Melt It Off Monday...errr...Tuesday

I lost 1.4 pounds last week!  For the 4 week challenge, I was only down 2.6 pounds total, which isn’t really that much weight, but I have lost almost 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks or so.  I am very happy with how things are going.  The weight loss is progressing very, very slowly, but I can definitely see changes.  My clothes are much looser and everything just feels tighter and toner.  I’ve incorporated more strength training into my weekly workouts and I know I am building muscle too.  I am also much more focused on what is going in to my body.  I’ve pretty much cut soda out over the past month (I’ve had maybe 3 in a month) and pretty much completely eliminated artificial sweeteners.  I’ve definitely made many positive changes and I know I’m going in the right direction.

Melt it Off Monday will continue for me until I reach my goal.  I still have 10 to 15 pounds to go.  I guess I really need to settle on what my goal really is.  I know if I lose 10 pounds I will be very happy, but I would ultimately like to see 15.

This was the final week of my “official” Melt It Off Monday blog challenge which ran from 4/1 through 4/28.  I started with 12 people and ended with 5.  I will say it was nice to share the experience with others.  I was hopeful that everyone would stick with it, but understand that life often gets in the way.  I will say that while none of us had any staggering weight loss numbers, I could definitely tell by the comments, that people were making good healthy changes to their diet and lifestyle.  The weight loss was kind of a bonus.  I hope the support we gave each other was beneficial.  I know it was for me.

This morning I picked a winner at random for the final prize of the challenge (a $25 gift card to Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods or Road Runner Sports).  The winner was Mathlete99.  Congratulations!

 

And finally, I will end with a few thoughts on the MyFitness Pal Groups. I used MyFitness Pal groups to set up the challenge because I know many people are already on it and it was free.  I will say it’s not the best option.  You can’t view the groups from a Smart Phone App – only online which is a major downside.  Also, MyFitness Pal doesn’t alert you when there is a new post or even a reply to a post that you wrote.  So it makes it very difficult to keep up and follow the posts sometimes.  That said though, we made it work and it was nice to read everyone’s posts and comments.  I love the MyFitness Pal app, but I’m not sure if I would try Groups again.

Congrats again to all the ladies who completed the challenge with me!  I hope you all continue to be successful in your weight loss and fitness goals.

 

Worth It Wednesday

I was just thinking today...blogs are about sharing right?  We share training tips, product ideas, etc.  So here are a couple of cool "deals" if you aren't aware of these.

I was not asked to share my opinion on these, I just thought I would pass along the info.......that's it....just me to you :)

1.  Road Runner Sports - Are you familiar with their VIP Program?  They are a retail running store, but they also have a huge online presence.  If you sign up for their VIP program you get 10% of all orders, free shipping, and "Warp Speed" shipping - which they say means your order is on it's way within 2 hours if it's in stock.  You pay $1.99 for a one year membership which is totally worth it.  If you find yourself continuing to order frequently you can renew (I think it's $19.99 annually after the initial year).  They also send you periodic discounts for 20% off.  And, if you just do an online search for promo codes, you can usually find an additional 10-15% off (except on Brooks).  They have a great return policy too - you can return shoes for up to 90 days.  Yes, I do sound like a commercial, but Jim and I use them for our running shoes almost exclusively.  Click below to go to their website.
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/

2.  Earndit - Have you seen this new website or maybe it's not new at all?  I just signed up for it this week.  It basically rewards you for exercising.  It links to one of your existing tracking methodologies (like Garmin Connect, Fit Bit, Body Media, etc) and gives you points for exercise.  You do have a maximum daily points value of 60.  It only logs certain activities though:  foot (walking, running, hiking, etc), biking, skateboarding, skating and paddling (not sure about that one).  So my swimming doesn't count :( 

Also, for me personally I only have my Garmin account that I can use.  It will only give you credit for GPS activities.  So anything I do on my bike trainer, or treadmill don't count - even though I have the cadence sensor that go with them...oh well.  I do think you would be more successful in getting points if you had a Fit Bit or something that tracked all your daily steps. 

Once you have enough points you can either have money donated to a charity partner (which is pretty cool) or you can use them to purchase rewards.  I will say most of the companies on their rewards site I have never heard of, but they are all healthy foods or active lifestyle products, so they might be cool to try out, especially at a discount. 

If you do decide you'd be interested use the link below to sign up - it will give you 50 points automatically (and me 100 once you earn 100 activity points), so yes there is something in it for me, but it's kind of a Win-Win for us both!

http://earnd.it/14PjWL2

3.  Active Gear Up - It's kind of like Groupon for Active Products.  They offer pretty significant discounts on running shoes, apparel, nutrition bars, etc.  You can sign up for their email list and they will send you emails about the top products, but there's always more products on the full website.

http://gearup.active.com/events.aspx?et=lls

Do you guys know of any great deals or website??  Please share in the comments below.  Anyone know how to get a discount at Athleta???

To Run With the Cows or Not to Run with the Cows that is the Question?

If you've been following my blog for awhile then you know I'm kind of a sucker for "gimmicks" at races.  Have a cute mascot or medal and I'm sold. 

So.......when I was at the Rock the Parkway expo and I saw the Running with the Cows medal in person I sooooo wanted to run the race.  I had considered it last year and also had been considering for this year, but it is the weekend after the Indy Half Marathon.  I did back to back weekend halfs last year and survived, so I would probably be fine.  I also have another half on June 1 which would be just 2 weeks later.  I just don't know.....So I've made a pros and cons list. 

This is this year's logo.  The medal is very similar cow with running shoes I love it!

Pros

1.  Super Cute Medal and Shirt
2.  Half marathons are always fun
3.  It's local.
4.  Small race but growing.  People seem to really love it.

Cons

1.  It's 7 days after the Indy Half.
2.  I'm waiting late to sign up so registration is at its highest cost.
3.  I don't know anyone who's doing it.

What do you think?  Should I do it or not?  What would you do??? 

Bday, a Race and an Award Show

I have about 3 posts to write, but I'm going to try to combine them into one since they are so far behind.  I'll try to be brief.

 

Swim, Bike, Run.....Birthday fun.

 

Saturday, April 13 was my Birthday.  My 39th....that's a hard one - the last year I'll be in my 30s.  Next year might require some sedation lol.  Back in October, I realized that the Rock the Parkway (RTP) half marathon would be held on my Birthday...so I of course signed up right away.  What better way to celebrate your Birthday but with 13.1 miles?  This race is my half marathon PR and I had honestly hoped I would get another PR on my Bday, but I realized several weeks ago this wasn't going to happen.  With the delayed Winter, I just didn't have the opportunity to really do any speed work, and I'm much slower this year than I was last (I didn't think that was possible).  But that was ok.  I would still go and have a great time.

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail from my sister Wendee who lives in LA.  She had been invited to the MTV Movie Awards and wanted to know if I would like to come out and go to the show for my B-day.  Well heck yes!  It made for a crazy whirl wind on Sat, but that was ok.

Pre-race dance with Jack......NOOOOOO Jack....no cake for you.

Saturday morning arrived and Jim and I pre-race danced and got ready for RTP.  Jim also surprised me with a Birthday cake that he MADE.  Yes, he made it.  Yes, he can do just about anything.  It was a pretty awesome Triathlon cake with a  giant M for Michael...ha no that's the Ironman symbol.  He did a great job, but it should have had a 70.3 on there somewhere...I don't want people to think I've actually done a real Ironman. 

Me & Jim post race

Anyway, we raced.  I had some major stomach upset and ended up with a very mediocre time of 2:35.  Jim had a great race and set a flying fast new PR of 1:28!  My friend Michelle also set a new PR by about 10 minutes!  She was super happy.  It was a good day for most....except me.  We had a big post-race/B-day lunch planned after the run.  We went, but my stomach was not happy at all and I couldn't eat.  I ordered food, but left it on my plate.  Oh well, it was still great to hang with everyone.  We also took the cake so that Jim and I didn't feel the need to eat the entire thing...which just wasn't going to happen...as a matter of fact Jim didn't even eat a single bite.

Post Race Lunch

Once we got home it was a quick shower, pack and head to the airport and off to LA.  I got into LA about 8pm, which was 10pm my time.  I had been up since 4:30, so I was pretty exhausted.  But that didn't stop me from staying up for several more hours chatting with my sister.  I felt pretty self deprived most of the weekend.

The next day was fun.  We went and had a Chinese foot massage, and got mani/pedis.  Then it was time for the MTV Movie Awards.  They were located at Sony Studios so it was just a sound stage set up with folding chairs.  It was actually pretty chilly when I was in LA and we had a giant vent blowing on us the entire time.  I was freezing!  But it didn't matter too much.  It was fun seeing all the stars.  We were only about 10 rows back.  And I got to see Bradley Cooper - yummy!  Although I prefer his clean shaven look.  He's still a hottie. 

Will Ferrell...not hot, but one of my favs!

Bradley Cooper...HOT!
 

After the awards we also had an invite to the post party.  We walked in and standing right there was Seth Rogen.  That was pretty cool.  My cell phone was totally dead by this point (and you couldn't bring a camera) or I would have been a total dorky tourist and snapped his pic.  Later in the party I saw Hana Mae Lee from Pitch Perfect she was pretty easy to spot because she was wearing a cigarette hat.  I actually spoke to her and just said "I loved your movie". She was nice and at least replied "Oh Thanks". 

Hana Mae Lee sporting the cigarette hat

I also saw the little girl from Beasts of the Southern Wild and Vinnie from Jersey shore....although someone had to tell me who he was.  This girl came up to me and asked me to take their picture...I just thought they were some couple that was there together, but no apparently she was getting her celebrity photo taken.  The after party was fun, but I was secretly hoping to see Will Ferrell or Bradley Cooper...but no such luck.  The party had a great food and a variety of sweets.  It was so hard to resist...especially the chocolate covered cheesecake pops.  They were pure heaven.  They didn't exactly fit in with my Melt it Off Monday plans, but hey, it was my B-day weekend right??? 

Those shoes were killing me by the end of the night.
 

So there you have the cliff notes version of my Birthday weekend.  It's definitely one to remember!

Me & my sister at the after party

And finally....Melt it Off Monday results.  No weight loss for last week :( apparently my trip to LA sabotaged my weight loss a little.  The good news is in spite of the trip it was another maintenance week.  So far I'm down about 7 pounds.  I'm no where close to my goal weight yet, but I'm getting there.  I'm hoping to be able to string together a few good weeks with no travel!!

Melt If Off Monday...on Friday

My Melt It Off Monday post is a little delayed.  I was in LA on Mon & Tues and have been busy.  I didn't actually get to weigh in Monday since I was out of town, so I intentionally weighed in Saturday morning before I left for my trip.

I was down 1.4 pounds from the previous week!  So far I've lost about 7 pounds.  The weight loss has been slow, but the weight is coming off.  When I got back from LA I was up about a pound.  I am working to get that back off.  I won't lie....I did not eat well in LA.  There might have been some chocolate covered cheesecake pops at an MTV Movie Awards after party....and I might have had a few...but more about that in another post.

So yes, I still have a post or posts to write.  I did a half marathon last Sat, it was also my Birthday, and I attended the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday.  It was a busy and fun weekend.  I need to get busy and write those posts.

In other news.....I was very happy when I woke up this morning to hear there had been a major break in the Boston bombing case.  Both bombers identified....one dead.  I just hope we hear soon that they have the second in custody.  There will be justice for Boston!!!

Run for Boston - In our Hearts

I had posts to write, but they all seem trivial in light of what happened in Boston on Monday.

I was in LA to visit my sister and we were on a hike on Monday.  When we got back within cell phone range my phone was blowing up with texts about the Boston explosion.

I immediately looked up the news on my phone and couldn't believe it.  I've been there.  I've stood on that street and watched runners come in, watched my husband cross that finish line.  I knew people who were there running that day.  It was surreal.

So when I got home yesterday, I wanted to do something.  So like many others I ran. 

I ran 26.2 minutes.  I ran for:

Martin, Krystle, and one unnamed victim who lost their lives.  I ran for the many others who were injured, for the family and friends of those who were impacted, for the runners, for all those who rushed to help, and for the entire running community! 

I wore this shirt on my run. I bought it at the Boston Marathon expo in 2011. It seemed appropriate.  I look at those winged feet a little differently today and like to think those are angel wings.

Boston you are in our Hearts!

If you want to do more.  Boston has already set up a fund to help those affected by the tragedy.  Click onefundboston.org to contribute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Suckers Are Doing the Chicago Marathon

Well, I'm sure you've heard about the Chicago Marathon debacle by now....and if you recall I wrote a not so pleasant post about it.  I have complained about not getting in (the traditional way) but realize I have never said that in fact Jim and I will be running the marathon - or at least we think we are.

So yes, like many others, I toiled over my computer for hours and hours the day registration opened only to be shut out.  I like many others, put my name in the lottery and was not chosen.  But, I like not so many others also reserved my hotel room through Marathon Tours & Travel. 

When we decided we were going to do the Chicago Marathon I wanted to reserve a room early.  I started doing online searches on Expedia, etc and the rooms were crazy expensive as in $500 a night!  So I turned to Marathon Tours & Travel - they were the company we used when we went to Boston.  They have group rates with the hotels so you can get rooms for about half the cost.  The only downside, is unlike traditional hotels were you can cancel up to 24 hours or so in advance with no penalty, you do have to pay a small fee - which grows every month as the race gets closer if you cancel.  I reserved our room back in January and had we not been able to do the Chicago Marathon we would have been out about $40.

The one thing Marathon Tours & Travel offered was up to 2 entries (per room) into the Chicago Marathon - for an additional fee - if you were unable to register.  Honestly, I didn't think we would need this fail safe.  I knew registration would sell out that first day, but I thought we would get in, because I would be online the moment registration opened.  Well, I was obviously totally wrong about that.

Marathon Tours had 250 entries and they would be given out on a first come/first serve basis.  So, as soon as we learned we couldn't get in the traditional way I contacted them.  For an extra $100 per entry we could race.  Yikes! As if this race wasn't expensive enough.

Jim and I really thought about it and decided it might be our last opportunity to do the race together.  I'm sure next year it will be a 100% lottery and if it is, I doubt Marathon Tours will be given any entries.  Plus, my friend Coy who I had begged to run it with me got in.  I would be leaving her to run the race by herself when she had never intended to run it in the first place.

So we forked out the extra money and we are headed to Chicago!  Or at least we think we are.  We have paid for the race entry fee and the "late charge", but we haven't actually registered yet.  They told us we won't get registration details until June.  So, while I know I should be in....I won't feel totally comfortable until I am actually registered.

So yes, after much complaining I still gave them my money.  We are two big SUCKERS!!

Michael & Jim - Two Big Suckers!