May 29, 2010 - My First 5K !!

Well I did it ~ I ran my first 5K. I believe everyone needs to do a race at least once in their life. It was very exciting standing at the starting line waiting for the race to begin. If you don't feel you can run, walk it. There were many walkers at the race last Saturday, even an 8 and 6 year old boy and girl. Kudos to them!! It was very encouraging and all the fear and anxiety before seems foolish now. But at the next race it probably will be there again.

Greg, my sister Martha, and my friend Tammy ran the race with me. All of them had trained for a couple of months. Greg has been running for over a year and he finished his first 5K with the time of 26.42 - I am very proud of him. It took me longer ( a lot longer) I finished in 46.17. Tammy finished around 40 min. and I have to give her props because 3 mornings out of the week she would get up early and go running before work. On days she was not running she was walking. She put the work in and it paid off. I saw her at the bottom of the first hill and that was that, she was gone. Run Tammy Run!! Martha removed all excuses because she has been training for 2 months and really watched her diet - she wouldn't even eat BBQ the night before. Plus, she has asthma and did not let that hinder her in the least, she finished the race. I am very proud of her!

The runners who had finished well before me were running back or standing on the side offering words of encouragement to the runners topping the hill. Such as, "you are almost there", "you have made it", "You are doing great, keep it up", "you are almost at the finish line don't give up now". After Greg finished, he ran back to find me and ran beside me until I could see the finish. At the bottom of the last hill, I told him I didn't think I could make it and then a friend from work (who came to cheer us on) was running down the hill shouting "you are doing great, you are almost there". Just what I needed to go the extra 'mile' (really an extra 1/10 of a mile). We topped the hill and then Greg left me to go get the camera to take my picture crossing the finish line.

I learned a lot in my first 5K
1. Never give up in training - put the work in and it will pay off (I did
not train as much in May)
2. I need to lose weight
3. I need to make better food choices
4. Do not stop just after the finish line to hand race official tab keep moving
5. Go to bathroom before race
6. Wear sunglasses, sunscreen or hat
7. Do not pour water on Ipod
8. Start as close to front as possible
9. Do not slow down to hug people
10. Races can be addictive

My niece Petrovia had to work that day and did not get to run with us but the next time she will.

To view race results visit Terry Times

The Run!

Well the day is here! Tomorrow morning the race begins and it is what it is. I have really let myself down this month with my diet and my running. First it was a very busy month (excuses, excuses) although Greg kept his running up I didn't. Second, I pulled a muscle or something in my right hip and had trouble running. When I did run, I would just run at a slower pace and put ice on it when I got home. I actually gained 1.5 lbs this month. Bummer.

Best wishes to all who are running in the morning - God Bless!!

April!!

Wow! A whole month has gone by and I did not write one thing :O(. So I am going to recap the whole month of April with one try - short and simple. First, I need to say that I had some goals that I wanted to reach for the month: run 3.1 miles without stopping, lose 10 lbs, spring clean, and keep a food dairy. I accomplished all but one. See if you can guess which one I did not reach? My goal for May - keep my journal up-to-date. LOL!

Apri1 1-10, 2010: On April 1st, I booked the campsite for our annual family camping trip. I always look forward to this wonderful time and I can't wait to get up early and run the campgrounds (never thought I would say that). As far as running, I met Petrovia twice this week at Shaver to run, I had a hard time running or finding my pace. Everything just seemed difficult and it was really discouraging. Plus, it was hot here - what happened to Spring? Because of the heat I decided to have my hair cut short! I love it! On the 10th, I finally made it for 1.4 miles but it was really tough - I really felt like quitting.

April 11- 17, 2010: I just continued to run and go to the gym. I have added at least one day of swimming to my routine and I am hoping that it will get easier. On the 17th, Greg and I went to Six Mile to run. I told him my goal was to run one mile, I was disgusted and did not feel like pushing myself. He encouraged me to slow my pace and of course I argued that I slowed down any slower that I would not be moving. Also, he encouraged me to keep running if I felt good after one mile and I said, "sure, whatever". Well, I slowed down my pace and after 1 mile I felt like I could go on so I ran for 1.5 and I could see the end of town. After all was said and done I ran for 3.2 miles. I was amazed that after I slowed down how much farther I could run. Now when I say slow I mean slow, Greg ran 5 miles the same day and he passed me. But I now know that I can run a 5k. Talk about encouraging!!

April 18 - 24, 2010: This week I ran 3.2 again! Greg and I went to Charleston for a wedding. It was a beautiful wedding! We got to the beach around 7:30 - boy was it cold! I ran a total of around 2.5 miles and Greg ran 3.1 miles but it was a lot tougher running in sand than on concrete. That evening we went to the wedding and had a blast hanging out with the folks Greg works with!

April 25 - 30, 2010: For the past month, I have walked everyday at work, ran or went to the gym in the afternoons, and have kept a food dairy. I started a journal on my weight loss journey because if I put it out there for people to see it I stay motivated. On March 31, 2010 we had a weigh in for a 'Biggest Loser' contest we are doing at work. I weighed in at 175.2 lbs on March 31. On April 30 we had the months weigh in and I weighed in at 164.8 a total of 10.4 lbs. We are doing it by percentage and this was 5.9% and that just happened to be the highest percentage. YAY!! I left work yesterday $70 richer!! The best part was that Greg took me to Run-In in Greenville and bought me a pair of running shoes. I love them!! 4 Weeks till the Race!

Family, Friends, and Music!

I had a wonderful weekend! Greg, our nephew Neal, and I went to our land in the mountains and did a little work Friday night and Saturday. Well, work consisted of Greg and Neal building a fort for us to stay in when it rains and I have to say it is a great fort. Plus, I got to spend the weekend with my mom and dad, sister Donna and her family. Then on Sunday, the GA's in their church had an auction and spaghetti dinner and all the proceeds went to "our Daily Rest" a homeless shelter in Seneca. It was great fun! It was truly a blessed weekend with family and friends.

When we arrived home on Saturday, Greg and I hit the road and I ran for 8/10 of a mile. The farthest I have ran at one time. It felt great! Although at first my goal was to run just 1/2 a mile but once I got there I just kept going until I couldn't go anymore. Greg walked Winchester and Bailey, I could here there paws scratching the pavement trying to catch up with me. Maybe it will wear down 'them' nails and we won't have to take them to the spa for a trim!

However, today I worked over a little at work. I got home and dressed out and Greg and I went to Six Mile to run. It was a tough run starting out - my legs felt heavy and my knees were screaming for me to stop!! Greg stayed with me all the way - encouraging me to slow down, not to swing my arms too much, and to take smaller strides. My goal was to run 1 mile without stopping. If starting at the school, it is the third pole on the left after passing the post office heading into Six Mile - just in case anyone wants to know. When we were around 25 ft from the mark, Greg told me to look away and to count the grooves in the sidewalk. He told me to just run the next four after that he told me "you can do three more" etc. etc. In the end, I ran a total of 1.1 miles thanks to my awesome husband. And of course my Ipod - I just don't know how anyone could run without one!

The Route

I met Petrovia last night at Shaver Complex and we ran 1 mile or more altogether. Way to go Petrovia. Even though she ran me to death, I am very proud of her! We ran a complete lap which is 1/2 of a mile with a stop to watch Kaylyn's batting practice. Katlyn is Petrovia's baby girl (if you can call an independent 6 year old a baby) and my "great" niece and emphasis on great. It had been cloudy all day and we were blessed with a light rain as we were leaving.

On Tuesday at work, I found out that the route for the run had to be changed because the city did not have enough officers to stop traffic when runners crossed the main highways. So it was being considered to run "The Gignilliat" Run (not sure of name) which is a killer course full of hills especially at the end but today I was shown the route and I am happy to say that it is starting and ending at Shaver with a track going through the Historic District. This is moderately flat and we will get to run on a trail in the woods too. I am completely happy!

But the biggest news is -- this morning I weighed I have lost 4.2 lbs this past week!! Yay!!

Running in the Rain!

Yesterday was a victorious day for me! I went to the bank that was located next door to a Wendy's and the Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty was calling my name. For a moment I thought to myself that no one would know if I got one but in the end I drove away empty handed. Then I went into the grocery store to pick up coffee filters and butter and standing in the line the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups begged me to buy them but again I said "no". That in itself is a triumph!

It was a cold, dreary day but Greg and I met my beautiful niece, Petrovia, at Shaver Rec. to run. I was very proud of her because she went twice the distance I did on my first run. She even ran what I call "kill hill". Way to go Petrovia!! We are meeting again on Thursday, I am so looking forward to it. I can't believe I am saying that I am looking forward to running but it is true.

I did not run today but did some weight training this afternoon at home. I went to the Dr today for a checkup about the arthritis in my ankle. In January I was fitted with inserts and it has made a huge difference in the swelling and pain. I talked to the doc about running, he said that if it didn't hurt he would not tell me not to run but that he would encourage me to do more swimming. I do not have to go back unless I have any more problems. So I guess I need to start looking for a swimming race. But maybe first I need to learn to swim. Lol. Overall the last 2 days have been great and big "thank you" to Petrovia!

Great Day!

I ran .75 miles yesterday all at one time. My heart rate was the lowest it has been since I started running. My time still needs work but I am working on endurance now. A BIG thanks to Greg who shuffled along beside me until I made the mark and all the encouragement that he has given me! Also, my niece Petrovia called me and she is going to start running next week. Plus, she is going to run the race with me! YAY! I am so excited for her. Very Happy with the day!