2014 ... let's DO THIS!

2014... I'm holding it in my mind as a great year to come...

I will do a confession time, which I think should probably be a weekly post ... the areas I messed up in, the things to keep me in check... because goodness knows I'm not perfect.  I don't even want to make it even TRY to appear I'm perfect or I have it all together.  I'm just struggling through like most everyone else... I think most people struggle with the issues of health & fitness... I'm the queen of it.

Anywhoo... the holidays have really got to me.  I didn't do well AT ALL with the eating thing (still no meat, of course) but sugar?  Another story... A WHOLE other story.

My working out?  Non-existent.

Some fitness/health/nutrition blog I am, huh?

Again - I'm human...

I'm going into 2014 at the heaviest I have EVER been.. in my life...

yep... this is me...

that is so embarrassing to admit.

I look back at pictures of races from just a year ago & I can't believe how easily the weight piled up on me.

It just showed me how seriously I need to take my body, my health... my life...

the priorities I need to set...

So what am I looking forward to in 2014?  What are some fitness resolutions?

* More water... yes, its all I drink now, including some tea, but I drink more Sparkling Seltzer water - I need to drink more just PLAIN water... the enamel on my teeth will probably thank me (I heard too much seltzer water is tough on your teeth)

* I did it... I dropped a few hundred bucks to get the new T25 program... 25 minutes at least 5 times a week .. I can do that - right?  "I'm GOING to do that" is the answer :)



* Caring for my body... pushing it, but not harming it.  I've really done some damage with my back.  My knees are horrid right now... but I also know my weight is causing some of this.  My point?  I'm going to be careful of my body... be aware... take care of it.  It's gotta get me through a lot.

* I will continue to run... but I'm taking the pressure off of myself that I normally put on my brain, my body.  I have registered for a half marathon & need to start training for it, but also know that I have to get to a place in my body where I can safely train.  I'm telling you - my body is THAT out of shape now... if I don't make the half marathon, I'm OK with that...  I'm telling you, I'm getting priorities in check this 2014!

* At least 4 Fruits or veggies in a day... a must!  I'd like to do 4 of Each - 4 fruits, 4 veggies - that would be ideal...

Which leads me to my next one

* Follow the Happy herbivore food plan 5 days out of the week... that should ensure the above resolution.  A vegan diet plan is full of veggies & fruit.

* Take regular Probiotics & Fiber... the gut, I believe, is a serious source of where illness comes from.  Want to be in charge of it as much as I can....

* Staying POSITIVE.  I'm really bad at getting down on myself... focusing on the bad things that's happening - pain, weight gain.  I suffer from depression so the smallest thing gets me down & will hold me there.  I'm really going to try to focus on positive things... keep positive statements all around me - reminders that tomorrow is another day.

* This one will be tough... cut back on the Self Hate Talk.  I've gotten in such a bad place of calling myself "Disgusting"... that's also embarrassing... but I do it naturally now.  I look in a mirror & that's the word I use... not good... not good at all.... so I'm going to stop it.  This is probably one of the biggest things I need to do.  Remember that I listen to my words in my heart & they can hurt....

My word for the year is RENEW (you can click the link above to my home blog & read more about that)

That word fits even more in my fitness world...

I'm ready for 2014... how about you?

Any fitness resolutions you have?

Any I should have?

What are you goals for 2014?

My Birthday

 

 

 

 

Yep...

 

Aging at its finest

 

I'm like wine

 

& Wine is good for you - right? :)

Kombucha

So I have a new addiction...

Kombucha

It's funny because I saw on Facebook a few of my friends making it... & then, my step daughter that knows all things to do in the kitchen started making it.  I had to ask her what it was...

She gave me a little insight on it & couldn't believe I didn't know what it was...

Its actually a drink that is made from tea but has so much more in it... its full of probiotics & full of vitamin B's... lots of antioxidants... & I love it because its FIZZY! 

Who doesn't love a fizzy drink?

Its funny because I have bought some of these drinks at the local health food store, but never knew exactly what it was...

but I know now.




When we visited Julie in Nashville during Thanksgiving - I got to taste her brew... OH MY WORD - yumminess...

She had different flavors .. both amazingly delish!

I could drink Kombucha like this

& its struck up my love for it even more.

I have been stopping & getting a bottle to baby a few days.  I can drink the whole bottle in an hour if I wanted to...

This is my new love

I may have to look into making my own... its that good to invest the time to do it.  Not to mention that each bottle is like $3.99 a bottle.  Ouch!

I have a feeling I'm going to feel like Frankenstein creating my own creature while doing it... its all very scientific...

or maybe I just need to pay Julie to make me a batch & send it up to me every month... she's the scientist in the family after all :)


Have you tried kombucha?

Ever made it before?

C'mon - isn't it fun just to say the word kombucha?

Failure... but a winner!

OK... confession time...

I've failed.  Once again.

I started out with great intentions with these Christmas/December challenges.  How hard is one mile a day for 40 days?  ... hard when weekends come & you're out Christmas shopping from sun rise to sun down... add in a few parties, throw in wrapping presents, & don't forget the trying to keep a little bit organized (insert mad laughter)... yeah, it gets hard.

I will say, I'm sticking to the plank challenge.  Though, I will do a confession again & say that I've had to go to my knees to do the planks.  My low back was hurting so bad for the length of time - which I'm up to 2 minutes now - that I had to do something.  And believe me, the abs are still shaking like a violent earthquake.  My back still feels it too, but not as extreme.  I figure if I do the rest of the challenge on my knees - get the abs SOME WHAT used to exercises again, then next month I can repeat it in the full out position.

Small steps people...

whatever works for me...

I need to keep remembering that.  Because its so easy to look at myself & see "FAILURE" written across my face - but I'm doing what works for me... not you... not the people who are already fit... not the people who have great abs & a great low back...

Me... the out of shape person who keeps trying...

On a positive note.  I was a winner from an incredible runner's blog.  Anita is such a fantastic woman of faith who shares her love for God & his word!!!  Plus she's just an awesome runner.  Hello New York City Marathon runner!

Check her out!:
http://nitasliferunning.blogspot.com/

... & I won a giveaway she had.

I always say I love runner's give aways... healthy great stuff.

Though Ricky claimed the bath salt.  Granted - he has a lot of stress & he walks at least 15 miles a day - he deserves a good soak.

So not all is bad - right?

The Holidays are almost here... the New Year will begin with a bunch of goals, challenges, resolutions...

As of right now, making it through.... with my dark chocolate bar I won!  YES!

Workout Videos make me feel like I'm a Dancing Queen...

Dancing Queen... flash backs of ABBA...

I was going to title this as "makes me feel like I'm on Club MTV" which REALLY is a flash back.  Downtown Julie Brown would appreciate me though.

Fun Fact - I went to the Club MTV Concert where Milli Vanilli was the main show!

I always love a good workout video.  Just because you can put on the worse outfit ever & no one cares.

I did Jazzercise for almost 20 years.  Seriously!  I started when I was 17 years old.  LOVED IT... everything about it.  But when my schedule changed & we moved far away from everything the world offers (country living at its finest) & I found a Jazzercise class, their schedule didn't work with mine....

alas, back to home videos.

But they make fun exercise videos to get your groove on.  No offense to Stella.

Last night, I tried a new one.

Because work outs need big hoop earrings

I laugh when they put the instructors in cool khaki baggy pants, like they're really in a club...

One part, we did a march in place move... & then she said, Move those shoulders.  "Now the step just turned into a dance move"

See - he's using his shoulders... its a DANCE MOVE!... maybe...

Get me to a club ASAP! 

I know... I know... a lot of these are corny...

But in my mind, when I put on a dance workout DVD, I turn instantly into J-Lo...

Or Liz Lemon

even in my mis-matched sweats

.....

On a work out side, it does have a different 10 minute standing ab workout... which only taught me that I could NEVER EVER be a belly dancer...

but again, in my own basement, I was the best belly dancer in the world!

December Challenges... Wan? or Rulk?

So yes, I posted about a Plank Challenge for December & I've not just talked about it & then said, "Screw that"... I started it...

& man oh man... I had no idea how bad my abs are!  Right now, on day 5, I'm up to 40 seconds & I shake like a building in an earthquake rating a 10.0 ... its crazy...

& I can't believe that I'm supposed to hold that pose for 5 minutes in just a few weeks.  I'm expecting some sort of Ab-Plank-Fairy to come drop pixie dust on my abs at night to give me strength to make it.

1 HOUR & 20 MINUTES?  & I'm complaining about 5 minutes?

The Plank Fairy must REALLY like him!

I also can't imagine what I'll do while in that position for 5 minutes... that's a long time to be in a position where your face is just a foot from the ground.

There's an idea....

I expect one of my dogs to just crawl on my back & take a short snooze...

I'm also keeping up with my #RWRunStreak... which for me, should be called #RWWalkStreak ... or #RWRulkStreak ... or #RWWanStreak ... I'm doing a mile every day (if not more) but not killing myself.  Don't get me wrong, I still sweat, & I still try to get a better time then the night before...

But I've really accepted & been easier on myself about not trying to be something I'm not.  I'm not going to be the fastest- never was, not planning on it at 41 years old... I'm not going to be this amazing story that makes people think, "Wow - I want to be like her"... I'm just trying to realize that I'm climbing up the hill (not over it yet.. right?) & I just want to stay as healthy as I can... keeping an eye on my back & knee & not make things more miserable.  So yes, sweat is involved... pain?  I don't want to make it worse... I want to be smart...

I'm going to just keep working at it in small steps.  Like I posted on Instagram the other day, small steps make for BIG distances if kept consistent.

Last night I even incorporated an old school VHS Pilates video.  I really want to tone up the core, & I know Pilates is about that... but my hips & quads were the ones aching in this work out...

I guess its all connected though...

& I know it all needs to be strengthened...

So I keep trying to do just that.

Anyone else doing any challenge in December?

How long can you hold a plank?

Which is better?  #RWWanStreak or #RWRulkStreak?

Let it be...

No... we're not talking about the Beatles...

We're talking about The Biggest Loser.

I was back on my treadmill doing my #RWRunStreak & watching my Dolvett & the other trainers...

Just because every post need Dolvett next to a pool...
Not the kind of trunks I'd imagine him choosing to wear.

This week, one person had to go home with a trainer & his weight would be against the other teams.  Jillian got to go home with him as well.  The winner was Jay.  Or Cowboy as I call him.  I mean, who wears a cowboy hat 24/7 while working out?  I guess Jay does.

 

We learned a lot about Jay while he was home.  The things that made him who he was, the things that devastated him & the things that may have caused his weight issues & his issues with food.

At one point, when he was talking about his parents divorce & his childhood home burning down, Jillian asks him, "What ended?"... she went on to talk about to have something born (an issue with food/eating), something had to die.. what was it?

Jillian goes on to talk about how we sometimes go through things that causes a piece of us to die...

Jay finally admits that a part of him died...

What died?  "I did" ...

it broke my heart...

I mean literally on the treadmill with tears streaming down my face.  Thank goodness my treadmill belt has a good traction on it or I'd slip in my own tears.

How tragic would that be?

I think if you've ever been in a situation where you've been so hurt, ever had regrets you couldn't stand, ever felt like a part of you has literally died... you would understand this moment.

Jay then goes on & says that he's trying to move on from it... & Jillian said something that punched me in the gut...

"Let it be"

Finding acceptance in things ...

Refocusing...

It was really powerful...at least for me...

I remember the episode I posted about not too long ago where the person admitted that he jailed himself...

This eating thing... its tough on some people... its a way of comfort, of dealing with hurt, of trying to make struggle easy, of coping by shutting yourself off from the world...

 

& the messed up thing?  It only causes more issues that makes you want to do these things even more.

Jillian Harris could have sent me a bill for therapy last night & I would have paid it...

In the end, Jay killed it & was safe...

& boo... my Velvet Teddy Bear was once again sent packing...

 

Good bye... again...

Now if he comes back again, something is gonna be fishy...

 

 

Run your Mass Off

This is why I love virtual races...

So I can do them whenever I want to..

Which also means that I'm at the last day of the month & thinking, I didn't do my race!

So Saturday, November 30th - the last day of the month - we were out Christmas shopping all day.  I mean, ALL DAY!  We were out in our first store at 10:00am & shopped until we literally couldn't fit another package in the car.

I was exhausted.

& that's when I got home & saw the medal sitting on my dresser.

When they send them ahead of the race, I put it on my dresser - don't dare thinking of putting it around my neck & NEVER goes on the medal wall until the miles are done.

So it was either throw the medal in a drawer, or get to the treadmill...

Ricky ended up falling asleep & I headed to the basement.

Luckily, there was a Glee episode on the TV in front of Miley (my treadmill's name).  It only gets 3 stations - one being Public Access TV which isn't very entertaining, so I try to do all my treadmill jaunts on specific times where something actually grabs my attention & not makes me want to slit my wrists from boredom on the treadmill...

Even better?  It was the Glee episode with Neil Patrick Harris.. my secret BFF... I say secret because I know we would be BFF's... Neil just isn't in on this idea yet though...

I ended up walking this one... walking all day shopping, my low back still aggravated, & my runner's knee still hurting getting up the steps, I knew not to push it.  After all, December 1st started the #RWRunStreak ... one mile a day till 2014... I couldn't get to that day with even more pain.

Walking it was... & it worked out well.  Not much pain in the back, the knees did OK, & I still got the miles in... 3.10

I laugh because my walking time isn't too much off my running time :) 

46:38

May be slow... but it was done... I could wear my medal

So I am in love with Jost Running's medals... It has become my favorite Virtual Race place.  Even better?  They use part of the money to fund charities - changing every month.

Check them out...  www.jostrunning.com

So there you go.. another virtual race in the books...

Now let's start the posts on the Run Streak & the Plank challenge...

Amber ROCKS!!!

Yes, I am a Dancing with the Stars Fan...

Watched from season 1 all the way to last night's Finale...

There have been some people who won that I've rooted for, others that I've not been their biggest cheerleader, but last night was one of those nights that I was excited for.  Excited enough that when they announced Amber as the winner, I literally popped up out of bed & shouted, YES!!!!

One thing struck me last night though... we all can see Amber is a different shape then most of the other people, but she could see dance like no other... obviously - she won!  I always loved that about her.  Her weight or size didn't hold her back.  She went for the moves 110% & it paid off.

But what really hit me was when they were asking the pro's about the final 3, Cheryl said, "She doesn't have the body of a normal dancer but she still has the moves"...

First, what struck me was this comment was from a lady who had an eating disorder herself - had been publicly trashed for gaining weight one year, has a contract with Jazzercise as well.  Her weight was a big deal.  And yet, she was the one who made a comment about another woman's weight.

Not that she was so gigantic, but the press made a big deal about it

That just disturbed me...

Not to mention that no one even thought twice about Jack Osbourne or made a comment that he too did not have the body of a dancer.  He never took his shirt of & danced with a 6 pack that was tanned in the right places.

He is still stinking adorable!!!!

It just frustrates me the pressure we put on women in this world... the double standards of it all...

But in the end, Amber was like, "take this non-dancer's body & shove it... give me my mirror ball"

She even said after she won a comment about how it didn't matter how what size you are, you can do anything...Go girl!!

But do you think Jack would have had to make that same comment?

Messed up...

But today, I'll shake my 'non dancer's body" in honor of Amber & all the girls who still got moves & not stick thin!

I just need Derek to meet up with me....

December is a PLANK Challenge...

I'm still around... falling apart...

My low back & knee are still just flared up & aching.  I don't know if its the cold air settling in these old bones, but its really put a hampering on me.

But I am determined to find other ways to try & keep this body strong - or as strong as possible.

I'm already signed up to do the Holiday challenge of 1 mile a day - run, walk, crawl - however to do it - for the rest of the year starting on Thanksgiving (which means lots of posts through the end of the year)

But I'm going to try something new I just saw on Facebook.

Facebook - the training tool of 2013 & the future :)

A Plank Challenge for 30 days...

 

here it is if anyone is interested in strengthening your core!

 

Day 1 - 20 seconds

Day 2 - 20 seconds

Day 3 - 30 seconds

Day 4 - 30 seconds

Day 5 - 40 seconds

Day 6 - REST

Day 7 - 45 seconds

Day 8 - 45 seconds

Day 9 - 60 seconds

Day 10 - 60 seconds

Day 11 - 60 seconds

Day 12 - 90 seconds

Day 13 - REST

Day 14 - 90 seconds

Day 15 - 90 seconds

Day 16 - 120 seconds

Day 17 - 120 seconds

Day 18 - 150 seconds

Day 19 - REST

Day 20 - 150 seconds

Day 21 - 150 seconds

Day 22 - 180 seconds

Day 23 - 180 seconds

Day 24 - 210 seconds

Day 25 - 210 seconds

Day 26 - REST

Day 27 - 240 seconds

Day 28 - 240 seconds

Day 29 - 270 seconds

Day 30 - AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

What I love about this challenge more then anything?

It ends on December 30 - MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Which I plan on making new goals on that day - the day I turn 42... wow... where does time go.

This is the perfect lead into turning another year older
As well as a perfect way to get these core muscles stronger during the holidays when the core could easily be bigger with lots of Christmas feasts & sweets...

Start at 20 seconds - go for 5 minutes by the end?  This should be interesting!

"The Runners"

Anyone else see this?

A short film produced by two British filmmakers who interviewed runners as they ran...

love it...

Love it even more because they have British accents...

running with a British accent is just classy running...

I would be gasping in a Southern Drawl.. not the same...

Biggest Loser & going HARD

Can we start off the show any better... getting Rueben back!!!




That's how I felt too...

I'm still sort of shocked when he weighed in that he's over 400 lbs.

Isn't it weird how some people can 'carry' their weight.  I mean, I know he looks heavy, but he doesn't look like 400 lbs to me.  I'm hoping he's on for awhile again.

This week though, the contestants got to look back at videos of themselves that reminded them who they were & why they wanted to come to the ranch...

Not sure why they did this so early in the season.  Its usually reserved for the last few people as they send them on their way home as they prepare for the finale. 

But one story really got to me.  It was the story of the guy who learned he was gay.  He said he struggled with it so badly that he just ate for comfort because he knew he couldn't tell his family.

"I ate & gained the weight & imprisoned myself"

That realization just hit me like a ton of bricks...

Its more of a personal thing for me but I have failures in my life & I think I have basically done the same thing... trying to punish myself for the mistakes.  The best way to do it?  If you imprison yourself,  you're basically putting yourself in jail, cutting yourself off from others, making yourself feel miserable & lousy... how much more punishment can there be?

I know some things click for some people & not other... this one clicked for me...

I even woke up with a renewed feeling... had a healthy breakfast of banana with greek yogurt & fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries & walnuts...

Ready to let myself out of this prison....

On a happy note - no one was booted this week.  Blue team lost but Bob used his save.  Now all the saves are gone... & looks like a double elimination happens next week.  As long as its not my Velvet Teddy Bear, I'm OK :)

______________________

Side note - today is Go HARD day!!

Go Hug a Runner Day!!!!

I've got to hug my husband who runs all day long as his job! :)

Go find a runner & give them a hug...

Just don't come up from behind as they are running.. that could end badly

Biggest Loser - I called it

Yes... I love when I'm right!

I called it... I knew my lovable Velvet Teddy Bear wasn't gone!  See, I pay attention to those promos they give at the beginning of the season & Rueben was MUCH smaller & doing other things, so I didn't think he could be gone...

RUEBEN IS GONNA BE BACK!!!!!

Why?

Because apparently Jillian was giving her team crack... I mean, caffeine supplements.
I actually want to see what all the fuss was about that.  I mean Dr. Oz even approves Green Tea Extract pills, which is the same thing.

But her team got penalized for it causing a 4 lb penalty... ouch... that meant her guy that she saved on week one... his time to go. No save this time around....

At least he had longer on the ranch then he thought... And he learned to swim.  A handy life tool to have.

We got to see our cute kiddo ambassador's too come back for a food challenge. 

Can we just stop a second & say how cute Bingo is?  & how cute that his parents named him Bingo? 

The challenge was for the teams to make a healthy balanced dinner. 

I get so frustrated that everyone does quesadillas.  Is that the only food ever anyone can eat on a diet or trying to eat healthy?  It always seems to be the same food... add on the chicken - don't forget... ugh!  I want them to do a vegetarian dish... REALLY make them use the veggies in different ways.

But the kiddos liked it.  The team that won is the one that had Bingo actually eating his vegetables.  Score.

The Weigh in brought in lots of BIG numbers... especially for Bob's team... who ended up getting immunity because of once again, Jillian's screw up.  I wonder if Bob knew that, if he'd push his team as hard because next week, no immunity & numbers don't tend to be that big two weeks in a row... we'll see how that plays out.

Excited for next week... the return of Rueben!
Anyone else watching?

What did you think of Jillian & her caffeine pills?
What is the deal with Bob & weight lifting lately?
Can you swim?

Going Streaking!!!

...no! ....

Not like that!

Joined a Facebook Page - "Thanksgiving to New Years Day Running Streak"

The point?  Sort of what I was wanting to do a few weeks back.

Try to get in 1 mile a day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day...

Beat off those Holiday pounds...

I think that's what got my Runner's Knee REALLY flared up... but I'm even going to walk more.  Not concentrate on running until I get some weight off & make it safer on my knee & back to do so....

But its a challenge.  A miles (or two... or three) walk a day can't hurt things...

especially when we're surrounded by holiday goodies everywhere

Struggling...

I was sitting watching my dog yesterday...

Now we have 4 dogs... 3 of them are pretty old.  9,10 & one turning 13.  Each has aches & pains.  One was found with a broken leg & it grew back weird shaped.  The dog I was looking at is overweight.  I mean OVER-WEIGHT!  Like he's as round as he is long.  A weeble-wobble is a good example of how he moves.

Oh, how I love this chubby boy....

And I try to watch his weight... I walk him as much as I can - which isn't far.  He literally will walk a few steps & then lay down & refuse to walk anymore.  I get it.

His weight goes up & down so easily too.  He'll loose weight & look like he's slimming down, only to have him balloon right back up in 2 weeks...

just like his momma...

I was watching him though & he was looking at the water bowl.  We have one of those tall ones that keeps the bigger dogs from having to lean over.

Bruno can't reach it...

We used to have another one on the floor just for him, but I took that bowl outside for when we lock up the puppy... yes, puppies need to get confined when we're not home, or we'd have no socks, underwear, & holes in the rugs & chair legs...

Bruno just sat & looked at the water bowl...I could see that he was like "I can't make it"

He used to be able to put his front legs on the outer rim of the stand & drink that way.  If he REALLY tried, he could stretch his neck & get a drink... if the water was full...

No... he just sat & looked sad...

I went & got a new bowl to put on the floor just for him & felt so bad for him...

& then I felt like I knew exactly how he felt.

I look at all these 'fit people' & their blogs & their pictures & stories of their easy 20 miles they ran that day... & I feel like Bruno just sitting there staring, like I'll never be able to reach that...

Some days, its just a struggle to put forth the effort...

Gotta do it though... I don't want to die of thirst...

Blog Fail...

I know this is supposed to be a blog where I talk about how awesome I am at working out, running, toning up & loosing weight...

Yeah... not so much lately...

Right now, today, I just want to sit & complain about my low back hurting more then ever...
I want to cry over my bicep tendon hurting 24 hours a day...
I want to moan about my runners knee...
my right quad is still feeling odd & weak/shaky....
I want to throw up chocolate from Clearance Halloween candy.

Work Out Blog Fail....

I'm in a slump... the pain is getting to me I think.

I want to run, but know my knee & back are preventing it. & even if I do go for a run, the knee & back hurts even MORE... what to do, what to do...

I'm doing other work outs... last night, I even went old school & did an old VHS Firm work out.  Step Aerobics people... anyone old enough here to remember that stuff?

if you remember the cool work out of the 90's, raise your hand

Its still pretty good at working a sweat & getting my butt burning - so I guess that's success.

But I'm so tired afterwards.

I think its the time change.  Working out & coming up from the basement to complete darkness out of the window.

I want to just curl up in a ball, in soft cozy pj's, under a blanket ... & eat comfort food all night long...

Again, Fitness Blog Fail....

So I need to hit that switch in my mind that turns it all around.  Gets me back on track.  Trains me while strengthening the aching parts, not hurt them more...
instead of getting gloom & doom & thinking I'm going to need about 4 surgeries to take care of my problems...

loosing weight will probably help 4 out of the 5... the bicep situation is nothing that can be fixed except letting them cut the tendon... sounds fun, huh?

I just know I need to find that switch before the holidays comes & the idea that every person gains 5 lbs during that season...

that's all I need....

Anyone else in a rut? 
Is the time change getting to anyone else? 
Back pain?  Anyone?

Biggest Loser... Nooooo!!!!!!!!

Tuesday tradition for me has become watching The Biggest Loser while on the treadmill.

My low back has just gotten worse & worse... the runners knee is just worse & worse... so I just stuck with walking this night.  45 minutes of walking... may not be running, but at least its moving. 

Better then sitting on the couch, eating, while watching The Biggest Loser... which I have been known to do in past seasons...

Progress has happened...

So I'm watching it... still loving the hour format... no more wasting time.  Though they are good at sliding in the promos for some product.  Last night was a Protein Bar...

& while I love a good protein bar, really?  You want to hand them out next year for Halloween?  Good luck washing all the smashed eggs off of your house from angry kids.

I get nervous when they focus on a few people - that's the key that they are going to be the ones that have the chance to go home.  Why was I nervous?  Because this week, they were focusing in the Velvet Teddy Bear, Rueben.

The Blue Team (Bob's team) got immunity from the challenge - as long as they didn't gain weight, they were passed on with no one going home...

It was between Red (Dolvett's team) & White (Jillian's team)... well, both trainers have already used their save.  Someone was going home.  No vote - just who was under the line.

We found out, it was going to be someone on the Red Team.
Down to Tanya & Rueben...

Now Tanya was someone Dolvett used his save on last week....

I didn't think she really deserved the save... but who am I but someone with back pain trying to move for 45 minutes on the treadmill...

& I thought, its not going to be Rueben.  After all, I remember previews at the beginning of the year that showed Rueben in in the studio performing a song.  He still had more shows to be on... no worries - Rueben is safe....

Until they said he wasn't!

NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was furious...

I really liked Ruben.
Its always fun to cheer on someone you like... a good person... someone who seriously TRIED!
Dude was out in the pool at night trying to shed extra lbs....

Wasn't enough...

He was sent packing... & of course, he went with a smile & a kind spirit...

I'm still convinced he's coming back...
I'm not letting go of the Velvet Teddy Bear that easy...

& now, I have a grudge against Tanya...

I'll be cheering you right off that show now Tanya...
You have two enemies now... me & Clay Aiken... I'm sure...

(Though Clay Aiken may be glad someone booted Rueben from winning... bygones...)

Who I Run 4....

 

I have felt blah lately... not really myself

 

Vacation took it out of me I think

 

The time change didn't help either

 

Not to mention the runner's knee flared up & the low back pain reminding me how messed up my back now is...

 

But everything got turned around this morning...I got an email message on Facebook

Something I've been waiting on for about 3 months...

 

 

 

A match...

 

See, there's this incredible program called "I Run 4......"

 

http://www.whoirun4.com/

 

You click the "Match me" button & you get on the list of being paired up with a special needs child.  Then you run for that partner of yours.  Every run you do during the week, the races, the training... you run with the thought of that person in your mind... run for the person who can't

 

I got my match today...

 

Her name is Reagan...

 

I'm not allowed to show her picture unless her parent/guardian allows it.... Not even supposed to be up a lot of personal information about her unless also given permission... I totally respect that...

 

But let me tell you - I have seen her face this morning... & the picture of her was in a Cinderella dress,  gloves that have Belle on them & a magic wand & tiara with pictures of Rapunzel on them... this beautiful face is who I run for now...

 

My day has been made...

 

My running spirit has been restored...

 

I now have a reason to run again... not for only me... but for this beautiful Princess

 

I now run 4 Reagan!!!!

 

 

New York City Marathon... its magical...

I know some people get excited about the Super Bowl... or the World Series... or March Madness (That's for my husband)

Me?  I don't care for any sport.  I will admit, I do watch Wimbledon some years - but ever since Chris Evert Lloyd retired, I've not watched too much... kidding - I'm not THAT old.  I mean, I am... but not really...moving on.

But Sunday morning, I was excited & rearing to go...

New York City Marathon!

& it was on TV this year!!!!

What other sport do you have to get up early to watch?  Other sports are later at night with parties & finger foods... not this one!  Its up early, with coffee & toast... add a little almond butter to carb up with the runners.

I got up early, pulled up twitter & Instagram & saw all my Blog/IG/Twitter friends posting pictures & updates of their trip to the start line...

I get so excited just reading & seeing the pictures of it.  I live vicariously through them.

Even on Good Morning America, they covered 2 people & their personal stories on the race they were running.  I don't care who you are, I get teary eyed every time I hear stories of why people run.  I am your instant cheerleader!

Then the opening with John McEnroe... it was pretty awesome.  I've been trying to find it on YouTube... where you should be able to find everything... BUT that opening of the race.  I did find some Marathon tip commercials he's done though - pretty funny.





I don't know what makes it exciting to watch people run, but I love it. 
I sit with my jaw dropped at the speed.... how they look like they do it effortlessly... how it really becomes a race (women's winner passed for the lead right at the last 4 miles... really?  Intense stuff!)
I love the running commercials... I love seeing all the different corral's races start & all the cheering arms going over the start line.

Yes, I'll stand in my kitchen, watching on TV & clap my hands for them... every person crossing that start line ....I'll admit it... they had someone yelling "You are awesome"

There's just something about a race... watching people do something for no other reason then just to run & finish... knowing they are having a battle only with themselves to do this trek of 26.2 miles...

I just wish there was a link to watch ALL the finishers cross... its always those last people in the 'back of the pack' - (my peeps) - that really gets me...

I saw on ABC Nightly News, one of the young men they profiled earlier in the morning that has Autism, he had just finished at 6 pm... in the dark... with only lights shining on the finish line.. with his dad by his side...
It's THOSE stories that really hit me...

Its the whole thing... its the pro athletes that inspire me... its the people that run with heart that move me...

Its just magical...

I didn't run it... but I felt the energy in my own home in the southern part of Indiana...
Only magic can do that...

Does a Magical Doug Henning 'knock off'  make me sound old here too?

__________________

They kept playing this song during the broadcast... it may be one of my new favorite pre-race songs!