Hitting the Double Digits!

This weekend was the weekend I was going to reach my goal. 10 MILES.
I was hoping to get out there on saturday. My sister in law lives about 15 minutes away, and is in a better area of more sidewalks and safer run areas. So I figured I would just drive over there and run out there. But then the Hubby and I planned on going over there to visit with them and our neice. So I decided to wait until Sunday...yes I know, Super Bowl Sunday!

Anyways so we went, we visited, ate dinner and it was all good.
It was pretty cold on Saturday too, well it felt a bit warmer than the temperature said it was. Which made me wish I had gone on my run on Saturday rather than Sunday.

So I got up on Sunday, had my coffee and some breakfast, let it process in my system...then I was off to my sister-in-laws to park, stretch and hit pavement!

I also thought I would give an energy "supplement" a try. So last friday I picked up some Honey Stinger waffles and also thought I would try the chews as well.

I would have to say both are good in taste. I tried the strawberry and chocolate waffle, and the pomegranate passion chews. I saved the chocolate waffle for after my run. What I liked about the waffles was it started a little chewy then almost melted a little in my mouth and was yummy! The chews were a little gooey as chews tend to be, but still good. But I found that I would feel more of a boost after having the waffles. But when I would have the chews, my tummy would kind of feel funny, like I ate and ran to close together. It would go away, but I would feel a bit sluggish, and eventually be fine.



So with my run on its way...all to quickly did I begin to feel tired and not ready for this. But this was under 3 miles, which is how I normally feel under 3 miles and I know there are many more to go. Once I got past mile 3-4 I was pretty good.
What was hard was some of the hills...but I needed some hill work, even though I walked most of them, but that is part of it. It was also the weather. The temperature was suppose to be a bit warmer than Saturday, but then on Sunday it definitely felt and seemed colder! There were flurries throughout the run..and all I could see for most of it was my breath! The weather also seemed to fluctuate. There were times when it wasn't bad at all, then it would get really cold and I could see my breath!

But I made sure that I was layered! the only part of my that wasn't layered were my legs. I wore long compression pants that I find the be on the thin side for running on 25-30 degree weather. I probably should have worn some kind of tights maybe underneath.

So I pushed through and made it to 10 miles! I kept my pace at an overall average pace between 12-13 minutes. There were times throughout the run that my pace was almost at 14, but I figured as long as in the end I had a pace under 13 minutes I would be happy!

I really try not to focus to hard on my pace. What is important is that I do it and finish. And I did. But I am also trying to maintain a good pace for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon coming up in  few weeks!
 The Countdown stands at 17 days and 1 hour!!! 

In also thinking about running in the race, I was originally going to run with my phone for my music and GPS. But in doing so I will have no battery left for the use for the rest of the day. So I decided to just forgo the phone during the race and use my ipod. So I figured I would update my ipod and add music and create a playlist. So I hooked up my Ipod to my computer and all of a sudden there was no music on it! I don't know if it is because I had my computer fixed and pretty much wiped, so then it had no memory for my Ipod. But I was all flustered and annoyed because I had purchased a bunch of music, plus since i cleared my computer I didn't have any music on it either. So now over the next few days I have to add music from all my cds...well not all, and then add them to my Ipod. I also finally updated my Itunes on my computer and have the cloud on it so I was able to get access to all the music I purchased in the past. So my living room is a bit of a mess...or more of a mess than normal. (sorry that was more of a rant)

 

Anyways, so now with only 17 days to go, I need to plan accordingly! There is a 10k coming up on the 9th that I am contemplating and probably should do. If I can get another time improvement that could help me with my corral placement at the half marathon. I have a good time from my last one, but it could be nice if I improved by a couple minutes or so. I just get nervous of being last, not that I dont like coming in last, but being left behind because I am so much farther back than the 2nd to last person. So for now I emailed the contact for the race and explained my concern. So we shall see what kind of answer I get!

 

I will report back as soon as I can!

 

-Stephanie

 

p.s. weight update!

Biggest Loser update!
10/22/2012 - 171 lbs
10/31/2012 - 167 lbs
11/5/2012 - 168.5 lbs
11/13/2012 - 165 lbs
11/19/2012 - 165lbs
11/26/2012 - ??
12/03/2012 - 163lbs
12/10/2012 - 164 lbs....ok ok...I know, up 1!
12/17/2012 - 160.5 lbs
01/01/2013 - 158.5lbs  First weigh in of the new year and broke 160lbs!!

Although the competetion at work has ended I am going to continue to weigh in, and we have the same scale at work which helps to keep it consistent.  I did have another fitness consultation with the new fitness director, and although I have lost 10+ pounds my body fat % has not changed in comparison to muscle weight or whatever it is. I think I got a little lost in the chat, but I am still happy with my weight loss and my healthier eating habits.
Thats all I have to saw about that.

Treadmill Problems...

Time to get back on the horse....time to run. It has been a few days...actually 4 since I last went to the gym or did any form of exercise!

I went to the gym, got on the treadmill and set it for 60 minutes.
Problem #1...gotta go #2 and there is no more waiting. I was down to 23minutes, and...I hit pause and that only gives me 30 seconds...no good. So I was forced to hit stop and have to write down my currect distance and time duration.
          - 30 seconds...really!? thats it!? A couple minutes would be fine!

Problem #2....Emergency Stop switch! I hit it...no emergency, just hit it while moving my hand. I get why it is there and why it is where it is, but bah! I ended up losing my spot again, since I wasnt totally paying attention to how "far" I had gone, or down to the second of time, I had to kind of just start up again and round off.

I added it up and came up with 4.94 miles, which comes out to 12:08 pace..which I know is wrong! So I changed it to 4.84, which gave me a pace of 12:24, which is closer to reality!

I am not happy about it, but I will take it! I need to be more careful on that treadmill!

Biggest Loser update!
10/22/2012 - 171 lbs
10/31/2012 - 167 lbs
11/5/2012 - 168.5 lbs
11/13/2012 - 165 lbs
11/19/2012 - 165lbs
11/26/2012 - ??
12/03/2012 - 163lbs
12/10/2012 - 164lbs....ok ok...I know, up 1!

My weekend was not as productive as I would like it to have been. It was a big birthday weekend, for two of my cousins...who are brother and sister, and my mother-in-law. So Saturday it rained, and yes I know I could have gone to the gym, but I would prefer that if I am running 7miles, that it be outside with some sort of scenery. So Rich and I looked at a house on Saturday and that was about it, kind of a lazy day. Then Sunday was Birthday Brunch for my MIL then dinner at my parents for my Cousins Bday Dinner! It was very busy and I didnt get a run in. And of course I ate deliscious food!

If I ran, I am betting that I either would have stayed the same or at least lost an additional pound. So I am putting the pedal to the medal. I bought more stuff to make yummy salads, some more fruit and hope to get the last few pounds or more gone by Monday! But I also have a feminine battle coming my way, so I have something else going against me.

"I have often dreamed of a far-off place where a great, warm welcome will be waiting for me." 
-Stephanie

Winners finish last!

That is right, I said it. Winners finish last....you're just for starting and for making it to the end. For pushing through and defeating yourself!

Sunday was the Gobble Gobble Road Race. There was a 5k and 10k option...I of course went for the 10k.

Here is my Race Swag of course!

The race began at 10am. I had a goal to beat my previous 10k....and I did. But first a little summary of the race.
Both 5k and 10k runners began at the same time. I tried my best to begin slow, it is hard to start out walking in the middle of a huge group but as always I start to fall behind in the group, but I was ok with that. 
What I was not ok with, was the feeling I had before I even hit mile 2. I was ready to quit. I was pretty tired, at least my legs were. I was almost ready to settle on stopping at the 5k. But I pushed on.

By the time we were approaching the Mile 3 marker, I wasnt alone, and I wasnt alone. Which was nice, but then I made it ahead of this runner...but she was only doing the 5k...so I had 3 more miles to go.
So as I am passing volunteers...who were absolutley AWESOME btw, they kept telling me how great I was doing, and I only had a little more to go. Little did they know (until I told them) that I still had a long way to go! haha!
Once I hit the 5k/10k group split, I was on my own. Volunteers were all set up around the rest of the road...which was great...and unlike the last 10k I was in, none of them were packing up to go as I was approaching them.

Now here is the kicker! The fun part! They had someone driving around in a van from the agency that put the race on, around the coarse road...obviously to make sure no one was hurt, and obviously making sure everyone had finished. Well since I was last, the van came along and was creeping behind me for the last 2.5 miles. I felt like the freakin PRESIDENT!!

So I finished! Made a PR!! Finished in 1hour and 18-19minutes. They still havent posted offical times. I forgot to hit stop on my phone app right away, so my time was a little off, and so was my distance (6.2miles). But I felt so awesome!! I beat my previous 10k time by roughly 6 minutes!!

 

Holy Cow!!

Princess 1/2 Marathon update!
The 1/2 marathon is now filled up to 99%!!!! On the 19th the www.runlikeaprincess.com revealed a discount for those who had not registered yet. So that is where the big boost in registrations came from. It was at only 95%  on the 19th by 9am and 97% yesterday morning!

 

Cant wait to run with all you wonderful Princesses!!

Biggest Loser update
10/22/2012 - 171 lbs
10/31/2012 - 167 lbs
11/5/2012 - 168.5 lbs
11/13/2012 - 165 lbs
11/19/2012 - 165lbs
 No loss this week...bummer. Hopefully I will still lose by next week, even with Thanksgiving just tomorrow.

But tomorrow has some excitment! My sister is coming in tonight from MD and will be running and 5k tomorrow!! So I will have updates and fun pictures for ya'll!!

"When you wish upon a star"
-Stephanie

Less than 100 days!

There is now less than 100 days until the Princess Half Marathon Weekend!
Whos pumped!!??? I know I am!!!

I have a 10k on Sunday, its a Gobble Gobble Road race and then a 5k on thursday. I am really excited for the 5k because my sister Courtney will be joining me on that one! Yay!!
Hopefully I will have some photographic updates on that one...

I was going to go to the gym today. I got there..but didnt work out. I was in the bathroom, changing, and as I pulled out what I thought were my workout shorts...was actually a tank top! And there was no way I was exercising in my jeans, and I wasnt about to go home then come back...its not exactly close...more out of the way. I think I need to change my gym!

Speaking of exercise, I have been losing weight still. Here is my update from my Biggest Loser competition at work:
10/22/2012 - 171 lbs
10/31/2012 - 167 lbs
11/5/2012 - 168.5 lbs
11/13/2012 - 165 lbs

So I am back down this week. I am hoping to be down again when we weigh in on Monday. I think it would be to ambitious to think I could be down to 161, down 10lbs...but ill take at least 2 or 3!

I am really trying to be disciplined when it comes to eating right. I had work three nights in a row which made it hard to get to the gym. So I am hoping to take advantage of the coming week.
Like I said, I have a 10k on sunday...I would like to go to the gym tomorrow just to get some form of exercise in.
I would like to go to the gym on Monday and then wednesday morning or after work. I only have work at school on Monday and Tuesday this coming week, and work at Yankee Candle on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. So there is plenty of room for some exercise...as well as Thanksgiving treats!!

Tomorrow is pretty exciting. Rich and I are going to look at a house! Its only about 10min from where we live right now, but its a house! Who knows what it is going to be like in person...pictures are one thing, but I will report back.

"Take it from an old spectator. Life’s not a spectator sport. If watchin’ is all you’re gonna do, then you’re gonna watch your life go by without ya."
-Stephanie 

Brrr...it's cold out there...

...There's still some runners in the atmosphere!

Yea thats right...good ole New England, time to be cold!

Sunday was Daylight Savings Time, our "fall back" which was nice...but I didnt sleep any longer than usual. I was awake by 7:30, or at least my eyes were open. I ended up falling back asleep at 10 and slept until 11:30, in time to get ready for work.

Anywho..Monday came this morning, and went to work...as usual. It was a pretty good day.

Today was week 3 of our Biggest Loser competition at work. This was our 3 weigh in, including the initiail weigh in. Well there is really good news and some tiny bad news. When I weighed in last Wednesday (we lost 2 days due to Sandy) I had lost 4 pounds according to the scale!!! But even better, I was told that the scale was off by a 1lb, meaning I really lost 5!!!
Then today, I got to work with a fear that I gained it all back. I ate some Buger King this weekend, went out for dinner on Friday...and didnt exercise on the weekend. But I only gained 1.5 pounds back!!

So..
10/22/2012 - 171 lbs
10/31/2012 - 167 lbs
11/5/2012 - 168.5 lbs

I will keep it up to date as I can each week. I will not hide, I am not ashamed of my weight, because I know that I still look good even though I have a high weight!

So anyways, I came home and was determined to go for a run, and I did, just not as long as I was planning on. First of all...again, thanks to Daylight Savings, it gets darker earlier, so I didnt get out until almost 4, so I was only able to get a little over 3.5 miles, not bad.
I bundled up of course, with some gloves and some kind of ear/head band thing that kind of snaps around the back of your head. I also had long compression pants on and a Reebok insulated compression top. I feel like I might need some warmer pants though, as much as I was running, there were still times when they were pretty cold.
This may be TMI, but I would think that running in cold weather, certain areas of the body would not have become so warm and well, sweaty as it can be when someone exercises.

How do you bundle up in the cold for a run?
Any tips for running in the cold/winter?

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
-Stephanie

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/walt_disney.html#ewKRaQc6E1mPmgO4.99

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