Under the weather

I haven't posted in a while but I am still here. I have not ran in a while unfortunately but I am still doing the half marathon! I have done Zumba the past 2 weeks alone. I need to really get after it, but sadly my oldest boy is sick and we are spending our second night in the hospital. He has rotavirus and was severely dehydrated from the N/V/D. Hopefully if his labs normalize by tomorrow we can go home. Please pray for his little body to heal!

Still moving!

I haven't blogged my workouts since my last 5k. Sorry! Sometimes life gets busy and the blog gets tossed aside :/. Last Wednesday I was off and I enjoyed it. It was a beautiful day and I took advantage. I jumped on the bike for a much needed ride! I was headed for a ride and then to the gym for Zumba. Not even 10 minutes into my ride my drink holder broke off and down went my water bottle and water. I double backed to the house and got a fresh bottle of water and off I went. I rode 3.19 miles including the distance up to the gym for Zumba! I forgot how much I enjoyed riding! I can't wait to get back on! It didn't make my feet hurt at all and that is a blessing!! I then did 10m26s on the elliptical or elli for short as I call her which was 0.76 miles then off to Ben's class for 55 minutes of Zumba! It felt good! Then I rode the 1.22 miles home in 8m25s. It was such a nice change if pace. After this half marathon I am thinking of just doing the other runs I have planned which are mostly 5Ks and continuing with Zumba and biking again to help with my weight loss journey and to assist with decreasing the pain.

I weighed in for the first 2013 Titan Challenge that same morning of Wednesday, February 6th as well. In the month and a half since the last challenge ended I have only lost 1.4 pounds and I know I can do way better! I plan on working hard and my goal is to lose at least 15 pounds this challenge! I lost 12.2 pounds last challenge so it is totally doable! After all I want to see the 190s by the time I turn 30!! These are my two goals! I'll keep you all updated on how it goes!

Much love!
~Valerie

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35

Graffiti Run Fun

Caitlin and I had a BLAST at the Graffiti Run in Ft. Worth last Saturday! Sorry it took so long to post, I have just been busy. The drive was basically a straight shot and only a few turns which wasn't bad at all, the Google map app on my phone took us right where we needed to be. We even got a front row parking spot which was nice. The race started at some field complex and went along the river bank. It was beautiful! There were about 3 hills, but it wasn't bad. My RunKeeper app said it took me 53m08s for 3.34 miles. I ran the first 1.5 miles and then we alternated running and walking and took several pictures. Caitlin's mom and niece and nephew came up at the end to be apart of the color after party with us. We saw them before the finish line and hugged them and then Caitlin and I ran to the finish line and we took a bunch of pics before I realized I hadn't turned off my app. It wasn't about time tho, it was about fun! And we had a lot of fun!

 Before our wave started. The start line was at the balloons

We ran in waves and had several start lines.

 Thumbs up! I'm ready to race!

 Caitlin along the river bank

 Me and Caitlin, we somehow mixed up our numbers in this pic.

 After the race

 Running the first 1.5 miles, and after the first color. I heart pink!

 Afterward

 Me and my cousin Karen! I'm so glad we found each other in the 1000s of people.

Glad she had this great idea also!

 Thumbs up! Ready to start this run!

 After....I hated the orange on my head lol

 

 Stopping for a photo op. 1 color down 3 more to go

 Before the race!

Showing off our awesome glasses! The registration said you get a shirt and a headband,  but lucky for us it was a shirt and these awesome sun glasses!

 Finish line!

We did it!!
The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Miracle Match 10K Results

The results for the all the Miracle Match Marathon runs are up! I surprisingly didn't come in last! Although if I had, I would still be proud of myself for finishing! In the 10K division, there were 77 runners. I got 74th! Eric got 69th and Caitlin got 70th! I am very proud to have put my mind to it and finished it!  My official time was 1h37m29s. The professional pics are up also. I like one of them and may buy if for a scrapbook later. 

This is what victory looks like! 10K finishers baby!!  

Race Day 5K

Caitlin and I are on our way to Ft. Worth for the Graffiti Run! Wish us luck!

Race Day 10K!!!

Today was a great day for a race! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! It wasn't too hot or too cold. There was cloud cover the entire time which meant no sun beating down on us! It was beautiful scenery as well. We ran through the Baylor University Campus and along the Brazos River. Aside from a little bit of construction work by the new Baylor Stadium location, it was beautiful! They had about 4-5 water or Powerade stations along my 10K route with people cheering. It was really encouraging. My shirt caught lots of peoples attention and they spoke with me asking if this was my first half marathon. I replied with no, this is my first 10K and if they seemed interested I shared that I started training December 6th for my first half Marathon later this year. And they all told me that I could do it and great job, etc. Caitlin and her boyfriend, Eric, are faster joggers than me so they finished about 10 minutes or so before me, so I was on my own. But God had BIG plans for me today! I encountered many great people along my route today. Starting with my husbands text right before the race started that read {Good luck. You can do it. Hebrews 12:1 I Love You!} Weird how I used that very verse yesterday in my post. When I began this journey and thought of this blog name I knew I had the HEART to do this. I can usually set my mind to doing something and then do it! I knew I would SWEAT along the way, after all, this is running and I'm a big girl. I figured somewhere along the way I would shed a few TEARS. Well the first of those TEARS came today! Caitlin asked me if David was coming and I told her that I asked him to come and bring the boys to cheer me on at the finish line. Caitlin said "You know he will be at the finish line." I had hoped, and not long into the race I thought about it and began to tear up. I wanted them to be proud of me. About 2 miles into the run I was on the Baylor Campus and a lady jogs on up beside me and says "You looked like you could use this," and she began reading from her note pad. She said "JOB 8:7 tells us though you started with little, you will end with much!" I looked at her and said thank you and we recognized each other. Turns out she was one of my old Nursing School instructors, Dr. Tipton. She then said, "God just spoke to me and told me to share this with you, and it turns out I know you!" God does work in mysterious ways. I began to cry as she told me again, "Job 8:7, you claim that and you will go far!" Powerful words, and so inspiring! This happened right after I had prayed to God thanking him for a beautiful run and the encouraging people along the way. It's funny how He knows just what we need right when we need it!! I met an old Papaw along the route also, he was so sweet and cute and he had been behind me and caught up to me a little over half way through. We had a short nice conversation and he took off faster than me. Wow, what an inspiration!!! He was at least 70 something! The race finish line was at the end of the suspension bridge. You run all the way across it and the finish line is right at the end. There was a photographer taking pics at the finish line and spoke to me at the end, but I'm not sure what she said, I think she told me to smile! lol But all I wanted to do was cry! This was a big achievement for me! I saw Caitlin at the finish line and she held her hands up for a high 10 and said "We did it!" and we had! She then pointed me to David and the boys! I went right over and hugged and kissed that sweet husband of mine. I not only did this for me, but for him and those two sweet boys that he got out of bed at 8:30 on a Saturday and hauled down to the suspension bridge to cheer Mom on! And I was thankful!! Again, the tears fell!!

Caitlin and I 

Our first picture of the morning!

 Eric and Caitlin

Me and Caitlin again, before the race.

 The fire truck ladder holding up the flag!

Look at all the people!

The hubs sent this to me, He caught the last leg of my race! See me under the bridge?!

Pics the hubs took of me approaching the finish line

Trying to finish strong!

See the professional photographer,? I swear she told me to smile! So I did.

My RunKeeper app I had going the entire time told me I ran 6.79 miles in 1h38m56s. However, I didn't stop it until after I saw David and the boys and was walking around the barricade to kiss them. So I don't know my exact official time, hopefully it will be up soon! But it looks like it was 1h37m21s by one of the pics the hubs took. Either way, I'm proud of myself for jogging nonstop the entire way and not giving up on myself and for finishing! I'm Blessed by the Grace of God!!

Trying to catch my breath and drink some water!

Caitlin and I at the end

Me and MY BOYS! Such big supporters!! I couldn't do this without the love and support of my wonderful husband, David, and my boys! I'm not only doing this for myself and to get healthy for me, but I am doing it for them, and to be healthy so I can be around for them to play, run, & chase after them!

 Me, Caitlin, and Eric 10K finishers!!! 

WOOHOO! Great job guys!I couldn't do it without you Caitlin! 

Thanks for the support, friendship, and love! And for doing this with me!!

 Caden playing afterwards in the bounce house!

Cutest little guy around!  Graysen was there too, he was in the stroller though. I'm  not gunna lie, I was hurting afterward, that is for sure! My knees and my feet were sore. I tried putting the feet in an ice bath, but that only lasted a few, minimal seconds! I've been taking Aleve and Ibuprofen. Hopefully I'll feel better come morning time cause I work another 12 hour shift tomorrow. I'm excited for this weekends fun 5K Graffiti Run!!
And though you started with little, you will end with much. Job 8:7 NLT

Tomorrow is a BIG day, 10K!!!

I am super excited to report that tomorrow is my 10K run for the Miracle Match in Waco, Texas! I haven't ran this far of a distance yet so I am very excited to have the opportunity! I'm praying for a great pain free run. My right foot is sore today, but I took some Ibuprofen and I'm sure I will be ready to go by morning. It may slow me down, but it WILL NOT stop me! Big shout out and THANKS to Hot-T's Screenprinting in Lorena for getting my fabulous shirts (pictured) ready in less than 24 hours! I'll take plenty of pics tomorrow before and after the race and let you all know how Caitlin and I do! 

XOXO
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  Hebrews 12:1

Keep on keeping on

Today was another Zumba day with Ben! I enjoy Zumba, but it seems on days I run before Zumba I don't give it my all. While I still sweat and burn calories, I think I could do more if I wasn't running first. Or maybe it is just in my head. Running makes my muscles burn! What can I do for that? More stretching? Today before Zumba I jogged 2.03 miles in 31m15s. Then it was Zumba time! I'm debating on which days the rest of this week to rest since my 10K is Sunday. I won't be running Saturday for sure because I will be at work 7-7. Caitlin and her boyfriend (I think) will be running the 10K also. I'm hoping I am prepred for this 6.2 as it will be my farthest distance to date. I'm excited, however I'm not sure whether I am more excited to see if I can do it or to get it over with! lol

Hope yall have a good night, this girl is tired and wore out! Bed time soon!
The Lord will work out his plans for my life.  Psalm 138:8

To weigh or not to weigh

This morning when I woke up I contemplated whether to weigh or not to weigh. I finally decided to roll out of bed and get on the scale. Just as I had suspected, no loss. A gain even. I weighed in at 223.4, a 0.4 gain since my last weigh in. Now I could be discouraged but I'm not. I have been running and working out and gaining muscle! I also know that I haven't eaten the best in the past 2 weeks. Now I haven't eaten the worst either, but I've eaten tortillas lately and another package made it's way into my house! Anyone need some tortillas? You can come pick them up at my house!! Plus I haven't been drinking nearly as much water as I should. I know I need at least 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water a day and even more since I am training. My daily goal is going to be to make sure I drink drink drink my water! This will be my new motto:

lol

 Like I mentioned yesterday, a non scale victory I have noticed is my leg muscles becoming more defined and my friend told me yesterday that my arm muscles are too. I don't know about the arm ones but I have noticed it in my legs. Also a friend of mine said I was looking slimmer, that is music to my ears! My rings are also bigger, falling off even. Weird how I've always noticed that I lose weight in my fingers, hands and boobs first. I enjoy seeing these NSV's and know I am well on my way to a healthier me!  

I'm ready for Zumba tonight and a short run as well! I can't wait! I also need to study. I have a TNCC class tomorrow and Friday in Temple to get re-certified before mine expires in February.  Hope you all have a great day! 
"Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk."  ~Dali Lama

Day 17 and counting

I just realized I haven't weighed in in a while. I will be jumping on the scale tomorrow. Well I may break it if I jump so I'll slowly stand on it! I don't think I have lost any but a total non scale victory is I am seeing definition in some of my leg muscles!  Today was a Zumba day with the sis-in-law! I have made a recent habit of leaving the house early for Zumba to get a short run in. Today Liza jogged with me because I wanted to jog outside and it was already getting dark out. So we had 20 minutes before Zumba started and we headed out the door. We chatted the entire way and did 1.19 miles in 17m57s. Then had a great Zumba class afterward! 

Us after our jog! I have registered now for 2 runs!! It is really happening! I registered for this Sunday's 10K and Next Saturday's 5K! I am super excited for the Miracle Match 10K and the Graffiti Run 5K! My cousin Karen and I talked today about putting some more runs on the calendar! Such runs as the Pretty Muddy and the Color Run! We have also talked about the Super Sprint Duathlon and The Savage!! But after looking at the Savage, I think I need to be more physically fit for that. That is the kind of race I want to do at the end of the year or early next year! And I of course am still planning on doing the Bearathon! After all, that is what started all of this! :) We shall see what all progresses with our work schedules! Caitlin is also planning on doing several races with me and I can't wait! Maybe tomorrow I will put together a preview schedule for you all to check out and tell me what you think. So far only 3 races are set in "stone" the Miracle Match 10K on January 27th and the Graffiti Run on Feb. 2nd. I have paid for those two and of course the other one set in "stone" is the Bearathon.  Prayers are welcome as I continue to battle ankle/foot/knee pain and lose weight and train to prepare for these runs. I'll have to bring the hubs up to speed also and get his seal of approval! 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13