Three Times Up

Had a great run tonight.  It was 30° something but felt like 42° with the humidity.  There is something about running in the heat that actually feels good.  Sweating and FEELING like I am working out - working HARD.  It felt good.  Ran up a CRAZY steep hill tonight .. three times .. it was soo hard.  But it felt good.  I am hoping all this hard work will pay off  at the next race in a couple of weeks.

Some good news.. I am down 18lbs!  Yay!  34lbs more to go.  I've been watching what I eat.. but I also eat what I want (in moderation) if that makes sense.  If I want a treat.. I bake something and enjoy it.  Do I do it all the time.. no.  But when I do enjoy that 'treat'... I feel good.. and then I don't need or want to have it for a long while.  I've worked too hard and enjoy how I am feeling now to just throw it all away... to just be overweight.  That is not me.  That is the old me.  Am I obsessed?  No... I just want to healthy.  I want to be a good example.  I want to look on the outside the way I feel on the inside.

On a bit of a sad note... I was also very overwhelmed with emotions tonight.  Sadness to be specific.  I miss my mom.  I wish she could see me run.  I wish I could hear her say that she is proud of me.  I wish she could 'experience' the run through me.  I feel sad because my mom never got to do or experience things she wanted to... due to illnesses.  Real illnesses.  But I have to be strong.. keep running and continue to work at being the absolutely best mom I can be.  I run because I can.

In my World..

In my World I am ....

Preparing for school to start.
Painting/Decorating the last parts of our home.
Determine to continue to run and loose weight.
WILL make a conscience effort to be on my computer A LOT less (once a day if that).
Striving to be a better mom to my kids... ALL DAY.
Focus on God and not what others are doing or saying.
Less obsessed with the outside world and refused on my family and what works for us ONLY.
Firm minded to be positive in all areas of my life.
Sharing less about my life via face book and possibly this blog and more in person with my loved ones and friends by building stronger relationships.


That is what my world looks like right now and that is where my head is at.... I am happy.  I am feeling content.  I am feeling strong: mentally, physically, spiritually & emotionally.

My Strategy

I have consistently be running 4 times a week.  This works for me.  I did take a whole week off after I ran my second 5k about two weeks ago.  And it felt good.  It felt good to rest.  It felt good that I had to FORCE myself to not go and run.  (that is a big stretch for me.. to WANT to do some sort of exercise). It felt good that I continued to eat well and didn't gain any weight.  On the days that I don't meet with the group I either run by myself or if anyone offers to run with me.. I almost always accept the invite. 

Here is what I do:

Monday - I run my time, which means I can run a 5k in about 31 minutes.  So I run for about 30 minutes.  Simple right?  'Cause it is.  (the concept not the running for 30minutes!  At least not for me!)☺

Tuesday - I'm with my running group.  We are generally at the track, working on our speed and tempo.  But we've also been doing some new training to help with endurance as well.. and that would be hill work.  Yay!  Not!  But I hope to see some results from running up and down and CRAZY STEEP hill!

Wednesday - rest!  rest!  rest!

Thursday - run my time again... but with a bit of a change... I'm going to be running my time but adding 5 minutes.  So I will be running for 35 minutes.  I will do this for a couple of weeks.. then increase my time again by another 5 minutes.

Friday - rest!  rest!  rest!  again.. ☺

Saturday - I'm with my running group again.  We do differently things on this day as well.  Sometimes we just go for a run.  Sometimes we do sprints.  Sometimes we do tempo stuff.  It depends.  But what is important is that I'm out there.

Sunday - you guessed it... rest!  rest!  rest!

And that's what I'm doing folks.  I did get a bit down on myself this week.  I was looking at the pictures that someone took of me at my last race.  And my butt looked big... I mean BIG!  *sigh*  I have lost weight and my body is changing.. and running is getting ALITTLE easier for me... but I have to keep on track.  I have to remember that this will take time.  It took me YEARS to put on the weight.  Four babies in under 5 years (yikes.. do the math.. and none of them are twins☺).  So anyway... I am back in my positive happy place in my head.

Ran tonight.  It felt good.  I love that I have an ipod now... I can focus on the music and imagine myself running at the next race! ☺

Seeing the seeds we sow...

*picture from googles images

Last night my sister accepted Christ!  For so many years I have been praying for her salvation.  For our Lord to draw her close to him.  Through some hard life lessons she has learned and is continuing to learn she was seeking God more and more.  Asking more and more questions.  We've all been there.. before we were born again and after we cry out: "Why oh Lord.. Why God.. Why is this happening to me?  Why are you doing this to me".... and although we may feel that we are alone, that no one cares certainly not God or a God... he is always with us.  Not 'doing bad things to us'.. yet 'allow us to experience these lessons'.. to bring us to our knees and to know THERE IS A GOD who FOREVER LOVES YOU.  That LOVES YOU soo much that he sent his son - Jesus to SUFFER and DIE on the cross FOR YOU!  He knows YOUR NAME.

And so last night I walked my sister through Romans road.  She weeped and said the prayer.  Weeped at the understand that Jesus suffered on the cross for HER.  That she is not worthy (none of us are), but he did nonetheless.  EVERYDAY we are not worthy.. but EVERYDAY our Father.. our Lord loves us.

If you are seeking God.. if you want Jesus in your heart.  If you want to live for ETERNITY in Heaven.. pray to God ask him to guide you.. if you don't have one .. get a bible... hook up with A GOOD BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH... read and follow passages (in the link below)... and say the prayer -- ask Jesus to be in your heart.... AND SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS... TELL SOMEONE!

http://www.allaboutgod.com/roman-road.htm

AND SEE YOU IN HEAVEN!!

Hills!

Not the TV show... actual hills!  Tonight I did hill training with my running group.  I am 'training' for another 5k that is taking place this September.. in about 3 1/2 weeks.  My goal is to get my time under 30 mins.. 28 mins would be a nice number to reach ... but we will see.

I am still really enjoying running and this new running group that I've joined.  I am still with the same women that I started with back in May.  I enjoy just putting on my shoes and either going for a run from my home or meeting up with a few new ladies that I've met.

I've seen results that I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.  Truly amazing!  From my first time running back on Wed May 5th.. I couldn't even finish the set of running 1 min and walking 2.. to now being able to run a 5k.. I definitely doubted all the people that said to me "in no time you will be running 5k".. well I'm doing it!  Incredible!  And you can do!

Bye Bye Weight..

OK I am sooo excited!  For many reasons.. I have NEVER stuck to any sort of 'excerise' long enough to see results.  I LOVE RUNNING!  I'm running 4 times a week (Mon, Tues @ the track, Thurs & Sat) I've got a routine.. my family knows it... happy mommy = happy family.  I am eating better.  I am more aware of what I am putting in my mouth.  Cut back the sweets, coffee and portions.  BUT I've been able to LIVE too!  We've had sooo many house guests over the summer months.  Which means.. a bit more desserts, wine, crackers and dips and other goodies.  BUT I've been able to limit myself.  I've still enjoyed these foods... but in moderation.  I don't want to just splurge go over board and gain 5lbs - 10lbs back.  Because I EASILY could.  But instead I have a bit.. it satisfies my appetite.. and I can move on to the next day..

So total loss 16.5lbs in 14 weeks (3.5months approx).  The slower and STEADIER the weight comes off the better.

Yay!  Happy Dance!  ... AND YOU CAN DO IT TO!!!!

RACE DAY!

Ran my second 5k this morning... a personal best for me 31:16!  Ran all the way.. it was super hard.. but well worth the pain, being out of breath.. and BELIEVE me I ENJOYED a lovely bagel and cream cheese later!!!  (I think I actually had 1 1/2!!!)

That's it!  I'm happy with my results.. now to work toward the next 5k on Sept 11th (whoa.. the day we moved here 2 years ago.... SOO much has CHANGED in my life!!)

Blessings to YOUR Sunday!!

Ran Tonight..because I can

I'm getting ready for another 5k.  It is happening THIS Sunday.  I am excited.  I am nervous.  I am anxious.  My husband asked me if I was ready... hum that is an interesting question.  I don't know if I'm ready per say!  I've been able to run the entire 5k.. only just recently.. like recently I'm talking this past Monday and tonight.  I wish I had more time... but there will be other races for sure!  About one a month .. so those are good goals to have.

I've been thinking.. why do I run?  I run because I CAN.  I run for my mom.  She passed away about two and half years ago.  And even if she was still with us, I know she wouldn't be able to anyway with all her health issues.  I want to be a women that runs because I can.  I don't want to look back at my life and wonder if I could have done that.  Now I know I HAVE.  I CAN.  And I will CONTINUE to run.

Love you mom!  Hope you are watching me on Sunday and are proud.

Festivals!

Its that time of year!  Festival time!  Soon to be fair time!  Can't wait.  Its been soo hot here... so time spent by water.. whether it is a river, lake or canal is just fine with me!  The breeze, the view, the company... sounds like the perfect mix to me!  This weekend we visited one of our festival in a nearby town.  So wonderful!  Simple.. but wonderful... that's the way I like it.  No Carney rides, freaky people, overpriced EVERYTHING.. just free face painting, free balloon animals, free play in the park, free music.. and ice cream (not free.. but yummy nonetheless) and lots lots more.  Don't get me wrong.. I'm not completely cheap... it's just nice to go to a simple festival the way the use to be.. to have fun, have people come together.. not try to make money off people.  It was safe and family friendly, just the right mix for our young family.  Here are some photos from our day out...

And that's how we spent our Saturday afternoon!  Hope every one of you enjoyed your long weekend with your family as well!

I did it! I did it! Yahoo I did it!

I ran 5k STRAIGHT tonight!  Awesome!  My last (and first) race I had to walk for two times, one minute each.  But tonight I ran the whole 5k without stopping!  I am getting ready for my next 5k this Sunday!

Sooo exciting!  I am soo on a runners high!  I love it!  Now I have to work on my time!

That's it.... yaaaahoo