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?!

6 Mile Run and A Buffet = Danger

I am TIRED.

Beyond tired, actually. Exhausted.

That's how you know I had a good run. I feel completely and utterly spent. My goal was to do a 6 mile run today, and as you can see from my handy DailyMile widget, I did just that and then some. I actually managed a 6.17 mile run in 1:28:43. Hot diggity dang! I started out on my regular street at a nice pace- hit my first mile marker at 14:35. That was a little faster than I wanted to be pacing because I knew I had long way to go. So, I slowed my pace down and hit my second mile marker at 29:36. Still a bit faster than I had hoped, but I was feeling good. I managed to keep a nice pace up until 4.1 miles (when I turned onto New Hanover Rd in my town).

Now, when I mapped out this run I forgot all about what a b*tch New Hanover Road is- it is literally all uphill for 0.8 or so of a mile. Some hills have a slow but steady incline that aren't too bad to run, but this hill is a monster! It's steep and it stays steep the whole time. I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest! Needless to say, I walked most of that hill (and even just that about wore me out). Eventually, I finally turned onto the street where my grandmother lives and I rejoiced.

Once my grandmother and my aunt got home, they surprised me by taking me out to lunch. (My grandmother was funny and said   "We should have called and told you before and then you could have brought a change of clothes with you." haha. Considering I don't even have a pocket for my cell, where would I have put said change of clothes Grams?) Anywho, they let me borrow a t-shirt- I cooled off, washed up a bit, changed and then we headed out to Pacific buffet. Pacific buffet is an asian/american mix all-you-can-eat buffet. That spells DANGER after a 6 mile run.

I'm proud to say that I behaved myself and made some healthy choices. I enjoyed a plate of salad, 3 pieces of sushi, a small piece of grilled tilapia, a small piece of grilled chicken, some mushrooms and steamed veggies, a various combo of random fruit and some pudding. I also drank about 4 glasses of water. (Hey, I was thirsty ok? Don't judge!)

Now, I am back home and fighting the urge to go pass out on my bed. My whole self is tired- but whether it's from the run or the food (maybe both?) I do not know. I don't have anything to do tonight thankfully so I am going to try and keep myself awake and then hit the hay early. I start a new program with my job tomorrow and I'm super excited!! Also, I have to figure out why the tops of my arms are itching like crazy. Maybe it's heat rash? Anyone have any ideas?

Even though I only did my run today, I feel like I've accomplished so much! 

HOORAY!

Ouch

I feel as if I may have completely and utterly destroyed my body. 

No, really. 

It hurts. 

A lot. 

Someone pass me the Icy Hot please. 

 (And a glass of wine.)

So, after my fail-of-a disappointing run yesterday, I decided I was going to take it slow today and just enjoy my run. A short 3 miles was all I had planned. Then, I realized I could save myself some gas if I ran to and from rehearsal tonight. Rehearsal is only 2.5 miles away, so why not do it? I love having these brilliant ideas that end nothing like I expect.

I, once again, strapped on my frisky back pack (I had to carry my sheet music, water bottle and towel somehow) and off I went. It took my 38 minutes to go 2.55 miles there, uphill. Not too bad if I say so myself, especially considering how tired I still was from yesterday's disaster run. And even with the back pack STILL persisting in dancing with me, I feel I made decent time. (Probably because it was only carrying 2-3lbs as opposed to 10lbs this time.) I had a good rehearsal, but, sadly, it meant I was sitting for about 2 hours before I could run back home. Whenever we stood to sing, I would do a couple of stretches, but to no avail. My muscles got tight and stiff. Perfect.

After rehearsal I ran back home. Thankfully, the first half mile was ALL down hill. Sweet! I picked up a bit of speed and cut some time off my first 1.3 miles. Eventually though, my muscle stiffness came back to haunt me and I ended up walking almost all of the last mile. Sadness. I finished the second half of my run in 40 minutes. Yay. Still, not too bad.

I am rather excited that this run, even though it was split up, was a decent one. My times were rather steady (2.55 miles in 38 minutes and 2.57 miles in 40 minutes) and I felt good up until the last mile. My mother wasn't too happy that I was out running around on my own at 9:45pm, but I had my phone, ID and mace with me so I felt safe. It's not something I plan to make a habit of though.

Also, because I ran to rehearsal people were impressed and donated to my cause for the half marathon! I was so excited! So far, I am up to $190!!! HOORAY!  

My goal is $500 by October (check out my donation page HERE ) 

Hooray's All Around!

Firstly, a major shout-out to everyone who competed in a marathon or half-marathon today. Most specifically, my bestest friend Chelsea who ran the NYC Half-Marathon in under 2 hours
(You Go Girl!).

In honor of Chelsea's endeavor, I decided to push myself in my own long run today. I was anticipating having a lack-luster run because I had pretty much been going non-stop all week, while trying to fight a cold and had a monstrous work day on Saturday (8:30am to 10:30pm on my feet was not fun). I woke up and immediately got dressed into my running gear. I put my headphones on and turned my music up loud. I let my body find it's own pace and went to town. I must say, I was rather excited to take on running from my house to my grandmother's house as it is all the way across town and it seemed an exceptional feat.The run only ended up being 4.5 miles but it was a fantastic one nonetheless! I looked down at my watch at one point to see that I had surpassed mile marker 3 about 35 minutes in, so I decided to lengthen my route a bit as I had some time to spare. I'm also proud because I managed to run the first 2 miles without having to stop and walk. WOOT! As well, I took a disgustingly difficult hill and conquered about 3/4 of it before I had to give up (still much better than I have done in the past).

Other exciting news would be that I made some amazing home-made hummus today. It was butternut squash basil flavored (wit some cayenne powder thrown in just for kicks) and it came out pretty nicely. I made it as part of a surprise celebration dinner for Chelsea. She gave up all processed foods for Lent, so Kurt and I had to get creative with our dinner plans. Originally, we were going to do hand-rolled sushi, but time constraints kind of put the kebosh on that plan. Hopefully one day soon we shall do that and document it for blogging purposes, because I feel it will be an exercise in epic-ness.