I totally understand if this post is not for you. Everyone isn’t into running. I get it.
BUT . . .
I gotz to have a place to chat, no?
My first half-marathon is set for March 31. Exactly twelve weeks from this coming Saturday. I’ve done a lot of reading and searching in an attempt to find the best training plan for me. I’ve decided to go with Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Training Schedule.
His plan includes four running days a week, one day of cross training and two rest days.
My goal is to run the half right at 2:15, which means one day a week I need to run at a 10:30 pace. The other three running days a week are set at a conversational pace {this includes the long run}.
Which kind of makes me snort. If y’all could only hear what I sound like while talking and running simultaneously. HI-larious, I’m sure.
Also, did you notice I called this upcoming half my “first” half-marathon? It could also be my last. ::snort::
Where was I? Oh, yes.
I’ve been using the Nike+ app since October and have been pretty pleased with it, but decided to upgrade to a Garmin Forerunner 405. It took all of my Christmas money, so I suuuuure hope I love it. I’ve really been wanting to know my splits {the time of each mile} and have the ability to see my pace as I’m running. The Nike+ app doesn’t offer either of those capabilities.
Of course, the Garmin will also appeal to my obsessive tendencies. I’ll have to monitor that.
As far as my weight loss journey . . . . I’m officially down 75 pounds since last December.
Should I throw a picture up?
It hurts me to look at that first picture, y’all. I was so miserable. Missseerrable. I never want to be in that place again. Ever.
I have 27 more pounds to go before I reach my goal.
I’ve been following the Weight Watchers plan and it’s been working for me. I may need to make some adjustments when I get farther along in my training plan. Right now, I normally don’t use any of my weekly points or the activity points I earn. I only use my daily points.
As my weekly mileage increases, I think my daily points will need to increase. I’m okay with that. This is a lifestyle for me – not a diet. I need to be attune to what my body needs. I want to be healthy and strong – not skinny and weak.
Thanks for listening! xo
Glad to hear you are liking WW. The recipes online are awesome and totally edible to those who aren’t watching their girlish figures! And the recipe builder helps you take your favorites, tally the points, and then even try substitutions in favor of lowering the point values! I’ve surpassed my goal weight (thanks to this flu), but plan to live according to the WW guidelines forever. It’s just too easy to stay on it…or relapse. : )
Good luck with your training!!!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:57 pm
i would love to try out their ipad app . . . . if i could get my hands on my man’s ipad. ;D
glad you’re over the barf-athon!
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You look *GREAT* RUTHANNE! Way to go!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:57 pm
thanks SO much, Amy!
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You are such an inspiration. I think you’ll love the 405 ( i’m glad you got it and ignored all the peeps saying just to use an app). It will motivate you and make you obsessive. 2:15 was my goal time for my first (and so far only) half. You can do it!!!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:58 pm
i think i may be dreaming too big on my goal time. LOL! oh well, honestly . . . i’ll be thrilled if i can just cover the distance.
my garmin is supposed to come tomorrow. i’m totally stalking it’s progress on-line.
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:58 pm
its progress – oopsie
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Amazing journey! Well done. I have another friend who loves running. I just can’t relate to that. Oh well, I’ll be the skinny unhealthy one!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:59 pm
snort out loud! you don’t look unhealthy to me. you look beautiful!
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ruthanne! as always, encouraged and inspired by you. your cheerful perseverance is a blessing.
love ya! also, you are cute.
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:59 pm
thanks so much, hannah! hope you had a great christmas.
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I so appreciate you writing about your journey. It’s a big encouragement.
I am a WW lifetime member, but am about 30 pounds over my maintenance weight. How did that happen? The running isn’t taking it off. I’m going to have to get my eating under control before I’ll see the benefits.
You look fabulous, dah-ling.
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
you can do it. if you’ve done it before, you can do it again.
rooting for you!
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Yay! SO PROUD OF YOU! And Hal Higdon’s plans are great, I’ve used them both to hit times and to finish races. Have fun with it… the lifestyle is amazing!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
love to hear that! it’s so hard to be sure when i’m such a newbie.
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That is awesome progress! I hope your training goes well! Good luck!!!
Amy Lynne´s last [type] ..Menu Plan for the Week 11-13-11
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:01 pm
thanks so much, amy! and thanks for stopping by. after i get all my crew tucked into bed later, i will stop by your place and take a look around.
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Thanks for sharing! I’m a new runner and find it encouraging to hear from others. Love your blog!!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:02 pm
hey, emily! i’m a pretty new runner, too. i just started running in august with the couch 2 5K program.
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Congrats on all of your accomplishments! You are doing amazing things and even though I don’t know you, I’m proud of you! Keep it up!
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Wow! I have been on my couch thinking of running (used to run/jog) – the photo you shared was a big boost. Thank you! I’m going searching through your early days posts now. Good luck and keep sharing!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
thanks for stopping by, jamie!
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Congratulations! I am SO happy for you!!! And good luck with your Marathon training!!
Lorie´s last [type] ..Paper Airplane Valentine
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Congrats on your weight loss. You look fabulous! I ran several years ago and I loved it. Keep up your good work and best wishes with the marathon.
Amy C´s last [type] ..Design Wall, Jan 3, 2012
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
thanks, amy!
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Yo. I don’t run, but I read your post and imagined I knew what splits meant before you explained it. I plan on living vicariously through you when it comes to running– just count me as your biggest cheerleading fan!
R-U-T-H-A-N-N-E! Go Ruthie, Go Ruthie, It’s your birthday! It’s your birthday! If it isn’t, shake it anyway!!!
MarshaMarshaMarsha´s last [type] ..Merry Christmas from Guam!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
ha ha! sometimes your comments are so funny and so classic that i want to print them out and frame them.
in fact, maybe i’ll have the kids write out this comment on poster board and hold it up for me during the race. #genius
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ROWR. You look great and I am loving that you are feeling so great!
You are my weight loss muse.
I had a hysterectomy on October 18th and have been cleared to start my “8 weeks to Wellness” plan next wednesday! Woo Hoo!
This will be a lifestyle change for me as well, as I have over 75 pounds to lose.
You inspire me!
Thanks!
Jennifer´s last [type] ..P.O.I.S.O.N.
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
you can do it! i’m rooting for you.
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I’m NOT a runner (I get really bad shin splints and have big boobies), but I wish I was. I would LOOOOOOVE to run and feel good when I do it. But *sigh*……it’s not for me. I’m with Marshy, I’ll just live vicariously through you.
You look fabulous and I’m proud of you for having such focus and determination to change your lifestyle. YAY! You’ve always been beautiful, but feeling good and being healthy and being beautiful all at the same time is AWESOME!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
my girls USED to be big. now, they’re just sad. and saggy. ;D
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Way to go Ruthanne~
You look FABULOUS!
You are GLOWING!
There’s not a better feeling in the world than feeling FIT & STRONG!
ENJOY the journey!
You INSPIRE sweet girl!
xo
teresa´s last [type] ..~He Walked Over the Hill and Never Came Home~
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
you are such a wonderful cheerleader. love it!
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I’m a runner too…well, I was before I got pregnant…and I miss it SO MUCH. I walked a 5K in November and was seriously jealous of all the runners! I’m due in March and figure I can maybe be ready for a race in the Fall…that’s my goal. So keep on posting…living vicariously through you right now! Running is addicting!
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
congrats on your upcoming edition to the fam!
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Wow, you are an inspiration! Great job with the weight loss!
I’m a runner too. I’m running my first half on January 15th. It is the Nike + Women’s Half.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..last of Christmas
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
awesome! is that the one where you receive a tiffany’s necklace at the end?
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Jennifer Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
wow, I want to sign up for that race!!
Not a Tiffany necklace, but you do get a really cool Hurley bracelet and it benefits leukemia and lymphoma.
https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/79166
Jennifer´s last [type] ..last of Christmas
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Wow, you are doing so great, Ruthanne!! Woohoo for you!
So lovely to hear that you are feeling like a different person now (even though I must say, you seemed delightful and happy 75 pounds ago too!)
Kristen@TheFrugalGirl´s last [type] ..January Miscellany
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
awww, thank you, kristen!
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GIRLLL. um, you are lookin’ GOOD. i can’t believe it.
Sarah-Anne´s last [type] ..scenes from christmas weekend 2011
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Ruthanne Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
high-five! ;D
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How exciting! I’ve decided to run my first half marathon this year, too. Good luck to you!
Audra Lynn´s last [type] ..Project 52/1 – Resolution
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Yikes, I’m a little behind in my blog-reading, so I just read your last post too. Girl, you’re one smokin’ hot grandma! You continue to inspire me. In fact, one day last month I was about to do my normal walking on the treadmill, but was running short on time and thought, “Well, Ruthanne became a runner, maybe I could make it 20 minutes. I’d be off this treadmill in less than half the time!” So I ran for 20 minutes!!! I almost died, but I did it. Shortly after that, I ran into some health issues and haven’t even been walking, but we’ll see what 2012 has in store.
So keep up the good work — you’re awesome!
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While running isn’t something I have ever pursued, I would definitely LOVE to find the time to do it! Best of luck training! My sister trained for a half marathon and did really well. You look amazing!
Julie S.´s last [type] ..Friday Photo Dump
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You look great! Congratulations! I’m doing my first 1/2 marathon in March. A girlfriend promised a girls weekend away at the beach and we all signed up for the race. I’ve never been athletic, but this really is fun. I actually enjoy the long run days much more than the maintenance run days. Good luck and I hope you get more training run day with friends! It makes all the difference to me.
McKt´s last [type] ..Christmas Celebrating 2011
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I just popped over from A Familiar Path and I’ve been here before but it’s been a while … congratulations on the new healthy lifestyle! You look great … and healthy … and strong! Your posts have been encouraging … I’ll be back to read more.
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