Getting My Butt In Gear

Well, after the disaster that was the BB, I did indeed break from all running. I've gone back to step class and the elliptical in hopes of getting back in shape and ready to start training for the Donald Duck Half Marathon in Walt Disney World. Since my goal isn't to be super fast but rather have fun, I'm not stressing about it. I know my body can do a half, the idea is to not be in pain while doing it! I mean, I'll wanna look cute when I stop and take a picture with a character.

I will need to spend July & August working up to running 3-5 miles, so when I start the real training in September it will go smoothly. I could really use your encouragement. For me, running is almost half physical, half mental.

Bolder Boulder

Me, running in place waiting for Geoff to take a pic. Yes I can smile, but I was NOT happy!


Ugh.

Let's start with the positive. It was fun cheering for Geoff at mile 1. It was fun hanging out with Chad & Khara after the race. The weather was nice.

Yep, that's about all I can say. I flaked on the last few weeks of my training, not pushing myself at all. As a result, it was a painful race, felt like the longest 6+ miles of my life!

I told people, I'll finish the race, but it won't be pretty. I'm not in any mood to run again anytime soon, so all talk of half marathons will wait.

Here are my results. Once pics are up, I'll link them.
*Updated: here are the pics, I'm not in any of the big group shots.*

The Adapted Plan

I have not been following my plan exactly how it is written. My real goal is using the days it tells me to run, and trying to stick to the mileage it asks. Haven't been wholly successful, but I think it's still paying off.

My legs HURT! My friend Lisa asked me to join her in her No Limits Circuits class (Wed), which she told me was intense. Well, at the time, it didn't seem intense, i walked away thinking, that wasn't so bad. But there was a sub that day. And later that night, the pain in my legs started to grow. I had trouble with the stairs yesterday. I have never done so many squats and lunges, and my legs hate me for it.

I've got my eyes on a half marathon for September, and Cristina is on board. Now I need to come up with the money. It's local, here in Denver. I think the timing will be good to get me ready for DisneyWorld.

I had lost 5 lbs earlier in the month, but all the feasting with my in-laws put them back on. :( I need to work on smaller portions.

Pray that I can stay healthy, and amp up my mileage. Bolder Boulder is just 38 days away.

Going

How's the training going?

It's going.

I think I can see a change in my appearance, but more importantly, my pants are fitting much more loose. Yay! Not ready for my skinny jeans yet, but maybe soon?

The mileage is growing each week (yikes), now I still need to get mentally on board. I think that I will need a fall race to keep me out and running. Perhaps the Denver Marathon relay. Then I will train for the half in January.

Now tell me, what are you doing to get/stay fit?

A Plan

I got myself a training plan off the Runner's World website, and I have been able to complete the two weeks thus far. The mileage is only going to get higher, but I hope Geoff is right, and my body maintained muscle memory. He says my body will remember the training for the half last year, and I'll be able to do it. Now my mind needs to get on board, because I'm sure you know how your mind can sabotage you.

I've been able to go to step class and amazingly my abs don't hurt as much this weekend as they did last weekend. My weight is also down a few pounds, but then I have found it to be fluctuating. Ideally, I'd like to lose 10 lbs, and go down a size, where I was last spring.

Keep praying I can stay healthy and train. 64 days until the Bolder Boulder!

Getting Fit

I've been able to go tot step class on Thursday & Friday nights. It's a good workout, and now that Karen the instructor knows me, she's calling me out when I'm not working hard enough. She also teaches an abs class after Friday's step class, which i've done twice now. Man what a pain that creates the rest of the weekend! But with any luck, my waist will shrink by summer.

I'm trying to get back to running, since the Bolder Boulder is in 95 days. That's a 10K race, so a little over 6 miles. Very doable, but I need to set a goal and start training! And I haven't been motivated to do that.

Pray I can stay healthy until then, and that I get my butt in gear!

Running With Mickey

I registered for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon! I'll be running in January 2010, Geoff is doing the full, and then we'll enjoy a few days exploring WDW with the kids. We invited Colin, Dawn, Dylan, Ryan & my mom to come watch and have fun at the parks with us. The guest list might get bigger (Lisa?), if you wanna come cheer us on as we run through Sleeping Beauty's castle, drop me a line, I'll get you some info.

Now January is still far away, so in 2009 I'm running the Bolder Boulder for the first time. It's a 10K race. My bud Cristina is going to run it with me, but I foresee me eating her dust. The goal is to also run a half marathon this year, but I haven't settled on one yet. It'll have to be local (meaning in Colorado) since I need to save for DisneyWorld.

I've been going to my step class weekly, and I'd love to go twice a week, if I can find a class at a good time. It's a good workout.

Now you are in the loop, there will be a posting later (either here or my other blog) about the cause I want to raise money for by running the half. Stay tuned.

Not Dead

This blog is not quite dead yet.

I took my first yoga class this week, and learned I have muscles (or at least should) in places I never knew. I may take another class in the future, because I felt taller when I left. :)

Yes, I am aiming to do another half marathon this year, and have my sights set on another one in 2010 (If I get in the registration before it fills up). More on that in a few weeks. This year's may be Steamboat again, but it isn't certain.

I'm determined to lose 15 lbs, that my body's messed up chemistry gave me.

Keep me in your prayers, keep giving me encouragement. And get out and get fit yourselves!

Not The Marathon

I'm not running the Denver Marathon, but I am running in it. I was asked (by some desperate people, clearly) to be part of a relay team. So I will be running 6 miles of the marathon for them. Am I ready? Heck no! I need to get off my but and train. The race is October 19. Pray for me to train well, and stay injury free.

Other than that, I'm trying to hit the gym at least 3 days a week, trying to lose the 10 lbs I put on this summer. It's either medical-related, or because I stopped running so much. Either way, those 10 lbs are NOT welcome here, and they must go!

Facing Fears...

and getting fit at the same time!

I took my first of two wall climbing classes last night. I do have a fear of falling, and I long believed I was also afraid of heights. I confirmed that last night, halfway up the wall. It wasn't an overpowering, paralyzing kind of fear, but I was definitely out of my comfort box. Still, I pushed a little further, then I asked to get down. Next week, I will learn to belay, and I will push myself to climb higher than I did before.

It was exciting, and scary, but I am glad I did it. I don't want to live a life where I didn't take risks. Whether I climb outdoors, who is to say. Right now, I want to climb again, I want to work new muscles, try new things.

I am still running 1-2 miles a few days a week. Because my mileage is so low, I am able to run faster. I hope to add more miles, and keep the speed. 113 days until the Turkey Trot!

Lazy?

I have not kept any kind of schedule of running since my half marathon, though I am trying to remedy that. I have done some short runs (a mile or two) and kicked up the pace, much as it was a year ago when I started. My goal is to increase my speed, hoping to best my 4 mile time at the 2007 Turkey Trot. I also got roped into taking a cross conditioning class, it kicked my ass. It felt good at the time, but the next two days it hurt to move. I hope to add a class like that to my schedule, since it allowed me the opportunity to work new muscles, and (hopefully) tone my abs.

Keep holding me accountable. I'm working on my diet, not to say I am on a diet, but I am working on watching my food intake. I am not counting calories or anything, but trying to eat smaller portions. This is considerably hard since if food tastes good, I want more!

Feeling Fine

I had a great run today. Two miles, the first at a 13 minute pace, the second at a 10 minute pace.

My body & mind were both on board. I really want to best my time from last year's Turkey Trot. That's my goal. So I'll be training for that. I'd like to be running 10-12 miles a week.

That is all I have laid out before me. I hope I have encouraged you too to get out and get active.

Photo Op

Need more pictures of your favorite half marathoner? Here are the professional ones. I haven't yet decided which one I want.

Running Down A Mountain

The half marathon was harder than I thought it would be. Sure, my longest run had been around 8 or 9 miles. But I wasn't prepared for how the downhill would hurt my knees. I knew I wasn't going to be fast, and being left in everyone's dust wasn't awful. It meant for most of my run, it was me & nature. To be in a valley between hills, mountains and farms, was peaceful. To see horses running in the fields, was inspiring. Less inspiring was seeing two dead skunks on the road, two dead deer beside the road, and even a small dead vole on the road.

The water/Gatorade stations had very friendly encouraging people there, so I would be sure to remove my iPod earphones to converse with them. Yes, I was discouraged against wearing an iPod, since we did run on roads with cars. But a lot of people had them.

My favorite part of the race was the end. Once I hit the main street, I saw Geoff & the boys at the end. Ringing their bells, cheering for me (Elijah called me super!), it spurred me to run to the end faster. I was virtually the only person in sight, so all the people lined on main street had no choice but to cheer for me. It was awesome. I would raise my hands in the air, ham it up, huge smile on my face, knowing that the end was nigh. Almost across the finish line, they called out my number, "And here's number 1140, look at her smiling. That's Melissa Armstrong, Lance's wife." I looked up at the clock, very happy with my time, and they handed me a sopping wet ice cold towel. NICE! I draped it over my shoulder, grabbed a water, and walked into the first aid tent to sit down. They kept asking me if I was okay, I said, I just want to sit. Once I felt like my knees would survive movement, I left, grabbed more water and reunited with my fans.

My goal had been to finish in less than 3 hours 30 minutes, I finished in 3:13. Geoff says it is a good starting off point for my next race. While I am not ready to think about running for a few more days, I'm not ruling it out. Next race, I'm looking for flat. I want it flat, so I can be faster.

I Am A Half Marathoner

Less than a half mile to go

Well, resting all day yesterday, plus my training, must have done the trick. While I struggled through miles 8, 11, & 12, I was able to complete my first half marathon in 3 hours 13 minutes. I was hoping to beat 3:30, so goal succeeded! I have a blister on my fourth toe, left foot, very sore knees, and some back pain. But I also can say, I am a half marathoner. Now I want to rest!

(I may write more when I'm less tried)

You're Joking Right

After months and months of training, almost a year of planning to get here, I woke up sick this morning.

For me, not running, is not an option. Call it my cheap Scot roots, but I paid for this race, I'm gonna do it.

I don't know how, it probably won't be pretty, but I plan to complete the task before me. Pray that I am able to get it done.

(side note: if I think I am in any serious medical danger, I will seek out help)

Almost Go Time

I've been resting all week, per my instructions, and it's been ok. I kinda missed hitting the gym at least once.

We leave today for Steamboat Springs, race is at 7:30am on Sunday. I'll have the laptop, so I will try to blog about it and possibly post a picture.

Keep me in your prayers, we're almost there!

Not Sweating It

I did not meet the goals last week, but I'm not worried about it. The race is so close, and my excitement is mounting.

This week...
Tuesday run 4 miles (which I did, outside, the weather was great)
Wednesday & Thursday run 5 miles
Saturday & Sunday run 4 miles

Then I rest the whole week before the race. I also get to carb up. Whoo-hoo!

Pray I stay healthy (my allergies have been acting up), and that I stay encouraged.

Don't Ask

First off, there were no pictures of me from the Cherry Creek Sneak. seriously, I looked through all 630 some odd pages. I'm disappointed too. Good thing I have the ones Geoff took.

Secondly, last week's training was a disaster. So let's move on.

Race day is in 20 days. Go me go!

This weeks goals are...

Tuesday & Wednesday run 5 miles
Thursday cross-train 45 minutes
Saturday run 6 miles (I may do more, since I didn't do my 12 last week)
Sunday run 5 miles

Normally, Monday & Friday are rest days. But since I haven't touched my shoes since Wednesday, today I'm going to do some time on the bike, then maybe run a mile.

Keep encouraging me. Pray for me to stay healthy.

Not Quite

My goals were not met, due to some scheduling issues. I'm not sweating it, I'm staying flexible. I still feel good mentally & physically. My long run this past weekend was for 90 minutes, around Garden Of The Gods. Got my first real taste of running up & down hills. Not so awful, but not a lot of fun.

This week I'm not sure how it will play out but here is the goal list.

Tuesday & Wednesday run 4 miles
Thursday cross-train for 45 minutes
Saturday run 12 miles (Holy Cow!)
Sunday run 4 miles

26 days left!