Wesley 5k Race Report

So, I ran the Wesley 5k with Paul on Wednesday. We both left work early to get to the expo by 5pm. We had Elliott with us. Kim said that she didn't have class that night, so she offered to watch Elliott and cheer us on while we ran! She even made a sign!

Paul and I. This is the M shirt!

We were on a "team" with some other people from sister companys of his company. They had made t-shirts for the event and I had told Paul to get me a size M when we registered. I had been wishing I had gotten a L. I was right! The shirt was pretty snug!

Elliott and Kim

After we took a group picture, I took the company shirt off and wore the race shirt, which I really liked! I saw that Elliott was getting along well with Kim, so we didn't go back over to her. I had told Kim to bring M&M's with her, and they worked like a charm!

We got up to the starting line, and there was a news anchor from the morning show that I watch not to far ahead of us!

The gun went off and Paul and I ran together for approximately 90 seconds before he started going way too fast for me to keep up! I saw him realize I was gone, and he was looking back for me, but I kind of wanted to run it by myself! Plus I didn't want him badgering me the whole time to run faster than I was comfortable!

The race started and immediately went up a hill to go over a bridge! Ah! I ran the first mile dying of thirst! It was SUPER hot and humid! When I finally saw the water station about 1.5 miles in I was so excited! Except for the water was warm! Ew! I walked through the water station. Then I walked a LOT the next 1.6 miles. I was running at about 2 miles in, and I saw some girls with a cooler holding out a bottle of water! Once I realized it was water they were waving at me, my face lit up and I ran fast over to them and thanked them profusely! I downed 1/2 the bottle immediately, and then felt like I was going to vomit! Then I wished I hadn't taken it, because I hated running with it! I finally saw a trash can at about 2.5 miles and threw it away!

Getting close to the finish!

I pretty much felt miserable the whole time because it was so hot! At one point while I was walking I had resolved that I wasn't going to PR. When I was close to the 3 mile marker, I could hear a crowd cheering and I got really excited and picked up my pace! I passed the 3 mile mark and I knew I was almost there! There were a bunch of high school kids cheering as we ran passed and then I saw my stroller, then Kim and Elliott, then I saw the finish line! I was close to the finish line and I heard Paul cheering "Come on Carrie!" and I started running HARD for the finish line! I crossed the finish line with a time of 43:07! I was completely shocked that I PR'd! My time 6 weeks ago was 44:54 and I ran the whole time!

Me and Paul post race

Paul and I went and got a banana and some water and went to find Kim and Elliott. We talked about the race and Paul told me that he wanted to stop right after the bridge, less than 1/2 a mile in! He did really well though! 37:19 was his time. We wore each others numbers on accident! Oops!

I'm really glad that Paul ran this with me! I feel like it's brought us closer in a new way! He has been hurting bad the past two days since though! He asked me if I hurt at all, and I do not!

I realized at this race how much I love crossing that finish line! There is nothing like being so close to the finish line and just giving it your all! Leaving it all on the course and then you are done!

Fish Tacos

Today has been a pretty good day. We were supposed to have a lunch meeting at work today, but Stephanie called in sick and then another girl who is pregnant has been having some bleeding and had an appointment for an ultrasound, so our boss postponed the meeting, but asked me to go to lunch with him so he could bounce some ideas off of me. He and I used to go to lunch together often, but the other day he told me that he has been avoiding asking me to go to lunch because I "only eat celery sticks and peanut butter." I told him not to avoid me and that I do eat. When we were leaving he asked, "So, where can you eat?" I told him I can eat anywhere. We went to this Mexican restaurant near by. The menu didn't have any "light" items specified, so I asked the waitress. She gave me a few options and I chose fish tacos. It was grilled tilipia with lettuce, onion, and an avacado sauce with whole beans and a small serving of rice. I didn't eat the tortillas. I also didn't eat any of the chips and salsa! I wasn't even tempted! He had asked me to go to lunch that morning, so I didn't eat my morning snack, and actually didn't even end up eating an afternoon snack.

We run tomorrow, then work, then after work Stephanie wants to go shopping for a new running outfit to wear for the 5k. I might buy a new headband, but I don't think I'll buy anything else.

Today, Kim posted pictures on Facebook of our group work picture from the Xmas party and boy do I look huge!

 

I'm the huge one in the gray sweater! December 15, 2011

December 15, 2011 234#

I have lost about 20 more pounds since then. I still have a ways to go though....

Last night I did my boot camp. It was pretty tough, but it was a good workout. I was DRIPPING sweat throughout! We started with weights, then rowed for 5 minutes, more weights, then we ran a lap around the track, went up and down the stairs and then did it again, more weights, then elliptical for 5 minutes, then more weights, then core, then cooled down with 2 laps walking. I liked it! I'm a little sore today, but I feel good.

I think I'm going to take Elliott to see Sesame Street Live this weekend. I've been going back and forth about it... She went last year (when she was 1) and enjoyed it. I think she would REALLY like it this year! Elmo is one of her faves!

Cake Free Until The Year Ends In 3!

Yesterday we had our group run. It had an increased running time. It was running for 60 seconds at a time instead of 45. I know it was easier this time, because when I would start to get tired, I would start counting up starting at 45 seconds and almost every time, I didn't even get to 50 before the whistle blew. So that means that 60 seconds felt about the same as 45 did last time! They took a photo of our group. I was in the front and I was hating that I was in the front, but when the picture was posted on Facebook, I was really surprised that I didn't hate how I looked.

That is me in the front left in the white hoodie. Now I'm glad I was in the front, because it helped me see some progress!

I went to my friend's daughters first birthday yesterday. It was fun. Elliott had a really good time playing with all the kids. The cake looked SO good, but I didn't have any! I smelled it though! It smelled fantastic! I didn't even feel sorry for myself for not having a piece, I felt good about the decision! That makes 1 cake event down, about a thousand to go for this year. I know I can do it! She posted a picture of me and my daughter on Facebook and it also helped me see my progress! After the party we went over to the park and I felt a lot different from the last time we were there several months ago. I felt like I had the energy to actually play with my daughter and not want to sit down the whole time!

I can't wait to see where I am another 3 1/2 months from now!

October 2, 2011 260lbs

 

January 14, 2012 228lbs.( I feel like I can really see a difference in my face, neck, and chest.)