I've been humiliated... and not in the bad way either. Last night we had a stake Primary training meeting for our new presidency. The spiritual thought that was offered by one of the stake counselors concerned the Olympian athletes and how they've achieved their dreams. They took it one step at a time, never quit, and had faith and conviction that their best would have to be enough. This reminder-- that my best is enough, and the Lord will do the rest-- hit home with me so strongly. I was made humble before the Lord. Come to think of it, this whole past week has been a constant reminder from the Lord "Trust me, I know what I'm doing. You did your part, let me do mine in my own time."
In that light, I've decided I need to step back from my running goals and take them as I feel ready for them. My #1 goal right now is getting 65 lbs off of my body by my 28th bday in September. Running is just my mode of transportation to that goal right now.
Today I dragged my lazy butt to the rec center to battle my mortal enemy-- THE TREADMILL! I did most of the running intervals, and made it past 16 min again today, but pooped out at 19. It's an improvement, and I'll take it! I walked the last 3 intervals of C25K, but did run rest.
I've also decided to stop weighing myself obsessively. It will be a challenge to stay away from the scale, but I already feel a world of stress destroyed. I will just be doing my daily Wii log in (which is only 1 lb off from my home scale), and 1 official home scale weekly weigh in. Maybe throw all my goals out the window, and just take it as it comes. Keep my eye on the prize: get down to 150 lbs by any means possible.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Mrs. Gerschler, Tear Down That Wall!
So for the last 2 weeks I've been struggling with running past 16 mins in my C25K program. I felt like I was hitting a wall, and it was making me really angry. The C25K program does interval training (run for 90 seconds, walk for 90 seconds). At about 16 mins in, I would poop out, and just walk the rest of the workout. It was frustrating. Worst of all, I put on 4 lbs from the race. I would get back down to 218, then pop back up to 222. I've lost the same 4 lbs TWICE now. You can only imagine what that was doing to me psychologically. I REALLY want to reach 50 lbs lost by March 23, and it just didn't seem to be happening with me being stuck at 218 for 2 weeks in a row.
Anyway...
Hubby had today off so went to gym with me. I decided to repeat week 2 of C25K so he could run with me. This was the first time back running for him since he got sick right before the race.
Guess what-- I actually made it through the program today! It wasn't easy, but I did it. Well, almost. I walked the interval right before the cooldown, but that just allowed me a 5 min cool down. I went 2 miles in 32 mins. This means I've taken 15 mins off my 5k time! It also means I got past that stupid 16 min wall where I would normally poop out. The track isn't the most entertaining to look at, but I've noticed my best runs come from there and the road.
After that I went upstairs for a bike session, and did 10.6 miles in 30 mins, and finished up on elliptical by going just under a mile in 15 mins. In all, I burned over 700 cals. I hope this week is the week I move past 218 pounds. I'm starting to tear down the wall... but why do I feel no joy?
Anyway...
Hubby had today off so went to gym with me. I decided to repeat week 2 of C25K so he could run with me. This was the first time back running for him since he got sick right before the race.
Guess what-- I actually made it through the program today! It wasn't easy, but I did it. Well, almost. I walked the interval right before the cooldown, but that just allowed me a 5 min cool down. I went 2 miles in 32 mins. This means I've taken 15 mins off my 5k time! It also means I got past that stupid 16 min wall where I would normally poop out. The track isn't the most entertaining to look at, but I've noticed my best runs come from there and the road.
After that I went upstairs for a bike session, and did 10.6 miles in 30 mins, and finished up on elliptical by going just under a mile in 15 mins. In all, I burned over 700 cals. I hope this week is the week I move past 218 pounds. I'm starting to tear down the wall... but why do I feel no joy?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Goals
So last night I was trying to remember my weight loss goal deadlines. I thought I had written them down in my blog, but apparently I haven't. I thought I would do that now for future reference.
Starting Weight: 248
Goal 1: Reach 20 lbs lost by New Years
Goal 2: Reach 50 lbs lost by my half birthday (March 23)
Goal 3: Reach 75 lbs lost by Grace's birthday (July 9)
Goal 4: Reach 100 lbs lost by my 28th birthday (Sept 23)
Also, just wanted to revisit and re-evaluate my running goals. Must fit kid #2 in.
Jan 30: Ran first 5k
Feb 1: Started C25K program
Mar 1: Run 1 mile nonstop
Apr 1: Run 5k under 30 min
Jun 1: Run 10k
Sept 23: Run half marathon by my bday
Oct 1: Start Marathon Training
May 2011: Run Marathon
August 2011: Start trying for kid #2
May 2012: Have kid #2
Sept 2012: Get back in shape by training for Susan G Komen for the cure 3-Day, 60 miler
Spring 2013: Start trying to qualify for Boston again
FINAL GOAL: Run Boston Marathon by 2015.
Try for kid #3 after Running Boston Marathon
I just feel like my family needs to get down here to earth. Maybe I'm selfish, but I like having my own cheering squad. For what it's worth, Grace loves to "work out" with me when I do Wii workouts on my off days. She jumps around, bobs up and down, rocks out. It's too cute. My little cheerleader.
Starting Weight: 248
Goal 1: Reach 20 lbs lost by New Years
Goal 2: Reach 50 lbs lost by my half birthday (March 23)
Goal 3: Reach 75 lbs lost by Grace's birthday (July 9)
Goal 4: Reach 100 lbs lost by my 28th birthday (Sept 23)
Also, just wanted to revisit and re-evaluate my running goals. Must fit kid #2 in.
Jan 30: Ran first 5k
Feb 1: Started C25K program
Mar 1: Run 1 mile nonstop
Apr 1: Run 5k under 30 min
Jun 1: Run 10k
Sept 23: Run half marathon by my bday
Oct 1: Start Marathon Training
May 2011: Run Marathon
August 2011: Start trying for kid #2
May 2012: Have kid #2
Sept 2012: Get back in shape by training for Susan G Komen for the cure 3-Day, 60 miler
Spring 2013: Start trying to qualify for Boston again
FINAL GOAL: Run Boston Marathon by 2015.
Try for kid #3 after Running Boston Marathon
I just feel like my family needs to get down here to earth. Maybe I'm selfish, but I like having my own cheering squad. For what it's worth, Grace loves to "work out" with me when I do Wii workouts on my off days. She jumps around, bobs up and down, rocks out. It's too cute. My little cheerleader.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Future Triathlete?
This morning I woke up feeling better than I have in about 2 weeks. Still had some sinus funk, but it was draining. So today I got to the rec center for a good workout. I did my C25K to start. Lately I've felt like the treadmill has been psyching me out a little. I pay too much attention to how much time I've been running, how fast I'm going, when will the interval end, etc. Today I decided to hit the track. I feel like I had a big improvement. I wasn't focused on my speed or the time, just the music from PodRunner, and one foot in front of the other. My only complaint is Grace has... um... interesting ways of entertaining herself. When she gets bored, she throws herself around to make the stroller snake through the lane, and laughs about it. This is not helpful when trying to run. She also tends to make monotonous noise when she gets bored. Like holding a single note continually... loudly... in a contained space that ECHOES! Needless to say her antics were throwing off my mojo. I will definitely leave the running & stroller pushing to Andy. It's bad enough I tend to drift when I'm tired without a baby throwing herself around for amusement!
After C25K, I went upstairs, dropped Grace off at the child care, and hopped on a stationary bike. Did 9 miles in 25 mins on that, then off to ellipticals. Did 2.17 miles on the elliptical with resistance intervals. In all, I burned 863 cals. I'm thinking of maybe doing some Wii Fit Plus tonight just for fun to round out at 1,000 cals for the day. I did the 863 cals at the RC in an hour and a half. it makes me wonder how fast I could do a half triathalon. I like to swim. I like to bike. Running is coming along. My fat little legs can pedal a stationary about 115 rpm. That's good, right?
I just shut my eyes and rock out to my tunes. I don't care what I look like. Head bobbing, mouth going, legs flying. That's all that matters.
After C25K, I went upstairs, dropped Grace off at the child care, and hopped on a stationary bike. Did 9 miles in 25 mins on that, then off to ellipticals. Did 2.17 miles on the elliptical with resistance intervals. In all, I burned 863 cals. I'm thinking of maybe doing some Wii Fit Plus tonight just for fun to round out at 1,000 cals for the day. I did the 863 cals at the RC in an hour and a half. it makes me wonder how fast I could do a half triathalon. I like to swim. I like to bike. Running is coming along. My fat little legs can pedal a stationary about 115 rpm. That's good, right?
I just shut my eyes and rock out to my tunes. I don't care what I look like. Head bobbing, mouth going, legs flying. That's all that matters.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Baited Breath
So now that I've held you in my clutches with baited breath since Saturday, I am finally finding a moment to tell you about my weekend.
Saturday dawned freezing. LITERALLY! When I got to Hale Center Theater, it was 21 degrees outside. Within moments of getting out of my car, I instantly regretted not having any gloves, as I could no longer feel my fingers. I tried fruitlessly to pin my number on my hoodie, and finally got it, much to the dissatisfaction of my poor fingers which got repeatedly poked cuz they were so numb. After that I pulled my hands inside the arms of my hoodie. This is a habit I've had since I was a young teenager. It was convenient to just pull my hands inside the cuffs when the arms were too long on a coat or sweater. My hands warmed up quickly.
The original plan was for Andy to run the race with me, but he got very sick last week and was unable to attend. I was afraid I was going to be alone, but you can imagine my relief when I saw several members from my church there to run. I huddled in with them and started feeling better emotionally.
When the race started, we jogged to the light, and then I got left in their dust, LOL. But I wasn't alone for very long. At about the 1 mile mark, another entrant pulled up beside me, and we spent the next mile chatting. It was nice to be with someone. Soon we hit the vicious hill that is next to my house. This hill is a beastie, and it's part of the last mile of the race. Once again I was left in the dust, but half way up the hill my best friend Jazz was waiting for me. She did the last mile of the race with me. I finished my first 5k in 62 mins. And, for the record, I RAN across the finish line, and finished strong. I walked most of the race, and ran maybe a total of 1/2 mile of the whole 3 miles.
It wasn't until today that I remembered my prayer from Friday night. I asked the Lord to help me be strong, and please let there be friends there to help push me through. Now that I think of it, my prayer was answered. I was never alone. Someone was beside me almost the entire time. It's been a while since I've felt my Savior's love like that.
Yesterday I started doing the couch to 5k program. I've already chosen a race at the end of March to do. This one I intend to RUN the whole time.
When I got to the rec center yesterday, all the working TMs were in use, so I started my C25K on the eliptical. I know it doesn't really count, but it felt good, and I pushed through it.
Tomorrow I will go back, hopefully early, and get my running done. I see Clarene tomorrow. I'm excited. She will be so proud that I've lost so much weight and did a 5k.
Though I don't know that I'll be at 218 lbs tomorrow. I've put a little weight on from the race, which I'm told is quite normal. The morning of the race I was so nervous that I got the turkey trots. After my 4th time on the pot, I decided to weigh myself and found that I dropped 2 lbs, LOL. That brought me up to 30 lbs lost, total, but I've put it back on since Saturday.
Will try to drink a lot of water today and flush it all out.
Oh and moral of the weekend: When we really try, the Lord won't let us fail!
Saturday dawned freezing. LITERALLY! When I got to Hale Center Theater, it was 21 degrees outside. Within moments of getting out of my car, I instantly regretted not having any gloves, as I could no longer feel my fingers. I tried fruitlessly to pin my number on my hoodie, and finally got it, much to the dissatisfaction of my poor fingers which got repeatedly poked cuz they were so numb. After that I pulled my hands inside the arms of my hoodie. This is a habit I've had since I was a young teenager. It was convenient to just pull my hands inside the cuffs when the arms were too long on a coat or sweater. My hands warmed up quickly.
The original plan was for Andy to run the race with me, but he got very sick last week and was unable to attend. I was afraid I was going to be alone, but you can imagine my relief when I saw several members from my church there to run. I huddled in with them and started feeling better emotionally.
When the race started, we jogged to the light, and then I got left in their dust, LOL. But I wasn't alone for very long. At about the 1 mile mark, another entrant pulled up beside me, and we spent the next mile chatting. It was nice to be with someone. Soon we hit the vicious hill that is next to my house. This hill is a beastie, and it's part of the last mile of the race. Once again I was left in the dust, but half way up the hill my best friend Jazz was waiting for me. She did the last mile of the race with me. I finished my first 5k in 62 mins. And, for the record, I RAN across the finish line, and finished strong. I walked most of the race, and ran maybe a total of 1/2 mile of the whole 3 miles.
It wasn't until today that I remembered my prayer from Friday night. I asked the Lord to help me be strong, and please let there be friends there to help push me through. Now that I think of it, my prayer was answered. I was never alone. Someone was beside me almost the entire time. It's been a while since I've felt my Savior's love like that.
Yesterday I started doing the couch to 5k program. I've already chosen a race at the end of March to do. This one I intend to RUN the whole time.
When I got to the rec center yesterday, all the working TMs were in use, so I started my C25K on the eliptical. I know it doesn't really count, but it felt good, and I pushed through it.
Tomorrow I will go back, hopefully early, and get my running done. I see Clarene tomorrow. I'm excited. She will be so proud that I've lost so much weight and did a 5k.
Though I don't know that I'll be at 218 lbs tomorrow. I've put a little weight on from the race, which I'm told is quite normal. The morning of the race I was so nervous that I got the turkey trots. After my 4th time on the pot, I decided to weigh myself and found that I dropped 2 lbs, LOL. That brought me up to 30 lbs lost, total, but I've put it back on since Saturday.
Will try to drink a lot of water today and flush it all out.
Oh and moral of the weekend: When we really try, the Lord won't let us fail!
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!
Or at least I hope so. Now that I check weather.com, it looks like Hale Freezes Over will be a toasty 21 degrees and overcast. I must stay positive about this experience. This is the first step to a major life change.
Wednesday I did the 3k on the treadmill at the rec center, so I know I can do this, but Andy has gotten very sick this week and won't be able to do the race with me, so I'll be running alone. Thankfully, a few of my friends have offered to come & cheer. I also know that you'll be beside me in spirit. I won't be alone at all.
So in addition to the secret fantasies I divulged to you in the last post, I've started making some more definitive goals.
Jan 31: Run my 1st 5k
Feb 1: Start official couch to 5k training
Mar 1: Run 1 mi nonstop
Apr 1: Run 5k under 30 min, start couch to 10k training
Jun 1: Run 10k, start couch to half marathon training
Aug 1: Run 8 min mile
Sept 23: Run half marathon by my bday
Oct 1: Start Marathon Training
May 2011: Run Marathon (I am looking at the Utah Valley Marathon as my candidate, but it's held in June)
Summer 2011: Train for Susan G Komen 3 day, 60 mile race for the cure
Fall 2011: Run Susan G Komen 3 day, 60 mile race for the cure
Spring 2012: Qualify for Boston Marathon
Spring 2013: Run Boston Marathon
And somewhere in there I'm having kid #2. Yes, I'm crazy, but we already knew that.
Wednesday I did the 3k on the treadmill at the rec center, so I know I can do this, but Andy has gotten very sick this week and won't be able to do the race with me, so I'll be running alone. Thankfully, a few of my friends have offered to come & cheer. I also know that you'll be beside me in spirit. I won't be alone at all.
So in addition to the secret fantasies I divulged to you in the last post, I've started making some more definitive goals.
Jan 31: Run my 1st 5k
Feb 1: Start official couch to 5k training
Mar 1: Run 1 mi nonstop
Apr 1: Run 5k under 30 min, start couch to 10k training
Jun 1: Run 10k, start couch to half marathon training
Aug 1: Run 8 min mile
Sept 23: Run half marathon by my bday
Oct 1: Start Marathon Training
May 2011: Run Marathon (I am looking at the Utah Valley Marathon as my candidate, but it's held in June)
Summer 2011: Train for Susan G Komen 3 day, 60 mile race for the cure
Fall 2011: Run Susan G Komen 3 day, 60 mile race for the cure
Spring 2012: Qualify for Boston Marathon
Spring 2013: Run Boston Marathon
And somewhere in there I'm having kid #2. Yes, I'm crazy, but we already knew that.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Crazy & Life Altering Decisions
This morning I woke up with sinus gambu. Now, it may be the foggy head and sinus pressure talking, but I've come to a crazy and life altering decision. Not only am I going to drop 100 lbs or more, but I'm also going to start training for the Susan G Komen 3 Day, 60 mile Race for the Cure in 2011. This plan includes working from a 5k, to a 10k, to a half marathon over the summer, the Utah Valley Marathon next spring, and finally the Big Mama Susan G Komen by the end of 2011. I have asked my mom to do it with me. Her sister, and my favorite aunt, who shares a birthday with Grace, has cancer. I was thinking it would be really amazing to get the whole family involved, as there are locations all over the country. That's not just the final destination though. I'm going to put my heart on my sleeve here. It is a secret desire of mine, ever since I was a fat little kid, to run in the Boston Marathon. My goal is to run it for my 30th birthday (probably after, in spring 2013). That gives me 2 years to qualify. The qualifying time for my age group is 3 hours and 40 mins. Seeing as I can only run 1/4 of a mile at a time before feeling like I'm going to die, it's going to take a lot of hard work and perseverance. I firmly believe I can do it.
Now, mind you, I didn't say WIN the Boston Marathon. I just said run in it.
Why is this a secret fantasy of mine? Because I was born not far from Boston. How amazing would it be to say "3 years ago, I was almost 250 pounds, slept 16 hours a day, and now I'm a marathon runner"?
That seems like a pretty big deal to me.
I know I'm out of my mind. It's a pretty big, and crazy idea. You don't have to tell me. Just support me in my dream, and push me to achieve it.
Now, mind you, I didn't say WIN the Boston Marathon. I just said run in it.
Why is this a secret fantasy of mine? Because I was born not far from Boston. How amazing would it be to say "3 years ago, I was almost 250 pounds, slept 16 hours a day, and now I'm a marathon runner"?
That seems like a pretty big deal to me.
I know I'm out of my mind. It's a pretty big, and crazy idea. You don't have to tell me. Just support me in my dream, and push me to achieve it.