This has been a rough summer.
I haven't been training.
It sucks.
I may be screwed....
I am slowly getting back on the running path. I am trying not to freak out that training for my very first marathon has gone off the track. But it really was beyond my control.
My mom has been ill for most of this year. She has been in and out of the hospital with various ailments. July/August/September have been particularly rough, extremely emotional and all-around dreadful. At some point in this period, she had a stroke(s) which exacerbated her dementia. My once very independent mother no longer can do anything for herself. She is unable walk. She can't really carry-on a conversation. She is reverting back to childlike behavior. Even simple task such as brushing her hair, teeth or feeding herself require assistance. It has all be incredibly painful to watch. As her only child, all her care has fallen to me. I tried to keep her at home for as long as possible but I couldn't do it anymore. I was forced to place her in a nursing home. It killed me.
However, she is doing better and trying to settle into her new home; probably more for me than herself! She misses her dogs terribly and unfortunately I can't take them on the days they are allowed to visit. However, I am planning to at least get them all together for a little snuggle time outside before the weather turns bad. I know this will put a smile on her face. She is always so happy to see me. It makes me feel a little less guilty that I had to put her somewhere. A little. But I know it is for the best. For both of us.
Needless to say, running was the furthest thing from my mind. I had no help so being away from home was impossible. In home care is freaking expensive and I could only afford to cover my work hours. I was so thankful for one morning away to make meals at Time for Dinner (FYI, if you live in STL check it out)! That was a Godsend! But there was absolutely no way I would ever ask friends to come stay with mom so I could run. That just seemed really selfish. So there went my training. And truthfully, I didn't care. I was/am overwhelmed. I was barely treading water between work and home. (Work there is another overwhelming story for another time.)
But mom is in great hands and being well taken care of now. So I am getting back out there. I ran a half marathon in Philly last weekend! It wasn't pretty and I had to walk a bunch but I finished! I did a 5k today. Slowly but surely I am getting back out there and enjoying myself. I am trying to dig up the passion once again. It is still down in my soul. It just has a bunch of crap on top of it. I am starting to see the treasure again! I am still incredibly overwhelmed but trying to push myself back out there. After all, the roads are calling!
Stay tuned blog world! The rest of my training may not be pretty but I am not giving up on myself. My mom wouldn't want me to.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Dopey Training Week 1
Training for the Dopey Challenge began this week!
So I'm really going to do a marathon.....
And I can't wait!!!
The training schedule starts off pretty slow and that is a very good thing. I haven't been running much. Taking care of my elderly mother has consumed every waking hour or at least non-working ones. But I need Brigitte time again. I need to run. I also really need a vacation but that will have to wait.
I had forgotten how much I love being out there. Tuesday evening I saw a deer and finished to fireworks! I even managed to stick with my normal 2:1 interval. However, Thursdays run got pushed to Friday because I was uber busy! Friday morning, I was pretty wore out from the day before and my training session. I decided to back my intervals up to 1:1. I still managed to finish the same 3.3 miles regardless of interval! So yay!
The only problem is that Saturday's long run hasn't happened yet. It's Sunday at 11pm. Um, oops. Good thing it was only 3 miles and I'm not missing too much. Makes the goal for this week easy. Complete all 3 runs! I'll get my groove back.
At least I wasn't a bum all weekend or anything. I painted our newly remodeled bathroom and spent today hunting the STL 250 birthday cakes! I hit my step goal everyday! So if nothing else I was way more active than I have been since mom took a turn in the wrong direction back in February.
I feel like all of this will help my running. Baby steps to making this marathon dream a reality!
Off to week 2....
So I'm really going to do a marathon.....
And I can't wait!!!
The training schedule starts off pretty slow and that is a very good thing. I haven't been running much. Taking care of my elderly mother has consumed every waking hour or at least non-working ones. But I need Brigitte time again. I need to run. I also really need a vacation but that will have to wait.
I had forgotten how much I love being out there. Tuesday evening I saw a deer and finished to fireworks! I even managed to stick with my normal 2:1 interval. However, Thursdays run got pushed to Friday because I was uber busy! Friday morning, I was pretty wore out from the day before and my training session. I decided to back my intervals up to 1:1. I still managed to finish the same 3.3 miles regardless of interval! So yay!
The only problem is that Saturday's long run hasn't happened yet. It's Sunday at 11pm. Um, oops. Good thing it was only 3 miles and I'm not missing too much. Makes the goal for this week easy. Complete all 3 runs! I'll get my groove back.
At least I wasn't a bum all weekend or anything. I painted our newly remodeled bathroom and spent today hunting the STL 250 birthday cakes! I hit my step goal everyday! So if nothing else I was way more active than I have been since mom took a turn in the wrong direction back in February.
I feel like all of this will help my running. Baby steps to making this marathon dream a reality!
Off to week 2....
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Dopey Challenge 2015 - Home for Our Troops
Two blog post in one night! WOW!
I have be kicking around the idea of doing the Dopey Challenge at Disney in January. It is a true test of endurance or mental stability (depends on how you view runners)! It is a 4 day challenge consisting of a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon. The last one scares the crap out of me.
I had this plan to run a 17 miler and then decide about registering when it opens April 22. Then Disney announced the prices and that got people excited. People started posting about running for charities. I had never given that much thought but it sounded like fun. If I'm going to run my first marathon shouldn't I do it for someone else!
Someone posted a link to a charity called Home for Our Troops. I did some research and read all about them. I really like the organization. It provides homes (think Habitat for Humanity) for injured veterans. They build houses that give these soldiers their freedom of mobility back. I can't wait to help someone that has given of themselves to protect and serve our country!
What I liked most was that I only need to raise $500. So I took the plunge and registered! The beauty of being on a charity team is that I have a guaranteed registration to the Dopey Challenge. Now all I have to focus on is training and raising money!
I hope that over the next 10 months many of my friends will help support me and this wonderful charity. The link is below!
Brigitte's Dopey Challenge Fundraising Page
Thanks in advance!
I have be kicking around the idea of doing the Dopey Challenge at Disney in January. It is a true test of endurance or mental stability (depends on how you view runners)! It is a 4 day challenge consisting of a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon. The last one scares the crap out of me.
I had this plan to run a 17 miler and then decide about registering when it opens April 22. Then Disney announced the prices and that got people excited. People started posting about running for charities. I had never given that much thought but it sounded like fun. If I'm going to run my first marathon shouldn't I do it for someone else!
Someone posted a link to a charity called Home for Our Troops. I did some research and read all about them. I really like the organization. It provides homes (think Habitat for Humanity) for injured veterans. They build houses that give these soldiers their freedom of mobility back. I can't wait to help someone that has given of themselves to protect and serve our country!
What I liked most was that I only need to raise $500. So I took the plunge and registered! The beauty of being on a charity team is that I have a guaranteed registration to the Dopey Challenge. Now all I have to focus on is training and raising money!
I hope that over the next 10 months many of my friends will help support me and this wonderful charity. The link is below!
Brigitte's Dopey Challenge Fundraising Page
Thanks in advance!
Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge 2014
So it has taken me a bit but I am finally getting around to writing the recap to race weekend! The past couple of weeks have been a stressful time for my family.
On Wednesday, February 19th, my mom and I were supposed to begin our drive to the happiest place on earth. Instead, I awoke to find her unresponsive on the couch. It turned out to be a combination of low blood sugar and a severe urinary tract infection. Once she was stabilized, we had time to talk about the race and she begged me to go (she knew I was looking forward to this race). I hated to leave her but knew she was being taken care of and in good hands. So I booked a flight.
Mom is in a skilled nursing facility and is undergoing daily physical therapy to regain her strength. I am happy to report that with each new day she is getting better! Discharge to home is planned for next week! Thanks to all for the continued prayers and support!
Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge
I left for Orlando late on Thursday, Feb 20th! It was the worst flight I have ever had in my life. I puked for 2.5 hours. The turbulence was like being on a boat crossing the English Channel. Those boats have a big round hole in the middle so passengers can throw up because the channel is that choppy. I needed that big hole. I made it. Dehydrated but alive! :)
I spent most of Friday, Feb 21st rehydrating and refueling! But I was incredibly excited to be at my very first runDisney adventure! I attended the Pasta in the Park that evening. It was held at Epcot and we had primo viewing of the fireworks! I met an awesome couple at dinner. Eric and Jessica were all the way from Canada! This was Jessica's first half and I am excited that she is now hooked!! Can't wait to run more races together!
Enchanted 10k - Feb 22nd
The inaugural running of this royal 10k! I was so excited to be running at Disney that I didn't even mind the 2:45 am wake up call! My alarm went off and I jumped out of bed! It is funny how getting up for a race is easy but getting up for work is torture! LOL I got to spend some time chatting with a college friend prior to the race. Lisa is a perfect princess and runs many Disney races! It was great seeing her! The race went on the roads around Epoct, through the countries, along the Boardwalk and ended back through Epoct! I had decided to take my time and stop at as many Characters as I could! After all, I did need to save some energy for the half. It was so much fun seeing all the costumes. I do races to have fun but this was a whole new level of fun.
Princess Half Marathon - Feb 23rd
It was a wee bit harder getting up this morning but then I remembered I get to run a half through the Castle!! My friend warned me about the long walk to the corrals, however, it felt like we walked a half just to get to it! The good news is that I could then sit down and rest or in my case lie down because I was having a few back spasms. Thankfully, those went away once the race started (probably the adreneline)!
I didn't stop for as many pictures because halfs take long enough (well for me). It was fun to see all the characters that Disney had out for our enjoyment. Perhaps, if I were faster or more patient I would have stopped! So when I saw Genie from Aladdin, I knew I had time to stop! He is one of my favorites after all!
I really enjoyed getting to run down Main Street and through the Castle. It was all quintessential Disney! Seeing all the people there to cheer us on was really awesome too! I can't wait to do it again!
At mile 10, fate brought Lisa and I together and we were able to finish the race together! That made my whole day!!
I finally accomplished Half #13 and state #6! They were a tricky combo and were full of challenges but I got them done! And I finished a Challenge to boot! Not a bad weekend of bling!
Finally, I was able to get the one souvenir that I wanted most. New Balance has a collection of shoes made just for runDisney! I have dreamed about the Minnie Mouse ones for weeks. I was able to get a pair and of course I had to show them to the girl herself!
Mom is in a skilled nursing facility and is undergoing daily physical therapy to regain her strength. I am happy to report that with each new day she is getting better! Discharge to home is planned for next week! Thanks to all for the continued prayers and support!
Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge
I left for Orlando late on Thursday, Feb 20th! It was the worst flight I have ever had in my life. I puked for 2.5 hours. The turbulence was like being on a boat crossing the English Channel. Those boats have a big round hole in the middle so passengers can throw up because the channel is that choppy. I needed that big hole. I made it. Dehydrated but alive! :)
I spent most of Friday, Feb 21st rehydrating and refueling! But I was incredibly excited to be at my very first runDisney adventure! I attended the Pasta in the Park that evening. It was held at Epcot and we had primo viewing of the fireworks! I met an awesome couple at dinner. Eric and Jessica were all the way from Canada! This was Jessica's first half and I am excited that she is now hooked!! Can't wait to run more races together!
Enchanted 10k - Feb 22nd
The inaugural running of this royal 10k! I was so excited to be running at Disney that I didn't even mind the 2:45 am wake up call! My alarm went off and I jumped out of bed! It is funny how getting up for a race is easy but getting up for work is torture! LOL I got to spend some time chatting with a college friend prior to the race. Lisa is a perfect princess and runs many Disney races! It was great seeing her! The race went on the roads around Epoct, through the countries, along the Boardwalk and ended back through Epoct! I had decided to take my time and stop at as many Characters as I could! After all, I did need to save some energy for the half. It was so much fun seeing all the costumes. I do races to have fun but this was a whole new level of fun.
Princess Half Marathon - Feb 23rd
It was a wee bit harder getting up this morning but then I remembered I get to run a half through the Castle!! My friend warned me about the long walk to the corrals, however, it felt like we walked a half just to get to it! The good news is that I could then sit down and rest or in my case lie down because I was having a few back spasms. Thankfully, those went away once the race started (probably the adreneline)!
I didn't stop for as many pictures because halfs take long enough (well for me). It was fun to see all the characters that Disney had out for our enjoyment. Perhaps, if I were faster or more patient I would have stopped! So when I saw Genie from Aladdin, I knew I had time to stop! He is one of my favorites after all!
I really enjoyed getting to run down Main Street and through the Castle. It was all quintessential Disney! Seeing all the people there to cheer us on was really awesome too! I can't wait to do it again!
At mile 10, fate brought Lisa and I together and we were able to finish the race together! That made my whole day!!
I finally accomplished Half #13 and state #6! They were a tricky combo and were full of challenges but I got them done! And I finished a Challenge to boot! Not a bad weekend of bling!
Finally, I was able to get the one souvenir that I wanted most. New Balance has a collection of shoes made just for runDisney! I have dreamed about the Minnie Mouse ones for weeks. I was able to get a pair and of course I had to show them to the girl herself!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Week 5: Derailment
We completed week 5 of our WL Challenge! It seems we all got a little derailed this week but we keep on adapting and trying to make it work! (I picture Tim Gunn saying this in a Bob Harper way, lol)
I haven't really exercised since last Wed. I went to group on Monday but was only sort of there and I was late to boot. No running (not the best strategy with a 10k/Half combo coming up). However, I still watched what I ate and recorded everything. I lost 2.6 pounds for a total of 22.2 in 5 weeks! I will take it and run! :) I haven't really noticed a difference in my body. Probably, because the only part loosing weight is my boobs! Hey, I am back in the 250s and that is an accomplishment!
I spent a big portion of the week PMSing and I assume that was a reason for my lack of motivation to exercise. I usually get really, really tired. I hate it. Now to make sure I don't binge on salty foods and chocolate!
We may have set backs. We may find ourselves derailed. But we still fight to regain our health. Each pound is a step toward a better self. I want to avoid the health problems of my mom and grandparents. I want to be a healthier, stronger version of myself. I hope this is something that the winner of last night's Biggest Loser finds for herself. I love the show but hate how the contestants are forced to lose more and more weight in order to win money. At what point, is it okay to be happy with yourself and not worry about a prize?
I've never really had a desire to go below 200 pounds. Okay, maybe 199! I think I would feel out of proportion! And if that takes me forever to obtain, then so be it! Right now I am happy to take it one pound at a time!
The plan this week is to get back on track with the workouts. I really need to get a run in. I am so sick of the treadmill. When is Spring?
14 days until we leave for Disney and the Princess weekend!!!
I haven't really exercised since last Wed. I went to group on Monday but was only sort of there and I was late to boot. No running (not the best strategy with a 10k/Half combo coming up). However, I still watched what I ate and recorded everything. I lost 2.6 pounds for a total of 22.2 in 5 weeks! I will take it and run! :) I haven't really noticed a difference in my body. Probably, because the only part loosing weight is my boobs! Hey, I am back in the 250s and that is an accomplishment!
I spent a big portion of the week PMSing and I assume that was a reason for my lack of motivation to exercise. I usually get really, really tired. I hate it. Now to make sure I don't binge on salty foods and chocolate!
We may have set backs. We may find ourselves derailed. But we still fight to regain our health. Each pound is a step toward a better self. I want to avoid the health problems of my mom and grandparents. I want to be a healthier, stronger version of myself. I hope this is something that the winner of last night's Biggest Loser finds for herself. I love the show but hate how the contestants are forced to lose more and more weight in order to win money. At what point, is it okay to be happy with yourself and not worry about a prize?
I've never really had a desire to go below 200 pounds. Okay, maybe 199! I think I would feel out of proportion! And if that takes me forever to obtain, then so be it! Right now I am happy to take it one pound at a time!
The plan this week is to get back on track with the workouts. I really need to get a run in. I am so sick of the treadmill. When is Spring?
14 days until we leave for Disney and the Princess weekend!!!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Meal Plan for February 2, 2014
I really can't get my act together to post on Sundays. Feel free to ask for recipes. Many come from Pinterest so follow me over there. The rest I can type up or find the link!
Sunday: LO
Monday: Pork Loin (apple bourbon or something)
Tuesday: Sloppy Joes
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: Enchilada casserole in the Crock
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Week 4: This week threw me off
This week has thrown me off. I can't quite put my finger on it. Nothing was out of the ordinary but it just didn't feel normal. I did lose 2 pounds which is still pretty great. I am now at 259.2 and glad to be back in the 250s! But even that feels off (okay maybe I was spoiled by my previous weigh-ins).
We ate out on Saturday. This is only the second time I've done it. I'm still really uneasy not eating my dish of carefully measured food that I made in my crockpot. I need to get over this because I leave for Disney in 21 days and will need to eat something while I am there! :)
The hardest part of changing my diet is finding the balance between eating enough calories to function, then eating enough to run and ultimately eating just the right amount to lose weight. I should throw in that I am not hunger. I literally have to force myself to eat most meals. Last night was the first time in 4 weeks that I was actually hungry. Hopefully, it is the start of keeping myself in the mood to eat.
I've been really tired this week and that could be due to the fact that the past two weeks I have actually stuck to my workout routine. I haven't talked myself out of a run or session at the gym. Some nights I felt like I went kicking and screaming but I did it.
I think this week could be labeled as my first real challenging week. I do need to reward my success and not focus on the nagging weirdness! I drank water, I exercised, I lost weight and I tracked my food. All little steps to keeping on track. I just have to remember to take one day at a time.
We've made it to week 4 and all the girls are figuring out what works for them. It is much easier losing weight with a group of people that have your back and understand that you want to mix up a batch of cookie dough and scoop it out with potato chips!
Until next week!
We ate out on Saturday. This is only the second time I've done it. I'm still really uneasy not eating my dish of carefully measured food that I made in my crockpot. I need to get over this because I leave for Disney in 21 days and will need to eat something while I am there! :)
The hardest part of changing my diet is finding the balance between eating enough calories to function, then eating enough to run and ultimately eating just the right amount to lose weight. I should throw in that I am not hunger. I literally have to force myself to eat most meals. Last night was the first time in 4 weeks that I was actually hungry. Hopefully, it is the start of keeping myself in the mood to eat.
I've been really tired this week and that could be due to the fact that the past two weeks I have actually stuck to my workout routine. I haven't talked myself out of a run or session at the gym. Some nights I felt like I went kicking and screaming but I did it.
I think this week could be labeled as my first real challenging week. I do need to reward my success and not focus on the nagging weirdness! I drank water, I exercised, I lost weight and I tracked my food. All little steps to keeping on track. I just have to remember to take one day at a time.
We've made it to week 4 and all the girls are figuring out what works for them. It is much easier losing weight with a group of people that have your back and understand that you want to mix up a batch of cookie dough and scoop it out with potato chips!
Until next week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)