So I'm the leader of the pack this weekend

So our team leader for our runs have gone to the beach and so has co-team leader. So I was in charge this weekend. Sent my email to the girls that we were meeting at McD Crabtree to run towards Oak Park 4+ miles and then we go the other way towards North Hills Drive - another 3 miles I believe and then we do some more if we want.

So stupid me, I forgot to set my watch until 1 mile into the run - so total time spent on our feet was 9.68miles +1 = 10.68. We were rather proud of ourselves. We walked a good portion of it after doing 7 miles and then last mile we ran. So overall, good workout - tired but feel good!

Tomorrow, we are meeting at Shelley for our 4-6 miles walk and then we meet up at Lassister Mill on Monday.

Tues, I will meet up with the others at 5:30am run

Lots of running and great company.

Hey, gotta get myself together for this OBX Halfer that I signed up for.

Wish me luck

Now, to get some recipes for someone

Later,

Sue

So happy to see my friends and cheer them on

So this morning, met up with Laura and Amanda for our long walk around Shelley and towards McDoanlds. Lo and Behold, it poured and there was thundering. We try to wait it out and we walk through puddles without our sneakers and our whole being got all wet. But we really got to girl bond and just chatted away and I shared my energy chews. I always got some food with me.

Then I was wondering about my friends who were doing the Ramblin Rose Tri - I was hoping I can catch them being stuck in the rain. I made it, I saw Debbie and Amy running their course - I cheer them on and I ran a little with them to encourage them. I felt like I had to do that - after all, they are my friends. Now, it would have been better I was competing, right? Nah! maybe next year when I can swim and really get serious.

For now, I am concentrating on one event the Halfer OBX...I will be signing up for today or tomorrow.

Next year, maybe the MB one in Feb and Laura and I promise each other to sign up for the Galloway or Fleet Feet Program to get marathon ready but this is next year's bucket list.

Why all of a sudden, the interest - because they are my friends.

I live for my friends because they make me happy!

Oh wow! This is so exciting!

Laura and I have been talking about doing the OBX halfer. Well, actually Laura has been instrumental and believing in me to do this and ya know what, I am going to do it. I am going to sign up for this. And the most exciting thing, my SAGGER buddies are considering it too. It will be a good crowd of girl buds doing this together. We were talking about this this AM during our run. It was a wonderful morning to be outside. Oh sure, it rained and we ran and we talked and we got a little wet - and we ran some more and then we walked some more. I have never been this excited over running before. Maybe this runner's high is finally kicking in. Yay!

And because of this, I am getting up early tomorrow to meet up with Laura for a long, long walk around Shelley

Way to go Laura! And thanks!

Another Challenge at the gym - what are my goals?

This has never entered my mind as to what my goals are or the goals at the time was always the same: lose weight! Now things are falling into place, I am losing weight and I am getting healthier and fitter - what is the next step? My trainer asked each one of us what are our goals - So here I am putting it in writing so I will from time to time reflect upon it: I want to get stronger total body. I want stronger legs to help me with running stronger and better; I want a stronger core to maintain posture and stronger upper body to do my lap swimming once I learn how to swim. At first, I said I wanted to run faster but now I want to run longer and not feel exhausted and like crap. I want to build a better lung capacity. So this time, it is not about weight loss.

This month just flew by

So for the month of May, we have been concentrating on strictly weights training and we are to get our cardio workout by ourselves. So far, I have been pretty disciplined in getting up early AM on Tues and Thurs for my runs and long runs on Sat. But for past few Sat, the runs were killing me. I think it is because we do legs and if feels so still and sore on Sat and of course, the heat and humidity does not help either. However, I gotta do this - I am really considering the half in Nov - OBX with Laura.

Work has been pretty hectic and at first our CEO was not going to lay people off but it has come down to that. So who knows what is next. Not much I can do about it. Just wait and see.

So another Weight Loss Challenge. I don't want to lose weight but if it happens, I guess that is good. I want to get stronger and more muscular. This won't start until June and end late Aug.

Am I looking forward to it? Yes, not for the weight loss - but the challenge what my body can take.

Until next time

This new running fever - someone put a bug in my ear!

Running is hard! Running hurts! Running was certainly not fun for me! Then in July,2009, a friend and I signed up for Women's running program ultimately in 10 weeks to do a 5K as part of our graduation. I met the nicest people there and been keeping up with my running though never reach that runner's high. People asked if I would ever do a 10K a half marathon, or full marathon and I would say "No, not for me!" I guess reason being that I was scared that I might never finish it.

Then I met Laura who has done marathons, other races and we were running together one day and she said "Sue, we should do one together, it is lots of fun" I said "I can't do 13 miles, it is hard" And she said "what is the worst thing that can happen, we walk and as long we finish, that is all there is to it"

I went home thinking about it and oh my goodness - she is right, I can do this - I think I will! I went to work and told Tom and he said "Go for it"

Laura has put a bug in my ear - I am very excited as I am thinking and writing about it.

So tomorrow morning - I will meet Laura - and we are going to a walk around the lake -

Laura is a fantastic person - she has given me a newer meaning to running - I don't have to be fast, I just have to keep at it.

I think I can do this!

Thanks, Laura,

Lots of happenings this week

Sorry that I have not been blogging...been busy at work...been hot and humid

So for the past 2 Fridays, we have been doing running. First it was a scavenger hunt running to Aimee's house then back counting the fire hydrants, then going here and there. Following week we ran up 70 or Glenwood Ave to Ebenezer and back to the gym. Trainer K focus was to have us have longer runs to burn calories. But this past Fri was the biggest challenge for me. We went to Duke Trails and went running up the hills -I would say this is my toughest workout- high intensity and lung busting - distance wise it is not long - but intense -ya know, I actually like it and looking forward to it again.

This morning Sat I usually go for a long run but I cut it short so I can get to the gym to do our monthly weigh in and measure. Actually last time we weighed in was in March shortly after I got back from Hong Kong - was pleasantly surprised that I lost 3 lbs from my trip. Today's weigh in, I am so proud of my buddies - they both lost weight and inches. Just a little hint for them to read the labels - to not to eat more than 1/3 of the calories from fat. It seems to be working.

Now, I have to come up with meal plans for another team mate- I am so happy that everyone has been asking me about nutrition. It makes me happy that I can help others.

It's a struggle for me and these teammates at the gym and on the greenway are keeping me honest.

Until next time

Eat good, eat happy and eat well,

Hot, humid and muggy this morning and so what

So I got up early this AM and met up with my SAGGERs to do a short run. It was muggy out there and I was sweating big time and I was listening to Pam tell her story about the wedding she went to - it sounds like she is a party animal and had a great time.

Then Jean was telling us that she went on a Segway Tour in Raleigh - those are the standup 2 wheelers that you see the police on. She said it was lots of fun and that you have to be at least 14 and 100 lbs and she turns to be "Sue, do it now!"

Wow - first to think people think I am 100 lbs and for me to be even there a few years ago was out of the question. I felt sorta proud of what I have been doing with my life, health and body.

Now, only if I can stop drowning in the pool and not be afraid of the deep end. Mr. Ed and the hubby said it is all psychological - Mr. Ed will find the way and hubby since he grew up near water, hard for him to comprehend this but I will conquer.

Until next time

Take care,

What made you do it?

A few of my friends and even my doctor asked me this very question "What made me do it? What motivated you? Why you do it?" I have not seen my doctor since 2004 , too long and too stupid not to. I guess I was in the wrong frame of mind and really did not care until one hot summer day in 2008. I walked in to the boxing gym and never look back. In retrospect, the boxing gym and the people there especially my trainer has changed my life for the better.

What was my answer to them? I said "many things were going through my mind, many things were not working, many things I don't have answers for" And you feel you don't have the answers and I didn't - until that one day in the summer of 2008.

So when you have doubts and have unanswered questions - don't dwell on it - when you are ready, the answers will be right there!

Food for thought