We did it!

All three of us finished the Country Music Half Marathon! It has been a LOT of hard work, but we did it.

I feel like a runner!

I can't believe that I actually made 10 miles last week! (I think it was actually 9.6 miles, but I'm counting it as 10 because it had alot of hills.) If you had asked me if I could have ever run that far without stopping, I would have said no way. I even felt well enough to take a 6 mile bike ride with my daughter later that afternoon.

I ran this Wednesday and thought to myself -- 6 mile run.... piece of cake. I am really excited about the challenge of running 12 miles this Saturday. When I started on this training program, I really was just hoping to run/walk and finish the 1/2 marathon. Now I hope to be able to actually run the whole thing! I've even found a group of women that run in my neighborhood on Saturday mornings that I am going to join up with to keep running as part of my routine.

I still haven't experience the weight loss that I was hoping would occur with this training, but I have to say that I do feel better. Maybe if I keep plugging away, the weight will drop. It would be nice if I could get some thinner legs from all this running!

First Time for Everything!

Well, this is my very first time to blog. I have been surprising myself lately with the amount of firsts that I've accomplished. At the ripe old age of 42 (am I really that old??) I can only assume that I am officially middle aged and never dreamed that I would be doing these things. I am very excited at the progress that I've made on training for this 1/2 marathon. The only downer is that I lost a diamond earring about 3 weeks ago on one of my runs and still haven't been able to find it. :(

I had never run a race before and at the end of January we ran in a 5K and I was pleased to run the entire way. This Saturday I ran 8 miles. The thought of it was overwhelming, but somehow I made it through without stopping....unless you count at mile 7-1/4 when I tripped and fell. I skinned both palms pretty good, but fortunately not my knees! It has been a long time since I've had a good old fashioned asphalt scrap and let me tell you they hurt!!

Unfortunately, my schedule hasn't meshed well with everyone elses to meet up for runs together so I've had to run most of this on my own. I am looking forward (did I really say that???) to running another 8 miles this weekend and continuing toward this 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks. I even bought brand new running shoes today. I even paid full retail price and I never buy anything unless it is on sale. Another first!

Only 5 weeks left!

I cannot believe that we only have 5 more weeks until this half marathon. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am getting stressed about it but also getting excited that it is almost over!! I don't think I have ever been this diligent about any other type of exercise. Not that I have been the greatest the past couple of weeks. I have only been running about twice a week which is probably why it isn't getting any easier. I have, however, been running outside instead of on my treadmill and boy does that make a difference. My neighborhood is really hilly, so I am trying to do shorter runs that include the hills to help build up my endurance.

Today we were supposed to do 8 miles. I went out to Crockett Park and mapped out a course that was 7.2 miles. It was very tough as a good portion of my course was hilly. I ran about 5 of those miles. I am trying to do the walk/run thing b/c I know I won't be able to run all 13 miles. I almost gave up, but I finished it and I am so proud of myself. Last week Shelley and I did 6 miles out on one of the greenways. While that was tough b/c it was hilly too, it made it a little easier knowing that Shelley was out there with me. I tend to do much better when I am running with our group.

I hope everyone has a great Easter!!

Being Sick Stinks!!

I have discovered that I am now really behind in training for this half marathon which takes place, oh, in about 9 weeks!! I was doing well, up to 4 mile runs and then BOOM! I am down for the count with a horrible sinus infection. I have had it for 2 weeks (now starting my third week) and have been on antibiotics. The first week I only ran one time. The second week I ran 4 days, but was only able to get back up to 3 miles on my treadmill. I could only run 2 miles on Saturday out at the mall. That is really depressing since I ran 4 miles there just 2 1/2 weeks ago!! Tonight I decided to run outside after work because the weather was so decent (mid 50s). Well, I was only able to run 1.5 miles. It really is completely different running outside versus the treadmill. My neighborhood is hilly, and while I didn't even run on the really hilly parts, the small hills and grades really wore me out. I think I need to run outside now as much as I can to build up my stamina. I just hope this dang congestion goes away soon. It sure makes it hard to breath right!!

Good Morning!

I was up WAY too early this morning and decided I needed to post on the seemommyrun site as I haven't done that for a while. Since I was online, I thought I would provide a link to that post on this site as well since what I wrote is in regard to our awesome team.

Check it out....

I surprised myself today

Today is normally a day for those of us in our group that can get our schedules together (no small feat), to meet for a group run. The stars just didn't align for us today so I was on my own to do my (at least) 4 mile run. It was fairly nice weather here today (50's) and I decided to take my run outside. I knew I needed to eventually tackle some hills - today was that day. My subdivision has some pretty big hills and several backroads. I knew the path to take to do 2.5 miles, but hadn't done 4 miles in my neighborhood before, so I kinda made it up as I went along. I ran for as long as I thought would be 4 miles.

Later today I drove the path I ran and found out I actually ran 4.6 miles. Yoohoo! I still can't believe it. I have to admit I did walk two times - once after each MAJOR hill, but I didn't walk for long and made sure I picked up the pace quickly.

I don't think I've ever run 4.6 miles before! Craziness! I have to admit - I'm pretty proud of myself. Of course, I still have quite a ways to go before I'm ready for that 1/2 marathon in April.

My week in review

I somehow managed to run the entire 5K Zoo Run Run race on Saturday. It was quite a challenge since I have only been training on my treadmill. The off road parts of the course were tough, especially the up hill gravel/dirt/mud part. And the dang meerkat hill being near the end of the race nearly did me in!! But, with the help of my husband running beside me, I was able to persevere and run the whole way. What an accomplishment for me since I have never done anything like this in my life!! And it was great to stand at the finish line and cheer Shelley and Lisa on at the end. I am so proud of all of us, including Susan, who ran in the cold weather and finished. And to top it off, my pace was at a 10.5 minute mile which is better than I have been doing!!! :)

I took Sunday off and then ran on Monday night on my treadmill. Let me tell you that it was so hard! I got a terrible side cramp after about 2.25 miles and had to stop and walk a half mile and then I was barely able to run another mile. I couldn't believe how hard it was! I thought the treadmill would be a breeze or at least not be too challenging after running outside. I was so disappointed and disgusted. I ran again on Wed and completely made up for my lackluster performance on Monday as I ran 3.66 miles, all running!! I think we are supposed to hit 4 miles this weekend so I am feeling like maybe I can do that tomorrow at Opry Mills. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

This week's progress

So I just wanted to give a quick progress report for the week. I missed the Zoo run over the weekend because I had to do some work for my Stroller Strides business and work at the shoe store.

I just got off the treadmill and did 5 miles. I did it in about an hour and fifteen minutes. I ran the first part of it and then my shin started hurting. So I walked the last two miles. I feel pretty good about it and plan on continuing to increase my speed. I just hope that my legs can take it. I've never had shin splints, but I think that I am starting to understand what people who have had them are talking about. I'll have to remember to take some drugs before I start next time.

Now I'm really behind!

This week has not been good. I've only worked out 3 times and the Zoo Run is tomorrow. One of the girls has a major case of pink eye and is on 2 kinds of antibiotic trying to keep it from getting worse. So I can't go to the Y and check her in, since she's still contagious. My husband has been out of town since Tuesday, which is very unusual. Actually, he's just been at the Hilton downtown, but he might as well be in CA! He hasn't been here! The worst thing is I'm planning this silly little 50's Sock Hop at my oldest daughter's elementary school (Feb 8). At the committee meeting on Tuesday, one other person showed up. I don't know anything about putting togehter a dance for 500-700 people by myself. Just a little stressed! Running has actually helped the stress level! Okay, enough complaining. I'll get out there tomorrow and be the only one in our group who can't run 3 miles in one strecth. Go ahead, great friends, laugh at me! I love you anyway!

Long Awaited Photos

Hello everyone,

I was finally able to upload the pictures from the Bikini Marathon we all recently completed (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). I know EVERYONE is excited about seeing photos of all of us. And - if I do say so myself - we look fantastic!

Robyn, Lisa & Susan

Katie

Shelley

Mall Run

Shelley, Katie, and I got together this morning at Opry Mills mall to run at 8am indoors since it is freezing today outside. I thought it was great!! It is one mile to go all the way around, so it was easy to know how far we had gone. We all walked one mile together and then started running. We ended up doing 3 miles each, all at different paces. I have longer legs and run at a faster pace so I was out ahead. Once we had all finished, then we walked another mile around making it a 5 mile day. I felt great afterwards and really pumped when I got home. It makes it so much easier to run with other people!! And it was great to run on a different surface than a treadmill. I wasn't sure how I would do having to make myself run as opposed to the treadmill keeping my pace. Up next, the Zoo fun run!! I hope it isn't freezing next weekend :)

Back on Track

I hit a bit of a speed bump in my training last week when I got super sick on Wednesday. I knew something wasn't right when I actually said NO to going to the 1st See Mommy Run meeting on Tuesday night. My head was splitting and that was just the tip of the ice burg. When I was finally out of bed on Thursday morning, I got on the scale and had lost 8lbs! Yes, it was that rough of a Wednesday for me!

I didn't do anything on Thursday and then taught my Stroller Strides class baby-free on Friday. I felt pretty dizzy the whole time and made it through without passing out. The weekend and Monday went by and I didn't get back on the treadmill. So I finally got back on tonight. I did 2 miles in just under 30 minutes. I have obviously suffered a set back, but am back on my way to completing the 13.1 miles in one day.

Go Mommy, go Mommy!

I have been faithfully running on my treadmill at least every other night if not more since the first of the year. I thought after running for a week or 5 days of the week that it would start to feel easier and that I wouldn't be struggling to finish 2 miles. I was getting discouraged by how tired I felt. BUT, now I have had the breakthrough that I have been looking for!! I ran 3.1 miles last night which has to be the longest distance that I have ever run non-stop in my life. I wasn't even too winded when I got done either. And I ran just under 11 min miles. I am feeling really pumped now and got the boost that I needed. I guess now I need to try running outside! :)

1st Team Meeting!

Yoohoo! We had our first "official" team meeting last night. Granted, it did include some food and beverages probably NOT on our 1/2 marathon training eating plan, but we talked about running so surely that burned a few calories - right?

Anyway, we are going to do a BIG run/walk/crawl once every two weeks and then those of us that live closer to each other will train together on the off weekends.

We also had our picture taken last night, so as soon as I photoshop that sucker to make us all look like the supermodels we are then I'll post it on here.

Edited to Add: Our team motto?

"If Katie Holmes can do a full marathon then we can do a 1/2 marathon!"

I can't believe I am going to run a half marathon

I had my twins almost 19 months ago to the day. They were born July 3rd of 2006. I gained a whopping 90+ lbs. and have been trying to whittle it down ever since. I've never actually successfully lost weight in my life until just recently. I started taking a Stroller Strides class and then decided to open my own franchise in my area. It has probably been the best "job" I've ever had and I've continued to steadily slim down.

I started talking about my whole "new fit attitude" with Shelly a few weeks ago at our local Chicfila. (Yes, I had just downed some of those tasty waffle fries and nuggets!) I had just heard about the http://seemommyrun.com website from some a Stroller Strides posts and Shelly started talking about it. It was one of those moments when two completely different worlds intersect and there had to be some sort of purpose behind it. I guess that's the story of how I got myself into this Half Marathon.

I teach an exercise class 3 times a week and you'd think I'd have a fitness advantage, but you are sadly mistaken. I really need to kick it into high gear and move from walking fast on the treadmill to actually jogging. I'll be sure to keep anyone out there that might be reading this posted on my progress.

Oh No! I'm already behind Robyn!

Okay, so it's January 5. I've started walking and running a little bit, but I'm certainly not running 2 or 3 miles a day like Robyn! Oh well. She's younger and more organized than I am!
I'll catch her before the Zoo run at the end of the month.

This is really something we've gotten ourselves into. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I know I need to do this to get myself in shape and loose some weight, and I've got wonderful teammates! We'll do it together.

The amazing thing about Shelley, Susan and Robyn is that I've known them for at least 4 years and they're all terrific! Katie's terrific too, but her kids are younger, so I haven't known her as long. This is going to be tough, but we'll have fun doing it. This is one of those things you talk about doing, but never really do.

Actually, after the Music City Marathon last year, I realized how many people I knew that ran the half marathon. 3 of my best friends ran it in under 3 hours! I told my DH that one of my friends had challenged me to run with her this year, and he laughed at me. (Very supportive, isn't he?). So, while I'm doing this to get in shape, I'm also doing this to show him I can. . . yes, to prove him so, so wrong!!!

I'm new to blogging too, but I write like I talk (so I've been told). You can be the judge of that.

New to Blogging and Running

So, I have never blogged before tonight. I must be one of the last people who have never blogged. I have also never text messaged someone, but that is a different story. So, here I am writing my first blog.

I am really excited about our running group, mostly because we are all moms of multiples. These women are some of my absolute best friends and I would not be where I am today without their friendship and support. I am a mother of 5 year old triplets who has decided to do something for myself. I have never been a runner, but thought that this would be a great way to get some exercise and some peace and quiet. Like most other moms out there, I find that I take care of everyone else around me before myself. Now that my kids are at an age where they can do most things for themselves it is time for me to do something for me. I am frightened out of my mind, but know with the support of my friends and family that I can do this.

I started my training on Dec 31st. I am starting slow because I know that I cannot run 3 miles yet. My first 2 days I ran 2 miles on a treadmill. I took Wed off and tonight I ran 2.5 miles which I was really proud of!! My biggest issue is getting out of bed in the morning, esp when it is cold outside. If I could find a way to just pop out of bed, this would be so much easier!! I am hoping to contribute to this blog on a regular basis as it really will help to hold me accountable to myself and my teammates. I can't wait to read everyone's posts!!

Hello & Welcome to our Wacky World

I've been postponing doing this initial blog post as I had hoped to create some wonderfully witty prose about the five of us participating in this crazy team. Well, having a life with multiple birth children (twins, triplets, or more - oh my) in it makes for a busy day, week, month, year...you get the gist. There is just never going to be that "perfect" time to get this blog going so I said heck with it and now you're reading this as it is - faults and all.

You see, all the members of this team have twins (three of us) or triplets (two of us). We are all members of the Parents of Twins and Triplets Organization (POTATO - hence our Hot POTATO team name). We are not amazing athletes, Olympic competitors or Iron Man contenders, but we are strong, capable women and we are DETERMINED to finish the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in April. We may be crawling across that finish line, but - by golly (we are Southern and talk like that a LOT) - we WILL make it across that finish line.

Also, training for this huge endeavor helps give us some much needed time away from our twins & triplets. We need a break people!

So, having said all that, we plan on posting on this site as much as possible. We are working on our individual and group training schedules now and plan on taking pictures of all of us together soon. We also are participating in a 5K (the Zoo Run Run) at the end of January which should be fun (or awful, or a sick combination of both).

Enjoy!