My First Half Marathon (Part I)

Hi, everyone!

This post will be one in a series of catch-up posts.  I have missed blogging about some events in my life this summer, and I will start now by telling you all about my very first half marathon!

On May 5, Jesse and I ran the Lincoln Half Marathon.  As you know, we trained fairly diligently for about four months, and our hard work definitely paid off.  In preparation for the race, I also sent out some emails and raised $320 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  (Thank you again to everyone who donated!)

Running gear all ready to go!

 The night before the half marathon, we laid out our running attire, pinned our bibs to our shirts, and got a short night's sleep.  In the morning, Tory picked us up and drove us to campus.  We got there early enough to casually make our way to the 2:45 pacer and spend time chatting with the other runners.  We had already picked up our packets the day before at the runner's expo, so we didn't have to worry about that.  It was a chilly morning, and I was worried that I didn't dress warmly enough as I stood there trying to keep warm.

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Still a little sleepy

The race officially started at 7:00, but we were far enough back that we didn't begin until 7:45.  The announcer commented as we ran through the gate that there were already runners five miles out.  Boy was that an uplifting thought!

Almost to the starting line!

Luckily, we received a burst of happiness and motivation as we rounded the very first corner and saw our friends Ursula and Adriane standing there with neon pink signs cheering us on.

The first mile of the race went by so quickly I was utterly amazed when Jesse pointed out the 1-mile marker on the side of the road.  Our legs continued to fly, and as we finished up the second mile, we were overjoyed to hear the wonderful music of Less Talk, More Polka and spy our friend Kristin playing in the band.  I yelled to her and waved.  It was so nice and comforting seeing a familiar face.

As we started the third mile, I became aware that I was starting to become really warm.  I guess I did dress warmly enough after all.  As I ran, I took off my sweater and tied the sleeves around my waist.

However, about halfway through the third mile, we spotted my dad, who had come down to Nebraska a couple days previously.  It was great to see him, to have someone who was there specifically to see me and Jesse.  It was also great to have someone to give my sweater to.  As we passed by, both Jesse and I threw our sweaters at Dad with a big "Thanks!"

Another mile down the road, we saw dad again!  After he met up with us the first time, he hopped in his car and drove a little ways to surprise us.  I stepped off the course to give him a hug, but he waved me on saying, "Go, go!"

At this point, much of the excitement had worn off, and I was ready to take a walk break.  But Jesse pushed us forward, and I am so grateful he did.  We kept running.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of my half marathon story!

Until then,
Amy

Another Friday Fess-Up

Hi everyone,

Overall this week was... bad.  So I'll keep this short and sweet.

Highs: Hitting an 11 minute mile yesterday when I was aiming for an 11:15 mile.  I ran on the track, and the last couple miles were tough, but when I rounded the last bend and saw that I could make it in 11 minutes, I just sprinted!  It was a great feeling.

Lows: This week was a week for celebration.  Over the weekend we went tubing on the Niabrara and spent time in Valentine, Nebraska to celebrate our anniversary.  Then on Monday it was Jesse's birthday.  Wednesday it was our actual anniversary.  Needless to say, we ate out a lot and I blew my diet on more than one occasion.

Results: I am up 2 pounds this week, which could also be seen as a 2 week setback.

Recipe of the Week: I don't have a recipe for you this week, since I ate out so much, but I did discover a delicious low calorie dish at Carlos O'Kelly's.  Next time you are there, check out their Charbroiled Chicken Salad.  Very delicious.  Very filling.  Only 310 calories!

Alright, I am jumping back on the healthy track.

Until next time,
Amy

A Joyous Friday Fess-Up

Hi everyone,

Somehow looking back on this week makes it feel longer than a week, even though not much actually happened.  I did start my second 3-week summer class and go to orientation for my 2-week gig that starts next week (hanging out with incoming Japanese students).  Maybe new beginnings are what make a week feel long.

Anyway, here is my Friday Fess-Up.  (Remember, this is all Tory's idea....)

Let's start with the Lows: This week has been characterized by me feeling hungry.  I have pinned down a few reasons for this...

1. Sometimes I underestimate how much food I can have during the day while trying to save calories for dinner, if that makes sense.  
2. I have also gone out shopping a couple times this week, and I notice that when I'm out running errands, I often stay out too long without eating and I run myself down.  
3. Of course, I sometimes choose less healthy foods that have more calories instead of filling my stomach with what is actually good for me.  

This hunger (or craving) reached its peak on Tuesday when I went a little crazy with the cupcakes (see Recipe of the Week below), but I got a better hold of my eating after that.

Highs: My weigh-in this morning.  I am down another 2 pounds for a total of 4 pounds lost!  And I know I am still gaining muscle while losing weight, because I have been doing yoga and I went for a run on Wednesday, and I have felt soreness from both.

I was really proud of getting out and running this week.  I haven't done much running at all since the half marathon, and I was afraid to see how much my endurance had dwindled.  To get motivated, I wore my workout clothes to my summer class so that I would go to the Rec afterwards, which worked!  I warmed up, ran a mile (without stopping!) on the track, and then cooled down.  11:30 exactly.  Oh yeah.  Now that I know I can still run a mile straight, I want to work on getting faster.

This weigh-in also reminds me that it's alright to have a bad day once in a while, just as long as you don't let that bad day run over into the next.

Recipe of the Week: Soda Cupcakes with Whipped Pudding Frosting.

There are a ton of soda cupcake recipes on the internet, but here are the basics.  Add one can of soda to one packet of cake mix.  Stir.  Bake.  I first discovered this recipe when Tory invited me over to bake cupcakes for her graduation party.  We used diet soda to make the cake even more Weight Watchers friendly.  

Aren't they so cute?  Yes, those are Princess Leia cakes.

This week I used yellow cake mix and cream soda.  The soda wasn't diet, but even so, each cupcake was only 115 calories with my awesome whipped pudding frosting.

Oh, you also want my frosting recipe?  This is a jewel I found in my Grandma Howe's recipe box.  Whip 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 packet instant pudding mix, and 1 packet instant whipped cream mix (like Dream Whip) until set, about 3-8 minutes.  This will make more than enough for a batch of cupcakes, so be careful!

Well, that's all for now.  I'm off to clean and pack in preparation for our... drum roll... anniversary trip!  Two years!  Woo hoo!  We're going tubing on the Niobrara, and I am really looking forward to it.

Bis nachher,
Amy

Updates and First Friday Fess-Up

Hi, everyone...

We're back!!!

I realize Jesse and I haven't written in a long time (a little over two months, if you were counting), but we are going to be hopping back on the blog-wagon for the rest of the summer and as we start our time in Germany.  

Yes, you read that right.  Jesse and I are going to Germany!  I received a Fulbright grant, so I will be leaving for Löcknitz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on August 26, and Jesse will be following close behind on September 30, right after he attends his little sister's wedding.

As you have probably guessed by now, my Happiness Project died out at the end of May.  It was nice while it lasted, but in the end, I wasn't motivated enough to continue on with my resolutions.

So... onto a new way to keep myself accountable.

Each Friday for the next month (at the very least) I will post a "Friday Fess-Up" a la Tory Clower in order to help myself continue to be more conscious about what I eat and how much I exercise.

Without further ado, here is today's fess up...

Highs: I started tracking my food and activity (again) through MyFitnessPal on Tuesday when we got back from our trip to Wisconsin.  Also, yesterday Jesse and I went for a run around Holmes Lake, which was so nice.  I have been wanting to do that for a while, and I am glad we finally got out and spent some time together being active!

I don't have my own picture of Holmes Lake...  I borrowed this one form Google Images.

Lows: I went to visit my former coworkers at Nebraska Book Company today, since they were having a food day, so I had a donut for breakfast.  Then we went and got the Pizza Hut buffet for lunch.  (Silver lining: I didn't eat as much as I usually do at the buffet.)

Results: I am down 2 pounds already this week.  That is definitely encouraging!  I would like to eventually get back down to my wedding weight.  At the beginning of the week, I was 17 pounds away.  Now I only have 15 to go!  That seems like a lot, but I guess it goes on easier than it comes off!

Recipe of the Week: P.F. Chang-Style Lettuce Wraps.  Yum.  Enough said.

Alright, well that is it for now.  Keep on the look out for a slew of new blog posts describing our crazy awesome summer!

Love!

Amy