Nicole's Journey-Marathon Dreams (Comments appreciated)

[hockeygirl]

Hey Nicole-glad to hear you got the heater fixed, I guess the bright side is that it was not terribly expensive. It could have been much worse.

Doesn't it feel great to get outside and run!! I have been lucky in that I have been able to run outside for all my workouts so far. Hopefully it stays that way. Don't worry about the slower time for you, remember it is better to go slow when there is ice, then to speed up and risk falling and hurting yourself, and then being out with an injury. So, don't worry so much about the time, you got out there and got a workout in, that is important.

It looks like you have been much more consistent with your calories, right around 1600...that is great! Keep up the good work.

How did your workout with your trainer go yesterday????

Keep up the good work!

 

[npullen]

Well, my trainer didn't make it again. She lives about 35 miles Southeast of me, and they have been getting significantly more snow then we have. Yesterdays storm brought us 3 inches, brought her 6-7 inches. We are tentatively set for Fri Feb 9. So I just took it easy yesterday. But I did a good toning workout with my sister today. Took about 40 mins, and definitely worked hard.
I am also going to try for a dr's appt tomorrow. This congestion and cough have lasted for 12 days so far, and I am not getting any better. It is getting frustrating and depressing. Plus everyone is telling me I sound completely awful. So I think it is time. Hopefully they can give me something to clear me up! I just keep telling myself to take it easy, and think about how much stronger I will feel when I am healthy, because I haven't given up.

Laurie- I have been trying to focus more on my eating, since I cannot workout as hard, and it has worked so far. I am going to try to drop my calories a bit this week, keep it around 1500, since I have lost nothing over the past 2 wks. We'll see how that goes. It was great to get outside. There were geese everywhere, and it was a sunny beautiful day. I can't wait til I can do that regularly. Especially if I can do it regularly without coughing!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Nicole--that stinks about the snow!! You guys can't catch a break with the snow out there. I know you have been looking forward to working out with your trainer for a couple of weeks, and now you have to wait a few more...that's a bummer. But the good part, is that you have been doing such a great job on your own!! I am sure your trainer will be very happy about that.

How did it go at the doctor today???? I hope you are feeling better soon!!
It seems like everyone around here is sick too, I have been lucky so far, I hope to keep it that way!!

How did it go with the lower calories today? You have been doing so great with your calories, so I am sure it went well!

keep up the good work!

 

[npullen]

Well, went to the drs today, and I have a sinus infection. Not to suprised, since I have a low fever and as of late last night a nice headache, and dizziness if I move to fast. I am on Amoxicillan (sp??) for 10 days, and she wants me to keep taking the Allegra-D. So I am not working out today. Hopefully I can do an easy walk on the treadmill tomorrow.
As for the calories, I started out great, then let myself get to hungry trying to get to the drs on time, so I ended up going way off. Not to upset, I just don't feel good enough to worry about it. So, tomorrow I am starting my new calories, keeping it around 1500.

Laurie- We actually do get a small break this week, we were originally supposed to get that front in with high temps around 5, but it looks like we are going to miss the worst of that one and our highs will be in the mid 20's range! Trying to look on the bright side! LOL And so far we are not due for any real snow for the rest of this week!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Nicole-

I hope you are feeling better today, hopefully the antibiotics will clear up the sinus infection and you will be as good as new!!! Don't worry so much about the calories while you aren't feeling well. Make sure you stay hydrated and eat, it will help you feel better. Hang in there!

I don't know you how you do it with all the snow! I hate the snow and thankfully we have been so lucky here this year, but you guys have been hit hard or so it seems. Enjoy the snow-free days while you can!!

Feel better!!

 

[npullen]

Well, nothing good to report here. I had hoped to be feeling lots better today, and if anything, I think it is worse! I am feeling dizzy, and there is so much pressure in my head! Actually I do think I am better, congestion isn't so thick, and no fever, I just think everything in my head is shifting around, and it is making me want to bash my head against the wall. There was no way I could workout today, even the thought of the treadmill makes my head spin. I have done ok on the diet, although I admit I have not been counting calories. I know I am a bit over, the antibiotics make my stomach cramp, so I have to eat something when I take them, and then about an hour later, when the stomach cramps really start. I have been trying to drink lots of water, and eat more healthy, crackers, wheat toast, stuff like that, but I am still craving comfort foods. That is the crazy thing, even though I can hardly taste anything, I am still craving stuff, and feel better when I eat it! I knew I was an emotional eater, but that really suprised me, that I would still crave things even when I can't taste them!

Laurie- They changed our forcast again, and we are now due for another 2-4 inches of snow tomorrow, a break on Thu, then temps in the single digits and another 1-2 inches of snow for Fri. The weekend is supposed to be clear, but temps in the teens on Sat, possibly in the high 20's on Sun. This weather is nuts! And thanks again for the encouragement. I appreciate it.

 

[npullen]

Not much to report right now. I am getting better, it is just going so slow! Still so much congestion, and soooo tired. I am not tracking calories right now, just trying to keep up with weighing or measuring my portions, and eating healthy. I will start tracking calories again next week. I am going to try a slow treadmill walk tonight. I missed work on Tuesday, (DH threatened to strap me down to keep me from going!) and when I went in today, I was told about some of the mistakes I started making on Friday. Nothing major, just little things I was forgetting, that I had never forgotten before, made me realize how long I have been feeling really crummy. I asked my mom about it and she said "DUH! We all wanted you to go to the drs on Fri!" And I somehow managed to run outside on Fri and do toning on Sunday. Apparently my family thought I was crazy! Anyway, starting today I am going to start slowly working back up to my full training. It seems like now that I have given in to be sick, it has gotten much worse. I liked it better when I was in denial!

 

[npullen]

Well, getting a little better everyday. Still coughing and congested. Everyone tells me I still sound awful. But I am feeling better. We have had high winds today, which has made for a bad allergy day, which doesn't help, but since it got windy the temps ended up in the mid 20's rather than single digits! Much nicer.
I did the treadmill last night, just walked, pretty slowly, and did hill climb. I managed 30 mins, and felt much better when I was done. The only real problems were a couple of pretty bad coughing fits, and my throat felt really raw at the end. But I am really glad to have that first workout out of the way. It always intimidates me to start again after being sick, even when I only missed a few days. I am going to do my toning tonight, and then a longer session on the treadmill tomorrow. Depending on how things go, I may add a couple minutes of running here and there to the workout tomorrow. I'll have to see how the cough is.

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Nicole,

I hope you are feeling better!! Sounds like you are slowly improving! Good job on getting back to working out...I hear you about taking it slow. I have been sick the last few days, and I am going to try to slowly get back into it tomorrow.

It is funny, I was feeling the same way about food this weekend. I had cravings for all my favorites but I couldn't really taste anything because I was feeling so crummy. I couldn't understand it, why would I want to eat that stuff when I felt so bad.....i am glad it isn't only me!!!

Well, I hope you feel better real soon!! Take care of yourself--drink lots of water and take it easy on the workouts!!

 

[npullen]

Missed the last 2 days posting, I just let feeling crummy get me down. I woke up Sat with a bad headache and horrible pressure in my right ear. Pretty much the same thing on Sunday, and nothing I could do seemed to relieve it. Finally Sun night it started feeling a little better. My ear is still very plugged, I have trouble hearing, but the pressure has eased alot, and the headache is pretty much gone. I managed 30 very slow minutes on the treadmill yesterday, and had a great toning session today. I am definitely getting better. I have also started back on my diet, and will end today at 1480 calories. I am feeling much more positive today, and I think if I just take it easy this week, I should be able to get back on track on Monday. I want to start running again! Even if it is only on the treadmill. Of course we are having beautiful weather here this week, but there is no way I would dare to run right now, and it is supposed to snow again on Friday. I measured the snow in my backyard today, I couldn't even break all the way through, it is so packed towards the bottom (which has been there since 12/20) but what I could measure was almost 18 inches deep. I think it will be August before it all melts!

Laurie- I hope you are feeling better! It sucks to mentally be so ready to train, and then get sick! Make sure you take it easy, and start back slow. I am finally getting a little of my sense of smell and taste back! It has just been crazy, I just wanted to eat everything! And here everyone was telling me what a great time it was to start a strict diet! You are definitely not alone, but what a waste of calories!

 

[hockeygirl]

Nicole-glad to hear you are feeling a little better. I think i have the same thing you have--stuffed up, headache, and my ears hurt!

WTG with your calories today!! and sounds like you are getting back on track with your workouts!

18 inches of snow is ALOT!!! Please don't send any this way!!

Spring can't get here soon enough!!!

 

[npullen]

Feeling better everyday, just seems to be going so slowly. I am a little worried about my right ear, it has pretty much stayed the same since Sunday night, while everything else seems to be getting better. My mom has made me promise to call the dr if it is not better by Thu, when my antibiotics are gone. I just keep hoping I'll wake up with it clear.
I have had a pretty good day, I did 40 mins of hills on the treadmill. No running yet, still coughing up to much ick. I am going to try running on Sat. I have gone over some on my calories. I did our taxes today, and while they worked out great for us, I got very nervous, and started snacking. I have not done terrible, but I did go over some on calories.
Also I will probably have pretty good cramps tomorrow, as my monthly friend has paid its visit.

Laurie-I hope you start feeling better soon! Be careful with your ears, especially if you are going to try to run in the cold! I can't wait till spring! It was almost 60 here today! But we are expecting snow on Fri, and possibly another big one for Mon!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Nicole--glad to hear you are feeling a little better today!! Definetely take care of yourself, and listen to your mom and call the dr. if they don't feel better soon. I always tell my mom to leave me alone when she tells me stuff like that...but in the end I always know she is right!! Moms are always right!!!

WTG on your TM workout.....I haven't even thought about trying a hill workout on the TM yet....the thought of the TM moving up scares me a little. I can't wait for the warmer weather to get back outside, so I can get some hill training in...I couldn't even imagine running outside in the 12-13 degree weather.

60 degrees for you!!! WAHOOOOOO!!!! Maybe some of that snow will start melting. But more for Friday and then maybe monday...you guys just can't catch a break!!

Keep up the good work!!!

 

[npullen]

Feeling better and better, but cramping and headache! Oh well, that is pretty much a monthly thing. I did not do a "real" workout, beacuse I spent an hour picking up the backyard, I have 3 dogs, and it has finally started melting enough to get out there and pick up after them. I was sinking in up to my knees in places, and had to high step through most of the yard, not to mention using DH's big heavy shovel, to break through the ice. My HR was way up throughout, and my arms were shaky by the end. I can also feel it in my lower back, no pain, just a bit stiff. Going to do the TM again tomorrow, and work harder on the eating.

Laurie- I am going to call the dr tomorrow. My ear is driving me nuts! As for the treadmill, I like the hills, they are a great workout, especially for crosstraining. It does feel a little weird at first, but as long as you don't start out at a 15% incline or anything, I think you will get used to it quickly, and may find the TM more fun if you have other options. I hope you are feeling better too!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey there Nicole-

Just checking in to see how you are feeling? I hope you are feeling better!! How has your training and calorie counting doing the last few days?

i may try to do some small incline on the treadmill at some point, i am still a little paranoid running on a flat treadmill. Once I get over that paranoia, I will start to build in some SMALL inclines!

 

[npullen]

Sorry to have missed a few days. Had a migraine on Thu, and I just don't know where Friday went! It is pretty much a blur! I have been doing ok with my workouts, obviously missed Thu, but my trainer came on Fri, so I hurt today, she really worked me hard! But she said I was doing good, by just to not be giving up. I still have so much congestion and darn it, my mom was right, as usual, I am going to the dr for my ear on Mon, it just won't clear up. I had to work today, and had an awful time hearing the customers, which is not a good thing. At least I am feeling better. I am hoping my dr can give me a strong decongestant that will really clear me up! My trainer also said I look really good, so while I have not been losing weight, I am losing fat. Got another compliment from a girl at work who I hadn't seen since Dec. She said you could really tell I was losing! So it is working, the numbers just aren't moving on the stinky scale! I also talked to my trainer about the marathon, and she wants to work me in 6 week intervals. So every 6 weeks I will have a new training schedule based on how I did the previous 6, and for now, no set miles by a set date. She thinks since I have so long that I will do better just working with my body and really building endurance and strength. She thinks mentally I will stress much less this way, rather than looking ahead now, and freaking out that on Jun 3 I have to run 15 miles, or whatever. I definitely think she is right. I love to worry and stress. When I was training for the Bolder Boulder last year, which is a 10k, I had to do my first 4.5 mile training run, and I was in tears, just certain I would never make it. I tell myself I am acting ridiculous, but I just can't seem to stop being that way!
Anyway, I haven't been doing great with the calories, I am just having a really hard time committing to it right now. I need to change my whole attitude about food if I am going to do a marathon, but, I am just letting all the congestion and stuff depress me. Which is not a good thing. I am going to start all over again with the calorie counting, by going over all of my notes and info that Janiss (my trainer) gave me when I first started working with her, and trying to really commit myself to eating better and journaling again. At least I haven't gained anything!
I am going to try running on my TM for the first time on Mon or Tue, depending on if I do toning with my sister tomorrow or not. It will be interesting to see how it feels.

 

[hockeygirl]

Nicole--sorry to hear that you are still not feeling better!

How did the DR. appt go today? I hope he gave you something to clear up your symptoms!

That is awesome that you finally got to workout with your trainer...it has been quite awhile hasn't it? Doesn't it feel great when someone tells you that you look like you have lost weight even though the scale hasn't gone down! I know the feeling, one of my coworkers asked me if I had lost a lot of weight lately, and I almost had to laugh at her!!! I haven't really lost any weight, but I feel great, and apparently, according to my coworker, I look great! So don't let the scale get you down, you are doing awesome.

WTG for keeping with this despite not feeling well.

It sounds like your trainer has a great plan to get you through to the marathon!!! YOu will definetely be ready next year!!

Keep up the good work!

p.s.--i am bracing for this big snow storm we are about to get!! We have been so spoiled this year with NO snow, that is up until now!! I am not ready for this but oh well!

 

[npullen]

Feeling better today, my ear is finally starting to clear. My dr says it is just the leftovers of a virus, mixing with allergies. She thinks I am allergic to the pollution, and it has been super bad here lately, all sorts of warnings for anyone with breathing problems. She suggested I try the decongestant that my DH was on with his sinus infection. It is a mix of a cough medicine, congestion thinner and decongestant, so hopefully that will work. It did the trick for him. We both go to the same dr, and she is really nice, she tries to work with us like that whenever possible, since she understands how expensive everything is.
Unfortunately my dd has come down with a cold, seems to be just a minor one, with lots of congestion, but thankfully no fever. So, I started taking Airborn today, everyone, including my trainer swears by it, though I might as well give it a try, I refuse to catch anything else!!!!
I am doing my toning today, and I am going to try running on the TM tomorrow. I was hoping the cough would be a bit better than it is, but I will take my first dose of the new meds tomorrow, so hopefully by tomorrow evening it will be better and I can have a great first run. Still fighting the calories. Not doing horrible, just pushing it a little over my limit each day, and eating to much sugar. I know today it is partly because I am tired. DD doesn't sleep when she is stuffy, so we were up alot in the night. I always want to snack constantly when I am tired.

Laurie- Good luck with the snow, hopefully it won't get to bad for you. We are getting another 3 inches or so here, should be done by Wed afternoon. But thankfully we had a string of 40 degree plus days, so we had lots of melting and if things go well, I am going to try running outside with my sister this weekend. Right now temps are forcasted to be in the mid 40's!
It was great to see my trainer. We looked back, and realized that while we had talked and emailed frequently she had not actually made it over since the end of October! She was sick, then we were sick, then sooo much snow! I had a great workout, and I am feeling really excited for the marathon. I am really glad she re-thought my training, I like the sound of this much better! She is also going to try to make it down to Orlando for the marathon. She has an aunt that lives there, so she might be able to make it down for a few days! I think that would be really neat. Congrats on having a co-worker notice you are looking great! It does feel very nice, especially when the scale is causing so much trouble!

 

[hockeygirl]

Glad to hear you are feeling better!!!

That stinks about the pollution. Is there anything the Dr. can give you to help with the possible allergy?

I hope your DD is feeling better really soon. Sending some your way that everyone there is feeling better!!!

That is so awesome that your trainer may make the trip down for the marathon. That would be so cool!!! That must make it even more exciting.
I was actually looking into booking a hotel room now so I don't have to worry about it, and that has me pretty excited!! I want to try to stay at POFQ so I can be close to the starting line, but DBF wants to stay at a monorail resort, so it will be easier for him to see me run, so I am not sure what we are going to do.

Snow finally arrived!!! Looks like we are going to get hit with a mix of snow/ice....yuck!!!! At least I may get a snow day out of it!!!

Keep up the good work!!

 

[npullen]

DD is doing better, so I got a little more sleep last night. I am feeling better, ears are almost normal, but still popping a lot. Now just need to get rid of the cough. Hopefully the new medicine will fix that. I finally got to run on the TM today, it felt really good. I only did 1.25 miles, but I ran the enitre thing, and probably could have gone further, but that is what my training schedule called for, and Janiss made me swear that I would follow it exactly. She wants me to very slowly build, and make sure my lungs are clear and keeping up.
Awful diet day, DD had her Valentines Day party at school, so we made cupcakes, and then I helped out with the party. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this right now, I just can't seem to get it right this time. I keep thinking it'll get easier, but it doesn't. I know if I can get the junk out of my system, I will feel so much better, workout better, and all, but I just can't seem to make it work right now. I am hoping that when I see that I am not losing weight eating this way, even though I am working out hard, I will want to try harder with the food. At least I am not gaining anything. So far I am just stuck.

Laurie- Thanks for the support! I really do hope she can come for the marathon, that would be great! We have worked it out to rent points, so we are going to stay at OKW, we should be booking in a couple of weeks! I am getting really excited. It would be a hard choice between POFQ, and a monorail resort, because of the race. If it weren't for the race, I would love to stay at a monorail resort, but we were looking at PO, before we were sure about doing the rental. Good luck deciding! Since it is all in WDW, there is no bad choice!