A Fourth Half Marathon...

Bees are the city's theme..so I loved my swag!

I remember when I thought doing "A" half marathon was crazy. But once I did, I caught the bug, and I have been doing various races here and there, mostly, just the distances that will earn me medals.

Only four weeks of training for the fourth half marathon, but I felt great! The night before the race, my new boot camp trainer actually called me to wish me luck, and asked me to let her know how it went. I mean,  she is not my personal trainer. This kinda made me feel awesome!

My alarm was set for 4:30 am because I was worried about parking, so what time did I get up...5:52!!! I left the house in a mere 10 minutes with a lot of "F" bombs, and had to eat my breakfast in transit.  Not a great start to the day but I made it in time, and found parking, plus my bff was there to send me off!

For the first time in my half marathon history, it flew by! I wasn't counting the minutes, and when another mile marker came up I said to myself "I still feel great!" I told myself I wouldn't stop or stretch until the 8 mile mark. Then around mile 9.5 my foot started to really bother me. It had been hurting off and on during training, but not so bad.

I finally had to start walking/jogging vs. my normal pace. I was trying to push it for a while, and I reminded myself that I'm not in this to prove anything to anyone but me, and I wanted to finish on my own two feet! I didn't want to sustain any long-term injuries!

In the end, I added about 20 minutes to my usual time, and ended at 2:50.  I attribute the pain to street running and the road being slanted. I train on the towpath trails, or treadmill, and it's always even. I'm spending the rest of the day icing and elevating in hopes to pick back up running next week!

On the upside, for the first time after a half, the rest of my body feels great! I am not stiff, or sore like usual, just the damned foot. So, progress was made!

I aim to make up those extra minutes on my fall half marathon!

I mean, how cute is this bee medal? 

Feeling Like a Real Runner...

Why do cats enjoy your smelly shoes?...

In adding to my pre race fears, my body has felt like complete shit this past few weeks.

My feet, and my knees have just started to seriously hurt. Not the usual, I've been running more, so of course I'll experience some discomfort. I mean, just walking kills my knees, stairs are the worst, and my toes have been feeling numb on runs, and ache constantly.

Knowing my body, I knew that it was unusual to experience this onset of pain, and I pinpointed it to the purchase of my last pair of running shoes.

I was dreading long runs, so..I finally bit the bullet...er, I mean credit card, and went off to my local running specialty store for an evaluation.

I knew I wouldn't be paying $60-$70 bucks for shoes, which I am use to. Frugal me hated the thought. After all, I have already shelled out a pretty penny for the race, and my plane ticket, and my fun money.

But the me that wants to not cause permanent damage to my body, and finish my half marathon, said "go for it, mastercard don't mind, and you are worth it".

First things first. My running shoes...are not even running shoes.

Upon evaluation of me, it was decided that I over pronate. This caused my big and second toes pain, because they were doing all the work, and the shoes I was wearing did not stabilize them properly.

I'd have never run around like that in a department store, I'd likely wind up on YouTube. At a specialty store, you feel right at home with all the other running "nerds".

They told me that the store is the "Cheers" for runners, and to come in any time to talk about running.

After my consultation, I left with a new pair of shoes that felt like I was running on clouds. I instantly had to test them out, even though I had gone to the store after my trip to the gym.

I'm so attached to them, that they will be boarding the plane with me vs. riding in the underbelly with all that low-class luggage.

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!

Enjoying My 15 Minutes of "Fame"...

You may or may not remember that I won a major award at my gym for my physical excellence, and dedication to fitness. I was also the first ever winner, so it's kind of a big deal.

I got my awesome award, suitable for framing, and my picture with my trainer was posted on their facebook page. Ever since then, I've become kinda famous.

The trainers recognize me in all my classes as the winner for May. My boot camp instructor calls me "the people's champion" and "the one to beat" in all of his classes.

And then, random gym members recognize when I'm in the gym, and congratulate me too. It's kind of awesome!

I think it might be going to my head, because last Saturday leaving the gym I held the door open for two guys coming in, and one said "HEY!!! You're that fitness of the month winner!"

I replied with  "yes...that's ME! I'm kind of famous" as I waived my hands in the air.

My reign is coming to an end, and I'm frantic at the thought of someone else taking my place!

Somebody stop me....

I'll just continue to be the best that I can be, and keep collecting my little army guys. Soon, I hope to have an impressive army!

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.