Starting to believe

So I know it's only the first week but i went to the gym this afternoon to do my 3 miles and after all day thinking how could I possibly feel this old at only 32 and I don't know how I am going to do 3 miles I did. As soon as I got started I felt great and even shaved a little time off from Tuesday. It may have been even better but mother nature called half way thru the run!! So I was kind of stressing about adding another mile on Sunday but after today I think that I can do it. i think knowing there is whole group of girls fighting thru the same thing helps. Thanks Amanda for putting this together. I am a little worried about this weekend cause I have to head to Pittsburgh for a family reunion and don't really know what will be available or what the area is like but I figure i can do my 30 minutes there and then do my 4 miles when i get back. I just hope I have the motivation on Sunday night. I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck on your 4s on Sunday.

Hey Guys, I have been diligently doing my daily duties but it sure hasn't been easy...well day one was okay. I just made the investment for new running shoes last night so I am thinking that is going to cure all my aches and pains and make me run so much faster. I completed my 3.0 miles yesterday in just under 38 minutes, pretty slow and with a 15 minute phone call break in the middle (I secretly loved the nice excuse). Today I walked up an incline for 1.0 mile on the treadmill and then ran .8 miles and then had to call it quits bc Luke was so happy that he had cleaned his whole room and I needed to go look. Well enough of all the excuses and all but I wanted to let you all know that knowing others are suffering through this whole thing with me is definitely helping. I hope I still feel this way in 6 weeks. By the way, my sister-in-law, Patti, is considering joining us so Amanda do you think you could add her to the invited list or whatever you need. Keep up the good work.

One more thing

See that person in the picture to the left? That's pretty much how I feel right now.

Ugh

Did my strength training this morning and we did a little bit of jump rope and stairs between steps. That came back to bite me tonight.

Mike and I just tried to do the next three-mile run (AKA, 36-minute run). My legs felt like cinder blocks and I was a little lightheaded, so I caved and asked if we could walk at 25 minutes (wanted to do that at like minute 18). We walked about five minutes, then started running again with the intention of doing the last 11 minutes straight through. At minute six, I needed to walk again. We walked about a mile back to the house and I was beat just doing that.

I am already really sore and feel sick to my stomach. I'm going to grab something to eat now and hope tomorrow goes better than today did. I may end up doing my rest day tomorrow because I have loads to do before we leave town and have a feeling I will be really tight.

I haven't registered yet and will probably wait a bit to do so. Sometimes the commitment hanging over my head is what keeps me from moving forward, so this will work for now, even if it's a few more dollars later. Amanda, are you signing up a team or is everyone registering as individuals?

Locked and Loaded

So I just registered. No going back now. It definitely helps with the commitment. I hope everyone's day 3 went well. Not bad here. Just did a 2.5 mile walk through the neighborhoods around here. I have to admit I think it was harder than my run. I took Brody so pushing him up the hills was tough. I didn't know if I was going to make it. Looking so forward to the 3 miles tomorrow...can you hear the sarcasm?? At least it will be inside. Good luck tomorrow to all!!

Early Bird Registration

ladies,

Just a reminder, early bird registration ends today, so click on the marathon page link and from there find your way to paying on line. soccer and beers for me tonight, then my ass and i will be waging another three mile battle tomorrow morning, I'll let you all know who wins.

My Fitness Fairies!

...and by "fairy", I mean that in a good way of the inspirational, mystical little things that bring you good stuff & motivation...actually, I just looked it up and the formal definition is "(in folklore) one of a class of supernatural beings, generally conceived as having a diminutive human form and possessing magical powers with which they intervene in human affairs. " ..I kinda like the sound of that!
I've loved reading all your posts; I had lots of doubts going in to this with back to work and spending time with the baby, hubby, blah, blah, blah... but you all have helped give me the boost I need.
OK, so there was one minor setback with the first run yesterday because of some stupid stomach flu but I'm not giving up hope...I'm coming around a little today and hope to catch up tomorrow!
How about some fun 'check-points' along the way and get together for a run at Antrum some weekend(s) - perhaps rewarded with a little Graeters after...or better yet, save the calories for a good pint at Gallows!?
Keep up the good work!!

I made it out alive

So making myself believe that running a couple times last week for just short jogs would make the first run a little easier was a complete joke. But I did it!! But not even an inch past 3 miles. I hit stop on the treadmill immediately. I am opting for treadmill runs right now cause living in Knoxville the hills are constant and pretty major in some spots. I will hit outside at times but this is better for now. I have to admit it didn't go horribly cause I finished but it was tough. I definitely walked in some spots but completed it in 36 minutes so not bad. I took the last mile and ran fast (about a 7 on the treadmill) for about .15 miles and then walked for .1 and I did that for the whole mile. I probably in the end walked about a mile total. Maybe a little less but I figured as long as I finish I will be just fine. I have no expectations of actually running 13 miles straight anyway. I am glad that everyone had a good first run. I am proud of all us. A nice easy day of 2 miles or so tomorrow. I am going to bust out the jogging stroller and push little Brody up these big hills!!

Not too bad for me

Just finished my 3. I have been running for about 2 months but NEVER ran more than 2.8 miles. The challenge for me will be pushing past the short runs. I'm pretty sure I ran at the hottest part of the day which sucked. I felt pretty good except my left knee which hurt at the very end. I am icing it as we speak because I have learned that something small can turn into a big problem or excuse later on. James ran with me in our neighborhood, he quit with about a half mile left and walked home which I think made me secretly happy and gave the some extra "umph" at the end. I don't know how long it took because I don't know how to work my stupid watch and changed the setting during the run. Oh well, there will be many more opportunities to time my runs I guess. Oh Amanda, if only you loved jogging as much as blogging-ha.

A snail's pace...

Trying to trick myself into getting in shape before I can make an excuse not to. I'm doubling up on the designated strength/stretching days because I'm afraid I won't make time for running this weekend and will give up after week one -- when it gets more difficult!

I went ahead and did my three miles yesterday afternoon even though I did the strength training in the morning. I didn't actually measure the distance, but decided to run 36 minutes, hoping I was running at least 10- or 12-minute miles. Sadly, it was rough.

However, I passed a man in a wheelchair with no legs -- not once but twice -- and that kept me going. Girls, think about him every time you want to stop from here on out. He was probably wishing he was sweaty and nasty and slow like me, so I will run for him.

Today I ran REALLY slowly for 60 minutes. I was almost running in place. Nope -- wasn't on a treadmill but as it turns out, slow running can be exercise too. Plus, it gave me a chance to catch up with my mom, who was actually walking (see, I told you it was slow) and walk the dog without him passing out from heat exhaustion (he's older, hairier and in worse shape than I am). That was my four-mile run for the week.

Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes

Made it! Back home and 3 miles completed, it took me 36 min. 30 sec., not exactly breaking any world records, but it's better than my first attempt which took me almost 40 min. When I started running it actually felt good...until minute two, (bud dah dum), then it felt pretty bad, then it felt really bad, then I finished, and it felt great! Damn I hate my big ass, I was cursing it and every child that made me eat cream cheese and made it grow to such an unusually large size. But that's all in the past now, my ass and I can be friends again until Thursday when we go for it again.
PS- I did stretch and strengthen yesterday and to my dismay I am barely able to do ten GIRL push-ups, and I think I did about 40 crunches before I had to stop for fear of puking. I did do 3 sets of ten with green bean weights and arm exercises, those seemed to go pretty well. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, I can tell now that the frumpy mom is going to fight my inner MILF, but sexy will prevail!
GO GET EM GIRLS!!!!

Day one -- check!

Well, I made it at least one day into the training program. ;) I did strength training and a tiny bit of cardio this morning. We're heading to Chicago this weekend for Lollapalooza, so I am a little concerned that it will all go downhill then.

For those of you who are looking for new shoes and are in Columbus, try Fleet Feet over on Polaris Parkway, near Old State. You can go in and they will measure your feet, assess your gait, look at how you hold your weight, etc., then recommend a couple of shoes for you. If you do go there and don't make it in till next week, ask for Amy Davin. She works at the Westerville Community Center now but will be taking over as store manager next week and is very knowledgeable and nice.

They also have a good knowledge of races and events around town that you might be interested in, plus running gear and accessories of course.

On your mark...get set...GOOO!

So ladies...I am so excited that Amanda has organized this. Yes I am excited to run 13 miles. At least I am after my panic attack has settled. I figured if Amanda can do it with 3 kids and now listening to other things that people are going through I can give it my best effort with only 1 kid...no I don't mean the Gar-bear...and a job. I did start doing some light runs last week so the 3 miles isn't such a shock tomorrow. I invested in some nice shoes last winter. My cousin who does these half marathons quite a bit took me to get fitted for proper running shoes and I have to say it has made a difference so I recommend it. And the shoes weren't that expensive. They were cheaper than what I thought I was going to have to buy. I just wanna say good luck to all the ladies joining and can't wait to run this with all of you in October. We need to get our husbands, significant others or whatever we have to be waiting at the finish line with a keg of beer on ice for us. Can't wait to hear how everyone's first few days go.

Kelsey

The MILF within

Katie and Gillian, I love your posts. I really appreciate everyone who is going to give this a try. I realize as mommies and wives, and employees, we don't have much time for ourselves, and it sucks, but I am going to make time for myself, and instead of using that time to sit on the sofa and eat wheat thins, I'm going to get out on the road and run my way to gorgeous. Goodbye frumpy mom, hello MILF. Today, I am going to do about 10 mins. of stretching followed by some sit ups and push ups, maybe even do a little arm workout with some cans of beans. I'm also hoping to get to DICK'S today and buy some new shoes, tomorrow is when the real fun begins. Still working on that running name, I'm hoping it will come to me during tomorrow's run.

ALSO:

I registered online for the Columbus Half yesterday, that's right people I'm committed! The early bird registration only lasts until July 31st, right now it's $50, it goes up 15 bucks every month until the race, so I suggest that you get registered ASAP. Click on the marathon page link and navigate your way from there.

Day One!

Hello ladies it is day one and I just wanted to tell everyone good morning and good luck.

I am tired from working until 3 am Sat night & 1 am Sunday night then getting up with a one year old so I am already trying to explain to myself why I can't make this work. HOWEVER, I am planning to nap with the baby during her morning nap & then we'll be doing some stretching & stregnthening. I have been telling myself to get my resistance bands out for 2 months & today is the day!!

If anyone local wants to park at my place to use the Genoa Bike Path you are welcome to. We are right next to the Plumb Rd end.

My motivation is to get the bod looking more firm after the baby & of course to be healthier...My running name will be ???? See you on the pavement, Gil

ONE STEP AT A TIME

okay - i am going to make an attempt at this. let's go for it ladies - shit when you really think about it 13 miles? it is NOT that much. we probably ran that far in college games for sure - plus OT or those games when we had fitness AFTER the game? Lori - those Saturday morning games recently in our old lady league are 2 X 40 minute halves - that is probably 8-9 miles right there and we did no training - barely warmed up and stretched and lived through it. go for a few runs for a few weeks - then do a few more and longer the next - i'm sure we can all make it - even if we have to walk together or drag each other's ass across the finish line. i would start the engines and see what happens. now that i think about it - Lori and i were discussing our old lady pains and guessing if we would hold up. then she speculated if she did try to run more and strengthen her muscles the aches and pains might go away or feel better. so i say instead of guessing or assuming that we can't - let's try then go from there. i really need to get healthier all around and i'm so appreciative for an opportunity like this to be motivated from an outside source. i rarely exercise because i don't make time for it. but really to be the best mom/wife/coach/architect/ - whatever i need to take care of myself and health first like i'm taking care of those things. anyway i'm going to at least try to start running one step at a time. i think this would be a great memory and thing to do together since our time spent with one another is great but limited because of life and distance.

Hey Amanda, I am on the fence...I just don't know if my knees can take it. I would love to get in shape but I don't know how to get past the knee pain. Maybe I could talk to a good p.t. or something. I will consider this one seriously. Lori

Still wavering...

Thanks for the invite, Amanda! Just started an attempt at another fitness program. Not sure yet if that means this is good timing to train for a half -- or bad. I'm not committing to this just yet, but did print out the schedule. I'm going to go week by week and see how I do.

Time to get your shit together

Here is what you need to do:

Print out a monthly calendar that covers the next 12 weeks, or fiddle with your blackberry or outlook, whatever you keep yourself together with. Open up the training schedule and get all your runs written out on their days. It is not important that you do the runs on the same days as the schedule, just that you complete the total mileage each week. The schedule begins this coming Monday July 28th. Here is an example of my first week:

Monday - Stretch & Strengthen (for me this means sit ups and push ups, then a good stretch)
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - Cross train (soccer game)
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday - REST
Saturday - Cross Train (30 min. bike ride)
Sunday - 4 mile run

You have to find what pace works best for you, but I always wear a watch to time my runs so I can see my improvement (it happens), and I almost always walk during my runs, the three milers I walk for a minute half way through to get a drink, the longer runs I usually go fifteen minutes to start, then walk one minute out of every ten until I'm done. I have sound that my times are actually better when i walk a little bit. BUT, like I said, everybody has to to what feels best for them.

I'm still thinking about my motivation, and my running name, I know you are all dying of suspense, so I'll post those soon.

Running against the wind

Ladies,

It's time to start training. Who is with me? I am going to think about my motivation, the results of my ruminations will be posted soon. Oh, and my running name, everyone needs a running name.