Chapter 38: 8K, Half Marathon...I've Lost My Mind!

Well I know it's been a while since I last posted and I apologize for that, I've just been really super busy with work and what not.

Ok so here's for a quick update.

There is an 8K in August that I'm considering running...I'm super nervous and don't know if I will. But here's my situation...there is also a Half Marathon in Memphis on December 5th for St. Jude that I really, really want to run; however, I've told myself that if I simply don't run this 8K then I can't run the Half...but I really, really want to...or atleast attempt it lol. So basically it's like if you tell your kid they won't get any ice cream until they eat their green beans, well yeah, that's what I'm doing to myself lol. But I also told myself that if I do run the 8K and I die or almost die then I've decided it'll probably scare me out of running the Half Marathon. I mean, I know there is no possible way I'll be able to run the entire thing, but I definitely want to try. The 5K that I ran on July 4th felt like it was gonna kill me, so I don't know why I'm thinking I can attempt a Half Marathon...I think I've officially lost it lol. So yeah.

I haven't been running as much lately because of work and stuff so I've been working during the night and sleeping during the day...I've been super tired all the time. But I also haven't gained anything this summer so I'm hoping that I can at least keep from gaining anything then beat my butt at the gym when I get back to Memphis, which will just be in a few weeks :)

Ok so that's a quick update...I promise I'll post something worth reading later on in the week! :) Thanks!

Chapter 37: The Night Shift

It was a night, just like any other, but there was something slightly different about tonight. The wind was calm, the moon was bright, and the heat was muggy. I pulled up to the building. I turned off my car, grabbed my bag, and slowly climbed out of my car...I was terrified of what might be lurking inside, yet at the same time it excited me. I walked to the front door and knocked. My palms were a little sweaty and my heart beat was fast...the front door opened...it was....it was....my...CO-WORKER!

Yep, that's right...it was work. Tonight/this morning/last night I worked my first night shift as a 911 Operator/Dispatcher. It's almost 5am and it wasn't really that bad *knock on wood*. I'm sitting here now on the "Lounge Computer" taking a short break to update you guys...and in the next second I could be running back to my desk (yes, literally running...) to answer a 911 call. Which could range from "My dog won't come out from under the bed" to "My husband just stabbed me in the chest and took my kids!" You just never know. So yeah, I'm trying to find the strength to stay awake lol.

The worst thing about all-nighters/night shift is that I tend to eat...a lot! I eat more at night and when I'm staying up all night than I eat all day. I munch a lot especially when I'm trying to stay awake. I hate it though because then I go straight home after this and I'll sleep until about 4pm. Then I'll take some sleeping pills and go back to sleep around 10pm (that way my sleeping schedule doesn't get screwed up too bad lol). So yeah, no time for exercise...or atleast it's really hard to FIND time for exercise lol. Well I guess my break time is up...I need to get back to my desk...this is Operator 812 with DeKalb County 911 signing off! :)

Chapter 36: Half Marathon Plan & A Quick Shoutout! :)

Well I decided after running the 5K last week that I really wanna up my game and run a half marathon. It's a big goal...who am I kiddin, it's a HUGE goal, but I'm willing to train and do it. There is a half marathon in Memphis around December 5 for St. Jude and with St. Jude being so close to my heart I thought, why better to run than to benefit something wonderful like St. Jude. I think I've even got a few friends from here at home that may make the trip to come join me :)

So the other day I drove around my house and our part of the town (which is mostly country side and back roads) and I mapped out a half marathon and a full marathon...yes, a full marathon! Although I will probably never do it haha. I did map it out for training purposes. I'm gonna start running a lot more than I have been and hopefully by the time December rolls around I'll be able to successfully run a half-marathon, without dieing haha.

So for my quick shoutout: Mzzlily! You've been an awesome blog reader! I'm so glad you're reading my blog because you really inspire me and motivate me. I was actually getting lunch today and I was really craving a cheeseburger, then I thought, "No, because sooner or later I'll post a blog about my update and Lily won't be too happy if I ate a cheeseburger!" haha. You're always so uplifting and I really enjoy reading your comments. You have commented on almost every single one of my posts and it really brightens my day when I get an encouraging post from you! I know we've never met, but I feel like you're such an awesome friend! Thanks! :)

I know there are others that post and comment on my blog, but Mzzlily just posts all the time...she really goes out of her way to make sure she encourages me and it really helps. Doing a weight-loss journey like this really makes you feel alone at times, but it's good to know that I have someone to motivate me :) Well that's a quick update for now! :)

Chapter 35: My First 5K Marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!! And I didn't die lol!

Well it took me 46 minutes but I race my first ever 5K Marathon yesterday!!! I was so excited...well except for getting up at 6am lol. The race started at 7 and I finished right around 8:45! I was in pain and today my legs are killin' me, but I felt great! The endorphin rush was awesome! I walked a small bit just because my legs started to cramp, but I pretty much ran/jogged the entire thing! I was sooooo happy! When I finished I couldn't have been more proud! I was so happy I honestly could've cried lol. I actually did it, I ran a Marathon...it was a small Marathon, but I gotta start somewhere! lol.

While I was running I kept reminding myself that I am changing my life. I am getting healthy. I am doing this for me. Nobody else, but me. It was awesome! I took some pics before and after and a little bit during, so I've posted them below for ya!! :)



Everyone at the starting line! Me with my Nutritionist friend! :)



Me after the race...I was sore lol. Me with my mom!



Me crossing the finish line!!! :) Almost to the finish line....almost!





"Run Forrest, run!" lol.. I can see the finish line, just a little more!





At the start of the race.... The sign I had on my back during the race!

Chapter 34: I'm Back! (5K, Here I Come!)

Well my motivation has finally kicked back in! And it has had a lot of great changes these past few weeks! I've decided for sure to change my major to Dietetics, now the only thing is that I'm just really trying to keep my voice scholarship...so I'm trying to work that out.

BIG, BIG NEWS!!!!!! *Drum Roll>>>>>>>>>*

I ran my first ever full 5k (even though it wasn't an actual competition, I still ran it for practice). I've walked plenty of practice 5K's, but this was different. I started out and I told myself, "I will run this entire thing...no walking!" Well I started running and I felt great. It wasn't until I got to a hill on my road that my legs started to hurt. I pushed through it then once i got to the top I stopped for about 30 seconds, stretched then started up again. I repeated this process two more times out of the entire thing. My ending time was 47 minutes! I was so proud! Now for the really big news...............

Tomorrow is my first REAL 5K!!! It's the Fiddler 5K (it's a festival in my hometown that hosts a marathon)...I wasn't gonna do it but I talked to a friend of mine today and she really encouraged me to run it! So I'm going to. I won't finish first, but I really want to do it! I just hope I finish under and hour and without dieing haha! Well wish me luck! I'm hitting the sack so that I'll be ready...6am will come pretty early! :)