Monday, October 29, 2012

Choices

I haven't really had much to say lately... I have been slightly injured post Chicago Marathon.


I don't really know how to explain what it is like for someone like me to not be able to run. There are dozens of blogs about running and injuries.

There are a few things I know that running does to for me...
Quiet moments with myself.
Being able to find moments of pride that I don't have to share with anyone but myself.
 The feeling I get just after finishing a good run and feeling so good.
Getting good ideas just because my endorphin's are going.
Being able to set goals higher than I ever imagined achievable.
Allows me to stress less about my weight and more about continuing to achieve something.

I took some time off last week and Sunday was my first run beyond 4 miles and it was 6. So far I do not have a ton of pain but I still feel my body not liking it. So Wednesday I do go to the doctor.

This coming Sunday I am doing my first race post Chicago. I am running in one of my favorite events... the Fall Frolic 4 miler at Purdue Calumet in Hammond, Indiana. The event is special because it was the first ever 4 mile race I ever participated in and so I am very excited to return to the event this year.

Today I saw this... I refuse to give in or give up. I will give it everything I have to continue to stride on. I hope you do to.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Wedding Bliss

Last week was a busy but very fun filled week and weekend.

My middle sister Jenna got married.

She was an amazingly beautiful bride. I'm so happy that she was able to marry someone that makes her so happy.
No one can make me cry, make me laugh, make me smile... like she does...

I must admit... This wedding was a really good time. There was so much love and so much happiness. I said in my maid of honor speech that it was an honor to be there and celebrating her special day.
Confetti snow angels... you mean you don't do this at weddings?

The best part was there were so many people there that I had not seen in a long time and we had an amazing time celebrating Jenna and Ricky's big day. Just like them they made their wedding as fun as they are. They even had the photo booth which was one of the funniest and most entertaining parts of the night.

We danced a lot... I even earned 17 activity points with my according to my active link.

 It really was an amazing day to celebrate with not only my sister but one of my very best friends.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Try Something New Tuesday...Yoga

Yes I did... I tried something new today.

So this lady here is my Mom...yes I still listen to her as if I am a teenage girl and she will yell at me if I don't. I also know she is not a fan of boring exercise  She is thinks running is crazy... but is absolutely so supportive of my running adventures. So she said especially knowing I am injured and bummed... YOGA Deanna... YOGA...







So I give you try something new Tuesday... Yoga.





One thing that running has given me is drive. I refuse to think I couldn't have done something today. So at the recommendation of a friend I headed to Yoga by Gretchen in Hobart. I was very nervous because I hate the thought of just being quiet with myself in a room full of strangers. Being quiet and having time to think during a run is great but I wasn't sure how I would feel about yoga. So when I arrived the girl said this particular class is "You call it yoga"... which today was "hard."  I had already drove there so I figured what the heck. Well she was right... I couldn't even do everything they were doing but I must admit... I liked it. It felt good to step out of my comfort zone and do something different. I also liked this class because it was a combination of weights and yoga. They also played some up beat music and really made it fun. I like that they also offer so many different classes that you don't just have to do Yoga there. I'm not sure how I will feel tomorrow but I'm hoping glad I went to the class.

When was the last time you forced yourself to try something you thought you would totally hate but then actually liked?

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Pain... No gain

They say no pain no gain...

Well when there is pain.. There comes a time when you have to recognize it...

Today, I Deanna Grimes admit... I am injured. I must not run and must rest.


I am not happy about this but it must be done. My knee could not handle anymore today and the back side of my ankle aka... my Achilles tendon are just plain killing me.  I don't think there is anything worse for a runner than shutting it down. I know this is the only thing that help. There are so many things we can control but injuries just happen. So when times get tough the tough have to get going and I have to make action plans.

I tell those struggling all the time that you have to continue to fight and you must never give up. Besides...



I'm not dead.
I'm not hospitalized... yet
I am strong and willing to fight.


So I am making a plan B and trying to figure out every workout possible that does not involve my lower body.



When was the last time you were forced into plan B?

Friday, October 12, 2012

Favorites Friday

Here is what I love today...


Canned Pumpkin...
I love this stuff. My favorite is as always to put it in my oatmeal with some cinnamon or even some pumpkin pie spice if you have some. However there are several other good uses... Click this link for the Hungry Girl Article about all the amazing ideas she has.



Post Marathon Running
Most runners who run are almost always training for something or staying in good running shape for an upcoming event. One week post marathon it feels good to just be out doing whatever feels good. This week I did almost all short distance running and felt like I remember all over again why I love running.

Laughing at myself
I do this often.

Today I am totally laughing at my pictures where I look totally miserable at the Chicago Marathon and

others where I am totally soaking it in and actually enjoying the race to its full extent.







Today I leave you with this...




Thursday, October 11, 2012

New Beginnings

Post Marathon... It was tough getting back I could barely move. Then I saw this.


Although there are so many things that went right. There were some that went wrong.
Stomach issues continued during this marathon.
Foot didn't hurt during the marathon but as soon as I stopped it was killing me.
My shirt ended up chaffing my arm so I had to stop for vasoline.
This picture is clearly where I am feel every bit of this...


Today is a new day. Start over. Don't look back. Time to set a new goal. So far I think I am really setting my sites of this...



What is your goal? How do you choose a new goal?

Monday, October 8, 2012

Chicago Marathon Recap

October 7, 2012
26.2 Miles










I can't even begin to explain in words what this marathon was like. Here is best I can explain it.

Friday... Expo for bib pickup
I went with my friend Nikki and we had so much fun exploring the world of running.


This was the most crazy awesome expo I have been to. I even ran into Hillary. She is a friend from back in Ohio who had been training really hard and she did awesome on her first ever marathon.
Hillary and I.

3:25... wake up, eat breakfast, get ready to leave
4:10... picked up by my neighbors Misty and Dave
4:45... leave the Target in Munster for the race
.... the rest is kind of a blur...
6:40... In starting corral for about a hour. I made a plan to run the race with Sue a fellow runner. Another runner Jeromy was also making a plan to run with us the entire race. Here we are waiting to go to our starting corrals.

7:40ish... cross the start line and we were off.

Around mile 1 I was so high and I even spotted a runner whom started me running and I haven't stopped since... Nikki... Lets just say I was so excited to see her... The Chicago Tribune loved my reaction so much they put me on the FRONT PAGE!!!! Lets just say when I woke up this morning and someone said I was on the front page I was in shock and even more in shock when I saw this...











They also caught this picture of us...

Mile 1-5 seemed to fly by... then we made it to the local Calumet Striders water stop just after mile 5... here we are looking strong. 

Miles 6-17 Seemed to just click by. There was so much to see, so many people and so much encouragement. Jeromy and Sue both laughed because my name was called out so many times they felt that they should just call themselves Deanna. 

Miles 17-20 Seemed to take forever... I was really starting to feel the race. Sue was also. After mile 20 she just couldn't keep up anymore... I honestly was even asked what happened to you that last part of the race... I have no clue. I just mentally started talking to myself and the miles seemed to click along. I was not going to let this race stop me. My stomach hurt and I wanted to vomit at every bad smell I passed. 

There was so much crowed support from Wrigley, Little Italy, China town... all of them were simply amazing!! The best signs I saw were... Chuck Norris has never run a marathon, Do Epic Shit, and Runners have balls... all other sports just play with them. Here is also a video my boyfriend shot... I have no clue where this was but its me running.


Then I hit mile 23 and I knew I could do it. I looked down at my watch and knew I had a good amount of time to beat if I just maintained my pace. My boyfriend caught this picture of me around mile 25... you can see the exhaustion in my face... The crowed made me feel so amazing though. They were so uplifting consistently telling you that you could do it. 

Overall I finished!!!! 
Place Gender4571
Place Age Group1036
Place Overall15038
Finish Time04:13:54

It was 1 minute and 6 seconds better than I wanted... It was also marathon personal record by 8 minutes! I can't believe I was able to kick it in so much at the end and finish it up.


The NWI Times even wanted to know what I thought about the marathon.. Click here for the article.

Again there are not enough words that could describe how this marathon went. I was overall amazed how well I did. I guess the NWI Times article summarizes how I really feel... Never give up. 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Keep your Eye on the Prize

Nothing truly happens overnight... Most of my regular readers know this blog is about food, weight loss, healthy eating, my love of sports and of course my running adventures. This quote I read today was perfect for almost anyone reading my blog. For most sports fans you know who Erin Andrews probably is. I love her. She totally has my dream job working in the sports industry. Plus she is amazingly beautiful. 
 
Source: flickr.com via Deanna on Pinterest


This quote is attributed to her credit. I could not agree more. The marathon is just over 2 days away from being kicked off by the Kenyans. I am getting more and more excited as the day approaches. However training for a marathon doesn't happen overnight. It takes months of preparation. The same goes for almost all goals in life. They simply cannot be achieved overnight. I was discussing with a friend today why people just give up. I can never seem to get over my disappointment when someone gives up on their weight loss goals. No matter what you have to do figure out a way to continue to keep your eye on the prize. There will always been times that are more difficult than others however just keep moving forward no matter what. Find a way to keep yourself focused on the next day and continuing to move toward your goal. Never look back on what could have been. Continue to look forward. 



Remember eyes on the prize...



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Simply Taste Good

I often tell weight watcher members I don't really cook. Well in some ways this is true and in some it isn't . Today I started off the day with a perfect 3.20 mile run with my friend Nikki before work. I really love being able to get in a few morning workouts. They always make the day feel like I have more hours in the day. Only 5 more days until the big day!

Source: fitsugar.com via Deanna on Pinterest


This allowed me to actually cook or at least what I consider cooking. I love meals that are quick and easy. I grabbed two chicken breast from my freezer and turned it into this... I put a little bit of the Tastefully simply honey BBQ rub on each side before I put it in the oven. When there was about 15 minutes left I added the Montgomery Inn Sauce. This is a staple for my Cincinnati folks but you could choose any kind you like.



I added some Brussels sprouts and a small sweet potato. Yum Yum. I love how easy it was ad actually makes a decent meal.

What is your go to quick and easy dinner?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Final Prep Week

There are so many days when I have to do a double check to make sure none of this is a dream. It is really hard to believe that I am accomplishing such amazing goals. I read this today...


It really is true. You never think you are going to get there then you get so close. I have a fully prepped busy week ahead....

It actually all started yesterday with making a huge pot of Quinoa for my final week of carbohydrate in take. As well as meeting with my OE team for our final run together before the marathon Sunday. I also made sure the shorts, shirt, socks and shoes I want to wear are clean and ready to go. We are able to bring a bag of stuff for after the race. I have already started packing this bag also.

Most of the week will remain my busy routine with a lot less running. The tapper is very strange for a runner. You just don't feel like you are running enough because you have been running so much training for the marathon. One thing I do love about signing up for a race is staying committed to training. If you are not going to become a runner then start setting goals for yourself to accomplish. If you are starting to get into running find a race, sign up and start training. The goal at the end always keeps me focused. Although there will be some fun this week.

Tuesday... crazy early morning run with one of my favorite running friends Nikki.
Friday... Pasta dinner... who doesn't love a good pasta dinner with some of their favorite people.
Saturday... going to the race expo with my friend Nikki. Hoping to take it all in. I have been to a lot of race expos but not one on this level. I have heard is pretty awesome. I will try to remember to snaps some photos while Nikki and I are there. We are hoping to get there early and get back before the Notre Dame football traffic starts.
Sunday... crazy early rising to head to the city for the big day. I am excited and nervous. I think the weather is going to be amazing. You can track my progress if you go the official website the day of the race and enter my bib # of 15827. If I get more information about tracking runners I will post it later in the week.

Am I the only person who does crazy preparations like this?