13 weeks ago I started running. What started with one hard mile has turned into training for a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe how far I've come. I used to DREAD going out the door. If I would have only known three months ago where I'd be today I probably would have been sprinting out the door.
I started running for a few different reasons: I was exhausted of being exhausted; no energy is no fun. I was disappointed that at 26 I was in the worst shape of my life. I had low self esteem because I was in terrible shape. I was sick of buying clothes that would easily camouflage. So because of these things I laced up and hit the pavement.
I feel like before incorporating some serious effort/exercise in my life I really just wanted to get "skinny" as quickly as possible. I tried a few different routes, a few different times. Although some protein shakes work for some people they didn't really work for me. I've found that for me to lose weight and feel energized, I need to eat all day long, HURRAY! I eat small meals 5-6 times a day. I use to hear that and think and HOW do you have the time? When I say meals I mean one meal is yogurt, another a banana, another an apple, another my actual lunch, another grapes, you get it. That's small to me. I've found that the result is I don't over do it on dinner and I feel energized and have the fuel to run after work.
Running has not only helped me get in shape and lose weight/inches, it's literally changed my whole lifestyle and way of thinking. It truly is a God send. I'm conscious about moving more and what types of foods I'm putting in my body. I don't deprive myself, if I want cake I eat cake. It's funny though because now I don't crave candy and ice cream; I crave water or bananas or yogurt. Being healthy is definitely a lifestyle change and I'm glad it's here to stay!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Raleigh's Finest 5k
I had been looking for another 5k to run here in the area when I found out about Raleigh's Finest 5k. It's a local race that is put on for Raleigh Firefighters who have passed away in the line of duty or otherwise. Their families host it and they have a really good turnout. This was such an easy decision for me to do this race because my husband is a firefighter and we wanted to be able to support this extension of our firefighting family.
Truly the most beautiful thing about emergency services (firefighters, police, ems, paramedics) is that once you are hired, you're family. It doesn't matter where you live, what department you're on, you are family. I can't tell you how many craigslist adventures have turned into "Yea we just moved because I got hired with Cary Fire and...Oh you're a firefighter too". That's how we got our wooden fence for our dogs for practically nothing, that's how the fence got built; these guys will help you do anything, anytime. Firefighting is how we found our best friends who we ran the Blueberry Festival 5K with. Scott is also a firefighter and he and Jordan went through their academy together. Renee and I have been best friends ever since.
Ok back to Saturday. The humidity Saturday was easily at 100%, it was miserable. The current recruit class of RFD ran it as a unit. That was so powerful to watch them run and sing cadence the whole way through. They made the run a bit easier to run when you thought "At least I'm not singing this whole thing". The hills weren't too bad but the humidity felt like I was having to climb Everest. I did PR here at 28:16 which was good considering I was sweating buckets :) So thankful I had my sweet hubby there running with me the whole way, he even stayed with me through the "sprint" haha I don't think I can really call it that, more of a leg extension.
We finished out day in Winston Salem to celebrate Jordan's great-grandmother's 100th birthday! I hope that all this running keeps me healthy so that I live to see my 100th birthday! Nanny Nail is full of life and the sweetest woman you'll ever meet. So glad we got to celebrate with her! Here's a picture of the Nail clan,
This is my last 5k for a bit...I started my half marathon training yesterday...can't wait to be posting on that in September!
Truly the most beautiful thing about emergency services (firefighters, police, ems, paramedics) is that once you are hired, you're family. It doesn't matter where you live, what department you're on, you are family. I can't tell you how many craigslist adventures have turned into "Yea we just moved because I got hired with Cary Fire and...Oh you're a firefighter too". That's how we got our wooden fence for our dogs for practically nothing, that's how the fence got built; these guys will help you do anything, anytime. Firefighting is how we found our best friends who we ran the Blueberry Festival 5K with. Scott is also a firefighter and he and Jordan went through their academy together. Renee and I have been best friends ever since.
Ok back to Saturday. The humidity Saturday was easily at 100%, it was miserable. The current recruit class of RFD ran it as a unit. That was so powerful to watch them run and sing cadence the whole way through. They made the run a bit easier to run when you thought "At least I'm not singing this whole thing". The hills weren't too bad but the humidity felt like I was having to climb Everest. I did PR here at 28:16 which was good considering I was sweating buckets :) So thankful I had my sweet hubby there running with me the whole way, he even stayed with me through the "sprint" haha I don't think I can really call it that, more of a leg extension.
We finished out day in Winston Salem to celebrate Jordan's great-grandmother's 100th birthday! I hope that all this running keeps me healthy so that I live to see my 100th birthday! Nanny Nail is full of life and the sweetest woman you'll ever meet. So glad we got to celebrate with her! Here's a picture of the Nail clan,
This is my last 5k for a bit...I started my half marathon training yesterday...can't wait to be posting on that in September!
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