Well I finished week 1 of the C25K. I have aches! But I'm starting week 2 running tomorrow. I must say that good shoes make a huge difference. I only ran in them once on Sunday but they felt like walking/jogging on air. Here are my new shoes...

They only cost $100. I was expecting them to be a lot more. I know $100 isn't cheap but I was prepared for $150. In addition to my exciting new shoes I got some great workout clothes at JCPenny, Adidas and at the shoe place. I am in it for the long haul now!

The plan for this week is:

Monday - upper body gym

Tuesday - Week 2 Day 1

Wednesday - off

Thursday - Week 2 day 2

Friday - lower body gym

Saturday - Week 2 day 3

Sunday - off (Easter)

Hopefully this week I will work out some of the pain I'm in. I currently have pain in my right shin and also in the outter part of my left foot. I realize my body is adjusting to my new regimine and in time I will be a pain-free runner. Note to self: buy more ice packs for injuries! For now though, I'm pushing through. I am an animal!!!!!!!

Finally Friday! Yay!

This has been a long week. I've woken up thinking its Friday since Wednesday morning. That makes for a long week! Anywho, I got my hair cut and colored last night. I went shorter than I had originally planned but it looks good. I got blonde and auburn highlights. After 2 and a half hours at the salon Derek and I went to Acacia for dinner. I had the bacon wrapped scallops, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Derek had Kung Pau Chicken. It was yummy! We ate in the bar area so I could watch the game. I have the bestest boyfriend ever! I'm pleased to report that my WVU Mountaineers will be advancing to the Elite Eight facing off with Kentucky.

Tonight is back to running. It is Week 1 Night 2 of the program - another 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking; wash, rinse, repeat 8 times. It will be challenging tonight since it is around 40 degrees outside and rainy. We really need to find an indoor place to run on days like this.

Tomorrow is off day number 2. Hopefully we can get up and out of bed before our usual 11:00 a.m. We have quite a bit to do. On the agenda for Saturday is buying new running shoes, going to the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown, some house cleaning and oh, I need to study for an Economics test that I need to take on Sunday. I bombed the last test so I really need to do well on this one. Wish me luck! I'm not very good at Economics.

Sunday is back to running. It will be the final day in our Week 1. Then off to the grocery store for some food and then I need to go to my Proctor's home to take my Economics exam. (Wish me luck! - again! lol)

Have a glorious weekend!

Running didn't kill me!

Last night was the first run I've done in many, many moons. I am pleased to report that I am not dead. It didn't kill me afterall! Yay for being alive this morning! I honestly think the C25K program is just what I needed to start. Last night, and the rest of Week 1, is a five minute warmup followed by 8 repitions of running for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds then a 5 minute cool down. I didn't quit! My legs were sore and I ran a little slow at times but I DID NOT QUIT! Tonight is our first of two off nights. Back to the track on Friday.

My boyfriend did really with me last night. I love him to death but sometimes he "pushes" a little too hard. I warned him before hand to not nag about me running slow, to keep up, to do this, to do that, etc. And you know what? He didn't! He was extremely supportive and I hope he will continue to be that way through this journey.

Now that the first run is out of the way it is time to treat myself! Tonight I have a hair appointment at Structures Salon. It is a bunch of young, hip girls working there. I feel a little out of place but I like how they do hair.

This is my hair now:

I took that picture the day after it was done in December.

I want to keep the same style but go slightly shorter.

I am thinking of this stye:

(Yes, that is Jessica Simpson.)

With this color:


After my hair is done Derek and I are heading to either Bombay Grill or Acacia for dinner. One is Indian the other is Asian Fusion. Tonight is my daughter's (Kendra) weekly dinner with her best friend's family so it is a good time to go for Ethnic food.

Unfortunately due to my hair appointment and dinner plans I will not get to see my West Virginia University Mountaineers play in the Sweet 16 tonight. Maybe if I am lucky we will be home to see the end and the Mountaineers progress to the Elite 8!

LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!

Off and running!

After my usual strength training days at the gym it is finally time to start running tonight. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I'm hydrating well today which is not normal for me. I'm not much of a water drinker but I'm trying. The first week of the program is to run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds, repeat 8 times. Sounds easy but I know it will be a struggle for me considering that I haven't ran in many, many years.


I have printed a copy of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon Course and put it by my computer moniter at work and I will post another copy at home on the refridgerator.

The best part!?!?!? I am finally getting to plan a Disney Vacation! I may have to run to get there but it will be worth it. No better place to run a marathon than in "The Happiest Place on Earth!"

I need to stop planning vacations. We are going to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland in May; Chicago over the 4th; and Walt Disney World in January 2011. Okay, so I was kidding about stopping planning vacations. However, maybe I should finish with one before going on to planning the next? Nah! Planning is half of the fun!

Wish me luck tonight! Hopefully I won't be too awfully sore tomorrow. I will let you know tomorrow.

So today is Day 2 of my marathon training. I am using the C25K program to start. It is just what I need. I've been known to be somewhat of a couch potato. Plus the timing of this training is perfect. The program is 56 days and we leave for our whirlwind Scandinavian vacation in 57 Days. When we return we will get back in training with the Half Marathon program by Hal Higdon.

Last night was rainy so we did upper body strength training at the gym. Tonight was supposed to be our first run but Mother Nature has decided to make it rain today. So we will go back to the gym for lower body strength training. Hopefully tomorrow night will be my actual first run. I have 9 months and 15 days to prepare. (But I'm not counting.)

This weekend we are off to If The Shoe Fits to get me a good pair of running shoes. I can't believe I am excited about running. I hope the feeling lasts.

I might buy this shirt to keep me motivated:




















Tomorrow I hope to be mentally preparing myself for my first official "training run". Yay!

I guess this is my introduction

I've never written a blog before and really had no interest in creating one until today. Not really sure why but here I am.


I suppose I should give you some basics. (Even though no one will probably read this.)


I am 37 years old currently living in Frederick, MD with my 14 year old daughter, my boyfriend, and our two cats, Oliver and Abigail. My daughter is a freshman in high school and so far it is going well. She ran track this year and has inspired me to start running. We are all going to train to run in Disney's Half Marathon in January 2011. I'm a very out of shape but the only way I can get my boyfriend to Disney is to run this race. Whatever it takes! I am a huge Disney fan so if I need to run to get him there, thats what I will do!


I am a fairly busy person. I work full time for the Army. Occasionally I get to travel for work. Last week, for example, I was in Kansas. Once in a while a great trip to somewhere fun and exciting comes around. In July 2009 I got to go work in Hawai'i for two weeks.



This was the view from our hotel room on Waikiki beach. Awesome, huh?











I try to go to the gym 4 times a week but lately it seems as if I can only make it 3 days. I really hate going to the gym. I hope that training for a marathon will be more exciting but I doubt it. I just have to remember "I'm going to Disney!" That is my reward!

In addition to working, being a single mome, going to the gym, and training for a marathon (actually that will start today) I am also a student at The Pennsylvania State University. I attempted college at WVU twice but never finished. I'm hoping that 3rd time's the charm! I want to get my Bachelor's in Business Administration then on to my MBA.

Well that's all for now. Tomorrow will be my first "official" blogging post. I think I will write about my new training schedule.