I have reached my next fitness goal! I finished the half marathon on May 3! My time was 2:35:37.52 which translates to a 11:53/mile pace. I was hoping for sub-12 min/mile and I did reach that goal. Yeah! Of course, I ran a more challenging (hillier, harsher weather) half mary in March of 05 in 2:10:40 (9:59/mile pace) but I am still happy to have reached my goal. The weather was GREAT! Started out in the upper 40s, ended in the low 60s, sunny, nice breeze. I incorporated planned walk breaks into the run but must have unintentionally run faster the first half that I anticipated because the second half I had to take a few extra walk breaks.

So... what's next? I need a new goal. Another half mary? There's a half coming up on 9/6/09 I might do. There's one in August but the heat will probably be brutal plus it's a huge one with large crowds. The one I just did had 900 runners. I've run the Chicago Marathon (2003) with 30-40,000 others and that was way big for me, although the cheering crowds were awesome. I enjoyed the Lakeshore Marathon (2004) much more because it was smaller (and along the lakefront so more beautiful). Too bad it is now defunct... not that I'm ready for a full marathon yet.

There's an indoor tri in November where you just do each event for a certain amount of time (instead of a specific distance). I've never done any sort of triathlon so this might be a good way to start. It's a 10-min swim, 15-min bike, 15-min run. I looked for some sprint tris in the area which were mostly .5 mi swim, 12-15 mi bike, 5K run. Of course, they were all over the summer. Due to a 2-wk vacation during which it will be impossible to train 6 days a week as the sprint tri programs recommend plus having kids home from school I don't think summer is feasible for this right now.

As for today, I am RESTING: taking the day off training and working. :-)

E 

 Hi E,

Congratulations!  You should be feeling great, you deserve it!

You reached your goal of a sub 12 minute mile and are ready for your next conquest.  I think the indoor tri sounds like a great idea.  It will give you the oppurtunity to train in the three disciplines that make up the tri and could help you with any possible boredom you may encounter.  A new race format can be so motivating while training for it.

GO FOR IT!

Congratulations again.  Keep me posted.

Good Luck,

Paul

Since the Indoor Tri isn't until November I've set up some other challenges along the way. Having an event planned keeps me focused and gets me out the door even if it's too cold / it's too hot / it's raining / I'm too tired / fit in your excuse of choice here.

Here's what I have lined up:

• July 4: Freedom 4, 4 mile run
• Sept 6: Half Madness, 13.1 mile run
• Sept 27: Run to Read, 5K
• Nov 1: Hot Chocolate 5K

I'm officially signed up for all except the Run to Read which hasn't started sign-up yet.

We are going on a two-week vacation out of the country in June. We'll be doing a lot of walking, some hiking and climbing, but I don't think I'll get much running in due to the nature of the trip. Hopefully, the other exercise will be enough to keep me in shape.

E

 Hi E,

You are a true role model!  Others can really benefit by following your lead.  It's great that you have lined up these events to keep yourself motivated until your indoor tri in the fall.  You are laying the ground work for success. 

You should be proud of yourself!  Keep up the good work and enjoy that vacation.  Keep us posted.

Good Luck,

Paul

Thank you for your support and encouragement! I really appreciate it.

I am moving extremely slowly towards my weight loss goals but at least I am moving.

E

 Hi E,

You're welcome. Remember, slow but steady wins the race!

Good Luck,

Paul

PaulLauer:

Remember, slow but steady wins the race!

Oh, yes, I can definitely relate to the tortoise in the Aesop's fable :-).

E

Hey excellentjeni, 

Great to hear from you.  I love to read your posts and see how you're doing.  As Paul mentioned, you are such a good role model to others as you really do live the "true to life" circumstances. As you experience the day-to-day challenges, you continue to stay focused and determined to do your best each and every day. 

Have a great time on your vacation and just stay mindful of your eating and move as much as possible!

Enjoy your family and your health!

Your friend in fitness, 

Kelli

I am back from vacation. Whew, what a trip. I've never had such a jam-packed experience but it was wonderful. My husband, kids and I went to Israel with a couple other families from our synagogue on an educational tour.

I didn't run any while there but we did tons of walking, some hiking, a little swimming and I even got to go rappelling for the first time! What fun!

I did not take alli on the trip because of all the new cuisine and not knowing what exactly would be in it.

We got home today and I weighed in and lost a pound from before the trip! So I somehow kept on track!

E 

Hi excellentjeni, 

Great to hear from you.  It sounds like you and your family did have a wonderful experience on your vacation! Congratulations on keeping up your exercise and even losing a pound! 

This is a great indication that your body is really beginning to maintain itself and you have really improved your over-all fitness level and condition.  Keep up the great work by continuing aerobic and strength training!!

Best of health to you and keep us posted!

Kelli

I ran the Freedom 4 Race yesterday (7/4) and finished the 4 miles in 39:48!!!

My first goal was to finish. My second goal was to finish in 45 min (11:15/mile). My third goal was to finish in 42 min (10:30/mile). My ultimate goal that I didn't even write down and didn't tell anyone was to finish in under 40 min (10:00/mile). I can't believe I did it! No walk breaks either!

At the beginning I kept checking my watch thinking, "Uh oh. I went out too fast," The first mile I did in 9:50. Could I keep that up for another 3 miles? At mile two I was under 20 minutes. Another two to go. At mile 3 I was under 30 minutes! I was doing it. During that last mile I was tempted to take a walk break a couple times. There was a small hill that slowed me down. But I couldn't stop now!

For the last 500 yards or so I could sense a male runner just steps behind me. As we got to less than 100 yards I picked up speed a little and so did he. At maybe 50 yards to go he picked up more speed so I kicked it up, too. He says, "Okay, let's go!" and we sprint together to the finish with me finishing just a second or two ahead of him. Who knew I had that sprint in me? We high-fived and congratulated each other for finishing under 40 minutes. It was awesome!

Today I am off to do an easy 2 miles. Then shower, drive to a friend's to take care of her pets and plants while she's out of town. Then back home to gather up the family and off to the Cubs' game. Go Cubs Go!

Ellen <---still smiling from yesterday's victory

 Hi Ellen,

How great do you feel?  First of all, reaching that ultimate goal is not only self-satisfying, it's a great time for ANYONE, for most athletes running.  I'm really proud of you.  That kick at the end is your determination and that is so indicative of how you've approached this whole thing. 

At this point, losing weight has become a by-product of the athlete you've become. You deserve to revel in your achievement - enjoy yourself and some bragging rights!

Keep up the intense training and awesome work.

Good Luck,

Paul

Thanks, Paul!

Kelli's and your comments really keep me going. They put a smile on my face and remind of how far I've come. It's easy to forget sometimes where I started and feel like I'm not moving forward as much as I'd like. Sure, the day of a race or the day after, or the day the scale has a lower number... those are easy days to congratulate myself and feel good. But the glow wears off with time or I have a bad day when my legs feel like lead or the scale doesn't move for a few weeks and it's easy to get down about it.

Then I remember how far I have come and that I am still on this journey. Sometimes I reread these posts and that builds me up all over again.

So a big THANK YOU to both of you!

My next race is a half marathon on 9/6/09!

E

Hi E,

YOU ARE TRULY A ROLE MODEL AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE A PART OF YOUR JOURNEY.  KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

GOOD LUCK,

PAUL