Before and now

It has been a very busy few weeks. I house sat for two weeks, worked 40 hours at my day job plus 15 hours each week babysitting and tried to make time for running and I was just feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm glad things are settling down a little. For the most part, even though I haven't been blogging about it, I have managed to keep up with my training. I missed last Thursday's run because I wasn't feeling well and for the last three weeks I haven't done a Sunday run, but I've kept up with the long runs despite being so busy and a little stressed. I have actually found myself making time to run and trying to put it first because it clears my head and makes me feel so good about myself that I miss it when I don't do it.

This morning I was exhausted and just couldn't find the energy to run before work so it was about 6:30pm by the time I made it to the gym. It's definitely easier (and less crowded) to run in the morning but I did it. This week the Tuesday/Thursday runs have gone from 4 miles to 5 miles. I'm really enjoying the way this training plan is laid out and am really amazed by how much my fitness has improved in the six weeks I've been doing this. I am feeling a little frustrated with my speed but right now my goal is distance, not speed. I'm already thinking about after the half marathon is over in june and picking a new race and training program with improving my speed as a goal.

Here's my treadmill photo from tonight:



I have been frustrated with my weight since I started running so I took three weeks off from weighing in, to try and just focus on the running and not the weight. I weighed in on Saturday and was pleased to see a loss.



Here's a "before and now" picture. I've been so focused on the number and being frustrated about how slow this process is that I decided to take a minute and be proud of how far I've come. The picture on the left was taken last year, April 27th 2013, about three weeks before I joined Weight Watchers, and the picture on the right was taken today. I think it's possible that the "before" picture is the least flattering picture ever taken of me. I guess it's a good "before" picture then.



Before I go stretch my tired legs and go to bed, I just want to thank everyone who reads my Facebook updates and blog posts. Thank you for your support, your kind words, your encouragement and your patience with my neverending selfies and treadmill photos. You get me through.