My First Half Marathon!!! (well almost)

     My first half marathon was this past Sunday October 14th.  After 3 months of training I was ready to get this over with!   The first three miles were easy.   But I have to say, I was feeling UNeasy when all of these people were passing me by.  First an older lady (looked her up and found out she was 74 years old) then a visually impaired athlete, then an older man ( he had to be like 80!) then another and another!  I had to calm myself down so I could just focus on the mile I was on.   My runkeeper was working great telling me how far I had gone every quarter mile.  I found it odd that when I saw mile marker 3, my runkeeper was telling me we were at mile 2.5 ish.   I just kept on..... At mile 5 my mind was going negative!   I had brief thoughts of giving up.  "Why was I running this?  Why is this so important to me?  I am tired!  I have 8 more freaking miles to go!   Oh gosh!"   But I quickly banished those thoughts and said to myself  "you can do this!!!"

     At mile 5.5 ish, I had a problem!   My IPhone went dead on me!  My music was GONE!!!  OH NO!  I was so upset!   What was I going to do!!!!????!?!?!?   I decided I had to keep going.  I convinced myself that I didn't need music to run.  All I had to do was RUN!  So I kept on going.   I had to listen to my hard breathing which usually freaks me out.   I don't like hearing myself breathe hard like that.  It sounds like I will pass out at any minute.  But, I got used to it and just tried to enjoy the atmosphere and hearing everyone cheer and say good job as I passed.  

     At mile 8 I ran up beside this lady.  She started to talk to me.   She said I was doing a great job and that I was AWESOME!  What an uplift.  She then passed me!  At mile 10, the wind started to really bother me!   Running against the wind is not cool.  It was pushing me back hard and I could no longer run as hard as I was.  I Started to do run/walk intervals to the end.   The last few miles, I passed a ton of people that passed me the first three miles, including:  The old man, the old lady, the visually impaired runner, a cute couple that had matching shirts that said they were running for the wedding, the lady that said I was awesome (found out her name was Wendy too), and a couple of girls running together. 

     When I saw the finish line I started running my ass off.   I ended up passing another person at the very end!  When I got close the finish, I heard my friends cheering for me!  They surprised me!  I had no idea they were going to be there!!!  My family wasn't able to be there because Allie (my 8 year old) had a cheer competition at the same time!  My dad came to support me and took pics of me too!  I was so happy to be done!  



 

 

 a pre race pic

 

 

 waiting for the gun to go off

 

 

 the front line

 

 

passing the lady in the pink shirt was awesome!

 

 

 

 Crossing the finish line!

 

 

 Jackie and Sarah surprising me!  I cried like a baby!

 

 

Sarah made me a sign!  Awesome!!!

 

 

After my dad treated me out to "breakfast", I came home and found out that the course was cut a little short by almost a half mile due to a miscommunication with the police.   I was bummed!   I still had not completed my 13.1.   It was more like 12.66.   So my runkeeper in the beginning was right.   The mile markers were off.    I  was so very disappointed!   I really wanted to put that 13.1 sticker on my car.  I decided that I was still  going to put it on......and now I have decided that I am not going to.  I am going to run another one and wait. I want that sticker to be real!  

 

 

I ended up finishing in 2:43.   And I wasn't last.   There were 25 people behind me that finished.  So I don't think I did too bad! 

 

So this is Tuesday and I am still so sore!  My quads are so sore....It is hard to move!   I had a hard time re hydrating afterwards because my stomach was killing me!  It was burning!    I also have felt a little flu like too!   Running 12 plus miles is no joke! 

 

All in all, I had a great experience and I cant wait to do another one!  

 





Pumpkin Patch!

Family Time was had this past Friday at the Pumpkin Patch.   We went with Allie's girl scout troop and we had a really good time.  The ride was really bumpy and the trail was really muddy!  This was the best hayride I have ever been on.   Here are a few pics:

I was not lying when I said it was a muddy ride!  Thank goodness we didnt get splashed.  I am impressed that we even were able to get through it!

Here's a moment that makes me smile.  Big brother helping little sister pick out a pumpkin!

 

 

Nasty muddy water on the way to the patch.  It was stinky too!

 

 

Look Mom!  No Hands!



I am going to be running 8 miles today!

Yup....I am running 8 miles today.....last week I ran seven and was so glad to be done!  Training is going well....no injuries or anything....although I am really sore at times....especially after sitting for too long.  I know I probably have plantar fasciitis......but I will not give up!  

My family has been very supportive and even brought water to me on my seven mile run.  They met me at the 4 mile mark with ice cold water.  It was really nice of them.   Then on the last mile, my kids walked/ran with me home.   Allison said something that really made me heart melt.   She said " Mom, you are the best mom anyone could have.  You take care of us, you pay the bills, you work hard, you try to lose weight and exercise, you cook us dinner....."  I really needed that.  

Sometimes I doubt my mothering abilities.....and I try the best I can.   That really meant a lot to me!  Training takes lots of time away from them.  I try to include them, for example, I usually bring Allison with me on my shorter runs.   She will ride her bike.    On my six mile run the other day, I dragged Ervin along.  He rode his bike and trailer.  The babies were in the trailer.  The other kids rode their bikes too.   It is good exercise for all of us!   But, the time can add up and sometimes I feel it takes away from them.  Especially when I work so much.....been working overtime the last 2 weeks! 

One thing that is really irking me is that I am not losing any weight.  Confessional:  I have actually gained 8 pounds since my lowest weight in June.   *pissed. 

But hey, I only have me to blame.   I need to watch what I eat.....but it is so hard.  Craving carbs like crazy!

Anyhow, wish me luck on my 8 miler.  I am going to need it!   My goal is just to finish it!

in training!

I signed up for my first half marathon! Its on Oct 14th so I have a while to train.  I am on week two of training and its going pretty good so far!  I am nervous about building up on my long runs.  This week my long run is 5 miles, next week 6, and increases by 1 mile every week.   It is a little overwhelming but I am up for the challenge!  I will keep you all updated! 

As far as WW, I have taken a little break.  I am planning to get back into it soon!  I haven't gained any more weight, the running has helped with that.  I am just trying to figure out a few things in my head....get things together.....I need to shed more pounds so that I can run faster and longer.   I know that will help!  

Hopefully, my next post will show that I have lost more weight!

it's been so long

Uggghhhh.....I havent blogged in forever!  My life is so busy......I havent had time to blog.   WW hasnt been going so well this month.   I think the whole Vegas vacation ruined that.   I havent been to a meeting in almost 4 weeks.   I need to get back, because the scale reflects the fact that I havent been going.   I dont want to get on the scale and see a 5 pound gain.   I gained 8 pounds while in Vegas but lost 4 pounds right away....WATER WEIGHT!   So I was happy to see that go.....but for some reason my head is not back in the game yet.   I didnt exercise for a week.....which made me feel sick!  I felt so heavy and sluggish....So, I am still up 4 pounds, plus a pound because I am not on track.   June is always the month I get side tracked and then the rest of the year is a bust.  I really want to change that this time and get back on track!   I have a few things.....4th of July, my anniverary, and a visit out of town that will be challenging.   Hopefully, I will get things going in the right direction again! 

Low on time!

It has been forever since I blogged and I am sorry!  I am still on track and I think I am doing good.  It is going a little slow, but I think this is a good thing. 

I went to my WW meeting today and I lost 2.2 more pounds.  I have now lost a total of 28 pounds!  I also did some measuring a few days ago because I just wasn't happy with the scale last week.  I have lost a total of 15 inches!  4 inches around my bust and hips, 3 inches at my waist, 1 inch in my arms and thighs!  

I also ran a 5k last week, very happy with myself.  I had the fastest time I have ever had plus I ran the whole time!  I finished in 34 minutes.     I didn't stop for anything!  I cant wait to do another!   I am planning on signing up for a half marathon in October.   The only thing that is holding me back right now are my knees!  My right knee is hurting like crazy after a run.  It hurts to go down stairs mostly.  I am icing right now as we speak!   From what I can tell from GOOGLE, it is runners knee.   We will see.  I hope this old body of mine can keep up.  It is so funny now......how much I want to get up and move....but now my body is saying......wait up!   Hold on!   haha.......

I feel great people!  

quick update

I missed weigh in last week because of my work schedule...so I weighed in this week and was actually up a pound.   I also weighed in right after work so I know I was carrying around some water weight so I am not going to stress about it.  According to scale at home I am down a pound.    We shall see what the scale says next week...

I am still feeling pretty good.  I am continuing to jog outside.  Some days suck and some days I absolutely love it.    Today I ran 4 miles with Allie....she rode her bike.   It was nice.   My left knee hurts though.....Sometimes I feel like an old woman!   I can tell that I have improved with my jogging as far as distance and endurance.  I feels good to see that a  month ago I could not have jogged that far without stopping for a walk break.  

My clothes are fitting so much better!   So happy about that! 

Have a great week!