Four Wake Ups Left

The costume is complete... the family's matching shirts are done... now I just have to stay calm between now and then. 

There are only four days until the family leaves for Orlando. I can not believe that I will actually be running the Disney Princess Half Marathon. If you had told me this time last year that I would even be thinking about running anywhere, I would have laughed in your face.

There is just something so freeing about running and I am super excited to be doing it Disney style. RunDisney races are supposed to be some of the best.

I have decided to dedicate my run to my dear friend Kate Crawford who recently discovered that she has stage IV cancer. Kate would love to be running next to me but for now I'll run for both of us.

So I hope to see some of you out there on the course... and for those looking for a fun time while waiting for your runner. Check out Team Shay in their bright green shirts as they are sure to provide a good amount of humor.

Dreams can come true...

It's been awhile since I have blogged and with good reason... there hasn't been much to blog about. Upon returning from vacation things went down hill fast. I caught a bad bought of pneumonia and couldn't run for several weeks. Then the holidays were upon us and things didn't get much better. Although I was able to get in a short run here and there.

I've been training for the upcoming Disney Princess Half Marathon but only really been able to get in about 20 minutes of run time before feeling like I was going to fall over. 

Today was the day...

I did 45 minutes and actually felt pretty good afterwards. A little sweaty... but don't they call that liquid awesomeness? That's how I felt when I was done. Awesome!! I was so happy that things were starting to come together again. I also found a saying (thanks mommypants) to get me through and I may just put on this on the back of my shirt:

Today we also booked our accommodations so that the fam could come along with and root me on. They have all been signed up for the chEAR Squad and are already figuring out their route to watch. I must say that I am pretty lucky when it comes to support!!! So keep it coming everyone. The next few weeks are gonna be tough but I know I can do it because after all... where I am going Dreams Come True!!! 

Running Shoes?? On Vacation??

I've seen this little room many times on my explorations from home. I even entered one once when they had the coffee pot and snack choices located in an adjacent room. 

NEVER and I repeat NEVER have I looked at this room with longing... until now.


Those that know me will tell you that I am extremely organized. Our most recent vacation (the first with our now 2 year old) I spent two weeks planning, packing and making lists. I had new toys for the 9 hour drive. I had snacks galore and even had them separated based on whether they should be eaten in the car or only when we stopped at a rest area. I had our sons clothes packed in zip lock bags so that he could easily help choose his outfit for each day. 

What I did NOT make a list or prepare myself for was the OVERWHELMING desire to enter the little room you see above. I did not even plan to exercise... I was, of course, going on vacation. Doesn't that mean a chance to relax. Take a load off. Not worry (too much) about what you are eating.

Apparently the little running bug that bit me did so hard enough that I wanted to run while on vacation. So instead I looked in with longing and what I am sure the gentleman on the treadmill would declare a crazed look. 

So for next time, running shoes are not a question. As I pack for my next trip I will proudly say...

Running Shoes?  Check. 

Color Me Rad Baby

I finally ran my first 5K... it was touch and go there for a few days. But I did it and in right under 40 minutes. I am still floating on cloud nine from the excitement. And did I tell you that it was Color Me Rad? 

I had so much fun and got so colorful that I can't even describe it... so I'll show you. Are you ready? This is me before the race. The smile hides my apprehension.

Not too shabby since I can't tell you the last time I wore a white shirt.

Now this is me after...

I'm getting excited for the Disney 13.1! It doesn't seem like too many miles now that I can do 3 with ease. Oh yea... did I tell you?

Running is

A-W-E-S-O-M-E

Official C25K Graduate

It's  official! I am a C25K graduate. I can't believe that I have spent the last 8 weeks learning to run and actually completed the program. Of course I had a few bumps in the road but I overcame them and am now I am just a few short weeks from my first 5K. 

Today I wasn't sure what I should do during my training program. My two year old conveniently deleted my C25K app and I didn't realize it until I was ready to run. So I created my own "app" with a pen and paper. I laid out a 40 minute routine that included a few sprints at a faster speed. 

So as I continue to train in preparation for the big 13.1 in February I look forward to the changes I continue to see in my body and that I feel better each and every day.

Run On! 

My Oh My - It's been a week

It was a rough week with a really bad training day right in the middle. I was so excited to be able to run outside for the first time since I started training eight weeks ago. I worked hard to lay out my route and get a sitter and even find an outfit that wouldn't make any passerby shudder when they saw me running. I got through my first mile like a breeze... literally. It was over in about 10 minutes. Way faster than I have ever run and it made me grin from ear to ear. Then it hit - a cramp and with that cramp I had nothing else to give. I had to walk the remainder of my route. I felt defeated and a little disappointed in myself. And I won't even begin to tell you about the pain in my back. Literally!!!

Disclaimer: This is not my back... but one day soon my waist will be that small.

So today is Saturday and I dreaded getting on the treadmill today knowing that it was the official beginning of Week 8. That meant that I would be running for 28 minutes straight. That meant that I needed to give it my all. That meant that I had to prove to myself that there was no reason to be disappointed.

I did it... not only did I do the entire 28 minutes I did at a pretty decent pace (14 min/mile) and I didn't stop... nor hold on... nor slow down. The first 20 minuets were tough. I won't lie. But the last 8 minutes proved the theory that so many other runners have mentioned. After the first 20 minutes... it gets easier. :)

I ran two miles! I ran two miles! I ran 2 miles!

It doesn't really matter how many times I say it!

I can't believe that I just ran two miles. Today was Week 7 Day 1 and although I am not quite there with my speed (it should have been 2.25 miles) I actually ran for 

TWO WHOLE MILES!

I did increase my speed and am now running at 4.2 miles which is 14:17 minutes per miles. Pretty darn good for a fat chick who hasn't run in forever and then only when the PE teacher was looking cuz I sure the heck wasn't running if he wasn't paying attention.

I am just 30 days away from my first 5k and I am so excited to report that I have lost almost 25 pounds and a total of 5.5 inches. I will need a new pair of workout pants before my 5k and not just to look cute but because I can not tighten them any tighter.

If you are just starting to read my blog - welcome - and for those of you who still think I am crazy for doing this I want to thank you for sticking by me. See you at the finish line.