t minus 3 weeks

As of today I have 3 weeks until race day! I think I am ready. I have been doing physical therapy on my knees for three weeks and that has mad a huge difference. I ran 6 miles today and felt great!! School starts tomorrow so I am a little nervous for the food situation. I hope to be as controlled as I was last year! I bought really healthy snacks for my desk and will go buy fruit and stuff tomorrow afternoon. I plan to eat what I bring and not much else!! After the race I have agreed to give myself to my trainer for 30 days and eat what he says, work out when he says, and how he says...I am extremely nervous but hope that will bring me to my next level!!

The positives of life right now!

So my last post was me complaining because of this rut I feel like I am in…so this week I have really been trying to be positive. I did not work out much this week and was pretty lazy about my food. I just felt like I needed a break, and so tomorrow it is on!! Anyway here are the things that I am thankful for this far in my Journey to be Me!

1.    My friends have been so supportive and encouraging and my true friends coming through for me!

2.    Fitting into clothes from the “normal” side of a store!

3.    Being happy (for the most part) when I look in the mirror

4.    Having so many clothes to choose from because I able to fit into more

5.    Feeling good about myself

6.    Having so much more energy

7.    Roller coaster rides not being a tight squeeze anymore

8.    Enjoying the gym (I never thought I would say that!)

9.    Being able to run more than a mile in less than 20 minutes.

10. Being able to buy my bras at Victoria’s Secret

I am sure that to some these things sound trivial and stupid but these have been huge things in my journey that have made me want to continue it! 

Food and a Plateau

Ok I am seriously convinced that in order for a woman to lose weight we must starve ourselves…ok not literally but we have to eat so little! And sometimes I just want to eat what sounds good. As you can tell I am having a cruddy day and have obviously not gone down from my 182. Now if I am being honest I thought I was doing well…food was logged and calories were right at 1600, working out and running. Besides this past weekend where for two days I did not care what I ate I have being doing great. So apparently I am hitting a plateau and I know that this happens I am just not happy about it! So now is decision time..how do I get over this hump I am in? Well I can work out more (but need more hours in the day) eat less (that is just no fun lets be honest) or try something new. So I think I am going to try something new…this new challenge is really going to push me. I think I am going to try doing a protein shake for my lunch and breakfast and a small healthy snack…then eat a “normal” healthy dinner. Hmmm you see here comes my concerns…I like to eat and chew my food…so can I commit to drinking two meals a day? Hmmm not so sure but a girl can try right! I tried one of these shakes this morning well I am still drinking it as I type and I must say it is not bad and all…actually pretty darn good. But it is only 9:45am. So we will see. I figure I can commit to anything for 30days right?!?!? That is the goal so we shall see! I have to get the supply of shakes so my hope is to start on Wednesday or Thursday!

Plan your Race and Race your Plan

That’s my motto (well that a friend told me) and I am trying to stick to it. It seems like it would be a very logical concept but it is so easy to want to be lazy. So far I have done really well racing my plan. I am running about 20miles a week. Today I ran my long run today, 8miles and it felt great! I was glad to know that I could handle my long runs- they scare me! This week I ran in the Terrapin 5k in Chicago and I raced my best time yet 32:01 woohooo that makes my pace 10:19….that’s right…finally my speed is getting better. I need to continue to work on my speed workouts, I hate them….but they make me a better runner!

The Chicago Half Marathon is officially 5 weeks away from today…wow I don’t feel anywhere near ready, but I have a plan so I need to race it. I knew that the training schedule was going to be a tough one for this race but holy cow…you combine my running with my workout routine it is tiring! I am ready for an entire day off…maybe to just stay in my pj’s and do nothing.

Today I ran with the Kankakee Running Club....what very fun time...they were so encouraging and it was a lot of fun to run as a group. I was by no means in the front of the pack but doing something with a big group makes me feel like I can do anything! I jogged 8miles...so that keeps me up to date with my training plan. I am a little sore but not bad!