I DID IT!!!!!!

Hi all of my fellow Junebugs~ Thanks to everyone who supported me, sent positive thoughts and prayers! I completed my first 1/2 marathon yesterday! This Rock 'n Roll race truly rocked!! Thank goodness since my ipod died after the first mile! The race clock said I did it in 3:31, but my chip time was 3:22~ yee haw!! I was so blessed to have my mom and dad there to see me go across the finish line. They were pretty proud. My nephew ran it in 2:01~ I think I have him hooked now. And thank goodness, the race course was almost completely flat! It was a great race! To any of you who are thinking of participating in a 5K walk/run, 10K walk or run, or train up to a 1/2 marathon or marathon, all I can say is ~ you rock!!! You can do it!! What an absolutely amazing feeling it was to cross that finish line! I was not so sure around mile 12 if I could do it~ I was having issues of dehydration, but it was soooo worth it! No matter what you're doing to keep your bodies moving, you're doing great. It will totally pay off for ya! I posted a few pics at the bottom of my profile if anyone wants to see. Someone has to tell me how to do a link to photobucket... I didn't know how to put the album on. Blessings to all of you! Kerri ~ a little slower today

Good morning Kerri! I am so proud of you and for you I checked your profile and new pictures from the half marathon and all I can say is WOW!!! You look so happy and beautiful. You have a glow that emenates the inside. I am in awe of your achievement. 14 miles is no picnic! To have your parents there to see you coming towards and getting through the finish line, well there are no words! I'm speechless. You must be so proud of yourself and of course, exhausted! I get tired when doing a 5K, I can't imagine what you went through. Did you have any bathroom breaks or go straight through? I would imagine that any water you drank was evaporated in sweat so maybe you didn't need the bathroom. I also liked your comparison pics from the day of surgery to present. That tells the story! You go girl! I'm not knowledgeable about photobucket. Maybe someone else is. Love your profile too! All your training really paid off! CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND! Hugs and Love, Lucy

Thanks so much Lucy!!! I appreciate the compliments! No, it was no picnic, but it was an amazing feeling, kinda surreal actually, to cross the finish line. I didn't have to use the restroom, but I'm not entirely sure that was a good thing. I know I was waaaay dehydrated by the end. Kinda nice to drop a few lbs., but I'm sure I'll put it back on in the next week or so since it was mostly liquid. I'm now back to normal~ well...at least as normal as I get! Getting ready for the two 5K walks I have this weekend, one on Sat. morning for a student who was killed while crossing a street at a local college and the other on Sunday for the Race for the Cure. That's actually the one that all of these races started with. Hope you're having a wonderful time being at goal. How's the maintaining going? Not sure I'll ever get to 150, but we'll see. Right now, my body seems pretty happy in the 173-175 range. Maybe the race will give me a little jump start. Have a great evening! Hugs, Kerri

Congratulations, Kerri, I thought of you this weekend and I knew that you would do it. What an awesome feeling that must have been. I am so proud of you! I looked at your pictures and you look great. I need to find myself another 10k to do,because I have been slacking off a little and only doing 3 or 4 days a week. Now that I am back in school it is more difficult finding the time to exercise. But it needs to be no excuses. Anyway, that is off the real subject which is YOU DID GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lynn

Good Morning Lynn~ thanks for the encouragement. I have to admit that it was an absolutely amazing feeling to go across that finish line. My legs were hurting so badly, though, that all I could think about was getting some water in me and sitting down! I'm hoping that if I still keep doing some 5K's, it will keep me motivated and going out walking. Do you run your 10K's or walk? During the race I did a 4:1 ratio, although usually I do a 3:1 if it's a shorter walk. (3 min of walking to 1 min of running). With fall here, I am wanting to nest indoors, so I feel your pain in wanting to slack off! Maybe you could find one more race to do before winter really sets in? Let me know if there's any way I can support you with this! I know that I needed cheerleaders to help me on the way. Have a great day! Hugs, Kerri

Kerri, Mostly I walk,but I do run for short bouts. I was overweight for too many years and it did some permanent damage to my knees so if I run too much I really pay for it in my knees. It is really frustrating sometimes because I want to up the pace but I have to be happy where I am at. I walk about a 15 minute mile. The normal route that I do is 4.2 miles and it takes me an hour or an hour and 5 minutes normally. Ironically I can run longer on the treadmill then I can when I run on the road. I think the pavement is harder then the treadmill deck. Thanks for the encouragement. I think if we can both make this a lifelong habit we will be much further ahead. Hugs, Lynn

Hi Kerri! Maintaining, well it's not easy. I have a lot of head hunger issues. I want to eat and eat everything. My pouch has been quite flexible in this regard. I'm trying to get it down again after a few days of not the best eating! When I do this, my bowels are very upset and I have a hard time going. This is something I have to get under control! I'm going to weigh****chers on Saturday but not weighing in this week. I plan on weighing in next Saturday. Got to do damage control for a few days of eating! I get too discouraged when I weigh in and have a gain. I'm glad they have the no weigh in pass that you can use for up to 4 weeks. I'm not going to wait that long. I'd be way out of control then. So even though I'm into maintenance, I'm still needing to lose! This will pass as I am so close to my plastic surgery day - only 48 days away Of course, the insurance company is asking for additional documentation to support the medical necessity for my panniculectomy portion of my plastic surgeries. Today I was so cold and we had SNOW in the Chicagoland area. I wore a coat my mom gave me with gloves and all. I should have had a scarf on as well - way too cold for me! I didn't want to wear my new faur Lynx fur coat yet Hope your energy level is back up to par! I'm doing my local Walk From Obesity next September. Maybe we can do our own walk with a group of Junebugs - our 2nd year anniversary present to ourselves - we get together for a walk and party time! Take care, Lucy

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did wonderful. I wish I had what it takes. My mind does but my legs don't. Anyway you really have something to be proud of.....YOURSELF!!!! Hugs Deloris

Thanks Deloris!!! It's good to see you back on the boards again...we missed ya! I tell ya, if there's a 5K around you for a cause that touches your heart, I would encourage you to try it. Most people can easily walk the 3.1 miles it takes to complete one. It's kind of addictive, actually!! Hope you're enjoying your life of maintenance!!! Hugs, Kerri

Congrats Kerri! You did great. How did you ever get started running marathons? What a great way to get in shape. I am so very proud of you. I could never think of doing 14 miles. Congratulations!