Have you heard of the 2 Gomers? Last weekend when I was mentally trying to overcome the nervousness of running 7 miles, I was looking for something motivational to get me through. I've heard about people watching movies. Other people read books (I have no idea how they do this). So I was thinking about buying an audio book to listen to on my run...but I couldn't find anything I was really wanting to read. Most of the books I want to read are already sitting on my book shelf waiting to be cracked open.
While I was roaming around iTunes, I stumbled over some Podcasts. I looked for some running pod casts and looked at a few before I found 2Gomers. I was really intrigued and looked more into it. These two guys are great! They started out their journey a few years ago by making a goal to run a half marathon. Their first season of podcasts covers their struggles with training. Then they trained for a full marathon. Now they are training to run faster.
I really enjoy listening to their episodes (I'm only on episode 5 of season 1). It was great listening to their weekly recaps of how good they did that week and how crappy some weeks were. These guys don't know much about running but they are working through it week by week.
When I started listening to these on Sunday, I had no back ground on the guys. Through the first few episodes, I figured out they were actually raised in southern Wisconsin and I later found out they are from Madison area. Being a transplant here myself, it was amazing to know they were from this area. They both now live outside of the state of Wisconsin but get back here every so often to visit friends and family. Last summer, I even heard that they did a group run while they were here. I'm hoping they are planning on doing it again this summer. Maybe?
So yea, I like the 2 Gomers. I think it is great to listen to two ordinary guys go through the same thing I am.
Who do you follow regularly?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
One Foot Infront of the Other
I ran 7 miles today! It wasn't all running but only walked 2 minutes at a time and I finished 3.1 miles in my fastest time ever! So yea, it was a good run. I went into this run not doing a long run day in two weeks. Two weeks ago is when I did 6 miles and had horrible blisters from my old shoes. I was disappointed in my time that day so I was actually nervous about this weeks 7 mile run. Next weeks 8 miles is now scaring me but I will just have to get over it.
My training this week was lacking by one day of running but I did get some bike time in. My running time last week was sooo hard. I just wasn't feeling it at all. I was just putting one foot in front of the other. Do you have days where it's just hard to stay moving forward?
Todays run just wasnt like that. Today's run went really well. I ate a bagel about an hour before my run and just kept plodding away on the treadmill. I was super excited about getting 3.1 miles done fast and I was shocked when 6 miles this week was faster than it was two weeks ago. So yea, today was one of those good days that makes me think 13.1 miles isn't that far fetched.
My training this week was lacking by one day of running but I did get some bike time in. My running time last week was sooo hard. I just wasn't feeling it at all. I was just putting one foot in front of the other. Do you have days where it's just hard to stay moving forward?
Todays run just wasnt like that. Today's run went really well. I ate a bagel about an hour before my run and just kept plodding away on the treadmill. I was super excited about getting 3.1 miles done fast and I was shocked when 6 miles this week was faster than it was two weeks ago. So yea, today was one of those good days that makes me think 13.1 miles isn't that far fetched.
Monday, February 13, 2012
9.75 Inches Less
Even though the scale has only moved seven pounds in the last year or so, the inches have moved more. About a year ago I took measurements of my body so I had another way to measure my success. I took my measurements again this week and was somewhat shocked by the numbers. I've lost 9.75 inches over various areas of my body. The biggest loss was in my waist where I've lost 3.5 inches!
I mostly feel these changes in my pants. Last May I bought a couple of pairs of jeans that were a smaller size than what I had been wearing. Those jeans are on the edge of being too big now. I've been thinking about looking at a smaller size but I guess I'm still a little scared. Maybe I need to wait another bit of time so that I wont be disappointed if the next size down doesn't fit.
Overall, I'm happy about the changes. I also like that I HAVE to wear a belt to keep my pants up. :)
I mostly feel these changes in my pants. Last May I bought a couple of pairs of jeans that were a smaller size than what I had been wearing. Those jeans are on the edge of being too big now. I've been thinking about looking at a smaller size but I guess I'm still a little scared. Maybe I need to wait another bit of time so that I wont be disappointed if the next size down doesn't fit.
Overall, I'm happy about the changes. I also like that I HAVE to wear a belt to keep my pants up. :)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
What Doesn't Kill You...
My past few workouts at the gym have been rough! I had a long 10k run last weekend that I was able to finish although it was slow and there was a lot of run/walk/run and then walk some more. But I finished it. Well that run caused a nasty blister on the inside of my arch on my left foot. I was wearing my old running shoes for this one because I hadn't broken in my new shoes yet. So the blister wasnt totally unexpected. Since deciding a week or so ago to run a marathon in October, I had change up my workout training from a 10k training to a marathon training program. So I kinda just merged one into the other. My 10k race isn't for another month but I will be six weeks into marathon training. Anyway, that 10k run was on Sunday. I knew I needed to take atleast a day to recover and to let that blister heal. So I pulled on my running shoes on Tuesday morning before work and tried to get some mileage on the treadmill. I was scheduled for 3 miles but could only squeeze out barely two because, dang, my foot hurt. I knew it was time to buy new running socks.
I didn't run or do any sort of working out until Friday after work. I was disappointed in myself but I knew I just need to let my foot heal or else I was going to pay for it in the end. Thursday night I went to REI to pick up some running socks. The Smart Wool PhD socks were the ones that were recommended to me so I bought a couple of pairs. I wore them on Friday's 4 mile run and I dont think there was any additional irritation on my blister. It actually looks like it is healing really well. I need tougher feet!
Friday's run was hard! It was four miles, which isn't daunting anymore but I just knew it would be hard. It was the end of a long week. I decided to hit the gym after work, figuring it wouldn't be all that busy because it was a Friday. The place was packed and I was shocked! I found myself a treadmill, laced up my new shoes and hit start on my watch. As I was warming up, I happened to glance at the machine next to me. (Don't we all do this at some point to see how we compare?) The girl next to me had 10 miles logs on her machine although I'm sure she hadnt actually run those 10 miles because she kept jumping off the belt and then back on every thirty seconds or so. It was a little annoying but I was amazed that she was running at the clip she was.
After about a mile of my own running, my legs just hurt so bad! My calves were tight and my ankles weren't flexing like they were supposed to. It was a flash back to when I first started running, when my shin splits were so rough that I couldnt flex my legs. I didn't want to be back there. It was painful! So I slowed down to a walk and then stopped to stretch some. I felt better after that. While I was trying to loosen my muscles, I got to thinking about my eating this week and how crappy it had been. Could my food consumption be why I was feeling like so much crap? Probably. I starting thinking about the changes I needed to make as far as food.
I noticed it on Saturday during the Body Flow class I took that morning. I wasnt able to hold the posses as long and my muscles were shaking. Ugh! I hate that feeling! I was feeling especially weak.
I'm not sure if I am going to get my long run in this weekend. I was thinking about possibly just getting in a really long ride on the trainer, around 25-30 miles? It would feel so good. It's hard to look outside at the white and feel that arctic air and imagine warm days of cycling and running.
On my way home from the gym on Saturday morning, I heard this Kelly Clarkson song on my radio and I couldn't keep myself from dancing in my seat. I know that the song is about a boy, as it usually is, but I felt like it made my mood better for the day. And actually inspired me to sit down on my computer and type out a couple of entries. This is being added to my iPod running list and will be played over and over again.
I didn't run or do any sort of working out until Friday after work. I was disappointed in myself but I knew I just need to let my foot heal or else I was going to pay for it in the end. Thursday night I went to REI to pick up some running socks. The Smart Wool PhD socks were the ones that were recommended to me so I bought a couple of pairs. I wore them on Friday's 4 mile run and I dont think there was any additional irritation on my blister. It actually looks like it is healing really well. I need tougher feet!
Friday's run was hard! It was four miles, which isn't daunting anymore but I just knew it would be hard. It was the end of a long week. I decided to hit the gym after work, figuring it wouldn't be all that busy because it was a Friday. The place was packed and I was shocked! I found myself a treadmill, laced up my new shoes and hit start on my watch. As I was warming up, I happened to glance at the machine next to me. (Don't we all do this at some point to see how we compare?) The girl next to me had 10 miles logs on her machine although I'm sure she hadnt actually run those 10 miles because she kept jumping off the belt and then back on every thirty seconds or so. It was a little annoying but I was amazed that she was running at the clip she was.
After about a mile of my own running, my legs just hurt so bad! My calves were tight and my ankles weren't flexing like they were supposed to. It was a flash back to when I first started running, when my shin splits were so rough that I couldnt flex my legs. I didn't want to be back there. It was painful! So I slowed down to a walk and then stopped to stretch some. I felt better after that. While I was trying to loosen my muscles, I got to thinking about my eating this week and how crappy it had been. Could my food consumption be why I was feeling like so much crap? Probably. I starting thinking about the changes I needed to make as far as food.
I noticed it on Saturday during the Body Flow class I took that morning. I wasnt able to hold the posses as long and my muscles were shaking. Ugh! I hate that feeling! I was feeling especially weak.
I'm not sure if I am going to get my long run in this weekend. I was thinking about possibly just getting in a really long ride on the trainer, around 25-30 miles? It would feel so good. It's hard to look outside at the white and feel that arctic air and imagine warm days of cycling and running.
On my way home from the gym on Saturday morning, I heard this Kelly Clarkson song on my radio and I couldn't keep myself from dancing in my seat. I know that the song is about a boy, as it usually is, but I felt like it made my mood better for the day. And actually inspired me to sit down on my computer and type out a couple of entries. This is being added to my iPod running list and will be played over and over again.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Btw, I'm running a Marathon
***Caution, there are some naughty words in this post.***
Did I tell you I'm running a marathon? I don't believe I did. This has been a post that has been coming I just haven't found the motivation to sit down and write it. But today is a good day so you're getting the news today. MY GOD I'M RUNNING A MARATHON! I am completely freaking out.
The date is October 7th, 2012. After my post about my 2012 events there was some questions as to why I just don't participate in a full marathon this year. Well, I had a whole list of excuses. There was the one about only running a 5k so far. There was the one about being too fat. There was the one about having other races planned for the year. I hadn't even ran a half marathon. How was I going to be able to run a full 26.2 miles in 9 months!? Thank you to Christian at The Maple Grove Barefoot Guy for being the first one to suggest I do something that scares the shit out of me. I didn't like a post he put on his Facebook page a couple of weeks ago. And quote "I'm enjoying seeing my friends attempt crazy awesome things they didn't think they could do. For the rest of you, your excuses and "I can't do it" attitude is annoying. Harden the fuck up. That is all..." I'm sure I'm not the only one this was directed to. Atleast I hope I'm not. (Christian and I went to high school together. He was two years older than me and a much better clarinet player. Please go check out his blog. It's witty and extremely informative, even if you are not a barefoot runner).
His comment really got me thinking, a lot, about what I'm doing here. Last fall's duathlon was a challenge but I knew, when I signed up for it, that I was a strong biker and the running was a doable distance. I knew I could do it. A marathon on the other hand, I have no idea if I can do it. I'd like to think I can. I actually know I can do it. It's just getting over the self doubt that sit quietly in the back of my brain, ready to jump out at me when I have a bad day or when the running is just too hard. If I put my mind to it, I can do anything right?
The craving to be successful and cross the finish line is so strong it brings me to tears if I think about it too much. I know there are people that support me to that final moment. I need to rally these people around me. My family and my husband are behind me. My closest friends, my blogging friends especially Anne at Twelve-in-Twelve who will also be running this event, her first marathon as well. Read about her commitment here. It's the people that doubt me that I need to let go of. I know people will judge me. I often think that they think I am too fat to run 26.2 miles and that I will never make it. I'm really not going to let this get to me because I don't see THEM getting up at 5am to run in the morning before work!
What are you doing this year that scares the shit out of you?
So here I am. Marathoner in training!
Did I tell you I'm running a marathon? I don't believe I did. This has been a post that has been coming I just haven't found the motivation to sit down and write it. But today is a good day so you're getting the news today. MY GOD I'M RUNNING A MARATHON! I am completely freaking out.
The date is October 7th, 2012. After my post about my 2012 events there was some questions as to why I just don't participate in a full marathon this year. Well, I had a whole list of excuses. There was the one about only running a 5k so far. There was the one about being too fat. There was the one about having other races planned for the year. I hadn't even ran a half marathon. How was I going to be able to run a full 26.2 miles in 9 months!? Thank you to Christian at The Maple Grove Barefoot Guy for being the first one to suggest I do something that scares the shit out of me. I didn't like a post he put on his Facebook page a couple of weeks ago. And quote "I'm enjoying seeing my friends attempt crazy awesome things they didn't think they could do. For the rest of you, your excuses and "I can't do it" attitude is annoying. Harden the fuck up. That is all..." I'm sure I'm not the only one this was directed to. Atleast I hope I'm not. (Christian and I went to high school together. He was two years older than me and a much better clarinet player. Please go check out his blog. It's witty and extremely informative, even if you are not a barefoot runner).
His comment really got me thinking, a lot, about what I'm doing here. Last fall's duathlon was a challenge but I knew, when I signed up for it, that I was a strong biker and the running was a doable distance. I knew I could do it. A marathon on the other hand, I have no idea if I can do it. I'd like to think I can. I actually know I can do it. It's just getting over the self doubt that sit quietly in the back of my brain, ready to jump out at me when I have a bad day or when the running is just too hard. If I put my mind to it, I can do anything right?
The craving to be successful and cross the finish line is so strong it brings me to tears if I think about it too much. I know there are people that support me to that final moment. I need to rally these people around me. My family and my husband are behind me. My closest friends, my blogging friends especially Anne at Twelve-in-Twelve who will also be running this event, her first marathon as well. Read about her commitment here. It's the people that doubt me that I need to let go of. I know people will judge me. I often think that they think I am too fat to run 26.2 miles and that I will never make it. I'm really not going to let this get to me because I don't see THEM getting up at 5am to run in the morning before work!
What are you doing this year that scares the shit out of you?
So here I am. Marathoner in training!
11 More Things
I just realized that another blog friend, Meredith at Making Over Merbear, tagged me on her blog to answer another 11 different questions. Here are those answers:
1. What is your main reason for living a healthy lifestyle?
My family has high cholesterol. I want to be able to control this with as little medicine as possible. Oh yea, and I want to look hot on a beach vacation too!
2. What would you say is your “go to” quick emergency snack?
Pretzels. Not exactly the healthiest but it satisfies the salt craving
3. What is your favorite exercise and why?
I love biking outside. I love feeling the wind in my face and the scenery speeding by. Its fun.
4. Why do you blog?
It helps me focus.
5. Dogs? Cats? Both? Neither?
Oh cats all the way. See my other 11 things.
6. Have you “given up” any foods for healthiness reasons? Will you ever have it again? Why?
McDonalds. I'm sure I'll have it again. I have had it once or twice since giving it up. But it just made me feel like crap.
7. Are you doing or have you or are you considering a paid-for weight loss program? Which one? Why do you do it or how did it help you? If not, what are you doing on your own?
Boy there's alot of questions in that one question. Nope
8. Tell me about a dream vacation, one you’ve been on or one you’d like to go on.
My three week honey moon in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland was amazing and I want to do it all over again.
9. What do you use to blog mainly? Mac? PC? iPad? Phone? and where do you find yourself when you are blogging…desk, couch, coffee shop, bed, kitchen table?
I blog on a Mac on the couch with music on int he back ground. Although, the news is on now.
10. Introvert (recharge with alone time) or extravert (get energy from people)?
Totally an introvert.
11. What is your favorite quote that keeps you motivated?
Any running quotes.
1. What is your main reason for living a healthy lifestyle?
My family has high cholesterol. I want to be able to control this with as little medicine as possible. Oh yea, and I want to look hot on a beach vacation too!
2. What would you say is your “go to” quick emergency snack?
Pretzels. Not exactly the healthiest but it satisfies the salt craving
3. What is your favorite exercise and why?
I love biking outside. I love feeling the wind in my face and the scenery speeding by. Its fun.
4. Why do you blog?
It helps me focus.
5. Dogs? Cats? Both? Neither?
Oh cats all the way. See my other 11 things.
6. Have you “given up” any foods for healthiness reasons? Will you ever have it again? Why?
McDonalds. I'm sure I'll have it again. I have had it once or twice since giving it up. But it just made me feel like crap.
7. Are you doing or have you or are you considering a paid-for weight loss program? Which one? Why do you do it or how did it help you? If not, what are you doing on your own?
Boy there's alot of questions in that one question. Nope
8. Tell me about a dream vacation, one you’ve been on or one you’d like to go on.
My three week honey moon in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland was amazing and I want to do it all over again.
9. What do you use to blog mainly? Mac? PC? iPad? Phone? and where do you find yourself when you are blogging…desk, couch, coffee shop, bed, kitchen table?
I blog on a Mac on the couch with music on int he back ground. Although, the news is on now.
10. Introvert (recharge with alone time) or extravert (get energy from people)?
Totally an introvert.
11. What is your favorite quote that keeps you motivated?
Any running quotes.
Friday, February 10, 2012
11 Things
My running friend Anne over at Twelve-in-Twelve gave me this list of 11 questions I get to answer.
1. Do you have any furry family members? If yes, roll call. Photos get you extra points.
We do have furry family members here.
2. What’s the biggest accomplishment you’ve achieved in the past few years?
My single biggest accomplishment. Thats a hard one but I think mine in the last year is when I completed my duathlon. It was a lot of work.
3. Favorite TV show?
Revenge. Love it!
4. Have you ever colored your hair? Did it turn out great or not so great?
I typically don't color my hair because it can be a pain to keep up. So I get it high lighted every so often.
5. Does your body wake up at a certain time each morning? How accurate is your “internal clock”?
My internal clock is pretty dang accurate. It scares me sometimes. I typically wake up at 7 am every morning and often before my alarm clock clicks on.
6. Where do you get your news from? Online, radio, or TV?
I listen to NPR in the morning and read the newspaper at work on my lunch break.
7. Favorite celebrity couple?
I dont really follow celebrity couples. But since I have to pick one, I will go with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. They have been married a while and I think they both do great things.
8. Have you ever had to assemble anything – Ikea furniture or workout equipment? Was it successful or not?
The bed I had in college was an Ikea bed. Its been put together and taken apart so many times, we are pretty much experts at it. We dont even need the instructions anymore.
9. Do you love the hot shower or the cold shower?
Hot. I may enjoy a luke warm shower if I have been just working out.
10. Favorite alcoholic drink – beer, wine, mixed drink?
Raspberry Tart from New Glarus Brewery
11. What are you doing right now? Are you a multi-tasker?
Typing and watching Dateline. I am a multi-tasker. I'm usually pretty good at it.
1. Do you have any furry family members? If yes, roll call. Photos get you extra points.
We do have furry family members here.
Boo is our older kitty. Hubby had her before we got married.
 |
| Boo |
Dove is our newer kitty. We've had her for almost a year. I fell in love with her at Petsmart during one of their adoption days.
 |
| Dove |
2. What’s the biggest accomplishment you’ve achieved in the past few years?
My single biggest accomplishment. Thats a hard one but I think mine in the last year is when I completed my duathlon. It was a lot of work.
3. Favorite TV show?
Revenge. Love it!
4. Have you ever colored your hair? Did it turn out great or not so great?
I typically don't color my hair because it can be a pain to keep up. So I get it high lighted every so often.
5. Does your body wake up at a certain time each morning? How accurate is your “internal clock”?
My internal clock is pretty dang accurate. It scares me sometimes. I typically wake up at 7 am every morning and often before my alarm clock clicks on.
6. Where do you get your news from? Online, radio, or TV?
I listen to NPR in the morning and read the newspaper at work on my lunch break.
7. Favorite celebrity couple?
I dont really follow celebrity couples. But since I have to pick one, I will go with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. They have been married a while and I think they both do great things.
8. Have you ever had to assemble anything – Ikea furniture or workout equipment? Was it successful or not?
The bed I had in college was an Ikea bed. Its been put together and taken apart so many times, we are pretty much experts at it. We dont even need the instructions anymore.
9. Do you love the hot shower or the cold shower?
Hot. I may enjoy a luke warm shower if I have been just working out.
10. Favorite alcoholic drink – beer, wine, mixed drink?
Raspberry Tart from New Glarus Brewery
11. What are you doing right now? Are you a multi-tasker?
Typing and watching Dateline. I am a multi-tasker. I'm usually pretty good at it.
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