Saturday, May 30, 2009

10% and In the Lead

I've lost 10% of my body weight, that is 17.8 pounds in 5 weeks and vaulted to the lead out of the 75 people racing to win the weight loss competition at our gym. Now I'm feeling quite happy but also quite fatigued. My hip hurts and I'm hoping I can still loose around 9 more pounds before June 13th, the final weigh in.

Just read my friends post about adopting her daughter. God always lays on my heart perhaps we our next children will be adopted.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

New 5K PR...post age 30

My overall 5k PR is 30:39 (9:53).
This morning though I ran faster than I did in last years 4th of July run, setting a new post-age-30 PR. No bad when you consider I've gained and lost 50 pounds since running that 5k in July 2008 due to my pregnancy and delivery of a large 8lb 12 oz girl.

July 4th, 2008 my time was: 32:45 (10:33)
April 13th, 2008 my time was: 35:17 (11:21)
This morning my time was: 32:31 (10:25/mile)
1st 5k back in 2003 was: 32:54 (10:37_

I'm especially proud that I ran the first mile in 9:59. I like seeing that 9.

By the 4th of July run I should be closer to 10 minute miles (if not faster) and 20 pounds lighter! Perhaps I'll even beat 30 minutes.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Fundraising Effort

My fundraising letter is going out to all my contacts and then perhaps to the contacts of my parents and on from there to their friends.

My goal is to raise $1000 while training for the Hood to Coast relay in August.
So far my email blast has gotten some donations from a few of my former colleagues, which I appreciate! Please see the link to the right if you want to read more about my fund raising for the American Cancer Society. Basically I'm raising money for this society due to loosing my father to cancer in 2000, at the age of 49. We miss him a lot and wish he was here getting to know his grand kids.

I'm also running a 5k tomorrow and really want to run it in under 33 minutes. The mere fact that I can run a 5k without walking is a feat, seeing as my baby is just 11 weeks old. I've also lost 15 pounds in the last 4 weeks and in second place in the weight loss challenge at the gym (I've lost 8.5% of my body weight so far).

All this is to say, I'm passionate about fitness, firstly yes because it makes me feel good. But also because it means I'll be around when my kids have kids, unlike my Dad. His battle with cancer was complicated by his struggle with obesity. Please consider donating money to the American Cancer Society in memory of my Dad. I'd like to see less adults and kids dying of cancer. It just stinks!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Speed Trial

I was sneaking in a run with two feverish kids at home with my mother...so in other words I had to run fast! I ran quickly to the old high school track I used to train on with the JV basketball team. Back in my glory days I thought I wasn't in good shape, running an 8 minute mile around the track (making me a very slow guard).

As I arrived, I mentally challenged my 15-year-old self to a speed trial. Needless to say the 15-year-old won. BUT my 25 year old self did NOT win as I completed the trial in 10:02. I wasn't running 10 minute miles in my mid-20s, at least not consistantly.

It was encouraging to see how fast I could go. I think a month ago I was running 11:40 on the mile! Since having Zoe I've lost an additional 20 pounds and am now withing 5 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight. The more I loose the faster I get is what I say!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Progress

I ran two miles of a 5k training run at 10:30 pace, which is a pace faster than I ran this time last year.

I've lots 10 pounds in three weeks with diet and increased exercise.

I've increased my resistance training and my weights on those as well.

I can do more push-ups.

My baby girl has gained weight and inches steadily.

My remaining goal is to loose another 10 pounds (at least) in the next five weeks, with 10 more pounds in the month following that. This would mean I could run the local 5k on the 4th of July while weighing in the 140s. Last time I ran at that weight I could run 9 minute miles!

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Can I?

Can I prep for this Sprint Triathlon by June 6th? Today I biked 9.5 miles and then ran 2 miles. I've lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks so my running feels lots faster! Hope to be at least 13 pounds lighter by June 6th as well.

.5 mile swim. The swim will be in Rancho Seco Lake, with a beach start and finish. The water temperature will be around 72 degrees. Wetsuits are allowed. The course will be clockwise course marked with large orange swim buoys. The course will be monitored by safety boaters.
The Bike

The 16-mile bike course starts off within the park at Rancho Seco for the first 2 miles and then turns onto highway 104, monitored by CHP officers, for a 6 mile out and back loop. After a left turn back into Rancho Seco Park you finish around the lake and back into transition area.
The Run

The 3-mile run heads out of the transition area along a grass path to a wide fire road that loops around the lake for 1.5 miles before turning and returning on the same road. The dirt is softer than pavement and the mild hills are invigorating and satisfying. The finish is back to transition area and the huge welcome of the crowds, announcer and other finishers.