Stacie's Journey for Weight Loss and the 1/2 Marathon Jan 09!

[toystoryduo]

You are doing a great job, Stacie! Keep up the good work!

 

[postesf]

So, I did 40 min on the elliptical last night...2.6 miles! yay! HR seems to be between 168 and 175 and top out at 177. I did see online yesterday that one site says for women to take 227 instead of 220 and subtract your age. Apparently there are may ways to figure this out. I'm just going to go with my Max being around 200 and work with that. I think that's close enough. I personally would like to keep my heart rate between 165 and 180. That should keep me in Zone 3/4, but it seems running really pushes it into Zone 4/5. Hopefully as I get fitter, this will get better.

It's crazy how the mind works. With in 3-5 min (1 song) I can go from happy, to sad, to hopeless, to kicking hiney, to why did I sign up for the Minnie, then to visualizing crossing the finish line, no energy, to plenty of energy.... CRAZY!! It's so hard for me to stay focused, I feel like my emotions area all over the place during my runs/workouts. I felt good after I finished! Any workout is good when I don't feel dead after! I'm not losing any weight, but...I know I am healthier. A few years ago, heck, a few months ago, 40 min on the elliptical would have been impossible! I remember when it was a struggle to just get 10. I actually probably could have gone a bit longer, but 40 min was on the schedule for XT (plus I had errands to run) so that's what I did.

Ok...now, someone give me a virtual pat on the back! I packed my lunch today!!! First time in months! I'm having lasagna and 3 garlic knots for lunch. We are trying to be more budget conscious so I went grocercy shopping (actually I did it online and then just picked it up! Well worth the $6 fee!!!) and bought some frozen lunches and some stuff for sandwiches and all. Let's hope this will get me through two weeks! I also hope this will help eat a bit healthier. I've done well cutting out the soda...now to tackle the sweets!

Ok folks...all for now! Wow, that was much longer than planned. Guess I'm a bit chatty today!

Hope everyone has a great day!!!
Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

Wow Stacie...awesome post!!

I'm very happy for you and how far you have come since those early days of journaling :

Your HR was definitely in the "cardio" zone and that's an awesome complement to the running. I'm with you on just keeping track of it and watching for it to go down over time. 40 minutes is no joke and something you should be very proud of!

Congrats on taking the lunch!! It's awesome how working out so much just kind of leads us to make some healthier choices. Seems like it's all coming together for you, and at great timing too...with Minnie a mere 5 weeks away

Overall, I'm just happy for you, seeing you be so successful. Keep up the great work Stacie!

 

[kimwim8]

Great job, girlie! I know I couldn't do 40 minutes on the eliptical!! And then run errands??

And a BIG pat on the back for you packing your lunch. It's hard, isn't it? Like Scott said, working out leads into healthy food choices. And you're doing GREAT!

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Stacie,
Great job!!!!!! It is so true how when you exercise what you put in your mouth takes on a whole new meaning and purpose.Taking lunch to work is better because you eat what you have not what you crave at the time.

Thanks for your continued support on my journal.

Have a great one,
Linda

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Stacie!! WOW!! Girl, you blow me away! I am so impressed with how far you have come and how diligent and disciplined you are. I really, really appreciate the time you take to visit my journal. It means so much to me and you really inspire me.
Keep up the great work! That Minnie medal is just waiting for you!!!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Stacie
You have come so far in such a short time - you should be very proud of yourself
great food choices too

 

[postesf]

Thanks you guys for all the nice the words!!! It really touches my heart!!!

Yesterday was my scheduled 4 mile run. I actually walked the majority...I just had no energy. My mom and I went to this 1/2 mile track around a soccer field. This woman is 63 and can walk circles around me!!! I always feel so out of shape and slow around her. She is just a bundle of energy. She actually walks faster than I run. Go figure... Anyway... We did it together. Eventhough a lof of it was walking, we were really moving. At least with her I walk faster than when I do it alone. Many times during my runs I'll take walk breaks and they are pretty slow. Not yesterday! Our average pace was 14:43 and HR was a bit lower at 169 bpm. I'm am happy with that. I get done w/ the 4 miles... I'm tired, red-faced, stinky and my mom looks great! Not fair... Overall, I'm pleased though!

For any of you ladies looking for workout wear... On the Events board...There is a thread where you can get 20% off your order at runningskrits.com for the month of April.

Love you guys!!!
Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Stacie!

Goodness...you guys were scooching right along on that walk!! Good job staying consistent with your training plan, you are gonna do great in WDW :

What's on tap for the weekend...how far are you running?

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wow Stacie...you guys were walking FAST! I'm so proud of you for all the determination and hard work you're putting in on your way to Minnie! How are your hips, back and feet holding up with all your training? I really believe that continuing to cross train is the key to staying healthy. You're doing fabulous in that regard. Keep it up girl and THANK YOU again for getting the running skirts discount!

 

[Caitsmama]

Stacie, GREAT Job!!!! I remember we started about the same time, and i remember chatting with you in our early days, about how we didn't know if we would get thru it.. LOL And, you are doing GREAT!!!
Thanks for the running skirts thing -- but i don't think anyone (including myself) wants to see me in a skirt! LOL

 

[postesf]

Thanks guys! Whew! Yes...that was a fast walk! My mom is so speedy! I sure do wish I had inherited her energy. The hips, back and feet are doing ok. My lower back started aching a bit yesterday and the feet still go numb...but only when I run so as long as I take walk breaks they seem to get me through. I had somehow stepped weird during the day and the top of my foot was killing me. It didn't bother me too bad during the training, but it did ache during the night. It seems to have eased off throughout the day today.

For this weekend...I have 3 miles tomorrow and 6 miles on Sunday. I was thinking of doing a 10K on Sunday, but I'm not sure yet. It's 45 min away and it's really early and we drive that far every day during the week...I've had no energy this week and seeing as how I've only done 5 miles as my furthest yet...It will a Saturday night decision I think. I guess we'll just see what happens...

As always, Thanks so much for your support!!!
Stacie

 

[Caitsmama]

Stacie, just be careful - we are too close to the minnie to risk any injury - a 10k is a big thing - at least to us newbies.. and you have a full plate coming up in a few weeks!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Stacie, packing lunches is good for the buget and waistline, so you will win all the way around! That $6 fee is so worth it, again in more ways than one. The more I wander through the aisles, the more non healthy items I am likely to buy!

I agree with Stacy, don't push too hard, you have come so far and don't want to jeapordize the Minnie! I hear you on your mom being so fast, I know that when I used to walk with my mom she would just leave me in the dust! Enjoy those walks with your mom, I envy you.

You have come so far and are doing so great! Look at how diligent you are with monitoring your heart rate, that proves how serious you are. Just keep doing what you are doing. My emotions when I walk sort of go all over the board too. But in the end, you have come so far and nothing you feel, good or bad can take that away. Just keep on pluggin away!

 

[traceycooper]

no energy!!! your low energy days sound like my good days!!
You still got out there, sounds more like power walking than walking with your mom!! suposed to be very good
Have a great weekend

 

[ScoJo15]

Umm....long run information please???

 

[postesf]

Umm....long run information please???

Request granted... lol!

So...today I had my longest run yet. 6 miles. Honestly, I shouldn't call it a run. It was a walk/run. I started out mostly running and my avg pace was around 14:30 during the first 2 miles. I took a walk break and just couldn't get back into the run and noticed that my speed had picked up. Go figure. So I thought, what the heck...keep on walking! I ended up walking most of the rest of the 6 miles only running 3 more times. I did a bit of power walking, what I think was race-walking and jogging. When I did jog, it was faster. 12:30-13:30 pace. By doing this, it also kept my HR down a bit more. Avg was 171 bpm and peak was 186. My overall pace for the 6 miles was 13:58. Better than my 4 mile pace. hmmm. I thought this would be around 14:30--especially with so much walking, but it turned out better. Yay! At 5 miles, I just kept thinking...each step is more than I ever done before. Each of those steps is a new victory.

My legs are bit stiff and my right knee hurts a bit. It was sore when I woke up this morning. It's got arthiritis from the fractures resulting from the broken leg years ago. When it is cool and rainy, I can definately feel it and guess what... Today was cool and rainy! But in general, I feel good. I've had the major munchies tonight, so I'm sure I've negated all the cal burned during the workout.

Overall, I am happy with it. I had such a great sense of accomplishment after and I felt pretty good too. I know I still got a great workout cardio wise, but I didn't feel as worn out. I'm thinking for the Minnie I may try to do more of a walk/run and for the 1/2 work towards a run/walk. I'm going to be adding more miles and I really need to avoid injury going into this. Since this is my first race with this many miles, I need to push myself, but not too hard. This is still all new to me...I did just pull my hiney off the couch 7 mo ago. I may not ever be a true runner. I would love to be, but right now, I really think I just need to walk more. There is a reason my time is better when I walk. That says something. Running is very taxing on me and as I continue to lose weight, it may get easier. With the knee issue I already have, I don't want to push it too much and let's face it folks...I am still carrying around 60lbs more than I need to be and that's not good for my joints and it only increases the pressure on them when I run.

So...that's about all from my world!

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend.

Stacie

PS. I missed my 3 miler on Friday...Keeping the nephew Friday night and all day Saturday. Maybe that's another reason my workout was a bit speedier today? Who know...

Edited to add... I tried the sport beans...yummy! They worked great. I only did 1/2 of them at 3 miles, the rest when I finished. They were good though.

Oh, and 1 more thing...I went shopping this weekend and I bought stuff I actually liked instead of what fit! yay! I still have a long way to go, but this was nice. I really like that new style of shorts that are a bit longer. I bought 4 pair! I think I can wear them work. They are long, cover my knee, but are still very cute! I normally only wear capri pants and that gets complicated since I'm so short, many of them look like pants that are just too short. I was afraid I would look funny in them since my calves are rather large, but I think they will work. I also bought a dress. It's been forever since I wore a dress. At this weight, I look better in skirts and tops. This is that new syle that doesn't hug, it just kinda hangs. I saw it on the rack and when It tried it on and it didn't hug every roll like I thought it would, I was so excited. Matt likes it too. I'm still unsure what if it does anything for my figure. I'll have to get a few more opinions before I wear it in public...

 

[MIdanceMom]

Great Job Stacie!!!

You posted those miles with a time you are happy with. It doesn't matter how you did it. Hey, Running God Scott, uses walking in his races. I am also glad to hear that the beans work for you. You need the energy. You are also right about remaining injury free. That is the most important thing.

Keep up the excellent work, and the race will not be a problem for you.

Take care,
Beth

 

[ScoJo15]

Yo Stacinator :

Don't fear the walking!! For over a year, I consistently would post better times by walking more during each mile (seems odd) because it allowed me to run faster which trumped the walking slow down. Sounds like more walking is great for you as it keeps your HR at a good place and increases your mpm time!! Did you have any numbness issues by walking more or did it help with that too??

You'll probably feel a bit achey every time you run 6+ miles as it is simply taxing on the body. It's not a bad thing as it means your muscles are in repair and getting stronger

Glad the sport beans worked for you and that the marathon bar was "stomachable". it's a lot better than some of the other stuff out there : You still may want to experiment though as everyone has different tastes and likes/dislikes. Glad to see you figuring it out though!

How exciting to be able to pick out clothes that you like!! I went through the SAME thing and it's sooo awesome to see something stylish and know that you can pull it off. Great job!!

Hope you have a good day!

 

[AmyBeth68]

That Long Run deserves....a dancing banana!

GREAT JOB STACIE!!! And I totally agree with what Scott said...if you feel better adding the walks in...and you're speedier...then who cares . You're still covering the distance and working hard! WTG!!!

YAY! For a new dress!