Party in the Park 5k

This is my first race in 3 years. I didn't really know where I'd be starting. I haven't finished the couch to 5k program, but I thought I might go with my family and get a best effort time. I did the race in 34:52. Not too bad considering I've been running/walking for training. I ran the first 2 miles without a break. The last mile was tough and mostly uphill. Bummer. I'd say if the last mile wasn't such an uphill trek, I'd have finished with 2 less minutes.

The race was very family oriented and had a party complete with a band and kids activities. My boys ran with me and my husband. This was their first 5k at age 10! I was so proud of the effort the two of them put into their first race. Oh yeah..one of the venders was the national guard. If you did 10 pushups you get a free t-shirt. I did it as well as Corey and Dylan

June weight loss update

Here's an update on my June goal. I fasted yesterday to jumpstart things. Along with running. I don't really know if fasting is a good way to start my diet, but it did seem to help with water retention. Obviously that is the difference in weight, because I don't think its actually possible to lose that much in one day unless its water.

running with Dylan

Yesterday was the start of week 6. This week's workout is jog 10 min/walk 1 min-3 times. Its getting a little harder, but still nothing that I felt was beyond my scope of ability. As I was leaving one of my son's asked if he could go. Of course I saw this as an opportunity to visit with him. He did great keeping up. I think it was fun for him too because he got to have captive audience and he has new shoes that needed to be "tried out". The weather was great and the run went well. Our total including warm-up/workout/ cool down was 3.09 miles. Not too bad.

Musical Mondays

Dave Matthews is one of my favorite bands and they were on Sunday Morning yesterday. If you missed it, enjoy. This is in honor of the release of the new album on Tuesday.

Musical Monday

Ok, this is not a song, but its about one of my favorite bands. If you missed this yesterday...enjoy.

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I'm setting a weight loss goal for June

This month I want to focus on dropping some weight. I thought maybe I'd blog about it because I know lots of people out there are trying to lose like me. I'll keep a food diary and exercise long of fatsecret.com. My user name is 'jennchess' for anyone who'd like to take a peek. My goal for the month of June is 10lbs. I'm not really the type of person to just put the weight loss subject out there, I am a women and we, as a species, are rather sensitive of our weight. But I thought by putting it out there in the universe instead of keeping this goal to myself I might have more success. I'm going to try my best to balance the equation in order to be a success. Calories consumed will be monitored as well as staying as active as possible. I know in my heart you can't do just 1 and lose weight for good. For exercise I'm going to continue my "couch to 5k" training and run in 1 or 2 5ks. I'm also going to use my Wii Active. I just got the program last week and it is awesome! My whole family used it. We all had sore muscles afterword. That's a good sign I'd say.

Back from Tennessee

I back from a visit to Tennessee. I went to visit my parents, brother, and other family. Even though I got a little home sick, I really enjoyed the visit to my hometown. It was a slower pace than I was used to, but sometimes you need that. I planned on running, but decided I was going to allow myself to go with the flow...

My uncle had a birthday party at his winery and my mom cooked her famous spaghetti and meatballs. What can I say except that they were great as could be expected. My uncle's friends are very interesting. His friend Sam was playing my daughter's violin, but he was playing fiddle style. It was quite entertaining. I really enjoyed seeing my brothers, Jerry, Jason, and my cousin George (who seems more like a brother to me). The visits were very laid back and no one was in a hurry to anywhere. We were all relaxed and enjoying the front porch rockers and swings and just enjoying each others company.

A perfect ending to a fun visit in Tennessee...

Wednesday

My run on Wednesday was the second in week 5. It went very well. I'm starting to look forward to a fun 5k race. I'm starting to see the potential again. My pace is coming back to me. Isn't it always amazing how you feel better after a run, rather than before?

Musical Monday

Sunday's run

My run this morning was great! I'm repeating week 5 of training because the weather last week was discusting and the craziness left little room to wiggle. I know, I know you have access toa treadmill you say...well I prefer the road, lets just keep it at that.

As I was saying, my run was sweet! The rain stopped for a while and I jumped at the chance to do my workout. I didn't know how I would handle my 10 minute intervals of jogging, but it went great! I didn't even have to break a stride at a traffic light. Everytime I was at an intersection, the symbol to walk just lit up-as if the light was waiting for ME!

I hope everyone is having a grea Memorial Day weekend! I love reading your comments, so please leave them-even if to just say hi. Take care, Jen

I need to get my thoughts together...

This is a crazy week for my family. Its the last week of school. Since we all either attend a public school or work in a public school, its been hectic for all 5 members of the family. My twin boys received an invitation to join the filming crew for the school news and they will be meeting this summer. Way to go boys! I got a sneak peak of my daughters promotion test scores...she did great! Way to go Girl! I know my kids are excited-its the last day of school for them! I have 3 more days left-the rest of this week and 1 day next week.

There are a few things I must do this week. I need to get back to work on my personal school work. I've neglected it a little the last two weeks because of the crazy school schedule at work. Another important thing for my psyche is to resume my training...I've taken 2 days off. I know, I know.. two days you say? big deal you say. Well, that's how it starts. I can't stop my training. Its great for my sanity. All you runners know what I mean. One last thing I really want to accomplish this week or next-a garage sale. I hate those things, but what a great way to purge.

Hope everyone is doing great out there...keep smiling.

Jen

Saturday's Run

I ran the 3rd installment of week 4. I almost decided against this run because I had a terrible headache all day. You know the one...It's the one you get when you've decided you'll have no caffeine, sugar, or bread. Yep it hurts. The caffeine is the main culprit for the headache. But I had already postponed Friday's run for that very reason. I wasn't about to let this ailment prevent me from having a good week in my training.

I started off the first half of the run with my feet feeling like lead and my headache intensifying. I kept telling myself 'I don't have to break any records, just finish the workout'.

On the second half the heavy-feet feeling went away my headache magically disappeared! I wouldn't call it a great run or even a good one. But I did it, and I felt better, mentally and physically afterward. I'm going to give myself a pat on the back for that.

Here's some running totals for me...
This week 8.23 miles
This month 18.01 miles
This year 52.7 miles
47.3 to reach 100 miles

Proud Parent

In our lives we wear many hats. This post will be one about the "mom" hat I wear. I had the honor of experiencing a great moment with my daughter on Friday. I attended an awards ceremony at my daughter's school. I knew she was recieving an award for Perfect Attendance. Honestly, I thought that was all.

Let me give you a bit of background info on her by making a comparison-some kids find school very easy and do well. Some kids find failing very easy and have no issues with that. My daughter fits neither category. While school hasn't been "a piece of cake" for her, she has never settled-she always tries hard to do well in school.

This year she got an A-B honor roll award. This was the first time for her to get this award. I've never been prouder of her as a student. I know what a struggle school can be, but she overcame her obstacles. Of course when her name was called it surprised me at first. I thought 'Wow! she did it!! Then I started remembering all the years of hard work she's devoted to school. I couldn't hold back the tears...but they were tears of joy and pride.

Isn't life great when your inspiration comes from your children? She impresses and inspires me and I'm so proud to be her mom.

Beautiful Sky

Last night was my second run for week 4. I ran a loop near my complex. It was a nice run: jogging 8 mins/walking 2 mins, 3 times. I feel my legs getting stronger and my pace getting a little faster. The temperture was cool and the weather was great. These are the workouts that just seem too perfect.

On my return walk back home, I saw the most beautiful design of clouds in the sky. It was breath-taking. So I ran in for the camera. The jets had flown in a criss cross pattern on one half of the sky. The other half looked like a bunch of cotton balls that you could reach up and grab. The pictures couldn't begin to capture the beauty. I felt like it was a small reward for getting my work-out done. I sorta felt a little envious of all those jets making their marks in the sky. What a great evening to be flying....

Last night's run

I started "wk 4" of my program last night. I was lucky to have a nice cool evening to run. I really thought during the entire run that the sky was about to open up and pour down on me. But I didn't think about it. I was just very thankfull for the cooperation of the weather. Week 4 adds 2 mins to the running interval. However, there's one less interval to run. As good as I've been feeling with the previous workout (running 6 min intervals), I felt this would not phase me to add on 2 mins. Of course I was wrong. The first interval was tough, but I was rewarded with the fact that there were only 3 instead of 4. I finshed strong and feeling great, so I'd say all in all it was a great workout.

Cats and thunder

Ok, I just clicked through to a website from someone's blog. The website is called "stuffonmycat.com" The webpage is full of pictures with cats that have things on them. Its a great laugh. Go...load it up now and enjoy! It made me think of a great photo I have of my cat Sugar. She's such a great sport. She modeled a scarf I made. Isn't she lovely?

At this very moment I hear thunder....oh no. I have a run planned for tonight. I'm thinking I either need to stay after work for a game of volleyball or do the treadmill option later. I don't really enjoy running on a treadmill. Even the one's with tv's bother me. I like being outside. Well, my plan is to say lots of small little prayers today while I'm working. Maybe by 8:00 tonight the weather will co-operate. Please, no rain, please, no rain...

Slow and steady gains

I finished week 3 of my "start running again"-couch to 5k training plan. I have past experience in running, but I know from that experience that you can't wake up after a year or two and decide to go run 3 miles.

The reason for the gradual increase in distance isn't so much for your heart, lungs, or even your muscles. See, these elements will adapt fairly quickly. Its the joints that you have to be patient with. If you want to avoid injury, you have to be patient.

This week was week 3 and it was 4 intervals of jog 6 min, walk 2. It seems to be about the right level for me now. I'm not concerned with breaking any pace records, only just running at the right pace (not too slow or fast). I finish with a feeling that I've worked hard, but not over exhausted myself. I will tell you that I did week 2 twice. I didn't feel like it was easy enough near the end of the week to move to the next. I can feel the gains. Its a great feeling.

Monday starts week 4 of the plan. It will consist of 3 intervals of: Jog 8 mins, walk 2. Slowly but surely, I will get there again.

The rest days are just as important as the workout days. On the rest days, I have so much nervous energy, that I try my best to work in a 40 min or so brisk walk. This keeps me mentally on the program. Because I put on my running shoes and grab my gear and its like going throught the same motions as the training run. Its a habit and the workout become a part of my day that way.

With out my runs and walks, I feel stressed and anxious. I love the mental effects I get from being a runner again. I truly missed that aspect of being a runner. One of my favorite shirts I've ever seen...reads: running...my antidepressent. Isn't running a great sport?

Me, Harley Davidsons and Labradoodles

I had the pleasure of timing my training run today with a Harley Davidson ride that was going through my town. I live in metro Atlanta, so the I'd say this is a big ride for the group. As I was going out the gate of my complex, it was then that I realized that I was joining them. There was a policeman posted at the intersection and Harleys for as far as the eye could see. I don't know when the procession started, but it went for about 5 mins after I joined them. I usually run down a block and turn the corner, but I didn't want miss the parade of bikes, so I turned around twice so I could be a part of the scene. It was neat seeing all those bikers riding along side of me. You can tell they were all enjoying themselves and I'm so glad I could stumble upon the ride.

As I was heading back into the complex there was a guy walking his two labradoodle dogs...Is it me or are these cutest, cuddliest, looking big dogs ever? I think so.

My run was fantastic. The temperature was just right. A breeze was blowing and my feet were light. The playlist was there for me as well. In one song the chili peppers sang "step from the road to the sea to the sky..." I felt they were singing about my run. I was halfway through and started feeling that floaty/flying feeling and thought-yep perfect song for today.

Totals
week 9.8 miles
month 9.8 miles
year 45.9 miles
mini goal of 100 miles 54.1 to go.

Today's random thought about the writing on the wall

I saw this on a sign today: "You can not change your past, but you can change your future". This made me think of some things I've been pondering lately. If we are always dwelling on the mistakes of the past, we are always going to repeat them. This is true. I believe this with every ounce of who I am. What we think about comes true. If we are unhappy about a past experience, the worst thing in the world is to dwell on it, because thinking about it will only cause it to happen again. Keeping our thoughts positive and happy will allow us to experience something wonderful and new. Besides, like the sign said, the past is UNCHANGABLE. If we dwell on the past, we will waste energy, time, stress, and emotion. I want good experiences in my life, so the only past I will dwell on will be my happiest moments, my proudest moments, and my personal victories.

Attitude of Gratitude

Today I woke up in a state of gratitude. Grateful for the previous day and experience. The highlights of my day center on running. I woke excited because I had a run scheduled. I'm currently running every other day. I've been doing this since about March and hate when I can't keep to the schedule.

There's a teacher at work who is a very experience marathon runner. I've been talking with her the last week or so about running and what it would take to run in a marathon. Talking with her has got me so excited. Its great to have something in your life to be excited about. Being a "rookie" runner, its hard to find the courage to seek advice from those who have experience. But she seems open and willing to share what she knows with me and I feel like I found a valuable resource as a runner.

The day before yesterday I was out on a walk with my husband. He mentioned he would like to run with me the next time I go (which was yesterday). I thought it might be fun, but had some reservations. Many people run because they enjoy the solitude and mental clarity they achieve when running. I have to put myself in that group. I enjoy my husband's company so, I didn't mind. Well, after supper last night I started getting ready for my run and the family all discussed going with me....ok. Well, I was nervous that this might ruin the experience of the run for me. But I decided to embrace the moment and enjoy the fact that my husband and 3 kids all want to go on a run! I was ready to go before anyone else and told the family I was off and they could fall in behind me. Walking down the sidwalk, my twin son, whois 10, runs out the door and breathless, asking "mommy can I go with you to train for a race?" I thought "wow!" "Of course I'd love that" is what I said, but I worried that my pace may slow. Quite the opposite happened. Corey was running circles around me. I was so impressed with his ability and drive. I'm not really a fast runner, but I do have endurance and Corey matched it step for step.

Another thing worth mentioning is the marathon bit again. I've had thoughts of running one for about 5 years now. I feel very settled in my life with a few exceptions, but basically settled. Maybe this experience is calling my name...

A friend who lives out of the country has just taken on running as a sport. We talked briefly about the experience of the marathon. We both started pondering the NYC marathon. It might be a possibility to run it. I think it'd be such a blessing to have that experience. It seems like this blog has turned into a runners blog...be that as it may. I guess this is a very important thing to me...

This week total 6.5 miles
This month total 6.5 miles
This year total 42.6 miles
First mini goal for the year 100 miles
57.4 to go.

what is important

Good morning all who may want to read this blog. At times it may read like a stream of consciencness. I'm a mom of three great kids, a wife to a wonderful man, I'm in school to finish a 4 yr degree to become a teacher.

I love to run, but I feel like I'm an ametur runner and would like to move forward to a higher level. I've set a mini-goal for myself to run 100 miles withing the next few months. I'm at 39 miles and started this in March. I think that goal is pretty attainable. My ultimate goal for the near future is the run and finish a marathon. I feel like I need to go a step at a time, so for now, I'm just focusing on building my pace and distance to a comfortable 6 mile run 3 times a week. At that point I may begin training for a marathon.