I'm probably not on many RSS feeds anymore, but just in case, I've moved!

http://excellentmarathonadventure.blogspot.com/

Still on Sabbatical

It's been so long since I've posted that I'm sure I'm off of most of my blogging friends' blogrolls by now. Coming out of blog sabbatical to let you know that I'm officially on blog sabbatical. Not blog retirement yet . . .hoping to get back into the swing of things now that marathon training is officially under way.

So long for now!

Hello Again

It's been so long since I've blogged that I almost forgot how to do this. Seriously, I had to think for a second to log in with the right IDs for Blogger. My husband especially, checking out his Google reader at work, will be surprised to see a new post from me. Not of a heck of a lot to say but yet so much to say, so let me update you:

• My weight loss efforts continue, and I'm down 7 pounds since January 1. I had really hoped to be down 10 by now, but such is life.
• I've run here and there, sometimes not because of a sore throat/cold that refused to go away, sometimes because of too busy with work, sometimes because effin' plantar fasciitis is back again.
• I'm officially signed up for Chicago 2009! Also signed up for the Chicago Police Foundation's Run to Remember, the Soldier Field 10 Mile and the 13.1 Chicago.
• I've become addicted to Facebook and must stop. It's been good to keep up with Jill, Chris and Karin via Facebook, but I also have to get back to reading blogs.
• Facebook has been good because I've been able to reconnect with some long-lost friends, including my college roommate. Fifteen years later and we find out that we're both running Chicago!

Not an exciting return to the blogging world, I know, but for now I must get back to the parts of my life that do not require a laptop. Be back soon!

Starting Off on the Right Foot (Even if it is sore)

It's been a productive weekend on the running/get healthy/lose weight/get strong for Chicago '09 starting line front:

• I developed a Half Marathon training schedule for Mike and me, based on Hal Higdon's novice plan. The first Half Marathon in Chicago is in early June, so I stretched the schedule out to get a good base going.
• Ran 2 miles on Friday, took Saturday off when some familiar foot pain crept up (Are you effin' kidding me?) and ran 3 miles today (plus some upper body strength training). Mike has not run yet due to a conveniently-timed head cold. Of course, he hasn't signed up for the Half either, but I think I'm close to convincing him.
• Bought Bob Harper's new book and armed with Bob's food list, bought some of this, this and some other good-for-you things I don't feel like looking up links for. :)
• Bought a food diary to record every morsel that goes in my mouth.
• Taped two horrendous photos of me (no, I won't be posting those) from Christmas into the inside of my food diary, as well as this photo of the swimsuit I'll be wearing (and not embarrassingly so) during our June vacation.
• Oh yes, committed to myself and everyone that I talk to that I'm going to lose 40 by the Fourth, or 40 pounds by July 4th. Even posted a handy little tally on the right. Mike asked if I really want to "go public" with the 40 pound goal on my blog but the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? For my family and friends who've said that there's no way I need to lose 40 pounds . . .well first, Bless You! and rest assured I'm not turning into an Olsen twin. Forty pounds is still well within a healthy BMI for me.
• Meeting with a nutrionist later this month.
• Have three more sessions with my personal trainer.
• Weighing in for our next round of the Biggest Loser contest at work on Monday. (the first one didn't work so well, at least for me.)
• Taking my latest obsession with The Biggest Loser one step further and signing up friends and family for an email, honor system version of the Biggest Loser contest. (Yes, I will have two Biggest Loser contests going at once. . . .accountability is key for me.) Thank you Cheryl, Lori and Dad for signing up! Want to join? Let me know if the comments section by Wednesday (1/7) and I'll email you the info.

You're probably thinking, obsess much? I know I tend to go all out on these, but for me, if I'm going to stick to anything I need to completely immerse myself or I tend to lose focus.

I'm looking forward to arriving at the Chicago '09 start line much lighter than I am now!

*For the male readers that came back to my blog without getting distracted by the Victoria's Secret link, thank you!

A Race on the Calendar

Congratulations! You are entered to run in the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, March 29, 2009.

www.shamrockshuffle.com

Yes, I Know

The photo is too big but since this is the 18th time (no exaggeration) I've changed the style/color/template of my blog today, we'll all just have to deal with it.

New Year's Promise to Myself

2009 will be the year . . .

. . .I finish the Chicago Marathon. (I can't change the blog title to "My Fourth First Marathon." Besides a tongue twister, it's pathetic.)

. . .I will lose the "baby" weight. (My youngest "baby" turns 5 in April)

. . .I will properly cross train (Taking steps toward this already, meeting with personal trainer)

As a result . . .

. . .I will meet my goal of finishing the Marathon before I'm 40 (Oct 2010)

. . .I will not cringe at the sight of me in family photos that will be taken during our June vacation

. . .I will be able to buy a dress for our niece's summer wedding because I like it, versus buying one because it hides and covers the best.

I know reading this you may think that New Year's resolutions are often broken. Not this time. I'm too fed up with myself.

Now if I can just get building maintenance to move that vending machine further away from my office . . .

Race Schedule Revisions

Updated my race schedule on the left. New Year's Day Run? Yeah, not going to happen. I think I'm finally, FINALLY! coming out of my months-long running funk. Signed up for a new Half in Chicago, the 13.1 Chicago in June. A few days before we leave for vacation, so that should be interesting, given everything that comes along with vacation prep, finisheverythingatworkbeforeI'mgoneforaweek prep.

Hmmm, I have three halfs on the schedule. That might be a little much. I have to think about that.

Conference call coming up at work, gotta go.

My Butt Hurts

Went to my first-ever spinning class tonight. The instructor told me that my butt will hurt tomorrow. Well, it hurts now. I liked it, even if I was a little uncoordinated in the beginning. I can see how it can be addicting. During "sprints" the guy next to me was going so fast! I've never seen anyone's legs move that fast. To quote Chandler from "Friends": "His legs flail about as if independent from his body!"

I've been keeping a fairly regular workout schedule the last couple of weeks, between my personal trainer visits, other sessions at the gym and the treadmill at home. (No running outside for me, I live in Chicago! Yes, land of Blagojevich.) Goal is to get in shape, lose the extra pounds and get strong for Chicago Marathon '09.

While he doesn't need to lose weight, I've been getting on Mike's case to work out because if he works out, I'm more likely to work out. If he's not, I'm likely to make excuses.

Special note to my blogging friends: I know I've been terrible about posting AND commenting on your blogs lately. I will get back to it soon. Between the holidays and spending more time at the gym I haven't been on the computer much. When I have been on the computer, I've been researching info for a summer Disney trip. (If anyone's been to the Grand Floridian, would love to hear your reviews.)

Ok, gotta go address some holiday cards. In the spirit of the holidays, I leave you with this. Thanks to Mary Ellen for sending it my way. (Be sure to pause my playlist on the bottom left.)

Random Thanksgiving Post

I need to be at Mike's mom's house in a couple of hours (Mike's at work, meeting him there) so even though I need to find clean pajamas for the kids, find clean clothes for the kids, get myself showered/dressed, supervise son's shower, give daughter a bath, walk the dog, do the dishes, fold the laundry and stop the kids from fighting, I'm going to post this random list I found at Unfocused's blog. Oh, and I have about 7 minutes left on the laptop battery. I do not procrastinate.

Items in bold, I’ve done; items in plain text, I haven’t.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (Going to DisneyWorld in June, does that count?)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (Unless screaming Skid Row songs while drunk on the way home from a party in collegecounts . . .then no)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (I've run IN a Marathon)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (Ahem, Mike?)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Clearly I need to travel more.