Jamie, a trainer at YMCA Mt. Clemens, and me after the race. It was so nice to hear her cheer, "Go Charissa!" as I crossed the finish line!
This has been a great week! I had a distance PR of 7 miles on Thursday, and now today I participated in the Paczki 5K run and ended up with a 5k time of 30:51 (official race time was longer 31:30 based on 3.18 miles). I am unsure, however this is possibly my fastest time in 13 years. All of my hard work and training is paying off. I felt confident as I began my run. At the 1 mile marker I glanced down at my watch and was pleased to see that I was under 10 min. I knew this was the pace I wanted to keep for my entire run, I just was not sure I was capable of it. I pushed on. At 1.5 miles I was exactly on pace. Somewhere around 2 miles I began to feel my body growing a little more tired. That was when I realized that just one week from today my baby will be turning 1 year old. This realization was all I needed to push on to the finish line and finish strong. I may not have broke my goal of a 30 min. 5K this time but I will continue to train, continue to push myself and continue to get stronger. Today I felt like a runner! I Can Do It, You Can Too!
Several members from my online running group before the race
I am participating in a 5k race on Saturday so I was going to forgo my long run this week. I was also a bit nervous for my long run, since it was calling for 7 miles and the farthest I have ever gone is 6.2 miles. It does not sound like a big leap, but mentally anytime you go the farthest distance you have ever gone you can really psych yourself out. I contacted my IM buddy last night and asked if she planned on running today. "Of course" was her answer. So we made plans to meet at a local park to run 7ish miles. Why do things always sound good when you are first making plans? It was not long after that, that I checked the weather forecast. Oh no big deal...8 degrees with 20 mph winds and windchills ranging from -10 to -20. What??? Oh maybe this was not a good idea. This morning my friend texted and asked if we were still on. I smiled and remembered what she had told me last summer as she prepared for her Iron Man. She said, "I can do anything for one day." So I texted her back, "Sure, we can do anything for 1 hour, right?" We arrived to howling wind, dark skies, snow falling and blowing across a path that contained the warning, "conditions are icy, use at your own risk." Uh-oh. But we are crazy, and we are northerners, and we are runners. So we abandoned all reason and took off. I love running with friends. We talked the entire time. When we hit 6.3 miles I looked down at my Garmin and exclaimed, "This is now officially my farthest run ever!" We finished out the run and ended at exactly 7.0 miles! What a great feeling. I love hitting new milestones! An 8 mile run lay ahead of me next week! I am also excited that Monday I will have the opportunity to meet with a trainer at the Y (Macomb Family YMCA)! Can't wait to see what new and exciting challenges lay ahead! I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO!
At the beginning of the month I was issued a challenge by a fellow runner to participate in the US Road Running Treadmill Challenge. It required me to choose a time that I would remain on the treadmill. As I have already mentioned I am a terrible treadmill runner. I stare at the clock, I get bored, I get hot. I only had 5 more days to complete this challenge. Up until this point the longest I had run on the treadmill was 4 miles in 43:41. I am happy to report I finished my 1 hour. I was able to run 5.35 miles in 1 hour. I did end up walking two times during that, but I am happy with my end result and I can not wait to receive my medal in the mail! Now this week I have a 5K race to look forward to!! Week 4 is looking great! I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO!
Week 3 started out looking oh so promising. My training schedule was 3 miles, 4 miles, 3 miles and my long run of 6 miles. Tuesday morning I met up with some friends and decided to get my 4 miler out of the way. Boy am I glad I did! We trudged through snow, slush, and ice but I finished 4.2 miles feeling strong and my legs felt like that could go several more (I wish I would have). Wednesday I had a minor procedure which required a few stitches and was told to take a couple of days off from running while the stitches healed. Well on that same day the stomach flu hit our house HARD. Everyone, all 5 of us. Let me just say,"YUCK". It was not a pretty sight around here. So we have all been living on crackers and Gatorade and I missed two 3 mile runs. I was determined to try and at least get in my long run this morning. I was thankful when a couple of my friends that are training for a half and a full let me join in on their 10 mile run. The only fuel I had on my still slightly queasy stomach was a banana and a small cup of coffee. Before our run I scoped out potential bathroom spots and I was a little uneasy with how few options I had. But I decided I would be ok.I am happy to say I finished my 6 miler. However, it was a miserable, windy, full of ice and snow sort of run. The upsides were I was able to run with friends and the sun was shining. But we had to walk during several portions just so that we would not break a leg. Finally, we decided to run in a church parking lot and ended up doing nearly 3 miles of loops around the lot. Even though this week did not go exactly as planned and this was the first week I was not able to complete all of my runs, I am happy that I was able to do both of the longer runs and not let sickness or stitches or slushy roads get in the way! Here's to a happy, healthy week 4! I Can Do It You Can Too!
Week 2 is officially completed. I did it with "a little help from my friends." This week included 3 outdoor runs and one indoor treadmill run. I have remained faithful to my training plan making sure to do every required distance no matter what. I have noticed that just after 2 weeks I am already getting stronger! My outdoor 5K has improved by nearly 2 minutes. I had a great indoor run because of a new friend, and today my 5 miler was no problem (despite the ice, snow and -5 degree wind chill) because I ran with a friend! What I have learned from 2 weeks of training: Stay Consistent, it will pay off quickly! Run with Friends. Friends help motivate so much! Whether they are faster or slower than you, it really does not matter, just having someone to run with and push you to finish is such a huge help! Week 3 starts tomorrow! I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO!
Week 2 of half marathon training is well under way. The temperatures have yet to get above freezing, however Monday morning the sun was shining and I decided to venture outside for my run. I strapped on my Yak Trax (these are grips for running, walking, hiking in the snow that strap over top of your running shoes) and headed out the door. As I was walking out I said to my husband, "I'm just not feeling it today." (way to implement that positive talk! er, I will get better!). To which he replied, "Go out there and kill it!" It was such a great run. Cold, snowy, but so wonderful to breathe in that fresh air. To feel the sun shining on my face. I returned home after 5K feeling invigorated and ready to conquer the day. Today I went indoors for my 3 miles. I once again was dreading it. Why do I always dread my run BEFORE I run yet feel great afterwards? Well I hopped on the treadmill and was getting all set to run, head phones plugged in, shoes double checked. I was ready to roll. Then the girl next to me spoke up and asked me if I was "the girl with the blog". "Yep, that's me..." The conversation went from there. Before I knew it I had blown through my 3 mile run all thanks to a new friend. I love meeting new people, love finding friends that have a similar passion for running, health and being a mom! I am so excited to now have another running buddy! Another friend to come alongside me during my journey!
Today I was having a little bit of a pity party. Early this week I had finally hit my "pre-pregnancy weight" I was so excited. I even posted it as my status on facebook. Well today, for no real reason at all my weight was up 2 lbs. ZAP. I felt like a failure. I was feeling defeated. Thankfully I was already dressed for the gym, my training plan called for 4 miles today and I was determined to get them done one way or another! I had in my mind that I would definitely need to walk since I have taken short walk breaks during all my 3 mile runs this week. The weather has not changed here at all this week, so once again I bundled up and headed out to the Y (Macomb Family YMCA). As I prepared to begin my run I realized I had left my water bottle in the van. I was NOT going to go outside in the negative temps just to retrieve it. But as any runner can tell you, it does not take much to set you up for a bad run. The negative thoughts started before I even pressed "Ok". The thoughts went something like this..."You have been working hard all week and you were up 2lbs this morning...you don't have your water bottle, there is no way you are going to be able to do this without your water bottle...you could not even run 3 miles this week how are you going to run 4 today or better yet how are you going to complete a half marathon?" I plugged in my headphones to try and drown out the negative talk. I found a comedy on tv and began to run. 5.5 mph. I have slowed my pace down to accommodate my nagging hip and to try and increase my distance without feeling so tired. I placed my towel over my time/distance and looked straight ahead. The minutes began passing. Soon I realized I had already run 1.5 and I was quickly approaching 2. I kept going. Before I knew it I had run 3 miles without stopping. By this point I really was thirsty. So I paused my machine, went to the drinking fountain grabbed a quick drink and hopped back on. I started right back up again. But then I heard them...those voices, the ones that always try and discourage me. "You need to walk..." I looked over and said to the person on the treadmill beside me, "ok I do not want to stop running, help me get through this last .6 of a mile" I put my headphones back in and ran. 4 miles. I did it. My first week of training officially under my belt. I completed every day on my training plan and I ended my week on a good note.
I was feeling pretty good about myself at this point. As I was leaving a lady approached me and said, "you were my inspiration this morning." I was not quite sure she was talking to me. Then she said it again and added, "you were doing so great on the treadmill and just kept going." Wow. Simple words of encouragement. I need to take these words and replace the negative ones. I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO!
Today is THE day. The day I began my half marathon training program. I have been running for several months now, however this was my first official day of training. I had 3 miles scheduled for today (easy-peasy right?) NOPE. One thing I have learned is that every run is different. Every day is different. So many circumstances can affect a run. The sidewalks outdoors are a slushy, icy, snow covered mess...so indoors I went. To my local Y. They have great new treadmills that have nice big screened t.v.s to help those miles fly by. The only problem is, I am a terrible treadmill runner. I get about 5 min. into my run and I find myself constantly looking at the clock. I have found a couple of solutions to this problem- 1. I cover it with a towel. 2. I use the clock to my advantage...for instance every minute I increase by .1 of a mph. This helps the time go faster and also pushes me to run a little faster than I normally would. But today was rough. I could make all sorts of excuses...I am on day 3 of Paleo, I had not eaten lunch yet, it was a Sunday afternoon and I wanted to be home napping...the list could go on and on. But the truth is I just needed to do the miles. I could see my training plan staring me in the face. 3 miles today. I ended up having to stop and walk a couple of times, but I made it. I refused to quit before reaching my 3 miles. I know that if I do not give up and continually keep moving forward I will keep improving with each run, each day. What do you do to make it through your treadmill runs? Here is a link to my training plan if you want to join me!
I have been reading about the Paleo lifestyle, and my friend and IM (Iron Man) Athlete has been Paleo for several years. I attempted it for 7 days this summer. However, I think I went about it all wrong. I was unprepared. I had no idea what to fix for meals. So I would just make my family their meals and try to pick out and eat what I could from the dinner. I was also right in the middle of my triathlon training. I was riding nearly 100 miles a week on my bike and run several times a week as well. It was not the right time to start a new way of eating. I began to feel deprived and annoyed with the diet. Well here I am nearly 6 months later and once again debating the Paleo way of eating. Why?
The health benefits that can come from cutting out all the garbage I usually turn to which includes but is not limited to--fast food, convenience foods (frozen pizza etc) crackers, cheese, and worst of all diet pop.
Weight. In the 7 days that I complied with Paleo in the summer I dropped 8 lbs. I have maintained 5 lbs of that loss. But I still have at least 25 lbs I need to lose.
Improved athletic performance. According to everything that I have read after the initial week or two of the Whole 30 you have an increased level of energy as well as more healthy nutritious food to fuel your workouts.
Then there are the reasons I hesitate committing to a Paleo way of eating.
I am afraid of failing.
I am afraid of feeling deprived.
I do not want to give up the foods I love.
I have a hard time giving up foods that I have always been taught are healthy and good for you.
Paleo especially the whole 30 is very restrictive.
So that brings me to my decision. I have decided to attempt a Whole 30, but will do it "my way". Which I guess means it is not really a whole 30 but an adapted version of a whole 30. Here are the things I will not give up.
I live in an area that has been plagued with a very COLD winter. By cold I mean wind chills and actual temperatures that have been consistently below zero! On top of all of that we have had the snowiest January EVER. In October I was gifted a wonderful bike trainer so that I could theoretically train all winter. This idea sounded great at the time. I set the trainer up in our garage (not heated) and proceeded to do 1 ride on my bike. It was awful. I stared at a dark garage door for 10 min. I could not do it. Not after just riding 3+ hours through beautiful trails while visiting with a fellow biking friend. This was torture. But I had fallen in love with my bike over the summer of 2013. Was I just going to abandon her to the cold garage? Yes. That is exactly what I did...until today. I had enough. Enough of opening that garage door and seeing my poor little eggplant colored bike staring at me from the cold darkness of the garage. I threw on my coat and proceeded to take apart my trainer and bring it indoors. Now, I live in a VERY SMALL house. I have a 10 month old. Is this a good decision? I don't know. But I can tell you that I just had the best 30 min ride that I have had in 3 months. Oh how I missed you my dear Purple People Eater. Now to set some riding goals for cross training days.
I am a mom of 3 children. Wife to my hubby. I am an aspiring triathlete and runner. This blog will document my journey in 2014 to my first half marathon and hopefully many other athletic milestones.