Guts and/or Glory

November 11, 2009

Well, Remember that time I used to run? haha.

Well, at the beginning of the year I went from barely being able to run for 30 seconds, to running 3 miles using the Couch to 5k program. It is an AMAZING program, and one that I recommend to all new runners, or people new to fitness, or to girls who just want to be able to finish a 5k without thinking that they’re going to have to be carted off the course after the .5 mile marker.

Anyway, I continued to work, building my way up eventually to one, gloriously difficult 5 mile run.

Then, things got in the way, it was the end of the school year, it was my last semester of grad school, it was time for summer internship, it was time to pack for my trip to Spain, and basically… running began to take a back burner.

That isn’t to say I didn’t stay active, I still did yoga, elliptical, and other random ventures like tennis… But I managed to convince myself to stick to that easy, comfy 3 miles and stop pushing.

I spoke to the ladies on the message board to corroborate my story. “I like running 3 miles. Three miles is fun and easy. Three miles makes me feel good. Three miles is meditative, and relaxing. So, basically, there isn’t any reason for me to try to run more.”

Now, to be fair, training for greater distances DID freak me out, but, duh, yea… that’s cause its HARD.

Doi.

Anyway, I’ve watched some of my peers, and fellow couch to 5k grads, like the lovely Jess of Let’s Get Fit, and Katie of Life in the Fulmer Lane (in a few weeks)  take on the 13.1… and I’m ready.

I am officially in training for the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half. :D

The old, lazy, frightened Kelsey is the one who would quit training because the easy way is more fun. The new me is going to take it head on. So… Wish me luck, but more than luck, wish me determination, focus, and resolve… because I’ll need that much more.

Have you run a half marathon? What training plan did you use?

 

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| Posted in: healthy living, working out | 11 Comments »

milestones and progress…

June 5, 2009

Well, on Wednesday, I ran a 5k distance in the morning for National Running day! I had a pretty fair time too, but nothing earth shattering. That morning I weighed myself, and I finally reached it.

20 lbs!

20 lbs!

This is a pretty big milestone, and I have to say that it is a pretty cool number.

I’ve never posted any before/after pictures before… probably because they are obviously embarassing, but… what the hell. I suppose I might as well. It might inspire someone else to get out there and change their life too.

I still have a long way to go, and I know that… but it is a start that I’m proud of…

Before: Pant size: 14-16 /171 lbs
n17115416_35539228_7152IMG_2423edit
IMG_2422edit
IMG_1656edit

Today: Pant size: 8-10/151 lbs
IMG_2685edit
IMG_2686edit

Okay, then…. not sure what to say now, so I’ll leave it at that.

I’ve got a 4 mile race in the morning! Wish me luck. :)

| Posted in: miscellaneous | 13 Comments »

Miles for Monika:Official Kick-Off!

March 15, 2009

Hey guys!

I’ve had a great response to “Miles for Monika” and I really hope we can BLOW our goal miles out of the water! It is going to require help from all of you, though… it really will.

milesformonika

Here is a rundown of the details for you, if you missed it the first time.

  • Any miles that you run/walk/jog/hike (miles earned on your own two feet) count.
  • Feel free to use even miles, or to the nearest tenth. (ex: 2.3 miles)
  • Miles must be clocked between Monday, March 16th (12:00 am) – Sunday, March 29th (11:59 pm)
  • You can report miles daily, weekly, or at the end of the whole fortnight.

There are 3 ways you can report your miles:

  • Either leave your miles in a comment on this blog (this post, or subsequent posts later in the week… it doesn’t matter)
  • Email me your miles: kelsey@kelseytoney.com
  • For my nesties, you can post your miles on the daily c25k/running check in post (If you don’t know what this is… use one of the other two methods) ;)

In semi-related news, I’ve got a clean bill of health from the doctor, which means that I’m starting my 16-week 10k training plan tomorrow! I’ll be posting a summary of my weekly plan/workout journal, so you can follow my progress.

Plus! It’s spring break!!

Bloggers- Please help me out, by reposting the information about Monika’s Miles… I don’t have the reach that some of you other big timers do, so your reposting/linking could make a big difference. :)

I’ll be holding my breath for your miles to start pouring in tomorrow!!

You can check our progress on the Miles for Monika widget on my sidebar—-> Let’s do this!

Thanks! good night!
Edited to Add:

:)

Here is a button that you can use to post a tiny version of the MFM banner seen above. Just copy and paste it, then remove the 2 Asterisks (one before the “a href” and one before the “img”) and it will link directly to my blog post about the event!

<*a href=”http://www.kelseytoney.com/?p=294/”><*img src=”http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3349785343_10599a1790_m.jpg”>

It will look like this:

| Posted in: miscellaneous | 31 Comments »

Take it and Run Thursday: 6.5 minute strength

February 19, 2009
I'm a new fan of the Runner's Lounge and they do a really cool thing every Thursday. They'll ask a question, and ask for input from the RL community! They call this "Take it and Run Thursday"…
 
Here's today's question:
 

If you could spend 6 1/2 minutes each day building your strength to benefit your running, what would you do?  What are some of the most effective strength training exercises you do to help you run faster, longer or more comfortably?  How do you fit them into your regular running and other workouts?  Share your favorite, simple strengthening tips.

 
I'm REALLY feeling (and seeing!!) changes in my abs! I'm not sure if it is from the posture of running, or from the strength training that I try to do 3 times a week (that might actually happen more like 1.5 times a week :D ), but it is pretty cool.
 
In the mornings when I wake up, I often try to be quiet as a mouse, because D wakes up later than I do. Luckily we have a BIG closet, with plenty of room to do a few quick moves. I do my AM stretches there, and try to be sure to do a few reps of abs and a couple of lunges.
 
I LOVE oblique excersizes, and try to do those every time I strength train.
 
I've been reading several health/fitness publications lately, and I have to admit that I really love the idea of of these micro workouts they outline. "Here are 3 fool proof ways to get a six pack in 2 months!", "Do these 4 moves, and your calves will turn heads by Tuesday!"… I'm relatively new to the whole working out "thing", so I'm still in the exploratory phases of excersize. I can say, however, that it is awesome to feel strong in my own skin. That seriously rocks.
 
Plainly, if I only had 6.5 mintues, I'd probably do squats, reverse crunches, sit ups with a twist, and some of the harder yoga moves I love. :)

Posted via email from kelsnotchels’s posterous

| Posted in: miscellaneous | 4 Comments »
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