Strong Body Cyber Training - Final Check-in

Yesterday was technically my final check-in for the month of Cyber Training I "won" through Strong Body by Rebecca.  And I'm sad to report I didn't finish strong.  The bad news is I didn't really lose anything this week (in pounds or inches, really), but I guess the good news is I can have a bad week of eating (and drinking) more than I should and still maintain.  But no worries -- I'm committed to keeping at this and I packed my lunch today full of the right things to eat!

Overall I dropped 6 lbs and 8.25 inches in a month. 

Measurements.073111


And here are a few before/after shots . . . can you see a difference??? (side note: I totally thought I was wearing the same outfit as the first set of pictures when I took these last night. I also didn't realize I had the camera zoomed in more in the 2nd set of pictures.  Oops!  But you get the idea.).

For me, the key accomplishments (or more like outcomes) so far are that I've been able to fit into some clothes (and feel comfortable in them) that I haven't worn in over a year.  I've also been receiving a few random "have you lost weight?" comments, which always boost the confidence.  I'm hoping to keep up the momentum and get back on track.  I have a  few fun things planned for this fall that I want to look AND feel good for so I can't slack now!  

Strong Body Cyber Training - week 3

I know this is technically a few days late, but I promise I took my measurements on time last week.  I just didn't get a chance to post them over the weekend!


Measurements.072111


Once again I did not manage to make it to the gym as much as I would have liked.  But (thanks to the continued hellish heat) I did bang out a 6 mile run on a treadmill last week!! (and many thanks to my in-laws for letting me use their treadmill . . . since I'm so slow, I didn't think my gym would appreciate me spending a good 1.5 hrs on a treadmill). :) 

Despite the heat and my schedule not allowing much gym time, I'm still super pleased with the progress I've made on Rebecca's Cyber Training Program.    Overall I'm down 6lbs and 8.25 inches and I'm hoping to kick some butt this last week.  If you've ever thought of hiring a trainer, but wasn't sure you could make the time to do so, I HIGHLY encourage this program.  Rebecca has been so very supportive and her attention to detail with this program is amazing.  I was a little worried at first that I wouldn't be able to keep this up (meaning, without meeting in person it would be easier to "cheat"), but the weekly check-ins with Rebecca make me totally accountable, too. 

So one more week to go . . . Check back in this weekend to see the final progress (and I'll post before/current pictures, too).

Beerathlon 5k - 7/16/2011

This could have also been called "Hell Run" because it was hotter than hell out side!!  Jenn & I picked this race back in January -- you know, when it was sub zero wind chills and we were sick of the gray that is Ohio 10 months of the year.  Little did we really think about the conditions of this race.  Mid-July.  7pm.  Yeeaaaah . . . but hey, the word "beer" was in the title of the race so it had to be fun, right??

We are in the midst of a "heat dome" -- 90+ temps and fricken redonculous humidity.  It is a small miracle no one passed out at this race.  Good news is I felt like a rock star for the first mile of this race.  I ran it in just over 13 min!  But then I turned a corner on the route and the sun was beating directly in my face and I had almost drank all of my water.  So like most of the other runners, I slowed down to a walk.  And stayed there until I hit the turn around at 1.5 miles.  I tried to run again, but would only make it in small spurts.  I did have a wonderful time chatting with another runner {who had also slowed to a walk} -- she was so positive and such a wonderful inspiration. 

My goals for this race were to beat my previous 5k time, get a free beer mug (our "medal") and not come in last (mainly because it wasn't a very large race).  I met 2 out of 3 of these goals . . . I scored a mug and I think there were maybe 10 people after me.  But I came in a minute slower than my previous time. 

Major thanks to Jenn, of course, for coming out to do this with me, even though she had lots of other unexpected stuff going on this week.  It was also super wonderful to have my mother-in-law Debbie, cousin Rachel and Aunt Anna Marie there to cheer (and most importantly drink afterward!).  And lastly I'd like to thank Marie and her Triple A team for coming out, too -- I could hear Anna, Ava & Alexis screaming "go Sara go!!" all the way down the hill as I came close to the finish line.  They.are.awesome! 

I'm not going to post the official time from the website because, honestly, I don't believe it (they didn't use timing chips, so for once I'm going to trust my Garmin time).  3.1 miles in 44:12 min.  (there really isn't any other breakdown -- age, etc. -- besides that). 



Jenn & I in our "uniforms"

Our Cheerleaders!

My "medal" (we also got nice tech shirts, but I haven't taken a pic of mine)

Even though we felt like puking, we HAD to have a drink.  Mine on the left (Summer Shandy), Jenn's on the right.

 Something else I'd like to boast about . . . I actually felt comfortable in the "Badass Mother Runner" shirt.  The last time I wore it -- not even a month ago -- I wore 2 layers because I didn't feel comfortable in it.  Thanks to the diet & training I've been doing this past month I actually felt comfortable & confident in my "uniform".  Totally awesome! 

{stay tuned for my weekly cyber training check in . . . I'm going out of town this weekend, but I hope to get a post up tomorrow.  I have taken my measurements on time . . . just not sure I'll get to document it!}

A blogdigity award!

I so didn't expect to get a shout out or a blog award so soon after starting this one, but one of my most favorite and inspiring blog friends, Sara, nominated me for this one.  Sara is so awesome.  I started reading her blog after Jenn started running MIT with her.  She is so positive and has been through so much in the short time I've "known" her -- she is just the bomb!  Thank you, Sara, for being so supportive and for this opporunity to share 7 random things . . . here goes:

1.  The state of Ohio has some sick pull over me. I have moved away and then back again 3 different times.    I was born here, went to high school in TN, moved back to OH to go to college at the University of Dayton and then started string where I lived in 5 different states over 10 years- Nashville, Dallas, Columbus OH, Huntington Beach CA, Chicago, back to Columbus.   We've been back in Columbus for 5 years now, which is sort of causing a moving itch - otherwise we may go broke with me redecorating our house over & over again.  (and for the record -- Chicago is by far my favorite.  While I do love Columbus - duh, I've lived here twice! - I miss Chi-town so much and would move back in a heartbeat!). 

2. I've worked in HR my entire career.  And every time we've moved I've considered making a career change . . . only to end up doing HR again.  Last year my company was acquired by a ginormous company and my job is being elminated in Sept (don't worry . . . I've known since last Oct.  Longest.farking.notificaiton.period.EVAH!).  Anywhoo, once again I'm considering doing something different {though I took an assessment today that showed that my strengths & personality are best suited for HR.  Figures}.  What do you do?  Any cool jobs out there?

3.  Speaking of working, one of the "careers" I'm not considering is being a stay at home mom.  I work for a reason and the only way I would stay home is if I could keep my nanny, too. :)  I'm a better mom because I work -- I NEED that break!  I went back to work when B&K were 8 weeks old (4 weeks home from the NICU) and I've never regretted it!

4.  I have a sick obession with Dave Matthews.  If you know me on FB you're probably sick of hearing me talk about it.  In the past 2 years I've seen Dave and/or DMB 5 times . . . and 4 of those times were traveling outside of Columbus (2 in Vegas, one in Chicago and one in Indy).  And trust me - I've tried every angle I could think of to go see him this year.  I haven't given up hope. Yet.

5.  I swear like a trucker.  And having two 3 yr olds has REALLY put a crutch on this.  I try very hard not to drop the F bombs on either of my blogs, but trust me . . . it takes a LOT to hold back. :)  So if you ever meet me in person -- I'm sorry.

6. While I enjoy a good wine, Vodka is my drink of choice.  Sweet Tea Vodka & I had a thing for a while, but now that I'm doing the Strong Body Cyber Training I've had to break it off a bit.  But trust me . . . I miss her so much. :) 

7.  My guilty pleasure is watching MTV's "Teen Mom".  Nothing makes me feel like mom of the year like watching some of these ladies flub their way through this mom gig.  Ahhh, fabulous!

I think I'm supposed to tag 7 people, but honestly most of the other blogs I read have been tagged already.  So if you have a blog and you'd like to play along I say go for it!  And please link back here so I can read all about you, too!

{if you are REALLY bored, check out a similar 7 random facts I completed almost 3 years ago on my family blog.  It was actually kind of fun for *me* to go back and read it, too.  Ha!}. 

Strong Body Cyber Training - week 2

Another week is in the books with the Stong Body Cyber Training.   As I predicted last week, I only dropped a pound.  BUT . . . I've lost another 3 inches overall.  And to me, that is even better.  When I first started this, I told Rebecca that in the past my weight loss efforts have often seen more inches lost than actual pounds dropped.  So I tend to put my focus more on the measuring tape than the scale.  Honestly, my overall goal is to feel better and to have my clothes fit (or shoot -- ultimately drop a size or two) and I really don't care what the number on the scale is (is it bad that I care more about the number on the size of my pants?  And don't get me started on how retailers are making clothes smaller these days . . . that's a whole 'nother profanity laced post for another time!).  This week when I report back to Rebecca my big accomplishment for the week is that I fit into capri pants I haven't been able to wear in over a year. :)

This week my struggle has been to get to the gym (though I'm going as soon as I publish this.  I pinkie swear!).  I'm not sure why it has been so hard to fit it in this week . . . earlier in the week I was nursing a bum leg, but that isn't really an excuse to stay away from the gym (I could have easily done upper body).  So I'm planning to make this next work out really count!

Here are my measurements for the week:

Measurements.071411


In other news, I ran FIVE miles again last Sunday.  And I beat my previous time by 3 minutes.  Jenn came running with me again, which so helps the "mental" thing -- I don't really have to worry about occupying my mind for over an hour because we can chat along the way (and I promise I tried to talk more this time!).  But it was pretty humid and after about 3 miles my body was basically saying "chickie, I need a break!".  So I walked quite a bit between miles 3 - 4.  Yet I still made it in a bit head of my previous time.  I'll take it.  This weekend I'm running in another 5k on Saturday and then my plan calls for a 6 mile run on Sunday.  Yikes!

Lastly, if you look over at my Dailymile log over there --> you'll notice I've hit 100 miles this year.  CRAZY! 

Strong Body Cyber Training - week 1

I do my check-ins with Rebecca on Sunday, but since I actually started late last week I figured I'll make Thursdays my weigh in day (for some reason, I don't have much success with weekends.  If I do weight/measurements before a weekend I'm more likely to be "good" over the weekend.  This fitness/weight loss thing is so mental, eh?). 

Anyhoo, I got on the scale this morning and I was down 4 lbs.  FOUR POUNDS, PEOPLE!  Holy moly!  Especially coming off of a holiday weekend.  Where I maybe wasn't as best as I probably could have been (you didn't read that, Rebecca!).  I made a point to eat less - for example, on occasions where we ate out I made a point to order a salad or only eat half of the portion I ordered.  I wasn't able to exercise as much as I would have liked, but I have completed all of the exercise groups she recommended at least once (chest, biceps, shoulders, abs).  And I've maintained my running schedule, though this heat is killing me and has been stealing my mojo.  Hard core. 

I took measurements this morning and I've dropped an inch in my waist, chest & hips.  Not too shabby.  I've been very diligent to stick to the calorie goal set forth for me and I only have one non water drink a day (normally an unsweetened iced tea in the morning).  Though I've always found diets or a change in my eating focus to be easier during the week.  So we'll see how this weekend goes.  I have a 5 mile run on the schedule for Sunday (or maybe Saturday).  Yikes.  I had hoped to walk less this time around and beat my time a bit from the last 5 miler.  We'll see.

Since part of this blog is to hold myself accountable, I'm putting this out here.  My progress thus far.  No holding back.

Measurements.070711

If you read my family blog you'll notice I don't often post pictures of myself.  That's because it is the reality of what I really look like these days (thus deflating this image I have in my head.  Ha!).  But another part of the cyber training is submitting pictures every week, too.  I haven't taken new pics for this week yet, so here are the first round of pictures I submitted to Rebecca.

FIVE MILES {and some other exciting news!}

Last weekend the half marathon training program I'm working from called for us to run 5 miles.  F-I-V-E miles!  And considering the  most I had ever run was 3.1 (and at that only twice) I was a little intimidated.  I skipped the weekend the plan called for 4 miles (well, that was the weekend of the 5k I just did), so I was nervous about how this would work.  Us Mother Runners had suggested that when we started getting up to the higher miles -- anything above 5 -- we would meet up to run together to make it more fun.  So last weekend Jenn & I met up to run with her old running group MIT.  Holy moly guacamole!!  There were HUNDREDS of people there!  And I was so excited to meet a few of the awesome runners from my inspiration list over there.   I cannot thank Jenn enough . . . we started out with her old pace group -- the Lucky 13 - but given that I'm so slow we fell behind them.  I kept encouraging her to go ahead of me, but she hung with me and we chatted.  Honestly, we don't get to actually see each other in person/ talk nearly as much as someone might think (though we do "talk" daily), so it was really nice to just spend some time catching up!  (and for the record, she did most of the talking because I was focusing on not dying).  :)  I was excited to finish in my goal time of 1 hour 15 min.  I walked a few minutes a couple of times and walked the last hill (which was about .5 miles).  We run 5 miles again the weekend after next and I'm hoping to run more and crush that time (a bit).

In other exciting news, I won a little giveaway for month of Cyber Personal Training with Stong Body by Rebecca.  EEEP!!  I'm so very, very excited about this!  So stay tuned here (and on B&K's blog a bit) as I journal my progress. 

Move MMore 5k - June 19

When I started doing the Cto5k thing, my two closest friends insisted they wanted to run my first 5k with me.  Given that we are in summer months now, finding something that was just right (the right charity/event, location, time of day, etc) was a bit daunting.    But then we found the Move MMore 5k, which benefited the James Cancer hospital in our town (keeping the money local) as well as a research on Multiple Myeloma (which is the type of cancer my grandfather had).    The only catch was that it was on Father's Day . . . but my awesome husband, Tim, decided to run with us as well.

If there is one thing I've learned from Jenn, it's that it is all about the shirt. :)  Not only did we all score pretty cool tech shirts, but in picking up our "flair" packages I was able to check out a pretty cool (and large) running shop super close to my home, Front Runner.

I was so excited to have Jenn & Marie do this event with me.  Earlier in the year I gave Marie a copy of the book "Run Like a Mother" for her birthday.    I knew nothing about it -- I just liked the title. :)  She had just decided to train for a half marathon (which she ran in May) and I wanted to give her some things to help her obtain her goal.  The book has turned out to be a bible of sorts for the three of us and we've adopted the RLAM motto and wore our shirts to this event.  We are all "Badass Mother Runners" now!  {I highly, highly, highly recommend the book and they have an awesome facebook page, too!).    And to further add to her badass-ness, Marie pushed her triplet girls in the jogger for this race (on a morning after celebrating - late into the night - at a wedding the night before!). 

With this being my first running 5k {oh and did I mention I had only run 3 miles ONCE.  Ever??}, I started out way too fast.   Around .5 miles I felt like I was going to die.  Seriously.  So I had to walk way more than I would have liked -- it was humid, hilly and I couldn't seem to catch my breath.  But I kept a steady / fast walking pace on my "breaks" and I prayed to my grandfather to help me not pass out along the way (seriously.  I did!  I just asked him to help me not fail).  :) My goal was to finish in under 45 minutes.

I had told my friends - and husband - not to wait up for me.  I knew I'd be MUCH slower than everyone (I am still just a newbie!!) and so I settled into this routine of passing two ladies, they would pass me, repeat.  As I neared 2.8ish miles I saw Tim walking towards me.  He had finished and was coming to run with me to the finish line.  And so did Jenn.  I honestly wanted to cry!  Their support meant so much to me (and I know Marie would have too -- but she had her 3 little ones in tow!!). 

Before I get to the official details, I also want to throw a shout-out to my parents for donating to the cause and providing so much support from afar.  And also to my mother-in-law & father-in-law who not only came to cheer us on, but also kept my twins B&K occupied (they ran their own races -- over & over & over again) as well as donated to the cause, too.  Thank you so much!

Official Details:

Time: 43:12

Finish: 192/284 (thought there were walkers mixed in with this)

Age Group:  33/47

Drinking the Kool-aid

I have always been more of a follower than a leader.  And I'm totally fine with that. 


Earlier this year my two best friends (and fellow multiple mamas) Jenn and Marie decided to train for a half marathon.  They had both been training with the Couch to 5k program last year and decided to go for a big leap.   Jenn was training with a local Marathoner in Training program and Marie trained along side her from home.    I would have loved to play along at the time, but I don't have a treadmill at home (and don't have space for one), I didn't belong to a gym at the time (and couldn't really as my husband was traveling for work overseas 2 weeks at a time) and it was balls-ass cold outside (and who wants to set themselves up for failure as a new runner by freezing to death from the get-go??).  So I cheered them from afar.  And made a promise to myself that once the weather broke (or at least got above 40 degrees) I would start the Cto5k program myself outside.


I started the program in April.  During the wettest month my city/state has ever seen (fun times!).  But I did it.  And it was slow.  But over the course of the program I was amazed to see (like so many others) that I went from not being able to "run" 60 seconds to running 25 minutes straight. 


After watching Marie & Jenn run their first half marathon in May, I decided I would jump on the bandwagon, too.  If nothing else running would allow me time to myself -- to do something for ME -- a little each week.  And if Jenn & Marie could run 13.1 miles, so could I!  So here I am . . . I'm supposed to run 5 miles this weekend and needless to say I'm a little freaked out. :) 


So in this blog I hope to document my new "hobby".  And gush about my BFFs.  And maybe even add in some other healthy things -- like eating right and other exercise -- so I can continue down this path to a healthier me.  B&K get excited when they see me head out for a run.  And Tim has been super supportive as well.  So here we go . . .