Scattered Saturday

*Well we picked up our bikes yesterday from Eddy's bike shop. We decided to get bikes and start riding the trails and hiking this summer instead of being in the gym . We got fitted and adjustments made but it was raining so no pics for now. We went with hybrid bikes for some comfort. They are very sleek looking.
Excited to go for our first ride

*I am doing the Jelly Bean virtual 10k and 5k. I am excited since this will be my first virtual race. Thinking of what to wear for costuming!
I am real good at the blogging yet to know how to link her site to here. If you want to know my check out runwithjess.com

*Weird experience and slightly scary yesterday. I went for a small run after work in our neighborhood. I was maybe 3/4 in a mile and I stopped at a light to wait and cross. Felt like my heart was pounding harder than normal, almost chest pain, and then a surreal feeling like when you are about to pass out. I grabbed some sports beans from my pack and quickly ate them. After few moments the feeling passed. I went back to normal feeling and kept on going. no ill effects last night, just tired after a rough work week. I think I was hydrated enough, I went through what I ate and felt it wasn't low blood sugar. Not sure what it was. Terri is concerns and felt I shouldn't have kept going. Anyone else ever experience something like this. Just a side note with taking up running and exercise my resting HR is about 40-50.

*I entered a GU giveaway for some drink mixes. I didn't win but GU sent me a couple samples of the RU Roctane Ultra endurance drink powders in Tropical punch and Lemon lime. I loved them. I used them on longer runs and sipped them gradually over the run. I felt I had consistent energy and the taste was great. Even better my system tolerated them well. FTW!! I have need energy products. I was not asked by GU to review these. I just wanted to share my humble and honest opinion .

 *I also won the giveaway of General Mills Cereal from Toni at Running, Loving, Living. I am nom nom nomming on the cereal! Thank you Toni

* I was enjoying the warmer weather we had in Ohio for awhile, but now we are back to more spring weather in the 40-50's. Which is ok, gives more time to see the beautiful blooms. Here is a pic -self pic of me in summer/spring gear getting ready for a run when the temps were warmer.

Toot, toot!

Yesterday was our annual health screening at work for incentives on our insurance . I am very proud to say all of my numbers were normal except for weight. I am still proud of where I have come from. My starting weight was 217 lbs over a year ago and today I am 174. The biggest thing I notice is the trimming down and toning of my body . My waist circumference was just on the cusp of being over- I can handle that and my body fat content is normal...woot..woot.

I was browsing through some pictures on my computer and was amazed at the difference.
Here is my version of a before and after .(Not the best pics to see the changes)

Input needed

I am looking to get a gps watch and wanting to know what you all use and how you like it. Pros and Cons?
Thank you for any input

A to Z...about me

A is for age: I am 39...will be 40 this year!!

B is for breakfast today: Oatmeal with chia seeds,cranberries and raisins, also a cutie clementine.
C is for currently craving: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.

D is for dinner tonight: White bean chicken chili

E is for favorite type of exercise: Outdoor trail runs. Kayaking also ranks up there for me.

F is for an irrational fear: Snakes

G is for gross food: Oysters,shrimp
H is for hometown: Magnolia Ohio/Canton Ohio

I is for something important: My partner and family.

J is for current favorite jam: Orange Marmelade

L is for current location: Akron Ohio

M is for the most recent way you spent money: Pedicure with my sister

N is for something you need: New summer shorts

O is for occupation:Registered Nurse Case Manager.
P is for pet peeve: Dishonesty

Q is for a quote: Do  not go where the path may lead,go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

R is for random fact about you: I have the best horror movie scream!

S is for favorite healthy snack: apples or light string cheese
T is for favorite treat: Ice cream or cheese puffs

U is for something that makes you unique: Umm just me being me? : )

V is for favorite vegetable: Brussel Sprouts

W is for today’s workout: Rest day.
X is for X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, head,knee, abdomen and finger.

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Used our groupon for bowling and pizza with Terri, gina and Terri's grandson Jeff.

Z is for your time zone: Eastern

Weekend recap

Spent a long weekend with 6 girlfriends in a cabin down in Amish country. It was a much needed break for all of us I think. We laughed, we drank, we played cards and games. We watched movies, we ate good food but most of all we relaxed. I feel very comfortable with all these women and can honestly say they are close friends and even considered family. One member of our group couldn't make it due to illness and another due to other plans. Both we missed.
the cooking was spectacular and the chocolate chip cookies that were made were addicting, Ate....way....too....many. We played on the playground some and even did the muddy hiking trail. The weather was sunny and warming up.
The cabin we stayed at was on a piece of land with about 6-7 other cabins and suites. It had a nice pond, playground and hiking trail. Also we met the residents of the cabin land- dogs Tango and Cleo. Both of these lovey dogs won my heart over. Tango is a 3 legged dog and Cleo his best friend limps in sympathy of him, at least that is what Terri thinks.
I got one run in that weekend. Ended up going around 730am . The best gift of all was Cleo decided to run with me. The whole 4.5 miles. IO ran on back country roads and in Amish land that means hills. Ended up on a huge hill that once I reached the top and stopped for a moment, I got another gift of a panoramic view of Amish  land with farms, houses and just wonderful views.
A few of us stayed a day longer for one more day of relaxing. We ended up having a bonfire that night . Who would have thought that the weather would be nice for a evening bonfire in Ohio in the beginning of March.
We had a scare when one of the group on her way home had a tire come off her car. So glad she wasn't hurt and her hubby came to rescue her.
Overall the weekend was great and needed.

Here is Tango

Here is Cleo my running buddy

Pond with one of the cabins

Amish  Buggy 

Cows/Steer?  in the pasture next to the cabin

Anniversary

Wow...this week would be about 1 year of running for me.
Today my short runs are about 4 miles and my long runs about 8miles.

Here is a spinet from a blog post one year ago


I have had the feeling in me for awhile that I want to run.I held myself back. Out of fear and some vanity. Now being a bigger girl,I was afraid of what I would look like running. I was a fast runner in grade school but not in middle or high school. In grade school , but then the weight creeped on. In high school during a track meet where we were so far ahead in the points, the coach put us shot putters in the relay race as a joke and we won. Ok I got off track here.

I am done holding myself back. I need to get fit and I need to run. I may not be able to run long distances or for long durations but I can do something. So I started the couch to 5k...thank you Lori for the recommendation. I am into my 2nd week of it, well actually third on the podcast since I messed up and skipped week 2. I am doing a running and walking combo for 30 minutes and up to several 3 minute runs at a time.
I am enjoying it so far. I love the meditative place I go when running. I love the adrenaline rush and hearing my own heart beat fast.

I can see how some get addicted to this.
Oh and I don't look like a total boob out there running either. Gotta remember keep my head high!


So today I celebrate. Celebrate running, being fit and healthier and becoming me.

Random thoughts

Randomness in no particular order

My knee or calf is acting weird. Not really swollen but the calf feels tight and slightly swollen. If I do a Achilles tendon stretch it feels better..Weird. I decided not to run at the gym yesterday. Instead did 2000m on the rower and 20mins on bike. I really liked the rower. It kicks butt~

I hear of people using body glide and was told to get some for chafing. I haven't had chafing except with a too tight arm mp3 player band . Is this normal or should I be chafing.

I am hoping to get another long run in tomorrow. Might be snowy might be cold, who knows with Ohio weather.

Might treat ourselves  to Indian food tomorrow at Raj Mal. Yummmmo , it has been too long since been there.

I am looking forward to a long cabin weekend next week with the girls...the Hoochie Coochie gang.( named after the Hooch alcohol at the last cabin trip). We will be in Amish country. Not sure where and how I will get a run in but will take my stuff to plan on a run.

Terri and I made a scrumptious dinner the other night. Homemade pizza, salads and wine.  Don't envy the TV trays. We were catching up on Biggest Loser.