It's A Wonderful Run!

Saturday afternoon I ran in the annual, It’s A Wonderful Run, in Seneca Falls, NY. It’s a play on words from the classic holiday movie, It’s A Wonderful Life. A wonderful story about George Baily a beloved man in the town of Bedford Falls, NY. Rumor has it that the man who wrote the story of It’s a Wonderful Life stopped through Seneca Falls, NY on his way to New York City and started writing the story after spending a few days. There are many similarities to the two towns and the people of Seneca Falls love this claim to fame. 

Seneca Falls is also home to the National Women’s Hall of Fame and is the home of the women’s suffragist movement. Something that is near and dear to my heart. A few years ago before the race a friend of mine and I arrived early so we could tour the Hall of Fame. Taking the tour and reading about some incredible women can empower you in so many ways…but I digress.

This past Saturday was the annual 5k which starts after sun down at 4:40 pm on the bridge, where George Baily jumped in the icy cold river to save Clarence. The only lights that guide you on the course are the street lamps and the holiday lights that decorate the homes along the course. The citizens of Seneca Falls come out and line the streets to cheer the runners as they pass by on the course. There are parties on front lawns with fire pits, music and fun. Everyone, runners and walkers included are having a great time.

This year Saturday was a very cold day with temperatures not even hitting 30 degrees. However, that didn’t stop over 4000 runners from wanting to run the 3.1-mile distance many dressed up in costume (I wore my usual running clothes, but did add a snowman headband to be festive. It has been four years since the last time I ran this race and this year I wasn’t going to miss it. As soon as I knew the date I marked it on my calendar, registered and made sure keep the weekend free (A special shout out and thank you to a few co-workers who traveled to some work events for me).

As I stated earlier I was one of 4058 runners who crossed the bridge to start the race. I recently checked out my official time and I was so excited. I finished the course in 35:48, which was four minutes faster than my time in 2012. I finished 1,842 overall which is in the top 45% of the running field. In my age group I finished 127 out of 291, which is the top 43.6% of that group. And finally out of the 2,558 women who completed the race I finished 1113^th which is the top 45.5% of the group.

To some this may not seem like a big deal but when I have finished dead last on some courses finishing in the top half of the field and feeling like I could keep running is incredible! Every day is a new adventure. This journey has not been easy but seeing these results it has been worth it!!

 

Too many days off!

At the beginning of November I challenged myself to 30 workouts in 30 days. As you can see by the picture to the left I completed 27 workouts in 30 days. The three days that I missed were as a result of travel days for work Some days, due to early flights, late flights or long travel days, it can be tough to get a workout done. I try very hard but some days my body just screams for rest.

Even though I didn't complete my goal I was very proud of the 27 workouts I did. I don't think that is something to be ashamed of, instead I celebrate it. The only problem is that December doesn't look as good so far...


 I started off strong December 1st and 2nd but told myself to take a rest day on December 3rd. I was traveling in Chicago, hosting a volunteer retreat that took a lot out of me. I didn't want to worry about missing a workout so I gave myself permission to take the rest day. On Sunday my travel plans originally had me home with plenty of time to workout in the evening. However, the weather and American Airlines had other plans. My flight was cancelled and I was staying in Chicago an extra night. Since Sunday I have been exhausted and I haven't completed my workouts in the morning. By the time I get out of work in the evening, working out is the last thing I want to do! So now I have missed four days and I can feel it!!

Tonight I am challenging myself to get up in the morning and complete my workout before work. This will happen on Thursday, December 8th. I have officially circled the date on my calendar and I am telling all of you. I will get it done and I give you permission to check in on me tomorrow!

Other updates ... I am officially down 60 pounds! I feel great!

Turkey Trot and Beyond!

Race number of the 2016 Turkey Trot

I know it has been a while since I have posted. Since Thanksgiving life and work have been a bit busy but I do have a lot to share. I am currently at the Chicago O'Hare Airport waiting for my flight to depart. We have been delayed for two hours and it doesn't look good. I was planning on writing this blog post once I arrived home from Chicago but since I have time to kill I thought I would get it started.

We now have an update on our flight and it has been cancelled! I am now spending an extra night in Chicago. I was able to get a room in the hotel at the airport and now I can continue to work on this blog tonight. I was in Chicago for the past four days hosting a retreat for a group of alumni volunteers from the college where I work.

Prior to my surgery I set three goals for myself that I wanted to achieve as a result of the surgery. The first goal was to get off of all of my diabetes medication...check. Second goal to get off of my blood pressure medication...check. My third goal was to be a faster runner ... so far things are looking good.

On Thanksgiving morning I ran in the 5th annual Stuffing the Pantry 5K in East Longmeadow, MA. I have run this race for the last five years and I truly enjoy the course and the event itself. This year I completed the race in 35.26 minutes. This time is broken down to be 11:30 per mile...yes that is correct I completed this race running faster than a 12 minute mile.

I was so excited when I crossed the finish line. I felt strong the entire way and I know I could have kept running longer than the 3 miles. As I was running I saw the group ahead of me and the pack of people behind me. I was consistently passing people along the course and I thought to myself, so this is what it feels like to be in the middle of the pack!

I have another 5k scheduled for next weekend in Seneca Falls, NY. I will be running the It's a Wonderful Run 5K, which is one of my favorite 5ks. It is so fun to run the neighborhoods of Seneca Falls at night. This race is based on the It's a Wonderful Life movie and starts on the Bridge (Bridge Street) similar to the one you see in the movie. The neighborhood Christmas Lights, light the way on the course and it is so much fun. The last time I was able to run this race was in 2013. I completed the course in 39.42 which is broken down to 13:10/mile and I would love to beat that time. Let's set the goal to PR this course!!

For those of you who would like an update on my weight loss I am down a total of 58 pounds since my surgery. Which means I am down a total of 85 pounds from my heaviest weight over two years ago.

The journey continues.

Half Marathon Number 10 - Princeton Half Marathon

I know it has been over two weeks since my last post. Life has been a bit busy, a lot going on and a bit emotional.

We are now 11 days into November but since my last post we closed out the great month of October. There are 31 days in October and looking at my calendar (picture left) I completed 25 workouts and only missed 6 days. I felt great and I can tell you exactly why I missed those six days. Three days were due to work and travel times and three were based on needing rest days.

So this month, November, I have challenged myself to 30 days = 30 workouts. I realize that some of you are thinking, you need rest days, and I will listen to my body. If I feel I need one I will take a rest day or I will complete an easy workout, less intense than others that I do. Needing to move is important to me and right now I really want to move!

One week prior to my 10th half marathon I completed my last long run, 4.5 miles. I felt great, strong and ready to take on the world. The following day I was emailing a great friend of mine. This friend I actually met when I was training for my marathon 11 years ago. I shared with her that for the first time in a long time I loved running again. I enjoyed going out and covering the miles. The best part was I felt strong! Once again I don't regret having the bariatric surgery!

One week later I was on the start line of my 10th half marathon, The Princeton Half Marathon. The race started at 7 am on a beautiful fall morning. The sun was shining, the temperature hit the mid 50s and it was perfect running weather. The course had a strict 3 hour cutoff and at two different points on the course you had to be there within a certain time limit; mile 6 and mile 9.5.

My goal was to finish this race and do it under 3 hours. I was nervous, but I always say if you aren't nervous it isn't important to you. Of the 9 half marathons I had done previously, five I completed under 3 hours and four were over 3 hours. With this in mind it didn't settle my nerves. The last 9 half marathons I completed the cutoff time was 3 1/2 + hours.

Another good friend mine, prior to the race, reminded me that I am stronger than I think and I just have to run my pace and keep going. The race started and I kept going. I passed the first cutoff, mile 6 (on the top of a very long climb) and I was ahead of schedule. I continued running and made it to cutoff #2, mile 9.5 and I was still ahead of schedule. At this point of the race I was in the middle of a 2 mile climb so I allowed myself to walk for 3 minutes which got me to the top of this hill. I started running and continued until mile 11 where I walked for another 2 minutes. I began to run until just past mile 12 and the last water stop. I stopped for one minute to walk and take in some water. I looked at my watch and I knew I would finish this race with time to spare. With less than a mile to go, and on the last uphill climb, there was my family cheering me on and letting me know that I was accomplishing my goals. I was so thankful that they were there.

I crossed the finish line and the clock read 2:57...I did it. I finished strong and was happy. Due to the changes I made in my life, I took 20 minutes off my last half marathon finish time! The finish time was still not a PR (2:51, completed 11 years ago) but I didn't care I did everything I set out to accomplish!

Fifteen (15) weeks post surgery and I am down over 55 pounds. I can't rest now. I worked out the day after the race to loosen up the tight muscles. Training for the next half marathon (March 26th) starts this weekend.

3 months post surgery

I am now 3 months post surgery and down 52 pounds. I went for my 3 month appointment today and my medical team is thrilled with how things are going. Yes, things are going really well but I am still not at the finish line. This will be an ongoing race for the rest of my life. As I have shared before this isn't easy, and every day is a trial and error and I am always learning something new. However, as the learning process continues I can be learn to be proud of my achievements and of myself.

This week I took part in a GXT test. The GXT test measures your Oxygen intake and your VO2 max, which helps determine your energy level while working out. Students in the Exercise Science department at Ithaca College help to administer the test and it lasts all of 8 - 12 minutes once you are all hooked up to computers, EKGs etc. Well I completed 8 minutes of the test running a 12 minute/mile pace and finished on a 7.5 incline on the treadmill. During the process it was discovered that I currently have a resting heart rate of 50 beats per minute and I am the 90th percentile of my age group for my fitness level. This made my day and helped me appreciate all the minutes, hours and miles I cover when exercising!

8 mile training run in Forest Park

The next step in my plan is the Princeton Half Marathon. I have just over 1 week left until the race, which will be my 10th half! In fact according to their website I have 9 days 9 hours and 11 minutes! Training has been going really well but I have to admit I am really nervous about this race. There is a 3 hour cut off for this race (14 minute/miles). Although I have completed 5 half marathons under 3 hours, I always had that cushion time with race cut off 3 1/2 or 4 hours. Two weeks ago I finished a five mile, very hilly, race with a minute/mile time under 13 minutes, but my confidence still isn't high. For now my goal will be to show up on the start line, ready to run. If I am cut from the course so be it...but I will be working hard to finish #10!!

Prior to my surgery I asked the doctor if he could make me a stronger and faster runner. He laughed and said he could. In three months I found that I am running faster and stronger and I will be bringing this with me to Princeton!!

Good luck to my friends running the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend. I will be thinking of you!

Finally...

...the scale finally moved this morning and I hit the 50 lb mark! I am down 50 pounds!!I know I still have a long journey ahead of me but this is a nice milestone! So what will tomorrow bring??

What a Run!

Sunday, October 16, 2016 I ran the 10th Annual Eastwood 5 Miler Race. It has been five years since I ran this course and the course runs through an old neighborhood I lived in at one time in Syracuse. I love this run but I have to admit there are many hills. I actually forgot about so many of them after not running there for so long.

My goal was to keep a 14 minute/mile pace which would have me finishing in 1:10. Instead I kicked that courses A$$! I completed the course in 1:04:40 which means I ran under a 13 minute/mile. Although this wasn't a PR, I missed that by less than a minute, but I was faster than my last 5 miler in 2015 and it was faster than my training! I was so happy and I felt great the entire course.

I used this run as a trial for my nutrition for when run a half marathon I registered for in 3 weeks. Since the surgery I can't eat the same things I always did when doing endurance events. I can't drink Gatorade and Gels are hard to take in so I have had to try a few new things. I even had to change up my usual breakfast. Two hours prior to the race I had an egg with some cheese. Then 1 hour before the race I ate half of an English muffin with peanut butter. While running I drank the water on the course plus I used Ultima in my water bottle. Ultima is an electrolyte replenishment that has zero sugar and zero calories but filled with electrolytes! I also used a few Honey Stinger chews that did not seem to upset my stomach. With this in mind I think I am one step closer to completing my next race on November 6th.

Later that evening I decided to treat myself to an early birthday gift, I registered for my second marathon in Burlington, VT. I decided to do the Vermont City Marathon on May 28, 2016. Eleven years ago I completed my first marathon in San Francisco. I always called it my first marathon when I would talk about it because I always knew I would do another one. I am ready for my second marathon. Although a majority of my training will be done during the middle of winter I will be looking to my marathon friends to get me fired up to train!

Finally, I am a bit frustrated with the scale. I know I am not supposed to measure my success just by the digital box but sometimes you want to see the magical numbers. I know I have had so many success since the surgery; down four sizes; off of my diabetes and HB medication as well as feeling fabulous. Recently I even had to go shopping for new bras ...I don't think I have ever looked for the size I am looking for now...bring on the padding!! I just want to hit the 50 pound mark ... it is a milestone and I am 1 1/2 pounds away!  I hate the scale but when it doesn't move the way you want it to, all the old negative thoughts come rushing back. The numbers aren't going up but you start to question if this will work? Am I doing enough? Will I fail? No matter how much good happened to me yesterday, the digital box can overshadow all of it!