Gobble Wobble

source

Guess what!? I am so excited, because I signed up for my first Gobble Wobble. It has been hard to make running a priority, but I know that signing up for this race will motivate me to get out there and run. I have always wanted to do a Gobble Wobble, but in the past it has not worked out with our schedule. This year, no matter what I am going to complete this run/walk. 

Have you run a Gobble Wobble in the past? If not, you should try to find a Gobble Wobble in your area.

.......

In other news, there are a lot of changes taking place in our family. This year has been one of the hardest years in my life as we have had things come up that we did not anticipate.  However, I am here to testify that even though we have faced impossible circumstances, the Lord is good!!

I have given my notice at work and will no longer have a full-time job by mid-December. Our hope and prayer is that the Lord will continue to make it possible for me to stay at home and focus on taking care of our girls.

We really need your prayers now more than ever as we set out on the new adventure!! We do not know how we will pay for everything, but we are trusting that the Lord will provide.

My precious family

Making Exercise a Routine....again

Ever since I gave birth to Sophie in December, it has been incredibly challenging to get back into a regular exercise routine. I have worked out at home, but I have not gone for an actual run yet.

Yesterday, I put on my workout clothes and laced up my running shoes and went for a run. My goal was to complete two miles. I am very out of shape and had to alternate between running and walking. I was so excited that I did not pass out or give up.

It was hard and I am very sore, but it was worth it!!

I anticipate that it will continue to be challenging to make time for myself and exercise. I know that in the end, this will all be worth it!!

Here's a fun before and after picture below...

I will not be able to go for a run everyday. So on the days when Jon's gone, I will workout at home by using my exercise videos. I do not have very many exercise DVDs so I am currently rotating through "Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred", "Weight Watchers: Punch!", and ":08 min. Abs".

Anyone else struggling to get back into a good exercise routine? What is your favorite exercise routine right now?

Heels and Hills, My First Half Marathon

Preface: This is a much longer post than I thought it would be, but I hope you will take time to read it.

Yesterday, I ran and finished my very first half marathon a total of 13.1 miles!! It truly is one of the greatest accomplishments on my life!!

Our journey to my half marathon started on Saturday, where nothing went according to plan. I worked my Weight Watchers meeting, graduation, and finally got home after 3:00pm. I ate some lunch and Jon packed the car, so that we could get on the road. We had to drive to Irving, Texas, where we had a room for the night, before my half marathon.

We made it into the city of Irving without any problems. We were all tired, hungry, and had to pee, but we didn't want to stop until we got to our hotel room. We accidentally took the wrong exit, which is when everything went wrong! We heard an awful noise and Jon told me that the tire was flat. He took to very next exit and pulled over on the off ramp. As it turned out, we hit/ran over something that blew out our rear left tire and damaged the front left tire.

Jon, Olivia, and I waited on the side of the road for over an hour. The gentlemen from AAA finally showed up to tow our car to a tire shop. Two AAA guys came to help us so that we would not have to call and pay for a cab. Praise the Lord for their kindness!

We were taken to a sketchy looking tire shop, where we got two new tires put on our car. The manager was a man from Pakistan and he kept saying what a nice family we were. I hope and pray that the Lord helps his wife to get pregnant so that they can have a baby of their own someday.

We finally got to our hotel, had dinner, and got Olivia to bed.

As I said before, none of this was apart of my plan, but God took care of us! He was with us on the side of the road with a flat and He will provide the money that we need for tires. I had been so nervous about my half marathon, but it all faded in the light of our flat tire situation.

I was so tired from our flat tire ordeal that I slept better than I thought I would that night.

Sunday morning, I woke up about 6:00am, so that I could eat a little something before heading down to the race to get my packet. I ate my 1/2 bagel with peanut butter breakfast and spent time reading my Bible and in prayer. I prayed for each part of my body by name, my feet, ankles, legs, etc. I knew that I could not finish this half marathon without the Lord's help, so in that hotel room I called on Him to be my strength where I was weak!

We headed down to the race site, got a parking spot, and walked to the race start line. I picked up my packet and shirt, then attached my bib to my shirt. I had about a 20 minute wait before my race began at 7:30am.

Me before my race began at 7:15am

While I was running my race, Jon and Olivia hung out at the race site and car waiting for me to get back. They truly are my biggest fans and I could not have finished this race without their love and support!!

Jon and Olivia waiting at the start line cheering me on!

My only goal for this half marathon was to try to finish without stopping to walk. Before the race began, Jon told me to join a pace group, because the guys would help me to stay on track throughout the race. I choose the 3 hour group, because I knew that I could not run much faster than that for 13.1 miles. This was the best decision I made that morning!

The race started and the excitement of it all was overwhelming! I was able to keep up with the 3 hour group and actually run a little bit ahead of them. For most of the race, I was in between the 2 hour 50 minute group and my own 3 hour group.

The first 11 miles or so went really well! Of course my feet would hurt a little bit here and there, but because I have been training for the last 8 weeks, I was able to run the first 11 miles with little to no problem. The longest run that I had completed in training was 10 miles, so I was confident that the beginning part of my race would go really well.

All throughout my run, as a part of my body would begin to hurt, I would pray to the Lord that He would touch my body and take away the pain. I called on Him for strength more times than I can count! However, during my 11th mile I got a side cramp! I had to stop and walk for about a 1/4 mile. The entire time I was praying that God would touch my cramp and help the pain to subside until I finished my race.

Thankfully, my pain went away and I started to run again. I jogged very slowly, because I was nervous about my side pain would come back.

By this time, I was in my 12th and final mile! I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to stop and just walk the rest of the way.

Mentally, I was trying to stay focused and not get discouraged. I kept thinking about Jon and Olivia waiting for me at the finish line. I thought about my Weight Watchers members and blog friends. I thought about how far I have come, since before I joined Weight Watchers! Who would have ever thought that I would be running 13.1 miles! I also thought about wearing my finishers medal around my neck and how good that would feel!

However, the 3 hour pace group caught up to me, because I had slowed down so much. They were the motivation I needed to keep going! I joined their group and ran my heart out! They said we only had about a 1/2 mile left. I thought about how many times I had run a 1/2 mile in the last 8 weeks and I knew that I could do it!

My side started to hurt again, so I prayed and pushed through it!

We had one final hill before we were back on the street and headed for the finish line! I was tired, worn out, and wanted to stop and lay down, but I kept going putting one foot in front of the other.

I turned the corner and only had 0.1 miles left! When I caught sight of Jon and Olivia waiting for me the full weight of all the I have accomplished hit me. I wanted to stop and cry, but I knew that I needed to get across the finish line first!

I crossed the finished line, just behind my 3 hour pace friends!

My official time 02:59:30 that is 13:42 minutes per mile!! Wow!!

Me after I crossed the finish line and received my first finishers medal.

This is my finishers medal! Isn't it beautiful!? I am so thankful to have this as a reminder of all that I have accomplished!! I have changed my life and am changing my legacy, so that as Olivia grows up and walks in my footsteps they will be healthy ones!!

My Heels and Hills Half Marathon Finishers Medal!

Before, I joined Weight Watchers I never once dreamed that I would become a runner! I loved to sit on the couch, watch movies, and eat. Who knew that there was an athlete hiding under all that fat, shame, and hopelessness. 

I want you all to know that you should never ever give up on yourselves, because you can do it! You can lose your weight, run your own marathon, or whatever else you dream about! Remember that When things get hard, pray and call on the Lord, like I did, and He will be your source of strength during those hard times! You are worth so much more than you realize!

Me sporting my new shirt and medal!

Half Marathon Training Coming to an End

For the last two weeks, my best friend Michelle has been visiting us. She came down to meet Olivia and spend some time with my family! For that reason, I have not had a lot of time to write blog posts! I'm sorry for just disappearing like I did! Honestly, I did not think life was going to be that busy while she was here, but I was wrong.

Olivia, Michelle, Jon, and me

. . . . . . . . . .

 

In other news, I am so excited that my Heels and Hills Half Marathon is in just 5 days!!

 

  

It's hard to believe that I have almost made it through my 8 week half marathon training program! I have worked so hard over these last 8 weeks and I know that it will be worth it in the end!

For me, I'm not focused on how fast I can run this race. My goal is to run/jog my half marathon without stopping to walk. If that means I have to run slower to accomplish that goal then I will do whatever it takes to keep going. Trust me, it hurts more to stop and walk then it does to just keep going.

This coming Saturday is going to be very busy with my Weight Watchers meeting, graduation, and traveling 2 1/2 hours to get to our motel, the night before the race. Please keep me and my family in your prayers as we travel to the race. Pray that Olivia will be a good traveler and not get too cranky with the lack of naps she is going to get this coming weekend! Pray that I will have the endurance needed to complete this race. Pray that I won't compare myself to anyone else and just go at my own pace!

Next week, I look forward to having lots of pictures to share with with you from my very first half marathon!!

Running is Hard Work

I am training hard for the Heels and Hills half marathon. I have about 3 weeks until Race Day and I cannot wait!!

source

Most days I get up early in the morning and go for a run before Jon leaves for work. This is the best time for me, because I can run while Jon is home with Olivia. It's nice to be able to get out and spend some time by myself, before the rest of my day begins. It is ideal, but please understand that there are some mornings when I'm tired, sore, and just do not feel like getting out of bed to go for a run!

This morning, was one of those mornings, when I didn't feel like going for a run...so I didn't.

I'm training for a half marathon, so I cannot skip my runs. Each run is important to get my body ready for Race Day. So, just because I did not get up early to run doesn't mean that I was going to forget my run all together. Instead it meant that I had to rearrange my schedule so that I could get my run in before the end of the day. On top of that, Jon's going to be home really late tonight, so I knew I would need to take Olivia running with me.

After Olivia ate breakfast, we left the house to go for a run.

Honestly, it is so hard for me to run with Olivia! I'm not a strong runner and I use my arms a lot when I run, so trying to run and push Olivia in the stroller at the same time is extremely difficult!

Training for my half marathon has been hard work, but it is worth it! I have more energy. I sleep better at night. I feel better about myself, because I am getting in shape. I am also giving my body the extra boost it needs to lose those last few pounds of baby weight that I gained with Olivia.

Don't be afraid of some hard work! Maybe you don't exercise at all, so start small. Just remember that any kind of movement is better for you than none at all!

source

How are you going to be active today!?

If you want to see the running schedule that I am following, please click here.

Half Size Me Podcast

Happy Monday! I hope that you all had a great weekend. Yesterday, I ran over 8 miles as part of my half marathon training! I am proud to say that I finished my run without stopping to walk. However, I'm even more excited to share with you that I earned a total of 16 Activity PointsPlus! I'm still sore today, but it's worth it!

My before and after pictures

Today, we are going to do something a little different! A few months back, Heather from Half Size Me contacted me and wanted to know if she could interview me about my weight loss. Of course, I said yes!! During my interview, I had such a great time talking with Heather about my weight loss journey and the lifestyle changes that I have been able to make and maintain. She was such an encouragement to me!

My interview is being featured, as a podcast, today on Heather's site.

Please head over there now to check out my Half Size Me podcast and feel free to share it with your friends!

If you have a chance to listen to it, leave me a comment and tell me what you liked about it!

My Half Marathon Playlist

 

I have just 4 short weeks until I participate in my first half marathon!! Training for this Half Marathon has been hard work!! Honestly, there have been many days where I just didn't feel like running, so I made excuses and hit the snooze button. However, overall I've been able to make running and exercise a priority in my life again. It feels so good!!

I love this playlist, because Jon helped me put it together!! My playlist is full of fast and upbeat songs. It has been so important for me to have an awesome playlist to listen to while I am running, because it helps keep me motivated. When I want to quit, God always provides the perfect song to help keep me going!

As you will see, most of these people are Christian artists, because that's the kind of music I listen to on a daily basis. God has convicted me about my music on more than one occasion. The Lord has asked that the majority of the music I listen to, be music that glorifies Him. These songs get stuck in my head all the time, because I listen to them so often, and I want to make sure that what's going into my mind is not going to get in between me and my Lord!

13.1 Running Mix

1. Alligator Sky by, Owl City

2. Awake My Soul (with Lecrae) by, Chris Tomlin

3. Barlow Girls by, Superchick

4. Beautiful by, Group 1 Crew

5. Beautifully Broken by, This Beautiful Republic

6. Born Again by, Newsboys

7. Born Again by, Third Day

8. The Comeback Kid by, B. Reith

9. The Devil Is Bad by, The W's

10. Ever Ever After by, Giulia Ottonello

11. Eye On It by, TobyMac

12. The Flame In All of Us by, Thousand Foot Krutch

13. Funky Jesus Music by, TobyMac

14. God's Great Dance Floor by, Chris Tomlin

15. God's Not Dead (Like a Lion) by, Newsboys

16. He Said by, Chris August

17. Hello, My Name Is by, Matthew West

18. His Kind of Love by, Group 1 Crew

19. Hold Me by, Jamie Grace

20. How You Live (Turn Up the Music) by, Point of Grace

21. I Need a Miracle by, Third Day

22. I Will Not Be Moved by, Natalie Grant

23. I'm For You by, TobyMac

24. Ignite by, Fireflight

25. Keep Me Breathing by, Ashes Remain

26. Lay Me Down by, Chris Tomlin

27. Let's Go by, Group 1 Crew

28. Me Without You by, TobyMac

29. Mighty Fortress by, Jesus Culture

30. My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go by, FM Static

31. My Stereo by, FM Static

32. No One Like You by, David Crowder Band

33. One Girl Revolution by, Superchick

34. Ooh Ahh by, Grits

35. Perfect People by, Natalie Grant

36. Procrasinating by, Stellar Kart

37. Ready or Not by, Brit Nicole

38. The Real World by, Owl City

39. Reckless by, Jeremy Camp

40. Run To You by, Third Day

41. She Walked Away by, Barlow Girl

42. Shooting Star by, Owl City

43. Showstopper by, TobyMac

44. Sometimes You Can Forget Who You Are by, FM Static

45. Speed Of Love by, Owl City

46. Stronger by, Mandisa

47. Stuck Like Glue by, Sugarland

48. Suitcases by, Dara Maclean

49. Touch The Sky by, Julie Fowlis

50. True Love's Kiss by, Giulia Ottonello

51. Twenty Seven Million by, Matt Redman & LZ7

52. U Don't Know Me Like That by, FM Static

53. Waiting for Tomorrow by, Mandisa

54. We Are The Free by, Matt Redman

55. A Whole New World by, Stellar Kart

56. Noise by, Colton Dixon 

8 Week Half Marathon Schedule

Today I completed my very first day of half marathon training!! If you missed my blog post yesterday, I am currently training for my very first half marathon the Heels & Hills Half Marathon on May 5, 2013!!

source

 
Last night, Jon stayed up late with me looking for fast and upbeat music that I could put on my "13.1 play list". Thankfully, Jon likes a wider variety of music than I do, which was so helpful as we put music together for my new play list. Before going to bed, I set out my running shoes, yoga pants, Denver Broncos tee, running socks, fleece jacket, and my knee brace.

Getting everything ready the night before helps me to have less excuses in the morning when I get up to run!!

This morning I woke up early, I'm talking before daylight, to go for a 3 mile run. I got ready and headed out the door. It was so quiet and peaceful to be out and running around the neighborhood before anyone else got up. As I ran, I spent time in prayer talking to the Lord and just simply enjoying time with Him before my day began.

I am so glad that I signed up for this Half Marathon! Already it is providing that motivation that I've been looking for since Olivia was born.

For those of you who might be wondering, I used the Smart Coach at Runner's World to create my very own 8 Week Half Marathon Schedule.
 

8 Week Half Marathon Schedule

Have you been looking for a way to motivate yourself!? Maybe it's time for you to sign up for your first 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon!!

My "New" Hobby

I have been searching for a new hobby and I think I finally decided what it is going to be...

RUNNING!!

It's been a while since I was interested in running. It was back in August 2009, I ran in my first 5K. Honestly, since I had Olivia, I have not been in to running/jogging or exercise of any kind. I have convinced myself that I do not have time for exercise right now and I have made a lot of excuses. However, I am here to tell you that the excuses stop today, because I signed myself up for the Heels & Hills Half Marathon!!

What was I thinking!?

I mean, I am so excited! There are just about 8 weeks until my half marathon!

Ideally, you need 12 weeks to complete all of your training and prepare your body for a half marathon. However, my goal is to finish this half-marathon...that's it. So, even if it means that I have to walk part of the way that is fine with me, because I just want to know that I can do this and be excited about exercising again!!

source

When I was new to running back in 2009, I found a book that really helped me called, "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide" by, Hal Higdon. I will be using this book and Hal's Half Marathon Training Guide - Novice 1 Program that can be found online.

I am looking forward to blogging more about this over the next few weeks and months!