WORK IN PROGRESS

For anyone that has taken on challenge, this is your mantra for today!

I am one of those people who is striving to be the best I can be for this very long walk/run in January.   Today was day 13 of my 21 day challenge and it was a good one.  7.1 miles was today's total and believe me I earned every minor ache and pain that accompanied these miles.  :-)

Really though, amazingly I didn't have pain, except for the big toe but that's another story for another time, a bit tired but still able to walk up my steps without assistance.  LOL  This may not seem like quite the accomplishment for someone who walks/runs these miles all the time, but believe me it was for me and I'm proud to say I DID IT!

My distance is what I'm working on for the time being, speed will come later after I can do 12 to 14 miles without collapsing.  After all, I'M A WORK IN PROGRESS!  :-)

To day 14 and beyond...

ASK YOURSELF

Ask yourself...

Is what I'm doing today, getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow?

In my case, yes, yes it is!  This morning's walk/run was a great one for me.  Three miles only but I jogged for 9 minutes of the 53 minutes it took to get finished.  I know this doesn't sound like a lot to people who run all the time, but I have to start somewhere. 

This nine minutes of jogging is the longest I've ever run.  Although it wasn't all at the same time, 3-1/2 minutes of it were.  So, not bad for a beginner.  I had been having issues with my knees hurting so bad when I tried to jog, so yesterday I picked up two knee bands to see how they would work out.  Well they were a God send!  I had a bit of a problem getting the left one positioned correctly, but I finally did and it felt good.  The right one worked great from the start.

So now I'm really off and running.  This way my son will not have as long a wait at the finish line for dear old Mom!  Although he said he was going to go ride the rides until I got finished.  Funny man!  Doing this together will be fun, though I still wish my daughter could do it with us but her knees are REALLY bad and she couldn't take the pounding of the pavement for that long a time without resting her knees.  :-(  Still hoping somehow, someway she can join us even as a spectator.

Oh, by the way, today is day 12 of the 21 day challenge!  Over half way through my personal challenge!  Yeah!

To day 13 and beyond...

WORTH IT!

All of the above, but I know that it will be WORTH IT!  Tough training morning, slow going, but I kept going anyway.  I have to, because yesterday I signed up for the Disney World 1/2 Marathon in January 2015!!  Son too!! 

I had a tough time getting through on the site because it seemed like everyone wanted to get in right at the same time.  Two hours after registration started, the 1/2 marathon was already 76% full!  Holy cow!  Guess we won't be alone on the course.  LOL  If you're going to do a 1/2 marathon I can't think of a more exciting atmosphere then running through the Magic Kingdom to the cheers of all the spectators and Disney characters.

Now the TRAINING really begins.  Although I wished I could have just blown off training for one day, I made the commitment to my 21 day challenge, to Disney World in January and most importantly to myself and my son.  I can't let my son down and I can't let myself down. 

It is going to hurt, it is going to take time and require dedication and willpower, but I'm up to the task!  I may not be 30 anymore but I'm surely going to give it my all and complete what I've started out doing!  This is when your prayers will be most helpful.

Tomorrow will be the middle of the 21 day challenge, 1/2 down and 1/2 to go.  Yeah!

To day 11 and beyond...

IN MY DREAMS

Maybe that Sleeping Beauty had something there when it comes to dreams.  Who better to speak about such things then a woman (albeit cartoon woman) who slept for a long time.

Hopes and dreams are important to everyone.  Since first mentioning to my son that we should do the 1/2 marathon together, I've been dreaming of how that day is going to go for both of us.  For me it will be waking up early, son too, having my iced coffee, him having his coffee, maybe having a banana or 1/2 a bagel or even a powerbar to get the energy level up.  Getting on the bus to the start line will be the next step on this adventure.  Us, and a whole lot of other sleepy people, will take the short ride over to the Epcot parking area where we'll head to the corral areas based on our anticipated finish times.  Of course we'll be in the last corral because we are not elite or even close to being an advanced participant in this race. 

We're off!!  Going under that start marquee with Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang cheering us on is a thrill all on it's own.  The adrenaline is really pumping now and we're part of something amazing.  Son takes off running after a short warm up walk with mom.  Mom, who is still not a runner, jogs a bit, walks a bit, jogs a bit, etc.  I'm going to finish in the 3 hour 30 minute time. 

Finish line in sight!!!  YEAH 

I can see it!  It's right in front of me!  I'm going to make it!  I can see my son cheering me on and I jog right over that finish line to collect my well earned medal!  Yeah us!!  WE DID IT!!!  MEDAL WINNERS!!!

Okay, back to reality.  I'm working hard everyday to make this dream come true.  Today was day 9 of my 21 day challenge and although my knees were bothering me and I could only run for 2 minutes, I did 3.3 miles.  Tomorrow is another day closer to the dream!  Today is the day we commit ourselves to competing, registration opens at noon.  I'm ready, BRING IT ON!!!

On to day 10....

7 DAYS!!

YEAH!!!  Seven days of my self inflicted 21 day challenge is completed!  I was really considering taking today off for a rest day, but made myself do a short 2 mile walk instead.  Now that I'm finished, I'm so glad that I just went ahead and did it. 

Because I'm tired of starting over all the time and saying that this time will be the time I actually don't give up for some made up reason, I'm going to keep pushing myself. 

My Training From Afar partner should be able to get back into the swing of things, as long as the doctor gives him the go ahead.  He, of course, will not be pushing too hard for a while but that's ok.  We'll work "together" for a common goal, which is being able to do that 1/2 marathon.  I know I'll get left in the dust by my partner on race day, but that's ok as long as we both finish and don't hurt ourselves, we'll be good.

Speaking of the 1/2 Marathon, registration opens this coming week and I'm so excited.  Once I make that commitment to do it, I'll feel obligated to continue this training.  More then one benefit coming out of this process, better health, perseverance and determination!  Bring it on!

On to day 8...

KEEP REPEATING!

Keep repeating to yourself...

I CAN DO THIS!!!

This morning was a loooong walk for me, 6.1 miles!  That's almost a half of a 1/2 marathon!  Yeah!!!

I struggled with the last 1/2 mile, going slow but still going.  I knew that if I could finish this goal for today, that I'd feel so good about my accomplishment and of course, more motivated to continue on the 21 day journey.  Today was day 6 by the way.  I feel that I should take a day off for rest like most training programs suggest, but tomorrow will be an easy walk of only a couple of miles and the pace will be slow, so I think it will work.

I've accumulated many "training programs" from the internet and although they are somewhat similar, they do have some differences.  Some allow for only walking, even speed walking, while others provide training for a walk/run routine.  The walk/run ones are the ones I'm focusing on because, as I've mentioned before, I don't want the scoops to pick me up in January.  :-)  If I could only find a nutrition menu that would be as easy to follow.  Not a big fish, veggie or fruit eater so finding a plan that works is more of a challenge then the walking and running.  I'll keep looking because I know there must be something out there for people like me!

The new mantra...

I CAN DO THIS!!!

GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION

Today is Good Friday!  On my walk/run this morning I was reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made for us, to save us.  So what am I doing with the life that was given me?  

Well now I'm trying to get healthier and be in much better shape physically.  Although my sacrifices will be nothing in comparison to what Jesus gave, I'm trying my best.  I get inspiration from knowing that every step I take towards my goal is something He wants me to do. 

I know this post is not my usual type, but reflection time will do that to you.  I don't want to live my life regretting things I didn't do or chances I didn't take because I didn't feel they were possible.  At almost 65 years old, I know that I can do this.  I can be a better me.  I can live up to my potential.  I can be what God planned for me to be. 

No regrets here!

WHY, OH WHY?!

Why, oh why can't I be comforted by carrots or celery?  Why does it always have to be chocolate?  For the obvious reason that chocolate tastes so much better, duh!  Comfort foods, such as chocolates, cakes, cookies, ice cream, to name a few, have always been given to us from a young age as rewards for being good or doing good.  

On my quest for a healthier life and being physically ready to tackle the 1/2 marathon in January, I'm having a lot of problems letting go of these treats.  There are so many opportunities for "treats" that my willpower always falls short of my goals.  This being said, I always find myself eating the things I shouldn't, enjoying them while I'm eating, then feeling bad because I walked and ran for nothing!  Well not nothing exactly, but you get the picture.  I'm changing, or trying hard to change my bad habits.  Or should I say I'm going to.  I just can't change everything all at once because I know that that's a sure way to fail. 

Easier today then yesterday, and tomorrow will be easier still.  My training partner is still down but soon we'll be training together again and maybe that's the motivation I need. 

Until tomorrow...

P.S.  Follow up from the other day's post...

Precious kitty is now at her forever home with "parents" that will treat her like a little princess.  So very happy for her.

DAY 4 - THE CHALLENGE CONTINUES

It's day 4 of my 21 day challenge, and so far so good.  I did do some more running on day 2, 7 minutes intermittently but it felt good!  :-)

Still having issues with the eating but like I said before, one thing at a time.  I'm sure that when I'm set in this walking/running routine the next step will be a bit easier because I will already feel better physically.

Challenges and changes are good for you.  You push yourself to meet your goal, in my case 10,000+ steps a day.  As Socrates said, "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."  That's what I'm doing, the old is exactly that, the old!  The building of the "new" me will take effort and perseverance, but most certainly will be worth it in the end.

Getting ready for that longer walk on Saturday, maybe 6 miles.  The pace will be slow I'm sure, but distance then speed will all come in time.  Have patience!

With only 263 days until the Disney World 1/2 Marathon, I'm sure the "new" me will be ready.

To day 5 and beyond....

SAVING A LIFE

Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to come to the rescue of a 5-6 week old kitten that was abandoned by it's momma.  This poor little thing cried all the time and we could never find her because she was in the brush.  But she came out and was trying her hardest to eat dry cat food because she was starving.  I picked her up, brought her into the house, crushed up some dry food into tiny pieces, added a bit of water to make it easy to chew and fed her.  Since I don't ever have kitten food around or kitten milk, I gave her a bit of milk, which she promptly devoured along with the softened dry food.

I felt so happy that this tiny little creature was going to survive.  I saved her! 

Now it's my turn to be saved from this unhealthy lifestyle that's become the norm.  I know that saving myself isn't going to be a bowl of milk or as easy as saving that precious little kitten, I know I have to do it.  So today I started my 21 day plan.  21 days of doing something is supposed to make it a habit, so I'm off and running (literally).  Walked/ran 2.5 miles this morning.  Only did three minutes of running but that's three minutes more then yesterday, so I'm good with that.  It's time once again to recommit to that training program that's going to get me where I want to be in my life. 

Now's the time!  Day 1 completed!

P.S.  By the way, the kitten slept through the whole night without a peep.  Very content and moving to a forever home later today.  So happy for her.

21 DAYS! REALLY?

This is what they say anyway.  Maybe they're on to something.  If I eat chocolate for 21 days, I always want more.  Hahaha  Oh, they say healthy eating, isn't dark chocolate good for you?  That's what I've read.  Lol

Enough kidding around, I've read this in many places and to be perfectly honest, I've not lasted the 21 days.  Something always gets in the way, or should I say that I let it get in the way.  Grocery shopping day, laundry day, housecleaning day, etc. always excuses. 

Time to commit myself to a healthier me.  Make the time for me, stop making excuses.  Be responsible for myself, motivate myself with this burning desire to look and feel healthier.  65 is coming quickly and I don't want to be another "old granny" who can't do things but watch the soaps on tv.

New day, new dawn!  Time to wake up and smell the roses.

PATIENCE

NOT ONE OF MY VIRTUES, I MUST SAY!!!  Being honest with myself about my goals for a healthier life makes me think of all that has to be done to achieve these goals and that's when my patience wains!  I know that I didn't get into this shape or unhealthy lifestyle overnight, but if I could click my heals together like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ and be the thinner, healthy person I used to be, I would.  Why can Dorothy click those red heels together and go back to Kansas and I can't go back to the old me?   Maybe that's the key, I NEED RED SPARKLY SHOES!  Lol

Just kidding folks.  I know that this patience thing is reality.  If I really want to do this, I need to push forward in the right direction.  Changing those bad habits learned over the past 20+ years, do what needs to be done and most importantly be patient with myself.  I know I can do it and with my training from afar son, encouragement is key.

PATIENCE!

SLACKER!

Glad to be back and posting, even if there are only a couple people reading the blog.  It makes me feel better by putting my thoughts and solutions on paper.

So being in PA for two weeks proved to be nothing less then a disaster as far as exercising is concerned.  You know the old saying, "overworked, underpaid", well in my case it was "overworked, overworked"!!  Priorities were in place during this time and work had to top the list.  Seriously, I'm not complaining, the benefits of working so hard always pay off, but still making time to exercise probably would have made a big difference in attitude and ability to cope with stress.  Next time, exercising will be at the top of the list then the work will flow so much better.

This "slacker" will be putting out all the effort necessary to compete in that 1/2 Marathon in January.  Like I said before, don't want those scoops to get me (think Soylent Green with Charlton Heston).  LOL