Yet again I have a ton of pictures and not enough time to tell you everything swimming in my head. I’ll do my best though. This was quite a day!

It all started at 6:30 AM as I got ready for the run.

Yesterday my baby turned 6 months [...]]]>

Yet again I have a ton of pictures and not enough time to tell you everything swimming in my head. I’ll do my best though. This was quite a day!

It all started at 6:30 AM as I got ready for the run.

Yesterday my baby turned 6 months and today I prepared for a half marathon, my longest run in well over a year. Scheduling this run did exactly what I wanted it to do, get me back into running.

All the boys were sleeping when I left.

I headed to the start with my friend Missy and a few other folks. One of whom did NOT know who Bret Michaels was or at least what band he sang with and I felt exceptionally OLD! (you know who you are ;)

There were guys selling pretzels at 7 in the morning!

I don’t know about you, but THAT is not something I want sitting in my stomach for 13 miles!

Missy and I waiting at the start…

It was INSANE.

So insane that this is a picture of the leaders who already looped while I was still waiting at the starting line. Can you see them?

I didn’t actually get going until 1/2 hour into the race.

3 miles in I saw the boys and they saw me!

The husband couldn’t catch the next few minutes on camera because he had the baby but Little Guy ran with me for about a block and it. was. AWESOME. I had to fight back tears.

I felt great for about the first 6 miles. Just keeping a nice pace. I took a nice walk break around the half way mark and snapped this. It was a gorgeous day for a run.

At the 10 mile mark I asked someone to take my picture.

My last training run was 10 and it nearly killed me. Now I was in uncharted territory.

My legs were getting sore but I just kept trucking. The only thing in my head was "forward progression." "Forward progression." I knew I would cross the finish line if I just kept making forward progression.

The race was fun. They had stages, music, and cheerleaders all scattered along the route. If I ever do another marathon I may just make it a Rock and Roll event. They put on a good run.

All my forward progression thinking got me across the finish line. I did it!

My official time was 2:18:12. I averaged a 10:33/mile. My time 5k in was 30:42, 10k in was 1:02:29 and 10 miles in was 1:43:47. I’m quite surprised. My goal was 2:30 so I was ecstatic!

My post run snack of choice was a banana and these little gems…

Loved that they had more fruit options! It was a very refreshing post-race.

I had a little over a mile walk back to the hotel.

It was seriously a beautiful day.

I got back to the hotel and my boys.

We checked out and hit the town!

We walked to Independence Hall

And saw the Liberty Bell.

Then it was off to Linner! (Late lunch/Early Dinner)

We split some Calamari..

Love that Little Guy splits them with us.

I got tuna.

And we split dessert.

I don’t do cannolis, but the husband really wanted one. Little Guy and I focused on the cake. :)

We got home around 5PM and just vegged for about an hour. Then the Husband and Little Guy played soccer…

while I took Little Bean to the grocery store. I really wanted to start the week on a prepared note.

When I got back Little Guy helped by washing (and taste testing) all the fruit and veggies. :)

And I stocked up for more than just this week.

Once the kids went to bed I made a fun snack and organized the photos from the day.

That was key lime yogurt with strawberries and crushed graham crackers. It was totally yum!

It really was a great day. I can’t believe I ran a half marathon this morning! Then again, I can because my feet are STILL throbbing!

This was actually my 3rd half. Click here to read my first and here for my second and here for a recap of the marathon ran in 2009.

Hope you had a great weekend!

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And I don’t care how cheesy it sounds. I ROCKED 6 miles tonight and loved every single moment of the run.

It took me 5 weeks to get this feeling back. I’ve been doing my best on the training schedule. Making no excuses and working hard to be flexible yet consistent with [...]]]>

And I don’t care how cheesy it sounds. I ROCKED 6 miles tonight and loved every single moment of the run.

It took me 5 weeks to get this feeling back. I’ve been doing my best on the training schedule. Making no excuses and working hard to be flexible yet consistent with my workouts.

It’s paying off big time.

I feel amazing!

Today I came home from Mom’s around 3, exhausted! I took a 2 hour nap, cooked up some zucchini soup (more on that later!) helped put the kids to bed and headed out.

I toyed with the idea of putting it off tomorrow but decided not to give myself ANY excuses.

I set out to do a 6 mile loop with no thoughts of speed or time. I just got lost in my thoughts and trotted away. About a mile in I realized I wasn’t winded, I wasn’t tired, I was just effortless running, like I used to.

Once I hit 4 miles, Eye of the Tiger came on the iPod and it made me chuckle. I STILL felt the same way I did after the first mile. It felt like the last 5 weeks of training are finally paid off.

Just look at this RUN!

When I came home and synched the run, I was presented with this…

I’ve run 1000 miles!! That’s CRAZY! And actually I ran more than that as I didn’t use the devce for quite a few runs including my first half and the full marathon!

I know you probably think I’m annoying and crazy for saying this over and over but I still can’t believe it….

I’m a RUNNER!

I really am.

Ok.. got to go. Need a shower before bed. :)

Oh! but real quick, my week in training…

In other news…. Little Bean NOT so into the pool. :(

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Today’s run was TOUGH! The sun was beating down on me and I’m so sore (in a good way) from my workouts this week.

I’m just going to come out and say this, even though it may sound egotistical… I’m proud of myself for these past two weeks. [...]]]>
Chart from Nike+

Today’s run was TOUGH! The sun was beating down on me and I’m so sore (in a good way) from my workouts this week.

I’m just going to come out and say this, even though it may sound egotistical… I’m proud of myself for these past two weeks. I’ve done my best in every single workout. Fitting them in when I can and making NO excuses for myself.

Honestly, I’m motivated to get back to the same fitness level I was at before baby. I miss running a 10 minute mile and being able to knock out 20 pushups. This motivation has little to do with how I look, I want that strong, fit, FEELING again and I’m determined to get it back. Of course it would be nice to look halfway decent in a bathing suit and fit in my clothes again, but I’m hoping that will all pan out without being obsessively preoccupied with it.

Here’s the week in training recap.

Click here for my entire half marathon training schedule

Today’s food journal…

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Today was the first official FitBloggin’ Local World Meetup day. FitBloggin’ Local is a way for the FitBloggin’ Community to meet and mingle in between conferences.

I took the reigns and organized something small for the Baltimore folks by [...]]]>
from left to right, Josh from Brick Bodies, me (@RoniNoone), @NutritionDiva, @KnackforNutrition, @WearingMascara

Today was the first official FitBloggin’ Local World Meetup day. FitBloggin’ Local is a way for the FitBloggin’ Community to meet and mingle in between conferences.

I took the reigns and organized something small for the Baltimore folks by contacting Brick Bodies, a local gym. They agreed to host us and we met at their downtown location to try a new (at least new to me) workout class, TRX Suspension training.

It was AWESOME!

I was really scared. I mean the room looked like a torture chamber.

However, we faced our fears and prepared to experience.

The class started with a warm up that got us used to the moves and prepared us for the class. After the first few exercises I started to really enjoy the stretching that went hand in hand with the strength training.

The workout was surprisingly challenging without being difficult, if that makes any sense. Using just the straps and your body weight, it’s amazing how much you are able to do. Like yoga, all the exercises had variation to match your personal fitness level, and it was super easy to adjust while you were working to get the most out of your workout without simply giving up.

Overall it was a great class and I loved getting to see and hang out with fellow bloggers. Something I only get to do at conferences.

A HUGE thanks to brick bodies for thier time, room and support. Click here to check the out.

To learn more about TRX Suspension training click here for a video.

The rest of the day was great! I did boot camp this morning, grilled with the family and went out for ice cream. Oh how I love summer. :)

In other news, I shared why I love being a Mom so much on Baby’s First year.

Today’s food journal…

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Thought it would be fun to post a quick training wrap-up after my long runs on Sundays. (click here for my entire half marathon training schedule)

This week was great! Exactly what I needed to kick my butt in the workout department.

It was hard heading out for the long run tonight. [...]]]>

Thought it would be fun to post a quick training wrap-up after my long runs on Sundays. (click here for my entire half marathon training schedule)

This week was great! Exactly what I needed to kick my butt in the workout department.

It was hard heading out for the long run tonight. My tummy was bothering me and it was a long day with the kids. But I forced myself out the door–always the hardest part. Once I started I decided a slow trot is better than sitting home on the couch watching TV. Even if I walked I’d get a nice stroll outside on this beautiful day. That alone is worth it.

That’s what kept me going and before I knew it, the run was over. I walked a few times but am happy with my overall time.

Here’s how the rest of the week went…

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I totally biffed tonight.

I don’t even know how it happened. I was getting lost with Eminem. Trotting along, and then… whoa

Lost my footing.

I stumbled through the next three steps, not able to regain my balance, then down, face first towards the sidewalk I went.

I stopped myself [...]]]>

I totally biffed tonight.

I don’t even know how it happened. I was getting lost with Eminem. Trotting along, and then… whoa

Lost my footing.

I stumbled through the next three steps, not able to regain my balance, then down, face first towards the sidewalk I went.

I stopped myself with my hands, but my momentum still brought my shoulder and face towards the ground. Even my knee got scraped up a bit.

It shook me. I thought I was going to get a nasty headache but, I dusted myself off and finished the run, and now I feel FANTASTIC.

Even though I’m a klutz. ;)

Anyway, here’s my latest mix. I’m all over the place with this one. Some are explicit.

• Lose Yourself by Eminem
• Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones
• F**k You by Cee Lo Green
• We R Who We R by Ke$ha
• Rise by Pantera
• Whoever You Are by Geggy Tah
• Whipping Post by The Allman Brothers Band

Oh! and here’s the run…

Chart from the Nike+

In other news…

• I TRIED to record a podcast today but got interrupted my cute little distraction. I’ll try again tomorrow.
• I’m also working on a question of the week. Should be posted shortly.
• Little Bean and I documented our morning for Baby’s First Year. Click here to see the photos. He’s so stinkin’ cute!
• Finally, my food journal….

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What’s a Splash ‘N Dash, you ask?

Well, it’s a competitive run AND swim all in one event!

I’ve never done a multi-event before. Heck, I never swam any sort of distance before! My idea of swimming is wadding in a [...]]]> I can’t believe it. I just registered for a Splash ‘N Dash!

What’s a Splash ‘N Dash, you ask?

Well, it’s a competitive run AND swim all in one event!

I’ve never done a multi-event before. Heck, I never swam any sort of distance before! My idea of swimming is wadding in a pool or frolicking in the ocean. I don’t even have a concept of 300 m in a pool. Will it take 10 minutes or a half hour? I have NO idea!

I guess I’ll find out soon enough. The event is in August. Click here for the details.

I must admit, I am nervous, but I’m also excited. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone is motivating for me. It helps build my confidence.

In other news…

• I shared last nights dinner, Pan Fried Tilapia with Mango Berry Salsa, and
• posted a great product for those of us with kids.

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Case in point…

For years I didn’t swim in the ocean becuase I didn’t want to be [...]]]> For all of my adolescence and 20′s I was my own worst enemy. I let a bad body image prevent me from doing what I wanted to do and being who I really wanted to be.

Case in point…

For years I didn’t swim in the ocean becuase I didn’t want to be seen in a bathing suit.

YEARS!

You know what, I LOVE the ocean. I love swimming. I love the beach. I LOVE SUMMER! But I hid in jeans and oversized t-shirts not enjoying my favorite time of year doing the things I really wanted to be doing becuase I was fat.

Or at least I thought I was fat.

Does it really matter?

Point is.. I wasn’t embracing life the way I wanted to and that’s a horrible way to live.

This morning I could have made 100 excuses not to do what I wanted to do.

• I’m too busy with all this work.
• I’m self-conscious about this 25lb weight gain.
• I’m overwhelmed about the conference.
• I’m pissed off I didn’t lose weight this week.
• I’m depressed that none of my clothes fit.
• I’m tired.
• I’m disappointed that I lost my running and workout stamina.
• I should really clean up the house.
• I DON’T WANT TO START OVER!

But instead of wallowing in self pity and feeling sorry for myself I challenged myself to do what I wanted to do anyway.

I strapped on the running shoes, secured the baby in the jogger and I ran 5k.

Well…. I ran/walked 5k.

It took me 41 minutes and 39 seconds…

That’s slower then my first 5k ever but who CARES! <–just cried re-reading that.

I did it!

For so long I thought I wanted to be skinny but what I really wanted was to be who I knew I was–an active, happy, ALIVE person who takes life by the horns, has FUN and does what she wants to do with no excuses.

I refuse to hide myself again.

I’m getting out of my own way.

Here’s little bean and I, all sweaty, after our run this morning.

He did AWESOME! We enjoyed the beautiful weather and got some fresh air. Now I feel more equipped to tackle this day. Especially after the smile he gave me during our little chat…

For more baby smiles click here. <— my favorite post of the month!

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