Going the Distance

I've decided it's time to get off my duff and actually sign up for a race instead of just perusing the race calendar. So, next Saturday morning I will be running in not only my first real race of the year, but my first 8K. I think I must be crazy. But, I figure I need to get out there and push myself. I won't run the whole thing, I will tell you that much right now. There will be lots of walking and lots of slowness. I'm ok with it, though. I am still determined to get my 12 races in 12 months goal. I only have until Race for the Cure in September.

If you are looking for a neat app for your smartphone, I have started using NOOM. I don't care for the diet/food portion, but I do like the workout stuff. It even tracks me at the track.

Have a good week and hopefully I will have a decent race report to make, and not one made by my hubs that says they found me on the side of the road!

Day 1

I loaded to Couch to 5K to my phone. I really need to get my base run back on track and thought this might be a good way. So, at 3 am I strapped on my trusty Asics and headed to the track. I turned on my "Shoop" channel on Pandora and started off. It has you do a 5 minute brisk walk for a warm-up. The next 20 minutes consist of 1 minute of running and 1:30 of walking. It ends with a 3:30 cool-down walk. I got in just under 2.25 miles. Not bad, but not great. But, I didn't hate it. I will say that I like how I can run the programs simultaneously. The running program beeps and tells me when to do what and doesn't interrupt my music. And, because I am little on the crazy side I will also being doing my 1 hour Zumba class at 9:30.

OK, Enough is Enough

I have been hanging around in this funk for way too long. I have been trying to force myself to run and don't drag myself out of the house. I'm finished with it all. Enough wallowing in self-pity. It's time to get out.

I was getting in the shower today and happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It wasn't pretty. Now, I have never been a skinny person. Even at my thinnest, skinny is not a word to describe me. I have always been curvy and squishy. But, I think I am now beyond squishy and curvy. For the first time in a long time I really didn't like what I saw. It really sunk it that I have been off track for way too long.

So, today I wave goodbye to "FunkyTown". I have inhabited it long enough. I have made a list of local races that I am going to try to run in for 2011. For those of you that don't know (which since I only currently have 5 followers it isn't saying much), I have been offered a position as a police officer for the city in which I currently work. That means attending the police academy. At my,ahem, advanced age I want to make sure that I can keep up with all the young ones. So, that just adds to my motivation. I may end up being the oldest in my class, but the HELL if I am going to be the fattest and slowest.

So if any of you have any good training plans, send them my way. I have researched and researched and my eyes are starting to cross. I also need diet information. I don't have the financial means to try Jenny Craig or Sensa or anything of the sort. I need something that is easy to stick to and that I can incorporate into my life of raising three kids and working third shift.

Today is a new day for me. Please help me by being my kick in pants. Bug me every day and ask what I've eaten or if I am piling my miles. Hound me on Facebook. I will try to get hubs to take a before picture of me. No worries, clothes will be on. October 9th is closer than I think and I plan on rocking it at Prairie Fire.

Forgive Me While I Pout

My first race of the year was supposed to be this weekend. It was supposed to be my first half marathon. But, due to my back injury, that got nixed. So, I settled on a new race. It's called Run WITH the Law and it benefits the Special Olympics. It's a very small race (only 1.6 miles), it isn't being sanctioned by any of the local running groups. There aren't fancy chip timers and aid stations. But, it is for a good cause and we are only the second city in Kansas to take part. And guess what? I, being the golden child I am, have managed to come down with an upper respiratory infection just days before. Loverly. So, no running for me. I will still participate because I had some gracious donors. But, it won't count towards my 12 in 12.

On a happier note, I would like to wish all of my friends luck who are participating in marathons and half marathons from Canada to Oklahoma City and many places in between. You are all inspirations and maybe one day I can grow up and be like you!

In a Funk

I wish I had some great news to tell. I wish I had something inspiring to say. I wish I had a running report. But, I have none of these things. Apparently, I am in a running funk. I WANT to get out there and run my arse off, but I have no motivation. I get home in the mornings, take the kids to school and am just too exhausted to get myself back out the door. When I started this insanity back in July I would go out at 3 am. Yes, for real. I work third shift, so 3am is when I took my "lunch". I didn't have to deal with people on the track pointing and laughing...er...being in the way, so it was perfect. When I started running longer distances and wanted to get away from running in circles, traffic was minimal and all I had to worry about was my officers jumping out and scaring me. But, now I work by myself most nights, so I don't get a lunch break. And when I do, it's been too cold to get out. Now, instead of being conditioned to get out every day, I am sunk into the funk. Yuck. I have my first race the end of this month and am nowhere near ready for it. It's only a little over a mile, but it might as well be marathon. I don't know why this has become so daunting to me; why something I enjoy has become something I can't get into. I read all of these race reports from my friends or other bloggers and get pumped. Then I get home and it fizzles. I've bought books on how to coach myself and how to run better and faster and smarter, but I find myself distracted when I start to read them. I want to be excited to run again. I want my body to start getting antsy as 3am approaches because it knows that freedom is near. But here I sit; sunk in my funk and not sure how to get out.

Can I Get a Mulligan?

A do-over? Yes? Thank you! I am so thankful that when it comes to exercising and working out that even when I slack, I have a chance to start over; to try again. I started out my 21 days with great intentions. But,things didn't quite end up like I had planned. I'm not going to make excuses. I just screwed up. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing stuff. Just not running like I should. I have been doing a mini bootcamp 3 days a week and Zumba (LOVE) 1 day. But my running has suffered. Then it dawned on me that I have my first race in two weeks. Oops. Granted, it is only like 1.2 miles. It's a great new race called "Run WITH the Law" and it benefits the Special Olympics of Kansas. We are only the second city in the state to participate in it. I am still in need of donations to meet my goal, so if you are in the giving mood please click on my link!

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/marissa-wood/2011-derby-run-with-the-law

So, today I will (once again) start over.

A Fork in the Road

Last week I hit a fork in my training. I was doing well on my 21-day plan, but the fork got in the way. On Friday I took my physical agility test for police officer. Yeah...not in as good of shape as I thought. I still passed (yay me!), but not by much. I was told afterwards that I needed to work on sprints and weight training, especially for my upper body. Well, crap. I wanted to train for distances longer than a block. So, now I don't know what to do. I know I need to sprint and I need to increase my upper body strength so I don't get injured at the academy. I don't want to be bulky, though. I still want to practice my distance running, too. Ugh! Why does someone have to throw down a damn fork in the middle of my road???

Starting Over

SUCKS!!! That is all. Continue on with your day.

Creating a Habit

So, I have been slacking. I keep finding one reason or another to not go to the gym or do a video at home. Time to snap out of it! I have read that it only takes 21 days to create a habit. Hmm...there are so many directions I could go with that. I don't imagine that it would take me 21 days of eating cookies to make it a habit. I know for sure that back in my bad girl smoking days it didn't take 21 days for me to form a habit. So, if it is so danged easy to form a habit for bad things, why am I finding it so hard to form this good habit??? So, here and now I am setting a goal. I WILL exercise for the next 21 days. And, it will be for at least half an hour (but hopefully more). If we have another "Blizzard of Oz", I will do my Shred. If the ground isn't frozen, I will get my butt outside and off the freaking dreadmill. If the weather is crappy, I will learn to appreciate the dreadmill. I will learn to embrace the senior citizens at the gym; the ones who take up the already too small track and the old man who stares at my ass while I am on the elliptical. I hope that when I am their age I am still out and as for the old man, at least SOMEONE is staring at my ass. (And NOT pointing and laughing. Or maybe he is. I choose to think not.) And really, what is 212 days? It's less than a month. And if I am ever going to compete in a half marathon, hitting the gym once or twice a week just won't cut it. I have been checking out the local race calendars and started making my "wishlist". But right now those 5K's even look daunting. But I have a feeling that if I make it these 21 days, it'll be the push I need. Oh...and more to come on a possible half marathon. Get ready to break out your checkbooks!

And....I'm Back!

Thought you lost me, didn't ya? Well, you aren't so lucky. I've had to revise the description of my blog. No 25 weeks of training. I'm not sure how long I have. As of right now, the 1/2 marathon in May is out. I finally made it back to the gym after being released by my doctor. It wasn't pretty. It feels like all the progress I'd made up to November was gone. I couldn't even run half a mile. I feel like a failure in so many ways. But, I know it isn't the end of the world. When I look back, I know how long it took for me to be able to run that half mile and I know it won't take as long to do it this time. Then, I'll just have to work my way back up, then keep on going. And you know what? I'm ok with it. All I have is time. There will be plenty of half marathons for me to sign up for. I do still plan on doing one before the year is over. I also still plan on running my 500 miles. I'd love to be in the "Tall Mom's Club" in which they run 1000+ miles a year, but maybe some other year. So, it's back to running/walking and cross training. I'll probably add in some Shred, as much as I hate it. Those 500 miles are going to run themselves.

I Get Knocked Down...But I Get Up Again

Are you singing the song in your head? I am. It has kind of become my theme song. I've told you about how when I decided to get my act together that I kept running into obstacles. Then, I'd try to start again and hit another obstacle. Well, here I am again. I had a slight run-in with the treadmill two weeks ago. We fought. The treadmill won. It was very sad. All joking aside, I thought I had merely scraped up my leg and I would be back on it in no time. Well, as my leg has healed, I noticed my back hurting. A lot. It has gotten to the point where I can't even bend over and touch my toes. (For those that know me well, you know I am incredibly flexible; to the point where I can bend over BACKWARDS and touch my toes.) Well, it turns out I have done something to my sciatic nerve. From what I hear, there is really nothing that can be done to fix it. However, I am going to see if there isn't a least a way to alleviate some of the pain so I can continue running. I am going to contact the chiropractor and see what he says.

My point in this is; even though I am hurting I WILL get back up. I WILL continue on. If my doctor tells me no more running, I will find something else to do. But, I am hoping that won't be the case. I figure if people can have back surgery and complete a marathon a year later, I can overcome sciatic nerve pain. I WILL find a way. Giving up and giving in is not an option. That's not to say there won't be days I will want to give up. When those days happen, I hope I have people there to help me up.

Chasing a Dream

This post is not about me. Today I want to talk about my friend, Christie. She is wonderful. She has probably been my biggest supporter since I began running. She started not long after I did and is doing amazing things. Christie decided to take the plunge and sign up for Team in Training and compete in the Princess Half Marathon at Disney in February. For those not familiar with TNT, it supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a member of TNT, you raise money; 75% of it goes to LLS and 25% pays your way to the race, hotel fees and some meals. Christie has been working her butt off trying to raise money. She has to raise $3300 by January 11th and she is far from her goal. If she doesn't raise the money, she is done. She will no longer be a team member. I don't necessarily agree with how things are run, but that is neither here nor there. The point is, Christie needs YOUR help. If you can spare a dollar or ten or more, every donation helps. You can also help by purchasing one of her awesome carrot cakes or Tiffany's devine cheesecakes. Like Bunco? Register for her fundraiser. It's January 15th and it's a $25 pay-in due by the 15th of December. If you don't know how to play, there will be plenty of us to teach you. If you choose to support Christie, you aren't just donating to pay her way, you are helping LLS find cures for blood cancers. And haven't we all been affected by cancer in one way or another?

For more information, visit her page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ks/dipihalf11/clawrenfnl

To learn more about Team in Training, visit their webpage: http://www.teamintraining.org/ks/

Goals

I know I have mentioned a time or a thousand that I am training for a half marathon. (Don't ask me how my training is going. It isn't pretty.) But, I also have another goal. When I made the decision to do my first 5K back in September I decided I wanted to do 12 races in 12 months. They don't all have to be 5K's, but they do need to be sanctioned events. This is my list of completed races:

1. Race for the Cure 5K (September)
2. Rosstoberfest 5K (October)
3. Prairie Fire 5K (October)
4. Pumpkin Run 5K (October)
5. Turkey Trot 2 mile (November)

So, I need 7 more to complete my goal. I feel really good with having 5 under my belt. I will be doing another one this month, which will be a 5K. Not real sure how the running in the freezing cold is going to go over, but I will give it a shot. I imagine I will take a break from races during the colder months. Not that I will be taking a break from training for them, though.

But, I want to set a new goal for next year. I want to set a mileage goal, but I'm not sure where to set it. I don't want to set the bar so high that the goal seems unattainable, but I don't want to low-ball it either. I'm thinking I'd like to run at least 500 miles next year. That includes training and races. But, I have another month to mull it over. What are YOUR goals?

Don't Beat Yourself Up

That is something I have to often tell myself. Yesterday was the 35th Annual Turkey Trot in Wichita. I remember watching my dad run in this race probably 20 years back. It was a family affair this year with me, Hubs, Little Bit and my 14yo stepson participating. I finished in just under 23 minutes. I know for 2 miles it seems slow. I KNOW! And this is where the title comes around. I can't beat myself up over it. I am definitely my own worst critic and my own worst enemy. As we stuck around and listened to the results, there were people who finished the race in under 11 minutes. (Uh, I was still on my first mile at that point.) I started to feel discouraged. But, I took a step back from the situation and really looked at it. The people who are beating my pants off are lifelong runners. Or, maybe not lifelong, but have probably been doing this longer than 4 months. I also need to remember I am dealing with knee issues. (We found out I have tendonitis in my right knee.) I am just proud of myself for getting out there. Six months ago I would never have pictured myself competing in a race.

I'm getting off track. My point is, don't let the results of others get to you. If you stumble, get up. If you get off track, get back on. Have faith in yourself to see things through. Don't beat yourself up because people twice you age run twice as fast. Just get out there and do what you can with what you have.

Self Pity=Fat?

If you read one my first entries, I compared self pity to fat. How they both just kind of stick to you. Well, that's where I was; letting the self pity stick to me. You know what? It isn't worth it and the only way to get rid of it is to shake it off. Or in this case, run it off. God was speaking and I needed to listen. The littles stayed the night at Mimi's house. Big was a friends and hubs was sick. He gave me a night to straighten up. Once everyone was settled, I decided to go for a run. It wasn't a long one, just a mile and a half. But, it was what I needed. I did better than I thought I would. My time wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible. My endurance was WAY better than it was the other day. (Note to self: don't try to run after 3 hours of sleep and working an 8 hour overnight shift.) Nights like tonight when it is calm and peaceful reminds me of why I like to run. It creates a peace in me that I tend to push aside when dealing with everyone's emergencies.

The annual Turkey Trot is a week from today. I remember watching my dad run in it when I was young. My 5yo is running it this year. He might beat me, but I don't mind. He is starting this running thing young, and maybe that's a good thing. :)

Ugh

That's the only what I can describe what I am feeling as of late. I have been regressing instead of progressing. I think I am going to have to change my workout routine. I need to get back to running every day. I just feel better when I do. I am working alone several nights a week so it makes it difficult to run on shift. Then I'm so tired when I get home in the morning it's hard to find the motivation. But, I need to find it somewhere. I feel like I have worked to hard to just fall apart. I did register for the race next weekend. It's the annual Turkey Trot. It's only a 2 mile. There is a 10 mile, but I am nowhere near ready for it. I had hoped to, but it just hasn't worked in my favor. I have another 5K next month, and I imagine that will be the end of races for a while.

So, if any of you have any ideas for me, I am all ears. I am really going at this pretty blind so I need direction.

See...Slacking already

Well, not really. I warned you ahead of time I might not be good at updating every day. This week has been crazy. I've been at training for my job, so half marathon training has kind of been pushed to the side. I've been doing my running, but the other stuff has not occurred. I feel like I weigh a ton. Food at the academy isn't all that great. Plus, I'm sitting in a chair for 8 hours a day.

I did 3 miles today. Tomorrow I'm only at the academy until noon. Too bad we are going to Carriage Crossing when we are done. Saturday will be 4 miles. Sunday will be a recovery walk (which I'm sure I will end up running). I never thought I would miss running/exercising. Guess that makes me an addict.

Just Do It!

OK, so it's a little cliche'. And probably copyrighted. But, it works. I've had several people ask me, "How do I get started?" That is a hard question to answer. We all have our own reasons for starting (or stopping) an exercise program. My reasons won't be your reasons. We may have similar inspirations, but when it comes down to it, it is a personal choice.

Why did I start? I wanted this year to be a year of change for me. I set out all gung-ho and was doing my "Shred" quite often. I was starting to see and feel a difference. Then, I got hurt. (No, not doing Shred.) When I wanted to start back up, I got sick. Pretty soon I was out of the habit and finding a hard time getting into the groove. Finally, I decided it was time. Then, I end up in the hospital with emergency surgery and 6-8 weeks of recovery. I just couldn't catch a break. I was hitting a low and having a hard time finding my way out. (Self pity will do that to you. It's kind of like weight, easy to put on and not so easy to get rid of.) But, I was hit with a wake-up call. A long-time friend and fellow dispatcher sent around an email that made me realize my troubles were nothing. a dispatcher's young wife had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She is in her late 20's with two young children. She'd already gone through a double mastectomy. They were facing very large medical bills and didn't have a way to pay them. There was to be a 3K walk/run which proceeds went to help. How could I say no? So, I took my shorts and tennis shoes to work one night and hit the track on my lunch. Boy, was I slow. When I finished, I was red-faced and sweaty and looking like maybe I was due for another ambulance ride. But you know what? I survived. And I went out the next night. Pretty soon, I wasn't so red and winded. I didn't feel like dying every time I climbed back into my car. So, I started adding in some jogging. I couldn't do much, but I kept trying. And, I was starting to enjoy it. (Weird, especially for me.) Soon after the 3K walk I did a 4 mile walk. Then I did my first 5K, then a few more. I am still working on lots of things, though. Consistency is a HUGE thing I need to work on. Outside the race for Casey Albers, I needed to get fit. I was developing health problems that needed nipped in the bud. Casey just gave me the start I needed.

My point is, this is my story. It isn't everyone's story. I was never a runner growing up. I was an athlete. However,there isn't a large calling for middle-age, overweight gymnasts. Well, there might be but it probably has to do with some crazy fetish stuff that I'm just not in to. (Now, ask me this 14 months from now when I am out of a job and I may sing a different tune.)

If you want to go out and do this, do it. What is it going to hurt? Take a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Hit the track at the football field. Don't do it just once and think it isn't for you. Be willing to go a little out of your comfort zone. You can always go back in. If you decide it might be for you, look into one of the "Couch Potato to 5K" programs. You can search them on line and find one that works for you. Or, join Team in Training and commit to a race. Have a mentor guide you through. As adults, we don't have to be pigeon-holed to just being a mall-walker or an occassional golfer. Show your kids and yourself that you can be a late-in-life athlete. Find your reason, your insiration and DO IT!!!!

Day 3...Another Run

Are you tired of me yet? I get tired of myself. I have a feeling I won't be posting every day, so don't worry.

Yesteday didn't go as planned. Instead of Jillian whooping my ass into shape, I napped. Then had something come up and ended up on TV. No, not really in a good way, but not the America's Most Wanted way, either. So, I guess yesterday was a day of rest. We all need those.

Today will be a walk/run day. I will do 2.5 miles of walk/run. Yes, I can normally run the whole thing. However, I am sticking to the training program and also doing it with someone who hasn't run in a while. Doing it this way is a good way to build up my lung capacity and my endurance. We do a 2/1 split with running 2 minutes/walking 1 minute.

Remember me saying on Day One where I felt like I needed to do more? (Did I? Maybe I need to go read it again.) Anyway, as I was at home that night, Hubs decided he wanted to run. I was a little shocked. So, I strapped on my shoes and went out with him. (Note to the wise: Don't run after eating a large meal..ugh) We did almost a mile and I felt pretty good.

I am trying to get my race calendar put together. I will post it soon. If anyone wants to run with me, let me know! I don't compete against anyone but myself.

Day 2...XT

XT=cross train. On days I am not running/walking I am supposed to find some other activity to do. Since my gym membership hasn't kicked in, my options at home are few. Today, I will do the dreaded "Shred". My body cringes just typing it. For those that don't know what I am talking about, it is Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It is an intense 20 minute workout (plus warm-up and cool-down) where she works your abs, strength and cardio. It's amazing how much sweat I produce! I haven't done it in (cough, cough) several months. So, I am procrastinating. But, I know I will feel better once it's over.

Have a great day!