My first half-marathon is only 135 days away and I couldn't be more excited! I'm starting to realize that perhaps choosing for my first half marathon to be on the other side of the country might have been a bigger logistical task than I'd anticipated. I love
That said, Daniel and I are doing our best to be wise with our financial resources. Daniel works his little butt off to provide for us so that I can stay home with our son, and we're committed to paying for this trip WITHOUT going in to debt over it. That means a couple extra projects for Daniel, and little ol me trying to figure out how to lend a hand. That's where the muffins come in!
When my grandparents came to town for my 10k, they brought us a huge box of apples from an orchard near their house in
"What if I baked stuff with them, and sold them to help raise money for our trip?!"
I thought it was a novel idea that people would probably think was "cute" but not really be that into. But I figured it was worth a shot to throw it out there and see what the response would be. I found a great recipe for Apple Strudel Muffins (mmm!) and posted an announcement on facebook that I was selling them for $1 each. Almost immediately I got responses from my friends and family saying that they'd love to support me and putting in their orders. Over the last couple weeks I've baked over 200 muffins for family and friends. On top of that, my Mom and brother from
The muffin-selling has been such a hit! Believe it or not, I've discovered that I LOVE baking. I must, to have baked over 200 already and still be thrilled at baking 200 more. I'm also excited t try new recipes. Perhaps a "Muffin of the Month" sort of deal? I'm thinking for November I will try Pumpkin Chocolate Chip. I'm even going to do a test batch using my own "picked it myself and carried it home" pumpkin. It'll be an adventure for sure!
Amidst all of the financial blessing that this venture has provided, it has given me an even more important gift. I honestly was not expecting to see so many people absolutely jump at the chance to support me. It has truly been a blessing to feel so loved and cared for.
My deepest hope in this whole situation is that someone would read/hear about my journey and recognize the power of God in my life and worship Him in response. This whole experience has really been a journey of me learning to apply the things I know to be true (in my head) to actual real life practice... like getting off my booty and using my body for what it's made for! The Lord made me to be strong, healthy and capable. And I really believe it now!
Running is a celebration of my God-given ability to move!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Running on Muffins & Love!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
First 10k Update - Finally!
Hello Friends!
I'm finally sitting down to write about my first 10k experience this past Sunday at the Gresham Jazz Run. I've been avoiding it for a few days, as I haven't been sure how to put the whole thing in to words. I finished! It was hard, wonderful, fun, exhilarating and encouraging. I've almost been trying to "keep it to myself" in order to savor it for as long as possible. But now it's time to share, I think. :)
My adorable grandparents from Yakima came down for the weekend to watch me finish, and I was able to spend time with them on Saturday. It's crazy how much you can miss your family and not even realize it until you see them again! Having them here to support me, to cheer and take pictures and tell me they're proud - was probably the best part about the entire experience. They've seen me quit sport after sport (and paid for most of it) and my Grandma admitted that she was surprised when I told them I was going to start running. Yet there I was, finishing my first timed race with them cheering me across the finish line. Aren't they adorable?
We arrived at the Gresham Main City Park around 8am on Sunday morning, in one of those "hurry-up-and-wait" sort of moods. I was eager to get there as early as my family would allow me to because I was so anxious about not missing anything. It turns out that we were right on time and didn't miss a thing. We even got to wait around for almost an hour in the frigid weather (sorry guys!). Ethan was all bundled up in a fleece bodysuit and looked like a star fish. He got to play around in the park while I was running. Here he is with part of his fan club from Core Life Church (L to R - Joni, Kelli, Heidi, Kaylee & Ethan). These ladies also came to watch my training buddy - Sheri - and I finish together.
Lining up for the race was such a thrill! Because it was my first timed race I was especially aware of all the "stuff" they had around the start/finish line in order to time us. Though I have no idea what any of it was, actually. Just a bunch of cables and mats and stuff. :) We took off from the start line and followed the Springwater Trail along a familiar path toward Sheri's house. Most of the racers sped off in that first mile, and we found ourselves plodding along ever so faithfully and persistently among the speed-walkers. We actually trailed a pair of gals who were "power-walking" for the entire race and finally passed them in the last mile. Haha.
Things got hard when we got to mile 2 and headed off from the Springwater Trail into a residential neighborhood. The elevation map shows a 700ft climb in mile 2. I don't know if that's big compared to other races... but it certainly felt like it to us. I'd walked the course before so I was mentally prepared for how hard it was going to be, but that hill still kicked my butt. My partner and I made it almost 3/4 of the way up and then decided to power-walk the rest of it because we were both concerned about finishing the last 4 miles. But we made it! After conquering Walters Hill we went through another zig-zag of residential neighborhoods for the 3rd mile. The 4th mile happened to be along another trail that wrapped through the backyards of a few neighborhoods in Gresham. It was really twisty and bumpy and actually rather exciting. By that point we'd lost all the walkers (except for that pair we'd pass in the last mile) and runners (who passed us and were already finished by now... hahaha) and were really enjoying a scenic run through the trail area. Mile 5 went along the Springwater Trail - we'd looped around and were running back to where we'd started in Gresham Main City Park. The last mile felt challenging, but doable. We were both tired after dealing with the hill and rugged trail, but were so thrilled with our accomplishments that we had the strength to carry through. I was chomping at the bit to sprint to the finish line, but Sheri talked me down (she's such a good partner) and we held out until we were closer to the finish line. I'm sure if I would have struck out when I'd asked her to initially, we'd both have collapsed in sight of the finish line in a pile of tears and hyperventilating.
But - we didn't! We got to the finish line and were greeted by Sheri's roomates, my Grandparents, my husband and son, a couple of our friends from church, and my roommate from college. Our pastor even decided to walk down from Cafe D when he saw some of the pics someone posted from their mobile phone. There was much cheering and celebration. :)
I felt a little dizzy - like I did after my first race - when we finished, but I took a nice little walk to slow my body back down and that really helped. We stayed around for a bit to enjoy the race atmosphere and the thank everyone for coming. Then my sweet grandparents took us to lunch before they headed out of town. So sweet.
On our way home, Daniel bought me a little chocolate kitty (picture to come) to say congrats for my race. We ate them together right before I took my first ice bath to keep my legs from being in too much pain. I think they work - or my body is ridiculously more athletic than I thought. Probably the ice bath, though. It was cold, but after it was all over I never had any joint or muscle pain after the race.
So that's the story! Now I'm counting down days and getting started on training for my first half-marathon in March 2010. In Florida. In Disneyworld. That's right... Disneyworld! Talk about motivation!
OH - and I almost forgot. I finished in 1:23:38. Not Olympic material, but way better than the three hours it took me to walk the course a month ago. And better than I thought we'd do after walking for what seemed like "too long."
I'm finally sitting down to write about my first 10k experience this past Sunday at the Gresham Jazz Run. I've been avoiding it for a few days, as I haven't been sure how to put the whole thing in to words. I finished! It was hard, wonderful, fun, exhilarating and encouraging. I've almost been trying to "keep it to myself" in order to savor it for as long as possible. But now it's time to share, I think. :)
My adorable grandparents from Yakima came down for the weekend to watch me finish, and I was able to spend time with them on Saturday. It's crazy how much you can miss your family and not even realize it until you see them again! Having them here to support me, to cheer and take pictures and tell me they're proud - was probably the best part about the entire experience. They've seen me quit sport after sport (and paid for most of it) and my Grandma admitted that she was surprised when I told them I was going to start running. Yet there I was, finishing my first timed race with them cheering me across the finish line. Aren't they adorable?
We arrived at the Gresham Main City Park around 8am on Sunday morning, in one of those "hurry-up-and-wait" sort of moods. I was eager to get there as early as my family would allow me to because I was so anxious about not missing anything. It turns out that we were right on time and didn't miss a thing. We even got to wait around for almost an hour in the frigid weather (sorry guys!). Ethan was all bundled up in a fleece bodysuit and looked like a star fish. He got to play around in the park while I was running. Here he is with part of his fan club from Core Life Church (L to R - Joni, Kelli, Heidi, Kaylee & Ethan). These ladies also came to watch my training buddy - Sheri - and I finish together.
Lining up for the race was such a thrill! Because it was my first timed race I was especially aware of all the "stuff" they had around the start/finish line in order to time us. Though I have no idea what any of it was, actually. Just a bunch of cables and mats and stuff. :) We took off from the start line and followed the Springwater Trail along a familiar path toward Sheri's house. Most of the racers sped off in that first mile, and we found ourselves plodding along ever so faithfully and persistently among the speed-walkers. We actually trailed a pair of gals who were "power-walking" for the entire race and finally passed them in the last mile. Haha.
Things got hard when we got to mile 2 and headed off from the Springwater Trail into a residential neighborhood. The elevation map shows a 700ft climb in mile 2. I don't know if that's big compared to other races... but it certainly felt like it to us. I'd walked the course before so I was mentally prepared for how hard it was going to be, but that hill still kicked my butt. My partner and I made it almost 3/4 of the way up and then decided to power-walk the rest of it because we were both concerned about finishing the last 4 miles. But we made it! After conquering Walters Hill we went through another zig-zag of residential neighborhoods for the 3rd mile. The 4th mile happened to be along another trail that wrapped through the backyards of a few neighborhoods in Gresham. It was really twisty and bumpy and actually rather exciting. By that point we'd lost all the walkers (except for that pair we'd pass in the last mile) and runners (who passed us and were already finished by now... hahaha) and were really enjoying a scenic run through the trail area. Mile 5 went along the Springwater Trail - we'd looped around and were running back to where we'd started in Gresham Main City Park. The last mile felt challenging, but doable. We were both tired after dealing with the hill and rugged trail, but were so thrilled with our accomplishments that we had the strength to carry through. I was chomping at the bit to sprint to the finish line, but Sheri talked me down (she's such a good partner) and we held out until we were closer to the finish line. I'm sure if I would have struck out when I'd asked her to initially, we'd both have collapsed in sight of the finish line in a pile of tears and hyperventilating.
But - we didn't! We got to the finish line and were greeted by Sheri's roomates, my Grandparents, my husband and son, a couple of our friends from church, and my roommate from college. Our pastor even decided to walk down from Cafe D when he saw some of the pics someone posted from their mobile phone. There was much cheering and celebration. :)
I felt a little dizzy - like I did after my first race - when we finished, but I took a nice little walk to slow my body back down and that really helped. We stayed around for a bit to enjoy the race atmosphere and the thank everyone for coming. Then my sweet grandparents took us to lunch before they headed out of town. So sweet.
On our way home, Daniel bought me a little chocolate kitty (picture to come) to say congrats for my race. We ate them together right before I took my first ice bath to keep my legs from being in too much pain. I think they work - or my body is ridiculously more athletic than I thought. Probably the ice bath, though. It was cold, but after it was all over I never had any joint or muscle pain after the race.
So that's the story! Now I'm counting down days and getting started on training for my first half-marathon in March 2010. In Florida. In Disneyworld. That's right... Disneyworld! Talk about motivation!
OH - and I almost forgot. I finished in 1:23:38. Not Olympic material, but way better than the three hours it took me to walk the course a month ago. And better than I thought we'd do after walking for what seemed like "too long."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Marathon Wannabe'
My friend Kaylee ran her first marathon today! Her goal was to finish in under 4:55 - so that she could beat Tara from the last season of Biggest Loser. I haven't seen her official time, but I did hear that she finished well within her goal. Yay Kaylee!
For my run today, I actually planned to meet Kaylee at the 21 mile mark of her race and jump in with her to finish. I should have thought a little more clearly when I did the math during our planning phase (last night) and realized she'd be running at about a 10:20mpm pace. The fastest pace I've run - during a race and about to pass out - was 12:30mpm. I'm happy to say I made it with her for about 2.25 miles. Then I started feeling super dizzy and told her so - and she told me I should walk. So - I found myself walking by myself during the last few miles of the Portland Marathon today. Ha ha! I walked until I caught my breath and felt like myself again, and then alternated walking/jogging/stopping by the side of the road to try and find my friend Sheri who was running with our friend Janelle.
The crowd of volunteers and spectators was so encouraging! I clearly was not part of the race - I had no bib or chip - but everyone I ran by was all smiles and waving and cheering anyway. :) I kept having this battle in my head for the whole 5 miles; one side that was yelling at me to "stay out of the way!" because I was not registered. I was so worried I was going to get booted off the course and have my soul crushed. Haha. And the other side of me yelling at me for walking. Oh dear. Apparently I have a lot of angry/yelling issues that need to get dealt with. I do appreciate how running brings your emotional issues to the surface. :)
My REAL race is now less than a week away - WOOHOO! I'm actually feeling really confident and itching to get my run in... yay! Can't wait, can't wait!
For my run today, I actually planned to meet Kaylee at the 21 mile mark of her race and jump in with her to finish. I should have thought a little more clearly when I did the math during our planning phase (last night) and realized she'd be running at about a 10:20mpm pace. The fastest pace I've run - during a race and about to pass out - was 12:30mpm. I'm happy to say I made it with her for about 2.25 miles. Then I started feeling super dizzy and told her so - and she told me I should walk. So - I found myself walking by myself during the last few miles of the Portland Marathon today. Ha ha! I walked until I caught my breath and felt like myself again, and then alternated walking/jogging/stopping by the side of the road to try and find my friend Sheri who was running with our friend Janelle.
The crowd of volunteers and spectators was so encouraging! I clearly was not part of the race - I had no bib or chip - but everyone I ran by was all smiles and waving and cheering anyway. :) I kept having this battle in my head for the whole 5 miles; one side that was yelling at me to "stay out of the way!" because I was not registered. I was so worried I was going to get booted off the course and have my soul crushed. Haha. And the other side of me yelling at me for walking. Oh dear. Apparently I have a lot of angry/yelling issues that need to get dealt with. I do appreciate how running brings your emotional issues to the surface. :)
My REAL race is now less than a week away - WOOHOO! I'm actually feeling really confident and itching to get my run in... yay! Can't wait, can't wait!
Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm still in the game!
My 10 weeks of interval training is officially complete, so I decided to start using a two-week training schedule generated by Runner's World's website. They have a tool you can use to create a custom training plan. All you need is a recent race time, and then you answer a few questions about how much you're currently running and how long until your next race.
This week involved an easy 2 mile Recovery Run at a 14:38 min/mile pace (Nice and slow!) and a 5 mile Tempo Run which included a warm up and cool down mile on either side of a faster-than-usual 3 miles. I held a 13:57 min/mile pace for all three miles - which was really envigorating. It was really encouraging to see and feel how far I've come in the past 6 months. My 10k race is 9 days away (well... 8 days, 9 hours and 16 minutes as of this moment... ha!) and I'm getting REALLY excited. I actually think I'll be able to do it. No... I know I can. What a crazy feeling. :)
Oh, and a couple more exciting tidbits!
First - 6 months of running = it's time for new shoes! My "hips-and-knees-and-feet-and-shins" (at least that's what I call them when I ask Daniel for a massage) have been telling me for the last two weeks that it's time for new shoes. I'm waiting until after my 10k to buy a pair, so I won't have to deal with breaking in a new pair during the race. But I'm really excited to have a fresh pair for Half Marathon training, and to officially retire my pink shoes to the Becca Sue Running Hall of Fame.
Secondly - today was also my 6 month weigh-in. Nothing super-official. I just weigh myself at home and Daniel takes my measurements. He's a trooper. I usually make him measure things two or three times to ensure accuracy, and if for some reason I haven't lost as many inches as I think I should have... he has to endure my pouting and accusations that he's "measuring wrong!" There should be medals for husbands who love their wives through training. :)
Anyway - I'm happy to report that I've lost another three pounds. Bringing the grand total (since January of this year) to 30 pounds of weight loss. It's all happened rather slowly, but I'm sure that's for the best... right? I was also delighted to find out that my body fat percentage dropped nearly 2%. So, even though on the scale it only looks like I lost three pounds, apparently I actually dropped 5 pounds of body fat and gained 3 pounds of lean mass. That makes sense to me, since I've made a point the last four weeks to actually do my weight training (I sort of wimped out on it for a while this summer).
Not too shabby!
As a reference point (for those who care) here is a chart on Body Fat Percentage Classifications for Women. I'm only 2.7% away from officially being at a healthy weight. Weeeeee!
This week involved an easy 2 mile Recovery Run at a 14:38 min/mile pace (Nice and slow!) and a 5 mile Tempo Run which included a warm up and cool down mile on either side of a faster-than-usual 3 miles. I held a 13:57 min/mile pace for all three miles - which was really envigorating. It was really encouraging to see and feel how far I've come in the past 6 months. My 10k race is 9 days away (well... 8 days, 9 hours and 16 minutes as of this moment... ha!) and I'm getting REALLY excited. I actually think I'll be able to do it. No... I know I can. What a crazy feeling. :)
Oh, and a couple more exciting tidbits!
First - 6 months of running = it's time for new shoes! My "hips-and-knees-and-feet-and-shins" (at least that's what I call them when I ask Daniel for a massage) have been telling me for the last two weeks that it's time for new shoes. I'm waiting until after my 10k to buy a pair, so I won't have to deal with breaking in a new pair during the race. But I'm really excited to have a fresh pair for Half Marathon training, and to officially retire my pink shoes to the Becca Sue Running Hall of Fame.
Secondly - today was also my 6 month weigh-in. Nothing super-official. I just weigh myself at home and Daniel takes my measurements. He's a trooper. I usually make him measure things two or three times to ensure accuracy, and if for some reason I haven't lost as many inches as I think I should have... he has to endure my pouting and accusations that he's "measuring wrong!" There should be medals for husbands who love their wives through training. :)
Anyway - I'm happy to report that I've lost another three pounds. Bringing the grand total (since January of this year) to 30 pounds of weight loss. It's all happened rather slowly, but I'm sure that's for the best... right? I was also delighted to find out that my body fat percentage dropped nearly 2%. So, even though on the scale it only looks like I lost three pounds, apparently I actually dropped 5 pounds of body fat and gained 3 pounds of lean mass. That makes sense to me, since I've made a point the last four weeks to actually do my weight training (I sort of wimped out on it for a while this summer).
Not too shabby!
As a reference point (for those who care) here is a chart on Body Fat Percentage Classifications for Women. I'm only 2.7% away from officially being at a healthy weight. Weeeeee!
| *American Council on Exercise | ||
| Classification | Women (% fat) |
|
| Essential Fat | 10-13% |
|
| Athletes | 14-20% |
|
| Fitness | 21-24% |
|
| Acceptable | 25-31% |
|
| Obese | 32% plus |
|
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hardest Run Yet - For The Win!
I ran my hardest run yet today - and I'm on cloud nine about it! I mapped out a route that started at Gresham Main City Park and went on the Spring Water Trail towards my friend Sheri's house, and then caught up with where we usually run when we start at her house and head towards downtown Gresham.
I had two goals in mind;
1.) To complete the 2 sets of 29min
and/or
2.) To run 5 miles.
Running by myself outside was a little harder than I'd anticipated, and I felt like I was just crawling along so slow! I must have been going fast enough, though... I managed to squeeze in an entire half mile extra into the same amount of running time. :) I did end up walking a couple extra minutes in between sets, as the last three minutes of my first set were up a long hill. Not a super-steep one compared to what I'll be facing on race day, but a longer climb than I've ever run before. I wasn't sure if I should be trying to power up the hill like on smaller/steeper ones, or if I should be trying to keep pace and stay strong. I'll have to ask one of my more experienced buddies about that one.
When I got close to the park - where Daniel and Ethan were waiting for me - my alarm went off to signal the end of my second set. I wasn't sure how much distance I had to complete a full 5 miles, but I was so eager to be done and be back to my guys that I settled for completing the intervals and made a point to remember to look up my mileage when I got home... so I could see how short I fell.
Now that I know I only had half a mile left... I feel a little silly! I sort of want to go back out there and kick that half mile's booty... but I'll have to wait. I need at least one day to rest my little newbie legs, and will have to arrange for someone to entertain Ethan while I run.
Next weekend, I'll get to join my friend Kaylee on the last 5 miles of her first marathon! I'm super excited and really look forward to supporting her, and to seeing if I can keep up with her. It will be the last 5 miles of her marathon... but she's still pretty fast. :)
I had two goals in mind;
1.) To complete the 2 sets of 29min
and/or
2.) To run 5 miles.
Running by myself outside was a little harder than I'd anticipated, and I felt like I was just crawling along so slow! I must have been going fast enough, though... I managed to squeeze in an entire half mile extra into the same amount of running time. :) I did end up walking a couple extra minutes in between sets, as the last three minutes of my first set were up a long hill. Not a super-steep one compared to what I'll be facing on race day, but a longer climb than I've ever run before. I wasn't sure if I should be trying to power up the hill like on smaller/steeper ones, or if I should be trying to keep pace and stay strong. I'll have to ask one of my more experienced buddies about that one.
When I got close to the park - where Daniel and Ethan were waiting for me - my alarm went off to signal the end of my second set. I wasn't sure how much distance I had to complete a full 5 miles, but I was so eager to be done and be back to my guys that I settled for completing the intervals and made a point to remember to look up my mileage when I got home... so I could see how short I fell.
Now that I know I only had half a mile left... I feel a little silly! I sort of want to go back out there and kick that half mile's booty... but I'll have to wait. I need at least one day to rest my little newbie legs, and will have to arrange for someone to entertain Ethan while I run.
Next weekend, I'll get to join my friend Kaylee on the last 5 miles of her first marathon! I'm super excited and really look forward to supporting her, and to seeing if I can keep up with her. It will be the last 5 miles of her marathon... but she's still pretty fast. :)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Did some hills!
To be precise - I did one hill... but I did it ten times. :) A friend recommended doing some drills that involved running up a hill for about ten seconds, and walking back down, ten times. I warmed up by running on the Spring Water Trail for just a mile and then went back to the Main City Park and attacked a hill I saw the high school cross country team using for their drills earlier in the week.
It definitely helped build my confidence. Somehow, running up a hill feels a lot more productive than walking up the same hill. Not sure if that's true for anyone else, but I'm going to stick with it!
It definitely helped build my confidence. Somehow, running up a hill feels a lot more productive than walking up the same hill. Not sure if that's true for anyone else, but I'm going to stick with it!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I ran for half an hour... TWICE!!
Started week 10 today. Two sets of 29 minutes of running. I'm feeling great! After having several hard runs (mentally and physically), I was happy to have what felt like a really smooth run today. It took me about 1.5 miles to get into a groove and get over some aches - but after that it was smooth sailing.
Just wanted to let everyone know I haven't quit yet!
Just wanted to let everyone know I haven't quit yet!
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