Every mile a memory my quest to become an athlete!

[LKMang]

So, I need something to motivate me. I am lazy and seriously could just sit on the disboards all day long! I’m coming off a pretty tough year in 2010. My mom passed away. She had been fighting colon cancer for 2.5 years. It was by far the most horrible time in my life. She was my best friend, my inspiration, and now she is gone and I’m supposed to move on with my life and find a new “normal”.

A great therapist and some even better medication and I got through the remainder of 2010 and was really looking forward to a great 2011. Things have just been blaaaahhhh. I just can’t get motivated or excited about much right now. Maybe it’s just the winter doldrums or just dealing with my new “reality”, but it’s tough.

Anyway, I gained probably between 20-30lbs in the last year, mostly from the meds I have been on. My cholesterol is starting to get out of wack. So, I need to lose weight and get into better shape. And I need to find some non-medicating ways to help with my anxiety/depression.

So, I’m trying to turn this year around. I truly believe that you control your own fate and I am determined to make the best of my “new” life. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a runner. It has been a life goal of mine to finish a marathon. Now, I was an athlete in high school (played field hockey and softball), but I was never really into running, despite always wanting to be. I have started the couch to 5k program before, but never really gotten far.

Why Disneyworld?
First of all, I love Orlando. My hubby and I took our honeymoon to Universal Studios and stayed at Portofino bay hotel. It was magical and we were HOOKED! My Disney obsession has started more recently, especially since the birth of my son. He is 2 year old and has been to Disneyworld twice! We celebrated his 1st birthday at the magic kingdom. That was such a fun trip.

I was so excited to hear about the Princess half marathon on these boards. It seems like the perfect goal! So I’ve been telling people, hoping that it will hold me accountable and make me get my butt in gear! I was so excited to tell my good friend at work, Mary, about my new goal and she totally shocks me and said that she has made the same goal of finishing a half marathon! She has been going through a lot of foot trouble but recently has been feeling better and is hoping to walk her race, which is the Philadelphia half marathon. Sooo, she convinced me (didn’t really need much convincing!) to race with her in Philly! We have recruited a few more work friends who are hoping to join us as well. There is just something so inspiring about having others around you striving for the same goals. We are going to become athletes!!!!!!


Anyway, this is the start of what I am hoping to be a life changing journey. Ever since making this goal, I have been so optimistic. I’m so excited to get back in shape. I really look forward to my running each day.


Okay, enough talking. Here are yesterday’s stats:
C25K: W3D2 – 1.909 miles

So, today I decided to try a 5K on my treadmill. I finished in 47min 48sec which I was actually pretty happy about. I’m feeling sore. I definitely pushed myself but I didn’t go crazy cause I am so afraid of injury (I had knee surgery when I was younger and I’m always nervous about hurting it again). Last September I walked a 5K in a race for colon cancer to honor my mom. I finished that in a little over 1 hour but I only ran a little bit of it. I might take tomorrow off, I’m gonna see how I’m feeling.

Thank you to anyone reading along! I’m so excited to be starting this journey!

 

[LKMang]

Since I’m pretty new here (and have pretty much been a total lurker since coming on the boards), I figured I’d tell u a little about myself.

I’m 33 years old and have lived in jersey all my life and never want to leave. I work in a library, which I love. DH and I have been married for 9 years this May and we have one DS, Bradley, who turned 2 in December.

In my spare time (what little I have), I love to read and quilt. I also love to travel and have a few fun trips planned for this year (including hopefully a trip back to Disney in December! I love going around Christmas time!). I love country music (any fans recognize my thread title? One of my favorite songs ever!) and have been to too many concerts to count. I also love tattoos and have 5 of them (including mickey ears with my mom’s initials).

Okay, picture time!

Here I am (with my uncle) at a 5k race for colon cancer research last September

Our happy little family (well, everyone wasn’t so happy!). As you can tell, we are all crazy about Phineas and Ferb!

Here is my little man, Bradley
Communicating with wildlife

His first trip to disney – 1 year old

First haircut at Disney (Sept 2010)

Me & Brad at Halloween

And on the way to Disney (December 2009)

So that’s me (in a nutshell)

 

[LKMang]

I’ve taken the past couple days off. I’ve been reading the book “Marathoning for Mortals”, which I’ve seen recommended on these boards and the author really stresses the importance of rest and not over doing it. I have been using the wii and doing the EA Active game, which is really fun. I probably won’t be able to run again until Thursday just because of my schedule. Monday through Wednesday I go right from watching my son all day to work and get home around 9pm. Right now I am running in our unfinished basement, which DH is in the process of finishing. Once that is done, hopefully I’ll be able to entice DS to watch some tv while I run. But for now, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have to be resting days. It kind of stinks cause I am pretty eager to get back on that treadmill! Can’t wait until it gets nicer out and we can use our jogging stroller!

 

[carissanboys]

Cutest picture ever!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My mom suffers from bi-polar and is currently in the hospital. She's in a really bad place at the moment and I understand some of the stress of dealing with a sick parent. To be honest, I've only run once since I finished the half. Even though I know it would probably help me to feel better, I just can't motivate myself at the moment. I think it's awesome that you're doing something to get yourself back on track.

Sounds like we have a lot in common. I also love to read and travel and my dream job someday would be to work in a library.

 

[LKMang]

Cutest picture ever!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My mom suffers from bi-polar and is currently in the hospital. She's in a really bad place at the moment and I understand some of the stress of dealing with a sick parent. To be honest, I've only run once since I finished the half. Even though I know it would probably help me to feel better, I just can't motivate myself at the moment. I think it's awesome that you're doing something to get yourself back on track.

Sounds like we have a lot in common. I also love to read and travel and my dream job someday would be to work in a library.

Thanks for visiting Carissa! I so loved reading your journals about your training and the race. Totally inspiring!

I can definitely understand the stress of helping a sick parent. When we were taking care of my mom, I was lucky to remember to eat, let alone do anything else. Motivation is such a tough thing, especially when there are a million other things on your mind. It was the worst time in my life, but I truly believe that she is watching me and cheering me on. I totally hit my rock bottom and now I’m trying to pull myself back up!

Please know that I’m here to talk if you need to! Hugs to you and your mom!

Hehe, I have always loved libraries and it is great working in one. It is so much fun to see all the books that get returned and the new books that go out!

 

[LKMang]

I’ve taken a few days off cause my schedule has been busy this week. I did some crossing training using the Wii EA Active game, which is fun! I’m planning on running tonight (C25K: W4D1) and see how it goes. My goal this week is to start the schedule that John Bingham recommends for training (for the half marathon)

Mon – Run/walk
Tues – cross training
Wed – REST
Thurs – Run/walk
Fri – cross training
Sat – long run
Sun – REST

The one big thing with this schedule is that it means I’m gonna have to get up EARLY on Monday in order to get my run in. Baby boy usually gets up around 6 or 630am and since the treadmill is still in the gross unfinished basement, he can’t be down there. The positive thing is that it will hopefully help prepare me for the crazy early morning princess race. Man, I used to be a morning person, but that was before Bradley came along! Now I take all the sleep I can get!!!!

 

[LKMang]

Uggh, we have gotten a wonderful cold traveling through our house this weekend. I’m feeling much better but poor Bradley still has a runny nose.

Here is my schedule for the week:

2/21 – Monday – W4D1 – 2.0 miles in 28.46min
2/22 – Tuesday – Wii (Ea Active)
2/23 – Wednesday – Rest
2/24 – Thursday – W4D2
2/25 – Friday – Wii (Ea Active)
2/26 – Saturday – W4D3
2/27 – Sunday – Rest

I decided to do week 4 over again, I found it to be pretty challenging and the jump to week 5 seemed like it was gonna be tough (by the end of week 5 you are supposed to be jogging for 20 minutes straight, which just seems scary to me!). I also wanted to switch over from running for time to running for distances. I was able to keep a pretty good pace today (about 14.5 minute mile), which I think is a good start.

I’m probably going to be updating this post throughout the week, then just do weekly posts so I can keep track of my schedule and (hopefully!) progress.

 

[dismagiclover]

I popped over my thread and I'm excited for you as you start this journey. My sincere condolences for the loss of your mom. I wish you all the best in striving for that new normal. You can totally do this running thing. You are young and that makes it so much easier. I actually started running when my oldest was about a year old. It amazes me how far I have come in 10 years! So good luck and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. (That may sound trite, but that really is the secret.)

 

[carissanboys]

Hope you guys are feeling better!

 

[LKMang]

I’ve been totally MIA on here lately. Trying to limit my internet time!

I’ve been training like crazy, maybe a little too much! Last week I continued my C25K on Thurs and Sat, and did a 5K on the treadmill on Friday. It felt really good, no pain at all, but I’m worried it’s too much in a short period. So, since my schedule doesn’t really allow me to run at a normal time Mon-Wed, I’ve decided to run after I get home from work on Mondays, which is usually around 930pm. I’ve heard it’s bad to run late at night, but I figure it’s better to run late than not run at all!! I did it this week and it wasn’t too bad. It was a little tough to get into it, but I pushed through.

I have a 5K race in less than 2 weeks. We are running the Get Your Rear in Gear race in Philly for colon cancer awareness (why do the colon cancer races always have silly names???? The last one we did was the Undy 5000!). My family is of course running to honor my mom. We have 12 people on our team (I’m team captain!) and have various levels of running and walking. I’m hoping to run/walk and my goal is to finish in 45 minutes. Both 5Ks I’ve done on the treadmill have been around 47-49 minutes, so I’m hoping its attainable. I’ll really just be happy if I do the best I can and I know my mom will be cheering me on from heaven

Hi Jenny! – thanks for stopping by! I’ve loved reading your trip report. Wow 10 years of running is just incredible! I’m really hoping I’m able to stick with it. It is such a great stress reliever and good “mommy alone” time

Hi Carissa! - Everyone is feeling good now *Fingers crossed*

 

[miztigg]

hi
im from NJ 2 i was training to run in the princess last year and in a drunken adventure i was run over by a golf cart and broke my foot Yeah really!! so im gonna try again this year im also reg for the oct 3day walk for breast cancer. Looking forward to following you!!
Rita Kathleen

 

[JoShan1719]

Hey there! I'm subbing in, hopefully your motivation will motivate me lol.