Princess Half Marathon Expo

I think now that I've been home for a week, it's time to go ahead and write up a little something on the Princess Half Marathon Expo. With it being my first race, first half everything I wasn't quite sure as of what to do as far as the expo goes and what all I wanted but after seeing the Dooney & Bourke design this year, I actually wanted one. I'm not a hog for those things but let me say that some people are. That's a different story on that one and how I figured that out.

So we headed on over to the expo after checking into Port Orleans Riverside which is in the Epcot area and I was so excited to be heading to get my packet information and all that. I had already printed my race waiver but when we got there I realized I had left it in the room. Whoops. My bad. I kind of panicked a bit but was reassured that I could print one off there at the expo which was wonderful. I don't know of any other races that will allow you to do so before the race and while picking up your race information. I soon grabbed a picture of myself by the runDisney Princess 1/2 Marathon Banner and soon was making my way on into the building.

After going down the stairs to get to where you would go get your race packet, I had to stop off at the computers and print my waiver and sign it. Next time I'm putting it in my purse instead signed and all. :) Then I headed on into the room where I stood in line to get my race bib, information, commemorative pin and event guide. I was so excited. I then signed for it and showed my Photo ID. Thankfully I had just gotten that in the mail with my correct mailing address so that was perfect timing.

After that I headed over to the runDisney Official Merchandise Booth where I was hoping to score myself a D&B Wristlet, and a "I Did It" Race Shirt but I didn't grab either one. Nope...couldn't find either one. Apparently there were mugs too that were sold out as well. I was a little disappointed in not being able to grab what I wanted but I did grab a car magnet so that worked out well.

Then went on over to the Josten Building to pick up my race shirt and gear check bag and then to see what all the other vendors were. I knew that I wanted to check out Sparkleskirts and I wanted to get some more KT Tape and some more Margarita Clifshot Bloks. But that was it...or so I thought. I ended up checking out a few skirts but they unfortunately didn't have my size and so I just decided to wait to get them. It's no problem for me to wait right? Maybe or maybe not. Haha. Then I walked around a bit and got in line to get a free banana but then when it was my turn they decided to take a freaking picture with the chiquita lady. No thanks I wanted the free freaking banana!!! I got out of line and continued on my merry little way. Then I came across the Sweaty Bands Stand and had to check them out. I had heard of them before but had never tried them out before. I found one that would match my costume perfect for the race on Sunday and asked Jason if I could get. Of course he said he didn't care. I always ask even if I know what the answer will be because I'm not the one who is making the money. He is.

Soon we made our way around the building and we were able to purchase 2 of the clifshot bloks that I wanted and some more KT Tape that would stay on my legs more than a freaking day! Holla! That's exactly what I needed! I also tried some of the clifshot gel while there and fell in love with it. I had tried GU Gel before and honestly hated it so this was a refreshing way to find out that I loved Clifbar's better!

Soon we made our way out the door of the building and we headed on over to Magic Kingdom where we had Dinner Reservations at The Plaza Restaurant. Yum! A Favorite for us now!!!

I DID IT!!!!

I did it! I ran the race! I finished the race! I will update with more details later this week but for now it's back to the daily grind and to ice my ankle and heel.

I love running and am officially addicted to it and to races especially runDisney races!!!

Let the Countdown Begin...

I have been not really counting down the days until it's time to sign up for the Princess Half Marathon 2015!! So with that being said... I have started a countdown!

 Who else is signing up for this race and is getting excited about running it? I am now looking for other races to run in the area and even though I haven't fully started to run...I think I am addicted to finding races. Uh oh...we might have another addiction here on our hands. besides Disney! Haha!

Walking and Running

Today I was going to start working on the Couch to Run 10k program but seriously can't because it's storming out today. Go figure! So instead I will be working on homework instead. But I like my new teacher in my accounting class this go round.

I have been walking in the evening and it feels good. One thing that I have been wanting to get is a Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Watch for helping me start out with my running and so I hope that I can get one soon. I'm not sure if the Fitbit will be able to do the same thing that I want it to do. I am also going to register for the Glass Slipper Challenge when it opens up in July as well as one of my oldest Best Friends, Kristen who is just as excited in running this with me. I will also look for a half marathon and a 10k to run that I can run before the two races in February 2015.

One thing that I have not had now is no soda since Sunday. That is a big thing for me because I am addicted to soda or at least was. I now have only been drinking one Diet Citrus Green Tea a day and the rest is all Water. That is amazing and I feel so much better too. This week though I feel kind of out of it because I have a tooth that needs to be pulled on Monday. But I have been eating a lot of fruits and veggies too. I have also decided to go back to doing Weight Watchers and I feel like I made the right decision on this too.

Have you ever run a runDisney event before? 

Feeling A Little Better

So lately I have been trying really hard to continue to lose the weight. One thing that I have been trying to do is still cook at home on a daily basis. It's been hard because I'm so used to going out to eat and not having to cook but after the doctor told me that I have high cholesterol I have to change something. Eating fast food isn't going to work anymore no matter what I say. I'm not a teen anymore nor am I in my early 20's either! I have to change my living and eating habits or else I'm not going to be around for my child anymore or my husband.

So one thing that I have been wanting is a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. Actually I have wanted one for years but never cooked or baked enough to justify to get one. Instead I would just spend that money that I could have saved for one on fast food. It was a quick fix then but won't be now. Jason surprised me with my very own Kitchenaid stand mixer on Wednesday after he came home from work and so I was so surprised! So I decided to go ahead and make a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies. I know bad for me but they were oh so good and fluffy. Never have I ever made them and they were fluffy! I didn't eat much of them because I wasn't craving them so it made me feel good about not having to devour them that very instant. My weight has finally started to really come off lately and I'm not sure if its because I know I have to eat healthier or not but it's leaving and never coming back!

I hopped on the scale last Monday and it said I weighed 277lbs. Not what I was thinking but it's better than the 297 that I was at in June. Better than I thought I would be at. So that is 20lbs gone! I feel better and my clothes are starting to fit better or look a lot looser on me. I hopped on the scale this morning and I am at 272.4. Getting better! I'd like to be at 250 by the new year so then I have another 40 lbs to lose in order for me to have the surgery to have another baby. I was hoping we would get a treadmill this Christmas but we decided to get a new love seat for the living room. We only have one couch that is old and very uncomfortable so we chose that instead. So I have lost so far since starting this weight loss journey for good is 24.6lbs! That's awesome and makes me feel so good about myself and the way I look. Many people might not notice the change or difference but for me I can tell the difference in my face and neck. I don't look like I have rolls in my neck anymore or a double chin. This is also my weight for a week before getting my monthly cycle and normally I gain weight. Instead I am losing it which makes me feel so much better about my weight loss journey. I might actually weigh less than the scale says just because I'm a little bloated since next week I am going to start. So we shall see the first or 2nd week in December if that is true!

My next step after losing almost 30lbs is to start being able to walk or jog. I want to start to run but my first step is to walk a good 3 miles without having to catch my breath. What are some of your goals you have set for yourself?

I'd love to be able to run in the Princess Half Marathon in February 2015 if I'm not pregnant and haven't just given birth!

Still losing weight

Since the beginning of the summer I have lost over 18lbs which is wonderful news for me. I'm still trucking along with the weight loss and my goals for running the Princess Half Marathon! Not sure if I will get to run it in 2014 but I am looking forward to running it at least in 2015!! I have started Focus T25 this past Monday and have noticed its definitely not for whimps! It's hard work that's for sure! I've also started Shakeology today and I can't believe that I actually drunk it without the reactions like I have had in the past. This is big news for me so I am really excited to be drinking this for my first meal of the day every day!!! What all have you all done for weight loss goals? Is it something you have been able to stick with? Let me know!

New Shoes on the way!

So I went running last week and after I completed the running my feet and knees were killing me not to mention the killer shin splints I was having. I have always gotten shin splints and just thought it was because I don't stretch like I should before I workout. But after reading up on it I found out it's from lack of arch support and shoes that fit your foot right. This past Saturday Jason and I drove up to Raleigh to hit up one of the homeschooling stores. While we were up there we decided to check out the Running Store there as well. I wasn't planning on getting new shoes but I did want to have my feet fitted for the right shoes for when I do get them. I tried on several different pair including Saucony's, Acsic's, Addias and Mizuno's. The Saucony's didn't feel good on my foot because of where the back of the shoe hit on my achilles tendon. I'm very picky about that and if it's too low then it will bother me. I tried the Mizuno's and fell in love with them. They were very lightweight and they felt like they had just the right cushioning and arch support that I needed.

I got the Mizuno Wave Rider 16's in Teal, Pink and Black. They are beautiful! I ordered them from Dick's Sporting Goods. They should be here Thursday! Then I can't wait to begin my full training for the Princess Half Marathon!

I've lost almost 5lbs this week so I'm on the road to a healthy weight and weight loss!

Today is a new day!

I'm still on track for losing weight but today was a new day for me! Today I actually got out of the house and went to the local high school to do my first workout using Jeff Galloway's 5k App on my phone! Plus I love having the idea of Jeff Galloway talking to me to encourage me to keep going. It's nice not having to hear the lady on the other apps say "it's time to run now, go" and me feeling bad if I didn't run at all! I feel really good now that I've done this. Tomorrow is my break but Thursday is my second day for week 1. I can't wait to do that workout. I ran several times during the walk/run but the one thing that I'm struggling with this go round is the shin splints! If anyone knows how to get rid of them please let me know. I think I'm going to have to break down and go get a new pair of sneakers after all. I didn't want to and thought I could wear the ones I have had for a year (and no I wasn't wearing them the entire time, more or less I was wearing my flip flops and crocs before). But nope it looks like it's going to have to be new shoes time for me.

Today was a much better day eating wise too. I started back to taking antidepressants because I knew that it was definitely time to. I just couldn't get out of bed and I was always hungry. Big sign there but I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to go to the doctor to tell him it's time to go back on them but yesterday I knew I had to. Today was my 2nd day taking them and I didn't lay in bed all day long, I actually got out of bed, took a shower and went out for a walk/run! Big step for me there. Plus I haven't been eating much either which is wonderful because I notice that I'm more of an emotional eater and so I'm ready to drop the poundage again!