Return to Gym - This Week Too

It seems like I can't write any posts these days without having to retract what I said. Guess that says something about the certainty of life huh?  Well, today was the day I have been super excited about.  The day that my new treadmills arrived.  But I have to admit it was anything but a good day.  The delivery people showed up and started putting together the treadmill.  Then they plugged it in and started setting it up.  Then it shorted out and broke... right there... before I even stepped foot on it.  They we all quite surprised an called service who basically told them to have me register the product and call them to set up a time for a repair man to come out and fix it.  WHAT?! I just want a working treadmill.  You brought me a broken one, I want one that works! I won't continue the rant here but you get the general idea.  

I did call service and I called the store I bought it from (Sears) and between everyone it got worked out.  I am getting a new treadmill shipped to my house next Saturday, I got an "I'm sorry" gift card emailed to me from Sears, and 10% credited back to my card for the inconvenience.  So I guess I can't really complain, they did try to make it up to me, but I do admit to being quite disappointed. Quite disappointed.    

So I will go back to the gym for the next week (just like I did today by the way).  I thought I better sneak it in before the treadmill came just in case and it was a good thing I did.  I walked 4 miles and have improved quite a bit from my first week actually.  Check out my week two (statistics) for details, but let me just say that I am quite proud of my speed increase (55 seconds per mile FASTER this week than last week).  Whoot-whoot!  Oh and I got to use the good treadmill today so I was happy not to have it shut off at 30 minutes like that other possessed one.

I guess I just wanted to vent, but I have also learned that their are setbacks to all our plans and we just have to keep moving forward the best we can.  I am not a gym lover, but I am still going every day because I want to get race ready. I'm sure there will be plenty of other obstacles that come up (thinking of sleepless nights with a new baby) but I am practicing persistance.  Wish me luck!  

Week Two (statistics)

• millage: 16 miles
• average minutes/mile: 16 minutes 55 seconds

Notes: How things have changed.  I am faster and can walk longer already.  I know that as the pregnancy progresses things will get harder but I'm feeling great and feeling excited!

Last Day At The Gym

Okay, my treadmill comes tomorrow and I am so excited!  Have I mentioned that before?  Lol!  I had to use that same dysfunctional treadmill as yesterday because it was super busy at the gym (I guess spring break starts today - but since my kiddos are so little it doesn't impact us yet).  Anyway, I had a much more positive outlook today and figured that I could just make this thing work for me.  I figured I had set the "time" mode yesterday so I made it a point to set it in "distance" mode and set the goal distance to 5 miles (since I knew that would be way more than I was going to really do).  But alas, it still turned off at 30 minutes just like yesterday.  I was prepared and just quick started the silly thing up again and kept going for the rest of my 2 little miles.  So yeah, the gym totally bit me in the butt... but it wasn't THAT bad.  I'm just glad I can start working out in my own home.  Here are my stats from today:

Distance: 2 miles 

Time: 33:35 minutes

So yeah, my treadmill is coming tomorrow and after these last two days at the gym I am ready to say ta-ta and just use mine.  EXCITED!!!

Just Keep Moving

Fast or slow, just keep moving. Also, try to avoid being caught and eaten...

Wow.  Today was a bad day at the gym.  But really, I think it was just a bad morning and I happened to be at the gym (not fair to blame the gym - not sure). Anyway, here's the story.  Last night was awful.  I was super excited about something and it got ruined and I was really upset because it never got resolved.  Not really the biggest deal, but I am hormonal and pregnant and it really got under my skin.  So I was still grouchy this morning.  Then it was preschool today and my oldest will NOT get out of bed before 8:30 these days. You would swear she was a teenager, but alas, she is only 3.  So we rushed though milk, goldfish crackers and bananas while dressing and getting in the car so that we could get to preschool by 9:15.  Clearly, no time for mom to have breakfast.  Then the little one and I rushed to the gym so that I could squeeze my workout in and it was pitiful.  I think the fact that I was grouchy and hadn't had any breakfast were not in my favor.  Plus, the treadmill that I normally got on was in use so I had to use a new one and I obviously didn't know how it worked... because it went into cool down mode when I only had about .25 miles left in my 2 mile workout.  I was so mad!!!  I had to restart the whole darned thing and my times were all off.  Here is what I got bu I have no idea what to make of it because of the whole goof-up:

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 33:53 minutes

Yeah, so by the time I was done with all this and rushing to pick up my youngest daughter so I could drive to preschool and get my oldest daughter I was practically in tears.  Oh who are we fooling, I was crying crocodile tears.  Which is ridiculous.  But that is how I felt.  Anyway, looking forward to a better rest of the day.  Here's to us.  Those who still keep training even when... our day stinks!

Got Garmin?

So when you are just getting started as a runner it is really easy to want to buy every gadget you can find that will help.  This is because you need... help!  But not the kind of help that a electronic thiny-ma-bobber is going to give you.  The kind of help that getting out there and exercising is going to give you.

Why am I talking about this?  Well, last night I started thinking about running and that most runners have these fancy Garmin watches that tell them everything.  And I started wondering if I need one.  Which is when I googled around and found this hysterical article called The Numbers Runner, Inside one man's GPS obsession that I Just had to share with you because it had me laughing out loud.  So much so that my husband wanted me to read him the funny parts (which was most of the article).  But I digress, so the thing is I thought about the whole thing again in the light of day and realized this: I have a treadmill that will be delivered in 3 days that has all this information on the display!  I plan to do my training on this treadmill so what would I need a watch for?  

Well, I am not entirely convinced that I won't get one eventually.  They are really cool!  But my first race isn't until November so I certainly don't need one now anyway.  Plus I am so, so, SO excited about my treadmill being delivered and I can train really well on that - for sure!  P.S. If I did get a Garmin, I think it would be the Forerunner 410.  It looks really cool, and easy to set up.  Just sayin'...

Pregnancy & Exercise

If you have been following my blog, you probably already know that I am pregnant (25 weeks, give or take a few days). I realize that training for a marathon and pregnancy do not always go hand in hand, but here are a few things that should reassure you that everything is a-okay. First, I am married to a doctor and he is totally comfortable with my level of activity. He was actually much more concerned with my level of activity BEFORE I started training, because it was not very substantial. Second, my OB is okay with the plan, which by the way is to work on speed and distance without adding 'running' until after delivery (and yes I know you have to wait 6 weeks before starting up again). So no worries okay? Just in case you have any friends with questions (like I have had) or you are pregnant and wondering about exercise, here are six links (since I am 6 months pregnant) that you can check out - and of course there are a bizillion more out there:

• Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy and exercise: Baby, let's move!

• Mayo Clinic: Exercise during pregnancy: Is heart rate a concern?

• USA Today: Exercise during pregnancy? Yes even some extreme sports

• Johns Hopkins University Research Study: Exercise in Pregnancy Safe for Baby

• Pregnancy & Baby: Starting exercise during pregnancy

• March of Dimes: Exercise during pregnancy

Now go out that and catch your dreams, no matter what phase of life you are in!

4 Miles - Got It Done

So tomorrow is going to be my "rest day".  Not sure if I need one of those because I am not really working out very hard to begin with... but we are getting repairs done on the car so I can't get to the gym.  (Working out outside is harder because of the kiddos - 3 & 1 - who don't really like to keep pace with me or stay in the stroller.)  Anyway, so when I got to the gym this morning I though... let's just make this my long day.  So guess what I accomplished:

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 68:14 minutes

So yeah, the distance was good... the time... not so much.  But you have to start somewhere and I am really proud that I am doing this.  Consistently.  And I know that improvement will come as I keep doing the work.  So that is my big accomplishment for today.  Four miles down.  I got it done.

A Little UMPH

The difference between try and triumph is a little UMPH - Marvin Phillips

I started this blog before heading to the gym because there is such a cool sense of anticipation when you are working towards something.  Just in general of course, and related to exercise too.  I mean, I know that I am going to get on that treadmill - but how fast will I go, how far will I go?  Not sure!  I'm going to go change and get going and I'll let you know when I get back!  Ta-ta...

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 32:68

What?  I was even faster today... awesome!  I can't believe that in such a short number of workouts I am improving.  I guess all I needed was a little UMPH and I've got it going now!  Wish I could stay and chat but I have to go get the kiddos.  Hope your workout is a winner - go make it one!

Why Rapunzel?

1. Hair issues.  What color is it anyway?  Blond?  Brown?  I know how she feels because I am totally stuck between two colors.  I would say I was blond, but then again it looks more mousy brown lately.  I think I need to go to a salon.

2. Big feet. I think that Rapunzel is the princess with the biggest feet.  She is always running around and wiggling them in the grass (once she escapes the tower).  I think this has to be a plus for running and I could use all the pluses I can get!

  

3. Purple dress.  This is the color of royalty, and so I think that wearing purple just might help me get to be a 1/2 marathon princess faster.  I plan to wear purple.  Much more purple.

4. Pascal.  So Rapunzel has this adorable sidekick and it is pretty clear that I am about to get a cute new sidekick too.  Her name is Claudia, and she arrives in June-ish... but we could always nickname her Pascal, cause I think she'll be sticking with me a lot (and of course be way cuter)!

5. "When Will My Life Begin".  I totally understand this and need to do this race for me!  I have two kiddos and a very busy husband and while I love being a mom, I need to do this for me.  I need to carve out a time to get myself in shape and accomplish something amazing... like the Princess Half.  

So yes, Rapunzel is my princess.  I will be running as her!  I'll make sure to include a picture of myself (in costume - whenever I decide on that) way down the road so that you will know me!  Hope to see some of my readers there!!!

CopyCat Time

Today was a copycat of yesterday!!!  See, yesterday I made my best time ever... and today, instead of regressing because I was tired from that workout, I matched it!  Here are my times again:

Distance: 2 miles 

Time: 33:45

I am really proud of this because when I started walking (at 3.5 mph) I thought I wasn't even going to make it to 1/2 a mile - but I fixed my eyes ahead and just kept going.  By the second mile I was ready to kick it up a notch (to 4 mph) for a 1/4 mile and that is how I matched times.  So not only did I ignore that quitter-voice, I beat it!  I can do this! Oh, and can I just say again... I am SO excited about my new treadmill.  I can't wait for it to get here.  Only 6 more days!!!

Week One (statistics)

• millage: 6 miles
• average minutes/mile: 17 minutes 50 seconds

Notes: I can't really believe I have undertaken this.  Can I really do a 13.1 mile race when I can barely walk 2 miles fast?  Grateful for tow things (1) that I have 11 months to train (2) I won't be pregnant for the last 8 months of training.

Return to Gym - This Week Only

Today was my first day back home and guess what?!  I returned to the gym (just to prove my dedication - as well as to get in my workouts).  I am not a real gym person because it takes so much time as opposed to working out at home and you have to pay for them to watch your kiddos.  However, because I don't have a treadmill - I need to go to the gym.  It was my best time yet and I can tell that my body is getting used to this (which is the idea).  I will be able to kick it up a notch soon!  Here are my stats from my gym workout today:

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 33:45

I do have other news though... before going to the gym this afternoon, I went and purchased a treadmill.  Can you believe it?!  I got the NordicTrack c900 and am thrilled!!!  Here is a picture on the right, and it is being delivered on the 31st (next Saturday)!  I can hardly contain my excitement (if you can't tell) and now just have to figure out the best place to put it.  Kitchen?  Bedroom? Basement?  So hard to know what will be best... but I have a week to figure it out.  I also got the 5-year parts & labor warranty so that this puppy will be in good shape to take me to great heights!  Did you know that a treadmill needs to be maintained every year?  Neither did I, but this little fella is getting that free (well, because of the warranty).  Whoot-Whoot!

My Brave Moment

Alright readers... this is me.  I am having a brave moment and showing you a full length shot (well two actually) of what I look like.  This is me.  I have had two babies (the oldest is three - the youngest is not quite two) and I am 25 weeks pregnant.  But you have to start somewhere right and I am starting here.  Any nice comments would be appreciated... I need cheers! (But even without them this mommy is getting healthy and working towards her race(s)!!!

Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K: Signed Up!

Our baby is due the last week of June and Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K (that takes place over the wine & dine 1/2 marathon weekend) is Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 7:00 a.m.  This puts it about 4 months after the birth and about 4 months from the 1/2 marathon.  So I have signed up.  Big step!!!  Same rules as the princess marathon (pace wise - you have to be able to do a 16 minute mile) but the distance is much much shorter.  This will be a really good test for me.  I just know I can do it... and do you want to know something really fun?  My mom and I are going to run this one together!!!  I am super excited about getting myself up and moving and eventually building up to running.  As you can see from my statistics that will not be a today thing (the running, lol) but I am walking and getting into the groove.  I believe!

Treadmill Take Two

Second time working out was not as good as the first.  Mostly because I got my workout in at 9pm instead of the morning and my body was much more tired.  I was 4 minutes slower!!!  Oh well.  The funny thing is that as a pregnant person, the things that get sore are not the things you normally think of as getting sore.  It's not the muscles... but the ligaments that feel pulled.  I assume they will tighten back up a little since I am not really doing anything extreme in my workouts.  Here are the statistics:

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 38:31

Tomorrow we leave my parents and head back home which means I will have to go to the gym instead of to the basement to work out.  Planning on getting in a workout before we leave and then I am determined to get to the gym in the following days.  Keep rooting for me.  This is hard work!

Testing, testing, 1 - 2 - 3...

My first time on the treadmill in ages, am I CRAZY? Nope, I am starting to work up to the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon that runs in February 2013. This is my dream run. I say dream because I am 25 weeks pregnant and our third daughter will be born at the end of June. This gives me enough time to get into shape (I hope!). This week we are visiting my parents, and they have treadmills, so I got on it to see what my speed is. Not impressive, I'll warn you of that:

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 34:43

Well, that's no good.  For a race where you have to be able to cover a mile in (at least) 16 minutes, I am coming in at about 17:22.  Oh well.  It's my first time trying right?  I can get better.  I just know it!  After all:

♪♫ When you imagine, time becomes timeless, when you imagine and you believe.  Fantasy dances and hopes are revealed, and the dreams that you dream become real. ♩♬

Check back to watch my progress as I train - deliver a baby - and then go on to reach 1/2 marathon greatness! Excitement does not begin to describe what I feel about the months to come!!!

How I Started Running (While Pregnant)

I don't have much of a story yet because this is all so new, but I would be glad to tell you how it got started. Once upon a time... oh wait, it was actually like this.  Back in January, when I was less than 20 weeks pregnant, I decided that I needed to turn this life around.  I weighed 175 pounds and was really not looking forward to gaining up to 200 pounds and then needing to lose that much weight to return to a healthy BMI.  See, I never lost the weight from baby number two (even though I had more than ample time to do so) before getting pregnant again.  My frame is much more content at 120 pounds and let me just say the way things were headed was t-r-o-u-b-l-e.  

So I talked to my mom, who is a registered dietitian, and basically said "HELP!"  She worked with me to design a healthy pregnancy eating plan that would lead to enough nutrition for the baby, without excess weight gain for me. Sounds good right?  Now I just had to follow it.  But the funny thing was I did follow it!  I actually started doing the right thing with my eating habits and stuck to my plan.  If you know me (which you all will if you follow this blog long enough), you know that following a diet is very hard for me and I tend to be an emotional eater (and every other kind of eater) who adores food.  But never-the-less I was totally doing this.

Fast forward to March and I was still doing fabulous on my eating plan.  I saw that Disney had just hosted this amazing event called the Disney Princess Half Marathon, and for some reason I just knew that in 2013 that was going to be me racing across the finish line.  I don't know what hit me?  I mean, at this point I was about 24 weeks pregnant and was not exercising at all (save chasing my two daughters around).  But just like I seemed to be able to control my eating for the first time in who knows how long, I decided that I was going to run this race.  I didn't even ask my husband... I just knew it was my race.  My race?  How weird does that sound because I was a non-exerciser!!!

I asked my husband (actually, I rarely see my husband because he is a resident physician so I posted that I wanted to do this on facebook).  He commented back that if I was seriously going to train for it that he would pay my way, take time off of work and watch the kids so I could go get this one.  I was blown away!  Really, I knew inside that I could do this and my husband just told me that I was totally free to go and get my dream.  Nothing was going to hold me back.

But wait, I'm pregnant right?  This might seem like a rather strange time to train for a race but at the same time there is nothing wrong with deciding at any moment that you are going to become a healthier person... and so that is where I set my goal during pregnancy.  I want to get myself back to healthy, from rather blah, so that after my post partum 6 weeks are over I am ready to jump in and train for real.  So that is where I am at right now.  I am pregnant.  I am training myself to be healthy.  I am exercising.  I am eating well.  And I'll see how far this takes me!  I know one thing... in February 2013 it will be taking me across the finish line of the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

◆ Want to see my training log? All those pregnancy workouts - eek! CLICK HERE