Plateau Busted!

It's time to CELEBRATE!!

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I have FINALLY broken through my weight-loss plateau! That's right ladies and gents, I'm officially back to 205. This is the weight I was when I ran my half marathon last year! Woohoo! I still have 2 months until my next half marathon, so I'm hoping that as I continue with my training, I will drop those last remaining 5lbs (plus one or two more). That will put me under 200lbs for the first time in about 10 years. Crazy!!! I'm so excited and proud! As you all know, I had just about given up because I had been stuck at 210 for so long- but thanks to everyone's support and motivation, I managed to keep muddling through and it paid off. So, THANK YOU!

On another celebratory note, I decide to follow some of Kara's advice the other day and went out for a run. There was no mileage goal in mind, no set time limit- I just went out to run and see how far I managed to go. I did set my watch timer, but only so I could log my run. I started the stop watch and then put it in my SpiBelt so I wouldn't be tempted to check it. I maintained a steady pace for most of my run, extending or shortening my route as I felt. When I finally hit my street again (I did and out and back loop), I stopped my watch to see that I had been going for 1:20:07. Not too bad for "just going for a run"! I went inside and logged into my DailyMile account to put in my route. Turns out I did 6miles! 6 miles in 1:20:07?! Holy crap crackers, Batman!! Apparently, I need to run without my watch more often. I think I get so stuck in trying to beat my time and speed up my pace that I actually slow myself down by psyching myself out. Anyone else ever feel like this?

Anyway, it's a great feeling knowing that I'm back on track with losing weight and that I had such an awesome long run. Gives me motivation to keep going! Did anyone else have any amazing achievements this past week?!

Final Thoughts

Well folks, the time has arrived. 

Tomorrow morning is THE DAY.

I will be running my first half marathon and, as you all know, I've felt a lot of varying emotions leading up to this point. The best emotion happened today though- EXCITEMENT!!

Chris and I drove to the XL Center to pick up our race packets and walk around the expo (can we say SWAG heaven?!) I snagged a bunch of Gu, a spibelt, some awesome Larabars and tons of other stuff. The whole atmosphere was just intoxicating and I loved every minute of it.

We also drove the race course so we could see what we have in store for us tomorrow. I have to say that the course is gorgeous and it seems like a pretty good race. Not too many drastic inclines, thank goodness! As we were finishing up our drive of the course, my phone rang with some even more exciting news! The amazingly wonderful people at ING had sent out an email a few months ago asking people to submit their stories about why they were running, so I submitted mine. Apparently ING loved the story and got in touch with my local paper who then decided to do a human interest piece on me! SWEET! So, the phone call was from a reporter who did a rather in depth phone interview about myself, my training, my running for my mother, etc etc. Then, they sent a photographer over to my house later in the day to do an hour long photo shoot of myself and my mom. CRAZY!!! So, supposedly the story is going to run tomorrow! I am beyond thrilled! It's so flattering to know that people actually care about what I'm doing, you know? I mean, take all of you readers for example, what would I do without all of your advice and support?! You guys are the best!

Anyway, I had a lengthy conversation with Kurt @ Becoming an Ironman (he's running the full marathon to my half) and we discussed water stations, GU choices, hydration techniques, etc etc. He got me super pumped and I feel a bit better about running tomorrow. I truly feel like it's going to be an amazing experience.

However, in the slight case that I do not cross the finish line, I am leaving my last will and testament here so there should be no questions about who gets what.

Final Will and Testament of Kristin

I, Kristin, do hereby leave all my worldly running belongings as so stated below/.

My various running skirts (sparkly and non-sparkly) to the following people:
Amy @ Pumpkin to Princess
Wells L @ My Story... Chapter 2
Stephanie @ Running to Health

My awesome pink running shoes go to Chelsea (as I know she fully appreciates their awesomeness).

I leave my hefty collection of GU gels, Chomps, and Brews to the following people:
Kurt @ Becomin an Ironman

MrsQ @ A Duck on the Run
Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner

Everyone else can pick over what is left (sunglasses, iPod case, ear buds, compression sleeves, so on and so forth). All I ask is that you please be gentle with my destroyed body as you shove it aside on the road to pass me.

In all seriousness though, I'm psyched for tomorrow and I can't wait to get there and blast this race out of the water! It's going to be amazing! Wish me luck everyone! And good luck to everyone else who has a race this weekend!