Week 2 C210K

Week 2 of the C210K Plan is down in the history books. I've finished this week and Week 3 has started off wonderfully. Remember how I complained about these past 2 weeks being "too easy" well my fitness is being tested in week 3. 

My runs for the week...

I had a big gap between day 2 and day 3 only because the bed feels so good and its surprisingly still chilly outside. That is really more of a challenge than actually running. Just putting my feet on the floor and throwing on my clothes. How do people do it when it's actually snowing out?? 

Week 2 consisted of .20 miles running and .25 walking, repeating 6 times. It felt good and "easy" but I still reminded myself that I am building my base. I ran/walked a total of 5.67 miles. No long run this time but I see it in my sights.  

Week 3 has me huffing it but I welcome the excitement! 

Until Next Time,

BE BLESSED

Week 1 C210K

Screenshot of my first week of training....

Week One went pretty good. I completed all 3 runs this week which is awesome!! I didn't get in a "long run" (3+ miles) this week but that's OK. My husband and I were out and about Saturday walking around and by the end of the day my legs were done!! D O N E!! So Sunday I let them rest.

The one downside I see to going back to my old app is that it cheats me for my .01... I'm not the best mathematician so please correct me if I am wrong but .25 times 8 is 2 miles. I don't do the last walk interval because it just flows into the cool down (so it is 1.85 miles) but if you are adding .10 and .15 there is no way that my ending distance should have end with a 4... I'm just sayin....... 

 This week I plan on incorporating strength training on the alternate days. Week Two Day 1 has started off on the good foot. Its still almost too easy but I keep reminding myself that I am rebuilding. I do feel good with each run interval and with the build up with each week I am confident that I will be able to consistently run each interval without stopping. I am really trying to work on my form during this time as well. Making sure that my arms aren't crossing my body and keeping my body up so I don't "run into the ground" if that makes sense. 

What are you doing this week? Until next time,

BE BLESSED

Starting From the Ground Up

I have started over... I accessed where I was and where I want to go and decided to just start completely over.

I opened up my 1st C25K running app and looked at the Zero to 10K program and here I am. It is a 10 week plan and I'm going by the distance instead of time. I chose distance because my goal is getting my mileage back up. Yes, I could run for 30 minutes but if I'm only making it 1.5 miles that's not helping me. With the distance method you run until that set is complete however far that may be.

Week 1 Day 1 was run 175 yards (.10 miles) walk 260 yards (.15 miles) repeat 8 times for a total of 1.84 miles.

The only downside to this method is I don't know how to convert yards to miles so I'm clueless as to how far I'm running until after the 1st set. LOL! It wasn't bad today. Actually it felt a little too easy but I'm trying to build back up so easy is good for now.

I really want to get back to running 5-7 miles like I did back when  I trained for my half. After the first 3 miles everything felt great! I want to get back to that feeling and fitness level. So I'm starting all over.

In addition to running I plan on incorporating strength workouts as well. Although I've picked up in size I like how my lower body is looking. So I want to keep that and the only way to do so is strength training. I can get fairly slim if I just run a lot and I don't want to go there again. I need balance.

So there you have it.  I know I am all over the place with my fitness plans these past few weeks but I feel like I'm on a solid path now.

What are some of your fitness goals? Check in below!

BE BLESSED!

THE SLOWEST MILES EVAAAA!!!!!!

This morning I ran thee (yes thee, it's monumental) slowest 2 miles of my life! It was literally slower than when I first started running. LITERALLY!

I was running along (or so I thought, it was more like shuffling along but I digress) made it to the half mile mark and I had not taken a walk break... Surprise surprise!! I'm like go me, you're really doing it today girl!! Hit the one mile mark and my app said 1 mile completed time 15 minutes and however many seconds... GASP! I thought this thing must surly be broken... No way could I have take that long. Looked at the actual time, yep 15 whole minutes had passed.

Mile 2 was better. 14 and some change but ummm yea, who's really pumped up about that? It took 29 minutes to run 2 miles... TWENTY NINE MINUTES!!

PROOF that I am not being overly dramatic!! LOL!!

On the bright side of it I did push past not wanting to get out of bed and going out there and doing it. So kudos to me and a pat on the back. The feeling of accomplishment was achieved and I truly know where I am at. You have to start where you're at and I now know WHERE I am at.

Tomorrow is a new day, another day to improve... Until next time,

BE BLESSED

#30DayChallenge Week 1

Today is Day 8 of my 30 Day 10 Minutes a Day Challenge! Let me recap our progress..

Day 1: 20 Minutes of Yoga -- Mom 10 Minute Work Out
Day 2: 3 Mile Run -- Mom 10 Minute Work Out
Day 3: 4 Mile Run -- Mom 10 Minute Work Out
Day 4: 10 Minutes jump rope & abs -- Mom she quit!
Day 5: 10 Minutes jump rope, abs & arms
Day 6: 2 Mile Run
Day 7: ......
Day 8: 10 Minutes jump rope, abs & arms

First lets talk about me and then I'll get into my mom. I missed a day. I could give an excuse but I won't. I should have prioritized my time and made better food choices. I didn't work out that morning and eating garbage for lunch had my stomach upset in the evening. But I am continuing on with the challenge because not only do I want to get back in shape but I truly want to develop the habit of exercising on a regular basis. And not just running. I cannot get the body I want with running alone. I can get down to the weight I want but I will still be jiggly. I don't want to be jiggly. LOL

On to my mom. I really want for her to be happy and healthy. I really really do. My desire for her to create new habits and get fit will not keep her on the track to a healthy lifestyle. She has to want it for herself. I talked with her about it and she completely agreed with me and said that is what she is trying to tell everybody that wants her to do things that she just does not want to do.

I have been there. Before starting my running journey I would occasionally work out with my friends. I tried a Zumba class here and I would do a DVD there but I never found anything that I would or wanted to stick with. It wasn't until I had the desire for myself that I downloaded that app and hit the road. I can't expect anything different from my mom or anyone else. We all have a free will. God designed us that way. He gave us free will to make Godly decisions or Wordly decisions. We can follow Him and do as He wants us to or not. And its not until we make that decision that our lives can be blessed abundantly and be able to fully walk in our purpose.

Check back next week and see how I am doing! I'm feeling good about this. And I may just keep going once the 30 days are over.

BE BLESSED!

30 Day Challenge!!!

I am so excited! I got my mom to agree to a 30 day challenge with me!!! This is gonna be epic... :-D

The challenge consists of just 10 minutes a day of exercise no matter what for 30 days. Just 10 minutes!! You can do more if you like but if you don't all you have to do is 10 minutes. I decided on this because I want to build the habit of exercise for myself and also help my mom get the ball rolling in that department. I love her and want her to be around to see these grandchildren she so desperately wants me to have.

Day one starts tomorrow, March 10, 2016 and I am pumped. One step closer to helping my mama even though I cannot be physically there to motivate.

My plan is to keep up with my running and on my off/rest days do a yoga DVD or some sort of push up, crunch, squat combo. I will keep you posted on our progress!!


BE BLESSED

Getting Back In The Swing...

Yes, I ran today! It was great but not great all at the same time.  

I only ran 2 miles as you can see from the picture below but it was 2 miles more than I did yesterday! It was way colder than I thought it was going to be outside too and my hands turned into icicles but by HIS GRACE I made it!

That 2nd mile was a struggle.... A LOT OF WALKING happened!!!

Look at that pace!!! What a difference a mile makes LOL

All in all I felt good about it. I've really missed getting out there, sweating, basking in the day's beauty, and my dog baby really enjoyed herself. She didn't want to come back in the house. I've already decided that I will run again tomorrow morning and do 3 miles. AND my BFF has agreed to go out there with me!! RUNNING DATE!

Tomorrow holds a new day with a new adventure. Needless to say I am excited about it. I cannot wait to get back to being able to do 6+ miles and feel like a Champ afterwards.... Yup I'm a completely changed woman from who I used to be.

Be Blessed

About That Break...

Yup... It is still on going... Last time I wrote I ran one time now I am up to one more time since the last time! LOL!!! It's pathetic and no one is to blame but the woman looking back at me in the mirror.

I've decided to help me help myself by looking for some safety equipment to be prepared to run at Zero Dark 30 in the morning. I have looked for lights to attach to myself, or a reflective vest, or even these armband reflective things I saw at Wally World. I really do not know what I want but I know I need something since that is the only time during the week that I can run. The weekends I can get out there but that's only 2 days.

I use the Nike+ Running App. (Great free app by the way) I was looking thru it the other day and found the Coach Feature. They have basically any plan that you would need from Beginner 5K to a Full Marathon. I selected the Intermediate 5K plan. I chose this because it will be a challenge and the very 1st day, YOU RUN 3 MILES!!! I know I can do it. Then its like a 4 miler in that same week. I. CAN. DO. THAT...... Well I can but its going to take a lot of effort and Jesus, and God the Father and the Holy Spirit... But it will get done.

^^^LOL^^^ Why is it still cold outside? It's the end of February and it's not officially flip flop season yet. It makes it so much harder to throw those covers back and put my feet on the floor. <-- yea, I know that is an excuse because I've seen people out in the blizzard running and getting it in.... MORE POWER TO THEM!! I've ran in the cold, I've ran in the rain, but now I have gotten a little uppity and don't want to go until its ideal an ideal temperature! SMH at myself. I'm gonna do better. I HAVE to do better.

Until Next Time,

Be Blessed

A New Year is Coming

A new year is on its way. With 2015 on its way to a close this is usually the time of year for reflection, goal setting, and cleaning out closets.

We reflect on what we did, the memories we created, and milestones we reached. All of that should overwhelm us with a sense of accomplishment. Pride in the achievement and warmth of the memories and love that was shared. The only questions we should ask ourselves is how can I be better? What can I do to make this coming year better?

We look back at the goals we set. Did we hit them? Crush them? Did we even attempt them? This is not the time to beat yourself up, but once again, analyze what went right just how you planned. Keep that. What came close to happening? How can you make it better or what can you do differently? Lastly, what didn't you attempt at all? Was it impossible? Was it something that you even truly desired to reach? All of these things can be assessed for a better year to come.

Cleaning out those closets!! My husband will be so proud when I do this. He has already mentioned to me about how "wonderful" it will feel to find things you forgot about, give away things that you don't even wear, and just create space for the possibility of new things to come........ All I hear is CLEANING OUT THE CLOSET *insert eye roll, wall side, and mini tantrum*. I don't like it but I know my side of the closet is ridiculous and it probably turns his stomach every time my side of the door is open. And you want to know something, to be completely honest, it bothers me just a lil bit. Well more than that because I actually want to do something about it. 

I do have some fitness goals to reach this year. First is to start back running 3 times a week. I have only ran 1 time since October. ONE TIME! I did decide to take a break but this has become a hiatus. And it is just me and my love of sleep in the morning. No other excuse is necessary. The weather has been wonderful minus the small cold snap we had back in November maybe the early part of December... See it wasn't even long enough or cold enough to be memorable! Building muscle is on my list of things to achieve. I like the good parts to jiggle but everything else must leave. Definition in my arms and legs must return and running hundreds of miles is not going to make it happen. 

What are you doing to bring in 2016? Are you going to church to Praise the Lord thanking Him for another new year? An annual New Year's Eve extravaganza with sequins, confetti, and heels? Staying in for the night in your favorite PJs to watch the midnight countdown? 

Whatever it is that you decide to do be safe, enjoy yourself, and really appreciate the moment. It will be a day that we haven't seen before and a day that we will never see again. Relish in it! Enjoy it! Drink in all the little things that are happening. And not only on New Year's Eve but EVERYDAY! Set out each day with the desire to make it the best day yet!


Be Blessed

OPERATION #HALFMARATHON COMPLETE!

I did it! I completed a goal that I set out to accomplish! The thrill of victory is upon me and you know what?.... I am PRETTY FREAKIN' AWESOME!!! BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GRACE OF GOD I COULDN'T HAVE FINISHED!!!

I finished this milestone October 18, 2015. It took me 2 hours 18 minutes and 25 seconds to complete. But the funny thing is it wasn't my planned race day... Let me paint the picture for you. Picture it, Sicily, 1952 (you know where I got that from? LOL) I woke up that Sunday morning knowing that I would be running 12 miles as per my running plan dictated. Really it should have been 11 but I was moving my "Race Day" up a week early because I wanted to run some place other than my usual town. SO, I already changed the whole game around by moving the day. I did my usual warm up walk, told my app how many miles we were doing, annnddd off I went.

Mile 6, the halfway point, I actually made it all the way to my place of employment. I felt great! In my mind I'm always trying to figure out where I am going to turn around and head back home and this was no different. My conversation kind of went like this... "You could just turn around and head back", "Yea, but you always run that way, how about going thru the campus way?" "But what if it's not the same distance?" "It's close enough to the same, maybe" "OK let's go!" <<< Yes, I talk to myself just like that #Don'tJudgeMe

Miles 7-9... Still feeling pretty good. The wind was whipping a bit but I pressed on. A littler slower because of it but hey, it's been a lot of miles. Some where in here I stopped at my Granny-In-Law's house for some much needed water and good surprise to her!

Miles 10-11... They were tough but I still had some energy. All during this time was when the idea of just going the whole 13.1 came up. That crazy question runners have of "What's one more mile?" Yup, I asked myself this question several times during those 20 or so minutes. The conclusion? You got it! WHAT'S ONE MORE MILE!!! I checked the time and instead of turning left to head home to complete the last of 12 miles I went straight. I went over the route in my head, making sure that I would reach the 13.1 mark and I kept it moving, still going off of my philosophy of if you run far enough away from home you have to finish. It works every time.....

THIS IS WHERE THE REAL CHALLENGE CAME IN......... Seriously, why do people do this? And by people I am talking about myself. Oh my word! I reached mile 12 and I was like what was I thinking? I could be home right now but nooooo I decided to keep going..... You need to be back to get ready for church.... Your husband just checked on you cause you've been gone too long.... But you will be done with it if you keep going and no more early mornings when it's still night time outside although the clock says otherwise. Maybe I should have waited until next week like I planned. YOU'RE GOING TO BE DONE! Keep moving.

And I kept going. Then going some more. Until finally 13.1 miles displayed on my running app. I. AM. FINISHED! I let out the loudest scream of joy that I could muster! Man, I am the WOMAN!

What will I do next? What level of insanity will I put my body thru? I really can't say. I've thought about training for a triathlon maybe, or just biking. I do not see myself training for a Full Marathon just yet but I will never say never. I said that once before and now I run Half Marathons for fun! If I did decide to train for it, I would sign up for an official Marathon. They have aid stations and medical people on standby for just in case and for goodness sake that is 26.2 MILES O_O! I need an audience, witnesses, a medal, t-shirt and pictures!! LOL!  Until next time...

BE BLESSED!

OPERATION #HALFMARTHON HALF WAY MARK

OPERATION #HALFMARATHON HALF WAY MARK

Yes, I am half way to completing a Half Marathon! I am too pumped about it... At the tail end of Week 6 in my training I look back and see how far I have come, I cannot help but to recognize that all Glory goes to God. I know its not just me out there running these miles, helping me push pass my own limitations and even frustrations while I'm on the road. Jesus is truly there with me, protecting me during the darkest of mornings while the roosters are crowing and God knows what is rumbling in the bushes. Everyday He shows me just how awesome He is by showing me each new sunrise is never the same as the day before.

5:48 am in the morning... Reminds me of Gotham City

6:30 am... Vastly different view and less than an hour difference. BEAUTIFUL!

I've finally reached the level of running insanity when you get up in miles and you say things like, "it's only X amount of more miles", or "what's another 3 miles?" O_o. Last week I had to run 7 miles for my long run and I have 8 coming up this weekend. So at my turn around point to make it back home I looked at my app and said, "OK its only 3 more miles to make it back home... What's 3 more miles!" And laughed! Hysterically! My dog baby, needless to say, was not looking too thrilled at my enjoyment but we both made it back, she more exhausted than I was. I conked out by the end of the day though. We've found that 7 miles is her max and she won't be out for long runs with me anymore. :-( I know she is gonna be sad and I'm going to miss her company, but its for her own good and safety. She still gets to run the other 4 days.

This week has me running 4 miles each scheduled day and 8 miles on Sunday. Well, how about this girl right here ran under 40 minutes!!!! Grease Lightening is my name! And I know that there are people who can run 6 and 7  minute miles but for me... THAT WAS FAST and I am getting faster with each passing week! I realized that if I actually use my full stride I cover more distance even if it "feels" like my pace is slower. It's not. God didn't give me these long legs for nothing! Ha! If I can get my pace to 9 minute miles..... I would probably do a back flip if I could but a cartwheel would be in order! LOL

I have low key been thinking about what I will do next in terms of fitness goals. I do not think a full marathon will be the very next thing but I will never say never. I can finish my half and crazily proclaim, "hey, what's 13.1 more miles?!?!?" and there you go.  -_-  I have been googling Triathlon training plans or bike-a-thon joints so we shall see. I know it will be something but the first thing is taking a break and letting my body heal. I am not torn up or broken down but my feet and knees be talking to me! 5 days a week is no joke when you start out being used to only 3 days a week.

That is all for now...

Be Blessed

Running Shoes

I said I would never run! NEVER RUN! It hurt, it was not fun, why would any one WANT to run that far? The only way I'm running is if I'm running for my life?!?!?! Then it happened....  Operation #HalfMarathon has begun! YUP, never say never! :-)

Now running is my fitness. It is how I stay in shape. Outside of dancing (which I'll talk about later) running has been the only form of exercise that I've been consistent with.  Some people, like my husband and 2 BFFs, can do DVDs, lift weights, made up at home work outs, all of that. Me... not so much! I can turn it off, I can stop, she/he doesn't have to yell at me like that! Running on the other hand I can't just stop.  Technically I can but the trick is I run far enough away from home that even if I feel like giving up  I still have to run back. Yea I could walk back but running is so much quicker so you might as well finish.

How did I get my start you ask? I'm so glad you did! Well its been about 2 years now since I started my 1st Couch to 5K plan.  I knew I needed to do something to get myself back in shape and I kept looking at the different C25K apps for my phone.  And one day I said just do it! I downloaded the app and off I went! The struggle was real!!!! They want you to run for a whole minute.... 1 MINUTE! Do you know how long a minute is? Yea 60 seconds I know but when you're used to doing nothing it's like an eternity.

Fast forward to 2015 and I've run for an hour and 10 minutes.  I ran a 10K distance which is 6.2 miles and loved it! My forever running buddy is my dog baby Sheba. She stays attached to my waist and it's one of her favorite past times in addition to belly rubs, car rides, long naps and treats. Ha, her interests sounds like a singles add!

 There's my big girl!

All in all we have a great time together. We both get a workout and a tired dog is a happy dog. Here we are training for this Half. I probably won't take her out on the super long runs because when we finished the 6 miles I didn't think she was going to make it. But we'll see, she just might surprise me.

 

In my mind this is what I look like running... Ha! :-D One day...

This is my 1st week of training and I'm excited!!!! I added up all the miles of the plan and including the actual marathon it's 279.1 miles!!! In 12 weeks that's almost 100 miles a month... The thought of the end result is a bit overwhelming but if I take each day 1 day at a time it will be a piece of cake.  And I DO LOVE cake!!! With every new week I will probably update to see where I am and how my head space is going.

That's it for now...

BE BLESSED!

Hey! Hi! Hello!

You know the old saying, "So much to do, so little time!" And how people talk about the "different hats" they have to wear? Well that's how this idea came to mind. I am not a Hat Lady but I do LOVE shoes! I am your quintessential optimist so there you have it!! "So Many Shoes, So Much Time". See how I did that? LOL! 😉

A little about me and my shoes... I am a wife to a wonderful husband, he is a Pastor, we own our own business, I am a Legal Assistant by profession, a Dog Mama, Aunt, Friend, Daughter, Listening Ear, and on top of ALL of that, I've begun training for a Half Marathon... Sweet Dear Jesus what have I gotten myself into? 

So in a nutshell that's me. Nope, this blog isn't about the latest greatest in designer shoe wear (although Jessica Simpson has some the the best, most comfortable shoes, which I love!) But more so my different "shoe roles" and any other little musings I may come up with.

 Look at that beauty right there!!

Who knows what I'll do with this?!?!? One thing is for sure,  I felt compelled to write my thoughts for others to read. If someone can relate then it's the best decision one could have made. I do know this, once you have that feeling to do something in a positive direction it is best to go ahead and do it. Its usually a God thing and His things are always AWESOME!

With all of that being said... Welcome!