on running through the year...

I have often set seemingly ridiculous goals for myself.  What 300 pound young adult WOULDN’T want to train for a half marathon, or a sprint triathlon, or even a 5k?

While I no longer look at fitness goals through the eyes of a super-obese human, I do still remember what it felt like and each time I find myself at a race I struggle with finding the line of encouraging those that remind me of myself (just a year ago) and focusing on my own race, my own goals, setting my own challenges.

 When I began the year I was 6 months in to my OTF journey and I was wondering what kind of New Years goal I could set for myself.  See, I find no good in “new years resolutions” given that I have never seen the need to wait until January 1 to make a change, but…I do like to put a framework on the year to come.  This year I decided I was going to do a race every month.  I did not define it too much…no need to set too many stipulations…and half way through the year…I am incredibly proud of what I have done so far.  So, here is my mid year recap!

January 12, 2013- Glow in the Dark 5k
This is the most fun 5k I had done in a really long time.  A small group was supposed to do this race together, but given traffic getting to St. Pete I arrived much ahead of the others and ended up doing this 5k solo.  In my “you glow girl” t-shirt and neon orange shorts, I took to the streets of St. Pete at night (another first—a night 5k) and traveled through countless GLOW STATIONS and neon parties.  A great energy, a SUPER-POSITIVE atmosphere and a killer medal to start the year off!

February 9, 2013- Dirty Girl Mud Run 5k
I think this was my first mud run…I can’t remember a time when I didn’t THINK I could do a mud run, but didn’t feel shear TERROR in the back of my head…that I really COULDN’T do it.  So, I decided a girly mud run might be a good way to start.  Inflatables over electric wire and sturdy structures over wobbly wood!  I had a BLAST doing this race!

Februarry 23, 2013- Gasparilla Distance Classic 15k
GDC 15k 2012 was my first 15k race.  When I look at pictures of 2012 and 2013 15k side by side, it is a truly remarkable benchmark!  My goal going in to 2013’s 15k was to break 2 hours.  I had previously completed the 9.6 mile course in more than 2 and a half hours.  I did a full write up on this race…you can look back on the blog if you want more details…needless to say, I cut more than 45 minutes off my time.  SUCCESS!

March 2, 2013- Zoo Zoom 5k
Going in to March, I had not found a race I really wanted to do, so I did a little crowdsourcing on the good ‘ole book.  OTF St. Pete had a group doing Zoo Zoom, so I asked if I could join them…and join them I did.  IT. WAS. FREEZING.  Most of my training to this point had been done in the gym as Florida had let to reach the 60s (yeah—warm winter) and I woke up for this race and started shivering immediately.  SO thankful I owned an OTF long sleeve…I also PR’d on this weird and windy course that spun through the zoo!

March 23, 2013- Race For Research Half Marathon
The way my mind works is not always so logical.  When I decided to head to Jupiter for Passover, of course I looked to see if there was a race in the area.  Just 25 minutes from Arielle’s house, the Race for Research was a good fit…but 5k or half marathon?  I did 9.6 a few weeks ago, so why not go for 13.1.  I added an 11 mile training run…and off I went.  The last time I did a half marathon I was between 280 and 300 lbs…let’s just say, even with some pretty bad war wounds from OTF going into this race…I realized how much FASTER you can finish 13.1 with nearly 100 fewer pounds on your frame…here we go!  This is the race that made me really SERIOUSLY think about committing to 26.2 soon!

March 30, 2013- Easter Mud Hunt 5k
I really want to do a Tough Mudder…so I signed up for Savage Race.  Dirty Girl didn’t really test me…so I thought I should get a slightly more RUGGED mud run under my belt before possibly embarrassing myself with the OTF team for Savage Race.  The aim for this race was to run 5k and collect Easter Eggs on the course with prizes in them.  I skipped the eggs and hit the trai.  One big difference…little to no grass or mud running (plenty of mud obstacles) just lots of Florida SUGAR SAND!

April 11, 2013- Corporate 5k (more like 3.8 miles)
I love a little spontaneity in my life…I signed up for this race on Tuesday for Thursday.  OTF had a nice little team and we hung for a while at Curtis Hixon.  I can’t say anything special about this race…it was long and HOT…and I did not have any major success…other than convincing Lat to come renegade Savage Race with us.

April 13, 2013- Savage Race
I am not sure I would have been NEARLY as successful in this race without Justin, Susie, Latimer, Jennifer, Michael, JoJo and the rest of the OTF gang to rely on for this race.  I mentioned earlier the slight fear I felt going in to this race.  THIS…was an intense mudder.  At the start line Justin, Jennifer and Lat were still questionable…and once I saw Justin run up next to me before we hit ‘Shriveled Richard,’ the first obstacle, a BRUTAL ice bath, I knew I would be okay.  We ran, we climbed, we walked, we swam, we carried, we got shocked…but we finished…TOGETHER.  (and it was NOT 5-6 miles…it was closer to 7.5 with 25 obstacles!)

May 4, 2013- Girls on the Run 5k
I did not RUN this 5k…and it was the best feeling ever.  Girls on the Run is an organization I became familiar with through Camp and I love the idea that the fun activities and self-esteem building for girls also happen to prepare these girls to complete a 5k, for many of them, their first!  I was paired with a little girl from Sulpher Springs Elementary school, a not-so-great area of town and kids that need a lot of attention and positive reinforcement.  This little girl had NO desire to complete a 5k and about half way through the race I realized her shoes were horribly fitting.  Either way, she and I skipped (just to the next stop sign) and we walked while holding hands…we even ran a little—but she finished!

May 11, 2013- Miles for Moffitt 5 miler
MfM was another benchmark race for me.  MfM 2012 was my first 5 miler…and once again, I KILLED my time from last year.  I just hope as I start looking to 2014, I can continue to do the same!  I cut more than 25 minutes…that’s over 5 minutes PER MILE.  I love the spirit of this race as well…not nearly as large as the GDC in February, but another HUGE community event for the Tampa Bay Area.

June 29, 3013- Bayshore Community Hospital 5k (Holmdel, NJ)
I did try to do a 5k pre-surgery (June 1 in Tarpon Springs) and for the first time ever I just no-showed.  I was SO beat…so I put a lot of faith in myself to be good ENOUGH to complete a 5k just shy of 4 weeks post-op.  My cousin got married the night before and I had invited all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and siblings to join me for this 5k.  They all declined and tried to convince me not to do it as well…I told my family I would walk.  I didn’t plan to jog.  I also didn’t know there was something called the “Holdel Hill” we would be traversing.  Either way, almost 4 weeks post op I did an 11:30 first mile, an 11 minute second mile and just over a 12 minute third mile (slowing down with quite a bit of walking) and that my friends, meant I was ready to get back in the gym!

I probably forgot a race or two…but that’s okay…here are the standouts and I am not slowing down…looking ahead, here is what I have planned…let me know if you would like to join me!

July 19, 2013- Sunsets at Pier 60 5k
August 24, 2013- Wig Out Against Brain Tumors Water Obstacle 5k (currently a LivingSocial deal)
September 7, 2013- Hog Wild Mud Run (only if I find a discount code...not paying $100 bucks)
September 28, 2013- Blueberry Stomp 
October 19, 2013- Savage Race 
October 26, 2013- Bride of Frankenfooter 5k (?)
November 2, 2013- Tough Mudder (EEEEK…ONLY IF A TEAM DOES THIS TOGETHER!)
November 9, 2013- Zombie Run
December 1, 2013- SAL ½ Marathon
January 18, 2014- CHARLESTON MARATHON (hopefully RAKTC!)

HAPPY RUNNING!
For now,
LM

on my favorite day of the year

I can share, with reasonable certainty, that every school planner and calendar I owned between ages 10 and 22 had tiny numbers marked in the corner of every monthly page.  These seemingly insignificant numbers meant nothing to my teachers and seem archaic now with the numerous countdown apps for smartphones and computers.  Those tiny numbers connected me, in St. Louis, Missouri with my friends in North Carolina, Maryland, Florida and beyond.  Those numbers represented the days left until we would rise way too early in New Bern, leave way too early down 70 E, turn way too on 55 and veer onto 306 with plenty of time to spare before all of the other eager camper cars backed the road up almost all the way to Seafarer Rd.  (I had a brother to drop off at Sea Gull first of course.  The boys in those days got to pick their beds and us girls had our bed  assigned!)

Opening Day at camp has always and will always be my favorite day of the year.  As a camper, as a cabin counselor, as an admin staff member, as a volunteer, as an alumna, it is a day filled with incredible emotion.
As a camper I remember there being incredibly high highs, pure joy of running across a field and reuniting with friends after 11 months apart.  There was trepidation as well, hopes of being assigned to a cabin with friends, or wondering whether I would FINALLY make it to the “far side.”  Everything being unpacked still smelled like home, your bed was made perfectly, the summer ahead was full of promise and if you are like me—you might even have had a plan in mind for a summer goal, be it rank or self oriented.  On Opening Day everyone is reminded--Camp is MAGIC!  Everything is possible on Opening Day.

As a counselor all of the same remained true.  Watching campers reunite, receiving hugs from returning campers when they arrive wide-eyed for another amazing summer remained the highs.  As a counselor in lower camp one, I often remember a timid camper or two checking in and more than that—a nervous mom or dad or ten!   Year after year, it remained—thrill in the eyes of first-time parents who try to multi-task unpacking and taking in the beauty all around, all the while the reality setting in that they are leaving their child in our care for several weeks.  It became our job as cabin counselors to assure them, Camp is MAGIC!  Even parents can take a sailboat ride on Opening Day!

As an alumna, each year staff training, then Starter Camp and then First Session Opening Day roll around and through the blessing of social media we are able to celebrate from afar that excitement and joy felt by the next generation of Seafarer and Sea Gull families, campers and staff alike.  This time of the year I find myself reconnecting with camp friends, talking to old campers and joyfully fostering relationships with many of these campers’ parents with whom I have been blessed to maintain relationships YEARS after their time in lower camp one.

I connected with one parent in particular this week and it made me really start thinking about the juxtaposition of Opening Day, the spark that made me recall many of these feelings—and I think this camp mom summed it up perfectly.  I had noted to her how wonderful it was seeing [on facebook] all of the exciting adventures her two daughters were experiencing via college and post-college study programs.  She replied stating that Camp Seafarer and starting as a lower camp one camper played a big role in her daughters’ journey towards independence.

On this Opening Day, when parents of  campers and campers alike may be filled with trepidation, some girls change right into bathing suits and head out for adventures and others climb up on their bunk to quietly settle in—I know that the palpable energy and joy felt all the way from The Crystal Coast to those in parts near and far, will reach every camp family, camper, counselor and alum sitting on Opening Day, smiling about all the promise this summer will bring…why, because Camp is MAGIC!

for now

LM

on being a guest blogger

LOOK

I BLOGGED ABOUT FOOD TRUCKS!

Check it out here...

http://www.tampabayfoodtruckrally.com/blog/post/2013/05/15/SOHO-Food-Truck-Rally.aspx

on being a (runner?!?)

If I may be so blunt.

I can’t believe I am a girl sitting at my computer writing about a race I ran this past weekend.

I always thought of this blog as a place to share the inner thoughts of my mind, the things nobody really cared about other than me, and a select few others…the more I travel this crazy journey, the more I realize I have a lot more to say with the intention for other people to hear.

When I crossed the finish line on Saturday morning, before 9am and Annesley looked at me and said “you BETTER blog about this race.” I didn’t suspect the thought would sit on my heart for the next 36 hours.  I worked out with Annesley this morning and now that I have reached a little lull in my day, I think she is right.
I have to blog about this.

14 months ago I decided I was going to do the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15k race.  I had previously completed two half marathons, but had done nothing near the 9+ miles of a 15k in the recent past.  I started training.  I actually trained really well in 2012.  I followed a schedule of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 mile training runs and I enjoyed the process.  I was really happy for myself when I crossed the finish line in 2012 in 2 hours 39 minutes and 08 seconds.  This is a great race that runs right in front of my apartment.  I pass my apartment twice, at miles 3 and 6.  I knew I would do the Gasparilla 15k again!

You guys reading this have probably been following my progress either vocally or covertly, so you know a lot has changed this year.  This year I signed up for the Gasparilla 15k without thinking about it.  No second guessing.  I’d get some long runs in, in addition to OTF—I knew I would finish the race!  That was 6 weeks ago.  Well, over the last 6 weeks I kinda forgot to get those long runs in.  I didn’t train well at ALL for this event.  I stayed true to my OTF routine, but I certainly did not get any mileage over 3.5miles in before Saturday morning February 23, 2013.

Friday night I picked up my race number.  I knew I would finish, but I had not thought at all about my timing of the race.  (remember-I hadn’t done a race longer than 3.1 miles since LAST Gasparilla)   I knew I could rock a 34-36 minute 5k…but could I sustain that pace for more than 9 miles?  So, what did I do…I PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED I wanted to finish the race in 1 hour 59 minutes 59 seconds.  Under 2 hours?  WHAT?  I have not trained…could I really sustain 12 minute 50 second miles for the whole race?

I sure as HECK was going to try.

Saturday morning I woke up at 5am to meet the OTF team.  Race number, new shorts (another size smaller!  Woo!) OTF tank, sunglasses, I was ready to run.  As we made our way to the race start much of our team lined up around the 8min mile pace…not my pace.  So the next part of my race day story flashes back to GDC 2012 briefly.

Last year when I ran with Deb and Steph (well, Deb ran well ahead of us) we initially found our place near the 11 min mile pace group.  Jim from Jim@marathonpacing.com said, “are you going to run with me.”  I smiled politely and laughed with him when I said, no sir…but have a great race.  As I was moving (slowly-not a jog, certainly not a run) down Bayshore around mile 4 last year, I saw Jim and his pace group running the other way down Bayshore around mile 6…I cheered for them and he in turn cheered back at me…but I was nowhere near his 11 min pace group…thankyou16minutemiles!

This Saturday morning I squarely stood between the 11:30 and 12:00 pace groups and looked up to see Pacer Jim holding the 12 minute sign.  I smiled brightly at him and said, “Jim, you may not remember this…but last year I did NOT run with you…this year, I would like to try.”  I was not sure whether I was going to be able to sustain a 12 min mile pace for 9+ miles…but I surely was going to try.

We sang, the wheelchairs started, the yellow group started, then we were off.  I started just a bit ahead of the 12 min guys…keeping just behind the 11:30 group for the first 2-3 miles.  I felt good, but as I hit 5k I also hit the place where I had exhausted my training. Thankfully I knew there would be (albeit small) a group of OTF supporters just about .5 miles ahead.  Fueled by a brief kiss from Chris at the corner by our apartment I plugged on.  After I passed Annesley’s husband I was not sure where my next support was going to come from…I was in a zone, had great music...but in my head I just thought, I just need to get to the turnaround—mentally then, all you have to do is get back to the beginning.   Just a few minutes later I heard him behind me “we are the 12 minute pace group.”  I smiled and kept running along.

For the next 2-3 miles I led the group, the group passed me, I pulled ahead of the group, the group passed me.  Some time around mile 6 I reached for the pace group sign and carried it for a little less than the mile.  Jim reminded me to slow down.  He told me at 2 miles to go he would unleash me and let me go at my own pace to finish my race hard.

Miles 7-9 I did not fuel well, I did not time a good gu/sport bean shot…and I needed one.  But, as I saw the 7 mile mark I looked at my watch I had over 45 minutes to complete my last 2.5 miles.  I KNEW I was going to reach my goal…now it was a competition with myself…by how much…?!?!

Mile 8-9 I walked for the first time.  Just for water and it was a mistake…I should have just kept jogging…it was harder to get going back into a rhythm.  Pictures between 8 and 9 also made me appreciate how excited I was to finish the race strong.  Then I saw the balloons.  Less than .5 miles to go.  TURN. IT. ON.

Lindsey, I thought, this is just one of Nabilah’s freakish 2-3 minute pushes…er, um…all outs…
I pushed to the end, ran under that clock and looked at my watch.  1 hour 54 minutes and change.  W.T.F!  I DID IT!  And there all of a sudden, Annesley was standing there hugging me.  Where she came from…I am not so sure.  But she witnessed my first exhilaration realizing I not only reached, but surpassed my goal.  I wish we had a picture of the moment.  But I certainly remember how I felt in that moment—and I don’t want to forget that feeling any time soon.

We took some pictures and walked on to the expo for a bit and after a few minutes I received my official Sprint tracking time.  1:52:59!  Not only 7 minutes faster than I had hoped for, 47 minutes faster than my 2012 time!

This morning I looked at the race pictures posted from last year and compared them to the pictures I saw from this year.  I think you will all agree when I say, it is INCREDIBLE the difference this year has made.

I am starting to be able to say “I am really proud of myself.”  I am also starting to decide on some more non-scale related goals.  Let’s work on time for standard 5k’s.  Let’s work on strength for some obstacle races.  Let’s consider looking at some LONGER??!!?? Races.

As always, I must thank Vinny (speed demon!), Nabilah (yes, maybe I should have trained), Jessica (always SO nice to just chat with you) and Annesley (such a constant source of celebration!) for being there to celebrate with me right after the race.

Who knows what will come next!

Well—this Saturday ZOO ZOOM—March 2 7am
March 9 I am pretty sure I want to go play and practice the obstacles at the Tampa Bay Mud Race course (any takers??!??)
April 6 is the Tampa Bay Mud Race
April 13 is Savage Race
May 11 is Miles for Moffitt 5 miler (before Breaker kickball playoffs...I know 99...don't worry!)

Who wants to join me?

for now,

LM

on the next great thing

What will be YOUR Space Jam?

The very first thing I do most mornings is take my phone off the charger and check my email.  It is a horrible habit and I really kinda hate that I routinely check both my personal email and work email before 8am most mornings—and then I check Facebook.  DAMN SMARTPHONE.  (sometimes I wish I still had a stupid phone.)  Now, I usually just delete the spam and look over what is in the inbox, I don’t read the emails or posts, I just like to know what the day has in store for me.

This morning I noticed an email from the best…a forwarded tweet from someone I don’t follow crediting one of her favorites, Lin Manuel Miranda…okay, I am sure it will be something showtune-y.  I’ll check that out later, I thought.  I proceeded on to my usual facebook check…and there was this link posted by numerous people—before 8am.

I get to work and decide to check out what all the hype is about this video…Kid President made me cry before 9am this morning.

Okay, I think it is pretty important to note that I am kinda on the verge of tears ALL-THE-TIME right now, and I am not sure why, but…that is neither here nor there.

So, Kid President is talking to us about what we need to do—we need to never give up.  “What if Michael Jordan gave up?” (then he quips, well…he did give up, he retired…but what about high school?  If he had given up in high school-we would have never had SPACE JAM…and I love Space Jam.)

“WHAT WILL BE YOUR SPACE JAM?” –Kid President

You know what, I wish I knew what would be my Space Jam.  I think Kid President hit one of my very extended nails on the very broad head this morning.  I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.
Now, don’t get me wrong…I know I love what I do.  I think I am pretty good at it too.  There are a handful of kids turned friends that reaffirm that the relationships built doing what I do CAN transcend the short 4 years…I am SO appreciative of those relationships!

But, where do I go from here?  What will be my next “great thing?”

Ideas and suggestions humbly accepted!

If you haven’t watched it yet—check out Kid President 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

for now,
LM

On 6 LIFE CHANGING months

I need to be better about writing more…

It has been ages since I have written for anyone to see…

I should really blog more…

All of these thoughts float in and out of my head on a regular timetable—far more frequently than I would ever admit to anyone…but most often I chalk not writing up to not having enough time, not having the right way to say what it is I want to say, or frankly—not thinking that anyone really wants to read what I have to say anyway.  I write for myself mostly I suppose, so I guess I shouldn’t care about that last part.  The last 6 months have been pretty darn dynamic though and I guess I should take a minute to pause as I have reached a pretty cool place on this latest adventure, and I have heard from quite a few people I have been HORRIBLE about staying in touch with who have expressed tremendous support and encouragement…so I guess, blog away I will…

June 16, 2012 
…is a day that changed my life in a way I never could have imagined.  RCD and I decided to go on a little “gym shopping” trip as two new (one very large and one very small) gyms were planning to open right around the corner from my office.  We started at the very large one…in presale.  Then we went to the very small one…also in presale.  The very large one had a little storefront and floor plans and hundreds of machines on the blueprint.  Two middle aged salesmen droned on about their elite club.  We walked out.  The very small one had a tent and some folding chairs in their parking lot.  It was June, it was hot, and three very excited and energetic fitness professionals explained what their gym was all about.  They talked to me about high intensity interval training, heart rate monitors, treadmills and rowing machines.  They were so excited about the construction occurring in their building and the large 18 days until open posters promised they would be ready in just over two weeks.  I was skeptical.  Nabilah and Troy told me all there was to tell me, and in the end Troy told me “I am not going to sell you on this, go ahead and think about it.  Here is my card, we will be here until 6pm.”  I left the parking lot of Orangetheory Fitness- South Tampa.  Chris and I went out to lunch…but I could not stop thinking about everything they had said.  We finished eating.  I turned around and walked back up to Troy in that parking lot and signed the agreement (in presale, with an empty shell of a building) that has changed my life.

June 28, 2012
…at 282 pounds I completed my first 60 minute HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING workout at Orangetheory.  I don’t remember it.  I don’t know if I hated life after it.  I don’t remember if it was the most challenging thing I had ever done in my life.  I know I was probably the least fit person in the room.  I know I had to modify just about EVERY exercise in the weight room.  I know my base pace on the treadmill was 3.5 miles per hour.  I know I had to come back and do this workout again!

I spent the majority of my summer (in between trips and weekends away, weddings, camp reunions and a 10 day trip to Poland with 13 teenagers) with the trainers at Orangetheory Fitness.  I participated in their weight loss challenge.  I loved walking in the door every day.  I started logging my food.  My base pace began to increase, well my incline did anyway.  I became infected with Orange pretty much.  I started to find myself missing my workouts when I was out of town for the weekend.  Incredible trainers motivated and fantastic staff greeted each one of us with a smile and help whenever needed.  I remember Aaron taking a few classes with me—though he was an OTF Coach—he practices what he preaches.  Aaron stopped his own work out to help me modify, to help make my workout more successful.  Coaches from other local OTF studios came to our new South Tampa location to make sure we got the support we needed as we began to soar (and grow at an incredible rate.)

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I SAW POUNDS LITERALLY FALLING OFF AND I WAS LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT.

I decided to start rewarding myself for my success.  I decided when I hit 250 pounds I was going to buy myself a custom silver necklace with a charm saying “one step at a time.”  This became my mantra on tough days in the gym… Natalie at Wearable Whispers made me a BEAUTIFUL first charm.

October 2012
Troy doesn’t remember the first conversation we had in the parking lot in June, but once again—Troy says something to me that changed my life forever.  I get out of a class at OTF and there is a message on my phone from Troy.  “We have an opportunity we would like to talk to you about, a way we think we can help you lose 50 pounds by the new year.  Give me a call back and we can talk about it.”  Troy was in the studio and we talked, he asked me to work with one of the coaches at OTF to represent the studio in a 90 day South Tampa Magazine Losing Big competition.  He said I could pick any coach and we would make it happen.  50 pounds by January.  NO WAY, well…maybe…really?  As much as I value, respect, love, adore and could not be where I am today without each and every member of the OTF-South Tampa family…it took me no time to ask Troy whether I could work with Phil Michaels.  On October 4th Phil and I began our adventure.

October 4, 2012
…weigh in day 1 for South Tampa Mag… 245 pounds.  I had already dropped 37 pounds in 3 months with OTF.  I had to hit a plateau soon.  I was TERRIFIED I would not be able to sustain the significant loss I had seen over another 90 days.  

Phil had more confidence in me some days then I had in myself.  As we progressed through the challenge we modified my food choices.  I started to know I could sustain this.  I started making my Shakeology shakes every morning for breakfast—man did that make an incredible difference.  I had a lot of travel this fall too.  Phil worked with me through the weekends.  We prepared plans, I packed snacks.  I skipped youth group meals and brought my own lunches and dinners.  I was enjoying the outcome more than I could enjoy sweets, pizza or fast food EVER!  At some point during late October or early November Phil told me I needed to up my speed and stop relying on the incline on the treadmill…WHAT?  I forgot to mention I started all of this with a broken 5th Metatarsal—(THANKS MATT AND ASHLEY’S AWESOME WEDDING PARTY!)  I was afraid of the soreness…I was afraid of getting hurt.  Gradually I increased to a 4-4.5…wow!

Thanksgiving morning I completed a 5k for the first time without ANY walking…I ran the entire thing, beginning to end.  I heard Phil in my head...once you increase your speed--you don't slow down.  36 minutes and 37 seconds--a PR by at least 8-10 minutes.  As I am writing this I realize I have not processed any of the on an emotional level at all.  I am not sure when I will…I am not sure IF I will…that remains to be seen.

December 12, 2012
…mid-point weigh in.  31.5 pounds down.  I am still enjoying every single work out at Orangetheory.  Even on the early morning-up before the sun-man is Annesley chipper (and rare for me) at 6:15am workouts…I have fun every single time I am in the gym and maybe Troy wasn’t so crazy—maybe I could actually lose 50 pounds by our final weigh in.

Phil helped me strategize for 7 days in a hotel for Winter Regional.  He brought in several of the other trainers in the gym to offer recommendations for our continued success.  We added extra cardio and some additional protein and water.  Every step along the way I felt so much love and support and encouragement from the ENTIRE STAFF of OTF.  From Jessica and Corey and Brian and Justin and Wendy behind the desk when I walked in the door to each and every Coach in the studio.  Nabilah and Annesley with SERIOUSLY STEALTHY workouts in the mornings.  Jeff reminding me to listen to my  body and chill a bit when I was sore and tired.  Phil dancing around the studio through his own foot injury, singing and sharing lots of “YEAH BUDDY” exclamations.  138 Orangetheory Fitness classes later we arrived at final weigh-in day for our South Tampa Magazine challenge.

January 16, 2013
…Tuesday night at 11pm I received a text from Phil that he had a few surprises for me.  I had a 7:30 am workout on the books…but he had additional plans.  Terry (an incredible and innovative businessman and the REASON OTF came to the Tampa Bay area) coordinated a little splurge of an experience for me…he helped keep my mind occupied while we waited for our 4:30pm weigh in.  Getting Phil and Terry’s feedback on clothes for the final picture might have been my favorite part of the day!  And then we were off…Phil and I went to USF Health at TGH for my final weigh in…

AS OF YESTERDAY AT 4:30 PM I HAVE LOST 90 POUNDS WITH ORANGETHEORY FITNESS
(I cannot WAIT to be able to say "I have lost 100 pounds at OTF!  I am sure it is not too far off!)

Yes, during our 90 day challenge Phil and the OTF team helped me lose 53pounds!

Like I said earlier—I have not processed a lot of this emotionally yet.  I thought when the scale read 1xx for the first time I would have more emotion about it.  When it displayed 199.8 I did have an “I can put that on facebook” moment—but in reality, my first thought was OKAY…what’s next?

I ordered my third charm for my necklace—it says “Enjoy the Journey” and Natalie shipped it from Wearable Whispers the day after I ordered it…maybe it will get here before our celebration on Friday night at Fire!  Come join us at 7pm…let’s celebrate…it will be fun!  And truly--I cannot tell you how much I am ENJOYING THIS JOURNEY!

I don’t know what is next…I have set another 25lb goal…and then we will see how I feel at 175.  We’ll see how this new body performs for 99 Problems in the Spring WAKA Breaker league…that’s for sure.

I was well over 200 pounds in middle school and I just don’t know what a healthy adult weight will be for me…but I do know I love where I am.  I love how I got here…I LOVE where I am going.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE CONTINUED SUPPORT!

For now,

LM