17 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can honestly say that I am a little sick to my stomach. I can't believe I have 17 days to train! The most I have run was 9 miles, but tomorrow and Friday are my big runs...maybe get up to 10 miles? I haven't talked to you in a while...can't wait to see you soon!!!

NIKE I-POD SENSOR AND BY THE WAY...9 MILES!!!

I can't believe its around the corner!!! I ran 9 miles today! Let me just say that Nike run thing is the shit! I think every $30 is worth it...I would totally recommend it to ANYONE! It shows my run and every time I hit the center button, it gives me how far i've run...time...avg. mile...ITS LIKE YOUR GPS TALKING TO YOU, BUT THROUGH YOUR HEADPHONES...i can't believe it is taking me this long to realize this amazing piece of technology!!! 9 miles...I feel like I can see the light of the tunnel!

Chrissy: Sorry it's been a while since I last posted something. I ran 5.5 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday!! I thought I was going to die. I'm limiting myself to just one long run on the weekend because doing both runs killed my knees. Anyways, Ran 5 on Tuesday and did spin on Wednesday. I'm doing 9 this weekend! I can't believe the marathon is only a few weeks away now.

MAD CHAOS

I ran about 4 miles today and did strength training last night. It makes me sick that we are so close! I have been moving models and offices this week! I am off tomorrow so I want to get a long run in! Are you going to do an 10K? I still can't imagine that I will be able to run 13 miles! I have to go to the Track Shack and have them look at my feet and blisters! I HAVE NOT HAD EMAIL, PHONE, FAX, OR INTERNET THIS WEEK...I AM COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED TO THE WORLD...SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY ON POSTING. I WILL BE OFF TOMORROW THRU WEEKEND!!!

ONE MONTH

We are officially one month away! I had to take a break yesterday because of all the running I did this weekend. I'm running 4.5 tonight, might do a little strength training if I feel like it. I can't believe we are almost there. Keep it up!

7 MILES!

I ran 7.1 miles today! I am so proud of myself...I consider this a huge milestone and I am just so happy that I know that I did it...I ran the whole thing in 1:25...I am going to post the run that I ran...but I am DYING ALREADY...my legs, body and everything just HURTS. Nick and I also did 1 1/2 hours of yoga last night...it is amazing how strong and flexible my body has gotten in this time period! Having strength training tomorrow....about to do some yoga moves and go to bed! YAY!!!! I MADE IT HALFWAY...I CAN SEE THE GREEN LIGHT AT THE END OF TUNNEL!! NOT MUCH TIME TO TRAIN!!!

Chrissy: My knees and ankles are killing me! I ran 7 miles yesterday!! Well, a little over 7 actually and ran 5 mils today! I feel that running over 6 was my milestone, so now I'm not so worried about the 13.1. I still just can't imagine running for over 2 hours! I really didn't drink that much all weekend which really helped with the running, so how I've figured out how to keep up this training. I'll be glad when this is over, but it is fun!

Running...

Well I don't have too much news to update...I did run on this amazing running/biking path. I think I might have been the only one in Birmingham who didn't know this place actually existed! I need to find a 10K to run...I ran 5 miles yesterday and today had about an easy 25 min. jog...I already have my blisters back in full force. Are you still getting them?

Chrissy: I still haven't figured out how I'm going to run 13.1 miles, but whatever! I'm still on track, did stretch and strength Monday, ran 4.5 yesterday, and doing cross today. I probably wont do a 10K, but there is a 5 mile run coming up in a few weeks Imight do. It's pretty cheap and right by where I live. Keep trucking away, it will be here before you know it!

Ellen's Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok...so...it was a start...2.5 miles!!! I am just now getting back in the swing of things...I think I do a little better for the sheer fact that we only have 39 days! I HAVE TO GET MY BUTT IN GEAR...NO EXCUSES!!! I am crazy at work, but I ended up having a good week and got a new contract and another one that I thought had burned to ashes... let me just tell you how out of shape I am...I think I might have ran 2.5 miles and was hurting. I am now back on same calendar day as you... so I am actually going to do a lot of stretching tomorrow and do 4.5 mile run. I got Max to download a bunch of songs onto my I-Tunes so I have some more variety which will definately help! Are you going to run a 10K? I guess I need to look and see if they're any in B'ham. Anyway, you can see me from now on the blog until the big day! I was thinking about it...are we going to have Nick and Jordan carry us to Dave Mathews afterwards?

Chrissy: I had a great week, right on schedule. I did my first race this weekend, 5K. It was soooo much fun. The weather sucked really bad though: cold and raining. The cold wasn't sooo bad, but I was soaking wet when it was over. I ran faster than I think I have ever run in my life, so I was exhausted by the time it was over and I was pretty sure I might throw up.

Here are my results 25 minutes, 43 seconds (I couldn't believe it, my goal was at least 30 min and then I had a new goal of 27 minutes)

Placed 4th in my age group, 22 out of all the females, 93 over-all. I believe there were about 500 runners.

I averaged 8.18 a mile. I usually run a 10 at least, so I shaved a huge chunk of time of each mile. The first mile I did in 8.10!!!!

It was really awesome running it and Jordan was soo good at keeping me going. I can't wait for the big race!

We are now going to just call this Chrissy's blog since Ellen doesn't post anymore. Well, hopefully I am back on track again. I have nothing else on the agenda until the race, so I should be able to keep up the running. Last week: Monday: strength/stretch, Tuesday: ran 4, Wednesday: nothing, Thursday: ran 4 and did legs, Friday: spin class, Saturday 6 miles, Sunday: nothing. I've got my first 5K on Saturday. I'm soooo excited. 7 more weeks until the race and Dave Mathews Band which is exciting!

This is a little more rural than Nashville, but I wanted a reminder picture up of what it will feel like to finish the 1/2 marathon!

Chrissy: Well, I ran Sunday for the 1st time in a week! It was actually the first time in a week I put my tennis shoes back on my feet! Ok Ellen, we have 8 weeks left of training. We still have plenty of time and this is why we started so early. From the training, we are on week 5, so this week you need to run 6 miles on Saturday. I hadn't run in a week and I was able to run 5 on Sunday, so you will be fine. This is perfect too because it says we are suppose to run a 5k not this weekend but the next and I have one next weekend. We need to see if we can find a 10K anywhere close for 2 weeks after that. I know it sucks, but you will feel awesome wants you get back out there. On my run on Sunday, I actually ran past where Jordan and Nick will be watching us at one point (around mile 6). It was kind of fun because I pictured them there with cameras flashing, ha ha. Let me know how the run goes today. Love-ya!! See you in 8 weeks unless we can find a 10K!

Chrissy: Now I'm getting worried! Ok, I am soo off track again. I HAVE TO STOP DRINKING. Between the wedding last weekend, being out of town for work, and Mardi Gras, I haven't done but 3 days of running in a week and a half!!! We have exactly 9 weeks to get our asses in shape. I'm going to try and run 6 miles again this weekend and then start jumping up to 7, 8, 9. I did sign Jordan and I up for a 5K March 14th at 7:30 AM. It should be a lot of fun, and he is a good motivator. He is about twice as fast as I am, but he puckers out after a while. I have so much crap to do this week also that it is hard to get motivated to get up in the morning to run. I have a wedding March 7th weekend and then that is it. I'm taking myself off the one glass of wine/ maybe a few beers/drinking like a rockstar bandwagon. How is your running going? Have you had a chance to try 6 miles yet. Sorry I missed you this weekend, we were with the fam all weekend.

Chrissy: Be careful with the bootcamp, those things can really hurt your running because you are using all sort of muscles you never use and then you don't run. I had to stop doing sculpt and kickboxing classes because I'm sore for like 2 days and can't get good runs in. Well, Memphis really got me off schedule again and now I have Mardi Gras. Starting with Monday, I've only been able to run Tuesday and Thursday: 4 miles each day. I seriously doubt I'll run at all this weekend. I think starting next week, I'm getting back on the no drinking until the Marathon. I can't do the drinking and then run and I'm not even close to being prepared for this thing. Thank you for reminding me why I don't want kids right now, haha. Sounds like y'all had an awesome night! Emma (Melissa's baby) just got tubes and she is soooo much better now. She doesn't get sick nearly has often. Talk to you later. Oh remind me to tell you what dumb ass thing Jordan did this morning. You are not going to believe someone could be this stupid.

My calves might burn off any minute...

Ellen's Day 2 of physical pain after bootcamp!!!! My legs hurt yesterday and they actually started to burn...I mean burn...turn red and everything burn...last night. Last night was an interesting night...it was our first night to have Parker stay with us...Char had to get tubes put in his ears this morning. After Nick asking where P-man was going to sleep (of course right in between Nick and Ellie) we started our night. Nick passed out like always and its taking me a good hour or so to fall asleep...I wake up through out the night with Parker foot inside my face (I mean toes and everything) and night terrors. More Nick and I were up trying to keep him contained in the bed...while I was getting kicked in the legs and calves all night with Parker....At one point I thought Parker had peeeed (never spelled that) in the bed...but I just realized it was him butt sitting on my face...It was a night to remember!!!! Needless to say...I almost fell out of the bed being so sore...I am taking TWO rest days in a row! Yep you hear me...two. I don't think it is right to be in so much pain! Good luck with Memphis. Parker and I made blueberry muffins and watch Clifford the red dog and Sesame street. I think I can seriously keep myself entertained running if I downloaded some Sesame Street podcast! :) I mean this website...could really entertain you...here is one with Elmo and David Beckham http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_uid=32972d92-54dd-471a-93da-2ad9e9fd857e&t=1234545410963&

Chrissy: I'm in Memphis sales training right now, so its going to be hard to keep up the training, but I got up and did 4 miles today. I'm going to try and get up and run at least 2 tomorrow. It's so hard to be away and stay on track with running and eating good. I really can't believe the race is so close. I have gotten to the point where I can run 4 pretty easy without music now. I can watch TV or talk and that is a huge milestone for me, now 13.1 will be another story. We need to see if we can run a 5K or 10K somewhere in Bham or Nashvegas or somewhere near. I'll have to write down my playlist for you.

Bootcamp...here we come!!!

Lets just preface this workout with saying that Carol (Nick's mom) signed me up for this class...WOW DID MY ASS GET KICKED!!!! This was her personal trainer that has a bootcamp especially for people training to run...I really like circuit training because its painful but only for a short time. My calves are getting bigger by the minute! I am stressed that I am a little behind on my running. My strength and flexibility has gotten out of this world...remember, I am the one who could not even touch her toes (seriously...without hurting). I am really enjoying seeing my body transform every day! We just have to keep each other up to speed!!! I am already planning on taking that Friday off before the run...so I would like to get up there early so we can at least see the course. I can't believe the calendar is already down in the 60s!!!! It feels like yesterday when we were triple digits!!! I think we need to also get some playlist for each other...I want to strategically plan out the playlist on the day of the race...I need to have music that is going to keep me motivated!!!! Good luck...I think I will be icing my legs down.

Chrissy: Well, I'm pretty sure I just had the best weekend ever. Got roses at work on Thursday, wonderful dinner on Friday, and a wedding last night and it was awesome. I probably lost 5 pounds just dancing. I did run my 6 miles on Saturday and it was great. I felt really good during the run: did a couple new streets and got myself on a HUGE HILL. Oh by the way, a girl I work with told me to do tons and tons of calf raises to prepare for this marathon. It will really help out with the hills. Anyways, the run and dancing and drinking yesterday made it impossible to do anything productive today. I need to find a race to run here

Today was awesome! I did my first 5K race and I finished in 30:12!!! My pace average was 9:45...I was 97th for the womens and I was 16th in my age division. I ran with Taylor....poor guy yacked after the race (he wasn't feeling so hot this morning, but I did tell him I was going to blog about it). My other friend, Misty, ran her first race today. It was such a different feeling running with everyone else...so many people were INTENSE! Oh...by the way...GOT THE PINK IPOD!!!! I know that you knew about it...it is sooo pretty! Nick really thought I knew what I was talking about with the Podcast...I am learning about it! Pretty pumped up about it! He was also very sweet and got me 2 dozen roses! I can be assured that Nick is very sweet to such a bossy lady...Jordan has a MUCH bossier girl :)

Chrissy: Nice pic! I can't wait to see the pictures from the race. That is sooo awesome you did that today. I really need to sign up for one soon. I'm getting ready to go on my run of 6 miles. I had a little to much wine on my V-day date last night, so I'm not feeling awesome right now. It may be kind of tough, but I'm going to try.

BE5K....FIRST 5K!!!

This will be me dodging walkers like this for my first official 5K. Taylor told me for the first mile everyone is just clustered together...kids jumping in front of you, walkers, talkers...knowing my luck I'll probably trip over someone and make like 10 people trip around me! Apparently this is the race that kicks off the Mercedes Marathon. That is awesome you are jumping up to 6 miles! I think I am giving myself one more week...GOOD LUCK!!! Nick and I actually are going to hang out on V-day because I have my first Saturday off since December!!! I'll let you know how it is and I will get post some pictures this weekend!!!!! Have a great running weekend and Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!!! http://www.mercedesmarathon.com/bek-home.php

Chrissy: Ran 4 yesterday and did weights, I was going to get up and do spin class today (eventhough it was my rest day) but I decided not to do it. Sleeping seemed a lot more fun! Anyways, I'm running 6 miles tomorrow! I'm going to try and behave tonight, so I don't pass out tomorrow. I'm really going to Try 6 tomorrow and Sunday. We have a wedding on Sat night, so I'm not sure if that will happen. I'm getting pretty pumped about the marathon though. 10 MORE WEEKS! I'm so happy about your contracts, that is awesome! I've already met my quarterly sales goals in one months, so that was exciting. I've attached another picture as motivation: No idea who this girl is, but this is what we will look like if we keep at it, so put down that brownie and RUN!

Ran 3.5 miles today and had the craziest day at work...I was super busy but I did write a contract on a house...and I am writing another one this weekend! Yea! I am not doing amything tomorrow night b/c I am running the the be&k race. Taylor will be my running buddy with me...except his legs might be twice as long as mine...whatever....I'll be running to Britney!

Notice in the background: That will be Jordan and Nick sitting, chillin, and probably drinking while we are running 13.1 MILES!!!

Chrissy: Ran 4.5 miles today and it actually seemed easy. I had a great run even for 5 in the morning. The new shoes are awesome and I'm getting fired up again about the marathon! Can't wait to see y'all again in a about a month. Hope the running is going great for you Ellen! Let me know!

Chrissy: Not sure what is up the symbols. Did you mean to do that? It looks like you wrote an entire paragraph and then put in the symbol font?!? Anyways, Ran my 5 miles on Saturday and felt pretty good. The blisters are slowly going away so that is making it a lot easier to run. Sunday: Jordan and I went for a hike/walk through the hills. It was so nice out and their are some great trails through the woods here and its up and down hills, so it was a pretty good walking workout. I'm doing stretch and strength tonight. I figured out I'm on week 5 now of the training, so my long run this week is going to be 6 miles. I may change it up though and run the 5K instead just so I can get used to running a race. I heard the thing is a B@*tch. It's up and down hill the whole way. Glad to be back on track.

Ran my first 5 mile! As I told you before...it was a doooozy! My first 1.5 miles of it was straight up hill. I had blue paint all over my legs (painting laundry room cabinets), looked a little like a smurf...I had a red splash of paint on my knees...so I wore 3/4 high pants so people didn't think I was a smurf bleeding out of the knee...I probably had a face say "when I am I going to be done...what the hell was I thinking...I've never ran 13 miles before..." This face was definately out today in the beautiful 70 degree weather. Again...I clocked the milage and ended right at Laura's house...there was NO WAY that I was going to run home and get ready for work in 45 minutes...I got there...before them...and drank water...then just jumped in the car! I am proud of myself running the 5.1 miles in 60 minutes!! Now, I'm at work...already exhausted from my run! Hope you have a great Sunday!

My Inspirational Picture!

Here is a picture I look at everyday...this magazine is always staring me in the face. I even cut out the smaller picture "inside the cover pic" to put in my calendar. So EVERY time I open my calendar to see the full February month...I see Debra Messing...what a defined stomach!

Getting back on track...

Thank God I'm back from Huntsvegas!!! Of course I had a blast with Carolyn...but I am so off track! Let me just say I thought I was going to fall asleep on my drive home. Right when I got home, I made myself go for the hardest run. I thought it was at least 3.5 miles when I find out it was about 2.7! It was the hardest...everyone saw me and there was one point I thought I was going to fall off the sidewalk and someone would just run over me and not realize...I do have to admit it was the steepest hills but it made me want to get back in shape! I can tell how off I am if I miss more than 2 days in a row! Back on track...so, when I got home...Nick told me about the P90X stretching video...60 minutes! It was intense, but it is the only thing that is saved me! I have to get you some of these moves!!! I am back baby...oh, by the way...LOVE THE CARTOONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

This can't happen to us!!

Chrissy: I'M BACK!! Ok, I'm back on track. My new shoes are 100 times better (at least they were yesterdy and today). I was able to run 4 miles yesterday and I did spin class this morning. Man, spin class was intense this morning. I'm probably going to be sore. Tomorrow: 5 miles and Sunday 5 miles. Ellen: how is the training going? We need to get back on our motivational kick!

Chrissy: OMG! You are totally reading my mind. I have just completely fallen of the running wagon, got run over, and then the damn wagon backed up and ran over me again. I have been a major, major slacker. My stupid blisters have really messed the whole thing up. It was way to cold to get up and go this morning, so of course I slept in and I'm not going to the gym this afternoon. Starting tomorrow though, it's back on! I had to take back my shoes because they were killing me. I got some new ones that are BRIGHT HOT PINK. They would look so awesome running if I was real fast, but I'm not fast at all, so they just look kind of awesome. ha ha. On a serious note, hopefully I will be able to pick back up again since I couldn't even walk in the other ones. Tomorrow: 4 miles is the plan, spin on Friday, 5 miles on Saturday and Sunday. That is my punishment for not really doing shit the last two weeks! I think I may have to get back on my non drinking. I was running so much better then. We have to get motivated again Ellen! This is serious stuff and we have less than 3 months to be ready!!!!

Only Wednesday???

Let me just say...I am so glad that we could add four weeks into our program! The last two weeks have been so out of wack! I have to go back to Huntsville and do training seminars on both of my days off (ie...big running days). Let me also just say...its COLD!!!!

The new blog page is awesome. When did you do that? Anyways, sad day today. My new shoes are terrible! I think they are too small, so I'm taking them back tomorrow. I tried to run but it hurt way to bad, so sad. I managed to do 40 minutes of cardio and weights.

Good quote... In her new book, Run Your First Marathon,Grete Waitz, nine-time winner of the New York City marathon, points out one of the wonderful draws of the marathon. “No matter who we are,” she writes, “at some point we are all first-time marathoners. All of us share that. That’s the beauty of the race — Olympians and all-comers share the same event."

Chrissy: Ok so Ellen, your post about the dog triggered my memory of being chased by a dog as well. It was stopped by the electric fence but at first all I could hear was the barking and I turned around TERRIFIED to see this: Yes, a black, prissy poodle!

I did laugh at myself for the next minute or so.

Week 5, 6, whatever: Since I had a little "time off" last week. The running for Saturday and Sunday was a little more difficult than expected. Saturday I went to Fleet Feet: ran on the treadmill to "watch my run" and got new tennis shoes! I was also convince to buy a pair of $10 socks for my long runs! Anyways, the whole experience was so much fun and I couldn't wait to run in the new shoes. Saturday was good, ran 4 miles and felt pretty good. The new shoes are tight because my foot is so narrow and I run on the insides of my feet so they have A LOT of support around the arch. Well, Sunday was sooooo nice that I went for a run outside for the first time all year. I REALLY NEED TO RUN OUTSIDE MORE. The first 1/4 mile felt like my legs were going to fall off. I finally got in the grove and was just moving along..... then it happened. I had the most awful pain on both my feet right by my arch. I kept running though thinking it was all in my head. I finally couldn't run anymore and I stopped to take my shoes off and there is was..... The biggest blister on BOTH FEET IN THE SAME PLACE. My stupid new shoes wore my poor feet out. (side note: there are bandaids just for blisters that are awesome, you don't even know you still have a blister). I had to walk the rest of the way home, I did get a 3 mile run in and walked another mile and a 1/2. Sooo... I'm now going to be in the process this week of breaking the new shoes in. More to come on how that goes......

Ellen's week 5- wow...it was awesome seeing you and Jordan last night! I saw Carolyn in Hunts vegas...Michelle and Chris...so many of the girls within one week of girls weekend! This past week was a hard one for me...its been so cold I have no desire to run. I will say THANK YOU BROOKE...she saved my ass by making me some CDs for my i-pod...it sure makes a difference when you start to have a variety of music! My nano is so old schooled...that the memory is almost out (2G)! I think I might just clear it all and start over! I didn't do my stretch or strength yesterday, and I will be running 3.5 when I get home from work. At least I know the roads will be clear since everyone and their mother will be watching the Super Bowl. Sometimes...I feel that cars like to play dodge ball with the pink hat and pink shoes runner. I mean to tell you...after the longest hill EVER (ie...OVERTON ROAD) I thought I was going to get eaten alive by a dog...two ran down barking...one stayed back and this devil dog kept running behind me...i was literally halfway in the across the neighbors lawn...i THOUGHT i was going to get eaten alive by this thing...decided I am cutting that road out of my training...bye bye North Woodridge Road. (not actual dog...but thats what i felt he was inside...)

Well, it's Wednesday and I think I'm finallly over the hangover from this past girl's weekend. I'm never drinking again except for the wine last night and the happy hour for tomorrow and Tiff's shower this weekend! ha ha. Seriously, it has taken me 4 days to get over that bindge weekend. Anyways, I did manage to do 3.5 miles yesterday and 30 min of cardio and 30 min of weights today. I'm sooooo ready to just run this thing now! Ok that was phrased wrong, I'm no where near ready to run it, but I'm ready to get done with this training. How am I ever going to train for 3 more months. Can't wait to see y'all again this weekend! Happy Running!

THAT'S HILIRIOUS...CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE STORY TOMORROW IN PERSON!!!! I thought you would find this picture of me pretty humurous...This is my funny "3 week" pictures...

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=76354e7343&view=att&th=11f006a4b0536a45&attid=0.12&disp=thd&zw

Chrissy: I ran 3 miles today and did weights. Funny thing happend while on the treadmill: I fell off it!! I'll have to tell you about it later. It was pretty funny and thank goodness I caught myself on the arm, suffered a minor "rug burn", but my pride was hurt most of all. :) I am so excited about this weekend, I can hardly contain myself. See you tomorrow.

Chrissy: Well, I did spin this morning, it pretty much took the whole class for me to feel warmed up, so it was miserable. This cold weather really sucks. There is no way I could run outside, but doing those DVD's will really help keep you active. As long as you are not just sitting around those should be great. They will switch your body up too, so you don't get used to one thing and you will burn more calories. I got my 3 mile run tomorrow and weights. I was able to do arms today, so I'll do legs tomorrow. I will do spin nn Friday again. I'm still not sure about this running in the mountains. I am soooooo freakin pumped about this weekend. I finished up all the shopping for it today. I'm not sure how I managed to spend so much money, but oh well! We have a lot of fun stuff. See you on Friday!! Can't wait!!

Week 3

Ellen- Week 3 Well...I do have to say that I have switched my week up a little due to cold weather. 2 days ago I ran 3 miles and yesterday I did this 60 min. dvd for legs with Nick. It kicked my ass...its called P90X...and that is what Nick is doing for 90 days. I really liked it...I'll have to tell you about it later...anyway, I am back to my rest day. Since I have to work tomorrow, I might just do another dvd and rest up for weekend. I am going to get up and run. If it's snowing...that might be different. Anyway, 2 more days!!!!

Chrissy: 3rd week: I have pretty much stayed on schedule. I didn't workout on Monday, so I'll workout on Friday (my normal rest day). I'm going to repeat this week for the most part. I want to feel really comfortable with the 3 mile run and we have 4 extra weeks to put in there somewhere. I don't think I'm as pumped about running in the mountains as you are. I'm definitely not going to try and over do it with the hangover I'm expecting. :) If it's cold as crap, I certainly wont be running outside. It's hard to believe we still have 3 months left of training. I feel like we have been training forever. I'm going to get new shows either this week or next because I think I've worn these out. I have been working out in them for about a 1 1/2 now. I've got spin tomorrow and probably Friday. I did 3.5 today, but I'll probably only do 3 on Thursday and weights. See you on Friday!

Just finished Week 2! My week was really tough because of the cold weather. I am getting really pumped about running in the mountains next weekend! I am also going to repeat this week's training but try to make it 4.5 miles on my long run. I have also been so slammed at work that I haven't had time to write. I have written THREE contracts this week! YAY!!! I can already see my arms getting toned. I am rigorously following the program. BTW- got great news...NICK FOUND MY I-POD!!!!!!! I now get to listen to my music...and I FOUND MY NEW BRITNEY CD TODAY!!! That means my run...starts with Womanizer tomorrow! I think it will be a lot easier when I have fun music to run to. I hope you had a great weekend and hope to talk to you tomorrow. Again, I have been staying at work late and working from home until 10 every night. Can't wait to see you on Friday!

Confession: It has been 4 days since my last post. It's been busy busy at work. Anyways, I've stayed on track with the training. I made it the 4 miles on Sunday on 42 minutes, so freaking excited. I'm at a working training session this week, so it's been difficult to stay on track but I have so far. I'm suppose to run 3 miles tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'm gong to be able to do it on the shitty treadmill at the hotel. My 2 miles today was horrible. I can't wait to be back in Nashville. I stretch every single day and I hope that in a few weeks that is really going to make a difference in my running. I'm trying not to give into the constant hunger that runs through my body during the day. :) I think I'm going to repeat this weeks training again until I move on to the next step because I want this weeks to be easy.

Ran 2 miles today after my morning meeting. It was so cold this morning I am nervous about the three miles tomorrow! I am REALLY able to start seeing the abs and I am getting soooooooo pumped about Girl's weekend! I can't wait to see all the EKs~ Anyway, haven't talked to you today and wanted to see if you ever start to ice your legs. I'm about to while I watch CSI Miami...I will be the next Calleigh Duquesne! Hope you're doing well...oh...just so you know I am planning on B'day party for Nick Friday night at the house! He is turning the big 2-6...now he's not robbing the cradle :)

4 MILES BABY!!!

ELLEN DAY 7- Ran my first 4 mile run today! I am not going to lie...I woke up this morning not with the anxiousness to run 4 miles...especially after I figured out a route around the neighborhood. Talk about killer hills and so many turns...I didn't think I was going to remember...I am proud to say that I RAN THE WHOLE TIME...Even sprinted up my hills...only reason...I wanted to get the hill over faster. Wow!!! This is a MAJOR accomplishment for me! I can now really feel like I am a "runner" who can run 4 miles! This has already boasted my confidence! My abs!!! They are even showing MORE in just one more day. This is one of the most exciting goals I have done in my life. I love looking at the count down clock and see the days going down! Soon we will be in double digits!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good day of rest and really pep yourself before your 4 mile on Sunday. I know you can do it!

Chrissy: Day of Rest! I can't describe how nice it was to sleep in until 6:30 this morning. I will say that I kind of missed my workout, but I think my body does need a little break for the weekend. I am so tired at night though from getting up so early that I couldn't even make it past half time of the Florida game and Jordan didn't let me not know though and woke me up at 11:20 to tell me the good news, ha ha. Today is Friday, so I get my one soft drink: Diet Mountain Dew. Also, I've decided to do a Micro Fit test at the gym to get a total body assesment and then after the marathon, I'll do another one. That way, I'll know that if I gain weight it's not fat at all. I'm really looking forward to my 4 mile run this weekend.

Ellen's Day 7!!!!!!!!! Today I had 30 min. of cross train. I am eating like a pig and can not stop! I also am continuing to use the bathroom! I run my first 4 mile run tomorrow...excited and nervous! I am so surprised on how much I am stretching too! I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO STRETCH...I feel like there is no way that I could run without the amount of stretching I have learned to do! Have a good day off...I will be up bright and early running out in morning rush hour...where EVERYONE and their mother sees me....oh well, keeps me motivated! Have fun watching the game

Chrissy: Ok, I have finished my first week! Tomorrow is my rest day and I get to sleep until 6:30 and I couldn't be more excited about it. I ran three miles straight again and I ran one mile a whole minute faster!! That is huge for me. I've gotten a lot better at stretching ever time I run which I never used to do before after cardio. I still haven't started icing: I know, I know, very bad. Ellen- I'm so proud of the diet cokes, that is a big step. I pretty much back to only drinking caffeine on the weekends (if that) and I'm on weekend number 2 of not drinking. I'm starting to somewhat get used to the back of getting up early, but I have to be asleep by 9:00/9:30, so dont' call me after then. I'm in sweet dreams. I hope everything went good for your first day of "weekend" training.

REST....

REST DAY! I still woke up early and did about 30 minute of stretches! It feels so good!!!!! I am nervous about my first "weekend" starting tomorrow. I am only drinking about 1/2 diet coke a day...HUGE..and I feel so much more energized! I am actually able to go to sleep becaue I am so exhausted by the end of the day. I know icing my legs every night is huge...Chrissy you have to start! I just pop two wal-mart bags of ice on my knees and work downwards...with a dish towel. It is the most soothing thing...and I look forward to it at nights!!! I can honestly say that I have never felt so in shape in my life! Everything on my body has already toned up. Wish me luck for my first weekend!

Ok, I'm pretty much hungry all day, so I thought I would blog about it. It's becoming more and more difficult not to splurge on the eating, so I'm eating raw baby carrots right now. I'm not entirely pleased with the taste of my plan, raw carrots. Ellen: are you hungry all the time? What are you snacking on? I'm trying to drink the crap out of water, but I am peeing every freaking 5 seconds it feels like.

Chrissy: Getting up at 4:45 is not getting easy yet, but at least it's not the most painful thing ever. I did spin class this morning for my cross training day, and I hope it's not going to kill be tomorrow for my 3 mile run and weights. I did arms today also, so I'm doing legs tomorrow with my run. Pretty much I'm hungry all day now too, so I'm trying really really hard not to eat everything I see. I'm usually starving right about this time! I'm really looking foward to my day off on Friday and sleeping in until 6:30. We actually have a 5K here on the 14th of February, and I have a wedding that night, so I wont be able to come to Birmingham, but I may run the one here. It's just going to be so damn cold. Hope you enjoyed your day off today! We got to get better at just blogging and not blowing each other's phones up all day.

1st 5K Race

5K BE&K race Would you be interested in doing this Feb. 14th in B'ham?

Those are my shoes!!! This is going to be us after the marathon. I love this blog stuff. I'm not seeing abs yet, but at least my pants are fitting better. I have noticed I can hold my feet during flexing for at least 10 full seconds though. Ok, Ok, I need to start the icing down. This is so much fun. Jordan said we are such dorks but I told him at least we would be skinny, hot dorks. Oh!! I made a new playlist to run too, it's going to be awesome, got some New Britney, Old Britney, Techno, Rock. It's going to be really good. I'm kind of excited about the 4 mile run this weekend. I got a 45 min spin class tomorrow and 3 miles again on Thursday.

My new shoes!!!

Today, I woke up and hit the road before the rain started! I ran 3.1 miles with no resting too!!! I have a lot of hills in the neighborhood, but I am really starting to push myself. I ran in a flat 34 minutes! I did my usual stretch routine afterwards...and then did my first day of strength! Chrissy...I just got a 10lb. dumbell and did the training from the Hal Higdon's website! I am actually amazed that I have already started to lean up so fast!!! I actually have a dinstict area of where my abs are!!! It wants me to work harder to get that Jennifer Anniston body! Tomorrow is my day of rest...I have more energy than I have every had! I am also taking a multi-vitamin and ice my knees and ankles down every night...Chrissy, you need to do that so you want hurt yourself. One more think that I have noticed, is that I am already getting much more flexible!!! When I say I am usually the most unflexible person...that is NOT an understatement. I can now touch my toes (with yes...pain). Chrissy, good luck tomorrow!

Ok, here is try number 2 on the blogging! Chrissy day 4: So far I have stayed on schedule with the "marathon training schedule" and today I ran the whole 3 miles no resting!!! I'm so excited. It's not easy getting up at 4:45am to workout but I have to do it. The whole stretching after cardio is new to me, but I figure I should spend at least 10 minutes making sure I don't pull something the next time. I also started taking a mulit-vitamin again and I joined calorie counter. I'm not really concerned with losing weight, but I just want to look better in my jeans (actually I want them to button without cutting of my circulation). I joined calorie counter to make sure I don't over eat because of being so hungry from running. Ellen-it's a free website and it tracks your progress for you weight, goals and everything. It's www.caloriecount.about.com. Tomorrow is spin class.

Ellen's Day 3- Today I actually ran 2 miles and felt fine....Nick made my own playlist so I was able to jam out to Pink, Coldplay, and yes...a little Britney. I have noticed my energy already increase and look forward to hitting the streets. This is the first time in my life where I have actually looked forward to my goal...1/2 marathon. Today, after my run, I went to the track shack and picked up the cutest shoes. If anyone knows anything about me, is that my favorite color is pink...guess what color they were. I'll post a pic of them later...but let me just say they have MAJOR reflectors on them!!! Hopefully it won't be raining too much tomorrow, b/c unlike Chrissy, I have no gym!

Ellen's Day 2- I ran 3.1 miles today! This is my first time that I have pushed myself this hard. Chrissy and I came up with this blog because we both independently set New Years goals to run a half marathon. Our countdown starts now...16 weeks to go!!! I am reading sports and shape magazine learning how to train and I get my new shoes tomorrow...very excited...now, I just need to find my I-Pod :)