Half Marathon Training FINAL Update

Friday was my last long run before the half THIS Saturday... I am freaking out. I was feeling great Friday until 6.25 miles in and my right calf cramped up. Normally, if I run more than 4/5 miles I start eating my GU Chomps around 3/4 miles in, but I was feeling good Friday morning so I didn't and I am HOPING that is why my calf cramped up on me (lack of electrolytes). I didn't do any exercising this weekend and I babied my calf. I am going to try to get in 3 miles today and we will see how it feels. Other than that cramp near the end of my 7 mile run it was a great run. I met two ladies who are going to join me in the training and raising money for the American Heart Association for my marathon February 2nd and we are going to meet up every two weeks on our Friday off and run at a park or common location.

 

 

 

Friday after the run I went home and did some housework including mowing the lawn- I am NOT going to complain about rain, because we need it here, but the grass is growing VERY quickly. Then Friday afternoon the hubs left work a bit early and we headed to the property... the boys like it when we tow the trailer because they get the backseat to themselves. We also decided to keep the girls in their houses in the bed of the truck, they like the wind and it keeps things less hectic inside.

 

 

Maddie and me trying to nap Saturday morning after being up a lot that night with her moving around and making too much noise... the hubs went and sat for bow season.

 

 

I didn't get a nap, but it made for a cute picture... the hubs lucked out that morning, but that afternoon, he got his first deer with the bow! YAY for ground venison!!! I am ALL out, so I told him that's what we are making out of this deer... I don't want more sausage yet, I love the venison and its super healthy!

I finished Chris Powell's book this weekend and was thinking about starting the carb cycling this week, but decided to wait and just try to eat clean this week, don't need to be cutting too many carbs right before my first half- I can do that next week! I will write up a cliff notes of the book this week!

Workout plan this week:

Monday- 3 mile run
Tuesday- weights
Wednesday- 3 mile run
Thursday- REST
Friday- 1 mile run to loosen up
Saturday- HALF MARATHON
Sunday - REST

Reality Check

This morning, for the first time in a couple weeks, I stepped on the scale. I need to go back to at least weekly weigh ins because it helps keep me in check. I will also be using my body fat monitor to track my success that the scale can not see, but there is no hiding it, I am up. I can tell in how my clothes fit and everything. I did finally cave and go to the store and get some bigger work pants. I am hoping not to be in them for too long.

I downloaded Chris Powell's new book to my Kindle last week and I plan on reading it this weekend.


I am just not getting it right with my food. I know that is the problem and I also know how sensitive my body is to carbs, its how I lost the last few stubborn pounds while getting ready for the wedding. I haven't cut them out again because I am training for the half in a little over a week and then a full marathon in February and I know carbs are energy - BUT he has a carb cycling plan for active people who still need more carbs, so I am going to try it. I hope I can finish the book this weekend and start it next week.

It rotates high carb and low carb days and gives you a cheat day each week also.

I think this will work for me right now because I know cutting carbs helps me drop weight, but I also need energy for my long runs. I am hoping this also helps me curb my crazy appetite that has come with running longer distances.

I know my diet is the one area that is killing me right now and I am going to do something about it. Its not even about weighing less or a certain size (although I would love to be back two sizes smaller), its mostly about being healthy and feeling good about myself and right now I am not there, I am not even close. I love his show "Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition" and that shows you the results you can get with his program, so I am hoping I can have great results and get back in check by my 30th next March!

Workout Wednesday: Another Full Body Circuit

I love full body circuit workouts. You burn a ton of calories and you get results EVERYWHERE!


Last Friday I did this workout with a  friend and TORCHED calories... and could hardly move all weekend, which was ok because I was sick and didn't want to anyway....

sore = effective = results

10 minute warm up: We started off on the treadmill - I got in a mile running

Then you have 3 sets of each circuit:

10 reps bent over row (heavy weights) 40lbs
10 reps dead lifts (heavy weights) - 40lbs

10 burpees with the pushup
20 lunges holding 6lb weight ball over head and swinging it down to the side you are lunging back on

10 pullups (we used the weight assist machine)
10 sit ups while throwing and catching 6lb weight ball


Try to keep moving with minimal resting between each set, its a fat burner and muscle builder FULL BODY workout! Total calories burned 700 in one hour!

October Goals and September Goal Update

My goal for September was the plank challenge, I got sick last week and I am behind, BUT I WILL finish the challenge!! I have not been able to hold a plank for more than a minute and a half at a time, but I try to keep in between rests to a minimum and plank as close to the full time as necessary.

 

 

I am on day 21 today, so I have one more 2 1/2 minute day and then its on to 3 plus minutes... after taking a week off it wont be easy, but I can do it! I am determined to finish this challenge! I decided I will keep planking, but just a minute a day for the month of October- my abs need it!

 

 

 

For October the goal is just one: FINISH my half marathon October 12th! I cant believe its already the month of my half!?!?!?!

 

I can breathe today when my mucinex d kicks in so I am planning on getting in 3 miles at lunch AND my planks for today.

 

Goals for this week:

 

Monday- rest (sick)

Tuesday- run 3 miles

Wednesday- sports conditioning class

Thursday- run 4 miles

Friday- weights

Saturday- run 7 miles (splitting the difference between what I am supposed to run and what I was supposed to run this past Saturday)

Sunday- rest

 

Total Weekly Miles- 14

 



Weekend Update - Times Two

Last Weekend: 

Thursday night, To celebrate it being the hubs first week at the new job we drank my champs that was given to me by a company we are working with... it was yummy, but I would never spend that much money on champs if I was buying it myself...

 

 

yes we drank it in t-shirts, just cause its fancy, doesn't mean we have to be uncomfortable.. we did however break out our champs glasses that we got when we got married. LOVE the Lenox wine/champs glasses, they are more hearty than other brands I have used, and I have been known to break a wine glass or two while trying to clean them.. I know, call me Hulk! haha

can you tell he didn't want to drink this and celebrate?? he is a "don't fuss over me" kind of guy, which makes me want to fuss over him more because I wasn't able to the first 25 years of his life! :)

 

cheers! yes we drank fancy champs in our PJs, no shame in this game!

 

 

Last Friday I spent the day with my mawmaw, I didn't take any pictures because she is not doing well and looks horrible and I don't want to ever remember or think of her that way, she will forever be the strong woman I remember from just a few years ago.

 

Saturday I got in a couple hours of QT with my baby sister... she has been really stressed with nursing school and helping to take care of my mawmaw, so we did what she wanted to do- paint! She is super talented, she free handed that LSU Tiger eye... I used a stencil for my fleur de lis and her coaster STILL looks better than mine!

 

 

finished product just not baked with a glaze yet

 

in process

 

our brother came by for a bit, but then left to go tailgate with friends, I didn't need to tailgate, I wanted some family time with my sis and aunt and mawmaw, so I joined him later for the game

 

 

the hubs and I planned on letting my bro go to one game with me and after the monsoon that hit Tiger Stadium I imagine he was glad he let him come to the Auburn game with me... my brother even convinced me to move to the student section for the 4th quarter - I felt old... I don't feel like I ever looked that young while I was in college... it was crazy! My cousins sit there every game still and they are around my age, I don't know how they do it! My older cousin is on his 14th season in the student section at Tiger Stadium... 14th!!!!!

 

 

Maddie wants another bed, in the meantime Belle and her are taking turns borrowing the cats bed!

 

 

This past weekend:

 

This actually works out well that I didn't get last weekends update up last week because its an important precursor to this weekends update- all that rain got me sick, so sick that I was in PJs all weekend other than the 3 hours I got dressed to go to my friends 40th birthday Saturday night.

 

 

Saturday morning with my babies

 

 

Saturday afternoon... I did at least put on an LSU shirt for the Georgia game...

 

 

 

my boys snuggling..

 

 

Stormy's 40th birthday, we "wigged out" at a country bar! The good thing about me not feeling well is I got to be the hubs DD, he hasn't let loose in a while and he deserved it and had a fun night!

 

of course I had to get a purple wig...

 

loved her Farrah Fawcett wig!!!

 

 

yesterday I actually felt worse than Saturday, and I wasn't wanting to eat ANYTHING all weekend... so the hubs ran to the store and got me more Vit C, a route 44 unsweet peach tea, and a king size Reese's - I only ate half of it and shared the rest with him - its his fav candy too... and you know I am sick when I have that in my lap and only eat one piece and wait til the end of the night to eat the other...



 

I may not have eaten much this weekend, but I also didn't run or move AT ALL really from that couch... my half is in less than 2 weeks now and I haven't gotten in a run since last Monday and it was only 3 miles... I am hoping I don't die!

 

 

 

My First Guest Post: Emily Stone

Sorry I have been MIA this week, I was traveling for work and have gotten some sinus junk that makes me want to sleep when I am not working, I am so glad that Emily emailed me asking if she could guest post for me, the timing was GREAT. This is my first guest post and I love her ideas on how to stay on track with your diet and exercise. She has found a way to balance a busy life and eating healthy while getting in her workouts- something I am still working on! :)



Hi all, I'm Emily Stone, a SAHM, proud wife, runner, fitness freak, health food addict, and animal lover! I have my own blog in the works, but in the meantime, Melissa has been wonderful enough to let me write a post for her amazing blog. Today, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite tips on how to find time in your busy day for eating right and being active! If you have any questions feel free to email me!

Busy Day Hacks – A Post from Emily Stone

You’ve seen her. She’s the mom at the playground or the school parking lot. She looks so put together, and she’s in great shape. How does she do it, when I can barely get the kids there in time? I bet she’s not spending hours at the gym. And as much as I’d like to convince myself that she has a live-in cook who prepares delicious, healthy meals for her every day, I imagine that’s not really the case. The fact is that there are lots of things we moms can do to stay fit and healthy, without wasting a lot of our precious time or breaking the bank. If we do some research and prepare, it can actually be easy and maybe even fun.

Diet

I think I’ve done a good job mastering the art of the easy diet. I vary my approach based on the time I have, which depends a lot on the season and the days of the week. Early in the week, when I’ve got to get the kids ready for school and there is no time to eat, I grab a drink and go. Smoothies are really easy to make. I can puree and freeze fruit and vegetables ahead of time, then pop them in the blender and I’m done. If I want a big boost of protein or other nutrients, I’ll go for a protein shake like Shakeology.

When it comes to meals, planning ahead is crucial. I have a routine set for it now. On Saturday morning, I plan the meals for the next week. In the afternoon, I do my shopping. In the evening, if I have a little time, I might chop some vegetables or prepare a marinade. Then on Sunday, I make meals for the week. Sometimes it’s as simple as getting a dish ready to throw in the oven on the day I want to eat it. Other times, I will make the entrée on Sunday and then just reheat and serve on Monday or Tuesday. I thought I wouldn’t like eating what feels like leftovers. But many dishes (soups, casseroles) reheat perfectly well. And having several dishes in the fridge to choose from gives me variety when it comes to lunch, as well. Usually once a month I’ll check out the Food Network for new recipes that are quick and easy.

Exercise

I cringe when I imagine all the time I spent at the gym when I was young and single. I slaved away for an hour on a treadmill when I could have been done in less than half an hour. With two kids, I simply do not have the time. But I can still get a great workout. These days, I love to do interval training. The concept itself is simple. Work one muscle group until you’re about ready to quit, then switch to another. Shaun T., the creator of the Insanity workouts, has a great interval workout called T25. It’s an intense, focused workout in only 25 minutes, which means it’s easy to fit into naptimes and morning routines. But there’s so many available options, I can tailor my workout to fit my day. If I have more time in the morning, say on the weekend, I might go for a longer run. When I’ve got just a few minutes, with interval training I can still get my heart pumped and exercise my muscles.

Everybody’s busy, even that perfect mom I always see. The trick to staying healthy even when my schedule is totally crazy is in planning it out and maximizing my time. That way, I feel fitter, but I also feel productive and efficient.

My Best Run

I know you are all expecting an update on my 12 mile run this weekend, but sometimes a monsoon hits and that just doesn't get to happen... I had every intention of getting up Saturday morning at 7 and running, well I got up first at 5am due to the lightening and INTENSE rain, went back to sleep and got up again at 7 and decided it wasn't worth getting electrocuted and/or lost in New Orleans because I couldn't bring my phone or it would die from getting super soaked. It rained and rained and rained all day... it didn't stop until half time at the LSU game that night, around 9pm! So that run did NOT happen, but the run that did happen on Friday morning, was the best run I have EVER had.

 

I have had a lot of fun runs, but this run was different. After work Thursday I drove to my moms house in Laffy and spent the night there before finishing my drive to New Orleans to spend time with my mawmaw who isn't doing well. Friday morning I wanted to knock out a few miles to warm up for Saturdays big run. I got up and got dressed, talked to my mom a bit over a cup of coffee and was out the door.

 

I don't think I have ever talked about the details of how/where/when my daddy died, but it was exactly 2 blocks from our house, he went out running one night and never came back. It may have been almost 21 years ago, but I remember the events like it was last night that it had happened. The white car in the road in the picture below is right about where he collapsed on the sidewalk on that side of the street, and the house with the big oak tree is where the two guys lived who tried to resuscitate him and who called 911 for him.

 

 

I ran by this spot four times Friday morning, and it was a reminder of why I am training to run this half and in February whole marathon, its for him. My running is for him, to honor him, because he cant run anymore, but I can. If I can raise money to help the American Heart Association and one more dad gets to live because of the funds I raised running these long distances will all be worth it. I have found while training for this half that I am NOT a distance runner, my good/fun runs stop at 10ks, but I am doing this for a reason. I have participated in fund raisers for multiple causes and all are very important, but this one is BY FAR the most important to me. My world was turned upside down and has not been the same since Jan 27, 1993. That day my daddy was taken from me. I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through, what my family went through. That is why I run.

This is the fastest I have run in my training so far, that wasn't speed training on a treadmill. I just kept thinking of him and how much I wish he could have been there running with me and how these were the very roads he ran, many years ago and it just propelled me to keep running faster and faster. I had negative splits!

 

I miss him every day and I know I always will, but having a run like this one almost made me feel like he was running with me. He is why I am running!

 

If you would like to donate, the link is below and its also always on my side bar.

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend update to come tomorrow!