Spring Storms

So I had the best of intentions to go to the gym Wed night after the zoo, but then the weather decided to change all that. We had to leave the zoo early and we just made it home before the storm hit. I don't think it would've done me any good to show up to the gym during a Tornado Warning, so there went my best laid plans. Thurs night, Elijah and I had our first appt with Heather and that went really well. It lasted till almost 7pm and was way across the south side of town, so no real time or motivation for the gym after that. Elijah and Wes think they want to go to Mahoney State Park tomorrow to swim and partake in other activities (paddle boating maybe), so now I feel the pressure to be bikini ready...aaahhh!!! At least I made to the gym tonight to tan, hit the weights, and ran for 22 mins straight! (Yeah!!! I was able to run 2.3 mi in that time...I am slowly training for whatever race is next.) Tomorrow I will get up early to jump rope and do some other exercises at home. Then its off to the zoo at 9am, followed by some gym time before it's swim time. One more tanning session wouldn't hurt either :) Both boys love me the way I am , soon I will too!

Another visit after a brief "vacation"

Ok, so I've taken a slight break from blogging and from any kind of exercise. Don't ask me what that heck was going on because I can't even begin to say. Well, maybe I can at least begin to say why. Work has been kicking my butt and keeping my stress level high. (You'd think that'd be motivation enough to get my butt in gear, but sadly, no.) Then of course E has been having some difficulty adjusting to his summer schedule at daycare and it is a little bit of a struggle. Also he was having t ball practice twice a week and games weekly. They have cut down to one practice a week now, so that means I can get back to Thurs Body Pump if I don't have any dinner dates at work.
Also my BF has been trying his best to be a good guy and he does a good job, I just wish he'd do a great job. We're working on that, although he didn't come through this past Saturday for the Havelock Run and I had to skip it! But I have moved on from that...mostly. ;)
I did manage an hour of gym time Friday, a 45 min bike ride Sat, Body Combat Mon, and an hour gym time last night. Tonight I have plans to take E and my recent high school graduate sis to the zoo. They will supply dinner and a behind the scenes tour! I am hoping my sister will agree to hang out with Elijah after that so I can go to the gym.
My current motivators right now are my Nashville trip with Wes over the 4th and then the big 10yr HS reunion in Aug. So everyday I remind myself of my goals everytime I eat and every time I get myself to the gym.
This week I won't be able to make it to Body Pump because I have commitments the rest of the week. But I will still fit in my gym time and will hit BP next week!
I'll keep you p0sted!

Where to Begin?

I don't everyone to think I've been slacking on doing anything active. We've a had a busy week and I am doing my best to fit in true workouts. I know it only benefits me overall. I wish life didn't get in the way of everything. Time to get some priorities straight I guess. But here's where my times been going lately.
Thursday of last week I made it skating with E and Wes. Although E still has a LONG way to go, I could tell he was having fun just being there with his friends. It was a lot of fun being brought back to that old school kind of fun again. I only fell once after Elijah pulled me down from behind. I am proud to say that I avoided landing on him, although causing more pain to myself. Ahh, the mother's way of living.
After soccer practice Friday we went to church for game night. Elijah had a blast! I think he played maybe 2 games total, before all the kids were involved in a game of tag. It wore him out, so I'll go with it!
Saturday morning Elijah and I ran his first mile together. We participated for the 2nd year in a row at the Zoo's Fun Run/Walk. Last year we walked it, much to Elijah's dismay who did not want to be there at all. This year he wanted to be the fastest! That did not happen, but he did run the whole time with much coaxing from his mama. Then after that brief but good run, I was up for more punishment and went to the gym for another 3 mile run. My goal is to steadily run 5miles with an occasional 7mile run thrown in there. My brother claims he would like a running partner, so we may have to work something out. I am not sure how that will work, because half the time he is my sitter so I can run. Hmmmm?....
Then Sunday I probably had the best Mother's Day I've had in a long time. Jake went to church with the family early so we could head out for breakfast. (Where I ate too much and entirely bad for me.) But it was my day, so who cares right? Then Elijah took my mom to the zoo, while Wes took me to Husker baseball where I even got a bit of sun. Then we picked up E and went to Pioneers Park. We played baseball and soccer before heading over to the playground. Then we went for a nice walk and did the whole "family" thing. Then after playing hard we went to Applebee's where I was able to make good food chocies. Although I did wash my good food choice down with a Sangria. (Again, a much deserved Sangria!)
Monday I had every intention of going to Body Combat, but Elijah's soccer practice had been rescheduled to that night and tonight I have a meeting at church. (I hope to hit the gym for some cardio after that. I am hoping Jake will stick around long enough for that.) I guess that leaves Wednesday morning Body Pump on my calendar. YIKES!!! I know I can do it, I know I can do it!
So I know I took a break after the half marathon, but I am back. It's just a little slower going than I originally planned. Plus work has really been draining any extra energy out of me. Being outdoors Sunday felt so good! I can't wait for more days like that!!!!

Good Intentions

I had every good intention geared towards goping to BP tonight. I arranged for my bro to watch E so I could go in peace. Plus my son is grounded from the TV and won't be watching it the gym either! Well, my brosef sttod me up for dinner with some girl. I haven't met her yet, but he talks an awful lot about her. I guess I'll let it slide. That just means he owes me tomorrow! Hopefully soon E will earn back his TV priveledges and then I can drag him along to the gym with me. If it isn't down pouring tomorrow, I'll go for a walk over my lunch break. I always find that refreshing and rejuvenating. Spring is here and I need to kick it in gear! Thursday night E's school is having a skate party and that's how I plan to get my work out done! (Now as long as I don't break my butt doing it, we're all good!)

2 hrs 23 mins well spent!

Who knew it was truly possible? I was a doubter myself until the very end. I set a goal for the Half Marathon of 2 and 1/2 hours. I DID IT!!!!! That's right folks, I ran it in 2 hrs and 23 mins. The highlight of it all, besides crossing the finish line in one piece, was having my son and brother there to greet me at the end. Wesley even made it there before I crossed the finish line to cheer me on. Jake told me he was proud of me with the greatest amount of sincerity. That made my day! I recommend to anyone else out there who wants to run in a marathon, full or half, truly train for it.
It's a lot like having a baby in my mind. As you go through your pregnancy you do what everyone tells you to do and follow the experts advise. You are just trying to be as prepared as possible without really knowing what to expect. Then as you start the actual process of labor, it's not totally unbearable, although you still aren't sure what you got yourself into. By the time you get to the point where you want to quit or go back, it's too late for that, you've got to keep going. Before you know it, the pain and misery is over and you made! You have a sense of accomplish and wonder. You still aren't sure how it all happened and how you survived but you did! Then you take some time to rest and recupe. Granted, you aren't ready to go out and do it all over again the next day, but you know you'll be up for it again in the future. This time around you'll know how to really prepare and truly know what to expect.
I was out there to show myself that I really could do it. I had the best of intentions to train appropriately and I will next time. It was also for all my friends who work hard everyday and meet their goals one step at a time. Nothing is too great or too small not to be proud of it. Keep up the good work and we've got to continue to be there for one another. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Sometimes all it takes is someone saying you can do it and they'll be right there with you. I've got a renewed sense of motivation and I'm going to start taking my fitness more seriously. I've got to enjoy it while I can! If you don't use it you lose it!

The BLAHS!!!

I did not make it to the gym last night, as I didn't get out of work till 5:20. (Thankfully E's 5:30pm soccer practice was canceled due to the cold.) I just didn't think I could manage a workout and be destinktified by dinner time. Red Lobster was very good and I don't feel at all guilty about my choices. After we got home, I couldn't sleep very well though. E thought he was going to get me out of bed at 7am this morning, boy was he wrong! I did get out of bed shortly after 8am. I made it to Body Pump and stayed for 30mins of cardio. I was glad to see Karrie and Jennifer show up for their cardio work as well. I don't know if I am starting to come down with something or what, but my throat hurts a little and I feel it in my chest. I am still looking forward to BP tomorrow after work, as that will be my 3rd class for the week! We have plans with Wes to go to Chili's for dinner to celebrate E's bday a little early. So I may have to fit my cardio in before I go to work, otherwise I may have to skip it. Decisions, decisions. I guess I'll let my body direct me. While I am at work E will be with his uncles trying on tuxes for Daniel's wedding. I think he'll be the cutest groom's man ever!!!! I wish I could be there to to help. Wonder if I can get any of my brothers to take pictures of the fitting? Hmmm......

What a Guy!

I was feeling pretty down last night after the monthly meeting at work yesterday. All week I had plans to go to the gym, but after the meeting my new plan became eating ice cream and curling up on the couch. (That didn't end up happening either.) After talking to Wes, he remembered I asked him to drag my butt to the gym even when I acted like I didn't want to go. The boy is always remembering silly things like that. So he diligently picked me up last night and got me to the gym where we elipitisized? and walked/barely ran on the treadmill. It was a nice hour's worth of cardio and just enough of a visit with Wes. Now I am looking forward to our date on Sunday. (Actually Wes is taking E out for his B-Day and I think I just get the priviledge of joining them.) Tonight I won't make it to the gym because I have dinner plans with Karrie and Jennifer. But we all deserve a day off right? I'll be there Sat and Sun and have been there the entire week. Friday is a good day to take off and I think I've earned it. I've even made good eating choices this week, which may also be blown tonight. But we all deserve that occasionally too, right?