4 Months and Counting

That's right! In exactly 4 months, I won't be a runner... I'll be a marathoner!


The short-term goals are going well - I've refrained from all office badies, including sandwiches, chips, salsa, and two kinds of strange salad thingys. I know those don't sound like super badies, but the second I eat some strange salad, then I'll have a cookie. Tomorrow will be the most challenging day (as it always is)... the dreaded Friday Breakfast Club. I have a love/hate relationship with the Breakfast Club. When I don't care what I eat, I love Breakfast Club because there are always ALWAYS yummy donuts/muffins/etc. When I do care about what I eat, I hate Breakfast Club because there are always ALWAYS yummy donuts/muffins/etc. I can't win. But Rebecca... I know you're reading this... you must help me stay away from Breakfast Club tomorrow. If you see me tiptoe into the kitchen to "refill my water bottle," hit me. Hard. 


I also have my first run planned for tonight with Alyssa!! :) Then only two more to squeeze in before July 4th. Why is it always super hot on the days I want to run??


In other news, team Liquid Courage won their second kickball game last night! I was so excited that I actually scored a run - my first so far. No news on the promotion/raise yet, although I've had a few conversations with some people, so I feel like I am better prepared for any potential negotiations that may occur. 


That's all for now. Stay tuned!

Fresh Start

Well friends, if any of you are still reading this, then kudos to you for having more dedication to my blog than I have to myself. Perhaps my goals were too lofty - perhaps I tried to institute too many changes at once - perhaps I was looking too far out into the future rather than focusing on the present.  

So! I will now focus on short-term goals! I mean seriously - my marathon training doesn't even start until July 9th. I'm acting like I am a miserable failure, but I haven't even STARTED training yet. And it's not like I have been entirely sedentary since I ran the half marathon at the end of April. I will be ok.

Next on my list of events is the Firecracker 5 Mile race on the 4th of July with Sarah, woot woot! That is only a week away, so my new short-term goal will be to run 3 times before that race. I can totally do that. I think I will also refrain from eating office badies until the 4th. I gave them up for Lent, so how hard could it be for just a week? 

I will also update my blog more regularly, and as Rebecca does, include some non-related happenings of my life... First one? As I was eating lunch in the kitchen today my boss stopped and said, "I talked to Charlie about our discussion last week, and I hope to have good news for you in a few days." What was our discussion last week, you ask?  I asked for a promotion and a raise! :) :) :) Keeping my fingers crossed! 

WTF

This is not going well friends. Monday I ran 3.5 in 80 degree heat. Awesome. Tuesday's are usually "rest days" since I work both jobs and frankly don't have time. So far, so good. Until....

Last night I played kickball. I was up to "bat." I kicked the ball... I ran as fast as I could to first... I made it! And then I thought, "Uh oh that's not good." My right leg hurt. Whatever. Jay's up next... he kicks... I sprint to second.  Now I'm on second base thinking, "Uh oh this is REALLY not good." Thankfully the inning was over with the next kicker because I don't think I could have run to third.

It's official. I pulled my quad. I am on a strict regiment of ice and advil thanks to Dr. Bipul! But worst of all - I'm not supposed to exercise for the next couple of days. It will be ok - now I have time to go through all of my clothes and get rid of everything I don't like, that doesn't fit, that's too old etc. That's been on my list for awhile.

Also good news! My Mom is done with teaching for the year and has decided to start her own "summer revolution." We've already gone for a (slow) walk at the same time together while talking on the phone. I'm excited that we will be able to support each other on our healthy endeavors!

Day 1 - take two

Well guys... I didn't do so hot last week.  Monday was great - I braved the heat during my run and even went to "Cardio Hip Hop" afterwards. Tuesday started off well with a "Yoga for Abs" dvd before work... and then... it all... went... downhill.

My exercise plan went out the window, although I still went to kickball and zumba. I was also a big bad scary food monster all week long. I'm chalking it up to being back at work and trying to catch up from when I was in Dallas. And also trying to catch up with chores at home.

So this weekend I did my best (in what little free time I had) to get everything put back in order. I made an awesome "To Do" list for my job - I bought healthy foods - I did 4 loads of laundry - I paid the bills...

Now that my life feels slightly more organized, I feel ready to give this another shot. And of course that means Mother Nature has given me another 80 degree afternoon for my run. :) But run I will! You see, I have an extra incentive this week... yesterday my Dad was at the UW Bookstore and he bought me a new running shirt (best Dad ever). BUT!!! I told him he could only send it to me if I ran FOUR days this week.

Ready, Set... GO!!!!!

Day 1

Today marks 20 weeks until the Marine Corp Marathon (and also 12 weeks until Nicole's wedding)!!! My official training program is 16 weeks long and begins July 9th. Wait then... why is today Day 1?  A couple of reasons.

1) The first long run of the official training program is 9 miles. That means I only have 4 weeks to build up to that. There's no time to lose!

2) After my week in Dallas (pretty fun), Sarah's Wedding (super fun), and a Sunday Spectacular starting with Patti's baby shower, followed by a trip to Buffalo to celebrate Maniah's 2nd birthday, Chris' 25th birthday, Joan's 60th birthday, and Joan and Fred's 40th wedding anniversary (celebration overload).... well let's just say I ate out/splurged quite a lot.

So how am I starting Day 1?  With a new journal of course!!!  Big thank you to Sheena for discovering what could potentially be my most favorite journal for tracking my food and exercise.

Ok, now I'm off to run my first 3 miles of this long adventure.  And of course it just happens to be 88 degrees outside right now. Thanks Mother Nature... :)

On your mark, get set...

I've caught the blog bug... which really just means I'm bored at work and my friend Rebecca showed me this site. While she blogs about chasing her dream of becoming a world-famous conductor, I decided I will blog about chasing...nothing. Well not exactly. My goal is to chase without stopping for 26.2 miles. :)  I'm signed up to run the Marine Corp Marathon at the end of October, and I figure this will be a fun way to document my experience! Officially, training doesn't begin until sometime in July (I really should figure that out), so until then here is my plan...

1) Build up my running base. I'd like get in the habit of running 4 times a week. Additionally, I want to start this training program feeling like a 10-mile run is "no big deal."

2) Get back into yoga. I used to love doing yoga. Now it feels like a chore, but I know how good it is for me when I just make it a regular part of my routine. Friends - I will need your help making this one happen.

3) Magically become a "normal" eater. This will be the toughest. I want to be healthy but not insanely restrictive (or insanely out of control). Balance balance balance! But honestly, I need to eat well, otherwise I'm probably going to have an "accident" on an 18-mile long run. No thank you.

Sounds simple enough right? ;)

I'm leaving Monday for the League of American Orchestras Conference in Dallas - fly back Friday - Sarah's wedding on Saturday - Patti's baby shower on Sunday- then it is GAME ON!

Stay tuned.