Mind Dump

There is so much  going on in my head today...so I thought I would just throw it all out here bullet style :)

* My best friend lost his father yesterday. It was expected, but I don't think you are ever really prepared to say goodbye. My heart breaks for him and I wish I knew how to comfort him. When my Dad passed away he flew in from graduate school...and then flew back again the next week to be a part of my wedding. I hope that I can be at least half the comfort to him that he was to me. It is just so hard knowing a friend is hurting.

An old picture of us...

*Yesterday Debbie and Shannon asked about my reflections on my 30 Day challenge. When I started the 30 days, my easy pace one- mile took about 13:20...now I am very comfortable at a 12 minute mile. I wish I would have kept a tally of exactly how many miles I ran during the challenge. During the 30 days I did not lose any weight...but that's OK I will get there eventually...I just have to keep moving forward.

*  I went and had lab work done last week and they are changing the dosage of my thyroid medicine...I have to go back in one month for more lab work. I have read that it can take up to a year to get thyroid levels balanced out...but I am still hopeful that it won't take that long. (If anyone has any experience with this please give me some words of advise or encouragement...this is so frustrating!)

*  I didn't get to swim while we were out of town this weekend :(      I was really disappointed. The first day the pool was closed because they were having a prom at the hotel that night...when we came in that night the pool looked gorgeous with floating lit flowers all in it... and the prom kids looked nice too. On Sunday morning, the pool didn't open until 9 and we were checking out at 10...just not enough time. Maybe next trip.

* I really hate to see people being mean to others about their weight.  This weekend at the baseball game, the high school kid that was working as a bat boy was possibly 15lbs over weight. He was tall with a muscular build (very football player type body). At one point during the game, he didn't see a ball laying on the field after a play...and the home team's catcher yelled at him to pretend that the ball was a cupcake and run after it. I was just shocked by the rudeness. And I felt really bad for the kid...I mean this was opening weekend for that team, and possibly the kid's first day on the job...and now he will be reminded of that player's comment every time he works(or maybe he can just let it roll off). It just really irked me! SO unkind...

* Yesterday was an emotional day after hearing about my friend's father. I had planned on a shorter run that night, but not knowing what the week entails (with funeral arrangements) I wanted to go ahead and get my Jelly Bean 5k finished. My time was 40:07 which is not my best, but I caught myself drifting off in thought during parts of the running...just so many thoughts swirling...and memories of my own Dad. After the run, I felt better than I had all day! Isn't is great how a nice run can do that for you?

* I am hoping to conquer the Muscles class this evening if everything goes as plan...wish me luck! (I'll need it!!)

Little Red School House 5k

The Little Red School House 5k is a race I really wanted to do. The proceeds from the race go to buy school supplies for children of need in our county schools. However, Tommy and I were heading to Nashville early Saturday morning and I was worried about running us late..or having sore legs while making the 2+hour drive. Tommy said to run it if I wanted to, but I honestly wasn't sure if I would do it until I work up Saturday morning. 
I woke up early and debated doing the run for about 30 minutes. I am so glad I decided to run. I headed over to the run (about 30 minutes from my house). This was the first race I have done without Tommy going to cheer me on...and hold my stuff. I laced my car key into my shoes,and that worked great. I got registered, and picked up my swag bag (or lack there of...it only had a shirt and bottle of water). Threw them in the car...and headed to take a look at the race route. I am not very familiar with the community,and always have a fear of getting lost on the race course. Then it was time to line up. The first mile felt a bit long, but my time was right at 12minutes. The second mile felt really fast and I hit it about 25 minutes...the last mile was the hardest...it was sooo hot (compared to the temps I have been running in, when I crossed the finish line the temp was 86 degrees.) I crossed the finish line at 39:08 a PB for an official 5k :) I was thrilled!!! And glad I decided to run the race. I paced the first 2.5 miles with another runner,and then pulled ahead of her at the end when she started taking extra walk breaks. After the race,I went over and introduced myself. She lives about an hour away, but we exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch  about future races. I didn't stay for awards, because I needed to get home and shower again before we hit the road.
We have had a great time in Nashville. Running on the hotel treadmill (old and shaky) this morning was a bit of a challenge..but I got in my 1 mile for the 30 Day Challenge :) We are going to do some outlet shopping today and hit another game this afternoon. I am also hoping to hit up the Trader Joe's before we head home tonight :)

On the Road..

Yesterday, I hit the road for a meeting out of town. I actually worked half a day and then hit the gym for an hour before heading out. Overall, my trip down was good. There were a few hiccups that caused my trip to take a little longer(about 5 hours), but overall it was good. After checking in and grabbing some dinner, I took advantage of the hotel's pool and hot tub. It was AMAZING! I love swimming! Growing up, my family had a pool so I lived in the water. And it is something I miss so much! So it was great to be able to have an extra workout in the form of a swim. And then enjoying the hot tub was so relaxing. Back in the hotel room I took Amy's lead and enjoyed a nice mud mask.

( I always keep my mud mask in my travel bag, because I feel like I have more time for these things while out of town.) After the mud mask, I had a hot shower, enjoyed some time on the laptop and had a great night's sleep.
This morning, when my alarm went off at 5 to take my meds, I had a decision to make. Use the hotel's fitness room or drive over to the AnyTime fitness here. I have worked out at the AnyTime Fitness before and enjoyed it, so I decided to get ready, head over there and tackle this again! I LOVE the TREADCLIMBER!!! Do any of you use this equipment? I really wish my local gym had this...but then I would never want to do anything else. I was a HOT SWEATY MESS! and it was Wonderful!

I was so glad that I go up and got my day's workout out of the way. Now I am about to head to meetings. Hopefully it will be a great day, and I will head back home tonight. Hope y'all have a great day!

Three Things Thursday

1. Tommy has been out of town the past couple days watching our team in the finals. It was my first week of classes at the library, so I couldn't take off to go. The team only needs two more wins to be back to back Champions. Go SUNS! Tommy has had a blast, but I sure do miss him.

2. Even though I had to work this week, instead of going to the finals, I had a baseball moment of my own! Washington National's player Josh Willingham brought his son to my Story Time on Wednesday. I was super excited, but wanted to respect his time with his son so I didn't act like like a super fan :)

3. I have skipped the last two night running, because of the blister, and only did the shred. I HATE level 2 of the shred, but just keep pushing. Tonight is my night to tackle Week 4 Day 1 of the Couch to 5k again!

Drop Dead Gorgeous by December -Weekly Report 2

1. A picture of you holding up a positive sign for yourself.

My sign says, "In Control Away from Home!" to remind me that weekend trips aren't a reason for out of 

 control eating. I wish the picture was a little better because I am standing in a life size bird's nest at the Chattanooga Nature Center.

2. Your current week’s weight as well as your challenge start weight. *optional

Challenge Start Weight : 193.5
Current Weight: 193

3. Your goal(s) from now, or whenever you decide to join, until December.

Goal 1: 200 tracked workout miles...(treadmill, street runs,biking,elliptical,swimming,etc)  20 Miles tracked this week: 6 treadmill, 2 elliptical, 12 cycling
Goal 2: 5k in under 40 mins - Starting Couch to 5k again working on speed during run interval :Week 1 finished.
Goal 3: Journal food 5days a week- Journaled using Sparkpeople 5 days
Goal 4: New Goal- Doing something each week to make myself feel gorgeous- This week I treated myself to getting my eyebrows waxed. Having my eyebrows done always makes me feel a bit more put together, and it is something I don't treat myself to often enough!

4. ONE thing that you are proud of for the week.

Working everyday towards my goals.This was a tough week with my Aunt and Best Friend's son both in serious accidents, but I didn't allow the stress to influence my eating or fitness plans.

5. ONE thing that you can improve upon for the following week.
Strength training has always been a struggle for me. This week I will strength train at least one day by doing a half hour circuit ST workout at the gym.

Three Things Thursday

1. Thanks for your prayers for my Aunt and Will. Both are doing much better. Will actually got to come home from the hospital this morning which shocked us! My aunt has had one surgery and another one is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Both are so lucky and I am so thankful.

2.  Tommy and I had already planned to go to Chattanooga, Tn this weekend for baseball. Since both are doing so well, we are going to keep our plans. I enjoy Chattanooga and look forward to the weekend. We are planning to visit the zoo and some caverns while there so I am sure I will get my two hours of activity in no problem.

3. Three days in, and I am really enjoying my new workout schedule. I will be participating in the 30 day shred challenge over at livesmilerun. I completed the 30 day shred in March and loved the way it made me feel. STRONG! But after I finished the original 30 days I stopped and haven't been motivated until now to do it again. I am really hoping between the Drop Dead Gorgeous by December and 30 Day Shred  Challenges I will finally bust through this lower 190s plateau I have been dealing with for months...and month! My fitness goals have kept me motivated with my journey, but seeing the scale move would be AMAZING!

Big Spring Park

Tommy and I are out of town this weekend following our favorite Minor League Baseball Team , the Jacksonville Suns. Tommy is a huge Marlins fan, and a couple of years ago we decided to check out one of their minor league teams. We have been hooked since. During baseball season, we spend many weekends on the road cheering on our boys. This year, I want to make a real effort to find new places to walk/jog while we are out of town instead of just using the hotel treadmill. This morning we were able to explore Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama. It is a gorgeous park. Since Tommy was with me, we spent most of the time just walking through the park and enjoying the ducks, fish, and beautiful scenery. After we had walked around for about an hour, I asked Tommy if he would mind if I did a short jog. It was so much fun jogging in a new place. My pace was very comfortable and because Tommy was waiting, it was very short. During our entire time at the park I logged 5420 steps.

When we got back to the hotel I decided to do a quick mile on the treadmill to complete my workout. I was excited with my time..12:08. This is my best 1mile time on the treadmill so far. YAY! Now that I am running outside, the treadmill has become tedious for me...I get bored quick! So far this has been a great weekend. Only wish the hotel had the pool open already! Happy Saturday!