2011 Fast Before the Feast 5k

I got up bright and early on Thanksgiving Day.  My brother, Jason, picked me up at 6:15, as we had to go pick up Jen and head down to White Bear Lake to run the Fast Before the Feast 5k.  We got there early to pick up our packets and sat in the car getting ready and keeping warm...it was pretty cold out!  Eventually, the 10k took off so we hit up the port-a-potties and headed to the starting line.  After a few minutes of jumping in place and 3-way-slow-motion-explosion fist bumping (if you don't know what that is, I scoff at you *scoff*scoff*), it was our turn to take off on our excursion.

I stayed one pace with Jason for a bit and then wised up and realized he runs WAY too fast for me.  I then kept a few steps behind Jen, but also realized that I just needed to pace myself and run MY pace or I'd end up walking.  I had layered my new zip-up over my running shirt and had my earmuff thing on, since it was so chilly.  Around .5 miles in, I realized that this was a big mistake.  I was heating up really quickly, but just pushed my sleeves up as best I could and kept on going.


The run itself wasn't too bad.  It was mostly through a residential area (and there were quite a few people cheering the runners on...which is awesome).  It was a bit hilly, but it didn't kill me as bad as I thought.  The first marker I saw was at the two mile.  I looked down and saw that I was at 19:27, which is a great pace for me!  I got really excited and knew that if I kept it up, I would have a new personal record.  I had set out with a goal of beating 32 minutes, but this had me on par to even beat 31 minutes!  The elevation map of the course doesn't show it, but there was a LONG hill about the 2.5 mile mark uphill...ugh...thought I was going to die!  I figured this completely ruined me, but when I saw the finish line, as per usual, I sprinted!  As soon as I crossed the finish line, I looked stopped my iPod and took a look.

At first, I was THRILLED that I thrashed my old PR set a month earlier!  Then, I was totally bummed that I had been so close (yet not close enough) to meeting my 5k record of breaking 30 minutes.  After finding Jen and Jason, there were high-fives all around as all three of us beat the time we had hoped to beat at the race.  We went and got our bananas and headed home.

This was the first race I've been in that has been chip timed.  After I saw my official time, I was even more upset...but even more proud of myself.  I know that next time, I CAN BREAK 30!

So. Freakin. Close.

Is this a new tradition?  Perhaps.  Now, to train for the next race and get my 2012 goals in place...

XOXO

As the End of 2011 Approaches...

I've met shredded some of my biggest goals this year:

• Run a 5k
• Stay active
• Hit 155 pounds
• Keep off the weight

I'm excited to keep things going in this last 7 weeks of 2011.  I'm aiming to run the Polar Dash 10k on January 1, 2012...to start things off right and cross one of my first 2012 goals off this list right away.  Therefore, check this out:

This is my running schedule.  Let's see if I can NOT make excuses and stick with this thing.  I may have to waiver some of the runs, but this brings us to a big goal for 2011...

RUN 100 MILES BEFORE IT ENDS!

Crazy?  No!  Do-able?  Totally do-able!  I just have to DO IT!

Another goal?

HIT 145 POUNDS!

Crazy?  No!  Do-able?  Totally do-able!  I just have to DO IT!

Let's recap my goals for the remainder of 2011:

• Run 100 Miles Before the End of 2011
• Hit 145 Pounds

Let's do this!  Also, there may be some changes coming in the "Weigh In" schedule...but we still have to figure that out...not quite there yet...

Have a fabulous day!

XOXO 

Weigh Day 11.15

Drum roll, please...

*drum roll*

151.6 Pounds!!!

This morning, I was down 2.9 pounds since my last official weigh in (or just .2 pounds from Friday's unofficial weigh in).  I didn't break into the 140s as I had hoped, but, then again, I ate like ish this weekend, so I will take it.  I highly doubt that I will be reaching 145 by next Thursday (especially with the two .  I'll be happy if I can hit the 140s by next week.  *crosses fingers*  140s by Thanksgiving will do!

The next month and a half will be really hard, but I'm going to do what I can to eat good when I can and exercise a little extra when I know I won't be eating good (read: Thanksgiving Day, Work Holiday Party, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, all the days in between with cookies and treats and delights!).  If I can lose or at least maintain my weight loss through the holiday season, I will be content.

Last night, I ran!  I felt myself starting to get tired around six, so Lee sent me down to do my thing (instead of waiting for Bean to hit the hay).  I had the best mile I've ever had...naw...best TWO miles I've ever had, clocking in at 19:39!  I did have about a minute rest between the miles because I had to adjust my fan, but I'm still counting it!  I am going to try to come up with a training plan and start training for a 10k/10 Mile/Half.  Not positive where I'm going...but I will get there!

Have a great day!

XOXO

PS good luck today, Lee!  I love you!

To Run or Watch Men in Tight Pants???

I promised I would post my LoseIt log if I went over...and Friday...I squeaked over thanks to a tiny little Drumstick Mini Ice Cream delight...

FYI: I don't log on the weekends...even though I know I should.

Tomorrow is weigh day for me.  Also, it is weigh day for the Kate and Lee Weight Loss Challenge (it is a working title...).  I told Lee we should do measurements, as well, to see where we are losing.  He agreed.  Therefore, tomorrow, I get weighed and measured.  Oh, joy.

On tonight's docket (yes, I know it isn't a legal matter, but I wanted to use the word)?

A good run after Bean goes to bed?

~ OR ~

The Glorious Viking/Packer Game?

Both, perhaps???

The game is a must, even though the run is what SHOULD be a must.

Why are my priorities so screwy???

XOXO

BMI - A Progression

My BMI with my stats at the "beginning" (pre-pregnancy)

June 26th, 2009 - 181 Pounds

~ Obese ~

My BMI with my stats at my 6-week Post-Delivery Appointment

April 1st, 2010 - 196 Pounds

~ Super, Mega Off-The-Charts Obese ~

My BMI with my stats as of November 1st, 2011 - 154.5 Pounds

~ Overweight ~

My BMI with my stats at my next Goal - 145 Pounds

~ Healthy Weight ~

This is the first time that I've looked at my BMI in a long time.  This is the first time in quite a while that I am "overweight" instead of "obese".  This is the first time that I can really see some gains.

I am so close to reaching a "healthy" BMI for the first time in my life as long as I can remember...

Here we go.  Keep it going.  We can do it.

XOXO

First Run on the Yet-To-Be-Named Treadmill

Here she is!

She (yep...it is a she) was ready when I got home two nights ago.  Lee had finished building her.  I had my first run yesterday morning at 5:00 a.m.  It did not go well, as I had NO fuel in my system.  I had running on treadmills...I hate feeling like I'm never going anywhere...but I don't feel like I have much choice where my neighborhood is nearly pitch black outside less than an hour after I get home.  I'll get used to it.  It will keep my going in the winter.  I am bound and determined to make this work.  Tonight, I plan on giving it another go.  Wish me luck!

On a side note, Lee and I have started another Weight Lose Challenge (he says he is going to beat me this time).  We started on Monday and will be going until January 1st, 2012.  We are going based on percentage lost (as our weights are quite a bit different).  We are weighing in on the 1st and 15th (which keeps with my weigh ins), but we also weighed in today, just to see how our first week went.

Drum roll, please...

I AM BEATING HIM!!!  So far, I am a slight percentage ahead of him *woot*woot*  This mornings, weight?

151.8 pounds!

It isn't official for this blog today, so let's hope my weekend goes okay and I can keep it off.  Ideally, I'd like to break the 140s by Tuesday...weigh day...the 15th.  If I could reach 145 by Thanksgiving (hard, but doable), I would be thrilled.  Again...wish me luck!

XOXO

New Toy!

Lee and I decided to make "an investment in our health" (his words...not mine) and purchase a treadmill.  Lee picked it up yesterday and I started to put it together last night.  We plan on finishing it tonight after Lilly goes to bed.  I am super excited!  I feel like now I won't have excuses for not running.  I can't say it is too dark out at 5 a.m. to run a few miles. I can't say that it is too dark after Lilly goes to bed to do a quick 5k.  I can't say that there isn't enough daylight left when I get home from work to go for a leisurely jog through the neighborhood.  This is part of my NO MORE EXCUSES plan.  Wish me luck and PLEASE hold me accountable!

I went over my daily calories yesterday, due to a work lunch at Old Chicago (I couldn't resist the calzone...) and a lack of working out.  Therefore, as promised, here is my LoseIt! log:

That is all for now.  I have been working on a post for a while, but it isn't ready yet.  I'll try to finish this week.

XOXO



Weigh Day 11.1 (Even If I Posted It a Few Days Late)

This has been a very hectic week, but Tuesday was, in fact, weigh in day.  My results were less than pleasing...

154.5 pounds

Gained a pound.  Not good...not good at all...but I'm not going to beat myself up over it with the way things have been lately.  Majorly stressed.

I'm taking relax day.  Have a good one yourself!

XOXO

Fried Dinner

As I've previously talked about, every year for my brother Jason's birthday, we have Fried Dinner.  It is just what it sounds like.  It is like the State Fair without the sticks or the lines!  I was thinking of going into great detail about what exactly it is, but I think I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Oh, sweet deliciously fried dinner!  As an added bonus, it is the one time of year I can guarantee I will get to have a good BM!

So gross, I know, but so true...

That day, my sister and I also made apple crisp.  I took some neat (or what I think are neat shots) of the apples and the crumble.  Enjoy.

XOXO