The Half Marathon Training is On!!!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Today was my first day to run with my Leukemia Team in Training Team (TNT). I've missed the first 2 Saturday runs, first because of my alarm being set wrong, and last week we did the 5k. So I was starting today with a 6 mile run at 6:30am . I hadn't run that since doing the 15k in February! I was a little anxious about it. The group was awesome and there were people of all levels of running and walking so it was easy to fit and blend in. Did the 6 miles in just over an hour and it felt good. So I know I'm definitely up to the 13.1 mile Half Marathon!

After running for an hour, went home and had a great breakfast, got on my business conference call, then to the gym at 11am for a Personal Trainer session. Am I crazy or what? Well that kicked my butt AGAIN! I'm in a small group of 5 of us. We had to do the spinning bike for almost 30 minutes, then weights, then finished with 10 min more of the bike! But I didn't punk out and I did it all! Burned over 1,000 calories today, so I'm not feeling once ounce of guilt as I drink my second glass of wine!!!

I'll be all rested up for my 2 mile run at 7am with my girl Toni!

Hope you've had a great day enjoying the process!

Picture of me and a couple of TNT runners.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CAZ_NR_HEATHROW 8/30/2009 4:24AM

Tia you're on track hun. You inspire me so much I wish you luck with your half marathon Luv Caz x Report Inappropriate Comment

Incredible 5k Day!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Today was the All Out Run, Walk or Crawl 5k for the participants of my Summer Shape-up Challenge! We had 14 people (including my Mom) get out there and get dirty walking and running through mud, water, and trails! It was awesome! Everyone finished under 56 minutes, which is incredible considering no one other than me had ever done this before! My husband's company paid for us to get TShirts made and they came out awesome! It was just a great team day! My goal was to finish under 29 minutes to match my best time from 15 years ago. Well I didn't do that, but I do finish in 29:02, so I can't be upset. I was proud of myself. The only thing I was disappointed about was that I was only 22 seconds from placing 3rd in my age group 40-44. Gives me the drive to compete! So I'll probably do a 5k each month while I'm training for the Half-Marathon.

So my highlight was seeing my Mom do her first 5k at age 68! She even had a bladder infection and still did it. What a champion, and to top it off, she placed 1st in her age group. I can't even tell you how proud I was. When I saw her coming down home stretch, I went to meet her, and we ran holding hands though the finish line. That will definitely be a life highlight for me. (Picture of me and Mom)

So after the 5k, I had already scheduled to work with a trainer in a group of 4 less than 2 hours later! Got home, showered and dressed for the gym, went and did some strength, cardio and resistence training for an hour, came home, showered again, and have been on the couch ever since!

It was just a really great day with a bunch of really great people!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIAMILAW96 8/23/2009 10:09AM

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CAZ_NR_HEATHROW 8/23/2009 4:57AM

Tia and Tia's mum What a marvelous thing to do for your team, you're such a great motivator and look how far you've come!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done hun Caz x Report Inappropriate Comment

Wow, 2 blogs in one day! Found my Goal Outfit Picture!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Ok, I found a full picture of me in my Goal Outfit. This is from 2001. My husband and I were separated (fortunately we got back together and are about celebrate 19 years of marriage), and I lost a lost of weight very quickly. Of course when we got back together, I gained it all back and then some!!! I've kept this outfit because it's so cute and flattering. Once I can fit this, I'M THERE! I can pull the pants up but can't zip or breathe, so I have a little ways to go! They're a Junior Size 5. I'm posting this picture all over my house!!! So happy I found it!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGUS63 8/14/2009 5:17PM

You can do it- Report Inappropriate Comment

TIAGAYEPFA 8/14/2009 2:28PM

Thank you all for your nice comments. I really appreciate them! Report Inappropriate Comment

KIMDONN 8/14/2009 1:09PM

Good luck getting into that cute outfit!!! You can do it! It's a great thing to have as a goal, I have some jeans I trying to get into! Report Inappropriate Comment

LILSHINE 8/14/2009 12:48PM

You can do it. Nice photo as well Report Inappropriate Comment

BITSY0516 8/14/2009 12:25PM

That is one flattering outfit!! You WILL get there! Report Inappropriate Comment

EVERYDAYITRY 8/14/2009 12:14PM

I love the idea of posting it all over the house. You'll be in it in no time! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAZ_NR_HEATHROW 8/14/2009 12:14PM

WOW you look amazing in that, what a lovely visualisaton goal!!!!!!!! You can do it Tia I know you can! Luv Caz Report Inappropriate Comment

KLEE46 8/14/2009 11:44AM

You look great. The good news is that both the relationship and the lifestyle are working. Best to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

ACLASSYONE 8/14/2009 11:39AM

Nice! Happy losing! Report Inappropriate Comment

I'm in Training for my next goal! - Woo Hoo!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Well the 5k is next Saturday the 22nd. I'm going for getting under 29 minutes! When I was 26 I did a 5k in 28 minutes (can't remember exactly), but that was 15 years ago. I actually placed 3rd in my age group for that race (only time I placed). Now that I'm 41 it would be such an awesome feeling to match my best time! So yesterday I went running with my awesome partners Nicole (NSG4729) and Toni (NYCOLA44) and I did get under 30 minutes with 29:57. I really pushed it and am feeling it this morning in my quads. I think I'll take the 11am Yoga class at my gym to help me stretch a little more. But I'm excited!

So this week I also officially started training for the Women's Half Marathon in November. I'll be running 4 times a week, so I figure whatever weight I'm still trying to get off, will come off during this training. I actually signed up with Team in Training, which is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So I've committed to raising $1,800 by race time. That was my only hesitation since I had never done any fundraising and have always hated asking people for money for anything. But my Aunt Bea died of Leukemia in 2000 so I'm doing in memory of her, so I have something personal attached to it which makes me excited to do it.

So if any of you Sparkers would like to help me and the cause, here's my FUNDRAISING PAGE:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/StPe
teHf09/tpettygrue

Thanks to all of you in advance, and super thanks to all my Sparkfriends who have been so supportive on my journey with your great comments. They mean so much!

Let's have a great day enjoying the process!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LILSHINE 8/14/2009 12:35PM

Great job Report Inappropriate Comment

EILAROSE1 8/14/2009 9:29AM

Congrats Sweetie, I know you will go all the way. You have the drive and the power to do anything Good Luck I'm rooting for you Report Inappropriate Comment

NSG4729 8/14/2009 9:25AM

Yep, you are a rock star and I know that you will reach every goal you set. You are inspiring...and yeah, maybe one day (LONG from now - lol) Toni and I will catch up with you and your running time. I'm stil in "can I finish this without dying" mode :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

NYCOLA44 8/14/2009 8:58AM

Tia, thats awesome and you are awesome maybe one day we might actually catch up with you ( doubt it lol) but maybe. I think your next goal is great, I will do my best to help. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAZ_NR_HEATHROW 8/14/2009 8:50AM

What a wonderful way to honour your Aunt Bea Tia. Good luck with your training Luv Caz x Report Inappropriate Comment

KKKAREN 8/14/2009 8:48AM

Congratulations to you for your fabulous accomplishments. I'm still walking with the goal to run someday, I'm waiting for the winter. Good luck on your 1/2 marathon, I know you'll do well. Report Inappropriate Comment

What a difference 90 days makes!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Ok, I'm into the 8th month of my new lifestyle and I can only say how much I love it. I love that I didn't rely on a quick-fix diet, or a quick-fix workout or anything else considered quick-fix. I've just been doing it the old fashioned way: eat right and exercise. It sounds so simple, and now it is so simple. Makes me wonder, why did it take me all these years to realize it? But as they say "the teacher appears when the student is ready." I had to be ready to change.

Today I started my official training for the half-marathon, nice and easy with a 2 mile run. I'm going for speed on Thursday when I train with Nicole and Toni. I really want to hit that 28 minute mark for the 5k on the 22nd.

The Summer Shape-up Challenge is going very well. You can see the focus of those who will be doing the 5k, and the focus of those who have truly taken this seriously. It's a win-win!

Well, I took a bikini picture on 5/3 for the Sweatsuit to Swimsuit Challenge, and I decided to take another one this past Sunday. What a difference! I'm not where I want to be, but I'm definitely on my way. I can only imagine where I'll be in another 90 days!

Isn't it nice to proud of yourself? We usually don't take time to congratulate ourselves, as we're too busy finding the faults. So let's take today and pat ourselves on the back because we're still in the fight for the best us we can be!

Still enjoying the process!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DROPPINOS 8/20/2009 2:26PM

you look awesome Report Inappropriate Comment

NYCOLA44 8/12/2009 2:08PM

You so totally ROCK, I'm with Nicole on this whole time constraint... you just run on right ahead ....lol. You look great who says 40 isn't the new 20 ...lol Report Inappropriate Comment

NSG4729 8/12/2009 9:28AM

You go girl! Ummm, but I wont be going for time for our run on Thursday - LOL! I'm just trying to finish without passing out. But, you look amazing in your pic and the progress and hard work is definitely evident! Great job! And again, we must thank you for the 5K challenge and the summer challenge itself...it has truly invigorated us all! Report Inappropriate Comment

VIAFREE 8/12/2009 9:07AM

Nice progress, your confidence and high esteem shines through your smile. Keep up the great job, and crush that 28 min in the 5k___WOO-HOO!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAZ_NR_HEATHROW 8/12/2009 4:31AM

Tia you look amazing girl! How far you have come and how much fitter you are. Luv Caz x Report Inappropriate Comment

JKCOPE 8/11/2009 10:37PM

CONGRATS YOU DID GOOD Report Inappropriate Comment