Two new PR's and 4 great races

I have been running so much lately. My miles have increased by about 8 miles a week and during a race I can really tell.  I have been running weekly Indian Drills with the running club and that has helped increase my time so much!!!

About a week ago I ran three races in one weekend..it was a tad crazy but very fun and worth it!!
I started with the warrior dash-

Beth is my running partner and we put in about 16 miles a week together!!! Thanks for putting up with me friend :-) 

Then ran Glow run

6 miles and two races later and very little sleep and I was ready to run the Kilbride Classic. My summer goal has been to run a 5k in under 25mins...well I have accomplished that goal. I set a new PR of 24:45!!! It was an amazing feeling to see that all of my hard work is paying off!! 

 

Me with my 3rd place award 

This past weekend I ran the Pride Run in Chicago. This was an awesome run that was a ton of fun. I agreed to wear a tutu to this run....I am not sure what I was thinking but the tutu helped me was able to PR- my new 10k time is 56:13- that is a 4 minute improvement from last month :-) I need to give a shout out to my new friends for letting me run with them- Thanks Joseph and Carmelo!!

Crazy Ride

This ride that I have been on now for what seems like forever is a journey that will be my life. I have accepted this...food is something that I will always struggle with. However, as long as I choose to make healthy life long decisions about what and how I eat I will be fine. This is a daily journey, from the moment my feet hit the floor - usually running, to the time I go to bed I worry about my food intake and my exercise.

I have decided that I never want I look like those pictures again...,,

I want to be on the outside how I feel on the inside. I wish I could say that this journey has been an easy one, it had been the last thing from easy. My journey so far has been one full of ups, downs, success, failure, tears, and joys! My journey is far from over and I still am not where I want to be. What I do know is that I am a heck of a lot closer that I was over a year ago!! I have a lot to be thankful for and the proof is in the picture!!!

Two more races

The Zoo Run- I was able to take 8 mins off of my time this year for the Zoo Run. This was one of the hardest races I have run to date. I was not in it....my side was hurting at mile 3. Running is so mental at times that when my head is not in it everything was off! This was the first time I've ever wanted to stop in the middle of a race!!


The Color Run- This was one of the coolest runs I've done! It was a blast to run with some running club members I had never run with! This was a run of pure fun and something I really needed!!

People along this Journey to Be Me

This is a topic that came to me the other day as I was writing another post. I have met some amazing people along this journey people that I never knew I would connect with. I have also had some of the greatest friends stay beside me through the tough stuff and help me keep going. This posted is dedicated to them.....I am trying my best to remember everyone....if I have missed you I am sorry!!! So here are a few shout outs to people that have made this journey easier for me and that have supported me through the good, the bad, the ugly, the tears of joy and pain, the miles, the good choices, the bad choices, and all of my complaints. You guys have done more for me than I will ever be able to write in this post!

Family- Thank you for loving me not matter what I weighed!! Thank you for cheering me on!

Sharon- Thank you for sharing your story with me, showing me how to count calories (you were so right!!)-and then do it all again when I was really ready to make a change. You were the person who told me "If I wasn't ready for this then I wouldn't do it!" You were so right!! You watched me attempt the Biggest Loser contest at work for a year and so nothing but gain weight. Then a year later when I was ready you were a huge support!! You were so willing to help and show me how to start this journey!! Thank you for complimenting me and making me feel great when sometimes I don't it!! Thanks for letting me vent and complain; you always see the class as half full for me!  

Crystal- I am not sure how to start this one. You have been my friend the longest. You have seen me at my heaviest and watched me fight this battle for a really long time. Thank you for your honesty and always telling me the truth. Thanks for the reminders and being willing to eat healthy food when thats all I would have in the house :-) Thank you for always saying I CAN when I thought I couldn't.

Nichole- Well lady where in the world should I start.....you somehow got me into this crazy sport called running! You have helped me find a love and passion for a sport that I never thought I would enjoy. You should me a whole world that I never knew existed. Thank you for sharing your journey with me and allowing me to be on this journey with you!!! Thanks for always driving, putting up with my craziness, and making me family!!

Leslie- Girl thank you for being you!! Thank you for being a huge support and going this crazy journey with me!! Thanks for the "jazz hands" and support!! Thanks for being part of the group.

Ron- Thank you for pushing me, putting up with my crap, listening to my complaints, telling I could when I wanted to stop, encouraging me, being a jerk when I needed you to be and most of all thank you for showing me I could do this!!

Beth- Thank you for letting me crash your morning runs! I know that we were not sure if it would work but now I depend on them!! I hate running alone!!! Thanks for the hours of chats and miles of laughs!! I look forward to so many more!!

Jessica- Thank you for pushing me to be better and faster. I love that you are a tad faster than me because I work that much harder!!!!

Co-workers- Thanks for all of your support, compliments and holding me accountable.

Running Club- Thank you for making me part of the group, making me feel welcome, and encouraging me to better myself! Thanks for all of the Indian Drills and fun times. I am looking forward to more miles and fun times.

Without all of you I would have ended this journey months ago. You have all in your own ways encouraged me, befriended me, made me feel worthy, and pushed me to be a better me. Without you I would not be down 69 pounds. I never want to forget that so many people have helped me in this journey. This is not a journey I could ever do alone!!

THANK YOU,
     FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
      <3 Stephanie <3