Tuesday Is The Day

Tuesday is the start of my regrouping effort.  It has been a rough couple of months.  I have been trying to find a balance of fuel and weight loss and have not been doing a great job.  I am going to get serious and lose these last pounds before the year end.

I am not going to weigh myself Nov 1st.  I know me, and I feel like I might be very disappointed.  I want Tuesday to be the day when I just start kicking butt and taking names. 

I will be posting all the food I eat.  I will be posting my runs and my mileage.  I am going to hit 100 miles again in Nov!  I run my half marathon on Sunday, and then marathon training starts the next Tuesday for Little Rock!  I am very excited!

Thanks for following my blog and helping me stay accountable!

October = Fail/November = AMAZING!

First off, let me get this out of the way.  GREAT JOB, CARDINALS!!!  WOOT WOOT!!!  GAME 7 BABY!  HERE WE GO! 

Okay, so I am just going to write October off as a learning month.  I have not done well with my food, and this last week has been fail for running.  So starting Nov 1st, we are going to start fresh and kill it.  Who is with me!  Let's refocus and work extra hard on our goals whatever they be.  I figured I could just be depressed and beat myself up, or I can kick some butt and learn from this.  I will learn and grow from this.

November for me is going to be 100% eating healthy.  I need to get back to my healthy ways.  I am going to post what I eat daily.  I need your help to tell me where I can do better, or you can suggest better dishes for me!  Let's rock it this month!!!

I am also going to be at every run with Nixa next month.  No more missing.  THIS IS SPARTA!!!!  Okay, NIXA!!!

Frustration

I have not been feeling well for two days now.  I have not run, and I have eaten too much junk.  I feel super guilty.  It is not a great cycle. 

Today is just one of those days... I want to get through it, and I hope I will feel better...

Wordless Wednesday

Have a good day today!

Utah Trip

I had an amazing weekend!  Thursday after work, we dropped off the kids at my sister's house, and Jenn drove me up to our friends Kevin and Staci's house to stay, and they dropped me off to the airport.  It was an adventure getting up there but we did, and I made my flight.  I am really grateful for their help.

I landed at Salt Lake City around 11 am, picked up my luggage, and noticed that one of my wheels was torn off. It looked like it was dragged and thrown around.  I was not too happy.  I then walked over to pick up my rental car, and the girl at the counter looked at my ID and noticed I had lost a lot of weight. We started talking about it, and she had also lost a bunch. I told her she looked great, and so she then proceeded to upgrade me from an economy car, the cheapest, to a 2012 Volvo S80!  It had all the bells and whistles.  It is a $40,000 car!  I fell in love with it the moment I sat in it.  I was rolling in Salt Lake with style!

 I met up with Davey after he picked up one of his fiance's friends, and we all hung out at Temple Square in downtown SLC until dinner.  We ate at this amazing Brazilian restaurant.  They had an open salad bar, and then they would walk around with different meats and just kept filling up our plates.  Very nice place and great food!

Then, Davey and I went to his bachelor party.  It wasn't your typical bachelor party.  All we did was play a couple of games of glowstick capture the flag with some of his brothers and friends.  Then we met up at JC Burgers and got shakes.  It was a lot of fun.  Then, Davey and I headed over to where we were staying.  It was a super nice home, and we had it all to ourselves.  We had a great time talking and just catching up.  He was very excited about getting married the next day.

We got up the next morning and just took it easy.  We didn't have to be at the temple until 10 am.  We watched a little football and had breakfast.  It was like any other morning, but we were dressed a lot nicer.  We arrived just on time.  The wedding was great.  Davey did cry a little.  I was strong and might've teased him a little about it. I forgot my camera, so I am waiting for others to post pics.

We then had about 4 hours to kill, and so Davey's brother, Richard, and our good friend Dave went to In 'N Out for lunch and met up with my brother Steven. He drove down from Idaho.  We then went and played some mini golf.  It was fun!  Then we headed over to where the reception was being held and took more photos.  Then, we did a mini ring ceremony.  That was really cool.  I had the ring with me and was going to pretend I couldn't find it but thought they would both kill me if I did.

After the ring exchange, they provided dinner for everyone in the wedding party.  It was very good.  They also had a crepe bar!  I was in heaven.  The reception went really well.  Everyone was dancing, and I got to see a lot of old friends.  It was just a fun night!

After the reception, I drove down to Spanish Fork with my brother, and we stayed at an old roommate's house.  Jeff and Mary were great hosts, and we stayed up until 2 in the morning just talking.  It was really good to catch up.  Mary made some really good pancakes for us in the morning.

Steven and I then drove up to Centerville and spent the rest of the day with my cousin Mer and her family.  Then for dinner, we had more of my cousins come over.  It was a fun night, and we laughed a lot.  The food was really good!

Monday morning, Steven and my cousin Mer went on a run with me.  We got about 3 miles in.  It was so hard to breath at that altitude!  I was sucking air early in the run.  I can see why runners love to train in the mountains.  After some breakfast, I said goodbye to my cousin and her family and my brother.  I knew I had a long day of traveling ahead of me.

I got home, read some of my book, and went to bed early that night.  It was a great time, but I was ready to be home with my family.

Fun Weekend in Utah

My best friend got married this weekend!!  I will be doing a big post about it and the weekend later.

I am at the airport getting ready to fly home.  Long post coming.  I was able to get my run in this morning.  My brother and my cousin ran with me, and we did a little over 3 miles.  It was fun to chat with them, and I was not used to the altitude.  It was hard to breath! 

Happy Monday!

I Bought Tights

It is official; I am a tights-wearing runner.  They were very nice for my run today.  The only thing that sucked was my shorts kept wanting to fall down, because my tights are so silky smooth.  My shorts around my ankles might get in the way of my running.  I did try them on last night and wanted to sleep in them, but Jenn wouldn't let me.  Something about that being weird.

My midsection got cold today. That was a first.  My abs have never been cold before. More skinny people problems...   :)

I am going to have an amazing weekend at Davey's wedding.  We are going to go run Saturday morning.  I am going to make sure he is nice and sore for his wedding night!  Wait.. that didn't sound right.  lol

Keep running and working hard.  17 days until it is time to race!!!

Realizations

I just realized that I have been at this 291 days.  I have never stuck with something this hard for that long.  What a really cool feeling! I only have the rest of my life to keep going! 

When I finished my run today, it wasn't my fastest tempo day, but that wasn't what I was going for. I was trying to run the tempo I wanted to run my half marathon at and see how I felt after the run.  We ran 4 miles in a 11:30 pace and felt really good doing it.  I really felt like I could've went another 9 miles no problem.  That is about a 2:30 half marathon pace! 

My first goal was to be under 3 hours, and I have already done that.  I blew it out of the water by 7-8 minutes.  Now I am looking at the 2:30 time.  I know that it is a perfect case scenario, but if we do not set goals and work towards them, we will never know our true potential.  I had someone tell me they always have three goals for a race.  First is the best case scenario, when the running gods smile down on you kind of time.  For me that is 2:30.  The second goal is your more realistic goal, the one you have been training for.  Me, 2:40.  The third goal is for when you show up at a race and everything kind of falls apart, and you just want to finish but still with a goal in mind.  Me, 3:00. 

So there you go.  Bass Pro half marathon here I come!  The run this morning was so cold again.  I was better prepared but still need gloves and tights!  My legs were FREEZING!  Felt good to run, though.  Love it!

Manly Men!

Winter Is Coming

Oh man...  My first real cold run after summer.  I know there will be many more to come, and this really wasn't all that cold compared to the real cold that is coming.  I have committed to marathon training in the winter.  So it is time to buy some tights and "man up" while running in the cold. 

Great Weekend!

I had an amazing weekend!  Friday after work, Jenn's parents came to the house and took us to dinner at Zio's and then ice cream at Andy's for our anniversary.  We had a nice visit with them.

I woke up early Saturday morning, ready for my 13.1 mile run.  We were running the actual half marathon route for the Bass Pro event, and I was excited to see the whole course.  I had seen some of it, and I was ready to run all of it.  It had been my best run to date.  I felt strong the whole time.  I really didn't start breathing hard until mile 12.  It has been really cool to see my training pay off.  It really goes to show that you will be rewarded by your hard work.  It was a very enjoyable run.  Oh, and did I mention that I did it in under 3 hours!  That was my goal for the half, and I thought I would have to kill myself for it. Now I am excited to see what I can do on race day.  After my run, I hurried home, and Jenn was ready to get her 10 miles in. She did it in 1 hour 16 minutes.  She is so smoking fast.  It is very sexy! 

That afternoon, we dropped the kids off at my parents' house and went to lunch at Brown Egg.  I had the pulled pork, and it was very good.  Then, we met up with our friend Katie at Mother's Brewery for Octoberfest.  We don't drink, but it was still fun with good food and music.  It was rather funny seeing people get super drunk at 2 in the afternoon.

We then went to Fedora's, a fondue place downtown.  My mom gave us a gift card, and we ate well.  It was a fun little place.  We will for sure go back for the dessert fondue again.  We then drove the half marathon route for Jenn to see where it goes and see the hills.  She is very excited and ready.  She wants to be sub 1:40.  I think she will be able to do it!

It was a fun weekend.  I didn't run Sunday, so I ran today with Stefanie.  She is always fun to run with.  We talked and enjoyed the cool morning.  I then went to a group strength class after.  It was a good morning of working out.  We had our butts handed to us in class today.  It was great! 

Happy Monday...as happy as it can be.  I have my three-year review at work today... Wish me luck.

Happy Anniversary, Jenn

Six years ago today, I married the love of my life.  She is my best friend and my biggest support. 

I feel so lucky to have her in my life.  I have no idea what she saw in me, and I am eternally grateful for all that she puts up with.  She has the kindest heart, and I have never heard her say a negative, hurtful thing about anyone.  She always looks for the good in others and tries to help them.  Oh, and she is very sexy.  I scored the jackpot with Jenn.

She has supported me in my running by starting to run herself.  She ran her first half marathon this year and did it in 1:46.  She is a natural runner.  I am glad we are living healthy, and I am excited to keep running with her as we get older.  I might catch up to her when we are in our 60's, but I doubt it.

She is such a great mother to our three kids.  She really puts everything into raising them. 

Love you, Jenn..  Happy Anniversary!

Three Things Thursday

It is Thursday!!!  One day closer to Friday! 

1. I am tired... very tired.  Like almost fell asleep driving to my run and then the gym this morning...  Work is going to be interesting today.  I might be playing my driving mix at work. You know, the songs you know every word to and you sing along to help you stay awake.  You would think "working" would keep me awake, but I just stare at a computer monitor and paperwork all day.  I think I am going to go to bed at 8 today....  Yeah right...

2. Hills, hills, hills and more hills.  Today was a hills day.  Hills make me stronger and faster, but they hurt!  Plainview is a beast of a road; some of those hills I am not sure I could drive up when there is snow on them.  I look forward to running up them.  I do love running down hills; I feel like I am going so fast and I really do not have to work that hard.  It is kind of scary at the same time, but I enjoy the thrill.

3. So I talked Jenn into registering for the Little Rock Marathon as well.  This is going to be so much fun.  It was a little hard to be excited about it last night because of the cost.  We are going to have some kind of yard sale and try to sell some stuff to make the money back.  Yeah it costs money, but I have to have that kind of a race to stay focused and motivated.  It will also be an amazing adventure to get to that point.  I am really excited that both of us are going to be doing it!  We will be marathoners!  This just got real, true story.  (David, I have started saying that now because of you! HA.. True Story)

IT IS ALMOST FRIDAY!!  Also a quick question.  What is your favorite cold weather running gear?

Running in the Rain

Okay all you fair weather runners...  Just because it is raining, doesn't mean you can punk out and not show up to run today!  When we normally have 30 people, we only had 9 this morning!  Running in the rain is GREAT!!

This morning was tempo day, and my goal was 10 minute miles.  Well, I failed at that today.  I know why I did.  I went out way too fast.  I am supposed to warm up a mile and then kick it in, but I tried to keep up with speedy Tiffany and ran my first mile in 9:46 pace.  It felt good, but I always do that to myself, go out too fast and struggle.  The reason I want to catch up with Tiffany is because we are going to train for the Little Rock marathon together, and it is nice to have someone at the same level as you to run those long runs with.  She has been kicking butt and getting way faster.  She destroyed me today! 9:30 something pace for her 4 miles today. 

Shannon, Jeff and Christa ran with me today.  They walked when I did.  My legs didn't hurt, it was just the cardio.  I start sucking wind and struggling.  I know it will get better as I keep training and becoming stronger. I was mad about not doing as well today, but my mom pointed out that I ran 4.2 miles today in the same time it took me to run my first 5k.  So I am getting better; it is a process.  Another thing I am noticing is that when I do have to walk, it doesn't take me long to recover and start running again.  Before it took me a lot longer.

It was raining and lightning pretty hard at times this morning.  Lightning makes me nervous, and it wasn't the smartest thing in the world to be out there in it, but it was fun to watch Jeff curse after every lightning strike.  He would be mid story and lightning would strike, so the conversation would be something like this, "We have to drop him off before we @*#$ #$*@ can get you, and then we can pick you up or meet @$^(# !($&!! you at the church."  I am not sure if anyone else noticed it, but I was dying.

From Bad To Good

I have said it before, and I will say it many times again, running is mental!  I was so frustrated with myself going into my run this morning because of my crappy weekend. I psyched myself out of running to the best of my ability.  I started okay but then walked, got lost and then realized I cut out almost a mile out of the course, because I couldn't keep up with the people in front of me.  It was just frustrating, and I kept getting down on myself.

Chris saw me walking and checked up on me. I started listing excuses on why I was walking and then I thought to myself, "Self, stop justifying and giving excuses and GO."  So I started running with Chris.  I was determined to see how long I could stay with him.  I think he realized it as well, and he kept me at a 9:30-10 min pace for about a mile.  I was blown away.  I needed that.  We finished strong.  He talked me through the hard parts.  I wanted to stop, but I kept going.  There was nothing wrong with me; it was just all in my head.  As soon as I decided to run and do it well, I rocked it. Stupid brain all up in my business. 

Running is mental, and we are all insane.  I am still learning to shut off the old Chris.  The Chris who gives up, the Chris who doubted himself.  He has held me back for so long, but it is hard to let go.  I got to keep stepping up and moving forward.  Thanks again Chris Cochran for pushing me today and showing me what I can do.

Wednesday is tempo day.  I am going to do better than last week!  I got to get faster! 

Oh did I mention? I am signed up for LITTLE ROCK!!  I am doing the full!  WOOT WOOT!

Flashback

Okay, this weekend I had a flashback of the old Chris, and I didn't like it.  I ate too much.  I didn't run at all.  I sat around and did nothing.  I thought it would be a nice relaxing weekend, but I wasn't happy.  I had a headache, and I guess I wasn't that fun to be around.

Operation Get-My-Butt-In-Gear has started.  I am back on my very strict food requirements.  I am going to really work hard on finding the appropriate balance of fueling my body and losing weight.  I am going to work out every day I have planned and give 100%.  It is go time.  No more slacking and making up excuses.  If I want to hit my 100 pound goal, I need to refocus.

I need your help.  If you see me eating crap, call me out on it.  If I miss a run, call me out on it.  If I am crying in a corner, point and laugh at me.... Okay, not really. Give me a hug, because I am hungry, sore and tired. 

THANKS!

Friday Friday.. Wanna Get Down On Friday

Today I normally would not run, but a couple of my friends were running and asked me if I wanted to run with them.  Sooo I ran 4 miles.  I am glad I did, but when my alarm went off this morning, I really didn't want to.  I even started 3 different text messages saying I wasn't going to be there.  But I got up, got ready and glad I got my miles in.

My friend Tara posted this photo on Facebook and thought it was great!  It is so true.  I have heard something like it all the time from people.  If you want it bad enough, you will do what it takes!

Three Things Thursday

How about another Three Things Thursday?  (After I typed that, I imagined hearing the Price Is Right theme playing...  Don't ask me why...)

1. I have muscles hurt that have never hurt before while running today.  That makes me excited, because I feel like I am pushing myself to the next level of running and that I might start seeing some new muscle growth in my legs. But DANG, I felt it this morning.

2. I am not a solo runner.  I am learning this more and more.  Today I didn't have anyone to run with, and I walked more than I would like to admit.  I only did 4 instead of the 5 miles. Why? Because I didn't have anyone to push me or anyone for me to help motivate.  I find that I am stronger if I am being motivated by someone who is a better runner than me. Or if someone is struggling, I worry about helping them and push myself to be better for them.  Even if they are not struggling, I love having someone to talk to.  It makes the miles go by.  Do not like solo running....

3. So all my friends here in Springfield really need to check out a new cafe and coffee house in town.  It is called Brown Egg. The food is amazing, and the hot chocolate is really good.  (I don't drink coffee, but I am sure it is just as good.) I also really love the atmosphere and thought that has gone into the place.  My friend Brad from high school and his girlfriend started the business, and yesterday was the grand opening.  Just a great spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Go in, check it out and enjoy!  Everything is homemade and all original recipes.
607 E. Madison, Suite 112 • Springfield, MO 65806

Hey, we are one day closer to Friday!  Happy Thursday, everyone!

Tempo Day Victory

Okay, so last night Shannon posted that the people running the marathon this weekend in Texas needed to take it easy and run with someone who is slower and help them push it for tempo day.  She then asked who wanted the help.  I, like the smart person I am, said "MEEEEEE!!!!"  Shannon then proceeded to ask me what my pace is.  I put 10:15 and then quickly second guessed myself and switched it to 10:45.  Shannon then said, "10:15 and you got me!"

I got really nervous and started really doubting myself.  Then I got excited about being able to be that quick. For the next few hours before going to bed, I was nervous and then excited and then doubtful.  I made sure I hydrated well that night.  It almost felt like I was getting ready for a big race.

When I woke up this morning, I was even more a wash of emotions.  I even thought about just going back to bed. I had to snap out of the negative funk.  I started trying to self-motivate and pump myself up.  YES, I CAN DO THIS!  The 5k I PR'd was a 10:30 pace!  I should be able to maintain a 10:15. 

When I got there this morning, I didn't have time to worry anymore.  Shannon called me out and we went for it.  I was supposed to take it easy my first mile, but I didn't.  I ran a 10:24 when it should've been an 11:00 pace for the warm up.  I felt really good the first mile.  I was talking and joking around.  The second mile was a 10:05 pace!  I was really starting to breath hard then.  Adam did make us laugh when he told us he was worrying about what pair of shoes he was going to wear for his marathon!  I slowed down some the third mile but still held a 10:20 pace.  I felt like I was going to die at the end of mile 3.  I had to stop and walk a little.  I had just destroyed my last 5k time.  I communicated by grunting and whimpering.  We walked a little and then started running again.  I then got in my head and walked again.  I was ticked at myself for walking.  I wanted to finish strong and was determined to push myself again.  The last mile was a little over a 12 min pace because of the two walk breaks.  My overall pace for the 4 miles was 10:44. 

I was really happy about what I was able to do today. I wanted to puke and give up.  I kept my pace the first 3 miles and achieved my tempo goal!  I really enjoyed running with Adam, Shannon and Christa today.  I am really wanting to get to their speed so I can run with them more often. We are always able to go further than we think we can.  That is why it is important to set hard goals and to go for them.  It is just icing on the cake to have such a rocking support system with me every morning!  LOVE IT!

So You Ran Your Race... Now What?

When I first started "running" this year, I had a goal in mind.  I found a 5k and started working for it.  It was a lot of work and fun.  When I finished, I signed up for two more.  I ended up doing 4 all really close to each other.  I then found myself with out a race and a plan.  I then started missing a day here and there.  I wasn't as dedicated to my running all of a sudden.  I started to fall into the trap of not having a goal to work towards.  I then realized I needed another race and goal.

As Amy and I were running this morning, we talked about what's next after the Bass Pro half we are training for.  It is going to get colder, and people are going to stop coming.  I have already decided I am running another half in Phoenix in January and a full in March at Little Rock.  I know having something to work towards will help get me out of bed and run in the morning.  There have been many times I wanted to stay in bed, but I knew I needed to get my run in.  Now I need to start thinking about what I am going to do after Little Rock.  I am also asking for all running gear for Christmas this year.

So moral of the story is...  Pick out a race and work towards it. When it is done, THEN...  pick out another and another and another.  Keep a goal and keep working towards it!  I will see you out there running!  Who knows..  A 50 miler sounds kind of fun....

Weigh-in and Accountablity

Okay, so I have not been eating well this month at all, and it shows on the scale.  I weighed in on Saturday at the gym after my run, and I was at 248.  So I have put back on four pounds.  Honestly, I thought it was going to be worse.  Jenn and Shannon had a chance to talk yesterday about diet and exercise, and Shannon is right.  With the amount I am running right now, the weight should be coming off.  I am justifying the eating because of my running.  This is the first month I have not lost weight and gained weight instead.  Time to really focus and keep working on the weight loss.  I made the blog to be accountable, and it is humbling to post a gain like this.

I did have a lot of fun this weekend.  I had the opportunity to help work 2 aid stations and start the marathon for the Kicking Route 66 race.  After I got done with my two water stops, I was able to then help a good friend, Allyn, finish his 50 mile run.

I am going to make a longer post about the race later tonight.  I do not have time this morning to do it justice, and I want to post photos.