16 lbs, 16 minutes and 16 Runs - Tracey

That's right people.  16 pounds!  Can you believe it? I have lost 16 stinking pounds since September 15th.  That is even with a 1 1/2 week break in the middle!

Tonight was my 16th workout on the program.  I finished Week 4.  (Remember . . . I had to repeat all of Week 1 and W3D3)  I ran for a total of 16 minutes.  Holy cow.  Ben asked me if he had offered $100 to run for 5 minutes during the first week if I could have done it.  NO WAY!   There is seriously no way.  I would have passed out or something. I'm not kidding. Tonight I ran two three-minute runs and two fine-minute runs.  I'm super proud.  I even went by myself. (Sam refused to nap this afternoon until it was time to go to the gym . . . of course)

So closing thoughts.  Running still sucks and I don't like it when I'm actually doing it.  I'm not going to lie. BUT It will help you lose weight.  It will help get you get in shape.  You will feel better when you are done.

YEA ME!!!

I have only one thing to say tonight.....

2.75 miles!  Yeah, Baby!

OH NO YOU DIDN'T...

Oh Yes...yes I did!  I just finished week 5 day 3.  Do you know what that means?  That means that I got on a treadmill, walked for 5 minutes and then ran for 20 minutes without stopping! Its alright if you can't believe it.... I can't believe it myself.  My motivation for the last 5 minutes was being able to write this in the blog!  AND....the Devil's Food Cake I just baked at home.  Yummy!

Oops...I did it again

You know what they say about the best laid plans and all that?  Well, I intended to go running this weekend.  It would have been my first outside run.  But life got in the way.  I was supposed to walk for 5 minutes and then run for 20.  I confess that I was a bit concerned about this and perhaps the reason I didn't run was because I was intimidated by the idea of running for 20 minutes straight.  But because I didn't run for 4 days, when I got on the treadmill today and looked down at my ipod KNOWING that I was supposed to do week 5, day 3...I totally chickened out.  Instead, I ran week 5 day 2...again.  BUT, I did it faster then I did last time AND instead of walking for 5 minutes at the end, I walked for 90 seconds, ran for another 90 and then finished with a 90 second walk.  Don't worry, I still had to walk HOME from the gym...so I got in a 5 minute cool down.  I have intentions of doing week 5 day 3 at some point.  I'm thinking it might be at the end of the week.  Maybe.  I'm intimidated by the 20 minute run.  That's a big leap from the 60 seconds I began this whole adventure with.  But, I know it will feel SOOOOO good to be abel to say, "I did it!".  So....we'll see.

Shannon 4 - Tracey 1. Ouch.

Hi  . . . . my name is Tracey.  Just in case you forgot.

This is a post about the lack of running and why you don't take a break.  So as you know, I spent a week in New England with Shannon.  I ran while I was there.  It was fun!  I also worked while I was there.  I took a MILLION pictures.  Ok, maybe not a million but about 3000.

Then I went to Disney World where I did not run.  I was too busy playing and wading through thousands of pictures.  (I did however walk a million miles and eat tons of crappy food.  Apparently the walking paid off though because they weight that I gained at Shannon's was GONE by the time I got home!)

Then I came home.  The little guy needed milk, laundry needed to be done and I had been gone for 2 wks.  So I didn't run Tuesday.

Then it was Wednesday.  And I ran.  For 15 minutes.  I got hurt.  I pulled a muscle in my leg.  Bad.

Now it's Friday and we are running this afternoon. Last night I felt like crap because Shannon is WAY ahead of me and I have basically disappeared from a blog that is really important to me.  I'm now the guest blogger.

I talked to darling hubby about this and he reminded me that this is a goal, not a competition.  So, that being said, I'm going back to my roots.  I will run because I want to run and because it is important. I will only blog 2 time a week. After the first workout and after the last workout.  I blog because I run. Not because I need to blog.  Not because Shannon is out running me. (PS- Shan, I'm super proud of you!  Thanks for keeping this baby alive.) I still love you all and love this blog.  I just need to stop pressuring myself so much!

I'm running for me, Ben and Sam.  Because they deserve a healthy wife and mother.  I deserve to be healthy.

T-Dog out.

Oh . . . and just so you know, we have had visitors from 20 states.  You guys are awesome!!!

Let's here it for the...GIRL.....

I know this song is from like the '80s and originally titled "Let's here it for the BOY" and made popular in that classic FOOTLOOSE (if you have every laid eyes on my hot hubby, you will know that he resembles K.B. quite a bit).

Anyway, I'm diggin' for some props today.  Last night, I went to Relief Society.  And ate yummy food that was probably not as healthy as, say, a Lean Cuisine.  But it was tastier.  I had no intentions of going running.  But, I started thinking about it.  And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it.  YES!  I said WANTED!  So I came home and went over to the gym for my run on the treadmill.  I'm not gonna lie...it was really hard.  But not as hard as I had expected it to be.  I did the required 5 minute warm-up walk, all the while dreading the "run now" command.  Inevitably, the phrase came and I began to jog...FOR 8 MINUTES straight.  Followed by a 5 minute walk.  Followed by ANOTHER 8 MINUTES.  I'm going to let you have a little insight into my persona for a moment.  I am NOT a finisher, by nature.  I start lots of projects and get 3/4 or even 7/8 of the way finished and then I just never complete them.  With that in mind, the last 30 SECONDS of this last run were sheer torture and I very nearly didn't make it.  But I DID do it.  I did!  I managed to run/walk 2.5 miles in 35 minutes. Who-hoo!  I'm really excited about this.  

A lot of people have been asking me lately, "How's the running going?"  The answer: "Great!"

"Takin' it Easy" by The Eagles

I went over to the gym today fully prepared to grit my teeth and do today's run.  I was excited.  I knew I could do it.  But I had a lingering shadow of doubt.  Not because it was gonna be a difficult run (it was) but because that ever unpredictable knee of mine had been becoming gradually stiffer as the day wore on.  I was already limping and going down steps one step at a time.  Not a good sign, but I wanted to try.  So I went over to the gym.  Climbed on the treadmill and walked for 5 minutes...at a pace MUCH slower then usual.  Taking my clue from that when the application voice (who needs a name, by the way) told me to jog...I decided to jog.  Slowly.  It lasted a full minute before my knee literally gave out and I found myself in the embarrassing position of being shot off a treadmill into a pile on the floor.  Point taken.  I didn't get to do my run today.  I'm sad.  I'm very sad.  I decided to lift weights instead.  And then, just to make SURE, I climbed back on the treadmill (isn't there some saying about falling off a horse and getting back on that applies here?).  I walked for 5 minutes.  And then ran....for another 60 seconds....and again, the knee buckled.  I was prepared this time though and grabbed onto the railings.  My feet shot out behind me, and I looked like a total fool trying to figure out how to stop the machine without getting ejected again.  I'll spare you the details.  Suffice it to say, for the first time since starting this venture I had to skip my run.  I'm hoping that within the next 48 hours my knee will improve and I'll be able to go over there and kick some tail.  But for now, I'm mournfully conceding and following the good advice of The Eagles and "Takin' It Easy".  But I'm NOT gonna like it.

Are you kidding me?

So I opened up Yahoo today and was horrified to see that one of the headlines said, "3 die running Detroit 1/2 marathon, autopsies to follow".  They were 26, 36, and 65 years old, respectively.  I don't even know where to begin with my comments on this.  Do you? Anyway...this link does clear up a thing or 2 and helps answer some questions that automatically came to my mind: 3 Detroit Marathon Deaths Likely a Fluke - Yahoo! News

She's a Maniac....

So I'm thinking about titling my post with a song title that I feel describes my run for the day.  It just came to me, so I may NOT do it...but...it's a thought for now.  Today's title is made better if you imagine yourself (DO NOT imagine me) doing the Flashdance moves complete with sweatband and leg warmers....if you are confident enough to include the tiny bottoms and ripped up sweatshirt slipping off your shoulder, that's for you to know...I don't wanna.

Anyway....

I started week 5 today.  Total killer.  Unlike all the other weeks, this week the run changes each time.  Today was alternating 5 minutes of jogging with 3 minutes of walking.  I don't fully remember how the next run goes...but I know there is an 8 minute jog in there.  AND THEN...the final run of week 5 is 20 minutes straight out!  Hello?!?  That doesn't seem very gradual to me!  I'm fairly certain I'm gonna need to squeeze a walk segment in there somewhere.  Oi!  Enough looking ahead....back to today...

Tonight the run was decent.  I kicked up my pace a bit (only .1, like I said, "a bit"...don't judge me) and was rewarded by completing another 2.5 miles 2 minutes faster.  AWESOME!  Little things like this make me happy.  It may be small, but its still an accomplishment.  I've found a new appreciation for small accomplishments these days.  And since Tracey has just informed me that we need to have a qualifying time in a 10K before even registering for a 1/2 marathon...well...it would appear that my time will matter and just finishing it will not be an option.  Great.

Anyway....here is a good beginner's running tip: don't run in cotton socks.  EVER.  I'll try to find little jewels like this to pass on every once in a while.  Hopefully not from personal experience.  I actually don't run in cotton socks...but I know someone who has...and as a rule, just don't do it.  It does bad things to your feet.  Trust me....err...us...trust us.

MIA - Tracey

Ok . . . so it is a good thing Shannon is posting these days 'cause I am a SLACKER!!!  Ok, it could also be because Shannon is too good of an agent and booked me eight photography sessions while I was in New England.

We are currently in Disney World and I have not run since Monday.  Oops.  That's what vacation does.  I have however been walking a million miles a day.  That has to count for something right?

So if I haven't been running, then why am I posting?  Well,  husband who is a week ahead of me with Shannon on the program just informed me yesterday that in order to register for the Disney 1/2 Marathon in September, you have to have a qualifying time to submit from a 10K.

Guess my hiney better get in gear!

Rock it!

You  know that famous seen in "Rocky", when he does his training montage and ends it with this climb up the steps and then jumps around with both fists in the air?  That was me today.  Why?  Because I did 2.5 miles today.  That is only about .5 miles away from a 5K.  If I had the Rocky song on my ipod I would have played it.  I considered rockin' it to Eye of the Tiger (which I DOOO have on my running list, everyone should) but just then a group of teenage boys walked by.   It was very sobering.  But it didn't quell the inner squeal of delight.  For the first time since we started this thing I *REALLY* believe I can do it....by "it" I mean the 5 K....the 1/2 marathon is still on the unbelievable side of things.   All of this was made 100 times better when I walked in the house and my nearly 2 year old, but very verbal, son saw me and declared, "Mommy, you did it!  I lub ooo!"  Odds are good that he was just misfiring and showing off his vocabulary.  But, I'll take it.  And I would do it again for this sort of praise any day.  Now I am going to sign off to the oh-so-cute sound of my boy singing me a medley composed of "happy birthday to you", "wheels on the bus", "twinkle twinkle" and my personal favorite, "float on" (compliments of guitar hero and "Modest Mouse", I believe).  Awe...the good life!

A word about SUPPORT...

So, as a cautionary tale it would be important to note that one should NOT purchase sports bras in bulk....like at Sam's Club.  Regardless of the deal.  Still searching for that perfect one...and hoping it doesn't cost me a fortune.  Frugal doesn't pay off in this regard.  Who knew?

On another note...today I did week 4 day 2.  I confess that I wasn't in a good mood when I went.  

1.  I wasn't feeling well *sniff*. 

2. I was sort of agitated with my hubby *sniff* *sniff*.  

3.  I had just put Tracey on a plane *sniff* *sniff* *sniff*.  

4.  I realized that although Tracey spent her entire visit taking pictures, there are no pictures of the 2 of us together. *whaaaa* How did we let that happen?

I started this run with a pity party.  It didn't get better.  I know for some people running is therapy, but all I managed to do was think about MORE reasons to be sad.  It was pathetic.  

And then the little application voice said, "workout complete".  I was pleased to see that I had improved my distance by .2 miles.  But that was not enough to make me even crack a smile.  I hadn't died....or slipped on my sappy tears.  Good job.  Here's the best part...I realized that I actually ran TWO 5 minutes sections, not just One...*sniff?*  Are you kidding me?  Nope.  It wasn't a joke.  My legs feel it quite sincerely.  

I felt a little better after this discovery.  And just because I felt like it, I came home, showered, went downstairs, got a fuzzy warm blanket, snuggled up on the couch and watched a chick-flick.  Alone.  With my fire place blazing.  Now I really do feel better.  Chocolate may have improved the moment, but it's time to get back on the "good eats" wagon (sort of fell off it while Trace was here...not her fault....just something that happens every once in a while).

Now, back to that little bit about support.  Good shoes.  Good sports bra.  Good friends.  All essential to this experience.  The support of all 3 will ensure success.  

Two and Turkeys (Shan)

Today I hit a mini-mile marker.  I ran 2 miles.  For some of you, this might not seem like a big deal.  But, you aren't running in my shoes.  For me *THIS* is a big deal.  4 weeks ago I struggled to run for 60 seconds.  I was cursing every step I took and questioning my sanity along the way.  There was a lot of self-doubt but also a lot of support.  An alarming amount of support, in fact.  I am inspired by so many people (mostly women, gotta give 'em props)....I'm learning that lots of my friends run...and lots more are starting to run.  Today, I ran for 5 minutes.  WITHOUT stopping.  It's a big leap from the 60 seconds I started with...but still a long way from the final goal.  Which is why we make little goals along the way.  I'm going to run a 5K in November.   Are there any East Coasters who want to run with me?  Maybe we'll organize our OWN Turkey Trot....strollers optional.  No entry fee.  And probably no prizes.   I know, tempting right?  But, there will be some good laughs, good company, good memories...and an incredible sense of accomplishment.  If you're interested, let me know.  Lots of us take off for Thanksgiving and travel, but since we are organizing it, we can choose the date.  It's open for discussion.  Anyone in?  Let's talk turkey....

OOOOOH, we're half way there...

To start with you must read the title of this blog and SING it...as in Bon Jovi style.  Tracey and I both built our play lists 2000 miles apart without input from each other...and yet, this Bon Jovi song made it to both our lists.  It has special meaning in our friendship and we have probably listened to it together over 100 times.  It rocks.  And we felt really cool last night when WE RAN TOGETHER on a treadmill at the gym to this song.  Fists pumping in the air, out of breath, but totally loving what we were doing.  If our relationship has a soundtrack, this would be the theme song.  

Anyway, how cool is it that we actually got to run together?!?  She's here.  At my house.  With her son.  And we went running together.  It was awesome.  It will serve as motivation for the next 6 weeks.  That's right...we only have 6 weeks left to reach the 5K mark.  Are we going to do it?  I dunno.  Week 5 is looking pretty awful.  Especially day 3...which simply says, walk 5 minutes.  Run 20!  What the.....?!?!  Are you kidding me?  Tracey has a rule...she doesn't look ahead.  In fact, she just plugs in the little application and doesn't even know what she is going to do for the day...she just does what the voice tells her to do.  My approach is obviously different.  I need to know what I'm doing a week from now so that I can be prepared mentally, even if I'm not ready physically.  

So I asked Trace, "What do we do AFTER the 5K?"  I mean...our intentions are to run a 1/2 marathon...5K is a bit short of that.  Turns out there is (of course) a couch potato to 10K application that we can follow once we have completed the 5K.  Oh goody.  Still 10K...that's only 6 miles or so.  Still looking at 13 in a year.  Someone told us that if we can do a 10K then a 1/2 marathon will be easy.  I'm not one to argue with a professional, but...I Don't THINK so.  Seems to me there is a big difference between 6 miles and 13 miles...like...umm...7 miles!

However, I am once again willing to suspend my disbelief until I cross the finish line.  Not really...I don't believe it for one minute.  Let's hope I am singing a different tune by the end of this all.  

I know, we aren't officially "half way there"...but we're on our way and this song is going to be the anthem we sing.  Livin' on a Prayer....

OUCH!!!

Whaaaa.  I hurt.  Not a little...But a lot.  I may have possibly over done it today.  I did my running segment like a good girl.  Then I thought it would be uber-intelligent to add weights to my routine.  I had a wonderful friend meet me and run me through a circuit.  I don't know if it's more running or the addition of weights, but my legs don't currently feel like my legs right now.  And that's not necessarily a good thing.  I'm thinking that I'm going to need to do alternate days...which IS what I originally intended.  But I got over-confident and decided to do them both today.  BAD idea.  Really, really bad idea.  Tomorrow will be a recovery day rather then an "alternate" day...or maybe...just maybe I'll go do some arm weights.  We'll see how I'm feeling in the morning.  REGARDLESS, the countdown is on...in 24 hours I will be driving to pick Tracey up at the airport.  YAY!  On that happy note, my crying from the beginning is forgotten...until I try to get up and walk across the room that is.  UGH!

Week 2: DONE!!! - Tracey

We finished W2 today.  YEA!!  Monday we begin the torture of W3.   Yea????

So, I run with an ipod touch.  I downloaded the Couch to 5k app.  It's awesome.  A very nice lady comes on and tells me when to run and when to walk.  No guessing or timing for me!  The other nice thing feature is that it is setup to play over your music.  After begging Ben for a couple of days he made me a "Running Mix".  Since Shannon was asking what people run to, I thought I would share my playlist, as well as the reasoning behind some of the songs.

Don't make fun of me.


Fergalicious (Fergie) -  Because "I'm up in the gym, just workin' on my fitness"


Here It Goes (Ok Go) - Hello? Have you seen the video? Treadmill city.


SexyBack (Justin Timberlake) - Cause that's what I'm doin'


Oxford Comma (Vampire Weekend) - I just like it.  Make sure you get the edited version


A-Punk (Vampire Weekend) - Cause Ben likes it.


Move Along  (All American Rejects)


Gives You H*ll  (All American Rejects)


Crazy in Love (Beyonce and Jay-Z) - Upbeat and gets ya movin'


Pump It (Black Eyed Peas) - See the reason above


Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi) - Because Shannon and I have listened to this song 1 MILLION times together


Toxic (Britney Spears)


Pour Some Sugar on Me  (Def Leppard)


I Ran (So Far Away) (Flock of Seagulls) - Because Ben thinks he's funny


Holla Back Girl (Gwen Stefani)


What You Waiting For (Gwen Stefani)


Don't Stop Believin'  (Journey) - at our house this is Don't Stop Ben Leavin'


Spaceman (The Killers) - Uhhh . . . its the Killers


Suddenly I See (KT Tunstall) - Ben says every time this song is on TV or in a movie, it means a smart young
woman is about to be empowered.  I think he is hoping it will work for running


Can't Get you Out of My Head (Kylie Minogue)


Summertime (New Kids on the Block) - Imagine a large 9 month pregnant woman singing NKOTB at the top of her lungs in the car.  That was me last summer.


Hey Baby (No Doubt)


B.O.B. (Outkast)


I Don't Feel Like Dancin' (Scissor Sisters) - I just love this song.  I do a little dance when I hear it.

I think Ben thinks it is funny to watch me shake my booty while I run.  That could be why he finally relented and put together the playlist.

W:3 D:1 Shan

It was raining tonight by the time I got the chance to head out for my run.  So, I went to the gym and used the treadmill.  I wasn't sure I would like it, but...much to my surprise...I LOVED it.  I loved having music.  I loved being able to watch my distance, and monitor how many calories I was burning and how long I was running all on a little dashboard in front of me.  I also found that I kept my stride more even and pushed myself to go a little faster and maintain a regular speed.  This will be a good training tool for me in the future.  I'm considering running on a treadmill once a week to make sure I'm keeping my pace fast enough.  Week 3 is a bit trickier then the other 2 weeks.  Walk 90 seconds.  Jog 90 Seconds.  Walk 3 minutes.  Jog 3 minutes.  Repeat.  Then I'm done.  I did 1.5 miles in 20 minutes.  It felt great to be able to accomplish this, but it wasn't easy.  I keep waiting for it to get easy.  And every once in a while I am still daunted by the fact that I'm doing a half marathon in about 11 months...and I still can't do a 5K (3 miles).  How can I possibly run 13 miles? Right now it seems impossible.  But the prospect of a 5K is no longer so daunting.  So, I'll focus on the 5K for now.  Baby steps.   

Incidentally, I'm interested in your favorite running songs...care to share?  

W:2 D:2 Tracey

How is Shannon ahead of me when I started the program a week before her?

Oh right, it took me 2 wks to do Week 1! But guess what?  Not Week 2!  I'm going to move on to the next week as scheduled. I'm not sure which day I will start it.  My running schedule is going to be all crazy the next couple of weeks!

As Shannon mentioned, Tuesday Sam (my son) and I fly to the east coast to hang out with Shannon and take a WHOLE bunch of pictures.  Then on the 14th Sam and I fly to Orlando where we will meet my husband and sister for some Disney World fun.  So  . . . how do I adjust the schedule?

Usually I run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.  Shannon runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. I won't be able to run Sunday because I need a rest day after Saturday.  AND I doubt I will run Tuesday since Sam and I fly out at 1:00 pm.

Should I run Monday Thursday Sunday?  That will put me even farther behind Shannon!  Should I not take a break day? Maybe I'll have try to talk Ben and Shannon into switching to Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

And then the next week I need to get in 3 runs even though we are at Disney World Wednesday night on!  Where do you run at Disney World?

Maybe I'm over thinking this.

W:2 D:3 Shan

I took my 7 year old running with me today.  She's a good motivator.  She ran circles around me. Quite literally.   I was impressed and worn out.   Today was the last day of week 2.  I'm afraid to look ahead and see what I am supposed to do next time I jog.  But guess what I AM looking forward to?  Tracey is coming to visit me!  Yes!  The two of us will be spending a week together on my side of the country.  (That is top-secret-classified information so that we don't end up with stalkers.  HA!)  It's gonna be awesome and we are going to have a wonderful exciting time.  I'm sure you will get to hear all about it.  Okay, not ALL about it...but certainly lots.