The One Where I Welcome You To "Here"

The Eagles said it or better yet give the right man credit Don Henley said it: 

you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave (insert guitar solo) 

Now then, Hotel California firmly planted in your head! LOL 

I say let's change that up and say: 

Welcome to HERE! Check out of There, it IS possible. Welcome to HERE! 

now on with the blog....... 

I see it all the time. I hear it all the time. I used to think the same thing at one time. 

I want to get back to this size, this weight, this time, this blah blah blah.... 

To which I say.... really?? 

Why would you want to go back to that? Is it a warm fuzzy time period for you? Were you in your optimum health? What about that size makes you want to go back there? 

Even my oldest son said to me proudly at our last race, he's down to his high school weight. I honestly was nearly appalled. Granted he's in good shape now and I think he's in better shape than when he was in high school. 

When I was 18 I was probably about 98 pounds.....maybe 100 pounds. I was shorter than I am now, I was unhealthy and I was rail thin. I was skinny, I barely wore a size 0, but I was not healthy and I couldn't have run a mile with a gun to my head! 

Guess what peeps..... you aren't supposed to be perpetually 18! High School is over! Whatever it is in your past that you're clinging to is.over. O V E R! Over! 

There's a great quote going around FB and Pinterest that says something like, I'm not looking back because I'm not going that way. 

I'm not going that way. Not to past successes either. 

I think some people get stuck in "I did this back then" Like the uncle on Napoleon Dynamite. Always reliving 1982 football game. Guess what it's not 1982! It's not 1992! It's not 2002! It's not April 15, 2012. 

Yesterday is gone. 

Do your best today. Live for today. Start today! 

My initial goal was to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. And I did. But let me tell you; before I was pregnant with my youngest, I wore a size 10. I am right at my pre pregnancy weight, I wear a size 4. The difference is nutrition and exercise.


Go make your today the best it can be..... let go of the rope that's keeping you in the past. Do what you need to do to cross the bridge into the present. I think you'll like it here. :) 

You can't be here if you're still living there. You honestly can 'check out any time you like" Check out of there and welcome to Here. 

Welcome to Here!!

The One Where I Crush Last Years Time

Wow! WOW! WOW! That's all I know to say. The day started with the alarm going off at 5:50.  I laid out my clothes the night before, so I was ready to roll. I got up, got dressed, made coffee, put my contacts in.  Well I put in my old pair and realized that they were indeed old and I wouldn't get another days use out of them. Text my friends for my ETA update.  Changed my contacts. I'm not the most gracious contact wearer, I drop them, blink them out of my eye while trying to get them in.  I normally don't wear them for weekday runs, but on Race Day it's a must!  Particularly because I'm driving! I got my quick breakfast and coffee, laced up and was out the door. I was picking up a Sole Sister on the way!  SO Excited for her!! It was her first DRC Race!! WOOT! We listened to 80's music on the way, I wore argyle socks to represent my age group.   This was an age handicapped race, so the older people got a head start, the younger you are the later your wave started.  Our age group was at 8:24 [caption id="attachment_52" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 80's all the way[/caption] We made it to DRC we met up with some of my running buddies and my older son.  We laughed, we chatted, we made future race plans. We walked down to the start, found our age group and were ready to race!  We didn't have to wait long... I think there were 1-2 waves in front of us.    We laughed about the way the age groups were divided, because we had 16 year old girls and 11 year old boys in our 40 year old age group as well.  Joked about how the 16 year old girls would smoke us. [caption id="attachment_58" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Swift Feet!! Great Running Friends![/caption] In true Running Pfuhl fashion as we started I didn't set my Run Meter!  We were about a tenth of a mile in before I realized that.  Oh well, I usually run about a tenth over, so this would be a good barometer for me. I have the run meter set to notify me of my pace every 3 minutes.  The first 3 minute notification said I was running sub-10!  Wow, that's kinda crazy.   I didn't feel winded or like I was going too fast or that I would fade out either.  I tried to slow down a bit, but keep a good pace. I knew my Sole Sister was a little behind me and I know she doesn't run that pace, I didn't want her to fade out either. The other Sisters I ran with are in a younger age group, kept razzing me that they wouldn't be able to overtake me.... I laughed because she's so much faster than me and I only had a 1 minute head start.  Yup Yup less than a half a mile in she passed me!  She's an awesome runner! We made it to the wonky bridge.... this thing may as well be made from rope and planks..... it moves when you run on it.   It's the strangest feeling.  The first time I ran it I totally lost my umph and slowed down considerably.  It messes me up for sure. I ran when I could on the bridge, slowed down when I felt the Earth Move Under My Feet! I made it to the water stop and was grateful for the drink and to get my bearings from the bridge.  Now it was the uphill climb to the turn around. I'll post last years race blog too, but it is at this point that I start looking for my running buddies and my son to pass me, although they started later!  5 minutes later. As I climbed the hill to the turn around, I saw a fellow RRC Member.  I cheered for her.   I saw my other Sister, running strong, we high five as she passes by.  I kept looking at the shadows behind me.... Looking for my son.  I made it to the turn around and he hadn't passed me yet... wondering if I'd missed him... then I saw him coming up to the turn around as I was going down hill.  We smacked hands, said I'll see you at the finish! A few other buddies passed me, running strong.  Before I made it all the way down the hill to the water stop, my son passed me! WOOT!  LOVE IT!! He ran a strong race! Now back over the wonky bridge and pretty much uphill all the way back.   Grrrr.... the bridge GOT ME!  It was more difficult that I remembered to go up that hill after the bridge.  I kept talking myself into running faster, because my average paced had slowed considerably.  Although I was CRUSHING last years time. On the slight downhill sections I'd speed up.  And try to keep pace on the uphill.   It's only 5 miles but it seemed like forever!  I made it to mile four and was psyched to get this race done! I sped up a bit, trying to keep my average pace to a sub-10.   I saw the clubhouse and knew I was close to the end and again tried to pick up the pace more, although I had extra miles to run after the race to stay on track with RNR Half Training. I ran to the finish, saw my friends and kicked up my pace.  I saw the clock and chuckled... it's age handicap!  It said 1:14 (and some change)  I wasn't expecting that! LOL Crossed the finish and stopped my Run Meter.  I didn't get sub-10, but a major PR nonetheless!  50 minutes 15 seconds!  WOW!! Great Race!!   Great Day with Good Friends! My Sole Sister crossed the finish, we got some water, talked to some other runners and headed out for our extra mile!  :)

The One Where I Sign Up For Two Half Marathons

----------------> THIS GIRL!! It's December 13th and I'm already signed up for 2 10Ks: January 5th January 12th And 2 Half Marathons: March 24th The Dallas Rock N Roll Half! May 27th The Patriot I also have already put together a training plan through June because I have another HM The Wounded Warrior June 9th (although I'm not signed up for it yet). I started with the Sports Nutritionist 2 weeks ago and I've already lost 3 pounds! I have visible signs of inches lost and my clothes are fitting well! emoticon Excited for them to be loose! I plan on losing through the holidays. Yes Yes, I will make a pie and have a slice too, but that is all. A Slice! Not days of range overages. I have a few parties to attend and I will follow the smallest plate one trip rule. Use the smallest plate size available and make only one trip. No piled up plate either. Get what you want but leave space between the servings. I'm doing better at finding what works for me in my 5 meals per day and I'm seeing results which is of course emoticon Thank you for all your well wishes and suggestions. I really appreciate it!! I've been officially released from my doctor and the physical therapist. I have approximately 2-3% range and mobility to be exactly the same again! well at least as my right hand anyway. I will have to do my exercises at home for the next 6-8 months to keep up with the muscle memory and mobility. I'll do them for sure!! Well back to the crazy pace of life....

The One Where I Meet Eve

Sooo, last week I met with Eve. In case you're interested and in the DFW Area 
nutriworksCNC.com 

She weighed me. She measured me. She made me a meal plan. She changed some of my supplements. She had me categorize foods. Yea, literally. 

What I called a protein is actually a fat. Like peanut butter. It's not a protein. If it has more fat grams than protein, it's a fat. sooo no wonder I'm fluffy.... I eat too much fat. 

I was eating too many fruits/carbs at breakfast and not enough the rest of the day. As well as not enough protein. Yes salad is good; but I need more nutrients. 

She changed up my calories and macros. 

1300 calories regardless of exercise. I should have a deficit of about 600 per day. So I really need to be working out more. 

Carbs: 146 (11%) 
Fat: 43 (3%) 
Protein: 81 (6%) 

I have to have a carb a fat and a protein at every meal. And a carb/fat or carb/protein at snacks. 

My meals are broken down like this: 

Breakfast: 333 calories 
Snack: 150 calories 
Lunch: 333 calories 
Snack: 150 calories 
Dinner: 333 calories 

I like the plan. I'm not stuffed after meals but I'm not starving. It's still difficult for me to not eat extra after a hard workout or run. 

Like today I went to two classes. A body pump style class and a spin class! WOOT! I burned over 500 calories. 

I find myself not full after my days worth of meals.... but I'm sticking to the plan. 

The goal is to get me down to 118-120 and about 20-22% body fat. I'm thinking I shouldn't have started this in December. No party foods, no alcohol, no egg nog, no cookies. Just 1300 calories, 5 meals a day. I can go over, but I won't lose as quickly. Or whittle this middle down. 

After I reach my goal I'll be able to up my calories to maintain at around 1800. 

I need ideas though for 333 calorie meals, it'll take me 3-4 months she said to meet my goal. Lunch isn't a problem... it's dinner that I'm having a hard time coming up with meals in the correct calorie range. 

The One Where I'm A Renegade

Soooo.... I opted out on the Trinity Levee Bridge Run so I could do the Renegade Run: 

Unscheduled, Unplanned, Unofficial, Unsupported, Unsponsored- Un-Marathon from Greenville Tx down Historic Rt 66 to Rockwall Tx 

For the record State Highway 66, isn't part of US Route 66. 

The race route was intimidating, considering we'd have no police support. 3 miles would be on 66 a narrow two lane blacktop mostly uphill. Some steady inclines, some just straight up! Half of the race would be on that section. I was worried about that. 

Wednesday I ran 6.15 miles I ran part of it on 66, and because of the narrow road and the cars on the road I dodged a few times, I rolled my ankle... so now I was doubly worried. 

I did my usual routine from then on. Hot Shower, Foam Roll, Ice every hour. 

Thursday I worked out, Friday I went to the Jump Rope for Heart event at the school. I didn't jump rope too much. I was worried. 

Saturday I did a lot of errands and I bought new shoes, cuz wow, I had no tread left on my shoes and I wasn't gonna be a good road runner without some tread! 

I got the same shoes Brooks Ghost 4. That felt so much better. :) 

Saturday I got all my stuff out, ready to go. I checked it and checked it double checked it. I added some new tunes to my iPod 

Renegade in particular for the Renegade Run. 

I bought all kinds of stuff Saturday Honey Stingers, Clif Gels, some electrolyte gel, I wasn't sure what all I would need. But I knew I would need water, so I got a freezable lunchbox ready to go with 2 additional waters and some fuel. Other than training runs where I can stop by my car for water and fuel, I've never run a "non-race" so I was concerned about having enough water. 

I had my Vapur Water Bag that holds 24 ounces, then in my lunchbox I had two more bottles that hold 32 ounces each. 

I also had gum. Which I will explain later in this blog..... Trident comes in two different "sugar types" One that I'm allergic to and one that I am not. 

Saturday I got in bed early but I didn't sleep. I finally got to sleep about 11:30-ish... closer to midnight.  

I woke up at 3:41. THREE FORTY ONE! I tossed and turned. I checked Facebook. I saw all my runner girls getting ready to run. I got a few text from running buddies wishing me well. 

I tried to go back to sleep. Couldn't.  

I got out of bed at 4, got on the Mac and though a little PC time might help me get the energy out of me so I could go back to sleep. I went back to bed. 

I got up at 5, for good. I started doing housework.... folding laundry, doing dishes. 

Because this race started in Greenville (the 26.2 portion) at 6AM then at 8-ish the Royse City (13.1 portion) my part wouldn't start until 9. I had four hours before my race started. 

I checked all my stuff, I got dressed, I tried to eat breakfast and couldn't. I chewed gum to just keep my nerves at bay. I drank water, I drank coffee, I drank herbal tea.  

And I was experiencing some not so pleasant bathroom issues. I've never had this problem before a race, but I was pretty nervous about this race so I chalked it up to nerves. 

Around 6:30 I got my bag together to take to the drop off site, wanted to make sure I had my things in place just in case they got to the 10K mark early. I started texting the race directors wife about 7AM and she said they were running behind. hrmp 

more bathroom issues.  

I tried to eat and this time was really sick. Like I thought I was gonna throw up sick. I was getting very worried about being able to do this race. With no stops, no bathrooms, no medical aid. Just me and the road. What would I do? 

They were still pretty far out and I had a long time to wait, so I would decide as it got closer. 

I dropped off my lunch bag and saw some of the runners that started at 6AM at the 13.1 mark, they were all in a group and were going great! So I was encouraged. They were alone and looked good, happy, no one had hit them, there were all accounted!!  

I got home, woke up my hubby cuz he was gonna drive me to the race start and follow me if he needed to, cuz he was very concerned about me running with no police support. 

He was lolly-gaggin and I was about to throw up! 

I checked and rechecked my stuff, got all my thing together and either in my pocket or in my car. Made a few more trips to the bathroom when it DAWNED ON ME... 

It's the gum!! 

I checked the package I purchased saturday - it has splenda. The previous package used xylitol! Splenda makes me sick.... very sick. The kind of sick I was beginning to experience. Glad I caught that before we headed out the door. 


EDIT!!! 
Seriously I didn't hit post... not sure how my blog posted!! I'm totally not done!! 

I was still texting with the RD wife and she told me to meet up with Papa Turtle. :) Otherwise known as Jim. He was at the race start when I got there and I was very encouraged when he said we'd be taking a different route. A little discourage when I realized we would be shy of the 10K mark. Where we met up and where the 10K start was was about a mile difference. 

We waited for others to show up and we had a pretty good group going!! The early 13.1s came by to wish us well and took our picture. The RD wife came by too to check on us. I was feeling really well. 

I was running with The Turtles and I was happy about that because I don't have the "moves like becki!" HA!! I set my RunKeeper to 13.5 and would be happy if I kept that pace considering the hills. 

I tried out another run app as well, tried to see if RunMeter, iPod and RunKeeper would all work together. This would be the test. The RunMeter lets people send me messages on Facebook and also emails my hubby at every mile, if I stop for more than 5 minutes, if I start up again and the like. I certainly wanted that for this run. 

We headed out at 9. two by two. 

A man and woman in front. (the head of the turtle) 
Runner girls next (the neck) 
Me and two others (the middle) 
And Papa Turtle in the back (the tail) 

I felt good. I was running at a good pace. We started on the incline and I just kept going. My apps were acting weird though and my music wasn't shuffling. So.not.happy about that. 

Hubby drove ahead and moved my refuel point since the route changed. And then caught up with me along the way. He stopped and took a few pictures and the RD had some folks following us as well taking pix and video! I'm so excited for that to be ready! 

It seemed we got up to the first intersection with ease.... the lady who was running with me though was having some complications, not sure if she was overheating or what... but she asked me to take the lead, so I did. Plus I knew the route so that helped the other too. 

We made the first mile and I was feeling great! Wasn't hit by any cars so far! 

We made the corner at the first intersection and I was going strong! Still jacking with my apps and music though. 

At least for a while it was stuck on Renegade. :) 

We crossed the FM road to the next road that was under construction. We devised a plan to be able run through or around the construction if it were going on. 

It wasn't so we were able to run on the incline they built up for the new road!! WOOT! It was dirt and nice to run on! By the end of the construction point we'd gone 3 miles. 

And what do I see my husband with my fuel and my friend!!! Kat!! My sweet friend Kat, she came to run in with me!!  

I was feeling Great!! No pain, no soreness. My shoes felt fine. Surprisingly I wasn't tired! I was over the hills... literally... and now I was on the downward stretch. I had about 2 miles to go! I refilled my water, stopped to tie my jacket around my waist and kept going!! it was so nice to run with Kat... we hadn't run together in a while. 

We made the bend onto the the next street, no one in front of us, and the slower turtles were behind us. Still having technical difficulties with my apps.... the only sound I could hear was our feet on the road.... ahhhhh the sweet sound of running! 

We made the next turn and we were about a quarter of a mile out. Kat was cramping up... 

We walked for a bit and then started running again. We made it to the parking lot and we ran in!!! WE MADE IT!! I felt like I could fly!! I felt so good I probably could have run back!! 

Hubby was there; all the other runners that had gone before me were there cheering us on!! There were lots of pictures and hugs! We got some and some  and some muffins.  :) 

This was a great event with some awesome runner guys and gals. And with people who run my speed!! The Turtles!  

I joined the RRC and now I'm on their Facebook Page so we can meet up for runs and go to events together! Several of them are running in the Dallas Rock N Roll!! I was already attending for my Spark Dallas Peeps to cheer them on.... now I have more people to "yell at"! 

I felt great, I seriously could have run back home!! I didn't but I felt like I could. 

I came home, showered, hubby rented some movies, made me some popcorn and I chilled for the rest of the day! Ahhhhhh..... 

Kiddo came home from grandmas and then I went to bed early. 

I DID IT!! I ran a great race with the goal of finishing. I finished. Not last either (like I thought)! 


Miles: 5.15 
Minutes: 63.40 
AP: 12.21 
Feet Climbed: 227 
Calories Burned: 535 

I survived!! I'm so excited!! I feel like a real runner. I feel like it's ok to start preparing for C2C, now that all the planets have aligned and I can go! :) I can run on the road and on the grass and on gravel and in dirt all in one race and do well!!

I SURVIVED!! FEAR FACED!! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! 

Nothing that I built up in my mind happened!! No animals chasing us, not even a close call with a car, I didn't need to fuel as often as I thought, I had enough supplies.. heck at this point I could run my own mini-race! LOL 

It's not the distance I wanted to run, but that's ok. I know I can run that distance. Which means I can run farther too!! 

My hubby seemed to be inspired as well.... he told me his workout days are Tuesday Thursday and Sunday. And he walked on the treadmill 30 minutes Tuesday night. 

******* END RACE REPORT****** 

But the pride, the puffed up chest, the accomplishment lives on!! 

I ran a seriously quick 3.07 yesterday!! A little sore, but I'm looking forward to another run tomorrow! 

I've had multiple emails, texts and 3 phone calls in-between the first "accidental post" and now.... I really should keep y'all hanging again!! LOL

The One Where It's The First Race of 2012

Yeah, Week 1. Although I went right back into my routine December 26th. Last week was really a better gauge for me as far as exercise. Monday I walked on the treadmill and I was within calorie range. Tuesday I went to FitKick and I was within calorie range, but barely because I was starving! Wednesday I ran on the treadmill and I was way under calories! I know that's bad Thursday School was back in session, I went to FitKick and got my butt kicked, it was a hard workout! Again I was way under.... Friday Rest Day, I managed to stay under although I had my usual pre-race meal, In-N-Out Burger! Friday Night I wasn't really nervous. I guess I though I would be or should be because it's the first race of the year. My usual peeps wouldn't be at the race, so I was gonna be alone. Going to Dallas alone sometimes creeps me out. But later that night I learned my oldest was coming to run! WOOT!! Soooo happy he's still running and that we get to run together! I got my race clothes out, a couple of different options depending on the weather. I got my water bottle filled up and ready, I got my sunglasses, my hat, my hair band, my socks, my shoes, my purse, my snacks, made sure my phone was charging, my alarm was set. I went to bed on time, I didn't lolly-gag around. I slept well. I drank a lot of water and herbal tea. The alarm went off, I jumped up, grabbed my pile of clothes and headed to the bathroom to get dressed. All dressed out I made coffee and taped up while it was brewing. Then I made breakfast. Oatmeal with walnuts and protein powder I put all my stuff in a pile on the counter, to be sure not to leave anything. I drank some coffee, made me a to-go cup, stuffed my purse full of my things and headed out. It was foggy. I was hoping it wouldn't be like this all the way to Dallas, and it wasn't! The sun was out it was warming up a bit. I made it to Winfrey Point and still was able to get a good parking place. I went to grab my things and realize two vital things are missing! 1. I didn't grab my water off the counter; and 2. No Headphones!! O M G I was worried about the water because there would only be 2 water stops around the mile point.... and I generally require more water when I run. I drink anywhere from 2-3 cups of water on a 5K run. So that dixie cup was gonna have to carry me through! I know what caused me to leave it. My future DIL left her jacket at my house over Christmas and I stopped to get it....saving me a drive to Denton. :) The Headphones.... Well, in my old car I kept a stash of headphones for talking while driving and for races. I have a new car. It's all technical and I don't need my headphones to use the phone..... so there are no headphones in my glovebox! Another thing I would have liked to have and thought about brining but didn't. Gloves. I'll explain more in a bit. I get out of my car a little disgruntled and head up the hill with the rest of the runners. I get in line to get my number.... the DRC has a new system for tracking and they this is the first run though. There was a long line. But I was in good company with the other runners, we became fast friends as we huddled together waiting our turn! I saw a friend of mine and we chatted, caught up. Then my oldest showed up just as we were getting to the porch and getting our instructions! They announced that they were pushing the race time back to 8:15, which was good cuz runners were still in line. It was gonna be a while before we could get through the line and get our number as well. He needed to get someone out of his car and we headed back down the hill. Got our gear on and ready to head to the start. The sun was out which was nice because i was a little chilly. But Hey, it the Frigid 5K, what did we think the weather should be!? We get there and I'm thinking....did the race start? Where are the runners? They delayed the race to 8:30. We notice this interesting cloud formation, it looks like mountain peeks, we're all discussing how odd it looks but enjoying the sunshine. We all get lined up again, most of the runners are ready to go. They announce we're just about ready, the computers are syncing with the bib tracker thing and we're gonna start!! YAY!! It's about 8:35. And the mountain peaked clouds are now hovering over us, the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees..... the wind off the lake....wow. Yes. This is what they mean by Lake Effect. Something as a Texan I don't have to deal with much. :) Annnnnd they announce the computers have crashed, it will be about 20 more minutes. If we want to have race results we'll have to wait until 9. They ask us if we want to ran anyway, we all cheered!! So they said if you wanted your race results to stick around and wait for a "second start" otherwise 3, 2, 1 GO!! Alex runs much faster than me so I told him "I'll see you at the finish!" My goal I guess was really to run it in under 40. I thought I'd do a bit of a run walk action, but really I had no plan. I know, did I really just say that? I had no plan. As I ran, weaving through some of the runners and walkers to be in the space I wanted to be in, I found that I was pacing really well with a woman about my size. She has a long dark pony tail coming out of her cap, she had a white running jacket on, she had headphones and water! I was matching her step for step. Sometimes in front of her, sometimes behind her, sometimes beside her. We were like a machine. Because I had no headphones, I had no idea what my/our/her pace was, I just kept running. I know I run much faster outdoors than on the treadmill though and was comfortable with this pace. It wasn't too fast or too slow. I decided to keep pace with the runner girl! We made it to the 1/2 mile mark and I wasn't tired and I wasn't feeling like I needed to walk. We made it to the water stop and well I lost her in the crowd, cuz I really needed a drink. Ahhhh the water was so cold and I was warmed up by now. I walked through the stop and drank the water....I didn't swish and spit. I drank it. And kept going..... now her comes the hill, not a giant hill, just steady. I kept looking for my pacer girl but couldn't find her. Bummer. But I just kept going. Listening to the conversations going on around me. I was near two couples who were doing C25K during the race. One who was doing very well, the other ummmm not so much. Which was a little frustrating for me. The woman was running too far ahead of the man, then would stop right in front of me. Clearly someone needs to explain some running etiquette! I made it past them and back to the water, I had a water AND a gatorade cup this time. I was thirsty. I walked thru and back to my comfortable pace. I was practically alone and I heard my run keeper say something. I thought it said 2.90 miles. I kept telling myself just two tenths of a mile to go! I was making good time! Then I saw around the bend this white tent top looking thing in the distance and was thinking, again not much further now, that's the finish! I kept running and running, thinking this is the LONGEST 2/10's of a mile I've ever run, when I see my pacer!! YAY I found her! But she was walking. She looked worn out. I tried to run to catch up to her, but there were too many other people around me to do that. She started running again and I matched her! :) That one couple came by and said to one another, how much longer it this! I said look at my phone....it'll say how many miles I've run. She said 3.02! YAY! I said, we're almost done now!! As I said that I look up to see the "tent thing" was an RV! LOL I had a chuckle to myself about it, cuz the tent at the finish is Green!! I'm really close to my pacer as we come across the finish, but I lost her in the crowd, bummer. I see my kiddo and we head to get some water and to buy some shirts!! :) Still I'm not tired. More importantly, I'm not hurting anywhere!! I feel good!! I could have kept running! :) Here are my stats: 3.22 miles 36.33 minutes 11.21 AP 5.28 AMPH Mile 1: 11.19 Mile 2: 11.36 (water stops) Mile 3: 11.11 Mile .22: 11.11 At 3.1 I was at 35.13! WOOT! The timing thing never worked so I have don't know what my official time was. Alex ran it in under 29! We got a snack and some muscle milk and headed back to our cars. He went home to denton and we made plans for next months race! :) I got home just in time to get ready for the scout hiking/service project. There is a great walking/biking trail near our house. It's 6 miles! Ups and downs, great place to run....but I'm a little leery of doing that alone, since is it wooded and secluded. I found my water bottle and packed some snacks for the hike! Went out to pick up trash and get some more exercise in! I went 1.87 miles with the boys, at a Much, MUCH slower pace! Week 1: I lost .80 pounds I ran 13.2 miles I burned 1753 calories I stayed on track nutritionally I read my bible Feeling pretty successful with week 1! Week 2 Sunday is a rest day, Monday I spent the day cleaning the house. After the long school break it was time for me to get things back in order. I mopped, dusted, vacuumed, wiped down baseboards, threw things out, did 3 loads of laundry and made Pad Thai for dinner! YUM-O The kiddo left this morning for 5th grade camp, it's bitter-sweet, Neither parent is with him. This is the first away from home trip he's taken without relatives and without a way to contact us. No electronics. No phones at all. :( We won't see him again until Friday late afternoon. I left the school about 7:20, headed home to get ready for FitKick. I got a good workout, but I still feel like I need something more. Crazy I know, but I'm thinking of hitting the elliptical here in a bit. Or a nap, Or more laundry, or well..... I do have a sink full of dishes to tend to. Better get started! To keep with the thankfulness of last week: 1. For a great run during the race 2. For the rain, we need it desperately 3. For the week (somewhat) off.

The One Where It Hurts To Do The Dishes

Things have been hectic here. PTA BSA Birthday Parties Emergencies 

I have been a huge stress ball! Some things are just more than I can take honestly, at least all in one week. I know it's a huge disappointment, I'm not super woman! It was hard for me to find that out too! ;) 

I have been working out at Fit Kick. We do TurboJam and Bootcamp Style workouts!! I am really happy with my body's memory! It remembers my tone-ness and fitness level from the spring when i was lifting more! YAY!! 

Wednesday my triceps hurt so much that it even hurts to wash the dishes!! YAY!! 

I haven't run in a few weeks, but I'm OK with that. I know I can do it and I'll get the miles logged eventually. I'm on a better schedule with working out and like in the spring it didn't matter that I hadn't logged the miles, I was stronger and I ran better because of it. 

I don't plan on doing anything more than a 5K....so I'm not worried about it. I have all of December to log the miles. I can run that far and I'm not worried. I do want to get a 10K under my belt in 2012. 

Although I've been stressed I've been doing OK in the nutrition department. I haven't eaten myself into oblivion. I'm not losing but that's OK. I still fit into my clothes although not my 2's, but I'm not fretting over that. 

I am looking forward to thanksgiving, because it's the first time in years that my whole family (siblings and kids) have been together! My sister and I have a great menu and I"m excited to have a fun day at her house with all our kids! :) 

Things are better with my brother....it's one day at a time.... I know it will take many one days at a time to get there, but we're in it for the long haul. I love him and I know there is purpose in the pain. 

My kiddo has the week off, so this will be fun and filled with laughter! 

I am making dressing and pies for my sisters house. Oh and roasted brussel sprouts. Then I'm going to the black friday deals!! it's tradition, but I don't get up at the crack of dawn. 

Saturday I'll have a run day and a baby shower to attend. 
Then we'll be back to business as usual. 
School, PTA, BSA and Christmas! 

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Eat what you want, don't overdo it, don't feel guilty, stay on track. Make a new tradition of going for a walk after the meal! Bundle up and get out the door! So what you haven't made it to your goal yet, you're moving and you're doing what's best for your life! 

Remember this is a journey, not a destination and stay on the path!! Don't camp out at Thanksgiving Day! :) Gobble Gobble! not Waddle Waddle! 


   

The One Where I Run With The Littles

Saturday I got up early. Got dressed. Had my coffee. Drank more water. Hubby and kiddo got ready too. Kiddo was running the 5K Race for the first time! At first he was gonna run it with his friends, then his teacher, then his friends, then me. Oh well, he'd run with whomever. 

The race atmosphere was great! I was excited! A friend of mine found me and asked if I'd run with her daughter and I said yes. I was hoping we'd keep a good pace but I was happy to just be running!! :D 

We started off and kept a good pace up to mile one. My running buddy wanted to walk a bit. So we decided we'd run/walk between the mailboxes. We'd run to one mailbox walk to the next one. 

I love this race route. It's awesome. It has just enough challenge and just enough scenery. 

Our Mile One Pace 13:05 

We made it to the turn around where I met up with my kiddo. He was really tired. He was sprinting... and walking and SPRINTING.... and walking. He didn't want to do run club this year so he was not prepared for this distance or the hills. 

He said I just can't run anymore. I said oh yes you can!! So my running buddy and I helped him to do the run walk, only this time we went between the telephone poles. :) 

His walking was reallllly slow. By the time we made it to mile 2 out pace was 14:38

Past mile two it was a struggle for my small people. They were done. And wanted to walk a lot. But I made them stick to the run walk. Our Runs were about 12mm pace, our Walks were around 17mm. 

We got to the bend where we were at the home stretch and I said OK, it's time to give it all we've got!! RUN RUN RUN!! 

My Running Buddy was in front of me and she ran fast!! Walked a bit but with some encouragement from her mom, darted off!! She came in 8th in her age group! 

I was right behind her! I came in 13th in my age group! 

My Kiddo was behind us by a few minutes, he came in 15th in his age group!! 

It wasn't an ideal race but I helped two young runners push through and achieve their goals!! 

My Time was 46:42 3.19 miles 
Official Time: 46.01 

The One Where I Run The Hot Chocolate Race

I picked My #1 Donut up around 7AM and then headed out for our Addison Adventure. It was cold and rainy and hard to see and I got lost a couple of times but we MADE it there!!

Found the race site and then found our Spark Peeps!! Jerome, Amy, Nancy, Andrea, Lynette, Michelene,Susie, Donut, Laurie (?), a few others who's name escapes me at the moment.

We dropped all our stuff off with Susie AKA Donut and found our place at the start. I was gonna run with Lynette.....well for as long as I could!

Around the 1/2 mile mark my right shoe came untied and I had to stop, I lost Lynette from there but kept going. The first few miles with her though I was running a 9mm!! And it didn't feel too fast or like I was gonna pass out! But after I stopped to tie my shoe I was a bit slower. Down to my normal 11mm pace. I made it over the first hill and was feeling good! No pain no need to adjust. I felt good!! YAY!

I got down the hill at a bit of a quicker pace and could hear the cheers of the lady who was there with her own police detail! She'd already made it to the turn around!

I made it to the turn around in about 18-19 minutes and I was feeling good! Then the that darned hill was in my face again! I told myself "Commit to the hill!" And I would count off 10-20 seconds and then look up to see how far I had to go! LOL Just how much more commitment would this take!

After that is was GRAVY! Cuz the turn to the home stretch was next! I did experience a bit of chaffing. I forgot to wear a t-shirt instead of sleeveless, but other than that, I felt great!

I'm sore, but not in pain. YAY!!!!

I finished by the RunKeeper 35.17 by the official time 35.50. Because Susie Donut, let me race with her bib, all the stats are under her name. Hmmmmmm....just looked up the stats. There aren't any for the bib number. Odd.

In my age group I would have finished 30th out of 65! WOOT!! But under her age group I was 38/75!! COOL!

Lynette/Susie found me at the finish and we waited for the others! :D We met back up inside, got out hot chocolate and ate yummy donuts that Susie made for our fabulous Spark Team!!

We hung out. We took Pictures. We had a great time!! Can't wait for next month!!

The One Where I Tell You To Get Off The Hook!

There were a few mentions yesterday about some sparkers who feel at times they can't take the trash out, how it builds up and makes it hard for them to move around.

I've had that experience. I know how that feels. So much piled up, so much junk, garbage, and clutter. I didn't have the Cleavers for parents. I've been overwhelmed by the piles and the crud.

I read a book about health and nutrition. And while I don't agree completely with the authors "style" of health and nutrition, I was able to "eat the meat and spit out the bones" per se.

There is an exercise he mentions about forgiveness. Hold on!! I know what you're thinking.....breath in and out for a moment. Forgiveness isn't about letting someone off the hook. It isn't about lack of accountability or responsibility. Its about hook availability!

When we fail to forgive we are on the hook. We are holding on for dear life. We hold onto yesterday, three days ago, 5 years ago, 13 years ago, 35 years ago. If we're holding onto the hook then surely we're holding then responsible. Right? That would be the logic in that.

Let me tell you something, the hook means you're being eaten for dinner, friends! The only person who is being eaten (alive) is you! The other person is carrying on with their life having no thought about what they have done. (trust me on this one.....i could write a book of stories)

Holding onto the past is like drinking poison in hopes that it will kill your enemy! It doesn't kill them.....it only kills you. With poor health, depression, emotional eating......just fill in the blank. My blank was drinking and generally a destructive life. Who was I hurting? Not the offenders, that's for sure!

ANYWAY! Back to the hook. When you get off the hook, you allow for hook availability. Whether you see it materialize in your lifetime or not, the hook is available now for others. You stop being dinner. You stop being in a tug of war with the hook. You stop being in the holding pattern.

This Forgiveness Exercise was very helpful for me in leaving the past where it belongs.

****NOTE**** If you are offended by "religion" by the terms like prayer or God, etc. I encourage you to stop reading now.






Forgiveness Exercise
From Walk Thru The Bible Ministries

Instructions:
Step 1: Take a sheet of paper and write down the name of the person you need to forgive at the top. (one person per paper)

Step 2: Write down the things that person did to cause you pain. I can tell you from experience that once you start remembering those things, your emotions will start to rise to the surface, but that’s okay. That’s just a sign you haven’t forgiven them yet.

Step 3: Once your list is complete, you need to look at each person’s name and say “I forgive you for…..,” and say out loud what they did to hurt you.

Step 4: Then ask God to cleanse you of your past unforgiveness, bitterness and/or resentment. By the time you’ve reached this step, you’ll be heading down the road to recovery. After you’ve completed your list, you should cut up the paper or burn it.


Its not a cure-all. Its just a resource that has helped me thru alot of junk. I had junk my friends. Now I'm down to a managable pile of clutter, but its getting smaller. Occassionally I have to go thru this exercise again, I generally burn mine. Its more ceremonial to me. I watch the paper burn, mourn the loss of that event, that relationship, that crutch I was using to hold me back. And I move on.

On another "religious" type of note: CS Lewis said something incredible well he said alot of incredible things, but this one stuck with me a long time ago.

Anything that's not dead in your life can't be raised up!

Have a super Tuesday!! :D

The One Where I Ask Have You Lost Your Trash Can (or Mind)?

I've thought alot about this subject, I've thought alot about what to title such an blogging adventure. So while I sit here with my knee propped up, with an ice pack atop it. Lets begin.

Odd title I'll admit, but where is your trash can and where was it before? Is your kitchen trash can under the sink? near the stove? Have you ever moved your trash can to a new location? Mine for instance it at the end of the island. Occassionaly I move it next to the sink depending on what I'm preparing. If I'm peeling alot of veggies, I'll move it near the sink. Or when I've been handling chicken.

Sometimes I forget and leave the trash can by the sink, then head to the end of the island and remember, oh yeah! I moved it. I don't discard the trash on the floor where the can used to be. I dispose of it in the proper place. It would certainly get messy if I did that wouldn't it? Instead of making a new habit of discarding trash in the can near the sink, if I discarded the trash onto the floor where the can used to be located?

But we're people, right, capable of learning new habits. right? So what is all this talk of trash cans and their location?

Its simple really. You can remember that you've moved the location of the trash can and dispose of trash properly. Even when you (or I) forget, you head back into the correct direction, right?

Its the same with a healthy lifestyle. You've moved the location of your today and your future. So what if occassionally you forget. Just turn back toward the new location.

I've seen so many Spark Friends become discouraged lately. Forgetting their location. I've seen so many say they don't know how to get back. But I say to that if you can remember the new location of a trash can, you can remember how to Spark!

I have to remember to count out chips and not eat out of the bag.

I have to remember to look up nutritional information before I order my food.

I have to remember when I drink enough water, I feel alot better.

I have to remember to start with the serving size. If I'm still hungry make another sensible choice.

One piece of (or even the whole bag) __________ isn't the end of my journey.

I have to remember the scale is not a reflection of who I am, but a snapshot of a location on the journey.

SparkFriends, I ask you today......where is your trash can?

Who's Driving Your Wagon?

Repost from Spark:

I met Coach Nancy at the bridge today, we had a great time, walking and talking. We talked more than we walked. It was a four mile walk, a four hour talk.

Having someone like minded gave me an opportunity to bounce alot of my thoughts off her and honestly I think we both have hours of blog material now! LOL And this is one of them....but I got to thinking about this particular part of our conversation and I hope it translates as well into blog as it did in person.

I hear the term or phrase: I fell off the wagon. I'm getting on the wagon. While I understand what the phrase means and that it applies to other aspects of life issues, I'm will only be discussing it today in terms of Spark People.

To get there I want to sing a little song, some of you may know it and some of you may not. It's kind of a strange song to make the point but I hope it will make sense.

Time Warp - Rocky Horror Picture Show

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
And bend your knees in time
But its the pelvic thrust, that really drives you insane
Let's do the Time Warp Again!

I equate the Time Warp to being "on or off the wagon". And if it's a wagon, and you're ON the wagon, who's driving it? You? And if not you then who? Are the horses out of control? Hmmmmm....that's a foder for an whole other blog....back to this one.

If getting on the wagon is a jump to the left
And getting off the wagon is a step to your right
And while your off the wagon you put your hands on your hips (or calories) and bend your knees (only exercise when I feeeeeeeeeel like it)
I think the pelvic thrust that drives you insane is binge eating and guilt.

Are you really moving? Isn't it just a series of "a jump to the left and a step to the right"? How are you moving forward with all the side stepping?

And again I ask you WHO is driving the wagon?

At some point in this Spark Journey, you have to decide to take the reigns, you have to do the work, you have to stop trying to fill the hole, the void, the abyss, the loneliness, the "someday syndrome", the I'll be happy when thoughts, with food, with bad food or good for you food, alcohol, whatever, you fill in your own blank (destructive behavior).

Until you stop being content (and who are we kidding, you're not content) with riding in the wagon, getting off and getting on and getting off and getting on...

Until you become the DRIVER (taking control of your life) and not the PASSENGER (blame anything else for "perceived failure") you will not be successful. I said it. You're right! This won't work.

Until you take the reigns, Until you make the choices: water and fuel, Until you use the Spark Tools, Until you get off the couch and put on the shoes. You're not moving forward. You're not the driver of the wagon.

Are you ready to grab the reigns?

Don't just think you are.
KNOW you are.
Don't just TRY.
DO.

August and Everything After

That is the title the one of my favorite albums. The Counting Crows first album. 

Here is the plan for August, I'm still on the Darby Barrios Plan for now, although I'm running more than the plan, when I can; when I can't I go back to walking. I am hoping that August will be a month when I am able to stay on a work out schedule and not have injuries, accidents and the like. 

I am still sore from the June accident, so there is some stuff I just can't do yet. But I do what I can, however slowly it may be, its certainly surely! :) 

MWFS are Run Days. 
T, Th, (sometimes saturdays) are ST days 
I do the Quickfire Challenges when I am (physically) able. 

Today is W5D1 and the rest of the month looks like this: 

Week 5: Walk 3 minutes, then run 12 minutes, then repeat. By the end of the week walk 3 minutes, run 15 minutes, walk until rested, then run the rest of the session. 
Goal by weeks end: a 15-minute running segment. 

Week 6: Walk 5 minutes to begin and end the workout. Run 20 minutes in the middle. 
Goal: 20 minutes of continuous running 

Week 7: Walk 3 minutes to begin and end the workout. Run 24 minutes in the middle. 
Goal: 24 minutes of continuous running 

Week 8: Walk only a block or so to limber up then run the full 30 minutes 

I weighed today, I'm suffering from an overload of sodium this weekend, so the number isn't quite what I'd like for August, but its still out of 140-ville, so Whooo hooo!! And I still measure about the same. I've been consistantly 136.0-136.4, since my lowest weight of July at 135.0 mid-month. 

AUGUST 2009: 
Weight 137.2 (sodium inflated) 
Bust: 38 
Chest: 32 
Waist 31.00 
Belly Button: 32 
Hips: 37.00 
Neck: 14.75 

1/4 inch changes, but much, but its still progress 
1.2 pounds from first of July to first of August. But tomorrow or Wednesday I'll be back down to aroun 135-136. 

GW this month 130. I want to get out of the middle 130's threshhold. I think more water and less sodium will be the key for that. More Fruits and Veggies, less giving into what DH wants for dinner. Stick to the meal plan. I feel better and lose more when I do. 

Its gonna be a hot month, so I'll be swimming more, which means I'll be burning alot more calories. I just need to make sure the calories in are nutritious and not calories for the sake of calories. 

Come on say it with me!! 

A PLAN WITH NO ACTION IS JUST A WISH!! 

Don't jus wish for a new life, weight loss, toned muscles. Go MAKE IT HAPPEN!!