Catch up!

I really feel like I need to play catch up sometimes. Today, was an unplanned trip to the beach. By unplanned I am saying that last night at 9 pm we left for the beach. We got there at a little before midnight, til we unwound and was able to get M to go back to sleep it was probably close to 1 am. We were back up at 6 and she was ready to go! She was awake all day until we put her in her car seat at 4pm to leave. She passed out before we even left the driveway and slept until we stopped to eat. She really is a good passenger, and all this traveling is making me excited about her upcoming first plane ride! Anyway,  I wanted to reflect on something that I have been thinking about since yesterday...
So, Joe now works 11p-730am. My routine here has to be adapted in order to still continue with the gym and well life in general. Anyway, yesterday was a run day. So, without hesitation I figured out how to adapt my schedule to still achieve my run. Well, I busted out this handy dandy thing. I have to say that I naively thought that it couldn't be that hard if I see people racing all the time pushing their strollers.Well, after 3 miles, I looked like this...

This was only 3 miles! I am glad that I was able to run while pushing M, and at the same time I have gained a lot of respect for those moms/dads who run pushing their children in the jogging strollers. They make it look VERY easy! I am currently training for a half marathon, so I know I really can't afford to not run. So, now I am trying to figure out how to be creative to get my workouts in. This week I have figured out how to still get my runs in, get my daughter out there with me, since I thank her every day for everything.  Well, this is where I put things into perspective. My daughter is approximately 28 pounds. I started getting teary eyed when I reflected on how hard running was for me not just 28# ago, but also 57# ago. I still get teary eyed thinking about that.

Anyway, I had no plans to run today (I lie!) I packed to run, but didn't know if I was going to feel like running. I slept on the floor last night and felt a little sore from yesterday so I set out to run a mile. I ran 3 instead. There is something said to go set out to run 1 mile and run 3.

So, here is to all of the little things that we do that everyday that amazes us. Here are to all the little milestones we meet. Hopefully together we will all achieve our own greatness and all feel more comfortable in our skin. I hope we give 100% in all we do, if we don't care for ourselves, who will. I have a destination wedding and a trip to Florida next year, the Game is on suckers! I am stepping it up so that I know I will feel comfortable at the destination wedding. I know it's not about me, but I also want to feel comfortable in whatever I wear and be proud of how far I have gone. There is no turning back, I am not the same person I was when I began the journey a year ago, and I am excited to see who I will become in the next year.

 

 

I chose to be the best Michele I can be. If that means I look like a fool doing crunches on the beach, then be it. At least I know I am doing everything I can to widdle away the middle! A stronger core will help my self-esteem as well as my running. See, it is a win win situation.

 

Happy Wednesday!

Fitness Friday

Whoa! Friday is here! Wow, how quickly the week is going by. Yesterday, I ran 4 miles, 2 of the miles were sub 10 minutes, the second mile was my fastest ever at 9:35.

It looks like all those trips up and down these blasted things....

And all of those early morning trips to the gym are finally paying off. I am happy with that, it's exciting to know that with hard work and determinationg, good, no scratch that, great things come to those who wait. I am really excited and looking forward to seeing how my training continues as I am preparing for my next half marathon. I cannot wait for it, to hopefully run the entire thing pain free. Slow but steady wins the race, right?!?

Tonight, I ran with my friend M again. Yep, I did a double session, and honestly it felt fantastic. She ran her longest distance ever, 2.5 miles, but more importantly, I, no wait, she ran the last 4 minutes nonstop. It is great for her, her entire 2.5 miles was a walk run walk combo, but I encouraged her to run the last "lap around the track" nonstop. I knew she could do it, and now, hopefully she knows she can do it.  I really think she is starting to believe in herself, just like I have believed in her all along. While we were running, she asked me where I came up with the one liners. If only she knew, ha! Things like this...

Or,

And lastly, I told her something similar to this, and I believe it is so very true...

So, here is to a happy, healthy, fit weekend! Tomorrow, I am going to do a bootcamp, and then back at it again next week! Don't forget the 30 day August Ab challenge going on. I am going to do this everyday, and since I took a photo at the beginning, I will take a photo half way through and then at the end. How will you challenge yourself and change yourself?!?

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?

Over the river and through the woods...

Yesterday was the Quiet Valley Rooster Run. My friend Stef and I signed up for it without really knowing anything about it. Once we got there, we found out that the run benefits Quiet Valley Farm.  Read all about the farm here.  I do have to admit, it was a challenging course.  Let's just say, the course started with a hill that was approximately 1/4 mile long straight through the woods. I admit, I thought I was prepared since I used to run at Jacobsburg, but like I said, "used to."  I really need to look into changing that. Just like Jacobsburg, there were inclines, declines, flat areas, rolling hills, steep pitched hills, even a bridge to run over.  While I was not prepared for the run, I do have to say how beautiful the run itself was.  The race started in a field (not sure if it is associated with the farm) and then traversed over the river and through the woods. Do I have any complaints about this course, no, just that I wish I was more prepared for the hilly terrain.  There were even piles of horse manure you needed to navigate around, all in a days work, right? My friend Stef developed some pain, so when running it became tougher for her, I told her our objective was just to finish it. When she needed to walk, I walked with her. When she could run, I ran with her. I did not and would never leave her behind, that is not what friends do. We signed up together, there is no way we wouldn't finish together.  Would I run this race again, possibly, depending on what races I find this time next year, and what else we have going on. I believe that there was something after the race where we could tour the farm.  Maybe Makayla would be interested in that, but we will see what next year brings.
My sister J and her entire family are in from Chicago. This is a BIG deal to me because yesterday I got to meet my nephew Jacob for the first time. He is absolutely adorable. He is tiny, and I don't ever remember Makayla being that little. He is so long, and so precious, I couldn't wait to hold him. However, Makayla is not yet used to me holding other babies, so I had to wait to hold him.  Later we went to my cousin Kim and Phil's. They were having a meet and greet of their sweet baby girl Stella. Stella was born a month early and she is doing great! Holding her is like holding nothing, but she is so awesome. At this meet and greet, I got to hold Jacob. He is the sweetest little boy with the deepest blue eyes. I am sad that my sister and her family live so far away, but hopefully, now that things are changing around here (the hubs finally got a job after 2 months of not working) M and I will be able to make trips out there. I believe they are doing something around Joey's birthday for both his birthday and Jacob's baptism, so if that stays as planned, we will be going out to Chicago then. And then we will be able to plan trips hopefully more frequently.
Hey...did you see the new badge on my page?!? I am now a Sweat Pink Ambassador. Their mission

"We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick."

I believe I will be able to live this mission as it is my mission to push myself and yet give myself a break. In the days to come, I will be learning more about what this means and will be sharing that with you.

Things around here are starting to look up, thank you for sticking around, I promise it will be an interesting adventure.

Today is a milestone

Today I will be running in my 6th race of the year. While that is not a lot to some people, it makes me energized! I only did 2 races in all of last year, but, since I only started in Sept that makes sense.  I have no idea how many more I will do this year. Hopefully this race will be my leaping point into my healing and my training for more 1/2 marathons. Instead of doing 3 2 weeks apart, I think for my health benefit I should do 1 a month, that would still give me my 3. But, before I cross that bridge, I have to see how my 4 mile run goes today.
I have never run this race before, it is really close to me, and from running this trail myself, it is really flat. Flat is what I need right now, I was told to embrace hills a little later in my running, which is kinda hard living here, but I do what I can to avoid hills. Hopefully it won't be too hot out, but I will enjoy every moment of this running milestone for me. I know the first half was a HUGE milestone, and running 3 in 3 months will be another one, but today, is a mini milestone and I can't wait until how many more there will be.

Happy Birthday USA! Happy 4th of July to all of you! And no matter what you do, just do it and have fun!

Today...

Was the start of something beautiful. I went for a run and it felt great! It was only 2 miles, as I know I have to take it easy to get myself back into shape and ease my muscles back into running again. But I did it.

And then I found this, and remembered why I started. This sign was perfect, and wish I knew a website where I could make this sign a real sign.
But, I am going to go, I need to get some sleep...430 will come way too soon.
Happy Thursday

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!

What's a girl to do?!?!

Never thought I would have this dilemma, and I think it is kind of awesome to actually have it. How can a dilemma be cool, well, when the dilemma comes to which 1/2 marathon to race I think it's kinda funny that I have so many options.  This is where my dilemma begins...I am already committed to the Runner's World Half Marathon in mid-Oct, ok, no dilemma there. I was thinking about running the Lehigh Valley Via 1/2 Marathon in early Sept, but yesterday at therapy, the Physical Therapist Intern told me about an awesome race in OCNJ the last Sunday in Sept.  That would give me 2 weeks to recover for my next 1/2, which I know is doable, I just don't know if I am physically able to do it. But, that would be an awesome quest for me.  What that also means is I might pass on doing a triathlon this summer (because of the 2 1/2s in within 2 weeks) but add more 5ks and 10ks into the mix. While my life will still go on even if I don't do the 2 1/2 marathons, I don't want to wonder could I either.
Oh, yeah therapy...my physical therapist told me to run 7 miles this weekend...yahoo! It feels so good to be told to just run 7 miles.  So, here's to healing, and 7 miles pain free, and trying to figure out what my plan of running will be.

Happy Thursday!

Taking back..

I need to take back my me time. I keep giving it away and I need to take it back. No, mom, this isn't directed at you. I love spending my mornings with Nana, besides, sometimes she says the best things! I need to stop letting other people tell me what to do, how to spend my time, and generally make me feel like crap. I think I have gained 8 pounds since I stopped running, and quite frankly that makes me really sad. Not sad like fall into a depression, but sad none the less. I was hoping to be bathing suit ready this summer, doesn't look like that is going to happen. I just have a little while longer to hang in on 3-11 and I will if it kills me. If it means I have to go to bed sooner, to take back my me time, then so be it. I MISS running...I MISS working out. Yes, I did just say that. Yesterday, I ran a 5k. I thought it was HARD. IMPOSSIBLE even. I felt like my half marathon was easier. Maybe that is just it. Maybe I am not meant for sprinting (is a 5K even consider a sprint). I tried to run without music, that was a bust. I tried to enjoy the moment..I did until the first hill. I don't like feeling like I have given up, yesterday I feel like I did. I am not training for anything right now, so running is no longer a priority. I need to change that...I WANT to change that. So, I am taking my me time back. Starting tomorrow...I am going for an early morning run, followed by a massage. I think that is a great way to take my me time back. Hopefully, things are on an up swing. Hopefully this low that I am feeling with my IT band will pass because I love running...I love how it makes me feel, and I LOVE how it helped me lose 57#. I only have 41 more I want to lose...I CAN DO THIS!!

It's what's for dinner

Today at work we are having a potluck dinner. For no other reason than just because. Everyone is bringing something, and I opted to bring the salad. I never thought bringing a salad would cost me $25, but I have to say, it looks good.

Beets in a separate container, because I am not sure if everyone likes beets in their salad!

Chia seeds will be put in my salad, so they are separate as well. Good source of Omega 3 and Fiber.
So, this is what I put in my salad...
1/2 head of lettuce
6 oz of fresh spinach coarsely chopped
2 small cucumbers
2 hand fulls of small cherry tomatoes
1/2 small can of black olives
1/2 jar of mild banana peppers
1/2 container of mushroom slices
1/2 each of orange, yellow and red peppers
1/2 package of craisins
tossed the above ingredients then added shredded cheddar cheese. salad was again tossed to infuse all flavors together.
With the rest of the ingredients I made a salad for home this way I always have a salad handy.
Hope you enjoy your Friday!

Differences...



Here is a photo of myself when I began my exercise and weight loss adventure back in Sep



Here is a photo of myself last weekend.

Looking at this right now is one of the first times that I can say I see a difference in my appearance. I guess the running and going to the gym is paying off. I can't wait to see what other changes I undergo. thank you for your support. I hope to always make you proud.

Bucket List-Exercise Version

Many people make bucket lists for things they want to do before they die. I want to make a more practical version, for before I turn 50. Yes, I just put that out in writing, even though I know that the time is distant.
Here is my bucket list:
*Run a 5 K ( less than 2 weeks for this one)
* Run a 10 K
*Run a half marathon in 2013
*Run a full marathon before I am 40
*Run 10 5 Ks
*Run 5 10 Ks
*Run the princess Half marathon (aka half marathon in 2013)
*Feel better in my skin
there is my bucket list....for now anyway