May Your Way: Final Check-In & National Running Day!

It is so hard to believe that we are at the end of our 31 day May Your Way challenge over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  This was an amazing challenge because it allowed us to set our own goals.  My goals for this challenge were simple.  In fact, I really had only one goal: "Get through "Marathon May" without any injuries."  I am happy to report that I did just that!  I had three races in three weeks this month.  Something I've never attempted before.  Two of those races were long ones too!  You can read the recaps here, here and here.  My last race (this past Saturday) was also awesome because I crossed the finish line before my husband :)  Even if he beats me in every other race we run together, I've still managed to beat him at least once and for that I get bragging rights.  There might even be a t-shirt purchased to rub it in a little bit.

I wasn't in this challenge for weight loss, but I did end up 2 pounds less than when I started.  I'm down into the 132's, which freaking blows my mind.  The last weight loss challenge I did had me finishing around 138, so I'm thrilled to see 132 on the scale.  I honestly don't remember ever being this small and didn't see myself ever going below 135.  I'm not sure if this means I'll try to break into the 120's or just leave well enough alone, but I'm certainly not going to complain about this little nudge in the downward direction.

Now, as the title of this post says, today is also National Running Day.  Since I am taking a hiatus from running (my doc recommended at least 2 weeks and I'm already going crazy at 4 days, so we'll see how long I last), I won't be running with you today, but I can encourage you to run.  Even if you run just a couple of blocks, I want you to try it.  Read my "about me" page and you'll see how far I've come.  I'm the girl who said I would NEVER run more than 3 miles and this month I raced a total of 28.6 miles, including a races of 15+ and 10 miles.  Never say never. 

May Your Way Check-In Wednesday: The Post Fitbloggin Addition

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I love The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and all their fun, crazy challenges.  We are into week 4? of the May Your Way challenge, where we got to set our own goals and whatnot.  I'm totally suffering from an extreme case of Fitbloggin Withdrawal.  Seriously, I'm ready to submit my symptoms to the DSM-IV people and see if we can get it as an official diagnosis when the DSM-V comes out in 2013.  I think this is why I haven't been able to write a recap yet.  Recapping the weekend would mean it is really over.  So sad.

In any case, I need to report how I am doing on my goals.  Make that goal - singular.  My goal for the challenge was to get through my 3 races uninjured.  Well, I'm 2 for 3 with my final race coming up on Saturday.  I felt really good after the 5k and I have no doubt I'll finish my 3rd race.  I was hoping for a 10 mile PR, but now I just want to have fun and finish it.  Enjoy running in Chicago along the lakeshore.  KWIM?  You can read about my 25k here and see how cute I looked in my tutu (if I do say so myself) for the Fitbloggin 5k here (I'm the one in green).  Next week I'll be reporting on how the Soldier Field 10 Mile goes.  I haven't run much this week - only 2 miles actually, because I'm really tired and my heart hasn't been in it.  I was talking with one of my IRL girlfriends and she says this is what overtraining feels like.  I think I'm going to take a bit of a break after this weekend and let my body and mind heal.

As for the mantras and all that other stuff - like I said, I'm feeling a bit of burnout and withdrawal.  I WILL get my mojo back.  No question about that.  Maybe this week I'll even get a Fitbloggin post written. Maybe.

How about you?  Did you attend Fitbloggin and if you did, did I get to meet you?  Please remind me because I met so many amazing women and men last weekend.

PS-I just added Intense Debate for comments, so let me know what you think.  M'Kay?  I love that I can now comment back to you all.

Wednesday Check-in: May Your Way

So, we are only 3 days into the newest challenge over at Shrinking Jeans, but since it's Wednesday, we need to check in.  My only tangible goal is to complete my 3 races this month injury free.  My first race is in *gasp* 10 days!  OMG is that right?  Actually, I think it's more like 11.  I ran one of the best 4.25 miles of my life last night (totally electronics-free) and I ran 14 miles last weekend.  So far so good!  My last long run will be 8 miles this weekend, and the hubby is planning to run with me (since he needs to be training for race #3). 

I haven't re-started the 100 push-up challenge, but I plan to get on that.  Kick me in the butt if I don't.  M'Kay?  Our Sister Says goal for the week is 64 oz of water a day.  This will be easy since I get more than that most days.

Also, I am a "non-loser" for this challenge since I have been at goal weight for a while now, but to keep myself honest, I will report my weight today.  I am at 134.8.  This is actually up from my weight Easter morning when I was shocked to see 132.6 on the scale (I think I was dehydrated from the 10 mile race the day before).  The last time I posted my weight here was Feb 23rd and I was at 137.8.  I'd definitely call this a maintenance win.  In all honesty, I never thought I would see a number below 135, so I'm thrilled with where I am right now.  OK-that's enough about the numbers and you won't hear about them again for probably another 3 months or so :)

I hope everyone else is having a great Wednesday.  Have you joined the challenge yet?

May Your Way - A New Shrinking Jeans Challenge

Woo-hoo!  It's MAY!  Holy Cow - that means summer is just around the corner, we only have about 5 weeks of school left, Fitbloggin is in less than 3 weeks, and "Marathon May" is upon me.  All of this just in time for the newest challenge at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. 



This challenge is simple.  As the loverlies over at Shrinking Jeans tell us, "it’s all about YOU. Your goals, your challenge, your way. You can take things at your own pace, decide what is best for you, and focus on yourself!"  Easy-peasy!  Since I'm not really in weight-loss mode, but more weight-maintanence mode, this challenge is perfect. 

I have one simple goal for May:  Get through "Marathon May" without any injuries.  You see, I have 3 races planned this month.  THREE.  And I'd like to complete them all.

Race #1: The 5/3 River Bank Run 25k on May 14.  This past weekend I ran my longest run EVER - 14 miles.  Next weekend I taper to 8 and then it's go-time.  My longest race.  I have no doubt I will finish, the condition I'll be in at the finish line is still up for debate.

Race #2: The Fitbloggin 5k on May 20.  I finally get to run with many of the amazing ladies I've "met" through Shrinking Jeans.  Yes, you can be jealous, or you can click that link and join us!  And yes, I'll make sure to give them all hugs from you. Can.Not.Wait. (I think I'm the most excited for this race!)

Race #3: The Soldier Field 10 Mile on May 28.  The hubby is running this one with me - a huge milestone for him (he's never "raced" more than 5 miles and his longest run to date has been 8).  While I'd love to beat him (secret goal #2 for May), it really isn't realistic.   He's much faster than me and after running 2 races the 2 weekends before, I'm just hoping to finish.

So, if you are doing the math, that totals 28.6 miles of racing in 3 weeks.  Plus any training runs thrown in.  May has the potential to hold the greatest number of miles I've ever run in a single month.  Hense, the goal to just STAY HEALTHY AND INJURY-FREE.

Of course, eating right, re-starting the 100 push-up challenge (with the goal of completing them military-style) and trying to stay sane in the final push of the school year are going to be in the back of my mind, too.

So, if you haven't signed up for this challenge, you must go here now.  Go on.  I'll wait.

Get to blogging about your goals and link up with Shrinking Jeans.  Make sure you are also a member of the 'Hood and check in with us on Monday nights at 8 Central for SisterChat.  Don't forget about the #Tworkout on Tuesday nights at 8 Central where April leads us through a kick-butt workout via twitter.  If you are able to stay away long enough, join Mel on Thursday nights at 10 Central on twitter for Happy Hour.  (Since that's 11pm for me, you probably won't see me there.)  That's definitely a lot going on this month.  So, better get busy!