"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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]

Friday, September 4, 2015

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

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

Free Online Health Calculators & Nutritional Databases

* Calories Burned Calculator - you choose the activity, total minutes doing the activity, and your weight.
* Target Heart Rate Calculator - you choose the activity, total minutes doing the activity, and your weight.
* Food Database - you type in the food category, the food and the nutritional label will come up.
* Weight Maintenance Calculator for Women - you input the info and the calculator will come up with the amount of calories to maintain your weight.
* Weight Maintenance Calculator for Men - same as for women.
* Body Mass Index - find out your BMI with this calculator.
* Healthy Weight Calculator for Women - determines your healthy weight for your height.
* Healthy Weight Calculator for Men - same as for women.
* The Longevity Game - a fun question and answer game that finishes with your "lifestyle" and how long you'll live. [I finished with a great 93 years of age!!]