Well, I did it! I set out to complete a half marathon the year my daughter was born and it is DONE!! Was I fast, good grief NO! Was I running the whole thing, NO! Was a proud of myself sprinting through the finish as a first time Mom, YES!!!!!!
My family came to Texas for our annual family marathon relay. Some of the family did the relay, the others about 5 of us did the half. I ran with my aunt who is an amazing runner and she was kind enough to let me set the pace and run at my own speed. I trained to walk/run the race and I did just that. I started off strong and continued walking and running as planned until mile 8. That mile for some reason hit me hard. I continued on but at a slower pace. I started to feel like my legs where weak and I may be reaching my max. I did 13.1 miles a few weeks before the race so the distance was not a problem but I was running harder than I trained for. So I had to take more walk breaks than I wanted to at this point. My aunt went ahead at mile 10 and finished before me.
I remember at mile 12 I actually stopped to drink water and gatorade and I knew it was going to cost me big time but I needed the fuel even if it was for the last 1.1 miles. I was pouring water on my head to cool me off as I was just feeling so hot. It helped and I sprinted the last .20 miles or so. I really wish I could have ran the half marathon with NO walking but I will set this goal for my next half marathon which is January 29th! 8 weeks to go!!!! Hopefully I will be leaner and that will translate to a better knee! Any weight I can loose will help my knee considerably so I think I can do even better next time.
I finished the half at an official time of 2:24.35 though my Garmin was showing I ran 13.27 miles so I need to watch my zig zagging around the course next time. With the distance ran my avg pace was a 10:54 which I was very happy with considering I had to walk.
Here are my splits.....
Mile 1 : 11:34
Mile 2: 10:45
Mile 3: 10:33
Mile 4: 9:56
Mile 5: 10:36
Mile 6: 11:05
Mile 7: 11:12
Mile 8: 11:25
Mile 9: 11:13
Mile 10: 10:55
Mile 11: 10:42
Mile 12: 11:03
Mile 13: 11:02
.27 : 9:27
I have a ton of photos but they are all on my husbands camera and he is now overseas on business. I will have to wait til he comes back to post them. He made this race so very special for me. First at the expo he was getting me all kinds of goodies, then race day he was in tears telling how proud he was of me doing this. As I ran through the finish line I raised my hands in the air and it felt so amazing! Everyone was lining up to go inside to get their medals, water, etc...I stayed out on the other side of the fence to see my baby and there he was! He was SOOOO proud of me and said he screamed as I ran through the finish though I did not hear him as I had the Rocky theme playing loudly in my ears! He told me that he would wait for me outside of the building and I went inside super fast, got my metal but did not wear it, got my T-shirt and some water and headed out. No food, no photo with the race banner. I wanted to see my husband!!! When we saw each other I told him I wanted him to place the medal around my neck as he was a HUGE part of my training. He placed the medal around me with tears and it was a moment I will never forget.
After seeing the family we headed back to the car and to my surprise there was a big sign on the back of the car that he had made for me! He wanted to told it at the finish but due to the crowds this worked out to be a better option. We got into the car and he handed me the car keys and told me to open up the glove compartment. I did so only to find the most beautiful box. I opened it fighting back the tears only to find a card he made for me along with a Tiffanys box and inside was another charm for my Tiffanys bracelet he bought for me after our daughter was born 8 months ago. The bracelet is now a representation of all the wonderful memories of 2010, the birth of our daughter, my first Mothers day and my half marathon! I could barely read the card I was crying so hard. The level of his love for me was evident in his precious words, words that I will hold in my heart forever.
As so now I have 8 weeks to train ( injury free) for my next race. I am hoping to run more of this half and improve my time. I am going to try and loose as much weight as I can before the end of the year and then see where 2011 takes me! It is exciting to think about where I will be this time next year!
Thanks for all the pre race goodies and well wishes! I wish I could have ran faster but looking back I did my very best and for that I will be forever proud and my time was much faster than I thought it would be. Remember my blog before the race? I said I would be happy walking/running at 2:45!! I blew that goal out of the water by 21 mins and most of all I did not let having a baby stop me from reaching another goal and I got out there every day and trained as best I could, injuries and all!!
Here is my post race plan for this week......
Monday - Active rest
Tuesday - Active rest or light walk.
Wednesday - 4 mile walk
Thursday - 3 mile walk or XT at gym
Friday - 3 mile walk
Saturday - 6 mile long walk with a few light SLOW running intervals
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Anniversary Challenge : Plan for this week....
This weekend was simply MAGICAL!!! I do not know where to begin. I was able to get my 10 miler in after being sick for a week, I went to the salon and had my hair cut and highlighted, after my run went to the spa for a fantastic massage and then dinner at a VERY romantic steakhouse with my husband. We were seated in a private booth, and I do mean private, with dark curtains so no one could see us! As I said VERY ROMANTIC!!! I had a fantastic filet mignon and crab cake and did not feel bad about eating it, which was nice. On Sunday after church we went to brunch at another one of our favorite restaurants and then shopping! The whole weekend I just kept thinking, when can my parents come back again! LOL! They are coming in 2 WEEKS!!
Little Kayla is doing GREAT! She has her 2 little teeth coming in, they look so cute! She truly is the joy of our life! I will really try and get some more photos of her up soon!
Now I must focus on this week and staying on track with my miles. Here is the plan for this week....
Monday - 3 miles on tread. ST circuit.
Tuesday - 6 miles - walk/ run on the trails
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 6 mile run/walk
Friday - 3 mile walk with ST circuit.
Saturday - Long run - 10 miles
Sunday - Rest
Days 1-14 results...
1. Loose 11 pounds - .6 lbs so far. Have not weighed since being sick. Will weigh this week.
2. Run/walk - 150 miles - 17.59 miles so far.
3. Take vitamins and supplements each day - A couple of days missed.
4. 1 gallon of water each day - A couple of days missed.
5. Log all foods - Did not do over the weekend.
6. ST - 3 days a week, either at gym or Cathe DVDs - Doing well on ST but need to get in 3 per week as opposed to 2 days which is what I was doing.
7. Log and record a running total of squats, pushups and crunches -
Squats - 100
Military pushups - 45
Crunches - 130
8. Record measurements on graph here at home. Aim for another 5 inches lost around stomach and hips - Did not measure, will do that this week.
Little Kayla is doing GREAT! She has her 2 little teeth coming in, they look so cute! She truly is the joy of our life! I will really try and get some more photos of her up soon!
Now I must focus on this week and staying on track with my miles. Here is the plan for this week....
Monday - 3 miles on tread. ST circuit.
Tuesday - 6 miles - walk/ run on the trails
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 6 mile run/walk
Friday - 3 mile walk with ST circuit.
Saturday - Long run - 10 miles
Sunday - Rest
Days 1-14 results...
1. Loose 11 pounds - .6 lbs so far. Have not weighed since being sick. Will weigh this week.
2. Run/walk - 150 miles - 17.59 miles so far.
3. Take vitamins and supplements each day - A couple of days missed.
4. 1 gallon of water each day - A couple of days missed.
5. Log all foods - Did not do over the weekend.
6. ST - 3 days a week, either at gym or Cathe DVDs - Doing well on ST but need to get in 3 per week as opposed to 2 days which is what I was doing.
7. Log and record a running total of squats, pushups and crunches -
Squats - 100
Military pushups - 45
Crunches - 130
8. Record measurements on graph here at home. Aim for another 5 inches lost around stomach and hips - Did not measure, will do that this week.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Anniversary Challenge Day 9
Doing better but still sick. NOT FUN! Went to the doctor today and now I am on an antibiotic that will hopefully get this stuff out of me. In the mean time, here are my foods for the day.......
Totals for today -
Calories burned - 0 ( sick)
Calories consumed - 1,557
Meal 1 - Oats, Bobs high fiber mix and apple with decaf coffee and FF milk
Meal 2 - 5 egg whites with 1/2 cup of brown rice. Water
Meal 3 - 1 cup of chicken and brown rice soup with Thai hot sauce and lemon
Meal 4 - 1/2 apple and natural PB
PRE-LOGGING DINNER.....
Meal 5 - Greek chicken kabobs with quinoa bean salad.
Meal 6 - 1.5 square of dark chocolate and decaf coffee with FF milk
Totals for today -
Calories burned - 0 ( sick)
Calories consumed - 1,557
Meal 1 - Oats, Bobs high fiber mix and apple with decaf coffee and FF milk
Meal 2 - 5 egg whites with 1/2 cup of brown rice. Water
Meal 3 - 1 cup of chicken and brown rice soup with Thai hot sauce and lemon
Meal 4 - 1/2 apple and natural PB
PRE-LOGGING DINNER.....
Meal 5 - Greek chicken kabobs with quinoa bean salad.
Meal 6 - 1.5 square of dark chocolate and decaf coffee with FF milk
Monday, November 08, 2010
Anniversary Challenge Day 8
I have been blogging on my spark site this challenge but wanted to start blogging over here as well.....
I am sick so no working out for me. Why does this happen? I HATE being sick. I have this yucky sore throat thing that is just terrible. Anyways, I am not working out today for obvious reasons but I think if I rest today hopefully tomorrow I may be ok to do my 5 miles. I HAVE to stay on track as my half marathon is 27 days away and I have to get my 10 miler in this weekend.
To stay accountable and on track, here are my meals for today. Obviously I am pre-logging dinner as it is just easier for me as evenings are busy getting Kayla bear ready for bed.
Meal 1 - One 50 calorie high protein wrap with 4 egg whites, cheese and ground turkey. Decaf latte with FF milk. 40 oz of water
Meal 2 - Ground turkey burger over spinach. Side of vinaigrette.Tabouli and couscous with slices of red pepper and broccoli. Sliced mango and water with apple cider vinegar
Meal 3 - Chicken and brown rice soup with lemon. Fresh slices of strawberries with ground flaxseeds and walnuts over greek yogurt and splenda. BIG jug of water with cider vinegar
I am sick so no working out for me. Why does this happen? I HATE being sick. I have this yucky sore throat thing that is just terrible. Anyways, I am not working out today for obvious reasons but I think if I rest today hopefully tomorrow I may be ok to do my 5 miles. I HAVE to stay on track as my half marathon is 27 days away and I have to get my 10 miler in this weekend.
To stay accountable and on track, here are my meals for today. Obviously I am pre-logging dinner as it is just easier for me as evenings are busy getting Kayla bear ready for bed.
Meal 1 - One 50 calorie high protein wrap with 4 egg whites, cheese and ground turkey. Decaf latte with FF milk. 40 oz of water
Meal 2 - Ground turkey burger over spinach. Side of vinaigrette.Tabouli and couscous with slices of red pepper and broccoli. Sliced mango and water with apple cider vinegar
Meal 3 - Chicken and brown rice soup with lemon. Fresh slices of strawberries with ground flaxseeds and walnuts over greek yogurt and splenda. BIG jug of water with cider vinegar
Friday, October 15, 2010
Daily results 10/15
Goals for today -
ST and Cardio Rest day - DONE! Ha!! That was easy!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - rest day but I did do some stretches
Meal 1 - 1 cup of oats with Bobs high fiber bend and flaxseeds with fresh strawberries. Raisins and FF milk
Meal 2 - Grilled chicken in 1/2 pita with water.
Meal 3 - 5 water crackers with light Brie cheese and turkey with 1 tsp of fig jam on top.
**Pre-logging dinner for tonight. Getting ready to go and make it.
Meal 4 - Spinach salad with red bell pepper, zucchini and mushrooms with blue cheese. Grilled Salmon and asparagus with 1/2 cup of wild rice on the side. Sparkling water with lemon.
Meal 5 - Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and pineapple with ground flaxseeds. Decaf tea with ff milk and 70% dark chocolate on the side!
ST and Cardio Rest day - DONE! Ha!! That was easy!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - rest day but I did do some stretches
Meal 1 - 1 cup of oats with Bobs high fiber bend and flaxseeds with fresh strawberries. Raisins and FF milk
Meal 2 - Grilled chicken in 1/2 pita with water.
Meal 3 - 5 water crackers with light Brie cheese and turkey with 1 tsp of fig jam on top.
**Pre-logging dinner for tonight. Getting ready to go and make it.
Meal 4 - Spinach salad with red bell pepper, zucchini and mushrooms with blue cheese. Grilled Salmon and asparagus with 1/2 cup of wild rice on the side. Sparkling water with lemon.
Meal 5 - Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and pineapple with ground flaxseeds. Decaf tea with ff milk and 70% dark chocolate on the side!
Daily results 10/14
Goals for today -
3 mile slow walk - DONE!!
ST circuit - 30 mins, high reps, fast pace lifting - DONE!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - Stretched in hot tub after
Meal 1 - 1 piece of EZ bread with 2 omega organic eggs and Decaf coffee with FF milk
Meal 2 - 1 piece of EZ bread with natural PB and natural jelly. 1 cup of FF milk
Meal 3 - Chickfila grilled chicken sandwich and water
Meal 4 - Turkey meat with hummus. 3 small bites of fresh pineapple. 1/2 banana and natural PB.
Meal 5 - Grilled fish tacos with 1 tortilla - high fiber 50 calorie whole wheat. The rest of the fish I ate over raw red cabbage. Served with 1 cup of homemade black beans and a mango relish.
3 mile slow walk - DONE!!
ST circuit - 30 mins, high reps, fast pace lifting - DONE!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - Stretched in hot tub after
Meal 1 - 1 piece of EZ bread with 2 omega organic eggs and Decaf coffee with FF milk
Meal 2 - 1 piece of EZ bread with natural PB and natural jelly. 1 cup of FF milk
Meal 3 - Chickfila grilled chicken sandwich and water
Meal 4 - Turkey meat with hummus. 3 small bites of fresh pineapple. 1/2 banana and natural PB.
Meal 5 - Grilled fish tacos with 1 tortilla - high fiber 50 calorie whole wheat. The rest of the fish I ate over raw red cabbage. Served with 1 cup of homemade black beans and a mango relish.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Daily results 10/13
Goals for today -
6 mile run/walk - DONE!! 720 calories burned.
ST circuit- Did not do, just a few pushups and squats. Need to do more tomorrow
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - Stretched after my run but not before
Meal 1 - 1 peach with 1/2 cup of raw oats, raisins, Bobs Red Mill High fiber cereal with flaxseeds and FF milk
Meal 2 - 2 slices of Roast beef and turkey breast with olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion and spinach. Wrapped around together.
Meal 3 - Lean body for her protein shake with strawberries and blueberries.
Pre-logging the rest of my meals BEFORE dinner.....
Meal 4 - 1 small piece of Buffalo Whole wheat lasagna and spinach salad with light Newmans own dressing. Protein shake with mango and strawberries.
Meal 5 - 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and ground flaxseeds
6 mile run/walk - DONE!! 720 calories burned.
ST circuit- Did not do, just a few pushups and squats. Need to do more tomorrow
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - Stretched after my run but not before
Meal 1 - 1 peach with 1/2 cup of raw oats, raisins, Bobs Red Mill High fiber cereal with flaxseeds and FF milk
Meal 2 - 2 slices of Roast beef and turkey breast with olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion and spinach. Wrapped around together.
Meal 3 - Lean body for her protein shake with strawberries and blueberries.
Pre-logging the rest of my meals BEFORE dinner.....
Meal 4 - 1 small piece of Buffalo Whole wheat lasagna and spinach salad with light Newmans own dressing. Protein shake with mango and strawberries.
Meal 5 - 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and ground flaxseeds
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Daily results 10/12
Here are a couple of pics of me and my precious girl......
Goals for today -
6 mile walk - DONE!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - A little bit after but not nearly enough.
Meal 1 - 1 peach with 1/2 cup of raw oats and rasins with FF milk
Meal 2 - 2 slices of Roast beef, olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion. Wrapped around together. 1 piece of Buffalo whole wheat lasagna.
Meal 3 - Lean body for her protein shake with strawberries and blueberries.
Meal 4 - Broccoli, Spinach, Tomato mixture grilled with olive oil along with 1 piece of Potato crushed cod. 1 cup of turnips boiled.
Meal 5 - 1 cup of Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and ground flaxseeds
Goals for today -
6 mile walk - DONE!!
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - A little bit after but not nearly enough.
Meal 1 - 1 peach with 1/2 cup of raw oats and rasins with FF milk
Meal 2 - 2 slices of Roast beef, olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion. Wrapped around together. 1 piece of Buffalo whole wheat lasagna.
Meal 3 - Lean body for her protein shake with strawberries and blueberries.
Meal 4 - Broccoli, Spinach, Tomato mixture grilled with olive oil along with 1 piece of Potato crushed cod. 1 cup of turnips boiled.
Meal 5 - 1 cup of Greek Yogurt with fresh strawberries and ground flaxseeds
Monday, October 11, 2010
Daily results 10/11
Goals for today -
4 mile easy run/walk - Did not do :(
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - NO :(
Meal 1 - Uncle Sams cereal with nectarine and raisins. Decaf coffee with FF milk and splenda.
Meal 2 - Turkey breast, roast beef, olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion. Wrapped around together. Water and a few carob chips.
Meal 3 - Potato crusted Cod fillet with baby spinach grilled. Water and 1 large peach.
Meal 4 - Buffalo Whole wheat Lasagna. 1 orange. Decaf coffee with FF milk and splenda.
4 mile easy run/walk - Did not do :(
Drink one gallon of water each day - 1 gallon DONE!
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - DONE!
Log all my foods - DONE!
Stretch before and after runs - NO :(
Meal 1 - Uncle Sams cereal with nectarine and raisins. Decaf coffee with FF milk and splenda.
Meal 2 - Turkey breast, roast beef, olive oil lite mayo with cheese and red onion. Wrapped around together. Water and a few carob chips.
Meal 3 - Potato crusted Cod fillet with baby spinach grilled. Water and 1 large peach.
Meal 4 - Buffalo Whole wheat Lasagna. 1 orange. Decaf coffee with FF milk and splenda.
Week 6 DONE! Week 7 Schedule
Week 6 results -
Jen - 40.59 miles - 15.84 miles bike and 24.75 miles run/walk
Micah - 8 miles walk/run
Results of goals for this week...
Walk/Run - 27 miles this week - 24.75 miles DONE! Including an awesome 7 mile run over the weekend!
Drink one gallon of water each day - most days but a few of 2 L days
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - Did well but over the weekend had raw apple juice.
Log all my foods - Did well but did not log over the long weekend. Husband took Thursday and Friday off and I forgot to log but ate really well EXCEPT for Sunday when we when to our favorite restaurant Jaspers and had a wonderful brunch together after church.
Stretch before and after runs - Did well but not every day
3 ST sessions at gym - 2 sessions completed.
2 Bike rides - YES!
Jen's Half Training Week 7 -
Sunday - REST
Monday - Easy walk 4 miles
Tuesday - Run/Walk 3 miles with ST circuit
Wednesday - Long walk 6 miles
Thursday - Run easy 4 miles along with ST circuit
Friday - Easy walk 3 miles
Saturday - Long walk/run 8 miles
Sunday - Walk easy 2 miles, day off
Micah's C25K Week 6 -
Monday - 30 min run/walk
Tuesday - 30 min walk along with ST
Wednesday - 30 min run/walk
Thursday - 30min walk along with ST
Friday - 30 min run/walk
Saturday - 4 mile walk
Sunday - Rest
Goals for week 7....
1. Log all foods.
2. Stay away from juice
3. Run/walk at least 25 miles
4. ST 2 sessions
5. Limit EZ bread to 2 slices per day
6. Aim for 5 servings of raw veggies per day
7. Stretch before and after exercise
8. Drink at least 3L per day but aim for 1 gallon
Jen - 40.59 miles - 15.84 miles bike and 24.75 miles run/walk
Micah - 8 miles walk/run
Results of goals for this week...
Walk/Run - 27 miles this week - 24.75 miles DONE! Including an awesome 7 mile run over the weekend!
Drink one gallon of water each day - most days but a few of 2 L days
NO Juices of ANY kind!!! - Did well but over the weekend had raw apple juice.
Log all my foods - Did well but did not log over the long weekend. Husband took Thursday and Friday off and I forgot to log but ate really well EXCEPT for Sunday when we when to our favorite restaurant Jaspers and had a wonderful brunch together after church.
Stretch before and after runs - Did well but not every day
3 ST sessions at gym - 2 sessions completed.
2 Bike rides - YES!
Jen's Half Training Week 7 -
Sunday - REST
Monday - Easy walk 4 miles
Tuesday - Run/Walk 3 miles with ST circuit
Wednesday - Long walk 6 miles
Thursday - Run easy 4 miles along with ST circuit
Friday - Easy walk 3 miles
Saturday - Long walk/run 8 miles
Sunday - Walk easy 2 miles, day off
Micah's C25K Week 6 -
Monday - 30 min run/walk
Tuesday - 30 min walk along with ST
Wednesday - 30 min run/walk
Thursday - 30min walk along with ST
Friday - 30 min run/walk
Saturday - 4 mile walk
Sunday - Rest
Goals for week 7....
1. Log all foods.
2. Stay away from juice
3. Run/walk at least 25 miles
4. ST 2 sessions
5. Limit EZ bread to 2 slices per day
6. Aim for 5 servings of raw veggies per day
7. Stretch before and after exercise
8. Drink at least 3L per day but aim for 1 gallon
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