It's Almost Time.....

 

 

                Ok!!  So this year so far has been a crazy year!!  I have maintained my weight between 180-185.  I am happy with that for now but I still want to get lower.  Back in May I had the opportunity to run the Flying Pig Marathon with some great friends!!  Even though my longest run was only 12 miles before the race I am so glad I went out there and did it!!  I ended up getting my second fastest time 5:17.  It would have been faster but I started cramping so bad I could only walk the last few miles.  If it wasn't for Karen, Tammie Peach, and Michelle I would have never made it!!  I am so thankful for them!! 

 

                Now let me bring you up to date, I have completed my first Half Ironman 70.3 Muncie back in July.  It was awesome!!  I used it as a training day for my big race in August.  I completed my race in 7:36.  I was not even tired when I finished.  I was not even sore the next day!!  Now to me that's amazing!!  I didn't want to over do it and scare myself away from doing a Full Ironman.  My plan was to take it easy and just finish.  I did it!!  Next year I want to do it again and race it!!

 

 

      In 4 days I will be stepping up to the starting line of Louisville Ironman 140.6 miles.  Yes!!  I decided back in January I wanted to train for it.  It was my little secret that only a handful of people knew.  Once it started getting closer I started talking more about it to others.  Everybody has been so supportive and excited for me.  It's hard to believe this year I have completed my 6th marathon, a half ironman, 2 century bike rides, 2.4 mile open water swim, and now I am going for a FULL IRONMAN!!  This year has flown by. 

 

         If you want to follow me, download this App MyAthlete Live Tracker or you can go to ironmanlive.com to track me.   Hopefully in a few days I will be able to call myself an IRONMAN!!

 

This Just Happened!!!

 

 

I got this in the mail last night!!

 

 

    I did the fit test last night and today I will start Day 1!!  I am very nervous about doing this because the fit test alone was HARD!!  I will let you know how it goes!!  This is my before pic for insanity!!

 

 

    Right now I am down 11.5lbs!  I have lost 6inches from all over.  It has been about 38 days since I started eating clean.  At first I did really well and then I had my birthday and Super Bowl.  It's weird how 2 days of eating unhealthy can lead to 2 weeks!!  I got a little down and frustrated but now I'm back on track.  I am so excited to try Insanity!  Better go get my workout on!!

 

 

Baby It's Cold Outside

My last 2 days of running have been cold!!  I really didn't think I would last too long outside but I knew I would run further outside then on the dreadmill!!  I like running in the cooler weather but wasn't for sure if I could run in 19 degrees (feels like 9!!).

 

A friend said to me, "You don't run in this cold of weather do you?"

 

I replied, "Oh no!!  It's too cold!"

 

When I left I asked myself why not?  A couple of hours later I bundled up and went for a run.  I really enjoyed the run and it felt good being out there.   I ran 4.25 miles, I was trying to get 4 miles but I ran out a little further then I was suppose too.  Plus it was too cold to walk back.  So I got an extra .25 mile in.  (Bonus!)     

 

 

So, the next day I did it again!! 

 

 

 

The next day it was a little warmer and the sun was shining bright.  I did the same route as the day before and a little faster.  It felt so good to be out there! 

 

Another new adventure I have been trying is weight lifting!  I forgot how much I missed it.  It feels so good to get in the gym.  Here are a few pics of my full body workout.   

 

 

 

 

 These are pics from the third time doing this workout and I was still working on my base weights. Since then I have added a lot more weight to each exercise. I have been changing it up every few times.  

 

Do you run out in the cold or do you choose the dreadmill?

 

Do you like weight lifting?

 

First 2 Days of Clean Eating!!

This is something I have never tried.  Eating clean is a very healthy way of eating.  The good thing is you don't have to count your calories as long as you are eating clean.  Plus I get to eat 6 meals everyday!!  It does take some planning but it is worth it!!  I have been following this food plan for 2 whole days and I have already lost 6.1lbs!!  In 2 days!!  The meals have been very filling and I like what I'm eating!!  I am still a newbie at this but I'm learning. 

Meal 1: 1/2 cup oats
              2 tbsp flax seed
             1/4 cup mixed berries
             3 hard boiled egg whites and 1 whole egg
             coffee
              1 liter of water

Meal 2: 1 apple w/ 2 tbsp almond butter

Meal 3: 5 oz tuna over
             2 cups spinach leaves
             1 grated carrot
             2 tbsp flax seed
             500 ml water

Meal 4: 5 oz chicken breast
              1 cup steamed veggies
              500 ml water

Meal 5: 5 oz grilled salmon
             1/2 baked sweet potato
             1 1/2 cup steamed veggies
             500 ml water
             1 cup plain green tea

Meal 6: 1/2 cup mixed berries
              500 ml water  

     When eating this you are not limited to just these options.  There are tons of options out there to replace some of these meals so you don't get bored with it.  I am just a beginner at eating clean and I'm just doing the basics right now.  I'm hoping to try some new things.  Next time I will take pictures of my food. 

One thing I forgot to post was my weekly mileage I am TRYING to get to:

210 minutes of running
165 minutes of cycling
90 minutes of swimming
2 days strength training

Usually I can get 1 or 2 of those completed in a week but I can't seem to get them all completed in 1 week.  This my goal to work up to.  This will be a good base in my training for a half ironman.   I'm loving strength training!!  It makes you feel so strong!  Plus it helps you burn more calories!! 


 I was going to put a picture of my workout but for some reason it is not letting me.  I am not very good with computers!!  This is my first post without pics.  Hopefully next time I will have it figured out!!  


Do you eat clean?  If you do, do you have any new recipes you would like to share?

Do you ever have trouble with your computer?

  












   

2013 Has Started Off Right

 

Going to lift some weights!!

 
      When a new year starts I don't usually hit the gym on January 1 but this year I did.  I met up with a personal trainer to get a good 30 minute full body workout.  I was very sweaty when I got done.  After the sweat session I meet up with my girls for a 3 mile run. This is the first time we have all gotten together for a run since the Marshall Marathon.  We had a great run and we chit chatted the whole time.   

                                                   The Herd
 
    When I got home Jim and I took our measurements.  We measured our:
                        Left Bicep 13in.
                        Chest 42in.
                        Waist 41in.
                        Hips 49in.
                        Left Thigh 28in. 
                                   Weight 200.6lbs.

      I'm hoping to see some major changes in the next few months!!  Honestly I am really scared of putting my weight on here because It has gone up.  But I have to be honest with myself and you to stay accountable.   It's been at least a year since it has gone up to the 2's.  I'm thankful it's only .6 over.  I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to get back on the wagon!!  My plan is to eat clean and workout 5-7 days a week.  I'm going to really focus on lifting weights this year.  I'm at a point where I need to change a lot of things.  Running cannot be my only exercise.  I'm going to add spin classes, kettle bell class, circuit class, and a lot of weight lifting.  Plus I will be getting back in the pool. 
     Another major change will be my eating.  I think that is what is really holding me back.  I love sweets!!   I eat sweets when I'm happy, sad, angry, mad, bored, which means I eat them all the time!  It's going to be tough but I need to be strong to get this weight off!!  I use the app myfitnesspal, I love it!!  My plan is to track everything with it.  All I have to do is scan the bar code of the item and it tracks it for me. It is very easy!  I just have to be honest with it and enter everything I eat.  It can really work! I am really looking forward to all the changes. 


What changes are you planning on making?

Do you love or like sweets?

What is your main focus for exercise this year?
    

GOALS for 2013

 

 

GOALS for 2013:

 

 

1) (2) 70.3 Triathlons

      Potential Races: June 1, Auto Car Tough Man 70.3, Richmond, Indiana

                                 

                                 July 13, Muncie Half Ironman 70.3, Muncie, Indiana

 

                                 September, 29 Augusta Half Ironman, Augusta, Georgia

                                

 

2) (3) Half Marathons

      Potential Races: April 27, Derby Half Marathon, Louisville, Ky

 

                                 May 5, The Flying Pig Half or Full Marathon, Cincinnati, Oh

 

                                 October 13, Midway Half Marathon, Midway, Ky

 

                                 October ?, Louisville Half Marathon, Louisville, Ky

 

                                 November ?, The Sports Commission Half Marathon, Louisville, Ky

 

3) Make the gym a priority!!  (No Excuses!!)

 

4) Lose weight and keep it off! (Make better choices!!)

 

5) Blog More!!!!

 

 

 

     The year of 2013 is going to be a difficult year to get my races in.  I may have to work several Saturdays and I only have so many vacation days.  So I have to choose my races wisely this year.  My priority is completing at least one 70.3 race, hopefully 2.  My half marathons I would like to  get faster.  So that means I have a lot of speed work to do!!  (Not my Favorite!)  Losing weight is another big challenge for me.  I can't seem to keep it off!  I really want to make some good healthy changes in my eating and food shopping.  No more eating out!!  I know that it is not totally possible because of all the traveling we do with swim and soccer.  But I am going to really work on it and minimize it.  My last goal is to blog more!  It seems I always feel that way but I never do anything about it.  This is one more thing I need to work on.  So, 2013 is going to be a year that I have a lot to work on!  I am very excited to take on the challenges.  BRING IT ON!!  :)  

 

 

What are your goals for 2013?

 

 

Do you have several challenges?

 



Marshall University Marathon

     Marshall University Marathon is my 5th marathon.  After completing the Louisville Marathon in October 2011 and ING NYC Marathon in November 2011 I was not planning on running another marathon for while, at least for a year or two.  I was planning on becoming a Half Ironman at Augusta in September 2012 but it just didn't happened.  I decided not to compete in Augusta because I was not ready.  I could have done it but I would have suffered too much and I thought if I do that then I would never want to compete again.  So after a long time I decided not to go to Augusta.  I couldn't talk about it to anyone for a long time because I was upset. This is something I really wanted to do this year but life got in the way.   It is very hard to fit in all the training when you have 3 kids playing soccer, swimming, cheerleading, and cross country.  I didn't want to miss anything so my training suffered.  I was still running thru all this but I wasn't getting in the bike rides or the swims.  Plus a couple of my friends were training for their first marathon.  Tami who was adamant about me and Jim running this marathon, I kept telling her I do not have any desire to run another one right now.  So what does Tami do? She finds the perfect training partner for me! Really???  Yes!  She found Karen and James who are training for their first marathon.  Who would ever think 2 total strangers would meet one day and start running together.  It was a very unique situation.  She would always ask for my advice about marathons since I had 4 under my belt so far.  I kept telling her I love  to run but I am not doing another marathon.  I will train with you but I am not running a marathon this year.  We were running all our long runs on Saturdays and then I couldn't anymore because of my kids playing soccer.  They were playing anywhere from 2-5 games every weekend.  So my weekend training had become very limited.  Thank goodness her schedule during the week is flexible like mine and we started doing our long runs on Thursdays.  Karen kept telling me if I register for the race by a certain time I would get a Brooks jacket, a tech shirt, a medal and it's only $60!!!  WOW!!  That's a really good deal.  Of course Jim is always game for a challenge and a good deal!!  So we finally both signed up for the race! 
    

 On November 10, 2012 Jim, Tami, and myself loaded up the van and drove to West Virginia to packet pick up. It was a very small expo. It was held by a local company at Marshall University. Me, Jim, and Tami met up with Karen and James at packet pick up. We all drooled over our new Brooks jackets and tech shirts. We were so excited about them!! 

                                                                              

               After packet pick up we walked around campus to check out part of the route.

                                                 These are a few of the things we saw!

                                                                                 Coy, Tami, Me, Jim, James, Karen, and Lonnie

 

                                                                    Our Running Crew      

     Sunday, November 11, 2012 it's race day!!  I was getting ready to start my 5th marathon.  Before we came to West Virginia we decided that we were going to do the Jeff Galloway method to make it thru this race.  We planned to run 4:30 and walk 30 seconds.  I needed to try something different to try and PR today!!  Coy ( First in Philly) was running with Tami to help her complete her first marathon.  Karen, Lonnie, Jim and myself all stuck together until mile 12.  Karen and Lonnie were staying ahead of us and they were looking great!!  We told them to go on because I started way too fast and needed to slow down.                                                        
                                                                                    

                                         

 

      The Jeff Galloway method was working wonderfully!! I was 2 minutes ahead of when we ran our 22 miler.  Each mile was getting harder but I still felt like I could complete it with a PR!!  Our walks were getting longer than the 30 seconds but once we started running again our runs were longer too to make up our walk time.  At mile 24 I felt hungry but I could not take another GU! My stomach wouldn't let me.  The last 1 1/2 we managed to run the rest of the way even tho it was getting harder and harder.  We came into the stadium  at the top of the hill and we heard, "From Paris, Ky!!" I was like YEAH!!  That's us!!  and then they said, "Karen Cooper" I actually got to see her cross the finish line!!  That was very exciting since we had done all this training together.  Then we had to run down a steep hill into the stadium, then onto the astro turf to run around the field to the finish line.  Right before we got to the finish line they gave us a football to carry with us.  This was a very exciting time for me since I PR'd by 20 minutes!!  OMG!!!!  I couldn't believe I just finished this race in 5:04:11                                          

 This was a very special moment for all of us and I am so glad I got to share it with all these people!!

 Thanks Marshall for bringing us all together!!!