get in the best shape of my life

My plan was to run on Saturday, and do about 8-10 km of running, but a snow storm, and snow storm warning almost got in the way. It took me most of the morning to decide that it wasn’t going to hold me back from getting my practice run in. I have been doing most of my running indoors, and on the treadmill so this would have been my only run outdoors.

It was fine for the first 2 to 2.5 km of the run, a bit chilly, but I put my face mask on, and it took care of the chill. Around 6 km into the run, it started to get icy on the sidewalk, but I made myself keep going, and it was clear, and sunny outside despite being somewhere in the -20c range.

When I was getting closer to the end of the run, that is when I had to work really hard. The sidewalk wasn’t shovelled so the snow was about knee-deep on me, but I made myself run through it. A year ago, I wasn’t able to run through snow that was ankle-deep let alone knee-deep.

I pushed, and gave it all the strength that I had, and kept running until I was home.

It was probably one of the hardest training runs that I have had to do, but I’m training for a half-marathon in a few weeks, and it’s going to be outside so I have to keep putting a lot of effort even in stormy weather conditions.

I managed to run almost 9 km that day.

I’m adding jump rope to my training to improve my cardio. I can now jump rope for 6 minutes.

I am going to run in my first 1/2 marathon in 2010! My training starts this week!

I deadlifted 65 lbs for the first time ever!

This weekend, I ran my fastest race this year. I did a 5 mile race (8km) in 53:23. I’m going to keep working on improving my speed, and endurance so that next year I can do a half-marathon.

I’m am now down 60 lbs (took me 21 months to do this). Of the 60 lbs, I’ve lost 29 lbs since Jan 1. 2009.

I’m getting stronger too. Yesterday, I held the plank while holding 25 lbs on my back!

I also attempted to do some assisted chin-ups/pull-ups. I’m really excited about trying to do this as a benchmark of my fitness, and strength training.

I am going to attempt the P90X training program too.

I ran my 2nd 10 km race, and I’m now thinking about doing a half-marathon.

Another indicator of my strength… I was able to run up a steep slide something which I was unable to do about 5 months ago. This was an exciting moment for me!

With my new training plan, I am getting stronger each week. About a month ago, I couldn’t do a squat without lifting my feet off the ground, and now I can do it properly.

I can also hold the plank longer. It is exciting to see little improvements in already a month. I feel even more motivated.

I think that a strong body, will help me to get a stronger mind, and this will help me reach my goal of being a healthy weight!

I’m a few pounds away from reaching a 60 lb weight loss. It makes me feel excited, and more capable of doing higher intensity workouts. I’m determined to get in the best shape of my life this year!