This is the last week leading to the Shamrock half

The last long training run completed yesterday. Only thing left this week are runs to keep me limber and motivated - should be an easy week.

Emails are starting to come in about the race - waivers, packet pickups, freebie coupons, etc.

Plans to get to VA Beach are arranged...I'll just have to do a checklist of things to pack so as not to forget and have anxiety over forgetting something that most likely will not really help me run the race any faster. Nevertheless, it's better to have taken it rather than mull over if I'm going to need it.

I'm getting excited...

4 weeks to Shamrock half

It's a bit fascinating that I am still the same weight considering all the running and calorie watching these last few weeks.

As far as running, finding my strength and resolve back. I felt pretty good running a 9:46 pace in the Sweetheart 4-mile race last Sunday. Confidence booster.

Today is 5 miles, followed by a 2-hour or 13 miles tomorrow (MCM Half course which is tough).

Looking forward to rest on Monday.

Two days in a row of running...

yesterday 6.5 miles;

today 90 min - zone 2 - ~8 miles.

Food - I need to start recording my food consumption again with Lose It.

Starting again....

2 beers and a glass of wine

...and a big prosciutto pizza, chips and nuts - calories from this afternoon. I was doing well given it's a Friday, until 5:30 came and at this time everyone assembles at a place called the Sports Centre in our office in La Hulpe. The sports center is just that - a gym with a restaurant and a bar. It's the happening place, and yes I indulged - my favorite Hoegaarden Rose!

No exercise on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday is redeem day. Here's sticking to the plan tomorrow.

Cheers!

I have lost nothing!

I'm losing it with LoseIt. It just got so confused when I changed the time on my computer to EST to Brussels time. Now I have to reenter 2 days worth of data and be reminded that I have been over calories for 2 days in a row.

I really could exercise more discipline in ordering less food - I have to stay away from ordering food combos that are tempting but with many more calories.

It is now 2 weeks - and not a pound lost.

God help me!

Week 2 Summary and start of Week 3

Week 2 ended with a big bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese and a glass of red wine. So it can be interpreted as either good or bad. Good because this is my favorite (of all favs) food combination and it was like an exclamation point to end the week; or additional calories that I could have lost down the road. Did I need Spaghetti Bolognese? Calorie-wise - no; and yes-since I am all by my lonesome. It felt like getting a hug.

Start of Week 3:

Monday, 17 Jan in La Hulpe, BE

15 min - walk / run

30 min - stretch and strengthen

Not too bad. Now off to get ready for work and ah before that breakfast buffet at downstairs (of hotel at Dolce La Hulpe).

Off I go....

Week 2 of Shamrock half-marathon training starts

Monday, 10 Jan - I was very good. Calories under the goal level. Even attended a very interesting yoga/pilates class.

Tuesday, 11 Jan - Bad day.over by 240 calories. Missed the 3 mile run. It must have been the 1-11-11 - oh well, had to blame it on something. As soon as I got home tonight, I was excited to make a shrimp thai curry dish. The dish was yummy, and we have left overs for tomorrow.

Wednesday - I redeemed myself. Still having hard getting up in the morning to begin my run, but I did start my day with a 30-min meditation. As soon as I got home, got on the treadmill for a 30 min tempo run. I ran a 9:13 pace for only 8 min instead of 15. The night is still young and I still have 53 calories more I can spend.

Week 1 Shamrock Half marathon training completed!

I have been doing very well I must say, thanks mostly for the exercise.

Exercise:

This week - Mon-Sun, I ran a total of 23 miles. All but 8 were on the treadmill. Today, I actually ran 8 miles/1.5 hours at Chancellor battlefield with my running buddies and had a blast. A bit windy and cold but so refreshing to be running outside. This is the longest run and first outdoor run since October 2010. So this is a good milestone to have.

Diet:

I am now on Day 3 recording my food intake in an app called Lose It. The goal is to stay at 1222 calorie per day. It is really cool how the calorie intake count is adjusted to give points to the exercise so technically I can consume more food.

On Fri, my intake was over the calorie goal for the day and that was such a big eye-opener. Yesterday was pretty good and today is looking even better. I already calculated how much dinner I will eat and because of the run this morning I can actually have a glass of red wine with dinner.

I am totally psyched!

getting into a routine

Wednesday, Jan 5.

It still is very hard to wake up every morning to get going for work. Thus, late waking up meant no workout in the morning. I have to get the routine in place or Shamrock half is a bust.

One of my running partners, Irene, emailed me her password to get the training plan in TrainingPeaks. She pays for this training plan and she shared it with so we can support each other (she says she needs me for this run, and yet I think it might be the other way around). I have yet to download the plan. I did download the Intermediate Half marathon Hal Higdon plan. I will need to modify that a bit to fit in 10 weeks vs. a 12 week plan and the beginning weeks would have to be slightly easier as I ease into running again.

I have 10 days to get going before the trip to Brussels. The routine should at least be set so that during the trip, I would still do the work-outs.

I am inspired by my 2 gal pals at work who are also on a quest for a healthier lifestyle.

and oh, the treadmill is here. I no longer have an excuse for not having an early morning run.

ok, time to get going on the treadmill for 30 min or 3 miles tonight.

First post of 2011

It's a brand new year. Time to make new year's resolutions or whatever one may want to call them. I am not much the type who makes new year resolutions, but am the type who keeps a bucket list of things that I would love to do before I pass on to the next life.

This year is an exception. I will make some resolutions. I hope that with making a public commitment that I may actually have a chance to fulfill these resolutions.

So let's begin:

1) Run the Shamrock half marathon mid-March in under 2 hours.

2) I will have strong core - lose most if not all of the belly fat by mid-2011.

3) which leads to the third resolution, get my dress size back to a 2 by mid-2011

I know, these resolutions sound a little vain - all about me getting in shape. Honestly though, when I am strong and healthy, I feel that I can give more and do more for the people around me. I am a much better person.

So, let's get a move on it.

Today:

1) 3 miles on the treadmill, with incline set to 1 - 33 min. - Not bad for a start!