TTFN...Ta Ta For Now

Well the last of my Half Marathon party has left. Erika and my two youngest nephews took off in their van today for their drive back to Florida. I'm so thankful for everyone that took the time and put in the effort to make it out to Albuquerque for the Half Marathon! I hate the silence that now lingers in the air that was filled with laughter, tears, jokes, and noise mere hours ago...alas there is no hiding from it...only facing the reality and moving forward. The truth is I need to get back to a routine. I definitely let things slide the last few weeks and instead of being closer to "one-derland", Monday's weigh-in had me at 213.6! Yikes! So with that being said as sad as I am to see everyone leave it's now time for me to get back on track and buckle down for this next phase of my training.

While everyone was out here I allowed myself the pleasure of indulging in snacks and larger meals than I had been and honestly I don't like the way it has made me feel. I haven't really counted my calories for the last few weeks and my weight gain is evidence of that. A part of me feels guilty but then another part of me is thankful because its a good reminder of how fast we can go backwards and how it makes you feel when your caloric intake is more than you need...For me personally when I eat more than is necessary I feel: bloated, guilty, sluggish, and just all around "blah"! So with that having been said time to crack the whip and get back on track and pull out the myfitnesspal app and get back on target. 

I'm trying to decide what I want to do as far as training for this next half marathon. I really liked the training plan David and I came up with with the help from www.walkjogrun.net I felt so prepared and ready for the Duke City...so I'm thinking I will continue with that training plan for the Dallas Half Marathon. Oh, I must correct myself from my last post. For whatever reason I keep saying the Dallas Half is in May...but it is in March! My bad! I'd like to say I won't make that mistake again...but truth is I probably will. I'm extremely excited to say that my sisters Olivia and Amanda are wanting to join in on the running fun and are on board to run the Half in Dallas with Me, David, and Erika! I need to have someone run the relay with Elise (we did the relay together last year and had a blast)!! I'm so proud and excited to see Olivia and Amanda start running! 

Olivia with less than a mile left on her 9 mile run!!!

She was amazing!!

Amanda crushing her run!!

Look at the smile on her face!!

I love watching people find the motivation and determination to start taking care of their bodies. No, it is not an easy journey. If it was we'd all be doing it! As Chris Powell says to his clients, "Ordinary people don't do this...EXTRAORDINARY people do!!" And how true that is!! Yes, some days really suck. Yes, sometimes you hurt really bad. Yes, some days you really screw up. But: Yes, it's worth the pain! Yes, each day is a new day to start fresh! Yes, eventually the pain subsides! Yes, Eventually you get better! Yes, the results are worth it...but more than that, Yes, YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! So keep it up Olivia and Amanda...and to all my friends that have written me or talked in person with me about their weight loss journey...you are extraordinary! You are worth this battle! You're worth fighting for! You're worth getting fit for! 

Alright, before this gets too long I'm just going to share one last bit. I did several hikes with Erika while she was out here and realized how much I not only love hiking but how much I love trail running! I'm thinking on some of my runs I may incorporate trail runs into my training! It has truly been a blast and such a gorgeous distraction from what can sometimes become mundane scenery when you're running the same path every single day! So, it looks like I'm going to need to invest in some trail running shoes!!! YAY!! Here are some pictures from our different hikes...we went to Sandia Peak, Atalaya Mountain (in Santa Fe), and Tent Rocks...and yes I wore the same orange top for all three hikes!!! ;) 

Sandia Mountain:

Atalaya Mountain:

Tent Rocks:

So that's the latest and greatest! Hoping to report good news on my Monday weigh-in! So I will say to you what I had to say this morning to my sister: TTFN...Ta ta for now!

Afterglow: Duke City Half Marathon Report

I've been relishing in the afterglow of completing my first half marathon! It was truly the greatest experience! My training was just what I needed, friends and family surrounded me, and the weather couldn't have been better. I've been savoring the sweet taste of pride and success upon keeping this commitment to myself...and honestly I haven't wanted to write about it because that somehow makes it seem like it's over...even though we both know that's far from the truth! So, then, where do I begin?! Well I'll pick up from where I left off in my last post...I was in Dallas!!

Erika, Drew and the kiddos showed up Tuesday evening in Dallas Giving us a little time to explore the area before driving back to ABQ. So here's a quick look at what we did:

Got up at 0545 to go for a 4-mile run

Checked out the amazing Dallas Arboretum!

So many pumpkins!! <3

Played with the nephews!

Kicked some booty in the gym with Erika!

And all too fast it was time to head home..but that only meant we were getting closer to race day and the entire family being in town!! I'm so glad I was able to make a trip back to Dallas. Last November is when this weight loss journey really took launch and Erika and David have played such a huge part in encouraging, inspiring, and motivating me!

So in the blink of an eye the entire family had made their way into town...Erika, Drew, and kids from Florida, David & Elise from Texas, and John & Lauren from Illinois! When we're all together we look a little something like this:

Olivia, Erika, Lauren, Adrian, John, David, Elise and me!

Ander, Erika, Abbie, Andrik, Sam and me

Family Selfie!

Me, David, Mom, Abbie, Amanda, Ben, Elise, John, Lauren, Ezra, Laura, Dad, Olivia, Andrik, Sam, Adrian, Drew, Erika, and Ander! Yes, that's everyone!

 It was truly wonderful having everyone together again! Even if it was for a fleeting moment I will cherish it forever. Before we knew it, it was Saturday evening and time to get ready for the run in the morning...this, of course, involved going through all the loot we acquired at the Expo! I got 2 free t-shirts (in addition to my race shirt) at this expo so that was really cool!! Here's a picture of all the goodies I collected:

Saturday evening we headed off to bed and Sunday morning came before I knew what hit me!

This was me before 1/2 marathon relay in Dallas at 259 lbs

 

210 pounds and about to run the entire 13.1!

In the Car waiting in traffic

Ben and Amanda waiting in traffic too!!

We had planned on getting to the race by 0600 but because of a late leave and traffic we ended up getting there with just enough time to pee, wave hello to everyone, and jump into the run (literally)! I was a little stressed out, if I'm being honest because I didn't want to be late but looking back it worked out for the better because I never really had time to be nervous about the run...we just took off!

Just getting started!!!

I didn't take that many pictures in the morning, before, or during the run...but thankfully David and Erika made up for my slacking! The first four miles flew by and I felt really good...I had my first energy gel Gu (espresso love because David said it was amazing...and it was) at mile 4. I wore my hydration belt (water bottle holder) because I didn't know how many hydration stations they would have...I'm really glad that I did! 

Almost to the halfway point...notice the photo-bomber behind Erika!!

Before I knew it we were at the turn around point! My dear friend Krystal and her momma were at the halfway point holding up signs for me which was amazing and super encouraging to see them! At mile 8 I had another Gu (jet blackberry..delicious) and started to feel a little sore in my right knee but other than that I felt good. Miles 7-10 seemed to take a little longer, even though we maintained a pretty consistent pace the entire way through!

At one point I had to spit...so looking over my shoulder (being sure not to spit on someone like I had accidentally done before in Dallas) I made sure the coast was clear. There was no one directly behind me so I went ahead and spat...well shortly after that this guy passes and says, "Thanks a lot!" I know that I did not shower him with my saliva...but he seemed to think I was spitting at him or being intentionally rude even though I truly wasn't! So be forewarned...if you ever run with me...I spit!

2.1 miles left!

Anyways, before I knew it we were at miles 10, 11, 12, and 13!! At about mile 11 a woman came from behind us and said, "I'm joining your group" we then informed her she was welcome and had made a wise decision...Erika then told her that we were celebrating my weight loss...I told her how much I have lost and she was super excited. So we all chatted together for a while. She told us how she had walked with a man for a bit who had hurt his knee or ankle and so she stayed with him until he was able to continue on by himself. That was really cool to hear! Don't you just love how loving (null the rude man who passed me ;] ) other runners are?! That's one of the many reasons I love running! I learned her name is Kathryn! She ran with us until about mile 12 and then she fell behind a bit. There was never a doubt in my mind that I'd be able to complete the run..but something happened at my 12. I realized that I was doing this: I made a promise to myself and I kept it. No one else went out and did the training for me. No one else ran when I didn't feel like going. No one else forced me to run when I'd rather sleep after getting off work...I promised myself I would do this..and I did.

1 mile left

About 0.5 miles left!!

 I was able to hold my emotions together until about 0.3 miles were left and you started hearing the cheering. I was starting to run faster and all my emotions were catching up with me! As we rounded the corner where the finish line was in site dad was there waiting to run the last bit with us (and that's a man who doesn't like to run)!! 

Dad, Me, random man in green, David, Abbie, Billy (thanks Erika for the awesome picture)!!

It was all I could do to draw in each breath as I started to cry with an overwhelming since of pride, joy, and excitement...and then it got worse when I saw my entire family (WITH AMAZING SIGNS)...all lined up cheering for me and my siblings!! 

I had no idea they had made signs!!

Touched my heart to read their inspirational thoughts!!! :D

Now if that's not love I don't know what is!! <3

It is a moment I don't think I will ever forget! I finished the whole 13.1 miles in 2:36:09 an 11:55 pace!! :D I am super happy with that finish time! My goal was to finish in under three hours and ultimately by 2:40...so I beat both of those goals!!

13.1 MILES NEVER FELT SO GOOD!

Billy, Abbie, Me, Drew, Erika, and David!!

 After we finished my calves were really tight so I just tried to stretch them out and rub it out...it was only painful for about 10 minutes then they eased up. Maybe 15 minutes after finished Kathryn, the lady we had ran with had finished and she came up to me and said, "Thanks for sharing your story, you really touched me! I'm so proud of you" and she started to cry! It was so sweet to hear that from someone I didn't even know. You never know where you're going to make an impact!

Dad, Ben, and Amanda all completed the Duke City 10K!!! I am super proud of them for getting out there and completing their 10K even though they didn't get to train like they would've hoped to. The fact that they kept their commitment and did it makes me super proud and excited for them! 

Everyone except Sam and Ander!

So now you've heard it! First half marathon done...a million more ahead of me! Next one on the calendar is the Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon in Dallas in May 2015!! It sounds like more of my siblings may want to join in on this run too...so we may have another family extravaganza on our hands in the near future. A year ago if you would've told me that I'd run a half marathon I probably would've laughed in your face...today I see I'm capable of so much! I love it...and I don't want to stop!! So if you're sitting there reading this thinking you don't have it within you to complete promises you've made to yourself I'm here to call it...BS!!

"You're braver than you believe

and stronger than you seem

and smarter than you think!"

- Christopher Robin

Alright I'm almost done...I just wanted to share a couple more pictures...Saturday evening I had said to my siblings, "dang it I didn't get stuff to make posters!" and that was pretty much it...apparently what I didn't know is that I had been secretly totting around my own posters in my car and they had made them right under my nose without me noticing!! Thanks Elise (and Elise's coworkers who helped make amazing signs) and David (and Ben and Amanda for letting David and Elise use your printer) for putting together some amazing signs for me! You guys are awesome!!

If you're from NM you'll appreciate the poster on the right!!

This poster is extra special because David and I learned how to twerk like this ice cream cone that is featured in Katy Perry's music video, "This is how we do!"

Katy Perry Music Video ft twerking ice cream cone

Alright, that's all I've got for now! Will write soon about the fun I've had hiking with my sisters! :D

Let the Countdown Commence

I try to write at least once a week...so I feel bad that it has been 2 weeks since I gave y'all an update. I didn't weigh-in last week because Monday morning I was up at 0400 to go on a hot air balloon ride! I was in the right place at the right time and got a free hot air balloon ride for me and one other person so I took my momma with me and we went up into the sky! It was so beautiful and peaceful. If you ever have the opportunity to go up in the sky...Carpe diem!!

So I didn't weigh in last week but I think my excuse is understandable! :) I did, however, weigh-in today! Two weeks ago I was at 218 and today I weight 210.4!! Down 7.6 pounds in two weeks. I'm super happy with that. Another exciting thing about this weigh-in is that my BMI is no longer considered obese...I'm now simply overweight (BMI is 29.3)! :D Hahaha...who would've thought I'd be so happy to be considered 'overweight'?! When I started on my weight loss journey my BMI was 44.6. you're considered morbidly obese with a BMI >40. Obese is a BMI of 30-40. Overweight is a BMI of 25-29.9. Normal weight BMI is 18.5-24.9. When I am at 178 pounds I will be a BMI of 24.8 putting me at a normal weight. That means I am 32.4 pounds away from being at a normal weight! Currently my goal weight is 170 (BMI of 23.7)...but I may want to get to a lower weight once I'm there...it's hard to tell at this point! 

I didn't get a chance to update y'all on how my nurses group run went. By the time I took down the sign-up sheet I had 14 people signed up. Friday evening I sent out texts to everyone and reminded them about the run the next morning...Saturday morning 1 person showed up...the manager of my floor! She said, "I'm sorry I'm the only one who showed up" to which I replied, "I'm not! I'm so glad that you're here....if this was easy, everyone would've been here!" Now I'm not dogging anybody who didn't show up. Several of the nurses had to work, others were sick, and others had children they didn't have childcare for...all understandable reasons. So I ran with my manager. She said she didn't think she could run the entire mile but she would try her hardest. I just told her I was with her. She could set the pace and I would follow along and be there to support her. So she ran nonstop for 0.6 miles. We then walked for about 0.2 miles and ran the rest of the way. We ran a mile in 12:35!!! I was super impressed and excited for her. It was fun watching someone else push themselves and complete something they didn't think they could do! A few months ago I would've said that day was a failure...but today I know it was a bigger success than I could've hoped for...and I will have more days arranged here soon..whether or not someone shows up..I'll be there!

So the countdown has commenced! 6 days until the Duke City Half Marathon! October 16 is when the siblings start to trickle into town. I had asked for the week off anticipating everyone being here sooner...but because of life its not until later this week that everyone gets into town...so I was talking to my sister, Erika, on the phone Thursday and came up with the brilliant idea of flying out to Dallas (where my brother David and sister-in-law Elise live) and then driving back to Albuquerque with my sister, Erika and brother-in-law, Drew, and my 2 nephews who are driving to ABQ from Mary Esther, Florida and will be in Dallas Tuesday!! So Friday afternoon I looked at flights and booked a flight to Dallas for Sunday morning at 0615!! Hehehe...so here I am writing this post from Dallas, Texas!! :D It's super exciting. I haven't seen David and Elise since the half marathon relay I did in Dallas late March! I'm about 60 pounds lighter! I decided I wanted to re-create some pictures of me with them! 

11/21/13 and 296 pounds

10/12/14 211 pounds

 We're drinking some boba tea at a delicious place called Fat Straw!! Yummy!!

David at Dallas Half Marathon in March 2014

David 10/12/14

Elise and Me - March 21 2014 (259 pounds)

10/12/2014 (211 pounds)

 It's fun being able to see changes...and even more fun being able to makeover past pictures. I love the places that running has taken me...and I can't wait to see where else I will go because one day I was brave enough to start running (even when I didn't think I could). I really enjoyed my run today through Dallas. It's always fun to run on paths you haven't ever traveled on. Today was the perfect day for running. It was mid 60's and so beautiful. I almost died...I was running and came upon an area that looked like hardened mud...yeah well the instant my feet hit it I realized it was not hard..indeed it was quite slick...however, I was running and I don't know if you've ever tried to stop running in the middle of mud...yeah, not so easy! Somehow I made it through without eating dirt...but I don't really know how! You know, there are times I actually wish someone was around recording embarrassing moments so that way you could look back and see that it was exactly as silly looking as it felt in that moment! If I had to guess how I looked while running through the mud I would guess I looked a little something like Bambi when he was testing out the ice!! ;)

  

 So now y'all know the latest and greatest! Tomorrow my sister, Erika, brother, Drew, and two nephews, Andrik & Ander get into Dallas! This evening I got to spend with David and Elise at a little Community Center that helps teach English to individuals that have recently come to the United States! I got to work with a young lady and was truly humbled and blessed to have had the experience. I know I would feel like a fish out of water in another country and not knowing the language...she was so sweet. After the class she said, "Maggie, you be back Wednesday?!" I had to sadly tell her that I wouldn't be back :( I love having experiences like that. It's such a good reminder of how fortunate we are here in the United States! The area that this community center is at is just down the street from Dallas Presbyterian Hospital...or as everyone knows it as "Ebola-ville" so I took a picture:

Big shout-out to all the hospital staff working hard to keep everyone safe! :)

Alright, folks! That's all I've got for now...I don't know if I'll have time to write again before the Half Marathon...but have no fear...I'll be back soon! :)