Okay. I have realized a few things in the past few weeks that I have not blogged (okay MONTH).
I am super bad at commitment. Commitment to this blog, to running, to pretty much everything in my life except ONE thing. My son (two if you count food as a commitment).
So maybe that faculty member who said I couldn't run the marathon because of my lack of follow through was right.....sadly.
I ran 3 miles today with my buddy from work and let me tell you I HATED every step. Running SUCKS. Runners high my a$$, and if its true where the HELL is mine. bah.
I really want to follow through with this to tell my self that I am not a flake and I can meet a goal that I set, but right now I feel like saying screw this and going to eat a cheeseburger, french fries and milkshake. anyone in for that?!
I am still waiting for a book that I ordered about marathon's to come in so I can try to follow the diet and schedule in that. I am good with one thing, reading. So maybe if I read a book about marathoning it will inspire me!
here's hoping.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day 43 --276 days till the marathon
I didn't run on Friday night. I went home and acted like I had been all week... LAZY as all hell and it was nice.
I didn't run on Saturday either... but Sunday I managed to drag my bedraggled butt out of bed and did 5 miles...in an hour, but I finished it, which is all I count. I did this while Joey napped (aka my only down time) when all I felt like doing was sleeping too.
I have to say, when I run during his nap instead of sleeping like I want to I feel better and more able to manage him when he wakes up. My temper is not as easily roused when I excercise consistantly...when I don't I feel like a fire breathing dragon mommy monster.
Running on my lunch breaks at work also helps me beat the 2--3pm crash. Some days when I don't run I have to prop my eyes open with tooth picks at my desk, its horrible. I have even tried slapping myself in the face, embarrassing if caught doing it but somewhat effective.
Just trying to be consistent right now, still not a very fast runner, but I am working on distance right now.
I didn't run on Saturday either... but Sunday I managed to drag my bedraggled butt out of bed and did 5 miles...in an hour, but I finished it, which is all I count. I did this while Joey napped (aka my only down time) when all I felt like doing was sleeping too.
I have to say, when I run during his nap instead of sleeping like I want to I feel better and more able to manage him when he wakes up. My temper is not as easily roused when I excercise consistantly...when I don't I feel like a fire breathing dragon mommy monster.
Running on my lunch breaks at work also helps me beat the 2--3pm crash. Some days when I don't run I have to prop my eyes open with tooth picks at my desk, its horrible. I have even tried slapping myself in the face, embarrassing if caught doing it but somewhat effective.
Just trying to be consistent right now, still not a very fast runner, but I am working on distance right now.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Day 39--280 days till the marathon
So.. I ran 5 miles last saturday, but this week I have been an utter blob.
For example: Today is Friday and to celebrate the weekend I stopped at this little donut shop that has HAND MADE FRESH donuts. Let me just tell you... these are better than anything you have ever had and I have to drive by this place every day on my way to work.
Today I gave in (because its Friday). I bought a half dozen to share with the ladies at work and I ended up eating 2 and a half of them. I justified it with a salad and water for lunch.
Its all about balance right?!
Plus I havent run at ALL since saturday. I have to say I have seen a difference in my energy and attitude when I run.
The days I dont run I have less energy in the afternoon and if I go more then two days without exercising I feel SUPER CRABBY. Like everything is annoying.
Guess I have be come addicted to running already! except I need to be better at carving out the time to do it. That is my biggest challenge.
Well... planning to do at least 5 miles tomorrow and hopefully 2 miles tonight.
Ugh. Where are the bon bons and the couch when you need them?
Have a great weekend all!
For example: Today is Friday and to celebrate the weekend I stopped at this little donut shop that has HAND MADE FRESH donuts. Let me just tell you... these are better than anything you have ever had and I have to drive by this place every day on my way to work.
Today I gave in (because its Friday). I bought a half dozen to share with the ladies at work and I ended up eating 2 and a half of them. I justified it with a salad and water for lunch.
Its all about balance right?!
Plus I havent run at ALL since saturday. I have to say I have seen a difference in my energy and attitude when I run.
The days I dont run I have less energy in the afternoon and if I go more then two days without exercising I feel SUPER CRABBY. Like everything is annoying.
Guess I have be come addicted to running already! except I need to be better at carving out the time to do it. That is my biggest challenge.
Well... planning to do at least 5 miles tomorrow and hopefully 2 miles tonight.
Ugh. Where are the bon bons and the couch when you need them?
Have a great weekend all!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 35--283 days to the Marathon
I did it! I made it 5 miles. Honestly, I didn't think that I could make it more than the 3 I have been doing.
No.. I didn't run the entire 5 miles straight. I am working on that. I walked some, but I did it in an hour. So about 10 minutes per mile, which isn't too bad in my book. Once I get my stamina up I hope to run it without stopping.. should be soon. Will be working on that this week.
Going running today with my co-worker/trainer Ben. Hopefully we will be able to push 4 miles today. I have to try and squeeze in as much as I can on my lunch breaks. Its easier to run on my lunch hour than it is to try and find time after work (with the little man running around).
I have been feeling better when I run. Not as short of breath as I was in the beginning and I have really cut back on smoking.
This weekend I would say I had 2 cigarettes total.. which is GREAT! I think I will be able to kick it all together soon.
I am excited about the coming week. My sister is coming to visit with a friend, which should be really fun, hopefully I can squeeze in another 5 miles this weekend.
The goal is to get up to 10 miles by August so we can prepare for the Roanoke half marathon in November. After that it will be all about the marathon.
Its really not easy to start running and the first few times I wanted to give up and never do it again...part of me still wants to just be jaba the hud on the couch, but something says, You can do it Allie! everytime I get close to giving up.
It's a long road but I know crossing the finish line at a half marathon and then a full marathon will be worth every minute of training!
I can't wait!! :)
No.. I didn't run the entire 5 miles straight. I am working on that. I walked some, but I did it in an hour. So about 10 minutes per mile, which isn't too bad in my book. Once I get my stamina up I hope to run it without stopping.. should be soon. Will be working on that this week.
Going running today with my co-worker/trainer Ben. Hopefully we will be able to push 4 miles today. I have to try and squeeze in as much as I can on my lunch breaks. Its easier to run on my lunch hour than it is to try and find time after work (with the little man running around).
I have been feeling better when I run. Not as short of breath as I was in the beginning and I have really cut back on smoking.
This weekend I would say I had 2 cigarettes total.. which is GREAT! I think I will be able to kick it all together soon.
I am excited about the coming week. My sister is coming to visit with a friend, which should be really fun, hopefully I can squeeze in another 5 miles this weekend.
The goal is to get up to 10 miles by August so we can prepare for the Roanoke half marathon in November. After that it will be all about the marathon.
Its really not easy to start running and the first few times I wanted to give up and never do it again...part of me still wants to just be jaba the hud on the couch, but something says, You can do it Allie! everytime I get close to giving up.
It's a long road but I know crossing the finish line at a half marathon and then a full marathon will be worth every minute of training!
I can't wait!! :)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 31--287 Days till the Marathon
Alright... I have come to some great realizations in my 25 years on this planet but recently the clarity, or rather, sweat induced low blood-sugar coma's have given me some piece of mind to think about the past few years.
So memorial day weekend I didn't run at all. I ate a ridiculous amount of food and acted like a total bum.
My mom, Joey and I did walk so we had some exercise but not as much as I would have liked. I am finding it difficult to get out on the weekends for the long runs that I should be doing.
I don't want to take Joey with me because his stroller is super damn heavy and a bi!$h to push up and down hills.
Since Joey is away for the weekend I am going to attempt to run a loop around my neighborhood that calculates out to (4.9 miles to be exact) but I will cheat and tell people 5 miles.
Not sure how well (fast) I will do, but that doesn't matter to me right now. I just want to say I got my butt out of bed and ran 5 miles on a Saturday morning.... that will be a feat in it self.
I will be sure to tell my mom to give me a little over an hour then to bring the car around the loop and look for me. I may be sprawled across one of the dirt, back roads we live on.
Wish me luck.
Anyone hate the scales at the gym? The one out our gym is right in the middle of the hallway.... awesome.
the old one in the locker room is 5 lbs off and so I choose to use that one, (A) because it makes me feel great about myself and (B) because I can weigh myself without an audience.
All I am really looking forward to tomorrow morning is sleeping in past 7am on a Saturday and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning with out having to chase around a child.... damn it will be nice to enjoy the sunny morning without having to clean up poop or deal with tantrums.
So memorial day weekend I didn't run at all. I ate a ridiculous amount of food and acted like a total bum.
My mom, Joey and I did walk so we had some exercise but not as much as I would have liked. I am finding it difficult to get out on the weekends for the long runs that I should be doing.
I don't want to take Joey with me because his stroller is super damn heavy and a bi!$h to push up and down hills.
Since Joey is away for the weekend I am going to attempt to run a loop around my neighborhood that calculates out to (4.9 miles to be exact) but I will cheat and tell people 5 miles.
Not sure how well (fast) I will do, but that doesn't matter to me right now. I just want to say I got my butt out of bed and ran 5 miles on a Saturday morning.... that will be a feat in it self.
I will be sure to tell my mom to give me a little over an hour then to bring the car around the loop and look for me. I may be sprawled across one of the dirt, back roads we live on.
Wish me luck.
Anyone hate the scales at the gym? The one out our gym is right in the middle of the hallway.... awesome.
the old one in the locker room is 5 lbs off and so I choose to use that one, (A) because it makes me feel great about myself and (B) because I can weigh myself without an audience.
All I am really looking forward to tomorrow morning is sleeping in past 7am on a Saturday and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning with out having to chase around a child.... damn it will be nice to enjoy the sunny morning without having to clean up poop or deal with tantrums.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 23--295 Days till the Marathon
Okay... So I almost gave up on running and blogging. I find that my follow through on new projects is slim to none.
Being a mom and working full time makes it easy to want to flake out on everything else in life. Thanks to Ben (a super awesome co-worker) I gave running (and blogging) another shot...and now I might be hooked.
What has happened since 5/6 (last post). That following week I ran with Ben once (3 miles) it was not easy and I had to stop and walk every so often. It was kind of discouraging, but I told myself that eventually it would get better. The worst part for me is the breathing.... I feel like I should invent runners Lamaze or something. Keeping my breathing even and regulated is proving to be harder on me then anything else. My body has yet to feel the pain of my new goal, but my new runners lungs..pretty much hate me.
I think they enjoyed soaking in the black tar delight on my weekends out on the town.
Speaking of cigarettes.... You should be proud to hear that after a recent backslide (my sisters graduation weekend I smoked a lot say...a pack in a few days..ew).
But after that weekend I threw what cigarettes I had left away and told myself that I'm done. For me and my goal and for my son. I don't want to be a mom who smokes. blah.
So this week I ran with Ben on Tuesday and Wednesday, about 3 miles each time and on Wednesday we did some interval training. (running as fast as you can for about a track lap or so)
I have to say... Ben is kicking my @$$, but I would like to believe that I am improving no matter how snail like it may be.
Memorial day weekend is this weekend. I need to work in a long run... say maybe 4 miles. We will see how that goes.
The goal now is to run in the Roanoke Half Marathon in November with Ben. Then to train my butt off till March and run the Shamarock full marathon.
I am really excited for both, but glad to do the half to prove to myself I can a LEAST do a half.
http://starcitystriders.com/index.htm
I have a locker at the gym and there is a women who has the locker a few down from me. She totally inspired me yesterday when she told me her age. 89.....yep. She is almost 90 and she still swims laps. She is in great shape, and I have to say that I want to be like her.
Running a marathong is not only a goal for me, but something to do my whole life, to stay healthy.
I want to see my babies, babies and maybe their babies too.
until next time--
Allie
Being a mom and working full time makes it easy to want to flake out on everything else in life. Thanks to Ben (a super awesome co-worker) I gave running (and blogging) another shot...and now I might be hooked.
What has happened since 5/6 (last post). That following week I ran with Ben once (3 miles) it was not easy and I had to stop and walk every so often. It was kind of discouraging, but I told myself that eventually it would get better. The worst part for me is the breathing.... I feel like I should invent runners Lamaze or something. Keeping my breathing even and regulated is proving to be harder on me then anything else. My body has yet to feel the pain of my new goal, but my new runners lungs..pretty much hate me.
I think they enjoyed soaking in the black tar delight on my weekends out on the town.
Speaking of cigarettes.... You should be proud to hear that after a recent backslide (my sisters graduation weekend I smoked a lot say...a pack in a few days..ew).
But after that weekend I threw what cigarettes I had left away and told myself that I'm done. For me and my goal and for my son. I don't want to be a mom who smokes. blah.
So this week I ran with Ben on Tuesday and Wednesday, about 3 miles each time and on Wednesday we did some interval training. (running as fast as you can for about a track lap or so)
I have to say... Ben is kicking my @$$, but I would like to believe that I am improving no matter how snail like it may be.
Memorial day weekend is this weekend. I need to work in a long run... say maybe 4 miles. We will see how that goes.
The goal now is to run in the Roanoke Half Marathon in November with Ben. Then to train my butt off till March and run the Shamarock full marathon.
I am really excited for both, but glad to do the half to prove to myself I can a LEAST do a half.
http://starcitystriders.com/index.htm
I have a locker at the gym and there is a women who has the locker a few down from me. She totally inspired me yesterday when she told me her age. 89.....yep. She is almost 90 and she still swims laps. She is in great shape, and I have to say that I want to be like her.
Running a marathong is not only a goal for me, but something to do my whole life, to stay healthy.
I want to see my babies, babies and maybe their babies too.
until next time--
Allie
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 2---316 days till the Marathon
Dear Diary---
So I have come to the conclusion that blogging is just an Internet diary. We have become so lazy that it takes to long to write our thoughts on paper with a pen so we have decided to not only post our inner most thoughts on the Internet but to share them with everyone in the whole world in new from of journaling called blogging.
Cigarette count:
Yesterday's total: 1
So far today: 1
Yesterday I told a colleague of mine about my goal to run a marathon by March 2011. He promptly laughed in my face. For those of you who don't know me, I am extremely stubborn and when I am told I can't do something a switch goes off in my brain to say that I can..... take for instance that when I decided I was going to try and have my son naturally, there were many skeptics and doubters of my decision. Well folks, I am here to say, it can be done without an epidural. To each his own, I am not tooting my horn saying we all need to do it drug free, that was just my choice and I was happy I did it. It was nice to have control over my body and what was happening to it. I don't know if I will choose that again next time around (if there is a next time around) but if I am in good shape.. I may.
I also tired to put my mind to eating right the whole day and drinking water. I am trying to be more conscious of what I put in my "tank" because I want to be a healthy person. I ate well all day yesterday.. an apple for a snack, a good lunch, spaced out meals, a yogurt for a snack.
Well this morning it all went to hell when I had to go into Carol Lee's donuts and pick some up for my boss. For those of you who haven't had a Carol Lee donut, you don't know the absolute desire that rises up through your body when you just walk into the shop and the smell of fresh made donuts wafting ever so succulently in your direction. I gave in a scarfed down a glazed donut topped with delicious toasted coconut... It was better then an apple I can tell you that much.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-12875283-carol-lee-doughnut-shop-blacksburg
By the time I got home last night it was 8pm and little man fell right to sleep. After running around the house trying to clean and do other duties I finally decided I should try and fit in some form of exercise. We have an elliptical in our basement so I forced myself to try that out. 2 minutes in I did not want to be doing that anymore but pushed myself to stay on for 20 minutes total. By the end of the 20 I actually wasn't hating exercise as much as I originally thought.
Starting Monday I will begin training with a friend from work. We are supposed to run 3 miles....
I'll keep you posted on that one, should be an interesting time.
So I have come to the conclusion that blogging is just an Internet diary. We have become so lazy that it takes to long to write our thoughts on paper with a pen so we have decided to not only post our inner most thoughts on the Internet but to share them with everyone in the whole world in new from of journaling called blogging.
Cigarette count:
Yesterday's total: 1
So far today: 1
Yesterday I told a colleague of mine about my goal to run a marathon by March 2011. He promptly laughed in my face. For those of you who don't know me, I am extremely stubborn and when I am told I can't do something a switch goes off in my brain to say that I can..... take for instance that when I decided I was going to try and have my son naturally, there were many skeptics and doubters of my decision. Well folks, I am here to say, it can be done without an epidural. To each his own, I am not tooting my horn saying we all need to do it drug free, that was just my choice and I was happy I did it. It was nice to have control over my body and what was happening to it. I don't know if I will choose that again next time around (if there is a next time around) but if I am in good shape.. I may.
I also tired to put my mind to eating right the whole day and drinking water. I am trying to be more conscious of what I put in my "tank" because I want to be a healthy person. I ate well all day yesterday.. an apple for a snack, a good lunch, spaced out meals, a yogurt for a snack.
Well this morning it all went to hell when I had to go into Carol Lee's donuts and pick some up for my boss. For those of you who haven't had a Carol Lee donut, you don't know the absolute desire that rises up through your body when you just walk into the shop and the smell of fresh made donuts wafting ever so succulently in your direction. I gave in a scarfed down a glazed donut topped with delicious toasted coconut... It was better then an apple I can tell you that much.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-12875283-carol-lee-doughnut-shop-blacksburg
By the time I got home last night it was 8pm and little man fell right to sleep. After running around the house trying to clean and do other duties I finally decided I should try and fit in some form of exercise. We have an elliptical in our basement so I forced myself to try that out. 2 minutes in I did not want to be doing that anymore but pushed myself to stay on for 20 minutes total. By the end of the 20 I actually wasn't hating exercise as much as I originally thought.
Starting Monday I will begin training with a friend from work. We are supposed to run 3 miles....
I'll keep you posted on that one, should be an interesting time.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 1---317 days till the Marathon
So...Lets talk food for a minute. I know I need to work on my diet if I want to get in shape and boost my energy. I try to eat small meals all day and stay away from sweets but for some reason they keep ending up on my fork... take last night for instance--
There was a chocolate cake a dinner party I went to last night (in celebration of finishing my first semester of grad school). I can't say no to cake or anything chocolate for that matter. I have no self-control when it comes to sweets. Anyone else have this issue? Find yourself unable to remove the spoon from the icecream tub?
I know that my addiction to sweets has been a slow but gradual build up. My mom and her infamous baked goods def contributed to the down fall of my inhibitions to desserts, though I can't blame her for my lack of control.
Cigarette count:
last night: 5
so far today:1
My friend Leah suggested this book: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Months-Four-hour-Marathon-Kuehls/dp/0399524150
It looks like it might help, so I plan on picking it up this weekend. I am going to try and do this on my own (not hire a trainer) but the motivation factor has been the biggest obstacle yet. After working all day and then picking up my son, it's hard to find the motivation to go for a run... but today after work I plan on taking the little man on at least a mile walk, something to get the blood pumping.
I am also going to use a training program I found online by Hal Higdon. Anyone know anything about that? I will do more research on him.
More to come
There was a chocolate cake a dinner party I went to last night (in celebration of finishing my first semester of grad school). I can't say no to cake or anything chocolate for that matter. I have no self-control when it comes to sweets. Anyone else have this issue? Find yourself unable to remove the spoon from the icecream tub?
I know that my addiction to sweets has been a slow but gradual build up. My mom and her infamous baked goods def contributed to the down fall of my inhibitions to desserts, though I can't blame her for my lack of control.
Cigarette count:
last night: 5
so far today:1
My friend Leah suggested this book: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Months-Four-hour-Marathon-Kuehls/dp/0399524150
It looks like it might help, so I plan on picking it up this weekend. I am going to try and do this on my own (not hire a trainer) but the motivation factor has been the biggest obstacle yet. After working all day and then picking up my son, it's hard to find the motivation to go for a run... but today after work I plan on taking the little man on at least a mile walk, something to get the blood pumping.
I am also going to use a training program I found online by Hal Higdon. Anyone know anything about that? I will do more research on him.
More to come
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
THE EVENT COUNTDOWN BEGINS
Event Countdown:
318 Days 11 Hours 32 Minutes 29 Seconds....That is officially how much time I have until the next Shamrock Marathon. 318 days to train and whip my flubby mom body into marathon ready shape.
The Person:
My name is Allie, and for all safety purposes we will leave it on a first name basis, never know who's out there. I have never considered myself to be a blogger. I don't really read them, and I certainly do not write them. All of you mom's out there know, that keeping up with a 19 month old doesn't leave much time to write about your life on the Internet. But, for the purposes of inspiration and self preservation, I have decided to take this journey, from mom to marathoner in 318 days documented online, with you.
I work full time (40+ hours a week) so I am not a stay at home mom that has the kids in daycare all day while I get to train. I am not getting paid to run this marathon or to talk about it. I am a real down to earth mom that has set a goal for myself. I have wanted to run a marathon ever since I found out I was pregnant with my son. It was something that I felt I could not accomplish and after finding out I was going to have a surprise baby... I figured I could surprise myself and do this too.
This adventure will be a challenge of time, mental and physical strength, not to mention balance.
I am a single parent (though I have a wonderful support system in place), I am also a part time student (working on a masters).. not to mention working full time and running after an 19 month old little boy. Needless to say my life is INSANE.
My sister, cousin, friend and I have made a pack to train for and run in the Shamrock Marathon together in March of 2011. Check out the website: http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/. Today is day one, 318 days to go.
If you read this and feel inspired..please join me. I would love to have fellow bloggers or anyone interested in starting fresh this year join in!
Until next time--
Allie
318 Days 11 Hours 32 Minutes 29 Seconds....That is officially how much time I have until the next Shamrock Marathon. 318 days to train and whip my flubby mom body into marathon ready shape.
The Person:
My name is Allie, and for all safety purposes we will leave it on a first name basis, never know who's out there. I have never considered myself to be a blogger. I don't really read them, and I certainly do not write them. All of you mom's out there know, that keeping up with a 19 month old doesn't leave much time to write about your life on the Internet. But, for the purposes of inspiration and self preservation, I have decided to take this journey, from mom to marathoner in 318 days documented online, with you.
The Challenge:
To run and finish (in a decent amount of time) the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, March 2011. I would not consider myself an extremely unhealthy person. I could never be on the wrong side of an eating disorder because my love of food has become more than a habit in the past few decades. I am 5'8 and approximate weight is 135... yes... I know what your thinking out there doing the math in your head. No, I am not obese, or even considered over-weight, but yes, I am VERY out of shape, I can barley walk up two flights of stairs at work without feeling like like a toad.
Currently, I can run/walk a mile in about 10 minutes.... maybe more. (who's counting anyway?) I like to smoke cigarettes on occasion, which I've heard is not the best for your health let alone if you want to try and run 26.2 miles.... so I guess the guilty pleasure may have to fall by the wayside.
I work full time (40+ hours a week) so I am not a stay at home mom that has the kids in daycare all day while I get to train. I am not getting paid to run this marathon or to talk about it. I am a real down to earth mom that has set a goal for myself. I have wanted to run a marathon ever since I found out I was pregnant with my son. It was something that I felt I could not accomplish and after finding out I was going to have a surprise baby... I figured I could surprise myself and do this too.
This adventure will be a challenge of time, mental and physical strength, not to mention balance.
I am a single parent (though I have a wonderful support system in place), I am also a part time student (working on a masters).. not to mention working full time and running after an 19 month old little boy. Needless to say my life is INSANE.
My sister, cousin, friend and I have made a pack to train for and run in the Shamrock Marathon together in March of 2011. Check out the website: http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/. Today is day one, 318 days to go.
If you read this and feel inspired..please join me. I would love to have fellow bloggers or anyone interested in starting fresh this year join in!
Until next time--
Allie
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