out of town

I was in Chicago this weekend. I need to stay there for longer than a day and a half, I need to see more people while I'm there (Josh I'm talking to you!).

But anyway, while I was there, I was able to go for a run on Saturday at the gym with my friend, Kris. This gym is amazing, it puts Leisure World to shame. 

I missed my long run this weekend though. It was 6 miles, but I didn't get a chance to run it. I couldn't run outside, it was like -2 in Chicago. I didn't have a chance to go to the gym because we had to start shooting our movie. I hope it won't hurt me too much. I definitely cannot make a habit out of missing my long runs, they're scheduled in to help me build up endurance. 

I'm trying not to freak out to much about missing that run,but I do feel bad. Oh well, I'll pick it up next week, right?

titular line

I hurt all over. All over.

This running stuff is crazy! I ran outside yesterday for the first time, as you know, and my legs are freaking killing me. My quadriceps are killing me and my knees are a little sore, along with my hips.


Dear concrete,

Thanks a lot.

Love, Kate


Screw BFL, this running stuff is crazy! I hurt way worse after my third day of training than I have all 12 weeks of BFL.

But don't worry about me. This is all part of it. Yes, I have good shoes. No, I'm not doing more than I can handle. The run last night was actually really nice, and running four miles wasn't really a problem, it was the cold and dark that was hardest to work through.

The good news is, I'm still really excited about training! I super stoked for warmer weather, longer days, and longer runs!

Fine, I'll do it!

Well, I just got back from a four mile run. OUTside! Yay! It was actually really nice. Very peaceful... well, except for all the cars. But one time I turned down a side street and it got really quiet and I could actually hear my feet hit the ground. Pretty nice. By the time I was finished with the run I wasn't cold at all and felt pretty great. 

Ok, so, now I know I can do it. From now on, except for snow days, I'll try my best to get at least a couple of runs a week outside.

fartlek.

It's a real word, I swear. And it has nothing to do with farting. ...or Ikea furniture.

A fartlek is essentially a speed interval that can, for a beginning runner, last anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. An advanced runner might have 20-30 minute fartlek intervals.

I ran four miles last night! It was my "fartlek" day and I'm happy to say I made it through alive.

One thing I'm kind of worried about is that right now I'm running on a treadmill. Which is ok, but not great. I ran four miles last night at a controlled pace at a controlled incline. If I had to run four miles outside in the cold with hills and slopes, I don't know if I would have been able to do it. But when I get home from work, it's starting to get dark.

Mostly I think I just need to take the time to map out a course or two around town. I just don't like the idea of running outside in the dark. There aren't a lot of streetlights around town unless I stay on main roads. When I run on those roads, I get honked and hooted at so by the time I'm done with what should be a stress-relieving run I'm actually really annoyed and I just want to catch up with the honkers and shove their heads through a car window.

first day!

Today is the first day of my half marathon training, and boy am I tired.

Today is my rest day!

Mondays and Fridays are my rest days from running. So my day today consists of me doing absolutely nothing. Tough, I know. But tomorrow I start off with a cool 4 mile run that makes me a little bit scared. And eventually I want to start lifting some weight too, but I don't want to exhaust myself or my body and possibly get hurt. It's going to be a bit of a tango figuring out how to train for the half, but I'm ready for it. 

Today I do, however, start eating the BFL way again. Bummer. It's okay though, I said goodbye to my days off by eating at Red Robin last night. I had a cheeseburger with bacon and a fried egg on top! Delish, but I think my heart is a little mad at me today.

blah.

I'm in my second week off of Body For Life and I feel like crap. There's no order! It's chaos! I haven't been grocery shopping in probably two weeks! Which, before BFL, was pretty common at our house so it's easy to see how we slipped into such terrible eating habits. We go out to eat all the time, we don't eat on a regular basis, and especially since I've been "deprived" of really good junk food for 12 weeks, it's really easy to let myself eat the unhealthy stuff at restaurants.

So! That being said. I'm very ready to get back on some kind of 12 week program. Not 12 step, 12 week. My half marathon training starts on Monday, and I plan on starting to eat the BFL way again too.

Here is my concern with the half marathon training: I have to run 13.1 miles! I have to be even more diligent with my training. What I mean is, with BFL, if I couldn't work out one or two days it was like no big deal. With the half marathon, if I don't run for a couple days, I could really screw myself. This isn't just "I want to get back in shape," this is "If I don't run on a schedule and do what they say, I could really hurt myself. Really." 13.1 miles!

So, pray for me, people. I feel like this half marathon will be a really great challenge and a step up from BFL. I'm excited! I'm also ready to get back in the gym and grocery store and out of McDonald's.


Mmmm, McDonald's.

finals!

Before - October 7, 2007...

weight: 117.5 lbs.

chest: 34"

waist: 29"

hips: 36"

biceps: 11"

thighs: 22"

calves: 14"

After - December 30, 2007... (12 weeks later!)

weight: 109

chest: 33"
waist: 26.5"
hips: 33"
biceps: 10"
thighs: 21"
calves: 13"

That's it! I can't believe it's over. It went by so fast. Now I almost feel lost without the structure and regimen. It feels good to take a little time off, but I'm already ready to get started with my half marathon training (also 12 weeks long). But for now I'm working on getting my photos made, writing my essay for the BFL Challenge, and trying my best to win $50,000!

Thanks to everyone for reading my blog and giving me loads of encouragement and support. Body for Life was a super realistic program that I truly believe anyone who wants to do it can and will succeed. But you have to want to do it! It goes by really fast, you see results so quickly, and it's just easy! Read the book or just use the website, I'm here for anyone who wants to give it a go.

Thanks again, and keep reading as I start my marathon training! Happy 12 weeks!