coming back from the injury..truth, depression, and excusses

yes it has been a while! Again as a reminder beware of terrible grammar and spelling! As most of you know the night before my sons 5Th birthday party, I tore my quad muscle. It was not fun...wish I had some great story to go with the injury but nothing more then taping a piece of paper shaped like a Lego on the floor, stood up and bam! Everything flashed right before me at that moment. First thought was there goes my half Marathon in New Orleans! I paid all this money, my husband was going to join me to celebrate his Birthday, my MIL was coming from Georgia to babysit Nathan and now I am done! Our sweet neighbor, who is a doctor came over at almost 11 at night to check it out. He said he was pretty sure it was a muscle rather then a tendon which was good news...but did say it is a tough muscle to recover from. I threw myself into every possible thing I could to heal it...heat therapy, ultra sound, massage, Chiropractor...you name it I have been doing it. Oh and the hardest of all no running! This put me in a depression...I was very angry and irritable. Reality I was having a pity party for myself tears and all.
I finally had a conversation with my husband....one thing that is great about him, is that he tells it how it is. He recognized that I was depressed about it, but he also pointed out there were many things I could of done instead of running, but I gave up and made excuses to not do anything. I started to explain to him that I wanted to be toned more, but I have some phobia of weights and equipment. Let me run all day long, but when it comes to machines and weights I have this mental block. He said I am going to say it like it is " you don't want it bad enough". My first reaction was who are you to tell me that...I have been losing weight and running and meeting those goals etc. When I sat back and thought about it...he was right my ultimate goal of being in better shape, more toned, and healthier I was missing it because I made the excuse of fear! I am so grateful for this conversation and really take his advise to heart. He has worked so hard to accomplish what he wants, and he wants it bad enough that he is working for it everyday! I am glad to have someone along with me on this journey. We will continue to be healthy....and sexy for each other..lol...but most importantly great examples for our son! I am back in the game...two small runs this week hope to get a longer one in either tomorrow or Thursday.....and of course adding weight training to it! I am back and better then ever!!

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season! Now on to a New Year. I must say that 2011 was good to my family and I.We discovered the importance of health and fitness in our lives, and it is wonderful to have the support within the family. Most importantly we are now good examples to our soon to be five year old son! I don't like the whole New Years resolution thing, but I have committed to running 500 miles this year. 3 down 497 to go..lol! I have another half marathon in New Orleans in March so this will help me prepare for this. I am excited for some of my friends who are challenging themselves as well for this fitness goal! I, like most put a few pounds on over the Holidays so this is even more motivation for me.
I am also looking forward to studying for my Ace certifications. I am ready to understand the body better, and the science of fitness. I am enjoying this new life and looking forward to continuing my journey, and accomplishing even more in 2012!

the week or so after the big race

Well since the half Marathon, I have to say I have been a little tired and a little lazier then I have been. I have still gone to Zumba a couple times and I have done a few short runs here and there. In fact last Saturday three friends and I did the jingle bell run in downtown Daphne and we won the costume contest which was kind of awesome! Now that I have taken a little rest I am ready to increase my running a little. I am trying to be cautious to prevent injury. I feel like I just want to go out and do another long run, but I need to listen to some good advise I have been given, and take it slow in order not to get injured! I have an 8k this weekend which is just shy of five miles so I am looking forward to that!
I have also been struggling with a sweet tooth. I guess you could say it is that time of the year. As I have stated before I don't deprive myself, but if I give into every craving that is going to get me know where! So I tried a recipe for Healthier Chunky Monkey ice cream...with no ice cream..lol! It was super yummy and really satisfied my cravings. Here is the recipe below

3 bananas
2 tbs of peanut butter (all natural)
quarter cup of walnuts
and a handful of chocolate chunks(optional)


Directions
chop up Bananas and put in freezer in a freezer bag wait until frozen. Once frozen combine frozen bananas, Peanut butter, walnuts, and chocolate chunks all in a blender. Mix until smooth ( I added a little milk to help smooth it out)

and serve!!

It is perfect for those bananas that are starting to go bad!

I did it!

Well this Past Saturday 11/26/2011 I completed my first half marathon in Orange Beach Alabama! I can not believe that I did it! It was a tough race. First to start the day it was already 70 degrees at 8am! By the end of the race it got close to 78. I have some pretty funky tan lines on my back! I ran with my friend Stephanie Murray. It was very nice to have someone to talk to and have fun along the way. All was good with me until about mile five when we hit the road along the beach and the wind was crazy! It felt like someone was pushing me back the whole time, I was trying to run forward. The Sand was whipping up and I was so over the wind at that point! Finally we got back to trails. This time the trails were in the sun and there was a lot more incline but we kept going. We decided to do our first chomps at 7 miles right before the water station. For those that don't know about chomps a lot like huge gummies for adults that help give you some energy. Then a couple miles later..Stephanie had to make a pit stop and she told me to keep going that she would catch up to me later. At this point it was probably good for me to be alone and speed up a little bit. My hips and back were bothering me from going slower then my body wanted me to do. At the same time though I was greatful for Stephanie because I am my own worst enemy for running to hard in the beginning and burning out in the end. She finally caught up with me about a mile down the road but we made the decision to seperate around mile 10 so we could both run our own pace. I took off ahead did some more chomps and kept on going. Things were good until mile 12 and then that is when I hit a wall, and my lower back and hips locked up and would not allow me to run anymore. So I did what I did not want to do, and walked a little while I stretched my back out. So I did a walk run the last mile. Can you beleive only one mile and I just could not run the whole thing. I was able to run the last quarter of mile or so to the finish and finished three minutes slower then I wanted to, so not to bad with all things considered. As I crossed the finish line my parents and my son were there to cheer me in! It was so awesome to get that medal and complete it. Many runners were suffering from cramps and dehydration that day. In fact one runner said they had done 30 half marathons is that is was the worst one they had done, due to weather, wind and inclines. With that said I felt pretty good! It is crazy to say but I am already looking forward to the next! This has been such an accomplishment. After I finished the first thing that came out of my mouth is I don't think I will ever do a full Marathon...lol! I am so happy that I have completed it. Johnathan had to work but he bought me a dozen roses to tell me that he was proud of me! I thank all of my family and friends that have supported me and cheered me on a long the way. I am looking forward to many more of them in my future!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well as my night is soon coming to and end, I can honestly say that I had a Wonderful Thanksgiving! I started my day off with a 3 mile run, then came home and started some of the prep for the Big Meal. Johnathan took Nathan to the park to play and I was able to let our player piano play some Christmas tunes while I finished getting the house ready before my parents arrived. I had a wonderful dinner including my Grandmothers recipe for dressing. Always makes me miss her but so thankful she past on traditions that we can carry on! This Thanksgiving I did not skip my meal, but I totally portion controlled, skipped the gravy, ate whole wheat rolls, and skipped the extra butter on my roll and potatoes! I think this is the first time on Thanksgiving that I felt totally satisfied, instead of stuffed like a Turkey myself! It has been a great day! This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my health and the health of my family! 2 days until the half Marathon...I can do it!

As Thanksgiving approaches!

Well Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! My parents are making the trip and I am looking forward to spending time with my family. As we know this day also involves and over indulgence of food! I look forward to this meal more then any other every year! A true fact is that most people consume between 4000-4500 calories during Thanksgiving meal! Way more then twice what you should eat all day long. Trust me I along with you, am not giving up the goods this year..but I am going to take half the amount I would normally have. I still get a little taste and enjoy the memories of the food that has been passed down over years, but I am not going to go down feeling like a stuffed Turkey myself! Again it is about living! I am also starting tomorrow off with a 4-5 mile run and then I am going to enjoy my meal with my family when they get here! Then to help with this time of year...I signed up for a race the week of Thanksgiving..there are many out there..such as Turkey trots etc. Mine just happens to be my first half...again super nervous..but loving that this is party of my new life!

Accepting the Sweat!

I guess before now I really never knew what a real work out was, because I now sweat like a beast! I know it is gross and I was feeling very insecure about it at first. I looked like I had taken a shower when I got done working out! WE as women, have been brought up as thinking that we really don't sweat we prespire whatever the hell that means! When I get done with a run and I can squeeze the sweat out of my hair....I know I have worked hard! I am starting to embrace my sweat as a physical representation of the weight that I am losing, and the hard work I have put in! I picture myself on one of those Gatorade commercials and I try to decide what color I think my sweat would look cool in. Strange maybe, but it makes me relate to the hard work those Athletes put in, and I realize that I am now considering myself as an athlete! Who would have thought this about six months ago! I love it! I feel strong, I work hard, and with that I sweat hard!