The New Year so far!

I've been tracking my food intake and staying within my calorie range. So far so good. I've lost 2 lbs so far!

Last Thursday, my sister Lisa calls and asks me if I want to do a 10K put on by the Dallas Running Club with her. Mind you, I haven't been running on a consistent basis. So, of course, I said "Sure!" I went ahead and signed up with the Dallas Running club because for a small fee, you can do 8 races free per year!

The 10K that we did was the Frigid Run. It was a mess. There were about 900 runners and 4 computers. Race was supposed to start at 8am. They kept saying "20 more minutes!" "20 more minutes" About 9:45am, they said again "20 more minutes!" and by this point, we just wanted to go. They warned us that it wouldn't be timed but no one cared. They said "Go" and off we went.

Since they weren't timing us, my sister ran with me. I'm much slower than her and it was good running with her. The first couple of miles were tough but soon after, I got into a groove. I did stop to get water. Then we crossed that weird concrete bridge that I crossed during my half marathon. When I crossed it during the half, I thought something was wrong because it was moving!! My sister said to run on my tippy toes and that helped. Plus, I knew what to expect. About the half way point, we met these 2 ladies and chatted with them. Neat to meet new friends during a run!

We crossed the finish line at 1:17 but my sister's watch said 1:16. I'll take it! This will be my starting point.

My goal for this year is to try to do a race a month.

Feb:

DRC 5 miler 2/1 ?? (not sure yet)

March:

Dash Down Greenville 3/17

April:

Not sure yet

May:

Heels and Hills Half marathon 5/8

American Heroes 5/28 (this is with my Moms of Multiples Group)

That's all I have for right now!

I found out through my new running group that if you sign up for the Mellew Incentive program, you can win free entries or other free stuff! You have to watch their web page and they'll tell you to email them and the first 10 gets a free entry (or whatever).

And, I won a free entry to a race (lower than a half)!!

http://www.mellew.com/index.php

I'm thinking that it would be fun to do the Dadfest and maybe get my dad to do it. We'll see!

2011, The Year I Transformed

I posted my goals for 2012, but I'd like to look back at the past year. Partly because I hear all the time how people start out running but don't like it. Or, that they couldn't possibly do a 5K or a half marathon.

I've been running for a few years but nothing really serious. I'd do a 5K here and there. But, that was the extent of it.

I started running as part of my exercise routine; to lose weight. I found that setting a goal, helps me to be motivated. So, my sister Lisa and I decided to do the Dash Down Greenville. That was a fun race and it was HUGE!!

Here is me almost to the finish line

I really enjoyed racing and having my sister there (even though she is MUCH faster than me). Just something inside me ignited, that I LOVED doing races. It wasn't more of being competitive with others, but being competitive with myself. Could I beat my time? What can I do better? Plus, I loved the swag and t-shirts that we got for signing up. So, we decided that we would try to do a race every month, and we'd switch cities. One month, we'd do a race in the Dallas area and then another month, we'd do another one close to me.

So, since we did the Dash Down Greenville in Dallas, we'd do one close to me. We did the Mad Dash in Cedar Hill. This was a smaller race, just for women.

The next race we did was a night time race. We did the Firefly Run in Plano. Also a crowded race. I didn't have a good race that day. I fell at the beginning of the race. At first, thought I sprained my ankle. I was about to be transported back to the front but I decided I'd continue on. I couldn't bear the thought of quitting. My time sucked but I was happy that I finished.

Here's my unexpected souvenir from that race

I think about this time, Lisa and I were talking about doing a half. The thought was overwhelming, but I thought about it. I decided to go and and go for it and see what happens!

I also found a running group to take part of. Met some amazing runners and people. Unfortunately, when the kids started school, and my husband not getting home til late. I couldn't go anymore. Then our car situation happened, and we're down to one car.

August, we did the Historic Reach in Waxahachie. A pretty good race, not too big.

I didn't do anymore races and focused on training for the half in November.

And finally, my last race was the Reindeer Dash here in Midlothian, which was another night race.

I feel that this year was the year that I turned into a "serious" runner. I run because I *LIKE* to run. And it took me a few years to really get to this point. I've also met new running friends that I know will keep me motivated. I can't wait to get to know them better throughout this year.

I'm looking forward to 2012! Now I just have to figure out my race schedule! I'd like to do a race every month but that depends on finances.

I hope that those of you who want to run, find it enjoyable and rewarding as I do. It may not be right away but give it time.

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.