My Magical Journey to Running the Half Marathon TR Link! p.107

[carissanboys]

That's the kind of blanket I mention in my flashback TR in my PTR....that we had to take 4 of them to Europe to give as gifts from my Mom. My Belgian brother thought it was hilarious that our luggage was stuffed with those things.

Four would take up a ton of space! I'll have to go back to see what you're talking about.

 

[All7OfUs]

Four would take up a ton of space! I'll have to go back to see what you're talking about.

That just means 2, 3, or 4 empty suitcases that you'll have to bring back all kinds of really great European stuff- if you could afford it!!

 

[liznboys]

Yes. It's called a tied-fleece blanket. They're very easy to make and so awesome to cuddle with when it's cold.

So it's just like those pillows only bigger and no stuffing then. You know ds5 still has that Cars pillow you made him a few years ago. And when we went to HHI last fall they had pillow making there so each of the boys made one, so I finally learned how to do it. So easy (and fun) and SO cute!

 

[carissanboys]

So it's just like those pillows only bigger and no stuffing then. You know ds5 still has that Cars pillow you made him a few years ago. And when we went to HHI last fall they had pillow making there so each of the boys made one, so I finally learned how to do it. So easy (and fun) and SO cute!

I forgot I made him a pillow! Yes, just like that. I made my nephew a blanket and pillow for Christmas this year using the Patriots fleece.

 

[ZOOMAMA]

ANOTHER JANE AUSTEN FAN! DH gave me a Kindle for Christmas and the first books I downloaded were the complete works of my girl Jane! DH calls me "Penelope Wickersham" when I get on an Austen kick- he is so cute! I like the BBC P&P with my other husband Colin and Jennifer Ehle but the Keira Knightley movie has an earthy appeal that I like too.

 

[cdotla]

Hi Carissa!

Just found your great TR, and it is fantastic! Congrats on getting moving! You are inspiring me to do the same! I have only done 2 running races, both Disney 5K races (the Minnie 5K and EEC) but stopped running after I completed them and haven't returned.

In the meantime, DH has bought a treadmill and taken up running. He will be doing his first Half-Marathon next weekend, and is proving to be a real running machine!

So as you can see, I really need to catch up!

Lately I have been doing a whole lot of this and this but not a whole lot of this (sorry, no smiley faced runner, but you get the point!)

Anyway, just reading about others taking the plunge and doing something for themselves is very inspiring and I certainly look forward to reading along with you on your journey. And hopefully moving off the coach with you too!

 

[carissanboys]

ANOTHER JANE AUSTEN FAN! DH gave me a Kindle for Christmas and the first books I downloaded were the complete works of my girl Jane! DH calls me "Penelope Wickersham" when I get on an Austen kick- he is so cute! I like the BBC P&P with my other husband Colin and Jennifer Ehle but the Keira Knightley movie has an earthy appeal that I like too.

Penelope Wickersham - too cute.

Hi Carissa!

Just found your great TR, and it is fantastic! Congrats on getting moving! You are inspiring me to do the same! I have only done 2 running races, both Disney 5K races (the Minnie 5K and EEC) but stopped running after I completed them and haven't returned.

In the meantime, DH has bought a treadmill and taken up running. He will be doing his first Half-Marathon next weekend, and is proving to be a real running machine!

So as you can see, I really need to catch up!

Lately I have been doing a whole lot of this and this but not a whole lot of this (sorry, no smiley faced runner, but you get the point!)

Anyway, just reading about others taking the plunge and doing something for themselves is very inspiring and I certainly look forward to reading along with you on your journey. And hopefully moving off the coach with you too!

Glad to have you along! It's great to have more runners along to help share their experiences. Once a runner, always a runner, right? Good luck to your husband next weekend!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Reading your thread is making me guilty about being so lazy. I WILL get on the treadmill tonight!

 

[carissanboys]

Reading your thread is making me guilty about being so lazy. I WILL get on the treadmill tonight!

I'll expect a full report tonight!

 

[disneylovin24]

Here's a tip for you, yesterday I put some disney music on my i-pod for my next trip and yesterday when I went for a run it came on and really motivated me. I thought about all of the disney marathon runners and I thought that would be a good motivation for them

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Carissa - You've inspired me too! You've started a movement!

I think I already told you I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas... I do pretty well using it on the weekend, but now I'm determined to use it during the week too! I'd like to use it every day but I'll be satisifed with 2 or 3 times during the week to add to my once or twice on the weekend. Baby steps...

I am also trying to do more of the strength training, along with the aerobics & balance games. I did those lunges yesterday - OUCH! I can't walk very well today! I have also been doing the jackknife exercise since my belly is my biggest problem area. I'm amazed how sore I am with just the few reps they have you do. It's either really effective, or I'm just really out of shape!

I'll also get back to walking with my neighbor one the weather warms up a bit.

Anyways - thanks for the inspiration! Keep up the good work!

 

[carissanboys]

Here's a tip for you, yesterday I put some disney music on my i-pod for my next trip and yesterday when I went for a run it came on and really motivated me. I thought about all of the disney marathon runners and I thought that would be a good motivation for them

Great tip. I read about someone else who ran to some WDW music. I'll have to wait until I'm done with the program, but I could start making up some playlists now.

Hi Carissa - You've inspired me too! You've started a movement!

I think I already told you I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas... I do pretty well using it on the weekend, but now I'm determined to use it during the week too! I'd like to use it every day but I'll be satisifed with 2 or 3 times during the week to add to my once or twice on the weekend. Baby steps...

I am also trying to do more of the strength training, along with the aerobics & balance games. I did those lunges yesterday - OUCH! I can't walk very well today! I have also been doing the jackknife exercise since my belly is my biggest problem area. I'm amazed how sore I am with just the few reps they have you do. It's either really effective, or I'm just really out of shape!

I'll also get back to walking with my neighbor one the weather warms up a bit.

Anyways - thanks for the inspiration! Keep up the good work!

That's awesome Amy! Those lunges are killer, aren't they?? I love doing the jackknife. I don't find it does much for me. Maybe I'm not doing it right!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I'll expect a full report tonight!

Will do! I am feeling really fat today so that is a real motivator to get off my butt.

 

[carissanboys]

I have been lazy the past two days. On Friday I was supposed to do some sort of cross training, which is usually boxing on the wii and strengthening exercises. But, I skipped it. Saturday is a run day, but I felt very tired due to being woken up very early by my children and a friend sleeping over (Sully's friend). I decided to do my run today, which is my normal rest day. I don't like getting out of routine with workouts because it's a slippery slope to quitting altogether when I start taking unscheduled days off. That is why I am so glad I went ahead and registered for the half marathon while I was super excited about it. I know myself and know how I get interested in things and then the interest slowly goes away and I give up on whatever I was doing.

I will not let that happen to this challenge of mine. I am very glad I started a PTR to hold myself accountable. You all keep me going.

In other exciting news, we got a snowstorm yesterday!! Virginia Beach rarely gets snow, and when it does, it's only an inch or so. We ended up with 6 - 9 inches! I'm not quite sure what we got, although I tend to think we got the lower amount. I have a few pictures to share with you all.

And now I am very happy for the snow to disappear.



~ Week 2 Day 2 ~

Today was mentally challenging. No doubt about it. I went into the run feeling like I couldn't do it. Not a good thing.

This was a conversation I had with myself throughout the 30 minutes:

"This is hard work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't like hard work."

"Look lady. You made your body get to the point it is because you were lazy and didn't like to work hard. And you ate too much food!! So, quit your complaining and do the time!!"

"But, why does it have to be so hard??? Why can't I lose weight and get in shape by taking nice, easy walks on the treadmill??"

"Because! That is not challenging for you! You need something that pushes you to your limits. Taking up running and setting goals for 5Ks and half marathons is going to get you in shape and empower you."

"Maybe it isn't good for my body to be working so hard."

"Are you seriously going to wimp out on me?? I know you are stronger than that. You may not realize you are, but I know it."

"Fine! I'll do it, but I won't like it."

"I don't care if you like it or not right now. Just go through the motions. Eventually it will get easier and you'll look amazing and you can thank me profusely then."

I kid you not. This is what was going on in my head during my "wog" today. The good thing is, it helped pass the time. And, I am proud to say I completed day 2. I didn't even stop early for the last run. But, I did have to slow down to about 3.2/3.3 during the brisk walks. I can't seem to recover enough from the runs if I keep it at 3.5.

I made it through each run by telling myself, "Just do this one. Don't worry about the rest right now. Just do this one." After the third run I knew I was halfway through. And once I got to the 2nd to last run, I knew I'd make it. Baby steps.

I think the reason I struggled so much today is because I had way too many days off in between. Hopefully, my run on Tuesday will be much better.

My totals for today:

Speed: 3.0 --> 3.5 for warm up, 4.0 for jogs/3.5 for brisk walks, 3.5 -->3.0 cool down
Duration: 30 minutes
Distance: 1.78 miles

 

[carissanboys]

Will do! I am feeling really fat today so that is a real motivator to get off my butt.

I hear ya! My biggest motivator for this new year was knowing that I was really disgusted with myself whenever I looked in a mirror or saw pictures of myself. I hate feeling like that. And there's no reason to feel like that, you know? We are in control of our actions. If we're not happy about how we look and feel, then by gosh - we can do something about it! I'm tired of listening to myself whine.

I can already tell my stomach feels flatter (flatter being a relative term ) and that is a great feeling.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Keep up the good work!

I finally found a Wii game for exercise that I like. EA Active or maybe it's official name is EA Sports Active. I'm not sure. We just got it yesterday. I've tried everything (we have the wii fit but I'm still not quite at the weight limit, I bought it though so I could look at it and be reminded to get my booty in gear). I hate hate hate exercise and I actually got up this morning and did it. I love how they have it set up, it keeps me motivated which is not an easy thing to do.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I hear ya! My biggest motivator for this new year was knowing that I was really disgusted with myself whenever I looked in a mirror or saw pictures of myself. I hate feeling like that. And there's no reason to feel like that, you know? We are in control of our actions. If we're not happy about how we look and feel, then by gosh - we can do something about it! I'm tired of listening to myself whine.

I can already tell my stomach feels flatter (flatter being a relative term ) and that is a great feeling.

That's great!

I have been so passive, just letting this weight take over my life. I kept seeing the weight go up over the years and did nothing about it and now here I am. I laugh when I think back on the years when I was slim and fit and how I would complain that I was fat.

You are totally right though, we are in control of our actions. Nobody is force feeding me the cinnamon rolls and pizza or tying me to the couch. I just have to get off my butt and do something about it!

 

[carissanboys]

Keep up the good work!

I finally found a Wii game for exercise that I like. EA Active or maybe it's official name is EA Sports Active. I'm not sure. We just got it yesterday. I've tried everything (we have the wii fit but I'm still not quite at the weight limit, I bought it though so I could look at it and be reminded to get my booty in gear). I hate hate hate exercise and I actually got up this morning and did it. I love how they have it set up, it keeps me motivated which is not an easy thing to do.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to rent that one from Game Fly too. I like wii fit, but I could see myself getting bored with it quickly. I'd like something challenging to do on my non-run days. Looking forward to trying out The Biggest Loser too.

The key is finding something you like! So glad you've found something, Leslie.

 

[carissanboys]

That's great!

I have been so passive, just letting this weight take over my life. I kept seeing the weight go up over the years and did nothing about it and now here I am. I laugh when I think back on the years when I was slim and fit and how I would complain that I was fat.

You are totally right though, we are in control of our actions. Nobody is force feeding me the cinnamon rolls and pizza or tying me to the couch. I just have to get off my butt and do something about it!

I know what you mean. It's funny how our perspectives about our bodies change over time. We can do it, Lessa!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey Carrisa!! I'm about to have a skype call with a someone, but will be back later to catch up!! Don't let the thread get too long!!