It's October, time for Jogger Mom

A while back I posted about a virtual marathon I am participating in.  It's called Joggermom.   Basically, you have the whole month of October to run a marathon.  Now, I am not sure if I will ever run a marathon, but a virtual one, broken up, that's doable.

                                     

They even include a medal!

                                        

                                                

In the reminder email the lady joked about some who will run the marathon the last week of October.  I am determined not to be one of those.  So, I calendered 26.2 miles of runs. Races count.  I plan to run more but this way at least I know I have the minimum.  I put the runs on my race calendered just to have that extra accountability.  

                                       

Healthy Habits

A lot of my goals have the do with running, however some of them are geared towards losing weight. Since I started running I have gained weight. And no I am sure it's not muscle, I haven't been lifting weights.  I knew I was going to need another focus for the diet side.  I have been thinking about weight watchers for months.  I finally decided to sign up.  I got a good deal, buy 1 month get 1 free.  I tried online years ago and it didn't work well for me.  I need the accountability. Anyway, I'm on week 2.  The first week I lost a grand total of .2 lbs.  Disappointing right. But this week I lost 2.8. I am very happy with that.  

Today's meeting was about healthy habits.   Did you know that idea that it takes 21 days to make a habit is actually a myth.  It can take anywhere from 18 to 254.  I guess perseverance is the key.  I can make a huge list of habits I would like to create.  But I know the key is starting little.  So I am going to work on two habits.  The first, write everything I eat down. Part of the reason online weight watchers didn't work for me was the fact that I cheated. I know, it's true.  Second, I want to run four days a week.  This is a little tougher because my available running time has minimized, but I am determined to figure something out.

What are some healthy habits you would like to start?

It keeps getting better!

I'm finally getting my schedule were I want it.  I was able to run today and yesterday after work.  Yesterday I ran at Lake Eola.  Good news. I'm improving and I can tell!  Last time I ran at Lake Eola I had a hard time running half a curve.  Yesterday I was able to run the whole curve each time.  It feels good to see the accomplishment. 

On another note,  I get to cross something off my list.  Last weekend I volunteered at Miracle Miles.  My running group had a water stop for the 5k runners. It was both inspiring and fun.  After they were done we got to cheer on the 15 runners. First time I ever saw the end of a race.  It's very motivating.  I can't wait to do it again. 

                                        

                                                     The whole water stop gang

                                        

                                                           Starting early, 5am

                                                       

                                                       

                                                         

                                       

                                                      

                                                   

                                    

A big accomplishment... For me!

I have something exciting to share. I ran my first 5 minute interval outside.  It doesn't sound like much but for me it was amazing.  And here's the funny part.  What kept me going was the fact that I could write about it on this blog.  I've only ran 5 mins one other time and it was a few years ago on a treadmill.   Thank you to Tiffany and Kayla for running it with me! 

A few months ago I joined a running group for moms.  Best group of ladies ever.  A few weeks ago the group created a beginner runners group.  We call it the "Dream Team". Perfect for me, must be fate.  Anyway, I have been trying to get out with them more.  They are using the couch to 5k program. It's different from my program but once you get into the higher weeks the difference is minimal.   I'm not going to lie, the 5 minutes was tough.  But when your running next to someone that is in the same boat it sure does help.

                                          

On another note, It's been a rough few weeks.  But I am ready to jump back into things.  Two things I've learned over the last few weeks.  1. I have got to scheduled my runs, in writing and 2. Three days a week probably isn't enough, for me. 

I have so much more to share with you guys, stay tuned!

Hi, my name is Patricia and I am a soda addict

Anyone who knows me knows I love Coke.  At times I am sure I would trade a coke for a meal.  Everyone is always telling me to give it up but I have just not been motivated to do so.  Well now that I am running and trying to lose weight I know its time.  Up until now I have been researching other options with no success. Nothing just seems to satisfy that craving.   Back during Bootcamp I confessed my shortfall to one of the trainers. She suggested trying Seltzer water and Stevia.  I went out and bought some right away.  However it took me a few weeks to get the guts to try it.   To my surprise it was not bad at all.  I think I may be able to work with this.  I started thinking of different concoctions and this is what I decided on this morning.

You know that strawberry flavored soda.  That is what it taste like.  And the great thing about it are there are so many brands and flavors of "drops" to try.  I personally like the dasani drops.  I started off with the Mio but came to realize I do not like the taste too much.  Dasani has 6 flavors in all, newly added pomegranate and grape.  I have only tried 2 so far but the pineapple coconut is very good.

I am really hope this will help me nix my soda habit.  And in return also help with my water intake.  I am still working on that habit.  

I am curious as to what other people drink during the day, besides water of course.

Good Form Running

Yesterday afternoon I attended a Good Form Running Clinic.  They taught us 4 key points to good form while running.

1.  Posture
2.  Mid-Foot
3.  Cadence 
4.  Leaning

One of the cool things about this clinic was they video taped you running and then analysed your form.  Sometimes you can't tell your running wrong unless you see it from another point of view.  I have to admit I was really nervous about the play back because I was thinking I am probably the least experienced runner here and the owner mentioned she saw one toe runner and I was thinking oh boy watch me be the one.  Turns out almost everyone was a heel runner and needed some type of work.  My shot turned out to be not so bad.  My foot was almost parallel to the ground which allows that mid-foot land.

The trainer suggested you focus on one thing at a time in hopes of eventually mastering them all.  Cadence caught my attention.  I have heard of this in another term in spinning but not with running.  Cadence is the amount of times your feet hit the ground in one minute.  Good form running teaches that in order to be most efficient at running and preventing injury you should run at a 180 cadence.  We practiced this outside with some metronomes.  Currently my cadence starting out is about 160.  But as I get tired it drops quickly.  I can only imagine how cumbersome it would be to focus on cadence during an entire run, so to avoid that I will probably focus once or twice during each run on cadence, maybe at the beginning and the end.  This will allow me to see where I am at and my progress.

http://www.goodformrunning.com/

Turns out you can actually find songs to match your desired cadence.  The website below allows you to search for songs.  I thought this was pretty cool so I had to share.

http://jogtunes.com/

I am not going to give away all the details however if you are interested in taking the class it is free at Track Shack.

This is why I run!

  FLAVOR RUN!! One of my favorites so far!!!!!!!!!