Keep going...

So today marks the 4th straight day of hitting the gym for those 45 minutes of cardio workouts. I found this machine in the back of cardio room #2. It's sort of like a gazelle - swing your legs back and forth - machine. After about 2 minutes, I was ready to jump ship, but I thought to myself, this is an opportunity to push myself. And indeed I did. I pushed myself for 20 minutes straight on that thing. Then I jumped over to the treadmill for the remainder. I had surely worked up a sweat.

How do I get through 45 minutes (you may be asking)? I watch the travel channel! It's so cool. I am learning all the quaint places to eat and buy watches in Switzerland. On Saturday, I watched and waited for an entire hour on the strange phenomenon that is known in Roswell, NM. You can't visit Site 51, but the show was cool. Now that kept me peddling for longer minutes than I anticipated.

I found that "I love Lucy" is on during the lunch hour. That may become a favorite too. Or "Fresh Prince" - that's just plain funny stuff.

Ok - so back to work I must go...until next time, "Keep going!"

I did it!

Here I am before the Half Marathon began. I set my hopes high by choosing to run with a pace team (knowing full well that I would be dreaming to finish at this time). I started with them, but I found myself watching the pace leader slowly disappear out of my sights somewhere after mile 3 and then I never saw them again.

I ran my own race at my own pace. I walked a few times as my ankles were so sore and I needed to stretch. I met another Marian right before the run and pretty much paced with her the entire race.

I have to say, I was pretty relaxed, considering I had a queezy stomach and needed a few stops at the Port-A-Potties. I don't understand - I only had 2 organic pop-tarts...

I started out thinking I would dedicate each mile to one of my nieces or nephews (I have nine and one on the way) and then my family. But somewhere around mile 4, 5 or 6, I had no idea where I was at and I decided just to run. Near the end, I decided to run the last mile for my grandmas, since I really started focusing on running on the last day I ever saw one of my grandmas. But, the emotion got a little overwhelming and my lungs started to constrict and I thought my asthma would kick in. I certainly wouldn't want that! So, I just decided to focus on finishing strong.

I am sitting on the couch now and my legs, feet are throbbing. It's time for some Icy Hot. I don't know what it is about running that keeps me coming back, especially since the next few days, I will have sore feet and legs. But there's just something about it. I will admit that I do NOT see a full marathon anywhere in the near future. I would have to lose some serious weight in order to do that.

No mantras this run. No mental games -- just running. Just a sheer determination to complete this race. I didn't have any overall push to pick up the speed or push it at all. I had just enough motivation to run - keeping the pace.

I had a scripture playing through my mind at one point:

"They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. The shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not, not be faint."

I will post my time and finishing photo when I get those. My friend's mother-in-law was there to cheer her on and she got a shot of me crossing the finish line. You'll see that as soon as I receive it.

Clock time: 3:08-ish. If that is so, I should be good for a personal record in chip-time. The anticipation is still there - waiting for the results to be posted on-line.

Thanks for all your "secret" encouragements and thoughts. I got a few texts and some phone calls afterwards. I love it! Thanks. I appreciate everyone of you.

I will still continue to post - since technically, this blog is for weight loss. I just took that past few weeks to highlight an accomplishment that I have pursued ...

Until I recover ... Look at those beautiful calves!

Here are the two marathon divas (of course, before the run):

We're down to just hours - 72 to be exact (and counting)...

With only 72 hours to go, I decided to go from days to hours in my countdown. I tried to put in a counter, but something's not working (thus the pretty box in the corner with no information that you need).

Keep cheering me on. I am scheduled for a light 2-miler tonight and maybe a quick trip to the gym for a work-out, but we might just skip the work-out part (shhhhh).

Alright - let you know how it goes tomorrow.

9 SINGLE DAYS TO GO!

ONLY NINE MORE DAYS...

ONLY 9?????!!!!

What happend to all that time I had to get ready for this half marathon? It's all gone! The days of building up mileage and drinking power drinks and eating whatever I want (because I'm going to burn it all off when I run later) are almost over.

In the words of Charlie Brown:

"UUUUGGGGHHHH!"

I put in my 3-miles at the track yesterday. I know it's easier on your legs to run on the softer gravel track, but I think it takes more energy and work to keep it moving. I had everything I could do to kick it while I was running.

I haven't had any major issues with sore muscles or stiffness, but I have had an awful time with my heel. I stretch it, ice it and it is still killing me after I run. It hurts more when it's on the track. Guess I should consider not running on the track.

The only reason I ran the track is because my NIKE+ is attached to my IPod which is in my gym bag which is in my co-workers van which went to the service garage to get repaired. So, in order for me to know how far I was running, I had to use the track ... understand now? It shouldn't be this complicated!

!