My 6 mile experience...

I just completed 6 miles and I can honestly say that this is the worst pain I've had thus far. EVERYTHING hurts. My arms are killing me from my strength training yesterday. My shoulder is flared up and feels like it's on fire. My back is killing me. My abs are extremely sore. My legs are really hurting and I have blisters on both feet. It hurts to even move at this point, and I am so very glad that I do not run for the next 2 days.
The run itself was strenuous. I did fine up until the start of mile 5, then I started getting really tired. I did not stop or walk though, I ran the entire thing. I finished in 1 hour and 41 minutes.
It's all getting more real now. I am physically exhausted from today's run, and I just completed HALF of what the actual half-marathon will be. This is a little scary to me, but I still have 7 more weeks to train. I'm technically right on track, but it's going to be a grueling last few weeks.

Feelings...

I'm still continuing to train and have made some real progress as of late. I have dropped a significant amount of weight in the past 2 weeks to which I am very proud! It's nice to know that all those hours in the gym are finally paying off. I have a pair of jeans that I have in my closet that are the "someday I'll fit in these again" jeans. I tried them on yesterday, and I am happy to say that they officially FIT! Not only do they fit...THEY ARE COMFORTABLE!! It is the first time in 7 years that I have been able to wear those jeans. No words can describe that moment...

I am excited to report that from the first day of training until now, I have lost 15.6 pounds!! And since August, I have lost 29 lbs.

I'm almost half way through training. (From Day 1 that is)... My schedule has me running 3,4 and 5 miles this week and then 6 on Sunday. I'm right on track with my distance and my weight-loss. It's hard to believe that as long as I stick with this, in about a month I will be the lowest I can ever remember being.

I'm having some interesting emotions during this process. Usually after about 10 lbs or so lost, I begin to feel confident and attractive. I haven't really had any of these moments. Part of it probably has to do with the fact that I spend the majority of my time sweaty and gross at the gym. Not really a time to feel sexy. The other part is that I'm so busy, I don't really have time for many hot dates. That's certainly different, but I really think I need to continue to focus on myself so I will be ready when a decent man comes along! It's so important to love yourself first.

I'm ready to be able to look in the mirror and feel beautiful. And yes I know I'm beautiful on the inside and all that crap, but to feel physically beautiful...as a result of my hard work. It will be a special day...

And so it goes....

I'm starting to realize why everyone doesn't train for half-marathons. It's taking so much time to train properly and I don't get home until 9 or 10 at night. By then I'm so exhausted that I go straight to bed. 81 more days, 81 more days!!

This is what I did tonight:

1 hr of dance
100 crunches
Tricep, bicep, chest weights
3 mile run-48:40

Buddy Workout!

Tonight Christina and I worked out at the gym in Addison, technically Carrolton....which was my old gym. I was a dumbass and forgot my music, but she was patient enough to talk with me the whole time. That's friendship! :0) We both did a little over an hour on the treadmill and I was able to complete my 4 miles of running required for today. I can barely walk, but I did it! It's more fun with a partner!!

I'm feeling like I'm gaining more control over my situation now. I've done awesome on the eating and I'm implementing longer running distances. Since I've started the half marathon training schedule, I'm really pushing myself to new levels and that's helping my motivation. I'm still really slow though...I was laughing tonight because after about 30 min, my running speed was slower than my normal walking speed. I have GOT to get that up, it's just hard when I'm so exhausted. I know once the weight comes off it will be easier. Speaking of weight, have I mentioned that I hate my scale? I'm working my ass off and it's holding on to every ounce of weight! GRR!! I know, I know....there are so many factors that go into that!

So yeah, feeling better...and C is doing AWESOME so we're feelin' good! Hopefully after 11 more weeks of this, we can complete that marathon and can feel accomplished and can go back to normal 30 min workouts. That will be a happy time!

Honesty...

Lately I have felt unfocused. It all started with the move. I had to pack and move and do everything that comes along with a move in a short period of time. I did fine at first and fit in a few workouts. Once I moved, I worked out less because I couldn't stand living in boxes. I took about a week off to unpack and get my apartment liveable. What I found was...the less I worked out, the more I ate. I didn't eat anything bad per say, I just ate too much. That started the cycle. The self-esteem lowers which creates self-destruction. Yesterday I ran 5.6 miles and was very proud of myself, and then because I couldn't move afterwards...I sat my happy ass on the couch for 8 hours straight and ate an entire bag of sunchips! No more chips for Lindsey, I can't have them. I had a REAL hotdog w/no bun at Taryn's birthday party...and then I went out to a club on Saturday night and had 2 sugary drinks. I am so pissed at myself...my scale says I'm up 1 pound. GRRR!!!

At the work weigh-in, all my friends kicked my ass and that was a huge wake-up call! It's time to get serious. I took two weeks of semi-slacking..and it has to stop! So today to prove that I'm ready for my new intense schedule, I fit in a run and some weights before dance. Tonight I did:

30 minute run
100 crunches
Chest/Tricep/Bicep weights
2 hours of dance

I'm EXHAUSTED!! I feel great about today. We worked hard at dance and I know that the quick run helped. My eating was awesome and I just have to continue tomorrow. I'm still feeling emotionally fragile but that should fade as long as I keep up the good choices. And I have to remember...my bad isn't as bad as it once was. I haven't eaten anything fried or filled with sugar in over 42 days. I ran 5.6 miles straight without stopping. I can do this. I have to....

I'm in!

I've moved in to my new apartment and am pleased to say that I now have internet!! It's sad how 2 days without it is a tragedy. (Fios rules)

Tonight I've opted to be a bum. I'm going to unpack and watch the Bachelor. I have been staying active and have kept up a couple workouts so I don't feel like too much of a slacker. I've created an intense schedule that I will specifically stick to starting next week. The rest of THIS week I'll focus on cardio and strength training.
I also need to do some serious stretching to get me closer to those splits for dance (ow)...

I've been hungrier than normal but I know that's due to PMS. It sucks being a woman sometimes. Ok who am I kidding, it's awesome. We have all the power :p I am ready to stop wanting to eat everything in sight though.

We started Biggest Loser at my school today. Everyone who participates pays $5.00 and weighs in every Monday. The person that loses the most weight wins the money and the title of the Biggest Loser. Now, I'm not arrogant enough to know that I will win this thing, but I do think it will be a great tool to keep me motivated. Plus with me running 24 miles each week, I should consistently lose. It goes until June 1st. I was very pleased with my weigh-in today. It has me down even more than I thought, and it was exciting seeing my number much lower, even though I feel 500 lbs. Must be working!

I have more friends wanting to get healthy and starting blogs! It feels so good to be around it. I can feel it...2010 is the year for hotness!! :0)

Well, I'm off to watch the Bachelor....this episode is the one where a contestant sleeps with a camera man! What can I say, I'm addicted to trash :p

Getting back in the game...

So I've taken some time off because I've been sick. I started back tonight and this is what I did:

1 hour advanced dance class
100 crunches
Chest, arms, and shoulder weights
3 mile run-42 min and 11 seconds without stopping

I'm getting nervous about starting up my full schedule. I'm taking 2 nights of dance, 1 night of a college class, all while doing the half marathon training schedule. I need to sit down and make a schedule that works best for me. Finding the time for everything will prove to be difficult, but once I see it on paper I will feel better.

Tonight was the first night of my advanced dance class. We saw our costumes that we'll wear in May...and it's serious motivation to keep going. I've lost about 10 lbs so far and one size. My target areas include: arms, butt and hips! For some reason I'm losing the most in my legs, face and waist. Ready for the rest to catch up!!

Something happy: I'm getting my keys to my apartment tomorrow!!!!

:D

YES!

What a perfect way to start out the new year....I ran 3 miles straight without stopping! I am officially ready for a 5k!!!

I'm going to maintain the 3 mile runs for about 2 weeks or so and then I am going to start the half marathon training schedule. This is the schedule I will be following...

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/inter.htm

Lord help me!!