The training continues...

Today will be my 7th day in a row running. On Tuesday I ran my furthest yet (outside anyway) at 7.6 KM (in 47 minutes). Yesterday we did our 5 KM route which includes a few killer hills during the last half which completely did me in. It's amazing to me how much they tire me out. I felt more tired at the top of those hills than I did after running 10 KM on the treadmill. The good news is, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is known as one of the "flattest" routes in North America (and therefore, the fastest) so no hills to worry about on the big day!

I'm working on getting more protein into my diet during the day. I have a bad habit of only having protein with dinner, and I am always starving after work these days. I think it will give me the extra boost I need.

Nothing else new for today. Christy, thanks for the comment!

Mission to a (1/2) Marathon

In our ongoing efforts to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, Mark and I have decided to run the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront (1/2) Marathon on September 30, 2007! This is a 21.1 KM (13 mile) race and our goal is to finish in under 2 hours and 15 minutes. 6 months to train - better get busy!

Check it out @ http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com

I am leaving Goodlife Fitness because I have only been using my membership for the treadmill and training on a treadmill is not going to cut it anymore. I have run outside the past 4 days in a row - 5 KM Friday, 5.76 KM Saturday, 5 KM Sunday and 7.5 KM yesterday. The nice weather makes it a lot easier to stay motivated. I can't wait to get home and RUN!

the good, the bad and the ugly

I love weekends, but when it comes to losing weight, THEY ARE PURE EVIL! I don't know why exactly, but I completely lose control every freaking weekend. Here's where "ugly" comes in to play. Last weekend consisted of cake, pizza, Wendy's, McDonald's, Kraft Dinner and all kinds of goodies at a bridal shower for my cousin. My saving grace is that I made it to the gym Saturday morning and ran 10 KM on the treadmill, burning about 1100 calories. So I guess that is how I managed to maintain my weight despite the feasting.

Every time Monday rolls around, I jump right back on the wagon and usually have no trouble staying on track... and every Monday I vow not to blow it again come the weekend. And every weekend I blow it anyway.

What's the matter with me?!

Anyway, here we are on Wednesday and I have been good (well, mostly). I went to the gym for a run last night and I will be going again tonight. Mark's train (new job, new transport) comes in at 7 so I am trying to go between work and picking him up. But I am looking forward to Spring so we can start running outside more regularly!

Now THAT is determination

It was still mild after work yesterday so I decided to skip the gym and go for another run outside with Mark. But of course, it started raining just as we were leaving. I nearly chickened out, but Mark convinced me to go for it anyway. And of course, it didn't just rain. It POURED. You have to understand, I don't do rain. Being outside in the rain is about my least favourite thing to do. It's right above being outside in a blizzard. With bare feet. So... this is a big deal!

We took a different 5 KM route with even more hills. There was one giant hill right near the end and I actually had to look down at the sidewalk and take it one square at a time. When I looked up, all I could think was I am never going to make it up this hill! But I made it, one square at a time. It turns out we ran even faster than the day before. We did it in 31 minutes, average speed of 5.5 mph. My legs are S-O-R-E this morning.

New Look, New Location

I decided to change the URL of my blog since "marlenesouthbeachdiet" didn't seem all that appropriate anymore. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding me at my new location.

There's no reason for the new look, except that I was bored of the old one!

I ran outside!!

So I really wanted to go for a run yesterday (after 8 days off!!! yikes!) but I was apprehensive about going to the gym because I'm not sure how the other ladies would feel about me coughing all over them... yuck. Well, we had a beautiful day here yesterday so I tagged along with Mark and ran outside for the first time. We took a 5 KM route, a lot of which was uphill, and it took about 33 minutes. It felt AMAZING. I have to admit, running outside is much tougher than the treadmill! I felt muscles in my legs that I didn't know I had. Other than tons of puddles, it was awesome and I can't wait to run outdoors again. It felt so good to run again!!

One week later and still sick

Yep, I am still sick. I ended up staying home last Wednesday too after being up all night. I was feeling a tad better by Thursday, just very stuffed up and still a really bad sore throat. Saturday it turned to a dry cough and now I still have the cough and have lost my voice.

It has not been a fun week!

I've been eating a lot of crap and still haven't made it back to the gym, but we got groceries last night and I am going to try to go for a run tonight. Hopefully the other ladies on the treadmills won't mind me coughing all over them. :)

I still managed to lose 2 lbs but here's to getting back on track this week!

Long time, no update

Sorry!!! Been busy with... I don't even know what.

I missed a few runs last week due to leg pain, Mattamy appointment, snow strom (yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses!) but the good news is, I achieved my goal on Saturdaqy and ran 10 KM!!! It took between 65 and 70 minutes and I burned 850 calories. Crazy! I felt amazing after. I tried to do it again on Sunday but my legs were too sore.

Food-wise, I've stayed on the wagon for the most part. My weight has been holding steady. Gotta love plateaus.

Today I am home sick. This horrible flu/cold virus that has been going around finally caught up with me yesterday and hit me like a freight train at work. I was in misery. Killer head ache, sore throat, sharp pain behind my ears, achey bones, no energy and even nausea. Yuck. Got home at 4:30 and went straight to bed. Didn't get up until after 10 this morning. I have been laying around today, trying to get some fluids in me and popping Sudafeds like gummy bears. It is a little more bearable but I still feel like crap. Needless to say, no run last night or tonight.