Trial by Fire - Training in The Race

I’ve been exercising regularly for about a year. In that time I’ve ran 139 times, 391 miles, 75 hours and 22 minutes. I’ve biked about 99 miles and about 7 hours.

First 5 months I didn’t really lose anything - which was discouraging for me because I already had lots of weight to lose from the pregnancy of my 3rd child. Then I was actually gaining some weight and it was discovered that my thyroid was acting up. I didn’t lose anything for another couple months except a lb maybe every 5 weeks.

But then things seemed to be working. I was running 3 days a week and doing wii fit the other 2-3 days and I started losing consistently. That was in May. Then a few weeks nothing happened again but I got a bike and started riding, still running a few days a week and trying to do some stretching / yoga on wii fit and occasionally some aerobics on there too.

So the exciting news is I’m not considered obese anymore and am about halfway down the overweight category. Since May I have lost 32 lbs.

I am about 8 lbs from my next goal - which will put me at a 26 BMI. Then from there my next goal will be 15-20 more lbs… which will put me at the top of the healthy weight category! My ultimate goal is to lose about 30 or 35 lbs to put my in the middle of the healthy weight range so I have a buffer.

I am excited that it’s been working for me! Yesterday for the first time (since I started trying in May) I can hold the plank position for 60 seconds. My headaches are gone and my back doesn’t hurt as much. I am sure my cholesterol has gone down, though the blood tests haven’t come back yet. I am excited I’m halfway to my ultimate goal!

More goals are to run and bike faster. I did beat last fall’s 5K time by 2 minutes. And I ran my first long race - an 8 mi hilly route. My plan is to do a couple more 5K’s this year, a 10K and then a half marathon next April…it was supposed to be September but was postponed so I’ll be training for it again soon. I may do a 33 mile bike race in November. Still undecided. I am just happy my goals are working!

Marie

Official run / walk today…

Stats based on my Nike iPod running thing.
Distance: 3.42 miles
Time: 38:18
Av Pace: 11:11

Yeah! I feel great

I walked the first 3 minutes - and then completed the rest of mile 1 in 7 minutes! I obviously pushed myself too hard because it was 4-5 minutes before I was able to run again…then I alternated running/walking the rest of the time. It was awesome!

I forgot to put on the body glide though and this was the first time I’ve run in shorts instead of the tight capris. I am seriously chafed and hurting now! OUCH.

Trying to workmy way back up to running more frequently and without stopping.

After hubby got back from his trip and all the kids (and me) were sick I had a hard time getting up to run…and it seemed the illness took a lot out of me! On Monday I only went 1 mile before going home  - I actually would have walked a bit longer but I REALLY had to go to the bathroom and my bladder was hurting bad.

But this morning I went out and did about 1.5 miles before going home - because hubby needed to be leaving for work…Well, Friday I need to drag myself out of bed earlier and try to get a full run in - which may include some walking - right now I’m just trying to get out there!

So some of my online homeschooling friends are planning to do this http://www.twohundredsitups.com/

It’s a 6 week program designed to help you be able to do 200 sit ups. I decided to check it out. I did the initial test and was able to complete 63 sit ups! I thought it was a mistake so I waited a couple days and was able to do 87!

So I get to jump into the program at week 3! I have no idea why I can do so many - maybe all that carting the baby around has helped my core be stronger? By the way the baby is 1 already! I can’t believe it. Monday a week ago was her birthday and she had cake and loved it. I need to NOT be eating all the leftover cake. Between her birthday and my oldests birthday last month I’ve gained some weight.

Well, check out the situp thing. You might like it! There is a corresponding push up program, but as I hate push ups I am not doing it right now. Maybe when I finish the sit up program I’ll be interested in doing push ups. I was up til 3 am with the baby last night, so I’m not going to do today’s sit ups until after I get a nap.

On other news - I had 23 visits to my blog today! WOW - that’s the most I’ve ever had Thanks for visiting!

Marie

ps - do sit ups go under flexibility or strength training?

Well, It’s been awhile since I’ve been here! I had some health problems in January and have been going to lots of doctors and not being able to run for about 6 weeks. Then when I tried to start back it’s been so hard!

At first I was able to run more then I thought I would be able to with taking off several months….but then it was hard to get consistent and the tiredness factor hit me. I remember when I first started running last summer the first couple weeks I felt great. Then I had a month or 2 where I started dragging midday. After a few weeks I bounced back and wasn’t tired anymore. I am hoping to get back to that spot. I miss the morning runs. I miss feeling like I’ve accomplished something!!!

AND I just don’t feel as healthy. Of course, some of the issues were due to anemia and thyroid problems…Now that it’s under control I think it will be easier to exercise…

And in the time off I’ve enjoyed being with my family and I’ve spent a lot of time learning about me! Growing and working to overcome obstacles in my life, growing in my faith as well and I am feeling encouraged. I hope to be back here often. I can’t run this week because hubby is out of town and I have no childcare…but tomorrow I plan to do some yoga videos - and maybe go for a walk around the block with the kids….just to do something until next week when I’ll be able to get into running again!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 03/19/2009
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:32:09.00
• Calories: 343
• Distance: 2.61 miles
• Average Pace: 12:19.22/mile

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 03/17/2009
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:33:03.00
• Calories: 364
• Distance: 2.77 miles
• Average Pace: 11:55.71/mile

calibrating the Nike sensor….

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 03/07/2009
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:10:00.00
• Calories: 43
• Distance: 0.5 miles
• Average Pace: 20:00/mile

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 03/03/2009
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:33:42.00
• Calories: 366
• Distance: 2.78 miles
• Average Pace: 12:07.27/mile

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/27/2009
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:21:37.00
• Calories: 203
• Distance: 1.54 miles
• Average Pace: 14:03.09/mile