Giddy like a school girl!

Okay, I just have to share this...

I ran FOUR miles yesterday.... ready for it? 

With NO pain.  None.  Zip.

Happiness.

Sorry, I just had to share!!  It felt liberating and like I was back.  I know I can't get ahead of myself, but it still felt great!

I'm pretty sure some of you follow Tricia over at Endurance Isn't Always Physical  she put out a post not too long ago talking about getting back on track (the 21 days post).  I will admit, I have been slacking in the eating department and I just wasn't feeling the greatest.  I felt sluggish and grody.  So, she inspired me to get back up to snuff and take control again.  I whipped out my little calorie counter/food journal and it feels so good to feel accountable again. 

"Biggest Loser" update with my family:  We now have a total of 11 people involved!! How exciting!  Everyone is doing fantastic!  It has been great in other ways though- we have all been communicating more.  I am the only one who lives far away.  So, for me, it has been a great way to communicate with all of them. It's nice to hear tips from everyone and see what's working (or what's not working) for them- even if it's something we may already know.  Keep up the great work everyone!!  Our top "loser" so far has lost a little over 5% of their body weight!  Incredible!

One last thing- I am turning 26 on Monday!! I always had it in my head that I would run 26 miles for my 26th birthday.  However, due to my awesome injury and stuff- it just isn't going to happen.  So, I challenged my family to help me get in 26miles.  I said that I would do at least 4 of those miles and then I asked if they'd be willing to at least do 2 miles in some way- whether it's walking, crawling, skipping, running... whatever.   Best birthday gift ever :-)

I signed up!!!

Okay, first things first.  I went to a knee doctor this last Friday so I could make sure that I was good to go for running.  I found a USAFit running group here in my area and I really really really wanted to join, however, I wasn't sure if me joining right now would be such a good idea.  The gal who heads the group suggested Dr. Rand.  He was in the same building as my last knee doc... you know... the one who told me I was addicted and that I would never have babies and that I needed to gain 40lbs? So, I was a little skeptical at first- but I figured, the best doctors are the word-o-mouth doctors.  Let me tell you....

Best.Doc.Ever.

He had me do some squats and lunges, he stretched me out and did other stuff.  He said I'm on the road to recovery and it  is in fact my ITband (which other doc said "no, it can't be that").  I just felt validated!   Anyways, he told me the basics (stuff I know... but just needed to hear it) strengthen core, back and hamstrings.  I'm just a little weak-sauce :)  Thank goodness Jon didn't think to take a picture of me doing a one-legged squat- we both busted up laughing because I looked so ridiculous because of how weak I am.  Anyways, I got the GREEN LIGHT that I can sign up for CYFit (usafit) and that my training plan that I've lined up for myself is right on the money :-)

So I signed up for CyFit and this last Saturday was our first day meeting with CyFit.  The Doc said that I could do a half marathon this fall NO problem.  So, for now, I am in the half marathon group and then in a few months I will swap over to the marathon group so I can get my mileage up for a winter marathon :)  Boom!! 

I R AWESOME!

I have now signed up for the Huntsville Half in October and if all goes well a marathon in January! 

One last thing.. all this talk about Yogurtland in the blog-o-sphere had me craving it!  I miss living close to one.   Sadly, the closest one is like an hour away.  It's worth it... but not that worth it :(  However, Jon and I found a place called  Yogurt Cup (sadly, they don't have a website) just like it on the way to the doc office!!  It was a-mazing...  Now if I could only get the pizza factory out here and have an awesome salad bar... then I'd be set!

 

PS: It's my birthday in 12 days... and I found my dream item.  AKA: only a birthday miracle could ever pull this one off.... a WOODWAY treadmill... I was looking at the curve and also the proseries.  WANT!  Too bad they are much-o expensive-o.  Want to hear the kicker?? I showed Jon  before I told him the prices... and he was like "wow! these are the first treadmills you've shown me that I would be happy getting!"  heh.... fat chance.  We're talking like $5K here... and sadly... some go as high as $10k.   yeah... like I said.. fat chance.  Anyone want to donate to the cause?? I'll make you cookies!!  Oh well, for now... I will settle for Yogurtcup for my birthday present :-) 

The "Sansoucie Biggest Loser" has begun!

Here we all are!!  The start date was 4/25/11 and it will go until June 12th :-)  Not everyone is doing it so we are missing a few people- but exciting anyways!

First day back!

So, this morning I got to RUN!  Excitement!  I  told myself that I could only do 1 mile.  I knew that if I did more than that that I would get carried away and overdo it.  I took it nice and easy and didn't try to push the pace.

It was amazing!

1 mile in 8:44

There wasn't pain during the run, however, afterwards I went on a walk with a friend and my knee was in pain.  Not horribly awful... but enough that I was glad that I only did 1 mile.  It's frustrating that that's where I am right now.  I know that if I wasn't in pain I could go so much further... that has to count for something, right?

Then I came home and had my favorite bucket-o-salad :-)  Spinach, bell peppers, onion, cucumber, tomato, mushroom and turkey. 

Today I got an amazing phone call from my dad informing me that my family was starting a "biggest-loser" weight loss challenge!  I couldn't contain my excitement!  Haha.... So the husband and I got on skype tonight and watched the "weigh-in".  My family lives in NH and we are in TX and I am SO thankful for skype!  Anyways, we also weighed in here too.  It is going to be for 12 weeks!  I'm so glad that my family is on board to do this.  It really makes my heart happy.

One last thing I guess... I am looking into becoming a personal trainer.  I'm just a little nervous about it.  I'm nervous about shelling out the bucks to do it and then not get a job doing it.  Any advice??  I just think that it would be so rewarding to help others reach their goals.  It's right up my ally too!  Like I'm seriously busting at the seams with excitement to help motivate my family to get healthy!  I am currently looking at doing AFAA for my certification.   There is a training certification like 2 miles miles down the street at the YMCA the weekend of May 6th.  I'm just not sure what to do.  Humph!  I just keep going back in forth with myself about it.  

today is the day

it's the 25th!!!! it has been a long time since I put on these shoes!! wish me luck!!

Dear running shoes,

Guess what!??  Unless my doctor says any differently- One week from today I get to lace up and go for my first run in like 2 months!  I am itching to get out there!!  I am going to go out there this time and do it right.  It's time to learn from my mistakes and have confidence.

love, C

(yes... that is my abs ball... I store it in my bathtub.. haha... and for whatever reason... my running shoes have found a home there too...)

I know I haven't been updating you with anything going on around here.  The husband  has been traveling a ton for work.  Life has just been crazy busy.  I have been meeting with  a doctor about some things (non injury related) and last Monday I went into the doc's office expecting to just have blood work and I ended up having lots of blood work, an ultrasound and instructions for surgery on Friday.  So, like I said.. craziness.  Everything is just fine here- no worries.  I didn't have any incisions or anything- so nothing to REALLY recover from.  I'm just left feeling bloated and a little belly pain.  Sorry, no pictures of me waking up from surgery.  Those would've been bad. 

Also- Just wanted to say... CONGRATS to all the Boston runners today!!  I won't lie.... I might've had a dreamed about running Boston during surgery.   I just didn't tell anyone because I didn't want anyone to think I was nuts-o haha... so cat's out of the bag... what did C dream about in surgery?  Running Boston.  The anesthesiologist told me to imagine myself going on a cruise.  I didn't even have time to think about that.  They gave me a sedative and that put me out before I even got into the OR.  I remember them telling me I had to move over to another table or something but I remember thinking "yeah right... I don't even know my name right now" haha.. Then as soon as that happened I was at the starting line in Boston getting ready to run.. and then I was all speedy and stuff... best.dream.ever. 

Then I woke up and the nurse commented that they were surprised at how little medicine they needed to put me out.   Then again.. they also commented on how they don't get many patients who can wrap the whole gown around themselves either... haha... sad. 

Okay, last thing. My running hero is: Kara Goucher. Seriously, the woman is amazing.  She ran Boston today... like 7 months after giving birth to a baby boy.  Can you believe that????  She is a rockstar in my book.   She has also come back strong after tons of adversities and injuries.  Her story gives me hope.  I totally want her book!  Eh, hem... my birthday is next month... :-)

Monday April 25th

What's happening on April 25th you ask?  With all this injury funk I have been going through I figured I needed something to get me excited and a goal to focus on.  So, I pulled out my calendar yesterday and I picked a date that I am going to try out the good ol' knees and run.

Here is the plan:

-I will go out slowly and be OK with that.
-I will go for 1 mile and at that point I will assess how I am feeling and go from there. I would love to do 3... but realistically, I know that I might not be able to and I am going to be OK with that
-No matter what- I will enjoy it and I will be happy about it.
-If I need more recovery time I will just go with it.

Anyways... wish me luck!  I feel like I should make a paper chain count down and put gold stars all over it or something!

This weekend was a great one.  I got so excited and involved that there are no pictures to document it.  I did however "bake" a few things.  I tried out a new no-bake cookie recipe found here.  BTW- side note... that blog is a friend of mine back in UT who is pretty much amazing and you should all go to her blog and tell her how awesome she is.  :)  Back to the cookies... they were so yummy!  Check out my friend's blog for pictures... like I said.. no pictures.   Sad face.

The other thing I made and I DO have pictures of... are the famous protein bars by Jess (who is also fantastic).

Recipe found here.  I did change two things... first- I only had chocolate protein powder and no vanilla.. 2nd thing: I didn't  have any honey- only Agave.  So I substituted that and they come out fantastic.  Chocolatey-peanut buttery-goodness!  So.Delicious. 

Go.Make.Some.NOW!

Today's planned workout:

-An hour on the elliptical
-upper body weights
-stretching
-and of course... a date with the foam roller. 

I may sit on the bike for a while and read.  I am reading "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore.  It is addicting!  I am pacing myself through the book though so I don't finish it too fast.  It is KILLING me!  Haha...