One Word (Two Really)

For a little over a week I've been seeing a bunch of tweets about something called #reverb10.

At first I was confused.

Of course, this might be because I was WAY behind on my Google Reader and hadn't read about it yet.

But no matter.

I finally did figure it out.

Reverb10 is all about writing prompts. This site sends one writing prompt per day for the entire month of December to all participants. Participants are then supposed to blog each day about the writing prompts.

Each writing prompt is supposed to help the blogger/participant reflect on the last year and send good thoughts forth for the coming year.

Sounds cool yeah?

Well, if you are a slacker blogger like I am then no, not so cool.

There's no way I can keep up and blog every day for the entire month. Especially not since I've missed the first week and a half of the month and will be traveling for the latter half.

Anyway. Even though I am not truly participating, I can't get the first writing prompt out of my head:

December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell).


I've been thinking about this since I read it on some other blogger's pages. 


So again, I'm not participating in the entire month but I may pick and choose some of the prompts to write about. 


My word for 2010: Connect


Over the course of the last year I have been able to connect with so many people, places and things. 


I've connected with so many fabulous women over the year:

I have also enjoyed how much my little family has been connecting this year. Not only have The Hubble and I been able to reconnect.

But most of all, I've loved watching Little Butt and her daddy connect and form a solid relationship.

I have reconnected with my mother after an almost 3 year estrangement.

AND. 

I have connected with all of you fabulous bloggers.

It's amazing to me how much I genuinely care for people through their blogs. 

I feel as though I have gotten to know so many people whom I wouldn't otherwise have had the chance to meet.

When I look back on 2011. I would like my one word to be: Growth

Even though The Hubble and I will be separated, I would like us to continue to grow, as a couple and as individuals.

Little Butt continues to grow every day. She will be going to school soon and following her own path of growing and learning. But I hope that her relationship with us, as her parents and her family, continues to grown.

My little family will grow in more ways than one and it is exciting the paths that we will each take.

Whether together, or separated, we will still be connected and grow in the same direction.

I would like my relationships to continue to strengthen and grow.

I would like my strength and determination to continue to grow.

I would like a year of growth, both mentally and spiritually (but maybe not so much physically, ha!).

If you were to play along, what would your words be?

Couch to 5k: Week Five

Photo by emples

Success!

So, I know I haven't posted anything about this for a couple weeks.

Honestly, with all the traveling we did over Thanksgiving, I ended up taking a whole week off. It was unintentional. I ran that Monday, then not again until the following Monday.

When I looked at week 5 last week I thought...there's no way I'm going to be able to do this.

I mean, on Friday they expect you to run 20 minutes straight. No walking! 

This for the girl who has been repeating every week twice? Who felt like she was going to die at the end of running 5 minutes?? No way was this going to happen!

But happen it did! I couldn't believe it!!! I did it!!! I ran for 20 minutes straight!!!

I thought the week was going to be a bust though.

Monday I went to the track and it was crazy windy. The sky was super dark and I didn't even need my sunglasses (but I kept them on anyway). The wind resistance was incredible. 

But I was able to complete the require intervals. I felt awesome. I knew I could do it though because I had done it the Monday before in Alabama.

After that workout, I had The Hubble walk me through the gym on post so that I could start going inside on bad weather days. I really want to use the gym sparingly. I'm just not a treadmill person.

On Wednesday, it was bright and sunny outside. But it was cold. C-O-L-D. Freezing! Like seriously. 

I got to the track and did a 'warm-up' lap. By the end of that lap I knew I had to stop and get my gloves (which I found in the trunk of my car!). I put them on and tried another 'warm-up' lap. 

I knew then that I should have taken it inside. My face and thighs were completely numb. I couldn't feel my lips but when I would rub them together they felt like they were taking up half of my face.

Pretty much I felt like this:

Source

But for some stupid reason, I decided to try to stick it out. That didn't really work out. I did good the first half, which was an 8  minute run. But the second 8 minute run, I ended up walking for half a lap in the middle of that one. After the workout I was frozen solid. 

And I sneezed about a million times. It was crazy! 

It took me about half the day to warm up.

Friday was warmer so I headed to the track. When I got there, there were a bunch of soldiers setting up tents around the track so I parked and decided to take the urban trail that goes through and around post. 

I figured if I could do Wednesday over again that would be cool. 

I got to 8 minutes and felt great so I pushed it to 10 minutes. By then I figured if I was already halfway there maybe I could push it a bit further. 

Well, by the time I made it to the 15 minute mark there was no turning back. I was going to finish the full 20 minutes or pass out trying. 

The only bad part is that the last 5 minutes was at a steady incline. A friend of mine always told me she hated that slight hill because it was at the end of her run and it never let up...

I completely understand that now.

So. I'm counting this week as a success since I succeeded 2 out of 3 days. 

I am nervous with the weather getting colder. 

Will I be able to run on a treadmill for that extended amount of time?

I already feel like I was going crazy and wasn't at my best going circles around a track.

I guess I will do what I have to do. 

Week five of the Couch to 5k program is:

Monday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 3 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 3 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Wednesday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 8 minutes

Walk 5 minutes

Run 8 minutes (I failed at this part)

Friday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 20 minutes (no walking)

So seriously. I still cannot believe I was able to run for 20 minutes straight! 

I am completely amazed with myself at this moment. We will see how this week goes.

But I wanted to let you all know that I'm still going strong.

Oh! Also, I'm planning on starting the 30 day shred challenge in mid to late January. Anyone interested in joining? We can start a group and keep each other motivated and hold each other accountable.

If you are interested, a couple friends and I started a Facebook page called Operation Motivation: Fiercely Achieving Fabulosity.

And just one last thing before I go. Please jump over to my friend Amanda's page and congratulate her. Amanda has started her journey to a healthier her and has already lost 19 pounds in 7 weeks!!!

Okay. That is all.

Carry on.

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Four (Again)

Thanksgiving 2010 Recap

Wowwee, wow, wow, wowwee, wow. 

I can't believe how long I've been gone!

Sorry I've been missing. 

Did you have a nice Thanksgiving???

We did. Although, ours included a TON of traveling. 

Well, probably not a ton. But we did clock a significant amount of miles.

On Saturday (no, not tomorrow or last Saturday...the one before Thanksgiving...yes, that's how long it's been since I've been on here) we drove to my dad's house in Alabama. That was a good 12 hour drive. 

We got into town and were starving so we had some yummy Mellow Mushroom pizza. If you have never tried Mellow Mushroom, you don't know what you are missing! They have the BEST wheat pizza crust I've ever tasted!

Anyway. On Sunday when we woke up, my stepmom, stepgrandma and I made a grocery list for Thanksgiving. Since we were headed to Kentucky mid-week we got the groceries early so Friday we could whip together our meal. After we got the list situated and all got ready we went grocery shopping. It wasn't too bad at that time. We got all our stuff for a delicious meal. That night, we went for a yummy sushi dinner. Is it wrong that the best sushi roll I've ever had was made in Dothan, AL?? 

Monday was a nice down day where we just sat around. I did go for a run that morning but that was the only day I did run. We had too much going on. We packed that night.

Tuesday morning we got up, got ready and jumped in our BAV (otherwise known as Big Ass Van) to head to Kentucky for my stepbro's graduation from Basic.

Here's the BAV my dad rented for our trip. We had 7 people traveling and needed room for our luggage as well. We all fit quite nicely actually.

The Hubble definitely looked right at home in the BAV. Although, I think he's pretty used to riding in these things by now.

Little Butt was pretty excited as well. 

So we drove 8 hours to Ft. Knox on Tuesday. We got in around dinner time but didn't end up settling in and getting dinner until around 8pm.

We all turned in pretty early because the next morning we had to be at the gymnasium for the graduation by 0730.

The graduation was awesome (I'd never been to one before) and my stepbro looked so proud to be wearing that uniform. He had all his own Army tales and 'horror stories.' It was so cute to see all these young men so excited about signing up and serving their country.

The Hubble wore his uniform to the graduation as a sign of respect and tradition. He was moved to witness such a momentous time for these young men as well. This dude loves what he does and it shows. 

And I love it when he wears that uniform. The red suspenders. That's what it's all about baby. Sexy!

We ended up signing out my stepbro and a friend of his for the day. We found food then went to the mall. The guys were just so happy to be anywhere other than post that they were excited to walk through a mall.

I did end up finding a coat there though!

Source

I love it and am very excited that after 11 years I finally found the perfect coat!

On Thursday we were able to get into a restaurant that was having a "by reservation only" Thanksgiving buffet. The food was amazing and the service was incredible. I'm so glad we were able to eat there. It was delicious.

While my stepbro visited with his father and my stepmom, The Hubble, Little Butt and I spent a lot of time in our hotel room. We wanted to give them time to visit as a family. 

So Little Butt played a lot.

And The Hubble and I read a lot. 

I was able to read a couple books during this trip so that was a big plus!

Friday morning we got up and got on the road by 0600. We drove the 8 hours back to my dad's house and made it there a little after lunch time. 

We quickly got to work making our own little Thanksgiving dinner for us...only a day late. 

I made a pumpkin cheesecake. 

My stepmom and stepgrandma tried to kill themselves to make stuffed jalapenos. (The Hubble threw these on the grill and they were SO much better than oven baked)

The Hubble even helped!

And then my dad carried around Little Butt in a bag. I don't know. I try not to explain these things. 

The meal turned out delicious. 

We ate our weight in food and watched Love Actually. I've never really gotten that movie. 

The next day was spent doing laundry, packing and reading. Just so we could get up on Sunday and make the 12 hour drive back home.

I have to say though. The ultimate icing on the cake for me this trip (besides seeing my dad, stepmom and stepgrandma and being able to attend my stepbro's graduation) was the amazing gift my stepmom gave me.

That's right!!! I am now the proud owner of a nook! 

My stepmom got this nook several months ago and had never used it. She didn't see herself using it anytime soon and she knew I would put it to good use. So...she gave it to me! I was so shocked and excited. I felt as though I couldn't accept it but secretly wanted to grab it and run for the hills in case she changed her mind! But she insisted and it now lives with me. I'm super excited about it.

Hopefully this post will help me get back into the swing of things. At least until it's time to take the 3 week road trip through Texas starting on the 18th of this month. 

Phew!

If you made it to the end of this you are amazing and I want to be your best friend. 

Now...to make it through my Google Reader. I'm sorry to say I may not read it. When I logged in the other day it was closer to 800 than 700 and it's probably gotten worse. Anything new with you??

Couch to 5k: Week Four (Again)

Photo by emples

Success!!!

I am so freaking proud of myself this week it is not even funny! 

And I'm sure it's only going to get better from here.

Except for the fact that I'm worried about this next week.

See...we are currently driving to my dad's house in Alabama for the week of Thanksgiving. (I'm setting this up to post tomorrow--Saturday--morning.

What's the problem with that you ask??

Well, being at my dad's house is not a problem. He has a treadmill and there's a nice trail about a mile or so down the road. I can definitely continue my training while at my dad's house.

However, we are driving to Kentucky on Tuesday, going to a graduation on Wednesday morning, then driving back to Alabama on Thursday. And we'll be getting back late on Thursday so I'm not sure I'll get up and run on Friday morning.

Although, I just thought that maybe I can do Monday, Thursday (before we leave) and Saturday. But then I won't have two days of rest before starting the next week.

I guess maybe next week will have to be week four and a half?? Who knows. I just know that I don't want to take an entire week off.

Anyway. Back to this week. 

I decided on Monday that I needed to focus and slow it down again. I have a tendency to want to go fast to get the run done faster. However, when you are running for a certain amount of time, it goes by just as quickly if you are jogging as it does if you are sprinting. You just hurt a lot more with the latter.

So I went at a jog pace as opposed to a full out run and it helped me make it through the running intervals.

I was on cloud nine on Monday when I was able to complete the whole thing. Then I did it again on Wednesday. Then again on Friday!

However, on Monday, the very last 45 seconds of my last run time I felt like I was going to die.

Then on Wednesday and Friday I thought I was going to die my last 2 minutes of my last run time. 

But no matter. I pushed through. I just kept telling myself that I was done after that. It was my last lap. My last minute. Whatever. 

I can't believe I ran 1/2 a mile in one shot! Woohoo!

Anyway. 

Week four of the Couch to 5k program is:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 54 seconds

Wednesday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 46 seconds

Friday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 56 seconds

Woohooo!!!!

Did you notice my distance got better too?? Instead of 2 1/4 miles, I'm now up to 2 1/2 miles consistently.

So. All in all it has been a good week. 

I'm hoping to jump on here at some point while we are traveling as well. 

I don't know what this week will bring as far as my running goes but I am definitely going to try my hardest to get out there and get moving. There really aren't any adequate reasons not to. 

Wish me luck!

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Four
• Couch to 5k: Week Five

I Don't Have To Go Naked!

Hooray!!!

I did it!!!

I found clothes!

It was no easy task though, let me tell you.

After my first failed attempt, we went to 'town' this past Saturday.

I started with a haircut then we hit the mall. Sadly, I just kept walking into then out of stores. Nothing was hitting me.

I kept thinking The Hubble was watching and judging me.

I kept thinking that people in the stores were watching and judging me.

I was a poser.

What's a girl like that doing in a store like this??

I was able to get some jeans and some makeup.

I was especially excited to see that my favorite Old Navy jeans now come in a skinny option.

I ended up, after a few hours, walking out of the mall with nothing but my Old Navy and Sephora bags.

I was disheartened again. I kept thinking about how we are leaving for Alabama soon and I have nothing but jeans and t-shirts to wear. And a ratty, old, falling apart coat.

We met up with some friends for dinner and I had some sushi and sashimi. At the end of dinner I decided to order a glass of wine. That made me feel good...and bold.

I asked The Hubble if we could try just one more store. We hesitatingly walked into Dressbarn and started browsing.

About 2 hours and 2 huge bags of clothes later I was happily on my way home with all  my new sweaters, sweater dresses and pants.

We even stopped back by the mall so I could pick up a pair of black boots!

Source

Now I just need a coat and some dark brown boots and I'll be pretty set.

I'm excited about all my new clothes.

The good thing is that I feel awesome in everything that I bought. I tried everything on and each item makes me feel cute.

The bad thing is trying to figure out what I want to wear each day and where I can go so as not to sit in the house in my awesome new clothes. I mean, what's the point of wearing cute stuff if you have nowhere to go...which is probably why I'm still in my pajamas at almost 1pm today...nowhere to go.

Oh well.

At least now I have clothes to wear next week in Alabama and Kentucky! Woohoo!

And last, but definitely not least, thanks to everyone for all the supportive comments lately. Especially on that last post. I don't know what I would do without you. You are the reason I keep blogging. xoxoxoxoxo!!!

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Love and Acceptance Start Here

Couch to 5k: Week Four

Photo by emples

Fail!

Sadly, this week was another off week and I just didn't get the job done.

I went on a long walk with a friend Sunday afternoon and I'm starting to see a trend. It seems when I do something on Sunday, I just lose the week's running. 

When I had an off week for week three the first time I had done a yoga session on the Sunday afternoon before. Oh well. 

Monday, I got to the track and I was walking a lap to get my body warmed up before I started the intervals. As I was on the other side, 3 guys walked onto the field and started measuring. They spread string or something across the track. I asked them if I would be in their way and they said no, they were just finding the center of the track. Oooookkkkaaaayyyy. 

So I had to go around or step over their string. It was weird to have them just standing there. It felt like they were watching me. I was very distracted. I was able to do the first half of the intervals but lost it after that. 

I was hoping to salvage the week but when I arrived at the track on Wednesday there were Army guys training behind the bleachers. That usually doesn't bother me but one of the trainer guys had one of the trainee guys come run a couple laps while the trainer guy was timing him. 

So again, I felt like I was being watched (whether I was or not I just felt like it). I lost it. I just couldn't get it back.

When I took Little Butt to daycare on Friday, I came outside after dropping her off and it was raining. Seriously??

I called The Hubble and asked if I should just run in the rain, give it time to quit or just go home. He said give it about 10 minutes (where we live it does that, rains for 10 minutes then stops). So I drove over to the track. Sure enough, by the time I got to the track (about a 2 minute drive from the daycare) it had stopped raining. 

There was one guy on the track. No big deal right? I started to do my thing. Everything was good. Then this humvee with a couple guys drinking coffee decided to park right in front of the track and just sit there. There went my run. Blah!

Maybe I have performance anxiety or something. I just don't like it when I feel like people are watching me. It makes me feel...I don't know...weird. I get distracted and lose my breathing. I also feel like I need to do better so I think I run a bit faster and that makes things worse. 

On a side note though...I have decided that Army MP's really like pick up trucks. 

The track I run on has an MP building right next to it. So I watch the MP's come and go during the time that I'm there. When you look at their little parking lot it seems to always be pickup trucks. I counted on Monday and 5 out of 7 vehicles were pickup trucks. On Wednesday, 7 out of 10 vehicles were pickup trucks and the other 3 were SUV's. Friday they were off for Veteran's Day weekend but I'm sure there would have been a bunch. 

Okay. Let's get to how my week went. 

Week 4 of the Couch to 5k program is:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 24 seconds (did the first half but lost the rest).

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles (I don't know the time because my watch reset somehow. I ran the 3 minute interval then continued with 3 minutes throughout. Couldn't get to the 5 minute run).

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 28 minutes 40 seconds (ran the first 3 minute interval then made up my own intervals).

I will try again. I'm trying hard to become a runner and it doesn't seem to be working. The Hubble says to keep plugging away at it. I hope I get there. I'm trying.

Oh, I also found out I won't be able to do a Turkey Trot this year. My stepbrother is graduating Army Basic Training in Ft. Knox the day before Thanksgiving so we'll be traveling on Thanksgiving day. 

I found out there is a Turkey Trot here on the 20th but we are leaving for my dad's place in Alabama on the 20th. What can you do?? 

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Three
• Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

Love and Acceptance Start Here

This weekend I tried to go shopping.

With the weather turning cooler I have realized that I don't have any cold weather clothes. Well...I guess that's not true. I have a few items that I can wear.

Unfortunately, since I've gained about 20 pounds here in the middle of nowhere, nothing really fits.

Living in Texas for a year and losing a ton of weight didn't help either. You don't really need cold weather clothes in Texas. At least not if you spent the previous 5 years in upstate New York.

So...The Hubble decided that it was time to acquire me some clothes. We decided to try out a town we've never been to because they have a decent outlet mall. The outlet mall was pretty awesome but there were about a million people there.

Seriously. It was like Black Friday kind of crowds. It was insane!

I do not like large crowds. I either get overwhelmed and become timid or I get frustrated and start throwing elbows. Neither of these makes for a good shopping trip.

So after several hours of trying to look in stores, I walked away with no clothes. Unless you count the handful of outfits we found for Little Butt.

We are going to try again this weekend. But this time we will go to the mall we know.

I'm nervous.

I don't like shopping.

I especially don't like shopping when I'm feeling unhappy about my weight and my body.

It's annoying. I think I still have that "fat girl" brain that tells me I won't look good in anything that I like. So I don't even try.

I see something cute and I usually just keep walking. I will then pick up what The Hubble calls a "frumpy" shirt in an extra large size.

What's that about???

I mean, yes. I have gained weight here. But my pant size is still in the single digits (not for long if I keep going the way I'm going). I definitely don't need extra large shirts.

I need to embrace my body.

After having Little Butt my body changed drastically. I feel like I will never get rid of the squishy middle and muffin top (unless I pay for it).

I feel good about working out but I need to get my eating under control.

Either way, I need to be happy with me. Whether I accept me or change it.

When I was looking for a picture to put with this post I found one of the most beautiful photos I've ever seen.

Photo by meddygarnet

In the description of this picture she says that she's often unhappy with her body but her husband wrote that message to her on the mirror. 

She has inspired me to accept myself and understand that we are all different...but all beautiful.

We are all different shapes and sizes. Colors and creeds. But no matter what, we are all beautiful. Why can't we embrace our differences?? I wouldn't want to look exactly like someone else. I kind of like me (most of the time).

But if I'm not happy...only I have the power to change it.

So wish me luck with my shopping trip this Saturday! I need some clothes dang it!!

Do you have any hang ups with your body? Do you love the way you look?

Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

Photo by emples

Success!

I did it! I made it through week 3 successfully this week! I know I didn't do too well with it last week but I think my friend Gwen was right. I got my girlie problem this week so I'm thinking some crazy hormones were wreaking havoc on my body last week. 

Oh well. What can you do?? 

Tie up your shoes and try again, that's what!  

This week I decided to stop trying to go as fast as I possibly can in the time allowed and instead just focus on getting through the intervals. That means I took it a bit easier than I have the last few weeks. 

Don't get me wrong, it was still challenging. 

I was still able to do 2 1/4 miles each day. 

But I didn't feel so dead/drained afterward. And I think the walk intervals were faster because I didn't need as much recovery.

The only crap day I had was today. 

I woke up with the worst cramps I've had in over 4 years! I started out really tired. And it was about 30 degrees out this morning. 

Luckily, the gloves The Hubble bought for his Halloween costume have helped keep my hands warm (I can't find my gloves). 

But, the wind was pretty gnarly this morning and my ear buds kept blowing out of my ears. Annoying!

Again, I made it through. And that's what matters. 

Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes.

Run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. 

Repeat once for a total of 2 repetitions.

Cool down 5 minutes.

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 24 seconds

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles 28 minutes 48 seconds

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 07 seconds

Did you notice I broke the Wednesday curse this week???? Woohoo!!!!

So that's my week. I'm happy that I made it through but am still nervous about next week. I know that it just gets more and more intense from here. And the weather is just going to continue to get cooler and cooler. 

Also, my friend Wendy is considering doing this program and I just want to say....DO IT!!!! 

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Two
• Couch to 5k: Week Three
• Couch to 5k: Week Four

Halloween 2010

Little Butt decided she was going to be Cinderella this year. 

I just think my little princess is so beautiful.

The Hubble even got into the "spirit" of things.

I don't think The Hubble is as beautiful as my little princess. 

We did A LOT of walking and gathering of the candy.

 But thankfully we made it home before midnight. No one turned into a pumpkin.

But we were all pretty tired and frazzled by that point.

The Hubble even let us know how he felt about it all.

And I have to post this picture because he looks SO pretty! Not all of his makeup came off and he looks so sad and Emo. If you see him...just ask him if he's been crying. He loves it!

Couch to 5k: Week Three

Photo by emples

Fail!

Sadly, this week definitely didn't go very well for me. 

I don't know if it's because the weather finally got cool or if I was just worn out this week or what. It could also have something to do with the intense yoga session I had with a couple friends on Sunday. Who knows. 

Monday I was doing pretty good. Until I got to the end of the intervals. I ended up walking about 10-15 seconds during the last run time. A friend of mine showed up to walk with me and I think I walked really fast at the end to try to catch up with her. 

Wednesday I was able to run all the intervals I was supposed to. I thought I was doing really great! My time was a bit slower than Monday but I could live with that.

Friday. I woke up early and was tired. I wasn't feeling too well to begin with. And it was super cold that day. By the time my 5 minute warm up was "done" my hands were completely numb. When I started running I could feel that the muscles in my legs were still tight and cold. My last run interval was full of fail. I couldn't run the time at all. I ended up running the straights and walking the curves (remember I run on a track) until I finished the number of laps I like to complete.

Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes.

Run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat once for a total of 2 repetitions.

Cool down 5 minutes.

My week:

Monday: 2 1/2 miles 28 minutes 57 seconds (walked 10-15 seconds in the middle of second 3 minute running interval).

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 10 seconds (ran all required intervals).

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 31 minutes 19 seconds (could not run second 3 minute running interval. Ran straights, walked curves until completion of 9 laps, then walked a lap to cool down).

So...that means I have to repeat this week. I can't move forward to another week until I've mastered the week I'm in.

I am somewhat disappointed. But, on the other hand, I'm not disappointed at all. 

I know I tried and that's what counts. So my body didn't want to keep up this week. That's okay. We'll try again next week. 

I can only do what I can do. I think I definitely need more of a warm up time though. My body just doesn't warm up as quickly in cooler weather as it does in the warmer weather.

And gloves. I definitely need to wear gloves on those cool mornings. It's just to distracting...and somewhat painful. 

So that's that. I will be repeating week 3 this coming week. Wish me luck!

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week One
• Couch to 5k: Week Two
• Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

You Look Like a Monkey...

...and you smell like one too!

Yesterday was my birthday.

Last year around this time I was sad and miserable.

Last year I turned 30.

I thought I was going to be one of those people who would take my 30th birthday by storm. I thought I would approach it with vengeance and be more fabulous that day than ever before.

Then reality hit.

I was SO not excited about turning 30. The Hubble was deployed. I felt old. I just didn't want to do it.

Yesterday...I turned 31.

Though I'm not incredibly thrilled with getting older and being 31...I really like being in my 30's.

When you are in your 20's people tend to look at you like you are a kid.

Sadly...there's a reason for that.

I feel like I know so much more now than I did when I was in my 20's.

I am actually super happy to be in my 30's now.

But talk to me in another 9 years and I'll probably be singing the same tune I was last year!

Yesterday started off kind of off. I had a headache. Little Butt woke up with a tummy ache. But I vowed to have it turn around.

 When The Hubble got home from his workout, I was finishing up my shower. When I walked out of the bathroom I found pretty Halloween-y flowers!

Then we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I am in lust with their new harvest yogurt parfait and I had to have one. It's so freaking good! If you haven't tried it...you must. It was the apple streusel French toast at first but then I started running and decided I needed a healthier option. The meal that the parfait comes with has eggs, a breakfast meat and an apple bran muffin. I think it's only around for a short amount of time so hurry and go try it! LOL!

When we got back from brunch I opened my present! For the last 10 1/2 years I've hoped and hoped that The Hubble would just know what I wanted for my birthday. That.Doesn't.Work! So this year I told him exactly what I wanted. And he delivered!!!

You may be thinking "where's the fun in that?" if I had to tell him what I wanted. I would know what I was getting right?? No! I was extremely shocked and surprised that not only did he remember what I told him...he actually followed through and went and got it! LOL!

Later that evening, we went out for sushi with some friends. I tried sashimi (raw fish) for the first time and it was SO good. I'm so happy I got it! I think it's going to be my newest obsession. I can't wait to go again.

My friend Lauren made me some cupcakes for my birthday too!

Hummingbird cupcakes with coconut pineapple frosting (the pink) or lemon frosting (the white). Lauren and her husband, John, also gave me a gift card to an amazing liquor store in town. Woohoo! I can't wait to figure out what to spend it on!

Another awesome thing that happened to me on my birthday was that Kristen from That Army Wife Life left me this award:

Kristen is pretty dang awesome and is even a top 3 finalist in the Army Wife Network HH6 2011 Contest. I told you she was awesome! If you have a minute, you should jump over to the AWN site and vote for Kristen in the poll halfway down the page!

And that's how the anniversary of my 30th birthday went down. Yeah...I'm getting older...but I'm loving it!

And many more...on channel four...

Couch to 5k: Week Two

Photo by emples

Success!

Another week of the Couch to 5k program has been accomplished!

I know it's not much but I'm still proud of myself.

Monday, The Hubble had off so he stayed in bed while I took Little Butt to daycare and went to the track. I'm really proud of myself for not letting him deter me from my goals. (Two years ago it would have been a different story).

I don't know what's up with Wednesdays though. Either I lose count of my laps or I just REALLY drag ass on Wednesdays. 

Usually I do 9 laps (2 1/4 miles) during the program's intervals. However, on Wednesdays I only do 8 (2 miles). It happened last week and it happened this week. It's pretty frustrating but I need to find a way to straighten things out on Wednesday. 

Surely I just lose count...right????

Anyway. 

My best friend Insomnia came for a visit on Thursday night so when time to go to the track rolled around...let's just say I was tired. But I went anyway.

Luckily, there were a bunch of soldiers working near the track so that made me stand up a bit straighter and move a bit faster. I couldn't look like a slacker in front of soldiers right?? LOL!

The sky was dark on Friday and I thought for sure it was going to start raining on my head! (It didn't). It was also pretty windy offering me some lovely resistance. But I still did pretty good.

Oh. And taking about 15 minutes to do some yoga stretching at the end of my workout has been helping my recovery time. It's also a really great way to feel calm and loose after running. 

Now for the numbers!

Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes (repeat for a total of 20 minutes)

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 20 seconds

Wednesday: 2 miles 29 minutes 22 seconds (see what I mean???)

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 35 seconds

I thought for sure my time would suffer this week since I was running for a longer time but it didn't. All of my times this week were better than my times last week.

I also have not yet started doing yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Honestly, I'm kind of scared. If I add something new, will that affect my running? Which is more important? 

I think I definitely want to get more comfortable with running. Maybe after I complete this program and am capable of running distances I want then I'll add in more stuff.

One step at a time right??

Have you started a new fitness program recently? How are you doing with it? 

If you haven't started one...do you want to?

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week One
• Couch to 5k: Week Three