Questions Answered

Q. What do you think about when you run?

A. A whole lot of stuff actually.  I run first thing in the morning 95% of the time.  I normally start out pretty tired, just willing my feet to pick up and move.  Sometimes I am thinking about the pain in my knee, or hip, or foot... and then I try to distract myself from the pain in my knee, or hip, or foot. :)  I will use that time to think about conversations I need to have with people, or conversations I had.  I do a lot of reflecting - which sounds totally stupid but I think about things that have taken place the day before or the week before and how the situation could have been better, or what I should have said.  Really all that does is drive me batty.  I also spend time praying while I run - its a great time to reflect on all that is good and turn my worries and burdens over the God.  It's amazing, sometimes I'll be having myself a little coversation with God and before I know it, another mile has flown by and at the end of my run I feel refreshed and ready to start the day.

Q. Do you run the same route all the time?

A. I do not.  I get bored doing that, and I know this because I used to run the same 3 miles all the time and I found myself more motivated running in other areas.  I have mapped out several routes around my home where I can run any distance I really want, it just depends on how hilly I want to run and how remote.  I like to run where there are sidewalks and where it isn't too remote that way if something happens to me, I can find help a little easier.  During the week I will run anywhere from 3 miles to 6 miles in a morning which I typically have a schedule however sometimes my work schedule will require me to alter the run distance.  My long runs are whatever is scheduled for the week and done on Saturday mornings - this way I get it out of the way.

Q. What do you do for a job?

A. Well, my job title is Program Director for a hospital wound healing and hyperbaric center and I manage the business side of the program.  I make sure we are compliant in billing and coding, I work with patients on their billing and complaints, I work with the hosptial to make sure we are financially responsible, and I ensure our quality metrics are being maintained.  I work with the best nursing staff in the world and I love the physicians I work with.  I enjoy working with the patients in our clinic and I believe that the work we do makes a difference in peoples lives.  I do not have the ability to be a nurse because I get grossed out but I know I have been called to be in healthcare for now and I truly feel blessed to have the position I do and so grateful to have the opportunity to work with the best.  I have a partner at work (picture below) and she is the nurse manager in our department.  We know eachother well enough that we kinda coordinate when she gets to wear business attire vs. scrubs. 

Q. What is up next for your running adventures?

A. The Dam to Dam which is the first weekend in June.  It's 12 miles and I hope my knee recovers by then because it will be a long run if it doesn't.

Mother's Day



Mother's Day, a holiday that I always seem to be traveling on.  I remember when I was younger we would have a brunch on Mother's Day and I don't remember details about anything else we would do except try not to argue with my sister. 

I think the day is something different for every mother and truthfully what I enjoy doing on Mother's Day is having time to myself. I like to relax, do what I want, and not answer to anybody. That may sound selfish but the day is about me, right?

So the weekend I spent with my husband and for Mother's Day he bought me this fantastic bag.  I love her and was so excited to use it, I switched out my current bag in the car.  I'm not one to switch out purses all the time so I look forward to carrying her for a while :).

The Race Re-Cap

Well, my first half marathon is in the books... notice I said my first which means there will be more.  Chicago was a great place for my first half.  The course was relatively flat and along the lake shore, what more could you want?  Well, good weather would have been nice.  My first half was run in 50 degrees, thunder, lightening, and down pouring rain.  Yes, I stuck it out and survived to tell about it.

Fortunately the extra moisture did not cause any blisters or chaffing, in fact I had zero blisters and chaffing which I am happy about.  I used my two GU's on the course and drank water and Gatorade at the hydration stations.

My only aches came at mile 10 where I misstepped and really hurt my left knee.  I was having knee issues early on in my training, I think mostly due to pushing too hard too fast.  I thought I was doing OK during the race, I was running at a 10:30 pace and was comfortable.  Mile 10 I ran at a 12 minute pace.  My overall time was 2:27:58.  I had three goals:

1. Finish the race.  My knee was enough to make me want to quit but I couldn't quit my first 1/2.  What a disappointment that would have been.

2. Do not end up in the medic tent.  Had I quit, it would have been for my knee and I'm pretty sure I would have ended up in the medic tent or an ambulance had I been seeking medical attention.

3. Finish under 2:30.  I don't know why I set that goal other than it seemed relatively attainable.  I would really like to do a 2:20 the next time I run one just because without the whole knee thing, I think it would have been doable for sure.

All three goals were met.  Overall, it was a really great experience and I was so relieved to finish in the end.  We celebrated with dinner at Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steak house.  I can honestly say, I'm OK if I don't eat meat for a while (this won't happen but that is really how I felt).  I was also very bloated after that meal, like I was retaining a whole lot of water.  I'm pretty sure that although I ran my tail off, I put on weight from all the yummy food we ate this weekend.  I was not brave enough to weigh myself today but I will continue weekly weigh ins next Monday.  I still have my 150 goal to reach and I plan to get there.



I finished my first half!

Today was cold, it was raining, it was windy, and there was thunder and lightning... And I would do it again. I added pictures for your enjoyment and will post later about the event. My time was 2:27:56. I met all my goals and really exceeded my expectations. So proud.

The final run

Today was my final run before the 1/2 marathon... and it was tough.  I ran 2 miles at a 10 minute pace after work and since I normally run in the AM, my body was already tired and the run made me tired too.  It seems like forever ago that I would be at this point.  So excited to rest a little and enjoy the run on Saturday!!!!

A Redeeming Run

This morning I didn't want to get out of bed. In fact I wanted it to be the weekend so that I could have one more day to get things done. But, the day was calling and I had a three mile run that I needed to get to. So I headed out and redeemed myself from Saturday's run by running a 9:34 pace for the entire three miles.

I have to say, my thighs are sore and I have not had sore quads in forever. They started last week when on Wednesday I met a friend for a run that was five miles. It was after work and I was dehydrated and I really think that is my problem. With the weather becoming hotter and more humid, my body is not used to the climate change and I'm needing to hydrate better. Since then my quads have been sore. I've been stretching and continuing to exercise but still I am sore. I will say I slightly had to cut back on lifting and running to rest my right side IT band so that I could be the least injured going into my 1/2 marathon. Regardless, I would think that shouldn't make that much of a difference but maybe it does....

I really wanted a pedicure yesterday mostly for the foot run but I could not fit it into he schedule so after working in the yard (landscaping is 75% completed, yay) I showered and sat down to paint my toes. H picked the color and I like it. Freshly painted toes are second best to a foot rub I guess. :)

The Last Long Run... for now.

I ran ten on Saturday and it was horrible, prob second worst run yet. I had an evening out with a good friend the night before and over served myself but I was proud of myself for sticking to my plan and making it work.  I deserved to suffer, it was silly of me to try to drink that much and then run the next day.
So this coming weekend is my first 1/2 marathon. Questions I've been asked:

Q. Are you nervous?
A. Most definitely. I've been working toward this since January 1st and I didn't know it at the time that I would work towards this, it was ultimately a goal to lose weight and become healthier.  I'm glad it has turned into this though.

Q. What have you done to prepare?

A. My shoes don't need replacing, I have GU ready to take with me, my running clothing is the same I always wear, I will take my iPhone and make sure it's charged, and I'll have my hydration belt (Nathan 1 bottle belt).  Really the route will have multiple hydration spots so I'm not too worried about it.  The only thing is, I don't like lime/lemon Gatorade and many times that is what is served so I'll just have to take it but I will have water in my belt too.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Having to go number two during the race.  Those who know me well know that I have a thing with public restrooms lest alone port - o - pottys.  I just don't want to have to poop during the race.

Q. Is R going with you?

A. Yes, he is going to run the 10K distance while I run the 1/2 marathon.  I signed him up selfishly in hopes he would be inspired to keep running but he does not enjoy running so really he is just doing it to support me and my efforts.  I think he has developed an appreciation for my hard work.  I am thinking he will still enjoy going for a run after work 3 days a week - I just don't see him stopping since he has worked this hard.

Pictures

Ok, here are pictures... not the best but for now, it works.  I tried a front view but honestly, I was totally nipping out and I just didn't want that on my blog so you will have to live with the side view.... I think there is a difference, what do you think?  That is 4 months of hard work and I still have a ways to go but I'll get there.  I haven't looked at my before picture in a while so this is definitely motivating for me. 

I put these next photos up so you can see the difference in my face... yeah, format sucks but it is what it is.

So, what do you think?  I am really happy I started this journey and I know my family is really happy for me.  I will try to be better about pictures (I know, I keep promising but I will try to keep that promise as best as possible.

May Stats - Beginning of Month 5.

Well, I am starting month 5 and I weighed in at my lowest yet: 185.8.  Pretty happy with that considering last month I really went off the wagon with my nutrition.  Below are my measurements:

	Start	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4
Chest	45	42	41.5	39	39
Belly Button	41	39	38	37	36.5
Hips	48	45	44	42	41.5
L Arm	14.75	14	13.5	13	13
L Leg	27	27	26.5	26	26

I have to tell you, I am having a really rough time mentally being motivated.  I love to run but running is becoming harder for me because with my injury, I am trying to rest yet get all my runs in.  I am so afraid the injury will prevent me from finishing.  Three summers ago when I was to run in Okoboji, I ended up having gallbladder surgery.  It had to be done (I ended up in the ER twice because I swore I was having a heart attack - imagine my relief when that was not the case but just my gallbladder) but it still sucked because I worked really hard to train for that.

So, I have a week and a half until my 13.1 mile run.  I want to finish and I don't want to end up in the medic tent so if I can accomplish both, I will consider myself a success.  I'm getting really nervous but I know I am going to be so be so excited for myself when I complete the event.  I can't remember when I worked so hard physically for something.  I can see my body changing (I know, picture is needed) and I can feel myself having more energy and just overall feeling better.  I keep thinking I am making an investment in my health and that H deserves a healthy mom... do you think that matters to kids?

So, I am happy with the progress.  5.8 pounds until my next goal is met... I can do this.  Baby steps. :)