Much Needed Rest Day

I needed a day off.  Fridays are a rest day for me, and I took full advantage of it this morning.  I woke up at 4 am with Jenn.  She wanted me to make sure she got up and ran with some of the girls from Nixa.  Once I was awake, it was really hard to go back to sleep, but I did.  Then, Micah came into my room at 6 saying his throat was hurting.  He was running a temp, so we got him some meds and back to bed. When Jenn got home, she was telling me about her run and how much she enjoyed it.  She really likes running with other people.  It was a nice relaxing morning; my body needed it. 

We have a busy weekend ahead of us.  I am running 8 on Saturday, and then on Sunday, I will be running two water stations and starting the marathon part of the Kicking 66 Mother Road Run.  It will be a lot of fun, but it will keep us busy. 

My friend Allyn is running the 50 miler, and he is raising money for Team Olivia.  Five members of Nixa Running ran a 50 miler in Tulsa this year to raise money for Team Olivia, and Allyn was one of them.  He decided he wanted to do it again.  All money raised will go towards the ADA.  We can help find a cure for diabetes.  Please consider donating!  Click Here.

I am really excited to help in another great race and a great cause this weekend.

But I Don't Have Time To Workout

I just ran my 100th mile for the month today.  Just for fun, I ran an extra mile to make it 101 miles!  Amy and I were talking about what I was doing a year ago and if I could've imagined that I would be running 100 miles in a month.  It is crazy how far I have come and how far I will keep going!

Something I hear a lot when I talk to people about working out and losing weight is, "I do not have enough time to workout."  I call BS!  I run with someone who has two teenage kids and two jobs and still makes it out at 4:45 am to run.  I have some online friends with 12 kids, and they wake up early and work together, so they can both get their run and still take care of their family and jobs. 

If these people can do it and all the other people who work out daily can do it, you can too.  It is not like we all have free time coming out our ears.  You have to make the time, you have to give something to get something.  You will have to get up early or turn off the TV.  Get up and do it.  Starting is one of the hardest parts, but once you are going, you feel so good!  I feel the best I ever have.  I have had to work for it and give up a lot of my Saturdays and TV, but I would do it again in a heart beat. 

I will be your biggest fan!  Let me know what you will do next week to get up and go.  Let me know how I can help you.  Emails, phone calls, meet and workout together! I am here!  You got this.  Let's go!

Way Too Happy At 4:45 AM

When I get into a routine of waking up early, it is no problem for me.  This morning at 4:45 AM when I was ringing Pat's cowbell at people, I realized that I might be way too happy in the morning.  I do not think most people are ready for that level of energy.  This is not the first time something like this has happened to me.  I used to work the 6 am shift at Melaleuca's call center.  Nick and I would be singing Newsies at 6 am while other people can barley keep their heads off their desks.  So needless to say, I was threatened with my life and should not ring the cowbell at 4:45 in the morning!  It's not my fault; I FEEL GREAT!!!

We had some people move in across the street this last weekend.  They have kids the same age as ours.  So after dinner, we let Micah go outside and run around with them, and then we took Paige out to play with their daughter.  They seem like a really nice couple, and we are happy our kids have friends that live close by.  The woman we met is also a stay-at-home mom, so we are hoping Jenn will have someone to visit with throughout the day.  The best part was that my kids went right to sleep last night!  We will let them go out and run around any day!

So on a different note, I am really bad about stretching. Shannon is going to yell at me for this, but I do not stretch.  I need to start stretching, because I have been really tight this week after my long run this weekend. Must start stretching.....

I need to stretch more!!

100 Miles

I added up my miles for this month, and after today, I am just 7 miles away from 100!!!  I will hit it on my 4 mile run on Thursday.  I am very excited and shocked that I have been able to do something like this.  I have come so far!

Last night on our Facebook group page, we were talking about what route we wanted to do for our 5 mile recovery run.  Tiffany suggested a route that I really enjoyed up to mile 2 and kept up with Karen.  That is when one of my worst stomach attacks hit. I had to walk and make an unexpected pit stop.  I always wanted to run that route again to see what I could do.  So I wanted to redeem myself, and there was some teasing about why.  FYI, bran flakes and milk are not the best thing to eat the night before a run.  Dairy and fiber...

We didn't pick that route, but it was up by where we ran last time, and I ended up running with Karen again today.  Wouldn't you know it, at mile 2 my stomach started really hurting again!  I had to stop and find another bathroom.  This is the second time it has happened to me.  So I am cursed running in that neighborhood and with Karen.  I teased her about it as well.  She said she had that effect on guys! 

Otherwise, it was a good 5 mile run.  I never really did loosen up.  My calves and thighs were tight but never really hurt.  I am trying to embrace the pain and not give into it.  I am also being smart about it and not getting injured.  My problem is that I give up too easily.  No pain, no gain. 

Wednesday is tempo day.  I am excited to see what I can do!

Gatorade Is Better

I had a really good weekend filled with running awesomeness.

On Saturday morning, I rocked my long run.  We ended up doing 13.1 miles.  The first 7 miles were nothing.  I didn't even look down at my watch once before then.  I just ran and talked with friends.  Then I made the mistake of looking at my watch, and then I started doing it almost every 5 minutes.  I think that makes the run a little longer for me.  It still was not that bad of a run.  It felt like a lot of the people around me were really struggling towards the end, but I really felt good the whole run.  I did it in 3 hours 9 minutes.  I know a sub 3 is very doable.

Then later that night, I rode with some good friends down to Joplin, and we ran a 5k down there.  I knew I wasn't going to do anything amazing or special considering I just ran a half marathon that morning, but I did do okay.  I did it in 38 minutes.  It had some mean hills and my legs were not fresh by any means.  At 2.6 miles, Allyn came back and got me and ran me in.  He really helped me up that hill that went on forever.  The rest of our group was at the end cheering us on and ran me in the rest of the way.  This is one of the many reason why I love the Nixa Running group.  The support everyone gets at all levels is amazing!  It was a fun 5k and road trip.  I didn't get home till after 10.  I ran 16.2 miles that day!

Then Stefanie, Mike and I decided we would wake up at 4am Sunday morning and play mobile water station for the people running long.  Gatorade is better!  Loved playing waterboy for our friends!  Some went 13.1 and others went 23.  We set up our first water stop at the 5 mile mark.  This was in downtown Springfield.  Springfield isn't very ghetto, but as far as the ghetto goes for Springfield, we were in it.  While we were setting up, about 10 cars pulled up across the street and 4-5 people got out of each car.  One guy started puking, and others were drinking.  It looked like the party was moving to a new location.  We were really nervous our runners would get there while the party was outside.  They all moved in pretty quick, because it was chilly. 

Tiffany, as she was running up to our van, thought I was a hooker.  So that was the highlight of the morning.  $5 love you long time! We were able to take care of everyone and get them hydrated and fed.  Some of the crazier people thought it would be a good idea to finish their run by running from Bass Pro to Nixa.  That is a crazy busy road with monster hills.  Great job everyone!  Lots of people ran distances they never thought they could!

Fun weekend!

Half Day of Work = Great Friday

My body really needed a rest day today.  I slept well.  I did wake up at 4 am, but I rolled over and went back to bed and didn't feel bad about it.  It is my rest day!  I have a big day ahead of me on Saturday.  I am supposed to run 12.5 miles with my Galloway group Saturday morning and then a 5k that night in Joplin, but I am thinking about dropping that down to 10 miles and doing the 5k.  I might do the 12.5 and then just take it easy at the 5k.  Still not sure, so I guess I will figure it out on Saturday.  Who would've thought I would be excited to run 15 miles on a Saturday...  Not me, but I am!

Today, I am working a half day, because it is Grandparents Day at my son's school, and my in-laws are coming into town.  So I am heading home at noon to meet them before they go to his school.  Love short work days on a Friday.  We are having Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner tonight. I have to remind myself to eat healthy and hydrate for my run in the morning.  I do not want to be looking for a bathroom every other mile.

New Shoes Part Deux

So I want to say "thank you" to everyone who talked to me about the shoes I bought.  They were not right for me, and I was more enchanted by the orange and blue than the overall smarts behind buying them.  Erin was right; they are a racing shoe and would've fell apart after a few hundred miles.  I need a shoe I can train in.  This is all still a training process for me.  Shannon sent me a good article to read about shoes.  I am a newbie.  I never knew that shoes could stress me out so much. 

So say hello to my Asics GEL-DS Trainer® 16! 

It is going to take a little to get used to. I pronate a little, and these shoes are going to help with that. They also do not have as much heal support as my last pair of shoes. I hope this will help me not heal strike as much. I did feel that today.  When I was getting tired, my form started getting sloppy, and I noticed it in my heals.  So my legs have some getting used to in these new shoes.  I also got a little blister on my heal.  

This morning was hills.  We ran Plainview.  I opened my door to leave this morning and saw the rain.  I almost turned around and went back to bed.  I am glad I didn't.  I jumped in my swagger wagon and met up with the crew at Plainview and ran.  My legs were so sore this morning.  It was a mix of the 100 kettle bell squats I did on Tuesday and the 4 miles I ran in those other shoes Wednesday.  It took a while to get loose.  I did run farther today before walking.  Those hills suck.  I made it almost to the turn around before walking, but that last hill is evil.  I had to walk a couple of other times on my way back.  I think some of it was mental.  I didn't have my hill partner with me and the other part was the blister on my heal.  

Friday is a rest day, and then I am running 12 on Saturday morning and then a 5k that night with Nixa in Joplin. I am crazy...  BUT I FEEL GREAT!

New Shoes

I had many people tell me that I had been pronating while I run.  I saw it in some photos that were taken of me last weekend.  It was time for some new shoes and, hopefully, a fix. So what better day to go to our local running shoe store, The Starting Block, than the discount day for the Galloway runners.  I run with them on Saturday, so I was able to get the sweet deal for Jenn and I.  She has been having some knee issues, and we figured it was time for some new shoes for her as well.

Check them out! I got Brooks Racer ST5.  I think they fit my personality, and I like the way they feel.  I am trying to fix my pronation issue, so it felt a little funny on my feet at first but felt good when I was running.  I did notice a difference in my calves today; they burned a little more than normal.  Is that because my form was better?  Anyone have any experience with that?

I have been thinking a lot about my races coming up, especially the half marathon.  All my runner friends, what were some of the coolest things you saw when running your races?  Things at your water stops, along the course, or people dressed up.  What were the things that stood out and you remember still?  I am looking for some cool ideas for a project coming up.

Poker Face

How do you get Lady Gaga to stop singing....  You poker her face!  At boot camp today, we had the "pleasure" to hear most of the Lady Gaga CD.  Now I cannot get it out of my head!

I had a great 4 mile run this morning followed up with boot camp.  I cannot think of a better way to start my day (besides the Lady Gaga).  I had a nice recovery run at a 12:24 pace.

I knew my back was going to be tender after the weekend I had.  Monday when I woke up, it was a little sore, but once I was up and moving, it felt good.  This morning was a whole other story.  I was up at 3 am because it was hurting.  So I stretched and laid on my back with my legs propped up, trying to get a little more sleep.  I was hoping that once I started running and working out it would feel better, and it did. But as I am typing this, it is hurting again.  So I am really hoping the pain goes away.

Wednesday is tempo day.  My goal is to stay between 10:30 and 11:00 the whole run.  I am ready to rock it. 

Ironman Sunday

I knew Sunday was going to be a day I remembered.  I volunteered to work the finish line handing out medals. Man, was it an amazing experience.

I started my day off at 4 am.  I imagined that many of the athletes competing that day were up just as early.  I met up with some of the gang at Aldersgate, and we ran.  I got a good 6 miles in with Stefanie. She was fun to talk with, and I was able to learn more about her and her family.  After the run, I headed home, showered and ate some breakfast.  Then off to the Half Ironman.

I got there at 9:30 and checked in with the person in charge of the volunteers.  I was the first one there for the medals, and when she found out that I was working two shifts and the whole day, she put me in charge of medals and organizing the others.  I was excited!  I met some really cool people our first shift and one of them was from OMRR, one of the running clubs I am in.  I forgot most everyone's name, the day was a blur.

All the medals were boxed up and wrapped. So we got started on unwrapping the medals and putting them out on the tables.  It didn't take us long, because everyone had shown up by this point.  From about 11 am -1 pm, all the athletes competing in the sprint distance were finishing.  They didn't get a medal, but they did have a big cheering section from all of us!

The first of the pros finished in just over 4 hours.  He even wrecked his bike on one of the turns.  Many of them said that Branson has the hardest bike course they have ever competed on.  It was very cool to see the pros finish.   They were in a league of there own.  The non-pros didn't start coming in until after 5:30 hours. 

Right after the pros finished, it really started to rain.  Buckets of rain.  I, like the smart person I am, didn't prepare for rain.  So everyone else with rain gear stayed dry for the most part; I was soaked to the bone.  I didn't complain, because all the athletes out there were just as wet as I was.  It was so rewarding seeing people finish something this cool.  Some people cried, husbands and wives finished together and kissed, some jumped with joy, and some were frustrated because goals were not reached.  I was there to see all of it, give them their hard earned finisher's medal and tell them "great job!" 

I was one of the only guys there handing out medals, and one of the things I learned fast is when some of these athletes cross the finish line and stop, their legs cramp up or they get sick.  They look for the biggest thing around to grab hold of, and it just so happened to be me most of the time.  I seriously caught 5 people and helped steady many more.  One girl just fell into my arms.  I carried her back to the medics and talked with her the whole time about how great she did and how proud everyone was of her.  She gave it her all, and I was proud to be there to tell her.  Very cool experience.

I was also there to give a medal to a family friend who finished her first ever Half Ironman.  Abby's goal was to be under 8:30 and she did it in less than 8 hours!  I gave her the medal and gave her a big hug!  She did great!

I had time to reflect when I was walking back to my van in the rain of how many cool things happened that day; I am even more motivated to do this in 2013.  Some of us Nixa Runners might even put together a relay team for 2012!

ADA Stop Diabetes 5k Race Report

Good friends of our family and the backbone of Nixa Running, Shannon and Chris Cochran have put on an amazing 5k again this year.  Her daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a very young age.  Ever since, they have been very passionate in their support to ADA.  It is their goal to see a cure in their daughter's lifetime.  I was so happy to be apart of this race and support them in something so great. We punch diabetes in the face!

This morning, I set out with a goal.  My goal was to be sub 34 on my 5K today. I was excited to run, but I was calm and relaxed.  I had a different excitement for this race.  I wasn't wondering if I could run the whole thing; I knew I could do that.  It was the thrill of having a goal, something to chase.  Something to look at and stretch for.  Today was my day. 

We had about 6-7 of us from Nixa start together.  We were all around the same speed. We knew who was going to pull ahead, and we knew who was going to stick together.  It was fun to see so many familiar faces.  Of course, I started the race talking and joking with everyone.  I know some people do not like to talk on races, but I was just having so much fun.  It was funny, because Kellie yelled back at me to stop talking and race! That is when my game face came on.

I really started getting loose about mile 1 and fell into a rhythm.  I looked down at my watch and saw that I was maintaining a 10:20 pace!  I have never been able to do that for a mile.  I started to get a little nervous, because I always go out too fast and putter out at mile two.  I knew for my sub 34 I needed to be at 10:57 per mile.  So I pulled back a little.  The second mile had some hills, so it was easy to pull back. At mile two, I heard my watch beep, and I checked my pace. It was 10:55 for that mile.  I was right where I needed to be, and I felt great.

I decided to pick it up.  I suddenly realized that if I could finish strong, there was a chance I could be under 33 minutes!  I knew that I had a hill at 2.3 miles, so my goal was to get over that hill and then kick it in.  My body was screaming at me to stop; it was not happy with me.  The old Chris wanted to give up.  I ran this course one other time this year and saw the spot where I pretty much gave up.  Not this time! I had a goal, and it was in sight.  I buckled down and worked through the pain.  I could hear "SUCK IT UP" in my head. 

I made my last turn at 2.7 miles, and I could see the finish line.  I wasn't going to drop below a 10 min mile.  My lungs where burning, but I was passing people, and my friends where there cheering me on.  I blew through the finish line at 32:59!  Here is my Garmin data!  Mile three was a 10:39 pace, and the last tenth of a mile was a 8:19 pace.  I smashed my goal by a whole minute!  I was on Cloud 9!

I went to the time results, and it said I finished the race in 23 hours, so I knew there was something wrong with my time.  I stuck my head in the tent and asked my friend Amanda about it.  She looked at my time and told me she had me at 32:17 and placing 3rd!  I about did a back flip.  I thought there was something wrong with my watch and that I did way better than I thought!  I was all smiles.  My wife looking at the pictures said she thought she saw that same kind of smile on a teenage girl that just met Justin Bieber.  I was so happy.

I almost thought it was too good to be true, because I was just joking around with everyone the day before that I will never place in a race. I guess I was holding my breath when they got to my age group and started handing out the awards.  Then they called my name, "Chris, third place!" Everyone cheered so loud for me, I was all smiles!  It was like a cheesy Lifetime movie starring me!

Most of the Nixa runners who got bling

I love my running group!  Nixa Running is such an important part of our lives now.  I have made so many friends.  Pushed myself farther than I thought I ever could!  Come run with us! 

Nixa Running! Good People, Good Times. Lots of Kool-Aid.

I got home later tonight from the Ironman Expo that I helped with and saw the official results from the race.  I had a nagging feeling that the 32:17 was not right.  I looked at the times of who I was running with and who was just ahead of me, and I noticed that I had a lot better time than all of them.  I sent the people who timed the race a note about it, and they researched it and noticed it was a little wonky.  I did finish in 32:59, and I still got third in my age group. (There were only three of us!  That surprised me as well, because there were a lot of people.)  I was not frustrated at all; I knew these things happened, and I was still happy that I blew my goal out of the water. 

My first 5k I ran in March this year, I did it in 43:50. Today, I ran a 5k in 32:59.  It is only going to get better, and I am going to get faster. 

The Bondi Band makes me go faster!

 
After the race, I drove down to Branson to help with the Branson half Ironman.  An Ironman is on my bucket list, and 2013 is looking like a good year.  I wanted to volunteer and just see what it is all about.  Such a cool thing.  The Expo was fun.  I worked with a church youth group passing out shirts and bags.  Really cool kids.  On Sunday, I will be at the finish line handing out medals.  I am really excited about that job.  I am also really excited to see my friend Abby cross the finish line!  She is going to rock it.  I am really loving volunteering!   

Best day in a long time!

Serving Others

I have not been making the best food choices as of late. I am really struggling, and it has been frustrating.  My running couldn't be better, but I am eating way too much.  Last night, Jenn and I had an argument, and I am known to use food as a stress reliever.  I knew that after we put the kids to bed, she was going to go the store.  I decided I was going to eat something.  It is still sad that I think that way.

When Jenn ran to the store, I started thinking about what I was going to eat.  I looked at our kitchen, and it was a mess from dinner.  We had to eat and run last night because of an activity at my son's school.  So I decided to do the dishes and clean the kitchen before I ate my snack.  I was still grumpy and frustrated with my wife when I started, but through the act of cleaning and serving, my bad attitude started going away.  By the time I had finished all the dishes, cleaned the table and counters, and swept the floor, I was in a lot better mood and didn't want to eat anymore. 

I was being selfish and thinking of myself, and I started falling into my old destructive behavior.  I learned a lesson in service last night.  I didn't eat, and I helped my wife.  Last night ended up being a good night.  The lesson of the day (I think I will need to keep learning over and over again) is you lose yourself in serving others.

I am really excited for Saturday morning and this weekend in general.  I am going to PR and get a sub 34 min 5k.  I am going to be working the Ironman expo and the race all this weekend.  Very exciting!

Three Things Thursday

It is Thursday.  This week has flown by.  I am already over 50 miles for the month.  My 100 mile goal for the month is looking good.  Welcome to Three Things Thursday!

1.  Plainview was a lot of fun today.  Amy and I were running and just chatting it up, and before we realized it, we were 1.5 miles into our run and had already run up some good-sized hills.  It was such a cool feeling.  At that point on hill day, we would already be struggling.  We were able to run up several of the hills we had to walk a few weeks ago.  It was cool to see our progress.  We made good time and set a new PR for hill day.

2. Jenn and I are thinking about going floating in a few weeks with some of my friends from work.  We have not done something like that in so long, and it would just be a fun getaway for a night and float for a day.  So if the stars align and we are able to work this out, we will be floating!!!

3. I saw a guy have an accident in his pants today at the gym.  I felt really bad for him, and at the same time I thought he was "HARD CORE" for pushing himself that hard.  I am not sure hard core is the correct term if you are that close to a bathroom at the gym.  He full out number 2'ed in his pantaloons.  I was in the locker room when he came running in, tried to change and be all no big deal about it.  Let's just say it got real quiet in the locker room.  He put his stuff in a bag in his locker, showered, changed, and walked out like it was no big deal.  Chalk that up to another awkward story for the Meyer Center locker room.



Hare Core.. lol



34:45

Today, we had tempo day.  I was determined to run 3.1 miles at my temp for my race on Saturday.  I did it!  I ran it in 34:45, and my goal was to be at 35 minutes on Saturday.  That felt really good.  I did have to walk twice because I was really pushing myself, but I had some good friends help me stay strong and finish strong.  I love running with Nixa! Shannon said she now expects me to be under 34 on Saturday! lol  So, I have a new goal! 

Jenn and I are registered for our half marathon.  Last night, I went to the pre-race Bass Pro party.  They had some food and drinks and did a raffle.  They told us about the route.  They showed us the shirts.  They look really cool.  The people running the full get a really cool black shirt with 26.2 on the back.  We, running the half, will get a white shirt with 13.1 on the back.  They look really cool.  It was fun hanging out with my friends from Galloway and Nixa last night. 

On a funny side note, I put band-aids over my nips before any run.  It prevents the infamous nipple bleeding.  If you do not know what that is, just google it.  It hurts, and is not fun.  The funny part about the said band-aids is that I sometimes forget they are on and take my shirt off at the gym.  I got some funny looks today.  It can be pretty embarrassing.  Luckily, I was able to make a joke out of it today.  I said wardrobe malfunction and got a few chuckles.

"Running" Late

I was so ready to run today.  I was looking forward to it last night.  I was going to push myself further and faster today, and guess what I did...  I didn't wake up until 4:45...  I was 30 minutes late.  My son decided at 1 am last night that he was done sleeping for the night and wanted to play.  So we were up half the night with him trying to get him to stay in his room. Then he would start crying, almost waking up the girls... so it was a long night.

I did get to Nixa and saw the route they were running.  So I started running in backwards.  I knew when I ran into my friends Amy and Paula, I would run back with them.  I ended up getting in 3 miles and almost around my 5k goal pace.  So I was happy about that.  Just wish I would've been able to run my 5 instead...

I then went to boot camp, and it's a good thing they started late, because I got there a little late as well.  We worked core, legs and shoulders.  I think I am going to be good and sore today.  I love that feeling, though.

On another note, we no longer have DishNetwork.  In an effort to save money and better ourselves as a family, we decided to cancel our TV service.  We do not get any of the local channels as well.  It is going to be hard at first.  We have our shows that we love.  We think in the long run it will help us a lot.  We will spend more time together as a family doing things instead of being lazy in front of the TV.  I will miss Community; I guess I will have to watch it on Hulu.

What's Dean Got To Do With It

Wednesday is tempo day.  I am excited to see what I can do!

Finishing Strong

I had a really fun weekend.  We were able to hang out with our friends, Kevin and Staci and their little girl, at the zoo.  Jenn and I both had really good run on Saturday.  I ran 8.5 miles and finished really strong.  We started the run late, and I needed to be back by 8 am.  We had a little less than a mile left when it was 8:10, so I just kicked it into gear and ran the rest of the way in quicker than I had started.  It felt really good to finish a long run faster than when I started it.  I also felt really good after the run, not exhausted like normal.

I am running a 5K this Saturday.  It is the ADA Stop Diabetes 5K.  If you live in the Springfield area, you should sign up for it.  It is for a great cause!  I have a goal to be under 35 minutes for this 5k.  I am pretty sure I can do this.  Shannon and I have talked about it, and she wants me to run my 5k pace on tempo day Wednesday and see where I am at mile 2.  The goal is to be at 22 minutes.  Love that I am getting faster and going further. 

A lot of my friends ran far this weekend and really rocked it.  It is so cool to see your friends progress and realize what they can do.  Great job to everyone who ran far this weekend!

Food Is My Addiction

I love food.  I love eating a good meal. I love it so much that I would do it often.  I would eat a lot.  A big part of this weight loss process is relearning to eat.  I would eat whatever I wanted, as much as I wanted, whenever I wanted.  It was nothing for me to put down a box of mac n' cheese at 11 pm.  Or have fast food 3-4 times in a day. 

I do not think working out is the hardest part about weight loss.  Okay, maybe starting to work out is close to the hardest, but once you get into it and once you get that habit, it is easy.  I think the hardest part is relearning how to eat better.  It does get easier, but it never gets easy.  This week has been especially hard for me.  I have been eating late and eating more unhealthy things.  Food is my addiction and unlike a alcoholic or a drug addict, I have to eat to live.  They can completely remove those things from their lives. 

So instead of being hard on myself, this is the time for me to look forward, refocus and really try hard to stay consistent on my food choices.  No more eating after 7 pm.  5-6 small healthy meals in the day.  No extra servings.  Bring my lunch to work.  I got this... I will continue to eat smart.  Food is fuel, not therapy.

Running at 4:45 AM

It is funny to see people's faces when I tell them that I start my run at 4:45 am.  They already think I am crazy for running, but waking up that early to run is really crazy.  I guess that puts me in the ultra crazy category for them.  I do not think anyone can appreciate or understand how good a run that early in the morning feels unless they do it.  I had to do it several times before I appreciated it, but now I look forward to it.  I do not want to miss it. 

I love pulling into the parking lot and seeing 30+ people there getting ready to put in a hard 4-5 miles.  I love that while running I get to look at the stars. I have seen a couple of shooting stars this last week.  I love the cooler weather.  I love the group of people I run with.  We all know what it is like to get up and start our day with a good run.  I love that feeling you get after a great run; I sometimes keep it with me several hours later. I love to chat and joke around with my friends during and after the run or talk about our latest running injury or running war story.  I love watching the sun rise.  I feel like I am living life for the first time in my life.  I am happier, and I have more energy through the day.  I feel like a better person. I think what I love most is when I realize what I am doing when I am running.  The thought of me running 4+ miles at 4:45 AM makes me happy.

A funny side story. Yesterday, someone asked me if I talk about anything else besides running.  I guess I talk a lot about what I am excited about.  I want to share what makes me happy with others.  I see people at the point where I was 8 months ago, and I want to run up and cheer for them and tell them they can do it.  I see people who want to start or should start working out or eating healthy, and I want to help.  I know it is hard, and I know anyone can do it, because I am doing it.  It is not easy, but it is worth it. 

The Chris from 9 months ago would've laughed at you if you would've told him that he will be waking up at 4 am to go run at 4:45 am and enjoy it, have more energy and be happy about it.

Fall is in the air!

How is everyone this morning!?!  It is another great day today!  I had a really nice run with Amy today.  We ran together last Wednesday on the same route, and we shaved a minute off per mile from last week's run.  We rocked it!  I enjoy running with Amy, and I am excited to see how we get better and faster!

I am excited for several things right now...
- This weekend, we are hanging out with some good friends that we have not seen in over a year!
- I am running the ADA Stop Diabetes 5k on 9/17.  Everyone should run this with me!  It is for a great cause, and it will be a great time.  See details here.
- I am working the Branson Ironman Expo 9/17 and then handing out medals on 9/18 at the finish line.  I am very excited to see all those Ironman finishes!
- On Oct 2nd, I am helping with the Kickin' Route 66 50 mile, 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon.  I am working two of the aid stations with some help from my wife and friends.  I am also a little nervous, because I am in charge of the marathon start in Willard.  I am sure it will be fun, and we will do a great job. 
- On Oct 22, my best friend Davey is getting married!  (About time!) I will be traveling out for his wedding.  Any friends in Salt Lake that weekend I will try to get over to and say hi!
- Half Marathon on Nov 6th!

So many cool things happening.  I am staying busy and enjoying life.  Cannot ask for much more.  Well maybe a job that pays better, but that will come. 

What cool things do you have coming up?

Jenn's Half Marathon and the Weekend Recap

This weekend was a ton of fun!  Love three-day weekends.  On Friday night, I ran the NAMI 5k with Nixa Running! I ran with Mike, and it was his first 5k ever.  I wanted to take it easy because of my 10 mile run I had in the morning.  We had a really fun run, and he did great!  Nixa won the largest group award!

On Saturday, I ran my 10 mile run with the Galloway group.  It was a fun run, but the last two miles kicked my butt.  I really felt the 5k I ran the day before.  It didn't help that it was so hot and humid.  It was still a fun run, and I got to run with a lot of new people. It is always fun to hear everyone's story!

Sunday, the weather was amazing, and I wanted to go run. But it was a rest day, and I forced myself to take it easy.  Church was busy and hectic as normal.  Our three kids keep us on our toes.  Then we had a good time at my parents' house for dinner.

Monday was Jenn's first half marathon ever.  The weather was amazing, and the course was flat.  You could not ask for better conditions.  We talked to Shannon from Nixa Running and tried to see who Jenn could run with to maintain a good pace.  This was her first long race, and she didn't want to go out too fast.  She really ended up running by herself but did an okay job pacing herself.  She did the race in 1:46:15.  That is AMAZING for her first half.  She is going to shoot for a sub 1:40 at the Bass Pro half in November.  Here is the stats from our Garmin.  (She forgot to turn it off after the race.) She has only started running this last March. She is a natural!  I am excited to see what we can both do in the next few years!

Nixa Running!  Look at all that bling!

All Smiles Before the Race

Jenn Looking Strong at Mile 9

This morning's run was the best I have had all year!  I ran 4.7 miles, and I am not 100% sure how fast I did it, because I didn't have my Garmin with me.  But I was running quick and feeling great.  I did not stop and walk once.  I will run in 50 degree weather any day.  I ran with Tricia the last half of our run, and she didn't stop once today as well.  We both rocked it today.  Such a great feeling!  I am already excited for Wednesday's run!  I. LOVE. RUNNING!!!!

NAMI 5k Tonight

I am going to be running the NAMI 5k tonight.  I didn't think I was going to be able to do it, but let's just say Nixa Running is amazing and the best running group EVER!  I am very excited about doing it.  This will be my first 5k with the group in my Nixa blue!  I am not going to go for a PR.  I know I could get one because I have improved so much, but I have a 10 mile run in the morning.  So I promised that I would not kill myself but just have fun with Nixa.

One of the cool things about this race is the Team Award. We are going as Nixa Running, and I think we have it in the bag!  I am sure we will have tons of fun pictures later!

I was talking to my Mom last night, and I mentioned that I was running a 5k. She started laughing and ask me if I realized what I said.  I didn't know what was funny about me running a 5k, and then she pointed out that at the start of this year I trained for 3 months for my first ever 5k.  I also made a Facebook group and invited everyone to it.  I talked about it for all those 3 months like it was a marathon.  I am pretty sure I carb-loaded the night before my first 5k.  It was a big deal.  Now I am just mentioning to her in passing about a 5k I am doing.  That is pretty cool.  It shows me how far I have come.  I never would've thought I would be running 3 miles for fun.  Not only am I running 3.1 miles tonight, I am running 10 more in the morning at 6 am.  Who wakes up at 4:30 am on a Saturday to go run...  THIS GUY!

Have a great weekend!  Anything fun planned for tonight?

My Total Weight Loss Is.......

88.7 lbs!  I weighed in at 244.3 today!  I am so close to my 90 lb mark.  I will get it in no time!  Loving IT!  100 lbs, here I come!

Today's run was great!  Amy and I rocked it.  It makes running so much better to have someone to talk to.  We really pushed ourselves and rocked the Plainview hills today.  There were times we both wanted to stop, but we set goals and pushed ourselves up the hills and really did well today. 

I think I had my first experience with runner's high today.  I was so giddy and silly after the run.  I was walking on Cloud 9.  Then, I got to my boot camp class, and I was chatting it up with everyone, cracking jokes and just loving life.  Love that feeling.  Really wouldn't mind getting it after all my runs! 

If you have not seen my before and after pics from yesterday, check it out.  It is so crazy to see how far I have come.  I have to keep reminding myself that when I feel down.  It is one step at a time, and it is work!