Almost Fall

Several things have happened since my last post.  First I want to mention the Brett Robinson Coastal Triathlon.  It was my first tri to attend and SO exciting!!  I loved it.  It made me want to try to do one.  This is for another day and time, ha!  My friend, D, came and stayed with me the night before the race and we had a nice visit.  She came bringing flowers and a watermelon.  She's the best.  Hi, D!! 

We, also, went to Sports 'n More which is our favorite running store.  She racked up...I remember when I did the same thing when I didn't live close to good stores and would visit the area.  Hope she enjoys every item she got.  We left there and went on to pick up her race packet and leave her bike in the transition area.  The next morning came early and we headed out to the race.  I got a few pics at the race. 

 D leaving the beach heading for her bike.

 D leaving the bikes and on her run.

 Well...had to get one of us, of course!

My friend, Pam, doing her first tri.

More friends that came down: D, Phillip, Kim and Amey

On to the next item.  My running has been improving...yay...BUT...it's all been on the treadmill.  The temps are getting a little better here and there and I'm going outside some.  The bad part...NOT running good outside...AT ALL!!!  What in the world is going on??  Guess I'm still struggling with things like fall allergies now and my coughing is getting worse.  I mean, come on!!  I'm getting tired of dealing with issue after issue!!

I will tell you this; I will NOT give up!!!  It WILL come back [my running] and at least I know that my legs can do the distance and they are ready.  Now, just to get my upper body up and going again. 

Last week I did Weight Watchers Simple Start Program.  It is only meant for 1-2 weeks.  Had 3 times I went "off" due to a couple of luncheons; but it all worked out.  Lost 5.8 pounds at the end of the week and felt great.  This week [beginning Sunday] there were two days of bad eating right next to one another...this equaled a small weight gain with only 4 pounds down as of Monday.  I am okay with this as it is still a loss.  My clothes are beginning to fit better.  It's a great, successful week.

So for now...it's on to Week 2 and continuing to work out.  The weight didn't happen over night and so it won't go away over night.  Looks like a change is needed beginning with the mental work, ha!  I'll look into doing things different and bringing in to my life more adventurous and variety of workouts.  There are so many things that can be done.  So my next move is to find something exciting to do and something that will peak my interest and make my workouts worth looking forward to again. 

Now for you, find something you love to do and

Go 4 It [a version of Run 4 It]

Challenges Met

I saw a challenge in July for 50 or 100 miles walked or run for the month.  Being as how my mileage has been low, I decided reaching for 50 would be a good one to shoot for.  My trekking days were getting better and better.  So, I decided to add a couple of miles before class began.  Before I knew it I had reached 8 miles twice a week.  Well, after a couple of weeks I felt reaching 100 miles might be a better challenge.  I've probably done this many times since long distance is what I really enjoy but I've never looked at the totals like that...it was more on a daily vs. weekly amounts to stay within a 10% increase.  Trekking improved by leaps and bounds and I was loving my running again.  After a quarter mile walk warm-up, my run began.  So, I was reaching all my mileage with very little exception [about 90% of the time I would run when class would be walking], I was running it entirely.  July ended with 112 miles!  Above the challenge.  My running is getting stronger and stronger.  And, I'm loving the longer miles. 

Having reached the 100 miles was easier than I thought and the challenge continued on to include August.  I couldn't resist, so I jumped on the 100 mile train.  My mileage continue to increase.  One day I even reached 11 miles...on a treadmill!!!  That was a first for sure and more than likely a last, ha!  I am really looking forward to some good long running outside again...

Hormones have been wreaking havoc on me for a year and half, at least!  After trying a couple of methods, I decided to go have the implants again.  I had them years ago and they worked for me just great.  At the end of August, I had this minor procedure done.  The only thing is...it stops me from running and even walking [exercise-wise] for several days afterward.  I barely got in my 100 miles in August and do believe I was looking at more like 125 miles that month. 

Here is the medal I purchased for the July Challenge.  The decision was made when I make 100+ miles in a month I will write that month down on the back of it.  That's two months, so far...yay!!  Sorry for the glare.  I tried many times to get a good shot but I always got a reflection off the shiny gold and silver.  [No, it's not "real" gold/silver...but you know what I mean.]

Oh, well, the HRT was much more important.  At this writing, I am still not able to run yet but I am feeling sooooo much better and it won't be long now.  The temps are beginning to drop some and I am hoping it won't be long before I can get outside and run again.  I just hope I can do a quarter mile without stopping when I start outside, ha!  Fear follows me.............trying to overcome this fear of failure.  Do good sometimes and not so good other times. 

I have so many races I want to do as you can tell by my Upcoming Race list.  Some I have already signed up for and some are still being considered so I put them all on the list. 

My challenge to you is to get moving.  Walk or run.  Start with half mile increments and before you know it you will be able to

Run 4 It