Milestones

I am back with a new milestone... I have completed my first half marathon!! Yay!!! It took a lot to get to this day and I almost did not make it. It would seem that every year Iron Girl challenges me with a new health ailment. Some of you may remember that I broke my ankle at my first Iron Girl in 2011. Then in 2012, I was given doctors orders to NOT run as a result of new found asthma. Well this year, 2013, I am preparing to have my gallbladder removed. None the less, I conquer on!

I went into this half having trained, but not whole heartedly. With asthma, it is hard to run when its really cold so some Winter mornings are out. Yet, again with asthma, is hard to run at night during the Spring as the pollen affects the asthma as well. I did get a 15k in a few weeks back, which I forgot to blog about, but training was thwarted by a gallbladder attack.Alas, I am here to write about my Iron Girl experiences.

I awoke ready to do this.. aside from serious stomach flutters and the feeling of wanting vomit I was in it to win it. I did end up forgetting the new handheld water bottle I bought as well as my Garmin watch. I figured, ahh what else could go wrong? We got there and I was able to use the port-a-john two times before it was time to start but my nerves were a huge issue. My palms were sweaty and I seriously thought I was gonna hurl on the person next to me. I got through it by cracking jokes and making friends the way I do anywhere I go. Then.... the crowd moved forward and it was time to go. I fumbled with my iPhone to get my RunKeeper to start and headed out. I had already decided to NOT use my normal 2:00 run, 1:00 walk, 3:00 run strategy and just let the lady in my ear give me my average pace so I could adjust my speed accordingly.

I was rocking it hard the first 5 miles... I was averaging 12:50 pace and feeling good and then, good God, my nose ring flew out whilst wiping sweat from my face. Instantly I was looking around and found it.. while attempting to jog I got it back in and carried on.  I made sure to stop at all the water stops to stay hydrated and popped some Cliff Energy Chews here and there. When I got to miles 7 I used the port-a-john. Let me tell you how hard it is to pull down sopping wet shorts when your legs are all shakey and you are trying to go fast. IT IS HARD!

Right about miles 7.5 I hit a wall. I had to pee again, so I did, and my right foot was giving me issues. Also, I was getting cramps in my side which prompted me to delight all the people around me with a serenade of large burps. I walked quite a lot... I tried to jog here and there but I was letting my mind take over AND my music got slow-UGH! I began reciting "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" which surprised the people around me who just got done hearing my burps as well as me saying," Sh*t my foot is killing me" I just kept asking HIM to get me through this.

Did I mention this race took me over to HUGE bridges TWO TIMES!!!!! Let me show you these bridges....

Clearwater Bridge (2 times)

Sand Key (ALSO 2 times)

I am ashamed to admit I began walking ALOT... the last time up Clearwater bridge had me seeing spots. I almost cried but I pushed through. Once I missed my 3:00:00 time I decided to shoot for something less than 3:30:00 and I got 3:26:00. Not to shabby considering all the things stacked up against me. I made it through, and got my finisher medal. Yeah, I AM A FINISHER!! Woot Woot!

What now?

The 13.1 sticker is going on my car and I will chill out this week and stay active but NOT over do it before my surgery. I will get back out and there and do another half. I know I can do it now and I have a PR to beat.  If you stayed and read all of this, you must really be my friend. So I thank you for your continued support. Now, to wear my medal tomorrow so I can show my students what perseverance will get you as they take on their own bridges- FCAT!

Marked Absent

So I have been absent from this blog since November 2011. In actuality, it explains a lot about my issues with weight loss, self esteem, and life. Sometimes you are ABSENT from your own life.
It can be because you have taken on too much responsibility and are living a busy but happy life, it can be because you are not in a good place, or it can be because life is a roller coaster and WHO the hell has time to keep up with a blog when they are doing so much other stuff?

The funny thing about the prior statement is that I could reiterate it with the word "healthy lifestyle" inserted for blog. WHO has time to keep up with a healthy lifestyle with so much other stuff to do? Obviously not me... as I plummeted far and deep from my intended path and watched the scale go higher, higher, and higher. I have my excuses.... (1) I teach (2) I have no time to exercise (3) I eat when I am stressed, sad, happy... Shit, I just love to eat (4) I broke my ankle at my first 5k (5) I have adult onset asthma now. Blah, Blah, Blah. Truth is, it is a mindset. You have to rewire your brain to think differently. This is a hard task with so much conflicting stimuli in life. I am a teacher, I am a mother, I am going to school to get my masters, and I do keep busy with other things I am responsible for.. BUT I am a human being that needs good health to live a long and healthy life so I can continue to be the one thing that is the most important from that list- mother.

I need to be here for a very long time so I can witness and partake in the life I created. My son needs his mother now... and then. I need to be healthy enough to be the mom he needs. This will not happen if I let the excuses and the stimuli sway me. It is not easy being a mom... more so a mother of a child that has needs that exceed other children. It is not easy being my son as I have my own insane set of needs. Just ask my husband.

So.... I am back. I cannot promise I will post weekly as I have a classroom blog I keep up with for my class. I can promise I will make it a point to share exciting news and gripe about downfalls as we all have them and they are what make us grow as people.
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My current state of mind was created when I stepped on the scale and it shouted back. I weighed 226 lbs at my last doctors appt which was just before the new year. I made a promise to change that. I have lost 11 lbs in the month of January but stalled out a week or so ago. I am not following any one single plan. I am counting calories and tracking carbs/sugars via My Fitnesss Pal. I am also trying very hard to get out and run 2-3x weekly. I completed my first 10k yesterday in preparation for my first half marathon April 14th.

I hope to drop another 8-10 in February and will adjust my intake til I start seeing results. MY hope is to find a doable real life change that is NOT A DIET but a reasonable intake which is not void of some treats.

I will keep you posted....