This "rump" definitely shook...

5:30 AM - Me "This is the dumbest idea I've ever had."
                 Bruce "YUP!"

And so our morning began...

While neither of us are "morning people" - and I'm not sure I even know what that is - but I think my step-dad is one who you could call that.

He jumps out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off and is whistling something to the tune of "I Feel Good" by James Brown and dancing around like Tom Cruise in "Risky Business"....

Well, take my word for it - there was no whistling or singing going on at our house at 5:30AM. We barely got dressed and out the door in time to make it to my parents' house to head to Sloss Furnace for the race.

I will be honest: I was EXTREMELY nervous this morning, yesterday, and this whole week thinking about this race. And as soon as I heard James Spann say there was a CHANCE of thunderstorms, I was doing some serious praying and maybe a few rain dances so that the race was canceled. I know, I'm not proud, but I'm just being honest :)

But I knew there were TOO many people that knew I was planning on doing this - and that alone helped me to get pumped and know that I could do this... Didn't know if I'd finish, but I was definitely going to cross the start line.

And of course, as soon as we got close to Sloss, I was so nervous that I had to pee. And I mean I had to go RIGHT THEN. Bruce always makes fun of me for not being able to pee outside, but I was seriously contemplating it at this point. We were stuck in traffic and barely moving, and I told them I had to get out and find a bathroom. So, in the middle of the highway, I jumped out and headed towards the start line to find some porto potties. I may have even been walking a little funny, but the closer I got to the start line, I saw how many people were actually there. I got a little more nervous. I finally found the bathrooms, which as soon as I got there heard my mother call - she had jumped out too and followed me. Since I was set on finding a bathroom, I didn't even think to grab my cell phone so I could catch up with everyone later. Mom and I searched around the place for about 15 minutes and finally found the boys. And just in time - it was about 20 til' 8 and they were telling us to head towards the start line. I was getting more and more nervous but tried to not think about it by laughing at Bruce & my family. Thank God I have a crazy family who will think and say the craziest stuff cause it really helps ease the nerves in times like this. (On a side note that most of you guys don't know: At our wedding, it was time to line up and the bridesmaids and groomsmen were heading down the aisle - I was almost a "Runaway Bride" as the nerves started to take over. My hilarious step-dad pulled out a pair of ridiculous glasses, put them on, and turned around to face me. I was cracking up and completely forgot how I thought I could throw up at any minute. But it's times like these that I remember how blessed I am that my family is completely crazy!)

We headed toward the front, which I knew I wouldn't be there long, met some people Jeff worked with, did a few calisthenics (which reminded me and my brother both of our high school band years when we had to do them before every practice), and then it was time to take off. With this being my first race, I wasn't exactly sure how everything went but I had gone through the entire course on GoogleMaps, road by road, to make sure I knew every hill, incline, and turn. This turned out to be really helpful because I remembered where every mile marker and water station was located, and I could tell Mom "only a couple more blocks and we turn".

As we took off, people were running past us on both sides, and I knew that I definitely wanted to walk the first part to get warmed up. I had read in too many articles where people take off trying to start at a fast pace and then end up last because they are so tired. I also didn't want to leave my mom behind. She kept telling me to go on but it was fun having her beside me and doing this together. Patti & Samantha caught up with us, and we walked just about the whole way with them.



This is what I kept telling myself.



This sign just made me laugh - my FB status prior to the race said "If I'm not back on in 3 hours, I've gone Home to see my Maker."

I had read one of the emails prior to the race that stated you were welcome to walk the entire race but the police may ask you to move to the sidewalk so that traffic could move. That was my main motivation, I did not want to be THAT slow that they have to ask me to move to the sidewalk. Sounds funny, but could be really embarrassing. Mom and I kept a really good, fast-walking pace and every time I turned around, I was amazed by how many people were still behind us and how many people participated in this race. I told Mom the last .2 miles of the race we should run so that we could look really good crossing the finish line. We agreed and as soon as we could read the FINISH line sign, we took off. Mom and Sam got ahead of me and Patti due to a traffic jam in the middle of the road, but we all made it in under 1 hour - which was another goal of mine.

I wanted to look like this as I crossed the finish line

But instead, I know I looked like this! :)

And here's the proof I really did it:

Can't wait for our next 5k at the Birmingham Zoo! If you'd like to do it with us, let me know!

Week of a Woman's Diary

In honor of our 1-week anniversary of attending the gym (I know that sounded really corny but couldn't find any other way to say it), I am posting one of my favorite emails of ALL-TIME!! Beverly and I would read this at work and literally cry we would laugh so hard! Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do - every time I read it!!   **I added the pictures to make it more enjoyable

Woman's Week at the Gym:

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress so here goes...

MONDAY:

Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess -- with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile.

Woo Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!


TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.

Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air... then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the Hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? 

Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other crap, too.



THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes.

Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny winch in to find me

Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY:

I hate that Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

Then, the treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

 

SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked
the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little snot) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy.

Less than 2 weeks!!!

I can't believe that in less than 2 weeks, me, my husband, my mother, step-father, brother, and his girlfriend will all be in a 5k. That is SO crazy?!?!? We have our team names... The Badonkadonks - which is supposed to be funny and light-hearted since we are running for Colon Cancer Awareness. This is not our t-shirt below but hopefully we will have some made up to really help keep us motivated. And who knows, we might do more races! I would LOVE it!! And my step-dad has been trying to get us to do the Mercedes marathon with him for forever, but I guess it had to take a "butt" t-shirt to get us motivated! Who knew!?!? :)

                   

Bruce and I have been in the gym 6 days since we joined last Tuesday and I couldn't be more proud of us both! We were definitely sore a few days and we're getting better and better with every workout. I actually worked out on both the standing and sitting elliptical today. I started out on the standing, did 10 minutes and LITERALLY thought I was going to pass out. So, I switched over to the sitting one for 5 minutes and once I felt better I got back on the standing elliptical for another 5 minutes, and then finished my cardio workout on the sitting one for another 10 minutes with a cool-down period. I know a week ago I couldn't stay on the standing elliptical for more than 4 minutes so I think that is a HUGE accomplishment for me!!!

We also incorporated circuit workouts with our cardio. Bruce helps me figure out which machines to use and I pretty much do what he does, with the exception of a lot less weight added. :) I usually lift 50lbs unless it's my legs and then I'll do 90-100lbs. Speaking of leg workouts... We did our first leg workout on Friday afternoon (I know, we should get a gold star just for working out on a Friday!) but anyways, we had a wedding to attend the next day and I decide to wear heels, because it was a semi-formal wedding. We were running a little late and had to walk a mile to get there from our parking spot, and had to stand for a good bit; needless to say my legs started to feel like jello. Just a little side note but I would not recommend working out and then wearing heels the next day if 1) you haven't worked out your legs in a while and 2) especially if you haven't worn heels in a while.

Well, I guess that's all I have to say. I haven't blogged in a few days but I wanted y'all to know we have been going to the gym every day except this past Saturday! And that we are continuing to go and are finally really enjoying. We are starting to feel better and better instead of like someone just ran over us with an 18-wheeler. At first I almost dreaded it, but now I'm having fun! And once I start seeing results, I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more! :)

And now for some funny weight loss pictures to make reading this blog worth it! :)

We did it again!

Hey Guys! This will be a short blog because we both have a lot of work to do, but just wanted to let y'all know - we made it back to the gym again.

We went a little later than yesterday because the guy at the gym told us they do an orientation on Wednesday nights to introduce you to the different types of equipment and help you get more familiar with it but when we got there at 620, he wasn't there. So, we decided to jump on the ellipticals and get our workout on :)  Needless to say, the trainer never showed up, but we still both got in a good 5 miles each!!

Maybe next blog will be longer, but we'll keep this one short and sweet and to the point. We made it 2 days in a row to the gym!! And we are so proud of ourselves! And so glad we joined Snap!!! :)

5 miles on the elliptical

Instead of putting the usual "here we go again" or "let's try this one more time"... I thought I'd put my accomplishment instead. Since we cannot get anything at our gym in the apartment complex to work consistently, we decided to bite the bullet and join the local Snap Fitness in Columbiana. They are still doing the "no-enrollment" fee signup, so we got a good deal. After trying 2 times this weekend to meet up with someone and after several phone calls, we were finally able to join yesterday.

We had entirely too much to do yesterday to workout so we had our first workout session this afternoon. As soon as Bruce got home from school, I said we should go ahead and go workout before "life" got in the way. So, it was about 5 and we were worried there were going to be a ton of people coming right after work. When we pulled up, there were about 9 cars in the parking lot so I was immediately anxious. I have always hated working out in front of other people, especially at the size I am right now. That was a main reason I hated going to the gym at the apartments because it was such a small room and if there were 3 people in there, they were all looking at you.

So, Bruce had said he was going to get on the elliptical because he lost so much weight doing it before. Well, the competitor in me came out and so I wanted to do it too. He said he might go an hour on it so I was a little overwhelmed but thought "I can do this". Well.... 6 minutes into it I thought I was literally going to throw up and pass out, and maybe at the same time. I decided to stop and get on the elliptical machine that kind of looks like a bike.

It does the same maneuvers as the standing elliptical but you can sit and get almost the same workout. I thought it would be a good workout for me to get used to an elliptical since I've never really used it before. As I'm walking over there, I noticed an older man, probably 40 years older than me, just going to town on this machine. I was a little embarrassed that I had to get on the same type of machine as this older gentlemen, but I knew I needed to workout and couldn't worry about what anyone else thought about me. So, I jumped on and did 5 MILES!!! Yes, you are reading this right... there is no typo. AND I did it in 25 minutes!!! :) How FREAKIN' awesome is that?!?!

And another thing I noticed is everyone was doing there own thing which means no judging. The gym is really nice, there are 2 sitting ellipticals, 4 standing ellipticals, and 7 treadmills all facing the walls and in front of about 5 tvs. It seemed the ellipticals were the most popular pieces of equipment because they were all being used with 4 other people on treadmills. We were all watching the news and I didn't feel the first person starring at me or judging me.

So, I am very proud of myself... and BOTH of us for that matter. We both worked out for 30 minutes (we didn't want to kill ourselves the first time back in a while) but we both did about 5 miles on the elliptical. We are well on our way to getting in better shape and living healthier. We both agreed we're going to be more committed to working out, especially since we'll be paying for it LOL :) So, you can join Bruce and I at the Snap Fitness in Columbiana probably 4-5 days a week. If you workout there, let me know. I will need a partner some days because Bruce will have to workout at a different time than me due to his school schedule.

Hope to see y'all there! And tune in! You should see another blog from me in the next few days! :)