Got my new shoes on...

That's right!  I finally got some new running shoes!  

via.

I'm not crazy about how they look {they look a little too much like they came from a certain rival school}, but they are super comfy!  {probably the first time I've ever bought a shoe solely based on fit...kinda important for running!}

Of course zappos has them in a cute charcoal/fuchsia color combo...but, I got mine for $40 bucks instead of $65!  woo hoo!  Off Broadway had them at $49.50 and I got a $5 off coupon from signing up on their website here, and I had $8.67 in discount points from previous purchases.  Holla!

I just put in a run on the treadmill, which was a total shame, because it's beautiful outside and the rest of the week's forecast is almost entirely rain.  But, I wanted to make sure I didn't have any problems with the new kicks before I took to the road with them.  I'm pleased to announce that they were a dream! 

Today's distance:  2.25 miles

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OMG!   I just discovered that there were 3 walks that I forgot to post on here!  I'm thinking that means I didn't put it on my ticker either, cause I always post and then tick...ha!  hooray!  bonus ticking!  

4/2:  1.7 miles

4/3   1.8 miles

4/5   2.0 miles

Total Bonus:  5.5 miles   ;)

I'm gonna make the cut!

I got out my copy of Jillian Michaels' Making the Cut today.  I pretty much read it cover to cover and am ready to kick some ass!  We made a trip to the store this evening and I got all the food I'll need for the next week.  I didn't buy everything that was on the list for Week One, because it just seemed like so much!  I think by repeating some meals I'll waste less food and save some money too!
I'm looking forward to getting started tomorrow.  The next 30 days are going to be hard, but if I can just get  through them, I know I'll be so much happier with myself.  And, It'll be spring by then, so that will be perfect!  So excited!

Today's Distance:  1.25 miles

Slow and steady...

This morning I was up at 5:45 ready to walk.  I {once again} thought I would just walk this morning.  I didn't think I had enough energy to run.  But, {once again} I decided to go for it.  I kept it slow and steady at a 5.2 mph pace for 2 miles with a .25 walking warm up and cool down.  I am constantly amazed at how much easier this gets so fast!  A few weeks ago, 2 miles at 5.0 mph was about more than I could handle.  This morning's run was just a nice jog.  Not too fast, but just soul satisfying and great!  Loving that it's feeling good these days.  I don't ever want to have to get it back again....let's just keep it like this!
Oh, and Jon tightened the belt on the treadmill for me on Sunday.  It seems to have worked!  No slippage today!  Hooray!

Today's total:  2.5 miles

Icing....

I forgot to post about my icing!  Saturday I got in a total of 3.75 miles.  2.5 of which was running, 1.25 walking.

.25 mile at 4.0 mph
1.0 mile starting at 5.0 mph and increasing by .1 mph every minute
.25 mile at 4.0 mph
.75 mile starting at 5.5 mph and increasing by .1 mph every minute
.25 mile at 4.0 mph
.5 mile starting at 6.0 mph and increasing by .1 mph every minute
.25 mile at 4.0 mph
.25 mile starting at 6.5 mph and increasing by .1 mph every minute
.25 mile at 4.0 mph

This was a great workout!  I was one sweaty girl by the end, and it felt great!

Total icing:  3.75 miles
Challenge week 2 new total:  10.9 miles

5 day challenge #2...mmmm, kind of!

Okay, well today ends week 2 of the 5 day challenge for me.  This week was not as successful as last.  But, 3 days is still so much better than I've been averaging for quite some time!  And, I rocked it on Monday!  Getting up early is getting easier and easier.  I have learned that the time I go to bed makes all the difference in the world!  That seems obvious enough, but I'm learning that I have to be in bed before 10 or I'm gonna have a bad time!  I'm also learning that running is never as bad as I think it will be, and that it actually feels really good once I get started!  It also helps that I'm getting used to the treadmill and learning ways to keep myself from going nuts.  {like changing up the speed every minute.  even if it's just by .1 mph it seems to break up the monotony.}  I think I'm almost ready to start looking for some treadmill workouts online.  I'll share when I do! 

This morning I got in 2.75 miles {2.25 running, .5 walking}  It was a pleasant run despite the slippery belt that I'm still dealing with.  I have got to figure out how to fix that!

I'm hoping to get in some running this weekend too, but for the purposes of the 5 Day Challenge {5DC}, I'm going to just call any weekend workouts icing from now on!

Todays Distance:  2.75 miles
5DC Distance:  7.15 miles

I rocked it this morning!

On sunday I decided that I would do the same 5 day challenge this week as I did last week.  {After all, at this point it's mostly about creating that habit of getting up and working out every morning.}  Well, yesterday came, my alarm went off and I hit snooze.  The next thing I knew, it was 6:15!  Not enough time to get in my workout.  Boo.

Well, I didn't want there to be a repeat today, so I made sure to get to bed early.  {even though my jayhawks were playing mizzou!  that's a major sacrifice my friends!}  I got up this morning and thought, I'm just going to walk, I don't think I can handle running.  Then, I got on the treadmill and decided to alternate every 1/4 mile between running and walking.  Then I got in the first 1/4 mile of running and thought, well, maybe I'll do 1/4 mile walk/1/2 mile run.  Then I got to 1/2 mile and thought, maybe I can do a mile.  Got to a mile, then went for 2.  Got to 2, then decided to just run it out to 30 minutes.  I ended up putting in 2.5 miles of running {all at once I might add} and 1/2 mile of walking.  I ROCKED IT!   I was so proud of myself.  It's amazing the difference in my attitude from the time I roll out of bed to the time I'm done with my workout!  

Now I've set the bar for the week...hope I can keep it up!  I'd like to get in at least 2.5 miles a day for the remainder of the work week and one workout this weekend.  That will make up for pooping out yesterday.

Todays distance:  3 miles

5 Day Challenge=Complete!

That's right!  I did it!  5 days of running in a row!  I have to say, I'm proud of myself.  I am also ready for a day off.  I'm actually hoping to get out for a walk with my hubby tomorrow, and then rest Sunday.  I haven't decided what the challenge will be for next week, but I'll let you know!

I finished off the challenge this morning with 2.3 miles on the treadmill.  (About  1.75 of that was running, and the rest a brisk walk)

I am also so happy that Amanda got back on the road!  It really is so much fun to see your numbers growing and your little counter moving along.  Addicting really.

Yay for Fridays and yay for running!
* also, yay for bosses who bring in fresh pineapple to share!  delish!

Today's distance:  2.3 miles
Total 5 day challenge distance:  10.1 miles

Thursday...

awe, you're sweet. I wish you the best of luck with your 7 day challenge! I'm almost to the end of my 5 day-er! Truthfully, I'm ready for a day off. But I am already feeling slimmer and so much better about myself!


I had the hardest time getting out of bed again this morning. I got plenty of sleep last night. I fell asleep on the couch at 9 and got up and went to bed at 10, so I should have been just fine getting up at 5:30. Once I'm up, I'm good, it just the getting up part that sucks.


Anyway, got in 2 miles this morning. One more day of my 5 day challenge! Yipee!


Today's distance: 2 miles

15 minutes...

Due to staying up too late last night, I had difficulty getting up this morning.  I only had 15 minutes to work out, but I did it!  I have to say, without having committed to the 5 day challenge, I probably would have stayed in bed for that 15 minutes.   I wasn't able to get in 2 miles, but as long as I have 10 in 5 days, I'll be happy.

According to the scale this morning, I've lost 6 pounds since Monday! I'm sure it's all water weight, but it made me feel better anyway.  At least it dropped me under that number.

Two days to go!

Today's distance: 1.3 miles

more energy...

day two was a success!  It was actually easier to get up and easier to run today.  There might be something to this consistency thing!  Nothing too exciting.  I did a run/walk alternating thing on the treadmill.  I cannot wait to get out in the fresh air again.

Today's distance: 2.3 miles

5 day challenge...

8 weeks til daylight savings!  Translation: 8 weeks til it won't be so freakin' hard to get out of bed!  I swear the last couple of weeks have been killer. 

I did make it out of bed this morning and put in 2.2 miles on the treadmill.  There was still some slippage happening, but not as bad as last time.  

I am bound and determined to make this week count!  I am sick and tired of being this out of shape, and I'm not going to take it any more!  I will be up EVERY morning this week to put in a minimum of 2 miles each day.  I have to.  

I have surpassed that number on the scale.  You know the one.  The one you always swear you'll never see.  yep.  I see it.  I'm done.  

I know, I know, "don't pay attention to the scale.  just go by how your clothes fit."  Well, that won't work for me either.  The clothes are tight and uncomfortable.  

The time has come.  5 days in a row....here I go!  

Seriously, if I don't stick to this, you need to yell at me.  

Today's distance:  2.2

slippery belt...

I didn't realize how long it had been since I got in a workout until I went to log this morning's!  8 days passed without anything!  No wonder I've been feeling so blah.
I was up early this morning and despite a dead ipod and a slipping treadmill belt, I got in 2.1 miles.  I'm not sure what was going on with the belt.  I'm hoping it just needed to warm up.  I wasn't sure at first that I was going to be able to use it.  About every 3 steps the belt would jerk and almost make me fall down!  Then, I found the happy speed of 5.5 mph.  For whatever reason it didn't slip at 5.5.  I would really have liked to go faster, but it wasn't worth falling down.  I really, really hope there's not something wrong with it....that would not be good!

Today's distance:  2.1 miles

Back in the swing of things...

Today it's back to work, and back to my routine.  I got up at 5:30 this morning and walked 2 miles.  I actually have extra time that I've been trying to figure out what to do with.  {it was very tempting to take a snooze, but I was scared that I might not get back up to go to work!}  Now I must venture out into the 4 degree tempuratures.  Boo.  But, on the up side...got my workout in today, have a yogurt oatmeal parfait packed for breakfast, and a salad for lunch.  Now if I can only stay awake all day!

Today's distance:  2 miles

100 in 2009...

This morning I walked again...since my back is still giving me fits. I did 3.75 miles which took my yearly total to 100.02 miles.  I wanted to at least hit that 100 mark this year.  It kindof seems like a milestone at first, until you realize that that only averages to 1.9 miles per week.  {ie. seriously pathetic}  I guess that it's encouraging that 48.3 of these miles have been since DBF started...that's a little better, right?

I am certain that 2010 will be much more productive!

Today's total:  3.75 miles

walk and read...

This morning was a walk and read morning.  My lower back is feeling sore, so I didn't want to aggravate it by running.  As long as I keep moving, right? 

Today's distance:  2.3 miles

Quick run...

This morning I squeezed in a quick 2 mile run before my girl lunch with some old friends.  Good thing too, cause it was delicious! 
I'm finding that I'm really starting to enjoy my morning workouts.  I always thought that I would, but never had the will power to make it happen.  Of course, it's a little easier when I can get up at my leisure and workout while on vacation.  I really want to try and work out as many mornings as possible this week and get a big jump start on the new year! 

Today's Distance:  2 miles

Merry Christmas Eve!

I decided to give myself a little Christmas present this morning.  Since I know that the next couple days are going to be full of good food {and good drinks too}, I got first thing and got in a nice long run!  It feels so good to know that I'm set for the festivities!  I can, and will indulge a little now without feeling quite so guilty.  Now, I just need to get everything else ready! 

Today's distance:  4 miles  {approx. 1 mile walk, 3 miles run....the running was all at once too!}

Dark mornings...

Despite the dark, I was up and running this morning.  It is oh-so difficult to get out of bed this time of year, especially early!  Luckily, yesterday was the shortest day, so it should only get easier from here!

I've been trying so hard to eat right the last week.  {i have caved to some christmas goodies, but overall have succeeded!} That, paired with a little bit of exercise, and I'm actually seeing it on the scale this week! yay!

Today was an indoor woggle I guess.  I alternated between a really brisk walk and 6 mph running for a total of 2.26 miles in 27:27 minutes.

Today's total:  2.26 miles

Fast Run...

I was up at 5:30 this morning to hit the treadmill.  I had to get an etsy order ready to ship before work too, so I knew I had to make it quick.  I wanted to get in 2 miles, and really challenged myself to do it as quickly as possible without killing myself.  I ran it all at 6-7 miles per hour, which, for me, is fast!
Every day I'm able to win over sleep and get up to work out is a victory in my eyes.  I love me some sleep, but I really do love working out in the morning.  It is just so nice to have it done for the day!  This was especially important today, since I will be indulging in some yummy mexican food at our company holiday party.

Todays distance:  2 miles

Up 'n at 'em!

Usually I struggle with going to bed on Sunday nights.  I just don't want to admit that the weekend is over, and that I'll be back to work soon.  This always results in me staying up way too late and then being miserable on Monday morning.  That leads to a snowball effect that makes me more and more tired throughout the week.  Well, last night at about 9:30, I decided to just go to bed.  I'm not sure what got into me.  Maybe it's that I only have one more full week of work before the xmas break?  Maybe I just had a moment of maturity.  Whatever it was, I'm so glad I did!  I got a good nights sleep AND got up and ran this morning!  2.4 miles, baby!  I told myself all I had to do was get up and walk, but once I was up, I felt pretty good and decided to run after all.

It feels so good to start off the week like this.  Hopefully it's a start to more good choices, but for now, I'm just glad I don't have to feel guilty when I get home this evening and relax!

Today's distance:  2.4 miles