Today was a tough day. I was distracted and unfocused while running. My business phone was ringing like crazy, Maddie had a terrible night's sleep so I was up for most of the night, laundry had to be done, etc., etc., etc. As I was running, I was thinking of all the things I needed to do. My legs was hurting and for some reason I was really out of breath during the first 1/2 mile. Then I realized I had put the incline of the treadmill up a little higher and had been running on a steeper incline. Not much steeper but boy did it make a difference. I turned the incline back down to .5 but then turned it back up. I could use the challenge and I also wanted to be able to blog that I ran 1 mile at a steeper incline. So I did it. I ran 1 mile at a steeper incline when I could have just turned it back down. I decided I was just going to run 2 miles because I was so unfocused. As I approached 1.3 miles I just really wanted to call it day. But, I didn't and just said make it to 1.5. Then 1.5 turned into 2 miles and then 2 miles turned into 2.5 miles. Yeah. I not only ran 1 mile at a steeper incline but went over my goal of running 2 miles today. When all was said and done, I was glad I didn't give up. I realized that when I look at increasing my distance by 1/2 mile increments, I am able to be successful. Small goals but big achievement for me. So, in case you are adding up my mile so far, I ran 10 miles since Monday. Just another 3 miles and I ran a half marathon. I would like to run 3.5 miles either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I just have to see which of those days I have the most time to spend on the treadmill.
I am also thinking of running the Falmouth Road Race (a 10K (7 miles)) that will take place in Falmouth, MA in August. Cape Cod is our favorite place to visit. We watched the Falmouth Road Race last year and I did say at that time I wanted to run the race in 2011. That course is very hilly though unlike the Disney Princess Half Marathon which is very flat. I have awhile to think about it and train for that one as well.
Today I had homemade sausage and spinach soup for dinner. It was delicious. I did add some white rice to it because I love either noodles or rice with my soup. Breakfast was egg whites, ham and a slice of cheese. I didn't have time to have a decent lunch so I grabbed a handful of kettle corn.
As the day comes to a close, I keep reminding myself of one of my favorite motto's:
DECIDE. COMMIT. SUCCEED.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ouch!
Today when I tried to get out of bed, it hurt. My legs are so sore from the last two days. It hurts but feels good all at the same time. I wasn't sure when I was going to get my running in today. I decided I would get my workout clothes on so when the opportunity arose, I would be ready to go. As soon as Maddie went down for a nap I was UP AND RUNNING! I wasn't sure how much time I would have but I really wanted to get at least 2 miles in. I ended up running 2.5 miles even though my legs were so sore. Along with the running, I have been really focusing on a low carb, high protein diet. Breakfast is usually egg whites with some ham. Chicken salad or a lettuce wedge is usually on the menu for lunch if I can manage to get it in. Dinner is a lot of veggies (asparagus, string beans, peppers, broccoli, spinach) and some sort of protein. As far as snacks, I usually have sugar free jello with whip cream, sherbet or some honey wheat pretzel sticks with peanut butter. I still do have my occasional treats likes my once a week donut that I buy when I go food shopping. Definitely not ready to give that up yet.
I do have to say I am really enjoying running. I am already thinking ahead as to when I am going to fit in my running tomorrow. I am looking forward to another day.
I do have to say I am really enjoying running. I am already thinking ahead as to when I am going to fit in my running tomorrow. I am looking forward to another day.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What??? 3 Miles???
March 29, 2011
3 Miles...Never. That wasn't even a thought when I jumped on the treadmill on my second day of training. This time I brought down my cell phone and listened to music. Believe it or not, I listened to Kidz Bop songs. I admit it. Kidz Bop songs are songs sung by kids but I just love them. I love them because it reminds me of Hailey singing songs around the house. I think of how my commitment to a healthier lifestyle is good for her and could benefit her in so many ways. So once again I got in my zone staring at the Rubbermaid bin across the basement and listening to music. My goal was again to run 2 miles. At 1.3 miles, I felt tired. My legs were sore but I knew the feeling would pass. By 1.7 miles I felt like I was running downhill and knew I could do 2 miles. Once I hit 2 miles, I felt darn good. I told myself I would go just half a mile more. At 2.5 miles I thought about writing on my blog how I did 3 miles and so I did it! I ran 3 miles on my second day of training. The best part was was that I was actually still standing upright and I was breathing normally. I didn't feel like I just ran 3 miles. I didn't feel that until I had to walk up the basement stairs. Talk about sore muscles. I quickly spread the word by sending out a text to a few people. I felt so good and my day felt so much better. Let's see what my next day of training holds.
3 Miles...Never. That wasn't even a thought when I jumped on the treadmill on my second day of training. This time I brought down my cell phone and listened to music. Believe it or not, I listened to Kidz Bop songs. I admit it. Kidz Bop songs are songs sung by kids but I just love them. I love them because it reminds me of Hailey singing songs around the house. I think of how my commitment to a healthier lifestyle is good for her and could benefit her in so many ways. So once again I got in my zone staring at the Rubbermaid bin across the basement and listening to music. My goal was again to run 2 miles. At 1.3 miles, I felt tired. My legs were sore but I knew the feeling would pass. By 1.7 miles I felt like I was running downhill and knew I could do 2 miles. Once I hit 2 miles, I felt darn good. I told myself I would go just half a mile more. At 2.5 miles I thought about writing on my blog how I did 3 miles and so I did it! I ran 3 miles on my second day of training. The best part was was that I was actually still standing upright and I was breathing normally. I didn't feel like I just ran 3 miles. I didn't feel that until I had to walk up the basement stairs. Talk about sore muscles. I quickly spread the word by sending out a text to a few people. I felt so good and my day felt so much better. Let's see what my next day of training holds.
Welcome To Up And Running
March 28, 2011
Welcome to Up and Running. This is my official blog that will document my training for running the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2012 and also my decision to commit to a healthier lifestyle. I decided to do this blog mostly because I not only want to be accountable to myself but also to you. I decided on the name Up and Running because I think it represents running (literally) and also my crazy busy lifestyle as a working mom who "runs" all day long. I am hoping that this blog will inspire me never forget the commitment I have made to myself. I am looking forward to hearing some "good job" and "keep up the good work" comments to keep me going. I know not every day is going to be great so I am hoping then to hear some "you can do it" and "get back on track."
So hear we go:
Bright and early on Monday morning, I put on my running sneakers and went down to the treadmill. I decided no phone calls, no texting, no TV. I was going to put myself in a zone and stare at the Rubbermaid storage bin that was on the other side of the basement. That would be my focus point. Disney requires that you maintain a 16 minute mile so I set the treadmill for a speed that would allow me to run a 15 minute mile. There is only room for improvement so if I can do a mile in 15 minutes to start, I wouldn't have a problem maintaining it. My goal was to run 1 mile. I was UP AND RUNNING! I thought about a lot of things. How all of this can change me for the better. I would be a good role model for my two girls. I would be healthier and hopefully live a lot longer. I would feel more confident and have a more positive attitude towards situations that challenged me.
The first half mile, I felt like I was running uphill. To my surprise, the last half of the mile felt like I was running downhill. My breathing regulated and I knew I could finish the mile. Then I thought of doing the blog and how cool it would be for me to tell everyone that I ran 2 miles on my first day of training. So I went for it. I ran 2 miles on Day 1 at 4.0 mph (15 minute mile) on a .5 incline. I felt pretty darn good both mentally and physically. I was so happy with what I had just accomplished. As I drank a glass of water and stretched out my legs, I was actually looking forward to Day 2 of training.
Welcome to Up and Running. This is my official blog that will document my training for running the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2012 and also my decision to commit to a healthier lifestyle. I decided to do this blog mostly because I not only want to be accountable to myself but also to you. I decided on the name Up and Running because I think it represents running (literally) and also my crazy busy lifestyle as a working mom who "runs" all day long. I am hoping that this blog will inspire me never forget the commitment I have made to myself. I am looking forward to hearing some "good job" and "keep up the good work" comments to keep me going. I know not every day is going to be great so I am hoping then to hear some "you can do it" and "get back on track."
So hear we go:
Bright and early on Monday morning, I put on my running sneakers and went down to the treadmill. I decided no phone calls, no texting, no TV. I was going to put myself in a zone and stare at the Rubbermaid storage bin that was on the other side of the basement. That would be my focus point. Disney requires that you maintain a 16 minute mile so I set the treadmill for a speed that would allow me to run a 15 minute mile. There is only room for improvement so if I can do a mile in 15 minutes to start, I wouldn't have a problem maintaining it. My goal was to run 1 mile. I was UP AND RUNNING! I thought about a lot of things. How all of this can change me for the better. I would be a good role model for my two girls. I would be healthier and hopefully live a lot longer. I would feel more confident and have a more positive attitude towards situations that challenged me.
The first half mile, I felt like I was running uphill. To my surprise, the last half of the mile felt like I was running downhill. My breathing regulated and I knew I could finish the mile. Then I thought of doing the blog and how cool it would be for me to tell everyone that I ran 2 miles on my first day of training. So I went for it. I ran 2 miles on Day 1 at 4.0 mph (15 minute mile) on a .5 incline. I felt pretty darn good both mentally and physically. I was so happy with what I had just accomplished. As I drank a glass of water and stretched out my legs, I was actually looking forward to Day 2 of training.
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