Shamrock (Towne Bank) 8K

My goodies! I forgot to include the bag we got in the picture. And the tiara was my own purchase but I had to include it in the picture. I can no longer say the longest race I've done is a 5K! I walked an 8K on Saturday with my girlfriend J and we had a blast. She and I finished in 1 hour and 45 minutes. We weren't trying to set a record or break a personal record we just wanted to finish. And we did!! I admit I was tired at the end and feeling run down. But I was so proud of us. I did great until about mile 4 then I started to feel a bit ready for the finish line lol. My goal for next year is to finish it in a shorter amount of time.

A few race day observations...parking was a hassle they directed us to parking garages and then charged us $10 to park. To me they could have included that in the race fee.

The start was well organized...we were in Corral 6 (the last one) so we walked about 7 blocks before we ever got to the finish line. But it wasn't too bad. And our start was good. The route was flat so that made for a nice walk.

At the end we had a few frustrations...other people had finished and weren't paying attention to those of us still walking so they would walk across the route, stand in the route, etc. I guess I feel like they had the opportunity to race in a clear route and we should too. I kinda felt like that was partially the volunteers who stopped keeping the route clear. They said we had up to 2 hours to finish so keep the path clear for 2 hours. And the Celebration Party at the End was very disorganized. They had free food and free beer but not really clear indications of where to go to get it. We ended up leaving and going to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. It was delish!!

But overall I had a great time and I would definitely do it again!! I was a little sore the next day but not too bad. And for the first time I'm actually thinking about trying to do a 10 miler or a half marathon. I'm just not sure how it works for walkers.

8K Training

So I have a small problem in less than a month I'm walking an 8K. I really haven't done much training for it because my knee has been so sore. Now that I'm cleared I'm trying to get ready for it but I admit I'm nervous. I know that I have two hours to walk it so I'm not worried about not finishing but I'm a bit worried about my friend who's doing it with me getting held back. So I'm trying to increase my endurance and my speed. Wish me luck.

Because it is a themed walk we are trying to decide what to wear to honor St. Pat's. Since we will be walking/jogging we don't want to wear anything too crazy but something fun would be good. So we're looking around the area at local party shops and online for inspiration. Should be fun!!

Motivation...Hello Are You There?

As I've mentioned many times I struggle with my weight and my health. Now first off I will say that I know what I should eat and how I should exercise and I've seen results from this. However, I'm looking for my motivation...I'm not sure if it is in Zimbabwe or under the couch or down the street but it isn't with me. I know part of it is the holidays and part of it is J being gone but I need to refocus and work on getting healthy. I've signed up for an 8K in March so I need to work toward that because unlike a 5K you can't just walk up and do that. But my motivation is missing.

I have a membership to the Y, a membership to Twisted Fitness (a dance and exercise studio), vouchers to a yoga studio, and I have two dogs so I have no excuses. Well actually I can give you a huge list of them but none of them are good excuses. I want to lose weight and be healthier but I won't do that sitting on the couch eating junk so I'm hoping the New Year will bring a new level of motivation for me. 

Although I will admit cuddling on the couch with the puppies under a big mink blanket and eating Reese's Peanut Butter cups does sound appealing. It will end up with me not fitting in my clothes and although I love shopping I hate buying bigger sizes so here we come 2012 this will be our year of good health!!

So what about you are you motivated? Do you have changes you want to make in 2012?

I might be insane...

I've decided to set a goal to work up to a 10 mile walk (race).

There is a Santa 10 Miler in December every year over in Virginia Beach and I've decided to aim for next year. I don't feel I can get there yet for this year but I'm thinking of doing the Frosty 5K on the same day.

Then I'm thinking of doing the Hair of the Dog 5K on January 1st also in Virginia Beach.

And I'm going to work toward the Shamrock 8K in March.

And then I'm going to walk the Wicked 10K in October.

And I'll walk the NNSB 5K in November.

And of course the Coup de Grace...the Surf n Santa 10 Miler in December.

So there we have it in writing. I figure I have to have some accountability so you guys are it! (the only catch might be finances because these get expensive)

What are some of your goals for activity?

Shipbuilding 5K

NN 5K 2011

On Saturday morning I literally got up at o'dark early to take care of the dogs before my friend S and her co-worker D arrived to pick me up. It was cold and it was windy. Not a fun combination when walking. But we had agreed to do the 5K so I was going to do the 5K. It wasn't too bad because it was all on level ground. We walked in downtown along the water. It actually wasn't too bad. Now I'm a slow walker and since I hadn't done as much to prepare I was even slower so we made it in about 45 minutes but we made it. And as D said it doesn't matter if you walk a 6 minute mile, a 16 minute mile, or a 60 minute mile at least you're up and moving.

And now a funny...

5K - 4 Days Away

If found on ground please drag across finish line

So on Saturday I am walking a 5K with my friend S. I really haven't done anything to prepare for it. I got out of the habit of walking the dogs because Ares had surgery and my Achilles Tendon was rubbed raw by a defective running shoe. So I'm trying to fit some walking into my schedule between now and Saturday. I know it won't fix it but I'm hoping it will make Saturday a little easier. I really meant to walk regularly to get ready for it. Things happen.

There aren't too many 5Ks left this year so my goal is to pick one or two for next year and plan on working on my walking prior to it. I've thought about doing the Couch to 5K but I'm not really into running. I lean more toward walking events like that.

So have you ever had good intentions of getting yourself ready for an exercise related event and then it sneaks up on you?

Wordless Wednesday

Ft. Monroe's 3rd Annual Wounded Warrior Project 5K
April 2nd, 2011. They raised $15,000!!

My friend and I at the beginning

Our scenery while we walked

More scenery

 

Lighthouse - the oldest standing building on the base

Wounded Warrior Project 5K

This Saturday I'm signed up to walk a 5K for Wounded Warrior Project. I admit I signed up for it a while ago and I haven't done as much training as I should have. I'm still going to do it but I'm thinking it will take longer but I'm ok with that. This will be the second 5K I've done and I'm excited about it. The route goes around the military base which is an old Fort on the water. It will be a beautiful walk if the weather cooperates. Seeing as how they were predicting snow earlier this week and rain most of the rest of this week it could be touch and go. We'll see. I'll let you know how it goes.

My first 5K

So this weekend was filled once again...but fortunately not a food fest.

Friday after work I went to the salon to get my hair back to my natural color. I got there at 3:30 PM. I didn't leave until 8:00 PM. I had dyed my hair black and so it had to be bleached three times to get the color out. Then she put a glaze and a few highlights to brighten it back up again. Apparently 3 times of being bleached is rough on hair... who'd of thunk. But Carol did an amazing job. When I got home J was in a bit of an off mood and I was exhausted. So when he hit me with the idea of going me going to our friends' house to spend time with K while he went to see "Paranormal Activity" with R I thought he was crazy. But it worked out she was exhausted and not up for it so the boys went to the movie on their own. He tried to talk me into going but I knew I would not like scary so I passed. He got home late and said it was the scariest movie he'd ever seen. So glad I didn't go...I cleaned house instead. Much better...

Saturday we went with our friends Traci and Sheila and Traci's guy, Gary to walk/run the 5K at the Shipyard. J ran it, Traci and Gary ran/walked it, and Sheila and I walked it. All and all we were happy. Then we went to IHOP for breakfast which was good because we were starving. When we got home I showered and went to Pin Ups for my haircut. (It was supposed to happen last night but it was so late it got rescheduled to today) It turned out great...Jackie is amazing. Then I got home relaxed a bit and we went to Johnny and Rachael's for their open house. We had fun and good food. Then we stopped at Tony's for a bit and came home.

Sunday we went to church...then we stopped by Rod and Kendra's to pick up our heater. We hung out for a bit talking to Rod and Kendra. They are wonderful people. Then we went to lunch/dinner with Mom and Dad at the German restaurant. Very yummy! Then we went to Care-a-Lot for pet stuff and to Food Lion for people stuff. Then home. All and all a good weekend but way too short.

Does trying to get back on the wagon earn activity points?

I've been MIA but I'm back. A few updates....

Knee: Good news...no surgery. Bad news...physical therapy. So twice a week I'm going to physical therapy for about 30 minutes for now. It isn't really too bad it just costs me $25 a session and is sort of inconvenient. Life will go on...and I'll heal. The bad news is this puts my walking and other exercise on hold.

Weight loss: I'm running next to the wagon. (It obviously isn't going too fast) And trying to figure out if that counts as activity points. I have been craving everything doughy, chocolaty, sweet, fatty, etc. and unfortunately I've been eating it too. The past two weeks I've missed my weigh-in due to scheduling conflicts. So I'm thinking I might switch to a week day meeting. Saturdays are just busy right now. And I'm in search of my good friend motivation...if you see him please send him my way.

Walk to Run

The saying goes...you have to walk before you can run...so that is what I'm going to do...literally. I joined Weight Watchers meetings on Monday and they are encouraging people to get active. Between now and June 6th they want us to get to the point where we are walking (or running) a 5K (3.1 miles). At first I thought well I'll walk it...but then I thought to myself "Megan, that really isn't much of a challenge." I walk my dog about 2-2.5 miles when we walk so 3 miles would be really easy. So with some encouragement I've decided to work toward running it. And through the great website they are giving me a plan of walking/running along with some great tips. Because of the weather I've been a little slow going...freezing cold and rain don't really make good running/walking weather but it is nice today and is supposed to be for a while. So Eva and I will get our training on...might even get J out with me. I hope so...I would love for us to do walk/runs together. Wish me luck...I'll keep you posted.