New Years Goals

While in the shower, I came up with a list of goals that I'd like to accomplish this year.

-I'd like to lose 50 lbs.
Not only for my health but I know this will help my pace. I'm not naive to know that my weight is slowing me down. Even though I run quite a bit, I haven't lost any weight and I know it's because of my diet. My diet needs a huge revamp. I'm hoping to rejoin Weight Watchers again. My moms of multiples group is starting a support group as well as doing "Biggest Loser" (which I won last year!). I have all these motivators on my side, I know I can do it.

-I'd like to get back down to a below 10 min pace.
I lost 60 lbs about 5 years ago and that's when I started running. I was training for a half. I had run a few 5K's. My first one was around 30 min. A few weeks later, my sister and I did one and I finished at 29 min. Then, I became pregnant with my twins and struggled with getting the weight off since then. I've been consistently running again, and right now, I'm about 11-12 min pace.

-I'd like to run a half marathon at 2:45 or faster.
I did my first half at 2:51, which I'm happy with. I wanted to keep it under 3 hours. Now, my next goal is to run a faster half!

-I'd like to run a full marathon

So, I think I've made up my mind to do a full. I met some wonderful ladies today. One of them is a veteran marathoner, and one of them just did her first full a few weeks ago. I THINK the other lady has done a marathon and a half. If I stick with them, I know I can accomplish that goal.

So, that's my list!

Slacking

I've been slacking lately. I love running, but it's hard to get out the door, especially when it's cold!!

Yesterday, I did a quick 2 miles because it was getting dark. I don't like running in the dark. It's difficult to see where the road ends and the grass begins when cars are approaching creating glare from the headlights. I am a huge klutz and I'm afraid I will trip and fall, spraining my ankle for the billionth time. It's amazing I have a working ankle as many times as I've sprained it.

I'm getting closer to my decision to do a full marathon. I recently discovered a running group that's near my area. There are veteran marathoners to newbies. Many of them do the same races and if I can find a training buddy, I think that will help motivate me to train for the full.

I'm excited to find new running buddies, sharing my knowledge and learning new things. Commiserating with each other, talking the "running lingo". "I'm doing a half and I hope to PR!" This Saturday, I'm running with them!

Kids are on Christmas break so there should be no excuse of me not running. It'll be nice to get that time to myself.

Upcoming races I'd like to do (depending on money situation)
-Jan 21 Run For Their Lives, Waxahachie
-March 17 Dash Down Greenville, Dallas
-April 15, Big D Half Marathon, Dallas

Hope everyone has a great holiday and happy running!!

More about me and things that I love

A little more about me:

I realized that I haven't posted much about me.. Who's this chick who maybe wants to run a marathon?

I'm 30...something. I'm married to a guy named Bill. He's a special ed teacher. We've been married for 10 years. I have a daughter, Kalynn, 9, and twin boys Ronin and Ryker, 5. I'm a stay at home mom for right now (looking for a job). Left handed. Enjoy cake decorating. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Love being a mother runner.

Things that I love

I've been running for a few years. But, I've just recently found items that I really love.

-Running skorts! I have discovered running skorts and I ADORE them. I feel really feminine but at the same time, ready to kick some ass. I have a couple but my favorite is from Target. Cute and affordable. Only thing I don't like about it is that the shorts underneath are too short. I have to either wear capris or I wear another pair of longer bike shorts, yay thunder thighs.

Check out Skirt Sports for some really cute skorts.

-Favorite book about running My favorite book is Run Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea. Written by moms who run (one of the moms is a mom of twins herself). They also have a podcast and a blog Another Mother Runner. Highly recommend this book if you want to run or already a runner. They've got some great tips and words of wisdom.

Well, I guess that's all folks!

Maybe Marathon?

I'm still contemplating about doing a full marathon. I've been thinking more on it. Would I regret not doing one as I get older? Would I be 85 and thinking "I should have done that marathon when I was younger!" I'm in pretty good health (need to lose some weight, but overall healthy). It'll give me a goal to work towards. It would be for a great cause.

Training also scares me. I was gone close to 3 hours when I was training for the half. I felt guilty for being gone for so long because my husband was with the kids. And with the marathon, I know I'll be gone for longer than that!

The thought of 26.2 overwhelms me but I thought the same thing when I trained for my half marathon. I couldn't imagine running 13.1 miles. But, I did it.

I'd also like to lose weight before doing a marathon. The marathon I'd like to do is White Rock in Dallas. It would be next December. I am sure I'd be much faster if I were to lose this weight.

In my perfect world, I'd have a coach to get me through this, training group or someone to run with. My sister lives about an hour away and she's much faster.

I know it's mental and I need to just push through this mental block.

Right now I'm leaning towards 40% yes and 60% No. More thinking to be done. Or maybe I'm overthinking this.

Or maybe I need someone to say "Celeste, you can do this" Or "Celeste, just shut up and train".

Reindeer Dash

I just got home from doing the Reindeer Dash 5K. It was held at the High School here in town. I saw quite a few of my kids' teachers, and a few friends!

It was more of a fun run. There were no bibs and no timing chips. It was fun and I wasn't sure what my true time was.

The first mile was tough because I wasn't quite warmed up yet. Add hills and it was tough!

The last 2.1 miles felt good and got into a good pace.

It was a bit slower than my previous 5K's . But, I haven't really ran since my half marathon in November, I guess it was expected.

Me and one of my twin boys, Ryker.

Intro

My name is Celeste and I decided to start a running blog. I've been running for a few years now, and have done quite a few 5k's with my sister, Lisa (Sole Sisters!). She has been a huge encouragement for me..I enjoyed doing races with her even though she is MUCH faster than me.

We recently did a half marathon (DRC Nov 6). It was then I realized that running is mental too! About mile 9 I started to feel like I couldn't go on anymore. My legs felt like lead. I kept telling myself "Only 4 more miles! That's an easy short run!" That "short" run felt like an eternity!

The last few miles felt like a tease. I thought to myself "almost done!" but I wasn't quite there yet! I get close to the starting line and thinking "Almost there!" but again, not yet. Finally reach the finish line! Even though I felt like dying and giving up many times, I felt amazing that I did it!!

Running a half marathon was on my "bucket list" for a few years, but life got in the way-getting pregnant with twins, spraining my ankle. When I crossed that finish line, I loved that feeling of accomplishment of something that I had been wanting to do for a few years!

Here is a picture of my sister and I after we had finished. Me on the left, Lisa on the right:

So, one of the reasons why I started this blog was because I'm trying to decide if I should go from half marathon to full marathon. I know that it's my thinking that's holding me back. Here are my reasons for NOT doing the marathon:

-Too much time commitment.

-The thought of running 4+ hours just scares me

-The thought of running 26.2 miles is overwhelming to me.

-And the cost..

A reason why I WOULD like to run a marathon is to raise money for a cause. Two of my kids and my husband have a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (go to ctf.org for more info). There isn't much about NF1 and most people haven't heard about it ("Neuro what??"). So, I'd like to join the NF Endurance team and raise money.

So, I guess that's me in a nutshell!