I am still alive... I think.

 Alright, so I have been active.  I went to the gym I think 3 times last week, AND did a ton of biking.  This week so far I have done a 21km bike ride on Monday and I did about 1.5 hours of rock climbing today.  

I am still on my weight plateau but I think I need something to kick start that... unfortunately I am starting to think it might be my diet.  I really hate having to change how I eat AGAIN.  I already eat healthy with my occasional slip ups, (which realistically aren't slip ups... they are there so you don't gorge) but I think my problem is I really have to watch portion size.  Also I don't eat cheese or milk anymore (or any derivatives) due to my stomach now rejecting lactose... sooooo I have to eat more dark greens to get my calcium.  This isn't a huge deal but I do need to start watching it.

Other than that things are looking on track.  One more thing... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!

I ran 20 minutes straight - and look I have proof!!

Look at the big plateau after my 5min warm-up walk. Yes, that my friend is me running at 4.7mph for 20mins solid. I rock. Now if you would only ignore the last half of the run, where the 20mins of running obviously made me tired and I couldnt keep a consistant pace to save myself, it would be all good. Please give me that luxury and focus on that beautiful plateau!

So Nike+, after its terrible beginnings (see bad exercise karma) I have really grown attached to the sensor in my shoe and my trainer letting me know periodically how much time I have left. To top it all off after I finished my run Friday, the nice man who counts down the time/distance left to my goal sums up the run stat's as usual and then who should I hear - Tiger Woods.

"Hi, this is Tiger Woods. Congratulations, you have just run your fastest mile"

I have heard about the infamous celebrity quotes but until Friday I haven't recieved any of my own. Okay so it's a little cheesy - but let's face it I'll take whatever support and motivation I can get!

Official training program begins!

I plan to follow "Marathon and Half Marathon: The complete 26-week training program (The beginner's guide)" to train for the Athen's Classic Marathon. I used this program for the half marathon in Rio and found it quite effective. The program consists of three weekly runs; two timed weekday runs and one long distance run on the weekend. Each week is classified as moderate, building or recovery. I enjoy the fact that after the building week you can look forward to an easier week following. I think that for me this is the best course of action compared to steady moderate weeks. The long runs begin with 5km the first week and "gradually" increases with a 10km run on week 6, a 21km run on week 15 and then the peak mileage of 32km on week 23. I interpret the peak mileage being dramatically under the overall distance is that you should have the last 10km in shear determination left over.
Until now I have been in "pre-training" trying to get re-accustomed to exercise. In theory I was hoping to do three runs a week during pre-training but as the record shows that didn't always happen. I am writing today to ask that you hold me accountable to my training program, no excuses.

Driving Range

Today Dave, Natelie, Mark and I hit the driving range for the first golf outing of the season. It turns out I still suck at golf and therefore haven't technically "lost my swing" over the winter. Too bad there isn't a most improved player for golf courses. (I always won that title at sports growing up - it's easy to improve if you are terrible.)
Now I just need to work on taking criticism. Playing at a sport with your spouse that you suck at can be trying when you are bad at taking advice. Example: Dave says "Don't do this, do this" to which I respond "Dave that looks exactly the same, seriously." Dave, "You can't see the difference between this and this?" Taylor, "No." And then I tell him the story about Tyra banks on America's next top model because tyra always does stuff like that (ie, don't do this, do this) Dave, "Tyra banks is stupid, are you calling me stupid?" Ummmm....

And so the golf season begins. I believe success shouldn't be measured by the score I get over nine holes, it should be whether I resisted throwing my clubs in the lake. Wish me luck!!

Inspiration from the biggest loser

Okay, make fun of me all you want. I like watching 'reality' tv shows. I show that I really like is 'The Biggest Loser.' I find it really motivating. They show the contestants grueling through their workouts. These people are stubborn and determined. It makes me feel like these people get how much running can suck. Or at least how much STARTING a running program can suck. And they make me want to be even for stubborn and determined than I already am. Some may question if that is a good thing.

So I thought I would share last night's episode because honestly I was crying at the end. So the show is down to 4 contestants and in their final challenge they are asked to do a marathon. First thing - I get really emotional when anyone finishes a marathon. I have a few marathon documentaries and they always get me teary. One of the contestants is Ron. He started the show over 400pounds and is now under 300. He has bad knees and therefore cannot run and a variety of health problems. Ron walked the full marathon with a cane. He took over 13 hours but he did it. I cried.

At the Athen's marathon there is a 6 hour time limit for running (there is an 8 hour time limit for powerwalking and maybe I can sneak into this section). I have been concerned that I won't make the 6 hour time limit. I finished the Rio half marathon in just under 3 hours. A full marathon would be more than double the time when you factor in exhaustion. Plus there are also just really bad running days. They are random but sometimes 1km can feel like 100. If I had a bad running day the day of the marathon my time would be significantly worse. So I have been wondering what would I do if I was still on the course at the 6 hour mark. (They open up traffic and start taking down everything at this point) and you know what I think that I would just finish anyways. I would have the assistance of Team Diabetes. Someone would know where I was at all times and probably a trainer would come and run with me at the end. So I would be okay. I wouldn't get a metal. But I would finish the &^$*ing thing. Huzzah!

Sudbury Rocks Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes

On Sunday I ran the 5k race at the Sudbury Rocks Marathon! I posted a chip time of 42:04 and came in 45/64 of women in my age range (20-29). 332/520 overall. Yay for being not last! And not completely terrible considering I had only 4 training runs before the race. Procrastination in my name!
What was extra special is that I started the race with my friend Ching. She, however, is not into the endurance running and took off like the wind finishing under 30minutes! (Which by the way is my 5km time goal). I was doing okay for much of the run. The last kilometer I had a side stitch on my left side and ran with my fingers pressed into my side. "I can't walk now, the finish is just around the corner...sort of." Ching and Dave were waiting for me at the finish! I have another metal to add to my collection! Go figure that I would start having a collection of running metals and bibs.

not cool...

Monday and Tuesday were devoted to cardio workouts.  I did at least 30 minutes on the eliptical hybrid machine thing and some core workout.  

Wednesday my gym buddy and I did weights with a coworker.  He had us doing arm, back, and chest workouts in a circuit type training method.  We did an hour long workout with about 5 mins of cardio to start it off.  I felt pretty good after that workout... until the next day.  My arms were SO sore I couldn't really even open doors.  Everyone was warning me that the second day is worse but I still think the first was the worst! 

Thursday was a day of rest. 

Friday, today, was spent doing a workout on the ball with a few coworkers (the one leading has been doing this for 5 years).  You think it is all childs play until you get into it! I have never sweat so much, and I am pretty sure I am not going to be able to sit up in bed tomorrow.... hopefully I will still be able to move next week because I have been promised at least one day of climbing! Oh wall... how I miss thee...