2012 – The Wrap Up and On to the Next One

As it has been so long since I last posted, I thought I’d just beat the clock and get a year-end wrap up posted before the clock strikes 12 on 2012.

The lack of posts is definitely NOT because I have not been busy working out and meeting my goals – in fact, it is more because I took a break from trying to force the blog posts in order to focus on those goals. This year, I have found a really great place in my weight loss/fitness journey. While I have a goal weight range, I’m no longer concerned about the exact # on the scale. My primary goal is to be fit and healthy. To achieve this goal- I have to continue to work hard and fuel my body purely. If I work on those things, I will achieve that goal eventually. I had posted earlier this year about being frustrated with a plateau. The reality is, I’ve only lost about 5 lbs since then, total. The good news is : 1)have maintained a 70+ weight loss for over 2 years and 2)have accepted that I have to do something different nutritionally if I want different results and 3)I’m capable of WAY more than I ever thought possible physically.

In late April, I decided I wanted to sign up for some races again and fill up my race calendar to be consistent. I had a goal to do at least 1 race per month through the end of the year. That goal meant completing 8 races. I’m very happy to report that I completed 10 and attempted 11!

Here is a quick rundown of my races of 2012:

• 500 Festival 5K Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Dirty Girl Mud Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Tap N Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• The Color Run Indianapolis - FINISHED   
• Ragnar Napa Valley - FINISHED
• Disaster Dash Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Wine at the Line Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Monumental 5K Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Drumstick Dash Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Jingle Bell Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Santa Shuffle Half (DNF- 8.5mi completed, injured foot)

I’ve also continued with CrossFit since beginning at the end of May. Today, I ended 2012 with a kick ass WOD at Church of Iron. I was on a workout high for at least an hour afterwards. I love the little CF family I’ve become a part of. Lately, due to work, I’ve not been able to be as consistent with my schedule- but I’m back, and I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months brings.

On that note- the next 6 months. It’s going to bring A LOT!

I have 8, that’s EIGHT, races scheduled between 1/1/13 and end of May.

2 5Ks, a 10K, a 15K, 1 half marathon and 2 Obstacle Course Races (including a Spartan Sprint in April!)

A goal of a minimum of 3 visits to CrossFit each week (sometimes 4).

A renewed focus on my nutrition and feeding to fuel and little else.

While I don’t believe in resolutions that are made to be broken- I commit to being mindful of the goals I’ve set and allowing myself to move on when I momentarily lose sight of them.

What goals have you set this year- and how will you reach them? 

A Cosmic Shift

Still here- another month later. Sometimes I wonder why I blog at all- knowing full well it is mostly for myself anyway-  but a month flys by and then I realize I haven't put things I'd like to remember down in the blog.

Since my last post- I have continued with Crossfit 3x a week (except last week, missed a day). I still love it- it is very challenging but very rewarding- I often think "I'm paying someone to tell me to do this shit"- but I like it! I'm already seeing major changes in my body from an inches lost and muscular shape perspective. Most people wouldn't notice it on me yet- but I notice and that's what keeps me going.

I've also continued trail running when I get a chance- if I'm lucky I get to do that once a week. I NEVER used to run on Sundays that was always a rest day (rather I worked out or ran 2 days or 5 days+, I always rested on Sundays). I've found this has become a trail day for me. Today, it was 95 degrees - hot and muggy- yet- I didn't care that the only time I'd get to run was 1:30 or so- I HAD to get out there. I was craving a good sweat and exertion. The heat affected my pace- slowed me down a bit- but when I'm out on the trail, I actually don't care what the pace is- I just want to get stronger and more fit. Ragnar Napa is in 2.5 months- and between the crossfit, trail running and regular running training- I think this may be my best effort yet.

Finally feeling like I'm getting back to that "at my best" fit feeling again- I still have off days- but it's nice to get a glimpse of it again.

Finding the WTF sweet spot

As I write this, I've got some pretty sore arms. Not "can't move" sore- but that kind of sore that makes you proud, you know you worked hard- you earned it. There are muscles in my legs and butt that will be pretty sore by tomorrow. I like it.

In the past 2 years- I've come an amazing way on my journey (so far) to lose weight, move towards getting fit and never stopping. 75 lbs down (and maintained loss for a year)- I hit a plateau about this time last year. I think my body was not getting enough muscle confusion. In training for the half marathon last year, I focused so much on my running that I let my strength training slide. Then as it slid further away, my strength wained and so did my running intensity. I never stopped running, just wasn't improving and increasing like I had been. Then winter came.

When we switched gyms in January- I left behind a great trainer as well. He really helped me know fitness again but schedules and money. . . .well, it just didn't make sense anymore. As it is, I need a second job to fund my race fantasies (half-kidding). In the winter, I started to psych myself into getting back to that really fit, ever improving, state I had been in a year ago. I WANTED to feel that great again and I knew I craved it- but yet, I couldn't get it kickstarted. I needed my muscles to scream WTF at me for awhile- because that's how I know greatness is happening.

So- I started looking around at options- martial arts, kickboxing, group fitness classes, CrossFit, cycling, back to swimming. . . . . .CrossFit was the one that caught my attention.
If you don't know what CrossFit is, there is a ton of information on the internet- and I'm not about to regurgitate it all - but I found a great video to explain it to some of those close to me- so I'd like to also share it with you.

The great thing about CrossFit is that it can be customized to fit anyone's level - there are modifications to any of the exercises you see here that make it manageable. I was apprehensive at first- because most of the people you see in these videos are ultra fit. Which is EXACTLY how I knew I had to try it.

Thing is- it isn't cheap. It isn't a $9.99 gym- it's a work till you want to puke kind of exertion that you pay someone a lot of money to teach you. Sounds great, right? I thought so too.

But given that I left the last gym and trainer because of money- I didn't have the chance to try it yet. I even wished, publically on Twitter, that Groupon would offer a CrossFit offer soon. Lo and behold, less than 2 weeks later- my dream came true. A Groupon for CrossFit at a box with a schedule and location that work for me! Heaven! Church of Iron- here I come!! (you can find them on Twitter at @Church_of_Iron as well).

After having a few questions answered over email, I made the plan to start today at 6am - and so I did. Planks, side planks, push ups, squats, pull ups, sled pushes were all part of my reality today- modified to my current ability so I NEVER felt like I couldn't do anything. The group was welcoming, challenging and definitely a place I'm looking forward to spending more time.

At this point- I see myself doing a pretty hard core beginner schedule for the first 4 weeks (to use the Groupon as much as I can!)- and then hoping to take advantage of it 2-3 times a week after that, in order to keep up my running training as well.

I definitely have the plan now to move forward in the next phase of this journey- I couldn't be more excited!

(While I know barely anything about CrossFit at this point- I'm happy to share my experiences and answer any questions you might have and I am looking forward to documenting this tranformation)

Finding the Fun!

I realize I have been taking the "occassional blogger" title way too seriously since my last post. After my hip injury, I had to take a few weeks off. Turns out it was not actually from weak muscles but actually hip bursitis. With a couple of weeks of rest and a very slow ramp up back to mileage (an a shoe change)- I'm back out there and feeling great!

While I took the time off from running- I did a few things;

• I found pleasure in exercising in other ways- cycling, Arc Trainer, getting back into regular strength training.
• I got crazy about creating my race schedule for the year.
• As part of that planning though, I decided I wanted to have lots of FUN races intermixed with the more serious ones this year.

I have at least one race, per month, through the end of the year. At least 11 races planned- and that started on May 5 with the 500 Festival Finish Line 5K. It was definitely no PR, but with 94% humidity and still being cautious with my hip, I am pleased with a sub-38 minute finish.

Some of the really fun races I'm doing?

• May 12 (TOMORROW!!) - Dirty Girl Mud Run Indianapolis, a 5K obstacle/mudd course
• June 9 - Tap N Run Indianapolis, a 4K with a beer chug at each K and a full at the finish!
• July 29 - The Color Run Indianapolis, a 5K with blasts of color at each K- resulting in a rainbow of fun at the end!
• September 14-15 - Ragnar Napa! Can't wait to get my 3rd Ragnar Race in! I'm runner 12 this year!

I'll also be attempting my 2nd and 3rd half marathons this year- Aug 25 and Nov 3. In planning for this during my recovery, I also decided to do some shoe and form research. I was very drawn to Newton Running in my search. The concept is easy to understand and who doesn't love the fun colors?! I also was happy to see that they have a guidance trainer for those of us who overpronate. I was hesitant to move away from my Strong Stability style shoes but longed for something lighter and brighter. I landed on the Distance U model and placed my order.

I mean, who couldn't love those colors?

I've been running in them for about 3 weeks- pushed past the initial adjustment phase and ran my first 5k of the year in them. I haven't had ANY hip pain since starting to run with them. So far, I think they are amazing.

All of this renewed energy and planning for my running really helped me find the fun and the joy in it again. I had begun to feel very weighted by the monotony of training - I'm enjoying it so much- I might say that the injury may have been for the best!
Happy Running!

Sidelined

For the first time in 2+ years of consistent running- I have a real injury that stopped me from completing a run I was on. I'm both frustrated that it happened, happy that it helped me to recognize a few necessary changes required and antsy to return to my routine.

I was out running on a beautiful night- gorgeous. Perfect mild temps just before dusk at a beautiful location on the downtown Canal in Indianapolis. I love running there. I was about 8 tenths of a mile in when I started to feel some tightness in my hip. Thought it was just a warm up thing - this wasn't typical but it wasn't painful either. I kept thinking about it though- just recognizing and trying to pay attention to it- when just over the 1 mile mark, I felt a hard pop on the high outside of my hip and then what felt like a lava-hot poker there as well- just pulsating heat. It was so sudden and hurt so bad that I couldn't even jog slowly to carry on- I had to stop and walk to a point where I could and try to stretch some- but it was clear this wasn't just going to pass. So- I called my husband to tell him I'd be gone longer than expected because I was going to have to hobble back the mile to my car. What took 11 mins to run out, took 25 mins to limp back to.

To be honest, at first I was mad at the whole situation - I've finally gotten back into a very regular running routine- and my running performance was showing that. But after a couple of days of reflecting, I was reading between the lines of the injury to recognize what really happened and what it was telling me. Here it is:- about 6 months ago- I started really pulling back from how much strength training I was doing - and recently, there is little to none of it. So while I'm still pretty active- I am convinced my body is missing this cross training and strength support. The more reading and research I did about my injury- it is likely an overuse injury due to weak muscles. *!Lightbulb!* The pain in my hip is likely caused by weak back/core muscles and weak outer thigh/hip muscles. I've been trying to coax myself back into more strength training- well, now I have my wake up call. It is either that or give up running- and that, my friends, is not going to happen. Especially not now that I've made my dedication to Ragnar's official. There is a Ragnar in all of us- you just have to find it. Mine now resides permanently on my foot.

The weather here today is absolutely beautiful and taking it easy is actually really hard when I want to be out in this and running after kids or biking or anything but being still- but I know I've got to heal before I can get stronger. I pedaled a little on the spin bike this morning to see how it felt- and it was ok- but the hip is still achey and I have to continue to be careful. So I hope you all enjoy whatever active activity you are able to go and do this weekend- do an exta set, and extra mile, and extra lap for me if you can- I'll return the favor some day!

I smell a CHALLENGE!!

I like to blog as a means to track progress, stay focused and have something to look back on when I'm hitting some challenges. I don't always do a good job about posting regularly.
My friend, Eternal Lizdom, posted on Facebook about this FitCity Mom contest :
The selected bloggers will receive:
» A three-month membership to the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.

» $100 worth of program credits toward classes and programs at the YMCA.
» A massage from Resolve Massage Therapy.
» A grocery store tour and menu-planning recommendations from Alec Smith, RD, of Feel Good Nutrition.
» Two entries in the May 19, 2012 Geist Half Marathon and 5K .

Yes, please! To all of it! I'm a new and current YMCA member- but who wouldn't love program credits and a massage! I've also been trying to decide which spring half marathon to train for- I think fate just told me!
 
I think I would be an excellent FitCity Mom because- I'm a very busy, working-outside-of-the-home mom of 2 who faces challenges of work travel, business lunches and every day things that get in the way. I've lost 70 lbs in the last 2 years- and I am focused this year on getting to my goal weight but the number on the scale isn't as important as the level of fitness and health I achieve and maintain. I love to encourage others, break the mold and show that anyone can do what they set their mind to. It would give me an excellent reason and purpose to blog regularly again.
Since starting my journey 2 years ago- I've become an avid runner and gym rat. I've had my hurdles and faults but I want to be a FitCity Mom and lead by example!
Let's Go! Let's Go! Let's Go!

Looking Back and recognizing effort

Lately I've been in a bit of a slump. I really think I burned out during the first part of the year and then with various life changes, I had trouble getting back to my peak performance mode. However, as we reach the last few days of 2011- I'm reflecting on what I accomplished this year.

• 7 races
• my first HALF MARATHON!
• my second Ragnar Relay!
• I'm still running!

This is a snapshot of my 2010 Nike+ Stats for the whole year:



This is my 2011 Nike+ Stats (updated 1/1/2012):

9 more runs than last year- 93 miles more - 13.5 hours more- and an avg pace improvement of almost 1.5 minutes. I may not have kept up the intensity and frequency of my runs the second half of the year- but by God, I still improved over 2010 and that is something I can be proud of
I had some disappointments this year- choosing to opt out of my 2nd half marathon and not performing as well as I wanted to at Ragnar (due to illness)- that's life though- right? It doesn't always go as planned. You can give up- or you can keep on.
When you're having a rough day and beating yourself up for what you DIDN'T do- remember what you DID do and remind yourself that progress is progress- no matter how slow, no matter how long it takes. Keep moving forward.

My goal for 2012 is to improve on 2011 - run at least 100 times, go for 350 miles in the year and quicken my avg overall pace by at least 30 seconds.

Winning for Christmas! The iFitness Running Belt Giveaway!

I didn't forget to draw a winner- it's just been a very busy week!!
Taking the list of comments received during the posts in the promotional period- and using the List Randomizer from random.org (unfortunately, the rafflecopter tool didn't work properly- so I had to use a backup plan).
The winner is.................................

F*R*A*N*C*I*E

You have won a Neoprene Single Pouch Running Belt - you get to select which color you would like and iFitness will ship it to you!

Congrats! I know you will love your iFitness belt as much as I love mine!
I will email you with details on how to select your prize from iFitness!

If you didn't win this time- stay tuned - I hope to be able to give away others soon! (Can't Wait? Head over to http://www.ifitnessinc.com/ and get yours now!)

**Other than donating a belt for me to giveaway, I was not compensated for promoting iFitness products in any way. The opinions and reviews in this blog are mine and mine alone.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your 2011 Runner

Hopefully you surround yourself with lots of active friends and family- and if so, you might want to get them something to help support the habit for the holidays! Here are some of the gifts I'd love to see under my tree!

Running Belt

I talk about it a lot- you’d think I was paid to – but I’m not!

I just really love that this belt does what it says it will do- stay put and fit all my stuff in one place. The only catch is that you need to be realistic about the definition of “all my stuff”. If your stuff will take up more than one pouch- get the double! Never hurts to have extra room. Does not slip, doesn’t bounce and keeps your items dry.

iFitness Single Pouch Running Belt  

AND- I’m giving one of these belts away on December 19, you could win, read on to see how. . .

Hydration;
Camelbak- Like this Annadell-version, the light-weight, 50 oz holding, pack is perfect for those long runs where you don’t want to have to stop for water or carry it in your hands the whole time.
Camelbak Hydration Pack


Early Morning or Night Running- Reflective gear
If you value your life, and you SHOULD- invest in good reflective gear. For cold weather, I think the ultimate is the Nike Vapor Flash Jacket Pricey- but one of these, soon, will be mine.
Don’t have $350 bones to drop on a running jacket (or maybe, where you are, it would be too warm)? Then at a minimum, make sure you have a reflective vest- with lights, even better! Nathan Photon LED Vest 

Gadgets
Lots of people love their various gadgets- but I love my Nike Plus, and here is why:
I don’t like watching a GPS watch, it makes me neurotic about checking my pace or distance or time. With the Nike Plus, I set it- turn on my music and go. Unless I manually check it- I don’t know my pace or distance until I’m finished and it allows me to focus on form, on breathing, on nothing at all. Plus, I like being able to look back through the runs, set challenges for myself and an animated Mini-me isn’t bad either.  Find a Nike Plus


Still stumped for the perfect gift for the active individual in your life?
Here are a few more ideas:

     • Local Running Store gift certificates

          o They can use this towards new shoes, or fuel or clothes- but shows you know their heart is in being active

     • iTunes Gift Card

          o If they like to run (or workout) to music- the gift of music is always a good one!

     • For the ladies: Sweaty Bands! I love these head bands! They are the only ones that don’t slip on my head even when really sweaty! http://sweatybands.com/ Makes a GREAT stocking stuffer!

Now how do you enter to win the belt? It's easy- just comment. Say hi, tell me your favorite accessory or tell me why you need this running belt. You can enter once, every time I post between now and when I do the drawing on 11/19. Each comment is worth one entry.

I'll talk about this running belt in each post- but if you have any questions- use your entry to ask them too!

Giveaway Terms and Conditions

• Other than receiving a free single-pouch running belt from iFitness to give away to one of my readers, I am in no way being compensated by iFitness for my posts. The views and opinions of these posts are mine, and mine alone. Only 1 comment, per post, will be counted as an entry. However, during the giveaway period, you may comment on multiple posts for additional entries. Only Living A Lola Life posts created between 11/28/11 and 12/18/11 will be valid for entry. Winner will be selected, at random, via Rafflecopter; winner selection and announcement via post on 11/19/11. Winner will then select color choice of iFitness Single Pouch running belt, which will be fulfilled through iFitness.

Staying motivated to run. . .when you can't!

It is kind of funny that in my last post I said I would be doing a "posting series about staying motivated to" and then I got really sick . . .and now I can't run.

That is one of the hardest things I had to come to grips with about running. That you really have to work at getting back out for a run when things get in your way. Work gets busy, LIFE gets busy, you get a couple of runs in and think "great! now I'm in a routine again" and WHAM! You get a cold. Now, I know that some people can run with colds - and more power to them! However, with my asthma, I really can't mess around when I get a cold because it is prone to move directly to my chest, no matter what. That typically means I'm out for a week, at least. I've just come down with a cold- that I'm already feeling in my chest. I have a race on Dec 10 - 8 days from now. Blaaarrrrrrrggghhh!

That's one thing I do to stay motiveated and get back out there quickly when things get in the way: Sign up for regular races! The one on 12/10 will be my 7th (and last) race of the year.  As long as I have a race coming up, I know I'll get back out there the first chance I get.

I'd like to know how others stay motivated, or get back on track, after an extended break or illness. What do you do?

Don't forget! All you have to do is comment- and you'll be entered for my iFitness Single Pouch Running Belt giveaway on Dec 19. Each post you comment on from now until then will get you entered for the giveaway.

Holiday Giveaway (and a new post!)

It's been a minute since I posted last (ok, maybe several minutes).
No worries- I've been busy with work and working my run schedule.
I've been adding races to keep my training on track- or at the very least semi-consistent.
I'm re-learning how to make 5 a.m. workouts my friend.
The good news is that I'm nearing my 2 year runniversary- which is not something I expected to hit. I've just always given up before- but I truly have a love for it now. I've figured out how to work through the rough runs and to shrug off the plain BAD runs- I've learned how to let it build me up mentally- but also not break me down emotionally. Plus? I'm building quite the tech shirt collection.

Now for the FUN part!
You may remember that this time last year, I gave away an iFitness running belt after doing a month long review (don't remember? check it out here). I still use this belt on almost every single run, and if I don't- it's because I'm using my OTHER iFitness running belt (same belt, different color). It has ALWAYS lived up to what they say it will- it doesn't slip, it doesn't bounce and it holds SO much. Not every time, but most times- I run with my phone, my keys, my inhaler, my ID, chap stick and iPod and gum. All of it fits in the belt. That's the double pouch.
This giveaway? It's for the single pouch iFitness running belt - if you win, YOU get to pick what color you want. Aside from my SHOES, my running belt is my second most necessary accessory for my running.
I'm going to do a posting series for the next couple of weeks- about the things I do to keep myself motivated, to stay prepared and to run, run, RUN!
For you- it's easy- just comment. Say hi, tell me your favorite accessory or tell me why you need this running belt. You can enter once, every time I post between now and when I do the drawing on 11/19.
I'll talk more about this running belt in each post- but if you have any questions- use your entry to ask them too!
Happy Running!

Re-energizing the Plan

I've been in a bit of a running/fitness funk lately. In my head- I still really want to work hard to reach my goals, and really- my body wants to too. However, life has a way of trying to chip away at the hard work and routines you've built- so between the cold and some recent work stress (simply many highly important projects being due all at once), my routine had suffered. I wasn't getting proper sleep, which meant I wasn't getting up for early morning workouts- and was often forced out of afternoon workouts. After so many missed workouts- you end up with a new routine- a poor one.

Who do I want to be? The Rock Star runner I felt like at the end of May 2011 again.

Yesterday afternoon, while taking a sanity break on Twitter- @FatGirlvsWorld posted that she was disappointed that more people had not yet signed up for her 2nd annual #GoTheDist challenge. It started out as a personal challenge but picked up some steam via twitter and her blog. It was the right message at the right time for me. I had seen the original #GTD and then #GoTheDist tags on Twitter before- but I didn't take the time to really look into it. The principals are great- set measurable, attainable goals WITH others but not VS others - and achieve greatness together.

I set my goals rather low- but did this to keep myself focused on going through the motions and recommitting to my routines. 25 miles running (total) in the month of October, 8 strength training sessions. Absolutely doable if I make the time. I'd like to be more around 40 miles a month and 12 strength sessions- but I'm willing to work my way back there.
If you'd like to join me- and the rest of us-
Follow This Link and follow the directions to sign up

No Fair

not a lot to say here but I'm not happy that the weekend is now semi-consistently cool and I am sick and not able to run. Not cool, universe, not cool.

Sluggish Success

If you live in Indiana, or if you've visited it regularly enough- you know that the weather (especially right at the seasons changeover) can be very - shall we say- fickle. The last week or so has been incredibly comfortably cool. Makes for great runs (in my opinion) and drives me to want to get out there more to inhale that fall air. .
Today- was one of those wilder shifts where it is back at 90-ish degrees (my car said 92). After a very long work day and not the best fuel sources all day- I still got out there and got in just under 2 miles running and then walked another 5 minutes or so. I felt so sluggish- but turns out I was running on the faster end of my spectrum with an 11mm pace.  I was rocking my Ragnar Relay shirt from Wasatch Back 2010 (so far, I'm not an official Weekend Warrior- but I'm going to annoint myself an honorary one until they take notice). As weird as it might sound- I draw strength from that shirt by reminding myself how far I've come since that race - even when the mileage is shorter, I feel stronger now than ever before.
Overnight- it is going to likely drop 25 degrees for the high tomorrow- and that will be my perfect running weather- so while I don't usually run back to back days- tomorrow, I have the opportunity after work again- I'm going to get out there and go!

I can be a @RagnarRelay Warrior. . . all Weekend long!

I’ve definitely talked about my experiences with the Ragnar Relay series – my first race in Utah and then the 2^nd one this year in Chicago. Recently- I got an email (well, lots of Ragnars did- not just me) about recruiting in Ragnar Relay Weekend Warriors! This is all about sharing the spirit of the races, promoting the brand and getting the word out there. Would mean I’d get some gear to wear during local races and work at local race events (expos, etc) – and be expected to run with a local running group at least 1x a month (which I already do!!). As a marketer, as a blogger, as a runner – and more importantly- AS A RAGNAR – I really want to be a part of this.

The Ragnar Relay series created a bit of a monster in me- a very good monster. One that is determined. One that turned “I Can’t” into “Shut up, yes you can!”. One that strives to improve with every run. One that has learned patience with the frustrating runs. One that owns YakTrax to run in snow (and be chased by little monsters). I display my race stickers on my van with pride, I am planning the Ragnar-based tattoo for my foot – so that every day when I get ready for work, or lace up for a run- I remember what drove me to lose the first 75 lbs I wanted to shed and work towards the rest.

When I was pregnant with my youngest- I came out of that at my heaviest weight ever. At 7 months into the pregnancy – I agreed to join a Ragnar Relay team for an amazing adventure in Utah with 11 others. Exactly 6 weeks after having her- I began training for Ragnar – I had just under 5 months. I haven’t stopped running yet. Ragnar gave me the confidence and the vision to own being a runner. Ragnar- are you listening? Please make me a Weekend Warrior!

I filled out my form with all of the contact info- but I wouldn’t be upset if any of you reading were to send a friendly little Tweet to @RagnarRelay to consider @that_girl_lola as a Weekend Warrior – can you rally with me?

Where's My Mojo?

I know it is easy to say that life gets in the way sometimes- but man, I feel like there are serious forces acting in opposition to my goals. We all have them, really. I know this isn't any different than any human being but I'm hoping that by listing them out- it will help me organize my strategy to push forward.
- work schedule
- kids' schedule
- hubby's schedule
- low energy (see 1st items)
- not getting enough sleep (I control that one- have to do better here).
- not planning ahead
- not sticking to food plans
- have made some progress planning for dinners but then mindlessly snack after dinner, giving in to temptations

There are other, non-regular obstacles- but these are the every day, all the time ones. And they are big- but I have to be stronger than they are. Some of them I use as excuses- but I'm having a hard time really getting a routine going. I still work out at least 3 times a week in some way- sometimes it is all running- sometimes it is running and lifting- but when I was at 5-6 days a week of workouts - it seems like so much less.

I guess we all hit ruts- the weather knocks the energy out of us- and so can life. Sometimes I look at the clutter in my house after a long day and just wrinkle my nose like I Dream of Jeannie and wish it all away. It never disappears, but a girl can try!

Before I left my last job- I had a really great routine going because I had a much more flexible schedule that allowed me to go in early and then get my workout in before picking up my kids - but my new schedule (and TRAFFIC!!) won't allow that now. I also had a group of very supportive people who were all trying to lose weight and get healthy- so we kept each other on track. The new job (at least the first 4 months) have been so incredibly busy that lunches are either scarfed down at my desk or there is a social event (many more than I did at the old job) that is lunch out with a group. I love the new social opportunites and food options- but I'm making less-than-the-best choices, and I know it.

So- I'm recommitting to myself. I'm not typically a "I'll start on Monday" kind of girl- but the truth is, I need to go grocery shopping- and that isn't happening until Sunday- so Monday, it is. I'm going to add 1 day of exercise a week to my goal- so I'm going for 4 weeks of 4 workouts- at least 30 minutes long- and including AT LEAST 2 strength training workouts a week. For the record- this includes the week of our Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach. The condo we have has an exercise room- and we are on the beach! So there is no excuse. I can't promise I'll be completely on track with food at the beach - I haven't had a beach vacation since my honeymoon 7 years ago - but between Monday and vacation- I am going to eat well and within reason. And I will get right back on track after the beach.

I think I feel a glimmer of mojo on the horizon! (Always feels better with a plan!)

When Fitness shows. . .

I had a really good run today. Not just because my avg pace was less than 11:30 per mile for a 60 min run - and not just because I ran 5.3 miles at 82 degrees with 80% humidity- feeling like 89 degrees.

Here's why:
I have been wanting to go back to the weekly Saturday morning training runs with one of the local running shoe companies- but just haven't. . .until today. I have signed up for another half marathon on November 5 and decided this week I better get much more serious about my training if I plan to complete it. I got up at 6am this morning- without any idea how long we were going to run today. In my head, thought it might be 45 minutes- but had no clue. Showed up to the announcement that it was 60 mins. For the first time ever- I didn't panic about that. I mean, I know it was hot- I knew it had been awhile since I ran that long- but hey- I was here, I was up- and darn it, I was going to do it. I took off on the run and felt good the entire time- legs felt strong, lungs felt strong - body didn't rebel. It felt GREAT actually. Towards the end- the running group sponsors had set up a water station at the final mile - and I took a brief pause for some water- and another girl stopped shortly after I did. She took off again right as I did- and we both smiled and sighed that we were glad it was the last mile. Then she kept pace with me until the end. Then a very unusual (for me) thing happened - when we finished and I said "good job- it's hot out here!) - she said "How fast do you run?" and I said "It varies, but usually anywhere from 11 to 11.5 min miles usually" and she said "I usually run with another partner but I want to get faster which is why I was keeping pace with you at the end" This MADE MY DAY. I mean, I am not breaking any speed records - but for someone want to use ME and MY pace to help them get faster made me feel really good. I've stopped caring about pace - and the funny thing is- I run faster now. I still keep track of it- and like that it is improving- but I don't obsess about it like I once did.

The Title - When Fitness Shows - I'm always amazed by what the human body will do- if you nudge it just a little. I've been running but not really regularly- and almost never more than 30 minutes since the Ragnar Relay in June. I was shocked how well my body performed on today's extra hot run after not having tackled that distance in awhile. And after? I felt better than I ever used to. Before, when I first started training - I would run 5 miles and then hobble from car to home because I was so sore. Today- I bounced out of my van into the house and took off to a pool party after a quick shower. It doesn't happen overnight- but eventually- your fitness shows, when you least expect it.

Time Warp

I honestly do not know how an entire month can go by without posting- yet it seems like it was just a week ago. My days and weeks absolutely fly by now. I guess that's a sign that I'm having fun! :)

Work has been very busy and, I'll admit, I've been less than dilligent about keeping very true to my training regimen. Unfortunately, it shows on the scale too. I am eating about the same- but when you go from working out 5 or 6 days a week to 2 - that makes a big difference in how many calories you can really eat.

This isn't about beating myself up- it is really about setting my mind right. I know what I need to do- and I just truly have to do it. Getting into a routine of getting up really early every morning is about the only time I'll be able to fit it in. I dislike running on treadmills- but if that is how I have to get in my midweek runs, then so be it- it is better than NOT running. I have my 2nd half marathon in November, I have plenty of time to train and I'm still able to run 3-4 miles with little trouble.

Wondering if the heat zaps the motivation out of anyone else? I actually lose weight better in the Fall and Winter  - I wonder why? This year, I think it is because of my job change and still adjusting to how our new schedule works. If I could find an inexpensive gym really close by- with a shower- I'd get a regular lunchtime workout in. I would also like to see my trainer more often but it has been really hard to work our schedules around each other and I've missed a couple of weeks.

Frustrated but not giving up!

taking the "occassional blogger" role too seriously.

In my Twitter Profile, I list myself as an "occassional blogger". I think I've taken that description a little to far this time - my goodness, more than a month and a half . . .really??

I never even came back to report on the half marathon. MY FIRST HALF MARATHON...and I said nothing about it. AND? I ran my SECOND RAGNAR RELAY. Forgive me now- this might be a long post.
Half Marathon Recap.
When I set out to run my first half marathon, I really wanted to run the whole thing. I knew that might be hard but I was very determined. I followed all the miles in my training regimen, I rested when I should and I was very focused. My running partner and I had a lot of running around to do the night before the race- packet pickup, meeting up with her family, going back to her house to prep and finally get to bed way later than planned for a 4:15 wake up. The race start was at 7:30 and we had to be in our corrals by 7am to be sure; but in order to find parking and not be blocked out when 35,000 other runners and their families are trying to do the same thing - you have to get an early start.
The weather was pretty perfect- rain threatened but it was about 60 degrees at the start- and that is perfect to me! I was excited but not scared or anxious- just ready to run!
I have to say- the MOST frustrating part about doing this race- having never run THIS race before- is not realizing just how many people 35,000 really is. I had been overly conservative when putting my finish time in for corral selection. I believe I ended up being placed (in corral U) about 3 corrals back from where I should have been. I spent the first 25 minutes weaving around people who were either running slower than I do (which is absolutely fine) or people who were walking. I have 0 issues with people walking the half marathon; however, I do take issue when they inconsiderately walk 4 across in the MIDDLE of the road. If you are new to racing, any race, any distance- PLEASE be considerate and walk 2 across as most and move to the side of the course. I truly believe that all the weaving and navigating around burned up time and LOTS of precious energy.
When I got to mile 6, I was feeling pretty great- running a little faster than my expected 11:45min mile pace. Then I hit the track. The Indianapolis 500 track is 2.5 miles of asphalt. I knew that before the race...but what I didn't know is that when you enter the track- you go down a very steep hill and then right back up a hill of the same grade- this took some wind out of me- but I recovered. However- when I hit the 7.5 mile mark- I started to have some trouble- I think I had fueled too late in my last dip into my sports beans. By the time I was leaving the track- I was over 8.5 miles into the race. Then, it started raining. Mentally, this was really challenging to me. I don't mind running in the rain- but after running 8.5 miles- and feeling low on energy- it hit me very hard. I did a lot of run/walking from mile 9 to 10 and then walked most of 10-12. The interesting part is that walking actually hurt my hips more than running did- so after walking a while, I'd have to run to alleviate other pains. When I saw the final mile marker- I wanted to sprint- but I didn't have it in me. I ran/walked until I got to the last quarter mile- then I ran, really ran, it in. The BEST part was that my husband had volunteered for the race crew and was hading out water at the finish- so I got to get my new medal and then give him a kiss! After that- I pretty much found a spot on the ground and parked it for the next hour- my legs were DEAD. I really nursed them that day with a lot of aleve and rest and lots of hydration.
Other than some general soreness, I felt FANTASTIC the next day.

That's me, girl in blue shirt in the front behind the guy in the black. Time says 3:30- that's gun time. Because when you're in corral U- it takes 30 minutes to get to the start line.Ugh.

At the Half Marathon finish- I said I would never do it again. Then, 2 days later, I signed up for the Indy Monumental Half Marathon . The course is fast and flat- and I'm looking forward to kicking my PRs ass. My 500 Festival Half time was 2:59:06 (My first goal was to finish in under 3 hours- and I got it in, barely). Setting sights on running the entire half this fall- and looking to finish in 2:45:00.

Ragnar Relay- Madison, WI to Chicago
I honestly am not going to recap the entire race- but after having stayed healthy for almost an entire year- I managed to get sick the WEEK OF the Ragnar. And not just a bloody little cold- a full on sinus infection turned bronchitis. As an asthmatic, you can see where this might have been an issue.
However- anyone who knows me also knows that, while I may whine- I am determined. I was going to run that race if it killed me. Like the half marathon- I went in with goals. I wanted to run all 3 of my legs without walking- and I was hoping to maintain a faster than 12 minute mile pace throughout. My lungs had other plans, unfortunately.
My first leg was 4.7 miles and I did pretty well until about 3 miles into it- there were a couple of long, slow inclines that made me work harder- which made the asthma flare up. Even with my inhaler, it was difficult and I had to walk. I still managed to have a faster than 13 minute mile avg. My 2nd leg was 3.7 and at about 10:30 at night. It started out GREAT- lungs felt good, legs felt good- there is just something so amazing about a night run with almost nothing around you. I did fantastic until the last mile- the first half of which was all uphill- it wasn't a steep hill- but a long slow one again. I lost a lot of steam and walked the hill. I did pick it up for the last half mile though and did achieve my goal of under a 12 min mile for this leg. My last leg at 7:30am the next morning was, by far, my roughest. It was 4.9 miles total- and 2.5 miles in- I had a full on asthma attack. Couldn't break, started to panic and had to stop- not walk- STOP. After a few inhaler puffs and calming down- I started walking to finish. I texted my team to let them know what happened (it was an unassisted leg- so they weren't going to see me at all until the finish)- and told them to expect me to walk the rest.
But I started feeling better just a short time later- and instead walked and ran in intervals for the rest of the  leg - arrived almost 10 minute earlier than my teammates had expected and they had to end up running out of the van to meet me at the finish line- I could hear our next runner yelling "Oh my god, she's here already! there she is!" - it made me feel so good to surprise them and I yelled out "I didn't die!!" I truly love the Ragnar Relay series- it makes you feel like such an athlete and a truly amazing experience. We weren't the fastest team by any stretch of the imagination- but we finished, we had fun and we beat our Utah Ragnar time by nearly 3.5 hours! That's good stuff!

Our team, Ragnar Chicago 2011. <3 'em - every one :)

Almost M Day

That's MINI Day!
The half marathon is upon me - and while I've been absent from my blog with the new job, I have maintained my training schedule. And while I am completely daunted by the task of running 13.1 miles- I am confident that I will be capable of doing it.
This coming Saturday, at 7:30am starting in Corral U - I will attempt to run a half marathon. One year ago I could not run 1 mile without taking a walk break. This is serious progress, friends!
My very-reachable goal is to finish within 2 hours and 45 minutes. That's accounting for any walk breaks I may have to take.

My stretch goal is 2 hours and 35 minutes.

I struggled with my 10 mile training run- but not sure if it was the distance or more my prep in the week before (more likely) because my 9 mile run went well and I felt great.

Keep me in your thoughts!