Day 21 - 62 days to go! (mini) VICTORY Lap! :)

Today was a momentous day for me training wise.

First of all, I hit the good 'ol 21 day mark.  Anyone who's ever read anything about forming habits will tell you 21 days is the magic day where if you do something enough it becomes a solid habit... So I guess running for me is a habit now :) Who would've thunk that?

And it's a proud day for me.  To kick off getting in marathon shape, I began following a program called 3 weeks to running 30 minutes.  I committed to it and I did it.  I did not miss one training.  Through snow, through working early and late, through taking care of the baby and through all the emotional stuff - I did it.  The first time I've truly followed through on something of this sort and I'm feeling really good about it.

I do have to say that it's really thanks to you my friends, who comment, encourage, believe in me and give me advice - that I've been so motivated.  When faced with a day that training seemed tough I always thought of this thing.  I might have to freakin' blog for the rest of my life to keep this exercise thing up but ya know, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I didn't realize it until this morning but today was the "3 week" day.  The day to run 30 minutes.  I woke up to a congratulations e-mail and the assignment.  (It wasn't 30 minutes straight - I ran for 5 minute drills with 1 minute walks in between.)  My last minute, my VICTORY lap, I cranked up the treadmill to 5.5 and blasted "Paradise City."  It was awesome.

And then I wiped the sweat away, strutted back to my car and remembered that this is just the first of many victory laps for me to take.  I will start the next phase of training tomorrow... "Learning how to run longer distance," is the program I'm thinking of signing up for.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted!

XO
Jen

day 20 - 63 days to go - Happy Hour

It's been a tough week emotionally - today we found out that my ailing cat probably has cancer and I don't think she'll be around too much longer :'(  along with all the other crapola that's been going on - it's been tough.  I really feel so bad about the Chile thing too -- that's been on my mind all day.

Fortunately, I got my training in and that went well.  It makes me feel so much better.  I keep pushing myself.  There were times where I was running (for only a minute but still! what progress!) at 5.5 on a 1 incline.  That's pretty freakin' good considering where I was 20 days ago.

I also weighed in at Weight Watchers today down another 2 pounds!  Yay me!

Those size 16's are gonna be retired pretty soon as they are starting to feel annoyingly loose!  All good.

So now I'm going to treat myself to a dirty martini and a little greasy chinese food.  My favorite.  And I'll be back in the gym in the AM, working it off!!

XO,
Jen

Day 19 - Running thoughts & only 64 days to go!

The cool thing about running is it gives you time to think, feel inspired and work out your emotions.

No matter what's going on I always leave the gym feeling better than when I walked in.

Today I felt great.  I got out of my snowed in home and made it to the gym.  I ran for 25 mins (1 min breaks in between 4 min. drills - one drill I ran for five minutes... + warm up and cool down.) I'm going a little faster- I love the feeling of accomplishment I get by the end of my workout.

While I was running, I did some thinking about the situation that happened the other day (RE:  throwing lemon post)  First of all - one really good thing that's come out of this blog and running journey is, I have a new found sense of confidence I also have new sense of self.  I don't feel weak and whimpy and "please like me" anymore.  Yes, I still would like people to like me but if you don't -- I don't care.  It doesn't ruin my world.  I am seizing my day and not allowing others to tarnish it.

I also realized there was a great lesson to be learned from this whole situation.  This isn't a new thought but it's a true one.  When people show you who they are, believe them.  No matter what the person does to you or how bad it is, there are usually signs.  You have a gut instinct.  Listen to it.   It was no surprise what happened the other day, really.  It was almost inevitable.  Pathetically predictable, even.  I had witnessed first hand the same scenario happen over and over again to others.  I knew this person so well and knew how this person thinks and reacts.  It's a pity because I really wanted to believe something else of this person but I was wrong.  Oh well.  Best of luck and good wishes.  I am happy and content with the choices I am making in my life and I'm on a healthy path - every minute is a gift and after this blog I will no longer waste one more minute of my life thinking about it again.

All of my life I ran away from confrontation or issues, now I'm running through, into things, head on and coming out just fine.  Who knew that running would give me all this good emotional benefit as well! :)  

Have a great weekend!!

xo

Jen

day 18 - SNOWED

If the snow doesn't stop soon... this is going to be us marathoners at the Jersey shore.

Today was a rest day - hopefully I'll be able to get the the gym tomorrow or I'm going to be running around my kitchen table for 30 minutes.  That's gotta get old.  ;)

I felt slightly better today, I really am lucky to have such love, friendship and support in my life.  

Focusing on the positive and moving forward - You can try to throw actual snow in the way or metaphorical ice - and my journey will go on - there will always be a detour or another road to take.

xo

Jen

Day 17 - When life hands you lemons, throw them at people you hate

Today was one of those days.

I worked freelance and "assumed" it was a rest day - I get the training instructions in the morning - previously, if I ran 2 days I'd rest 1.  I ran the last 3 days... I was wrong about the rest day.

I was to run for the most I ever had drill wise (Run five minutes, walk 1 repeat 4 times. Plus warm up and cool down time.)

Fine.

My husband had plans in the evening, I was working until late but still, I figured it out.  I asked a very good friend to come babysit for an hour... so i could go run at 9 PM at night.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself - I faced down a problem, I said, "no excuses, get to the gym and train - no matter what!"  A new and exciting "take control of any situation," Jen on the case.

Then in the middle of the day I found out something that left me feeling a little more upset than I would care to admit.  It's a long personal story but basically someone that was in my life for a long time and I once was very close to - kind of really did a pretty f'ed up thing.  I know this person isn't the greatest when it comes to people, I'd seen this person hurt many along the way but still, I grapple with being a on the sensitive side so it still stung (grr.. dammit).  And more annoyingly it had me thinking about it all day and going between being hurt, angry, wanting to tell this person off and desperately wanting to not give one more ounce of attention to the issue or a person who probably didn't deserve my friendship and loyalty to begin with and who, quite frankly, I have come to care less about anyway.

Man, if there's anything I hate is how sensitive I am.

It's annoying to me how bad of a mood I was in over the situation.  More than I expected.  Yet I wasn't surprised or shocked by the situation.

Anyway.

I can't control how people feel about me.  I cannot control their thoughts and actions but I can try to control my own.  So...

The GREAT news is - I got home and the babysitter was here - Ben wouldn't go to sleep so I got him to bed and in spite of working all day, the crying baby, having to get up at 5:30AM tomorrow and the asshole who threw my day off -- I went to the gym and I did my drills.

It's pretty HUGE for me.  In the past, I definitely would've curled up in the fetal position, ordered some food and forgot all about the gym.  I would've let something like this spin me into depression, self doubt and insecurity.  NOT ANYMORE.  While I've got to work for it and my new attitude doesn't come easily, I am fighting for me - this person cannot rob me of my goals.  I will not become undone.

I got back on that treadmill I blasted my music and I let myself get a little stronger, become a little more empowered and took the power of someone else's words, thoughts and actions away.  What matters is me.  I AM BLESSED because I have friends and family who love and support me.  I have my health and I have feet that will carry me 13 miles across a finish line.

The universe did me a favor today.  It reaffirmed what I already knew and confirmed that I'm on and continue to be on the right path.

My apologies for an indulgent and lengthy blog.  If you read this whole thing, thank you for listening.

XO

day 16 - Still running :)

"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible."   - Doug Larson


I like this quote because it gives me a little inspiration.  Starting off as a completely out of shape, overweight, non-runner - I now realize what a lofty goal a 1/2 marathon is for a first timer... A 1/2 marathon with a time limit no less! However, I was so ignorant to the running world that it didn't occur to me to aim lower (like starting with a 5K.)

This is probably a good thing in a weird way.  I'm forced to train hard, to push myself beyond familiar ground to go way past my "comfort" level, I've put myself in a position where taking a day off or skipping some training isn't an option.  I really cannot do that.  I do not have the luxury of time.  I really could use another month but it is what it is.  From all this Secret and Canfield stuff I've been taking in, I am starting to believe that it's only when we leave the realm of our comfort level that we start to grow - both mentally and physically.  I also know that the mental training for this thing and the belief that I can and will do this may even be more important than the physical training.   And as nervous as I am about the whole thing  and no matter what happens I do feel like a changed woman just by coming this far. 


Training today called for running for 2 and walking for 1 for 24 minutes straight (and five mins to warm up and 5 mins to cool down.)  I decided to stick to 2 minute drills and up the speed as well as the incline.  Tough!  Jersey Tomato red again by the end of the work out but I did it.


Hey look at me -- found another 4 followers - I've got 10 followers!  So exciting! :)


By the way, a few people have asked what I'm running... It's the NJ Marathon Festival at The Shore.




xo
Jen

Day 15 - 68 days to go -- The Secret

I finally watched The Secret last night.  It's been around for a few years and somehow I never got to check it out.

I liked it, there were some creative decisions that seemed a bit hokey but for what it was I thought it was pretty good.  The big secret seems to be the law of attraction -- "dream it and be it" type stuff.  Lots of suggestions on visualization exercises, feeling appreciative of what you have, living in a state of abundance.  Made sense to me.  I'm all about this kind of thing... Reading Jack Canfield (he was in The Secret,) led me to the marathon and this blog.

I definitely keep visualizing getting over that finish line the day of the race and if this journey has taught me anything, it has taught me that the power of your thoughts do have huge influence.  My facebook status is a Henry Ford quote:  "If you think you can do a thing or can't do a thing, you are right."

I love that quote.  It's on the money.

My training went well today.  the drill was to run 4 minutes and walk for 1 (total of 20 minutes) with 5 mins on either end for warm up and cool down.  I wound up running for 4 mins the first drill, 5 mins for the second drill and then I decided to run for 8 mins straight instead of breaking it up.  I'm not running very fast for most of the time -- in fact the girl next to me was using the speed I was running at, as her warm up walk.  OY.  But I can't really worry about that.  I just need to focus on getting used to running for a long time and then I'll worry about speed.  I've got 3 1/2 hours to get to the finish line on May 2nd and I intend on doing that...  You hear that Universe?  I am going to finish the race in under 3 1/2 hours! I can visualize the finish line and everything...

Eh, while I'm visualizing, figure I might as well visualize looking this fit and young and in good lighting, too.  Why not?  Hey there's a finish line and she looks happy so this will do! :0)



xo
Jen

PS:  Angie thanks for becoming an official "follower" lol -- I'm up to six people following :)  Very nice.

day 14 - 69 days to go: I am runner hear me roar!

Today was a great run day for me.

The drill was to run for 3 and walk for 1 for 20 minutes.  (Plus warm up and cool down.)  I did it and it was great...

Then, at the end of my training, I thought I would challenge myself and try to run for five straight minutes because I'm anxious to start upping my run time.  Wasn't sure if I'd be able to run for 5 straight minutes but I did - and the song was so good, I thought I'd do an extra minute!  Six minutes!  but I didn't stop there- oh no I did not -- I was on a roll!  Screw it.  Think I can do seven?  YUP...  and then eight and nine, ten... I finally decided to stop running after 11 or 12 minutes (I freakin' lost track!  HA!)

My heart was beating, I was panting and my face was the color of a tomato but it was amazing.

I walked out of the gym with my head held just a little higher than when I walked in.

XO

PS:  Checking out The Secret now - thanks Lisa
PSS:  Sara, good call on the Eminem "Lose Yourself" song... got me to do the last 3 minutes of the bonus run.  

DAY 13 - 70 days to go... Ooops.

Well don't I feel foolish.

I weighed in at Weight Watchers this morning and the woman at the counter congratulated me on a "great" week... Down 2 pounds.

Well so much for my Cranky Pants Rant of yesterday.  The Running/Weight loss Gods obviously thought it was time to deliver me a little bit of good news for my hard work.

Though, I was up 1.8 (which I still feel a little robbed over) from last week -- 2 pounds is still two pounds and I'm heading in the right direction.

Today's a rest day...  and I'm taking it.

A side question for you all...  Have you seen that movie, "THE SECRET?"  is it worth picking up?  I like that kind of thing.    Lemme know.

xo
Jen

PS:  Happy Birthday, running buddy and partner in crime,  ANGELA - hope you're having a great day!!!

Day 12 - 71 days to go -- Miss Cranky Pants

I was cranky today.   I feel like this guy ---------------------->>>

There's two reasons I'm feeling yucky.

First, I'm selling my home and today was the home inspection by the new buyers.  I think I've been in denial about the whole thing but it's really happening.  This isn't really by choice.  My husband and I, like many others, have been hit hard by this economy and our mortgage has become beyond our reach.  Overall it'll be OK.  I've made choices that I'm proud of - like choosing to jump into co-launching a film and television company rather than find employment working full time someplace.  It takes time to generate money with any new business but it still sucks to see the home you love, being loved by someone else.  And even though I feel in my heart that the company I'm involved in is 100% the right path, it's still really tough.

Then, I got on the scale this morning and WTF!!??  I am exactly the same weight as last week AND if you remember, last week I gained nearly 2 pounds... I mean seriously... WTF!!!!!!?

The non-weight loss just about sent me over the friggen edge.  I mean I'm following the weight watcher plan 100%.  I'm getting in my veggies and fruits, I'm eating healthy whole grains, lean protein - getting my calcium in and taking my vitamins and I'm training for the freakin' marathon.  I said no to pizza luncheons and no to breakfasts of bagels and doughnuts...   I'm getting up at 5 AM, I'm making all of these changes so WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH   why isn't the scale rewarding me?

Seriously, with all I'm doing if I was weighing in on THE BIGGEST LOSER, Jillian would accuse me of "throwing the weigh-in" because any other normal person should be losing weight.

I do remind myself of all the positive changes I've made over the years.  Today, I didn't turn to food for comfort, I didn't go out and pound tequila and I certainly don't chain smoke my problems away anymore.  I'm certainly healthier.  I'm certain that even if the numbers on the scale aren't moving that my blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol numbers are getting sexier by the minute with all this clean and healthy living.  Yee ha.

And I trained, which I admit is a great thing.  In the past I definitely would've buried my head in some chinese food and a movie and called the whole thing off.  Running helped.  I definitely feel better now.  I pushed myself today and total running time is up to 16 minutes.  I went faster - there were times where I had the treadmill up to 5.5 on an incline (my whole workout is on an incline since it's on a treadmill.)  This is really fast for me - 12 days ago I was huffing and puffing jogging for 1 minute at 3.9!

So that's my story.  I still have a fat ass but you should see my resting heart rate.  Totally hot.

xo

day 11 - 72 days to go!

I love this quote:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer


Training felt hard today, I find it harder to get back going when I do take the rest day - 3 minutes running walking for 1 total running time was 15 minutes.  I tried to go a little faster and I definitely felt it!  I'm sticking it out and will get stronger and hopefully I'll go further and faster a little bit each time.  


I have  a question for you runners - what do you eat before you work out?  Do you eat?  Today I felt a little energy lag while running and am wondering if there's something I could fuel up with so I am energized for my run?

day 10 - 73 days to go! 13 miles and 13 great reasons to run.

Today was a rest day and boy did I need it.  Been doing a lot of physical work this week in a freelance gig so I welcomed today's rest but looking forward to getting back to training tomorrow.

Anyway, been thinking about my reasons for doing this thing to keep the motivation up - came up with a top 13 for each mile I'm going to run:

My top 13 reasons to why in the world I'm doing this thing:

13.  Good reason to shake the dust off the 'ol gym membership card and actually use it
12.  Shopping for new fancy socks and cool new sneakers
11.  To get a cool medal at the end
10.  To see the double take in expression on people faces from laughing at figuring I'm kidding to shock at my running 13 miles when I tell them what I'm doing.  Love it.
9.   A most excellent reason to revisit my favorite songs of the 80's and go for "The Eye of The Tiger."
8.   Money is tight, "runner's high" much cheaper than alcohol or anti-depressants
7.   To use terms like "training" with a straight face.
6.   To actually get to my goal weight instead of just going to Weight Watchers every week and thinking through hope and membership alone, I should get there.
5.   Much greener to run for 13 miles than drive for 13 miles
4.   Bragging rights
3.   I hear the Jersey Shore is beautiful in May
2.   Needed an athletic hobby and I can't join curling competition at the winter olympics for four more years...
and the number one reason why I'm doing this...
1.   Because if I can run 13 miles - I can do anything!

Day 9 - 74 days to go!

This is a quick entry today -- worked freelance today and was grateful that in spite of some snow, an early morning conference call and a 13 hour work day, got my training in.  Best & worst thing I ever did was go public with this goal -- keeps me honest... which is good because I'm not so sure I wouldn't have already deemed this thing too hard if I didn't know that a few friends were keeping an eye out!!

xo
Jen

Day 8 - 75 days to go! What's your "stop" story?

This morning I did something even more out of my comfort zone than going to the gym at 8 at night, I went to the gym at six... in the morning.  Meaning I got out of my warm cozy bed at 5:15 am.

I know this isn't that impressive to most people but you have to understand something about me, I barely get out of bed to roll to the bathroom to pee.  I will choose to sleep through bladder pain and risk wetting the bed (which I've never done for the record) than have to leave my snoozy cocoon... never mind getting dressed, getting into my car and going to a gym... No way. "I'm not a morning person."  "I'd rather be fat than get up so early." "I can't," "what about taking care of the baby."  Blah, blah, blah.

And that's the stories I've always told myself - the stories to why I just couldn't possibly work out so early.  And don't you know it, all these years I bought it.  All these years I believed that I would die of sleepiness or something if I left the house that early to work out.  All these years I believed that I would hate getting up so early to exercise.  All these years I believed that I didn't have time to exercise because quite frankly, waking up at the crack of dawn was simply not even an option.  Totally out of the question.

And you know what?  I LOVED it.  I mean LOVED it.  I felt empowered, I felt proud of myself, I felt energized and ready to take on my day and most of all I felt like it was something I could do again.

My training had me moving up to running for 3 minutes at a stretch and walking for one.  I'm doing it.  It's not easy for me but I'm doing it and liking it.  In the middle of my final run I accidentally punched the "stop" button.  It was annoying because I had a good stride, was listening to a good song (thanks to all those playlist suggestions!) and was in the zone.  But I hit that stop and the machine slowed to a halt and it started to display my work out stats... it took a minute or two but I quickly got the thing moving back up to speed and went running on my merry way.

It occurred to me that so many times I have hit a mental stop button and let it end my run.  Whether it was getting up early or feeling too fat, too out of shape, too lazy, too busy, whatever - I told myself a story that said "stop."  And I would.  But no more.  My new story says, "there's no stopping me."  If I hit a roadblock, I'll find a detour, a new road, a new way -- there's no bed too warm it's time to stop snoozing and start living...  sleep is overrated anyway.  ;)

Day 7 of training! One week down and 76 days to go!

Happy Valentines Day!

First off, thanks for sending the play list suggestions - Awesome and I have running music for miles now! :)  At some point I'll compile all the song suggestions I got into a master list so you will also be able to check them out.

I made it through my first week of training!  YAY!

Today was a little tougher because I read on-line this morning that if you're training for a marathon inside on a treadmill that you should increase the incline to 1 as it's a little closer to the exertion of running outside.  I definitely felt the difference, but no matter - I got through it - huffing and puffing but I did it.

Training for this thing is really empowering.  What has always held me back is thinking that I can't.  I truly believe that this marathon is going to really do a lot for me.  If I can do this, then I can do anything!

NO MORE FEAR OF FAILURE FOR ME!

I have two goals for this training to lose 15 pounds by race day and run 13.1 miles.

Have a lovely Sunday, see you tomorrow.  xo
Jen

Day 6 of training: 77 days to go...

I went to my weight watcher meeting today and despite my new training program and sticking to plan pretty well this week - I managed to GAIN almost 2 pounds.  Really?  I mean, was that necessary?  Sooooo annoying but I'm not going to let that get me down.  By May 2nd, I'll be thinner no matter what the scale said today!  Sigh.  Still annoying.  


Anyway, today was a rest day - I have to tell you, I think I'm going to like running because I went to the gym to "cross train" - and while I promised myself I was going to honor the "no run" on rest days rule (I totally get the whole, "your body needs to repair" thing and that you can risk injury if you don't rest...) but, I found myself turning my fast walk on the treadmill to warm up, into a jog and then finally a pretty good run for a few minutes.  I'm a rebel, what can I say?  Probably at this level of training, It's not that big of a deal but I can see how further down the line - it could be tempting to overtrain.  


Part of the reason I wanted to run today was because of the new "running" play list I created on my I-Pod!  Song after song of fun to run to music:  


Here's a few of the songs I have on there, what songs do you work out to?  Would love to know because I like to mix it up.


Born To Run - Springsteen
Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Ray of Light - Madonna
Beautiful Day - U2
Man In Motion (St. Elmo's Fire) John Parr (this song always puts me in a good mood... reminds me of my youth and my sister and I drunkenly over singing this song dramatically at a family BBQ a few summers ago.)
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Paradise City - Guns n Roses


Oh, and I got the pink socks today!  i worked out before they arrived but I can't wait to check them out - lol.


Have a happy Saturday and thanks for reading this.  I appreciate you being on this thing with me and your support!  


XOXO

Jen

Day 5: 78 days - Freaking Out

I started to freak out today.  I truly believed that I could do this thing - I really did.  I still do - but it was a challenge to keep it from getting overwhelming today.  Other people and stuff really can get in your head - in both good and bad ways.

I have been devouring marathon and running information and the more I read, the more nervous I get.  Maybe I should've tried a 5K first - but I'm such a newbie at running that it never occurred to me!  Then friends who do run and who've run smaller races have repeatedly told me, "you're crazy."  "I don't even think I can do that!"  "How long do you have to train!?... Oh, Jen."  Oh boy.

Well, my ignorance was bliss... and now I'm fighting to remain in total belief in my abilities and fighting against these tricky little, seeds of doubts that want to plant themselves in my head and grow into paralyzing weeds that choke the confidence I have, right out of me.

OK, I admit I'm cutting it close with training and I also admit it's quite possible I'm the last person in the race to cross that finish line but I also believe in the power of believing in yourself.  I really do.

So I'm trying to put my mind over matter on this one and just muster up as much belief as I can - even if there are moments of sheer terror and a little faking it.

We teach our kids, "I think I can, I think I can..."  I just have to keep on believing I can.

As far as training.  I loved my training today.  Same basic drill as yesterday but I was able to crank up the speed a little more (YAY!) and instead of the prescribed "2 minutes" there were a few cycles where I ran 3 and even 4 minutes straight... not just for the challenge but because I was enjoying it so much, I just didn't want to stop!  That's gotta be a good thing.

Also, I realize the power music has on my workout -- so I downloaded a bunch of songs specifically for this training.  I'll share the playlist tomorrow.

xo
Jen

Day 4: 79 days and counting

It seemed to be the general consensus that my old crappy sneakers are not optimal for running.  No doubt... But then my friend Angela posts this:

"Go to a running store and have them tell you if you are a neutral runner or if you over or under pronate. " 

OMG...  What!? There's a whole new language I have to learn... over / under pronate!!?  Yo no habla sneaker!  WAY intimidating.  Thank God for google.  Which I will do later and figure out what a pronate is and if I should be "over it."  ;)

In the meantime, I did buy some sneakers today.  I bought the best of the cheapest ones.   I found ones I like that my husband wouldn't kill me for buying on day four...  They are Champion Running Sneakers from Payless and with a 15% coupon I found on-line today, I paid under $25 bucks for them.  Uh, less than the socks cost!  HA!  Hey times are tight - I do promise that I will save some money - get myself to one of these serious running specialists and "speak" sneakerese and get some great ones for the race.  I know that for a 13 mile marathon - the Payless kicks probably won't cut it.

Today I got to do a little more running.  I have to say I was nervous - Ran for 25 minutes today (alternating between running for 2 and walking for 1 minute.)  I really found a good groove and the Champion sneakers lived up to their name - no blisters today.  I actually even ran a little more than the "25 minutes" I was supposed to because there were times where I was really getting into it and didn't want to walk yet!  Wow.  WHO DAT?  Dat usually not me... but now it is! :D

80 days away

Lucky for me today was a "rest day" since it's snowing and still snowing and there was no going for a run or even getting to a gym.  I was already trying to figure out what piece of furniture I could run around for 30 minutes if need be but nope.  Rest day.

I forgot in my quest for a 1/2 marathon that I have crappy feet.  Like even when I was a teenager.  If I'm walking around the mall for ten minutes, they start to hurt and I tend to get blisters.  My toes rub together when I run (two days of twenty minutes of "light running" = 3 blisters.  Awesome.

I ordered "special" running socks that I found on line, they are supposed to "go the distance" for marathon and long distance runners.  They have individual toes cut out and some kind of fancy light weight, keep your foot cool, fabric technology - and the individual toe things are supposed to prevent blisters.

So I paid more for two pairs of socks then I usually pay for a pair of shoes and hopefully they'll get here next week.

Hmmm.  Socks.  Well this blog couldn't be more exciting today... hopefully I'll have something amusing/inspirational or informative tomorrow.

Here's a pic of my new sock - ordered in pink! :)  the upside if this running thing doesn't work out, they'll work well with flip flops!  (yuck... just kidding!)

No more "weighting"

One thing about being overweight and on the "chunkier" side most of your life is you get really used to "waiting" to do things... waiting until you're just the right weight.

I'm a lifetime member of weight watchers, I've lost lots of weight over the years - Currently I've been losing weight (slooooowly) but losing.  Started in Oct. 07 and to date I'm down 57 pounds.  I still have 25 to go.

But back to the waiting.  I've always wanted to do this marathon thing, splurge on designer duds, take a salsa class but there's always a thought in the back of my mind "when I'm at goal weight."

Well.  At this rate, I might not ever get to goal weight.  I could get hit by a bus, a million things could happen - and what?  I'm sitting around not living my life to the fullest.  That's ridiculous.  So, no more waiting or weighting for me.  It's just doing... besides if training for a half marathon and then running 13 freakin' miles doesn't get me way closer to my goal weight, then really nothing will.

Aside from that, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself today.  I did some freelance work today which required me to be in the city early and get home on the late side.  I had to cook dinner for my family, spend time with my son, bathe him and see him to sleep... and then I left the house for the gym... at 8PM.

Now, this may be really unremarkable and unimpressive to many of you, especially for you single people sans bebe's... but for someone like me, who is usually PJ clad and ready to climb into bed with a snuggly blanket, and an episode of Biggest Loser, (especially after putting in a whole day of working and running around...) well this was huge.  HUGE.  To the point that my husband was baffled, confused and even worried, "who is this woman and what did she do with my wife?" Seriously, it may as well have been 1AM and I was telling him I was going skydiving... that's how out of my norm that is.  But I'm so glad I did it - like I was a rebel against the old Jen who would've not even considered figuring it out.  The old girl who would've immediately thought, "crap, too bad I couldn't get it in - impossible.  What am I supposed to do?  Go in the middle of the night.  Gym probably isn't even open.  I'll just "wait" for tomorrow."  And I would wait for tomorrow and tomorrow it's supposed to snow and then what?  Wait for the next day?  The next week?  The next race?

Nope.  not for me.  No more weighting.

Jen

What are you nuts? WHY?

So I've gotten two basic reactions on my decision to run 1/2 marathon: incredulous disbelief bordering on insulting, (as in, "No way, your fat ass can do nor want to do that") to the enthusiastic, "Way to go! You'll love it!"  From my fun-loving fitness friends.

My own inner reaction is probably an incredulously, almost sarcastic, "Way to go.  you'll love it."  

But, I am excited about the challenge.  It is only day one after-all.

I'm not quite sure what kind of insanity got ahold of me... (actually I think it happened while reading that damned Jack Canfield! AND checking out my friend Angela's facebook page about her own recent marathon run) but it dawned on me running a half marathon is something I've just always wanted to do.  I've written it as a goal in all kinds of life, "to do" lists and such.  I've often thought to myself that it would be such a cool thing to accomplish.  And seriously, I had just finished a chapter about believing in yourself in the Success Principles and well a google search, a registration and a $90- receipt later, I'm all signed up to run the New Jersey Marathon at the Shore.  Woo hoo.  

I did my first day of "training" which isn't as fancy or Olympic-y official as it might sound.  It really was alternating between one minute of running and one minute of walking on the treadmill for twenty minutes.  Even a zaftig woman like myself can handle that.  

So that's my story, I'm off to the races!

Keep you posted.

Jen

PS:  I know, maybe I am becoming one of those crazy bloggy people.  Oh well.  I have a strange need for public scrutiny in order to stick to things... so I might as well blog about this too.