Two runs in two days

Last night I was running with my marathon clinic, and we ran:

10.20 km

56 minutes

Avg pace: 5:30 km

Max pace: 3:43 km

This morning I ran:

8:57 km

51.17 minutes

Avg pace: 5:59 km

Max pace: 4:05 km

I am hoping to get one more 8 km run in tomorrow morning as I will be missing my long run (16 km) on Sunday morning. I NEVER hardly EVER miss a run. Well, this Sunday I have a great excuse. My sister is getting married on Saturday, and I am her Matron of Honour. I have my duties to do, and I cannot wait. Sunday I will be enjoying a Sunday brunch with the newly married couple, family and friends. 

I am hoping I will run a bit extra during the week next week. Maybe Monday, for sure Tuesday, Wed and maybe Friday. And of course my long run on NEXT Sunday.

Saturday

Well, I am on a medication for acid reflux, and it is wreaking havoc on my system. I am bloated, I am feeling under the weather. So, I didn't lose enough weight to really weigh in. So, I will wait to see what happens there.  But my throat is feeling better. I am also going to have a weird mole removed from my leg. So, lots going on. In one week my sister is getting married! I am so excited, and also happy that my dress fits.

I actually had to walk back to the store on Wednesday because I so sore, and felt terrible. One of the worst runs I have had in a long time I would have to say.

I feel so so today, and now I want to run the Chilly Chase tomorrow morning (15 km) but I think I may be too late. I am hoping one of my running buds will let me know if I am still able to register and just go do it! LOL. Why didn't I register way earlier?! Silly, silly me. I have that urge to race!! Bahhh.

My run yesterday morning

I went for a 14+ km run that started out with thunder and lightening. Then a huge downpour of rain. More thunder and lightening, then sun! That was the most different run I have ever done LOL.

I have been keeping very well. My runs are getting longer, next Sunday I run 16 kms. This week a straight tempo 6 km on Tuesday, and on Wednesday is hill training. We are up to 6 hills.

My race day is about 8 weeks away. But, I am thinking weaning Courtney is not going as smoothly as I had hoped, and this race is not local. I have to go on a Ferry, and stay in a hotel. We were planning on staying for 2 nights (sans children), but now I am thinking I may not run the official race. Just keep with the training. I will be eventually running 20 kms so that will be a huge accomplishment for now. But, I have already paid 70 dollars to go there and do it. SOOOOO. Not too sure. We may just go on the ferry, with Courtney, sleep over, I race and then come home. Only one night. Just get it done!

Or, I continue on with my running. I join another half marathon training that starts end of October (I was going to do this one anyways) and do the Historic Half right in my town. It is on the Valentines Day weekend in February 2009. My breastfeeding will be over by then!! That might be a better scenario. Although not what I really wanted right now.

What to do. What to do. My husband has put on 20 pounds, so September 2nd I am going to try to help him get back on track. I know he is not happy with this gain, but his life has been pretty stressful since his Dad died. So, I am sure there will be some more bloggin' going on around here in the next little while.

Holding Steady

We have been going through a rough patch with lots of sickness running wild through our family. Courtney and I are the only two (knock wood) that haven't got it yet. Since Saturday night at 9 until now, the wee hours of Wednesday sickness is still here.

I managed to get out to my clinic run today. It was a 5 km steady run (tempo) that I managed to run in 24 mins and 29 seconds. I know I am improving because my last timed 5 km race was 28 minutes something. And, I would have to say the run tonight was not so great. My stomach was hurting (or maybe sympathy hurting) tonight and I have been really TIRED (go figure) from all of this extra clean up/laundry and emotional drain on my system.

I feel proud of myself for still continuing with my running program. I think if I didn't I would seriously lose it. These past few weeks/almost four weeks have been very trying. To the point where I am having troubles falling asleep because everything creeps into my brain in the middle of the night.

Anyways, a quick little update on my weight. I have been easily maintaining my 88 pound loss so far. I seem to cycle between 149 and 154 at times. I am not ready to take my loss any further until September when life gets back to 'normal' for us. Well our new normal. I don't have the time to commit just yet.

I still need to have Cliff take a photo of me for my 'after' bathing suit photo. We took the first one on January 1st. I promise when the puke leaves the building I will get on that.

And, I have the honour of being asked to speak at my local Running Room as a guest speaker to talk about my journey from my Learn to Run days all the way up until today as my old instructor says my 'Sexy Sveltness' of today. So, in between puke sessions I need to prepare a little chat for her current running group. I will be doing that at the end of the week.

The machine is in its final spin. I need to take care of that, and get to bed as morning is already here :D

Running Room 20 Minute Challenge!

That’s Right the 20 MINUTE CHALLENGE is BACK! On JULY 16TH at every Running Room Location across Canada we will be giving away free Running Room Hat with Registration. And YES registration is FREE! Just come and Walk or Walk/Run for 20 mins….

You can sign up online. Register your kids and just go and be active as a huge group for one evening. All details are online @

www.runningroom.com

We are going to be there, and eight free green hats! Woo!

Go for it! Have fun with your family!

Sunday Weigh In - Week 23 RACE DAY!

Race day today! I did a 10km race (spare of the moment idea - like last night LOL) and came in 3rd in the females overall! I am pretty happy about that. I got a photo op with the mayor,

a 20 dollar gc to RR and I got a key chain that says '3rd' and the hospice logo on it. Even the kids got door prizes. In fact, too many door prizes. I felt embarrassed so I had a couple of the kids choose another child to give them too. That felt better. 5/6 kids' names were drawn if you can believe that! I should go buy a lotto ticket!

Here is the gang of all 8 of us. We got lots of looks, especially when we had well-behaved and quiet kids. It was something else. I felt so proud of my family. I was so happy to have the support of my husband, and the kids! They all had such excitement watching me cross the finish line strong! This in fact, was my best race time ever of 56 minutes and something. Almost 90 pounds lighter and six kids! A great combo!

****

Well, I will say this! I am officially out of the 150's! I am just under in the 149.6 yesterday morning. I weighed in early because I knew there was the party going on, and after a good party there is usually bloating! Good plan because this morning I was up about a pound but that is because I ate a bit of salty stuff. Salad, 1 piece of chicken, water. 10 tortilla chips (small rounds) with salsa. AND...a piece of cake with fruit and real whipping cream. I have to say it was a party and it was too good to pass up. I haven't really had cake since last year! So, I had a piece. No regrets.

This morning was really good. I was trying out a race that I want to do yearly to honour my FIL Earl. Next year I plan on raising some money, and having the kids help or do the 5k walk part. I hope my MIL will do it too! It could be something really positive in light of all the bad stuff going on at home.

I am also on day seven of thirty in my challenge:

56 minutes running

100 crunches

50 girly push ups

about 200 squats to music with my hubby, the baby and the girls! It was fun! I love seeing the kids get all active and excited when I am active! BONUS!

PS...my hubby took a photo of me crossing the finish line, but there was no CF card in there, and then he took one at home with the CF card in, but the camera was set to 'manual' and I was WAY over-exposed. I wanted to show you my running skirt and new hoodie. Oh well, next time eh!

Monday Monday

Had my splurge last night and I totally enjoyed it! Once a week nachos...mmmmmm

Today after school I took my three eldest kids out for a 20-30 min 'jog' and walk. The point of it was to start regular exercise with them because they asked to run with me. So out we went. They enjoyed themselves and so did I. When Cliff got home I took off for a 22 minute run and it was nice. I did 100 crunches, 50 push ups and 50 squats. I hurt/muscles sore from yesterday.

Tomorrow I will do kilometre club with the three eldest like we did last week. They are all excited, and so am I!

I need to go stretch a bit!

I did some shopping today

For myself.

It felt good to do that. I first got myself two new pairs of jeans. One size 7, one size 5. I then got two tank tops. One black and one grey. One size medium, one size small. I got two new skirts in size 8 from Winners (thanks Mom and Dad in law for those) and then I FINALLY got my running skirt in black size small, a new running bra and my brand new fuel belt in size medium. I also got my e-load for electrolyte replacement, some goos, and body glide. I am set for my hot weather 18k tomorrow morning. I cannot not wait to get out there and do it again!

Everything I got today was on sale! That is a bonus. I now have my eye on a white running jacket and a pink hoodie, both from the Running Room. Life is good.

Now, I must go drink some water to prepare for my big run tomorrow.

One good thing...

This morning, our son asked my husband how old somebody has to be go running at the Running Room? We said about your age. So, I guess all of our healthy outings and running together is making our kids take note of how to be healthy. I guess that is called leading by example?!

I am pleased. We told him we will need to get new runners, and that he should be sure to participate in Kilometre Club at school. (2x's per week.)

That made my morning! I am excited to see that he wants to try running! How fun will that be to run with our son! I bet he kicks our but out there!! Oh to be young...

Long 18K Run...

This morning I did something monumental in my own eyes. I ran 18 kilometres through Langley and Cloverdale and back into Langley for 1 hour and 57 minutes. I ran by my old neighbourhood, I ran by a friends house. I saw horses, cows and beautiful fields of buttercups. It was a very hot day. I drank 4 bottles of water (8 oz each) and almost all of my Clif chews. I was still thirsty. At times there was absolutely no breeze, and at times breeze just as I needed it. I ran a lot of uphill, and some downhill. I am thankful for my running buddy Kevin for getting me through a very mentally and physically challenging run.

I am thankful that I am in good enough shape to run a run of that distance. I remember back to when I first started to run back after I had my fourth baby Catie. I was overweight, out of shape and I would watch in AWE of these 'crazy half marathoners' and 'marathoners' and be like...I cannot WAIT to be able to do that distance. And today, I was out on a long run just as I had seen years ago, and I was feeling like a million bucks out there (at times) at some point of the run, about 11K in, it was hot, we were running up a long hill and I was like I will make it, I can make it up to the top. Because I did that today. I ran 18K! I acheived that. I am 3.1K away from my goal race of 21.1K! SO attainable to me now!

It is amazing to me my mental mind shift, complete with my body changes and how wonderful that has made me feel. I feel happy, I feel light I feel confident. I feel assure of myself. I feel good about being a woman, and a Mom of six beautiful kids. I am a runner. I am an 'athlete' in training and that my friends is how I have wanted to feel for SO long. I am nearing a goal that I have wanted for several years now. And now, in several weeks I can check that off of my 'life list' and work towards an even bigger goal...I have so many goals. And even though I am busy etc. I can still work towards acheiving my goals. I find this to be even more important than before! I find the older I get, the more I believe in myself. The more I want for myself.

It is amazing and I just wanted to write this all down, so that when I go for a 20K run in 2 weeks, I can review and evaluate and move forward! More towards my huge goal.

My huge goal of running my first half marathon. That is going to be sweet victory for me! Sweet success.

I can imagine myself finishing STRONG and proud! I get chills thinking about this one moment, one blip in my life! Wow.

I will take the rest of the day to enjoy this runners high. I will treat myself to a new 'running skirt' and a new fuel belt as my running gear is getting too big. Today my fuel belt fell to the ground as I was running. Time to get some new stuff, try it all out BEFORE my goal race. Be prepared and focussed.

My next run will be a steady run, maybe on Tuesday. Running Wednesday tempo 5K, and maybe another run Friday night. Then another 18K on Sunday morning. Repeat, and then the 20K run the following Sunday. Then a bit of a taper...and then getting close to my run!

Well, I am off to enjoy the sunshine!

My Friday Night

Tonight I did about 6k straight run...was supposed to be 5k but I think I did part of a wrong route. So, I did that in about 28 minutes...and I am really pleased with that. I walked for 10 minutes and stretched. THEN, I met my friend Lisa (the friend with six kids too--same family LOL) and we went walk running together. I ran to her place (8 minutes) then did a couple of walk run sets. Maybe 4k? and a hill. It was nice to get out with Lisa tonight. We hope to be able to do this every Friday.


So, today I think I did about 10k. Possibly...more? Not sure. But a lot of running to prepare me for the half marathon.

140's are close...

I have really found that you can eat well all you want, and the weight hardly budges when breastfeeding. BUT, if you eat well and ramp up the exercise combined with a positive I AM GOING TO GET THIS WEIGHT off mental attitude of pure positivity it surely works. IT is like a magice triangle!! All points of the triangle have to be FULLY engaged to lose the weight I have found.

I could possibly be in the 140's next week which is just crazy to me. I keep standing on the scale in disbelief!! I keep getting called 'bone rack' and 'skinny' which I do not see LOL. All I know is that I have never ever felt so strong and healthy. For I am doing this whole weight loss really well.

So I could possibly drop into the 140's this coming week, or the next. I haven't been there since 1989/1990. The year I graduated or just in college. The thought is just mind blowing to me. I have muscles developing in my legs, and I look strong. I like that look for me.

I find I have to 'release' the weight in my mind and let it go, and it goes. Bye bye weight. I never want to see you again.

It is Friday, and I have a 5 kilometre steady run to do tonight at a very good pace. I am hoping/needing to complete this run in 26 minutes which is a good race pace for the half. That time will also take about 2 minutes off of my fastest 5 k I have ever done. *fingers crossed*


__________________

Plans for the weekend...

Well, tonight was a 'day off' in the exercise part. Eating was healthy and good. No problems there. Tonight our friend Kevin took Cliff out for a good run. And, tomorrow I am going to do a 5K steady run (no 10/1's for me) and then on Sunday morning, get this...18K. Yes, you read that right (GULP) I am running 18 Kilometres with Kevin. Oh that will be a big challenge. I have 4 weeks left until my first half marathon! I am going to be so ready (positive thinking!!!) for this!

That is a lot of distance to do! Wow. I think I will be running all over town!!

Wednesday straight run...

I just got back from an 8.65K straight run. (well one short walk break after a straight 3K uphill!)

I ran with my running buddy Kevin. He is going to run the half marathon with me on June 22nd. He will put me through my paces that is for sure. Today was certainly challenging, but I love a good challenge.

I am going to start running some straight runs of about 5K on extra days, and will also be doing a 10K straight run. Oh, and bumping a long Sunday run of 20K!!!! Yikes!

I also got my beautiful bike back! I now need to get a helmet and cycle/tri shorts and I am good to cycle! I am not sure if I even know how to ride my bike and switch my gears?! Oh well, I think it should be like 'riding a bike' right!??! I sure hope so.

So, yes. Half marathon in just over one month! My first really BIG challenge for me! Cannot WAIT!

16.5K Sunday Run!

Well, I did it. I ran 16.5k today, and ran at a good pace for 1 hour and 48 minutes. I feel SOOOOO good! I feel so proud to have gone past my 14k I have only run before. What a great feeling! I am excited to do some more long runs! Gorgeous day for a run! I am just about 5k away from my 21.1k half marathon distance.

I seem to maintaining at this current weight, and heck if I stay here for a bit. Whatever. I am feeling good, especially because I have my natural runners high going on! Nothing better...well something are LOL.

I'm still here and it is Saturday!

It has been busy around here with sick kids all over the place. Makes it hard to blog. But, that doesn't mean I am slacking off!! I am still giving this process my mental all!

I bought some new clothes today. 3 pairs of pants (all size 9), 2 tops (small) and 1 nice blouse (medium--nursing breasts LOL.) I needed something to wear tonight! I am celebrating with my hubby tonight. Way back last year, I was hoping that by my anniversary that I would be looking pretty good. And I did it! I feel really pleased with how well I did overall. I am sticking to my program! Cliff and I figure I actually look better today than I did on my wedding day.

I just got back from a nice run about 45 minutes. Did 10/1's around the hood. I did that because I have ANOTHER splurge night coming on. Dinner and dessert out to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. This will be the first time in MONTHS that I have done this. I guess it is OK because a girl just wants to have SOME fun! Hopefully I will get a nice glass of wine too. So, to enjoy tonight I had to exercise. I am going to try to get out for another run tomorrow. Burn off my goodies!

I am expecting my weight to hover this week around the same as last week. I am somewhat OK with that (OK I am lying LOL) but this coming week I will be back to the usual week and usual fare. We have to celebrate the good times!! But I am still on my quest to get the rest off!

Oh, and tomorrow is Mothers Day. I think the eating will be as per though...I have to pick and choose my meals to splurge and when to save.

almost 14K today!

I did an awesome run this morning! Woot!!! 13 something!! Two weeks from now I will run 16K which will be the longest run for me to-date!

I ran up that hill again and it was so much easier! In fact we did lots of hills today!! Awesome fatburning run! We ran for about 1.5 hours!

5k+ and a clear head and mind

I went for a MUCH NEEDED 5K+run today. 3.5 sets of 10/1's. Felt FABULOUS and easy!

I ran with an old running buddy around an old favourite run. Around a lagoon! It rocked. I just found that with such a weight loss that I felt like I was running on air! I could have done a much longer run! I need new shoes now. Sunday I am running with two running friends and we are going to do 10k. It is my week to run.

A huge blessing for Cliff and I. Our old running friends Mom/MIL is going to watch ALL of the kids on Wednesdays so that Cliff and I can get out together. That is so huge and cannot thank her enough! WOW!

Running is so good! My eating was great! I am going to LOSE more this week! Oh yes I am!!

PS I am going to register for that Triathlon!! Yippee!!!!! I want to be at my goal weight for that. End of June! Oh yeah!!!

Run like the wind {Pink Lightning!!}

I wanted to go to Jazzercise this morning but when I got there I realized that today was the 30th and there was no class. Bummer.

So, I came home and said to Cliff I should pop down to the RR and go for a run with my old hang out 'The Running Room" so I did. But it has been about 16 months since Cliff and I ran with our running group. WAY TOO LONG. So, I got there 3 minutes too late and missed all of the groups. I ran on my own. I even ran up the big hill on 200th from 64th all the way up to 72nd and back down. In the past I never enjoyed running up THAT huge hill. Today I conquered it! I felt fabulous and I did not give up! I finished strong...sort of how I will finish this GBG on Tuesday morning. I will not quit! I have come WAY too far to quit now!

That was the best feeling this morning!! The best!! It was lovely to see friends again and laugh!!

I ran 6 sets of 10/1's and then another 5 minutes (back to the store again) And then I stretched. I figure I did about 10K this morning! Fabulous!

A half marathon is in my future...maybe this October!! Got to keep another goal within my reach!!

I *heart* running

I got to go out for a 35 minute run with my hubby tonight! It was wonderful. We did 2/1's. For you non runners out there we did 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking to recover. We did 6 sets, we walked down a huge set of stairs, and then up a big long hill! We walked and ran some more and then finished with a walk and stretching! We are getting in our last chance workouts lol!

Weigh in day is approaching on Tuesday morning!