So You'd Think...

How long have you known me to talk about the Chicago Half Marathon? Months, right? I signed up for this thing in JANUARY for Pete's sake! This whole race season, all's I'm thinking about is Chicago...train for Lincoln, I'm thinking Chicago. Kearney half...Chicago. Now I that I SHOULD be in the middle of training for Chicago, meh, not so much.

WHY???????????????

Reasons? Nope, excuses. Distractions, a ton of 'em. Injuries, yep. Fat Connie, sitting right smack dab in the middle of my brain. Besides, this is my third half marathon this year, so I KNOW I can do it, right?

It's not like I'm NOT training...hell, I have ran a race all but two weekends since Kearney in June...(But I'm not sticking to a training regimen like I was for Lincoln in April.)

I also (recently) found something out for sure. Slower runners will get to finish and not be swept, or picked up by a bus. I've been toiling about that all year long.

So what's the difference? I know I have to push myself, but not as hard as I've been thinking to make the cut.

Do I still want to get better and run faster than when I started 2 years ago? Yes, so there should be NO reason to not want to keep pushing myself to be better. So here we are, back at square one, WANTING to keep pushing myself to be better. It's week 4 of training and I'm FINALLY pulling my training schedule out again and will continue to follow it until Chicago half finally comes.

I'm back in the game, distractions and all, and am DETERMINED to do my best with 20 thousand other runners on September 9th. BRING IT!

Four miler plus a Zumba class in 6 hours. Hard work, dedication!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Sheer Randomness

Hey there...Zumbarunner here. Yes, I know it's been a few weeks. I've been finding it difficult to blog lately for fear of having nothing at all interesting to say, or saying the wrong thing and pissing someone off. I have had too many "foot in mouth" moments lately, and have found it best just to shut up and go on my way.

Lately, though...I've been trying to find my voice again. Oh, it's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but a few things have happened this past few weeks that have allowed my voice to come back, if only as a whisper.

As I continue on my journey, I am reminded of so many great people who I encounter, throughout the days. These stories are soon to follow, but in the meantime, I encourage everyone to try to find your voice.

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

REDEEMED!

Have you ever worked hard at something only to have so many things go wrong, you didn't feel worthy of doing it in the first place? It can either be through work, through personal relationships, through sports...whatever.

I had that happen many times, but one thing that stands out is my performance at the Buffalo County Stampede last year. In case you're wondering, the Stampede is a half marathon (13.1 miles) that's been going here in Kearney for 6 years. So here's the deal.

Last year I started running (January 2011). I could barely make it a block let alone 13 miles. I started because someone (my physical therapist) 11 years ago told me I shouldn't. I had asked her if I'd ever be able to run again during pt from my car accident in which I broke my left collarbone and right ankle. She said no, don't even try. I thought that was a weird statement coming from a physical therapist, so I took it as a challenge...for 10 YEARS! Looking back, I think I can finally understand why she said that because I was heavier back then. Let me tell you, when you get into a car accident, have to move back home because of it, have your whole world flipped completely upside down, live with your folks because you can't drive, eat mom's delicious home cooking, and lead a sedentary life because of broken bones, the pounds pack on.

Ok, back to the point. This whole "challenge" thing had been sitting on the back burner of my brain for 10 years. Finally in January last year, I took that challenge head on. I had already started walking around the neighborhood for a few months previous, throwing in a block or two of running, but in January, I officially started.

It wasn't pretty, hell, it still isn't pretty...lol...but I joined the Y, and every week just started pushing myself to do a little bit more, then a little bit more. Four months later a friend of mine told me she'd run my first 2 mile race with me. A few days later I found one...Race For Grace in Grand Island, and held my friend to her promise. By the way, your welcome Stace, and thank you!

That race was totally tough, but I got officially hooked! Many of you might have seen my photo with the 10k sign which was also held at the same race. Little did I know that would be my next challenge just a month later. After doing a 10k here in Kearney, another one of my friends asked me if I was going to sign up for the Buffalo Co. Stampede in June and she was thinking about it. Was she crazy? Was I crazy? By this time I had done my first 10k, (6.2 miles), but had never thought i'd be able to go 13.1 miles. So I took it as a challenge. Thanks Cathy!

 With no formal training, I just started plugging away, adding more time and miles each week. Finally, here came the Buffalo County Stampede, and everything that could go wrong went wrong, right from the beginning. Mother nature, in her infinite wisdom, made sure I missed the gun time because of "bathroom necessities". Great, I started late...ok, so I didn't start with the pack. Oh, did I mention I'm a slow runner? So here I am running my own race, WAY behind the pack. Now, one of the main jobs for a runner is to know the route. Well, I knew for the most part...and I'm not proud of this, but I missed the turnaround at mile 7 by about a half mile after another "pit stop". By the time I figured out that I didn't see the 7 mile marker I was already a mile back. Let me tell you, running that far for ANY runner, experienced or not, is mostly mental preparedness. The last 6 miles was the toughest I'd ever experience mentally and emotionally. With each step I was beating myself up because I knew in my heart I wouldn't completely finish the race. I was sore, my big toe was hurting, my whole body was in pain, my mind was completely spent, I was done, but I DID cross the finish line in 4 hours, 4 minutes, and 10 seconds, and totally mortified.

FAST FORWARD TO BUFFALO COUNTY STAMPEDE 2012. Time for REDEMPTION! I was ready for today. I had NO "bathroom necessities" at the gun start, I was able to start with the pack, I felt good. Now I'm not the fastest runner, and everyone knows it. Regardless, I kept running. I saw everyone separate from me, but it was ok. I run my own race at every single race. I kept plugging away, listening to my tunes, watching the various wildlife run around, every once in a while chanting my "NO MIND" mantra in my head, continuing to focus on the run. I tried to encourage anyone I met on the way back, I saw some friends along the way, but was DETERMINED to get to mile 7, and BY GOD I DID! I even high fived the sign, asked the volunteers if I officially made the turnaround, and when they said yes, I was ECSTATIC! Just KNOWING I made the turnaround was the BEST feeling, but I also knew I wasn't done, not by a long shot!

I still had 6 miles left to go. Although emotionally I felt good, it's still a mental challenge to get to the finish. I thought for the first half of the race I was last, but that changed when the last person passed me, the mental part took over again, but I was determined to not let it get to me. Fast forward to the last couple miles of the race, I tried as hard as I could to pick up the pace, but I was developing a callous, my back was hurting, and was finding it hard to focus. There was no way I was going to hit my goal time of 3:45. Finally, at the last half mile of the race, I was met by a few Kearney Runners (tremendously faster and better than me, we're talking Boston Marathoner better) encouraging me to pick up the pace and finish strong, and it helped!  THANKS GUYS! I finished in 3:57:31 and PROUDLY received my finisher's medal! REDEMPTION SERVED! 5.5 minutes faster than last year, 55 seconds faster than Lincoln, and finally a sense of COMPLETION!

Now on to Chicago in September, with a few 5k's, 10k's and intense training thrown in the mix!

Redemption feels GREAT!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

The Buck Stops Here

This installment has been a long time coming; three weeks in fact. In that amount of time I ran my first of three half marathons for the year (Lincoln), put in tons of hours at work immediately following that weekend, and, to put it bluntly, I lost my motivation and focus.

The excuses? There's plenty. The reasons? Are there really any reasons? Not really. It's becoming increasingly difficult for me to figure out the difference between reason and excuse. I can blame sheer exhaustion for a lot of my lack of motivation and focus, but in the end, it comes down to me.

This lack of motivation and focus has led to poor judgement, as it usually does with everybody. I was (and still am) on the quest for the perfect bavarian filled chocolate bismarck. I've been eating TONS of junk food and fast food, and spent way too much money while doing it; $35 in the past 2 weeks alone, and gained a few pounds in the process. I knew that was wrong, but I continued to do it, and in the process, Fat Connie crept from the back of my mind to the front of my mind.

So? Here's what's "So". The Buck Stops Here. I can CHANGE this and turn it into a POSITIVE.

I'm human. I should be allowed to make mistakes and fall off the wagon, but if I continue to do that, I'll let Fat Connie win the war. That's NOT about to happen. This lack of motivation and focus has also spurred me to get BACK on the wagon. During this past week I have started running and tracking my food intake again, and am focusing on my next half marathon (Buffalo County Stampede) on June 10th.

Today I watched the French Open first round match between #111 world ranked Virginnie Serrano and #5 world ranked Serena Williams. As you can imagine, Serena was easily favored to win, with 5 unbeaten records leading into the match, including the most consecutive first round wins (46). Both women struggled during the whole match, and Serena should have even won in the second set, being ahead 5-1. You could even see the emotion in Serena's face during her struggle to maintain the edge and was hard to watch. During the THREE HOUR match, Virginnie cramped, even lost points due to shouting during 3rd set but she was scrappy and pulled off the upset over Serena.

Relevance to "The Buck Stops Here?" There's tons of it. I'm a huge fan of the Williams sisters, but no matter what the fight, either big like defeating someone like Serena Williams or small like overcoming the urge to splurge on crappy food, if you can overcome the battle you can win the fight to continue to do your best to improve.  To me that's a fighter, that's what being an underdog is all about; that's a true champion.

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Lincoln Half Marathon...D-U-N...DONE!

Lincoln Half Marathon...What can I say about it that it was SUCH a blast! The atmosphere was simply AMAZING! I got a high five from ELVIS, there were students playing the Japanese Katanya drums, some random guy playing his drum set in the back of his pickup, gave tons of kids high fives, a praise band along the way...

Our bibs also were personalized  with our names on the front, so I would occassionly hear "hey Connie, great job!". I also got a couple folks asking me if I was reppin Team Lizzie and thought it was cool I was, and I kept talking to spectators and volunteers along the route.

I even got to talk to Ben Davis this weekend, he actually saw me and recognized first! WOOT!

What an absolutely spectaculate experience!

Now, I need to crash...

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or walking it, I'll cross the finish line!

Nervous? Who Me? Pshhh...Whatevs...OK, Maybe A Little

Yes, I know I should be sleeping. That's not the point, well, maybe it is.

In less than 36 hours I'll be hitting the streets of Lincoln for my first half marathon of the year, also my first Lincoln Half Marathon of my running career. I have heard many FABULOUS things about this run, so I figured this year, what the hell...

This is also the first race I've ever TRAINED for. When I did Buffalo County Stampede last year, it was only because a friend asked me if I was going to do it because she was planning on it. I took that as a challenge, and said OK. I think that was in about May, and the longest I had run was a 10k (6.2 miles). Last year was my first year actually RUNNING (EVER, like in my LIFE), and so I just pushed myself to run an extra mile each week leading up to the race in June. Let's just say that last year's half mile was BRUTAL, but I finished. It did take a toll on me, however...mentally, physically and emotionally, probably because I hadn't trained like I should have.

Lincoln is first out of three half marathons for me, next one is Buffalo County Stampede in June, and the third is Chicago half marathon in September. Unfortunately, and I'll admit it, I have been focusing MORE on Chicago than I have on Lincoln.

Fast forward to this year, and did everything I was supposed to do. I followed a plan, I added workouts, I sacrificed workouts (sorry Zumba...I WILL RETURN!), I (sort of) watched what I ate, until boom, a calf injury forces me to end my training two weeks early. This may be a blessing in disguise though, because it's forcing me to actually THINK about the race.

So here's where things get interesting. It's been said if you can run 10, you can run 13.1.  My longest run has been 8 miles THREE WEEKS PRIOR to race day (13.1). I have a (minor) calf injury, requiring me to get a calf wrap to support my right calf muscle while running. I've worn this twice, both times running very MINIMAL miles. Is my injury just a mental test to see if I have what it takes to run this whole race? Am I too afraid of what MIGHT happen that is making the annoyance of the injury stay there and lurk about when I run on Sunday? There's 10 THOUSAND people running on Sunday. Will I still be the last one in out of 10,000, or will I represent my bib number (9779) and be 221 away from being the last one to cross? Have I focused too much on Chicago that I've completely just let Lincoln fly under the radar? Finally, will I be able to cross in under 4 hours and 4 minutes (last year's hm time)?

These are all issues that, if I ALLOW myself, are making me a bit nervous about Sunday. The thing is, I'm hoping that all my training has made me strong enough to bypass most of these issues.

While training, I made a conscious effort to (try to) free my mind of any obstacle. Most of the time I was successful. There's a line in one of my favorite movies, The Last Samurai, where Tom Cruise's character is stuck in a remote village as a prisoner, and against his captors' wishes, starts training as a Samurai fighter. While being repeatedly defeated, one villager comes up to him and reminds him that he has too much on his mind. He's minding this, minding that, minding people watching. "NO MIND". He clears his thoughts and comes to a draw with the warrior he's been challenging.

"NO MIND".

That's how I hope to beat the nerves on Sunday.

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

In The Land Of Uh-Oh

This week, we head to the Land of Uh-Oh, as I start week two of nursing a sore calf muscle. Yes, it's back. The tweeked rat bastard charley horse of a calf muscle made itself known again during my somewhat futile attempt to run a 5 miler today at the Y.

What started off as a simple (yet mildly painful) annoyance during last Tuesday's 5 miler turned into my taking last week off from training so it could heal. My end of the week attempt at Zumba didn't even make it feel bad, so I thought I was set.

NOT SO FAST THERE SISTA!

Today I went back to the Y to do my first 5 miler in a week. It started out fine, but within the first mile, I started noticing the muscle. Ok, nothing hurting, no problem. Within mile 2, muscle started making itself noticeable just a little more, but not hurting. I stretched a bit, walked a bit, and the noticeable muscle starting working its way across to the mid calf area. DAMN!

OK, tonight, there's a bit of pain. So here we are in the Land of Uh-Oh, because it's the week of my final long run (10 miles) on Friday before next week's 13.1 at the Lincoln Half Marathon. 

 Am I being paranoid? Am I letting the FEAR of my injury cause me NOT to finish my training leading up to Lincoln? They say if you can run 10 you can run 13.1. I already know I can run 12, because that's how much of Buffalo County Stampede I ran LAST year. This year the farthest I've run at one setting is 8 miles. CRAP!

So for now, I'm wallowing in the Land of Uh-Oh, back on the couch, and back to the food. That's a whole nother story.

The land of uh oh is NOT a place I want to be so close to the race. Last year I pushed myself from barely able to run 1 mile in January, to running 12 out of 13 miles during the Buffalo County Stampede in June. This year, I'm actually training and am sidelined the last two weeks? WAY UNCOOL, MAN!

I'm hoping this Land of Uh-Oh turns out to be just a layover, as it were. Regardless, though, I'm bound and determined to use this as a catalyst for Lincoln next Sunday.

ZUMBARUNNER SHALL PREVAIL!

In the meantime...UH-0H!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

WOW!

Wow...what a week so far, huh? Another weightloss goal met, being featured in a blog on a newly launched website? I really don't know what to say!

I started this journey and STILL am doing this journey for MYSELF; that will never change. Before my journey began, I didn't give a DAMN about myself or my health. I have NEVER imagined myself EVER being an inspiration to anyone in any thing I have ever done in my life, but being an inspiration to others is very overwhelming, rewarding and humbling. 

What inspires me? YOU do. Everyone who has ever supported me throughout my journey; everyone who's ever told me to keep up the good work;  everyone who has ever had to (and still HAS to) remind me about the accomplishments I have achieved; everyone in my Zumba classes, bodypump, spinning, bootcamps, YMCA programs, fellow runners, fellow walkers, friends, family, race directors, race volunteers...and haters. YOU all inspire me to keep on keeping on.

 I might could be able to do this by myself, but it would be an awfully lonely road to travel. So from the top of my head to the bottom of my incredibly broken down running sneeks, I thank each and every one of you. You keep inspiring me, and I'll keep inspiring you...deal?

Thank you all!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

From Heavyweight To Middleweight

On Thursday, June 2nd, 2011, I started my blog about my weightloss journey double milestone from the suggestion of my great friend and Zumba instructor, Sanae Shea. The double milestone was losing 100 pounds in six years, and losing 50 pounds in one year. Both happened on June 2nd, 2011.

This is how I started my blog.

 It's finally happened! I've lost 100 pounds! Sure, it took me six years to do it, but it's done! Even if today's the only day the scale hits this number, 178, it's a great day!

Today, April 15, 2012, I enter another milestone in my weightloss journey...

It's official! I've lost 110 pounds! Sure it took me SEVEN years to do it, but it's done! Even if today's the only day the scale hits this number, 168, it's a great day!

It has taken lots of dedication, hard work, sweat, and a permanent lifestyle change on my part to get to where I am. It's also taken lots of patience, encouragement, belief, and some tough love from EVERY ONE of my supporters to help me get to where I am today. I know it's been difficult, because those who really know me know that I am the LAST person to believe in MYSELF. I still can't seem to do it most of the time even though I know I should, and everyone else believes in me.

Last year after my initial weightloss, my doctor suggested I try to maintain the same weight for a year. A year! PSHHHHHHH...WHATEVER! A year is a long time. I didn't want to wait a whole year, I wanted to lose that next 28 pounds with such a quickness! I wanted to shed down to 150 so fast I couldn't stand it, and I'm STILL in that mindset.

 Well, much to my chagrin, and much to my surprise, I maintained for the next year. I do have to say though, hitting the plateau and staying there REALLY DOES SUCK! I gained six pounds over Christmas, and it took me at least 2 months to get back to where I was BEFORE Christmas...UGH! I'm addicted to that damn bathroom scale, and it's a DEFINITE LOVE/HATE relationship. I'm below that now, and it's AMAZING! That's one of the reasons why I'm rejoicing so much about losing another 10 pounds. 10 pounds...big, fat, hairy deal! UM...HEll YEAH...BIG, FAT, HAIRY DEAL!

There's a double meaning to the title of today's blog. The first one is logical...lose a hundred pounds, you're no longer considered a heavyweight...ha ha.

Here's the second meaning. Take my last name...WEIGHT. Like any other last name in the universe, there's tons (ha ha) of ways to spell last names, so nobody ever gets it right. "How do you spell that?" W-E-I-G-H-T..."wait...spell that again?"...sigh. Just like weight...you know, weight (show the weightlifting gesture)...JUST LIKE HEAVY.

JUST LIKE HEAVY...

My dad ALWAYS says this when asked to spell our last name. Just like "heavyweight". Sorry dad, I love you, but I was NEVER comfortable in describing it like that, so I'm trying to say just like "lightweight", though I sometimes do use just like "heavyweight" probably because I'm so used to hearing it and not being used to saying "middleweight" or "lightweight".

I know I still have a long ways to go before I meet my 2nd milestone of hitting 150. I know it will probably take another long time to reach it. I hope not, but if it's meant to happen, it's meant to happen.

Thanks again to all my supporters. I'm truly blessed to have you all in my corner. Thanks to all my haters as well, because y'all push me even harder to keep my healthy lifestyle in check and keep moving forward on my journey.

As for now, I'm perfectly comfortable with going from heavyweight to middleweight.

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Accomplishments

Today I achieved a milestone since starting my running journey. I completed the 10k course at Race For Grace in Grand Island. My performance wasn't pretty by any means, but I finished, nonetheless.

As some of you may know, I started officially running in January of 2011. It was hard, because I have never really done anything physical throughout most of my life, except starting Zumba in February 2010.

When I started running last year, I could barely run a block without having to walk MOST of the time, but I kept plugging away...SLOWLY. As I kept going, I started wondering if I could ever run any races, so, to keep me encouraged, one of my good friends told me if I found a race I wanted to do, she'd run it with me. A few days later, I found a two mile Race For Grace and took my friend up on her challenge. 

So last year's Race For Grace came. The nerves were flowing, I had to wear my walking sneeks because I didn't like my running shoes and had to return them. I was there with my friend and her friend. The scene was a whole new thing for me to drink in...ALL THOSE PEOPLE! More than 600 people signed up for last year's 2 mile and 10k. I didn't know what to expect. When the race started, my shoelaces were loose, I didn't have my music ready, it was foggy and misty,  could barely keep up with my friends, and kept apologizing to them that I wasn't keeping up or couldn't keep up the conversation.

The map showed a short loop we had to take twice to finish 2 miles. That loop is WAY longer when you run it, but I finished strong with a kick in the end to one of our Zumba songs, Proud Mary by Tina Turner. I was hooked! The feeling of the atmosphere is so great, like being on stage and getting applause. I did 13 more races throughout the 2011 season.

Last year, after the race, my girlfriend took a picture of me next to the 10k sign looking forward to next year's race.

Fast forward to next year's race, which was today. I was bound and determined to do the 10k this year. This race, after all, was where it all began for me. I am now able to run farther and go longer. Every race is different, however. You learn something new every time you put your shoes on before a race. Today I learned that NO MATTER what you struggle through to get to the end, the important thing is to FINISH! I struggled through the whole thing, yet I finished strong, with the last two songs "Champ of the World" by Nelly, and "I Know U Want" me by Pitbull...one of our Zumba classics.

I was last again today by a long margin. I didn't set a personal best time AT ALL, but in the grand scheme of things, my personal best wasn't about time. It was to pay tribute to my first race and to honor those suffering from cancer.

Today was definitely an accomplishment for me. PR or no PR...I'll take it!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day...Thirty something...Seeing Improvements

I'm seeing improvements!

Today, March 31 2012, I ran the Diva Dusk Run 10k, benefiting the Crohn's and Colitis foundation. These past couple weeks have been a struggle for me during training for Lincoln, which is why I haven't been posting much.

Today, March 31 2012, I'm seeing improvements despite my having a tough time dealing with my struggles during training. Today, I ran my personal best EVER!

1:41:30. That's over a minute shorter than my last 10k last November in North Platte (1:43:43...September, 2011).

I'll take it!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it...I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day...thirty something...Habits

A couple old pre-training habits (hell, pre-weightloss) came back to haunt me this weekend, but today starts a new week.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day...Holy Crap...38, Really? Changing Tactics

Am I REALLY halfway through training for Lincoln? I totally have lost count...I hope that's not bad karma. I also hope it's not bad karma to think more about a race 6 months away than focusing on the one in five weeks.  Wait, WHAT? FIVE WEEKS? Holy Crap, REALLY?

The good news is that I'm FINALLY starting to take people's advice. Yes, it's taken a year to heed advice about how to get faster. Probably the biggest reason I haven't is it's out of my comfort zone, but that's how you get better, is step OUTSIDE your comfort zone.

I did that last Tuesday when I willingly did a hill killer run. Today at the Y, I started doing some running intervals on the track. I about killed myself off, but I did them.

So for those of you who I HAVEN'T been listening to, I'm sorry. You know how it sometimes takes me a million years to finally get it through my thick head, but finally, I'm doing it.

 I found an old fortune today that read "it's time to start something new". Well, here we go..that starts today (March 21st). It's time to actually raise the bar, find my real focus and challenge myself in a new way with intervals, hill killers, and yes, DREADMILL training.

It's time to change tactics. Lincoln, here I come!

Today's training...4 mile run.

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day Something...Life Lessons

Here's a word to the wise...

Pizza is NOT considered a "fuel" food before exercising...ESPECIALLY if consumed in mass amounts just an hour before working out. I'm just sayin'. UGH! WHO HID MY NEXIUM??:(

I'm hoping for better luck tomorrow:)

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day Something...I Forget...First 2012 Race

Part of my training for Lincoln Half Marathon is increasing mileage at the end of each week. This week and the next few increases from 6 miles. What better way to do that than starting my 2012 race year with a bang...literally!

It was a "gun" start at today's inaugural Shamrock Shuffle here in K'town. The race was a fundraiser for Make A Wish foundation, in which a local teen was given his "Wish" at the end of the race.

More than 500 people joined in to either walk or run a joint 5k or 10k race. It's March. It's SUPPOSED to be WINTER! Kearney is in the middle of the country, NOT tropical like say Florida. We're actually SUPPOSED to have four seasons. Today the highs were in the 80's and sustained winds at about 25mph. That's a little warmish, even for the "seasoned" runners.

I did the 10k, and let me tell you, I was totally jello by the end of the race. Take the above mentioned weather conditions, throw in REPETITIVE HILL KILLERS (UGH), about half the course, and you've got yourself some jello legs. I finished the race, grateful for the opportunity, and ready to move on to my next 10k in two weeks.

Overall, it was a great day! I finished the race, I found what I have to change in my training plans, and we all helped a great organization help another youth see his dreams come true. Thanks to YMCA and New West for making this happen!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 20-something...10k's

Just a tad nervous about my first 10k today. That course looks soooooo looooonnnngggg...

It's my first race of the year, and part of my half marathon training. I'm also looking to beat my 10k time from last September.

Piece of cake, piece of pie:)

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 25-ish...R-N-R

Did a 4 mile street run today, followed by a relaxing trip home to see the folks. Great weekend! Back at it tomorrow!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 24...Reminders

Reminders...we all need them.

I need to remind myself almost every day to do a many things. We may not like the reminders we're faced with, but mostly they're good to have. It was the kindness of my next door neighbor leaving a plate of cupcakes on my doorstep to remind me how neighbors are supposed to act.

It's especially true with my journey. I spend so much time getting caught up in how I used to be, that I don't see how far I've come in a short period of time. It takes reminders from others, my support system, to make me realize it.

Reminders are important...just as long as we learn from them. It's a daily struggle, but I'm up to the challenge.

Training day 24 on 3/7/12...3.5 mile run today after not exercising for 4 days. My legs hurt, but it's all good.:)

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 19-ish...UGH...THE DREADMILL!

Today was a 5 miler long run day. I started on the track and finished on the dreadmill...UGH...the dreadmill. 

 I'm NOT  a fan of the dreadmill. In fact, I panic somewhat when I'm on the dreadmill. I know it's a mindset. I know it's my fear that's keeping me from tackling it. When I ran on the dreadmill today, I stayed at a slower and consistant pace, but just knowing that I FINISHED on the dreadmill is a step in the right direction. 

I'll take it!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 17-ish...A Good Run

Today I had a good run.

I actually completed my full 3.5 mile training run in one shot. That's maybe the 2nd time since training actually started that it's actually happened. Ok, so I did stop for about a minute to take a drink and fix my phone, but still, I didn't get too distracted or frustrated to stop altogether. That's a bonus. I think I'm back to my regular run time too! DOUBLE BONUS!

Overall, I think I'll take it! Many more to come!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 16-ish...Completion, But Not The End

Tonight (2/28/12) was the last night of Resolution Solution. We spent 8 weeks trying to achieve our own personal New Year's resolution goals including nutrition, running, changing up workouts...stuff like that. I chose nutrition.

Each week featured a speaker of some sorts and a mini boot camp type of exercise regimen. I have to say, the trainers at the Y love to kick our yasses, but it's all good:) Along with this is the fitness assessment...groan. Five different exercises...planks, wall-sits, situps, pushups, and, everyone's favorite...12 minute dreadmill run all waited for us in the second week of class, most of which was timed...even better. These are all to measure our cardio endurance, muscular strength, and core strength.

First time out pushups-23, wall sit-51 seconds, plank 40 seconds, and 12 minute run-a penguin worthy .81 mile with the last 2 minutes at a "speedy" 4.7mph. Oh, by the way, I'm unable to do situps because of an injury...I'm really crushed by that...really.

Fast forward through 6 more weeks of extra yass-crack-of-dawn boot camp sessions and cross training during class time, and we're down to our final fitness assessment. This one is to see how much stronger we've become thanks to the Y's trainers yass kicking;).

Last time out, pushups-40, wall sit-1 min/30 sec, plank-1 minute and 12 minute run-a penguin worthy .83 miles which was disappointing, but good as well. This time around, I was able to get 4.7mph for 4-ish minutes instead of 2.:) Will I be able to sustain that for longer? Time will tell! Did I want to get up to 5mph? You bet! Will I be able to do that by Chicago in September? Who knows...

If some of you read this and say OMG...ONLY THAT FAR, or THAT SLOW? That's ok, because I say that too. I am also reminded (because I can never seem to do it for myself) of how far I've come in the past two years. I've met my goal weight, I'm working on losing more, I'm running, I'm training for 3 half marathons, I've beat Chronic Anemia since childhood, my blood pressure is down, my BMI is dropping (trust me, that's a good thing...only 5 more pounds!), I look better, and I feel a HELL of a lot better than I ever have!

The end of Resolution Solution closes another chapter on my way to maintaining my current lifestyle, but half marathon training continues, I still have Zumba, I look forward to spin classes, and welcome many more fitness (work out) challenges that await me.

This may be a completion, but it's NOT the end!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 15-ish...I'm Spinning!

I'm spinning!

No, (sadly) I didn't consume too much vodka, this is a productive type of spinning.

I added a (cycle) spin class to my training regimen today (Monday, 2/27/12). Rumor has it that it's supposed to help get my legs stronger so the synapses do something or other....anyway, it's supposed to help me increase my speed when I run.

BONUS!

Perhaps now would PROBABLY be a good time to add every other speed training regimen that everyone's been suggesting I do for the past year like adding strength training, sprints, and hill training...sigh...

Anyway, spinning, not so bad...although (ahem), the soreness can leave already! Can we say PADDED SEATS? HELLO!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 12...Closing Time

I went to the Y tonight to finish today's training, and closed the place down. Evidently they close the place down early on Friday nights. Who knew? Ha!

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or rinning it, I'll cross the.finish line!

Training Day 11...Rest Day

Rest day today for two reasons. First, my training schedule is changed up because of my work schedule, so my long run is Friday. 

Secondly, my crosstraining coach kicked our butts yesterday!  OUCHIEMONGA! I'm SORE ALL OVER!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running.it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 10...Hitting It Hard

I'm hitting it hard.

Today I did the gamut...45 minute cross training at 5:45am, 5k immediately after, 1/2 hour zumba (two hours later), and a 1 mile walk around the neighborhood this evening.

I'm already sore from cross training...tomorrow should be interesting. I'm also modifying my training schedule to better suit my work schedule...that should be interesting too, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?

I have made it through day 1 of no snoozing my alarm clock...39 days to go. I might even add no more ice cream to that "lent list".

I want ice cream!:(

Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training...Day 9...My First Mistake

My first mistake was ignoring my alarm clock...SNOOZE-A-HOLIC, RIGHT HERE! The rest of the day, well you can only guess. No exercise, crappy food intake, but silver lining, mom' s sore hip, bursitis only.

I think I just found my lent challenge. No more snooze button.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training Day 6...Less Than Stellar

Ok...so my 4 mile run to end week one half marathon training was less than stellar, but done, nonetheless. Let me just say I'm transfixed on my time, and am quite un-impressed to say the least.

When I looked at my stupid, cheap pedo watch, I was stunned to see my time and distance, and got discouraged early in my run. I get discouraged, and distracted...VERY easily.

As much as I think of myself as a positive person, I always seem to focus on the negative. Thanks to one of my new Y friends to help me forget about my "negative" run, and focus on things like my weightloss up until now...the fact that I can run further now than I could when I started running last year...the fact that I am healthier now than I ever have been.

And my own personal thought to take away from today...it's the first time I actually FINISHED a training regimen througout the whole first week of training.

Tomorrow is a much needed rest day after today. It will give me time to focus and reflect on today...and look forward to the next 11 weeks of training both my body AND my mind to be tough as nails, and not let ME beat MYSELF when I run in Lincoln in May.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training...unexpected triumphs!

Friday February 17th, was supposed to be my rest day for the week. Instead, I traded with Thursday because of an early work day.

So today I got most of my run in, and half of my Zumba in, and proceeded to go about my usual day...until I got my mail. In it was a letter from my doctor telling me that I'm NOT anemic, and my cholesterol was in good shape. Add this to the fact that my blood pressure is lower than it ever has been, and you can call me a very happy chica!

I have NEVER cared about my health, but even I can rejoice about this!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Training...day 3

Well, it started good...got my cross training in for the week. I think I ate more protein today than the past two days, and it ended with ice cream! Now if that's not a good training day...:)

Zumbarinner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

And So It Begins...

Half marathon training starts this week...I really hope tomorrow goes better.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Bitterly Cold But Worth It

This morning, eight runners from Kearney braved the bitterly cold temps to venture a mile on the trails while running in memory of Sherry Arnold. Specialized bibs were even made to commemorate the run. 


You might think that a mile isn't much, but with air temps at -2, and wind chills at -20, a mile is long enough! 


Some runners also (wisely) opting to run inside on their own schedule, ran (with) us as well.


Obviously, the distance is NOT the important thing. What's important is a solidarity of runners; whether seasoned or novice, fast or slow, friends, acquaintances and strangers, banded together to remember one of our own...a runner...who was taken too soon in a senseless act of violence.


This may not have been a race today, but I'm counting this as run number 1 out of (hopefully) 15 for the year.


R.I.P. Sherry Arnold! 


Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

A Great Start

This weekend, I'll start my 12 week Lincoln half marathon training on the right foot. I'll be running for a good cause. Last month, Sherry Arnold, a teacher (and avid runner) from Montana was killed while on a run before school. One of the two men arrested confessed to the crime. The link to the story is posted below.


As a result of this tragic event, Sherry Arnold's niece promoted a virtual run; encouraging runners all over the country to run in Sherry's honor. Tomorrow morning, a bunch of runners from Kearney are doing just that. To me, this is a great way to not only remember Sherry, but promote safety for everyone.


Shut Up + Run: Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold- February 11, 2012


Here's to you, Sherry. Rest In Peace!


Zumbarunner....whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

So Close!

I missed winning a free personal training session by 10 minutes.

Sleep

Why is it every time I promise myself I'll go to bed right when I get home from work I end up forcing myself to stay awake?

P.S. Zumbarunner's back, folks!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line1

Focus

This whole week I've been unable to focus on my journey. Sure, I've been working out every day this week, but have been getting to workouts late, skipping, or stopping early.


Maybe it's because I need rest. Maybe it's because I'm fighting an injury. Either way, next week will be better. 


Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Pushing Limits

Today's Resolution Solution class was all about fitness assessments. Some I couldn't do, some I could. This included running on the treadmill for 12 minutes. I started @ 3 mph, bumping up mph every couple minutes or so. My ending speed was 4.8. That's the fastest I've ever ran. When I got done I felt like I could barely breathe, but I did, and ran .80 miles. I also did planks for 30 seconds, and wall sit for 51 seconds. I also found out my bmi, which I'm not divulging. I will say it's much better than it would have been six years ago...hell, even two years ago.

All total, i did two Zumba classes, fitness assessment, and a two mile run in 32.3 minutes.

Bring on the first half marathon training!

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!

Powering Down

Sometimes there's just so much in our lives that we just have to disconnect for a while. Don't worry, it's just to recharge.

Powering down.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line.

Choose Wisely

Sometimes it's really hard to know exactly what path to take.

Choose wisely.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line.

Down time

Early to bed for some much needed down time. See y'all on the flipside.

Zumbarunner...whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!