baby. I don't think I can fully describe it but I'm sure you've all had that kind of feeling.
I posted on facebook what happened and how I was crushed and how right now I just can't put out the money to register. One of my dear friends who I've known since we were in 6th grade who, came in and out of my life from middle school to high school, re-connected in college to lose touch again and through facebook have become very close and will never lose the connection, bought and paid for my registration fee into this race. I've always been on the giving end of doing a good thing and paying it forward never on the receiving end. I am so humbled and I have no words to express my gratefulness. I'm just touched by how kind people can be. People truly are a gift. I'm so blessed and so touched and so moved.
October 2010 my friend and I volunteered at the Annual Des Moines Marathon sponsored by the IMT insurance group. I made a commitment to do the half marathon this October.
In April I registered for the half. Today an email comes out saying friends, family, etc can get text messages of how you are doing in your race. So I go to search for myself and I'm not there. I freak out. I call getmeregistered.com and he tells that yes I did register but it wasn't for the race it was for the pasta dinner the night before. He then tells me to call the person who organizes this race. So I get a hold of him and he said he will honor the $50 price (I would swear on my life I paid for this but every financial record from April to now shows that I did not). Right now is not a good time for me/us to shell out $$ for this race. I was sooo upset. I thought everything I've been working for is gone. Yes I know anyone can go out and run 13.1 miles and that there are many other half's I can do but this one is special to me. This one is like my baby. I don't think I can fully describe it but I'm sure you've all had that kind of feeling.
I posted on facebook what happened and how I was crushed and how right now I just can't put out the money to register. One of my dear friends who I've known since we were in 6th grade who, came in and out of my life from middle school to high school, re-connected in college to lose touch again and through facebook have become very close and will never lose the connection, bought and paid for my registration fee into this race. I've always been on the giving end of doing a good thing and paying it forward never on the receiving end. I am so humbled and I have no words to express my gratefulness. I'm just touched by how kind people can be. People truly are a gift. I'm so blessed and so touched and so moved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)