I finally feel like a runner

Yesterday I ran my fifth half marathon.  I spent the last 16 weeks training with Dave's Marathon in Training group.  Between that and my workout for 100 days challenge I have gotten in really good shape.  My goal was to beat my pr for a half marathon which was my first with a time of 1:59.38.  I trained with the 2:02 pace group so I knew it could be possible except the Churchill's course is very hilly and could be a challenge.

As I was running I had never felt better during a race.  I started out with the 2 hour pacer and decided that I could run faster and still feel good.  I didn't feel the need check my watch or play the mental games in my head like counting the miles.  I just kept running and it felt good.  Really good.  At one point I looked around me and like three runners on all sides of me had Boston Marathon jackets on.  I decided I was in good company and was pretty impressed with myself (lol). I didn't take water at the water stops like I did in the past.  I carried water and just kept running.  I attacked the hills and only paused for a minute, at the top of the hill at Sidecut.  There was a little girl standing there at the top looking at me and imploring me to keep going.  So I did. And I crushed my pr.  I finished in 1:54.36. Holy smokes. Never did I imagine I could run a half in that time.  I didn't hurt at mile 11 like I usually do.  I felt amazing and crossing that finish line knowing I crushed my pr was incredible.  I can't wait to see what spring training will bring.  Now I need to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds of holiday weight!

Raffle time!

Hello!

Starting at midnight on October 31st, I will be raffling off two entries to a Mercy Health Glass City Marathon event.  The raffle ends November 7th at midnight.  Please read the information below:

This raffle is for ONE of two free race registrations to one of the following races only:

Mercy Health Glass City Marathon
Owens Corning Half Marathon
Medical Mutual Glass City 5K

PLEASE NOTE:
*The free registration does NOT apply to the Yark Subaru 5-Person Relay or the Findley Davies Kids' Marathon
*Winner will be announced & must respond within 24 hours to claim his or her prize
*Winner will be notified via email with code for online registration
*Expiration for code will be January 31, 2017
*Winners will be picked at random by Rafflecopter.
*You may enter as many times as you wish through the various raffles BUT only one free registration per person will be honored.
*If you do NOT winning this week, more chances will follow through other Glass City Marathon Ambassadors.  Stay tuned.
*Week 3 giveaway begins October 31st

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for ONE of TWO FREE race registrations to a Mercy Health Glass City Marathon race




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Busy busy

So it's been awhile since I posted, but I assure you I have been busy working on my goals!  31 days ago I committed to working out for 100 days in a row.  I know it was 31 days ago because I have worked out for 31 days straight.  I am including some sweaty selfies as proof!  I am hoping to be hot for the holidays!

In the past 31 days I ran a 10k at MacQueen's Orchard, a local running event put on by RunToledo.  While at the race, I met up with some friends and also other Mercy Health Glass City Marathon ambassadors.  They are a great group of people.  My oldest daughter ran the kid's race and had a blast doing it.  The best were the doughnuts we got to have afterwards.  MacQueen's has the best donuts hand's down!! I surprised myself at the race, because I ran it in 51:05, an 8:14 pace.  I have never run a race that distance that fast.  I am hoping my streak continues in 3 weeks when I run the Churchill's Half Marathon.  At the end of my 16 weeks of training with Dave's Marathon in Training group and am looking forward to a great race to culminate my training. 

Keep looking for blog posts.  I will be raffling off entries to the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon.  My fellow ambassadors and I are each holding a raffle.  Stay tuned!

Woot!

So, I have been MIA.  We left for vacation and immediately upon our return, school started again.  Being an elementary teacher and a mom, school often takes over my life.  Homework, meetings, and school work demand most of my time when I am not spending time with my children. 

There were some challenges over the past couple months that I was worried about derailing my fitness goals.  The first was our vacation.  We took a cruise through the Bahamas and cruises are notorious for food consumption.  I am pleased to say that I lost a pound on vacation.  I kept up with my workout plan and while I indulged, I didn't overindulge.  That was a big deal for me.

I was also worried that going back to work would also prevent me from reaching my goals, but guess what?! I am making it work! I am running with Dave's Marathon in Training Group, completing Beachbody workouts on the off days, and I do Linebacker training once a week at the YMCA.  I did a side by side recently to see my progress and I was blown away.  I am attaching it to this post.  Hard work pays off y'all!

Now that fall is headed our way, it brings with it my favorite race season.  The holiday runs are my favorite.  The MacQueen's one in October has a 10k, 5k and kids run so my family can go with me.  And this year will be the first year that I will run Dave's Turkey Chase.  I have family staying for the holiday and I am bound and determined to bring one or two with them with me. 

Sign up here: http://runtoledo.com/

Now

Since my birthday, I have been working every day towards my fitness goal.  I have joined an online weight loss accountability group called TWIO (The Weight is Over with Jess and Shell).  I have started strength training using the 21 Day Fix and the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  Last week marked the beginning of fall half marathon training with Dave's Performance Footgear.  I have a few half marathons that I would like to participate in this fall with the earliest being the Boy Scout Half in Bowling Green Labor Day weekend.  

Some days are easier than others.  Some days I find it challenging to get a workout in.  But something has clicked in me this time that is driving me to keep going.  I can't wait to see what I can accomplish.  I am attaching a comparison picture so you can see what I look like now.  I haven't been super heavy since 2010.  It's been a slow process and I am ready to kick it up a notch.  The time for fitness is now.

The first 39

My 39th birthday was the 28th of June.  It was quite apparent that my 40's were rapidly approaching, and I was overcome with the feeling that I needed to take better care of myself.  You see, the first 39 years of my life were not healthy.  I battled weight for a good chunk of those years, and I don't want to spend another 39 out of shape and unhealthy.  I started running a couple years ago so I was already on the road to fitness.  This year, I am going all in.  I am not doing things half way.  I am watching what I eat and working out.  I will be fit by 40.  So, this blog will document my journey.  You will see sweaty selfies, race pictures, workout logs, you name it.  I am going to be doing it.  Thanks for joining me on my journey.

This picture was taken in 2007 before having kids and before I started running.  I have lost 80 pounds since this picture was taken.  I have about 20 more to go.