The train run

I should write about this before my next run. I have been lame about my blogging! I miss the endless posts about my bootcamps detailing each drill & how hard everything is.
I have so much going on both with training, weigh loss and my real life outside the gym.
I'm halfway through weightless challenge 2 & part of me wants to say I suck!!! But the other part of me want to say I don't. I am no way taking this on like I did last time. I didn't cheat one time! I tracked every morsel of food worked out way more!! This time I don't know what is missing from the formula! I have lost 9.8 pounds that is not bad at all. But the bulk of it was week one. I need to get back on track! My goal for this challenge was 15 pounds. I can totally do that IF I stick to the plan!!! Ultimately I decided my goal weight range 135-145. I don't know what I will look like or feel like when I get in that range. I'm going to decide when I get there (yes I said when!!) what my best weight is. Plus I want to be a size 6 I'm a 10 (snug 8) now. I can honestly say in Dec 2008 when I was snuggly outgrowing my size 20s I never would have dreamed I would someday achieve what I have so far & be training to complete my first marathon.
GOD IS GOOD!
Yes I give God the glory, I could not have done any of this without Him. I know He helped guide me, has given me strength, heard my prayers, provided for me. He is GOOD!

I am still becoming a triathlete...just taking a momentary stop off in becoming a runner/marathoner land.
The next triathlon is Sept 11th (I need to register ASAP). I will start training and blogging about it after the marathon, now 40 days away.
This week was my 2nd run with the new running club. I found my pace group and the timing was perfect! This week was the biggest run yet 30k or 18.6 miles. In order to get the mileage we take the train from Solana Beach to Oceanside & run back!
ALL ABOARD!!


Ready to run!!!


My pace group VEGAS!


We got off the train & I found my coach & group. They take a big group pic which took a while to organize. Then each coach broke away with their group and gave some instructions. Then off we went! We headed north about a mile then turned around. I loved knowing we just had to keep running straight back to the car. I am not shy in any way shape or form so I chatted with the peeps in my group. Everyone was in good spirits, excited in the beginning. Christian the coach is a very happy lady. The group runs together & she keeps pace. If one person needs to walk everyone walks she said. & she let's us know when to take a GU & when the aid stations are. The first station was a water stop at mile 2. The second one was at 4 and then 6. Because this is a jig run the aid stations were manned by volunteers & at some they even wrote messages to the runners along the route. The turns were all chalked out with arrows & some random spots had messages :)
After mile 6 we had 4 miles to the next aid station. & the last one was at mile 14 (the top of this hill :-/)



the aid stations each had water & sport drink. GU gels & then various supplies. One had fruit (grapes, bananas, oranges) & pretzels. Another jelly beans :D
Getting GU


The run was beautiful. I am amazed how I have fallen for running. This was never something I imagined I would enjoy or long to do (keep in mind I hate the treadmill) I love moving along the road/path/trail. Breathing, sweating, listening to music, thinking, praying it is so cleansing & refreshing!
I especially love running by the ocean (my home away from home) only thing I want more is to be out on the water (see other blog re: fishing)






Remember this guy from my 9 mile run?! We met again mile 15 or so!


My passion for running goes from getting ready to about mile 10. Then things change a little. I have found I love a 10 mile run beyond that the way I feel begins to waver. This run was no different...
I actually got up to mile 12 & started to fatigue. My text said something like "pray momma is weary" this prompted a series of encouraging texts from Elizabeth (shout out gf) & even one from fellow marathon trainer Jenni (aka Elizabeth's sister). Thanks girls! It helps knowing prayers are goin out & my peeps are rooting for me & believe in me ;)
I took some GU & gummies at that point which gave me a little pep/energy. At this point our group broke up. I was told later this usually doesn't happen. BUT the coach had to hang back with the one guy who was struggling & the other 3 girls kept the pace up. One other girl (Stacy) & I slowed to about the same pace. We hit the last aid station @ mile 14 & those girls kept going I fell behind & Stacy (I'm 99% sure that is her name) walked. So I eneded up alone on my run. Stopping & starting in the higher mileage causes my knees to hurt. It's like if I keep moving & never stop there is no pain but once I do i am made fully aware my knees are mad at me. Mile 15-16 was my wall that everyone talks about. My knees hurt, I was all alone & it was getting HOT! I walked a bit then when I tried to run again the pain was terrible! I prayed to God asked Him to help me. I switched back on my worship music & a great song came on (I listen to pandora on my phone & switch stations based on what I feel like-usually worship but sometimes I need some rock or club music to help me get a rhythm going). Then thoughts of my brother flooded my mind. I started to tear up from the pain I felt a little & from his suffering a lot. I can't complain about some self inflicted knee pain when he battled through unimaginable pain for his life. I told him I was gonna finish for him, for him memory.
It was a HARD last few miles I barely crawled along the road!
Finally after over 4 hrs I finished! The coaches had told us all week to bring clothes/towel to go in water after run. It was pretty cold but felt good! I think it actually helped cause I feel I recovered better then my 15 mile run this time!
I'm pretty dang proud of this milestone with my marathon training & also dreading adding 8 more miles on this run....whew gonna be a rough one.
26.2 40 days away

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There is no crying in the gym

This week I have pushed myself & I'm happy with my hard work, I am feeling that I worked hard but part of me wishes I did more haha!
Today I was so sore in the gym! I almost cried during leg exercises!!! It's good Jason is there to encourage me...well actually he just tells me to do it, no kid gloves with that guy ;)
I'm doing a terrible job on my food journal/ calorie counting! I am pretty much eating the same stuff day after day BUT unlike the last challenge little bites of extras are finding their way to my mouth (example: a bite of my son's pizza today). I knew my calories exactly last time was weighing my food, tracking everything. And the weight fell off! This time it's not hmmmm maybe it's time to keep track!!
I have done good as far as resisting temptations!
Went to a fabulous BBQ place





I had a salad



At work I have said no to candy, cake balls & other treats
I did snack a few times on snack mix & turkey jerky (again no calorie count) :(
I'm losing but not the numbers of a winner so things gotta change!

Another thing that is changing is I'm quitting the running club at the Y. I guess at this point since I've already been on my own I could go it alone. BUT I don't wanna rely on myself to plan the runs, it helps me to have a time & place to be for this & to run outside. A friend contacted someone she knew that is a mentor for a running club & got me in it for the last few weeks of training at a prorated discount. This club is well established & I think will suit my needs. If it actually delivers all the promises...the striders was supposed to but really didn't. I have confidence that this will be better & help me get through the next 53 days of training & be ready for the marathon!!!


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Home stretch

I can not believe the marathon is so close!!! I must admit the way things were going with my runs I was getting nervous.
I headed out Saturday determine to complete my 15 miles run NO MATTER WHAT!!! I also have learned my lesson about pre-run behavior...I rested the day before! Even though I am in the team weight loss challenge I did some carb loading the night before


And the morning of....



I did feel good when I ran as far as a full belly BUT according to the scale I over-did it (gained) so I'm gonna work on finding correct portions for the carb load.

This weeks run started at crown point in mission bay. This was where my first run with the run club was. I think I ran 8 miles that first time. Now I was doing 15!!!


My frustration with my running club continues...I was actually considering going along with the other run club that was meeting in the same spot. My friend said she could bring a guest and there were people doing long distances.
Unfortunately she didnt show up :(
My coach came & at first I was the only one there. 3 other runners came all doing short runs. The coach did not have 15 miles mapped out exactly.
We discussed a route that she was also gonna take.
I headed around mission bay & when I got to the end of the path instead of going around the bay I decided I would much rather run by the beach so I headed over to the boardwalk. I headed north towards the pier and decided just to go there & back & see how far that was. Along the way I found the aid station for the other running club. I dunno if it is bad running etiquette but I filled up my water. I got go the pier and was just over 5 miles one third done!!! I ran back & hit up that aid station again. I drank a lot of water!!!
I went to the other end of the boardwalk and back. I loved running along the beach!!!





I needed more water again!!! I wanted to head back to that aid station! By the time I filled back up I was at 10 miles!!! Woohoo
I then left the beach/boardwalk- I think I covered plenty of distance there ;) I was gonna head the rest of the way around the bay but thought it could possibly put me over so I cut over the Ingram street bridge and when I got over it's two little hills was at about 13 miles. I was less then 1 mile from the start so I went down the stairs to get under the bridge (can you say severe knee pain going down stairs ouchies) an headed away from the start! That way I could turn around after 3/4 miles & hit my goal! Which I did!!!! 15 miles!!!



This run was just what I needed! After so much getting in the way of my long runs to have a solid 15 miles under my belt gives me more confidence & determination.

I have to add that since the 1/2 marathon I have now had knee pain with these long runs :( luckily I met someone who has offered to help with my knee pain!

ICE ICE Baby


Between my new friend ice & my old faithful jacuzzi I'm gonna try to keep my body together for this race :)

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Challenging week

It funny I am not currently signed up for or training for a triathlon haha!!! It has been awhile since I didn't have a tri looming! I do have a full marathon to run in 8 weeks!!!
It has been hard not to sign up for the super sprint triathlon in mission bay! It's in a couple weeks & a month before the marathon. It was the first race I did last year. I think it would be so fun to do it again! I had no clue what I was doing last year and it I a short race! Tri-Kate thinks she can easily do a long run on Saturday then bust out a mini-tri Sunday haha!!! The race is 250 meter swim, 6 mile bike, 1.5 mile run (as I'm typing this I'm convincing myself even more to do it- who am I ?!?!) There is a sprint distance race too but that would require more focused training!
The thing is as the marathon looms (@ 8 weeks away it looms- very dramatic). I realize that I must focus on running, getting mileage and I AM doing ANOTHER weight loss challenge!!!!
This time I am not going quite as all out or the challenge. Last time I adjusted my work hours, hired extra childcare, worked out with Jason 6 times a week & did spin, swam, and my long runs!!!
This time I am not moving my work hours, Jason is no longer the instructor for Boot Camp @ the Y :( (he is doing boot camp for a fee through his private company b Cubed fitness- which I can't afford to attend).
SO I'm trying to focus on my runs, team challenge we meet tues & thurs 5:30 am. I LOVE my spin instructor Ronnie Mondays at 8 am. This week I also went to Jason's spin class thurs. I only got to boot camp this week once. (today actually it was tough cause I am sore from working with Jason!!)
My mid-week run was the big deal to me this week. And for the next 8 weeks I really wanna get those miles in!!! I was facing some obstacles! The dreaded treadmill!! I love doing my long runs (no all my runs) outside!! I self talked myself into making the run happen! I went to the other Y where the treadmill stays on for 60 min (not 30 min like mine) I got there & due to spring break there was a wait (& a long wait at that) for childcare!!! Everything is so planned to the minute that something like this messed me up! I needed to hit Costco and be to work early!! Luckily I was able to regroup & get a new plan. I left gym, went to Costco & was able to drop off the kids with their Dad AND go for a run outside!!!!
It was even better cause I decided to do something I have been so scared to do!! I ran up the giant hill next to my house!!! I wasn't gonna have enough time to run my whole 7 miles but I was gonna go as far as I could in the time I had! I also had talked to my friend Deana who lives up that hill before I left & she offered the option that if I ran to her house her son could always drive me home!! I liked that plan!!! So I headed up the hill! I can't begin to describe how good it feels to start at the bottom of a hill like that a hit the top!!!!! I ended up making it to her house way faster then I imagined!!! Turns out it is only 2.82 mules away (got cool new gps run keeper app on phone) I had plenty if time to head back AND the trip home was all down hill!!! I drank some ice water and booked it home!!! The run was just under 6 miles but a much needed confidence boost!
Next up I have a 15 mile run!!!



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Inspiration

I keep hearing the same thing over & over from people...that I am an inspiration ?!?! It is hard to fathom!! It's actually hard to believe this I real, that it's not a dream. Most days I still see myself in the mirror 30 pounds heavier, I deal with self doubt, struggle with confidence.
So to hear that I am an inspiration is hard to believe. Especially when it comes from people that I admire & look up to OR people who inspire me!!!
I started praying for this to be a new way for God to use me. There was a quote from this weeks biggest loser (yes I'm back to talking about that show again) hannah said "there is something to be said for believing in yourself and for letting other people believe in you too"
That is really how all this got started...someone (Desirae) believed in me before I could believe in my own self! She believed that I could do a triathlon (how she thought so I don't know) BUT it was like there was this tiny spark in me that she ignited & it has kept burning!
I have become this whole new person, inside and outside. I'm thankful everyday to my friends who have supported me, motivated me, pushed me, prayed for me and to my Lord.
God is way too good to me so in return for His undeserved favor I pray He will use this also. To help people change their lives too, to help me help them, to save souls....
So many people in my life inspire me!!! I strive to me more like them in areas in my life! I'm still looking for balance & fitting everything together BUT I know God has a plan & a purpose & I'm excited for His plan & bringing glory to Him through my success.


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San Diego Striders....

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed with my YMCA running club. I think I posted before that the previous coach left the Y & started a new business on her own. The striders coach (my running club) is new to San Diego so she is not familiar with the area or the runs. While we are supposed to have aide stations set up on the runs, they never are. The coach is always late, as are most the other members, so we never get started on time...I am not venting people I'm telling you the facts.
So this past Saturday was no acception, I needed to get running on time cause I wanted to get a minimum of 10 miles but hoped for 11. Yeah right... We didnt get going until 7:30. (supposed to be 7) and after we stretched it was 7:45!!!
I don't know what was more distressing at this point, starting late or looking down and seeing this



I got ready for my run in the dark & put on mismatched shoes EEK!!!
Going home to change was not an option, running another day either...so I just went for it!
I was slow as usual and at the end of the pack even with 2 newbies.
The girl I was following took a wrong turn and got us all lost! So they just made their own route, newbies were running 6 & the other girl 8. I quickly lost them all!!! So now I was lost and alone on Coronado island! I ended up finding a street that was on the directions but must have gone the wrong way cause I ended up at the start only having run 5 miles! I had about 45 minutes left so I kept running the way we started and decided to go 1.5 then back. I ran into the girl who had got me lost (she had gotten lost too). I turned around & ran back with her. On the way back along the bay I spotted some bottle nose dolphins I showed her (THAT was COOL)!!
When we got back to the start I had run 7 miles & was out of time. Had we started on time I could have made 10 miles that day (disappointed). It was a beautiful run! Coronado is amazing & I would love to go back for another long run (maybe even do the Coronado Half marathon?).
I'm just bummed cause I definitely need to build up to my marathon distance & there is not much time left for it! 8 weeks left leaves no room for missing mileage!
I snapped pics on the run...I always wish I could take more but the point IS to run not take pics to blog ;)







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