November 18

Earlier this June I got the bright idea to start running again...after 11 years of no running, multiple injuries to my feet, and 30 extra pounds. I had previously started the couch-to-5K training program (before tearing a ligament in my foot) and thought I'd download the app. And I did! I faithfully went to the gym to run on the treadmill (softer and MUCH cooler) at least three times a week for a number of weeks...and then thought...I should sign up for some races to help me stay motivated.

And I did! I even secured a hotel room at this Saturday's race so my hubby and I could make a mini-vacay out of it...further incentive. 

Then we started remodeling our house and we had all kinds of contractors in and out all day long starting at 7:30 am. Some working, some bidding the next phases etc. for about two months it's been chaos at my house. Since I needed to be home with the contractors or out choosing/investigating various options, my days were eaten up and NO running (or piano practice either).

Well, I signed up for 2 races and the first is this Saturday. I've been working this last week and this to get back to be able to complete the full 5K (3.1 miles) without stopping. I seriously don't know why I care if I run the first 1.5-2 miles then do training runs the last mile but I do.

Races are hard for me in that I used to be quite the runner (before getting seriously sick). I looked at a 5K as a warm up to a running workout. For a brief time, I even had a running coach! When running a 5K, I'd run a good .5-1 miles BEFORE the run just to warm up. I was never a fast runner...but I could outlast sooooo many people. I was always the endurance runner. My 5K times were about 22-24 minutes. I don't think I ever went after a time in a 5K run, they were always just for fun. Here are how my goals changed for this run:

1. Be able to complete a 5K by November 2014 without injuring myself
2. Complete the Nov. 5K in 30 minutes
3. Just complete the 5K without walking and without injuring my feet
4. Complete the Nov. 5K in 35 minutes. (Then I remembered this course has lots of little hills...I haven't done any hill work outs yet.)
5. Complete the Nov. 5K in 35-38 minutes
6. Just finish the 5K without injury. It would be great if it's at 35 minutes, but I'd be thrilled if under 40.

I always have to keep reminding myself that running for me has to be about keeping my feet healthy! I am competitive with myself and I really want to run for time, but with caring around that extra 30 pounds...Hey...maybe I am actually doing quite well.

So the moral to my story is to keep the ultimate goal in mind, alter when needed.

Weight: 152.6 (size 12 comfortably)

Kelli

November 12, 2014

I've made a few decisions this past week. Notice that they all begin very selfishly with "I". I need to put Me first for a while in order to take control of the craziness.

1. I'll only publish weight once a week. Weight is the absolute worst qualifier of health. But it is a trend line. Muscle weighs more than fat so as you build muscle the scale won't show a difference but your clothing size will. I digress....long story short, once a week.
2. I will detox my body. My body needs a clean start with healthy food that doesn't come from boxes, bags, or pouches. So to this end I will do a detox program that I've done previously and had good success with. The whole program is almost 4 weeks long but I'll do at least the first week which resets the body. The second week starts adding in new foods daily and is tasty. The third is to detox each organ and the last is about bringing the body back to normal. I'll for sure do week one and I'd like to do week two but it can be challenging when I only eat certain foods and the rest of my family doesn't.
3. I will pickup my running program again. I previously signed up to do a 5k run on Nov 22 and haven't been running for the past few weeks. So I hit the pavement yesterday and it felt so rough but so fulfilling at the same time.
4. I also need to add in a light lifting program until after my race and then go to a regular lifting program. I've always struggled with this and really would like a personal trainer...just can't afford it right now.
5. I will get my piano practice in DAILY (except Sunday)!
6. I will better define what "Healthy" when it comes to eating!

After Thanksgiving I plan to wrangle in my various recipes on Pinterest and corral all my cook books and recipes into a more user friendly space. I have no idea what that will look like yet, but I need to be able to cook from my recipes more easily. So this month I'll consider what to do and next month I'll make it happen.

Weight: 156.4 Size: 12 (comfortably)

Kelli