From the Couch to the Princess 1/2 Marathon.. My Journey

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

Congratultions on your progress and weight loss! You are on your way!

I started running in May and did my first 5K on May 28th. When I started running my goal was to finish ... and then I wanted to finish under 40 min ... and I did. It is so exciting to see your progress!

I am training for the Princess ... and joined a running group so I can get a better idea of how to do this whole running thing. I love it so far ... and I love doing something I always struggled with (I always ran and when I felt tired stopped ... never knew about run/walk which makes soooo much sense!!)! Plus I love that this is helping me manage my weight.

Keep up the great work and enjoy the journey!!

P.S. - I am a NYer living in Texas .... sooooo hot and tough to run outside!!! I love the treadmill but would rather be outside.

Thank you for stopping by! Wow, I'm amazed by your progress! You started running in May and finished your first 5K in under 40 minutes at the end of the same month! That is awesome! I'd probably have a very terrible time if I did a 5K right now! I love the run/walk.. I'm still at 35 seconds running/55 seconds walking so I'm pretty slow but I know that my time will get better as I go on! Thank you for the encouragement

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

Hi Stephanie! Great job so far! It sounds like you are on the right track. I definitely know how a work schedule can interfere with an exercise schedule! It sounds like you're doing a good job of staying committed. I know when I miss a run day, I can definitely feel it during my next work out

It's so exciting that you've been able to lose almost 10 pounds! Just think, that's almost 5% of your body weight. YAY! Awesome! I haven't lost any weight since I started running, but I think I've lost inches. Size is all that matters to me

Keep up the great work! --Leslie

Hi Leslie! Thank you for checking out my journal! Losing inches is definitely an accomplishment! I can't wait to be able to go down a size or two next time I go shopping! I'll be following along with your journey too over on your thread! We can do it!!!

 

[mickey's miles]

 

[Determined Beth]

My girls and I just decided this past Friday that we are going to run the Princess 1/2. My eldest daughter and I have a long way to go. We are both terribly out of shape and have never run long distances. Sarah my other daughter is a Physical Ed. Major in college and loves to run. I am sitting at 210 lbs. and today I ran/walked 1.6 miles in 16min. 45 sec. I was dying and questioning our plan. I am going to research plans today and get to work on a training regiment. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Koda]

I am so glad that I found this thread! I am also doing the C25K program (just did wk 4, day 3). Before I had kids, I would run 3-5 miles several days a week, but that was 16 years ago! I just recently started the C25K with a neighbor. I saw info on the WDW 1/2 marathon, and decided that I needed to have that be my goal. I didn't think I could get in shape until 2013, but maybe I will try for 2012. You ladies have inspired me!

 

[FireWoman]

I'm glad I found your journal!

I was always VERY active as a young woman, but then I was one of those people who had a few kids, and my athleticism faded quickly. My friend and I started C25K the first part of May 2011, I ran my first 5K on July 4th (It was lame, but I did it), and I will be graduating C25K in 2 weeks! --I had to repeat some weeks.

Recently my friend and I have been trying to figure out what's next. Then our thoughts on the Tinkerbell Half at DL in 2012 went from hypothetical to real! So between now and the end of January I will go from barely squeaking in a 5K to doing a HALF!

I'm right along with you! Go us!

My blog is outsidethepumpkinshell.blogspot.com

 

[mommyof2princesses]

You are helping to inspire me to do the half! I started running back in Oct/Nov, but between holidays, sickness and moving I really didn't get into it till beginning of April. And I had no choice as I had already signed up for a 5k on memorial day weekend! Well, I made it! Finished in 35 minutes. Wasn't my best time but it was hot and really humid! And i forgot my headphones. That was a nightmare. I cannot run and listen to myself breathe.

I have lost 27 pounds since I started back in October. I still have about 27 to loose, but I will tell you that slow and steady is the way to go. AFter your first week or 2, the weight will not come off as fast and you don't want it too. It's not healthy. Aim for 1-2 pounds a week, and don't get upset if you have setbacks. Also, with running be sure you are getting enough calories. I recently learned I wasn't eating enough on days I was running and was having crazy cravings.

I am signed up for a 6k in Oct (Hey, Real Girls run 6k!) and I am looking for a 10k in November. Maybe a half after that!

 

[mickey's miles]

My girls and I just decided this past Friday that we are going to run the Princess 1/2. My eldest daughter and I have a long way to go. We are both terribly out of shape and have never run long distances. Sarah my other daughter is a Physical Ed. Major in college and loves to run. I am sitting at 210 lbs. and today I ran/walked 1.6 miles in 16min. 45 sec. I was dying and questioning our plan. I am going to research plans today and get to work on a training regiment. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!! Thanks for sharing!

That's a great time for walking and jus starting out!! You CAN do this!!

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

Hey Everyone! I am sorry that I have been so absent from my own journal lately! Things have been so busy at work and home that I was just trying to get the necessities done and with working so hard I used the excuse that I was too tired to go to the gym. So I've missed about 3 runs! I am getting back on track today! My DH and I registered for the Princess 1/2 on Wednesday and we have booked our stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort (we've never stayed at that one before) so there's no turning back now!!! I did get down to 218 with my weight but of course with not working out for the past 2 weeks and definitely not watching what I was eating I am back up to 222. This seems to always happen to me but I am going to try not to be discouraged and just jump back on the wagon and keep going!
I want to thank all of you for stopping by and posting, you have helped to re-motivate me! I know we can all do this! Thank you for your support! I will post more soon!!

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

My girls and I just decided this past Friday that we are going to run the Princess 1/2. My eldest daughter and I have a long way to go. We are both terribly out of shape and have never run long distances. Sarah my other daughter is a Physical Ed. Major in college and loves to run. I am sitting at 210 lbs. and today I ran/walked 1.6 miles in 16min. 45 sec. I was dying and questioning our plan. I am going to research plans today and get to work on a training regiment. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!! Thanks for sharing!

Hey Beth! You and your girls are going to do great! I have been following the Jeff Galloway plan it's a run/walk plan and it has been working wonders for me. It doesn't feel so overwhelming if you get to take a walk break every now and then! Here's the link to his website http://www.jeffgalloway.com/index.html
Keep me updated on your progress!

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

I am so glad that I found this thread! I am also doing the C25K program (just did wk 4, day 3). Before I had kids, I would run 3-5 miles several days a week, but that was 16 years ago! I just recently started the C25K with a neighbor. I saw info on the WDW 1/2 marathon, and decided that I needed to have that be my goal. I didn't think I could get in shape until 2013, but maybe I will try for 2012. You ladies have inspired me!

I think you could definitely do the 2012! You have plenty of time to get there! I'm definitely not training to do the 1/2 in a certain amount of time I just want to finish and I know that will be the most rewarding thing for me! Let me know what you decide! I love following other people's progress... It helps keep me on track!

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

I'm glad I found your journal!

I was always VERY active as a young woman, but then I was one of those people who had a few kids, and my athleticism faded quickly. My friend and I started C25K the first part of May 2011, I ran my first 5K on July 4th (It was lame, but I did it), and I will be graduating C25K in 2 weeks! --I had to repeat some weeks.

Recently my friend and I have been trying to figure out what's next. Then our thoughts on the Tinkerbell Half at DL in 2012 went from hypothetical to real! So between now and the end of January I will go from barely squeaking in a 5K to doing a HALF!

I'm right along with you! Go us!

My blog is outsidethepumpkinshell.blogspot.com

That's awesome that you and your friend are doing this together! I want to do the tinkerbell half one day! I've never been to DL. I'm definitely going to be checking out your blog! Keep up the great work

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

You are helping to inspire me to do the half! I started running back in Oct/Nov, but between holidays, sickness and moving I really didn't get into it till beginning of April. And I had no choice as I had already signed up for a 5k on memorial day weekend! Well, I made it! Finished in 35 minutes. Wasn't my best time but it was hot and really humid! And i forgot my headphones. That was a nightmare. I cannot run and listen to myself breathe.

I have lost 27 pounds since I started back in October. I still have about 27 to loose, but I will tell you that slow and steady is the way to go. AFter your first week or 2, the weight will not come off as fast and you don't want it too. It's not healthy. Aim for 1-2 pounds a week, and don't get upset if you have setbacks. Also, with running be sure you are getting enough calories. I recently learned I wasn't eating enough on days I was running and was having crazy cravings.

I am signed up for a 6k in Oct (Hey, Real Girls run 6k!) and I am looking for a 10k in November. Maybe a half after that!

A 5K in 35 minutes seems like a good time to me! I'm nowhere near that yet I'm curious about how many calories seem to be enough.. I used to do weight watchers but I got tired of counting the points, now I am just cutting portion sizes and watching what I'm eating.. no soda and stuff like that!

 

[CRUIZEN MAMMA]

Hi,
I just wanted to say don't get discouraged by your little setbacks. We all know life gets in the way, just remember tomorrow is a new day and jump back on that bandwagon!

I'm 41 and started running in May-my first 5k was the second week of June and my goal was just to run the whole thing- no walking and to try and make it in 35 minutes- I clocked in at 32.25 I then took on the task of running a 4miler on July 4th and clocked a 42.23. and 4 days later ran a cross country 5k with my 11 year old son- he clocked in a full minute faster than I did but my time imporved about 20sec compared to my 1st 5k. I have now set my sights on the Princess 1/2 in 2012 with my first 10k September 11. I'm down 20lbs and really hope to be at my goal weight by the Princess.

 

[cewait]

I generally don't pop in on journals very often but this caught my eye. I want to echo the previous thought of not letting setbacks get in the way. Setbacks can, if carefully thought about, create pathways to success. We all started somewhere and not one of us had a perfect path. Setbacks create the strength to push forward much like hard workouts. Most folks do not know that the workout is not where strength is gained... its the recovery after the workout. When you have a setback look for the root causes of what created the situation. Don't look for excuses, rather look for the cause. If you are honest in the evaluation you can usually figure out a correction or two that will make a platform of the setback to spring forward from. The correction may be hitting the workout pre-work or building off days around scheduled long days at work. Obviously, these will have their own pitfalls and further tuning will always be required.

Just a couple thoughts....

First, Edison did not invent the light bulb on his first attempt. It took thousands of attempts to get it right.

Second... A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

Hang in there... you will become a princess before you know it!

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

Thank you all for the encouragement! I am trying to not be discouraged and just get out there and keep training!
Last week the DH and I went back to 3 miles for our long run since we had missed a bit of time. We have switched to a 1:1 run/walk interval and it seems to be working pretty well. I am still at about a 15:30 mile pace so I'm hoping that when we increase our time on the run interval that the pace will pick up.
Our goal is to be at a 3:1 interval for the Princess half! For all of you experienced runners out there.. does a 3:1 interval seem do-able for the 1/2 marathon? Is it too slow? Of course I am still worried about the sweepers!

Weight wise this has been a good week. I was back up to 222 after falling off the wagon a little bit. This week I weighed in at 217.6. I am trying to watch what I eat but it's hard for me when I'm home alone all day and my DH is at work to get motivated to get up and make a good lunch for myself. I end up snacking on little things here and there!

Today is going to be another 30 minute run, most likely at the 1:1 interval, then work for the next 2 days. Saturday will be our long run again, this week is 4 miles.

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

Hi,
I just wanted to say don't get discouraged by your little setbacks. We all know life gets in the way, just remember tomorrow is a new day and jump back on that bandwagon!

I'm 41 and started running in May-my first 5k was the second week of June and my goal was just to run the whole thing- no walking and to try and make it in 35 minutes- I clocked in at 32.25 I then took on the task of running a 4miler on July 4th and clocked a 42.23. and 4 days later ran a cross country 5k with my 11 year old son- he clocked in a full minute faster than I did but my time imporved about 20sec compared to my 1st 5k. I have now set my sights on the Princess 1/2 in 2012 with my first 10k September 11. I'm down 20lbs and really hope to be at my goal weight by the Princess.

Wow that's pretty awesome! Congrats! I wouldn't be able to run a whole 5K right now. I am doing interval training.. I am totally inspired by you! Thank you for sharing your journey with me

 

[Princess 1/2 Hopeful]

I generally don't pop in on journals very often but this caught my eye. I want to echo the previous thought of not letting setbacks get in the way. Setbacks can, if carefully thought about, create pathways to success. We all started somewhere and not one of us had a perfect path. Setbacks create the strength to push forward much like hard workouts. Most folks do not know that the workout is not where strength is gained... its the recovery after the workout. When you have a setback look for the root causes of what created the situation. Don't look for excuses, rather look for the cause. If you are honest in the evaluation you can usually figure out a correction or two that will make a platform of the setback to spring forward from. The correction may be hitting the workout pre-work or building off days around scheduled long days at work. Obviously, these will have their own pitfalls and further tuning will always be required.

Just a couple thoughts....

First, Edison did not invent the light bulb on his first attempt. It took thousands of attempts to get it right.

Second... A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

Hang in there... you will become a princess before you know it!

Thank you for stopping by Coach! It's definitely hard to make it through the workout but I keep trying to see myself at the finish line. You turned a light bulb on in my head with the statement that the strength is gained with the recovery from the workout. I know I can make it through!

I was just wondering what do you recommend for me in regards to cross-training. Right now my DH and I are just doing 3 runs a week, 2 30 minute runs and one long run. We really haven't been doing anything else other than watching our diet. I guess I just feel like I'm not progressing fast enough. We have been running since the end of May and we're only at a 1:1 interval and only up to 4 miles. What would you suggest we add to our fitness routine?

 

[HomburgsloveDisney]

Hi Stephanie!

I am also Stephanie and your story resonated with me, as I am in the process of deciding to register for the 1/2 in January. I've never been a runner, but I've been upping my physical activity since March and I have lost 20lbs in the process.

Late 2010 and early 2011 was a difficult time for my family as I suffered 2 miscarriages in less than 6 months. I've committed to using those losses as a new beginning for myself and focussing on my health both physical and mental. I think running the 1/2 in January will be my way of truly moving on.

Good luck to you in your journey!

 

[cewait]

Thank you for stopping by Coach! It's definitely hard to make it through the workout but I keep trying to see myself at the finish line. You turned a light bulb on in my head with the statement that the strength is gained with the recovery from the workout. I know I can make it through!

I was just wondering what do you recommend for me in regards to cross-training. Right now my DH and I are just doing 3 runs a week, 2 30 minute runs and one long run. We really haven't been doing anything else other than watching our diet. I guess I just feel like I'm not progressing fast enough. We have been running since the end of May and we're only at a 1:1 interval and only up to 4 miles. What would you suggest we add to our fitness routine?

First I would try to up the weekday runs to the 45-60 minute range. If you have bikes spend a couple days a week riding them - not the causal beack boardwalk ride but one where you are feeling like you do on your long run.

I am a big strength training believer. You simply do not need a gym, but one is helpful. You can easily get away with a couple dumbbells and n area to work in. You are looking to push and pull in your workout. Push? Pushups, military presses, squats, tricep dips off the front of a kichen chair. Pulls? Pullups (if you ca find a safe bar), A row using dumbbells or a stretchy band (Target), Lunges and curls. Google these exercise names and you will see that you can do most if not all on the cheap. Print a picture of the exercise and have you DH observe to assure that you are holding good form. And you for him. Form is key. You are really looking to get to a point where you are doing 3-4 sets of 12-15 reps. Progression is adding weight. Oh, note a couple cans of veggies will sub for a set of dumbbells for a while. Finally, I really failed to list these in order..... Legs, back/chest Arms. Also best to alternate push then pull or pull then push.

Hope this helps