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Sunday Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movin' it with Michelle
Today is day number 10 of my lifestyle change.  I of course was nervous for my run today, and probably stayed up a bit too late last night ‘planning’ the course I was going to take and making sure all of my favorite running clothes were clean.  But I slept nearly 5 hours straight before waking up to use the restroom, and was able to fall back asleep for a few more hours.  I was nervous when I woke up to an achy knee, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me today.  Yesterday was a rough one, and I refused to have a repeat of those feelings. 

So I ate a small breakfast, settled the girls and took a short drive in my Jeep to the trails that start here in St. Charles.   I found a perfect starting point, and decided although I didn’t know my exact turn around point I would run until I hit around 4+ miles and then turn around.  The trails in St. Charles are curvier, with slight hills but the sun was on my face and the wind was on my back so after the first mile I felt myself picking up my pace.  “Not too quickly” I kept telling myself, but the music was in my ears, and the scenery was gorgeous. 

Here I was…running with the chilly Chicago-land wind blowing all around, but I just didn’t care.  This is where I am free…on the trails without a care in the world.  I ran all the way to the outskirts of Batavia.  The wind caught my visor once and blew it off, but I just grabbed it and kept going.  It messed up my breathing, but only for a few minutes.  Once I turned around I felt the wind slapping me in the face, but I had come too far to quit now.  I had a bit of trouble breathing, but everything else felt great so between the open paths and the trees I found a bit of solace. 

Once I hit the paths in Geneva I knew I was home free.  I had two miles to go, and nothing was going to stop me.  St. Charles was just ahead, so I gunned it…and yeah…clocked my 8.25 in 1:21.  I have a goal to hit a sub 2:00 ½ next month, but am being realistic as well.  This will be my second ½, and really just want to break the 2:19 mark of my last one. 
Notice my swollen fingers, lol

I came home, and tried to give my eldest a hug…she exclaimed “Mom, you STINK!!!”  LOL, so I quickly took a shower and the girls and I went out for lunch and to Target…

It was a really nice day, and I spent the better part of my evening prepping my meals for the week.  I boiled 14 eggs, and made a crock pot full of chicken for salads and meals. 
Marinated chicken in garlic and adobo/fajita seasoning-small amount of kosher salt and pepper

Cilantro-fresh

Added my chicken to these yummy ingrediants and cooked on high for 4 hours.  Turned it down to low for the last hour!  YUM!

I truly have the best cheerleaders ever in life…It helps with my husband gone and busy, so for that I thank you all.  Xoxo!!

10 miles last weekend and then taper time, wow, where had the time gone?!?
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Thinking this Thursday…1/2 way done with my 2 week tune up!

Movin' it with Michelle
This post will be a bit different from some of my ‘normal’ posts.

Most of you don’t know me from Adam, but you’ve been kind enough to follow my journey on this running path I’ve made for myself.  My dream since a young child was to run a full marathon-even if just once. 

Since childhood, I’ve grown into quite a well-rounded woman I’d like to think.  I don’t think many people can say their childhood was filled with unicorns and rainbows, and I am no different.  After I left my home of Duluth, Minnesota back in 1991, I honestly didn’t look back.  Or at least that is what I thought…

I took those hard years filled with a low self-esteem and clouded self-image into early adult hood and made some pretty terrible decisions.  But again, who hasn’t? 

Yet with each bad decision I learned a lesson.  Sometimes that lesson was absorbed right away, while other times it took me years to realize I screwed up and needed to keep my shoulders back, and head held high. 

Finally at the age of 30, with divorce in my past, and debt finally paid off I realized I deserve MORE in this life.  I deserved to be happy.  I deserved to pursue my dreams.  A few core people got me through these times, and continue to stand by me even today.  My cheerleaders of sorts I call them, and they revel in my now ‘peaceful’ life after knowing the years of turmoil I went through in the past.

This turmoil caused other underlying issues.  One major one being me being dependent to a point on alcohol.  I didn’t see it until recently, when I couldn’t go to sleep without a glass of wine or a drink.  Yet these very drinks led me to feeling tired and groggy when I woke up.  I wasn’t getting hammered nightly, mind you, but I was having a drink or two most nights.

Today marks 1 week without a drink of alcohol, or caffeine, and I have never felt better.  Even after a crazy busy day at work like today I was able to knock out my 5.2 mile run and did it with a smile. 

I have only eaten organic food as well this past week, and feel like a new woman.  Here is my yummy salad I had for dinner!

My 8 miler (as previously mentioned) is this weekend, and I pray I can get it in between dental appointments, and my beloved massage therapy appointment on Saturday. 

I celebrated my first week, by purchasing the COOLEST running shoes ever…Happy day!

I will leave you all with this song…

Thanks to all for your unending support!

I will be on the trails on Sunday in Geneva/Batavia if anyone wants to join me!  J
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Sunday Runday? My summation of today and this weekend!

Movin' it with Michelle
As I pour my last glass of cranberry water with lemon (sounds enticing right?) I thought I would jot a few thoughts down. 

Today I had 7 miles on deck, and ran 7.5 of the worst miles I’ve had to date.  It was hard, it hurt, and I couldn’t find my groove.  Who put the darn quicksand in my shoes?  Why is Mother Nature and her darn wind pushing all over??  Bastardos!!  But I finished none the less, walk breaks and all.  Came home and iced my knee accordingly, and followed with a nice Epsom salt bath a couple hours later…ahhh.

Today is day 4 of no caffeine, alcohol, or bad stuff etc…and today is the first day I didn’t wake up in a pound of sweat, or feeling like crap.  My run wasn’t the best of runs, but I still woke up with a smile, and before 9 a.m.!!!  ME?  Yes…the girl who likes to sleep LATE was up in running clothes, having breakfast by 9, out the door 30 minutes later.  Unheard of? Why yes. 

After icing my knee, my little Sophia asked if I would cuddle with her for a while and watch a movie in her room…how do you pass that up?
yes, that is a bag of frozen shrimp, LOL

We all ended up in the backyard both yesterday and today…here are some shots…

The day ended with some yummy food-all organic and healthy.  My meals are prepped for tomorrow, and can’t honestly ask for much more in life.
Yummy goodness salad, organic chicken thighs, olives, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and all kinds of veggies! 
Breakfast-3 hard boiled eggs, and organic sausage

Thanks to all who have supported me through this endeavor, especially while Brian has been gone away to school.  It’s been no easy feat. 

My long run this week is 8 miles.  I can do this!!!  ❤  Hope everyone has a blessed week!!!
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Wednesday’s are never without Words

Movin' it with Michelle
I have been blessed to find an amazing nutrition specialist, more so HEALTH specialist to help me tackle my hormone and blood sugar levels.  Backing up, I have suffered from insomnia for the better part of my life.  But when I was referred to a specialist by my awesomest friend Jen, I couldn’t say no…(Thanks Jared!!!)
I’ve been talking and working with him for about a week now, and my official plan starts tomorrow.  
Today was my rest day, so  I headed to the store to buy all organic goods, and man did Sophia and I have fun.

 
I came home, washed and prepped everything and got my meals ready for tomorrow. 
Here is a few things I purchased…

After prepping food, I made my meals for tomorrow.  Breakfast will be 3 hard boiled eggs and a piece of organic sausage.  My snack is a cup of strawberries, black berries, and raspberries.  Lunch I hit a home run, making up my own recipe for chili-lime, and garlic chicken.  SOOO easy by the way. 
I minced a handful of cloves of garlic first…

I then zested 1 lime, and rolled it firmly on the cutting board so that when I cut into it the maximum amount of juice would be dispelled. 

Next I added the zest/juice of one lime, the garlic, and a couple table spoons of chili powder to an 1/8 or so of a cup of EVOO.  Just a touch of kosher salt and pepper was added, then mixed thoroughly.  Then add 4-6 chicken thighs to the mixture and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.  Brown in a saute’ pan, and YUM!  This is being served of a salad of baby greens and avocado for lunch tomorrow!!

YUM!

And yes, I am having my one LAST glass of red wine tonight.  (Jared, forgive me!)

May you all have a blessed week!  I know that my washing machine being fixed is a bonus, but living a healthy life style is even better!!!

~Chelle

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Triple Tuesday Truths

Movin' it with Michelle
Today, while browsing my Facebook feed I learned that an Air Force sister lost her life.  I was moved…saddened…and dumbfounded that a woman my age who was in amazing shape-lost her life after doing physical training for the Air Force due to an aneurism.  This woman showed me a kindness you don’t normally find in this day and age.  She wasn’t a close friend, but she was close enough to reach out to me when she knew I was troubled.  Heaven has a new Angel for us all indeed.  Yet the world is without her beautiful soul and therefore I will mourn her passing today.  I don’t cry at work, or in front of people anymore…yet hearing the news today left me with my eyes full of tears and I wondered how I’d make it through the last 2 hours of work…

Today, I was supposed to have rest day for training.   Instead I came home from work, fed the kids, and hit the trails with a passion I haven’t had in a while.  I ran my 4.5 miles for Linda.  For the drive that she had, and the passion that she instilled in me the few years I knew her.  I left my Garmin at home and simply tracked my miles via my IPhone.  I didn’t care about splits, times, or personal competitions that I hold myself to every day.  I played my ITunes quietly in my ears, and let myself just go…These miles were for her, and her alone.  May her soul rest in peace. 

Today, although I felt alone I was touched by the amazing love from my lifelong friends.  Laughing, talking, texting, and talking made the day I thought would never end-end in a peaceful bliss.  Thank you…<3

They say “life is short” but do we really embrace what we have each day?

Tomorrow is the future…LIVE for TODAY. 

We all have ailments.  We all have troubles.  We all have stress.  But if we are able to wake each morning, kiss our children/family/friends, and laugh with those we love even in the darkest hour-I think we should count our lucky stars. 

It can always be worse…but what are YOU doing to make it better?

My challenge for the month of April is this…Make YOU, YOUR LIFE, and your EXISTENCE better…every day. 

I may even come up with a prize.  So please, tell me your story. 

~Chelle
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Monday, Mulitiplied x2

Movin' it with Michelle
Today was filled with work, meetings, kids, and the washing machine calling it quits. 

1.       I spent nearly an hour on the phone trying to get a service call with no luck, and in a tyrant I went to the gym as I had lost daylight.  I had 4.5 miles on my schedule, yet only finished 2 miles as my time was running out and I refuse to give up my evening time with my youngest.  She still lets me rock her to sleep while singing “The way you look tonight” by Frank Sinatra.  I have sung this song for over 12 years now, to both daughters, and it is also my wedding song.  So I ran, until I noticed the time was nearing ‘rock’ time, and I headed home.  I completed just a smidge over 2 miles. 

And that, was enough…for today. 

2.       As I drove home in still a bit of a discorded Monday, I listened to a song I can’t help but to tear up over…am I really upset over a darn washing machine?  Wow…my priorities were all jacked up there for a second.  If you haven’t ever listened, take a moment to check out KLove.com.   What an inspirational station to listen to every day. 

Life.   Can, be hard…but if we stop and see what matters most, we truly can see past the CRAP. 

My new nutrition plan is coming together.  Thanks to my dear friend Jared Toay whom I met through my lifelong friend, Jennifer-I finally feel I can get a grasp on what I need to do to get things, my sleep, and my health back on track. 

And so yes…my miles weren’t completed tonight.  My washing machine, well, still doesn’t work quite yet. 

But I have my health, great friends and family, and my LIFE yet to live. 

May I find my mileage tomorrow.  If not, there is always another day as long as I give it my all. 

May you find your strength and inspiration, tomorrow, and always.

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Six Week wrap up on Sunday-Happy Easter

Movin' it with Michelle
Although in week 5 I hit my top miles for the week at 22 miles of training, this week was my ‘rest’ week and I still was able to accomplish 18 miles of WORK. 

Work, yes I said this dreaded word.  Although I love to run, when you are in training your running schedule becomes something you must hold yourself accountable for each day.  Many days I find myself so darn tired I can’t hold my eyes open at work, and after wrangling kids and their homework and housework you’d think the last thing I’d want to do is go running.  Yet I have a schedule, and a plan that I must stick to each and every day.  Subsequently these runs become a NEED, instead of an option. 

I ran 4 times this week, and walked almost 2 miles as well as an ‘off day’ workout.  My knee was pissed at me all week, so I was thankful for the tapering and took it with a grain of salt.  Today I was on for a 5K race, but seeing that I couldn’t find one I ran the trails with my sister for 5 miles instead.  And although it wasn’t pain free, it was a glorious way to spend Easter.
Love running with my sis!

Yesterday we spent the day at my folk’s house and it was a gorgeous spring day.  The kids had their Easter egg hunt after an amazing dinner cooked by my Mom, and after our long walk we spent the evening talking over a glass of wine and popcorn!  I am so blessed that as I’ve gotten older I have been able to become closer with my parents. 
Peace! LOL
My parents!
Jenna my niece, and my eldest, Jordyn
My Sophia

It wasn’t until later this evening that I have become a touch numb since my husband left just over 2 months ago.  While on facetime he asked why I was quiet/stand-off-ish and I had no idea what he was talking about…but after getting off the phone I realize I’ve become tougher than I needed to be, and can’t shut him or anyone that is close to me out of my life.  I suppose it is human nature, as I need and want to be strong for my girls.  But we have to feel close to those who love us whenever possible. 

Stress can get the best of a person though…and when your bathroom is infested with Wasps because you were a dumb ass and left the window open, and your washing machine doesn’t spin so you have to wash clothes multiple times until they are clean, and you are up late at night getting Easter baskets ready and the house cleaned on a holiday weekend-well yeah-this long ass sentence says it all…you hit a point where all you want to do is crawl into bed and pray the next 2 months pass by quicker than the first two did…

But, I got my miles in this week, and am nursing my knee to get in my 21 miles next week.  I have 4.5 on the schedule tomorrow.  ACK!  Wish me luck!

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter, and that you all have an amazing week. 
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Week 6 of ½ marathon training

Movin' it with Michelle
As most of you know, my ultimate goal/plan is to run the Chicago Marathon on October 7th.  And I have the Fox Valley 20 miler planned just 2 weeks prior in September. 

Knowing I needed to take baby steps on this journey, I registered for the Chi-town ½ which is being held in Schaumberg, IL on the 20th of May.  I figured this would keep me motivated, going, pushing, and running throughout the spring and early summer before my official training started.  My husband may be gone, but I have goals to push towards!


I STARTED running again in December, slow, yet steady, and am now finally feeling like I am “in training.”  Today, I wanted to come home from work and lay on the couch, but my 4 mile run called my name. 

I fed the kids; made sure the dog was taken out, and hit the neighborhood running/bike trails. My right entire  right leg was hurting, from my toes to my hip, but I know you can’t get to your goal without a little bit of struggling. 

And a struggle this run was…I was feeling a bit “off” which didn’t help…I’d have given anything to have my sister by my side-so spoiled Saturday…but I ran straight through two miles and gave myself a moment to regain momentum. The last two miles were dead against the wind, but I refused to let the wind, WIN.  Nope.  I may have had to stop on the bridge over Randall Rd to catch my breath…but I kept pushing.  I finished 4.15 miles in just over 38 minutes, and was greeted by my kids playing in the front yard. 

Odd note…I took my Epson salt bath, and got Sophia her bath as well.  But while getting dressed I finally started to see the difference this training is making.  I have altered my lifestyle, be it between eating, and working out-and it’s paying off (I hope!)! 

This made my day…

Tomorrow is cross training day, BRING IT ON!
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Sunday Funday?

Movin' it with Michelle
I ran nearly 8 (7.8) miles yesterday, and had hoped for a run today.  Yet my knee and my TOES were not feeling it.  I woke up early to take my favorite little boy to the groomers.  His poor feet get ingrown hairs, and he was due for a bath and pampering.  Easter is next weekend and we are driving north almost 3 hours to my folks so I wanted to make sure he was ready and got the attention he needed.  His ears often are a problem, so it was nice to have the groomers clean every nook and cranny for Sammy. 

I had contemplated a lazy day, yet knew the garden needed work.  So the girls and I headed to our favorite diner for lunch and afterwards hit all the local garden stores to prep our garden and yard for spring.  I do pay someone to mow the acre and a half that we own, but I tend to the rest of the yard myself. 

We purchased a bird bath along with various flowers to make the yard our own.  Jordyn dived in helping me plant tulips along with putting up a decorative fence around the garden in hopes the bunnies don’t eat my flowers this year. 

The run still loomed in the back of my mind, but I was having too much fun with the girls.  I decided today was the perfect day to lay the weed and feed on the grass, so I hauled the huge bags of treatment while dumping them into the handheld spreader, and I laid the feed up and down our 1.5 acres.  By the end of the spreading I was spent, so I decided a rest day was going to be allowed. 

I made the kids pasta left overs for dinner, and hit the laundry with a vengeance.  Yet…the washer locked up WITH MY RUNNING PANTS HELD WITHIN THE BARREL, and I flipped out.  I am a Mom, homemaker, career woman, gardener, cook, maid, and now Mrs. Fix-it? Bah…but I did it…I finagled the washer, getting it open and tightening the screws on the lid.  My running pants are now happily tumbling in the dryer after a minor heart attack.  My coffee is brewed, my lunch is made, and the kids snacks are packed…I had hoped to call it a night before 11 tonight, but time got away from me as usual. 

Tomorrow I hope for a 4 mile run…a good day at work, and mostly happy kids. 

Love and blessings!

~Chelle
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Sisterly Saturday Splits!

Movin' it with Michelle
I normally get my long run out of the way during the week so I can relax with the girls on the weekend, but today I was blessed that my sister called in the middle of the week to schedule not only time together BUT also that she would do my long run with me!  Admittedly I was terrified completely nervous, especially after not getting a very good night’s sleep in, but I got up and started hydrating as well as eating breakfast and a snack of a protein bar a couple hours later. 

I had a pasta dinner prepared for our post run, and everything was in order when she and her family arrived.  I had already gotten ready with running clothes donned, but I of course still wore my beloved slippers until it was time to throw on the ‘kicks.
my slippers rock, oh yeah!

Keep in mind first, that my sister is on an advanced training plan as she is a seasoned marathoner.  I myself, although a seasoned runner, am NOT seasoned at racing.  The ½ marathon in May will only be my second, and the Chicago marathon in October is my very first.  But she was sweet enough to scale back for me today, and what a blessing it truly was to run with my SISTER!!!  I nearly cried when I saw how far we ran, and at what an amazing pace/splits.  And to hear her say, “You are going strong,” and motivating me with stories and tips, I knew I could keep running!  I only stopped around the 4.24 mile mark when we hit the HILL FROM HELL.  She was trucking up that hill like a mad woman, and I did my best to keep up!  But once we gave it our all I realized OH CRAP, I need to stop and catch my breath and stretch!  We stopped briefly for about a minute and regained our pace.  Then we hit the last couple of miles which usually suck-and we kicked it up!!!  We rocked it!!!!!
Love this woman!

My sister has her hands full with four kids, and had a full schedule of dental appointments this morning with the family yet she took the time today to run WITH ME.  I am on cloud nine now, even with aching feet and all around a bit tired.  But after a bunch of self-doubt of, “Can I DO this?”  And “Am I freaking crazy?”  She helped show me that I CAN, if I simply listen to my body and never, ever quit. 

We finished 7.8 miles in 1:20, and our splits were amazing for me!  10:19, 10:35, 10:29, 10:38 (HILL FROM HELL), 10:30, 10:04, 10:03, 7:36 splits!!!

Thanks to my beloved sister, and all of my amazing supporters that comment and post on my FB to help keep me in line…You guys are the best!!!