12K -Back one step, forward two

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Week 5 I realized just how far back the snow took me. The first day back into my usual training I was suppose to walk 2 minutes and jog 8 minutes but as soon as I started my jog I knew it just wasn't going to happen. I had my inspiration music on (Shut up by Black Eye Peas) telling myself to just shut the negative out and focus on the 8 minutes but my body had other plans. It stopped jogging just 3 minutes into the song. My knees were killing me ALREADY and I really didn't want to be there. After the 1.6 miles I felt disappointed and frustrated that I would never reach my goal. Two days later I decided that I needed to stop feeling bad for myself and get back to my training. So this time I put on my knee support, new slightly worn in shoes, and decided that I would at least run 4 minutes at a time. My hubby came out for support this time and it helped -( even though we have been married for over 20 years I don't want to look like a wimp in front of him) so it kept pushing me farther. But again after finishing my workout I felt that the 12K was just getting to frickin close and I would never make it....... until TODAY. Yes, today I felt renewed. It could of been the yoga class on Thursday to refocus me and breath out the negativity, maybe it was the talk I had with a co-worker that assured me I would be able to finish the race without embarrassing myself but whatever it was today I ran. Instead of being labored my breathing became unnoticeable (until I focused on it) and my legs got into a rhythm that seemed to carry me farther than I had gone before. I felt like I finally found my zone. I am not completely on track again from the week off but I made up a good amount of training this week and YES I was able to run the 8 minutes scheduled.

Always Believe in yourself!

Picture (almost) Perfect

I admit it....sometimes when my friends are out (like this New Years) I find ways to amuse myself, little goals I give me and my friends to fill our time in between the merriment. This year I decided to see how many pictures I could be in. Not ordinary pictures but strangers trying to capture the night festivities with their close friends. I often wonder when they upload their nights photos to facebook how many pictures I am actually in and who they tell their friends or significant others  the he** I am. So when I came across these photos I couldn't help but share. 

Looks like they stole my idea!

 This little seal has my usual expression while dropping in on a photo.

 

Check out the sly little kitty.

This guy took center stage.

 

I am hoping this one came out okay.

I am surprised the photographer actually took the photo. 

 

 and this Eagle could resist either.
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Wishing everyone a happy Weekend.

Take along S'Mores

So the snow is finally melting, my son took his first drive today, I took a jog around Lake Tye, and now all I want to do is curl up and eat these Winter S'Mores in a jar. (winter because no open fire needed )

Source: fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.blogspot.com via Bella on Pinterest

The following recipes for the S'Mores in a Jar provided by Fat girl trapped in a skinny body.

What you'll need:
S'more Cake and Marshmallow Buttercream
Chocolate Frosting/Glaze
Mini Marshmallows
Hershey's bar


Check out Julia's blog to get complete recipe and how to:

Layering of the s'more:
1 piece of cake
marshmallow buttercream
chocolate frosting/glaze
mini mallows
1 piece of cake
marshmallow buttercream
chocolate frosting/glaze
mini mallows
1 hershey's piece to top it all off
Screw the lid on, tie on a ribbon, insert spoon

Look how cute they are!!! Who could resist a little piece of chocolate ready to say "Hello" when opened?

12K Training at a halt (week 4)

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Week 4 has been a tough training week. I wanted to start a full protein food week to help jump start my body and I wanted to have at least 4 training sessions ....well, I wanted a lot of things that didn't seem to happen. One week the eye of the tiger the next week that same tiger closed it's eyes and hibernated  Yes, I did get out 3 times for walks but couldn't get myself to run (not even on the treadmill) Walking in 12 inches of snow definitely works different muscles and my calves are having a fit! What makes this week worse is that my sister has been training hard and now is up to jogging 1/2 mile, easily. She taunts motivates me with her emails and text as she achieves yet another goal while all I am achieving is the snow-cation bulge.

As I look outside it is so easy to allow myself to take a "snow day". Must get moving!

How do you stay motivated?

Winter storm but staying warm

I live outside of Seattle and if you have been watching the news you know we have had quite the winter storm blow in. It started snowing Sunday night, on Monday I went to work for a short time but have stayed home since...(considering going in today but then it started snowing again) For those that  get snow each year I am sure you think of us as a bunch of wimps but it is difficult when you don't have to deal with it regularly and do not have snow tires. We lost our electricity yesterday a few times, thank goodness for our fireplace!

I admit I like being locked down in our home with my family. Phoenix has been having a wonderful time sledding and playing smear the queer and of course our 4 legged friends keep me entertained. 

Bella is just too funny and these videos crack me up.

Hope you are all staying warm.

Oh My Bella!

Here is Bella in her pink sweater ready to brave the cold. 

 

 A late Winter storm set in yesterday. We love the snow (except to drive in)  After my hubby picked me up from work we decided to head outdoors to get some training in. No running today but a good walk would do my sore muscles good.

 

Our Bella is such a joy to watch playing in the snow. Here is a clip of her and her big sister getting ready for our walk.  I just love how she hops around.

12K Week 3 "Eye of the tiger"

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Week 3 had some up's and definitely some down's. My weeks training started out on Tuesday with a 4 minute walk combined with a 3 minute run repeated 3 times. That wasn't so bad....I thought, so by the second training day I had the eye of the tiger (like Rocky) and I decided that I could run a whole 1/2 mile without stopping. I put on my shoes and headband (very important) and left my door determined to do the full 1/2 mile. Why I didn't stretch or warm up is beyond me? I was just so determined and focused nothing could have stopped me. It was about 4:30 pm and dusk was approaching quickly and with the temp. outside a cool 34 degrees I knew I needed to get on my way. As I left my house I could hear the music cuing and Rocky was there pushing me along......Just after 2 minutes I was dead tired and breathing in the freezing air that my throat literally felt like it was on fire. But I kept going. By the 3rd minute my shins started to plea with me to stop but I kept going. By the 4th minute (longest I have gone so far) my knees hated me but I kept going. To my surprise I made it the whole 1/2 mile in 5 minutes. Way faster than I thought I could go. I felt for the first time that just maybe I could actually do this thing and then..........
I woke up the next morning to find my knees and thighs so sore that it was difficult to walk up the stairs and because of the additional "push" I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted. The treats didn't stop the next day- Once I start I have a very hard time stopping, and I ended up filling my belly with snacks ALL weekend long. I did, however, get one more training session in to complete the 3 required. PHEW!
This week I plan on getting back on track by eating healthy and doing at least 4 workouts of Walk2, jog 5.

Wish me luck!