Next Big Challenge

Last September I set myself up for a big challenge and completed it. I trained and ran my 5K, 10K and half marathon!

Now I am setting up (or revisiting..) my next challenge: weight loss. It's really gotten out of control. I am now 9 lb.'s higher than I've been most of my life and 12 lb.'s higher than where I want to be.

I exercise and eat mostly healthy, but the weight has continually creeped up. I know where I fault: afternoon snacking, too many sweets and eating too much with David or when there's a lot of food around.

But I want to lose this weight to feel better in my own skin, run easier and fit into all my great clothes (that are currently out of commission).

Weight loss has always been like running was for me- the "it's great that others can do it, but I am just not made to do it" mentality. Well I proved that theory wrong with my half marathon, so now it's time to tackle my weight.

It makes sense that if I eat less and exercise more I will lose, but something inside me won't let that register. Something inside me says eating 5 chunks of chocolate doesn't matter anyway since I'm not going to lose.

So I'm heading into this half-blind.

Starting today I am counting calories (1,400-1,600) and eating most of my starchy breads and high-carb meals in the early part of the day without thinking too much about it or focusing on what I weigh right now.

My weigh-in this morning showed me a new, bad number, but that's only feedback. My short term goal is to get back to my normal weight (9 lb.s less than I am today). After that I would like to trim off another few pounds.

Here I go!

ps- I signed up for my next half- the Gasparilla Half Marathon March 1st! I'm going to train with a great girl I met on my last half!

Fighting Failure

In this post, I have nothing special to write. Stop here if you want fun photos or an inspriational message... all you're going to get is a defeated runner who just wants to cry. I think a special time-of-month is coming soon which would explain my hyper-emotional state, but I'm allowing myself feel it anyway.

The History
You see last September I promised myself I would push my love of running to a 5K and then a 10K the next month... and then a half marathon. I've had to overcome many obstacles with it (mental barriers, weak knees, asthma), but my love for running grows.

I completed my 5K with a new PR. I was under trained and nervous for my 10K, but I did it (along with my supportive boyfriend by my side). Now I face the half marathon, 13.1 miles, this Sunday.

Ready for 13.1?
I've admitted it to few, but I seriously considered giving up on the biggest goal, my half. With graduation and the holidays I had no time to train and I was set that non-runner me couldn't take on a half in 3 weeks.

...but one tough the-more-I-want-to-give-up-the-harder-I-have-to-try-because-I'm-no-quitter session with the treadmill turned that around for me. I ran a solid 8 miles when I couldn't knock out 5 not too long before that. After that I knew I could do this.

Fast Forward to Tonight
Tonight was my big 10-miler. I've been planning for this for weeks. Not only was it to be my first double-digit run, but it was my last big training run before the race.

I spent the week pumping myself up for this. I was finally ready.

Armed with multiple water bottles, Clif shot blocks, iPod and towel, I tackled the treadmill. Then I had to stop at mile 4. My stomach has been acting up (let's just say my butt is a runny faucet- no leakage, though! eww! Did I really put that on my blog!?!), but as I was running it got much worse.

I tried to push through the gurgling and cramping that was taking over my abdomen and instead focused on pushing through to meet my time. At mile 5 I couldn't take it and visited the restroom again.

Well, I couldn't stay out of the restroom and had no choice but to quit my run.

I was so built up about this run, but instead I walked away feeling defeated. This wasn't just any run. This was my big goal, this was the run that would yell to me, "Ashley! You've done it!" I've put all my effort and strength into overcoming my lack of training that to have a stupid stomach bug overcome me really stinks.

Pushing Myself

photo

I have to let you guys know that I feel pretty good right now. You see, a while ago I set this very ambitious goal of running a half marathon in the middle of January 2009. I thought it'd be especially nice to complete such a large goal after graduation the month prior.

...but I seemed to have forgotten that finals, graduation, holidays and road trips aren't very conducive to actually TRAINING for a half marathon!!

It's not like asthmatic-non-runner-Ashley can just get up and magically run 13.1 miles just because it'll be really, really cool! So when my training was basically nonexistent until after Christmas, I really thought of giving up.
But I couldn't think of a substantial enough excuse to give up on my goals.

So tonight I ran 8 miles. A very big record for me.

Nothing compares to being proud of yourself for pushing your limits. Do you know what I mean? Whether it be running, loving, changing habits or prejudices or stepping out of your comfort zone... the reward for pushing yourself is priceless.

Click here to see Runner's World great article on 15 foods runners need to keep in good running shape. I'm proud to see I had most of those foods today! Included in the list are oranges, black beans and dark chocolate!

Do you notice how your diet affects your specific exercise program? Are there certain foods that you count on for top performance?

Ahhhh! Vacation!!

Holy crappers!

Graduation (!!!) 7:30am tomorrow, party, 10-day road trip Sunday- then Christmas Eve right after we get back! Gah!

First, here's the schedule for Operation: Wonderland in case you're interested:

Operation: Wonderland Itinerary December 14-23, 3008

Sunday 12/14
Leave Tampa 8am
7 ½ hour drive
Arrive Charleston, SC 4pm

Monday 12/15
Leave Charleston, SC 1pm
8 hour drive
Arrive DC 9pm

Tuesday 12/16
Leave DC 5pm
3 hour drive
Arrive DE 8pm

Wednesday 12/17
Leave DE 4pm
4 hour drive
Arrive NY 8pm

Thursday 12/18
NYC

Friday 12/19
NYC

Saturday 12/20
Leave NY in am
Stay Boston

Sunday 12/21
Stay Boston

Monday 12/22
Leave Boston 8am
12 hour drive
Arrive NC 8pm

Tuesday 12/23
Leave NC 1pm
10 hour drive
Arrive HOME (Tampa) 11pm

**All readers, let me know if I'll be in your area and maybe we can meet up!**

Traveling Exercises
I think road trips are the most critical time to keep active, especially when that trip is during a food-heavy holiday. After all, you're most likely eating more food and more often and some days are spent entirely in the car.

Being on the road for 10 days the month before my first half marathon scares me a bit, so I'm already planning out my runs. Anyone want to meet up at any of the locations for a good run?!

I'm packing my mat (ewww hotel carpets!), a resistance band and maybe my 8-lb. medicine ball. I've also printed this great No-Gear Necessary workout from Women's Health.

What do you do to stay fresh and active when you're on the road? I'm taking all the tips I can get on this one!

Facing Mountains

I have an announcement. And in my mind, it's a big one!

For the past year or so I've become increasingly interested in running. Most of my life I believed I just couldn't run. I've never been athletic, bad knees run in the family and I have exercise-induced asthma that leaves me feeling like I'm going to die if I push too hard.

But in February I began to train anyway. Step by step I improved. Now I didn't become the best runner around by any means, but I proved to myself that I, the non-runner, could run and improve with hard work and dedication.
So I ran a 5K. My time was slow, but I actually ran it! I was overwhelmed with pride and inspiration. I was addicted. (Read this post.)

After months of reading about other blogger's experiences with their 10Ks, halfs and marathons, a goal brewed within me. I decided to challenge myself to a half marathon.

If you knew me and my very non-athletic history and family, this would seem pretty out of sorts! But I want to prove to myself that yes, you can accomplish tough things... but you can also accomplish really tough things!!

Deep down inside I don't think I can do it. So I went ahead and registered for a 10K on Thanksgiving Day and a Half Marathon on January 18, 2009.

__________________

I'm trying to make more time to run right now. Look for a post later on when I talk about my training, etc.!

Any training/sports nutrition tips would be very appreciated!!