Shutterfly promotion

I was surfing my sister's blog and checked in on one of her links I always read (Praying for Bennett) when I came across a promotion for 50 free Christmas cards for bloggers. "Wow," I thought, "I'm a blogger. I should check it out." Then I wondered about the definition of a blogger. I blog (occasionally). Don't get me wrong, I like to blog; I just have a really hard time actually sitting down and writing. But I do get there- sometimes. Which got me thinking; does the definition of a blogger require that someone actually read what your blog? That would disqualify me. Because no one reads what I blog. I'm really fine with that, but I wonder if I'm qualified for this promotion. Maybe I should wait for the promotion for 50 free Christmas cards for blogs. That's what I am- a blog. I like that; it fits well.

Anyway here's the link: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Since I'm back in training mode and exhausted, I plan on checking out the website tomorrow. I hope I actually do qualify because with an unexpected car purchase and three December birthdays along with Christmas this month, I could really use some free Christmas cards!

I won a mental battle!

I woke up at 4:50 so I could get my 5 mile run in early. I was hoping to meet my running buddy but it was pouring so I knew I was headed to the gym. There is a tornado watch in effect so I was a little hesitant to drive, but I've been full of excuses lately so off I went. It is so surreal driving in the dark with leaves flying and rain pouring. There was a tree down at the end of our street so I was on alert all the way to the gym.

The workout today was a tempo run: 1 mile warm-up, 3 miles at a 9:10 pace and 1 mile cool down. The treadmills at my gym automatically turn off after 30 minutes so I knew I'd have to break up the run a little. The run started off a little rough as I had to make a pit stop after .25 miles. *** WARNING***(This is way TMI but my husband won't listen to anything that has to do with that time of the month. If you are reading this and are like him: DON'T READ ON! I tried to tell him I need to tell someone about my victory, but he said to call my sister. It's 7:20 AM and my sister's sleeping so, sorry I've got to tell it here. Let's just say I had an emergency where I had to jump off the treadmill and run to the bathroom. I could have easily left the gym at that point but chose to continue. That was a victory in itself! I was worried I wouldn't get the whole run in but I did and then bolted out the door back to my car.)

Anyway... back on track. I did the first two speed miles at a 9:05 pace but thought I was going to puke. My heart rate was over 200. It was time for the treadmill to stop so I took that as a natural break and recovered for .25 miles. The last mile I played a little game with myself where I held a 9:13 pace for 2 minutes, 9:05 for 2 minutes, 8:57 for one and then went the other way again (9:05 for 2minutes and 9:13 for 2). It makes the time go by so much faster. I finished my cool-down and I was done.

I felt so good for pushing through that workout! I'm so glad it's done! I don't know why I struggle so much with speed workouts on a treadmill. It is so mental for me.

I'm back home and it's pouring out, but I'm done with my workout for the day. My running partner is running a marathon on Sunday (she was supposed to run Philly but got the flu on Friday). I'm going to run the last 7 miles with her. I want to be running the whole thing, but I need to be happy about where I am. The plantar fasciitis is in a very good place and I'm running pain free. What more could a girl ask for?

Two day update: exercise (B+), eating (F)

So far this week I'm on track with my working out (sort of), but my eating is horrendous! I just don't have the motivation to eat well.

Monday I didn't do my P90X workout but did a 30 minute EA Active for the Wii workout (which I'm feeling today!). Today I didn't do Yoga, but ran for 30 minutes. I feel like even though I haven't done what I had scheduled, I'm still doing well.

My husband has been out of town which completely throws my eating off. I know that going into it, but still can't manage to eat well. It was rainy and cold here today and I craved comfort food (yes, I had Ramen noodles for dinner). I know eating is my area of weakness and I go through fazes when I eat really well, but then I go through fazes like right now when it's a disaster. I really think if I can get control of my eating I will have the answer to my weight loss.

Oh well... tomorrow is a new day.

Official Training starts tomorrow

Tomorrow is the official start of my half marathon training. I'm supposed to run 2 miles. Well, it's not happening. DH is out of town until late Wednesday. We're also going out of town from Thursday to Saturday so this is going to be a challenge. Here's the plan:
Monday- P90X workout at home
Tuesday- Yoga and 2 mile run
Wednesday- P90X upper body workout
Thursday- run 5 miles
Friday- off
Saturday- off
Sunday- run 6 miles

Eating: I'n not expecting perfection here, I just want to make good choices. The goal is no junk, but I'm going to take it one day at a time.

No more chiro for me- (I hope!)

I had an appointment with my chiropractor yesterday which I'm happy to report I cancelled. My back/rib has been feeling great. I even went for a 3+ mile run on the treadmill which felt great. My chiropractor was very surprised I was still feeling good. He said it usually takes between 2-4 adjustments for the rib to stay put. He also said not to be surprised if I wake up this weekend in pain. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen.

My official training starts Monday as does my quest to drop some weight (don't know about the timing there- Thanksgiving is right around the corner). I'm going to do this!

1st ever chiropractic visit

I went to the chiropractor yesterday. I've been thinking about it for awhile. What finally put me over the edge was this pain that I've been having in my back. I did some research on line and determined it was a pinched nerve. Every time I took a breath I felt like someone was stabbing me in the back.

It was a very interesting visit. To make a long story short, I don't have a pinched nerve- I have a rib out of place. I wasn't expecting that! He said the manipulation would be painful (thankfully it wasn't). I got immediate relief which I am so thankful for. He said no running until it is completely better and I have to go back in tomorrow for another adjustment. It's feeling pretty good so I may cancel my appointment. Of course, being the not follow directions kind of person that I am, I'm thinking about going for a short run tomorrow. He only said not to run because he thought it would make my back hurt. I'm feeling really good so I want to try it. If it hurts, I'll stop and keep my appointment.

He also worked on my foot and said the plantar fasciitis looks really good. He said there's nothing he can do for the neuroma. It's either going to go away or it isn't. That kind of bummed me out. I was hoping he would have a miracle cure. Oh well. It doesn't hurt and I actually can't feel it unless I have my shoes off.

So, overall I'm very happy with my chiropractic visit. I'm praying my rib will stay in place and I don't have to go back.

printed half marathon training plan- it's official

Here's the quick low down. I signed up for the Disney Princess Half again. I'm still dealing with the plantar fasciitis and neuroma in my right foot, but I'm able to run. I've decided to go for it. I've been experiencing weird aches and pains and I think a pinched nerve in my back, but I'm going to give this training all I've got. I've got to drop 10 pounds before the end of February. (note to self: those magic bars you just ate at almost 10PM aren't going to get you there).

I went to Runners World and used their Smart Coach feature just to see what date a 16 week program would end on if I started next Monday. I thought I had a lot of time so I wanted to see how much. To my surprise, the date was the actual date of my half. So, I have 17 weeks. Wow. I actually got up to 8 miles two weeks ago before my hamstring started hurting. I backed off but was able to run 4 miles yesterday. Great run. I needed a run like that.

Here's my training schedule for the week. Tomorrow is Yoga, Tuesday is upper body and a 4 mile run, Wednesday is upper body, Thursday is a Body Pump class, Friday is a spin class and Saturday is a 6 mile run. How's that for a week? If I do all that and manage to eat well, I'll be doing great! Oh, and I'm going to look into finding a chiropractor to figure whats going on with the back.