Week One: Half Marathon Training

Monday: 3 miles and abs
Tuesday: Arms/shoulders/back
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 4 miles

I'm having a hard time remembering why I run. Some days I feel so euphoric and other days I feel frustrated. I like training because it gives me an end goal and eventually allows me to focus on something other than weight loss. But it's hard not to focus on weight loss! That is the whole reason I started running. I had read that running was the quickest way to burn calories and I was sold!

I did a good job of staying within my calories all week and ran twice with a strength training workout and GAINED 2.5 pounds!?! What the what?!? It's so frustrating! However, I will say I do feel better and I think I look better. My husband concurs and he is one of the most honest people I know (even when I don't necessarily want him to be)! It's all just messing with my self-esteem and self-image.

I am going to try and keep an optimistic outlook, though. My clothes are fitting better and I'm seeing myself in a more positive light. In fact, I think I'll head to the gym to run my 4 miles...

It's official...I'm training again!

This past weekend, my mother was in Kansas from Colorado, and we headed to KC to stay in a nice hotel. Of course, while we were staying there, there was a marathon and half-marathon going on Saturday. I had such a feeling of being left out! I had even been asked by a friend to run in it, after I finished my first half. I sadly turned her down because I was so tired of running. The thought of running a marathon was not even an option, in my mind!

Well, watching all the finishers walk around the lobby with their medals around their necks made me feel like I was missing out on something. I've been having such a hard time getting motivated to run again and I think this was my wake-up call. I don't like being on the watching side of races, I would much rather be in the race!! With that being said, I am officially back into training for another half-marathon. I haven't figured out where, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!!

I'll be sure to keep you all up to date on my training with all the ups AND downs!

The Zipper Maiden

I did it! I've been wanting to open an Etsy store for many years now. I just haven't had the courage. But I quit my second job a couple weeks ago so I can focus on things I love, which happens to be various types of crafts.

So, I only have one post right now for my custom "I Heart..." string art but I hope to add some of my sewing projects (hence The Zipper Maiden) and more string art. Feel free to take a look...and pass it along.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/164963251/custom-i-heart-string-art?ref=shop_home_active

Hot Chocolate Run 5K

I'm signed up for a new race! It's not until December, but I'm really excited!

The friend that I've been running with, M, and I talked about running in the Hot Chocolate Run last year in Kansas City but it sold out. So, this year, when we saw it was going to be in St. Louis we decided to road-trip it. We will be well into our 10K training by the time of the race, so our time will hopefully be pretty good!?! My current PR is 32 minutes. Maybe I can get it down to 30 minutes! Fingers-crossed.

If you are interested, the Hot Chocolate Run is in various cities. Plus the goodie bag in St. Louis is awesome. It's a fleece jacket!

Here is the link to their main site...http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/

They also have the option of a 15K and a two day expo before the event where you can get plenty more freebies and chocolate!!

Update!

I posted at the beginning of last month that my husband and I were going to try and quit drinking. Well, we were close. Instead of drinking 3-4 times a week, we only drank 3-4 times the whole month. Maybe we didn't go the whole month but I'm pretty proud of us. 

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

       

 It probably would have been more dramatic if we hadn't looked to food to compensate for the lack of drinking. OMG! That sounds terrible when I write it down, but I said I'd be honest.

We are starting to eat healthier though. I've been motivated to cook again, which is nice! In fact, I made an amazing dinner tonight. I made fresh basil marinated shrimp with pasta salad and kale chip. Side note: Kale chip are AMAZING!! I have put them off for years, and I had been missing out!! Finally, I added three mini oreos for dessert.

My husband has been studying late and I've been taking him dinner, hence the to-go box. But, it works nicely for portion control!

I'm an "After Picture"

Hey everyone, sorry about that last post. Kind of depressing. I'm still in a bit of a funk but I am starting to get out of it. In fact, all the support/supporters around me are helping! I want to thank all of them!

I've been chatting a lot lately about my "journey" with a co-worker, whom is on her own journey (which I hope to post about someday). It's a real joy to be able to talk people with about your story. It allowed me to remember that technically I'm an "after picture," which is a really hard concept to wrap my head around. Even though I may have my day to day struggles, I'm no longer 200lbs+! I have been doing some real self-reflection about this topic.

When I ran my half marathon I was at my second goal weight and even though I may have gained back the 20lbs. I lost during training, I am still under my first goal weight! I am still 30lbs+ under my starting weight. That is still 30lbs+ that I have kept off for over three years! That's huge (pun intended)!

Just like running, it's not just physical but also mental! I have to remind myself to focus on the positive and not only the things that I'm doing now but what I have done.