Tragedy

I just wanted to share my deepest sympathies for all those who are affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT on Friday December 14th.

The first words that came to mind as I watched the news were Horrified. Disgusted. Devestated. Heartbroken.

 Watching the news after hearing about the horrible schooting at the elementary school in CT. 20 little ones, and 6 teachers are now missing from someones life and family and home.
Prayers are strong tonight in my home and I am sure across America for all those families, and for the ones who can hug and kiss there child tonight, I pray for you and your family as well.

I pray for the first responders, all that were on scene and had to go into those classrooms and identify the little bodies, the beautiful children that are no longer with their families and loved ones.

My eyes are never dry when I begin to watch any coverage about this. President Obama had me blubbering!

"Our Hearts are Broken" -President Barack Obama

-Stephanie

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

Venting Session!

So I dont know what is up with me, but ever since Monday I feel like I have been in a bad mood!

I went for my 7 mile run on Sunday, and that was all good.
Monday, I was suppose to go to a meeting at church, and bailed instead...yes, i let someone know!

Anyways, I just feel like I have been carrying this attitude around, which I hate, but I cant help it.

So Tuesday I had work both jobs, and I felt really blah...not sick, just meh. I went to the gym on wednesday....boobs hurt!!! I dont know if this is TMI but when I got in the shower on Monday ( i think) and I notice something on the underside of both my breasts...almost like I got a cut, but I think it was from the friction of my sports bra on Sunday. So anyways, as I began my run on Wednesday..and as the girls began to bounce...they began to yell at me to stop, and I did...

So I decided I still need some cardio, so I hopped on the eliptical, and of course the one I jump on has some sort of squeak to it. (ANNOYING).

So when I went to the gym today, I decided...oh well, I need to run. So I only did 20minutes. The other issue, is now my left calf hurts. Why is it always my left leg!? So that was bothering me allll day, and it made me nervous about ice skating today (all the students went for adaptive skating, went very well and was fun!!!)...and I was nervous about running. I was ok, but anything outside of that, my calf is uncomfortable.

Anyways, so I feel like my mood kind of goes up and down...just to not to far up. I am not getting my period for another 2 weeks, from what I remember...if I am getting it next week, well then that would explain it a little more. But I dont normally feel this rediculous a whole week away, its normally the weekend of two days before!

Anywho...I guess in the end, I need a better and more supportive sports bra, some chocolate, and a few laughs. But I am trying really hard to eat well, I want to lose two more pounds or more by Monday in order to reach my 10lbs lost goal...and hopefully I can lose a lot more quickly!!! If I can lose 4 pounds in the first week, I can do it again!

-Stephanie

Quick update!

Here is just a quick update, or at least I think it is going to be quick.

#1. The house I really liked and we looked at twice, is now off the market! Bummer! :( But i guess I shiouldnt be to upset about something that I never really had. Case closed.

#2. Looked at another house on saturday. Nice space, it looked good. But I am not wild about the area. It isnt a bad neighborhood, some streets over it is, and can be, but even the street is a little close together, it had a great backyard and all the houses have their own fences set up around the yards and what not. So we will see, and we are going to set up to see two more houses, probably over the weekend.

#3. I added to my mileage!!!! On Sunday I was determined to get out there and stay on track.
There are only 80...thats right 80 DAYS until the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend! Thats it!! Holy Cow!!
According the Galloway Training Calendar for the Princess 1/2, I am right on schedule. I totally could have been ahead of schedule if I didnt slack off and keep running only 5 miles on my long run days. But I did it. And now I am just nervous about doing 8 miles in two weeks. For my long run next week I am suppose to do 3miles with a Magic Mile, but I feel like I should just jump the gun and do 7 again just to keep myself up above water! I do 3miles at least twice a week, so I feel like I am pulling myself down by doing a long 3mile. I am not a huge fan of the magic mile, even though I know it will help me improve, but I just cant stand the track. Its 10x worse than a treadmill to me!
Anyways, my biggest issue is that My left thigh is bothering me on my outside runs...in the groin area. It hit my before mile 2...which stunk! But I kept on truckin! I pushed through, it was a little on the slow side, but I did it! I only lost about 1 minute (estimate) on my pace time, but I am expecting that since I am still not used to the longer distance.
But I still finished in 1hour and 34 minutes! I am pretty happy with that! I figure with they way I am going, I should be able to do 10 hours in roughly 2 hours as long as my pace gets worked down over time as I continue to up my mileage!

#4. Dropped two pounds! It has been a couple weeks since I have lost any weight!!
Biggest Loser update10/22/2012 - 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

So that is my update for now!!

"TTFN. Ta Ta For Now!"
-Stephanie

Turkey Day!! (Race recap)

So if you have been reading along, you know that on Thanksgiving my sister and I ran a Road Race in the morning before turkey time!

I have to say it was the best race I have done to date. I think it helped having someone to run with that I knew, as well as not being one of the last to finish!!

Here are pictures from our day...starting the the starting line. This was a gathering of roughly 1300 people!!

I have yet to do a race that big! I still am having trouble trying to imagine the 16,000 some odd women (and some men) in the Princess 1/2 in February...(which is now 100% FULL!!!)




My sister and I (below) before the race as we make our way to the back area of the start group. They set up areas
for people to line up in in terms of how long know/think
it will take them to finish the race. I didnt even notice it
until we started running!



Dont know if you can tell...but we are waving!



The Road Race Map!

And here we are after out dramatic finish ( we leaped for joy over the finish line!)

And here are our official times!!

Place

Name

City

Bib No

Chip Time

Gun Time

Time Back

Total Pace

988	Courtney Stevens	MD	886			39:19.0	40:07.4	20:09.0	12:56/M
989	Stephanie Nartowt	MA	710			39:19.3	40:07.6	20:09.3	12:56/M

 I am not really sure what the "Gun Time" and "Time Back" means...but hey, it was awesome! I was wildly impressed by my sister who is not a runner...and was able to keep up with me! I told her to let me know anytime during the race if we need to slow down, walk or whatever because I know she wasnt used to it. But she kicked butt!! Having her there with me made it so much fun and made it go by so fast!!

After the finish, we enjoyed a mini cupcake or two and made our way home for a shower and to get ready for Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful day and great time with family and loved ones!

Did you run on Thanksgiving? Was it in a race or alone?

-Stephanie