Spontaneous Decisions

I'm finally ready to share the spontaneous decisions I've made recently regarding my weight, fitness, health (both physical and mental) and running goals. I'm happy with the decisions and am looking forward to continuing them and seeing the results.

I'm in a better place mentally to continue/start these decisions and goals and am putting a much smaller emphasis on completing these things as being successes and not doing them as failures. I know that I am doing these things as a choice and that the overall result will be better health and happiness (hello endorphins!). 

I'm really tired of looking back and realizing that I had made the good decisions and had worked hard for the results..

Then again, I'm really tired of looking back even further for a body type that just isn't realistic anymore..

In March I'm going to turn 30, so why do I keep looking back to the body of a 15 year old, 18 year old and 20 something year old? Those are not realistic goals to have. In fact, at this point, I don't even know what realistic is anymore. I know what charts consider "healthy" but I'm still figuring out what is healthy for me. 

This is me now/recently..

So, I'm not a size 6 anymore. So, I'm not in the 150s anymore. So, I'm not in a healthy weight range or toned anymore. None of that really matters because it was in the past. 

What matters is that I am working towards being a happier and healthier person. What matters is that I am a runner. What matters is that's I'm here making changes.

Change #1: weight and weight loss. 

5 weeks ago I decided to spontaneously sign back up for myfitnesspal. I felt ready to get back to tracking and to paying closer attention to what I was actually fueling my body with. I'm not going to sit here and say that I've been perfect, but I have been better and the results are proof that I was mentally ready to get back to it. 

I've been tracking everything most days and forgiving myself for those days I go over or forget to track a meal or two. 38 days in a row and going strong!

Change #2: fitness goals and schedule

My main focus has been running and I haven't spent much time on strength training at all the past two years. I know that strength training works and yet I haven't been able to stick with a schedule because I believe I haven't been ready to commit to anything. It's difficult to start something that pushes you and shows you how weak you are when you start out. But I know the feeling when I stick with it and how strong I feel after I've been doing it for awhile and that is so worth it.

Since being spontaneous with weight loss has worked well so far, I made the spontaneous decision last night to start strength training again. I'm ready to commit to three days a week of strength and still allowing myself to decide the days I feel like running or using the stationary bike. I am planning on strength training on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's. I am sure I will need to be flexible when it comes to the schedule and I intend to be flexible as long as I get in the three days a week.

As of right now I'm going to prepare my body to get it ready to take on Body Revolution in July. The 90 day program will take me into October and since I haven't been doing any strength I figured I should start with the three days a week to build up the strength in my entire body. I did my first video tonight and plan on doing the following schedule:

Week of December 1st: 30 Day Shred Level 1
Week of December 8th: 30 Day Shred Level 2
Week of December 15th: 30 Day Shred Level 3
Week of December 22nd: Ripped in 30 Level 1
Week of December 29th: Ripped in 30 Level 2
break in strength training to run Tracy's Dose of Dopey and recovery
Week of January 19th: Ripped in 30 Level 3
Week of January 26th: Ripped in 30 Level 4
Week of February 2nd: Killer Buns & Thighs Level 1, 6 Week 6 Pack Level 1
Week of February 9th: 6 Week 6 Pack Level 1, Killer Buns & Thighs Level 1
Week of February 16th: Killer Buns & Thighs Level 2, 6 Week 6 Pack Level 1
Week of February 23rd: 6 Week 6 Pack Level 1, Killer Buns & Thighs Level 2
Week of March 2nd: Killer Buns & Thighs Level 3, 6 Week 6 Pack Level 2
Week of March 9th: 6 Week 6 Pack Level 2, Killer Buns & Thighs Level 3
break in strength training to run LA Marathon and recovery
Week of March 23rd: No More Trouble Zones
Week of March 30th: No More Trouble Zones
Week of April 6th: Ripped in 30 Level 1
Week of April 13th: Ripped in 30 Level 2
Week of April 20th: Ripped in 30 Level 3
Week of April 27th: Ripped in 30 Level 4
Week of May 4th: 30 Day Shred Level 1
Week of May 11th: 30 Day Shred Level 2
Week of May 18th: 30 Day Shred Level 3
break in strength training to run Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and recovery
Month of June: No More Trouble Zones
Month of July: Body Revolution Phase 1 (more details to come)
Month of August: Body Revolution Phase 2
Month of September: Body Revolution Phase 3

I'm ready to see the changes in my body. I know it's going to take some time in order to see the changes, but I've already lost some inches just by eating right that I'm excited for updates to my measurements now that I'm strength training again. I know that the measurements are where I'm going to see the biggest changes and I need to prepare for the scale to stall. That's why I'm glad I tracked both weight and measurements from the beginning.

I tracked measurements the first weigh in, two weeks later, three weeks after that and now I'm going to do it monthly.

October 22nd-
Waist: 35
Bust: 40
Hips: 44.5
Thigh: 25
Arm:  12.5

November 5th- 
Waist: 34.5 (-0.5)
Bust: 39.5 (-0.5)
Hips: 44 (-0.5)
Thigh: 25.25 (+0.25)
Arm:  12.25 (-0.25)

November 25th: 
Waist: 34 (-1)
Bust: 39.5 (-0.5)
Hips: 43.75 (-0.75)
Thigh: 25 (0)
Arm:  12 (-0.5)

Change #4: running goals and schedule

30:1 Intervals
November 28th: 4 mile walk
November 29th: 6 mile walk
November 30th: 10 mile run
December 6th: 10 mile walk
December 7th: 23 mile run
December 13th: 3 mile walk
December 14th: Santa to the Sea Half
December 19th: 5 mile walk
December 20th: 6 mile walk
December 21st: 10 mile run
December 27th: 3 mile walk
December 28th: San Diego Holiday Half
January 3rd: 7 mile run
January 4th: 3 mile walk
January 8th: Tracy's Dose of Dopey 5K
January 9th: Tracy's Dose of Dopey 10K
January 10th: Tracy's Dose of Dopey Half
January 11th: Tracy's Dose of Dopey Full
January 17th: 3 mile run

35:1 Intervals
January 24th: 8 mile run
January 31st: 6 mile run
February 7th: 13 mile run

40:1 Intervals
February 14th: 15 mile run
February 21st: 18 mile run
February 28th: 20 mile run

45:1 Intervals
March 7th: 6 mile run
March 15th: LA Marathon
March 21st: 3 mile run

50:1 Intervals
March 28th: Chesebro Half
April 4th: 7 mile run
April 11th: 13 mile run

55:1 Intervals
April 18th: 16 mile run
April 26th: Ojai Half
May 2nd: 20 mile run

1:1 Intervals
May 9th: 10 mile run
May 16th: 7 mile run

1:55 Intervals
May 24th: Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
May 30th: 3 mile run
June 6th: 7 mile run
June13th: 5 mile run

1:50 Intervals
June 21st: Mammoth Half
June 27th: 3 mile run
July 4th: 4 mile run

1:45 Intervals
July 11th: 12 mile run
July 18th: 4 mile run
July 25th: 14 mile run

105:45 Intervals
August 1st: 5 mile run
August 8th: 17 mile run
August 15th: 5 mile run

110:45 Intervals
August 22nd: 6 mile run
August 29th: 20 mile run
September 5th: 6 mile run

115:45 Intervals
September 12th: 6 mile run
September 19th: 23 mile run
September 26th: 6 mile run

120:45 Intervals
October 3rd: 7 mile run
October 10th: 26 mile run
October 17th: 7 mile run

125:45 Intervals
October 24th: 6 mile run
October 31st: 7 mile run
November 7th: Santa Barbara Veterans Day Marathon

130:45 Intervals
November 14th: 6 mile run
November 21st: 7 mile run
November 28th: 10 mile run

December: TBA- will be running Santa to the Sea

Mileage update: (as of 11/28/14)
Monthly- 117.96
Yearly- 1230.04
Total- 2980.10

I've been going through a lot of changes and am really excited about all of the changes to come. I know it seems like a lot when it's all written out, but I'm ready to take this on. I have a great support system and I know that I can do it (which is the most important thing).

Well, here goes nothing! I'm very excited about it all!!

Weekend Training

This weekend was the first of training for Dopey that called for three days of training in a row. I've done the two days in a row before (one day running a long distance and the other day walking), but this weekend called for two long walks followed by a long run.

I tracked the routes and prepared myself for the full weekend. It started with the Thanksgiving 5K on Thursday, turning into 4 days of training and a good mental and physical preparation for what I have ahead of me. 

Friday, November 28, 2014- 4 mile walk

Mile 1- 15:05

Mile 2- 14:57

Mile 3- 14:06

Mile 4- 14:00

Total distance- 4.27

Total time- 1:01:45

Avg pace- 14:28

I went for a familiar course that I've used for both walking and running. The first two miles are mostly uphill, leaving the second half for recovery. I was tempted to take my interval timer with me, but felt it would be better to follow my training as it's scheduled and not push myself. Especially since I'm starting strength training.. 

Saturday, November 29, 2014- 6 mile walk

Mile 1- 15:18

Mile 2- ???

Mile 3- ???

Mile 4- 14:19

Mile 5- 14:47

Mile 6- ???

Total distance- 6.12

Total time- 1:30:50

Avg pace- 14:51

I went a lot slower due to the pain in my rear end and thighs from strength training. A reminder to not stop strength training so I don't have to start over again. It felt good to get out and get moving, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking a lot about the 10 mile run and how I would possibly get through it. It may be a positive thing though because my sore legs may force me to slow down for the long distance run. 

I'm glad I started strength training when I did though. Instead of waiting I just got started and it ended up giving me a two day break before doing it again. A chance to get my muscles back to feeling semi-normal before putting them back to work. It's going to take time for my body to adjust to both the strength, additional workouts and increased mileage. I'm just over waiting for the right time to do these things. There's never going to be a right time to focus solely on strength because I love running too much. I'm able to do both and I will see success in both. 

Sunday, November 30, 2014- 10 mile run

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for my parents. Being able to drop Isabel off early on Friday and Saturday to walk around their neighborhood and having my mom come over Sunday morning so I could run a flat 10 mile course makes my life easier and makes me realize how blessed I really am.. 

I started my run in some pain from strength training on Friday. I was getting in my head about quitting early because I could use the excuse that I was still sore, but the desire to prove that I can do it was greater.

About a mile and a half into the run it started to drizzle. About two and a half miles in it started to pour, and it didn't let up until I finished. I absolutely love running in the rain, even more so that it's such a rare event in Southern California. I found myself looking up to the sky and enjoying myself more than I looked down to watch where I was walking. Not smart for someone who's not so graceful. 

Thankfully I didn't injure myself and was able to enjoy the entire 10 miles. My goal was to not push myself and to try to stay between a 13:30-14:30 mile. I must have been feeling better than I thought because my slowest mile was under a 13:30. 

Mile 1- 13:17

Mile 2- 13:18

Mile 3- 13:13

Mile 4- 13:03

Mile 5- 13:23

Mile 6- 13:12

Mile 7- 13:13

Mile 8- 13:03

Mile 9- 12:54

Mile 10- 13:06

Total distance- 10.07

Total time- 2:12:58

Avg pace- 13:12

By the time I finished I was soaking wet. I felt great and so accomplished when I was done. 

I'm still nervous about getting up early to strength train. Mostly because I'm still sore, but also because I haven't been up early to work out in a long time. I know it's worth it and I know the feeling when I'm done is going to be amazing. I'm excited to be excited about doing this, and I know that as long as I keep thinking about that and the results that will eventually come I will be able to stick with this for as long as I've scheduled it, if not longer.. 

Thanksgiving Day 5K

I've previously participated in two turkey trots. The first one I ran alone and attempted a PR, the second was last year where I ran the 1K with Isabel and the 5K with my niece.

This year Isabel and I will be running a 5K together. It will be her second year running on Thanksgiving and her second 5K. Her first 5K was in March. She ran with me in the Hopes 4 Kids 5K and we finished in 41:21. 

She made it to about the half way point at her first race before she was done and wanted to stop. I'm hoping she can get a little further this year. We may be finishing with her on my shoulders..

As much as I would love a little running buddy, I'm not really pushing her to run if she doesn't want to. She seems to like the idea of having this be our Thanksgiving tradition, however once we get out there and start running it's a whole other story. 3 miles is a long way for a 6 year old and I can sympathize with that. I wouldn't push her to do anything she doesn't want to do, which is why I always ask before signing her up. 

She was really excited last night when we picked up our race packets and then as we were laying out our clothes for the race. She kepts telling me how cool it would be to win the race, to which I was realistic and told her that in order to win you have to train for speed. Her little body isn't prepared to train like that. It's still developing, so we stick to our 30:1 intervals and enjoy the time we're spending together. 

Today's run was on the wash, my favorite place to run, so it was scenic and familiar. Isabel has gone with me many times on this particular path and I'm sure she will do fine. I need to make sure I have lots to talk to her about when she gets bored and is ready to call it quits. 

She wanted to try to beat her last 5K time, but went out too fast and I knew that it just wasn't going to happen. So the goal turned from a PR to just finishing. 

She did a lot better this time about not complaining while we were out there. There was some moans and groans and a couple "are we done yet?" But overall I am so proud of her and what she accomplished today. 

She's kind of like me when I first started running- hating the process loving the result. I think it's growing on her though, and although I'm not going to push my hobbies or passion for running on her, I will encourage it if she shows interest.

I mean, showing her a healthy activity to enjoy is a lot better than allowing more time on the iPad. And even just getting out for 20 minutes to walk the dog is a good habit to create at an early age. Being active and healthy is a huge part of why I run and what I want to pass on to Isabel. 

Hope you all have a very happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday! 

Training Runs

I have been highly motivated this past week to keep up with my weekday runs, fitting them in whenever I can. I am so close to reaching my goal of 1250 miles in a year and have extended that goal to 1400 miles to finish the year strong and to give me that extra push to keep going.

I've done the calculations and I'm going to have to 1. Stick to my training schedule 2. Get in at least one 2 mile walk every day at work and 3. Get in some running miles after work. It's doable, but I am making myself work for it. 

This past week I was able to fit in three runs before my long distance run on Saturday. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were all ideal days for me to get out and get my legs moving again after the half last Sunday. 2.42, 2.70 and 3.14 miles. I listened to my body on all three runs while still pushing. I attempted some speed training for a short time during each run and both Wednesday and Thursday's run had hills. 

But to be honest, it was just so nice to be out doing what I love to do.

I would like to get better about an actual schedule. Having actual training runs that focus on speed, training runs that focus on hills, cross training and strength training. I know myself though and I know that schedules don't really work for me. I tend to over do it and then feel like a failure when I miss or skip a workout (for whatever reason) and then the entire week and sometimes month falls apart. 

Right now I'm just going out and doing what feels best for me and enjoying it. It makes it easier to want to go out for a run or use the stationary bike. I have been deciding either in the morning or when I get home from work what I want to do, if anything, and it's been working. So, although I do want to do those things and be a more organized runner, for now I have to do what's working and not fall back into old patterns.. At some point the rest will fall into place and I will be able to make a schedule that works for me. Until then, I'm not fixing what's not broken.

This weeks long distance training run was a 7 miler. I woke up early yesterday morning in order to run the 7 miles towards my niece's soccer game. At the 7ish mile mark Patrick would pick me up and we would drive the rest of the way. Thankfully, Patrick was running a little behind schedule and I still had some running mojo left so I continued running down the side street while I waited for him and ended up getting in an extra mile! 

It was a really nice run, mostly because I got to run in my favorite place, the wash. The wash is a bike path that runs from one end of town to the other. I feel safer on the wash than on the streets as I don't have to worry about cars. It's peaceful there. 

I have run many miles on the wash and plan to run many more, including quite a few miles during Tracy's Dose of Dopey in January. It's a great place to reflect on things and to think about why you're out running in the first place. I've had great conversations with myself (not in a crazy way) and I've left a lot out there, mostly sweat and tears. 

Mile 1- 13:07

Mile 2- 13:00

Mile 3- 12:49

Mile 4- 12:59

Mile 5- 12:21

Mile 6- 12:15

Mile 7- 11:32

Mile 8- 12:58

Total distance- 8.03

Total time- 1:41:22

Avg pace- 12:38

I decided to push a little yesterday because it was a shorter long distance run. I'm happy with my overall pace and was pretty impressed with mile 7. I also had some time to think of some other goals for next year including some ideas on how I'm going to increase my intervals and pace. Maybe attempt for a few PRs? 

I wish I could bottle up this motivation for days when it doesn't come as easy. Until then I'm going to enjoy it while it's here.

Rock N Roll Las Vegas- Race Recap

Well, it's been a week since the race and I'm finally ready to recap it, sort of..

Vegas. 

I mean, come on! How amazing is it to be able to run in Sin City?! Granted, there are a lot of amazing places that I will probably (okay, definitely) never be able to run that top running in Vegas, but I'm going to enjoy the experiences I do get to have. 

I planned to run the half marathon a long time ago as race #12 of 14 for the year, but was really fortunate to also be able to run the 5K on Saturday night for the Remix Medal. 

I was also lucky enough to be able to run both races with my best friend and celebrate her first half marathon together. 

We picked up our race packets Friday after getting into town. It was a huge expo as well as very organized. It's nice being able to get in, get your stuff and get out without getting lost or frustrated. 

We had dinner at Margaritaville (where Isabel got a nice balloon tiara) before Lorien and I went to ride the High Roller observation tower. What an amazing view.. 

Saturday was mostly a rest day as I had rolled my ankle multiple times on Thursday. Tracy + heels + walking in downtown L.A. = no good.. 

We did spend some time at Circus Circus playing games and winning prizes before heading to the start line of the 5K. It started at 630pm, so we spent most of the day enjoying the build up of racing.

Running through to the finish line. 

It feels like it's been awhile since I've completed a 5K and I forgot how different it is. A 3 mile run is "easy" at this point of always being in half marathon training mode, so finishing at 3 and getting a medal for it was awesome! 

Sunday was another mostly rest day followed by some arcade time at the Excalibur before heading to our corral. 

My how things have changed from when I was a kid.. 

We started our race evening around 330pm as the race started at 430.. Well, corral #1 started at 430, but being on corral 43 we started around 530, and got to hear the countdown every 1-2 minutes 43 times. At that point we just wanted to start so that we could stay warm. We were not completely prepared for a freeze warning in the Mojave to start race day. 

According to the announcers, there were 35,000 racers and I'm going to assume that was for the full, half and half of the half. 

We finally started! It was a great race and I'm pretty happy with the course overall. We really lucked out with when we started and were lucky enough to run past the Bellagio right when the water show was going off. It's things like that that help make the race go by faster. 

We kept a pretty consistent pace throughout most of the race and finished in 3:06, which was exactly where we wanted to be for Lorien's first race. I'm really proud of her and what she accomplished. She really pushed herself to reach her goal and it's really amazing to watch someone cross their first finish line at a new distance race.

A lot has been happening since race day, but that will all have to wait for tomorrow. Lots to update on with running, training, plans for next year, more races, etc. I'm so motivated and ready to take on my goals. I love this feeling and am going to just go with it. I've been realizing that there may come a day when I can't run or race anymore and I don't want to look back and think about what I may have missed out on. I want to run while I can and enjoy the experiences while I'm lucky enough to be able to. 

Here's onto the next one- Santa to the Sea, December 14th.