To Finish something that was started....

“The truth of the matter is that there's nothing you can't accomplish if: (1) You clearly decide what it is that you're absolutely committed to achieving, (2) You're willing to take massive action, (3) You notice what's working or not, and (4) You continue to change your approach until you achieve what you want, using whatever life gives you along the way.” -Anthony Robbins

Pre Race

Well...what can I say? Other than we freaking DID it!!!! We conquered something that 6 months ago we thought was impossible. We did our first 5K. We finished our first 5K. We finished our first 5K without stopping to walk. I still can't really believe it. I mean sure, we've ran that far before without stopping, but never in a situation like that where we are excited, nervous, going against others. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be to concentrate on my own run. I get distracted very easily and wasn't able to focus on my breathing, steps, or even my music. There were so many times I was going to stop...going to just walk for a minute, but I looked at my mom still going, remembered everyone that has followed my journey thus far, and then remembered that my little girl was waiting for me at the finish line. I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do this, but mostly just to myself that I could do it.

Another thing that kept me going is the sheer awesomeness of the other who ran the race. People that had reached the halfway point and were starting their way back met us as we were about to that point. I would say the majority of them were all giving thumbs up, encouraging words, and big smiles that kept me going. They don't know exactly how much I needed that, at those very moments. It got my mind off of the cramps in my legs, the ache in my side, and thoughts of stopping. When we came within the last .25 mile my legs felt like complete jello...but seeing that finish line was a sweet sight. I couldn't care less about my time, but I have always liked to finish strong. So I started sprinting the last leg like the biggest bear in history was chasing me. I didn't even hear my time...like I said, I couldn't have cared any less. All I cared about was that I was done. I didn't really get to enjoy those few seconds because I was wrestling with the very real possibility of heaving all over my shoes. After a lady at the finish line shoved some gatorade at me, that feeling passed, and on came the sheer joy of accomplishing something that we had been working so hard for. I even did it in 39 minutes at 51 seconds. Previously I had been running it in an average of 41 minutes or more. We started something, made a goal, and finished it. Sounds simple, right? Ha...not so much. Anyways...that one is done and in the books. Mission accomplished.

Post Race

Next week....The Color Run in Lawerence. You can't even imagine how excited I am for this. I keep hearing from everyone how incredibly awesome it is, just have a look for yourself at the official video. It's gonna be a crazy awesome time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EERSfHiqT8

We also are signing up for another 5K on the 13th. It's a smaller scale kind of Color Run that Big Brothers, Big Sisters is putting on in Concordia. Mom and I are on a team with a couple of friends...so a busy few weekends...but that's okay!! At least it's healthy fun :)

On another note...today starts a different challenge in the Online group. It's called 31 days of Making Jillian my B. I shortened the last word for obvious purposes...but I'm excited to start it and keep doing it. I've done the 30 Day Shred several times now...but as a supplement workout. Never the full 30 day program. So I took before shots this morning and measurements, and will do the first round today! Can't wait to see the changes! Shelby is also going to come and watch the kiddos today so that I can go do Zumba today to get points for the Wellness Center Challenge. Sooo many challenges in a short period of time...but that's what keeps me going!

I had to step back on the scale this morning to get a preweight for the Jillian Challenge and was happy to see another pound gone...so that's 23...and hopefully many more will melt off with this challenge!

Have a great week! Pin It

Tick Tock...

I found this quote and thought, "Wow, what a different outlook to have." For so long I would always think of how much I still have to lose, not how much I have done. Fact is, I am now 22 lbs less than I was 6 months ago. I am running further than I ever have. That workout I am getting in tonight, is one more than yesterday. That is one of the many things that keeps me going.

On to the topic of the impending 5K. We are now T minus 5 days. I have been having a lot of mixed emotions these last couple of weeks about this major milestone, ranging from pure excitement to absolute fear. I am excited about actually accomplishing a long term goal that we have worked SO HARD to achieve. I'm excited about supporting a cause that is so beneficial to so many people. What I have fear about is thinking "Am I going to be able to do this whole thing without stopping? Will the excitement of everything push me too hard in the beginning and not leave me enough to finish? Will I make a complete fool out of myself?" And then I remembered, "I am doing this for ME" I am not doing this for anyone other than myself(except for maybe my family...so that I can annoy them with my presence for many, many more years :)) Why do I care what I look like to anyone else on the sidelines? Why should anyone elses misguided judgement of me, effect how I feel and ultimately perform on Sunday? So my choice is to not let it. I don't care how fast I go, because at the end of the day the saying goes "You still lapped everyone sitting on the couch."

Now onto the miscellaneous issues on my mind about the race....the BIGGEST concern that I am letting myself have is to refine my IPOD playlist. I know, this seems trivial to some. But to many many people who run, music is their lifeline. A month ago I tried to run without my music as I forgot to get a good charge on mine. It did not work. I rely on certain songs to get me through the 1 mile hump that crosses me into that second mile. I will search for the perfect song at that 2.75 mile mark to give me that "Runner's High" and help me to finish. I have a few songs that are my warm up or cool down songs which are somewhat slower and don't carry a running beat. I plan to remove them completely from the list so that I can make sure to have a steady flow of the good stuff! If you haven't tried adding music to your workouts yet...I would encourage you to give it a try. It makes a WORLD of difference!!

Another issue on my mind is keeping my pace. I have a horrible time of doing this outside as I have said before. So tonight, I am going to see if I can nail down my timing on the treadmill and convert it to being outside. Maybe sometime soon I can save up some money and get one of those handy running watches that tracks splits, pace, and distance. Someday....

On non running issues, I have decided to give it another 2 weeks before I will step foot on a scale. I have been extremely discouraged this week because I have gained a pound and am stuck. I however am continuing to lose in the size department. I have stepped up my weight lifting though, so I am trying to remind myself that muscle weighs more than fat. The challenge going on at the Wellness Center has been fun to get my competitive side going so in keeping up with that, I have joined a challenge on an online group. The group stems from the blogger "Mama Laughlin"(who by the way you should also check out. She's hilarious), and they have created a Fitness Group on Facebook that does challenges and moreover has many women that just whole heartedly support complete strangers on their journey to healthiness, for no other reason than to support. I can't wait to get it started!!

Lastly, "Divide a run into 3 different parts. Run the first part with your head, the second part with your personality, and the third part with your heart".

I tried this and it is totally 100% true. It really does work. That first part consists of me playing mind games with myself "Run to .25 mile and maybe you can stop" "Hit that .75 and that is good enough" and just keep going...soon that first mile is done. The second part...I find the craziest, weirdest songs on my list and sing along to them in my head. I people watch. I remember funny things that happened through the day. Basically I distract myself, with myself. That 2 miles is done. And that final mile(the hardest for me) is full of "Come on Joelle. You have not come this far to just stop now. Give it every single ounce of strength that you have. You have gone through way worse than this and came through on the other side. What's another mile?" I remember why I am doing this, I think of that day that I am healthy and ready to think about adding another child to my family, I think about that day my children are grown and can make positive healthy choices, based on what their mommy showed them. And when I look down...that last 1.14 miles is done. And then you look back at that run and think "Man...that run was really easy".... And if all else fails...you can always pretend....

P.s. Here is the link to the fundraising page for the 5K this weekend. If you have anything to give, they would appreciate...as would I! Thank you so much to those that have already donated to this cause!

http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=1049632 Pin It