I Did It! I Didn't Give Up!

     What I have been working on and blogging about for two months. Before stuffing myself like a turkey. I participated in the Turkey Trot to benefit LARS, Laurel Advocacy and Referral. A great organization that helps the homeless and people that are having trouble making basic ends meet.  

      Whenever I sign up for these events. I am happy until they day of the event. Then when having to wake up early in them morning. The same thoughts run through my head. Why did I do this? I don't want to go. I wonder if I can get out of it?

My number and my lovely chapeau

         Then upon arriving at the event. I want to go home. Can I go home? How can I get out of this? Sadly in the past. If I didn't want to go through something like this. I wouldn't. I just wouldn't show up. Desperately want to quit that type of destructive behavior. It is destructive. People learn that they cannot rely on you. Being considered unreliable. Is possibly the worst thing ever. 

Standing around waiting for things to begin. It was a very cold morning.

     When I started practicing for the Iron Girl 5k. I was finishing at one hour four minutes. By the time the Iron Girl came around. I was finishing at 54 minutes. This time when I did the Turkey Trot. My official finishing (according to Blue Cheetah Sports Timing) time is 47 minutes. I thought I had finished in 49 minutes. Finishing in 30 minutes, will be in my future.

My first 5k

     My new goal for the end of November, December and into the New Year. Is to not gain any extra weight during this delicious Christmas season.

**NOTE** This is my journey. Yours may be completely different. You should always discuss any new exercise program with your doctor.**

What Have I Signed Up For?

    When I had to wake up before the crack of dawn. On the morning of the Iron Girl Columbia. I told myself this wouldn't work out (pun intended) And thought that I would not be signing up for another 5k. I am far from my best so early in the morning. Not even qualify as a human before I have had my first cup of coffee.

      Previously I had intended to register for another race in November.  While waiting at the Iron Girl. I was carrying on this serious conversation in my head. I mean I might as well talk to myself. No one else was talking to me. At least I was talking in my head. I wasn't talking out loud. At least I don't think I was talking out loud. Good idea to wait and see if I wanted to do more 5ks. Definitely don't want to do anymore 5ks. Then after the race was complete. I thought, I sort of liked doing this and it did benefit a charity.

     Waking up earlier than usual is really the toughest part. Well next to the waiting and the 3.1 miles. The preparing, the feeling like a turkey vulture had come to take you into the after life. And the heat from preparing during the Summer. After all that waking up dreadfully early was really the hardest part. 



Just a little motivation

     So about this race in November. I felt like I was not ready for that. Seriously needing a lot more time to prepare. I will look for another race in April or May. I will have plenty of time to prepare for something that far in advance. So searching a 5k website there plenty of 5ks, just not for me. So I signed up for the one in November. This one also benefits charity.

     The thing about this race in November. I HAVE TO RUN! The coordinators have a separate event for walkers. So walking is not an option. I have two months to prepare, TWO MONTHS.  So now I am thinking, what did I just sign up for? Last time I had seven months. At the end of seven months I wasn't prepared. Now I have just under two months. What have I done?

    I have registered. And I will do this! Henry Ford said, Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. So I think can run.

Great things on the horizon

     **NOTE** This is my own personal journey. Your journey may be completely different. And you should always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. **NOTE**

Training for a 5k

        **Note** I lost my weight using Points Plus. I have not and will not use Smart Points**

     Turning forty doesn't really feel much different than thirty nine. I do feel a lot better than I ever did in my twenties.  I dress better, too.  While in my twenties I gasp to think about how much I needed Stacy and Clinton. Why didn't anyone turn me into "What Not to Wear"? And hair, don't even get me started on my past hair.

    I want this part of my life to be filled with different things. I always wanted to run. So I signed up for a 5k in September. I figure I have enough time to train for that. I want to run. I already know that I can walk 3.10 miles. I want to push myself to do what I have never done. Eventually I want to run The Boston Marathon, but baby steps.

     So I am building up my stamina. For two weeks I have been riding my stationary bicycle. Riding it for twenty minutes a day, six times a week.  Trying to slowly build up stamina. Like I said, baby steps. Next week my exercise routine changes.

     I had quit Weight Watchers. I decided to go back. I am tired of the weight creeping up and up. Slowly creeping back on. I had the most success with Weight Watchers. It is a very good program. I was doing Spark People. Don't get me wrong. Spark People is a great program. I just found ways to cheat while doing Spark. It wasn't them, it was me.

    Embarking on a new journey is Fabulous!

My two biggest fans and motivation!