Sick = No Running

We had a mini get away to Disney last week. I come home with a head cold. Joy.
Our vaca was nice, we stayed with friends and all our kids. 7 total between our families. Fun times!
 We were surprised with a date night with no kids! Like is this real life??? Fireman and I went to dinner and even ordered a fruity cocktail! We walked Downtown Disney, and the Fireman scored a pair of Brooks for 55.00 at Fit2Run. I'll admit, I was and still am a little jealous at the bargain he got. By 10pm I was ready for bed. I guess that's what happens as we get older and have a routine.
 The next day we did Hollywood Studios for Star Wars fun! My little Jedi had a blast. I have learned over the last few years just what these trips are about. It's about making memories. Seeing the kid's faces light up is priceless and can't be replaced. Little Jedi was in heaven and at times speechless. I'm glad we went even though I wasn't feeling up to it. I'm super mom, I can do anything!
 So now that we are back home, the head cold has gotten worse. I haven't ran in 6 days, and It's driving me nuts. What do you do when you are ill? Part of me says to just run through it, the other part says rest up.
Resting up for now...

Running with Fabulous

Yesterday Fabulous and I decided to do a run. We really didn't talk distance, just that we wanted to meet up and run the river. Being we live in the sunshine state it is still warm at 6:45. I am learning to just suck it up and drink more water.
 There are 2 water fountains on our river route. I am making it a habit to stop and take advantage of them. Especially since I've been going over 3 miles. One fountain has ice cold water, the other... I'll just say warm. I'll take it though. No complaining allowed.
Around mile 2/ 3 I was also having some pain, (well not pain but the aches of running) in my thighs, legs, feet. Once I am past that 3 miles it is no longer there.. or I've managed to push it out of my head that I'm in pain. Anyone else have this problem?
  I was also having those not so lovely thoughts of  "why am I running"? "It's to hot for this". "My legs hurt". And so on.. But thanks to another blogger I follow http://www.runningwithollie.com/ I recently read her tips on overcoming negative thoughts while running. I remembered some tips and decided that instead of complaining of heat, pain, etc. I kept telling myself  "results don't happen over night. Results won't happen if you do nothing. Running equals results, keep going. I just kept repeating it until the other thoughts disappeared. My running got better, my mood got better. So a huge THANK YOU to Lea over there at http://www.runningwithollie.com/. Be sure to check out her site!
 I ended up doing 6 miles! I got in the zone and told myself I needed to do a little distance. I think Fabulous wanted to shoot me. She stopped her Nike gps watch. Oops!
I'm happy with yesterday's run. It's 6 miles under my belt. 6 miles I don't regret, and 6 miles towards results. (now if I could try PR my time I'll be even happier). But I'm not complaining!

Recap Fun

I've made it through the week of crazy shifts! Only got one run in though. I am just glad I got to run. Nothing fancy 3 miles. It allowed me to clear my head and mentally prepare for a long week without the Fireman. I am still sane and the kids were wonderful. Am I lucky or what?
 Now on to some non-running rambling.

 Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary, but Fireman works, so we were lucky enough to have a date night! Thanks to Sis-n-law, we had a kid free evening. We started with dinner at one of our local Italian restaurants. We even left our cell phones in the car! No phones! Just quiet talk. Time to catch up with each other without interruptions. I believe every couple needs a evening like this. It was so refreshing to just talk to my husband. It reminds me that sometimes we need to slow down on the busy road we all travel down called life. I am grateful and lucky to have such a husband, but it's moments like this that I really appreciate.
 After dinner, we hit a local joint that had some live music. I love seeing the band and the music is great! We ran into a few friends and it made for a nice night. The weather was chilly (for Florida this time of year), so dancing with Fireman made it all the better. We didn't stay out to late.. I'm to old for all that! We picked up our little loves and went home.
 I hope everyone has a great weekend! And remember, find time for the date! Whether it be morning or night! Take it and embrace it!! You'll enjoy every moment of it!

Crazy Shift Week

AHHH!!! Fireman is working a crazy week. Two 48 hour shifts with 1 day off in between. When the heck am I going to get a run in?!?
He is home tonight so hopefully I get to sneak away. It's weeks like this that I dread. Holding down the fort, taking care of kids and finding energy to workout. I can do this right?!?
Check back soon to see how my week goes. Oh and wish me luck...lots.

My weight loss journey

I've lost weight. 15-20 pounds maybe. Doesn't seem like much; but it is. Here's my take on it.
 Starting last June, we decided no more fast food. We've stuck to that rule. I can't wait to celebrate the 1 year mark next month!
 In January, we decided we were going to exercise more and move towards cleaner eating. It has been a challenge at times. I've tested myself more than once. Even caved a time or two. I am happy to say that 4 months later I feel like I have control.
 One of the things to cut was coffee creamer. I was a sucker for loading my coffee with that stuff. I wouldn't add sugar, just a ton of creamer. I slowly started cutting back the amount. Fireman cut it cold turkey and never looked back.  One morning I woke and said when I run out of this creamer, that's it. No more. It was hard drinking coffee black that first week. I survived. Now it's not bad at all. Even when I hit up Starbucks, I get a black ice coffee. I do ask for sugar, as a treat to myself that I don't need a whipped cream latte.
 The next thing to go was soda. I'll admit. I loved my Pepsi. LOVED. We have never stocked soda in the home. We would get at a restaurant or while out and about. Regardless, it was still soda, still very bad for one's self.  February was the last time I had a soda. I've craved it and when I was having a stressful day I really wanted it because sugar and junk fixes everything. Right? Now that it has been a few months I am okay and Pepsi doesn't come to my mind. Truth is, I don't miss it at all. I am so happy I gave it up.
 The next thing we've pretty much cut out all together is processed foods. We still have a little ways to go with it, but a chunk is gone. I read all labels on the things we buy now. I only buy my fruit / veggies from the local produce stand. We eat so much better.

 With doing those few things, along with of course running. I have lost weight. I didn't even realize until my clothes were practically falling off and my belts were to big to help. I was a 7/9 and now I am a size 2/3.  Unreal! I have never been that small. Not even in high school. My wedding rings are huge on me. It's amazing what a healthy diet and some running will do.
 Since I was only running, I do have some flab and I have started back at the gym to tone some of this; (I hope).  I rather run then weight train, I have to remind myself that cross training is good. The end results will so be worth it. I can do this!
 Last, I am still unsure of how to respond to people who comment on my weight loss. Some just say nice things. But there is always that person or two, that make odd comments, Like "don't lose to much weight" or "you're going to waste away". I have been just smiling and laughing, but really I want to tell them to fly a kite or this is what being healthy is. How do you handle weight loss questions and comments?
Bottom line is I am healthy, happy and proud of myself!

Running with a view.

Friday morning I got up at 5:00 am. To run. Yup. And I actually got up.  Fabulous was still lounging in bed, I had to talk her into getting up. She's in a slump right now and I am determined not to let her fall. She has been my mentor in running and I need her. We ran the river at 5:30, I did just over 3 miles and this was the view when I finished. What a view! Am I lucky or what? Living on the coast definitely has a few perks.
  I was happy with this early run. It totally sets my mood for the whole day. Who else loves early morning runs?
 Saturday was rest day. I had wine and pizza. OOPS! Oh well. I earned it. A week of running/ exercising and eating clean. A cheat day is okay.
 This morning Fireman came home from shift. We had breakfast and trying to plan our day, he came up with the idea to run; (I was going to wait until the evening). However, the wind was blowing and the temp. was nice, considering the Florida heat has arrived. We loaded up the kids and went down to the river.
  Fireman ran with the baby and my son. I set off on my own.  I was doing okay. The breeze was nice and really the heat wasn't bad. It was a nice run. I was doing good too. Found my groove and kept on.  Aside from the ladies pushing a dog in a stroller, not wanting to single file so I could run by, it turned out to be a great run.  Mile 3 to 4 was a little slower. I was thirsty and Fireman was nowhere in sight with my water. I eventually saw him and finished up.
  I set a new record! In the heat! I am so excited with myself! I was not expecting a PR with the heat and wind factor. This goes to show anything is possible! I am proud of myself. This is what keeps me going.

Here is the view when I finished my run. Clear skies and a beautiful view. I love running this route. 

Zumba say what? And the Gym!

I had a run plan for yesterday (Wednesday), but good ol' Florida weather had other plans. It started to down pour as I was headed out the door with my sis-n-law.  Sis-n-law decided to drag to me to zumba on a whim! Why? Because she knows I don't zumba. I'm a little clumsy. Okay maybe more than a little. I've never tried it and was freaking out. The class was small; (thank goodness).  I was lost and all sorts of backwards most of the time. I did it though! I didn't quit. I stuck it through. One full hour of arms flapping everywhere and feet going every which way. The music was great so maybe, just  maybe I'll attempt it again.
Here is our after zumba picture.

Tonight, the weather was bad. Lots of lightning so it forced Fabulous and I back to the gym. I haven't used my membership in almost a year. Before I got my mojo for running back, I grew to hate the gym and avoided it. However, that is behind me! Fabulous only wanted to run, I said nope lets do this! We biked, used weights, had a few laughs and then hoped on the dreaded treadmill. I am an outdoor runner. The treadmill bores me!! But I did my mile and got it done. That's what matters. I am already feeling the burn in my legs! How I have missed it!! Plus I weighed myself and dropped a few more pounds. 

While I can ramble on, I won't. My story tonight is one of which reminds me that I can do this. I can try new types of workouts and not be afraid of going to the gym. I can push myself to do what I haven't done before. I am determined. I am motivated. Most of all, I am happy.