Well it has been two years!  And lets just say that I am at the highest weight I have ever been without being Pregnant.  I am absolutely disgusted with myself and unhappy!

I also have had a lot of issues that keep following me around and i need to learn how to let them go and be strong! 

So today I am going to go full steam ahead! I know what works for me and what I need to do! I know it is no ones fault but my own so I have to face the music!

So I am going to continue training my kids for a 5k and my self and my husband! I am also going to try and swim. I have tried before and i just hate putting my face in the water! 

I need to be healthy for me and my family! They need a happy mom! I can't be happy when i am like this! My husband need s happy wife who is happy with herself!
I have a lot of mental baggage to take care of which is a definite factor in my weight loss. I can fall into a mindset of depression pretty quick but because I have kids and have to function on a normal daily schedule i push it away until I am alone.  I have tried therapy and I guess I haven't found the right one yet.
Well no more of this crap! If you have any suggestion on different workouts and or classes! I am open For suggestions!
I love working out and trying new things!
See you next week! Enjoy your weekend!

AROOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! That is all I can say! Blue Mountain has a little bit of my sweat and soul left on there and I am coming back to get it back!
That was a hard 8 mile Up Hill Hike! I

Next Spartan!!!

I have been resting this week preparing myself for Saturday, another Spartan. Monday i walk 1.7 miles and then walk/ran with the kids another 1.5 miles. Tuesday did my workout that i have been doing in the house that my trainer gave me. And now we rest!  This one is only 4.5 miles. So it shouldn't take us 6 hours and if it does then that means one of us got hurt and the other 2 are carry them down the mountain!
I am still nervous and I will be no matter what I just hope I feel as good as I did for the super once I started!
I know that I am packing a small can or bottle of Coke for Kelly's stomach. I have extra Gu which was great for some extra energy when I needed it!
What I am really excited about is when My Middle daughter found out that I was going to go back and do another run she asked right away if she could go and do another kids run. And that My oldest daughter also wants to do the kids run too! My younger daughter said that she would say with my older(who has special needs) and help her through the course. They do have a special spartan race for kids with special needs but I think she can do the regular kids race as long as her sister is with her.
I have been thinking all week about my weight loss(NOT) and getting stronger.  My biggest problem is eating the right food and eating too much.  I don't eat too much I think I don't eat enough. I hate eating breakfast! But I have been forcing myself to this past week.  I don't like to eat when I am not hungry! So starting next week I am going to be on a strict eating plan....I have 35 pounds to lose! I want to be able to be stronger then I am now and   climb across the monkey bars and pull myself up the rope! And do an unassisted pull up! HA HA! Now that is asking a lot. But I do want to get stronger and lose the extra weight!
Time to get the kids to the pool! Rest Rest before another mountain climb!

BlueMountain spartan race

 I ran the blue Mountain spartan race. It was very hard and very challenging it was a little over 8 miles with 32 obstacles. A lot of things going through your head when you're being challenged physically that it turns into a mental challenge also. before we started the race on our way there in the car I thought I was going to throw up. I never thought I would feel that nervous in my entire life.  I thought for sure that I would hold back my friends or end up getting hurt because I wasn't prepared.  Once we started going the nerves settled into excitement and I felt good.  I've heard people tell me that I'm too old or at least asked me aren't you too old to be doing this stuff. But I saw people on the course a lot older than me. When anyone says anything like that it's motivation for me to prove them wrong in. My daughters been through 14 brain surgeries my godsons a Double amputee they're never going to give up neither am I. I want to set a good example for my kids the being healthy is fun being healthy is a challenge sometimes but never give up keep on pushing no matter what.  

My middle child my daughter run the kids spartan race they bought eat her up with an older girl just said she had someone on the course with her which I thought was great. And when I I finished the race I ran over to the kids race to make sure I can see her since I thought she was going off at 2:30 but instead she went off at two. just missed her going off but I got to see her coming around the one corner and over the wall and the look on her face when she saw me she was soexcited and I was so proud. Later on that day I heard her saying how her mom climbs up on mountain and did obstacles and it was 8 miles. Made me feel good that my daughter was so proud of me. 

So my friend that run with me and her nerves got the best of her for the first 4 miles. She felt that she was done she thought she was holding us back but I never leave anyone behind and if you need help I'll help. But I know how she is and I knew she was at that point where she just need to be left alone.  She told us to keep going she would meet us at the bomb. It took everything in me to keep going I felt so bad I didn't like leaving her but I know it was for the best for her so she could get through it. I was hoping that she sat there for a little bit that you feel OK to continue and she did. I was so proud when I saw her walk

towards us with her metal. And I joked with her saying thank God you finish because now I don't have to do another super again.  But I know if she didn't finish but we would be finding another super and I would be running it with her because there's no way I would let her do it by herself and. And not not to mention as crazy tiring and hard that that was I would so do it again because in some weird little spot in my head I had fun. I had fun challenging myself next super gonna push myself even harder.  I'm going to be in better shape. I want to be able to do all the obstacles and only do the burpees  if I fall. I don't want to Burpee out of any obstacles because I feel like I can't do them. I know if Kelly was with me she would've made me try them on and sometimes I need that extra push. 

So what did I learn this weekend. I learned that I can do more than I think I can,my kids are proud of me,my best friend overcame one of the biggest obstacles to her because she's very strong, stronger than she thinks.  And I'm never too old to challenge myself. I will continue to challenge myself until I no longer can psychically do it! 

My goal is to do more and do better then Saturday! 

Sorry for any lack of punctuation. I did this through voice to text 

MOre training!!

From my last post I have been training every day. We went to spring mountain for a run and carries.
that was actually fun to do especially in the rain.
We ran on a trail in the woods and then after that we carried a bucket of rocks sandbags and water jugs up the hill. THEN we ran/walked up this giant hill that our instructor told us is what the Beast will be like the whole up hill! I was like WOW!!! I would love to go back there every week and practice that hill! I think after the Super and Sprint I will go there as much as I can to run it! I would like to be able to run up that entire hill.
I got the rope and Hung it up! Doing some exercises on the rope every day!
Yesterday we took the kids to Peace Valley and rented a paddle boat for an hour.....whew that was tiring on my legs. I was tired from the workout but my legs feel good today!
Going to do the workout that our trainer gave us.....

 Running (or walk/run) 2-3 times a week

30 Burpees per day

Strength 

10 - Pull-ups (jumping, assist, or inverted rows),

 Lunges -10 each leg, 

10 Dips, 

10 Push-ups (do on knees if you cannot get chest close to ground), 

10 Knees to Elbows (hanging from a pull up bar, pull knees to elbows), 

Ground touches (10 on each leg) standing on 1 leg  and if you can find something to step up on or box jump - 10 Box jumps or Box Step-ups (10 each leg).  

Do 3-5 sets of this series of exercises with 1-2 min break in between each set.

Now I am looking for a pull up bar to use! LOL!

Off to workout and garden and do hair today! Then off to work tonight!

ROPE!!!

Lots of women like shopping for clothes and shoes! Now don't get me wrong I like to shop for a good pair of shoes now and then.....BUTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just ordered a rope...yes a rope! One that we are going to tie up in a tree and climb! I cant wait for it to come in! It is a very strange thing to be excited about but now I can learn adn practive climbing a rope!  I am also going to ask a friend of mine for a tractor tire to flip....
Oh the things I look forward to now that i am training for an OCR! The bonus is that the kids will love to climb the rope and help them workout too!
They are all going to do a spartan race at some point...my oldest did hers last year along with my middle. And my son is too young just yet!
My 7year old is so excited to do them, she told me the other day that she has to run in order to get ready for 3 spartan races, down and dirty, a color run and the ugly sweater run at the end of the year! Love that she is planning out her runs for the year!
Well off to get some housework done, kids journal entry done, and maybe take Marissa out for a run!
Too nice of a day to stay inside!

More Training!

Good Morning!!!!
June 23, 2015

Last night we had another Class at Urban Fit! It was hot, tough and fun at the same time!
I have 2 bruises and that is just from climbing the walls!
I really am enjoying the classes though! I like pushing myself and feeling the burn the next day!

Today I practiced my swimming at the pool. I did one lap and then some drills back and forth for about 10 mins. They pool we go to has a 15 min adult swim every hour so anytime we are there I will practice.
Work tonight! FUN!

Working out!

So on Saturday we went to a workout class at Urban Fit.  This is a 6 class Spartan train class.
It will help us get in better shape and teach us how to do the obstacles. Our Instructor was great I can't wait till the next class. I have only done one spartan and that was last year at Blue Mountain.
I was suppose to do the Citizen Bank Stadium one but I hurt my back and had my husband do it!
This Year we are getting our Trifectia. Which is running a Sprint, Super and Beast! All three of these will be Mountain runs which means lots of up hill.
At the workout yesterday I surprised myself with some things that I thought I wasn't able to do and I did them,
I was very proud of Kelly that she climbed the rope. I couldn't I think I froze. I was afraid to lets go of the rope with my hands and just swung there. I talked to my husband and I think we are going to look at my tree out back and see if we can put a rope in it to climb. I would be very excited to do that! I am also working on him to build me a wall. That is something that intimidates me when I am looking at it. I got over the 4 and 5 foot one...I would like to get over the 6 foot on without help. that may be a stretch since I am only 5'2" but something I can work on.
So now my plan is lots of running up hills and more weights(which is what I have been doing but want to make sure i get 3 days a week at least).
Here is a video of what a spartan Race looks like.....yes we are crazy and yes we are nuts!
Blue Mountain Spartan

Long time!

So it has been a long time since we have been on here but we are still working out and running!

Let see  my son is now three, my girls are 11 and 7. 

We are now hooked on OCR.....obstacle course races! 

We like the Spartan ones because of the community feel, the motivation and the challenge! 

Tonight we did a five mile trials run...it was hard as hell and I walked all the up hills. 

This kinda kicked my ass a little to get my but out there and run more! I have been lifting weights and feel my self getting stronger. 

I hurt my back last year and sat in pain for months till I got it looked at I have two herniated discs in my upper back! Which really sucks. But making my back stronger and keeping my posture straight will help! I have been good at reminding myself to keep my back straight and told my girls that they need to keep good posture or they will end kup with back problems.

This year I have been getting sick a lot too. Which is making me not run as much. But I am going to the doctors to get a full checkup.....

Summer is here and I have already mill in my. Room so there is no excuse. I would like to run the philly half again this year,  so I have to get my butt in gear! 

Going to get my husband to help me get in shape and lose this thirty pounds! 

Well off to get the monkies to bed! 

I have lots more to say but won't bore you, well whoever is reading this!

Here is my first Spartan medal

Broad street 2015

Broad street run 2015

So being that I wasn't too concerned about my time for broad street this year my friend Joe and I decided to have fun with it and take some awesome and funny pictures! Since it was still early we couldn't get a snack but if it was open Taco Bell or churches chicken was going to have some early morning runners! 

This was probably one of the most fun I had on a run, besides Disney of course! 

#broadstreetrun

#running

SO proud!!! (Jenn)

I just wanted to come on here and say  How very proud I am of Kelly. I am not one for all that mushy crap but she really is an awesome friend and I don't think i get to say that enough. She is awesome with my girls and Luke and is always there when we need her. And I am so very proud that she is running the Broad Street Run tomorrow, by herself. Well with 29,999 other runners but without me. I knew that she could do this and that she stuck to the training without me. She is such an inspiration for me now to get back into this running and get back on track. I know she is going to do awesome!
I was signed up for running but I have had a hard couple months. I had my baby, was sick 3 times after that and ended up in the ER and then the next day I had my Gall Bladder out. Then I got sick again, mastitis. Once all that crap was done I went back into training and got to 5.5 miles. Then I got strep throat, went to the Dr and got meds. the next week strep again so I was down for two more weeks. It freaking sucked. So I deferred my spot for next years Broad street run! So I now have one year to get to 10 miles...lol NOT It won't take me that long. I am going to start training again b/c I have a bunch of 5k's and 10 mud runDown and Dirty a duathalonShe Rox to train for this summer. I would like to see myself do the Rock and Roll half in Sept Rock n Roll Half That is going to be my new goal if I can get to 10 I will definitely sign up for it! I also have to start riding my bike so that I can do the Duathlon on August and do upper body workouts to do the mud run. So by the end of the summer I should be in the best shape ever!
All this while raising 3 kids! LOL! Wish me luck!!
Pain the the fear leaving your body, Pain=Fat!!

Making progress...(kelly)

So my trimming down continues along with my running and riding. I'm down 2.4bls this week for a total of 13.6lbs weight lose since I started on Jan 11th - so it's been 10 weeks not overnight and not easy but I'm getting there. The week before last I had a gain so it hasn't all been losses.  One thing about tracking what you eat is you know why you have a gain and why you have a loss.  Tracking anything will help you figure out what you are doing right or wrong....budgets (which I need to do b/c I swear a little gobblin is stealing my money) is great too- you can see everything coming in and out...I use to be great at it when I worked at the Credit Union but I've fallen off track.

This weather has been so beautiful that I decided to run outside this week and bike outside which is so nice. Monday did a great run with Jenn and last night some hill repeats on my bike to build up my strength and endurance.  I just need to start adding more miles to my running - I'd like to be at 5 miles by the end of March and then ramp it up in April.  I think its do-able......

Go out and enjoy this beautiful weather - - - - nothing like wearing sandals in March!! =)

Thanks Barb! (jenn)

The Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Trucking along! (jenn)

Well this has been a hard couple days for me. My dog, Rocky, passed away! He was a crazy and neurotic dog but I loved him and he was great! It has been hard for me, but I am not going to stop, I am going to get through this and keep running! Even though yesterday I went for my run and i cried almost though out the whole thing. On top of that I have a cold. I will get through this and it is going to take time for my heart to stop hurting. But I have my most awesome Husband, Brian and Best friend, Kelly who were with me all day when he went to doggie heaven. I also have the best parents and brother(who knew that would ever come out of my mouth) and family in thew world. The support and memories that we all have in raising Rocky will always be remembered! We had a little run down memory lane last night remembering some of the crazy things he has done! I know that they will all be there for me, we are all dog lovers so that will help too! And if I ever feel lonely I will go and visit Molsen or Bruce. Or just kidnap them and run away! Only Kidding!
ON to my training now that I had my second crying session today! So far so good!
Me getting back into the running isn't about the being out of shape it is the breathing. I have to teach myself how to breath again. On top of having to train I have a cold. I feel like crap and don't want to run but I am not letting anything else come in my way of running. I feel like my head is about to explode and my body feels restless and achy...but I am going to keep on training! I figure I will sweat it all out of me! My goal is to be up to 4 miles but the end of the month and then April will be an insane training month to get to 8.5 or 9 before broad street! 
I have Kelly who is inspiring me to keep at it! With her losing her weight and staying focused on her working out that makes me want to keep doing it too. It is a little harder this time around b/c of Brian's schedule and me breastfeeding but, i try and run with her or go to the gym with her when the time allows it! which this past week it hasn't! LOL! But I am still running and so is she!

Struggles, Motivation, and Patience (Kelly)

So we all have our struggles and setbacks but what is important is that we don't give up and we keep going.  Jenn has had more than her share of setbacks this year already, (especially for a girl who never seems to get sick at least not sick enough to end up at the doctors or hospital) but she hasn't stopped and is still going.  I know it's not easy to find time to workout when you've been sick and recouping from surgery along with 3 kids (one a newborn) and a husband who works shift work - so I give her a lot of credit for sticking with it and running when she can - - I know she wants to be further along in her running and I know she's worried about Broad St but I think she keeps forgetting that she's not alone - - she's got me and I know I need her.  Can she do it on her own - absolutely I believe in her, can I do it on my own - absolutely but do I want to ? No - - I don't know if she realizes it but Jenn makes me a better, stronger person and with her I know we can do anything we put our minds to - Broad St, a half, a mudrun, a trip to Reading =)  - - Jenn is the one who pushed me to do more miles than I have ever done even if it was me that got her to sign up for Broad st in the first place - - I remember a night in April last year when we ran the longest we ever run in prep for Broad and I wanted to stop many times but she wouldn't let me and kept us going and wouldn't tell me how far we had already run so that I wouldn't want to stop- - I wouldn't have run that far without her - without her pushing and saying we could do it!!!   I do these runs and races to prove to myself that I can do it but also to run and accomplish goals with my best friend, my sister....without her there is no one to really share the joy with , no one who understands the stuggle, no one to motivate me, no one to look to when i'm struggling to finish and see she's not giving up and she won't let me give up.....no one gets me the way Jenn gets me.  

So while we may struggle, we may falter - we won't quit , we will keep each other motivated, and we will help each other with patience - - we will accomplish what we set out to do and we will do it together.

So to anyone that reads this find that inner strength we all have inside ourselves to accomplish any of the goals you set for yourself (doesn't have to be fitness or runs) and then if you are lucky enough to know someone like my Jenn find that person and lean on each other.

down in the dumps!!!! (jenn)

Well apparently two surgeries and an infection in my breast makes it very difficult to train for a ten mile run! WTH right! I have been back to the gym for a week now and on the treadmill, which I never did before, i am up to a mile and a half and hoping to do 2 miles by Wednesday. I am just so freaking tired today! I was going to make tomorrow my rest day but I had to switch it to today b/c my body feels like it is going to fall apart....Between the gym, stressing that I won't be able to do the run, taking care of three kids and a handicapped dog......I am feeling a little tired! My mind is going in ten different directions. I am feeling defeated. I am feeling like i will never get to 3 miles let alone 10. I might have to throw out my treadmill training plan and just run outside!  I get this way when my husband works 4 days or more in a row. I have one more night and then He will be here for a couple days to help out and then go to day work!
All I can do right now is pray Luke sleeps the night and Rocky doesn't have any issues and then I get up and go to the gym before the kids wake and then it will be done and I have the rest of the day to try and organize my house! LOL! Good Luck to me!

Another Bump in the road!!! (JENN)

Well after my wonderful rant the other day I went to bed Saturday night feeling like crap. I was going to go to the gym and do a little running nothing crazy. But I stayed in bed till 1030 the next morning b/c i felt like such crap. Apparently I have Mastitis, which is a clogged milk duct which is infected!! And it give you chills, fever, aches and pains.....OMG who knew something like that could take you down. I mean I couldn't even get out of bed. Thank god I have an Awesome husband and baby b/c I would have been calling my parents if he wasn't home. My husband said "damm this kids is really tearing you up!
I am going to the Doctors today. I am feeling better but from what i read i should go to the doctors if i get those symptoms. So off to the doctors today...FUN!
Lets just say that if I didn't get fixed after I had Luke my husband would have been making an appointment to get fixed....I love all my kids but come on already...since I have had him I have been sick 4 times and had my gallbladder out! WTH!  So I am done at beig sick I am done done done!!!

So on a happier note, my friend Tom who we do runs with tried to get into Broad Street couldn't register, which really sucked b/c we did it last year with him and it was fun....fun seeing him complete it half hour before us, LOL!  So he put his name in the lottery for the extra 2500 and he got in!!! Kelly hecked the site this morning and then I went on and saw his name and took a picture so he can see that he got selected! I am so happy for him! He was very bummed that he didn't get in! So now he has to earn his tailgating food just like the rest of us! WHOOO HOOOO!

So looking at my calender I have 9 weeks to get ready for broad! I think i can do it if I run at least 4 times a week and add one mile a week I will be  good! Just NO MORE set back!!!

Better....I think! (jenn)

OK! i think I felt a little better after my rant yesterday! Today I am going to the Sports Expo and I am hoping that it gives me the jump start I need. My husband is on his break this week so I have all the time I need get back to the gym! I have no excuses! I am hoping to maybe find a new pair of sneakers and look at some jogging strollers, if they have them! I just got down in the dumps with this last bump in the road and I need to get back into the game! I don't have a lot of time before i have to run 10 miles. my goals is 8.5 miles before broad b/c then I can run the last 1.5 if I ran that far! Well off to try on some pants to see if they fit! That always put me ina good mood! LOL!

BLah! (Jenn)

Ok so just after a week or so of getting back to the gym and working on my running...I freaking get sick!
I have a gallbladder attack and need my gallbladder out! WTF! SO now that is a week and a half of prime workout time that I freaking Missed! I am so mad that I get mad when I see Kelly and her post about going spinning and running 3 miles....FUCK!!! Sorry i had to do it! I am just so frustrated! So what happens when I get frustrated! I Eat! I told my friend Stacey that I am getting rid of all the junk food in the house....by eating it! LOL!
on the good note i lost three pounds while I was in the hospital! But I probably gained it all back in the last week! I can't wait till Ihave no pain and I can go running!
I am very proud of Kelly and her weight loss and with her going to the gym! But I am also so freaking jealous b/c I have this belly hanging in front of me and i can't do anything right now about it! UGH! NO MORE! I need to work out!
Ok I am done!

Endurance Sports Expo (Kelly)

This weekend is the endurance sports expo in Oaks, PA - - I went last year with Jenn and family and it was a cool expo if you are into running, biking, or swimming. They have awesome bikes, cool running gear, swim gear, and all kinds of accessories and nutrition plus you can get information about a lot of different events in the area.
http://www.endurancesportsexpo.com/
If you buy your tix from the website it's $8 and $10 at the door so not bad prices. Hopefully I'll find some info about some cool upcoming run events and mud runs.