What dreams may come...

from pinterest.com

So, as you may recall, this past weekend a friend of mine asked me to help her get running. Well, today was our first run together, and she did awesome! I think she was nervous at first, like I still get before a race.  It was nice. In all honesty, I had no idea what to expect. She told me that she had never run before, so I thought it would be nice if she was able to go a mile. We started with a brisk walk, and then started to run. Slow and steady for 3 minutes...she needed to walk, so we did. 30 seconds later, she wanted to run again, so we did. We did that for a mile. She was so EXCITED!! I asked her if she wanted to go a little further, we continued with the walk/run combo for 1.25 miles. Then we turned back. I didn't want us to get too far out and then realize she wouldn't be able to make it back. I let her dictate how far we went. At 1.25 miles she stated that 3 minutes was too long of a run period, we backed it down to 2 minutes, but kept it at 30 seconds of walking. At 1.5 miles she was beyond happy. She was like I can do this! I knew she can. We continued, and at 2 miles I congratulated her with high fives and hugs! She did it! She didn't even think she could have done it. At the end of 2 miles she stated how much fun she had. How it was fun to have someone to run with. I was so and am so proud of her. She even wants to join the running club on Saturday, I believe I even talked her into doing TheColorRun NJ in Sept, 

from pinterest.com

but not for a time, but just for pure entertainment. I am so excited to do this run! Anyone else wanna join?!?
I have to admit, I really thoroughly enjoyed the 2 mile run with her. It was nice to go out and just run, not worry about time, to spend some time outside of work together while working on getting healthy. It was weird for me to be giving her advice, on strides, on what to wear, to buy bodyglide. I still don't consider myself a runner, is that normal? When did you consider yourself a runner?
Well, I better get to bed, I have steps to do tomorrow. I hope you all had a great day! What did you do to #SweatPink today?

Oh what a feeling!

Yesterday, I woke up at 445 and headed to the gym. While I was groggy at first and cursed myself for losing sleep to go, when I got there I was re energized by the atmosphere. What a feeling it was to be back in the swing of things. I am going to be realistic here. I can't go from not going to the gym to expect to go every day. No, instead, I am only planning on going twice a week (M and F). What a way to book end the work week.  It will be interesting here to see how this will work out once I know what Joe's work schedule will be and with my schedule changing to 10 hour days, but I can only change what I can change and therefore there is no reason to stress over things.  At the gym I first did some ab work (I need to find some more to do) and then hit the elliptical for 10 minutes on level 3. I am still doing the things the Physical Therapist had told me to do, and since I was MIA from the gym for the while, I thought it was best to stick to it.  Once the elliptical was over, I went and hit the weights for my legs and even did some exercises using just body weight. I like to think that it is making me stronger, and hopefully it really is, but only time will tell me.  It is a good sign that I was able to run 5 miles on Saturday pain-free, and I am going to continually to slowly increase my mileage. I am not worried about not getting the mileage up to where I want it, I am more worried about getting it to stay pain free. It was great to get back into the gym, and oddly, I am really excited that I got myself there yesterday!
Today, I am going to introduce my friend to the world of running. I word it this way, because this said friend just completed the Spartan Race without training for it or anything, and she said that even her best friends thought she would have dropped out right away. But sheer determination, she finished the race. I don't know if she is proud of herself or not, but she should be. Anyway, I recommended that she head over to our local running store to get a pair of shoes that is fitted for her to provide her the best support and will do what she wants it to do.  So, today is the day. We will be meeting up and going running. My plan is to do a modified couch to 5K program with her. I told her she needed to be accountable on the days she doesn't run with me, and she agreed to do just that. So, I will run with her today, and when she is done, I may or may not go for more mileage. It all depends on how long her session is. One short run isn't going to kill me, actually, my legs may appreciate the rest since tomorrow is steps day!
My sister J made my day yesterday.  I randomly received this message via twitter and it made me smile. She somehow seems to always know what I need.

Gifts

Who doesn't love getting gifts? I know I love them. So when I got 2 gifts in one week, I felt like the luckiest person alive. I started running with a running club thanks to one of the nurse's I work with at work. I really admire her, and because I don't have her permission to use her name, I won't. Anyway, she had her first half marathon almost a week ago. Anyway, being an athlete in high school, I really appreciated the support that my fellow soccer players gave me with the decorating of my locker and everything. So, for her first half, I just made her a little locker sign to let her know that she had support, and hopefully to give her some encouragement in case she needed it. I did it because it is because of her that I run with my running club (some who I hope I am becoming friends with).  It is because of her that I fell in love with running.  Anyway, the other day, she gave me something, and I was flattered. She gave me a gift for support her. I wasn't even expecting it.

I don't even know what it is about this magnet, but I love it so! I was trying to win one on facebook by just going to a website, but instead I won one because I am friends with this said person. To me, that is a bigger win! Then, when I came home from work, I had a package waiting for me. It had a Colorado address, so I was intrigued to see who it was from. Inside it where these awesome things...

I have never heard of this ointment before, but let me just tell you, it took the sting right out of my chafing. I am going to use the samples up, and then really look into using this as an antichafe barrier.

I have never had Larabar before, so I was intrigued by these little things. Well, there were 3 when I got them, but I jumped right at the chance to try Cherry Pie. It wasn't screaming Cherry Pie when I ate it, but it was great! I can't wait to try these other bars!

The odd thing about this gift, is during my run, the day before I got this package, is that I was wondering if there were special socks I should look into wearing.. low and behold these were in it...

I think the coolest thing about these socks is that they are speciality made for a right and left foot! No more it doesn't matter what foot you wear it on. I am planning on wearing them on my run today, I will let you know how it goes. (The sock wearing and the run too!)

It also came with this little note...

So, you are probably wondering who sent me this mystery package. As you may or may not remember, I won a chance to run a race with a superstar athlete. Her name is Sarah Stanley, and you can visit her website here.  I entered to win her 12x12 contest, where she is running 12 races with 12 people to help them finish. Of course, I chose my half marathon, I figured all the help I can get to finish it will mean a lot to me.  I know she is busy getting ready for her own personal races, and even an upcoming race for a fellow 12x12er this weekend, that I never expected to get anything. Now that I did, it has helped recharge me for the training, and getting me even more excited about my upcoming half marathon.

And because my blog is not complete without pictures of my wee one...

Happy Tuesday!

 What are you doing to stay inspired? What have you done to help others cross that finish line?

Over the river and through the woods...

So, I made myself continue trudging along. Note to leaders of groups, when the tail end of the group finally catch up, it is OK to take a breather. It is hard to keep running when you guys had a break. Well, unless you are me and felt bad that they were waiting for you and you just said let's git-er-done! During this run I made a comment of knowing how a mule feels going through the Grand Canyon. Yes, I made that, and no I wasn't kidding. I think the one path that they had me running on in the summer is a stream. The run was beautiful and I can only imagine what it is like in the fall and spring. Anyway, when all was said and done, I ran 8.07 miles. Which is now my longest run. I was proud of myself, but I also wish I didn't complain as much as I did...although at the time, it didn't feel like I was complaining, just trying not to die. I also managed to burn 1400 calories because while it was 8 miles it was definitely cross country running with uphills and down hills and bridges and other such obstacles that nature throws at you.
Now I know I can do 8 miles. And since the weekends are my long runs, now I know to push myself to do the 8 miles. Well at least one day of the weekend. I guess I need to make sure that if I keep running on Sundays that I see how far they are running so I don't do 8 miles back to back, or should I and just make sure to rest. Hmm...decisions.
Thanks to my Breakfast Club Runners, I am being pushed in ways I didn't know I could be. I am going outside of myself and pushing my own limits and living to tell about it.
Here's to Today, and being able to move...now go run!

12 weeks

That is how long ago I started running. 12 weeks ago I looked like this...

Today I look like this...

In just 12 weeks I have lost 21 pounds. I am at my lowest weight since probably about 2001. But it doesn't mean I am going to stop now. After just 12 weeks, I have run my first 5K, and this weekend I will be signing up for another 5K, my first 10K and even my first Half Marathon. Yep, you read that right, my first Half Marathon. I love how it feels to get out and run, but I love what it is doing to my health. I love shopping for smaller size clothes, and while I haven't bought new clothes in 10 weeks, I will probably by a pair of pants or something just to keep me motivated. I never really thought that I would like running, yet keep at it after my original goal of running a 5k. I NEVER imagined that I would be so excited that I would want to run a half marathon. There is something about running. How proud of myself I am after a run is complete. I think back to 12 weeks ago when I couldn't even jog for 30 seconds, and now I run for at least 40 minutes straight. Well, unless you take today when running with a jogging stroller is so much more than I expected. My goal for that right now is to run 2 miles ;) I can't believe that I am that person who has to figure out how the gym or running fits into her day, and if it looks like it won't I hit the gym or run BEFORE I care about anything else. I hope you will all continue to support me as I work my way to a healthier me, and that you will be there cheering for me at my next 5, or at the 10, but even better I hope you are there as I cross the finish line of my first half marathon! Thank you for all of the support you have given me so far. I know without it I wouldn't have accomplished so much. 21 pounds in 12 weeks, and 40 pounds since May. That is a whole lot of me that has left, but I am so happy with the results!

Running Tuesday

Today is running Tuesday. I am going to start keeping up with the Jones per Se, except that I am keeping up with Skinny Runner. Tuesdays for her are Running Tuesday, and I get jealous of where she gets to run. So, here is my version...

While I wish I would get to run here....

Instead I get to run here

(I like how it looks like no one is even running here, and I like how the TV screens are so large. I wish my LA Fitness looked like this one.)
Hopefully today I will get in 2 miles, but I am also going to start focusing on some weight training. Not necessarily to bulk up, but to start to tone my muscles.

And, like Skinny Runner (who I apologize I don't even know her real name) always asks, where are you running today?