Oops.....I forgot :(

Ok ok, I forgot to post my running schedule. I've been reading posts on logyourrun.com and finally found a training schedule that I can work with. I've decided to post my training week by week until the big day. So for now, the rest of my week looks like this:

Thursday: run 1 mile + fight angry last minute shoppers & sip a peppermint mocha
Friday: run 1 mile + enjoy a cup of ice cold eggnog, yum:(
Saturday: Rest, open presents and have fun with the family
Sunday: run 1.5 miles + think about how I'm going to gear up for the new year

Hanging in there

Well, I haven't posted for a while but I have been running. I have ran three times since my last post. I know it doesn't sound like much, but for now it will work. Baby steps for me at the moment. The Christmas decorations are up and I am now feeling the holiday spirit! Yay! Ok, so my goal this week is to have my running schedule posted by Friday. I can do this. Oh, I almost forgot, I got into grad school!! Yep, I'll be a grad student next semester. I'm so excited. I can see my life is finally heading toward the right direction.

Whoever is reading my blog,have a great rest of the week.

Fresh Start & New Design

Today I ran 1 mile + walked 1 mile. I'm very proud of myself because today was a long day! Yesterday I read a blog that inspired me. A friend of mine in high school has her own blog. She writes about being a parent, wife, and a runner. Here recently she ran a marathon. As I was reading her journey through 26.2 miles and what it was like getting through the training, I was just amazed how she did it. She can get up early and make running a priority even when she has two very important roles to fulfill, being a mother and a wife. I admire her for being able to deal with everyday life one day at a time. I wish I can do that. I've let fear, anxiety and depression stand in my way. It has guided me toward a life I do not want for myself. So today I started making a change. Even though I was tired from work, I can not let that get in my way. I was thinking that when I start to really get a good running schedule, I know I'll start feeling much better. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. I'm looking forward to heading in the right direction for my life.

Thank you to my high school friend for letting me know that it may seem like you don't have enough time in the world to train for a marathon, but if you make it a priority then you'll find the time.

I'm giving this new layout design a try. I've been in the festive mood lately and wanted to jazz up my blog page to give it a little Christmas flair.

Back On the Wagon

With some major set backs, I'm now getting back on the wagon. My life is so complicated right now, everyday I ask God to please give me strength. Without going into details and to protect my families privacy, all I want to say is that I never thought I would be in the situation I'm in today. Oh well, what can you do? Life is most definitely full of surprises and not all of them good. All I want to say today is that I'm getting back on the wagon. I saw my best friend over the weekend and she game me a little dose of reality. If I want change, I have to make it happen. With the holidays approaching all I can think about is that spring is literally just around the corner. Time goes sooo fast! I Do Not want to go through another summer without wearing shorts. I 'm so tired of being afraid but then not being motivated or mentally strong enough to make it happen. I guess those are just excuses. I can do this! If anyone is reading my blog, I ask that you pray for me please! I have to turn my life around and get back that Abbie I know.

3rd Week of training-Why haven't I blogged?

Last week was emotionally draining and I was physically exhausted :( That's so sad. My second week of training went ok. I completed two days of my training schedule. I wasn't too happy with myself, but I have time to get back into it. That's life, right? So now I'm into a brand new week and thinking very positive for my training.

This weeks schedule:

Monday: Other obligations:(
Tuesday: Teach Step Class/ run 1.5 miles
Wednesday: run 1.5 miles/ cardio
Thursday: run 1.5 miles/cardio
Friday: Rest
Saturday: run 1.5 miles/cardio
Sunday: Cardio or rest.

Looking forward to training! Oh, I almost forgot, I lost 2 lbs last week. Yay for Weight Watchers! I know that's cheesy, but that's how I feel.

Whoever might be reading this,I hope you have a good week.

First week of training

This week has been a very good week for me. I've stuck with my training schedule and feel really good about things right now. Last night I bought a really nice pair of running shoes, oh boy I can't wait to try them out!

Off to a good start.

Today I went for a run around city park. Oh boy, I love this time of year. As I was running, I noticed that the leaves have changed and the smell of rain was in the air. I ran 1 mile and walked a mile around the park. Right now I'm feeling good.

Anyone out there reading my blog, I hope you have a Happy Monday.

It's Time.

During the past couple of months I have not been myself. I set out these big goals to accomplish and I tell all of my friends that I'm going to do it. Now the time has come and I have failed. I am so pissed off at myself. Not only did I let my friends down (I think), most importantly I've let myself down yet again. I've noticed people in my life who are doing well for themselves. They are going after what they want. A part of me is so jealous. I question how they do it. Honestly I can only be mad at myself. I am the one who's standing in the way of what I want. For the last 3 years, I have so badly wanted to run a half-marathon and to lose weight. I can remember a time in my life that I truly loved who I was. During the time of self-love I was happy with myself and where I was at in my own life. Now things are so much more complicated. I am in a position where my decisions effect those who are closest to me. No matter what I decide I am hurting someone and that feels awful. Sometimes I would rather hurt myself 10 times than to hurt someone else. However, I have to stop hurting myself and start listening to my heart. My heart has been telling my so many things throughout that past 5 years and I have chosen to put those feelings aside. Now, I have to listen. I have to figure out a way to do what's best for me. So many people have told me that it's better to be in a little bit of pain at first rather than to be in a lifetime of pain.

So now is the time to really work on myself. I have given myself a year to accomplish my goals. First off, I want to become a marathon runner. I've wanted to participate in the Waddell and Reed Marathon in Kansas City for the past 3 years. Now is the time! I can not put it off any longer. Second, I want to lose weight (not quite ready to reveal the number). I want to embrace the seasons and not be afraid of them because of my weight. Lastly, throughout my journey I need to find what it is that I truly want for my life. This will be hard work and I'm going to have to make tough decisions that may or may not hurt loved ones. This is what I know now, I can not keep hurting myself and living a life that is not me.

Best of Luck to me, I can do this!

It's So Frigging Hot Outside!

Within the last week I've been running on the treadmill. I'm not sure if that's ok or not. With the scorching temperatures outside, I've been forced to run inside at the gym. Last Sunday, I was looking forward to my run until I noticed that my ipod was not charged :( Oh well, I was there to workout and clear my mind. I ran 2 miles while I watched Pearl Harbor on the television. It is so tempting to not start a workout once you realize your ipod is dead. My relationship with my ipod is bittersweet. I love it because it keeps me motivated throughout my workout but then I hate it because I rely on technology to keep me going instead of my own inner strength. I hope you all can relate.

I recently read an article about training for a race on the treadmill. I can recall that it was ok to do so, but I just need to be sure that I have at least one day out of the week where I'm running outside. Also, I need to increase my incline to 1 on the treadmill. I'll give that a shot over the weekend.

Tuesday I needed to get in a run for the day, so I went between work and a program that I had to teach later that evening. I gave myself 30mins. to get in and out. Throughout the short amount of time I was in the gym, I was sweating like no other. Once I got back to work to change, I put my gym clothes in the car and left them in for 24 hours. My stinky, sweaty gym clothes had been sitting inside my car with temperatures in the high 90s to 100 degrees. Gross! When I went to teach my step and tone class Wednesday evening I couldn't find my gym clothes. I forgot they were in the car! When your at a weight that is unacceptable to you, you don't think about getting multiple pairs of really tight gym pants to workout in. You get one pair because you are tired of buying a size large and you are hoping that this will be the last time. Although, of course the smart thing to do is to at least buy two pairs so that you won't have to wear stinky, sweaty, day old gym pants to teach a class in. Long story short, I'm so glad that we only had 3 people in class and they were all able to spread out that way they could not smell me. I feel sorry for those who walked by me while I was on the treadmill rockin out to some Rob Base & DJ EZ "It Takes Two To Make a Thing Go Right."

Ok, I guess I should be getting back to work. Oh the life as an adult and being in a job that makes you think about all the possible ways of trying to get fired. Yep, that's my life as of now. Happy Happy Thursday!!

For real, thank you to those who are reading my blog.

Day ? It's been a while

Here lately my running has been off and on. However, I haven't given up on my goal to complete a half marathon by Oct. Right now I am still running but not at the miles I should be at by now. Oh well, what can you do? Jump back onto the wagon and stay focused. Since my last post, life has been challenging. Mentally my attitude and mood have been blah :( I'm not sure what's going on with me. Last Monday I had a mental break down all throughout the day and then when I went to teach my aerobic class, I came back a new woman. I went from gloomy to cheerful. I now know how important it is to have exercise in my life. The psychological effects of fitness can dramatically increase your mood and anxiety. I'm writing an article for work about the influence of exercise on our mental health. I am finding some facinating information that I can relate to.

Recently I've joined Weight Watchers and trying to stay motivated to lose weight. Journaling my food points is my biggest challenge. What is wrong with me? I know that when I journal I am definitely successful at the scale by the end of the week. I think I'm waiting for something to hit me in the head to help my motivation. Rather than looking into my closet to see all the wonderful and cute clothes that I can not fit into should be enough of a motivator, unfortunately it's not. All I have to do is journal. Physically I'm ready to lose weight, but mentally I'm not. Sometimes you have to be in the right state of mind, when will I ever get there? I really need to take the pressure off of myself and just take one day at a time. Right now I'm still frustrated in myself for gaining all of my weight that I had lost previously when I was a Weight Watchers member. My best friend told me that I can not live in the past or future, I have to live in the moment. I can't change the fact that I had gain the weight. What I have to do now is live in the moment. Take one day at a time and journal. Most importantly, I can not beat myself up for when life happens.

Alrighty, that's what's going on with me at the moment. I have a scheduled run to complete tonight and a meeting with one of my running club members. We will be running together for the first time tonight. I'm sure it will go well.

Happy Thursday!

Day 5,6,7

Ok, I've been really busy. Last week I ran on tues, wed, and on friday. Did not complete a long run over the weekend:( Oh well, life goes on. This week the goal is to run 2 miles on tues, wed, and thurs. I love having a set workout schedule but here lately it's been very sporadic. I think I'll go back to my original plan and run tues, wed, thurs. and a long run on sat. or sun. I'll give it a try and see what I can get done. The goal is to run 3 days during the week and a long run on the weekends. Now, with regards to P90X, I'm not sure if I can complete it in the next 3 months. Right now I have 2-3 aerobic classes I teach throughout the week. In July I'll have 4! Trying to find time to run, teach an effective aerobic class and complete P90X is a major challenge. I just need to see where I can fit P90X in to my schedule. I thought about completing a workout on the days that I don't have a class to teach. I'll figure something out.

Day 3 and 4

I haven't ran in a couple of days. I worked over the entire weekend and just felt exhausted! However, I did complete 2 P90X workouts and feel pretty good today. I am very proud of myself. Even though I didn't run on sunday, I ran three days out of the week last week. My running schedule is going to change some. Instead of running MWF and a long run on Sunday, I'm now running Mon., Wed., Thurs., with a long run on Saturdays. We'll see if this new schedule will work. The P90X workout I have on sundays, which is Plyometrics, will be too overwelming to complete with a long run. I'm still trying to figure out how to post my schedule on my blog. Anywho, I'll figure it out some day. I'm sure I'll post again this evening. I have a run and a P90X Shoulders & Arms workout to complete!

A little update

After I taught my class on Wednesday, I went to the park and ran a mile. That evening my BFF was coming into town so I decided to complete a P90X workout another day. Yesterday I was completely tired so I took the day off. I must say I was very sad to see my friend leave.

Today has been a rough day. I'm just so exhausted! I did however get up at 6am to run, good for me :)

While I'm at work I can't help but to think about what else is out there for me. There has to be something! I feel like no one is getting to see my full potential. When I do get a comment, I automatically think it's degrading rather than to see as something positive. It's so hard to explain it. Alrighty, enough with me being "Negative Nancy." I just wanted to post a little update and vent a little.

Day 2

I got home really late last night and completely forgot to post. Oops! Anywho, so I've started to do the P90X workout with some friends. They are super great! To be honest I was a little hesitant to workout with anyone. I've gained about 35lbs and having a hard time accepting my body for where it's at right now. I went through a couple of major depressions throughout the last couple of years and of course went to food for support. When your depressed you know that what your putting in your mouth isn't good for you but at that point it doesn't matter. Now, I've overcome my depression and really seeing my body for what it is. I can no longer be ashamed of the weight I gained, I can't take it back. It is very hard to accept a body that you feel isn't yours. (Just a little something I wanted to add)

Moving on, Monday night we did the Shoulders and Arms workout. OMG!! Yesterday I was super sore.....ouch!! Last night I completed the 90 minute Yoga X dvd. Yoga is by far the most challenging workout for me. I'm not very flexible at all!! After finishing the dvd I felt extremely relaxed not only in my body but in my mind as well.

Looking on to day 3: run 1.5 miles and teach a step and tone class.
( I need to complete P90X workout but my friend is coming into
town. Will complete the dvd on Thursday.)

If there is someone out there reading my blog, I hope you have a good Wednesday.

I really want these shorts!

My goal is to fit into them by the end of training.

Day 1

Today was not my first training day because I started running in the beginning of May. However, today is the first day I will start to blog about my half marathon training and will most likely put some personal stuff in there as well:)

Ok, this morning I woke up at 5:30 and then immediately hit the snooze button. I opened my eye's to peak out the window and to my surprise it was still dark! As soon as I new it was not light out yet, I didn't feel bad for hitting the most wonderful but yet most tempting button I have in my house. As soon as it was 6:00, I was then ready to get up and run. I put on my running gear and headed out on the road with 10 new songs on my ipod. I was pumped! I felt some rain drops and wondered if I should even go but then I had to ask myself, " What Would Deena Do or (WWDD)?" Deena, who is an Olympic medalist in marathon running, would take the risk and fight through the rain. So I did!! I was so happy that I just went for it because throughout the run I didn't even feel a drop.

I haven't ran in the morning for about 9 months. A friend of mine at work gets up every day at 5:30 and I always wonder how she does it. She gets up, has her "me" time and then gets her boys up and ready for daycare. Come 7:00 she is childless and on her way to Curves. I asked her if it was difficult to get into the routine of waking up so early. I am most definitely a morning person but I can get really tired if I haven't had enough sleep. She advised me that it will take a little time to get used to but once I start working out in the morning, I will have lots of energy throughout the day. I went for it. This will be my first week as a morning runner, how neat does that sound?

I've got to get ready for the real world. The adult world of working and paying bills, gross!! Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have post my running schedule.

If there is anyone out there reading my blog, I thank you and wish for you a Happy Monday!!