My, My How Time Flies

....where did you go, Summer? I miss you already and you've technically not left us yet?!

I can't believe it's been months since I've last blogged, and I feel awful for it. I'm sorry guys! This is me, waiving "Hi!" I'm still here... ;)

Summer has been super busy, but shall we catch up?

To answer some folks' questions, yes I'm still running! No, not as much as I did when training for the Indy Mini Marathon, but I am still running. Currently, I've began to train for a 10K race, representing my employer at the ISC Corporate Challenge again this year, only stepping it up a notch. (Side note: I also signed up for the pit stop challenge. #becauseracecar) They've switched venues from IUPUI to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and my fingers are crossed I'll be able to kiss some bricks for a third (yes, third) time. We'll see! But I needed a goal anyway, as I've recently started losing sight, or just plain getting lazy. I'm currently running an average of 8 to 9 miles per week, three times a week, which is just enough to make me happy and "run off the day," (if I'm feeling it. Enter laziness. No bueno).
 

"Running off the day" is great. Except this day. It was disgusting.

I've started toning and lifting weights, or at least continued it. (Be gone, jiggle!) I am in LUUUUURVE with PopSugar's workouts, either by using kettlebells, dumbells, or just the ol' fashioned body weight. So far, my arms are starting to show definition and I think I have obliques? I am still frustrated with stubborn belly fat, and the saddlebags I can't seem to eradicate, but as I always say, I'm a work in progress. This couldn't be more true with strength training.

In addition to both running and strength training, I've saddled up on the bicycle again, logging miles through cross training. I once read that runners are the most injured, yet still going, athletes out there.  The bike has been able to give some aches and pains I had after the half marathon a break, and a chance to recover. In biking, I've rediscovered my hatred for wind.

I lived to tell about this ride.

Switching gears, Boston was absolutely incredible, despite my displeasure with a certain airline. Thanks to said airline, I missed the majority of my planned sightseeing, and the opportunity to continue my "City By Shoes" series. I saw the "city by shoes," however it was with my grey Converse, not my black and pink Brooks Ghost 6 like I had hoped. Argh. But here are a few of my highlights:

MiniAsh tagged along. Here we are, waiting impatiently to take off from Dayton.

This is me, delayed in Dulles, VA.

I survived navigating the "T." This country girl rocked Friday's commute!

Quack!

Acorn Street: The most photographic street in Boston.

From the Green Monstah.

I can't wait to get back to the city. I fell in love with Fenway and the Red Sox (sorry, Mr. K!), witnessed whales playing, feeding, and breaching (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this landlocked-by-corn farm-girl), and ate some of the best (grilled) seafood I've had...ever. But the most important and memorable experience was catching up with my friend Robin - one of my greatest supporters in my weightloss journey, the reason I'm finally comfortable enough to "act like a girl" and buy dresses (and prefer shopping for them), and someone I miss. We shared the delectable Mike's Pastry goodies in honor of her belated birthday, and her and her hubby took me to a gorgeous arboretum and farm nearby their home. It was absolutely wonderful, and again, I can't thank her enough for "taking me in" for the weekend. I honestly can't wait to get back and see her.

This summer, I also completed an internship that I truly "lived the dream." Motorsports, and hockey are both something I'm strongly passionate about, and I had an amazing opportunity to observe and learn processes, procedures, and "behind the scenes" work that goes in to a sport I hope to some day work in. We'll see, but you never know where dreams could take you... I've discovered that with this weight loss journey.

 
My niece/mini-me turned five. She is also officially a Kindergartener. She's still a fighter, and still one of my biggest inspirations, and has truly taught me what it means to be a warrior. She can stop growing up now.

Can you handle the cuteness here?

...and with that, come August 25, I'll go back in to "education hibernation mode." I hope to continue blogging more even though my semesterly duties will pick up, and I've been working on a blog that I think will be quite a bit of fun! It just takes some time, research, and for me to sit down and just "get 'er done."

I'll also be traveling this Fall; at least one more trip is planned with Mr. K come October. We'll be celebrate our five year anniversary, and we both thought we needed to get out of town for a bit. I'm super, super excited to plan our vacation, and where we're going, but I'm not going to reveal anything just yet! I hope to have a "City (or resort?) By Shoes," adventure again, though I promise this one is going to hurt. I've ran hills, but not these hills.

C25K Progress and Other Updates...

Blogger's Note: I'm really sorry I haven't had a chance to update everyone on my progress of late. School has officially taken over my life...again...but I promise I will try to update everyone on a more regular basis. I had a streak going for a bit, but I also will have a bit more "adventures" once I begin my next challenge to fill folks in on. More on that below....

Nine weeks. It's been nine weeks since I've had the all clear to run. Nine weeks since my recovery process "ended," and I could get back to my somewhat-normal active lifestyle again. How do I know? Upon completion of my typical Wednesday night between-work-and-class run, I will have completed the Couch to 5K program. Again. (Phew.)

As much as I cannot stand (sic: hate with every depth of my being) the dreadmill treadmill, it's absolutely wonderful to be able to run again. I'm much happier getting sweaty (don't take that the wrong way, folks), I'm happier being able to just get out whatever stress or aggression I have that day by pounding fake-moving-pavement. I'm happier dealing with people when I'm running. )Be happy I'm running, ladies and gents. You wonder how nice I am each day? I run.) ;)

...but in the midst of running, I've also picked up strength training. I gave the kettlebell a bit of a go, however I've started to slack off on it a bit, as I prefer to use a video to guide me and I'm just not home much during the week. (Plus, have you ever ran the day after kettlebell training? Don't. That's my advice. That was poor planning on my part.) I'm not a fan of lifting weights, as I need something "fun" to keep me engaged, not repetitive motion, while staring at my self struggling in a mirror. However the more I lift, the more strength I gain, and the more muscle definition I see (I've got guns...), the more I want to work at it. I don't pour sweat like I do while running, however I definitely feel it the next day. Or day after. Or the third day in some cases... I've also started to focus on a few areas of my body that I want to tone, areas that have a bit more loose skin than I'd like. I'm starting to get biceps, my triceps are bit less jiggly (bye-bye batwings!), and my abs hurt when I laugh. That's a good sign, right?

But in toning, I'm also seeing my measurements shrink, (which is awesome)! I've shifted my focus to less scale, more measurements in numbers (that could be an entire blog in itself), as the scale hasn't been much of a good guide as of late. It's been hard to shift my thinking. I'm not even going to lie... Ever hear muscle weighs more than fat? Yeah... I've been able to maintain my weight "number," if not gain pounds in some instances, but my jeans still fit and I'm seeing muscle tone and definition with what I'm working on. It's a total mind-shift, just as "dressing thinner," and thinking more "my size" were, and they weren't easy, but as I always say - I'm a work in progress.

And in speaking of the gym, I'm starting to get a little more comfortable walking in, buckling down, and getting to work. When I first walked in to the gym that I use, (on my college campus; free for students, and it's pretty nice, but I've never used a gym before, period) I panicked. I'm not even kidding. It's like my mind melted. I had my game plan: treadmill. I thought, "Really Ashley? You're going to let these youngins' intimidate you?" To which I replied, "Well, yeah. Look at them. It's the f**king track team working out in there. You're 27. You don't belong. You can't run like the wind."

Guess what? A few treadmill/weight sessions in, I'm showing those 'youngins' who's boss...

(Kidding! Really, I'm still puny, and I'm not "boss." But hey, I try. That's what counts. Right?)

Anyway... Moving on...

I'm a goal-driven person. I think I've mentioned that on here before, but I need something to focus on. A prize to "eye" if you will... With completing the Couch to 5k program tomorrow night, it puts me back in position for the half-marathon hunt. Prior to May....  :) (See my Bucket List.)

May is my favorite month of the year by far, just as many other Hoosiers would tell you. I live for this month for one reason: the Indy 500. But every year, we kick the month off with the Mini Marathon, usually the first weekend in May.  And it's been squarely on my Bucket List since before I lost my weight. I've always dreamed of completing it, and was in great position pre-December to work towards it. Knee surgery pretty much derailed what I thought wouldn't happen in 2014, however with getting back into the running-groove, I signed up.

I just did it one day. I found myself whipping out the credit card and saying, "to hell with it. Go big or go home, Ash." Coworkers, friends, and acquaintances alike said that even with being about four weeks behind the day of the race, I still would have a good shot at safely completing it, if I run and walk. My goal is to just complete 13.1 - walk, run, or crawl. It's my first, so time isn't a concern of mine. (The trail bus is, though.) I've also contacted a friend of mine from high school regarding the Mini, a runner and former prom date (that's another convo for another day, but it has a pretty cool background story). I asked him if he and another classmate of ours were planning to run the Mini again this year, as they have completed it before. He hadn't given much thought to it until I asked, but he agreed he'd run it with me (after warning him I'm slower than a herd of turtles). I do feel a little relieved that someone will be there with me, however it's just me and the pavement.... (Ok. I'll be honest, though: I'm petrified about the half.)

Now if the weather will just cooperate... (I'm dreading treadmill training if I have to run 4+ miles in one sitting. I'd rather fork my eyeballs out.)

Make sure to tune in for upcoming half-marathon training updates, as I'm sure I'll have plenty! I'm hoping to also start running "organized" 5k's again soon as I love them, once the weather turns for the better. I'm ready to be able to get outdoors and run the country roads again too, just as much as anyone else is ready for warmer weather.

I've got that itch! (Who knew?!)