Wiggle and Jiggle

Today was my moment of truth.  After running the half last weekend, and then basically enjoying whatever food I wanted this week, I decided it was time to get focused again on my overall health.  I weighed and measured myself to see where I stood, and I was happy and disappointed at the same time.

Weight wise, I lost 4 lbs since starting to train.  That also means I've lost a total of 9 lbs since this time last year.  Consistency.  I like it.

Inches wise, I barely lost anything.  I lost an inch from my hips and an inch from each thigh, which is definitely great, but not much to brag about.  And I've also noticed that my body is just overall, jiggly.  I know that's probably TMI, but it's true.  I tried on a two-piece swimsuit the other day and shuddered.  Mostly because I'm freakishly pale right now, but also because things that should be more toned are not.

This brings me to today.  My decision to return to weightlifting to build muscle and lose inches, while also running, going to Zumba, and practicing yoga once a week.  I know I need a balance of cardio, strength training, and stretching to be in overall great shape, and running basically took over my life and made cardio my only focus.

So what's my plan?  Well thanks to my friend Liz and her helpful fiance, David, I have new workout buddies to keep me accountable and more knowledge of what to do in the "scary" part of the gym.  (I always avoid the weight area like the plague)  This is the schedule I hope to keep up throughout the week:


Sunday - Lift Legs, Abs, and 30 min of light cardio - ie: elliptical or walking on an incline


Monday - Morning Yoga 


Tuesday - Lift Arms, Abs, and 30 min of light cardio


Wednesday - Run 2-3 miles 


Thursday - Zumba!


Friday - Rest day 


Saturday - Long run (4-6 miles)


The only problem I see right now is the running.  My knee is still very sore from the race.  I ran a mile today and it hurt the entire time.  I plan to substitute walking for running for a few weeks to give it time to heal.

In regards to my eating, I will be sticking to a mostly Paleo/Primal plan.  I love the way it makes me feel, and I definitely notice a difference when I start to slip from it.  I do add in a few non-Paleo foods (Greek yogurt, sweet potatoes, beans, dark chocolate) for some variety and added benefits, but otherwise I still stick to lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruit.  I'm excited to hear that some of my friends are looking into this plan as well.  I hope they love it as much as I do!

So here's to great health everyone...  The summer sun will be here soon, and I plan to be ready!!

Check that one off the bucket list...

I still can't believe it.  I seriously completed my first half marathon!!!  I ran 13.1 miles and I didn't quit.  It was fun, emotional, challenging, thrilling, frustrating, and gratifying all at the same time.  It was everything I hoped it would be and nothing like I planned.

I was incredibly calm when I stood in the corral before the race with 10,000 other hopeful runners.  The sun was just rising, and the cool temperature was perfect.  I wasn't nervous, and that honestly surprised me.  I saw many of my friends before starting, and that helped me feel even better.  I knew we wouldn't be running the same pace, but just knowing they would be out there too gave me a boost.  My parents also stood on the sidelines cheering for me, and I waved excitedly as I crossed over the starting line.

My first mile was amazing and flew by, and before I knew it I was passing the 3, 4, and 5 mile markers.  I was keeping up a 10:30 pace and I felt incredible.  We passed lots of cheering supporters and adorable dogs dressed in St. Patrick's Day get-ups, and the energy was so infectious.  After mile 5 though, we headed into the woods and all became quiet.  I focused on the music on my iPod, and I kept telling myself that soon I would take a little fuel break at the halfway point.  I stayed hydrated with Gatorade at the water stops, and I found some people around me to keep pace with.  But then, a crushing moment happened.

My goal at the beginning had been to finish around 2 hours 30 minutes.  I wasn't basing all my hopes and dreams on it, but I figured it was a realistic goal I could strive for.  Around mile 6 though, the 2:30 pacers ran PAST me.  My world was crushed.  I watched that tall, green sign float farther and farther in front of me, and I realized my goal was slipping away.  I tried to speed up, but the pace felt too uncomfortable.  I knew I couldn't keep up with them for another 7 miles.  After that, my mental state took a nosedive.  I started really doubting my ability to finish, and I felt completely defeated.  For miles 7 and 8, I had to literally repeat over and over again "Just. Keep. Running."  By mile 9, I was crying.  I honestly didn't think I could muster up 4 more miles.  I thought about faking an injury and asking to be picked up by the Rescue Squad.

Luckily, we were running through Fort Story, and a great group of Navy men and women came out to cheer us on.  I absorbed all of that positive energy, and I basically told myself to get it together.  I felt so much better, and I kept running to mile 10.  At that point, I think Karma came back to bite me.  Instead of having to fake an injury, I felt actual excrutiating pain.  My muscle above my left knee turned into a tight knot, and I could actually feel a lump under my skin.  Every step felt like my knee was ripping apart from my leg.  I hobbled over to the side of the road, tried to stretch, and then started limping slowly.  I thought to myself, "Oh my gosh, am I going to have to WALK these last 3 miles?"  I continued to crawl along, and after about 7 or 8 minutes, the pain began to subside.  I said a prayer of "thank you" and then began running again.  This time though, I couldn't return to my previous pace.  I felt like I was moving like a snail.  But I knew even slow running was better than walking.  I felt frustrated that my time would be so poor, but I also felt proud that I would be able to run to the finish line.

Right before turning onto the boardwalk for the last straight sprint, I had to make a turn onto the sidewalk.  There, a group of Livestrong volunteers dressed in yellow cheered wildly for us.  They wrote inspiring notes in yellow sidewalk chalk on the ground, and I realized how blessed I was.  I was grateful for my body and my health that brought me through to that moment.  And I thought of my family members who had lost their battle with cancer, but who were no doubt looking down on me.  I cried again for the second time, but this time only joyful tears.  The sun was shining beautifully over the ocean, and the view from the boardwalk was priceless.  Then I heard the best sound ever.  Two of my friends shouted "Go Crystal!" and I spotted them cheering on the sidelines.  Just a little farther down, another group of friends were shouting for me as well, and I found the strength to finish that last small stretch.  I gave it all I had, and I finally (and slowly) crossed the finish line.  I threw my hands up in the air and gave out a huge "Woohoo!"  And then I heard my husband shout my name.  I don't think I've ever been so happy to see him.

I reunited with my friends and family members on the beach, and I couldn't stop smiling.  I was so relieved to be finished, and I was proud that I accomplished what I set out to do.  My only small disappointment was my time.  I finished in 2 hours 44 minutes, which is horribly slow, but now I have a new goal to focus on.  I plan to go back to running shorter races and improving my time.  I love that I have something to keep me motivated!


Check out my post-race photo with my new, snazzy medal!!

Ready to Shamrock!!!

Today's run solidified for me that I'm so ready for this race.  13.1 baby!  Bring it!  I ran 11 miles today in the pouring rain, and even though my legs were burning and I felt like I had barely anything left by the eleventh mile, I kept going.  I'm sore and I'm tired, but I'm also extremely excited and motivated.  I finished the 11 miles in 2 hours and 4 minutes, which means if I keep up that time, I will finish under 2:30.  That is my goal, although ultimately I'll just be happy to finish.  In the next two weeks I'll go for some 2-3 mile runs during the week, and next weekend I'll probably do an easy six.  

Seriously, who am I?  When did six miles become "easy"?  Blows my mind.

Freaking out!!

The Shamrock Half Marathon is 15 days away!  FIFTEEN!!!  How did this happen???  I feel so incredibly unprepared.  I know that I've been training, but not to the extent that I would've liked.  My schedule and workload kept me from working out and running as much as I would've hoped.

Tomorrow will show me what I really can handle.  I'm going out for 11 miles, and I'm actually going to time myself.  I'm going to go for a walk to warm up, and then I will see how long it actually takes me to run 11 miles.  And I. will. not. stop. running.  There will be no walk breaks, or fuel breaks, or anything else.  I will pop those little sport beans in my mouth and I will keep going!  I know that I can do it.  Now I just have to prove it to myself in actuality.

I'm fighting a sinus infection, so today I'm going to take meds, drink lots of green tea, get plenty of rest, and pop some vitamins.  Any germs that are still hanging out in my body need to get out by tomorrow.  That is an order!