First Race of 2012!

For the most part, I have gotten out of my funk.  I went on a couple runs last week and had my first race this past weekend.  Between friends and their amazing words of encouragement (including a quasi freak out with Megan via gchat), a couple short runs last week, and the Color Run on Saturday (in the rain - FYI, it doesn't rain in Arizona), I feel a lot better about getting myself motivated.

So.  Saturday was the Color Run, "The Happiest 5k on the Planet" and it was a blast!  It was pouring rain and cold (it doesn't rain in Arizona), but such a good time.  I half walked/half jogged (it was so freaking packed, I really couldn't run/jog much more because of the amount of people in the way).  Considering I've been struggling, I am very happy with my time (that, and parts of the course were flooded out, so I was running in shin deep water - did I mention it isn't supposed to rain in Arizona???).  

The Color Run, January 26, 2013: 44:18 (average pace 13:53).  

Post Color Run, I went for a massage yesterday to have Jason work on my aching calves and shins.  Tonight after work, I hit the pavement again with clean, not soaking running shoes (PS - it's STILL raining!!!) 

Next Monday, I (full blown) start my training plan.  For now, I continue my runs to build a base.  I am feeling much better than last week about training for the NWM DC in April!  Bring it on!  

Baby, It's Cold Outside/Hello, Texas!/I've Been Slacking

Sooo, I skipped my weigh-in last week (January 15).  I've been slacking lately, which is not good at all.  Last week, it was the coldest weather I think Arizona has seen in quite awhile.  I know all the East Coast people I know will say that 45 degree highs and 22 degree lows really isn't that cold, but for an Arizonan (particularly in the Phoenix area), that's almost an unbelievable weather forecast.  I'm honestly surprised that schools and state government didn't shut down.  Just kidding, but seriously...

So I didn't run.  For a 6 day stretch during that weather time.  Which wasn't good.  I need to be running.  And after the weather got better, I left for Texas.  I packed running gear for my trip, and while in Texas, my excuse became, "well, I'm not getting any sleep, so I won't be able to run."  So I didn't run while in Texas for 5 days.

It's been about 2 weeks since my last run.  And I feel crappy about that.  Actually, it scares the crap out of me.  I have so much training to do, and such a short amount of time to do it in.  I feel like I have been making excuses, and I am not sure how to get out of that terrible habit.  I need to just force myself to get out and do it, but can't seem to convince myself of that.

Basically, I'm feeling crappy.  The only thing I'm not feeling crappy about is my weigh-in this week.  I only gained .3 pounds (January 22 Weigh-In: 188.4).  I've stayed relatively active this week, just not doing great with the running.  Time to change that -- I am running tonight.  I need to for many reasons.  For me...for my race this weekend...to not feel like I am failing this endeavor.  I don't want this to be a "I was really gung-ho about this for a few weeks, then I gave up" situation.  I refuse to have it be like that.

So send me words of encouragement.  Shoot me a text and tell me to get my butt to the gym and run.  I would definitely appreciate it!

First Weekly Weigh-In, First Week Training

Thursday of my first week of training.  Things are going pretty good.  Just a few quick updates:

--First weekly weigh-in was Tuesday, and the scale showed what I hoped it would...I lost 3.5 pounds.  Yes - I attribute most of this to water weight, but I'll take what I can get.  January 7 Weigh-In: 188.1 (3.5 pounds down)

--Monday: Bootcamp. Was. Brutal. Like seriously...brutal.  I am still sore today.  But regrettably, I found out that Monday was my last day of Bootcamp for awhile.  I am having shoulder issues, and until my doctor's have figured out what the issue is, I am not to do strenuous exercises with my arms/shoulders.  Unfortunately, this messes up my training plan a little, but nothing that can't be fixed.  I am going to sub in some bicycle cross training and potentially yoga (although that requires some shoulder usage...we'll see how it goes).

--Tuesday: 2 mile run.  Traffic was terrible on the way home Tuesday, which put me in an incredibly frustrated mood.  In turn though, I ran pretty well.  I felt great doing it, and it really helped me focus my anger and frustrations into something.  Very productive run (although in the dark, which I don't like.  Took my taser with me...a girl's gotta be safe!)

--Wednesday: Rest Day.  I should have done some cross training, but my legs were still killing me, so I decided to listen to my body and take it easy with some compression calf sleeves and a West Wing marathon.  I think I made a good choice.

--On schedule tonight: 2 mile run and some cycling.  Then some Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.  It's going to be a good night.

Any suggestions on additional cross training in lieu of missing Bootcamp, send 'em my way!

First Run of 2013

On Saturday, I did my first run/jog of 2013.  I only ran 2 miles (I mostly went to test out some new gear).  It was a pretty good run.  I was very proud of myself for only stopping to walk for about 2 minutes during the whole time.   Halfway through, I wanted to quit - but I started internally chanting, "Tiffany's necklace...Tiffany's necklace," and it helped me persevere (Did I mention at the end of my half marathon I get a Tiffany's necklace?  Right?!  Super awesome motivator!).

Today, January 7, marks the first day of my 12 week training program!  Tonight is stretch and strengthen, so that means....BOOTCAMP!  I haven't been in a few weeks, so I'm sure it is going to be brutal!  As much as I'm looking forward to it, I am also not looking forward to the pain I know I will be feeling in the morning.  But that's ok - I just need to remind myself, "Tiffany's necklace..."

Impact Fit Group

I do my Bootcamp exercises with Steve Fischkin and crew at Impact Bootcamp in Chandler.  I love Bootcamp and the way it makes me feel (even though most days it takes an act of God for me to actually get there).  Once in the atmosphere, I always have a great workout.  

Last night, I attended "Impact Fit Group", a new group through Bootcamp to help with accountability, nutrition and support.  It was a great class!  We took weight/body fat percentages, made goals for the new year and talked about our biggest struggles.  It was a great support group, and I look forward to attending every month.  

I have updated my blog pages to include my 2013 Fitness Goals and my 2013 weigh-ins.  

Hoping to get my first run of 2013 in tonight (even before full blown half-marathon training kicks in next Monday).  Wish me luck!  

New Year...New and Improved Trista (complete with the same old pearls)

I stepped on the scale this morning, and it read a depressing 191.6 pounds.  Personally, I don't think I look like I weigh 191 pounds, or feel like I weigh 191 pounds.  But the truth was staring at me from the digital screen of my Weight Watchers scale...191.6 pounds.

I could care less what the scale actually reads.  My entire life I have had hips, a big chest and butt.  This is something I have completely come to embrace about myself.  I am NEVER going to be a size 2 or 4 skinny mini.  I'm built bigger, and honestly, I like food (especially the homemade Mexican food I get from my dad's side of the family).  But what with many illnesses that run in the family, I do want to be healthier.  I'd rather work on this now than when I'm 40 and it's much more difficult.  

So it's January 1, Day 1 of my new lifestyle changes.  I am going to continue Bootcamp three times a week.  It is such a hardcore workout activity, but I love the way I feel after.  I am going to re-vamp my running -- I have my first half marathon in April in DC (NWMDC April 28th), among other runs for which I'm already registered.  I am also going to put better food into my body (I love eating healthy, but I have realized it is incredibly HARD being as busy as I seem to be).  

This is the year of me.  I feel like I say that same thing every year on December 31/January 1, but I actually believe it this year.  I don't know what has changed to make me believe it, but I have this new, exhilarating motivation to do great things this year...to push myself farther than the invisible boundaries I have created in my mind.  I can do anything I set my mind to, and I will.  I am done with saying, "I can't."  This year, and from now on...I CAN!  2013 is my year!