The Magic Mile

So, I've been a bit sulky for the last day and a half.

The first part of my new 15 week training program, submitted to and revised by Jeff Galloway himself, required a Magic Mile. He sees this as a reality check of sorts, and it helps to provide a reasonable goal and also is used to calculate training paces.

          

So, off I went first thing Tuesday morning. I did an easy three miles using a 4:1 run/walk ratio, took a walk break and then did my Magic Mile straight through. UGH! I automatically felt very defeated.

In my previous post I acknowledged my newfound inspiration and that I was going to meet myself right where I was, however, I made the mistake of looking back on my Garmin to see what my fastest mile had been (in November 2014). 

My thoughts after looking at my time on Tuesday - a whole two minutes per mile slower than that November mile:

1. I suck!

2. Running sucks!

3. I'll never PR again.

4. I am so much slower than my running partners.

5. Just more proof that I am getting old.

OK, so I stewed on it for quite some time, and came to my big reality check:

1. I was out with an injury most of the year and have only accumulated 245 miles this year.

2. It is freaking HOT and HUMID in Florida in August!

3. Trust the system - it was developed by a former Olympian!

This morning's run called for bridge repeats. I slowed the pace WAY down and then just did one set over and back. I walked the second set. I will work my way up to the full two sets through the course of the program. Tomorrow will be another easy run for 3 miles.

Time to keep plugging away in hopes that my Magic Mile will somehow eventually produce the Miracle Mile at the pace that will project that elusive PR. 

Fresh Start

I was very excited to be able to go to running school on Saturday. Not only did I learn an amazing amount from Jeff Galloway, but I was able to attend with my two great running partners. 

I have been using the Run-Walk-Run method for quite some time now, but without a lot of the background knowledge that Galloway shared with us during our three hour session. I share a lot of his same philosophy. How can you not when he believes in no pain, no puking and no dying! 

As I sat in class, I felt he was talking to me. Really, he kind of was, since there were only about a dozen other people there. He clearly explained his training plans and drills and we were all given plenty of opportunity to ask questions. I came away very inspired!!

  

                             

The next day, I spent a great deal of time re-reading my notes and his book. From there, I revised my thinking for training for the fall races I have on my schedule and crafted a new plan for myself. I sent it off to Jeff Galloway himself, and received some great feedback. With his tweaking, I know I will be very prepared for my fall race schedule.

So, today was a major shift in mindset. Today is my Fresh Start. I am over the hump of yet another birthday. I succumbed to the age thing and even gave in and "highlighted" my hair so that I wouldn't see those stray strands of sparkle when I look in the mirror. Summer vacation is nearly over and it will soon be time to get back into a regular routine. 

Moreover, I have decided to meet myself. When we meet someone new, we accept them as they are, not try to make them into something they are not. So, I will start my new training plan this week and will accept myself right where I am. Right Here, Right Now. I have never really trained hard for races, I just put in the time and mileage and whatever happens happens. No speed training or drills for me. Yet, without training I keep expecting to PR. My last PR was five years ago. Another may come, but obviously it won't come if I don't work for it. I will do my first Magic Mile tomorrow and select a reasonable amount that I expect to improve and then train for that time. If I am consistent, then I will get there, probably not this fall, but eventually. 

                     

   

As I was approaching the aforementioned birthday, I half-jokingly let my family know that this was the year of me. I was going to be selfish this year. So, as I begin my Fresh Start, I will become a bit self-centered. I will prioritize my training. I will also do the training at the speeds and intervals that are best for me and not follow along with others as I have always done. As Jeff Galloway said, "Running with the fast crowds can get you into some trouble." It'll be good for me to focus on me. In fact, it may actually make running enjoyable again.

So I started a bit today with some focus on the diet. Yes, I still need to lose a few pounds. Clean eating will obviously help my body and help me train better. Dinner was a great recipe from Bob Harper's Skinny Meals Cookbook, Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce.

                         

Now, if only the 15 week training plan would result in a 15 pound weight loss, everything would be wonderful, but I suppose I'll have to work for that too!

Time to Get Down to Business

It was a beautiful weekend celebrating Andrew's graduation from the University of Central Florida. We were able to get together with family, attend the ceremony, have a nice dinner and spend some time relaxing by the pool. His smile shows it all. He is very happy to be finished with school and excited to begin his new job adventure. I am proud beyond words!

But now it's time to admit that I have been indulging all week long. Dinners out and not enough exercise to combat the excess. Not that it was all over one week, but still - it's time to get down to business.

There are forty days until we leave on our big vacation to Alaska. I'm continuing to train for the Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon, but now I'll be adding some cross-training. I began a round of the 21 Day Fix program today. I have had it since last summer and have yet to complete the three weeks. Today was Extreme Cardio Fix...30 minutes and I'm already sore!

I have also been promised by Bob Harper that I am going to lose weight fast. I purchased his Skinny Meals cookbook and am going to make my best attempt to follow the four week meal plan. I need a lot of luck here! I made Chris promise not to take me out to eat or let me eat anything that wasn't on the meal plan...so, how long do you think I can last?

A breakfast of Avocado Toast was both tasty and filling. It was fairly easy to prepare and I can see how I will be able to make the egg mixture ahead of time for a quick go-to on the mornings when I am in slow motion.

 I enjoyed the Epresso Smoothie as a refreshing mid-morning snack. It tasted like a good ol' coffee frappe! Lunch was also delicious. The Terrific Tuna Salad had just enough pasta and really didn't need a dressing due to the flavorings of the capers and kalamata olives. Who knew!

Feeling very full, I opted for an apple for a snack instead of the veggies and hummus, given Bob's Skinny Rule of eating an apple a day to help get enough fiber. Moving on to dinner, Pan-Seared Salmon with Zucchini and Yellow Squash. Again, just some quick chopping and mixing of some seasonings before putting it to bake in the oven.

On this first day of trying out the cookbook, I did find a couple of things confusing. The recipe for the hummus did not reveal the serving size. The Pan-Seared Salmon recipe did not include any directions for pan-searing, just baking. And, another of Bob's Skinny Rules is to eat berries every day - I think it's a half cup. Overall, it was a great day of eating! I don't crave anything at all and am feeling very satisfied.

So, now I'm off to prep meals for tomorrow. I'll finish with the berries and hope that I'm not up in the bathroom all night. I've been peeing like a race horse all day. Two cups of water before every snack and meal - WHEW!

2014: The Year in Pictures

It's been a wonderful year full of love, fun and adventure.

Julie had her senior prom and graduated.

We had two family reunions....on the same day!

I got a few breakfasts in with "the girls".

I celebrated my 21st anniversary with this amazing man!

I enjoyed some other family moments...

I worked hard and earned more bling with my partner in crime, I mean my partner in running and wine:

I got to see some famous people:

I was so proud of Chris for getting back up on stage this year!

And, sometimes best of all, are those quiet moments that Chris and I find outside together...

Looking forward to many more adventures in 2015!!

2014 Running Year in Review

Best race experience?
2013 had been a year of surgeries (2 skin cancers and a thyroid removed) and recovery for me, so there weren't many races. I was very excited to have completed 5 more states in 2014:


State #10: New Orleans, LA in February
State #11: Springfield, IL in April
State #12: St. Louis, MO in April
State #13: Williamsburg, VA in June
State #14: Kitty Hawk, NC in November

Choosing from those races, I would pick the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon as my favorite for the year. I really enjoyed visiting Springfield. We enjoyed the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum the day before the race. The race itself was very picturesque, through neighborhoods, historic buildings, parks and the cemetery where the Lincoln family rests. I loved the fact that we got to have our picture taken with Lincoln too!

Best run?
It was on September 27 - 11 miles in the rain. I felt really good, like a real runner!

Best new piece of gear?
I had been hoping to replace my old Garmin for some time and tried about 4 newer models but was never satisfied. Finally, I tried the Garmin Forerunner 220 and have been very happy with it as well as the updated Garmin Connect website.

Best piece of running advice you received?

 
Most inspirational runner?
My running partner Kristine keeps me going: on long runs, short runs and many racing adventures. She even convinced me to try speedwork this year!

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?
Fun but not consistent enough. I'm aiming to keep the fun but improve the consistency for 2015.

Four Things

I saw this on a couple of other blogs I read and thought it would be fun to fill in my own...

Four names that people call me other than my real name:
Mom - on a regular basis
Mommy - when they really, really want something
Mrs. Sadlers - yup, I'm a teacher
And Chris calls me all kinds of silly terms of endearment that I don't think I need to share :)


Four jobs I’ve had:
Waitress
Cashier
Bookkeeper
Teacher

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:
Footloose
Dirty Dancing
Grease
Every Disney movie with the kids

Four books I’d recommend:
The Earth's Children Series
Little Women
Jane Eyre
Bridge to Terabithia


Four places I’ve lived:
Little Compton, RI
Bristol, RI
Tiverton, RI
Sebastian, FL

Four places I’ve visited this year:
The Outer Banks
New Orleans
Colonial Williamsburg
The big ketchup bottle in Collinsville, IL

Four things I prefer not to eat:
Lima beans
Liver
Lamb
Brussel sprouts


Four of my favorite foods:
Shrimp
Anything chocolate
Veal Marsala
Homemade desserts

Four TV shows I watch
The Biggest Loser
Breaking Bad
Sons of Anarchy
The Following

Four things I’m looking forward to this year:
*Spending time with Chris
*My children finding their way...it's a big year for them: Andrew graduates from college and Julie will participate in the Disney College Program
*Traveling and earning more medals, especially Alaska!
*That maybe this will finally be the year I get in better shape

Joining the Biggest Loser

I'm not sure how it happened, but it did. I got an email invitation to attend the grand opening of the Biggest Loser Resort on Amelia Island. For Free! As a fan of the show what else could I do? I grabbed my running partner and we drove there for the festivities!

All I can say is thank goodness for Siri. Would you believe that my Garmin GPS, Google Maps and good old Rand McNally all couldn't find our destination? Siri came through with minutes to spare. Once there, we were treated to an opening informational session about the Biggest Loser resorts. It sounds like it would be a great way to kick start improving your health. We then went to some breakout sessions. There were workouts, yoga and nutrition classes.

We chose the workout first. WOW!! I was sore for days after just a 20 minute session. It was a partner workout where we alternated full body exercises: sprints and pushups, slides and situps, frog jumps and squats, and lunges and burpees. Yes, I was shaking and definitely realized how much I need to work some other muscles.

The next session we chose was a nutrition class. It was very informative. Some things I had heard or read before like, eat on a lunch plate instead of a dinner plate and be very aware of portion sizes on containers. Some other advice was new: don't try to do it all at once - make small changes. Aim for good, healthy choices 90% of each week. When ordering at a restaurant it's okay to ask them to mix and match different things on the menu even if it doesn't come as a meal. It's also okay to ask them to pack half before it goes on the plate.

Next, lunch was provided. It was a delicious buffet with grilled chicken or salmon as the protein. There were all the makings of a very healthy salad, along with some grilled flatbread and baked potatoes. We were also given samples of a yellow tomato gazpacho - it was spicy!

After lunch we waited to win our raffle prizes. There were workout DVD's, cookbooks and gift baskets. The two grand prizes were eagerly anticipated: two tickets to The Biggest Loser season finale, and a week's stay at the Amelia Island resort. Alas, we did not win. BUT, get this - a husband and wife each won one of the prizes! Amazing coincidence.

Following the presentation we were able to meet Jessie Pavelka. I think I'd be working hard if he were my trainer!

When were were finished at the convention center, we were able to go tour the facilities. The Biggest Loser Resort is not brand new. Instead, they have taken over a portion of the Omni Hotel's Amelia Island Plantation. Some of the areas were refurbished and they look great. We were some of the first to try out the equipment.

When we got the confirmation, we had the opportunity to stay overnight. Of course, if we were doing this we were doing this all the way. So, we stayed in one of the villas that the participants actually use. They were located nearby the gym and kind of secluded from the main resort. 

We had a great night just wandering around, but splurged on a delicious dinner (and dessert). We were good though, and newly inspired. We woke up early the next morning and completed our scheduled six-mile run on a gorgeous path around the property. We followed it up with a nutritious breakfast with a magnificent view before heading home after our Biggest Loser adventure.