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.