December 28, 2012

Treadmill half-marathon

I woke up this morning before everyone else in the house, determined to get my long run started and over with as early as possible. I already knew it was going to be a treadmill run--yesterday, we had tons of slush, and this morning's temps meant all that slush was now ice:
Unfortunately, they don't plow the streets around here, so the roads were completely coated with ice.

Anyway, I set up my computer in front of the treadmill, and was determined to run a half-marathon. The farthest I've ever run on the treadmill has been 12 miles. Today was scheduled to be a 13 mile run (but of course I would add the extra 0.1 to make it an even half-marathon distance!)

I turned on a show called Disappeared, and started watching it from Season One. My sister told me about it, and I hoped it would keep my attention for the next two hours. Oh, did I mention that I was planning to run the half-marathon under two hours? I've never done that before, either. I started running at 7:01, and told Jerry was determined to finish by 9:00.

Usually, my treadmill shows both my speed (in mph) and my pace (in minutes per mile). But I used a different setting, so when I started running, it just showed speed. I couldn't remember what speed would give me the correct pace for a sub-2:00 half-marathon (9:08/mi), so I had to play around with it for a couple of miles. I eventually settled on 6.7 mph.

However, I was almost a mile into my run, when I saw that I hadn't started my Garmin! I was bummed. If I ran a half-marathon, I wanted the proof ;)  So I decided to just run until my Garmin read 13.1 miles, even though it meant running an extra mile.

I felt great until about mile 10, when I started to feel really tired. I just wanted to stop. I hadn't thought about fuel during the run, so I didn't have Gu or anything; I asked Jerry to get me some grapes, and I ate those while I ran. Those worked really well for a little pick-me-up! Tastier (and healthier) than Gu, anyways. Jerry took this picture of me while I was running. It makes me look pretty fast ;)
It also makes my boobs look kind of big. They're not.

I was SO tempted to quit when the treadmill read 13.1, but I toughed it out and went the extra mile (literally) until the Garmin read 13.1. And I finished under two hours!
Now, if only I could do that at a race...

I was tired after that run, but I had to hurry up and shower, dress, eat breakfast, and head to Weight Watchers. I completely spaced out about my meeting yesterday, so I went today instead. I knew I was a little dehydrated from the run, so I wore boots in the hope that my weight wouldn't show too big of a drop. When I got on the scale, it read that I'd lost 1.5 pounds from last week. Oops. I just don't want that weight to become the new standard! Next week it might show a gain, since I won't have just run 13.1 14 miles.

I liked the members at this morning's meeting, and the leader was very genuine (she seemed to really care about each member's progress). I did disagree with a couple of things the leader said, though. She told us that we should count fruit/veggies as 2 PP each if we go over the recommended 5 half-cup servings per day. None of the WW materials tells us to count the PP for fruit/veggies. It says that those foods are "free", and that we should eat until satisfied (meaning, don't totally pig out on them).

I definitely eat more than 5 servings a day, mostly from fruit. I guess it may be hard for some people not to use fruit as a crutch, and eat too much of it; but I'm not going to start counting PP for fruit/veggies, since what I'm doing is working just fine. The free fruits/veggies are the main reason I've liked doing WW over counting calories!

After the meeting, I stopped at the library and Kroger to pick up a few things for tonight. I'm going to make turkey chili for when Sarah and Ne come over. I'm really excited to hang out with them!


Oh, Jerry showed me this today, and I thought it was hysterical! I'm not sure where it originated, but I got it from weknowmemes.com. (Click it to enlarge)

52 comments:

  1. YOu look flipping amazing on the treadmill!

    When I have to do longer runs on the treadmill I tend to head to the gym instead of the basement and I do 5 miles per treadmill and move around the gym... I get so bored!

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    1. Thanks :) That's a great idea to use different treadmills around the gym. Breaking it up like that probably helps the time to go faster!

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  2. I agree you look great!! Way to pull out the 14 miles under 2 hours as well! Enjoy those extra points!

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    1. Well, the 14 miles took a little over 2 hours--I'm not that fast (yet!) ;) But I was very happy to do the 13.1 under 2 hours. Thanks!

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  3. You look so thin! And fit! Like an athlete (which you are)!

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    1. I was actually surprised when I saw the picture (in a good way). I don't know what I was expecting, but in my head, I look like a clumsy elephant on the treadmill! ;)

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  4. Yeah, I don't agree with that counting fruits/veggies either...especially veggies! Some days I probably get 5 servings of veggies a day alone and that may be what gets me through the day. I have never heard another leader say anything like that. I am definitely weary of getting too many calories from free fruit though so I make sure to keep it in check and be reasonable. But at the end of the day if I am out of points and I want a sweet snack, it is nice to know I can grab and apple.

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    1. Yes, my favorite part of the program is the free fruit/veggies--because then I know that even if I've had all my PP for the day, I can still snack if I'm hungry. I would have a very hard time counting 2 PP for a half-cup of grapes! I'd be out of PP in no time if I did that.

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  5. Congrats on the run!!! You look fantastic

    as for WW. . . I learned recently that I'm diabetic so I'd count the fruit (sugar) and starchy veggies but not the non-starchy ones

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    1. Thank you :) And yes, diabetics have to watch the sugars, even in fruit.

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  6. I think you will be ok at weight watchers next week as long as your weight is under goal weight.
    Good job on the treadmill long run; I don't think I could stand it! I do like the idea from the commenter, Christina, above about switching treadmills around the gym!

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    1. Yeah, I just have to stay under my WW goal, which I know I will; I just don't want to show a gain, and then have the leader ask me about what went wrong--because nothing went wrong! :)

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  7. I don't know how you could do that treadmill run, good for you! You look amazing, seriously.

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    1. The treadmill is boring, but I do get a sense of satisfaction when I'm done--like, "Ha! I beat you!" Okay, now that I typed that, it sounds kind of ridiculous ;)

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  8. awesome job!!! i'm so excited for your ragnar- i feel like i am counting down the days! haha.

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    1. I'm excited too! It's seriously all I can think about lately.

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  9. Wow! A half-marathon on a treadmill? You are fast, girl. I need to find something to keep me occupied when I'm on mine. I do watch TV, but I find that I can't always hear/concentrate on it. Any tips for that?

    I plan to run your 5k on it because it, too, is icy here in MN. Just can't take it outdoors until that melts...

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    1. Well, I'm not going to lie, it's boring! But I set up my laptop right in front of my face, so it's really easy to watch TV (I use Netflix to watch shows). Then I just play mind games with myself--don't look at the treadmill time until the next commercial break, or until the end of the show. Anything to pass the time!

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  10. Wow amazing!!!! And you look incredible!!!!

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  11. The cat/dog meme is on point! My dog is a nit wit, but it's just one of her endearing qualities. I love cats, too, but they are just so indifferent to our existence, even if we help keep them alive!

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    1. I've had both cats and dogs, and the meme just seems so on target!

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  12. How do you keep from loosing your mind on the treadmill? I've run at the gym twice this past month and it is so boring! I listen to my book on my mp3, there are tvs in the distance, and people to watch, but I have to force myself to keep going.
    Any suggestions???????
    LauraLaz

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    1. It IS really boring, but I try to find ways to pass the time more quickly. I have my computer set up right in front of me, so it's easier for me to watch than it would be for you in the gym, with TV's in the distance. Someone else suggested switching treadmills every few miles at the gym, for a change of scenery. But even with watching TV, I still have to force myself to keep going. I always feel so accomplished when I'm done, though--so it's worth it!

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  13. :) I admire your DETERMINATION!
    Kudos!

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    1. Determination to finish under two hours is the ONLY thing that kept me going after 10 miles! ;)

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  14. Oh my goodness! I cracked up when I read "It also makes my boobs look kind of big. They're not." LOL!

    Good job on finishing under 2hours!

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    1. Haha, a good choice of sports bra, I guess ;) Thanks!

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  15. Wow! Great job! Very inspiring and you look fantastic! You gotta be proud!

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    1. Thanks! I was very happy to have accomplished that--two hours on a treadmill takes some serious dedication, haha :)

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  16. In that picture of you running your half marathon (plus one mile), not only do you look FAST, you look RIPPED. WOW!
    I have heard that the difference between cats and dogs is that dogs come when you call, while cats take a message and get back to you.

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    1. That's hilarious--and totally true! My cats come when called IF they want to. They always perk up when I say their names, but it's like they think about it, and then decide whether they want to come or not.

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  17. Sorry if you've answered this but I'm just curious: have you always run that fast? Or did you start out slower and get faster? I ask because I can't seem to go much faster than an 11 minute mile! Thanks :)

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    1. When I first started running, I was actually running closer to a 14 minute/mile pace. The more I ran, and the more weight I lost, my pace decreased. Over the past couple of months, I've really busted my ass to improve my pace, and it's working pretty well! I wrote a post about it here: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2012/11/on-starting-to-run-and-running-faster.html

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  18. It's been awhile since I've seen pictures of you, and the last two are just amazing. You look so trim and fit. Not that you didn't before, but more so now. And I am in complete awe at your consistency. No matter how much you do not want to run on a given day, you do it anyway. I've been off track for 4 months, and it means a lot to me to read your blog every day and see that once again, you did it. I'm feeling good again about getting back on my program. I think I have my routine set up again. I may even have my husband take a picture of me today on my treadmill so I can compare where I am in a few months.

    A long time ago you posted photos of you at the same weight in different size jeans. That comparison always stays with me. Thanks for showing us what's possible!

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    1. Once you get off track, it's SO EASY to stay off track... and I always keep that in mind when I think about skipping a run. Unless I have a very good reason not to run (my knee injury, for example), I make myself do it because I know that if I skip it once, it'll be 10,000 times more likely that I'll skip again.

      And yes, these last 5-10 pounds have made a world of difference in my body. I was kind of stunned when I saw the picture, especially compared to a few months ago when I'd gained my "summer weight".

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  19. Your treadmil pic is inspiring and the cat diary is absolutley hillarious. hahahah.

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  20. WOW, I can't believe you did a sub 2:00 half on the TREADMILL. My only shot will be at a race. I always race better than I run normally. You look like a freakin fitness model. Also, speaking of cats & dogs, have you seen this HILARIOUS video on the differences between cats and dogs, acted out by humans? http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEMQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGbycvPwr1Wg&ei=xzTfUJZohdupAebZgIgG&usg=AFQjCNF227IMoZmfPjBQmhoFVCygoLTyEA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM

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    1. I always do much better during my training than I do in a race--I get too nervous before races, and it always messes with my pace. So I don't know if I'll be able to pull a sub-2:00, but I'm going to try!

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  21. Way to go! I wish I looked that good on the treadmill. Or just in general. Your comment about my boobs look big. They're not. cracked me up! But be thankful, I have big boobs and I have to wear two sports bras or they still bounce around. Great work though Katie, I love reading your blog, you're one of the people who keep me motivated to not give up on losing weight and getting fit!

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    1. I actually am happy to have small boobs. I always thought it would bother me, but that's one part of my body that I'm totally fine with. They're very saggy from the weight loss, but even that doesn't bother me too much! I'm grateful that I can just wear a cheap old sports bra and it's enough ;)

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  22. Replies
    1. It's funny, the picture doesn't reflect how I feel on a treadmill at all--I always feel big and clumsy!

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  23. The pic on the treadmill in comparison to your before pictures where you walk the half-marathon is just amazing... good for you, girl!!!

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  24. You look fantastic, so into the run - well done on the half marathon, really impressive!

    Shared the boobs comment with Paul, it cracked us both up lol

    I've heard from others the same thing about counting fruit & veges, but I don't & like you that works for me. I enjoy fruit, but definitely don't overeat on it (that comes with other things, like mashed potato!!).

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, I guess I can see why counting would be important for someone who just goes crazy with the fruit, eating it all day long. I definitely eat more than the five 1/2 cup servings, but I'm also careful not to pig out on it ;)

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  25. WTG running on the treadmill! I've only done one mile on the treadmill before I give up because it's so boring (at the gym). Maybe I should take my Kindle with a movie one of these times.

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  26. You look awesome on the treadmill, you make me want to run too. I used to run 10kms every day in high school and walked a lot in my 20's but stopped when I had kids and piled on the weight. This year I tried the C25K but hated it so started my own style which was walk for 15mins and run back. It takes me 11 mins to run back but I'm pretty thrilled I can run for that long because the C25K program always makes you feel like 2 mins is hard. I was going out for a run today but after seeing your pic I'm more determined than ever. And thanks for the Walking Dead tip in previous posts, I've watched the first two seasons and loved it.

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  27. I know so many before me have said this but WAY TO GO!!! I go out of my mind if I have to run more than 4 miles on a treadmill. I too, watch Netflix but find it hard to stay focused either way. I need some more motivation I suppose! Great job though! I also weighed in after I ran a half marathon :( I'm sure this week will show a gain for me too.

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  28. Dog Friend Vs Cat friend....this KILLS me!! I laugh the whole time!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbycvPwr1Wg

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