I'm baacckk!!

Hey guys, it's been a while! In a little over three months I will be running my first marathon, the Rock N Roll in San Antonio, TX. So far training has been going great! I have an awesome support network that keeps me going. Stay tuned for more up dates..thanks for stopping by!

This Belle is Back!!

It's been almost a year since we've written in this blog and with all that's going on in our training lives, it's time to bring this thing back to life.  Since I wrote in the blog, I've completed a number of races... two triathlons, multiple 5K and 10K races, but most importantly, I completed my first half marathon!!  Here's a glimpse of what I've been up to this year so far....

February 25, 2013-Rock n Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans
This was my first half marathon and I must say, it was perfect weather.  My legs didn't feel the greatest for the first few miles and honestly I thought this was going to be a loooooong race because of it.  However, around the halfway point, my legs started feeling refreshed and I was able to push through. I think the hardest part was when I hit the ten mile mark. That last 5k felt like the longest 5k of my life but I turned up the speed because I knew the faster I ran, the faster I would finish.  My sister also ran this race and it was her first half as well.  We both had a great time and it was definitely a special moment to be able to share this experience with each other.

Me with my sister after our first half marathon

Me crossing the finish line!

I was quite pleased with my results for my first half :)

March 2013- I participated in a 10k race in which the year before was my very first 10k race to participate.  I can remember this race being difficult because it had only been two weeks since my half and my legs still didn't feel fully recovered yet.

April 2013- For the third year, I participated in the Blue Bell 10k run in Brenham, TX.  Free unlimited ice cream afterwards?!  Of course I'm signing up!!  This is always a tough course because it's nothing but rolling hills but up until this year, I had lucked out because it was overcast; however, this year the sun was out it all its glory and I wanted to die.  On a side note, I'd like to slap the person who designed this race course because putting a monstrous hill at the end of the route is NOT funny.  Oh, and I did eat my weight in Blue Bell snacks afterwards.  Don't judge.

 Back home in Mississippi, we have a group of runners called the Mississippi Mud Pirates.  It's a mixture of people with different fitness/running goals but we all share one common passion: we love to run!!  In May of this year, while I was visiting home, I had the opportunity to participate in a 5k race in Ocean Springs.  I can remember it had rained a lot the whole day and just before the race, I locked my keys in my mom's car.  Go me. Lol.  When I called the locksmith just before the race, he said he'd be there in 15 minutes to unlock my car and I immediately said, "Oh no!  Can you wait like 30 minutes?  I 'm about to run in a race."  Needless to say, he said no.  OBVIOUSLY he's not a runner.... I completed the race with a time just over 25 minutes and placed second in my age group.  It was sort of a tough run because when we were on the stretch running next to the beach the wind was horrible but I sucked it up and pushed through it.

Mississippi Mud Pirates

Placed second in my age group!

In June, I was able to go home during my hometown's annual Blueberry Jubilee.  As part of the festivities, there is a 5k race that morning before the jubilee starts. I had another opportunity to run with majority of my fellow pirates that day.  Not only did I PR that race, but I also placed first in my age group. Woohoo!!  And to top it off, my parents were there to meet me at the finish line at the end.  What a great way to end the race!  

About to cross the finish line!

New PR!!

My sister, dad, me after the race

Mississippi Mud Pirates

Earlier this year, I, along with my other fellow belles, decided that we were going to achieve something great this year.  We've tackled races of all kinds of distances and we decided to push ourselves a little further by signing up for a full marathon.  One belle, Ashley, has already conquered a marathon and this will be the first for my sister and myself.  To train properly in order to try preventing injuries, I have been using Hal Higdon's 30 week marathon training program.  I'm currently in week 15 and I am telling you, training for this is no joke.  These past 15 weeks have been full of easy runs, hard runs, new PRs, waking up before the sun comes out to go running, going to bed early on Friday nights to get ready for long weekend runs, shin splints, aching joints, bleeding toes, muscle cramps, tears, LOTS of sweat, and most of all, dedication.  It hasn't been an easy journey, but the progress I've made over that past several weeks has made all the sacrifices worth it.  I can remember the time and effort I put into training for my first half, and boy I tell you, there's no greater feeling of accomplishment than the one you get when you cross that finish line.  I had to fight back a lot of tears that day.  Tears of joy.  Tears of relief.  It's one huge mix of emotions that only runners can understand.  I'm excited to experience this marathon with my fellow belles on November 17th.  It's going to be a great adventure and the memories will last a lifetime.

The belles are back and we are here to share this journey with you.  We are just normal people with a goal and we're going to do what it takes to accomplish that goal.  If there's one thing I've learned through this training, it's to not give up.  You will have days when your runs are fantastic and there will be runs when you feel like you've never ran a day in your life.  No matter what, keep going.  I think it's on the bad days that we reveal the kind of person we really are.  Do you just quit before you reach the mileage you're supposed to run?  Or do you prove to yourself that you're not giving in to that voice that's telling you to just quit?  Remember, if you ever want to see your biggest competition, go look in the mirror.

Till next time....Happy running, folks!!

Blog Neglect...

So it's been exactly one month since I've written in this and I want to apologize to those followers of ours who always enjoy reading about what kind of training we have going on.  I've been doing the typical training lately- swim, bike, run, repeat ;)

After completing the 2012 Memorial Hermann Bridgeland Triathlon

 

 

 

 

Almost four weeks ago I competed in my first open water triathlon and it was definitely a new experience for me!  Open water swimming is extremely different that swimming in a pool.  I was kicked and hit in the face numerous times because in my wave there was about 90 of us that went into the water at the same time.  You can't see well and you sure as heck can't see in the water like you can when swimming in a pool. Overall I was quite pleased with my running time but feel there's always improvement in all areas.

Next Saturday my sister and I will be doing the Saints Back to Football 5k race.  I am going for a new PR for my 5k distance and I'm really excited about it.  This is going to be fun since my sister is joining in and we finish on the Saints football field :)

My next triathlon is the Memorial Hermann Houston Triathlon.  This will be my first olympic length triathlon (1500 meter swim, 26 mile bike ride, and 6.2 mile run) I'm nervous as heck because this triathlon also has strict time cut offs for each part.  I love the thrill, the nervousness, and the excitement of the unknown for races. 

Sometimes it's a little overwhelming when I sit back and think of how far I've come even in the past six months.  Faith and dedication.  Those two little, yet powerful words are what help push me each day with my training.  You can achieve whatever goals you set for yourself.  Some told me I wouldn't complete a triathlon.  I've done two already.  Turn haters into motivators.  Remember those who physically can't run or do whatever training it is you're doing, and turn that into motivation to complete your training with every ounce of determination to give it everything you've got.  When you think you can't go any further or push yourself any harder, PROVE YOURSELF WRONG.  Even if it's swimming just 15 extra meters, biking 1 mile more than planned, or running a 5 second faster pace...it all counts!! 
I promise to be more diligent with writing on here and keeping everyone posted on my tri training.

Happy training everyone :)

Just doing my thang..

It's been a while since I wrote on here so I figured I'd jot a few things down that's been on my mind.  For the past few weeks I've been doing my typical training with my triathlon coach...lots of running, biking, and swimming.  Today I was able to swim 2000 meters while only taking two short breaks of about 15-20 seconds.  That says a lot considering the first time I ever swam after deciding to train for triathlons, I could barely swim 50 meters.  It's such an awesome feeling when you're able to see that kind of progression in yourself.  Moments like that are what help keep me going and continue to press forward towards my goals.  Today's workout was the first one in a while that's left me completely exhausted.  I biked for 1.5 hours and ran for 45 minutes this morning before work and this evening I went to the YMCA and swam 2000 meters.  I've had some people lately come up to me and ask about my training.  A lot of them say things like, "Oh, I could never do a triathlon. I'm not in any kind of shape to do that."  The truth is YOU CAN.  You can achieve whatever goal you want in life.  YOU are the only person that can stop yourself.  I love the quote, "I used to run with doubt.  Now, she can't keep up."  Leave the doubt and negativity behind and go for your goals!  It may take you a while to achieve them but trust me, the work and dedication you put into it make the finish so much sweeter.  I can't tell you enough how motivating it is when someone tells me that I inspire them to get out and train.  To be inspired is one thing but to inspire is a whole new level of motivation. There's only two weeks left until my next triathlon.  I'm getting super pumped about it because I've been training more and now that I've already done a triathlon, I have a better feel of what to expect.  I am so thrilled that I have decided to pick up this sport.  It keeps me on my toes and challenges me daily.  I hope you all find your passion and may it inspire you to be a better you inside and outside of your training. 

Happy weekend training to everyone :)

Let's get this started

Hello my name is Lindsay and I was invited by Meaghan, my sister, to join the blog. I, like the other Belles, love working out. About 14 years ago I started running with my Dad and I've been hooked since. I took a few years off but have gotten back into it heavily here in the past year. On May 26 I did the craziest race ever...the Original Mud Run. I ran with Meaghan and Ashley and we had a blast. It was a 10k mud run with 30 military style obstacles along the route. After signing up for the race I was excited but of course you have the haters that come around and do what they do best telling you how you can't do it for whatever reason. Guess what..I showed them....they were the reason I busted my butt preparing for that day and might I say we did pretty good time wise on race day. So now on my agenda I have a relay triathlon in October that I'm doing with my Dad and Meaghan AND I will be running in my first 15k two weeks following. I'm very excited if you can't tell!! My goal is to do a half marathon by 2013..we shall see!!

You can do more than you ever imagined...

Rather than shortening this into more than one post, I decided to put it all together.  Be prepared!  This has definitely been a week of memorable workouts for me, and I know it will only get better from here!

Balance

My trainer really focuses on improving my balance and strengthening my core.  Before working with her, I would definitely call myself clumsy and say that I had no balance, and may people would agree.  I’ve spent many workouts frustrated and wanting to cry because I have a really hard time doing some of the balance exercises.  Monday was the best work out ever!  My trainer straight up told me I was not going to be happy with her because of all of the balance exercises we were doing.  But I truly surprised myself and left there with a huge smile on my face!  I did squat thrusters on top of this piece of equipment used for balance and didn’t fall off.  I think she was surprised as much as I was.  I was able to do all of my hops.  With hops, I stand on one leg and hop back and forth over a line on the ground…trying to keep my balance as long as I can.  I’m learning that if I control my movements (my arms specifically), then my balance is much better.  No flopping my arms all over the place!  There was another balance exercise that I’ve been showing to everyone.  I wish I could explain it on here…maybe I’ll take a picture later.  Either way…if you keep working hard, you’ll get better…so don’t give up!!

Food

I make a protein smoothie every morning for breakfast.  It’s an easy way to get my calories in and protein as well.  My diet is pretty simple – my trainer has me eating 65% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 15% fat.  It’s been an adjustment, but I track it all in my bodybugg.  That’s the most amazing device and it has helped me so much!!  Since I’ve done it for several months, I usually am able to stay pretty close within those ranges.  Sometimes my fat may be a little low, but it’s NEVER gone over 15%.  Back to the smoothie, I usually put frozen strawberries, a banana, protein powder and unsweetened almond milk.  It’s very delicious!  Well, my trainer had her protein smoothie at the gym on Saturday and I asked what kind it was.  She had the same stuff as I did, but she had spinach and beets in hers.  My immediate response: GROSS!  But after she said you couldn’t taste it, I decided it may be worth a try.  I struggle to get enough vegetables, so why not?  She hasn’t steered me wrong yet!  And guess what?  I now add a handful or so of baby spinach to my smoothie every day!  It still tastes great!  You should give it a try.  Everyone at work says, “GROSS!”.  My new philosophy – don’t knock it til you try it.

New Goals

I had a great workout yesterday (Wednesday) with my trainer, even though I came in frustrated because of my day at work.  I left there in a great mood.  That’s one thing working out does for me!  I forget about daily stresses because I’m focused 100% on my training….very good for me!  We did a lot of lunges & jumps.  I did cardio afterwards, so my legs definitely felt like they were going to fall off.  My balance is still improving and I’m not as scared to try all of the new things she asks of me!  Anyways, have any of you seen Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition?  It’s a great show.  The trainer gives the person a goal in each stage of the journey.  If they hit that goal, they get a prize of some sort (that he establishes ahead of time).  So my trainer decided yesterday to do that with me.  We were talking about my weight loss the past few months and where I was at.  And then we were talking about my birthday, which is August 1^st.  She decided that if I lost 12 lbs this month, she’ll take me to dinner for my birthday (and show me how to eat out).  I know that sounds funny, but I struggle with trying to make the healthiest choices when eating out at times.  Restaurants don’t exactly make it easy either!  Anyways, I’m freaking out!  I lost 9 lbs last month…and I’m not sure how I even managed that.  But at the same time, where I would be as far as weight if I lost 12 lbs…would be simply awesome!  Plus, my trainer pointed out that I lost 9 lbs last month and she was out of town for a week and I was sick for a week or so and barely worked out.  Do you think it’s possible?  I will definitely keep you updated.  We will weigh in sometime at the end of the month!  I’ve got some hard work ahead of me the next several weeks!  I already increased the intensity and length of my cardio today to 90 minutes instead of 50!  I know I can do it!

5K Training

I have never been a runner.  I always admired those that could run and wished I could.  But it’s not something I’ve ever worked towards.  When I started working out in April or so, I would walk on 2.8-3.0MPH on the treadmill for 45-50 minutes.  It was a challenge at times.  This week has been full of new accomplishments.  I honestly just started running in the last several weeks.  When I started, I could run about a minute, but then I would usually give myself 4 minutes to recover.  I know it’s not much, but guess what I can do now?  Once last week and on Tuesday, I hit the 5K setting on the treadmill and went for it.  I ran 2 minutes and walked 2 minutes the whole time.  It ended in a 5K in about 46 minutes or so.  I talked to my trainer about how to increase – whether to increase the run or decrease the walk.  Today, I ran 3 minutes and walked 2.  I finished 5K in 44:34!!  It was hard, especially after the 2 to 2.5 mile mark.  I was tired, but I kept on because I knew deep down that I could.  Every time that I would hit about 30 seconds left on the run portion, I just continued to tell myself what my trainer told me, “You can do anything for 30 seconds.”  And it’s true.  And it feels so good at the end knowing that you accomplished what you set out to do and did more than you ever thought you could.  I’m going to do the 3 minutes/2 minutes one more time and then move on to 4 minutes.  I’ll be ready to run my first 5K before you know it!  You can, too!  :)

The beginning of the rest of my life...

Hey guys! My name is Pamela. When Ashley asked if I wanted to share my experiences on their blog, I wasn’t sure what to say. In my eyes, I am NO athlete. I am nowhere near the level they are at. I’m just a girl that wanted to lose weight – at least that’s how it all started. The cool thing is, though, health and fitness has become an important and crucial part of my life. It’s amazing the difference I feel if I don’t make it to the gym – it’s like something is missing in my day. And I feel so great after a tough workout with my trainer (or killing myself doing cardio).

Like I mentioned, when I started this journey (for the 2nd time) back in March, my ONLY goal was to lose weight. But the more I’ve worked with my trainer, I’m beginning to realize how strong I am and how much I am capable of. With that in mind, I’m ready to push myself to the limit and beyond! This is now more to me than losing weight – it is a new, exciting and challenging lifestyle. Without any kind of challenge, I would probably quit tomorrow!

So here goes – I’ve lost 30 LBS so far and would like to eventually be down 80 LBS or so. But since I’ve decided to move on to bigger goals, I’ve registered for my first TWO 5K’s! They are in mid-September and the beginning of October. I want to run them both! They are both for really great causes, and I’m very excited to be able to do them. I know that I could go out there and walk it with no problem, but since it’s all about pushing myself past my limits, I am going to be training to run them both...and hope to improve my time from one to the other! After that, I want to do a sprint triathlon like Meaghan did. I always thought that, because I was bigger, so many things were not an option for me. After watching all of the people, of all shapes, sizes and ages, finish that triathlon, I began to realize that with the right training, that is definitely something I could do as well! And it’s something I want to do!

I’m focused on the 5K’s for now, but will find a triathlon to sign up for in the near future! I can’t wait to share my journey with you. It’s tiring, just like Ashley’s & Meaghan’s, so get ready!