Marathon Update

 This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

favorite workout clothes:  kohls tank top & old navy running capris 

About a month ago I wrote a post with an update on marathon training.  It's crazy that it's been another month.  Time really is going fast these days! (Hello one year daughter?)  
The other day on my training app it said 85 days until race day.  That no longer seems that far away.  I still have moments of being nervous and questioning signing up to run.  But the longer distances I complete, the more confidence I have that I can do it. 

Speaking of the app, I am still loving it.  There is something really satisfying about seeing your miles rack up. When I passed 100 miles for under two months I felt really proud. 
I find myself here and there getting frustrated with my speed, when I think about how fast others are running. I think the struggle of comparison creeps into many areas of my life.  I need to remind myself that this race is about me and that's it.  
That being said, I'm actually doing pretty good with my goal.  I'd love to run ten minute miles on race day, as that has always been my goal but I did not reach it the first two times.  Really my main goal is to finish, but I'd be extra happy with close to a ten minute mile.  So far I'm on track but there are so many factors that go into race day, so we'll see.  
Healthy eating.  I wrote before that I don't want my running and all my calorie burning to be cancelled out by eating more junk.  Don't get me wrong though, I definitely indulge a little extra on long run days.  Ten mile runs definitely deserves a little (or big) cup of soft serve ice cream.  
But overall, I'm trying to eat healthier.  My biggest weaknesses are sweets and snacking.  I've done really well not eating desserts during the day.  And really the only way this is possible is to not have them in my house.  Hence the after dinner ice cream runs.  
The other issue is snacking.  I'd rather eat snacks all day long then three real meals a day, but I realize that isn't the healthiest option.  One of my favorite snacks is granola bars.  Remember when I gave up sweets for a month?  I would just eat chocolate covered granola bars as a "snack."  Hello cheating? Maybe.  
So I needed to find a better option for a snack that has protein and is more filling than a chocolate covered granola bar.  Plus I also need something that is easy to grab and eat with a baby at my legs. (Someone please tell me how you get pictures like this that aren't blurry thanks to a moving certain somebody.) 

Hello new snack bar.  These Greek Yogurt & Honey bars are delicious and only 110 calories.  I ate one each day for six days straight and was sad when they were gone.  

I remember when I was little my mom drinking Slimfast shakes.  I did not realize there were so many options besides shakes, meal bars and lots of snack options.  Peanut butter chocolate covered bars? Yum. 
Since I'm still nursing and running quite a bit of miles a week, I know it's important to keep up my calories and while I'd love to lose weight training, I want to be careful how I do so.  I think the most important thing is to have healthy, long term habits.  And part of that is finding easy, healthy snacks to eat along the way.  
And speaking of nursing, that is somewhat a concern.  Still nursing away at least four times a day.  I'm not really quite sure how to go about this whole weaning thing and while the marathon seemed far away at the time, it'd be real helpful to not to need nursing "relief" on race day as I'll be away from Addilyn for a good part of the day.   Advice? Tips? Moms? 
So I'm still plugging along.  Mile by mile.  Working on moderation with trying not be crazy and follow the training schedule to a T, indulge a little here are there (and there) and do my best to eat healthy.  And take it day by day.  
If you're looking to jump start a new fitness journey you can be part of the Slimfast 14-Day Slimdown and lose up to 6 pounds in two weeks.  Swap two meals daily with their protein shakes or meal bars, enjoy three low calorie snacks a day, along with 30 minutes of cardio and lots of water!  You can sign up here for Slim Coaching and find daily motivation, expert tips and fun videos.   Plus follow along on facebook and pinterest! 

Marathon Update

I am in official marathon training mode.  One week down.  Seventeen more to go. 
My emotions go back and forth between excitement and "what was I thinking?"  They can change by the minute while I'm running.  
Today I ran before Chris left for work and he asked how many miles and I said "just three."  Which is a good sign that three is becoming "just three."  And it felt short and relatively easy.  Victory.  Victory.  

I've been using the hal higdon marathon training app and I really like it.  $10 well spent.  I've never run with a GPS during training before and I'm not sure why not.  It tells you your pace and distance and how many calories you've burned, which is really helpful when you can rationalize eating two desserts that night.  I love looking at all the miles I've done so far and get excited thinking about looking at in a few months from now.   The only thing not good about this is my OCD with wanting to cross off each training day.  I'm going at this training knowing I won't be able to do each day and don't want to be as intense with checking days off the list as I was the last times.  This app makes me want to though.  
Speaking of second desserts, I am determined to eat healthier during these next few months.  When I trained for the marathon the other two times I maybe lost two pounds.  One reason is I think your body gets used to running and running and doesn't have to work as hard.  There's no guessing in what you're doing, so your body gets used to it.  (Unlike doing P90x, which I did one summer and lost more weight doing that, as I think you're targeting all muscles and doing a variety of things.)  However the other reason is because I justified eating way more.  Second dinner before a long run day?  Yep.  Junk food after a long run?  Yes.  Now you better believe me that I will reward myself with some extra desserts and will be eating more to fuel up for big runs.  BUT I want to eat healthy overall and if I'm putting my body and energy into training, I want to reap some benefits of it and not cancel it out by eating crappy. 

Shoes.  Not sure if it's because I'm out of shape, old or that my shoes suck, but my ankles and knees have been bothering me.  I've always always been an asics fan and love the look of these shoes, but may need to try out another pair.  I'm not sure if they're supportive enough. 
I don't always listen to music when I run because I like it quiet sometimes.  However I do think I run faster with music and as the runs get longer I think I need it.  I've been listening to Pandora and usually have it on Katy Perry station, which has good upbeat, run worthy songs.  I only have to give the thumbs down every so often.  

I apologize if my running pics on instagram get annoying.  But it gives my over Addilyn sharing a break, plus it actually is good motivation to run and run faster if I'm going to be sharing it.  And it's some good, needed encouragement received after.   Thank goodness for instagram filters though.  

Missing . . .

Missing taking pictures in my backyard this day because my neighbor was outside. 

BUT I'm sure you're happy for a change in scenery.  Welcome my front porch.  

dress: old navy   necklace: wild about jewelry   boots: dsw

Missing training for a race, like this half marathon.  BUT do not miss the hours I spent training.

Missing my summer tan.  BUT am looking forward to so many things this Fall and Winter.

Missing Molly being a puppy. BUT don't miss the potty training and chewing.

Missing my sister. BUT I am so excited because I will see her in a week.  

Missing our vacation to Mexico last year.

Who am I kidding? There is no BUT to that one.  I want to go back right now. 

Happy Wednesday!
Thank goodness we're about half way through the week.
This weeks seems way too long!

Linking up to: what we wore  pleated poppy

High Five for Friday

pants: jcpenney  shirt: target  jacket: loft  shoes: old navy 

1. I got this jacket a few years ago on clearance and remember debating if I should buy it .  

I just found it again in the back of my closet and am glad I did!  

2. My tree necklace.  Found here. 

3. The other day I was helping a student answer a question about how to prove if a statement about the Summer Olympics was true.  She said she would just ask me.  When I told her I was no expert on the Olympics, she said, "Well you did run in them?"  So glad that running a marathon is the same as the Olympics in the mind of a third grader.  

(and don't be fooled - Chris did not run the marathon.  Or did his khaki shorts and video camera in hand give that away?) 

4. I bought a groupon the other day for a mystic spray tan.  I'm going to test it out to see if I'll do it for my brother's wedding.  I'm slightly terrified because all I can think of is this: 

watch the scene here. 

5. And then that reminds me how much I miss Friends.  I am in serious need of another show to watch.  Preferably one that is funny, slightly dramatic and overall happy.  And on netflix.  Any suggestions? 

Have a great weekend!  Remember I'll be putting on my party shoes on Saturday!

One more day to enter my giveaway on Melanie's blog!

drab to fab   5 days 5 ways
High 5 for Friday