...so I went to Sonic after all!  It's been a "bad" weekend.  I did run/walk 4 miles today, but it was pitiful.   I have been doing my excercise inside...today I ran outside.  It was kind of warm (about 85).  Now I have done my walking in Florida...but I haven't been "running" in the heat.   I don't know if it was the terrible diet for the last couple of days....too much soda....or just the heat, but I got clammy and goosebumps at mile three.  I had to walk mile four.  I was really bummed.

     BUT!  I am not giving up.  Tomorrow is another day and I might drag my husband out for another morning run.  Plus, Tuesday the kids have piano at 8:00 am (that is a little later than we started today), and I am going to try and sneak in 3 or 4 miles then...wish me luck!  icart

     BTW, have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.  Remember why we are celebrating!

Today is our 21st wedding anniversary!  My husband and I went SWIMMING!  It was so nice...we went to the Y where he usually swims laps....I forgot how peaceful and tiring swimming was!  So for all you looking for a way to stay healthy...maybe rethink swimming!  I know I will with the summer coming!  keep moving...icart

     Have you seen this blog?  I love it!  It is incredible for all of us who are trying to get in shape, or stay in shape, or change our shape!  See the walking ticker on my side bar?  Isn't that cool?!?  I love creative people...check this site out at:

     http://andfam.net/walk

     Another neat tidbit I learned today...did you know you burn 500 calories every three miles you do?  Whether you walk, run or crawl...whether it takes you 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour...you burn 500 calories!  That is so neat to know!  I burned 622 today (I ran/walked 4 miles)!  I can actually go and eat a large order of McDonald's french fries if I wanted...but I don't.  Actually, I do, but I won't.

     Anyway...move on!!! icart

     I never realized how much we need strong back muscles....I got to play 18 holes of golf on Saturday.  It was wonderful!  But, my back was really hurting when I was done.  I didn't carry my clubs, but I did walk most of the course.

     I found out from my Runner's World magazine...the best way to have a strong back is to have strong abs.  They all work together to form a strong "core."  This is the key to keeping the back pain away.

     So, today I made sure I got my strength training in...working with the rubber ball and band...it's super low impact and forces you to concentrate on each individual muscle group.

    I missed working out two days in a row...argh!  But I am back on track...running tomorrow!  Keep moving...here's to our health...icart!

     Okay, so I was doing really well with my workouts...Saturday I did strngth training and played my first 18 holes of golf!  It was super!  My back was a little sore...but I had a blast!

     Then Sunday I got in 5 miles!  I haven't done 5 miles in a few months...it was hard but good.  Yesterday I didn't get anything in...my children's piano teacher messed up my schedule.  he had to take his dad to the airport and was 45 minutes late...I have to reschedule one piano lesson and didn't get my run in...so...

     I was going to run today, but my husband bought a car for my 17 year old...another long story and I had to take him to work so he could drive the car home.  Add to that, my 17 year old son's football team needed a mom to help sell teddy bears in the cafeteria today...running is shot.  BUT, I am going to try and get in a strength training workout in when I come home.  that might mess up my nap schedule...oh well...I will just skip the bon bons and TV.

     Such is the life of a "stay at home" homeschooling mom...icart

     We had a "severe thunderstorm warning" this morning...thank goodness for the treadmil!  It was thunder booming pretty good, but I got my 3 miles in! 

Yippee!!!

     That makes three days of "workouts" and 6 miles...I am going for 21 days...it makes a habit!  If you want a good read...very inspiring, no matter what level you are at...RUNNERS' WORLD magazine.  I LOVE it!  They have training schedules, excersices, race schedules...etc.  Leaf through a copy at you local bookstore and see what you think...icart

...after January's marathon, my back was absolutely killing me.  I did some research and found out that I needed to add strength training to my routine...like I don't have enough on my plate!  Anyway, I found a "plan" that included time for strength training. 

     Sooooo, I took a little 3 1/2 X 5" spiral book (actually, my husband did this for me).  At the top of each page (book laying horizontally...long ways) my husband put the week and then what I am to do daily.  He typed it in small print on the computer, cut it out and glued it on the pages.  It's a great, cheap handy dandy little guide to keep me on track.

     So today was strength training.  I went to Barnes & Noble (BTW if you belong to a homeschooling group...local or HSDLA and have a membership card, they will give you an educators' discount card...good for 20% off) and bought a ball and band workout set.  It comes with a DVD...I did that.  It includes some cardio, but mostly strengthening.

     That means I am on track for 2 days...the great minds say it takes 21 days to make it a habit...come on habit!  Keep moving gang...icart

     Background info...two years ago, my husband came back from a "tour" in Qatar (he is a Navy Pilot).  He found out about this marathon weekend at Disney in Orlando...we are Disney freaks.  Sooo, he signed us both up for the half-marathon.  We finished and received these really cool Donald Duck medals...but there were people walking around with MICKEY MEDALS! I wanted one of those...come to find out you needed to finish the FULL marathon for a Mickey!  So we trained last year and I walked a full marathon...finished with an official time (you have to finish in 7 hours to receive an official time...I took 6 hrs 55 minutes...close) and got a shiny golden Mickey Head!!!

     Since then (January), I have been walking/running a little here and there, but not my 4 to 5 days a week like before.  Well, I want to get back on track...maybe if I type it here I will be more accountable for my actions. Wish me luck!

     Today I ran/walked 3 miles!  My goal is to get to a 13:30 mile pace...I was at a 15:00 mile pace.  My husband is signing us up for the half-marathon next year...less time training and a little more attainable for someone who has NEVER run before.

     There are lots of sites to help you with pacing, srtetching and just good old fashion encouragement...I will try and post some here.  One is: HalHigdon.com .  He has weekly work outs for begginners!  I am trying his to learn how to run...I start off walking at my 15:00 mile pace for ten minutes and then start an easy jog...about a 12:30 pace.  I have been doing pretty good and getting better with my times.

     Anyway...Day one of the rest of my life is now under my belt...anyone want to join me?  See ya...icart