I am in love with my Garmin

Last year when I trained for my half marathon I had no way of tracking my running.  We would simply bike or drive the route prior or estimate it based on our 10 minute pace that we thought we were keeping.  It worked very well, but often caused us to over plan our routes. 

This time around two wonderful things have happened.  The first is this amazing weather that has set in over the Midwest.  We have had so many days in a row with over 80 degree temperatures.  In the middle of March this is unheard of.  Today is actually the first day of spring and I've been running outside for the past three weeks with tanks tops.  The second thing that happened was I started using my garmin on my runs.  We are now able to just RUN.  We loosely plan where we want to go, but we have opened up so many routes. 

It has felt so great running outside so much!  Friday night is our first 5k of the season.  I'm so looking forward to it, as it was my first ever 5k last year that I entered!!!


Also my Cubs Season Tickets will be arrive soon!  I can't wait!!!!
Amanda :)

Reflections of a Year Gone By....I Love What's Coming NEXT...

As I entered the new year last year I was very confident that I would be doing things I never imagined...but little did I know that I would be successful at them and love them so much.  Runner....2011 will go down in the books at the year I became a Runner.  Never in my life did I ever think I'd be a Runner.

In the past year I have lost over 40 pounds, worked out 6 days per week for a full year, ran so many 5k's my t-shirt collection is bursting at the seams, did a few challenge races (Metro Dash, Warrior Dash), and my pride and glory THE Half Marathon.

I eat better, I live better, and I love what life has to offer me.  In January the Cub's convention gives me new life in my Cubdom.....  In January my goals for the year are set (see previous entries). 

I am ready, the next chapter of my life is going to be even better than any other chapter.  I'm ready to do this!

I am going to MAKE IT COUNT! :)

It was fitting last night how the old went out with the new.  My husband and I did a New Year's Resolution Run.  The race started at 11:45PM and it took us about 30 minutes to finish, so we finished in the new year!  At mid night this year I was running!  It was pretty symbolic for me to leave 2011 while running and welcome 2012 while running!  We had a blast running in the dark...in the cold...it was refreshing and so much fun! 

They had a photo booth!!!  So fun...this was after our run....

Survivor Series Trail Run

Yesterday I headed out to a snowy Rock Cut State Park in Rockford for the first leg of the Road Runner's Survivor Series Trail Run.

It was only 5k, but felt a lot longer.  Slippery, wet, hills, and a lot of fun!!!  I purchased my first pair of Under Armour thermal long underwear pants to wear under my pants.  They worked really well and were so worth the purchase.  I will be using them on my next outdoor winter run.....New Years Eve!

Pamela works at Anytime fitness...she is such a big motivator!! (don't mind my closed eyes!)

SUMMER!

Saturday I did the 5k in Stillman in 90 degree temps. I thought I was going to die!!  My time suffered....32 something...official times have not been posted!!!!  I'm glad I did it, but it pushed me hard just to finish it!!!

I'm pumped that school is out..time to kick up my training another notch!!!

Hard Run Race

Last Saturday was the Pecatonica Crooked River Run in my hometown.  It was a 5k that I'd been looking forward too.  Having so many people I knew there made it a bit nerve-wreaking.  I did however knock 3 seconds off my bones 5k which made me happy.

However, the spot at about mile 2.5 to 3.0 was enough to make me the first time ever during a race walk for about 15 seconds.  I was so mad at myself, but when I saw the clock I broke into a dead sprint. 

I never have felt it in my legs so much, but had a bit of feeling going into the day that my legs were still sore from weights on the Wednesday before. 

I am looking forward to a race on this Saturday with fresh legs.  I completed the last week of my body for life challenge x 2.  I'm down 33 pounds and a lot of inches. 

Personal Best....Smashed on Sunday....

The day finally came when the sun was shining on race day.  It was the backbones 5k in Prospect Heights.  The race started out great, nice weather, decent amount of runners.  It was on the street through a neighborhood.  I was feeling pretty good and I kept looking for the mile 1 marker.  I started to get nervous when I couldn't find it.  Part of my head was thinking where is it....this is getting harder.  Then boom I see the 2 mile marker and look down at my watch.....seventeen minutes to get to mile 2.  I did the math quick and unless it was going to take me thirteen minutes to run the last mile I was heading for my personal best.  As I'm nearing the 3 mile point I ran into a wind wall, but I focused.  This race was all about my form and mind control.  I told myself I was doing awesome, I made sure my hands stayed loose.  I had seen pictures of myself running and my hands had always been tightly clenched.  I see my husband waving me on.  I knew I had it then I saw it....the clock was at 28 something.  I was going to get in under 29 and in the 28's.  I finished with a clock time of 28:34 and shattered my personal best by a good 1 minute and a half!!!

I felt amazing and wasn't tired.....I think that momentum carried over as this week I registered for my first half marathon!!!  September 11th, 2011.......

Race to Wrigley 2011

Yesterday was the big race, the Race to Wrigley!  This was the 6th annual race and for the past 5 years I had heard Len and Bob talk about the race always thinking it would be fun, but I was never a runner.  Fast forward to a few months ago I decided yes I am a runner and I registered my husband and I for the 2011 Race to Wrigley.

It was an amazing time minus the rain and I am so glad I did it.  Running through the streets of Wrigley and then down thru the concourse of Wrigley Field out from under the Marquee sign it was a blast!  I finished with a time of 30:24, which was about 24 seconds slower than I wanted!

My husband ran the race with me and this was my first time running a timed race with someone.  He could have easily finished in 27 or 28 minutes, but he slowed his pace a bit for me.

I'm ready for the next adventure.  This Saturday is a 3k Easter run and I'm looking to get around a 17 minute time.  I'm just hoping for SUNSHINE!

Just as the race was about to start in the rain!

Tomorrow marks the start of week 7 of the second body for life challenge!

Under the famous Sign :)

Another Race Completed

Today was The Red Shoe Run in Rockford.  It was my 2nd real 5K race.  I was feeling pretty confident as my last 5k was at night and it was freezing out.  I managed a 30:17.  Today's race included some hills that I wasn't thinking would be bad, but they kicked my time up a bit.  I crossed at about 31:20, I am waiting for the real results in the next few days.

Next weekend is the race to Wrigley and I'm looking forward to that.  The week after is a quick 3k in my town.  I am really enjoying running on the road and races, but it is much different than running on the treadmill.  I am thinking to cut my time down I am going to have to practice running outside more.

Last week I had my body fat measured and I was pleasantly surprised at the results.  I am sitting at 19.42%.  I know it might be just a "good" day but wow, it felt good knowing I'm getting healthier day by day and that my muscle mass has to be increasing!!!