Happy New Years!

2015 lbs lost: 15
2016 lbs lost: 0 


Distance: 6.2
Average Pace: 9:58
Weather: Perfect, except dark
Course: Last Publix run of the year!
What hurt: Nothing

About today's run:
We actually ran on Tuesday, Wednesday was a rest day, and my schedule for today is a bit off because the Resolution Run race is tomorrow morning, and my first ever indoor TRI is on Sunday.  I owed 7 miles as my taper long run, but between TRI and 4 miler, I think I will have covered it.  Today I might run 1 or 2 miles just to keep the muscles loose for tomorrow morning.

Tuesday's run was fantastic!  Michele and I ran hard.  We were trying to decide whether a 2 hour half marathon was even possible this year.  The answer is probably still: who knows!  But we proved that we could keep an average pace under 10, even with hills, for at least 6.2 on an evening run.  We also ran one mile under 9 pace.  So we just have to up that from one mile to 13! :)  I loved hamming it up with Michele as we went.  We really made each other book it with the commentary to each other.

Today, I am feeling beyond blessed.  What a wonderful feeling it is to look back on a year without regret or would-have-should-have-could-haves, with pride.  Is there more to go?  Of course!  Did I make mistakes?  Yup.  Were there bad moments. Well, duh.  But to be happy .. genuinely happy .. on New Year's Eve.  Gosh, that's a rush!

Welcome, 2016!

Welcome, 2016!

Beginnings are tough.  How do I cover in one post 37 years of me-ness, and 1.5 years of running?  So here goes nothing... or maybe everything.  First and foremost, stats: 37, 5'0" (fun-sized), about 15 - 20 lbs overweight (per BMI charts and whatnot), wife, mother of two (teen daughters), 1st generation Cuban-American, full-time HR Manager.  From March 2014 to today, I have lost 65 lbs. This means, going into the start of this blog, and the new year, I've already done a lot of hard work. :)

2014
In 2014, I laid the foundation.  I tackled and overcame "just finishing."  Just finishing was my first passion, and the theme for 2014.  I ran/walked my first 5k in 45 minutes in August 2014.  The kool aide took hold immediately.  I went on to run/walk my first 10k in September, and a 10 miler in October '14.  In November, I run/walked an entire half-marathon.  (My time for that first one was ~2 hours, 54 minutes).  The distance crept up with training, and the goal was always just to finish.  I lost a total of 50 lbs that first year.  Looking back, I am extremely proud of myself for this year.  Back of the packers really do work as hard or even harder than their zippier counterparts.  I remember the first time I finished 7 miles; I was nauseous, my feet were swollen to exponential degrees, and I sincerely physically felt like I might pass out.  Mentally, that was my first taste of "bad ass."  That runner's high that tell's you you'll want to do it again if you do by any chance not die. ;) Although my blog will focus on new efforts, the look backs and comparisons to me as a beginner will no doubt be covered.  At only 1.5 years in, its all still fairly well etched in my memory. Tee hee.

Here are some early 2014 Before pictures:



And after the half marathon 2014:


2015
In 2015, I was more unencumbered by weight and general out of shape-ness.  I began to run races for time.  I saw my 5k go from 35 to 33 to under 28 minutes this past year, and fell in love with the new purpose and passion of actually competing against myself.  I lost another 15 lbs this year, and have clocked 732 miles.

Here are some of my favorite 2015 pictures:

2016
I am absolutely NOT finished! This is when I usually become complacent, and rather than moving forward, slip into old habits.  But I don't at all feel that way this time.  I am consumed with excitement, and am constantly dreaming up new goals for me.  Habit has been accomplished, and in fact "Addiction" might better cover it.  The focus of 2016 will be the most fulfilling: fine tuning, toning, and chasing ever more difficult goals.

2016 Goals
1000 miles
-10 lbs
5k in 26 minutes
Peachtree RR PR
1/2 marathon in under 2:14 (moderate goal) and at 2 hours (push goal)
Up my running hair game! ;)




Present!  ...

I don't think I will be singing the praises of the barefoot running religion quite as emphatically as many converts.  The goal here is just to mix it up.  To add to the tool belt.  I was told to start very slow; walks and 3-5 minutes of running tops.  The goal would be to get to the point where I can run one of my shorter weekly runs or one of my treadmill runs in these.

Anyhoo, I am sure I have missed oodles and oodles.  At some point, I will have to tell you about the person who first "Believed," and my partners in crime now, maybe a little more about the 2015 #100selfies effort.  For now, I must run! :)

Wiggle Your Big Toe

Wiggle Your Big Toe

2016 lbs lost: 0 
Distance: 12
Average Pace: 11:31
Weather: Freakishly warm (~70) and humid
Course: Fowler Park (mud puddles, yey!)
What hurt: Nothing during

About today's run:
Sluggish. sluggish. sluggish.  I haven't felt like such a turtle in a long time!  But today it was all about time on feet.  Ran with MM at about 2:30pm.  It took us upward of 2.5 hours to finish!  Our feet were encased in mud by the time we were done.  Many spots on the trail were flooded.  But I am really glad we got each other out there.  Not every run can be race-worthy.  I am firmly of the belief that even junkier miles, where you just can't seem to get your feet to propel you are still going to help you in the long run. (pun intended).

An hour later, I was the picture above.

In other news:
My friend CW sends me a text as I was about to leave for the long run, asking if any of us that talk about weight loss in Book Club would like to join her in an indoor triathlon at Life Time fitness.  Despite the fact that I have not been on a bike in two years, and that I've only swam a couple of times in the last month, I said I might be tempted.  Because ..

We scrambled via phone and online registration, and before I had one iota of information, found out that there were only two entries left for Alpharetta! Must. hurry!  Must. register. for. TRI. fast.  So we did!  And now .. Tri the Horror. I am swimming, biking and running an indoor TRI on Jan 2.  One day after a 4 mile resolution run (which I plan to race), and 7 days before the Red Nose half-marathon!  So much for don't try anything new before race day.  

10k Tuesday

Distance: 6.2
Average Pace: 10:31
Course: Publix/Westside (hills)
What hurt: Lower back a little, toes on right foot toward finish

About today's run:

Staycation day 2.  We aren't doing much, except not being at work.  Which is plenty good enough. :) Took care of a few Christmas to-dos, ran the kids around, and then met MM and KK at about 5:15.  It was nice to keep with Michele through the first ~4 miles.  She was trying to push me, and it worked.  The faster pace and the hill work kicked my butt, though, and I needed more recovery than she did by Old Milton, and through Thompson, although by Thompson I was feeling pretty zippy again.

The sock/toes problem didn't rear its ugly head until right after Thompson for the wrap up .2 near Publix.  As soon as I was done, I had to rip off my sneakers, because my toes were screaming at me.  Starting to think its not the socks, but circulation.  So weird.  At least the IT band is behaving.  Its still sore and stiffens up now and again, but for the most part, I think its on the mend.

Bill made the best dinner: lasagna and garlic bread. Possibly negated the entire run, but yum!  A little Moscoto wine to go with, and I am a happy camper.

I hit 720 miles for the year.  A bit off from my resolution goal of running to Jersey, but now I know a bit better.  Never the less, I've set a goal of 1,000 miles in 2016.  I also would like to lose another 10 lbs.  And up my running hair game!  That is prioirty number one.

This past year, #100selfies were very motivating.  Hoping that a blog in 2016 will keep the momentum going in a similar way.

I will recap 2015, and give a bit more detail about myself, but for tonight, I am doing well enough to hit the essential details before giving in to the wine-and-lasagna induced laze-fest.

:)

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Look, I'm blogging .. about running .. in 2016!