Getting blown away!

After breakfast....

YUM! If you like cream cheese, I highly suggest the Honey and Pecan Philly flavor!

Anyways, after breakfast, I let it all settle while watching some tv and some very light cleaning, aka, there is a piece of trash and a dust bunny on the floor...now they are in the trash, I got up and got ready for a run! Once I got out there I thought I was going to blow away. The wind was crazy! At one point it blew my ear buds OUT of my ears! It settled at one point, but of course once began a small incline, the wind was blowing against me.

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I have to say that my running "mojo" as some like to call it is slowly coming back. I think for a time, a few months that is I dreaded going outside to run and so I didn't. I do live in New England where the winter was more the ridiculously cold...and snowy. But even as it warmed up, I said "this would be a beautiful day to go for a run....or take a nap!"

Short story: the nap won.

This week being April vacation for us educators...I took it as an opportunity to get things done around the house, sleep in, watch bad tv and get out for a run...well lets make the plural!
I am going to be honest and say that I do still struggle with getting my butt off the couch to go out, but its just like work (if you actually like you job) where you may not want to go, but once you get there, you are fine and ready to work! Well, same goes with running. I may not want to go, or be happy about it, but once I get the sneakers on, Pandora on, GPS on, I am out the door and feeling good!

I have been trying to make it worth my while as well. Not just to enjoy myself, build up those endorphins...but treat myself in the end! I mentioned this the other day, and I did it again today. I plan my run so that I will end at Dunkin Donuts and cool down with a -1 mile walk back to my house.
It makes the run much better knowing that, just like when you run a race and there is a medal at the end, there is an ice coffee waiting for me....or well someone to make it for me!

I mentioned Pandora, and what I love is that you can type in almost anything you want and it will make a station for it! To shake things up a bit, I decided to make a Reggae station...well it came up with Reggaeton (spelling??). It was good for the most part, not something I normally listen to, but it was upbeat and I enjoyed it.

The feeling of finishing and completing a run, of any distance should be a good feeling.

What gets you motivated to get out the door?
Have you ever "lost" your running mojo?
How did you bounce back?

-Stephanie

A runner's thoughts

So I got so excited to tell you all about Skyrobics yesterday that I only mentioned my run.

In a recent post, I shared a link with a list of all these thoughts that many runners have while out on there run. I am sure we have all had our fair share of the ones on the list, and of course, one that always sticks with me is fellow runners...and of course food.

So on the route that I ran yesterday takes me along a main road in my town. And of course there is a Subway and two doors down a Domino's Pizza. Oh man did that all smell so amazing and delicious! I don't know what is worse, that or when I would run by a hot dog stand in my old town.

Then the other runners. I saw some bikers, well a family. it was one person who seemed semi-serious of a biker, but she seemed to slow down a little, which I found weird. But then two younger people followed, whom I can only assume were her offspring.

Anyways, as I was approaching my street, there was another runner sighting! Ok, so here comes that thought. Do I? or Don't I? Will she? or Wont she? Well as we got closer she maintained her focused running face, but then a thumbs up...make that two! I got so excited (on the inside) that I flashed back the thumbs up and added a smile to it!

I found it to be a great way to come to an end of my run (well almost the end). I find it provides us all with a sense of encouragement and confidence, as in, "you are doing a great job" or "you look great", "keep it up" and so on! I still remember when I went out for my first double digit run, it was Super Bowl Sunday of last year and I past a couple runners that day. One of which I remember didn't acknowledge that I existed, but I remember one who smiled and gave me verbal encouragement as well, and I returned the favor!

picture credit to pickingmybattles.com

No matter the distance, and of course with other runners we will never now (unless its race day) the distance they may be going, but we are a community. And a community should support one another, like a family. I do understand that a respect is due to many out there who are out there no matter the weather, and then there are some (cough::me::cough) who hide their sneakers under the covers when it snows and rains....but no matter the level of commitment, its the fact that a runner has made the commitment that day to get out and run.

So when you are out running, don't be afraid to show a smile, a wave or even a thumbs up at another runner. As embarrassing it may feel to give it and not receive it, maybe it will pay itself forward. I will hope that that runner will take the recognition that they received and pay it out on their next run, or maybe the next runner on their route they see.

-Stephanie

Arm Band!!

I finally have a new arm band!! Thank you Amazon.com!

I am very excited to get to using it! But of course, the first beautiful days with amazing weather and I am working all day at my full time job and part time! It better this beautiful and amazing on Friday and Saturday and Sunday and so on!
With the weather being cold, wet, snowy and icy it has been tough to motivate myself back into running. I have been trying real hard by reading other runners blogs to get myself excited, but it was only temporary while reading it at night. But once the weather got nice this week I felt amazing and ready to go but unable :(

I am pretty excited since I can not only see the screen on my phone, but I can use the touch screen! It even has a slot for my key! no need to worry about jingling keys! I am very excited to use it!

Stay tuned!
-Stephanie

A Runners Community!

While I was out for my run today I began to think. I typically use my runs to just listen to music, get out some stress and from time to time I do think about things going on.

I was thinking about the community of runners, or in general the active community. Before I became a runner, I would have never thought about running a 5k, let alone a 1/2 Marathon. Running was not something I enjoyed, but rather something I really disliked. I don't want to say that I didn't associate with others who were active, but I guess I always chose to ignore or at least pay little attention to there active-ness, except for times where Cheers and Congrats were deserved for a job well done!

Two to three years ago I did attempt some running outside and on the treadmill. I had joined a gym to try to lose weight for myself and for my wedding. I wasn't a big runner, but I thought the cardio would be a good idea to try. Plus I also was participating in a Climb for Air for the American Lung Association. Pretty much you climb up a crazy amount of flights of stairs and raise money for the ALA. Anyways, I never ran more than a mile at a time probably, and it wasn't to bad. But it never really led to anything.

I am part of that generation that tends to look for instant gratification. And we all know that is not something that can be achieved when trying to lose weight. And I know that. But anyways, I fell out of running and didn't attend the gym as much as I should. I always made excuses and barely attended the last 3-6 months of my membership. I got married in 2011, my dress fit and that is what mattered!

Then in 2012...I discovered Run Disney. I have mentioned this a few times or more in other posts, but anything that has to do with Disney is a huuuge motivator! I thought....running, in Disney, dressed like a Princess???? I could totally do this.
And that is where it all started, I bought running sneakers, I bought a hydration belt, I began to build my mileage, running 2-3x a week and then a long run!

And what I discovered was there was this whole big community of others who were just like me, a beginner looking to get going. Also in this community were veterans, others who have been where I was and could provide tips, suggestions, support and motivation! I thought "what a great place that I am in, that I have others who don't even know who I am, and they want to help me!" It doesn't matter who we are, where we are from, our profession, or even level of athleticism, but what we have in common is that we are RUNNERS!  We want to experience the runners high, sweat, eat carbs, buy fun running clothes, and of course run the race!

When you are inactive, you never realize what is out there. Many have their friends, their own support group of those who enjoy the same activities. We all experience that whether we are active or not. But the community of runners is a whole other world, and much different experience that is so powerful and great!

I could go on and on about this, and I am sure if you are a runner you share my feelings about how great it can be and how wonderful this community it is. So to end this, I want to say thank you to everyone who has been there to support me, motivate me, teach me and show me the way to becoming a runner. I still have my ups and downs, as I know even a seasoned runner does, and I appreciate the fact that there is a group I can call to to help pick me back up, whether it is on facebook, blogging, or local friends.
THANK YOU!!!!

-Stephanie

Back to Training

With another 1/2 marathon in my sights, approximately 38 days...I knew I needed to kick myself into high gear and prepare myself!

I decided to put together a little training calendar in order to keep on track and as a way to force myself to go, to motivate no matter what!

As you can see I have today's date and mileage highlighted! Day one down! Now I know I will not be able to keep to every day written as is because of my part time job. I don't know until midweek what my following weeks schedule will be, so I will have to adjust from there.

Tomorrow is National Running Day! I do intend to run, but since I am trying to get myself back to the gym, I will probably only do a mile, more if I am feeling up for it!

-Stephanie

To Move Onward

So the hubby and I have been on a little bit of a house hunt. We took a break for about two months and then things started popping up on the market. Well Sunday something wonderful popped up and we knew we would have to jump on it.
Well we were going to try to do something yesterday but things weren't always confirmed right away so we had something set up for today. Well on my way home from work, I was notified that it was off the market. Someone made an offer and it was accepted by the seller. Boo Hoo.... I am disappointed, but I never even got to look at it. So we are trying our best to stay positive.

So when I got home I knew I needed to go running since it had been about a week, but I was feeling frustrated, so that motivated me a little bit more! So I would say being positive isn't always the top motivator, but sometimes feeling negative and frustrated can be a motivator as well. Running is great way to go out and be yourself, be with your thoughts and thoughtless! It also is a great way to get out your pent up energy or just a way to boost your ongoing positive energy!

 

(Update) After I hit "publish" I was on facebook and someone had shared/posted this:

 

Legs of Jello

 

I have felt determined but unsuccessful for the past few days in my attempt to go out and run. I went out on Monday and was hoping to go for at least 3 miles, but only made it about 2 1/2 miles. It was hot and I am not used to that yet. Plus it doesn't help that it has rained the past two days.

 

So today I came home and said "Stephanie, you need to do this...get dressed and go!" And I did.

 

I was determined no matter what to do at least 4 miles. And guess what...I DID 5! Let that be a little haha to myself!

 

The only trouble was before I even hit mile 2 my legs began to feel like jello, right in the calf area. Then it crept up to my knees for a bit. So from my 2-4 the jello wiggled around my legs for a bit, but despite the heat, which it was somewhere between 70-80 degrees I believe, I didn't feel to hot. But I am sure that the heat was a contributing factor to my legs, breathing and overall feeling.

I didn't feel to terrible, I just did the best I could, pushed a little and did what I had to do!

 



 

Unfortunately my phone doesn't do selfies very well, or at least when uploaded and made bigger it comes out all pixelated! But this was me after my run, red in the face, sweaty and happy. Again it is hard to tell in this picture, but its there!  

Needless to say, I am on my way to getting in gear for my 2nd half marathon! Plus with some tips left on one of my last posts by a close friend, I have no doubt it will be a great one! (I have included them below!)

1. Train!! Get your plan together start a running log , grab friend and get it!!!!
2. As you train USE SUNBLOCK- & the sweat proof kind. Get you a visor and some light weight sunglasses...
3. Eat healthy especially a couple weeks prior to the race. Lots of veggies and lots of fruit to help you with hydration..
4. Yes, study the race course and know where the water stops are. If you have to wear a hydration belt during your training runs and the actual race since it is July..
5. HYDRATE a couple weeks prior to the race , especially the week of and AFTER. It will help you not feel lethargic during and after the race and will help prevent muscle cramping..
6. Speaking of muscle cramping. Experiment with SALT. Packets of salt from fast food places. Carry them with you for your long runs and you races when its warm. I dont know much about this subject so you will need to read up on it but please do so.
7. Experiment with your race clothes. Lighter the better and dry wick. Wear light colors also
8. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!! Dont set a time goal for your July race. Especially if its warm. The goal is to FINISH!!!!

I intend on following each of these!

-Stephanie
"Together, even the smallest can achieve the greatest goal"

Biggest Loser Competition

      Last week, as a way to "unify" the staff where I work, we decided to put together a little competition...a weight loss competition. Although it is a "competition", it will be a way for us to work together and motivate eachother! I am very excited!
      I am not one who works well with having a weight loss goal, but I figure that since I am already on a track of running 2-3 days a week and trying to get to the gym, that this will work. By getting myself involved will also motivate me to actually get my runs in, run 3 times a week EVERY week and get to the gym more often!
      So yesterday was the first day it began. Everyone had there first weigh in, and will weigh in every Monday up to Christmas/Holiday break. So at my first weigh in...yes thats right, I am revealing my weight....was 171lbs. Now I wasnt exactly surprised. When I joined the gym back in I think June or July, I was 174ish...haha. Then when I weighed myself again on the same scale at the gym in September I was 168. So I had lost 6lbs, which is great! But I was eating a lot better, eating less potato chips and junk. But lately I have been trying to eat better, but eating a little more snack foods, and not running as much as I should.

     Today I went to the gym. I ran 30 minutes, total of 2.30 miles. Then worked out with some weights and floor exercises..mostly some kind of core exercise for about 20 minutes.
I am going back to the gym on Thursday night after I get out of work as well as Friday. Sunday I will do my long run, 5miles. This is in writing, so I can be held accountable!

Now on to some more exciting news!!! Run Disney just posted on Facebook a sneak preview of an unveiling for tomorrow!!

                         We are almost ready to unveil ... something. Will you join us tomorrow?

 

What will it be I wonder.....possibly the 5th Anniversary Princess 1/2 Marathon Medal!??? I dont know if I can contain my excitment!!! Some think it could be the Tinkerbell Medal, others are hoping for something for Wine and Dine (which has already been revealed I guess)...but from the colors it looks like Princess!!!

I will report back tomorrow!!! Eeeek!!

 

Fairy tales do come true. One mile at a time.

Princess Stephanie

10k COMPLETE!

Today I ran my first 10k!

Overall, it was great! I was a little nervous because 1. I had only run once this past week and 2. the furthest distance I have gone so far was only around 5..maybe 5.5miles. I know that last.5 shouldn't make to much of a difference, but it did, well only a little.

The picture to the left is of the Publick House, the start line was behind the restaurant. This is in Sturbridge, MA. This was a race for the Rehabilitation Rescources, Inc.

 

 
Here is my bib number!!!!
I ended up taking it off my shirt, and pinning it to the back of my jacket. I wanted to be able to run with the my jacket on at first, and I didnt want to cover up my bib, so I pinned it to the back, so if I took it off, you could still see it if I tied my jacket around my waist. In the end I could have kept it on my shirt, but oh well!

The Remax Hot Air Balloon next to the Start!

So the race officially started at 9:03am, with both 5k and 10k groups starting together. I started off at my own pace...walking. Whenever I start a run I try to start walking..fast, but not running, just to warm up.



I was walking...and everyone else was passing me,but that is something I had to be ok with, I have my own pace, and I was sticking to it! Plus half the crowd was doing the 5k...and when I passed the 5k turn around , I felt as if I was the only one doing the 10k. I saw a few people in front of me, but no one behind me.

Getting passed the 3mile mark is always the hardest for me. Its that hump I have to get over, and then I kind of soar through the rest..still at a steady pace, but I'm not struggling physically. There were some hills but nothing to cry about, I made it through.

 Both pictures are of the same thing..just one is closer up. I thought it was a great time to capture some beautiful Fall foliage!!

 

Around mile 3...I was on my own, aside from volunteers telling you where to go, so it was really nice. The trees are all beginning to turn if they haven't already, and it was beautiful. The only thing I had to be careful of was getting around turns on the road..where it was hard for cars to see you until they got around the turn. A Sturbridge cop came down the road every once and a while, probably to make sure there was no one hurt, or to see if there was anyone left....like me!

 

I was in the home stretch as I hit mile 5. But that's when trouble began again. My left thigh became really tired and kind of sore. I had to take it easy to not stress it out to much, but I didn't want to lose to much on my pace time at that point. I walked a little more, pushed through and made it to the 6mile mark. Of course there is a hill at the end, so I walked up that as quick as I could and as soon as I hit flat ground, I went for it!

 

So here is my grand ending. The race started at 9am, with a 5k and 10k group. But at 10:30, there was a fun run, which starts at the start/end of the 5k/10k. So as I finished (dead last) there was this huge crowd waiting to start there fun run. As I got close, I could hear a bunch of the kids waiting to start say "here comes a runner!", "another runner is here!" so of course I was bit embarrassed that I was last, but at the same time I thought it was a great way to end. I had this huge crowd to cheer me on, be there to congratulate me as I finished!

 

So I finished!

According to my RunStar app, I finished 6.3miles in 1hour, 25minutes and 54 seconds!

According to the time keeper of the race, I finished the 10k (6.213miles) in 1 hour, 26minutes and some odd seconds. The official times arent posted yet online.

The difference I think is made in the the mile markers and my app and how it counted the miles. As I was approaching each mile marker, my app would tell me I hit it before I even got to the marker that the race people had put out. But then when I hit the mile 6 marker, my app said I reached 6miles after the marker. So I dont know which was correct, my app or the markers. 



But the only thing is...I FINISHED! 

When I got to registration, like many races, you get a shirt. Well the 5k I did back in May I think, gave tshirts. But this race were wicking shirts...not cotton! I was so excited! I dont need anymore tshirts, but I can always use another running shirt!

So after the race, I walked around for a couple minutes to cool down. I should have walked a little longer, or stretched because when I got home and got out of the car, I was a bit sore, so I will be sure to ice up a little bit this evening.




On my way home I had to make a stop...after all, America runs on Dunkins...and as do I!

 Getting some Post Race sustenance!

 Cant wait to do another one!

Stephanie
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”




Mr. Motivator

I must say, I really do love my husband.

Sunday, we had gone out with my parents and two of my cousins for some indoor/blacklight mini golf..it was funny, some small 9 hole coarse...and some ice cream! I had purchased a groupon for 6 of us for $18, and that included a large ice cream each! What a deal, a large ice cream alone is $3.75. Anyways, so I figured earlier in the day that I would just go to the gym for my long run after mini golf. But of course I got home, and didnt really want to go.

I said "I dont want to go, I will just go tomorrow"...but my knight in shining armor said "no, you need to go to the gym, you will never make it to your half marathon by skipping the gym!"
He asked how long until the 1/2 (6 months) and said I better get movin, and asked what the furthest was I have gone (5 miles) and said "thats not even half way there, you better get movin"

So I put on my gym clothes, gave him a big kiss and went to the gym. I ran my 5 miles, which I would like to run at least 5 on the road before my 10k at the end of September...just to get some more road experience since it has been a while. As I look back on my running times from when I was running outside, my times have improved...But then when I was out this past week, it was back to the old times. I dont know if it was my pace was all screwed up because I didnt have the control of a treadmill, the heat, or if the treadmill is really off by that much distance, that I am running a shorter distance than it is saying I am going (such a bummer if true).

I am also looking into getting an interval timer. I saw that Jeff Galloway has one for purchase on his website, but as I researched it, it doesnt seem like it would be the best because I have read that it can be hard to feel the vibrations. It does have a beep or something, but I listen to music when I run, so I fear that I wouldnt hear it, and plus running outside there are noisy cars and what not.

Anyone else experience a time difference in their runs on the pavement vs. the treadmill?
Anyone use an interval timer? Suggestions?

-Stephanie
"There is a big blue sky waiting right behind the clouds"