First Official Race

I ran in my first official race this past weekend! Chad and I ran in the Luke's Half marathon. We ran as a relay team. It was so much fun. I am so proud of Chad. He really supported me and was there for me. I ran the first leg and he ran in the finish. I waited for him the last quarter of a mile and we ran it in together. All of my turtle friends were there and so were Nicole and Tywon cheering us on at the finish line. It was a great moment! I felt great after the run. It was only 6.6 miles so I was used to that distance. Chad, on the other hand ,well he's not feeling so hot but since he made such an effort to be there for me I won't give up the juicy details...

Off to See Dr. Scott

Good news and bad news... The good news is I have actually made it 12 miles. It was torture but I made it The bad news is that I hurt myslef somewhere around mile 9. Since then my hip/groin area has been giving me some trouble. I finally decided to bite the bullet and go to see Dr. Scott. I've been getting deep tissue massages and chiropractic adjustments. The adjustments freak me out. I can not stand hearing my own bones crack. I was so bruised after the first massage but I have to say I think they are working. I did not run the 13 miles this past weekend but I think the rest was good for me. I ran tonight and feel good. I am going to take it easy this week and hopefully amke it out on Saturday for the long run. I actually had my first sports related injury. I'm so proud!

The Ugly Side of Running

On Saturday, I ran nine miles! I can't believe I made it! For some reason, the first two to three miles of the run is so hard for me. I feel like I am going to die. I always want to give up and turn around. I don't know why. It is usually cool and I should be well rested. I am breathing heavy like I am about to die. Then I find my rhythmn and figure out I am going to make it. I have no idea what kicks in my brain but something does.

After the run this weekend, I decided to go and have a pedicure. My green toenails were chipped and ready for a change. As the girl was taking the polish off I was reading my People magazine and looked down... one of my toenails had turned a grayish silver color! I about freaked! Nicole had told me it could happen but I didn't believe her. I immediately called her and told I was going to quit running. She told me it may fall off. If it does, we may seriously have to talk about this whole running thing. I'll have to reevaluate my whole shoe wardrobe!(picture to follow soon)

The Morning After...

Well I've made it through what the coaches say are the hardest months of training July and August. To tell you the truth, it wasn't all that hard. Yes, the weather is at times, almost unbearable, but for me, it was all about time. I had the time to put into the training. It feels like now training is becoming harder. I've got work and school to contend with. I've got to figure out how to juggle all my responsibilites and not short anyone or anything. Teaching mommyhood, PTA presidency, and being a wife all have to compete with training. It is truly a balancing act. I am trying hard to stay focused and stay the course. That being said I have done some soul searching and discovered some things about myself. I am more determined than I ever thought I could be. I have never seen something of this magnitude through to completion. There are times when I am on those long runs that I just want to quit and walk it in. Somewhere inside of me, I find the will and determination to go on and finish it. That is amazing to me. I've also found that I need to not take things so seriously. This past Friday, Chad and I went out with some of his co-workers. We were having a great time and then went out for cocktails. I found myself thinking the entire time of the next morning's run. All I could think about was running on such little sleep. I was letting it consume me and not living in the moment. I need to sometimes put running on the back burner. I don't want to be a wet blanket. I want to have fun and cut loose. I guess it is all about balance. I am just so afraid I am going to lose my focus and lose sight of my goal. I've made a promise to myself to let a little of the "old" Yvonne back into my life, the runner in me will just have to keep her in check!

Halfway to the Half!

I did it! I ran SIX miles today. It was defnitely a mind over matter kind of thing.
On the way to the run I decided I was going to be positive and not whine and just trudge on forward. One foot in front of the other until it was over.
This weekend marked two years since my dad passed away. I feel so honored to be the daughter of such a great man. He truly taught me what it is to be a great wife, mother and woman. I owe a lot to him. Although I miss him terribly, I know he is with me each and every day.
I see him in my boys' smiles and mischevous pranks. I see him in Chad's fatherly ways. I see him in my mother's strength and most of all, I see him in my sense of determination. He taught me to set my goals high and never accept anything less. I know he will be with me as I cross that finish line on January 18!

And 11 years later...

Eleven years ago Chad and I were married. I can't believe it has been that long ago, it feels like yesterday. So many things have changed. I can remember losing a ton of weight for the wedding and thinking to myself "Man I look HOT!" Funny thing is, I weigh less now than I did on our wedding day. I always tell Chad he is getting an upgrade on a wife as the years go on. My teammate Lacey, got married on Saturday and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on our marriage. Chad and I have an amazing life together. We have the two most perfect boys. They don't always act perfect but I can't imagine our lives without them. I love being a mommy although at times it is the hardest job in the world. We have been blessed with jobs we love and are rich in friends. Life can't get any better. As I was running on Saturday morning, I took a moment and thanked God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. I am truly blessed!

Watch Out For The Signs!

It has taken me a few days to decide what I was going to blog about this week. I had a pretty good running week. I am definitely getting into the habit of running for enjoyment. I am almost to the point of craving it. Is that a sign that I have formed a habit? I plan out my day based on whether or not it is a run day. How much water should I drink today? When should I eat my big meal? When is Chad getting home so I can hit the trails? It is kinda sick but in a good way I think.
Another sign that I am enjoying this running thing is my slowly shrinking waistline! This picture is taken of me right before I went to Lacey's bachelorette party. I am wearing a shirt that I bought in the misses department! I know it may not be a big deal to some but for me it is HUGE! I have shopped in plus size departments since I was in high school. Since I joined Katyfit, I have lost about 10 pounds! Another sign jogging is agreeing with me!
We ran FIVE miles on Saturday. It was tough for me. Chad and I played cards Friday night and got in pretty late. I only got about four and a half hours sleep. Running five miles on that little of sleep was tough! I am an eight hour kinda girl. I was draggin butt out there Saturday. I was almost the last turtle in but at least I made it in!
One more sign that surprised me... I was telling the gang that I might not be there in a few weekends as we have decided to celebrate my dad's life the weekend of August 8. At that exact moment that I was talking about him, a huge breeze passed over us. It was at least 97 degrees out with no breeze. I know my daddy heard me and was proud of me for setting my goal and working towards it!

It's All About The Ride

Driving to the group run was so much sweeter this morning. Who wouldn't love driving as the sun rises in this sweet of a car? Chad played in a charity golf tournament and bid on a weekend drive in a Mercedes convertible. He won! It has been a blast driving this car around.
I really had a battle of the mind this week. On Thursday I went to the group run and ran with the 5:1 half group. It was a good run. I didn't break any landspeed records but I finished strong and felt like I could still go a bit further. While we were doing the core workout, we discussed training with the full 3:1 group. I have really put a lot of thought into the whole process. Should I put more mileage in at a slower pace or less mileage in at a faster pace? I was pretty confused. I thought I had it all figured out. I was going to stay the course and train with the 5:1 half group. Fast forward to this morning... I pull up to the park in my hot little car, wind blowing in my hair, music blaring, spirits soaring and mind prepared to run two miles. I look up and see my girls getting ready to take off with the full group who was going to run FOUR miles. I was so not prepared to run four miles. Long story short I did it and survived. As a matter of fact, I think I could've probably gone another mile. I am so amazed with what I have pushed myself to do. Go me!

Why I Run...

Today it hit me why I really run or should I say try to run. When I came home from the group run tonight, Chase asked me, "Mommy, are you fast yet?" I replied, "I'm getting faster each time!" He was so proud. You could see it in his eyes. He tells everyone he meets that his mom is training for the marathon. He doesn't quite get the difference between the whole and half and I've given up on trying to explain it to him. Sweet thing, he thinks I am going to win the race! I love the way that he looks at me when I come through the door all sweaty and out of breath after a work out. That is the way I want him to see me living my life. ACTIVE and HEALTHY! I have been overweight and inactive for too long. I want to be an example for my children. I want them to lead healthy and active lifestyles that include exercise. I hope that by training for this half marathon, the boys can see that exercise can and is FUN!

First official Saturday Run

Today was our first official Saturday run. It was a great day. I was happily surprised to see Belkis, Jennifer and Sue had all signed up to join Katyfit! Yeah, the revolution is catching on! I also saw Alyssa Hill. It was nice to see familiar faces. It definitely took the tension off of the morning. I ended up running with the 3:1 group. I wanted to run with the 5:1 group to challenge myself but the other girls ran with the 3:1 group so I hung with them. The run was nice and easy and I felt great afterwards. I passed Nicole and Tywan on our way out. They looked all hot and sweaty. I think they ran something insane like 10 miles. Anyways my most exciting and kinda geeky news of the day was this... As I was getting ready to leave, a lady walked up and asked what she had missed while she was getting gatorade. I filled her in and told her about the Tue/Thur runs. She replied yeah but is there anyone slow to run with me? I told her , yes, me! I guess what I am trying to convey is that I am glad to be getting out there meeting people who are as scared to be the slow ones as I am! ROWDY RED ROCKS!

Becoming a Fitizen

Okay , so I have this crazy friend named Nicole who talked me into training for the half marathon. Somewhere in a part of my brain, in a part of time, it sounded like a good idea. Who was I fooling? Have you guys ever seen Nicole? She has a runner's body. I have... well, a more fluffy body. So anyway, I let her talk me into joining Katyfit. I go a couple of weeks ahead of time and buy the shoes... $128 later at Luke's Locker I have some shiney aqua Asics. In my mind, I was going to train at the gym all summer leading up to the pace finder on July 5th. Best laid plans, right? Fast forward to morning of the pace finder. I wake up at the crack of dawn and drive down to TH park. All the way to the park I am thinking to myself...
what if I am the last one finished, what if I am the slowest one, what if everyone laughs at me? So I get to the park, sign up and find Nicole who giggles at me because I have my make up done and hair nicely brushed in a cute ponytail. I have so much anxiety that my legs are shaking. I won't bore you with the details, but I was not the last one finished and I didn't hear roars of laughter. 1.5 miles down only 12 more to go! I think I can do it and I have Katyfit to help me get there. Not to mention Nicole who says she's got my back!