Half Way There!

I am SO SO SO excited to share that I am officially at the half way point of my half marathon training! This week I ran 6.3 miles (10K) on my "long run day"!!! I have also improved my one mile and 5k time tremendously! I ran my first 5k race this past Saturday and my one mile time was 9:58 (WOOP WOOP) and my 5K time was 35:39! I am just a few seconds away from reaching my under 35 minute goal!

So, now that I'm done telling you all about my amazing acheivements... I am going to tell you about my long run (6.3 miles!). I always do my long runs on Tuesdays (that just seems like a good day to me). So this past Tuesday I was at school teaching my "sweet" "little" middle schoolers and one of them asked me how many miles I was up to in my training (Yes, I keep my students up to date on my running goals. It keeps me motivated!) So I told them that I ran 5 miles last week and this week I had to run 6... inside I was thinking, "Oh. My. Gosh!!! I am never going to be able to do that!!!" Amazingly, when 7:30 rolled around that evening I was ready to go! I started a new training technique that a friend shared with me during the 5k race over the weekend. Instead of running as far as you can and then walking and then running, etc., etc., I tried the 3:1 plan. I ran 3 minutes and walked 1 minute the entire time and it made my long run SO much easier!!! I was able to actually enjoy my long run without thinking that I was dying... and I would have just kept going on to mile 7 if it wouldn't have been 8:30 and pitch black dark outside. It took me 1 hour 17 minutes and 45 seconds to complete 6.3 miles! I was beyond excited that I had just ran that far!!!

I am half way to my half marathon... and loving EVERY SINGLE minute! :)

The Tortoise & The Hare

I could'nt help but think of the children's story about the tortiose and the hare during my run today. I am the tortoise... a slow runner while building my endurance! I can't explain to you how excited about all the goals I have reached over the first 2 weeks of training for this half marathon!

When I started running (March 2011) I couldn't run for 3 minutes. I never thought I would make it to where I am right now. I have improved my 1 mile time from 15 minutes to 10 minutes (I couldn't run a mile that fast when I played volleyball!!). My 5k time has improved rom 45 minutes to 39 minutes in just 2 weeks.

My next goal is to run a 5k in under 35 minutes, while also training to run 13.1 miles. I am NOT going to try to beat a certain time for the half marathon, unless I get a wild hare! ;)

Putting some pep in my step: Training for a half marathon

During the month of March, I set a goal to be able to run 30 minutes without stopping. I reached that goal and also gained some distance while doing so (2.25 miles). I am VERY proud of myself for reaching that goal because I have NEVER been much of a runner... even in high school when I played volleyball I couldn't keep up with the running.

So, about a week ago my sweet cousins (whom I have admired and looked up to as role models my ENTIRE life) posted on facebook that they were planning on training to run a half marathon before the eldest of them turned 40 in December. At first, I thought to myself "Good luck, and more power to ya" but then I started thinking about it... How many people can actually say that they have accomplished this crazy goal? It got me interested! Plus, I think it would be something REALLY cool for the 3 of us cousins to do together... I mean, nothing is cooler than them taking me to an NSYNC concert but this will just have to do for now (Karen... I LOVED you for that!)

I looked up some training programs and half marathons and decided that this is something I CAN do!
I started my training program yesterday and ran 3 miles in 45 minutes. Now, keep in mind, I am NOT running this race for time... I'm running it as an accomplishment. So I really don't care how long it actually takes me to run 13.1 miles. At least I'm not going to be sitting on the couch! ;) The 12 week program is probably going to take me a little longer than planned because of previous shin injuries, so I am planning to be able to run the Ruben Studdard half marathon on November 18th in Birmingham... yes, yes... it will be such a sweet 1st year wedding anniversary for me and my sweet hubby! I probably won't be able to walk, but I know it will be an amazing accomplishment to mark off of my bucket list!

An apple a day...

I have decided to started eating more raw fruits and veggies throughout the day instead of snacking on crackers or 100 calorie packs. The truth is, those 100 calorie packs are nothing but junk food in a smaller serving. I have noticed a HUGE difference in my energy level throughout the day and I feel so much better!
Another thing I have started doing is drinking MORE MORE MORE water! Granite, I do put the Crystal Light packets in my water... but it's better than Diet Coke! I have noticed that I do drink more water throughout the day with Crystal Light in it. I just need something with a little flavor.

I'm doing all of this in hopes of losing a few pounds & inches so that I can have FUN shopping for a swim suit this year... and feel better about myself, of course! My students have seen me eating healthier at school and they have EVEN noticed that I don't drink my usual Diet Coke with lunch! I think it's so funny how they notice every little thing about their teachers. So hopefully by making all of these changes I will motivate one of my students, or even one of you readers out there to make the change! It feels great... and you WON'T regret it! ;)

Running

This month I set a goal to run 30 minutes without stopping. Today I reached 27 minutes (2 miles) and I am SO proud of myself!!! I'm only running 4.5 mph... BUT that is as fast as I can go (for that long) at this point because my shins still have stress fractures. I'm planning on increasing my speed gradually when I reach my 30 minute mark. Just wanted to share my excitement!

Motivated

My New Year's resolution for 2012 is to FINALLY reach my goal weight that I have been struggling to get to for years. I'm not going to lie, I gained a lot of weight while I was in college. I could blame it on not having time to work out, being on an off schedule all the time, etc., etc. The truth is, I just didn't care enough about my body and self image at the time... I was in a "rut". I came up with every excuse in the book not to start eating healthier or working out. "I'll start tomorrow" became my excuse EVERYDAY, when in reality, tomorrow became 3 years of gaining 30 pounds. So here's my little story of motivation:

Some of you may not know this, but I am a younger girl version of my dad. Same temper, same attitude, SAME eating habits. When I moved home from Tuscaloosa in May I begain to notice how out of control my health was... mainly because I was around my parents. My dad decided to go through with gastric bipass surgery in July, and ALL of our eating habits changed. It motivated me to workout everyday and eat healthier. Most of my motivation was for my upcoming wedding... I set goals for myself that I attempted to reach, but never really did. I did lose 10 pounds over the summer and fall months, but I'm still not at my goal weight. In the meantime, my dad has lost nearly 100 pounds and looks GREAT! The truth is, I'm a little jealous that he has had so much success in his weight loss... I am SO happy for him because I know what it's like to struggle with weight, but I want my own success. SO. I'm giving up all of the excuses, I'm not going to feel sorry for myself. I'm going to suck it up, and just DO IT!

These are my motivators:

• I want to feel more confident
• I want my husband to be proud of me
• I want to be at my goal weight before we decide to have children
• I want to enjoy life instead of stressing about my weight
• I NEED to be healthy
• I want to be able to walk into a store and try on clothes that I have aways wanted to wear
• I want to be able to say "I lost 30-40 pounds" and be proud of myself
• I want to create a healthy environment for my family
• Being healthy will increase my life span

There are many more motivators that I have, but are too personal to share. My plan is to change my lifestyle into a healthy one. I'm not going on a diet, I'm changing my eating habits. That is how I have to look at it, or it will never happen.

Chicken Tortilla Bake

When I cook I sometimes just throw something together based off of what I already have in my pantry. So a few nights ago I whipped up something that is just amazing! I call it Chicken Tortilla Bake (kind of based off of chicken tortilla soup). So I'm going to share this recipe with you wonderful people! Now... keep in mind that I don't use measuring cups or measuring spoons when I get creative in the kitchen... It's just not my style! ;)

Ingredients:

• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 large dollops sour cream
• 1 can black beans (drained/rinsed)
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 can white shoepeg corn (drained/rinsed)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• A dash of chili powder (or 2 depending on how spicy you want it)
• A dash of ceyenne pepper
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Tortilla chips

Cook chicken breasts and cut into small peices. In a bowl, mix the first 9 ingredients and pour into a casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Crush tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the mixture and top with more cheese. Continue baking for another 5 minutes. Serve with a salad or veggies! ENJOY!

I like mine a little spicy, so I put more chili powder and ceyenne pepper in it. It's just really a taste preference. Hope you like it! :)

Here we go!

So this blog is a BRAND new thing for me. I'm starting this new chapter because I honestly just have to let things out sometimes. Hopefully I can keep it up!

Here we go!

Since moving home from Tuscaloosa (UA) in May, I have gone through some MAJOR changes. I got married, moved into a beautiful home (which we still can't believe we lucked into), and have semi-started my career as a teacher. When I say semi-started, I mean subbing... not ideal, but I'm greatful! I constantly have to remind myself of the things that I DO have when I start to complain about all of the things that I want or think that I need. God has played a major role in this.

I have started reading Joyce Meyer's "Love Out Loud" and Beth Moore's "Breaking Free". While reading I can't seem to FOCUS on what I am reading. I have really been struggling with getting intimate with God lately. I haven't felt his presence in what seems like forever and I'm starting to wonder what I'm doing wrong. Every day I constantly pray for God to just give me a sign that he is there! Then, the other night I remembered a Bible study that I did with some of my college friends last year. We did the Esther study by Beth Moore... I specifically remember her saying at one point "I didn't feel like God was there..." At that time I didn't understand what she was talking about... How could He not be there? Of course He is! But NOW I completely understand. Now, don't get me wrong, I KNOW that He is there, and I believe and have total faith in Him... but there is something missing in my spiritual life right now. Darrin and I are looking and praying for God to place us in a church because we haven't been going... at all. We are trying out new churches, but we just haven't found the right one yet. So for now, I'm praying and trusting in Him to help us find our way in life. I know He is there, I have given Him complete and total control in my life. I just have to keep my faith.