Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Weekly Weigh-In

Welcome to weigh-in Wednesday!

The scale did not go in the right direction this week.


Wah wah wahhhhh.

Starting: 183.1
Last Week: 176
This Week: 178.6
Total Lost: -4.5

Seeing that higher number sucks, but overall, I'm ok with it.

I've been working hard, and I know that scale number might not always reflect that.  I can't let that single number get me down.

With each run, I am improving my pace and I can feel my legs getting stronger.  My nutrition has not been perfect, but it is so much better than it was just a month ago.  Clothes are fitting better.  I've been more active in the month of October than I was in the past two months combined.

It is crucial to remember that non-scale victories are just as important, if not more important, as the number on the scale in this journey!!

Oh, and pickle ball last night, was amazing!  It is such a fun game.  I can't wait to go back next week!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Sometimes, you just need a donut.

Per the title, I just needed a donut this morning.

It was delicious.


I was craving some sort of sweet pastry, and I knew if I did not just give in, I was going to binge like crazy today.  I would rather forsake 290 calories and 16g of fat for a single treat, than binge all day and waste hundreds and hundreds of calories and go WAY over my fat allowance for the day.

As we all know, it is about moderation.  It is ok to treat yourself once in awhile.  One donut, once during the week, is not going to ruin your life.  Just do not let it become a daily habit :)

Preachy part aside... I have been LOVING my runs!

I am loosely following a half marathon training plan, and it has been going fairly well.  By loosely, I mean, I do not get all of the runs in.  For example, I only ran twice last week.  I currently do not have any races planned so I am basically just running when I feel like it.

Last week, I ran 3 miles on Tuesday, and then did a 5 mile long run on Sunday.  I was extremely nervous for the 5 miles because I have not run more than 3 miles since the beginning of August. 

 While I have been feeling strong on my 3 mile loops, I have also really pushed myself so by the end of mile 3, I am exhausted and very ready to stop.  The fact that I would need to run my regular 3 plus another 2 miles had me worried I would not be able to do it.  

But, I set my Garmin to a 10:15 pace to make sure I slowed it down, and it went just fine!

5.02 miles - 10:12 average pace

The first mile was tough, and I felt really slow and tired.  Many thoughts of doubt crept through my mind, but I just pushed them aside kept on going.  I did not really hit a comfortable rhythm until mile 3, but when I did, the last miles felt great and flew by.


Last night, I was back to 3 miles.  I set my pace to 9:45, and headed out.  I thought my legs would be tired from the 5 miler the day before, but I felt wonderful!  I felt like I was flying, and I kind of was...

3.02 miles - 9:32 average pace

I ended up being quite a bit quicker than originally planned!

I like the virtual pace feature on the Garmin Forerunner 10, but I wish it would beep more often if you are ahead or behind pace.  I do not like that it only beeps once to let you know when you are ahead or behind, I wish it would keep beeping until you got back on pace.

For the rest of the week, I have 3 more runs planned, and I am starting Pickleball tonight, haha!  Three of my co-workers and I joined a non-league Pickleball club that meets every Tuesday for two hours for the next 8 weeks.  I have not played Pickleball since high school and I am not very good at tennis...it is definitely going to be interesting.

As for my runs, I have 4 miles on Wednesday, 3 miles on Thursday, and a 6 mile long run on Saturday.


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Bloglovin' Update

Just updating my new blog name, Wooden Spoon Running, on Bloglovin'.

Posts on Running My Way to a Full will no longer update on Bloglovin'.  Click the link below to follow Wooden Spoon Running.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Weigh-In

Welcome to another weigh-in Wednesday!

I lost another pound this week, yahoo!


Starting: 183.1
Last Recorded Weight (8/5): 182.5
This Week: 176
Total Lost: -7.1

180 - Running Shoes
175 - Hydration Vest
170 - Subscription to a running magazine
165 - New sports bras
160 - New workout clothes
155 - Pedicure
152 - Wardrobe shopping spree

Only one more pound, and I will be able to get my hydration vest.  I have a hydration belt that has four bottles, but each bottle is only 6oz, and I go through them way too quickly for it to be of any real use.

On another note, I am happy to report that I've been able to get sub 10:00 paces on my three 3-mile runs!

10/15/15
Average pace: 9:46

10/17/15
 Average pace: 9:43

10/20/15
Average pace: 9:39

For my last two runs, I started using the virtual pacer on my Garmin.  This has really helped keep a fairly consistent pace.  I always try to push the last mile though...  On 10/17 I had the pace set at 9:55 and last night, I set it at 9:50.  Based on my splits last night, I am going to set it at 9:45 for my run today.

Monday, October 19, 2015

101 in 1001

                 
 Because I like lists, and making goals, I've decided to create a 101 goals in 1001 days list.

I have 1001 days to complete the following list of 101 goals I made for myself.

Start date: October 19th, 2015
End date: July 16th, 2018

Financial
1-5: $0/$100
  1. Put $20 into saving for each task I complete ($0/$2,020)
  2. Pay off two student loans (I have 5...ugh) (0/2)
  3. Have at least $5,000 in our savings account 
  4. Increase my IRA contribution
  5. Update my last name on my IRA account
Fitness/Health
6-20: $0/$300
  1. Run a marathon 
  2. Run a sub 2:00 half marathon
  3. Between running and walking, accumulate 3,000 miles (0/3,000)
  4. Run a race in another state
  5. Reach my goal weight of 152
  6. Rind out my blood type
  7. No candy for 30 days (0/30)
  8. Buy a treadmill
  9. Subscribe to a running magazine
  10. Run the Chicago Marathon
  11. Become a Tough Mudder
  12. Complete a sprint triathlon
  13. Run in the Belleville Fun Run
  14. Bike to Madison on the bike trail
  15. Run in at least 6 races (0/6)

Personal Growth/Learning
21-36: $0/$320
  1. "Adult" my wardrobe
  2. Recreate 10 outfits that I have pinned on Pinterest (0/10)
  3. Finish my 2nd bachelor's degree, in Spanish
  4. Read 150 books (0/150)
  5. Learn how to sew
  6. Learn how to knit
  7. Learn to drive a manual vehicle 
  8. Read 10 memoirs or biographies (0/10)
  9. Read 20 books from 1001 Books to Read Before You Die (0/20)
  10. Start playing a musical instrument
  11. Join the book club at my local library
  12. Start learning a new language (NOT Spanish, German, or Italian)
  13. Read 10 non-fiction books (0/10)
  14. Learn basic American Sign Language
  15. Finish Reading the Harry Potters series in Spanish (1/7)
    1. Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal
  16. Have a month-long streak on Duolingo
Travel
37-44: $0/$160
  1. Travel abroad
  2. Travel to at least 2 states I've never been to (0/2)
  3. Get our passports
  4. Take a weekend vacation to a dog-friendly hotel/bed & breakfast
  5. Go to the Milwaukee Art Museum
  6. Ride the Merrimac Ferry
  7. Visit the Apostles Islands Ice Caves
  8. Go to the Wisconsin State Fair
Giving
45-50: $0/$120
  1. Start a pay-it-forward at a drive-thru
  2. Do a boudoir photo shoot as an anniversary gift for Nick
  3. Donate blood
  4. Buy Christmas gifts for a family in need
  5. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity at least two times (0/2)
  6. Bake some yummy treats and send them to 5 friends/family members (0/5)
Home
51-65: $0/$300
  1. Build new bookshelves so I can organize my book collection
  2. Decorate about the cupboards in the kitchen
  3. Organize and clean basement storage shelves
  4. Organize and finalize camping totes
  5. Organize and clean out guest bedroom closets
  6. Improve our landscaping: e.g. redo river rock borders, add more flowers
  7. Set up/decorate a more welcoming foyer
  8. Establish a cleaning schedule and stick to it
  9. Re-purpose bedroom furniture
  10. Put up a tile backs plash in the kitchen 
  11. Put in new floors on our main level
  12. Do lawn maintenance i.e. eliminate weeds and crab grass
  13. Plant a blueberry bush
  14. Complete 5 DIY projects from my DIY Pinterest board (0/5)
  15. Buy new bed skirts
Cooking
66-72: $0/$140
  1. Bake a pie, from scratch
  2. Put together a favorite recipes binder
  3. Make homemade pasta
  4. Learn to make sushi
  5. Buy a bratzeli maker and make bratzelis for Christmas
  6. Make 3 authentic Italian recipes from Frank's cookbook (0/3)
  7. Take a couple's cooking class
Relationships
73-83: $0/$220
  1. Have a "picnic" dinner with Nick in front of the fireplace 
  2. Host a family Christmas
  3. Spend the day with my nephew
  4. Babysit our twin nieces and nephew overnight 
  5. Randomly send flowers to 3 friends (0/3)
  6. Watch a sunrise and drink coffee with Nick
  7. Watch a sunset and drink wine with Nick
  8. Have a baby
  9. Send Christmas cards
  10. Take my mom out to lunch
  11. Leave 10 love notes for Nick on the bathroom mirror (0/10)
Fun
84-101: $0/360
  1. Organize a girl's weekend
  2. Meet a fellow blogger in person
  3. Get another tattoo
  4. Go skiing
  5. Attend a play
  6. Attend a musical
  7. Complete the Badger Football puzzle to hang in our bar
  8. Go to Koz's Mini Bowl
  9. Write a letter to a favorite author
  10. Eat at 10 new restaurants (0/10)
  11. Watch the Star Wars series
  12. Watch 20 movies I haven't seen from IMDB top 250 move list (0/20)
  13. Buy perfume
  14. Go snow shoeing
  15. Drive through the Olin Christmas lights
  16. Walk through Pope Farm's sunflowers
  17. Buy a new pea coat
  18. Attend a Paint Night with friends 





Friday, October 16, 2015

A-Z About Me!

I really enjoy these silly little questionnaires to help connect with readers and fellow bloggers.  I am borrowing this one from Jen over at Jen Choose Joy.  Jen is the sweet ever and has a fun running blog, go check here out!  While you're at it, fill out the A - Z survey too!

A- Age: 28

B- Biggest Fear: Losing a loved one.

C- Current Time: 8:22 am CST

D- Drink You Last Had: Coffee with Natural Bliss Cinnamon creamer

E- Easiest Person To Talk To: Anna, my best friend since 7th grade. We talk about EVERYTHING.  Sex, work, babies, poop, life goals, love, what we're reading, hair, clothes, food.  EVERYTHING.  And somehow, it's never awkward.  That's what best friends are for!


F- Favorite Song: "Can't Help Falling in Love" Elvis 

G- Grossest Memory: Working at a deli/butcher shop in high school...I was the office girl, but I often had to go "behind the scenes".  The things I saw and heard, I'm surprised I'm not a vegetarian...

H- Hometown: New Glarus, Wisconsin

I- In Love With: Nick, obviously.  And, our furbabies.


J- Jealous Of: People that are naturally good at stuff.  Natural athletes.  Those that can easily do math in their heads.  Etc.  I know I'm good at certain stuff too, but I feel like I always have to work at it.

K: Kindest Person You Know: My dental hygienist.  Kind of a strange answer, but Katie is seriously the kindest/nicest person I have ever met!  I actually look forward to going to the dentist just so I can catch up with her! 

L- Longest Relationship: 4 years

M- Middle Name: Anne

N- Number of Siblings: 6: 2 biological brothers, 3 step brothers, and a step sister.

O- One Wish: For each person to open their minds and hearts and be more accepting of those that are different from themselves. 

P- Person You Spoke To on the Phone Last: Anna

Q- Question You’re Always Asked: Lately, "So, how's married life?"  My answer, "Exactly the same as unmarried life."  Am I missing something?  Was something supposed to change once we tied the knot?

R- Reason to Smile: Life is good :) :) :)

S- Song You Last Sang: “Can't Help Falling in Love"... When I listed it above, I of course had to listen to it, and sing along.

T- Time You Woke Up: 5:45 am CST

U- Unique Talent: I learned how to fold two different types (square of rectangular) of boxes out of paper in the 4th grade, and I still remember how to make them both.  When I'm bored, and have paper, or gum wrappers, I like going into a trance and making a bunch of little paper boxes.  It's kind of like a form of meditation.  If we're getting a drink at a bar, I like to make a little paper box to put the bartenders tip in :)  I can make all different sizes, depending the size of the piece of paper I have, and I don't require any other tools (i.e. scissors or tape/glue) than the piece of paper.

Because you obviously need proof.

V- Vacation Destination: In the Spring, Nick and I are going to Europe!  We haven't made any official plans yet, but we need to get started.  I studied abroad in college, and have already been to Italy (my exchange school was in Rome), Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium. Nick really wants to go to Italy and Germany, but I'm a bit reluctant since I've already been...but it would be fun to play tour guide it Italy for him!  I want to go to the UK and the Scandinavian (Hello, ancestors!) countries. 
Eating Belgian waffles in Brussels, Belgium

Louvre entrance in Paris, France. 

View of the River Neckar from the castle in Heidelberg, Germany.

Colosseum  Rome, Italy

Trying on Dutch wooden shoes in Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Standing in the Balearic Sea in Barcelona, Spain 
W- Worst Habit: Twirling my hair.  I don't think it's a bad habit, but for some reason, it drives other people crazy and they always say they're going to chop off all of my hair...jerks.  I've done it my whole life, and will not be stopping any time soon.  I didn't have a blankie or stuffed animal that I carried with me everywhere like most children, instead, my hair was my security blanket and twirled
and played with it a lot. 

X- X-Rays You’ve Had: Broken arm in middle school, cracked tail bone in high school (most awkward x-ray ever!), and regular dental x-rays. 

Y- Your Favorite Food: Cheesecake.  Or, just plain cheese.  

Z- Zodiac Sign: Cancer.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Weigh-In

Hey, everyone!

I'm a day late for weigh-in, but it went well!  The 180's are finally gone for good.

Starting: 183.1
Last Recorded Weight (8/5): 182.5
This Week: 177
Total Lost: -6.1

I've been slacking at blogging lately, but I just haven't had much to say.

The few things I have to say today are:

Running is still a work in progress.  I'm working on getting back down to 10:00 miles on my 3 mile runs...so close!  Here are my splits form my latest (Tuesday) run.



Hopefully on my run tonight, I'll get there.

Nick and I are awful people, and we still haven't finished out wedding thank-yous...we suck.

Ugh...about half way done though!

Our sweet little twin nieces were born on October 4th!  They are so tiny and cute.  To say I have baby fever, is an understatement :)



I got a FitBit a few months ago, and I made a goal to hit my step goal (12,000) every day in October.  Unfortunately, I've already missed two days.  One day, I was recovering from a bout of stomach flu, so awful, and I just didn't have the energy to move.  I didn't even break 1,200 steps that day.  The other day, I was just plan lazy and couldn't find the motivation.  Despite those two days, I've been averaging 13,000 steps a day for the month so far so I'm calling it a win.