Up and Running Again!

We've signed up to run a half-marathon! We're running the one in Pensacola.

The race date gives us 14 weeks to train. We've already gotten in our first run of 2014! After our first 5k, we ran sporadically then stopped altogether (except for our Thanksgiving day run) to do INSANITY. (Boy was that a mistake. We ran what seemed to be the hardest two miles ever on December 31, our anniversary.) We completed the first month of INSANITY as written and started month two. Now, however, we are going to use INSANITY as cross training on non-run days. We might end up fitting in more, but I doubt it.

So, Fred and I are running a half-marathon. I pray we have an injury free training and a fun race. God has blessed us thus far, and we give all glory and praise to Him for our success and accomplishments.

We chose this race because we have adequate time to train. The race is close to family though it's a six hour drive for us. My sister and her husband intend to run with us, and we hope they are able to.

I know I have some difficult runs ahead of me; however, I'm not scared, and I don't think it's impossible. Note to self - 

       

All throughout my C25k training I would recite a verse that comforted me: "For God has not given me a spirit of fearf, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV) I think I'll need it again!

                                    

Weight Watchers Weigh-In No. 22

Down . . . Down. . . Down!

This past Saturday at my meeting I was down 2.6 lbs. I was so happy to hear that bell. I have officially lost 30 pounds. About eleven or so more pounds gone will leave me weighing what is printed on my license. That's my next goal.

Fred was down 3.6 lbs at weigh-in. Woot, woot!

We will likely end up weighing Thursday due to having our first official 5k this Saturday. We won't break any records but we will SHOW UP!

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh-In No. 17

This week the scale was up one and four tenths pounds. I do NOT believe I gained this in one week. I'll blame the dill pickle sunflower seeds I ate Thursday and Friday evenings.

Fred was up two and two tenths pounds. I don't know what his problem was - it wasn't sunflower seeds.

The number on the scale was motivation to me. I was in bed by 10:30 last night; 9:00 was my goal. This morning, we got up and got a run in. It sure felt good since we hadn't been able to in two weeks. We ran two and walked one.

This week we are looking forward to getting enough sleep and exercising six out of seven days.

Let's Catch Up!

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever! It's been busy around here with the kids and me going back to school after a much needed summer break. I feel like I  have been left without a spare minute in the day. Wednesday before last I returned to work for the first of three teacher in-service days. On the last day before the students were to return, Friday, I was moved to an entirely different school to teach a different subject than I was set to teach at a different grade level. Whew!

I am just now able to catch my breath. Things have been chaotic. Because of last minute preparations into the wee hours of the night, we didn't get a single run in last week. But we hit it today! There's no way I will let my progress go to waste to grade papers. Running, and exercise in general, make me feel great. My health and fitness are a priority - plain and simple.

It's hard to go to bed early with so many things left undone. It's far too easy to slip back into old habits of eating poorly and not exercising because there isn't enough time. Being a lazy bum is easy. However, I've decided that easy is not for me.

I am willing to put in the effort, I will work hard, and I am determined to succeed. I am dedicated to this healthy lifestyle. I'm in it to win it!

                               

Our First Nonstop 5K Run

Last night as we were getting ready for bed, Bridgette asked me how I felt about running a new route. I told her that I was just fine with it. After she told me which route she had in mind, I told her that I could see myself running the full distance. I never actually thought it would happen today. Our goal distance for today was to run a 5K or 3.1 miles nonstop. This goal was at the top of the list of goals that we've set for ourselves, and we've been on a mission to accomplish it for a few months now.



Victory is Ours!

Taking a look back at our accomplishments over the last three to four months has given me the encouragement and the will to add to our list another non-scale victory. I actually crossed one off the list about two weeks ago when I ran an eleven minute mile. I beat my anticipated time of a 12 minute mile by one whole minute. Knowing  that today I could actually cross off another non scale victory was plenty enough encouragement for me.

As each quarter mile of our run passed, I felt better. I was concerned for Bridgette and how she was doing because I knew that this would be an anticipated victory for her as well. I'm surprised to say that every time I asked her how she was doing she could answer me, "I'm Okay Baby," with free flowing words. Usually she would answer with heavy breathing and pauses between each word, but not today. She was doing great; it motivated me even more.

Around 2.5 miles Bridgette told me she was tired and needed to slow down. I was okay with that; I just didn't want her to stop. When Runkeeper signaled that we were at 2.75 miles I told Bridgette we have a little over a quarter mile left and I could hear the change in her voice. "Really?" she asked. Next thing I know we were on our last leg and she gave it all she had down the stretch, even speeding up a bit, and I sprinted to the end. 3.16 miles was my final time, and I felt like I could go another mile or two. (Bridgette stopped at 3.1 miles, but I raced to the nearby stop sign.) We gave each other a high five, and thanked the LORD that we made it.

I was an athlete up through high school, but I have never in my life run this far without walking or taking a break. It feels so good knowing that I can run a 5K nonstop. I'm motivated more than ever.  PRAISE THE LORD!

July Goals!

We probably should have posted our goals for the month on the first; nevertheless, they have were established prior to the start of the month, and here they are for all the world to see:

Bridgette's Goals

1. Drink two cups of water with each meal and snack
2. Increase push ups from two to ten at a time (Up until about two weeks ago, I couldn't do a single one!)
3. Read the Bible daily (as part of my 90 day plan)

Fred's Goals

 

1. Refrain from drinking pops/sodas at work (We don't even buy them for the house!)
2. Track food intake daily (on paper, not in head)

 

Shared Goals

 

1. Do 3 training runs a week AND 3 Chalean workouts a week
2. Continue to be active with our kids