Giving Yourself A Break, Shouldn't Last Too Long...

For my Birthday/Christmas/New Year, I bought myself a Fitbit. Because I needed a kick in the pants. I mean...a BIG one!

I always take "time off" after my "last" half marathon of the season, to eat, drink, and be merry...usually it's just a few weeks, and I'm back to running and boot camp, like nothing ever happened.

I went to Florida after this last race, and then I pushed my time off so far that my gym trainer was actually texting me ideas to try to get me to come back to the gym. (I heart her!!)

Aside from a few random 3-4 mile runs, I had not worked out significantly for almost 3 months. Fitbit opened my eyes to my laziness! I also got off of my clean eating kick. And my pants had something nasty to say about that...it went something like...."bitch, you can't squeeze much more in here, can't you see that muffin top???"...)

It's NEVER easy to stay on a path of health and fitness. If it were, everyone would do it! My upside is that over that last few years instead of a "diet", or a set time of working out, I've finally decided that I have to eat well and be active to be happy. Not just with my weight, but in the way I feel when I do those things. I feel so much better when I run faster, or lift a bigger weight!

And now...it's just 137 days until my next half marathon.

Here's to the new year, and staying on a path that makes me happy

My Body Image...

There has been so much in the media about body image as of late. All of the ads, articles, and documentaries, trying to show "society" that it is OK to be overweight, curvy, light skinned, dark skinned, have straight hair, curly hair, be Asian, African American, Caucasian..Urging people to get on board with what beauty is, even if it isn't what "society" thinks is beautiful.

I am first in line to board this train. I think it's great. The movement inspires me. But the missing peice here, isn't about what others think of you, it's about what you think of you. If you love you, and your body, it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks. 

One of the things I have really embraced about getting older is learning what self love means.

Love doesn't come from perfection. I think about all of the men I have loved in my life that were far from perfect. If I could see past their shortcomings, whether physical or otherwise, why was I not willing to do the same for myself? My family and friends are not perfect, but I don't stop loving them because of it. I can recognize imperfections in others as beauty, so why not myself?  I love them for who they are. I don't want to change them.

So why would I want to change myself to please others?

I don't strive for perfection. I still would like to lose a few pounds, but that is no longer in the forefront of my mind. Instead of aesthetics, I aim for fitness goals. Running faster. Doing push ups.  I am more focused on what my body is, and not what it isn't. When I changed my goals to fitness achievements vs. pounds lost, I have had much easier results.

How would you describe your body in one word? 

Years ago..I would say "fat" or "disgusting".

But the older me says "STRONG!"

I can run half marathons! I workout in the gym 5 days a week, plus I log 20+ miles in 7 days. Since shifting my focus from what my body looks like to others, to what it means to me, I am a much happier person! Self loathing is not good for the mind.

My Fitness Journey Video....

I've only been working on completing a video on my weight loss and starting to run,  for close to a year.

I have changed it so many times that I finally had to just ask myself if "self, do you think you are making the next Titanic, or a stupid youtube video".

 When I need inspiration, I love to look for inspiring weight loss, or fitness videos online. Knowing so many other people have made such changes in their own lives always inspires me to keep going.

So if I can inspire just one person, like so many have done for me, all the hours I spent making this less-than-stellar video will have been well spent.

Weight Loss Can Make You Feel Insane....

I am not quite sure when it happened....but somewhere between being overweight, and achieving my first set of weight loss and fitness goals...I've become kind of predictable. And probably, by definition, insane. I mean I wonder why I am still single, yet I have a real problem with changing my routine.

How is it working for me? Not that great. I mean, I'm comfortable..but nothing exciting has happened to me in a very long time. I haven't met new people, or done anything different since I can't remember.

The me of today, doesn't want to be spontaneous! My insides just won't let me! I'm on autopilot. Deviating from the plan stirs something in my core that I do not like to feel.

I get up in the morning, knowing exactly what the day has to offer. Work of course, can be unpredictable, but for some reason that is OK. I have made peace with it.

After work, I have a workout planned.

Once home from my workout, after tending my pets... I know what TV shows I'm going to watch every day. I even know what days I will or will not have wine. (it depends on what shows I am watching, and what meal I had for the day, to allow for the calories!)

You can't call me after the gym and ask me to do something. Even if it is just to stop by your house and hang out for a while, or meet at Starbucks. No, I have "plans".

My plans are to be at home.

Yes, I still leave the house, and I have a mostly active social life that actually doesn't involve the gym, or walking dogs at the animal rescue. I just have to have plans ahead of time to do so. I enjoy knowing by Wednesday, what I will be doing for the weekend. Otherwise, I plan to do my own thing, and I can't be swayed from that.

While I am perfectly comfortable with my life, I have remember what I accomplished the last time I stepped outside of my comfortable life...and then it kind of stirs some excitement inside of me.

If I'd never have stepped out of my comfort zone way back then, I wouldn't be where I am today.

I wouldn't have lost over 100 lbs! Or run 3 half marathons, and countless shorter races. I wouldn't be doing real push ups, and winning the best client in my boot camp classes. I wouldn't be focused on bettering myself.

I have to focus on the next set of amazing things that await me, and stop being comfortable where I am today.

I think a lot of people who lose a lot of weight reach this point. You get scared. You assume once you reach a goal, you are done. So you settle into a routine. The work stops.

I don't want to be one of the stereotypes..I think it only brings up more obstacles to conquer!

It never gets easy, just because you are a certain weight. You always have more to work on. I think I assumed it would be cake once I fit into single digit clothing.

I need to set my sights on the next big thing, and every little step outside of what I am use to, is in the right direction!

Winning...But Not Like Charlie Sheen...

I wound up being boot camper of the month at my gym! This means I got this sweet award, and my picture was posted on facebook with my trainer. I also won a free class, and best of all...bragging rights.

Not only was I the best participant all month, I was the FIRST best all month, and I got to set the bar as to what the others have to achieve in order to win.

That's kind of bad-ass!

It's kind of fun to go to the gym and have people recognize you, and congratulate you...especially all the trainers that I've worked with.

I feel a pretty great sense of accomplishment. I haven't won a physical fitness award since I was in grade school. And I actually worked my ass off for this one, I didn't just show up like back then.

The Challenge is Over...But My Journey is Lifelong...

My 24 day challenge is over. My trainer was just as bummed as me today, she said she swears she will find a way for me to keep taking personal classes with her. She told me I did great, and I look great, and I am so going to miss her!

What I gained out of this short span of really kicking my own ass, is the reassurance that my limits really are all MENTAL. Your body will do whatever you tell it to do, as long as you tell it that it can.

Did I win? I won't know for another 24 days. The participants were staggered, and when I was at the gym yesterday (yes, I was at the gym on EASTER) someone new was just signing up.

Whether or not I win, my personal victory is priceless!

My results:

Pounds lost: 5
Fat lost: 3.5% (my goal was 2% to get back into the "average" fat range, so I beat my goal!!)
BMI lost: 1%
% of Body Weight Down: .3%
Inches: mainly in the arms the only ones worth mentioning, is half an inch per arm.
Pants: down a size, back to my fighting weight!

My most cherished accomplishments, are with the strength and endurance that I gained in just 24 days!

I can do 20 "girl push ups" all the way down, and up when I could barely do 10 half-assed ones 24 days ago.

I can hold a low plank for 2 minutes when at the start, I crapped out at 30 seconds.

I can run consistently for 30 minutes at a 6.5 pace, giving me an over 3 mile run in that time, when before that  a 6.5 speed was a "minute only" sprint.

I can lift 15 lb weights for my arm sets, when 8 lbs. use to be torture.

Perspective?

Yea, this was me....

There was a time when I was well on my way to 300 lbs. All I did was sleep. And eat. And wake up from sleep to eat and then go back to sleep.

And then I walked. Then I walked longer. Then I walked faster. Then I walked even faster still.  Then I jogged short distances, and then I joined a boot camp and finally stopped "working out to eat" so I lost more weight, and then I did 5k races, and then I ran 3 half marathons. The first medal made me want more. The sense of accomplishment, was intoxicating.

The more I challenged myself, the more I surprised myself. And then I got complacent, and stopped stepping up my game.

While I await the final results, I will do my best to keep up the intensity of what I learned from my trainer. I found a website It's called bodyrock.tv, and if you want results, you should check it out!

And I also downloaded a HIIT app to my phone and programmed all the classes I could remember so I could continue pushing myself to my limits.

I lost my mojo for a few months, but now I'm back! And I had forgotten how amazing it feels to achieve things you didn't think you could, because I thought I had reached a plateau, and instead of pushing thru, I stayed there and let it try to beat me.

Now, excuse me while I have two glasses of wine, and enjoy the Easter apple crisp my Momma made, that I waited until post weigh in to enjoy!

The Scale Can Really Be an Asshole...

Day 12 on this island...

I'm trying to win a year's membership at my gym. So I can use my saved membership fee, and sign up for semi-private training, which as part of the challenge, I get for free, and have been doing for the past 12 days.

I LOVE it! 

I have been taking 2 classes a day, and running in between them. I'm like a mother effing machine! So, much like when I dropped all my major ell bees, I'm living at the gym. They all know my name. It's my own personal "Cheers" and I am its "Norm".

I had my one on one consultation with my trainer last night, and the best thing that came out of it was she told me how much my fitness level has increased in just the few training sessions we've had. (I can totally notice too!!!) Going over my schedule, and my nutrition was the best, because she said I was doing everything right.

Me?! What an inspiration! 

I hit a plateau long ago, and adding the strength and endurance training will get me to my goal of losing 20-30lbs more. And being a faster, more efficient runner.

The only advice was to take a multi-vitamin, and add a protein shake post work out since I have the bulk of my calories during the day, before working out, and my body needs more at night to build muscle, and burn fat while I rest. I can do that!

So, imagine my horror when after 12 days of INTENSE training, and a superb consultation with my trainer, I was feeling on top of the world.....until I stepped on the scale, you know,  just to see what was going on ...what was going on was that I had gained 3lbs!

They told me not to do it. Not for 24 days! But I couldn't resist!

Yes, this is a fat loss challenge, not a weight loss challenge, and the goal is to build muscle and burn fat, but 3lbs in 12 days? I was appalled!

All the hard work is worth it though. I am learning when I am pushed to my limits, I can surpass them!!

Plus, my trainer told me I was an athlete.

"Psh, I'm no athlete, I still have weight to lose"

And she said my new most favorite phrase..

"Being an athlete isn't about what your body looks like, it's about what it can do"

Here is to the next 12 days on the challenge! Wish me luck!

When Shit Gets Real..

I had my annual free biometric screening at work. No problem, right? I am a pillar of health, I eat right, exercise 6 days+ a week, and I always pass these things with flying colors, and usually get many kudos on how fantastic I am doing!

I will say, I was a bit scared this time around. This time they included a vascular screen, where they take an ultrasound of your major arteries. My Dad died of an aneurysm. I was terrified they would find I had some sort of build up, or blockage.

But, everything was yet again, perfect!

Oh, with one exception. For the first time ever, my blood pressure was elevated. I'm not hypertensive, but I am pre-hypertensive, and that is enough for me!

When I went for my consultation, the first thing she asked after looking at my results, but not reading my history sheet was...."are you a smoker?"

Ehhhh.....yes?

The fact that I am working out so much is forcing my heart to pump even harder into capalaries that I constrict from smoking.  I'm being counterproductive! I could develop heart disease. Have a stroke. Or yes, just like my father, die of an aneurysm. Boom! That just happens, no warning!

Ummm...shit just got real.

I shared with the Dr. my greatest fear of quitting smoking (gaining the 90 lbs I lost back). I smoke way more since I shed 90 pounds than I did when I was heavy. I traded one addiction (food)  for another (nicotine).

I am working so hard to lose weight, so I want to be healthy.

I've Been Busy Being Awesome...

If there is one thing I am, it's determined. I have bumped back up to visiting the gym twice a day, most days, but steadily working out 6 days a week. I'm working on my distance run for my 15k that is fast approaching, trying to psych myself up for my underwear run in the snow, and I'm LOVING spinning class! It burns so many calories!

I even got one of my BFF's to join me for one class a week! Which makes it even better!

I kinda missed all the time I use to spend in the gym. Not because I like working out, but I do enjoy how amazing I feel from all the workouts, both mentaly and physicaly.

I've been so exhausted latley that I have hardly even watched TV. Unheard of! But for me, being exhausted and sore from workouts is way better than being tired and sore from being fat. (again).

I started making muscle soaks, and bath salt scrubs at home and adding delicious scented oils to them. I'm a regular Martha Stewart! I look forward to soaking away the pain, and smelling like a dream!

As a reward for being awesome for my re-dedication, I bought myself new things. I got a new writing desk for my laptop, and a ladder shelf. Both things I needed, and will need again one day since they aren't real furniture, they came in a box.

Balance...

I guess I have joined the ranks of so many people who have lost a lot of weight, only to put some back on.

I was in denial for a few months this fall, because I was training for a half marathon, and I allowed myself a lot more calories....but way more than I should have, mind you.

I am not a fan of the scale, like most people. But I finally had to face it!

The result?

I put back on 24 lbs of the 90+ lbs I lost altogether.

24lbs??? Unacceptable!

But, that's what happens when you go from eating "clean" and working out twice a day 5 times a week to eating "mostly" clean, and working out 3 days a week. You live and learn! Obviously, I have not yet found my life long balance routine, but I'm working on it! And I'll get there as long as I keep it as a priority.

So, the last 2 weeks I have gotten back on track. I've got my clean meals made and frozen, and I'm back to running every day, plus taking spinning classes. I'm down 7lbs, with 17 more to go.

Once you grasp the concept that you have to burn off 3,500 calories to lose a pound of weight...you can appreciate all the work it takes to lose weight. And you put in the work to get you there!!

I send positive energy to everyone who is trying to drop ell bee's this year!

It isn't easy, but it's certainly a personal accomplishment! Get it!!

Race Season is Coming to an End...

This weekend is my last race of the season.

By last race, I mean one where I will receive a medal, and it will be a challenge. I'm doing the Towpath half marthon. I'm still trying to get people to get on board with a turkey trot, or a NYE 5k..or even a Zombie 5k for halloween, but I don't consider these "official races".

I only aspire to beat my May half marathon time of 2 hours 56 minutes. While I have not been "on" my training as of late, I am taking into account that my first-ever half was in a 108 heat index...and on the harsh city streets of Cleveland, Ohio.

This race will be in (predicted) a comfortable temperature of 47 degrees, and sunny. Mainly flat. And mostly on a heavenly crushed limestone towpath trail.

Im my beautiful home town...I will get to experience the changing of the leaves, and the crisp fall temperatures! This is my most favorite time of year!

I can't imagine living somewhere that you do not get to experience a "true fall".

 

Or, know what a "lock" is...

Juicing My Way to Health...

"Mean Green Juice"

 I have been on a Netflix documentary kick latley. I've run out of scary movies to watch, so... why not?

I watched this movie, "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" last weekend, and it inspired me to start juicing!

I am not going to go on a "juice diet" like he does in the movie, because it is just not for me. Knowing that just as diets don't work for me, neither would the absence of chewing and swallowing food work for me in the quest of losing my final 15lbs. 

But the more movies I watch about food, the more they inspire me to eat even more healthy. And that is my goal!


I have been partaking in the mean green, as featured in the film, and I have to say...I feel fabulous! The first day I honestly felt like I had a few glasses of wine, I felt fab-yooo-licious!!

There are a bunch of ways to get on board to "rebooting" your system at the website for the movie. (you can also watch the full length movie for free here)

I'm opting for eating breakfast as usual, (egg beaters, turkey bacon, and a carb - whole wheat toast or an english muffin) and having a mean green juice for my two snacks during the day, and having my regular healthy lunch, and dinner. Weight loss would be a plus, but I'm mainly looking to see how my energy level, and overall sense of well being changes.

So far, I have felt as though I am having too much caffeine. sort of jittery..I have cut out my morning coffee, so this is interesting!

I'll keep posted about how I feel after adding in all these new nutrients each day!!

Want the recipe?

1 cucumber
2 green apples
piece of ginger (to taste)
4 celery stalks
6 kale leaves
1/2 a lemon

I didn't think it was bad at all, but I let a few co-workers try it and they were not on board. But they also are not healthy eaters. It's a bit sweet, but mostly it's "green".

Do you juice? 

Food Addiction....

I talk alot about working out, and staying on track with workouts, and how I am able to stay committed to this aspect of weight loss, which is a struggle for me in itself....but I guess I don't touch much on the subject of food and what a huge role it plays for me in everyday life.


Food is a huge issue for me. You don't get to be over 250 lbs because you are lazy, and don't like to work out. It happens because of what you put into your body, and how much.

I am a food addict. Like any addiction, it is a day to day struggle. And it never goes away. Never!

In high school I managed my weight by throwing up my food. I ate whatever I wanted in huge amounts, and spent most of my time barfing. It's a horrible cycle, and it makes you feel disgusting. You lose control for those few moments of your own mind and body... and eat so much that you have to vomit to even feel functional again.

As a healthy adult, I limit what I keep in my home. I know my triggers. Carbs, sugar, and snack foods. I can only keep fresh foods at home.

I have the urge to over eat every day, and I still do from time to time, but now, I don't throw it up. Instead, I let myself sit with the discomfort of overeating so I will remember how horrible it feels. I know that I have to put in extra time at the gym to make up for it, and cut back calories until it is a healthy balance. Sometimes it takes 2 weeks to make up for all those extra calories, and it is soooo not worth it!!

No one is making me eat healthy. It is my choice. If I ate what my mind told me I wanted, I would have a body that I am not happy in.

Feeling good in my skin, and having more energy is more important to me than indulging every day in whatever my mind tells me that I want. I am in control of what I put into my body. My body is not in control of me!!!!

With that said...I have my moments. I indulge. I have things I know I shouldn't. I am not perfect. I spend a lot of time fantasizing about what I want to eat on cheat days.(which I try to limit to twice a month, every pay day... sometimes more, let's be honest...but as a rule, it is twice a month).

The only failure is not getting back on track! One bad day does not define your weight loss journey!!



I dropped 45lbs just by becoming active. But that can only get you so far. After a while, you are working out to eat. You are maintaining a weight, but it may not be your goal, something has to give!

So, I went to a "clean" diet, upped my workouts, and added in running...I ate nothing processed, and dropped another 65lbs. I remember being amazed the weeks I dropped 6lbs....it seemed so easy, after a lifetime of struggle! Starving, over-working out, diets, only to fail, and put on more weight than I'd lost.

I've been on "maintenance" for about a year. Breakfast is my biggest meal, meaning I have my carbs...an english muffin, or sometimes a bagel with my eggs and spinich. (when I have a bagel angels sing!!)

You don't just lose weight, and then go back to your old lifestyle. It is work. Every day. Keeping up with workouts to balance out the food intake. It's hard. If it were magic, we would all have hot bodies!! Struggle is not even the best word, I like to think of it as torture. But I don't convey that very often.

The bottom line...



Weight loss isn't easy. Eating healthy, is not easy. I think we all have a misconception that we will wake up one day and "get it" and be cured. The only thing you "get" is your goal. Keep your mind on that, and you will get there!

I don't think enough people are honest about what it takes to lose weight. I have never had a day where I woke up and decided that having 1200 calories was the best idea in the world. Or that I couldn't wait to go running, lift weights, or sometimes do two hour workouts.

So, if you are struggling with losing weight, I hear you! I have been doing it forever! I may have gotten the weight off, but I am still at war with my mind each and every day about what I need to do physically, and what I have to put into my body. Just remember, there are millions of other people in the world that would love to eat a box of ho-ho's or an entire pizza....but we choose not to.

You are not alone!

The Truth About Weight Loss...

Once you get serious about losing weight. You go thru highs and lows. I am at a point where I needed to look back and remember why I even started. I'm burning out. I'm struggling.

The secret to weight loss is...there is no secret.  Calories in vs. calories out is the only way to go. You can either workout a ton to eat more calories, or work out a little, and take in less calories.

You want to have a cheat day? You have to plan your entire week around it, that's all there is to it!

To lose a pound, you have to create a 3,500 calorie deficit. That puts it into perspective!

I've been gaining and losing my last 10-15 for almost a year now!! 10 lbs. may not seem like much. But it is the difference between squeezing into your pants, or wearing them comfortably


What's different between me and most people, is that I don't give up if I have a bad day. If I eat horrible one day, I am stringent for a week to make up for the calories. I never work out and sacrifice calories because I enjoy it, I do it because that is what it takes to lose, and maintain weight. I'd much rather eat whatever I want, vs. eating chicken breast and vegetables every day. Who wouldn't?


Seriously, I often wake up in a sweat from dreams about swimming in mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese!!

I do no like working out.

I do like to challenge myself. And own the over 90lbs I have lost, but there has never been a time that I can say I look forward to a work out. And I never say "wow, another day of chicken and vegetables, yesss!!"

I spend my lunch break running, then run more miles at the gym, sometimes 4 times a week, and then take a weight training or kickboxing class on top of it all in a day. I don't like it...It kills me. I'm exhausted!! It's hard. I hate it!

People have the perception that because I do it, I must like it. Even my super crazy kickboxing instructor/fitness nazi tells us "it never gets easier, and you probably will never enjoy it". And that is how she makes a living. 

That's me, in the striped shirt, in line for cake at a work function....circa many years ago.

And that's me 35lbs after the striped shirt, and after another 60 lbs in the sparkly top. 

The only thing I do like about weight loss, is buying clothes in the single digits. Shopping in regular stores vs. plus sized ones. The trade off for the enjoyment of clothes shopping, is sacrificing with diet and exercise. It all boils down to priorities.

Working out at 250 lbs didn't  feel great, and it isn't fabulous at 160 either. I am always sore, almost always tired, and at the very least once a week I ask myself how I can still go on this way, forrever!!

I am a food addict, and I can post a few weeks worth of blog posts about the struggles I have and have had with food.  Granted, it gets a smidge easier the longer you go without your drug (sugar, carbs for me) the easier to resist them it gets.

But, just like alcoholism, it never just "goes away". You are never cured. You have to learn to cope with it.

Unlike alcoholism, you don't have to consume alcohol to live...but we do have to eat.

Another Race, Another Goal!...

Tonight was my second 5k of the season. I was so terrified it would be in the 90's as it has been, and I'd end up having to walk most of it (smoker...guilty...) but last night I asked the universe for rain. Rain would make me run faster, and cool me off.

I didn't get rain, but I got 70 degrees! Granted, it was probably still about 80% humidity, but I'll take it!

I did the Rock The Lock 5k, which was a night run thru the city which I reside, and mostly, on the hiway, which was kinda sweet!! Race start time, at 6:45, finished, post race food collected, and home by 7:30. Ya can't beat that!

It starts and ends where we have our free concert series for the city, so we crossed the finish right behind the band playing on stage!! Pretty cool!

My only goal for my second 5k this year was to beat my first 5k time of 31.59.

I did that!! I finished at 30.35, at a 9.51 pace!! I've never gotten under a 10m pace for a whole race, I'm so freaking proud!

I started to do tempo runs a couple days a week to beat my half marathon time come October, and by doing so, I have learned what my comfortable pace is without technology, because I don't have a fancy race watch.

If I feel uncomfortable, but can still run, I am at my max pace of 6.0 . And I can tell when I am at my "usual pace" when I slow it up.


My shining moment was that this race I am in an older age group. This did wonders for me, as I placed 12th out of 27 women in my age group.

Go me!!!!!

My end of season goal is still to do a 5k in under 30...but it looks like working on increasing my pace, just since June...is already working!!

Suit Yourself....

What women on earth enjoys bathing suit shopping?

I know "the rest of us" imagine models have a pretty easy go of it, but if you listen to them speak, even they hate their bodies, it's part of our "woman's curse". Along with cramps, mood swings, extra body fat, being emotional, PMS, periods, loving men, and childbirth. (I know there are more, but who has the time?)

I have not dipped the toes into a body of water since losing my last 65lbs. I was kind of excited to look for a suit this year, thinking I would hate it less, since there is much less of me to cover.

But alas....it's the same damned thing. Nothing is just right. I have arm flab. My inner thighs are fat. There is no boob support. A halter top strangles me, and makes me look hunched over. My cellulite is gone, but I have that little spot under my cheeks that is a crease and won't hold a pencil. (the sign of a firm rump is holding a pencil between your cheeks and your upper thigh....)

I am now down to the wire, as I have a swimming date with one of my besties this weekend. We are going to a pool that has waterslides, so I can't just get something that looks good, it has to also be functional, so I don't show the world my goods and get us kicked out!!


You either have to be super thin, have no boobs, or be old, and not care that the only suit that looks right on your body, and won't fall off has a skirt, or an ugly floral pattern, and no underwire.

Seriously? What am I doing wrong here? 

Where is the best place to find a great bathing suit? 

Getting in Bonus Mileage...

I have been super busy with workouts latley. Because I am officially doing another half marathon!! Back to my vigorous training schedule, and hopefully increasing my speed and endurance!

I've also started to wear a pedometer to fuel my competitive nature. An average woman takes 5,000 steps a day, I didn't want to be average...my first few days have a little over 11k. (I wear it during both my workout, and my run) 

Speaking of competitive...I thought the Cleveland would be my first and only half this year so I signed up for lots of smaller races for the summer to feed the craving.

But since my first half was so hot, and utterly miserable, I wanted another shot at a 13.1 to get my time down, so I can have a great finish to the season!

I will be taking on the towpath half this October!! It's a great course, mostly flat, at a beautiful time of year for Ohio, and as my friends have told me, a very scenic run, much like this..

I have been spending so much time doing treadmill runs due to the heat, I took an easy walk/jog just for fun, and not for my weekly miles!

I do not wear contacts or glasses when I run. I took this picture of two heron and squinted for about a minute until I realized they were smartly placed statues. 

There was this giant bridge held up by wires. I did cross it. I didn't run... it sort of feels like you are walking on air. 

I find nothing more enjoyable, than being alone with my thoughts in the great outdoors, surrounded with things to see and hear, that remind you how lucky you are to be alive on this earth.

I also enjoyed the fact that just  for fun, I decided to be active. This is so the new me!

Dreams Keep Us Alive...

I have long been a fan of the dream board. It has my favorite sayings, places, images, bodies, activities,  whatever it is that strikes my fancy, or that I dream to accomplish.
 

It is in the place where I get ready for work every day, and I look at it each morning as I get dressed. Sometimes I focus on one thing more than the other. (I have several images of wedding rings, and I seem to keep skipping over these, even though it is my ultimate goal...)

Despite that, I am happy to say my dream board is ever changing. Once I accomplish a dream., I replace it with another.

I have accomplished so much on my dream board, but most recently, the two "13.1" images have been removed, because I have finally accomplished the half marathon that I only thought I could do because it was on my board.

If you don't have a dream board, what are you waiting for?  I was skeptical about it several years ago too, but that's before I decided it was at first, just a fun project, and since then it has turned into so much more!
 
This weekend, I finally hung up my race medals, and bibs above my dream board.

No, it does not represent ALL of the races I have done, because they don't all  give out medals or bibs.

It is, however,  a reminder that among all my other dreams I have, my body has done more for me than I ever imagined it could do. From barely walking for 20 minutes on a 0 incline on the treadmill...to a half marathon!!

I run a bare minimum of 20 miles a week, and I never in a billlion years thought I would be "that girl".

But here I am..smiling all the way!!

Natures Bounties....

On a quest to be more creative with with being active, in extreme heat (90 degree's is not commonplace for Ohio residents) I decided to finally check out a park that I pass by every day on my way to the gym, on my lunch hour. The Nature Realm. So close to work and home....what was I waiting for??

I couldn't think of a more enjoyable way to spend a lunch hour.  I spent several minutes trying to find the frogs in this pond, that were croaking, and jumping into the water.

After a quick, leisurely 1.4 mile walk on a trail (so I can still say I was active on my lunch hour..), I found this spot on a big, covered deck.. overlooking this beautiful pond where I sat and listened to the birds, and frogs singing....and got re-acquainted with my 50 shades of grey trilogy. Sheer bliss in the middle of the work day!!!

It also has an indoor area (built into the ground!) with naturalists on duty. Plus, several of these tanks full of frogs, and snakes, and turtles -oh my!


My tax dollars at work! I have really begun to realize how lucky I am to live in the city with all its conveniences, yet be so closely surrounded by these amazingly beautiful, and state protected places where I can not only get some miles in, but relax in the presence of nature.

I saw such colorful birds here,  that I didn't know even existed!!

I am lucky to live and work so close to such amazingly beautiful places. 

Scenic Running...

I am very lucky to not only live close to an amazing metropark, where I like to run..but  I also live close to the Buckeye Trail. People travel for miles to experience what is in my own backyard. Sometimes when you just "don't wanna run", this is exactly what you need!

I've been running on trails before, but this was my first one that was so daunting. It was more of a hike given the extreme hills, and water crossings, but we did run the flats. (probably only 2.5-3 miles of actual running) and I got some amazing pictures along the way.

I did 6 miles here with my girlfriend, who is training for an ultra this fall. She is doing 30 miles. I think she is insane, as she has not even done a full marathon yet, but I admire her tenacity!

Sometimes you have to stop and drink in the beauty! I tripped over about 5 tree roots, one time so badly I came inches from face-planting into my girlfriends ass....

We saw several deer scaling the huge hills with such ease. I decided then, that running up and down those hills is surely easy when you have four legs!

We talked about me pacing her on her 30 miles for maybe 5 miles. They allow someone to run with you for portions of it. I think it will be great fun to go in all energetic, and do a measely 5 miles and tell her to kick it into gear!!

Yet another water crossing. Luckily it hadn't rained in a while so we were able to get across these all on rocks, and not get wet. I had on my new Adidas running shoes, I'd have protested!

I just thought this was beautiful...

Our destination, and treat after 5.5 miles, was stopping after a short detour to enjoy Blue Hen Falls before the end. I scaled my way to the top of the waterfall for this picture and my girlfriend said "don't fall, I'd feel really bad if you did"...uhhh....thanks...for that!

Another waterfall shot from the top!

More up close Blue Hen Falls..

The view from a "set up" vantage point behind a fence....fence, schmence...

Last, but not least, 87 steps that were so easy to go down, but after 5.5 miles, going up these was quite the undertaking on our way to 6 miles! They go well into the top of the hill...on and on...And the hills we scaled were even steeper than this.

It was nice to get out of the gym for a run, and off the towpath running trail, and see some nature! Plus there was a group of hot male bikers doing the same trail (how they scaled the hills is beyond me!!!) We passed them on our way out, and again on our way back. One guy said "you girls on your way back already? you are strong!!"

Yea. A stranger said we were strong. It was a pretty awesome moment for us!