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A Journey to Fitness

~ Becoming fit and enjoying it!

A Journey to Fitness

Monthly Archives: June 2013

4 Miles- Milestone #1- Accomplished!

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Runners are crazy

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Tags

Events, Hal Higdon, Half marathon, Milwaukee, Road running, running, Sport, Sports, Storm the Bastille, Thought

I made my first milestone and accomplished more than I thought I could.

I loved the feeling of hearing the gun shot and taking off with the runners. I was able to keep my pace and not get caught up in the excitement, but I will admit I wanted to and at one point, even got disappointed that I couldn’t. I was able to take control of my thoughts and pace myself out in the first quarter mile.

I never thought I like running, but *gasp* I do! How did this happen?

My first run

My first run

I never thought I would be able to run 4 miles straight, in the rain, and enjoy it. I enjoyed it, granted I got sick (but I have since learned that your immune system does tend to weaken after a race) but it was an awesome feeling.

I had so many great moments in the run.  My most memorable was passing an athlete in the first quarter mile and they never caught up with me. I could not believe it.

I finished the Lighthouse Run in 50:53.  I broke my personal best for the 5k at 38:48! Which is awesome, over a minute over my last fastest time.

Since the run, I have signed up to “Storm the Bastille” in Milwaukee (another 5k) and looking to signing up for the Packer 5K Run, as I continue to train for my Half-Marathon in September.

Run as fast as I can!

Run as fast as I can!

Since running the 4 Mile Race, I am looking into the best ways to train for my half. I am looking into Hal Higdon- so many people have told me great things about his training programs.

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The Mental Game

13 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Runners are crazy

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coworkers, Finish Line, health, lhr, lighthouse run, mental, mental game, Milestone, Mind games, nerves, nutrition, Races, Recreation and Sports, Road running, roadrunning, run, running, Sport, success, support, training, Weight loss

The mental game is getting more and more real the closer I get to the run on Saturday.

I feel the nerves getting to me.  I have never run a distance before and fact that I am two days away from my first timed distance run- I am getting nervous and can see myself sleeping in on Saturday instead of placing the number on my shirt and start running in the local downtown vicinity.

Right now, I am attempting to get over the nerves by not thinking about it and staying busy. I try to stay away from my usual nervous gestures- eating. Can’t eat junk food, it messes with my system and will not help with my run. In fact, it could weigh my down on Saturday.

Speaking of food, tomorrow at work we are having a barbecue and there will be brats and hot dogs. Both over processed and not good for me a day before the run. Instead, I will be bringing my own chicken breast marinated in whatever sauce I am in the mood for.  Maybe I will be nice and bring something healthy to pass around.

I was actually surprised that a coworker is meeting me at the Finish Line and two others have asked me about my run this weekend.  I am a little sad that my family will not be able to see me run- my mother and sister both work and my dad was suppose to have off, but being a firefighter he was asked to work the run. Too bad his squad will be on the 10 Mile Course and not the 4 Mile Course.

I am waiting to hit that finish line and feel a sense of accomplishment. I am on my way to making a goal possible in my life!

Running is More Than One Foot In Front of the Other

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Inspiration

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Biggest Loser, brewers mini marathon, Danni Allen, Half marathon, inspiration, Marathon, Meredith Prince, Mile run, nonrunner, Recreation and Sports, roadrunning, running, Sport, training, Weight loss, Weight Watchers

When I saw people running, all I ever saw was someone just putting one foot in front of other. Not hard, right?

Ha! Boy, was I wrong! There is so much more to running then moving. Getting up and moving is step one. The most important step. After getting up and moving, it is figuring out the best plan of action to keep running (or whatever activity you want to try).

For me, I decided I needed a future goal to help keep me motivated- run a 4 Mile Race (Screw the 5K- :S) I looked into different training plans and decided to use the Coach to 5K Plan.  I bought the app, which I love and used it for about 6-7 weeks to train.  Closer I got the the 4 mile run, I moved to distance running instead of time running.

Two weeks before the Lighthouse 4 Mile Run, I decided I needed another goal and decided to sign up for a half-marathon.  I found a training plan that matches up exactly with my 4 mile (this week) and ending 16 weeks later at the Brewers Mini Marathon.

As I have been training I realized I need motivation, support, goals, and running buddies.

Motivation comes from so many different sources.  I have been motivated by friends, weight loss goals, fitness goals, Danni Allen (Biggest Loser Season 14) starting same place I started and being able to run at marathon, Meredith from Extreme Weight Loss being able to run a marathon after 3 months even in pain (and I know how painful a meniscus tear is- I couldn’t walk with it), and more.

What motivates you? I want to hear about what motivates other.

Yurbuds- Headphones for Women Runners!

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Products I Love For Running

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Candy, Ear, earbuds, headphones, IPhone, products I love, running, Skullcandy, yurbuds

I need music to run. Without music I have little motivation to run- it keeps me going. I went for a run on Thursday and my left ear bud died. I was upset, but I kept doing with one ear bud in. Friday night, I ran to the local Target and searched out the ear buds, looking for my usual Skull Candy ones. I love Skull Candy, but I decided to look at the sports headphones. I came across these headphones- Yurbuds Inspire for Women.

Yurbuds for Women!

I LOVE THESE! Not only are they extremely comfortable, they stay in place. I hear my music clearly and I can hear my watch when it beeps every mile. They are awesome!
If you need new headphones for fitness, try these out!

http://yurbuds.com/products/performance-fit/inspire-for-women/

Don’t Panic (by Guest Author Sarah F)

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Inspiration, Runners are crazy

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Tags

Friendship, Half marathon, halfmarathon, inspiration, Milestone, run, run for fun, running, September, Weight loss, Weight Watchers

Sarah F. (Yes, there are two of us Sara B. and Sarah F.) is a good friend and another person who was not a runner, but through some determination and hard-work, she runs for fun (gag!).

*click*. Holy S!#^ what the heck did I just sign myself up for?

Why does one create (and pay a large amount for) such anxiety for oneself?!? Signing up for a half marathon apparently does this. It’s a pretty crazy feeling, almost an adrenaline rush signing up for your first one when you haven’t crossed mile marker one. Thoughts of “can I actually do this”, “will I hurt myself”, and ‘why am I PAYING to do this!?’ have clearly gone through my head hundreds of times.

Okay. Let’s go back. Sarah, that’s me. Recently turned 29 (but feel 24). Daughter, girlfriend, friend, cousin, niece, honorary ‘Aunt’, worker, dancer, theater snob, fashion addict, college basketball obsessed, sarcastic, and highly competitive.

However, I think over the last year I’ve added one more title to my list. Runner.

Ha. I laugh out loud when I read that, but I actually do believe that. I never thought I’d ever consider myself a runner. Athlete yes, but runner? That’s another breed.

I’ve been involved in sports as far back as I can remember.

Whenever it came to running, however, I loathed it. I ran because I had to. I ran because if I didn’t complete a 10 min mile, I wasn’t anywhere close to making the volleyball or basketball teams.

July – 2009. I ran my very first 5k.

My new friends from work convinced me it was fun (ha) and I could do it. I was super hesitant but I

thought, why not. I thought I’d never be able to finish the 3.12 miles. But I did. I also got rewarded with a t-shirt, hot dog and a beer. (Holler!) The next year I went back and did that race again. Never ran the entire time, but I finished.

I guess I officially accepted running into my life in 2011. I was bound and determined to lose the weight I had put on towards the end of college, and the beginning of my workplace career.

Work had this amazing offer to try Weight Watchers. I needed something to get me going. When I first

weighed in I was shocked to find how much I’ve let myself go. I still thought of myself as the athlete I was back in high school with maybe a little toning up to do. Man, were those days out of sight and I was highly delusional. I had joined gyms before with the intention of losing but with no progress. Something this time, was just right.

With my mind right, and starting to eat healthy again, I enlisted my friend C, one of those ubber fit people who runs all the time. For fun. She’s the girl who runs to the gym and then works out. Yep, annoying, right? She was my little (literally) guardian angel to help guide me through the workouts. I needed to be pushed, and she was there to do it. With eating better, and the tips, tools, friendships from Weight Watchers, and C’s incentive, I dropped 42 lbs and three sizes from June 2011 to September 2012. Somewhere in there, I became a full on 3-5 times a week runner and registered for races for…wait for it… ‘FUN’.

Since 2009 I have run 22 races, plus 4 more runs coming up this summer.

Now on my list – a ½ marathon thing in September. Just felt like, why not now? The training will be a pain, but I have support of friends and family, and I just know I can do it….I got this.

Image

My Newest Inspiration

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Tags

Biggest Loser, Danni Allen, inspiration, Weight loss

My Newest Inspiration

Danni Allen started her weight loss journey at the same weight I did. If she was able to do it, I should be able to do it!
I was able to meet her in May and she was sweet and very down-to-earth.

Posted by Sara | Filed under Inspiration

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My favorite quote

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Tags

inspiration, Jillian Michaels, success

My favorite quote

Jillian Michaels has been my inspirations since I started my weight loss journey. She has a lot of quotes that inspire me, this one in particular, is my favorite.
“Why choose failure when success is an opinion?”

Posted by Sara | Filed under Inspiration

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Run Buddy

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Training Ideas

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Events, Recreation and Sports, Road running, run buddy, running, Sports, training

“Every run is different.”

I am told that statement after almost every run from one of my closest friends, M.  M just ran her first half marathon and is running in a relay this weekend from Madison to Chicago.  She has been a big motivator. In fact, she has been asking me to run with her since I started training.  Before, I was scared- she is in better shape, has a faster pace and I have never been able to run with anyone before.

I finally ran with M tonight. She told me to set the pace. I am a people-pleaser, so I kept up with her pace. I ran my fastest mile 11:16.  I struggled the rest of the run, but I was motivated  by M to keep going.

I think having someone to push you is a great thing, but you need to know your pace and what you can do. If you push yourself too hard, you can get hurt. Thankfully, M understands that I am a beginner and am working hard to get to where I want to be.

I am excited to start running and half-marathon training with Sarah soon. Hopefully, we can push each other the way M has been pushing me.

Runners Are Crazy!

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Sara in Runners are crazy

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Boston Marathon, brewers mini marathon, Half marathon, Jillian Michaels, Marathon, Mini Marathon, nonrunner, Road running, running, Weight loss, Weight Watchers

Since I can remember, I have always thought that anyone who runs for fun is crazy.  Why would someone run, just to run? Yet, at the same time I was jealous.

I have never been a runner and couldn’t run a quarter mile straight, even if I wanted to. Never thought I would want to run. Why would I join those crazy people? I think I decided running was crazy because I could never run during sports practices and keep up with all the other girls.  No matter what I did, I struggled and was out of breath. Running sucked!

Fast forward until Senior of college and I was 250lbs and obese. I would struggle doing Jillian Michaels workouts that I wanted to do (granted, my mom could run circles around me by then). I joined Weight Watchers and very slowly started losing weight. I could finally do Jillian workout and cycle.  By beginning of 2012, I thought I was in great shape, then I was in a car accident.  Being rear-ended can slow your progress down, my back and neck were injured to the point I was in physical therapy for over two months.  Finally out of therapy, I thought hey! I can start were I left off. Nope! I could barely make it through a work-out and there was no way I could even bike 4 miles without being in pain.  I was so disappointed in myself, with the help of friends (especially my Weight Watchers ones and my mom) I was able to make slow and steady progress.

In August of 2012, I decided it was time to up my work-outs and start running. My first run, I was less then a 1/10th of a mile away from my house and something popped- runner’s knee. After a cortisone shot (horrible side effects!- I had to fight to keep weight off for a few months) and strength training, it seems better.

After all my ups and downs, I thought I would just continue on my slow and steady weight loss journey.  When the bombing at the Boston Marathon happened, I knew I could no longer be weak. I needed to love every moment of my life. If people can finish the marathon then go help others or if military veterans can run even though they are double amputees, I can do something as simple as running. I decided to skip the 5k and go straight to a 4 Mile Run on June 15th.  A week ago, I decided to sign up for a Mini Marathon (Half-marathon) in September.  So now, I am training to run longer and longer distances.

Here I am, somewhere I never thought I would be- training to run a Half-Marathon. I have great friends that are running the half and training with me.  I would never be able to do this without my family and friends supporting me.

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