Beckley 5K

Lordy, Lordy I've been busy. Things have been going well though. I'm down to 10mg of prednisone. Woot Woot! After blood work next week, hopefully I can reduce some more! I've been working on my running and a little indoor biking, but it's still hard. The extra weight mixed with legs that still feel like lead makes everything harder. But I will persevere.

I thought I'd share a few photos of what I've been up to lately....

Pumpkin Patch Fun.

Hiking with two kids and two dogs. I'm quite proud I didn't yell at anyone.

Inducing child labor. In my defense, he volunteered.

Tried out a new trail. Went for over 22 miles on the bike!

 I don't have a picture of the Beckley 5K that I did yesterday. It's the same 5K that I did for my very first race.

2011

The only thing good about this race is that I did beat my time from 2011. My time was 36.39, my first race in 2011 I came in a little over 39 minutes. It was just a hard run. It was once again freezing. I believe it was right at 40 degrees when the race began. My legs just kept feeling like lead. This race runs really close to my house and the thought of just running home did cross my mind! Mentally I was struggling as well. I couldn't get over how hard it felt and unfortunately I didn't have any support at the race to look forward to. I ended up walking a total of four times I believe. Of course, my watch was dead, so I'm not sure how long my walk breaks were. I finished the race though. Honestly, the pace of 11:48 is pretty consistent, if not a little faster, than what I've been running while training. So I shouldn't be too disappointed with my time. I guess I was just hoping that once I got out there, the atmosphere would pull me along and it would be less hard.

It might have hurt me that I haven't been very consistent with my running lately. I've been going to my niece's volleyball games during the week and trying to hang out with them on the weekends or I'll have some event or another. I haven't been as good as juggling my time as I used to be (mainly because I haven't been this social in quite a long time!).

But this race can be a good starting point. I know I've got to lose the extra weight and just keep at it. I went for a gorgeous two hour bike ride today on a rail trail in another county and it was so relaxing! The good thing about me being busy, I do work in activities that involve moving, but I still need to make sure I get my runs in so that I can get my heart rate up and my muscles stronger.

Moving News

No I didn't forget to post this time. I've been without internet at home! And I don't like it! (First world problem, for sure).

Weight: Still the same. 163. Is this my new normal? Should I just live with this weight and concentrate on strengthening my running and cycling? I'm beginning to think so. I want to keep my weight in check and eat healthy, but right now I'm so sick of trying to lose weight. On the other hand, it will be easier to complete the above sports, the lighter I am. I don't know! I guess I'll figure it out one day or just keep trying.

Speaking of running, I did spontaneously sign up for the Marshall (University) Half Marathon! In two weeks!

Source

It was either this or a cupcake 5K run in which you eat six mini cupcakes, run a mile and a half, eat six more, run to the finish line, Then eat as many as you can to take seconds or minutes off of your time per cupcake you eat! Yeah that just sounds like a tummy ache! Or maybe more than just an ache...haha

I'm not ready for the whole Marathon yet, but I thought the Half would give me something to look forward to. Marshall is not my alma-mater. In fact it is the state's rival with my alma-mater West Virginia University. But my sister lives there and I do owe Marshall something, since five generations of my family have attended this university!

One of the parts I'm really looking forward to is Bart Yasso, running legend, will be speaking the day before the race! He will also lead a short run. I hardly ever get to see famous people and since I started this healthy journey and now know who Bart Yasso is, I'm extra excited!

I feel a little guilty for spending the money on this though. This Thursday will be my last day at my current job. I've been so stressed out! My boyfriend and I are moving back to our hometown to be closer to family and because he took a better job. But this leaves me having to find a new job, which hasn't been easy, and feeling lost.

Where we live now, there are so many trails to run and bike. I've grown used to living here and like it very much. The town we are moving to, I'm not sure how everything will turn out. I didn't particularly like living there as a teen, but what kid likes their hometown? So yes, I signed up for a race to take my mind off of everything. Its bound to be better than having a breakdown! haha

Alright, I should probably get back to work, but I will try to post something this weekend. I'll be working on moving, packing, and unloading (hopefully in our new home), so I'm not sure how exciting my life is going to be for the next couple of weeks (any different then usual? No.).

Carter Caves, KY

P.S. Yay for Fall, by the way. Thankfully we had gorgeous weather this weekend to celebrate my older sister's birthday (in Kentucky) and then for my long run, 10 miles, on Sunday! I'm not so sure about this whole running thing in cold weather!