frustrated!!

My foot/ankle still has not healed. It's been two weeks.

I went to the doctor last Friday to be sure it wasn't a stress fracture, and he said he thinks it's just a sprain on the top of my foot. I'm so miserable! My left foot has started hurting from having to limp a little for my right foot. Such a mess!!

I went for a nice 3+ mile walk/jog last Thursday with my new running partner, Danyle, and it was great! We did it in about 41mins - not bad for an outside run. I was so nervous to have a partner because everyone's paces are so different, but we were perfectly in synch!

We planned to go Friday and today but I had to cancel both days because my foot is so bad. I'm going insane not being able to run, so this better heal soon. I don't know what to do to make it better!

Have you had any running injuries before? How do you handle the mental aspect of not being able to get back out there and run?

Have to share this ecard! Oh, and all my new BondiBands (plus one with my pup)!!

first running injury :/

Yup. I've got my first running injury. Does that make me a real runner now?

Well, it's nothing serious, so probably not. My ankle has been hurting a little for about a week now, but I ran on it a couple of times anyways. Yesterday and today it was a little worse though, so I decided not to run today. Which I'm actually bummed about, since it's my day off so I would have been able to run outside. I've been icing it off and on this morning and I'll wrap it if I head out to do any errands.

I did run on Saturday though, and it was nice because my husband came and met me at the gym at work to join. I followed the C25K plan for the day, and it was the first time where I did exactly as the program called for. It ended up being 2.1 miles in 28:15.

Last night I caved and bought the Jeff Galloway half marathon training app for (brace yourself) $14.99. I'm a little hesitant but also excited to use his guide instead of the C25K. He's the official RunDisney go-to guy, so I'm sure it will be great.

Amazon and Pinterest have become my goal boards - when I reach a milestone (the first one is running 3x/week for a month), I get to buy something off one of those places. They're all things related to running, such as new Under Armour shirts.

OH! I booked our hotel yesterday for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!! We will be staying here:

Shades of Green Resort, on Disney property. It's a military-only resort so it was a great price ($110/night for a room with 2 queen beds) and is really nice. And even better: my husband decided to come! He won't be running the race, but I'm so excited he will be there to watch me finish. And that he'll be there to celebrate my birthday with me.

If you're feeling discouraged in your running, keep this amazing quote in your head:

"Dead last is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start."

a mile is a mile!

Today is my day off, so I woke up around 7am (thanks for that, internal body clock...), spent a few minutes waking up with Matt, Natalie, Al, and Savannah (of the Today Show...I'm not a huge orgy fan, people!), and laced up my shoes. I decided just to take my Molly pup for my run this morning, since it's too hard to take both dogs anymore.

Since I ran at 730am, the heat wasn't too awful. I was still sweating like a freaking pig at the end, though. I didn't set my C25K app correctly, which I quickly realized, and accidentally did the Week 1, Day 1 program. It actually worked out well though since I'm still not acclimated to running in the elements - so it was a 5 min warmup walk then 90 seconds running and 2 mins walking (for a total of 20 mins), followed by a 5 min cool down. I ended up only doing 2.5 mins of the cool down, but I noticed I was pushing myself to run faster for the 90 secs since I knew it was an "easier" rotation that I've been doing. I forgot to start my RunKeeper app to measure distance and pace, but based on last time's outside run, I think I clocked about 2.15ish in 28 minutes. Not bad for being outside!

I need to be sure to remind myself of the above quote when I'm hard on myself about my times!! 

My friend Krystal and I attended a military spouse appreciation lunch at the Hard Rock today, and it was served buffet style. I was pretty proud of myself! I had 2 servings of salad, one piece of pork, some fruit and small cheese pieces, and 2 teensy brownie bites. I skipped the pasta and bread!! 

Anyways...I'm looking forward to hitting the treadmill tomorrow on my lunch. I set a goal of running at least three times a week for a month straight - once I complete that I'm treating myself to a super cute tank top that says "Keep Calm and Run On." It's all about small goals, people! Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday.

stronger

A little motivation for all of us this morning! I love this. I also read a quote earlier that stuck with me: "Be proud of your strength, and every bit of exercise that you do to make your body better than ever. Even if you don’t look like a fitness model, you are stronger and more powerful  than before your workout." How true is all of that? Every mile you run, walk, or jog, is another mile closer to the you that you want to become.

So yesterday I hopped on the treadmill on my lunch break. Week 3, day 1 on the C25K program. So although I went for less time, I jogged/ran more. Pretty satisfied with that distance in that amount of time! I find myself still having energy during the cool down (5 mins), and since I still have plenty of time in my lunch break I usually keep going. I love that I actually want  to keep going. 

I spoke with our trainer after Summer Slam last night to ask her if my training will be enough time for the half marathon in February. She said I definitely should run outside more to get acclimated to the elements, but if I keep up the 3-5x/week of running then I should clock about a 10.0 pace. I'm so stoked on that, since my goal is just 12.0!! Speaking of Summer Slam...sheesh. She killed us last night! Lots of cardio - kickboxing and running. For the running we put a resistance band around our hips and the kickstand, then had to run as hard as possible with high knees for 30 seconds at a time. That was my favorite part! Hard class but I loved every second of it.

As more people are reading my blog, I'm loving seeing that people are actually following my story and finding some inspiration in me. It's so humbling!!

getting there!

Yesterday I ran on my lunch break because I was so sleepy. I had intended to do about 35 mins then stop so I could shower before heading back to work (the C25K workout is 31 mins). It was quite an accomplishment to have even made it to the gym because my legs are so sore from Summer Slam on Friday.

But once I got going, I didn't want to stop running!!!

Beat my 5K personal best by 1:25!!!! I'm proud of myself. I'd love to get that down to 35 by December.

It seriously blows my mind how much I truly am enjoying running. Can't wait to get back on the treadmill today. I'll also run Wednesday (outside, since I am off that day) and Thursday (treadmill since I work). Nervous for Summer Slam tonight!!

How are you doing on exercise?

melting!

Well, couldn't run yesterday. Had to go home sick from work...had some kind of yucky stomach bug since Monday and it revisited yesterday morning. BUT I wanted to get out and RUN today! I'm so determined to have at least a 12 min/mi pace for the half marathon.

"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat." -Napoleon Hill

I went today though! Ran outside, which I usually don't do. If I'm outside, I usually speed walk and do it for distance, not time. But I laced up my Under Armour sneakers, leashed up the dogs, locked up the house, and got going. I used the C25K app again, although I was a little disappointed with it today. I had to "pause workout" while I got poopy bags situated on the leashes, and while it paused the distance, it continued the time. So it messed with my actual pace measurement.

ANYWAY. It was much harder running in the heat and humidity. And trust me, there's a lot of humidity in Key West. I ended up needing to walk more than usual. Another factor in my pace would be that my lovely dogs kept stopping mid-stride and sniffing. Or pooping. Bandit likes to poop in the middle of the sidewalk/street. With absolutely zero warning. So that's fun.

I ended up doing 31 minutes and about 1.85 miles, which worked out to about a 16:30 pace,  I think. But keep in mind it messed up my pace in the beginning when I paused it. The way the C25K workout goes for where I am is as follows: brisk 5 minute warm-up walk, followed by 90 seconds of jogging/running and 2 minutes of walking, for a total of 20 minutes - then a 5 minute cool-down.

When I compare that with Tuesday's run, I'm disappointed. In the same time and fashion, I did 2.1something in 31mins. Oh well. Gotta get used to that outdoor running!

on the right track

some pun intended...

I decided to follow the Couch to 5K (C25K) running plan before I start the Disney Princess Half Marathon training plan (from Jack Galloway). This is probably good so I don't die.

Yesterday on my lunch break I jumped right in. I'm starting in week two simply because week one is a little too easy. A few months back I had started the C25K plan (obviously it didn't last) and in week 1 I was doing about 1 mile each time. Yesterday I did 2.12 miles! It may not seem like much, but for me it's a step in the right direction.

I really am loving running. Last night I found myself wanting to get up and go for another run. I didn't (because it was bedtime), but that is huge for me. If you know me, you understand that.

Today I'll be running on my lunch break again. I know the suggestion is to take a rest day between runs, but I love being able to take advantage of my lunch breaks like that. Once I start increasing the distance I'll put the rest days in place. We also have Summer Slam tonight after work...so I should sleep like a baby tonight!

Oh...and...I registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon yesterday!!! My mom and I are officially signed up, under the team name Darling Duo. So excited!

Registration Confirmation e-mail!

welcome to my world.

Hi! Thanks for stopping by, and for being nosey enough to care about my humble little life. No really, I mean it. I'm a nosey person, too. I love being able to get a glimpse into the lives of others. Sometimes it makes me feel better. Or worse. Or - my favorite - it can make me feel normal.

Anyway, I thought I would make a blog to document my journey. I decided last month that I wanted to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Partly because I want to get healthier. And partly because I'll never have another opportunity to do it again.

I say that because my husband and I will only be living in Key West for another year and a half. His enlistment in the Navy ends in February 2014, and at that point we'll be moving back to California. So we are trying to take advantage of living in Florida while we can!

Now, you should know that I am in no way a runner. Or an athlete. Or someone who enjoys exercising in (almost) any form at all. But, about a month and a half ago, an awesome person at work decided to start a Summer Slam workout 3 times a week - and she made it free to employees of the police department. So my coworkers and I have been going (and have missed very few classes!), so I've gotten motivated. I've gotten to the point where I look forward to working out (mostly due to the people in my class) and running. Which is surprising, considering I haven't seen any results other than my endurance increasing.

So, this blog will be an outlet for me to document my progress (and - I'm sure - setbacks) along my journey to train for a half marathon. And by the way, my goal is simply to finish the half. Not to freaking win it. Although you do have to have a 16 minute/mile pace. Which seems unattainable at this point.

Thanks for joining me on my journey!