Faithful Finish Line

Life...Life has been insanely busy lately that I don't think I've had to even post about my exciting adventure in the Faithful Finish Line! 

If you've read my blog lately then you know how excited I was when I completed my first duathlon in October.  It was a huge ordeal for me to even do something so crazy because I am the "Couch Queen".  I actually don't lay on the often because I have two children to look after, but I certainly wasn't fit and certainly wasn't doing anything about it.  But then things seemed to change in June as I watched my husband dwindle away and lose 60 lbs because he decided he was tired of weighing over 300 lbs. 

As I admired him, I also hated him because I would love to shed 60 lbs too...but it wasn't a priority.  So, I made it one.  For me, the #1 best thing to do to make exercise and eating right a priority...set a goal!  My goal:  to run/cycle a 2:9:2 duathlon.  And I did it!   The problem after I finished...I didn't have another goal.  So for 2 weeks I sat on my rear, stayed off my bike, and ate whatever the heck I felt like eating.  And today, I've gained back 5 lbs and feel awful! 

But I'm in luck because I've signed up for the Faithful Finish Lines program with Sara Borgstede and my new goal is right in front of me:  to run the Cowtown half-marathon on March 1, 2015...and to lose 20lbs before then too!

I honestly cannot tell you how thrilled I am 1) to be a part of this group, and 2) to actually have a goal of this magnitude.  I am NOT a runner; I am NOT a fit person; I am NOT in shape...but I AM ready to make my body the temple the Lord created it to be!

So bear with me the next few months because you'll be seeing a lot more FFL posts, but posting here is part of my accountability!  If I say it publicly, I'll be so much more motivated to finish! 

I cannot do this alone, so I also asking for your help:  what are some of the best tips you would give a beginner runner or someone trying to lose 20 lbs?  Favorite recipes, tips for drinking enough water, those cannot-live-without fitness gadgets?  I want to hear ALL of your suggestions!!!  Help me make this goal a reality! 

Day 22: 31 Days of Weird Faithful Fitness

Exercise. 

It seems to be the one things that I have not done much of, until now.  Well, until June to be exact.

June is when it all started, and there really doesn't seem to be an end in sight.  I have another 40 lbs of baby weight that I want GONE.  But, If there is one thing that I have been a little disappointed in is simply the fact that the pounds are not coming off like I thought they would.  I went from a very sedimentary lifestyle, to a much more active on and I began to shave off quite a few calories from my diet.  The first 20 lbs came of fairly quickly, but I've been stuck in a rut for the past 6 weeks! 

So I've been doing a lot of reading about weightloss and eating and how to fit all of these things into a busy lifestyle. 

Well I found Sara's blog the other day and now I am HOOKED!  Sara has been writing a series:  31 Days of Weird Faithful Fitness.

Her story is amazing!  Sara lost 100 lbs and has kept it off for 10 years!  In this series she shares some of the best tips and secrets for her success, and provides DAILY encouragement for us (well, those of us battling our own weight issues).

If you're struggling with your weight or wanting to achieve new fitness goals, then you MUST go visit Sara's website.  I promise that this will become one of your new favorite 31-Day favorites!

Day 20 - 31 Days to Motivational Running

I absolutely cannot believe it but my first duathlon is in 2 days! 

2 Days!!!!!

Sometimes I'm still in complete shock that I'm actually about to do this.  I've trained, I've prepared, I've researched...I am ready!  If you want to know more about what I'm rambling about, click here!

Granted, I can only run continuously for a little over a mile because then my calves feel like they are about to jump off the back of my legs and run away screaming in fear because they are so afraid over being overworked! 

But I keep going.  I keep running.  And if I have to walk for 3-4 minutes, then I walk...but then I get back to running.  But one of the best blogs that I have read about running is this:

Discovering Breadcrumbs is on the current 31-day writing list, and has really outdone herself.  This fantastic series starts by reminding us that in order to run, you have to start small and build slow.  Running isn't something you can just do.  You have to strengthen those muscles and build your endurance before you can just go run a few miles. 

I simply cannot explain to you how beneficial this blog has been to me.  If you're starting your exercise or weight-loss journey, this blog will be instrumental in your success.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Pinch Me

Last week I did something COMPLETELY crazy!  

Like some may think I'm insane!

But I did it!!!

I registered for my first duathlon!!!!!

Y'all, if you know me IRL, then you know how ridiculous this sounds, but I did it!  I am doing the Esprit de She!  And truth be told, I am so excited about it!

Click here to learn more about the Dallas Duathlon.

Since I have absolutely ZERO running ability and am a beginner cyclist, I'm just doing the short course.  It's a 2 mile run, 9 mile bike, 2 mile run. So now I'm in the middle of a training plan. So today's Five on Friday is all about getting ready for the race and the things I "have to have" to get this done!

{ONE}

Running Shoes!  One of the biggest things I had to do in order to get ready for my race is get good running shoes!!! Close to where I work there is a running store called Luke's Locker.  I was able to go in and get properly fitted for a running shoe based on how I walk and run.   After my fitting, I eneded up with my new {neon} pink Brooks, and I have to tell you that I love them!!

{TWO}

Eating Right!  I've been trying to make those dreaded numbers on the scale go down, and its slowly-but-surely working but I've really had to curb what I eat.  I can definitely tell a difference when I'm running if I had a bad eating day because my body is just sluggish.  So my diet has definitely been over-hauled to lean meats, and lots of fresh produce!

{THREE}

Energy!  In my current training plan (and sometimes just for fun) I am doing long bike rides.  And by long I mean 30 and 40 miles worth of riding.  Energy is a must have to get through these rides, so one of my go-to items is GU Energy Gels. They are the perfect size to fit in my riding jersey, and definitely help me get through the long rides!!  I really like the mandrin orange, and the cherry lime, but they have all kinds of flavors ranging from fruity to peanut butter and caramel macchiato, root beer and chocolate outrage! 

{FOUR}

A foam roller! This has been a lifesaver on my calf muscles and quads.  Brant asked for one for Father's Day when he was training for his triathlon, so I got him one at Target for less than $30, and it has become one of my favorite things.  My calf muscles get so sore after running because they just aren't used to being used that much, lol, and this help alleviate so much of the pain.  I typically roll my calves at least one, and sometimes twice a day.  So this is a must-have in my house!

{FIVE}

And my biggest "must-have" is ENCOURAGEMENT!  I know it may not sound like much to you, but it is huge for me.  Probably because one of my love-languages is words of affirmation, but having someone say "great job" or having my husband send me a text after I go on a 20 mile bike ride that says "I'm so proud of you" means the world to me!  When my 3 year old looks at me and says "Look mom, I'm exercising like you!" it makes me want to do this even more!  I don't want to even guess the number of years that I'm adding on to my life by changing my lifestyle and taking care of my body.  So I need encouragement, and lucky for me, I have the friends and family who are giving me just that!  So if you need encouragement too, you just let me know because I'll be by your side cheering you on! 

Motivation Monday

Do you ever just feel like singing "Good morning, good morning..." because that is definitely how I am feeling today.  Actually, if you want to know the truth my heart is full of different emotions today:

Joy - because my God is alive

Thanksgiving - because He continues to bless our family

Anticipation - because of things to come

Longing - because my sweet Madeline Grace is turning 1 tomorrow and I long for her to stay little

Excitement - for Madeline's birthday party on Saturday

Proud - because I finished my first 40-mile charity ride on Saturday for Bike Out Hunger Mansfield!


It was cold and drizzly and windy, but we still finished.  We almost pushed to do the 60-mile ride, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it back with the miserable cross-wind that we were up against. 

But I saw this posting on Facebook the other day and this is my motivation this week:
        

I've needed this motivation more than ever now because I'm officially signed up to race in a duathlon on October 26th.  Its a 2-9-2:  2 mi run, 9 mi bike, 2 mi run.  The cycling I'm not worried about - its the running!  I get thrilled if I run a mile without stopping - now I have to run two miles...TWICE!  But I know that through my training, I can do it...and when its done, it will be worth it!!!