Transformation Tuesday - 3 month update

If you had asked me 3 months ago where I imagined I'd be in my fitness and nutrition journey at this point, I never would have imagined that this is where I would have ended up.  I've spent years trying to figure out the right balance of working out (too much and I'd get burned out and choose not to exercise at all, too little and nothing ever changed) and eating well (which was basically me swapping out my regular lunch for a salad from time to time).  Who knew that finding that balance could be so easy?!?

3 months ago I started the 21 Day Fix.  I knew I had a few pounds to lose, but figured a realistic goal of 15 was about as good as it was going to get.  I didn't imagine those 15 pounds would be lost in just 21 days, but I figured it would be a step in the right direction.  Just 3 weeks later, I'd lost 14 pounds and felt amazing.  Click here to see my 21 day results.

After those 3 weeks, I wanted to focus on training for my first half marathon, so while I continued on the eating plan as best I could, I chose to cut back on the 21 Day Fix workouts, added in more running and started doing some T25 workouts as well.  Sadly, a toe injury prevented me from doing much of anything for 2 weeks of my training, but I still managed to come back and complete the half marathon without any issues (results here if you're curious).  I have yet to get back to T25... I guess I'm a little nervous.  That said, aside from running a few days a week, I haven't been doing much in the exercise department.  Typically, I would assume that, over the course of the last 9 weeks, I would have surely gained back a few of those pounds and found my way back to some unhealthy habits.  This is where things take a shocking turn...

In those 9 weeks, I've continued to follow the 21 Day Fix eating plan as much as I can, but without measuring my foods and counting containers.  I've also continued drinking Shakeology daily.  I've had more than my share of 'cheat meals' along the way, but I've found that my healthier eating habits have become so routine that I can easily figure out whether I need more fruits or veggies or protein when it comes to meal time and it's been easy to steer clear of the things that I know aren't good for me, like excess salt and sugar.  My daily Shakeology shake is clearly helping me to maintain my positive results and has had additional benefits such as better sleep, more energy, reduced cravings, reduced effects of allergies and, maybe the best one of all, I haven't had a single hangover in 3 months!  And, yes, I definitely deserved a few!

So, where am I now?  Let me break it down for you...

In 3 months, I've lost a total of 27 pounds and 17.5 inches.  I'm down to a size 6/8 from a size 12.   And I feel fantastic! 

Here are some pictures of my progress... the pics on the top are from my starting point 3 months ago.  Pics on the bottom are what I look like now.  I certainly didn't mean to frown on day 1, but I think it's pretty obvious that I was little more excited to have my pictures taken 3 months later :)

Pictures on the top are day 1

Pictures on the bottom are day 90

As far as where I go from here, I'm planning on continuing with my healthier lifestyle and start experimenting with other workouts.  I'll eventually get back to T25... there's no question it's an amazing workout... but for now I plan to give Hip Hop Abs a try.  Summer seems like the best time to be working on my six pack anyway :)  With such huge results in just three months, I can't wait to see where the next three months will take me!

Thank you for taking the time to check in with My Marathon Adventure!  If you have any questions about Beachbody, their programs or Shakeology, please feel free to contact me.  As your personal Beachbody Coach, I would be glad to assist you in finding the right plan to get you to your fitness and nutrition goals.

Pittsburgh Half Marathon Recap

Well, I did it... my first half marathon is in the books.  And even though I've run a marathon before, I was a little nervous about the distance, particularly when two of my last four training weeks were spent nursing a toe injury that made wearing shoes excruciating.  Needless to say, I didn't get in the long runs I should have, but I did manage 10 miles before the injury and one 8 mile run after.  I was very unsure of my ability to run 13.1... particularly in Pittsburgh, with all those hills... but I was determined to at least give it my best effort.

During my training, I had it in my head that finishing under two hours would be a good goal for me.  I really wasn't sure what kind of time to expect, but my training runs were usually under a 9:00 pace, so it seemed doable.  When I came back after two weeks off, my times were much slower, but I opted not to change my goal, banking on the fact that I always race faster than I train.

So, here it is... the official results...

Net Time: 01:54:22

Overall Place: 2610

Pace: 8:44

Division Place: 172

Division Total: 1476

Gender Place: 961

Gender Total: 9025

 

Of course, while this was my official time, I feel the need to point out that my actual race time was 1:52:45 (almost 2 minutes faster)... I had to stop for a restroom break :)  So, even though my pace was officially 8:44, according to my watch it was 8:34 with the following splits...

 

9:24.8

8:53.4

8:56.6

8:25.8

8:18.0

8:17.6

8:19.9

8:00.1

8:07.9

8:21.9

8:34.4

9:14.6

8:12.8

1:36.9

 

I love that the first 6 miles were negative splits with the following 3 or 4 not too far off.  I was initially a little disappointed in mile 12, until I checked out my Garmin stats... check out the elevation change for mile 12... I think I'll cut myself a little slack for that one :)

 

Pittsburgh Half Marathon - Elevation Chart

 

I'm shocked to see I was able to bounce back with an 8:12 mile after that hill, but I'll give some credit to the awesome downhill at the end of the race :)

For the most part, the hills weren't nearly as bad as I anticipated... except for mile 12, of course.  That entire mile was uphill and pretty brutal, but I kept my head down and focused on the ground in front of me rather than staring up at the top of the hill.  The course included five bridges, which were more enjoyable than I thought they would be, and the crowd throughout the city was amazing.  We went through some neat neighborhoods and there were people and live music along the entire course. 
 

Race weekend was made extra special because my husband was there to enjoy it with me.  He's not really a fan of running, but earlier this year he decided to give it a try.  After lots of hard work and training, he was ready to run his first 5k, which he ran the day before the half marathon.  I seriously could not be more proud of him for his efforts.  And, while he didn't say he was excited to sign up for his next 5k, he also didn't say he would never do it again... I consider that a victory :)

 

All in all, I'm really happy with my race and look forward to coming up with a new goal for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Cleveland this October.  Assuming I get in some good training and remain injury free, I'd like to shoot for a PR.  The trouble is figuring out what the goal should be.  With a flatter course, I'm thinking a PR shouldn't be much of a stretch, but I don't want to get crazy with an unobtainable goal.  I'll keep you posted on what I come up with :)

In the meantime, I'll enjoy my Pittsburgh bling... I'm incredibly proud to be a Runner of Steel!