Ice is your friend

When the swelling in your feet will not go down, but you are not willing to miss your workout goals - you make ice your best friend, and tell yourself at least it is a spa with bubbles!!!
There is no pain, just swelling.  The half was only on Sunday so some is to be expected.  Loving the no excuse attitude I have adopted.  Watch out 2016 your about to see some crazy AWESOME changes!!!  Let me know if you are along for this ride with me.

8 Days 23 hours!

We are in the final count down to 1/2 marathon day!  Getting very excited!! I love this course, it is by the water and has those old old trees that make a canopy over the road in places.

Had a set back with being sick for a week, but got out twice this week to get some mileage in.  For me it is about getting out there and doing it, to say to myself see look what you can do, how far you've come.  This was once just an item on a bucket list and now you are participating in your third 1/2 marathon! Set big goals, set minnie goals along the way to show your heading in the right direction, and do a happy dance as you cross that finish line!

For those that might be interested I am organizing a virtual race. Whats to great about a virtual race - you can go any distance any where any time you want and you get a medal!  To help those that just aren't sure we are pushing a special distance:  1 mile a day for 13 days or for 26 days to walk or run a half or full marathon!
Here are the details:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A_3NSbU5FRYif_Wcc1CpqWHJgsXs-zvkGuHRDfaT7Zw/pub

Jocelyn, #irun4jocelyn, is still having stomach issues that they are trying to figure out.  She is getting her hearing aids this week - which will be a big help in that department.  She is still smiling big every day! If you haven't checked out her page, please pop over there and tell them Alice sent you: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-for-Jocelyn/351637158314602

Training and busy time of year

Exciting time of the year in my house hold.

First off finished the month of 6.2 miles and now move into the month of 9.3 mile training runs.  We have found a new running friend from our Mother's Run This Town.  She is at our same pace and will be running the Tower of Terror 10 miler soon - so perfect time to join us training!

This weekend, Labor day weekend = Haunted House building time!!!  Yes its the time of year again! Love this time.  It means the weather is going to start getting cooler - well "cool" meaning not almost in the 100's every day! :)  It means watching a flat piece of land grow in to rooms and doors - all with the purpose of frightening people that pay for the privilege!

This is the GFWC Sebastian River Junior's biggest fundraiser of the year.  We are known in the community for this and by this all the other things we do - light up night, national night out, touch a truck, and both the fourth of July and Christmas Parades.   I love belonging to this amazing group.

It is also when we bring in alot of our Juniorettes.  The 12 - 18 year olds.  They help from the building and the acting and then they are hooked.  They realize volunteer groups can be fun and the impacts that they have.   Love that I get to help show them that.

Jocelyn update - chemo went well and she is at home having play dates and swimming.  She has to go back in next Wednesday and stay over night to have the surgery that takes the bacteria out of her stomach.  Her body does not process food so this bacteria builds up and she has to periodically have it removed.  While they are in there they will also take a biopsy of her liver - her numbers are elevated and they need to see what is going on.

If you feel so lead, there is 4 hours left (its 8:49 est time right now) to order a shirt to help support Jocelyn.  She needs to sell 18 more shirts.  This is the link: https://www.booster.com/hopeforjocelyn?utm_source=FTSBemail

May your day be filled with many blessings

away too long

Sorry for the absence.  No excuse just didn't log the time.  Right now I am trying an experiment of not looking at the scale.  I was starting to become obsessed checking a couple times a day, which is not healthy.  So for now, did not decided how long, I am just working on continuing to eat healthy (fruits and veggies and pea protein), and getting back into 1/2 marathon training.  

  Yes you read that right 1/2 marathon training.  I am running the Space Coast 1/2 marathon again this year on November 30th with my running partner.  I am very excited to be running this race again, though I'm finding it a little difficult to find the motivation to train as much as I did last year.  However I am working on that.  

It does help that I have my I run 4 buddy Jocelyn.  I don't make excuses.  There are times I still do not get out, but then it is just I didn't, not I didn't because.   She has to get a boot on her foot as she tore some ligaments :(.  She starts Chemo on August 19th.  I sent her a special box with a special something to wear to match something I have (I will share once she receives the package).

The picture below is for Jocelyn and to keep the prayer chain going strong.  Please take a moment to send a prayer up for my superhero.  This young lady smiles every day and lives life to the fullest - even when her stomach bothers her, even when she can't put pressure on her foot and knows she has chemo coming up.  She is an amazing example on how to live each day.

I have something special that I will be doing for the wellness initiative at work coming up in the next month or so, when I can share I will post.  I'm very excited about it.  Happy Wednesday, may it be filled with many blessings.

 

Happy Half way there Day

Back to reality yesterday, from a 5 day FANTASTIC vacation with my family.  I have decided to start my mornings a little bit differently.   In my head I call it 25 to start.  So after my alarm goes off I do 25 crunches, 25 incline pushups, 25 squats, and 25 tricep dips.  This way everyday starts with exercise.  It gets the blood pumping and I've begun my day in the right, healthy state of mind.

Today was day two.  It was a little harder this morning as my muscles were sore from the day before, but I completed my 25 to start.

I have found, over my years of trying to manage my PCOS, that is the littlest things that make a big difference.  Three years ago I decided I was going to start running.  I used the Free 5K101.com program and followed its instructions of 3 days a week going out there and putting one foot in front of the other.  On Dec 1st I completed my 1st half marathon.  Had a set back in this past Sunday's 1/2 marathon, but made it 8.5 miles and am learning my lessons from it.  I am already signed up for my third 1/2 marathon coming this November!  3 years ago a 1/2 marathon was just a bucket wish list item I never, ever thought I would complete.

That helps with the confidence level and renews my hope that I will find the right combination to get the weight off.  It may be many years down the road still, but I know if I keep making the small changes they will add up to the BIG ultimate change of weight loss.


Have a blessed Wednesday

Great Weekend, things to work on

I had a very, very rough race.  I knew it was going to be tough with all the people, what I hadn't counted on was the sever humidity that hung in the air till well after the race was over.  It was like trying to breath water.  So for the first time in over 5 years I had an asma attack that had me stopped in my tracks.  I kept putting one foot in front of the other until help came by, but there was no finishing this race.  I was very disappointed at first, but now it has upped my motivation to keep pushing and training and to get the weight off.  I need to keep pushing myself past my comfort limits to get past this time of hurdle.  So this next year ( I have my next 1/2 marathon scheduled for Nov 30th!)  I will focus on picking up my speed and pushing to make my lungs stronger.

I really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my family.  Seeing my niece and nephew run the kids dashes and get their first medals was an amazing experience.  Seeing my friends push and reach the finish of the 10k was awesome!!!!  I am so proud of them.  I'm even more proud of my one friend that had to sit out due to an injury.  She really really wanted to do it, but knew to try was to risk further injury and the potential of being picked up and not being able to finish.

All in all the Disney half marathon was a good experience.  A lot of lessons learned and things to focus on.  And I got the experience of having my parents, my boyfriend, and my sister all there to cheer me on.  Living in different states makes that no an option that is available often and we took full advantage of it!

On top of that two very opportunities also took place - I got to meet two other women from my IRUN4 group, we have been talking for month and support each other in the group and for the first time we got to meet in person.
The second thing was my hair was getting too long again, so I went to the Barber on Main Street Magic Kingdom and had about 10" cut off.  That is being sent in as a donation to http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/.  I love being able to do this.  I feel better with the weight of the hair gone and I know some other little girl, or boy, will be happy to be able to have real healthy hair.

Here are a sample of pictures from the weekend:

Just another Monday

It's Monday again, happens same time every week.  Nothing special happening today.  Had a great valentine's day weekend with my boyfriend, his daughter and her boyfriend, and some friends.  Not because it was valentine's day, but because we made a lot of great memories that we will remember for years to come. :)

Sunday is the big day, 1/2 marathon #2!  So this week is tapering.  I was going to do the bridge, but have rethought that idea and instead will be just doing some nice walks this week.

I can't wait to see my family that is coming down.  It will be a great vacation making more memories with them.  With all of us living in different parts of the country we make the most of the time when we are able to be together.

Happy Monday!