The cure of laughing and running

I felt under the weather most of this week and a lot going on with changes in my company and school starting. Friday night I went out with my friends to celebrate a best friend's birthday. We went to a Greek place that was fabulous and then the Improv to laugh the night away at Simmore. She was so funny that I laughed so much I know I woke up with more wrinkles. That night was very much needed. This morning I woke up and knew I was running without my girls because they were doing some mud race. My goal was to do 5 miles. I felt so good getting around the lake the first 2.5 miles. I had so much time to reflect on my week and recall the funny moments from Friday evening. Their were so many groups out running and biking. I saw team in training and team challenge groups. I also saw a few of the girls from CFWR and we said hi and cheered each other on in passing. So it wasn't a completely alone run. I kept run/walk intervals 3/1 and only felt a little tired after 4 miles. I know it's mostly anxiety. I took my one minute break to focus on how I felt when I first got to the lake in the morning. How peaceful, non sweaty and excited I felt. I mentally put myself back there and finished pretty strong. I could've gone for 6. I love running so much and how it has opened up my mind and helped me gain a more sense of control and responsibility for my life. I split my runs into quarter miles of thoughts. And my last quarter mile I was looking towards the future. I know I'm on the right path now and am already thinking of a masters program and focusing on doing what I love for a very long time. Laughing and running cleared up my week.

Well into the Summer

I've changed my blog name, so maybe that will make me post more?  I'm not sure on that.  Things have gone so fantastic for me in 2012.  The more I run and become comfortable as I lose more weight, I feel that I am better at everything else.  Key word: FEEL

Well, let's analyze this.
Today I ran a 5k at a full capacity race in the rain at 33:37.  It's a turtle pace of around 10:49 but works for me! Much better than when I started 2 years ago and finished in 45:something.

Recently I lost about 10 more lbs in a few weeks.  I feel I have the working out every day down with either running, zumba, or spin but have finally stayed consistent with weight training and EATING BETTER.  I finally listened to my husband, which has lost 55 lbs by the way in a year.  So we eat mostly lean protein, veggies or anything that's green and can be chewed that hasn't been brought in by my dog.  Low sugar, no bad carbs, a lot of protein powder, protein bars and nuts.  Like my man says if it doesn't grow or die, don't eat it.  Goodbye processed food and french fries.  The first week I felt like crying, but now, a month later I feel great! I have more energy and my skin is better and who cares about all that! I lost 10 lbs!!! 

Another remarkable thing since I've become so organized with my eating and working out, are my grades!  I ended up getting A's this summer even with all the family visits, working full time and working out part time! Sorry to honk my own horn- but BEEP BEEP!  I have two more semesters to go and I will finally have my B.S. and am already looking towards master's programs.  I would like to say thank you to the Summer Olympics organizers for picking the dates at the end of my summer school semesters or I would have surely failed.  I fell in love with our Olympians this year.  So much so that I am making a collage online of all my favorites but I only have like 5 minutes a day to work on that, so it'll be a while before anyone else can enjoy it.

At work, I'm good, but that's always.  I've been blessed with an amazing supportive boss that does not ask me to leave her office when I decide to go on about my running group or training and weight loss.  She even participated in the 5k with her boyfriend today and I was so happy to see her out there!  Besides my supportive family, I have found great encouragement with a group in Orlando called Central Florida Women's Runners.  I'm so glad I joined this group I found on Meetup.com  We meet up a few days a week and pair up and run together and stay to catch up over coffee after. They also meetup for fun non-running related events but school has kept me from most of those.  Every time I go I am able to meet a new runner and share ideas and hear how they've became the runner they are in it's so nice.  I get to be in a group with common interests, no judging and just great conversation.

coming up for me this fall/winter I have the Latin Music 1/2 in November, the Holiday 1/2 in December near Tampa somewhere, the Disney 1/2 in January.  February-April I have too many I want to do but will wait to announce the certainty of them later.


Okay- I've gone on too long- that's why I need to blog more often to not shove all this at once.

Pic from Track Shacks 35th anniversary Celebration of Running 5k below- Enjoy!