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.

Feelings, nothing more than feelings

     Last week, an awesome thing happened to me. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and I think that when this thing happened last week,  it was what I needed at the time. The awesome thing was that these awesome ladies over at FitApproach, Jamie and Alyse thought I had what it takes to be a SweatPink Ambassador. I talked about it in my post on Monday, it means that I get to encourage other women to put themselves first and help them reach a healthy goal, whatever that healthy goal is. It is also an opportunity for us Ambassadors to get together and know that there is a group of ladies joined together with something common to continually encourage each other in achieving our goal, no matter what fitness goal that is. Because of this awesome title, I will be going to Bryant Park and we are doing a meet-up of all local SweatPink Ambassadors. I am excited. I have read blogs of some of these women, and they seem awesome. I cannot wait to continue to learn from them and continue to help others achieve whatever fitness goals they have.
   I never considered myself one who would be inspiring others. I sometimes I have doubts in my own mind, that I am doing the right thing. That I AM a runner. On Saturdays, I usually run with a group of friends known as Breakfast Club Runners. If anyone is in the area and wants to run with a group of awesome runners (all abilities, all speeds, all various mileage) please look us up on Facebook and join the fun! Our location changes week to week, and it is always posted by Thursday where we are going. I promise, you won't be disappointed.  The best part of it all, we go to BREAKFAST as a group together!! Even if you aren't local, I recommend that you try to find a running club in your area.  I wish I would have known about this club before I ran my first 5K last November.  Looking back, and moving forward, I recommend to people to run with a group of people for a number of reasons.

1. You will get used to running with someone other than yourself
2. You will get used to running with people faster and slower than yourself
3. You will get used to running with people who are running at you in the same space that you are running
4. You will meet a lot of other runners and these runners can teach you things that they have learned that will help your running.

I always tell people to try it.  Even if they wait until the month before their race, it is important to get used to running with other people.  My first race, I hadn't met BCR yet. I remember standing in the pack of runners almost ready to cry.  I was invading other people's space, they were invading mine. The gun went off and I had to dodge people, go around slower runners, stuff like that, all kinds of stuff that was foreign to me.  I had to learn how to pace myself (I SO TOTALLY BLEW THIS ONE!!) I did not enjoy the experience as I wish I would have. Now, knowing what I do now, I really stress running with others before your race.
  Yesterday, I was asked to pace someone. ME!?!?! I pace my good friend Stef as she is now a running addict, but by pacing her, I am pushing myself, and making me a stronger runner.  I am kinda slower right now than I was in April because I am coming back from an IT Band injury and never thought I would pace an experienced runner from this group and I did just that. I was flattered and humbled all at the same time. I guess my hard work is paying off! Because of pacing, I was able to go the distance I had originally wanted, and didn't let myself settle for a comfort distance. I got to learn more about this person, and I made sure he (HI Frank!) wasn't pushing himself so he can get back to racing.  I know he misses it, and we miss having him at the races.  Later in the day, I received a text from a very good friend of mine.  She is not a runner at all. She will be the first to admit it.  However, last weekend she did the Spartan race, and while she would be the first to admit that she wasn't prepared, she was determined to finish it. AND she did!! She texted me and asked me to help her get ready for a half marathon in 6 weeks.  I texted back saying that I really didn't think that was a good goal.  I told her that it took me 12 weeks to prepare for my half marathon, and that I was already running before I started training.  So I told her that we should pick one in Oct or Nov and that I would try to get her ready for that.  I then also told her that in the meantime we will start doing other races, starting with 5Ks, and build up the races before the half.  I think that it is very important to set realistic goals, and if you don't run at all, going from nothing to 13.1 miles is hard, not impossible, hard, but that doing it in 6 weeks might mean failure.  I do not believe in letting my friends do things that are not realistic.  If I allow that, what kind of friend am I? I am supposed to support them and help them, wouldn't I be doing the opposite of just that if I had let her sign up for a half marathon with inadequate time to train?!?! What did I hope she gained from our conversation...

1. Dream big, but dream realistically.  If you dream you want to do a half marathon, let's do it, but let's make sure we have enough time so that you don't injure yourself
2. Don't rush the process. Rome wasn't built in a day, you can't expect to become a runner overnight.  Good things come to those who wait.
3. Enjoy every moment.  If you don't enjoy what you are doing, you won't do it.  If you don't enjoy running, there is no way you will do it for 3.1 miles, let alone 13.1.
4. Friendship brings people together.  Being some one's friend is awesome. Having them come to you for help is very humbling, but you also sometimes have to be their brain.  Dreams clog their thinking (in a good way) so sometimes you have to take their enthusiasm and just portray it a different way.
5. Don't tell them they cannot do something. Tell them they can, just not to expect instant results. (See #2).

I am very humbled by the support I am getting from my family and friends, and now by the support I am giving them. I never thought I would be one for them to come too for running guidance, and now as a SweatPink Ambassador I believe I will be able to help many others. I needed this "title" if you will. It put the wind back in my sail.  It helped me get rid of the cobwebs of doubt that built up from 6 weeks of not being able to run.  It has helped me love running again, and hopefully, I will be able to help others start running and love running like I do.  If you need any help, know someone who you think would love running or just want me to run a race with you, you know you can always count on me!

copied from Pintrest

Happy Running!

Happy July 1!

I cannot believe that it is July 1st already! Where has this year gone?!?! This morning I woke up early (well late for me 6am) and decided I wanted to start my day off right with a run. I ran 2 miles and it felt great! I am so excited about how PT might have helped me, but I also know I need to take it slow. I am looking forward to my run on Wednesday, it will be a 4 miler, and I know I will be ready. But, that is not why I am writing. Well, it is, but there will be a blog post about that race. I digress, my revelation for today, Wednesday will be my 6th race of the year, that means that Wednesday I will have run exactly double the number of races as last year! I am so excited to see how many I will run by the end of the year. I need to start running with my phone so that I can take photos to document some things from my run, but the scenary out on the roads is not as scenic as other places.
Oh, today continues my journey of gluten and dairy milk free. I feel like it has helped a lot with the bloating (sorry TMI) and I think it is making me eat cleaner and fresher. I will let you know how this journey continues.

So today, on the 1st of July, enjoy yourself. We will probably be spending much of the day by the pool, hanging out with some friends. I will make sure to get lots of photos! Hope no matter what you do you stay hydrated and cool.
Have fun and be safe!

Support greatly appreciated...

So, this picture has already made an uproar...

1 year and 57 pounds lighter (2011 on left, 2012 on right)

In a good way. The number of supporters I have has blown me away.  I knew I had acquaintances, but I never knew I had that many FRIENDS! That is certainly what you are to me, friends. I appreciate the support that you guys have shown me, especially now, has re-motivated me to lose the remaining weight that I have to lose. It is hard right now with being down about not running like I used too, but, I am now even more determined to get back into it. Slow and steady wins the race, and I don't need to expect my body to just jump back into where I was with 6 weeks off of no running. That, has been the biggest lesson that I have learned right now. Today, is my last physical therapy session, and I am hoping to have the therapist adjust this session to be ways I can do the exercises at my gym that doesn't have the same machines that they have at the rehab.  I also NEED to get myself back into the swing of the gym.  As much as I love working days, it is requiring me to readjust things, and I just haven't conquered that yet. But, that is my goal for this week...(little steps I promise). A good thing that has come out of all of this, is that my good friend Stef has now raced in her 3rd 5K, just about every other weekend since MayFair 5K, which was her first. Anyway, so far she has gotten stronger and better with every race and is now completely addicted. BUT, on Saturday, I also raced with her, in a race at Skytop Lodge up in the Poconos, and my racing felt good. It felt strong, it felt better than I have felt in a while, so what did I do...I pushed myself. I raced to my second fastest 5K race EVER!! Even with hills, which I walked up (I don't believe I am ready for hills yet) I found my zone and eventually just felt that I could push harder. My time wasn't as good as I hoped (still trying to break 30 mins) but I know I will get there. Then, on Sunday I was supposed to run 7 miles. I NEVER run back to back days, why on earth would I think that I could do it while I was still recovering from an injury?!?! Well, I couldn't do it. I did 5 (which to my healing body was 8 in 2 days) and I felt the effects until this morning. I am going to go to therapy and tell him all of this. That my next run will be Thurs and will only be 2 miles, followed by 4 on Sat. I will rest between my days off, and go to the gym m-w-f and continue to do the squats and crap (yes, I called it crap) that I have to do to make my legs stronger so I can become a stronger runner. I WILL figure out an abs workout so that I can get rid of this stupid pooch and feel like I look like the picture on the right, not how I feel right now (that I still look like the picture on the left). I know that feeling will pass, my clothes size alone should tell me that, but when you hit a stale mate, and you feel that no matter what you are doing nothing is working, you need something to kick start it...your support and "love" over my picture has given me just that. I will continue my weight loss picture, and by December, I am hoping to post another picture.

I hope you all have a happy Tuesday. Get out and run!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of the mothers out there and to all my blog readers who are moms, I am wishing you the happiest and healthiest mother's day you can have! See, I even baked for the occassion...

I found these Easy Write food markers by Betty Crocker and thought I would give them a try. Glad I don't have to write for a living!

Hope you have a great day!