Virtual races - to run or not to run

I have signed up again this year to participate in the runDisney virtual run series. Overall I am not a huge fan of virtual races but I am a sucker for all things Disney. After my ALIF surgery I used the runDisney virtual races to get back into moving. Now I earn them to remind myself how far I have come. These will also be my only runDisney events until October 2020. The pocketbook can only handle one trip to the WDW a year.

I have no idea what to do about the Across the Bay virtual race. This is my FAVORITE race and has become a huge part of the healing process. I had set my running goal based on this race so now I don't know what to do. The medal is great but earning it won't be the same.

What do you think?

Truly disappointed

This week I found out that my favorite 10k was going to be virtual this year.

2019 Across the Bay 10K Virtual Run

** Due to mandatory maintenance on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the 2019 Across the Bay 10K will be a Virtual Run.**

I was going to focus my training on improving my time on this race. Not sure what I'm going to do.

Took a long break

I have done very little over the last 2 months. After Princess weekend I stopped doing everything related to my health and fitness. I set my goals but quickly starting making excuses and poor choices. Work, school, children, husband and construction have been by go to excuses. 

April 23rd I went dress shopping for my daughter's graduation. We were able to find a few options for dresses but I know that I feel better in them if I lost 10 pounds. Now I have something on my calendar to keep me motivated. 

I pulled up my goals from my last post and took some time to reflect. Looks like it's time for some new goals.

May goals

1. Purchase a new gallon water jug. Tomorrow my jug will arrive.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H56HMB1/ref=twister_B07MW3182N

2. Decrease my calorie intake to 1200 by logging into My Fitness Pal daily.

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/

3. Weekly attend 3 session of aquatic exercise. 

My son has taken on the job of holding me accountable with the new goals. Let's kiss these old goals good-bye and start fresh tomorrow.

***I have been logging my daily calories and attending class since April 23rd

April goals

1. Weekly meal planning
2. Weekly breakfast meal prep

March goals

1. Log all food and drink into my fitness pal
2. Decrease soda intake - currently drinking up to 120 fluid ounces of Diet Dr. Pepper a day
3. Increase water intake
4. Eat something for breakfast every day - important since I'm now taking morning medications

Making a plan - 2019!

The princess run is only 48 days away!

So everyone is doing this new year, new you, blah, blah, blah. 

I need to shift focus back to me. Things have been crazy after the kitchen fire and I was using it an excuse not to do any training. Time for change and no more excuses.

My S.M.A.R.T. goal has not changed but there are a few things that need to be modified.

S. - Specific - I will complete the runDisney Princess 10k in 2019

M. - Measurable (Motivating) - I want to prove to myself that I can - Cross the finish line

A. – Achievable (Ambitious) - This year I need to have a qualifying time for better corral placement - had a finish time of 1:42 for 10k

R. - Realistic - With training this is a realistic goal

T. – Time based - race will take place in 274 days - takes place in 48 days

After getting the professional video clips from Across the Bay 10k I realized that my running form had room for improvement. For a Christmas present I hired a running coach through Pax PT Running. I'm so glad that I did this. She has been helping me create weekly work-out schedules. I'm held accountable.

Races

June - The Incredibles virtual 5k

July - The Incredibles  virtual 5k

August - The Incredibles  virtual 5k

September - Great Inflatable Race

October - Jefferson Patterson Park Museum 5k

November - Across the Bay 10k

December - Jingle Bell Run 5k - I was signed up for this race. I totally missed it. It wasn't until friends posted their photos that I remembered it was race day.

January - 

February - Princess 5k and 10k

I also decided to challenge myself to completing 2,019 miles in 2019. This year I plan on counting all of my steps. 

My daughter gave me so light reading for Christmas. I have taken lots of mental notes to get myself ready. Suitcases have been brought upstairs. The final pieces to my costumes have been ordered. 

 

One last thing! I am trying to increase my water intake prior to Princess. This gallon jug should be able to help. 

Life gets in the way

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The family traveled to Pennsylvania to enjoy time with everyone. It was nice to get away for a little bit. There was snow on the ground and the temperatures were in the single digits at night. I became a bear hibernating on the coach. 

Before Thanksgiving we had a small kitchen fire. Thank goodness that the damage was minimal and no one was hurt. The clean up process has been overwhelming. EVERYTHING needs to be washed. It's been painstakingly slow and I'm still not done. The cooktop will need to be replaced. It could have been worse. Things just need to get back to normal.

runDisney posted the medals for the Princess 5k and 10k. I need to post the pictures around the house to motivate me to get back to training. 

It's A Bridge...Get Over it

This is my favorite race. The official times and pictures are not available yet but I feel great!

There was a slight chill in the area but the sun shone bright. I started the race with a light jacket. Once we were moving I warmed up quickly and lost the jacket around 1.5 mile. My running companion was my daughter again this year. She danced and sang the entire 6.2 miles. I love that this is how we get "girl" time in. Not sure who will be running with me next year. She has been my biggest cheerleader. 

I turned on my Extra Mile podcast and listened to Jeff Galloway encouraging words. There was no fear of the sweeper buses this year because 1.) I have been training consistently and 2.) we started in a much earlier corral then assigned. I also learned the importance of anti-chafe and what areas might need it. 

I have traveled across this bridge many times since moving to Maryland 15 years ago. Shortly after moving here my parents came to visit and I drove them across the bridge. My dad asked me later why we had gone over to turn around and come back. My reply "isn't it an awesome bridge". I still think that the bridge is awesome and love that they open it once a year for this race. May I have many more bridge crossings.

My only regret is that I will never complete the puzzle. I needed to start in 2014 to get all the pieces. 

Jefferson Patterson Park Museum 5K

I have some mixed feelings about this race. 

The calf pain drama continues. I am learning to listen to my body and seek professional advice when needed. On Thursday I had an appointment with the orthopedist to get to the bottom of this pain. X-rays showed nothing of significance. The finally diagnosis is bi-lateral calf strains. Doctors orders...rest (ugh), ice the calves 3 times a day, compression socks during the day, and ibuprofen. He did say that I could walk at a leisurely pace.

There was a part of me that thought about skipping the race. It was a cold, dreary morning and I was disappointed with being sidelined. After reminding myself of how far I have come we were ready to go. 

Since I was going to have a leisurely race experience Kathryn went on head of me. Goal-just to cross the finish line and enjoy the park. Threw on The Extra Mile Podcast so I could hear Jeff Galloway cheering me on. As fellow racers started to pass me my competitive nature kicked in. On those flat stretches I had to remind myself not to run. I didn't want to finish last and paid the price for it. 

Cardiac Hill

After the race we were super hungry. Celebratory breakfast at Bob Evans. Everyone looked at me funny because of my fashion statement. I see nothing wrong with my Sparkle Skirt, compression sleeves and flip flops. 

The remainder of Saturday was spent resting with ice packs strapped to my legs. 

Looking forward to the Across the Bay 10k in November!

Inflatables and other great things

The name of this race says it all. Who doesn't love running from inflatable obstacle to inflatable obstacle?

Go team am-BASS-adors! We were not out to beat any personal records but to cross the finish line in one piece.

There are more videos available on my youtube page.

I made it through week 4 of C25K. 

My husband rubbing my feet and calves after my long runs.

I was able to get a few personal records during week 6 of C25K.

I didn't quit!

Half way through C25K!

Really proud of myself for making it this far. Haven't repeated a week (so far). 

Also...

When things got tough I didn't quit! During the last few long runs my feet would go numb around mile 2 causing some anxiety. Before you ask I had already made sure that my shoes were not too tight. I have also replaced the insole of my shoe to help with the foot cramping that I experienced recently. 

Jump to Friday's long run. At the 2 mile mark the numbness started but I kept to the training. Decided with the start of each interval that I would maintain my pace. I focused on what was ahead of me. When I hit 2.5 miles my feet were no longer numb and I finished strong. 

I didn't quit! 

Upcoming Races:

September - The Great Inflatable Race

October - Jefferson Patterson Park Museum 5k

November - Across the Bay 10k

December - Jingle Bell Run 5k

January - No race just focusing on training

February - runDisney Princess 5k and 10k

Hello new school year

It has been nice getting back to work. 

After several hours of work my personal touch has been added to my office. I like to make the health room welcoming. Stress levels are always at an all time high this time of year. Bad habits tend to creep in. I'm drinking more soda, eating take-out and not getting enough sleep. 

There are a few things that I am proud of:

1. I have had my fastest mile.
2. Sticking to my C25K schedule.
3. Used my run as a stress reduction.
4. Completing a run, late at night, instead of skipping it.