Bling has arrived

Shoot for the Moon -Day 26 &29

 

 

My new tool

So last night I picked up a heart rate monitor watch (so it has time, calories burned, % mf max HR, stopwatch, and couple of other things) but I figured this might help me determine if I'm hitting my target heart rate for the optimal weight loss, or if I'm just being a fool when I go out for my walks.

Yesterday afternoon Zeke and I did a partial walk, between the cold and unpet friendly salt, he was having a few issues,  Let's just say if you didn't know better you would think I was hurting him from all the noise he was making towards the end.  So I had to pick him up and wipe off his paws for him, carried him past some of the salt and then he seemed to be fine.  We eouldn't have this issue if he would were his boots.  So I need to finish up that walk and do another today.  We'll see how I do.

Darn Weather

So the weather isn't behaving, it's still cold and there is a chance of snow tonight, I think it really would be best to get some of my work out done at the gym, except when giving a co-worker a ride to and from work I don't always feel like going back out that way.  There is one on the other side, where I wouldn't have to back track as much, and I might have to do that.  But I diffently want to get out for a walk on Sunday for the Run Fur Fun,  So me and Zeke and go out there and get our walk in for his fellow four-legged friends, who have been abused or have birth defects.  I even printed off the bib smaller for Zeke to wear in our picture.

I also have I Will Run for Beads walk on Saturday, so that might be a stop after work to the gym, that one also might get biked...  I still would like to do the Bully Awarness walk sometime also this weekend.  Maybe that can be done Saturday night with Ben and Zeke.  Time will tell.

Grrrr

Still in the middle of a cold snap, I might have to stop at the gym after work to get my walking in,  maybe I'll do some biking also.  It all depends how I feel after I get out of work.  Tomorrow is mom and grandma night, and hopefully thurday and friday it warms up a touch for me to so something after work, and Saturday and Sunday I have a 5k each scheduled.  Thankfully the one I wanted to do yesterday I can do up until mom's birthday.  but I was hoping to get in before then

weather

Oh the weather outside is frightful...ok windy and cold.  I had planned on doing the Bully Awarness walk today, its really a Febuary walk, but I'm running out of days to do things in Febueary and I know there a half marathon.  I have like 14 5k's, 10k, and actually 2 half marathons.   I dont know how many I have planned for march, I know at least a half, more 5k's, and April when the weather should start to be good again, I know I have a real 10k which I'm gonna combined with a virtual 10k, both will be done in MI while visiting my sister and her family.

Right now the halfs in Febueary & March are virtual so I don't have to do it all at once, which I can't at the moment.  My goal is to do a half marathon with mom in September and a 15k (combine 5k and 10k) in Novemeber to get the Iron Turkey medal and shirt.  good goals to strive for I think.  I did a 10k the other day with a couple of short breaks.  I just need to get better at it.  I just have to keep working on doing my 5k's faster and slowly add on to it.  Worse case is I only do 5k's, for the virtuals.

So...

So I told my husband about wanting to do a race in all 50 states, he kinda like said probably not gonna happen, so talk about bring down a dream and not being supportive.....maybe I'll have to have some girl weekends with my mom, sister, and sister-in-law, if he's gonna be a poop about it.  Maybe I can still work on him about it, but sometimes he gets an idea in his head and I can't shake it loose no matter what.

Race all 50

So I saw this on another blog and I really like the idea, I just don't know how long it would take me to do this, and I feel it would be better to do actually races as appose to virtual ones.  But the goal is to do a race in each of the states.  I have 2 down 48 to go.  I also don't know how easy this would be with both of us working and a dog to look out for.  Some of them Zeke could come with us for, other's not so much.  Once we have kids it might be harder also.  I might have to make this a long term goal.  If I mix actual with virtual it might be easier for me to do.  I will have to do some investigating.  Like I have a wedding in July in Texas...it's on a Friday so I might be able to do something on saturday or sunday,  plus I'll be in MO that trip also it sounds like, so yep need to look into some more.

My goal

So have a goal set up for myself I want to see if I can walk 500 miles this year, mostly with just the walks that I do, I might included my non race miles in there also, but that's my goal and if I reach it before the year end I'll up the goal  so here's to getting out there and walking!

Shoot For the Moon

The resolution walk aslo counts for Shoot for the Moon challenge.

 

 

Resolution 5k

This one was reopend for those who wanted to do it.  Zeke and I finished it yesterday, really not our best time 1:20:00.  But I look at as getting out and walking.  I'm hoping that by getting out there will help with the leg pain I've been dealing with, some days are better then others last night wasnt one of the good days.

What the medal will look like

My distance, a lttle shy of what it really was

Walked past where Ben works and I think Zeke was looking for him

A little windy in some spots but we had it all taken care of

Frosty's Great Cupcake Race

So this was the one that I got the medal in honor of my battle wound (blister) and just walked for it tonight and did 3.4 miles.

I have not been pleased with my phone though, it stopped my Charity Miles on my earlier walk and came up with zero!  and then tonight when I knew I was about the mile maker it said I had only gone .33 of a mile....It counted the rest of the walk, so I just added the lost milage onto it to give me the 3.4 miles.

So far for the week (starting on Monday) I'm at about 10 miles so far.  I'm gonna try and walk tomorrow after work, rest on Saturday and do some walking on Sunday again!

Run For Your Life

This is what the medal should look like, I borrowed the picture from the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/478578408850397/486193131422258/?comment_id=486198731421698&ref=notif&notif_t=event_mall_comment

Before the walk

Zeke helping me along.

More Bling

This one they had extras of, so I purchased one for in honor of my Jingle Bell Walk/Race for the Light blister. I also plan on doing a walk for it this month.

I did the glass slipper in 1:08:00, not one of my best times, probably one of my worst times. I hope on getting better. I would like to beat my best tim last year 0:53:37, and my personal best over all of 0:52:40

Great News

I don't know how close the scale at the gym and the scale is at Grandma's are but according to Grandma's I've lost 15 pounds.  So current weight is CCCV.

I finished another one of my virtual walks yesterday after finishing up with Mom and Grandma.  Zeke and I walked to the post office again to mail a damaged DVD back to netflix.  So here is a view of what I believe the medal will look like for this one.

 

 

Zeke waiting for the light to change,

 

Having a good walk

More bling

So my other New Year's bling came today.  Mom may have gotten her shirt first but I got the medal first.  I should be getting more bling yet this month I just don't know when. 

I have a 6.3 mile walk planned for my day off this week, I have to go to the store and get my meds refilled, so I'm taking a little longer route to get there.  I'll probably split up the distance for my 2 walks that I have planned for that day, both only 5k's.  I'm also thinking about what to do on my day off next week and what I can all do.  I want to try and get at least 6 miles in this weekend.  Hopefully more,  I will have time on Friday after work, and Saturday before work, then all day Sunday so I should be able to do it.  We'll see, maybe I'll surpass my goal like I did last weekend.

New virtuals

Kyle's Krusade: http://www.runwiki.org/2013/01/10/kyles-krusade-virtual-5k-10k-and-half-marathon/#.UO60ARf7bFk.facebook

Cherry Blossom: http://www.active.com/running/new-york-ny/cherry-blossom-races-virtual-2013

Run With Purpose: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kellybrown2013/cooperriverbridgerun

Chinese New Year/Love Race: http://www.soulfulelegancecatering.com/another-diva-creation-events/

Non-virtual

Yep I still do the non virtual walks though it's easier to do the virtuals, then I can get them almost every weekend, even when there aren't any in my area.  So the next non-virtual walk is Seroogy's Valentine run/walk: http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/valentinerunwalk.html

I will also list the other virtuals that I signed up for which was like another 3 or 4, but worth it I think.

Shoot for the Moon Days 11-13

 

Fairy in Training

Princess in Training

Princess in Training

Glass Slipper

Movie Madness

2 more done! and so proud

So was out and about to finish my 2 other virtual walks this weekend.  I ended up with all 4 walks combined doing a half marathon 13.18 miles that makes me happy!

 

Movie Madness 5k: https://usroadrunning.com/index.php?club_id=1337

Glass Slipp 5k: https://www.facebook.com/events/133200633501066/

Fairy/Princess in Training

Got the other one done,

More Virtuals

I really am coming to like the virtual walks. Here are some more that I'm doing:

I {heart} running: http://www.fundrun4bling.com/p/february-run-2013.html
Winter virtual: http://teresasmathers.wix.com/virtual-runs#!up-coming-runs/cbzh
Frosty: http://plantbasedrunner.com/frosty-virtual-run-yay/
Run For Your Life: https://www.facebook.com/events/478578408850397/
Will Run for Beads: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5120126436#
Fit 4 Life Spring series: http://www.active.com/running/any-city-nd/fit-4-life-spring-race-series-2013

And I'm sure I'll sign up for more before the year is out, but this is what I got so far!

Princess/Fairy in training

I have one of these walks done.  Zeke and I did 3.5 miles tonight.  I have 2 more blisters on my right foot, and they are right where the other ones were.  I messed up on the charity miles and for the majority of it I was "biking"...yep not so much, I'm going to see what mapmywalk.com says.

 

 

And here are some other "fairies" learning to dance...

Not too pleased

So I found out today that my sister-in-law and mom got the Color My New Year Run medals as well, The place e-mailed my sister for her address to send her the medals.  Now I'm the only one who paid, yet those that picked up their shirt and bibs get a medal as well....

KT Tape

So far I'm enjoying the KT Tape, I haven't done much, I will put it to the test today at work.  Plus at the gym after work.  I'm gonna see what I can do.  So bike, walk, maybe climb a little.  I think I'm gonna stop at the store and pick up some more KT Tape also.  I was hoping to find it at Shopko, but  I didnt see it there, so I will have to get it from Walmart for now, granted I could get it at Sheels or Dicks maybe, but it will probably be more, I will have to investigate.  But I will diffently tape before walks now,  I think it will help, that and new shoes (which hopefully next thursday)

This weekend

So my goal this weekend is to walk 12 miles, well more like 12.5 miles. 4 different 5k's. With Ben working 2nd shift again I might be able to stop at the gym after work and get one of them in, I'm going to try and get one in before work.  Then that leaves, 2 days to do the other 2.  If I do them outside I will do my Charity Miles, inside I just have to take a picture of the treadmill (or dreadmill as I've heard it called)

I'm also trying out KT tape today.  I'm trying it on my left foot and my right knee.  We shall see how it goes this evening at work.  So far they seem to be working, that is if I have them in the right spot and on correctly.  It maybe that I really do just need a new pair of shoes. 

I also signed up for 3 or 4 more virtual walks,  I have come to the conclusion that virtual walks are a good way to get out and walk, especially when you usually have a couple of day if not more to complete it.  They are becoming my motivation to get out do something each weekend.  I also like that I don't have to do the full milage all at once if I can't.  And as of late I haven't been able to, I been doing about half of that, We'll see how I do this weekend.

13 in 2013

I also joined up to do this...

 

 

Doesn't matter what kind of run it can be a 5k, 10k, half or full marathon.

 

I'm also going to be signing up for 3 more of my virtual runs.   Frosty, Will Run for Beads and Run for Your Life. 

 

I haven't talked to my manager yet about seeing if I can do a split shift on the 26th so that I can do the Winter Warrior.  And I still haven't decided with the 4 virtual runs that I'm doing this weekend, how I plan on doing, one 5k for all 4, 4 individual 5k's or combination there of...if I do the different walk for each one I will do a different CharityMile for each one.  So Wounded Soliders, Feeding America, ASPCA, Partnership for a Healthier America.  So we shall see if I stick with those 4 or not.  I will have a chance to do some tomorrow, before work, and maybe after work. The other 2 on Saturday....I think I can do 4 seperate ones....I am gonna aim to do 4 seperate ones. So that would be 12.4 miles, almost a half marathon, but I'm seperating it up.  If I can do a half in 2 days, maybe I'll have to change what I sign up for in the next Fit for Life series.

New Year Bling

So I got one of my New Years day medal today.  Here it is!

Some good things

So for taking before photos of the princess/fairy in training, I tried on my 2 bridesmaid dresses and my wedding dress.  I am thankful after 4 years of marrige I still fit into my wedding dress.  After 6 years I still fit into my bridesmaid dress from my sister's wedding (Alexia size 28).  But after 10 years I do not fit into my bridesmaid dress from my brother's wedding (Eden Bridal seperates size 32 top, size 28 skirt).  I think it's amazing that wedding/formal dresses don't run the same sizes, wouldn't it make everything that much easier if everything was the same size.  I mean in normal clothes I can where anywhere from a woman's size 20 to 28, depending on how loose I would like them, and pants I need 26-30 depending on who makes the clothes, now in that thinking, the skirt from my brother's wedding should fit,  but even the top is a little tight which in notmals clothes it would be too loose.

Good or Bad...

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but  Ifound like 8 more virtual runs to do, but that's like another $200, that's not bad, that equals out to $25 a run which is pretty normal,  Some I think I have some time to decided on others not so much...

Day 8 in the new year and new me

So I am on day eight and I have some ambition to get out and walk for the Shoot for the Moon challenge, but when half way through my hip starts ti hurt, and I can't even walk a full 5k outside.  Though I was able to on the 1st, and now I can't.  Is it me telling my body I can't, is it needing new shoes.  Most time I have no problem doing 5k's  I have 3 virtual runs to do this weekend.  I would like to, well my hope, is to be able to walk the 3 5k's and end up doing a 15k (9.3 miles)  which then means that I'm not that far from a half marathon which is 13 miles.  So I think I'm gonna try and do my 5ks over the period of the weekend, maybe do 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.  GO to the gym and do part of it.  The one conversion chart says 3 bike miles to 1 walk mile. so maybe I bike 9 miles and call it one of my 5k's  I wonder if that would be okay...I could also do one maybe Friday after work.

I would love to do the Winter Warrior again this year, but unfortunately it's the same day as inventory at work, which starts at 7am and the walk starts at 11...It's for a good cause maybe I'll sign up and support it even though I won't be able to do it.  Then again I was thinking of talking to my manager to see if there's something or someway that I can help with inventory and still do the walk.  I think there's a way, I could go to work, then the walk and then back to work.  But I need to mention and talk to the managet about it.

Bucket List

Okay here is part of my bucket list, enjoy!
The Wall- www.TheWallRun.com
Warwick Castle Half Marathon- bhf.org.uk/warwick
Run Brighton- breakthrough.org.uk/runbrighton
Rock Your Run- rocknrollnice.com
Disney's Princess Half Marathon- runDisney.com
Pittsburgh Marathon- Pittsburghmarathon.com
NYC Marathon- ingnycmarathon.org
Ottawa Marathon- runottawa.com
Haile Gebrselassie Marathon- www.HaileMarathon.com
Conquer the Blue Ridge- blueridgemarathon.com
Flying Pig Marathon-flyingpigmarathon.com
Grandma's Marathon- grandmasmarathon.com
Great Wall Marathon/Half Marathon
Little Rock Marathon- www.littlerockmarathon.com
Flying Pirate Half Marathon- www.flyingpirate.org
USAF Marathon- www.usafmarathon.com
Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon- okcmarathon.com

I know most of these are "marathons" but most marathon weekends do have smaller distances.

Finishers Certificate

Well I got my finishers certificate for the Rock N' Run New Years Virtual 5k.  I will have to print it off and take a picture to put up on the blog as it's adobe file right now.  But then maybe I can put the medal with it (wish I hope to get in the next couple of days). 

Here's the links for the other virtual runs:
Chilly Cheeks 5k www.bigandysrunning.wordpress.com
Glass Slipper 5k: http://plancast.com/p/ffwq/glass-slipper-virtual-5k-benefiting-leukemia-lymphoma-society
Princess/Fairy in training: http://www.fundrun4bling.com/
Movie Madness: http://usroadrunning.com/index.php?club_id=1231
Sweet Cupcake Race: http://runfindyourhappypace.com/2012/12/19/registration-is-open-for-the-sweet-cupcake-race-10k-5k-and-mini-mile/

Bucket List

I got this idea from checking out other runners blogs trying to find more virtual races, yes I'm hooked.  I got this idea from http://runningjennie.blogspot.ca/p/race-bucket-list.html
She made a list of runs she'd like to do, so I know there are a couple I would like to try so I am gonna complie a bucket list of runs that I would some day like to conquer, and I don't care if I'm not in the top 10 of the runs, as long as I finished.

On a roll

So I'm on a roll for doing virtual runs, it will just be a matter of getting out and doing them. There are all 5k's I may try doing the princess/fairy in training in Feb and doing the 10k.   So here is a list of what I'm doing:

Princess in training

Fairy in training

Glass Slipper

Movie Madness

Chilly Cheeks

 

There's also a few more I might sign up for on Friday, we shall see.  Now I just have to wait to get the info on the ones that I am signed up for.

Shoot for the Moon -Day 6

 

 

New virtual run!

I just signed up for the “The Great Cupcake Race” Virtual Series, “The Sweet Cupcake Race” 10k 5k or mini mile on or around February 16, 2013. I only signed up for the 5k this time, I might go for something bigger next time. The above image is what the medal will be based off of. I actually wish I had found this earlier, I liked the halloween medal...but hey next time. Now to get off my butt and do some walking for the Shoot for the Moon challenge.

Let's get serious

So to be serious about this all, I was thinking about this on the way home from work, I need to get the right gear.  What to get, what is the right stuff to get, is there a right or wrong with certain brands?

All I know is that at the moment I am a beautiful (may not always feel it) plus size, and it's not always easy to find the right active gear for plus sizes.  I need the right clothes that will wick away moisture,  but fit comfortable.  Good shoes, are a must, and just when I think I have a good pair, they prove they are not the best for me, so I plan on going to a Fleet Feet store in the area.  I need winter and night time clothes.

Also if I'm serious about this I need to work on my diet, that's also a must.  I do good for a while and then fall off the wagon, and refuse to chase after the wagon to hop back on.  Though maybe if I did chase after it I wouldn't be where I am now.  I love sweets and they are what make me fall off that darn wagon.  If I loved veggies and fruit as much as sweets, I might be okay. But not the case.  It's not even like if they are in the house I'll eat them...nope not with fruits and veggies, if they are at someone elses houses, I'm more likely to eat them.  Maybe smoothies are the way to go to get the fruit and veggies in or V8....

Motivation!

So one of my problems is that I seem to sometimes lack motivation.  I know all walkers/runners have this problem.  But how do you conquer it when you live with someone who lacks in being motivtional and couraging to help reach your goals.  This is going to be and will always be a problem in my house.  I love my husband, but he can be a fuddy duddy.  I have a great support group but when you don't see them every day, it seems somewhat pointless.  So my goal last year was to run the dexter turkey trot, and I had a great plan, or so I thought.  I think what brought me down was not only myself, but also lack of support, I didn't use everything that I had at my fingertips to help me reach my goal.  I'm gonna try harder this year to do better, I'm not going to say I'm gonna run the Dexter turkey trot, because I don't want to disappoint myself in not reaching my goal.  So I'm just going to work on short term goals and hopefully get up to my over all goal of running a 5k, yep I'm not giving myself a time to run it in, if I can run it then it's better then I am now.  So I am reading running magazines and taking in tips from every source I can.

Starting info

Starting height: 5'8" (I know cant change this)
Starting weight: CCCXX
Goal weight: CCXX
First short term goal: CCC

1st 5k in 2013: 56:48 walking
Goal: Run 5k (dont have a time figured out yet)
First Short term goal: Shave 6 minutes off walking time, which also beats PB

Another goal:  Get better at cycling, stair climbing (so I can do the Fight for Air), and possibly trail running/walking

Shoot for the Moon-Day 4

 

Treadmill

 

Cycling

5 by the 5th

The 5 by the 5th series will run from January to June, with the option to run a 5k or 5 miler by the 5th of each month. You can run once, or every month, and it will begin with the Resolution Run on January 1, 2013.

 

My goal as always is to get healthy, and I know everyone says improving time is a plus also, but I figure as long as I finished, I shouldn't matter a whole lot, I'm getting up and moving.