I Did It!

See that up there?  That's me finishing my first 5K race!!  I can't even begin to describe how it amazing it felt to do something like this. Even if I don't look so pretty at the end!!

Granted I have done plenty of Army Physical Fitness tests, but nothing compares to a race on my own!!

Checked the YMCA website this morning and found out that I ran the 5K in 32.44 out of 50 people in my age bracket I was 27th.  The time is the one I really care about.  My goal is to get that under 30, apparently I wasn't as fast as I thought I was.  I think it was because I was to nice in the beginning when there were a lot of people and I was to nice to elbow my way through the first few minutes.

I think the worst part about the whole race was waiting for it to start.  We got there about 915 in the morning to get my shirt, my number, and the little ankle thing that tracks your time.  They were a bit behind, and so we didn't start running until around 1015 or so.  I was anxious and nervous starting the run, but once I got into it I just told me it was just another workout.

We ran on the greenbelt, which is my favorite place to run in the Treasure Valley, so it was beautifully overcast and not raining. Slight breeze, and beautiful view of the river!!

A couple of times throughout the run I got a little choked up because I was thinking "I'm really doing this!"  I was happy that I ran the entire thing and didn't walk at all.  Surprised my husband a bit when I sprinted the end, because he didn't get the picture I had wanted.  Wasn't quite prepared for that.

A funny note, there was a girl that kept coming up next to me and it kept pushing me to run harder. I don't think she was racing me, but the thought in my head was that she was.  I kept past her until the last little bit and she kind of just shot right by me.

The other thing I didn't like was doing this by myself.  I want to do more and will do them by myself if I have too, but it would be so much better if I had someone to do them with me.  I have one, but she is faster than me and will leave me in the dust!! My husband has said that he would like to get into it.  We shall see!! It would be nice to have something like this to share with him.

Oh, and I NEED to find a jogging stroller because lil man was cranky and I think if he went with me he would love it!!  He loves being out side and being with Momma.

I was really random in this post, I apologize, I'm studying a lot lately and my brain is fried!!

Last note, no weight update this week because I forgot to weigh myself this weekend.  Friday I was still at 211.2, so I imagine I'm still the same.  I'll check next week!!

Oh...the very last note....I wasn't sore in the slightest! Even ran 4ish miles the next day.



Busting Through My Comfort Zone

I'm still wondering who actually reads these, I know of a few, but those of you who are not my facebook friends you should know I've kicked up my distance to 4 MILES running!!

Yes, that's right you heard (read) it right!  I'm now running 4 miles 3 times a week.

I think this helped me bust through my plateau a bit, because this morning the glorious scale read 211.6! Wooo!! I'm super excited for this weight loss, specially since I had chocolate cake AND ice cream last night. Ooops, have to chose one or the other on dessert night.

In other news, my 5K race is this weekend, and I'm super excited!  I can't wait to blog about it this week, and have another weight loss to report!

In Shape...Sort of

First off, weigh-in time 213.2.  That's slightly up from last week, but I contribute it again to dehydration from this weekend, oh and probably the pizza we had for dinner last night. Can you blame a family where Mom is playing Army, Daddy is all my himself, AND Mommy had to pick up Grandma and Grandpa from the airport. Quick and easy.

This weekend also brought on a surprise Army Physical Fitness Test.  Woohoo!! (ok not so much)

We found out on Wednesday so I skipped my workouts on Friday and Sat for rest.

It was just a diagnostic, so it didn't count for anything other than just a measure of where our fitness was.

I was not feeling so hot yesterday morning, so it was not my best effort.  I did my push-ups to the minimum amount needed, followed by a few additional girly ones to make myself feel better.  I missed my sit-ups by two, which is pretty lame.  My run I made it with only 1 second to spare.

I am using excuses, because I am that person.  I wasn't feeling well, so I was not at my optimal performance.  The real thing is this; THE PT MONSTER.  I'm stealing this from another soldier.

The PT monster is that little ugly dude that sits on your shoulder when a APFT comes up, even though  you have been running your somewhat large butt off, that tells you that you are worthless and can't pass.  It's there every time I do a PT test.  Sometimes it makes my heart race, sometimes it makes me lose my protein bar or shake prior to the even, and sometimes it just makes me shake uncontrollably. 

I hate it and I can never figure out how to make it go away. I thought running consistently like I have been would make it go away, but it didn't.

It's my little demon that kicks my butt every time we do a PT test.

Why do Weigh-ins Happen on Mondays

To answer my own question: Keep me accountable for the mistakes I make or might make on the weekends.

Dang it, last Monday I was at 213.0 and on Friday I was at 212.2, then the weekend happened.

This morning....215.1. Fluffer Nutter!! I hate that!!

Stupid Mexican food and Applebees this weekend!!  I thought I was careful and watched my portions, even skipped on out the tortillas for my Carne Asada. But alas, my favorite, chips and salsa was probably my downfall. Also, as my friend Kari pointed out to me, the dang salt too. Plus I never drink as much water on the weekends as I do during the weekdays.

Bet you tomorrow I'll be back to my 213.

Dang.

Better luck next week.

To Run a Half Marathon or To Not

I'm sitting on the couch the other day, feeling exhilarated after my 3 mile run, and I was talking to my Mom about Robie Creek. If anyone doesn't know what it is it's the Toughest Race in the Northwest. A couple of my friends were going to do it, but the race registration sells out in literally minutes, and they have a drawing for second chances. It's that freaking popular.

The downside is it's a hard race and people seriously come away with horrendous injuries. I have had a couple of friends who have done it. One of them had three or four of her toenails fall off.

Anyways, back to the couch...
My Mom says that in a couple of years that could be me. I was like heck no! She said did you ever see yourself getting ready for a 5K? I told her yes, I've always wanted to but never found the motivation to do so. She says you never know...  Grr...

So I mention it to the hubby and he is like, "Why not?"  Aaaaack. 

Can I see myself as a runner?  Can I really do a half marathon? I have been rolling those thoughts around in my head for the last couple of days.

That brings me to this morning. I'm talking to my friend Kristina and how excited we are about the 5K in March that we are doing, and she mentions doing a half marathon in May.  Initially I told her no, then I said give me a month to figure it out.

The more I thought about it, I thought, "Why the heck not??"  Problem is with all the stuff I have going on it would be hard to fit in the time to train for one coming up so quick.  I remember the City of Trees Half Marathon, that I signed up for a few years ago and never did. I chickened out and gave my number to someone else.  I remember the shame I felt for chickening out.  I don't want that on my conscious anymore. Plus during the summer I always have more time, and Fall semester won't be so crazy.

That's it, I'm doing that half marathon!!! I can't get out of it now because I'm posting it here and my faithful (few) followers would be disappointed. 

So for now I'll do as many 5K's as I can, and train, train, train for my first half marathon.

I leave you with this picture which always makes me laugh: