the schoon's

turning a corner

Run 4.0 - Wk 3/52: Saturday by kschoonover at Garmin Connect - Details.

For the last three weeks, I've been trying to push myself back into running.  It hasn't been easy, it hasn't been pretty.  Its been frustrating, painful, but I've been doing it.

Today, I feel like I turned one corner.  I know there will be more hurdles and many more challenges to come, but it feels good to have a reward today after a run rather than just pain.

This morning T & I went to the indoor track to run.  Goal was 4, but would be happy with 3.  No expectations, no time goals set, just do it.  I've been having so much shin splint pain after my runs, I was just hoping for limited discomfort after the run.

We set the goal to run 2 laps/walk 1 for the first two rounds and then up to run 3/walk 1 for 3 rounds and then back to run 2/walk 1.  Time seemed to fly by.  Not many other people were up early at the track to run, so it was nice to have a relatively clear track.  When we were done, we had completed 4 miles.  Nice!  We both felt good and even felt like we could have gone for another half hour or so. 

My shins even felt good afterwards.. not great... but good is better than not being able to even walk.  Our pace was on track and even better than we were hoping for at this point in our training plan.  T doesn't even realize this, but for most of it I was thinking.. "is she ever going to slow down?"  It was a good push for me and felt good to realize that I can go faster than my mind thinks I can.

It was after this run, that I realized I can do this half marathon.. and the two following that I have scheduled.  Here I am on Jan 22... just starting and already able to 4 miles.  Even though it wasn't all running, my pace doing a run/walk combo was better than when I run straight!  And I walked away feeling good.   Was that a runner's high?

So tonight I decided to stretch myself and signed up for another half this year...  this one on September 3rd. 

I may be crazy... but at least it's a good intention crazy....

 

The Garmin

2011 - Week 2/52: Wednesday - run by kschoonover at Garmin Connect - Details.

I was a lucky girl for Christmas this year...  Jeff got me two things I've been wanting.  A Garmin and a spinning bike. 

Over this last year, I've discovered of all the activity that I've been doing and adding in, one of my most favorite things is bike riding.  The hard part, is that in early November, our bikes were put away and it was no longer an option with the Indiana weather to do this on a regular basis.

Sitting next to my desk now, is a sleek spinning bike.  It may seem odd to have this in my office, but when you work at a computer for most of the day, it's nice to have this close for a quick ride. 

The Garmin though, I am finding fits my love of numbers, spreadsheets and reports.  It's encouraging me to be active again as I want to see my numbers increase... watch the miles rack up on my running counts and the hours increase for my cycling time. 

Since I am pushing myself to run more than I ever have this year, I love that I have a way to track the miles I am putting on and that by the end of the year, I will have a number to try to beat then in 2012.

I'm still finding it hard to like running...  the motivation to go and do it is hard, then while trying to run, it's such a mental game you play with yourself.  You think your body is telling you that you can't go any further, but if you convince yourself to "just make it to the next point" you really can do it.  The aches and pains that come with getting back in it aren't fun either....  you have to get those muscles built back up and remember to take care of them after the run as well... stretching, eating right, vitamin I (ibuprofen).... 

This will be an interesting year...  I feel like I am starting at ground zero... slow pace, low endurance, limited mileage still...  but wonder where I can be at by the end of the year. 

2011 Already????

How did that happen?  

I was doing so good at the beginning of the year with documenting and blogging, and then what always happens did... life just gets in the way.

So I'm not making this a resolution to be better at blogging, as I don't want to disappoint myself if I don't follow through, so just a note to myself to try to remember to do better.

This New Years Jeff and I realized that we have now spent 20 consecutive New Year's Eve's together. Quite an accomplishment!  I love that I want to continue to spend 60 more with him if possible! We all talked about our plans and goals for 2011.  2010 was a big year for us with making family activity a priority and so today at lunch we were discussing all our ideas for 2011.  Most of these are already written down on our big kitchen calendar, but now they are becoming more official, getting registered, marked on the calendar on the date, and committing to these events.

Committing to these events, means we also need to commit to training for them... which to me, is the biggest part.  Finding the plan that will work with our schedules, finding the time, and getting out and doing it when sitting on the couch sounds so much more appealing.  

So our goals so far to the summer:

Kari

• Continuing to play as much tennis as possible
• Keeping up with attending spinning classes
• Cupids 5K on Feb 12
• Back to Boot Camp on Feb 14
• CSC Triathlon on April 17 (Family Relay - Bike Part)
• Indy Mini Marathon on May 7
• Head for the Cure 5K on May 21
• Carmel Half Marathon on June 5
• Thinking about the Indy Women's Half Marathon on Sept.3
• Ghosts & Goblins 5K&2K on October 29

Jeff

• CSC Triathlon on April 17 (Family Relay - Run Part)
• Indy Mini Marathon on May 17
• Ghosts & Goblins 5K&2K on October 29

Erik

• Winter Lacrosse
• Swim Team
• Tennis
• Kids Boot Camp
• CSC Triathlon on April 17 (Family Relay - Swim Part)
• Head for the Cure 5K on May 21
• Ghosts & Goblins 5K&2K on October 29

Kristian

• Winter Basketball
• Spring Swim Lessons
• Learn to ride bike before summer
• Cheer on Mom, Dad, & Erik at all the various events
• Ghosts & Goblins 5K&2K on October 29

It's exciting to see all the things we want to do, makes me a little tired to see them all written out as well! :)  But, looking forward to getting 2011 started on a running foot...  getting my motivation back in line as it definitely dwindled over the fall and winter of 2010.   And as much as I don't like running, but like what effect it has on my body, hoping that over the course of 2011 I will come to love it and make it a natural part of my fitness routine.  

 

get ready to go for a ride

September 12... time for a bike ride... a long one.

This past year, we have worked hard to instill in our kids a family lifestyle that we will continue for many years. One of being active, outside, enjoying biking, running, hiking, walking, swimming, rollerblading, basketball, football, running up hills, playing in the park... being a family that moves.

We ran a 5K together early in the summer, we have plans to do a triathlon together later in September and now we are going to bike 50 miles together. 

We could bike 75 or 100, but 50 sounds much more doable with Kristian on the tag-along and Erik riding with us. 

And what a better way to really break-in my new bike that I got for my birthday which happens to be the day after the ride.

When we learned also that the ride was in support of MS, we couldn't pass it up.  My aunt has had to deal with this disease for way to many years. 

After signing up, we learned that not only do we have to ride, but we get to help raise fund for it.  Not a bad thing to do, especially for the cause.  We need to raise $600 ($150 a person) and would love any support any of our friends and family want to give... your support by helping us raise our goal funds, your support by thinking about us that day as we ride together or your support by joining our team and riding your bike with us.

If you want to help our fundraising goal, it all goes to our team funds, but you can even pick which team member you want to specifically designate the funds to...

Our Team (Team Deerstyne Green): http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Events/INIBikeEvents?team_id=218730&pg=team&fr_id=13873

Kari:  http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=8742169&pg=personal&fr_id=13873

Jeff: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=8742177&pg=personal&fr_id=13873

Erik (age10): http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=8742179&pg=personal&fr_id=13873

Kristian (age5): http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=8742181&pg=personal&fr_id=13873

Thanks for your support!

summer fun

i really did it....

Sunday, Aug 1.

I did it.

 

Swim 500 Meters in the downtown Canal

 

11.5 Mile Bike

3.1 Mile Run

My first tri....

I have wanted to do one for years, and decided finally to take the jump and do it...with a little help/push from my experienced tri friend Bonnie, I signed up.

our before picture... at the finish line

 

and my boys waiting for me at the finish.

This last year has been quite the active year for me... the slam bam boot camp challenge, doing a walk/run half marathon, running a 5K pushing Kristian in a stroller, and now a triathlon. I'm not a natural athlete, I'm not skinny by nature.. I have to work hard to lose and keep weight off, I have to struggle to run and swim and bike.  I have to push myself hard to do these things, but, the fact is, I can push and I want to push and I'm physically able to make myself do these things.  2 years ago being relatively limited on activity with my arm made me realize how much I want to be active and have an active lifestyle for me and my family. 

I didn't have much time to train, but that actually helped as I didn't have much time to back out and really had to focus and get it done.

The night before was a little nerve-wracking.  I was getting all my stuff together, and the bike I was borrowing from my neighbors wasn't shifting right.  So, after almost 2 hrs... it was fixed and in a good gear for the ride.

 

Various neighbors stopped by to help and by the end, I think we had the whole block working on the bike.  Thank goodness for the neighbors we have!

Sunday morning I was up early and out.  The boys stayed in bed and Jeff brought them down later. Bonnie and I marveled at the swim capabilities of those doing the Olympic distance through the canal and I started getting more and more nervous.  What the heck was I thinking?

Then it came time for the Sprint Tri to get lined up.... one by one, we went into the canal.  The 4 ft of murky water and ducks.  My goal was to not have to stop and just to get the swim done so I could enjoy the bike/run.  And, get it done in under 2 hours. 

As it was my turn, I hesitated for a moment, thinking the stairs up to the street looked like a better option than the ramp going into the canal.  Then in the water, I started a simple freestyle crawl and the sense of sheer panic came over me.  I don't get it.. I know how to swim, but somehow, in the first few minutes, I forgot.  My heart was racing, I was coughing water... I decided to switch to backstroke earlier and it was taking all I could to do focus, calm down and not cry from sheer terror.  I tried to focus up in the sky and just swim/float/take my time/backstroke the whole way.  I keep looking up and after about 200 meters my heart rate started to normalize.  Another 200 meters and the bridge that was my goal to know I was almost done was in sight overhead.  The end was in sight.  I kept going and soon I was at the stairs to get out.  I turned back to my front and tried to climb the stairs, but I was dizzy.  I had to pull myself up and walk slow to my bike.  I was feeling woozy and dizzy and trying not to fall over.

I got to my bike, put on my helmet and downed some G1 gatorade and started to feel less dizzy.  Socks and shoes on, pulled my bike down from the rack and off I went. 

First on the bike, I found myself wiping away tears.  I couldn't believe I had made it through the swim.  It took a while, but it was done.  Now to try to make up the time...the bike was exhilarating.  I loved feeling the speed, the wind, the racing...  I passed a few people and got passed by some.  I kept a solid pace and watched intently for the mile markers to see where I was at.  The mile markers were never there.  Finally, I had a feeling we were half done, so I kicked up the pace.  Passed a few more people and saw the end in sight.   

As I was pulling into the transition area, I hear the "Go Kari" behind me, and knew my boys were there.  I got to my area and changed shoes, hung up my bike and was off on the run.  Only my legs were not moving very fast...  I did a fast walk/run combo for the duration of the run.  Running into the finish line, I saw my boys waiting for me, Go Kari signs in hand.

 

What a fun sight at the end... and how happy a mom to have them there waiting for me and seeing what I did.  I was even more excited when Jeff decided he wanted to do the next one with me and Erik too... so Sunday, Sept. 19, we are going to be a tri-family (with Kristian to cheer us on).

And all in under 2 hrs...exactly what I was hoping for.  1 hr 48 min to be exact.  Now I have a real time to beat!

new challenge....

Ok, it's official.

My next challenge is set...registered... no more "I'm thinking I might... " or "someday I will do this..." ... now its committed and scheduled...  and I'm not giving myself much time to back out or get any more ready.

Sunday, Aug 1.  A Sprint Triathlon.

I bike miles and miles with the family every week... yes, it is leisurely, recreational, and pulling a trail behind with a almost 5 yr old Kristian on it, but in 2.5 weeks I'm going to ditch the trail behind and ride alone for 20K after swimming for 500 meters in a canal and then running for 5K after the bike. 

Jeff and I have been running more together, and it's getting better each time.

The hard part and for me the scary part is the swim.  I have a 10yr old swimmer, he says it's a piece of cake and has even offered to train me.  Taking lessons from my own son, what a deal.

So although I haven't been in an official "training" program for this, I think I can be ready in 2.5 weeks. 
Because it's all in your head anyways, right?

So... any tri tips from anyone out there... (Molly)....  send my way....

Transition tips, what to bring, good references and resources, etc....

My hands were literally shaking when I hit that confirm button on the registration... and haven't stopped yet....

At least I can mark this one off the list of things to do before I'm 40.

Poor Kid....

What a way to put a damper in the middle of the summer. Right when he had
just started football camp and was loving it.

Broken toe, thankfully an easy heal, but needs some non-activity time to
heal it since it is in the growth plate of the bone.

Keeping Erik down is sure not easy... "Mom, can I go play Laser tag? Mom,
can we go here..."

All this for chasing the cat and having a door get in the way....

what next....

Two nights ago I went for an evening run with Jeff.  My calf has been really hurting for the last couple weeks, pulled it playing singles tennis in the first week of June.  So, I've been "babying" it, and not being as intense active. 

Jeff and I were on the run, at an easy pace.  There was a slight breeze, but still super hot.  I told him that I would only do a little bit and he could keep going.  Well, at the easy pace, I felt pretty good, so stuck with him for a little longer.  While in that run, crazy thoughts go through my head.  I feel pretty good, I feel like at that pace I could run for miles and miles.  I start to think, could I do a marathon? 

Now that the SlamBam challenge is over, I feel like I need a new challenge, a new goal to keep me focused.

As the run goes on, I realize my calf feels better, I pick up my pace a little bit, and Jeff picks it up too.  The faster we start to run, the more my mind changes.  I switch to a half marathon again.  Our pace increases a little more and I'm back to thinking 5K's are just fine.  From starting at a 11.45 pace to gradually increasing to a 8.22 pace by the end, it's amazing how your mind changes at the same time.  Seeing that pace on my nike+ literally blew me away... who knew I could even move under 10?

So, do you stay at the pace that makes you think you can do more? or do you push yourself to a pace that makes you go faster but want to stop so much earlier? What is better for you?  5 miles at 11.40 or 2.5 miles at under 10. 

I'm definitely not a runner, I still can't say that I enjoy it, but to me, it's a challenge.  But I like the results that it gives.  It makes me a better tennis player, I have more endurance in boot camp and on bike rides and it melts weight off.  Also, there is something mentally encouraging to say to yourself that you can run for 3-5 miles straight.

But what is going to be my next challenge... what am I going to put my mind to work on next and have my body follow along? 

a winner

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.  That's what makes you a winner."~~Venus Williams

So I read this on a facebook status today and it made me think even more about this weekend. Saturday was the final celebration of the 14 week slam bam challenge that I participated in as well as a general celebration for boot campers in general.  This weekend I was able to celebrate being a winner... not by the judges definition... but by my own.     After 14 weeks of boot camp, changing meal plans every 4 weeks, weigh-in & measurements every 4 weeks, and too many to count lifestyle changes, I am walking proud having lost 33 pounds and 27 inches. 

Friday was a very difficult day.  I went into the challenge not to win, but to change myself, find the balance in life, and to make lifestyle changes for me and my family.  I hit every single one of those goals and the icing on the cake was my body changed drastically.  For the one of the first times in my life, I challenged myself harder than I EVER have and definitely finished the challenge with nothing I could have done better, no regrets. Now, I am learning how hard I am on myself.  I still have a ways to go in this journey... another 30 pounds.

But Friday, an email came into my inbox that rocked me harder than I thought it would.  I wasn’t expecting to even be in the top 5, it wasn’t why I did this challenge, so I’m still bothered by the fact that when I learned that I wasn’t in the top 5 I was just sad.  Very sad.  It didn’t help that I had worked until 3am the night before so I was very tired and easily emotional.  But when I learned that I wasn’t in the top 5, I had a short feeling of ... “Really? 33 pounds, 27 inches was not enough?  Starting to like vegetables wasn’t good enough? Burning over 3000 calories a day for the past 4 weeks alone wasn’t what they wanted?  Changing how I eat, cook, and what we do for fun as a family wasn’t what this competition was all about? ”  

So I let myself wallow in my self-pity for a while, let myself feel hurt that I had opened up so much in my essays for the judging and exposed more of myself through words than I ever have before.  For someone who doesn’t open up to many people, I felt more exposed by my essay than I did in my after bikini picture. All that I had done, just wasn’t enough for the judges.   

But, it was enough.  It was more than enough.  It was beyond what was expected in this competition.  It was beyond what I expected I could do.  It showed me that I can change.  I can change anything I want to in my life.  I can change how me and my family eat for the better and actually like it.  I can change my strength and muscles and do much more than I ever thought I could physically.  I can change how my body looks and loose the weight and inches.  I can change how my family views fun and have them LIKE running up hills, biking for 30 miles at a time, and we can be an active family.  I can balance my time and fit in work, volunteering, fitness, family and me time.   

Now, the quote says nobody else believes in you... But as I’m finding out, I had more people believing in me than I ever realized.  Of course I had my Jeff, my Erik and Kristian right there with me the whole way, but at the bootcamp celebration, I felt more support than I ever knew I had.  While they announced and talked about every person in the challenge, I dreaded going up to the front when my name was called.  It was the second time that I had done this challenge, the second time I had learned that I missed the Top 5 by only 1 point from the judges.  All these people had cheers and clapping, and I was just glad that Jeff and M&T where there too so I would at least have someone to cheer me on.  I was so taken back when I was called up and my 5:30 class was cheering and supporting me there.  Jeff even asked me if I knew I had such a fan club.  The comments from my fellow workout classmates were so sweet and encouraging.  I have been watching all these people changing there, admiring and being inspired by all they were doing, to come to find out, they had been watching me as well and seeing my changes.  

My journey and challenge isn’t done yet...  I need to now put all these changes that we have made into action long term...  I need to continue this active, healthy family lifestyle... keep the balance... And I need to get to my goal.  

Time to continue the challenge... Time for a run.