Friday, January 21, 2011

Awesome giveaway just a link away!

My friend posted this on fb this morning. What a fun running mommy blog... and what a fantastic giveaway. Seriously, these pants look amazing. And with spring still quite a ways away I could use these pants!
Go check out Racing It Off and the GoLite giveaway she's got going on. :)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

34

So today is my birthday. I am 34.

I am not in the best shape of my life. I am getting there. But once, a lifetime ago before kids, I went to the police academy in 1999. That? Was the best shape of my life. But, I felt weak. I was 140lbs with a 28 inch waist. I didn't even have enough room around my belt to fit all the bat-gear that a police officer needs. I had to buy a small handheld flashlight to keep in my pocket since I couldn't carry the large maglight that was issued to me. I couldn't carry my PR-24 (night stick kinda think, for those that aren't in the know)... thank goodness I worked in a small shore town that really didn't need it. I never unholstered my weapon (ie. gun) and I only made 2 arrests all summer. Not too shabby.

But back to feeling weak... I was in college. I played field hockey and ran track. I was 22. Yet, I was usually in the back of the pack on our runs. I did a mere 7 push ups in 2 min at the first PT exam and only 22 at the last. I never did a pull up. I did good in the academics and firearms, but I felt weak in PT. Weird, since now I feel so strong. Maybe because I have had 2 children since then and I know what my body can really do. Maybe because *I* am in control of my workouts and someone else isn't dictating what I have to do that day. Maybe because I have a great network of women and moms that are in the same boat. Maybe because KC is just awesome and she lives 5 min from my house and we can run together often, so I have a buddy and a world of support. I don't know. But I do know I am about 30 pounds heavier than I was when I graduated the police academy and I couldn't be happier.

Happy Birthday to me.... and with my 'new' active lifestyle many many more to come. :)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Happy New Year 2011

I am getting really sick of this snow. We didn't just get a dusting. We got dumped the motherload of snow. More than most people see in a lifetime. We got over 3 feet....the first storm the day after Christmas. Then Mother Nature decided that the rain we got and melted some of it wasn't a good idea, so we got another 4-6 inches. ugh.

Last Feb, when I re-started this running/weight loss journey (not the first time, obviously) I joined a gym and spent many, many days on the treadmill. Seeing people run on days there was snow everywhere and temps well into the teens was CA-RAZY to me. Fast forward one year later and about 30 pounds lighter and I am one of the crazy ones. My good friend (and favorite running buddy- we'll call her KC) motivated me to get a 10 miler done last Saturday. It took about an hour and 45 min, but we did it. It was cold. There was snow covering the boardwalk (so it was like trail running. lol). But I did it!! Outside. I am one of the crazy ones now.

4 weeks from today I will be a half-marathoner. In May I am considering an olympic distance triathon. I am loving this new totally active lifestyle. I am still floating around 175ish...so I am not 'skinny' runner body by any means. But I get out there. One foot in front of the other. It's the best I can do.

Until this snow melts (maybe March?? ugh) I will still get out there and I can't WAIT to get back on my bike!

I have taken a challenge for 2011.... On Tall Mom's site (on side blogroll), she has a challenge of 1000++ miles in 2011. So far I am up to 36+ miles.

I have my tentative schedule of races to do this year. Most are repeats of last year. I love doing local races. And I love to see when I can beat my own time from the year before.

Do you have your races scheduled yet?