SORRY TO HAVE BEEN AWAY...

So sorry to have been away from my blog.  Had nothing to post because I hadn't been doing anything, well maybe just a few days worth, but nothing to brag about for sure. 

But today I've recommitted to my training program with only 19 weeks to really train before the 1/2 Marathon, I've got to get a move on.  My husband, Jim, had a dream that I lost my medal from the race and I was very upset, well if I don't get my butt in gear I am going to lose it by not finishing the race.  That would be such a dipsappointment!  :-(

As the motivational picture above says, success does not come to me, I've got to work to achieve it.  So that being said, I'm working towards my goal, my success, and it's not going to be an easy ride but I'm up for the challenge.

This morning I walked, ran on my new treadmill for over an hour and although it was hot and I was getting tired.  I pushed my way through the pain and discomfort and finished doing the time I had decided to do, following a training program for beginning 1/2 marathoners.  The program calls for every other day OFF which I've never done before, but I figure they know what they're talking about, so I'll follow the plan.  If I feel like I need more, I'll do more.  The plan is 16 weeks long so I'll be finishing it a whole month before the race, I'll just redo the last four weeks of the plan and I should be all set.  Race day here I come!

Wish me luck!

To the rest of week one and beyond...

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE...

Just so the other racers know, see above!  LOL

So for the past two days, I've been doing my walk in the pool.  Not only is it cooler but the resistance is so much more that I actually feel like I'm doing something to help my training get kicked started again.

Pool walking is not only a good resistance way of training, but there's so much less stress on all of your joints.  Believe me, these older joints need all of the help they can get. 

With only 5-1/2 months left to train I'm doing what I can to reach my goal of the finish line, without being driven there, on my own two feet.  The hotter summer months  can cause issues for me and the colder winter months can cause issues for son, but if we want it bad enough (and we do) we'll figure a way through it.  Hence, pool walking!  :-)

25 Saturdays from now we should be well into the race, going strong and feeling confident!  Wish us luck!

To the next 24 Saturdays and beyond...

LIFE FULL OF EXCUSES!

So I've messed up my diet, didn't exercise and according to the above I should just say "so what", but that's not how I feel!  Of course I need to get back on track!  And of course I need to fuel my body with better foods!  But believe me when I say that this is harder then it should be.  :-(

Getting back into a routine, like walking everyday, long walks on the weekends, is not an easy thing to do!  Believe me when I say, I WANT TO!

I want to get a treadmill so that I really have no reason/excuse not to walk.  

Don't have to leave home, bathroom accessible at all times, water for hydration at my fingertips.  No dogs chasing me, biting at my heels.

What more could a girl ask for?!

Early morning events since our return home have prevented me (EXCUSES) from getting out early enough to beat the heat.  Even though I don't want to go out later in the morning, I need to do something to kick start myself again.  Maybe some pool walking this afternoon, hopefully overcast skies will make that easier.

I'm going to do it!  I promised myself!

To today, tomorrow and every day after...

OH NO!!!!

Oh no, what's happening to me?  Why am I not doing what I need to do to be ready for January?  Has my motivation waned?  Have I given up, thinking I'll never be able to do this anyway?  Do I feel lost in my quest for a healthier life?

In answer to my last question first, I know that since being in PA with family for the past 3-1/2 weeks I've eaten all the things that I used to eat on a regular basis, no calorie counting here!  Wow, what a mistake that is, stomach pains most of the time, overly full most of the time, fried and unhealthy foods most of the time.  What am I thinking?!  I still have a week and a half here and I need to make better choices so that I can go home not feeling like this.  There have been a couple references to me being fat during my stay and boy did that hurt.  No one wants to hear that they're FAT!  I think I really need to pray for help now more then ever. Any prayers you can send for me would be appreciated.

As far as the other questions go, I have just stopped walking every morning.  I know I could but I don't.  I always find things that I want or need to do that interfere with these plans, some not important at all, others are necessities.  I have to find out why this is happening, why I'm losing the momentum that had gotten me to where I was before this trip. Maybe vacations are my downfall. Maybe I'm thinking I can make it up when I get back home. Maybe, maybe, maybe...

Now that I'm finally posting again, I discovered last night that my fitbit isn't even working. I've tried different things to get it to work, but haven't had any success so far.  I'll try again today and see if I can get it to work. I know, just another excuse. :-(

Oh well, to tomorrow and beyond (hopefully!  prayers greatly accepted)...

WORTH IT? ABSOLUTELY!!

I'm not looking for this training to be easy because I know that it will not be, at least at first or second or third for that matter.  But do I believe that it will all be worth it, you betcha!!

Being here with my son for some together training is a bit more challenging then I thought it would be.  After all he's 6'2" and I'm 5'5", you can just imagine how different our strides are.  Here's me,
--------, here's his step count, -  -  -  -!  No way for me to catch up unless I double time.  Lol

We did have a great walking weekend though.  Not real long walks but very pleasant ones.  Temperature was wonderful, sun was just rising and home before it got hot out.  I must admit that it was a bit of a challenge for me as I haven't been walking everyday, or almost everyday, like I do when I'm home so the legs were a bit sore, got new sneakers so my feet felt fine.  Today is a day off but tomorrow morning out the door I'll go.  Looking forward to the coolness and beauty of the early morning hours.

To tomorrow and beyond...

TESTING, TESTING, 123

This past week has been nothing but testing, testing, testing, with a couple of doctor visits in between.  All good stuff, but they take up so much of the day and week.  Now the follow up rest of the doctor visits, then it's clear sailing for the rest of my visit to PA.

Besides all of these events, it's been raining every day since my arrival, so going for a walk in the rain hasn't been an option with only one pair of sneakers here.  Wet feet and wet sneakers are not the kind of thing I'd like unless I have to do the race in the rain.

But this morning, the sun is shining, the temperature is delightful and I was able to go outside and enjoy a nice walk.  Because I was "off" for a week I took my time and didn't push too hard, two miles that really felt like 4 or 5, but tomorrow will be even better.  More sunshine and beautiful temperatures await me in the morning.

Here's to the next four weeks of enjoying my visit to PA and walking my little (okay maybe not so little, hahaha) feet off and pursuing the 1/2 marathon dream that awaits me.

To tomorrow and beyond...

NEW, OLD MANTRA!

I know that I really don't have to remind myself of this when I'm out there walking or running, but I'm going to be training, in person, with my training from afar partner for the next couple months and I think I'm going to have to remind him and myself of this.

With long legs and long gait, it's going to be a challenge to keep up with him.  And let's not forget that he's 27 years younger then I am!  YIKES, 27 YEARS!!!  Never sounded like a lot until I wrote it down.  LOL

I know that we'll be walking/running everyday while I'm visiting, but that's good because it keeps me motivated going with someone.  I'm not only accountable to myself but now I'm accountable to him, and no one likes to let their son down.   :-) 

Old news, the sahara dust has finally blown out of here and it's a bit easier to breathe while exercising.  Yesterday was still a walk inside using the dvd but that's ok because after I finished I went right to work getting ready for my trip. 

Clothes packed √, some shutters closed √, freezer cleaned out √, I'm on a roll.  This exercising thing is really good for you!  Got so much done that a couple of months ago would have taken two or three days to do what I did in one! 

Oh look a squirrel!

Again my train of thought was disrupted and I got off my message.  I know I don't have to run/walk at a fast pace to finish the 1/2 marathon, I just have to show up and keep going.  One step after another, fast or slow, I'll get to the finish line and be proud of all that I've accomplished!

Just keep going, and going, and going...

To tomorrow and beyond...